Sorry it has taken me so long to update! Life has been crazy! The news that Addison would be returning to Grey's Anatomy for season 18 inspired me to write some more! I am so excited about the news!

Also, if there is anything you would like me to incorporate into this story as far as what characters you would like to see more of or stuff like that, let me know and I will try to work it in!

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The next day was a struggle for Addison. She didn't realize how much she had started to rely on Carolyn! Jamie could only take the kids for a few hours, which meant they had to come to the hospital.

It took almost an hour for Addison to get all the kids ready and out the door. By the time they made it to the hospital, it was nearly 10:00.

"Hey, sorry we are late." Addison said, slightly frazzled as she entered Derek's room. She leaned down to give him a kiss, but he barely responded. Addison gave him a questioning look, but he ignored her.

The kids picked up on that their dad was not in the best of moods and proceeded to go watch TV.

"Are you ok?" Addison asked as she continued to look at Derek.

"I'm fine." he responded gruffly. Derek proceeded to close his eyes and ignore Addison. In response, she shrugged her shoulders and sat down in the chair next to her bed. Addison didn't feel like dealing with a moody Derek at the moment. She had already been dealing with moody kids who couldn't find their shoes or their favorite dress, who didn't want to go to the hospital...

As Derek pretended to sleep, he thought about the events that had taken place earlier. He had been laying in bed when he overheard two nurses talking outside his door.

"Did you hear Meredith Grey went on a date last night?"

"No! Seriously?! Maybe she will be in a better mood then! Ever since the McDreamy family showed up she has been a nightmare to work with!"

"Or maybe he is just another notch on her belt of men she has been sleeping with!"

Derek couldn't believe what he was hearing. Meredith sleeping with other men. Meredith dating again. He knew it would happen eventually, but wasn't expecting it so soon! Or that it would sting so bad.

Derek continued to torchure himself by replaying the conversation over and over again in his head. He knew he had made the right decision in staying with Addison, and if he was honest with himself, he had really been enjoying the time they had spent together lately. Especially their anniversary. But that didn't mean all the feelings he had for Meredith went completely away. He just wanted to escape everything. To have a few moments away from prying eyes at the hospital or reminders of everything. He longed to go out fishing on his lake. For the solitude. But that was impossible at the moment.

"I'm bored." Khaliel sighed, putting his head in his hands nearly 2 hours later.. "Are you suuurrreee Nana isn't here anymore?!" he asked his parents.

"Yes, Khaliel. We are sure." Addison said distractedly. Derek was in a bad mood, for some unknown reason and was basically not talking to any of them. She knew he wasn't actually sleeping, but she didn't feel like dealing with him, so she let it go. She was reading an email from Dr. Clark instead about the arrangements being made for Gracie to be reunited with her parents. The plan was for her parents to arrive the next day and meet with the law enforcement and doctors. Then, they would meet with Gracie the following day. From there, everyone would follow Gracie's lead. Dr. Clark made that very clear.

"Mommy, why do you look so serious?" Ellie piped in, walking up close to Addison.

"What?" Addison said, looking away from her email to her daughter. "Oh, no reason." Addison said, smiling.

Before Addison could say anymore, Jamie entered the room to collect the kids.

"Jamie!" Ellie exclaimed, running over to hug the teenager.

"Hey, Ellie. Are you guys ready to go?" Jamie asked, looking over at the boys.

"More than ready." Apollos answered. He too was starting to get bored. Soon the four of them left the hospital to go swimming.

Addison collapsed into the chair next to Derek and sighed.

"I don't know how we are going to survive the next week until school starts! The kids have only been here a few hours, and it feels like it has been several days!" Addison laughed.

"At least they have the option to leave." Derek said bitterly. Addison quickly stopped laughing and looked at Derek.

"You are correct, Derek. I am very thankful our children are healthy enough to be able to leave the hospital and enjoy the last few days of summer." Addison said, fighting to not say something mean back to him….like point out the fact that he wouldn't be in the position he was in if he hadn't been on his girlfriend's roof.

Derek turned his head away from her and didn't respond. He knew what she wanted to say even though she didn't say it. He always could read her better than she cared to admit. He was also really surprised she didn't rise to his anger. Deep down, Derek knew she was right. He was very thankful it was him in the hospital bed and not his children, but that didn't seem to help his mood at the moment.

Both sat silent for awhile until Callie entered the room.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Shepherds." Callie smiled, despite sensing the tension in the room. "It is time for Derek to go do physical therapy. Will you be joining us, Addison?"

Addison looked over at Derek, who still refused to look at her. She really needed a break from him. She didn't know what had caused Derek to be so moody today, but didn't know how much longer she could hold her tongue.

