Well would you look at that. An update. Honestly I am as surprised as you. The 29th caused me nothing but greif. But you don't care do you? You are all just bitter that it's been 16 years since I updated. Well savor the moment people, there is only one more chapter.

Oh. This chapter is titled after Heal Over by KT Tunstall, and it is freakishly perfect. Get it, listen to it, and just try to tell me that its not.

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August

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August 25th

Derek

Derek had a knot in his stomach as he pushed open the front door to his home. Addison had refused to tell him who had arrived at the apartment and had hung up quickly once she had told him to come over.

He fallowed a low murmer of voices to the back den. Addison turned her head as he hurried down the hall and locked eyes with him as he approached. Derek forced himself to enter the room at a normal pace, other then being slightly shook up and sporting a forced smile, Addison appeared to be fine.

Addison tilted her face towards him and he kissed her gently, cupping her cheek in his hand, "Hey," he greeted her quietly, allowing his thumb to rest momentarily under her lower lip.

"Derek!" a male voice spoke up from behind Derek.

Derek turned away from his wife for the first time since entering the room and found himself being embraced to two strong male arms.

"Weiss," Derek exclaimed in confusion, hugging him back, "I thought you guys were in Europe."

"We came back," Sav informed him from where she was seated on the couch, grinning from ear to ear.

Derek stared at Sav a moment befor turning back to Addison.

Addison raised a pained eyebrow.

"Wow," Derek said with fained enthusiasm as he kissed Sav on the cheek. Derek returned to Addison and sat on the left arm of her chair, resting his hand on her right shoulder, "This is... wow."

"I know," Sav laughed excitedly, "We never thought that it would happen this quickly. We took a trip over to see if we thought it was for us. And now..." Sav trailed of and grinned at the room.

Unconciously Addison had moved closer to her husband and was now leaning gently against his side, "And now they have Estella."

Derek trailed his fingers over Addisons hair as he watched Sav cuddle the sleeping baby to her chest, "Now they have Estella."

Derek and Addison sat in almost complete silence as Weiss and Sav told them of how their trip to Europe had really been in order to visit various orphanages, particularly in Russia. "We had done all the paperwork ages ago," Sav confided, "But we never suspected that it would all happen so fast." After travelling around Russia and some smaller European countries they had gotten a call from their lawyer. "We fell in love the minute we saw her," Weiss said proudly, gazing at the 10 month old toddler in his wifes arms. They had decided that they weren't going to say anything to their closests friends until they got home, but felt it was fate that there flight had gotten delayed in Seattle. "So we decided why not!" Weiss grinned, "I can't think of a better time then now for Essy to get to know her Uncle Derek and Aunt Addy."

They planned on staying a week.

Addison hadn't been able to take her eyes off the baby. Derek was finding it difficult to consintrate on what his friends were telling him, he just wanted to watch Addison and see how she was handling it.

"Oh my God, you must think I am so selfish," Savi exclaimed suddenly, "You must be just dying to hold her!"

Addison recoiled slightly, "No," she exclaimed a little to vehemently, "I mean, she looks so peaceful. I'll have plently of time to hold her." She looked over at Derek, who gave her a small smile. "You two must be famished," she said suddenly, "I am going to put on some tea and try to find something for us to eat." Befor anyone could protest she was out the door.

"I'll help her," Derek added hastily, leaving Weiss and Sav to stare at their sleeping daughter in complete awe.

Derek caught up to Addison as she entered the kitchen, "Addy," he said reaching out and grabbing her wrist hoping she would stop and turn to talk to him. Instead she willing came into his arms and burried her face in his neck.

"I'll be upstairs," Izzie said quietly from where she sat at the kitchen table.

"No stay," Derek told her, releasing Addison from the tight hold he had on her, "We have to figure some stuff out." Izzie crossed the room and stood in front of the shocked couple. "Okay, I guess I'll call around to a few hotels. See if anybody's got anything this late at night..."

"No," Addison cut him off, "They can stay in one of the guest rooms," she said, vacantly, "Izzie you should go home. I'll be fine, Derek will be here with me."

"Are you sure?" Derek asked quietly.

"Of course," Addison replied.

"Okay," Izzie grinned, "I'll be out of here in 20 minutes. Just don't forget your meds. And she needs to stay on the IV at night for at least another 4 or 5 days. Don't let her tell you otherwise," she added to Derek as she left.

Derek couldn't help but grin at his wife, "I missed you so much," he said holding her tightly again.

"I missed you too.," she replied, hugging him back just as tight.

Derek backed away suddenly, "Little man's got quite the kick."

