His ex and his wife!
Derek looked from Addison to Meredith. Each wore completely different looks.
Addison stood confident and defiant. She was concerned only about the baby. Meredith still overwhelmed by their news was pale, she looked shocked and Derek was concerned.
He looked back at Addison.
"We need a moment" He spoke softly and as he did he gently rubbed Meredith's shoulder.
While she admired Alex's growing skills in her area Addison wanted to examen Meredith herself. She was a doctor first and valued her professionalism. Theie past relationship would not effect her.
"Derek I think we should…" She started.
"We need a moment Addison" Derek said, louder this time, but his eyes were fixed on Meredith. He meant no disrespect.
Without another word Addison stepped out of the room, and Alex followed quietly.
Meredith looked at Derek.
"Der…" She started to speak, without even knowing what to say.
"Shhh" He said and he leant in and kissed her, a gentle, long kiss.
When he pulled back, she placed her hand on his cheek.
"What
was that for?"
"That was for the mother of my baby" He said
and he smiled tenderly, placing a protective hand on her belly.
"Derek I'm scared" She said, putting her hand on top of his.
He nodded.
"This wasn't the way we planned it… we were going to wait – I have to finish the program"
"We'll
make it work"
"And I shouldn't be thinking that, because
there are these problems, I'm so selfish…. and I'm scared"
"We'll work it out Meredith" Derek said.
"You and Me" He said, leaning down and kissing her belly she couldn't help but feel he had never spoken truer words and in that moment she fell in love with him a little bit more.
"What's going on Addie?" Lily asked as Addison rounded the corner.
"You need to speak to your brother" Addison said, reviewing Meredith's lab results.
She looked up at Lily.
"I'm sorry" She added.
"Whatever" Lily mumbled.
Addison sighed.
"Do you have something to say Lily?
Lily remained silent.
"I thought we were passed your adolescent loyalty issues" Addison was tired and emotional, still reeling from the news that her ex husband and his new wife were having a baby… and that that baby likely needed her skills to survive.
Lily squinted her eyes.
"I thought you were over the adolescent desire to have the next best thing"
"The next best thing?" Addison asked.
"You can't have Derek so what… Mark will do, or is there another use for him… are you hoping to make Derek jealous?" Lily spat the words at Addison.
"Lily, Mark is my friend"
"Your friend, your lover… whatever, you take what you can get" Lily said angrily, surprised at the fury raging in her belly.
"You think that little of me… I'm just trying to exist… this is not about your brother Lily, this is about me… I'm just trying to exist" Addison said, raw emotion making her voice crack.
Lily stood silently looking at Addison.
Addison folded her arms and eyeballed her back, fighting the urge to cry.
Derek came around the corner then.
"Addison… we're ready to talk now" He said, and Addie span around and walked away.
Derek stood a moment and looked at Lily, who shrugged her shoulder. Then she motioned for him to join his wife.
"Speak soon" He said, before turning on his heel to join his ex and his wife.
OKAY
Addison stood outside the room for a second looking at Meredith in the hospital bed. She took a deep breathe.
"Addison" Derek said, catching up to her.
"Don't say anything" She turned to see the concern on his face.
"Addie…" he tilted his head slightly recognises the hidden pain on her face.
"Let's get these tests underway" She said to Derek. He looked at her again before going ahead into the room.
"Nurse, page Dr. Karev, have him bring in a sonogram" Addison told a nearby nurse before following Derek into the room.
"Looks like you're about 9 weeks along" Addison studied the blurry images on the screen, avoiding eye contact with Derek and Meredith. From the corner of her eye she could see their hands tightly entwined.
"And… the hydramnios… what does that mean?" Meredith asked.
"Hard to say at this point, I'd like to have a higher level ultrasound tomorrow morning, and I'd recommend an amniocentesis"
"An aminio… why?" Meredith looked at Derek concerned.
"It's just routine, right Addie" He said.
"With these symptoms, yes" Addison put the sonogram wand back in place and cleaned the gel from Meredith's tummy.
"Dr.
