Addison and Aelwyne will be hosting Thanksgiving dinner at their house. Will things go smoothly or…
A cute little Novella from the Breathe Universe.
Growing Family, Get the Turkey
Families change and grow as time goes by. A totally and completely normal thing which happens in life. Especially with the family you yourself choose. Linked by bonds that seem stronger than blood. Friends become something akin to siblings, cousins, parents, uncles, aunts. Suddenly there are many birthdays to celebrate, Thanksgivings to share, giving Christmases. You have movie nights, game nights, drunken nights and sleep overs. Friend's kids become everyone's nieces and nephews. The family grows and becomes stronger and stronger. It's rather nice to be able to form those types of relationships, those bonds. More so for people who have no one or who have blood relatives that are never there.
The people of Seattle Grace had become that missing family for both Addison and Aelwyne. In that hospital they had found the best family they could've ever asked for. With time moving forward that family grew. A merger with Mercy West brought along more friends. But also with time others left.
Izzie and George were both gone. Izzie was now in a different field, oncology, after experiencing firsthand what having cancer was like. Her and Alex didn't break up on the best of terms but after some time there were no hard feelings. As for George, he and Tim were off in the army, both as combat medics. It had been tough letting George go but he wanted it. He wanted it so much his enthusiasm for it was contagious. He checked in every week despite being so far, which was the first condition Bailey had given him.
Now for the people who came, there were four surgical residents who came with the merger. But out of the four only two had remained, April Kepner and Jackson Avery. At the beginning it was touch and go between them and the rest of their resident class. But after months working alongside each other, learning together, failing together, winning together, they became close. April and Jackson readily took the place left vacant by Izzie and George in the group of residents.
Things with the family were great, yes there were bumps here and there but slowly everything worked out. Things worked out so well that their entire class had passed the boards, giving way for them to become attendings. Despite April's small freak out when they were taking the exams.
It had been quite something when they got back, their noses stuck to their phones while they waited for the results. Their attendings and chiefs, all watching and waiting for their reactions. Addison hadn't been worried at all though, she knew what the results would be for everyone, especially for her. Aelwyne had been a nervous wreck but the redhead was sure everything would be ok. So when the brunette turned to face her she already had a smile and her arms opened wide for her wife.
Things were good. They were great. Their family kept growing, kept moving forward, kept on being extraordinary in their own way.
"Dr. Montgomery-Neirhem!"
"Why are you shouting when I'm right in front of you?" Addison bit out sharply while she walked alongside Callie, who left with a wink.
These new interns were making her want to pull her hair out. More so than the ones before, even with the whole appendectomy fiasco. She always wondered why Lexie allowed herself to be dragged into it but she supposed the baby surgeon within her was dying to do surgery all on her own. However, these new interns, these new ones made her seethe. They feared her as they should but still they walked around as if they owned the place. Parading about as if they knew everything when in reality they were babies, not even, they were but mere amoebas. This one in particular, Leah Murphy, got on her nerves consistently. It may be due to the little possessive streak she had over a very particular brunette but she would never admit to that. No. She was not jealous. She just hated the fact that this girl could be so...
"Sorry. Ael, Aelwyne- I mean your wife- I mean Dr. Montgomery-Neirhem is requesting you in OR 3." Leah stumbled upon words.
"I've told you plenty of times before Murphy. Show my wife the respect she deserves and stop calling her by her first name as if you're friends. You haven't earned that right." Addison's voice came out dangerously hard, leaving the young intern white as a sheet of paper.
Someone chuckled behind her, which got her even more annoyed. Turning quickly she found Mark with his hands up while he continued to laugh with Lexie, who kept smacking him over and over.
"Stop that. You idiot." Lexie grumbled.
"She looks scary. Gotta love Satan." Mark chuckled some more.
"Sloan." Addison snarled.
Despite her annoyance with Mark she was happy watching him and Lexie together after everything that had happened between them. She had completely understood Lexie's reaction when Mark had dropped the bomb of having given his sperm to help Callie be a mom. Mark was making a family and dragging her in without even consulting her. It was scary and a very big commitment and so they had been broken up for a time. It had been almost a year of pinning after each other and trying to move on to no avail because they were simply meant to be.
"I-I have to go over there. You see the time? I have to go over there. Right Lex?" Mark said practically running away and dragging Addison out of her head.
"Sorry Addison." Lexie shook her head with a smile.
"It's fine. I still don't know how you put up with that. Anyway I have to go. I'll see you later." Addison smiled and waved before making her way towards the ORs. "Why are you still here? Move Murphy!"
Diligently she scrubbed in glancing up at the OR where that very particular brunette, her brunette, was now building her miracle as she usually said. Aelwyne and her had been married for three years now and still every time she saw her the butterflies in her stomach fluttered. She was perfect with her golden eyes, long slightly wavy brown hair, and pale skin with rosy cheeks. But her looks weren't even half of that perfection. Her perfection resided in her personality, funny, light but dark at times, determined and smart, strong yet kind. She was amazing and she was her's. Their marriage had come after many trials but it came and it was the best thing that had ever happened to Addison. There were some fights, of course, which was normal in any relationship but the fights were nothing an 'I love you' or a pout or a few snuggles couldn't fix. Addison was happy, truly happy, and she knew her Bug was happy as well.
Once done scrubbing she headed inside waiting for the nurse to help her gown up. The nurse, Molly, looked at her confused but after a minute or so she went over and gowned her up. Addison made her way to the opposite side. She still wasn't sure why she was here. Aelwyne seemed to be doing just fine on her own, removing a tumor from the child's stomach. The brunette was completely focused on the monitor as she worked humming to some tune she didn't recognize.
"Aelwyne?" Addison called softly and her wife's golden eyes moved to her briefly.
"Addison?" Aelwyne frowned a bit, looking confused. Slowly her frown softened into what Addison knew was a smile despite the mask covering her mouth, her eyes full of sparkles. "What are you doing here?" She asked and went back to what she was doing, looking at the monitor.
"What do you mean?" Addison was now confused herself. "Murphy said you needed me?"
"What?" Golden eyes quickly roamed about until she found the intern. "Dr. Murphy, I said after the surgery. I'm doing a gastrectomy on a 13-year old boy. Why would I need a neonatal surgeon?"
"I-I just thought you said you needed her now so…" Leah muttered nervously.
"You should pay attention to what you're told, Murphy, and stop dwelling on those little crushes you have." Addison grumbled, backing away from the table, ready to ungown.
"No. Don't go." Aelwyne said quickly, her eyes still on the monitor. "I could use your hands. Unless… Do you have surgery now? Or anything?"
"I just needed to get some updates on a few of my patients. The quads are doing great but I still need to keep an eye on them. Especially baby C." Addison explained.
"They still haven't named them?" Aelwyne asked in a slightly annoyed tone.
"No. They said they don't want to get attached in case they don't make it. And yes, before you ask, I already told them it is very unlikely any of them won't. But they're afraid and people deal with fear in different ways." Addison added quickly.
Her wife had been asking the same question since she helped deliver all four babies a week ago. The quads had been born at 33 weeks, which is expected when it comes to multiples. The parents were scared beyond belief, she still didn't understand the whole not naming the babies. However, people had different ways to cope with fear, at least they were still here and hadn't abandoned the children. She was grateful for that at least, she had had people abandon babies for fear of watching them die, so she had done so in their stead.
"Anyway, do you really need me?" Addison asked, looking at the monitor beside Aelwyne, watching what she was doing.
"I could have them page Meredith, but…" Aelwyne glanced up with her twinkling eyes and Addison chuckled.
"Fine. I'll need your intern though." Addison relented.
She could never deny her wife anything. Especially when she gave her that lost puppy look.
"Ok. Murphy, go check on the quads for Dr. Montgomery-Neirhem. Also check her post ops and come back to update her. Please." Aelwyne directed nicely.
"Of course, Ael." Leah chirped nonchalantly and Addison felt her blood boil.