"Agh," Addison exclaimed staring at her tummy, "I know. He hates me."

"He doesn't hate you," Derek laughed, reveling in the normalicy of their conversation.

"He does," Addison argued with a slightly smile, "You can actually see the outline of his foot sometimes."

"Really?" Derek lifted the hem of her baggy t-shirt so that he could see her tummy. To his surprise she didn't stop him.

"Look." She said triumphantly pointing, every so often the taut skin would quiver and even bulge out slightly.

"Wow," Derek shook his head in awe and placed a hand on the spot.

"Addy? Could I heat this bottle up really fast?" Sav asked entering the kitchen. She stop, her mouth open in shock, "Oh my God! Addison! Are you pregnant?"

Addison and Derek glanced at each other, the back at Sav.

"Surprise."

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August 26th

Addison

"Maybe they will get married someday. Wouldn't that be something, huh?"

"What?" Addison shook her head quickly to clear it, "I'm sorry, I zoned out for a minute."

"I can't blame you." Sav sighed and rocked the baby's carseat with her foot, lulling Estella to sleep, "I can't believe you didn't tell me!" She teased, "You guys must have been thrilled."

Addison paused, "It was unexpected."

"Even so," Sav continued to grin and squeezed Addison's hand, "I mean you guys tried for so long! And know look at you!"

Addison forced a smile, "Yeah, look at me."

"Addy," Sav replied, mistaking Addison's lack of enthusiasm, "You look great! I mean I didn't even realise that you were pregnant until I saw Derek oogling your stomach. And only you could get to what, your 7th month without stretchmarks."

"8." Addison said quietly.

"What?"

"I'm almost at 8 months." Addison smiled her first genuine smile since Sav had arrived.

"What?" Sav was both giddy and surprised.

Addison shook her head and shyly hid her face, "So Weiss seems really excited."

"My god, I know!" Sav laughed, "I can't believe it. I'm lucky if I get to hold her."

Addison listened to her friend gush about her family. She was happy for them. She was. Really.

"Sav?" Addison said suddenly, cutting off her friend mid-sentence, "Would you mind if I went up stairs and took a nap?"

"Oh hun," Sav said apolagetically,"I'm sorry, 'Emery must be just draining you. And I sit here yammering on and on..."

"Sav," Addison chuckled, "It's fine, I just haven't been sleeping well." Addison saw a look of concern cross Sav's face, "He kicks. Alot." She lied.

Sav winked, "Thats men for ya. No matter what the age, they just don't want to let you sleep."

Addison laughed, "I'll see you in a bit."

Addison entered her room with a sense of relief. She didn't really feel tired. She just needed to be alone. Derek and Weiss had volunteered to get some groceries, but that had been 3 hours ago. They had probably gone out to the trailer for some guy time. She felt guilty leaving Sav on her own on her first full day in Seattle but... I can't listen to anymore talk about babies or famillies or the future.

Addison lay down on the bed, arranging pillows around her. Maybe she was tired.

Her next concious thought was that someone was touching her face. She lay still, Derek used to wake her up like this when they were first married. He would just trace gentle lines all over her face, down her nose and across her lips and cheeks until she woke up.

She slowly opened her eyes. Derek was layiing on the bed next to her studying her face.

"Hey," he whispered, leaning forward to kiss her.

"Hey yourself."

"You can go right back to sleep. We just need to hook you up."

Addison was surprised, "What time is it?"

"10:30. I brought you something to eat if your hungry."

Addison groaned and sat up, "I can't believe I slept that long. Why didn't anyone wake me up?"

"You needed the sleep." Derek told her, reaching over to get the IV.

Addison wrinkled her nose.

"Don't pout." he teased her as he quickly hooked the fluids up her arm.

"Do you have to go back downstairs?" Addison asked, feeling uncharacteristically needy.

Derek smiled at her, "No," he replied, pulling her to him and laying down on the bed.

"Good," Addison whispered.

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August 27th

Meredith

"One of these days we are going to have to start acting our age," Meredith sighed as she stared at the sky.

"Why?"

Meredith and Tyler lay on their backs in Meredith's backyard watching the clouds.

"Tyler!" Meredith laughed.

"What? I see no reason why we cannot spend a day laying on the grass doing nothing. We are grown-ups at work, and we work 24/7. These clouds will only be around for another 20 minutes."

"But then there will be new clouds." Meredith pointed out.

"But not these clouds."

They fell back into a comfortable silence.

Suddenly Tyler sat up, "Do you see that tree?"

Meredith propped herself up on her elbows, "Yes."

"Would it be completely irrational for us to build a treehouse in it?"