Karev will schedule your ultrasound then we can go from
there"
"Addison please… just tell me the likely cause"
Meredith said seriously enough for Addison to stop. She sat down on
the edge of the bed not wanting Meredith to panic.
"The
hydramnios, could be anything from fetal anemia, genetic defect or
even you having gestational diabetes… Karev can you order glucose
tests too. If it continues Meredith, you're going to need to take
things easy…."
Meredith began to protest.
"I know that's not what you need to hear but you'll need to have regular nonstress tests and ultrasounds for the rest of your pregnancy to closely monitor your baby's development, and we'll watch closely for signs of preterm labour. Once we know the cause we'll know what course of cation to take but you'll be monitored carefully during labour as well. Because of all the extra amniotic fluid, you'll likely have a greater risk of an umbilical cord prolapse or a placental abruption when your water breaks. Both require an immediate c-section" Addison didn't want to overwhelm Meredith but she knew it was best she had all the facts so that she wouldn't worry by drawing her own conclusions. Alex took Merediths Chart and left the room.
Derek sighed heavily.
"But it could be something minor, like you said"
Addison looked at Derek and nodded.
"It could be as simple as an in utero blood transfusion to fix the problem".
Addison fell silent, looking at Meredith.
"Meredith, are you comfortable with me as your Doctor. I completely understand if you'd prefer someone else handle it"
Meredith shook her head.
"You're the best" She stammered.
"I'm the best" Addison acknowledged.
"We'll keep you in tonight, and do the tests early tomorrow morning, then we'll review from there… okay?" Addison spoke softly.
"Okay" Meredith said looking up at Derek.
"Okay" he added, and Addison stood and began to leave the room.
"Addison" Derek said, stopping her still in the doorway.
"Thanks" He said. Addison just nodded before leaving the room.
Disappear into the darkness
Derek looked at his sleeping wife. She had tried to send him home but he had insisted on leaving only when he knew she was asleep. He stroked her face lightly.
A father. He thought.
He was going to be father.
She, the woman he loved like no other, was carrying a child.
He smiled a little.
"Hey" He turned to see Lily at the door.
"You're still here"
"I was worried… you said you'd see me… so I waited" She stood in the doorway.
Derek turned and very gently kissed Meredith so as not to wake her, before joining his sister.
They walked to the small waiting area across the hall, and he sighed heavily as they sat down.
"So… are you going to tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing!"
He turned to her and smiled.
"Derek" She urged.
"Nothing"
"Nothing… you're saying nothing… or nothing is wrong" Lily was concerned for Meredith and could make no sense of Derek's cryptic replies.
"Nothing" he said and he seemed to enjoy the word.
"In fact things couldn't be better… well they could be… but…"
"You're not making any sense Derek" Lily said.
"Mush, you're going to be an Aunty again" Derek blurted out, enjoying telling his first person.
Lily sat shocked, and then she smiled, a huge smile as if the effect of her brother's obvious elation was finally infecting her.
"Derek, that's wonderful" She hugged him.
"There
are a few issues, but I feel good about this, I don't think it'll
be a problem… Addison is on the case"
"Addison, isn't that
inappropriate?" Lily wandered if it was a conflict.
"We discussed it, she's the best in her field" Derek acknowledged.
The siblings sat quietly for a moment.
"Wait till Mum hears.. she'll be on the first plane out here" Lly said and they both laughed a little knowing their mother would be over he moon and knitting booties in no time.
"We should go… I'll drop you at the hotel" Derek looked at his watch.
"I have to be back here in five and a half hours".
They stood and left the hospital.
Exiting the door and heading for the car park, Lily and Derek saw Addison seated on a bench in the hospital grounds.
The moonlight illuminating her silhouette as she sat with her head in her hands not seeing them.
Derek passed the keys to Lily and motioned to her to continue to the car wanting a moment alone with Addison.
He sat beside her; Addie looked up briefly and sighed.
"I
thought you'd be long gone?"
"I just finished booking in
Meredith's tests"
"You
have interns for that"
"Wanted to make sure it was done"
The conversation was quick and slightly stilted. Then there was silence.
"I'm sorry to ruin your date tonight" Derek broke into the uncomfortable silence.
Addison just looked at him.