"Dr. Murphy, I've told you numerous times not to address me that way. You've barely known me for two minutes and I'm your teacher, not some other intern." Aelwyne said sternly.
"Right. I'm so sorry it won't happen again. I swear. It's just…" Leah began to ramble.
"Murphy, get out and go do as you were told." Addison used her satanic tone, which sent the intern scurrying out.
She watched as the girl practically ran out of the scrub room. Still fuming and breathing heavily she brought her gaze back to the patient's monitor.
"Addie?" Aelwyne called but she stayed quiet, she could hear the amusement in her wife's tone. "Babe?" She whined.
"What?" Addison huffed, looking at her.
"I love you. You know that right?" Aelwyne's eyes crinkled at the corners, giving away her smile.
"She apparently doesn't." Addison rolled her eyes, focusing on the monitor again.
"You're cute when you're jealous." Aelwyne chuckled.
"I'm not jealous." Addison grumbled.
"No? Hmm." Aelwyne giggled.
"Shut up." Addison sighed and looked at her once more. "Anyway, why do you need my hands?"
"I thought you said shut up." Aelwyne countered teasingly. "Also when don't I need your hands?" She added in a highly suggestive tone.
"Aelwyne!" Addison admonished.
"What? It's just Bokhee, Molly, and Ben. They've known me and you forever." Aelwyne looked at the nurses and the anesthesiologist. "It's alright, right?"
"Right, doctor." Bokhee chirped as Molly and Ben chuckled.
"See?" Aelwyne wiggled her brows. "Sorry though." She winked at them.
"Bug." Addison couldn't help the smile forming on her face.
"Fine. Tumor is close to the artery and I'm trying to extricate it but I keep getting dangerously close to it. I rather not knick it in the process. Do you think you could…" Aelwyne explained and suddenly she interrupted.
"Hold pressure there, above the area where you will cut and help relieve some of the pressure the tumor itself is putting on the artery while giving you better visualization?" Addison winked at her already knowing what to do and making to grab the instruments from her.
"You're so smart." Aelwyne chirped. "More suction, please." She called.
"Not really. I married you. Not sure how smart that was." Addison shook her head and focused on the monitors where a clearer picture was now visible.
"Now, that was mean." Aelwyne gasped playfully. "And you'll need to make it up to me." The brunette added, which had her chuckling.
"Hey! You two stop flirting and do your job." They heard someone say through the speaker.
"Be quiet, Yang. Go get your girlfriend." Addison replied not even looking up to the gallery.
"Are you hiding again?" Aelwyne chuckled, focused on the monitor. "Addie can you…"
"Got it." Addison said, quickly adjusting the angle of the camera.
"You mean we." Cristina said and at that Addison glanced up to find Teddy and Meredith sitting next to her.
"What are you guys doing?" Addison asked with a chuckle.
"Watching you two operate is fun." Meredith replied with a smirk and at that both Aelwyne and Addison threw her a quick knowing glance. "Fine. Hiding from interns." The blonde admitted.
"Why?" Aelwyne asked.
"Because it's fun watching them run around like chickens with their heads cut off." Cristina replied nonchalantly.
"I just wanted to eat my lunch in peace. And Ross doesn't shut up." Teddy added.
"Brooks, Edwards, and Wilson are smart but they are way too annoying. Lexie helps with Edwards. Derek can have Brooks and I guess that leaves me Wilson." Meredith groaned at the end.
"Does Ael take Murphy then?" Cristina asked teasingly.
"Cristina." Both Aelwyne and Meredith grumbled soon after Addison let out a huff.
"Sorry. Couldn't help it." Cristina chuckled. "Anyway, so? Did you tell your wife already, Angel Eyes?"
"Tell me what?" Addison asked.
"No, I haven't. You guys told me right before surgery." Aelwyne said.
"Tell me what?" Addison asked again.
"Hang on, almost done." Aelwyne muttered, her eyes glued to the monitor. "Ha! Got it." She cheered.
"Ael? Is that Bailey's patient?" Meredith asked.
"Uh… he's my patient." Aelwyne said as she pulled out the tumor. "Where's the basin?" She looked around.
"To your right doctor." Molly replied with the basin in hand.
"Thank you." Aelwyne said placing the malignancy there.
"Did you steal a patient?" Cristina asked.
"He's my patient, guys. Bailey is a little annoyed about it but he's mine." Aelwyne repeated and continued to work.
"What did you do?" Addison chuckled.
"I convinced the parents to let me do the surgery. Bailey didn't believe I could do it but I did. In her face!" Aelwyne giggled.
"In my face what?" The gruff voice from the chief of general came through the speaker.
"Dammit." Aelwyne whispered while Addison tried to suppress the urge to laugh.
"Dr. Montgomery-Neirhem, you were saying?" Bailey almost growled.
"I uh… nothing. Nothing at all." Aelwyne said quickly.
"I heard you loud and clear." Bailey insisted.
"What?" Aelwyne tried feigning ignorance.
"Stuffing." Ben mumbled just loud enough for Aelwyne and Addison to hear.
Addison was a bit confused when he said that however it seemed her wife knew what he was talking about.
"Doc-" Bailey began and Aelwyne promptly interrupted.
"Doctor Bailey, you remember last year when you made the stuffing for the Thanksgiving dinner?" Aelwyne said quickly. "I remember it was so good. Since I really can't make it, even though I've tried, I was wondering if you would?" She asked.
"The pie." Ben mumbled again.
"Oh, and that pumpkin pie everyone loved. Could you make it too? If you have some spare time of course." Aelwyne said, looking up to the gallery.
Addison was grateful for her mask because despite being able to hold in her laughter she couldn't suppress her smile. She didn't even dare look up to see if the other attending had fallen for her sweet wife's antics.
"Oh well, I guess I could. If you think it's that good and all." Bailey shrugged.
"It is. Right Cristina? Mer?" Aelwyne reinforced.
"Yeah." Meredith replied.
"Yup." Cristina added.
"See?" Aelwyne chirped. "Addie?" She called her.
Addison looked at her with wide eyes and then looked up to Bailey nodding vigorously in agreement.
"Ok then. I'll make them for next week. Excuse me." Bailey said and left them.
Everyone was quiet for a while until Addison couldn't hold her laughter anymore. Soon after everyone else joined her laughing.
"Gotta say. That was impressive, Bug." Addison smiled while they worked to close the patient.
"And you say it wasn't smart to marry me." Aelwyne winked. "Thanks Ben." She muttered.
"No problem at all." Ben replied quickly. "I do know my Bailey." He winked.
"It's only 'cause you're her favorite that she didn't rip you a new one." Cristina said, shaking her head.
"Oh, I'm sure she'll feel the repercussions this week." Meredith chuckled.
"It'll be fine." Aelwyne said and suddenly pagers went off.
"I don't wanna." Cristina groaned.
"Let's go before Ross kills one of our patients." Teddy said and got up. "See ya Montgomery-Neirhem's." She added.
"Bye Teddy." Addison smiled.
"Bye." Aelwyne added.
"I should go too. I need to check on my service. Wilson worries me sometimes, don't tell Alex." Meredith said quickly leaving as well.
"Ok. All set." Aelwyne announced after a few minutes. "Everything is so much faster when you're with me." She smiled brightly through her mask.
"It's because I'm so good." Addison winked.
"And so humble. I love it." Aelwyne chuckled.
"I know you do." Addison chuckled as well. "Anyway, stop flirting, we're working."
"Wh- you started it." Aelwyne protested.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Doctor." Addison replied seriously.
"We'll take care of the rest, doctors." Bokhee said once they had closed.
"Thanks. You guys are the best! Also if you hear from Celine tell her I want pictures of the grandson." Aelwyne said, pulling away and taking off her gloves.
"That's right! I wanna see him too, Bokhee. Get us pictures." Addison cheered following Aelwyne.
"Of course. I'll get those for you." Bokhee replied happily.
Addison and Aelwyne made their way to the scrub room pulling off their masks and gowns. They washed their hands and turned to each other.
