Recovery

Part IX

Meredith, Cristina, Alex and Callie sat on one side of the observation gallery, while Addison sat alone on the other side.

"Okay, I get why Callie is here observing a McDreamy operation since George is assisting, but why on earth are you observing a McDreamy operation?" Alex said to Meredith.

"Ugh, don't call him that," she cringed. "I'm observing my patient being operated on, not Derek," Meredith retorted. "I'm here because she's my patient."

Cristina said, "I can't believe that Dr. Montgomery is here observing too."

"That's because Mrs. Ryan is her patient too," Meredith replied.

"So if you aren't calling him McDreamy these days what are you calling him?"

"McJerky," Cristina quipped.

"McWussie," Meredith added.

"McDouchey," Alex smirked.

"McNightmare," Callie grinned.

They all laughed.

Addison could hear the interns whispered conversation; she tried to ignore them but couldn't help but smiled to herself at the new names for Derek, McDreamy my ass.

Derek looked up in the gallery and noticed Addison sitting up there, a small smile crossed his face, it had been a longtime since she observed one of his surgeries. He locked eyes with her but instead of smiling back, she turned her head. That was when he remembered why she was there. It wasn't to watch him work; it was because he was operating on one of her patients. He was surprised by how disappointed he felt when he realized this. He returned his focus to the patient before him.

Dr. Bailey entered the observation gallery, "I hope you are not neglecting any patients while you are in here observing." All the interns held up their pagers, she nodded at them, "Carry on then." She walked past them over to Addison and sat down next to her. She said in a low whisper looking at her with concern, "So how are you doing today, are you over the shock yet?"

Addie smiled over at her friend. "Yeah I'm finally over the shock," she slid back in her seat and blew out a long breath.

"And?" she looked on expectantly with raise eyebrows.

"Surprisingly, I'm good about it," a smiled appeared on her face that lit up her eyes, "Real good."

Mark entered the observation gallery, excused himself as he passed the group of interns and started to make his way over to Addison but Alex stopped him, "Dr. Sloan?"

"Yeah Karev?" Mark was looking at Addie while he talked to Alex. He smiled when he noticed how happy she looked while talking to Miranda.

"Do you think there's a chance I can get in on the Borden case?" he asked hopefully.

Mark still wasn't taking his eyes off Addie; it was nice seeing her smiling today. He tilted his head and smiled at her, she was definitely glowing today. What a relief to see that smile after the shock she received yesterday. Madeline's visit must have really helped her put things into perspective. "Sure Karev let Dr. Bailey know I said it was okay. It's schedule for Friday morning, nine a.m. sharp. Now if you will excuse me." He continued on to Addie's side, he took the unoccupied seat next to Addie. All the interns' eyes were on him as he sat down next to Dr. Montgomery. He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek and asked, "How are you feeling today?"

"Good, really good," she smiled up at him. "So how long until you leave for your closing?"

"I need to be out of here in thirty minutes. I was thinking we could go out to dinner tonight and celebrate."

"The closing?" she raised her eyebrows in question.

"The closing and . . ." he reached over and placed his hand on her tummy, gave it a gentle rub, the action made her stomach do flip flops.

"That would be lovely, except you do remember that my mother is still here in town."

"Of course I figured Madeline would join us," his smile reached his eyes; she knew how much he liked her mother. "How does seven sound?"

"Perfect, I'm having lunch with my mom, I'm sure she will be happy to join us."

He reached inside his lab coat pocket and pulled out a ziploc bag of orange slices and passed them over to her. "I figured you haven't eaten anything since your morning surgery."

Miranda looked past Addie's shoulder to Mark shaking her head, "Oh you did not just do that."

Addie tilted her head and looked at him, "Aw that's so sweet and you're right I came straight from my patient to here."

Cristina and Meredith sat in the corner observing Addison and Mark instead of the surgery down below. "Something is different," Cristina whispered to Meredith, "I can't put my finger on it."

"I don't know she has been acting weird ever since I talked to her yesterday about Derek," she whispered back.

"About Derek? What did you say about Derek?" whispered curiously.