"With
Mark, I mean"
"Derek, are you trying to start a fight"
"I
was being genuine" Derek offered.
Addison tilted her head as if trying to read his face. Then she let out a huge exasperated sigh.
"It wasn't a date, it was dinner with an old friend… a colleague, and you didn't interrupt it… I was paged, for a patient" Addison smiled a little.
There was silence again.
"Derek… I'm happy for you… I know you wanted more children…. After Adam died… I'm happy for you" Addison said sincerely, controlling her words not wanting to cry as she spoke of their son.
Derek reached for Addie's hand and gently squeezed it; letting the action tell her he missed Adam too.
"Thank you Addison, for taking the case" He said softly.
"It reminds me why…" He stopped and they shared a moment where all their tension was forgotten.
She smiled.
"You're an amazing woman" Derek finished, leaning in, he kissed her cheek, and she shivered at the gesture.
"You better get home Daddy… I'll see you in the morning for Mer … your wife's tests" Addison said standing. Then she turned and walked away, and Derek watched her disappear into the darkness of the night.
They'll Know
The alarm sounded. But Derek was already awake. Tiredness had beaten his elation and he had managed to sleep some during the night. But about a half our before his alarm had rung he had woken with one thought… We're having a baby!
Addison stood studying the notes of a patient in her office. There was a knock at the door.
"Come in" She called, head down.
Mark entered and studied her in a second. Beautiful and elegant he couldn't help but smile.
"Yes" She turned when he said nothing.
"Oh
Mark… what are you doing here, you don't start till Monday"
"Just
getting a feel for the place, I have a meeting with Admin in an hour
or so" He smiled.
"You
never called"
"What?" She asked confused.
"When you were paged last night, you raced out… you said you called" He was adding a hint of flirtation in his voice.
"I
did?" She was surprised. The moment had been a whirlwind…. The
night had been nothing short of exhausting.
"You did
He
said.
"I'm
sorry"
"It's okay Addie, I'm teasing, I won't take it
personally" He reassured her.
Her pager sounded again.
"Anyone would think you had that thing programmed to recognise my voice" He joked.
"Perhaps I do" She smiled at him in jest before walking out of her office.
"Are you ready to see your baby again?" Addison asked Meredith and Derek. She was using a very high end ultrasound which would produce some amazing 3d images.
Meredith nodded. Addison tried to ignore Derek and Meredith's knotted hands.
"Let's do his then – Dr Karev" She called to Alex who was just outside the door.
"Let's do this thing" He smiled, turning off the lights.
Meredith's body seized as Addison squeezed the cold gel on her belly.
"That was amazing" Meredith said.
"Those images"
Derek kissed her forehead.
"Our baby" He said, clearly already smitten.
"Derek… what do we do now? Should we tell people? What about the program, I can't quit"
Derek knew Meredith wanted her career. He felt the importance of it himself.
"Mer, let's just get through these results then we'll work it out" He stroked her hand supportively.
"We
can't make decisions until we know what we're dealing with,
yeah?"
"Yeah" She agreed.
"You'll
be a surgeon Meredith… and you're already a mother, you have to
relax so you can protect that baby, and create as little worry as
possible"
She went to protest.
"I know it's hard, but it will only make things worse and then you will be on bed rest." He said, knowing that the higher the stress the more likely she wouldn't be.
Meredith rubbed her belly, the kind of gesture she had often made fun of with Cristina. Barely pregnant woman who couldn't keep there hands off their bellies.
"I'm on rounds, Cristina, Izzie… George, they'll know… Bailey too" Meredith said.
"So they'll know" He said smiling, he wanted to keep her calm.
"They'll know" Meredith repeated, shrugging her shoulders, and smiling too. They kissed for the umpteenth time that morning, before Derek headed off to surgery.
Two good friends and a hot curry
Lily was seated in the hospital cafeteria, furiously making notes in her diary. She had just gotten off the phone with her publicist who had been scheduling more press interviews for her new book, wanting to capitalise on the buzz that surrounded the filming of the original book.
A shadow appeared on the table and she looked up to see Addison. Lily hadn't spoken to her since she'd first arrived in Seattle two days prior.