"Hello there." Aelwyne smiled sweetly.
"Bug. We've been together for quite a while." Addison chuckled.
"Yeah but I couldn't say hello properly. Especially with those pesky masks." Aelwyne said, pulling her by the waist and kissing her lightly.
"Hmm. I like this kind of hello." Addison smiled onto the kiss.
"I know." Aelwyne muttered and started to deepen the kiss.
Addison let her do what she wanted until she remembered there was something the brunette had to tell her. She had the nagging suspicion that she wouldn't entirely like what it was. Gently she pushed away from her whining wife.
"Addie." Aelwyne pouted adorably.
"I'll take that away as soon as you tell me what Cristina was talking about." Addison smiled.
"Oh that? It's nothing complicated. We're just hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house next week." Aelwyne said and pulled her towards her once more.
"Wait." Addison stopped her when she went to kiss her again.
"What?" Aelwyne frowned in confusion.
"Will Thanksgiving dinner be at our house?" Addison asked.
"Yes." Aelwyne smiled. "It's our turn."
"Ael there's a reason why I don't have people come to the house for big dinners unless we have someone to cater." Addison said, releasing a sigh.
"We had Meredith, Cristina, and them the other week when I made the lasagna. What's different now?" Aelwyne asked, tilting her head.
"Who's making the turkey? Isn't it the host who does that?" Addison asked, growing uneasy with the whole situation.
She loved Thanksgiving. The food, the pumpkin stuff, the family and friends dinner, she loved it. But only when she wasn't in charge of said dinner. She didn't mind bringing the salad or mashed potatoes or bread or pies. However, the turkey brought too many annoying and unwanted memories of one of her Thanksgivings as a Shepherd.
"Yes, Addie. We're supposed to make the turkey." Aelwyne chirped.
"But what if it's burned? Or undercooked? I could give someone food poisoning. I don't know how to make a turkey. I can make salads and mashed potatoes. I'd even make the bread from scratch. But the turkey… I don't want to be in charge of the turkey." Addison rambled on.
"Baby girl calm down." Aelwyne stroked her cheek tenderly in that way that made her lean into her touch and soothed her. "I'll make the turkey and I'll teach you how to make it because in at least four years we'll be in charge again." She chuckled.
"You can make a turkey?" Addison asked incredulously.
"I've told you my nana would let me starve over her dead body. She taught me a lot." Aelwyne said proudly. "We'll be ok. We do have to go get us a big turkey. There'll be a lot of people this year." She kissed her cheek and began to pull her out of the scrub room by the hand.
"Ael?" Addison muttered.
"Hmm?" Aelwyne hummed happily as they stepped out into the hallway.
"Promise." Addison began. "Promise you're making this turkey and you won't leave me hanging." She looked into confused golden eyes that soon glimmered.
"Why are you so nervous about this?" Aelwyne chuckled.
"Just promise, Aelwyne. Please." Addison pushed without answering her question.
"Ok. I promise I'll make this turkey." Aelwyne said, lifting her right hand. "Now… can I have my kiss?"
"What kiss?" Addison tilted her head.
"Addie." Aelwyne whined.
"Of course you can have your kiss. You can have anything you want." Addison relaxed a bit and leaned over knowing her wife would be there and would cook that stupid turkey.
"That's it?" Aelwyne pouted after Addison had landed a peck.
"If you want more it can't be here." Addison motioned around them.
They were practically in the middle of the busy hallway as doctors and nurses strolled about with patients ready for surgery or coming out of surgery.
"More? Hmm. Office then?" Aelwyne smirked and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"You're something else."
The next week went by quickly and it was already the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Aelwyne had been working through a 48 hour shift because of those lovely repercussions she had earned herself after stealing Bailey's patient. She didn't like waking up without her golden eyed girl. She was a bit annoyed about it. But only a bit because not waking up with her wife meant that the brunette would be home with her tonight and all day tomorrow. Thus that pesky turkey would be made and everything, absolutely everything would be ok.
"Red? Are you daydreaming or something?" Mark asked by way of greeting while she stood by the nurse's station with two cups of coffee on hand.
"I'm waiting for my wife." Addison rolled her eyes.
"Still not quite a morning person huh?" Mark chuckled.
"She really never was." Derek chirped as he made his way to them. "The only time she woke up early was Christmas morning, to annoy everyone. Pretty much a child."
"Great. Now I have to deal with the idiotic McBrothers." Addison grumbled.
"Be careful Derek, she might throw the coffee at you." Mark teased.
"Nah. She likes me too much." Derek replied with a smug smile.
"Do I?" Addison asked with a bored expression.
"Are you like this because your wife didn't cuddle you last night?" Mark laughed a bit and then hid behind Derek when she glared at him.
"No. She's like that because she's hosting Thanksgiving this year and she doesn't have many fond memories of hosting it." Derek shrugged.
"Shut up." Addison snapped a bit and started to walk away.
She rather go find her wife than deal with Mark and Derek, especially when they teamed up to annoy her. It felt as if she was still back in med school with the two idiots.
"Ah, c'mon, Addie." Derek whined a bit.
"Yeah, be a good sport." Mark whined as well.
"Leave me alone." Addison rolled her eyes and continued to walk away.
"No. Come back." Mark whined loudly.
"Leave my wife alone, you two." Aelwyne's exasperated voice made Addison turn around.
"Ael!" She smiled, the irritation that was beginning to take over evaporating away as soon as she saw her.
"Hi." Aelwyne smiled back at her with the usual glimmer she only gave her. "Now, you two…" She began, her eyes darkening as she looked from Mark to Derek.
"We weren't doing anything." Mark defended.
"She's just being Satan." Derek shrugged as if he had done no wrong.
"Stop being morons and leave her alone." Aelwyne crossed her arms across her chest. "You," She said to Derek, "go tend to Brooks. And you," She pointed at Mark, "go find the other half of the plastics posse, he was freaking out last night about I don't know what."
"You can't tell us what to do, kid." Mark looked at her smugly. "We're attendings."
"So am I. What exactly can you do now?" Aelwyne challenged with an expression that rivaled Addison's.
The redhead stifled her laughter by tightly pressing her lips together because watching her wife use the same tone and make the same face she herself made to scare people away was truly something. She wondered when she had actually mastered it. She almost never got the opportunity to witness it like this.
"Fine. I'm only going because Jackson needs me." Mark shrugged trying to hide the fact that Aelwyne was getting to him.
"Right." Derek chuckled and as soon as Aelwyne looked at him he put his hands up in surrender and walked away, pulling Mark along with him.
Addison watched as her wife followed Thing One and Thing Two walking away with her eyes, before her gold found her blueish green. The grin that broke on her wife's face, had all of the butterflies fluttering yet again. She lifted the coffee cups with her own grin and Aelwyne made her way to her, wrapping her in her arms, ignoring the coffee.
"I missed you in my bed." Addison whispered to her and her grin grew when she heard her wife's giggles.
"I missed you too, Baby Girl." Aelwyne whispered in her ear, making her shiver slightly.
"How was your night?" Addison asked as she pulled away.
"It was strangely quiet." Aelwyne replied and finally looked at the cups. "You brought me coffee." She smiled.
"I did. Did you just notice, Bug?" Addison chuckled, handing her a cup.
"That's what you do to me when you smile." Aelwyne shrugged. "I'm also very tired. Tell me again, why did I do two different specialties?"
"Because you love them both." Addison said, reaching a loose strand of brown hair and tucking it behind her ear.
"Hmm." Aelwyne hummed and sipped some of her coffee before making a face of disgust. "Addie." She whined.
"Did I give you the pumpkin spice?" Addison chuckled and switched cups. "Sorry. Quick drink."
Aelwyne grabbed the other coffee and sipped some, still scrunching her nose a bit. Addison giggled and bopped her nose.
"That was really mean." Aelwyne pouted.
"I'm sorry… see that is what you do to me." Addison shrugged, sipping her own coffee.
"Hmph." Aelwyne rolled her eyes. "Fine."