"Just that I was relieved that I didn't have to deal with any further unexpected consequences, because I had gotten my period she has been acting weird ever since," she shrugged.

"You don't think . . ." Cristina started to ask. But a commotion started across the room. They watched opened mouthed as Addison opened the ziploc bag with the orange slices and her smile disappeared and she visibly paled as the aroma of the oranges hit her. It brought on a sudden wave of nausea. She shot to her feet dropping the bag at her feet and sprinted for the door.

Miranda looked over at Mark who sat there opened mouthed staring at the rapidly departing Addison and then smacked him on the back of the head. "Don't you know anything? You were supposed to bring crackers, crackers are benign oranges are evil." She shook her head and added with a sigh, "You have so much to learn." Mark sat back in his chair looking guilty.

The interns continued to stared open mouthed at Addison's retreating form as she left the observation gallery.

Meredith slipped out of her seat to follow Addison. She saw her rush into the ladies room, she followed her in. She stood at the door for a moment watching Addison grabbing on the toilet as she started to retch. Meredith grabbed some paper towels then moved to her side and held her hair out of her face. Addison eventually pushed away from the toilet and took the paper towels that Meredith offered her. Meredith took a moment to study her before commenting.

"So how far along?" she asked with raised eyebrows.

"Seven weeks," Addison replied weakly.

"Did you know yesterday when we talked?" she shook her head indicating no. "Does Derek know?"

"Yes," she then gave her another weak smile.

"How did her react?" she said with concern.

"You know this is a little weird," she started to gnaw on her bottom lip.

"I know, so . . .?" she urged her to answer.

"He's in denial."

"Denial?"

"He chooses to believe that Mark is the father," she shrugged.

"Oh god Addison I am so sorry," she continued, "I guess I was wrong when I said there was going to be no further consequences from my actions." She started to shake her head, "This is my fault."

Addison looked at the anguished woman sitting before her. "I hate to burst your bubble, but I'm pretty sure you had absolutely nothing to do with the conception of my child," she smirked at her.

Meredith started at her opened mouthed. Addison pulled herself into the standing position and went to the sink and rinsed her mouth out. Meredith followed and stood behind her, she looked up at Meredith in the mirror who continued to stare at her with her mouth hanging open. "Look when I first figured out I was pregnant, I pretty much freaked out but now that I've had time to get over the initial shock. I'm actually pretty happy about being pregnant." She turned to face Meredith and smiled at her. "Now close your mouth, it's not one of your more attractive looks," she smirked again then exited the ladies room.

Mark was standing outside the ladies room when she exited. "I am so sorry," he said with remorse. "Are you okay?" he reached over and brushed some loose strands of red hair behind her ear.

She smiled at him reaching up to caress his cheek, "Really I'm fine that is to be expected." Her smiled widened, "And now we know oranges are evil." She grinned at him and they both laughed.

He pulled her into a hug, gave her a kiss on the top of her head and said, "I really have to get going or I'm going to be late for my closing. Are you sure you are going to be okay?" he asked with concern.

She pulled back a little and looked up at him. "Go," she smiled up at him. "You don't want to be late and yes I will be just fine," she kissed his cheek and gave him a little nudge to leave. He left begrudgingly; she leaned against the wall and watched his progression down the hall with a smile.

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The interns were gathered at the nurse's station when Madeline Montgomery entered Seattle Grace. She took in her surrounds, not quite the action of New York but it was nice and she gave a slight nod, very nice. She looked toward the nurse's station and saw a group of what she thought were most likely interns, she stopped and studied the four young doctors trying to guess which one was Meredith Grey. She decided it must be the petite blonde. She headed for the group and stopped in front of them. She looked directly at the woman she thought to be Meredith Grey and asked, "Could you please direct me as to where I might find Dr. Montgomery?" A looked of uneasiness passed her face, Madeline gave a small satisfied nod, she was sure this was the woman in question. Meredith directed her to where Addison's office could be found. She smiled at the younger woman and said, "Thank you Dr. Grey. I appreciate your help." Then moved off to the elevator.

The interns exchanged looks. "Do you know her?" George asked.