"Can we talk?" Addison asked, holding a take away coffee cup.
Lily wasn't sure if she was still angry. She knew it was ridiculous. Addison was no longer with Derek and was old enough to see whoever she wanted, but somehow she and Mark just seemed a betrayal to her.
"What about Addison?" Lily said with just enough ice in her voice to hurt a little.
"We worked out our issues when you were here last… is this going to be a problem every time we see each other, or should we just get it over with and not speak at all" Addison really didn't want to fight with Lily, she liked her for more than the fact that she was her former sister in law.
Lily sighed.
"I don't know Addison, I guess when people keep disappointing you it's hard to stay on their side" Lily wondered if that really explained how she was feeling. For a writer she was struggling to find the right words.
"Yeah I know what you mean…" Addison said and Lily was surprised.
"Take me for example… I keep getting disappointed… by people who were once my family and for some reason I keep trying to get them to accept me. Why do I bother? Who knows" Addison lip curled a little with a mixture of anger and frustration.
"I guess I keep bothering because that's what I believe you do when people matter, you accept them… even when they let you down… and yes occasionally you judge them, like I did with you when you made all those bad decisions and ended up on drugs… but in the end you accept them and you love them… not despite those things… but because of them, because of them" Addison said and Lily blinked at her obvious pain.
"And Lily if you were interested… right now at this point in time… I can tell you there is nothing between Mark and I, but I won't rule it out, I won't say it couldn't happen, especially not for someone why let's ME down at the drop of hat" Addison spat the final words out then turned and walked off leaving Lily to watch her leave.
"Wow harsh" George said, appearing from no where. Lily rubbed at her stinging eyes.
"I hate this city" She said.
"Ahhh it's not so bad" George sat down with his tray.
"Please every time I come here something happens, major surgery, fighting with friends and broken hearts" She said obviously referring to George who recognised this.
"Sorry"
"Don't be… I'm not" He said trying to make her feel better.
Then there was a moment of silence that felt like it stretched to the point where she needed to speak but she couldn't form any words again.
"Hey what's your new book called?" George asked.
"Indigo Violets – I'll send you a copy" She said softly.
"Signed" He smiled at her and she met his eyes, smiling too.
"For you… of course"
"When
do you leave?"
"Tomorrow afternoon" Lily said.
"I'm off tonight… you wanna get some Indian?" George asked with out considering all the ramifications.
Lily tilted her head.
"Two good friends and a hot curry" He added, knowing that for now, there was nothing else they could be.
"I'd love that" She said, and her smile grew bigger.
See you when I see you
"So... I'll see you soon" Meredith had insisted on driving Lily to the airport.
"See… No goodbyes" Meredith said to Derek asshe hugged his sister.
"I
still think it's weird"
"Meredith" Derek jokingly scolded
her.
"Now I want updates… I know we're lousy at them, but this is important" Lily rubbed Merediths belly.
"Chances are next time I get back I'll get to meet the little bubby noo" Lily said in a cooing voice.
Meredith said nothing, still nervous about the complications. Derek put his arm around her waist.
"Yep, you will… do me a favour and keep Mom in New York till we have the baby" Derek asked his sister and she nodded knowing their Mother's good intentions could be overwhelming.
"Flight 246 to New York is boarding now, Gate 3" A ladies voice boomed over the airport.
"That's me, better fly" Lily picked up her bag.
"Ill see you when I see you" She winked and kissed her brothers cheek.
"Love you" He said and without a second glance Lily disappeared into the busy crowd.
And to those in Seattle
"Gotta love days off" Izzie, still in her pyjamas sat on the couch next to George.
"I have
to go in later today – where's Meredith?"
"She's in with
Chief negotiating … what she'll do about being pregnant"
"The Chief is back?" George asked and Izzie nodded popping a piece of toast in her mouth.
"Part time for a few weeks" She dusted crumbs off her hand.
"What's
Meredith going to do?"
Izzie Shrugged.
"Whatever she can negotiate, she doesn't want to drop out, so she'll keep going I think, but if there are problems then she'll need to take sick leave".
George nodded, then stood to go and dress.
