So a little while ago I asked you to review or message me about how you felt about bringing Addison into the story for a few chapters - well you said yes. If you have watched Private Practice, you will know just how special this relationship is and how much they mean to one another. I think it's very important to show more than just Amezona in this story because there is more to life than romantic love - that's not to say there won't be any Amezona content in these chapters. There definitely will be.Anyways, enjoy.
Arizona POV
I'm worried about Amelia. She barely slept last night, tossing and turning for hours on end. We are both working today, and she insists she is okay but I can tell she is scared. Addison gets here tonight, and I think that makes it real for her, knowing that over the next few days she is going to be discussing her problems with a new person all over again. I know it's going to be different with Addison because of how close they are. With myself, and in therapy, we didn't know each other too well, it was like a safety barrier, but Addison is Amelia's sister. They have known each other, and trusted each other for such a long time. She was there through all of Amelia's pain and suffering, after her dad died, after Ryan died, when Christopher died. All these things that I didn't know were happening, and she was there, she made sure Amy wasn't going through this alone.
Our shifts end in about half an hour, we have plans to leave here together and head straight to the airport. Having finished my last surgery for the day, I make my way back to the paeds ward, doing my final round before I leave. I make sure all my post op patients are stable, knowing I'm not at work until Friday. While I know Alex is more than capable of picking up exactly where I leave with patients, I have a rule that all my notes are up to date when I leave, not wanting anything to go to chance. When you're working with tiny humans you have to be extra careful to make sure they make a full recovery.
Once I have finished I make my way through the hospital to get changed, throwing my regular clothes on before heading to meet Amelia at the attendings lounge. When I get there Amelia has already changed clothes and it sat on the couch hugging her knees. She barely moved to acknowledge I had entered the room.
"Amelia, it's time to go. Are you ready?" I say quietly causing her to turn her head.
"Can we just wait a moment and then go?" She asks and I give a slight nod, moving to sit next to her on the couch.
"Are you okay?" I ask her, placing my arm around her back in order to hold her closer.
"I will be."
A soothing hug and a small talk later we make our way to the car. I know that my girlfriend is beyond anxious, and I understand why that is so but still, I think this is a good idea for her. She trusts Addison, and for her to be willing to share her pain, it means the world.
"It's going to be okay Amelia." I say placing my hand on her shoulder while we drive. "Everything will be okay."
"I know, I'm just scared. Talking about all this, it just makes it real."
"This is real Amelia, and you're allowed to be scared. Just know that I'm here, I'm not going anywhere." I explain, and I can see her trying to be strong, her tears threatening to fall. "Okay, remember the deal. We are still about 10 minutes from the airport, so you can have 5 minutes to cry, get it all out. After that you're going to dry your eyes and pick your sister up at the airport. Okay?" I ask, quickly glancing my eyes to her before looking back at the road and her tears have already begun to flow.
I hate that there isn't anything else I can do for her in this situation, but I know that right now, just being here is the best solution. We have had multiple discussions about the next few days, planned it out even. It's one of the coping strategies we have worked out. By planning ahead we can prepare for which emotions to expect, and how best to provide for them. Amelia has told me she doesn't want to get into anything deep with Addison tonight, mostly due to the knowledge that it would make the nightmares significantly worse. Tonight's plan is to grab Sofia on the way home and then order take-out, give them time to catch up. We made a deal earlier, knowing that there would be a lot of emotions. Sometimes just crying for a while, releasing some of the pain and anger, it helps. So she gets 5 minutes, that way she can let it out in a safe environment and she isn't alone.
When her time is up, I can see her running her hand up and down her jeans, over the thigh. I take my hand and place it over hers to stop the movement, making sure not to make her jump or put too much pressure on where there may be any cuts.
"Amy, stop. You're okay. You're so strong." I express and she nods a little, taking her other hand to wipe the tears away from her eyes.
"I'm okay." She responds, trying to convince herself more so than me.
"Yeah you are. Have a drink of water, rehydrate a little because we're almost there. As soon as we are parked we are going to have a big hug and then head inside." I explain giving her a sad smile and she nods her head.
"Okay."
When we arrive I put my car into park mode and turn off the engine.