Meredith couldn't help but laugh, "Yes!"

Tyler was silent for a minute, "Do you want to anyway?"

Meredith stared at him with a smile on her face, "You know what?"

"What?"

"I think, I might be in love with you."

Tyler grinned, "Really?"

"Maybe." Meredith grinned back, "It's just an informal diagnoses."

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August 28th

Addison

"So I need to ask you guys a huge favor."

Addison and Derek turned away from the sandwiches they were making together and faced Weiss.

"Whatever you need," Derek told his friend.

"Since we've had Estella," Weiss began, "Sav and I haven't really had any time to ourselves. And once we get back to New York there isn't going to be anyone that Sav is going to feel comfortable leaving the baby with. So..." Weiss paused and looked pleadingly at them, "I was hoping that maybe you guys could babysit tomorrow and we could get away for the night. "

Addison glanced at her husband, There is no way that we can say no.

Addison looked back at Weiss and mustered up her best smile, "Of course."

Weiss grinned, "Great." He turned to leave the kitchen, "And hey, it would be great practice, eh."

Addison and Derek glanced at each other again, and went back to their sandwiches in silence.

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August 29th

Derek

Derek stood by the bedroom window trying to calm the crying Estella. "Shhhh, Essy, Shhhh."

Addison stared vacantly from where she was seated cross legged in the middle of the bed, for the first night in weeks she was not hooked up to an IV.

Derek looked at his wife, she hadn't said a word since Sav and Weiss had left that afternoon.

Addison stared at Derek and Estella, gnawing nervously on her lower lip.

Derek's jaw tensed, he had been wrestling with the baby for almost an hour and all Addison had done was sit silently and stare. I need HELP! "Addy, I know that this is difficult for you, and it's going to take time before you are...but your going to be okay, we just have to... wait it out,"

Addison closed her eyes and looked away.

Derek gave a frustrated sigh, "Well, in the meantime could you just say something? Anything!" Derek fought the urge to yell as he moved to get a bottle from the warmer.

"That's not a hungry cry."

Derek looked at her in surprise, then smiled gratefully, "Thank you," he sat down on the bed beside her, "What's the matter then?"

Addison examine the baby for a moment. Finally she tentatively reached out, her hand trembling slightly, and brushed her palm lightly across the baby's forehead, "She has a fever."

Derek looked between the baby and Addison, "Are you sure?"

Addison shook her head and gave her husband an exasperated look, "Of course I am sure."

Derek continued to sit quietly, Estella bawling in his arms.

"Take her temperature Derek," Addison ordered softly, "And there is baby tylenol on the dresser."

Derek nodded mechanically and stood up, suddenly he turned and without warning, deposited Estella into Addison's arms.

Derek ignored Addison's protests as he made is way into the bathroom. That was really stupid Derek. She is going to have a breakdown.

Derek rushed back to the bedroom but stopped short, Estella wasn't crying.

"She stopped crying," he said in amazement, "I tried everyone of the tricks Izzie taught me, and nothing."

Addison was silent, "Izzie may have taught you everything she knows, but she doesn't know everything I know."

Derek smirked and sat down on the bed again.

Addison hastily returned the baby to his arms.

Derek studied his wife, "You can do this you know."

Addison didn't look up.

"You tell yourself that you can't Addy, but you can."

Addison turned her head and stared at the wall.

"I know it hurts, It hurts me too." Derek shifted Estella in his arms and turned Addison's face so she was looking at him, "Listen to me, we have lost so much. We together lost so much. And that is never going to go completely away, that kind of pain never disappears. But you can't let that pain take over. We are going to have a son. You are going to be a mother. Together we are going to be a family."

Addison silently mulled this over.

Derek coddled Estella into swallowing a tiny bit of medicine, then reclined against the headboard, Estella already half asleep on his chest. He reached over and rubbed small circles on his wife's back.

"What if we can't do this?"

"What?"

"This. All of this."

"Addison, we are going to be together, the three of us. We are going to be together and happy and..."

"Derek less then a year ago we were separated. WE weren't talking to each other and we lived on different sides of the country. We were sleeping with different people and came within about 3 feet of getting divorced. We cannot bring a child into this."

Derek didn't know what to say. She was right.

Addison's shoulders started to shake. "I can't loose you again,Derek. I can't loose you i can't loose him. I can't do it again. I can't do this Derek. I can't...I won't..."

Derek sat up and wrapped his arms around his wife, "I'm not going anywhere..." Derek wasn't sure how to comfort her, so he just held her as she sobbed, only able to make out a few of the words she was saying.