"Stop that. Let's go, I'll take a nap with you." Addison said, pulling her wife along.
"Who says I need a nap?" Aelwyne asked with a playful frown.
"You scared Derek and Mark." Addison smirked.
"Only 'cause they were bugging my wife." Aelwyne shrugged. "What were they bugging you about?"
"Turkeys." Addison replied.
"Turkeys? Why?" Aelwyne tilted her head in question.
"Wanna know something?" Addison asked with a mischievous smile, ignoring her question.
"What?" Aelwyne frowned.
"You sound quite hot when you call me your wife." Addison wiggled her brows.
"Do I, now?" Aelwyne smirked.
"Mhmm." Addison nodded as she opened the door of one of the on-call rooms and stepped in. "Here we go."
"Ael!" Someone called behind them. "They need you at the pit."
"I swear I'm gonna strangle her." Addison grumbled softly.
"Murphy." Aelwyne let out an exasperated sigh.
"What?" Leah smiled until she noticed Addison. "I, umm…"
"You what?" Addison snapped.
"I only came to get her. They asked for her." Leah mumbled.
"I get off at noon. You?" Aelwyne asked, taking her attention away from the intern.
"Me too." Addison muttered.
"Murphy, you can go now. I'll be right there." Aelwyne said to the intern in a dismissive tone.
Leah looked at both of them and nodded before scurrying the way she had come from. Aelwyne reached for Addison's cheek and gave her a peck.
"One day she'll appear hanged." Addison grumbled once her wife pulled away.
"I hope not. I need my wife with me, not in jail." Aelwyne chuckled. "I'll see you in a few hours."
"Hmm."
Addison was sad about not being able to nap together but it was also early in the morning, which meant they wouldn't actually be able to. She watched her wife go and after a while she made her way up to the OB wing to deal with her own patients.
Aelwyne woke up to the sweet smell of what she knew was pecan pie. She smiled taking in the glorious scent and opened her eyes to see the time. The clock read 8:45 pm, which meant she'd had at least five hours of sleep. She stretched and sat up listening for her wife, the distant clattering told her Addison was still in the kitchen.
She sighed and got up, tying her hair up and making her way downstairs. She softly padded down the stairs and grinned as she heard Addison's soft humming. Entering the kitchen quietly she found her wife putting away the recently made pie, her back towards her. Once she noticed the redhead was done putting the pie down securely she spoke.
"You sound beautiful." She chuckled when Addison jumped and groaned. "Sorry. But at least I let you put it down." She added and made her way towards her.
"I guess I should be thankful for that. I could've dropped your favorite dessert, you know?" Addison complained crossing her arms across her chest while Aelwyne pulled her towards her.
"That's why I waited. I can be nice." Aelwyne smiled.
"Whatever." Addison rolled her eyes.
"Addie…" Aelwyne began and kissed her cheek then the other. "Baby Girl."
She planted soft kisses on Addison's neck while the redhead moved her head to give her more room. Addison's breath hitched as she gently nibbled on her earlobe and she pulled away with her sweet smile.
"You're impossible. You know that?" Addison tried her best not to smile but failed.
"You mean irresistible." Aelwyne grinned and Addison shook her head, releasing a sigh and finally wrapping her arms around her.
"I love you." The redhead smiled and kissed her softly before pulling away completely. "Now. You have a turkey to season and I have cheesecake to make." She added, gently pushing her towards the counter where the thawed turkey lay.
"I don't wanna." Aelwyne whined playfully.
"You better get to it. If not, no cuddles or kisses or anything." Addison chirped from the fridge.
"You wouldn't." Aelwyne tried to call out her bluff but when she looked at her wife's face she saw it wasn't a game.
"Wanna try me?" Addison looked at her seriously.
"I'm seasoning the turkey." Aelwyne nodded and quickly went to wash her hands before starting while her wife hummed happily on the other side of the kitchen.
She still didn't quite understand the whole issue with the turkey. Every time she had asked, Addison would change the topic with kisses, which wasn't bad, she enjoyed those lips more than anything in the world. She still wanted to know though but she supposed if it was really important, Addison would tell her.
"You don't want to learn to do this?" Aelwyne asked when she started to season.
"No. I know how to season a chicken. It would be somewhat the same. Right?" Addison replied while mixing.
"I guess." Aelwyne shrugged and continued. "I'll season today and put it in the oven tomorrow around ten so it's ready for the afternoon." She announced.
"It'll take that long to make?" Addison asked.
"No. But we need the oven for other things. Besides, it's better to finish things early so we're not worrying about it later." Aelwyne replied, glancing at her wife who was now putting the cheesecake batter in the pan.
Once she finished she covered the turkey again and put it in the fridge while Addison put the cheesecake in the oven. Aelwyne smiled, they looked like a total unit and she loved it.
"What?" Addison smiled at her a bit confused.
"I love you. I love this." Aelwyne motioned around.
"The kitchen?" Addison joked.
"No. The simple domesticity of it." Aelwyne grinned and her wife nodded with her own smile.
"You're weird." Addison said, still nodding.
"Hey." Aelwyne protested and chuckled.
"You know what I was thinking about?" Addison chuckled and hopped on the countertop.
"What?" Aelwyne asked, making her way towards her and standing between her legs, looking up at her.
"You told Bailey her pumpkin pie is amazing." Addison said, wrapping her arms around her neck.
"Right?" Aelwyne nodded a bit confused as to where she was going with this.
"First, how do you know it tastes amazing when you hate anything pumpkin? And second, what are you going to do when she gives you a piece to eat?" Addison raised her brow and then chuckled at her reaction.
"Oh my god." Aelwyne gasped. "I don't like pumpkin. I'll gag. Addie you have to help me. Please?!" Aelwyne pleaded while her wife only laughed. "I'm serious. What am I gonna do? We have no dog I can give it to under the table. Do you think Mark would eat it? Or Alex? He eats quickly so I can accept it and then switch my plate with his when he's done. Would it work? Bailey's gonna kill me. I'm gonna have to eat pumpkin pie. I don't want to, I…"
Whatever else she was going to say was stuck inside her mouth as Addison pulled her towards her, her arms still wrapped securely around her neck, and sealed their lips together. It was a deep kiss leaving them both breathless as they pulled away.
"How about your wife saves you?" Addison smirked and wiggled her brows.
"You can do whatever you want." Aelwyne smirked back, still panting a bit.
"Whatever I want?" Addison gave her a quick peck before moving her hands to the hem of Aelwyne's shirt and pulling it off.
"What about the cheesecake?" Aelwyne asked playfully while Addison planted sweet kisses on her jaw towards her ear.
"There's a timer. Do you think you can beat it?" Addison asked, her voice low and her eyes dark and hungry.
"Oh I can beat it."
Aelwyne almost growled and quickly grabbed both of her thighs, lifting her off the counter and making her way to the living room, her wife's giggles filling the air. Needless to say Aelwyne beat the timer the first time around and after the cheesecake was out it was free game for the both of them.
Addison woke up feeling a little colder than usual. Without opening her eyes she reached for the covers which were barely covering her legs and pulled them up. Then blindly she reached for her wife. She was certain it was too early to be awake especially since it seemed like the room was dark. She was also still way too tired to actually get up so she wanted to snuggle the person responsible for her lack of sleep last night.
She frowned when she found her wife's side cold and empty. At that she opened her eyes and scanned the room sleepily. Looking over to the windows she noticed the blackout curtains were doing a very good job of keeping the sunlight out. Actually they were doing an exceptional job because if the clock on her phone was correct it was actually 11 o'clock in the morning. She grumbled and sat up in bed, stretching every which way and still yawning. She supposed her wife was already downstairs so she reluctantly got out of bed and went to the bathroom to take a quick shower and get ready for the day.