"You need that hug now?" I offer and she wraps her arms around me almost immediately. I return the affection, tracing one hand up and down her back and the other holding the back of her head. Her body quivering as I hold her. When we pull away, I use my thumbs to wipe a few stray tears from her face, and go to place a soft kiss on her cheek. She stops me as I lean in, moving the angle of my face and connecting our lips in a slow, loving kiss.
"I'm ready. Let's go." Amelia announces as we pull away, showing sudden confidence in herself. I can't help but think that this face, this mask she is wearing is how she hid all her pain in the past but I don't dwell on it. If hiding her pain is how she is going to get through tonight then so be it, I will just have to be there for her later tonight incase she needs to fall apart in the privacy of our bedroom.
"Okay then, let's head inside."
Amelia POV
We make our way in, waiting around at arrivals. I notice a coffee stall and tell Arizona where I am going. I know Addie hates flights and will be in need of the caffeinated goodness so I buy her one as well myself. It doesn't take long for me to catch sight of my sister walking through the gate. I pass Arizona the cups of coffee to allow for me and Addison to hug.
"I've missed you." I whisper, as I release her from my grasp.
"Stop it, you're going to make me cry." Addie exclaims, swatting me a little and blinking back her tears. I move away, placing my hand back into Arizona's, and I see Addison smirk at the action. "Arizona, it's nice to see you again. It's been a while."
"Over nine years, oh god that makes me feel old." My girlfriend announces, realising what she has just said.
"You and me both, how is Sofia?"
"She is amazing, she's growing up too fast. Amelia said you have a son?" Arizona brings up and I motion for us to head towards the car as we talk.
"Yes, Henry. He is also growing to fast, he learned his first curse word yesterday so we are on high alert." Addie laughs at the thought.
"Which one? How bad was it?" I ask, keeping the conversation going.
"He referred to a medical documentary as 'Shit', I'm not sure where he learned it but he now knows not to repeat it, at least I hope."
When we arrive at the car I tell Addison to jump in the front with Arizona as we are picking Sofia up on the way home so I will sit back here with her. The anxious nerves are still there but the joy of seeing Addie again makes it so much better. I'm still dreading the conversation I intend to have tomorrow but I decide to focus on tonight, enjoy it while I can.
"Do you two want dropping off at the apartment or are we okay to grab Sofia now?" Arizona asks, glancing at me in the mirror.
"We are going past Mer's anyway, I'll just jump out and get her. Let me text Meredith and tell her we are on our way, that way she'll be ready." I tell my girlfriend before seeing the look on Addison's face. "Addie, chill, you're not going to have to talk to her."
"It's not that, I've just remembered a really weird conversation I had with her when she was on morphine for appendicitis. She probably won't even remember."
"Oh my god you have to tell me what happened? Meredith with no filter - this is great."
"She was having what she believed to be a crisis, trying to decide whether she was in love with Derek or the vet." Addison describes, shuddering at the thought.
"Wow, okay. I'm definitely going to torture her about this." I joke as we pull up to the house.
I open the door, still having a key from when I lived here and see Sofia sat on the step putting her shoes on.
"Hi Melia, is your sister here?" Sofia asks me and I nod.
"Yep in the car outside, she can't wait to see how grown up you are now."
"She knows me?" The young girl questions, her brows furrowing at the thought.
"Yep, she helped get you out of your Mama's tummy." I explain as she gets to her feet, picking up her bags.
"Can I meet her to Auntie Melia?" Zola asks as she comes out of the kitchen in her pyjamas and barefoot.
"Sure, come here because you haven't got shoes on." I say as I pick her up and head out to the car.
I open Addison car door and she seems slightly confused about the extra child in my arms. "Addie, this is Zola, Derek's daughter. She wanted to say hi"
"Hi Zola, it's nice to meet you. Amelia has told me all about you, and that you want to be a doctor." Addison says, reaching out to shake Zola's hand which makes the girl giggle.
"Yeah, I want to be a brain doctor like my dad and Aunty Melia."
"And you could be an awesome doctor, I'm sure your dad would be proud." Addison says with a sad smile.
"And you have me to give you special help, so you can be the best brain doctor ever. Come on, let's get you back inside before your mom thinks you're missing."