"No," Meredith was puzzled. "I've never seen her before in my life."

"She probably read your name tag," Cristina stated simply.

"Except she is in her scrubs and her named tag isn't showing," Alex added.

"Okay that's just weird," Meredith said again.

As Madeline waited for the elevator Derek stepped up beside her. He did a double take when he recognized her, "Madeline?"

She startled at hearing her ex-son-in-law's voice, but regained her composure quickly. "Derek," she maintained a steady gaze on the elevator doors.

"What brings you here?" he quietly asked.

She turned and looked at him slightly disgusted, "Oh seriously Derek, do you really need to ask me that question?"

Derek took a defensive stance. "Look Madeline I never wanted to hurt Addison"

She crossed her arms and continued to angrily stare him down. "Right you didn't want to hurt her because it was just so damn much fun for her having you take her back only to have you ignore her wants and needs once again and chase after that intern Meredith Grey!" she spat back at him.

"I . . . I . . ." Derek tried to answer back, but she interrupted him.

"And now this," she poked his chest. "You really are a miserable bastard Derek Shepherd."

The interns watched the exchange between the mystery woman and Dr. Shepherd. She definitely seemed to know him and was very angry with him for some unknown reason. The interns were too far away to make out what she was saying it him. But when she slapped Derek across the face, the sound of the slap did reach the interns. Alex winced, "Oh that had to hurt." The doors to the elevator slid open and Madeline stormed in to the empty elevator. Derek seemed to decide it was better idea to wait for the next elevator to arrive.

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Madeline stood at the door to Addison's office for a moment to regain her composure. Of course she should have expected she would run into her ex-son-in-law while she was here, she just didn't realize it would anger her so much. She put a smile on her face and entered her daughter's office and called out, "Hey sweetie, are you ready to go get some lunch?"

Addie looked up from her desk; she stood and walked around the desk her arms reaching out to give her mother a hug. "Yes, I just cleared my schedule for the rest of the day so I'm all yours," she smiled at her mother and gave her a hug.

Ten minutes later they were exiting the elevator and heading past the group of interns. They were so deep in conversation talking animatedly and laughing neither one noticed the interns staring open mouthed as they exited the hospital.

"So," George said.

"So the doctor smacking grandma is friends with Dr. Montgomery," Alex smirked.

"That has to be Addison's mother," Meredith said uncomfortably, knowing now exactly why the woman had asked her directions to Addison's office.

"You think?" Cristina looked over at her.

"Oh yeah, definitely her mother," Meredith nodded.

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After lunch Addison decided to take Madeline to see the house she was considering buying. As they entered the house the first thing you noticed was the Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors which ran through out the main floor. To the right stood the study lined with built in cherry wood bookcases and to the left was the formal dining room which had wainscot and crown molding, both in cherry wood. As they walked along the hardwood floors, they came to the gourmet kitchen with granite counter tops and cherry wood cabinets and a breakfast nook which was connected to the great room. The great room had a vaulted ceiling and floor to ceiling windows with a wonderful view of Lake Washington. As they walked from room to room, Addie pointing out different things about the house that she had fallen in love with along the way. They entered the master bedroom; she walked across the plush cream carpet over to the window. "Just look at that view," she smiled.

"It's amazing," she smiled at her daughter. "Okay I give, tell me one good reason why haven't you signed a contract yet?"

"Because I thought a five bedroom house was too big?" she shrugged.

"And what do you think now?"

"I think it's perfect," she grinned.

Madeline nodded at her daughter as a smile grew on her face and she said, "Perfect."

Both turned their heads to the sound of someone yelling "Hello" from downstairs. They retraced steps back to the gourmet kitchen where the realtor was waiting for them. "So what do you think?" the realtor inquired.

"It's a lovely house Ms. Parker . . ." Madeline began. She reached out to shake hands with the realtor, with a confidant smile on her face.

Two hours later Addison and Madeline were standing at the door to Mark's new penthouse apartment. He opened the door to their smiling faces. "We have one more thing to celebrate tonight," Addie said excitedly, "I bought a house."

"You did?" He motioned for them to come in, "That's great news!"

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