Once done getting ready, she made the bed smiling softly when she came across her wife's phone, which had been stuck between the covers. She put it to charge and opened the curtains to allow the sun to come through. There were many things she had loved about their house but the view, she would never tire of it. The house sat at the edge of the lake, a small dock sat above serene waters, a few canoes and the two paddle boats 'for the kids' (Mark, Alex, Cristina, and Aelwyne) sat close to the edge. A nice fire pit sat in a corner surrounded by outdoor lounges and chairs, which would probably be used tonight if it wasn't too cold after their dinner.
Addison frowned after a few minutes staring out the window a bit confused. First, she had woken up without Aelwyne, when usually her Bug was the one to not wake up, especially on days off. Second, if she by chance did wake up first, by the time Addison was out of the shower she'd have her snuggle bug on her. Lastly, the house was actually quiet. Too quiet for a place where they were preparing thanksgiving dinner.
Making her way downstairs she rolled her eyes at herself over the idiotic panic that was starting to settle in. There was no way her wife had left. Besides, she was off today and there was nothing that would make her go in, unless there was some sort of catastrophe or one of her patients had an emergency. As she closed in the kitchen she could smell the delicious scent of coffee and chuckled. Her wife was making her coffee was all. That's why she hadn't gone upstairs yet.
She entered the kitchen to find it empty, the coffee maker on to keep the coffee warm. She made her way towards it, her mug sat next to it along with a spoon and the sugar. There was a scribbled note underneath it in her wife's handwriting. She frowned and picked it up.
Baby girl, I got called in. My patient needs surgery. And don't freak out… I called Mer and Cristina and they'll make sure that everything that we didn't make gets made and brought to dinner. I'll be there before dinner. Sorry to leave you with the cleaning. Promise I'll take care of the picking up after everyone leaves. Love you so so much! Last night was nice. I wanna race against the timer again. Maybe we should make it into a competition. What do you think? ;)
Addison took a breath and chuckled at her wife's flirting as well as her 'don't freak out'. Because as she read that she wasn't home she had begun to get a bit stressed out. However, it seemed Aelwyne had made sure everything would be taken care of so there was no need for her to worry. She served herself some coffee and then set out to tidy up the living room, dining room, and the guest rooms because knowing her friends some of them would probably end up staying the night.
Around 3:30 pm Addison was done getting herself ready. She had cleaned up around the house and had tossed a quick salad as well as made the green bean casserole Mark liked so much. She was making her way down the stairs when the doorbell rang. Jogging the rest of the way down she smiled as she heard children's laughter behind the door. Quickly opening the door she found Lexie and Arizona carrying little Zola and Sophia who were still giggling.
"Hello there. Now, who won?" Addison asked the two 2-year-olds.
"I ran faster." Lexie panted.
"No. I did." Arizona countered panting as well.
"I was asking the children, you know?" Addison smirked at the two, who groaned and rolled their eyes. "Now, who wants to come with Aunt Addie?" She asked cheerfully but soon chuckled as both little girls extended their arms towards her. "Uh."
"You asked. How about…" Arizona put Sofia down, "we just let them walk."
"Good idea." Addison chuckled and made space for them to go in.
"Hey." Callie walked in with two trays followed by Meredith with her own tray.
"Hello, Cal. Hi, Mer." Addison smiled. "Go on. You know where the kitchen is." After locking the door she followed them both to the kitchen, opening the oven for Callie to put in her trays.
"I brought your pumpkin spaghetti squash and I made the potatoes your wife likes since she hates pumpkin and won't eat anything with it." Callie rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You married a child."
"You're too nice." Addison chuckled and Callie joined her before heading over to the living room with her wife and daughter.
"What about you Mer? What'd you make?" Addison grinned.
"Hah. Very funny. I just cut the stuff. Lexie and Mark cooked." Meredith rolled her eyes playfully. "Some casserole. With cauliflower and things. Maybe cheese."
"So descriptive." Addison narrowed her eyes and nodded.
"Don't make me hate you." Meredith groaned.
"Sorry." Addison laughed. "Hey, Lex." She added when the other Grey walked into the kitchen.
"Hi." Lexie chirped.
"So how come the Grey sisters are here alone? Where are Thing One and Thing Two?" Addison asked handing them cups and pouring some soda for them.
"They wanted to go fishing before dinner." Meredith rolled her eyes again.
"I'm sure that's code for something." Lexie sipped some of her soda.
"Yeah, code for I don't want to be surrounded by women or leaving so I don't have to clean after the messes I make." Meredith shook her head with a somewhat annoyed expression.
Soon all three erupted in laughter soon after before leaving the kitchen with drinks for everyone else who was already there.
The five women, Addison, Meredith, Lexie, Callie, and Arizona,chattered about anything and everything until the doorbell rang again. Before Addison could go and open it, however, Cristina and Teddy waltzed in. The brunette headed straight to the kitchen with some tray and Teddy came to sit next to Addison with an apologetic look that the redhead waved off. After all, they had given a copy of their house key to Cristina and she was only making use of it. The brunette joined them shortly after with her and Teddy's own cups. Mark, like Cristina, also had a key so he had let himself and Derek in without ringing the bell. Both Zola and Sofia ran towards their dads once they saw them. Soon after Miranda and Ben arrived with Tuck, bringing the famous stuffing and pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving dinner was one of the only times Miranda allowed herself to be a bit softer, so after leaving the things in the kitchen she walked into the living room with a small smile on her face.
A while after 5 o'clock Addison left the somewhat rowdy and loud living room to go check the food and make sure everything was ready for when they ate. She looked through all the trays relishing in the smell of the dishes her friends and family had made. She was smiling until a thought passed through her head. Yes, they did have all of these wonderful dishes but there was something missing. Everything that had been brought was either a side dish or a dessert. There was no turkey. She allowed herself to freak out a little bit but then took a breath and headed to the living room. Maybe someone had left the turkey back in their car.
"Guys." She called, her voice ringing over them, and slowly they turned to her. "Did you bring in all your dishes and trays and what not?" She asked with a smile.
Fear settled at the pit of her stomach when everyone nodded and went back to their conversations. She smiled and headed back to the kitchen, missing the look between Mark, who was now being attacked by toddlers on the ground, and Derek. Once back in the kitchen she double checked and tripled checked every single tray again. She also checked the fridge but there was nothing. No turkey in any of the trays or seasoned turkey in the fridge. Panic finally settled in and she began to pace before reaching for her phone. She was about to call Aelwyne's cell when she remembered her lovely wife had left it in the room.
"No." She whispered to herself. "It's not happening again. It's just not. There's no way." She muttered walking back and forth along the kitchen island. "What the hell do I do?"
"Addie?" Someone called behind her and she turned around quickly.
"It's happening again. I'm ruining thanksgiving. Everyone is going to hate me." She let out quickly when she saw Derek.
"Addison, calm down. What's wrong?" He asked, moving towards her.
"I just told you. I'm doing it all wrong… again." Addison let out in a shaky voice. "There's no turkey, Derek."
"What do you mean there's no turkey?" Derek frowned in confusion.
"There. Is. No. Turkey." She spat out every word bitterly.
She knew what came next. She had already lived through it. She would have to tell everyone there was nothing to eat. Probably make the dino nuggets or something. Everyone would be disappointed and look at her with contempt in their eyes. There they all were, laughing and talking and cheering for Tuck as he played the piano and she was about to ruin it all. It would be a disaster once again.
Why would anyone put her in charge of these things? Maybe it wouldn't even be nuggets because there weren't enough, it would have to be hot dogs and burgers. Someone might get sick. And then they would hate her. It was going to happen again. Why had she let this happen?
Addison was aware Derek was saying something in the background but she was too deep inside her head to hear him. Once again she found herself in one of these situations with him alongside her. It was ironically comical. Another time she might've laughed about it. But now… now she was freaking out. This had been a stupid idea. Whoever had opted to have this dumb dinner here should be hanged alongside Murphy and her wife. Where was she anyway? Where the hell was Aelwyne? This was her fault. She had been so convincing with her pretty smile and her sparkling eyes and her sweet kisses and now they were stuck in a dinner where she was not present without the stupid turkey.