"Bye Arizona, bye Auntie Melia' s sister" Zola yells at the car as I carry her inside. With Zola inside I share a quick goodbye with Meredith who must have heard the commotion as she made her way down the stairs.
"Thanks for watching Sofia, sorry I'm making things quick, Addison is in the car. She is staying for a few days."
"No worries. Sofia was fine. Tell Addison I say hi."
"I will. Thanks again."
The evening runs fairly smoothly. We make small talk and anything we can think of, and Sofia talks about everything she has done in the past day, making sure not to miss a single detail. We play along until it is time for her to bed. Arizona heads off to tuck her in and I offer to order pizza. Sof had eaten at Meredith's earlier in the evening so we didn't want to order until she was in bed.
"If you're ordering Pizza you have to get me it from Don's Pizza, I miss that stuff. Pizza in LA sucks." Addison says desperately.
"You've got that right. I do not miss LA pizza." I reply, getting the number up on my phone to place the order. I was so worried about seeing Addison again, scared that it would be weird or awkward but it's not. We have just slotted straight back into our old routines.
With Sofia tucked into bed, Arizona makes her way back through to the living room.
"Addison, do you want a glass of wine?" Arizona offers, but instead of replying my sister looks to me.
"She'll take white Az." I reply and my girlfriend leave the room to prepare the drinks.
"Amelia, Arizona knows that you don't drink right?" Addison asks with growing concern.
"Yeah, but just because I'm not drinking doesn't mean you can't. It's fine Addie, I promise." I retort calmly. It's been over 6 years since she had last seen me, at which point I tended to avoid spending time with other people having alcohol. It makes me smile knowing that she remembers these things, it makes me feel a little more understood.
It doesn't take long for food to arrive. I take the pizza back to the couch and place the box on the coffee table. With a slice each for Arizona and myself I set back, leaving into her arms and getting comfy in her embrace. Since we started dating, it's rare that I allow physical contact in public, but I know I'm safe with Addison, I know she wouldn't judge me.
"You look happy Amelia. Happier than you ever looked in LA." Addison tells me between bites and Arizona tightens her embrace for a second, letting me know she is here.
"I'm getting there. Arizona makes me happy."
"I can see that. I'm happy for you, you deserve this."
"I don't know about deserving this, but I'm so grateful it's mine. I don't ever want to change all this."
"And you don't have to." Arizona responds from behind me, stroking my arm up and down with her hand.
The night passes uneventfully. We make small talk, catching up with both personal details and surgical achievements. There are lots of laughs and memories brought up, but not the bad kind. Memories of times that I was actually happy in the past. Somehow Addison manages to remind me of times that I thought I had forgotten.
When the sun has set and conversation begins to be replaced with yawns I offer to take my sister to her hotel. It's a little after 10 by the time we make it to the car, Arizona is staying at home as Sofia is in bed so it is just Addison and myself.
"Amelia, are you okay? I know you seem happy with Arizona, but something isn't right." Addison says, placing her hand on my thigh in a comforting gesture but I flinch at the action.
"I'm sorry, I uh, I'm okay."
"Amelia…" Addison pushes again, she knows me too well and I hate hiding stuff from her.
"I am working through some stuff, but I'm okay, I promise." I reveal, hoping the answer is satisfactory, at least enough to let the topic rest for the night.
"Talk to me, please."
"Tomorrow, it's a long conversation, and we are tired." I exhale, trying my best to hold my tears at bay.
"I'm proud of you y'know? Fighting for your own happiness. You deserve happiness Amelia, more than most people."
"I uh, thanks. I'm trying."
"I can tell you are. Can I have a hug?" Addison asks as I pull the car up at the Archfield Hotel. With the car turned off I reach over to her chair, pulling her into my arms. "I'm just worried about you. I want you to be happy."
"I know. We can talk tomorrow, I promise. Get some sleep."
Addison nods, giving me one more quick hug before exiting the car, taking her bags from the trunk.
Once she has walked into the building I let a few tears fall but quickly wipe them away, staying strong. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.
So I guess that was just a filler chapter really, but it is important. That being said, the deep stuff will start in the next chapter. Although I already have the full Addison arch written, if there are any specifics you want including please review or message me and I will try my upmost to edit them in before posting.
Thanks for reading!