A/N: I know you all were looking to get some interaction actually the Shepherd family dinner, but I thought this worked better. After all, this is about Derek and Addie's relationship. I'd love to hear what you think as this comes to a conclusion. I'm presently working on other stories though... so there will be something new soon! Oh and I'd love to hear what you'd like to see in a story. I aim to please.

Addison cradled the most recent addition to the Shepherd family in her arms, Amanda's 2-month-old daughter. After she had helped the Shepherd women prepare a delicious Christmas meal, she had offered to help out with the infant. She assumed that consuming herself in caring for her niece would make Derek's absence less noticeable; if anything, it had made his absence more prominent.

"Is she sleeping?" Amanda wondered softly as she entered the guest room where Addison was taking care of the child.

Addison smiled, "Just drifted off to sleep. She's a jewel, Amanda."

"Thanks," Amanda sat down next to Addison on the bed and touched her daughter's silky blonde hair, "Addie, what is wrong with Bubba?"

"What do you mean?"

"You've barely mentioned him all Christmas, and he is nowhere to be found. And he didn't even say for long at Thanksgiving. Something has to be going on," Amanda answered.

"He's an Attending Neurosurgeon, now. He's working 80-hour weeks. He doesn't have a lot of time right now," Addison gave the scripted answer she had been telling herself for weeks.

Amanda shook her head, "Don't let Bubba do that to you. Sometimes you have to put him in his place."

"I knew this was a possibility when I married a doctor," Addison shrugged, "That is usually his argument when I try to approach the topic."

Amanda shook her head, "I know things are tough for you guys, you got married just as you were heading into the busiest time of your lives. It wasn't fair. You need to talk to him; it's Christmas."

Addison had finished things around the Shepherd house and taken the 30 minute drive back to their brownstone on the Upper East Side. Amanda had been right, neither her nor Derek deserved the complacency that their marriage had grown to contain. She was going to fight. She was going to make it work.

Derek didn't come home that night. He had stayed at the hospital. And that was when Addison had decided that she wasn't going to spend the rest of her life chasing after the ghost that had become her husband. It was his turn; she couldn't handle any more pain.

Addison pressed her head back against the headrest of the passenger seat in the rental car and closed her eyes. It was 8, and they were driving back to their hotel from Derek's parents' house. Despite the early hour, she was feeling extremely tired. The last few days had been spent in a blur.

Being in the city they had once called their home had almost transformed Derek. Sure, he was still hesitant, but he was actually smiling and enjoying a lively banter with his wife. In the last few days, they had visited their favorite haunts, spent time curled up in front of a fire talking and celebrated a lively and happy Christmas with his family.

And, now, a satisfied Addison wanted to sleep.

Derek took a moment to glance over at his wife as he pulled up to a stop light. A soft smile played on her lips, and he reached his hand across and placed it on top of hers.

"You're going to love where I'm taking you," He told her.

"What are you talking about?" Addison reluctantly opened her eyes, "It's late, Derek."

Derek chuckled, "It's not, actually."

Addison looked around curiously as Derek parallel parked in a familiar part of Manhattan and walked around the car to open the door for her. He led her along the street for a ways and wrapped his arm around her shoulder when he realized she was shivering.

"It is freezing. I am tired. The city is deserted; it is Christmas," Addison went down a list of her complaints

"Me thinks the lady doth protest too much," Derek whispered in her ear playfully.

Addison glanced to her husband in a smile and was shocked by what she saw. His eyes were smiling, something she hadn't seen for a long time. For the first time since she had joined Derek in Seattle she felt like he was actually looking at her. He wasn't hurt or disgusted at the sight of her, and he wasn't looking for Meredith in his eyes. For that moment, they were just Derek and Addison.

Suddenly, Addison felt much more awake, "Where are we going?"

"You'll see," Derek grinned and gave her shoulders a squeeze.

After only a few more blocks they were approaching the tall architectural masterpiece known as the Empire Sate Building.