"Dammit." Addison grumbled and continued her path around the kitchen island.
"Addie." Derek said. "Did you even hear what I said?" He asked. "Addison?" He called. "Addison!"
"Stop Addisoning me!" She shrieked and stopped to look at him. "I'm freaking out Derek. I don't need you yelling at me because it's already loud enough in my head. So shut the hell up! Or better yet go away with your moronic eyes and your stupid hotdogs!" She snapped.
"Addie?"
Aelwyne was worried when she entered the kitchen to find her wife snapping at Derek. She held the tray with the turkey and watched the redhead breathing heavily. The noise from the living room was still going, which meant no one had heard Addison outburst just then. But then that didn't really matter. What mattered was the fact that her wife was freaking out over… hotdogs?
"Ael?" She heard Addison exhale out.
"Baby girl, what's wrong?" She asked worriedly. "I'm so sorry I'm late. They just insisted on cutting the turkey there."
"You…" Addison began and then her eyes left hers and shifted down to the tray she was carrying.
Aelwyne placed the heavy tray on the counter and walked over to her wife. Instantly, Addison wrapped her arms around her burying her head in her shoulder. She returned the gesture and rubbed the redhead's back looking at Derek who had just scoffed while shaking his head.
"What's wrong babe?" Aelwyne asked and Addison only shook her head and tightened her hold.
"I think it's my fault." Derek said with a small apologetic smile.
"What'd you do?" Aelwyne asked with a frown.
"Back when we were married I sorta planned a thanksgiving dinner without telling her. And well umm… the turkey… well…" He began then rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah, he wanted to be the hero. He invited 34 people to our house the day before without telling me. Knowing full well I'd never cooked a turkey in my life. Then his mother accused me of wanting to kill everyone and his sister got salmonella. It was a disaster. As if his mother didn't need another reason to hate me. And then… and then he swooped in with hotdogs and saved the day. While I got made into the villain of the story." Addison explained pulling away from her and giving Derek one of her signature glares.
"I said sorry." Derek defended.
"Shut up." Addison pouted.
"Addie." Aelwyne smiled when her wife looked at her. "I told you I'd take care of everything. I also promised I would make the turkey."
"I… I know." Addison's gaze dropped to the ground. "But you were so vague in the note. I didn't know you had taken the turkey."
"I took it because I knew the cafeteria ladies would be nice enough to let me borrow an oven." Aelwyne grinned, wiggling her brows.
"I swear everyone likes you way too much." Derek shook his head and chuckled.
"I can't help being awesome." Aelwyne shrugged and pulled Addison towards her, giving her a quick peck.
"And humble too." Derek smirked.
"I learned from the best." Aelwyne smirked back.
"Why, thank you." Derek smiled.
"I was talking about Addie." Aelwyne replied quickly, earning herself a few giggles from her wife. "Anyway, I'm going to take a quick shower."
"Want some company?" Addison asked, a wide smile finally brightening her whole face.
"Could you not talk like that in front of me?" Derek groaned.
"Close your ears, McDreamy." Aelwyne replied quickly and then looked at her wife. "As much as I would love that. I'm sure people are hungry so the table and the food needs to be set up." She smiled and chuckled when she pulled away from her grumbling wife. "I love you. I'll be back."
"Yeah, I love you too."
Addison had tried containing her smile but failed when Aelwyne winked at her as she left the kitchen.
"I guess your wife is better than I was huh?" She heard Derek say.
"A million times better." She heard her wife say proudly and chuckled to herself as she headed up the stairs.
Addison glanced around the table and smiled as she watched everyone eating and talking happily. She enjoyed times like these with her friends and family. Feeling a light squeeze on her thigh she turned to Aelwyne, who gave her a small smile with a frown. She shook her head to let her wife know everything was fine. The brunette's smile grew and she began to get lost in her sea of gold until Cristina called everyone's attention.
"Ah-hem, guys?" She stood and slowly everyone stopped and turned to her. "So we uh… Teddy and I have some news and stuff."
"News…" Aelwyne nodded, narrowing her eyes, next to Addison, who chuckled along with some others.
"And stuff." Meredith added, making the rest chuckle along.
"Yeah. News and stuff. Shut up and stop interrupting me." Cristina rolled her eyes before looking at Teddy. "So yeah um we…" She began once more but groaned along with everyone else when the doorbell interrupted her.
"Saved by the bell." Addison smirked. "That must be Karev. I'll be right back."
After leaving a quick kiss on her wife's cheek she went to the door. She smiled as she found Alex with a very pale and nervous looking Jo. She chuckled and made room for them to enter, giving Alex a quick side hug.
"Go on. You know the way, Alex." She smiled and contained her laughter as she looked at Jo, she wondered how close to passing out the intern was.
There was a collective cheer when she entered the dining room once more accompanied by the two. She was glad she had the mental awareness to set up two extra places at the table instead of just the one for Alex.
"Hey." Alex nodded. "Ael. Addison, I hope it's ok I brought her over." He gave both her and Aelwyne a sheepish smile.
"Y-yeah. Umm thanks. I-I hope it's ok." Jo stammered out next to him.
"You are more than welcome in our home… Jo?" Addison smiled. "Is Jo ok? Or would you prefer Wilson?"
"Uh Jo. Jo is fine. Thank you." Jo finally smiled and some of her color was coming back.
"Good. Jo then. You're more than welcomed here. Right Ael?" Addison asked her wife as she made her way to her seat next to her.
"Yup. Welcome, Jo." Aelwyne smiled brightly. "Now, you both go sit. You came late and interrupted Cristina. She was about to talk about the news and stuff." She urged pointing to the two empty places next to Meredith.
Everyone laughed and Alex quickly pulled Jo towards their seats. Addison smiled at the two as they took their seats and Bailey began offering food. Aelwyne leaned quickly towards her.
"That was so smart." She whispered.
"What was?" Addison muttered.
"The two spots." Aelwyne winked and kissed her cheek before turning to Cristina.
"Anyway, as I was saying. Umm well, Teddy and I. I guess we're finally gonna make you fanboys and fangirls happy." Cristina smiled awkwardly at everyone then looked at Teddy. "We're getting married." She finally announced.
Cheers erupted up and down the table as soon as she finished her sentence. Addison was so happy for them. Marriage wasn't something that was for everyone but she could tell both Teddy and Cristina had wanted to do it. They were sort of too chicken for it, which no one would ever dare say in front of Cristina. They had been together now for about four years and everyone could tell they were totally compatible with one another.
"This is awesome guys." Addison chirped.
"It totally is." Aelwyne smiled brightly.
"I guess now I can actually wear this." Cristina said, pulling out a ring and giving it to Teddy. "You put it on."
"You have a ring already?" Meredith gasped while they all witnessed Teddy sliding the ring on the brunette's finger.
"Well, we sorta wanted to tell you bunch of weirdos first." Cristina shrugged and pulled out another ring, quickly sliding it on Teddy's finger.
"Yeah, you guys are important and since we were almost all going to be together, with the exception of the people who had to stay at the hospital, so we decided to wait to wear our rings until we were all together." Teddy explained, beaming while staring at her ring.
"Well congrats." Derek smiled.
"Yeah. Congrats to the cardio dynamic duo." Mark smiled and looked at Lexie. "Maybe I should announce us getting married or ask you now." He joked and everyone laughed.
"Well, maybe if you did I'd say yes." Lexie shrugged leaving him along with everyone else speechless and sipping her wine calmly. "Actually… How about this?" She turned fully to him on her chair. "Would you like to marry me, Mark Sloan?"
Gasps could be heard here and there along the table. Addison bit her lip in anticipation and then chuckled at Mark's face. Slowly he nodded which had everyone cheering once again as the two kissed.
"This is almost like deja vu." Callie giggled next to Arizona, who joined in.
"I guess congratulations to you four." Bailey smiled. "Do you want to join in too?" She asked Alex.
"Oh, I mean I guess I should tell you about me and Jo." He said, pressing his lips together.