"No. I need to go check on Gracie." Addison answered. She stood up from the chair and turned to her husband. "Derek, try not to bite the heads off of the doctors and staff trying to help you." Before he could respond, Addison turned and left the room.

Derek stared after her. He was livid that she talked to him that way in front of his colleague. He glanced up at Callie, who was trying to keep from laughing. Neither said anything as Callie began to set up for PT.

The next two hours was pure torture for Derek. Not only did the physical therapy hurt like hell, Meredith was on Callie's rotation that day and was helping. He couldn't look her in the eye. She seemed to be extra rough with him.

"Ok. I think that is enough for now. I need to go prep for surgery. Dr. Grey, help Dr. Shepherd get settled and then meet me in the OR." Callie ordered. She too was tired of dealing with the weird tension between the former love birds.

After Callie left, Derek finally looked up at Meredith. "So, I hear you're dating again." he blurted out without thinking. She looked at him surprised.

"I don't know what you have heard, but I don't see how that is any of your business." she said tersly. "You have made it very clear to everyone that you and Addison are back together. It isn't like the nurses don't know what is going on in here behind closed doors."

Derek didn't know what to say to this. For one, he thought Addison and him had been a little more covert with their escapades. Second, he knew she was right. It was not any of his business if she dated or not.

"You're right." he sighed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything." Derek continued as he finally looked up at her. Meredith was quiet for a minute before saying anything.

"I don't want you to be sorry, Derek. I want you to stop responding like a jealous boyfriend." she said quietly, crossing her arms. "You have a wife and kids. You have a whole life that I am not part of. You chose them. It isn't fair to any of us if you act like this."

Derek didn't say anything else. He knew she was right, but that didn't make it any easier. He also knew he had been a dick to his family earlier. None of them had done anything wrong. Especially the kids. Addison and him had made one hell of a mess of their kids' lives this summer. He had to find a way to make it up to them. Meredith left the room without either of them saying anything further.

A little while later, Addison quietly entered Derek's room. She didn't know what to expect after his physical therapy and was relieved to find he was actually sleeping. Everything had gone well with her visit to Gracie and her meetings with the other doctors and detectives. Addison sat down in the chair next to Derek's bed.

"I'm sorry for being a dick." Derek whispered as he heard Addison sit down. She looked up at him confused. "Earlier, I was mean to you and the kids. I'm sorry." he said groggily.

"Is it something you want to talk about?" Addison asked cautiously. Derek motioned for her to get on the bed with him. After she carefully maneuvered her way next to him, he shook his head.

"No. It doesn't matter. Right now I just want to hold you." Derek responded, as he began to fall back asleep. Addison was confused, but didn't say anything. This behaviour was so unlike Derek, she didn't know what to think. Soon the rhythm of his breathing lulled her into sleep as well.

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The next morning, Addison got up early for some quiet time to herself. As she sipped her coffee, she thought back about the previous evening. After the kids had returned, Derek insisted that they order pizza and play games at the hospital for awhile. It had been a rare evening full of family fun and laughter.

It wasn't long before Addison felt a tiny body curly up next to her on the couch.

"Morning, Mommy." Ellie said sleepily. Addison pulled her into a tight hug and kissed the top of Ellie's head.

"Morning, Sweetie. How did you sleep?" Addison asked.

"Ok. I had a dream that a giant unicorn came and healed Daddy with it's magic." Ellie said, looking up at her mom with huge eyes.

"Wow! That would be cool" Addison smiled.

"I had a dream that a giant dinosaur came and attacked all of us, but I saved everybody!" Khaliel exclaimed as he came and jumped in Addison's lap. She expertly held her coffee out of the way of her rambunctious son.

"I am glad you saved us!" She exclaimed, hugging the boy close. The 3 sat there a little longer snuggling while Ellie and Khaliel continued to tell Addison about their dreams.

"Can we play games all day with Daddy like we did last night?" Ellie asked as they ate breakfast.

"Not today. Aunt Amy is going to come here and play with you guys. I have some appointments at the hospital today." Addison answered as she cleaned up where she had made pancakes. She knew it was going to be a long day meeting with Gracie's parents. She really hoped Derek was still in a good mood.

"Yeah! I love it when Aunt Amy watches us!" Khaliel chimed in.

"She lets us do whatever we want." Apollos laughed.

"As long as we don't tell Mommy and Daddy." Ellie tried to whisper to her brother but Addison could very clearly hear her. Addison stifled a laugh and just continued to clean the kitchen.

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An hour later, Addison pulled into the hospital, very thankful that Amy had the day off to watch the kids. She started to make her way up to Derek's room when her pager went off. Gracie 911, Addison read. She immediately bolted for the stairs to make her way up to maternity.