"George, I forgot a package arrived while you were showering" Izzie pointed in the direction of the sideboard near the door where a package sat, wrapped in brown paper.
George walked over to it and picked it up. It was heavy. He turned it over and saw Lily's name.
He walked back to the sofa and took the letter that was attached to it off.
George,
The book
as promised…. And one for Izzie!
Hope you like it…
Thanks for the curry… and the dessert.
Lily
George smiled.
"It's her book… one for you too" George said as Izzie read over his shoulder.
He opened the parcel quickly and looked at the cover. Izzie grabbed the second copy.
Opening the book to the blank first page, he read her inscription.
George,
Our journey was short but oh so sweet!
Lily xxx
"Oh that's nice" Izzie said and gave him a small hug.
"Did she write in yours?" He said.
Izzie flicked the cover over and nodded.
Iz,
Your friendship has been a gift!
Lily xo
"You okay?" Izzie looked at George who was gently rubbing the dust sleeve picture of Lily.
"Aha" He mumbled and stood up.
"I need to get ready for work" He placed his book down on the sofa and Izzie watched him leave.
Thoughtfully she picked up book again and flipped to the dedication.
To my family,
For the support I never recognised, the love that was always their and the judgement I cursed… but which guided me. I love you all.
And to those in Seattle… especially George… simply put, Thank you!
Izzie smiled, as she looked to the stairs where George had now disappeared.
All about Me
"Been back an hour and already dealing with useless interns" Richard grumbled as he sat on the coach in his office. Addison handed him a coffee and sat beside him.
"It's good to have you back Richard" She smiled sincerely and placed her hand lightly on his, giving it a friendly squeeze.
"But I
am on orders to keep your stress levels low"
"From Burke?"
Richard questioned and Addie shook her head.
"Nope Adele… and I am much more worried about her" They shared a laugh.
"I just
met with Derek and Meredith… how you doing with that?"
"How
am I doing?" Addison asked surprised.
"Derek told me you took the case… I know that's got to be hard" Richard sympathised.
Addison looked at him thoughtfully.
"We help people all the time who we may have some sort of issue with… my job is to help my patient… it just so happens that the patients in this case are my ex husbands new wife and future child" Addison smiled at the complexities.
"No-one would blame you if you referred them on… I could grant privileges to another doctor" Richard offered.
Addison shook her head.
"No… I'll be fine"
"So as their Doctor, can you tell me… is this going to be a problem for Meredith's inclusion in the program" He looked at her with a no nonsense stare.
"It will be a day by day thing Richard, but I think that once I perform and in utero transfusion and we keep an eye on her she should be able to get through… I will advise her not to take an extra shifts and she may have to take her leave a little earlier, but she should be able to fulfil her requirements… are you thinking of dumping her?" Addison asked concerned.
"No, no… she has a lot of potential, we'll just have to keep an eye out for her" Richard said then he softened slightly and turned to Addison.
"Addison, I want to thank you for taking over as Chief… you've been amazing" Richards tone was serious.
"But I always believed in you, still do, and I see that this could potentially be your place… when I am done" He added quickly and a hint of a smile formed on Addie's lips.
"But I want you to know as your friend I'm giving you an out"
"An
out?"
"Of your contract, if this… the Meredith thing, if
it's too much, I will let you go… reluctantly, but for everything
you did for me, I will let you go" Richard finished.
Addison sat still for a moment. She had wanted to go home to New York so many times. She had longed to be free of Derek and Meredith, to not have to watch them everyday, to not have to worry about elevator doors opening, turning corners or entering exam rooms. This wasn't her home.
"Richard… thank you" She said confidently.
"But I plan to honour my commitment. I signed a contract, I'll stay"
Richard nodded and patted her leg.
"Nothing to do with the new Head of Plastics?" He asked.
Addison shook her head firmly.
"Nope… it's all about me"
Baby all better
Derek stood at the troth in the scrub room as Addison prepared for the surgery on his unborn child.
Addison felt surprisingly nervous. She had performed many in utero transfusions, but this one, on her ex husbands unborn child was a little unnerving.
"Derek" She used her elbow to switch off the tap.