"Alex, we aren't blind." Cristina said with a bored expression.
"Yeah. You and Jo are here together at Thanksgiving dinner with the family. Besides, everyone noticed even before you two did." Meredith shrugged.
"Well, yeah but I mean now… um we uh…" Alex stammered seemingly losing his train of thought.
"Now it's like a little more official." Jo said quickly.
"Right. We told HR so you know?" Alex nodded.
"So basically, you're married?" Mark finally spoke after having recovered.
"Shut up, Sloan." Alex rolled his eyes as everyone laughed.
"I guess congrats on that." Aelwyne grinned.
"Yeah, cheers to all the newly engaged couples and the more official relationship." Addison raised her wine glass quickly followed by everyone else.
After dinner came time for dessert and Aelwyne sat happily on her chair waiting for Addison to bring her some of her pecan pie. She had almost let go the previous night and cut out a piece for herself but she knew her wife would have killed her if she had. Thus, she had been a good girl and abstained herself. She was too distracted and didn't notice when Bailey had walked to her with a plate on hand.
"Here you go." The chief of general smiled at her while she handed her a piece of pumpkin pie.
"Wow, thank you." Aelwyne smiled, however it seemed her panic was evident because Cristina, Meredith, Lexie, and Callie kept on chuckling.
"Have a bite." Bailey said, handing her a fork.
"Right. Yeah uh… I will umm…" Aelwyne looked at the plate in front of her and swallowed hard.
"Bug." She heard her wife's stern voice and turned to her. "What are you doing with that?"
"Uh…" Aelwyne began.
"You've been pestering me the last few days about the pecan pie." Addison frowned. "Give me that." She said taking the plate with pumpkin pie on it and switching it with the pecan pie. "Eat your pie."
"Well, it's just Bailey…" Aelwyne began.
"No excuses Aelwyne." Addison crossed her arms, as if she meant business and Aelwyne pressed her lips together to contain her laughter.
"Let her try it, at least, Addison." Bailey said behind her and she glanced up at her wife, with terror.
"Fine, here." Addison said, taking a fork full and offering it to her. Aelwyne's eyes went wide while she slightly shook her head but her wife only brought the fork closer.
"Miranda, can I have some?" Callie called. Quickly Addison shoved the fork in her own mouth and ate the piece before switching to Aelwyne's fork and shoving it in her mouth.
"How is it?" Bailey asked from the other side of the table.
"Great." Aelwyne fake swallowed and turned back to her wife with her shoulders shaking a bit as she tried to stifle her laughter.
"You guys are something else." Cristina snorted in front of them.
"Shhh." Aelwyne shushed and chuckled. "Thank you." She said to Addison quickly before leaving a peck on her lips.
"I told you I'd save you." Addison winked. "Now, eat your pie."
"Ok." Aelwyne smiled brightly.
A while after dessert and after having everyone bring their plates and the leftovers back to the kitchen they made their way to the living room for more drinks and chatter. Aelwyne sat next to Addison who had an arm wrapped around her shoulder as she lay her hand on her thigh. Jo sat next to Tuck at the piano as he showed her what he knew, with Bailey and Ben watching him happily. Mark and Lexie sat on the floor coloring, or attempting to color, with Zola and Sofia. Callie sat next to Arizona watching the two little girls with a smile. Derek and Meredith were muttering to each other while Cristina, Alex and Teddy threw the two of them suspicious glances.
Suddenly, Meredith looked up seemingly ready to communicate something. Aelwyne watched her and then glanced at Cristina who gave her a subtle nod. She was well aware of what was coming and was so very excited for it. However, when Meredith was about to talk Arizona stole her thunder.
"We're looking for sperm donors." The blonde peds surgeon said quickly and everyone looked at her a bit confused by the statement.
"Honey." Callie chuckled. "What she means is that… we're going to start her treatment to see if we can have another baby." The latina smiled.
"Oh my god!" Teddy bounced in her seat. "That's awesome. Sofia will have a sibling and you guys are going to have a bigger family. It's amazing." She grinned.
"Wow, an aunt again." Aelwyne smiled brightly and looked at Addison, who smiled back.
"Yeah, hopefully it turns out ok." Arizona bit her lip.
"It'll happen. We'll have a balloon walking around the peds floor soon." Alex smirked.
"Alex." Jo admonished and he shrugged. "I'm happy for you guys." She smiled at Callie and Arizona. Aelwyne was glad the young intern was feeling more comfortable, after all, it seemed like her and Alex would stick.
"So umm we also have news." Meredith smiled sheepishly. "See uh… the thing is… Derek and I, we are…" She stammered nervously.
"Can we say it?" Aelwyne interrupted biting her lip and motioning between Cristina and herself.
"How…" Meredith began but soon sighed and nodded. "Go ahead."
Aelwyne chuckled and glanced at Cristina before taking a breath and revealing what Meredith had been trying her best to keep secret for a few weeks now.
"Meredith's pregnant!" Both her and Cristina said together.
"What?" Mark gasped and smiled widely. "I'm going to have more nieces or nephews?"
"Yes." Derek chuckled.
"Congratulations, Derek. Meredith." Addison smiled at the two of them brightly.
However, there was something in her tone that made Aelwyne really look back at her. Addison's eyes shifted to her and she could see a shadow in them that was quickly blinked away. Around them everyone chattered cheerfully but Aelwyne paid them no mind, looking at her wife and tilting her head in question. The redhead only smiled and gently caressed her cheek leaning in and quickly kissing her as if nothing was bothering her.
"Stop looking at me like that." Addison spoke softly, only loud enough for her to hear.
"Like what?" Aelwyne muttered in equal quiet.
"Like you think there's something wrong." Addison smiled.
"Is there something wrong?" Aelwyne asked.
"Nope." Addison kissed her again.
"You sure?" Aelwyne insisted.
"Well now there is." Addison pouted and she furrowed her brow. "You didn't kiss me back." She added, which made Aelwyne smile and lean over to kiss her quickly.
"Better?" The brunette asked and Addison nodded vigorously with a smile.
"Can you two stop making eyes at each other?" Cristina groaned, which made both Aelwyne and Addison chuckle and turn to her.
"Never." Addison smirked.
"Whatever." Cristina rolled her eyes.
"Ael." Someone called her.
"What's up Tuck?" Aelwyne smiled at the little boy.
"Can you help me with this chord? I can't get it right." The boy asked from the piano.
"Of course." Aelwyne smiled and stood, leaving a kiss on Addison's forehead. "Duty calls. I'll be back." She said to a smiling Addison.
Aelwyne loved teaching Tuck whenever he came around the house and it seemed like he enjoyed it as well. She spent quite some time there with him and Bailey, Ben, and Jo, who seemed fascinated by how quickly Tuck picked up on things. After playing some songs with the boy she got up to go back and sit with her wife. However, as she scanned the room she noticed her redhead was missing and sitting in the spot she had vacated was actually Callie, who now talked with Teddy and Cristina.
"Where's my wife?" She asked the small group.
"I think she headed out to the patio." Callie replied.
"Oh, she's probably fixing things for the bonfire. I'll go help." Aelwyne smiled and made her way outside.
The sliding door was left open and she could see the warm light of the patio string lights flooding in. She slipped through the open door and quietly went to sneak on her wife. Addison leaned on the railing of the back porch, looking out at where the water was. As she got closer, though, any thought of playing around or teasing Addison disappeared. She allowed herself a few minutes to just contemplate her wife's beauty as her features were bathed in warm light and a gentle breeze ruffled her red hair.
There was something bothering her wife and she could tell rather well. She knew her more than she knew herself. Addison wasn't as ok as she had tried to make it seem earlier when that slight shadow had invaded her gaze. Now, Aelwyne was determined to find out what. Though she had a slight inkling already.
"Are you ok?" She asked, leaning on the railing herself.
"I'm ok." Addison smiled at her and went back to looking out towards the lake.
"You're my wife, Addie." Aelwyne said as she too started looking out as well.
"I know that." Addison chuckled lightly.