Estella, frightened by Addison's sobs had woken up started to cry too. Derek closed his eye's and attempted to comfort both girls at the same time. But they couldn't be comforted.

Eventually, what to Derek seemed like hours later, Estella cried herself to sleep, and Addison ran out of tears.

Derek lay on the bed facing Addison and brushed some hair off her face. He was not sure how they ended up like this, but now they where laying down, faces inches apart in the middle of the bed. Essy fast asleep between them.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," Addison whispered. She ran a finger lightly over the baby's chest and gave a small smile when Estella grabbed onto her finger.

"Okay," Derek looked her straight in the eye, "I am only going to say this once, so your going to have to listen," he put a hand on the side of her face, "Most of this past year sucked, I know it sucked, you know it sucked, the entire hospital knows its sucked. You had an affair with my best friend. I shouldn't have forgiven you, but I did. I fell in love with another woman. You should have jumped the next plane to New York, but you didn't. We've both made huge mistakes that thinking reasonably we never would have forgiven each other for. But we did. And this baby, should never have happened. But he did."

Derek paused, then said slowly "Addison, I love you, and you may not believe that we deserve to have anything good happen to us, and maybe we don't. But good things are happening. We are together. We are together and we are happy."

He leaned forward and kissed her tearstained cheek.

"I can't promise that everything is going to be perfect, I can't promise that 'Emery is going to be fine, I can't promise that we will never have problems again. But I can promise that I will always love you, and I will never ever leave you if I can at all help it. I am never going to let you go. We are in this together, and no matter what happens we will face it together. Side by side."

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August 30th

Meredith

"So a funny thing happened the other night," Meredith said casually approaching Derek in the hallway.

Derek grinned at her, "And what was that?"

"My roommate, the one you are 'having an affair with', started sleeping in her own bed again."

"You heard about that?" Derek asked sheepishly.

"Ya, I heard about that," Meredith smiled and shook her head, "My point, is that since Izzie is no longer camped out in your apartment, and you look like today is Christmas and your birthday, one can only assume that you and Addison are back into the 7th heaven that is your impending parenthood."

"You know about that?"

"You didn't know that I knew about that?"

"No."

Meredith smiled, "Apparently no one tells you anything," she teased.

"Apparently not," Derek shook his head and grinned, "But it's great right?"

"It's more then great," Meredith stopped herself short of hugging Derek as a gaggle of nurses rounded the corner and gave Derek the evil eye. "Bet you'll be glad when that is over."

Derek shook his head good naturedly, "It is making life incredably difficult."

"No kidding. Anyway I brought you something." Meredith handed him an envelope.

"Travel brochures?"

"Ya, me and Tyler were looking through them the other day. Clearly we arn't going anywhere anytime soon, but I thought that maybe you and Addison would want to get away for a little while. She probably doesn't feel up to coming back to work yet..."

Derek's face broke out into a grin, "Meredith! This is perfect! I love you!" Derek grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her firmly on the forehead,"Seriously!" Derek winked at her has he bounded down the hall.

Meredith blushed and turned to find the group of nurses directly behind her, "He didn't mean it like that," she explained, "I just did him a favor."

One of the nurses raised her eyebrow.

"Not like that!" Meredith protested, "Okay you know what, seriously? I don't care."

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August 31st

Addison

"So?" Derek approached, hands buried deep in his pockets.

Addison sat on a picnic table, in the sun, in front of the trailer, and watched her husband approach. She knew that when she hadn't called him or gone back to the appartement after her doctors appointment he would have gotten conserned.

"So," Addison began, not looking at Derek but instead focusing her eye's on the horizan. "I talked to the experts..."

"And..."

Addison took a deep breath, "They had some bad news,"

Derek closed his eyes and inhaled sharply.

"Even if we started today, there is no way that we could finish the cottage befor the frost starts."

"The cottage...?"

"Well our son is going to need somewhere to play in the summer." Addison said with a grin.

"Our son?"

Addison nodded, "Fingers crossed, about 10 weeks from today, we will be bringing our baby home from the hospital. There is nothing wrong. Thanks to the diabetes, he is huge." Addison rubbed her stomach happily, and gave her husband a saucy grin, "And best of all, even if something does happen, and he arrives a little early... I am the best damn neo-natalogist on this seabord."

"So your saying," Derek's grin grew wider as he ran one hand through the ends of her hair and placed the other on her stomach.

Addison's hand joined Derek on her stomach and she intertwined her fingers with his, "I'm saying we are going to have a baby."

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Awww... those crazy kids.

So you know the drill, you REVIEW, I bask in the glow of million complements and then post the last chapter which is already written.