"You're making me nervous" She half joked and he let out a smothered laugh.
"I'm sorry"
There was silence and they looked through the window into the OR as Meredith was wheeled in.
"I better go… I said I would see her before hand…. Then I'll be up in the Gallery, if that doesn't put to much pressure on".
Addison smiled at him, and then watched him as he went into the OR and joined his wife. She stood with her arms held up watching as he stroked Meredith's face. She couldn't hear the words they spoke to each other, nor did she want to , but for the first time, she could see their obvious love for wach other. As much as she still wished it weren't true, she saw it in the way Derek gently touched Meredith and the calming effect it had on her.
"Dr. Shepherd are you ready?" The Scrub Nurse opened the door to the scrub rrom and broke into her thoughts.
Addison nodded then walked to her, where she helped her put on her gloves.
She walked over to Meredith's side, put her hand on her arm and spoke softly.
"Let's make this baby all better" She said and Meredith smiled at her, nodding slightly.
All the time in the world
Addison walked out of Meredith's room after her post op check. She looked back over her shoulder to see Derek and Meredith embracing and tears prickled her eyes. Just escaping, she closed the door and rested her head on the wall, closing her eyes.
This is ridiculous Addison, she scolder herself.
Time to grow up.
"I bought you a drink" Mark's voice interrupted her scolding and she opened her eyes to see him holding a flask. She laughed.
"I have one more patient to see" She shook her head.
"I'll keep it on ice" He smiled warmly at her and despite herself he body tingled a little.
"I've got a better idea... Meet me at Joe's in 45 minutes"
"You're on" He said.
Addison entered the bar and locked eyes with Mark immediately as though he had been eyeballing the entrance waiting for her to turn up. He indicated to a cocktail glass in front of the empty chair next to him.
Addison strutted over, fluffing her hair as she walked.
"Is this seat taken?" She asked.
"I'm
waiting on an old friend?"
"Are they worth the wait?"
Mark
pretended to think a little and Addie playfully hit him, sitting
down.
"I think she's worth more than the wait" He whispered leaning in, and for the second time in an hour the electricity of their connection ran up his spine.
"A Manhattan" Addison admired taking a sip.
"A
little taste of home"
She nodded enjoying the heat of the liquor
down her throat.
"Toto something tells me we're not in New York anymore" Mark joked.
"Why'd you come here?" Addison looked at Mark seriously.
"I mean
I loved Manhattan as much as you did, and I still wander that
everyday… but I came here for Derek"
"Why'd you stay?"
Mark interrupted quickly. Addison knew the only answer to that was
really the contract… and now for herself.
"Why'd you come here?" She deflected.
"You know the answer" Mark replied quickly looking at her intensely.
"Tell me" Addison needed to hear the words.
"I came for you, Addison" He answered quickly with no doubt in his mind.
She nodded a little.
Sensing she was feeling pressured Mark changed the subject.
"So I hear Meredith's operation was successful, you are truly amazing Addison" He said sipping his scotch.
"I did my job… seriously" She said.
"Take a compliment" He responded, as if telling her off. She smiled.
"You ARE amazing Addie" He said looking at her again, convincing her with his eyes. Addison leant in and kissed him. She didn't think, she didn't hold back. She just kissed him, it was hard at first, then he touched her cheek softly and the kiss became tender… gentle.
She pulled back.
"I'll tell you you're amazing again if I get that response" He half smiled at her and rubbed her hand.
"Mark… I need time, I want to… but I need time" She said.
"Shhhh" He said, placing a finger on her lips.
"I moved to Seattle Addison, we have all the time in the world" He said and then he kissed her again.
Goodbye
Addison walked the corridors with a spring in her step. She was enjoying her new courtship with Mark, having both agreed to take things slowly; they had been casually dating for about 5 months. Tonight though they had plans. They hadn't said it out loud but she felt that tonight would be the night they moved to the next step.
He had done everything right. He had been patient, he had been romantic, sending flowers and leaving notes and he had never once gotten angry about her occasional laps into sadness about Derek. She nodded to herself as she thought of the progress she and Mark had made and the potential that tonight would be the night they reconnected physically.