"That means that I know when you're not ok." Aelwyne smiled and looked at her. "You have tells."
"I'm fine, Aelwyne." Addison said, looking back at her.
"Yeah, there's one of them." Aelwyne let out a chuckle and watched her wife's shoulder slack in defeat. "Talk to me." She said, waiting patiently for her to speak.
"You remember when you were waiting for the results of your intern's exam?" Addison asked after a short while looking out towards the water.
"Woah." Aelwyne looked at her wide eyed. "Whatever I did back then that made you mad, I completely apologize for." She said, placing her right hand on her chest, which made the redhead chuckle.
"You were a nervous wreck, pacing back and forth." Addison continued with a faint smile, eyes still forward. "Then you stopped and sat on the bed looking down the hallway like a weirdo." She shook her head.
"Hey." Aelwyne protested, making her wife chuckle again.
"You said the loft only had one guest room and I was so confused." Addison smiled. "Then you said that even when it was a ways away we needed to look at bigger places." She finished and looked at her.
"And then I made love to you." Aelwyne smiled, tucking a loose strand of red hair behind her ear.
"Yeah." Addison smiled and went back to looking out.
Aelwyne knew what this was about. Since Arizona had blurted out the thing about the sperm donors and what not. Actually even before then. She knew this was coming and she was prepared for it, though it seemed her wife had no idea.
"Dot and Dit." She muttered looking out into the night sky. She felt, rather than saw, her wife turning to look at her surprised. "You think I'll still look pretty when I'm as big as a balloon waddling around the peds floor, like Alex said? I mean I know you will still look pretty." She said with an excited smile.
"Ael." Addison breathed out.
"I mean you'll be a little chubby but beautiful and all glowy and stuff. Maybe a bit irritable but I'll love you anyway." Aelwyne smiled brightly, taking a deep breath.
"Ael." Addison repeated and Aelwyne could hear the smile in her wife's voice.
"Gosh, I can't wait… Do you think I'll look ok?" She asked, finally looking at her.
"Are you sure?" Addison asked through watery eyes.
"That I want us to be pregnant? Yep." Aelwyne nodded. "Just not at the same time. I won't be able to help you if I have a big bouncy ball to deal with as well." She shrugged and smiled before wiping away a few tears running down her wife's cheeks.
"I love you." Addison smiled sweetly at her.
"You better." Aelwyne said seriously. "It would be awkward to tell Naomi to cancel the appointment I made next month, when we have those four days off together."
"Y-you made… you made an appointment with Nae?" Addison asked incredulously.
"It was supposed to be a surprise but…" Aelwyne began but whatever came next got lost as Addison pulled her towards her and kissed her.
"You're amazing." Addison grinned when she pulled away.
"I gather it's a good surprise?" Aelwyne smiled happily.
"It's the best." Addison beamed.
"Good." Aelwyne chirped. "Soon we'll have Dot and Dit."
"Aelwyne." Addison stopped smiling. "Our kids won't be named Dot or Dit."
"Addie, don't be mean. We have a long last name." Aelwyne protested playfully.
"No." Addison shook her head with a slight smile.
"Fine…" Aelwyne pouted.
"No pouts, you…" Addison began but stopped taking a deep breath. "You're absolutely sure about this? I can survive without being a mom but, Ael, I can't survive without you."
Aelwyne looked at her while keeping her face neutral but smiling inwardly. She didn't understand how she couldn't see she was even more excited than her at the thought of having a mini Addie running around. She frowned slightly and continued somewhat ignoring the question.
"I was thinking you can carry my egg and I can carry yours and then that would really, really, really make them ours. Because I'll be giving birth to your baby, therefore, my baby and vice versa." Aelwyne nodded and smiled. "Of course I want to be a mom with you. I also want to try for an awesome fiery redhead and… I already told Nae about it."
"You…" Addison chuckled, wiping at her eyes. "You are crazy. You know that?"
"What? I love your hair." Aelwyne shrugged. "Could you imagine a mini Baby Girl running around?" She asked with a broad smile.
"No." Addison shook her head. "I want a mini golden eyed bug." She said, matching her smile.
"Are you sure?" Aelwyne asked. "I hear we can be annoying." She giggled.
"Oh, shut up." Addison chuckled and pulled her into another kiss.
"I love you, Addison." Aelwyne said once they pulled away. "I really think we can make a family they'll be proud of." She smiled, going in for another kiss.
"We will." Addison muttered onto her lips before kissing her once more.
"God! You two are awful." She heard someone groan and Aelwyne pulled away giggling. "This isn't a bonfire. Callie said you were setting up the bonfire." Cristina continued as everyone from inside filed out of the house.
"Yet here they are making out like teenagers." Callie shook her head.
"I don't think that'll ever change." Mark added chuckling.
"Yeah. Not happening." Meredith shrugged with a disappointed sigh.
"Come on guys. Zozo and Soph are finally sleeping." Alex complained.
"I want s'mores!" Lexie shouted, eliciting a collective shush from everyone. "Oops." She muttered.
"Are you two children done?" Bailey shook her head.
"Finish whatever you want in the bedroom. I brought the marshmallows, chocolate and crackers." Arizona chirped.
"Guess they found us." Aelwyne muttered and chuckled.
"Guess they did." The redhead smiled at her wife and gave her a small nod, noticing she was about to burst with excitement.
"Guys… we are so going to make this a huge family." Aelwyne beamed cheerfully.
"You guys are gonna do it?" Meredith asked excitedly.
As soon as she and Aelwyne nodded, cheers erupted once more as they had earlier for the couples and the pregnancy and the trying to get pregnant. Some of them hugged while others high-fived cheerfully.
Addison could see it, Aelwyne with her big belly, all glowy and fat and just beautiful as she had said. She felt her heart swell up happily, the vivid image warming her. All of these people, her people, would be happy and ready to welcome their kids with open arms.
"Say, Cristina?" Alex asked, taking Addison out of her happy thoughts. "Are you finally getting married 'cause you're pregnant? Is that it?"
"Haha. You're so funny, Evil Spawn." Cristina mocked. "Is that why you are more official? Did you get knocked up Jo?" She asked, looking at the intern.
"N-no. Of course not." Jo frowned and shook her head.
"Real funny." Alex made a face and Cristina stuck out her tongue.
"Children." Bailey grumbled, making everyone laugh.
"Wait…" Mark said after a bit and looked at Lexie. "Are you… you know?"
"No, you idiot." Lexie shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Now go help your soulmate over there to build the bonfire."
"It was just a joke." Mark protested but did as he was told.
"Nice." Addison smiled approvingly.
"Red, shush." Mark said from where he stood next to Derek, who was chuckling.
"You shut up." Aelwyne frowned. "Hey… so now that you two are getting married will I have to call Lexie mom?"
"Oh god." Lexie grumbled.
"Kid. Don't." Mark warned.
"Don't mess with my wife then." Aelwyne shrugged and pecked her. She chuckled along with the rest as they continued to bicker.
Soon Cristina, Alex, Meredith, and Lexie had joined in the bickering. Addison smiled softly while she sat next to her wife, who after a little while turned to look at her with her own soft smile and those beautiful sparkling eyes. Aelwyne looked so happy. The redhead gazed at her wife lovingly. She planted a sweet kiss on her forehead before whispering another 'I love you' just because she could. Just as she usually did, she allowed herself to get lost in the dancing lights within those golden eyes.
Everyone was happy. She was happy. The family was growing. Soon more babies were coming. Maybe a daughter or a son. Nieces or nephews. Their family, her family, was growing and she couldn't wait to see it. Time brought with it change. People came and went but it really seemed like a lot of new people were coming, and they were coming to stay.
And then there was the first little side novella thingy for the Breathe universe. Now, before y'all freak out on me, yes, I will write other side novella thingies from Breathe universe following the girls after the events of Breathe. Anyway, Hope you enjoyed this one at least a little bit. Thank you for being awesome readers. Love y'all! And remember… Stay Awesome ;)