"Derek, this is the Empire State Building," Addison wrinkled her brow, "This isn't where you're taking me; is it?"

"Addison, I know it's the Empire State Building," Derek rolled his eyes as he opened the door for her.

One of the most popular tourist attractions, the building was busy almost everyday. Being late on Christmas, there were a few scattered couples around, but Derek and Addison were mostly alone. Derek led her into the elevator and shut the door.

"We're alone in an elevator," Derek wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, "You know what is fun in an elevator?"

Addison rolled her eyes and elbowed him playfully, "Nice try, Derek."

Derek stepped back and held his hands up defensively, "Whoa, no need to get violent."

Addison grinned as she took a step toward him and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

"I thought we weren't doing this?" Derek raised his eyebrows suggestively.

Addison leaned back in for a kiss, but the elevator door opened and the two were forced to step off. Derek took her hand and guided her around the walkway to an empty viewfinder.

Addison smiled as she looked over the city, the view breathtaking, and mused, "This view still manages to amaze me."

"I know," Derek agreed as he dug into his pocket and pulled out a Snickers bar and split it in half; he offered one to Addison while keeping one for himself.

"What is this for?" Addison looked curiously at the candy bar.

"I remember you saying something about missing lunch at the top of the Empire State Building," Derek took a large bite from his half, "And this was the best I could come up with."

"Are you serious?" Addison wondered softly, touched by the thoughtfulness of Derek's idea.

"Of course I'm serious," He smiled.

They turned to silence, but for the first time in months it was comfortable. Before they had come to New York, Addison had wondered if it was a bad idea. For the few weeks before Christmas, they had been tense and bitter. But sometime between leaving Seattle and arriving in New York their relationship had been transformed. Derek was attentive. Addison didn't feel alienated. They were happy.

"I like seeing you like this," Addison mused.

Derek nodded, "These last few days have been a nice change. But, then again, Christmas does have a tendency to bring out the best in us."

She looked at his face; it spoke of genuine happiness. The hand placed casually on her hip spoke of desire. The candy bar in her hand spoke of attentiveness and caring. It was as if she were standing, once again, with the man she had fallen in love with 12 years ago.

A lump had formed in her throat, and Addison was forced to swallow it before she could speak, "It's not always going to be this way, is it?"

Derek was taken aback by the seriousness and somberness of her tone, "Addie, don't talk about that. We're happy right now."

"Of course we're happy right now," Addison stepped away from him, so that he could no longer touch her, "But that's just going to make it hurt so much more when we go back to Seattle. It's not fair to do this just some of the time."

"I can't make any promises, Addie," Derek took a step towards her.

"Yes, Derek, you can," Addison retorted, "You just won't. You only work on us when it's convenient for you. I understand that it's not easy, and we won't be perfectly happen all the time. It's your turn to make a commitment. I moved to Seattle; I have let you waver in what you want for months. It's your turn to do something for me. Make a decision."

Derek saw the seriousness in her eyes, and he knew that it really was time for him to make a choice. He glanced out over the city and thought of what Sarah had told him. What would it be like in a few years if Addison weren't the woman by his side? It took only a moment for him to find the picture of it in his mind, and he didn't like what he saw at all.

He took a step towards her, "I want you, Addie. I don't want you for a day. I don't want you for a year. I want you, with me, permanently."

Just as he was reaching for her, she reached for him, and they embraced. He kissed her lips softly and inhaled her rich smell. They stood there, together, for some time before Addison turned and guided him to the elevator. The time they spent together that night was the most passionate and tender they had spent in ages.

They left New York, the Shepherds and their happiness behind to return to Seattle. Derek had meant what he'd said, he wanted Addison forever, but they both knew it wasn't that easy. Derek still had his insecurities. Addison was still wary about his reception of her. But, they both supposed, at least they would have Christmas.

Amanda 45, Nicole43, Sarah40, Derek38, Emily36,