She rounded a corner and ran smack bang into Derek, files scattering over the floor.
"Sorry" They both said as they bent to gather the papers.
"This is yours" Addison handed Derek a chart and as she passed it over there hands met briefly… she pleased to feel no electricity. She smiled.
"What?" He asked, intrigued, but she simply shook her head.
"You're here early" She commented noting the time on her watch.
"I stayed over in Meredith's room, this bed rest is stressing her out more than anything" He said. Meredith had been on bed rest for the past fortnight nearing the end of her pregnancy. The babies problems had been avoided thanks to the surgery at 12 weeks but the extra work Meredith had done to make up for her maternity leave had taken it's toll. Addison had insisted on her commencing her leave slightly earlier than she had wanted too following some unexpected bleeding.
Meredith had been admitted in order to lower her blood pressure and monitor the bleeding.
Addison nodded and the two started to walk together to a near by lounge.
"I appreciate it's hard for her, but she really needs to be here, there's been no bleeding for four days thankfully, and the baby is fine, but if she still wants to try and have the baby naturally then it's best we keep her here where I can keep a good eye on her…. Unless you want me to move in with you?" Addison teased and Derek laughed a little.
"Now there's a plan" He said and he smiled as he looked at his ex wife. He was so thankful to her for her extra concern for Meredith, he could only imagine the feelings it must evoke her.
"How are… how are you and Mark going?" Derek asked awkwardly.
Addie looked up from her notes to Derek seriously.
"We're…. we're great" She finished, not wanting to tip toe anymore after all Derek was married and expecting a child, why should she feel bad about her relationship with Mark.
"Well… that's good" Derek managed to say, forcing the words. But he was happy for her. He truly was, he just somehow wished Addison's happiness wasn't with Mark.
"Don't choke on it" She joked.
"It's just…. That of all people, I guess I wish it wasn't with Mark". He said, admitting his concern.
"Why not?" Addison wandered.
"He was your best friend…" She said and as soon as she did she realised that was the problem.
"Derek, you need to get over what happened… it was wrong, but in the end you need to look at your life" Addison said seriously.
"None of it would be happening if I hadn't made that ridiculous decision, I mean we had problems, so maybe you and me wouldn't have made it, but you wouldn't have flown across the country to escape me… and you wouldn't have met Meredith and you wouldn't be about to become a father…" Addison paused as Derek consumed her words.
"So in some weird, cosmic way… I guess it was meant to be…. And it was some sort of pre cursor to me and Mark" She shrugged her shoulders slightly, having given it all so much thought.
"But in the end what I mean was there was a time when the two most important people in your life were Me and Mark…. So maybe it makes sense that he's the one to make me happy now" Her voice was soft.
"It's time to forgive him… it's time to forget what happened and just accept what is" She reached over and squeezed his hand.
"I'm happy Derek, not because of Mark… but with him" She said simply.
Derek say quietly for a second and she wandered what he was thinking.
"Then I guess that's all that matters" He said and he leant in a kissed her cheek gently.
Both were startled by her pager sounding.
She looked down at it, then urgently at Derek.
"911… it's Meredith"
New Beginnings
Meredith reached out with urgency for her husband's hand.
"Addison, what's going on?" She winced in pain as a sharp pain sprung through her stomach.
"Addison…" Derek repeated.
"Give me a minute" Addie said urgently looking at the monitor of the fatal heart beat.
"There's been more bleeding" Alex said, quietly to Addison.
"Don't whisper, I'm not a fool" Meredith pleaded through the pain and tears, the whispering only made her panic more.
"Meredith looks like this baby wants out… now" Addison signed a chart and handed it to a nurse.
"Prep OR 1 and let em know we're on our way for an emergency c-section" She said and turned back to Meredith.
"I know it's not what you wanted …." Addison started.
"I just want the baby to be okay" Meredith sobbed.
Alex and another nurse dropped the sides on the bed and began to push her out, forcing Derek to drop Meredith's hand.
"Derek" She called.
"I'm here" he said, raising his voice over the increasing noise of Addison issuing instructions and the building urgency.
Izzie stood in the doorway.
"Meredith" She said as the bed moved passed her.
"Derek" She put her hands out to stop him.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"It's happening" He said starting to walk quickly after.
"Can I do anything?" Izzie called after him.
He span around.
"Tell Christina, she'll want to know… and call Lily" He said as he turned again and followed his wife's gurney.
"Here we are again" Addison said to Meredith, standing over herin the Operating room.
Meredith breathed in to try and stop her shaking.
"It's going to be alright… you're about to meet your baby" Addison gently squeezed her hand, careful of the bung in her wrist.
She looked up at Derek, seated next to his wife, his face near hers. He stroked her hair.
"You ready to witness this Daddy?" Addison asked. He nodded in reply and Addison got to work.
Lily knocked on the door, gently pushing it open, while juggling a huge bunch of flowers.
"Where's this baby?" She asked softly, greeted by Meredith and Derek smiling faces.
Derek took two steps to her side and embraced her.
"You
came"
"As soon as Izzie called I went to the airport… did
you think I would miss this" He stood back and looked at her and
smiled.
"I bought someone with me… I hope it's okay" She said turning to the door as Rose blustered in excitedly.
"What did we have, what did we have, a boy or a girl?" She asked hugging Derek.
Lily went to Meredith and hugged her.
"Mom, quiet remember, breathe in Breath out" Lily said and smiled apologetically at Meredith.
"We had a boy Mom, he's a boy" Derek walked to the hospital crib and carefully, as if nursing a fragile china doll, picked up the soft, blue bundle.
Lily sucked in her breath.
"Oh my good, he's divine" She said and she gave Meredith's hand a squeeze.
"He is" Meredith agreed, seemingly in love already.
"He's perfection" And she and Derek shared a secret lance that only they could understand in that moment.
"Do you want to hold your grandson Rose?" Meredith asked, gesturing in his direction.
"Hold me back" She joked stepping over to her son's side.
Derek gently passed him over to his mother.
"Shhhhhhh" He said as the baby stirred slightly at the commotion.
"What's his name?" Rose asked, looking down at him, she lifted the blanket as if to do a quick finger and tow count.
"His name… is Thomas" Derek said and Rose looked up at her son with tears in her eyes.
"After your Dad… he'll be so honoured" And Derek smiled back at her, before squeezing on the side of Meredith's bed to place a loving arm around her.
"This is the start of all good things in your life" Rose said seriously, her eyes still fixed on Thomas.
"you'll wander what you ever did before he arrived, you'll wander who you were… and anytime you ever doubt yourself, or worry about something… it will all make sense the very moment you think of him" Her words were spoken with love.
"He'll break your heart…." Rose looked up at Lily and they shared a smile.
"… with some of his choices…. And then he'll fix it by filling it with pride".
She walked to the bed and Lily took the baby for her first cuddle.
"I have to call your father" Rose said, overcome with emotion.
"And your sisters… Audrey will be beside herself by the phone" She hurried out of the room and Lily laughed.
"She's a bit excited" She said.
"So I see" Derek found it amusing more than annoying.
"He really is spectacular" Lily looked down at her nephew and stroked his tiny fingers.
"We think so" Meredith agreed clearly exhausted, as Thomas let out a small, shrill wail.
"Someone needs his Mommy" Lily said as she returned him to Meredith's arms.
"I think it's time to try this feeding thing again" She tried to sit up without it hurting with Derek's assistance.
"I'll leave you three alone for a bit… Mom will probably need help calling 'The sisters'" She laughed.
"Well done" She leant in and kissed Meredith again.
"You two" She winked at Derek before leaving the room.
"Alone again… Cristina wasn't gone five minutes before Lily and Mom arrived" Derek whispered in Meredith's ear and kissed her.
"This is it" He said.
"What?" Meredith looked at him.
"All I ever wanted…. What I waited for my whole life… what I knew we could always have" He said, his voice oozing with emotion.
"Derek" She whispered and they shared a long, soft kiss before Thomas interrupted them with another soft cry.
"Welcome to our new life" Meredith laughed a little.
"I wouldn't have it any other way" Derek said, and Meredith nodded in agreement.