Once Addison arrived, there was a flurry of activity going on. "What is wrong?" Addison yelled as she pulled her hair up in a ponytail.

"Gracie is having contractions, and we can't get them to stop." a nurse answered while handing Addison the chart.

"It hurts so bad!" Gracie screamed as another contraction ripped through her body. Addison flew into action calling out every drug possible to try and stop the contractions. Nothing was working.

"Um, Dr. Shepherd, I think my water broke." Gracie said scared. Addison quickly looked only to find blood not amniotic fluid.

"These babies have to come out now." Addison ordered. "Call up to the OR and tell them to prep for a C-Section. Page the NICU and tell them to prepare for 2 premies."

"No! It is too soon! They are too little!" Gracie cried out and grabbed Addison's arm. She looked down at the terrified girl and her heart broke. Gracie was so little herself to have to deal with all of this.

"Gracie, it is ok. I am the best in the world. I can save your girls." Addison said softly. Gracie continued to look at her with huge, scared eyes. After a few moments, she whispered, "Ok". With that, Addison and the entire medical team whisked Gracie up to an OR to try and save the lives of all 3 girls.

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Derek looked at the clock for the millionth time that day. It was almost 11. Why the hell hadn't Addison been by yet? He knew she had a long day and was expecting her hours ago. After what happened earlier with Kyle Standford threatening to attack Addison, Derek started to get worried. He had been trying to call her all morning, but no answer. He talked to Amy, who had said that Addison left at 7:30. Derek then hit the call button for the nurse.

"Yes, Dr. Shepherd?" Nurse Dawn asked as she entered his room.

"Have you seen the other Dr. Shepherd?" Derek asked, trying to remain calm. Nurse Dawn looked at him confused. "My wife. Have you seen my wife?" Derek growled out.

"Well, no, but, um, did no one tell you what happened?" the young nurse asked nervously.

"I wouldn't be asking if they had." Derek bit back. He was really starting to get worried.

"Well, last I heard she was taking the TTTS case back into surgery. I think she had to deliver the babies." Nurse Dawn said quickly. "There was also some commotion in the maternity ward with a couple who insisted it was their daughter going into surgery but no one would let them anywhere near the recovery room because no one new who they were. I'm sorry. That's about all I know."

Derek took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. He didn't know what was going on, but at least he knew Addison was ok.

"Can you please get a message to my wife to come see me as soon as she can?" Derek asked the nurse. She bobbed her head yes and left the room.

Derek laid back down and stared at the ceiling. He knew that if Addison had to take the babies so early, it was not going to be a good situation. They were barely viable. It also sounded like Gracie's parents had made quite a scene on the maternity ward. They were trying to keep who Gracie was a secret as long as possible. Now, it would probably not happen. Derek drifted off to sleep as he lay there processing all the possibilities of what had transpired.

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Addison finally made her way to Derek's room around 2:00. She was glad to see him resting peacefully. She walked over to him and gently gave him a kiss on the forehead. After such a hectic morning, it felt good to be near him. He always had a way of anchoring her.

"Hey." Derek whispered as his eyes fluttered open. He gently pulled Addison down into a hug. He could feel the tension in her body. "What happened?"

"When I was coming into the hospital today, I got paged up to Gracie's room. She was in labor and we couldn't stop the contractions. Then she started hemorrhaging, so I had to deliver the babies. It took awhile, but I was able to save all 3. Baby B was only 1 lb 3 oz while Baby A was almost 2. They both have a long way to go before they are out of the woods. 25 weeks gestation is awfully early."

"They have you, Addie. You are their best shot." Derek said encouragingly. "I heard there was a commotion with Gracie's parents. What happened with them?"

"When they found out Gracie had been rushed into surgery, they ignored everyone and left Richard's office. They put up quite a fuss in the maternity ward until Richard finally agreed to let them see Gracie once she was out of surgery. Gracie acted like she didn't know them the first time she saw them. I am not sure what happened after that as I was called to help with Baby B, who was having difficulties. After I got her stable, I came to see you." Addison finished.

Derek hugged Addison even tighter after she finished. He knew this whole case was stressful for her. "I was worried about you when I didn't hear anything this morning." he said softly. Addison sat up and looked into his ocean blue eyes. It shocked her to see the concern there. It had been so long since Derek had shown that emotion for her, it was almost foreign.

"I am sorry I didn't get a message to you." Addison said.

"It's ok." Derek replied. "I know how crazy it gets. I am just glad you are ok."

Just then Addison's pager went off again. This time it said for her to go to Richard's office.

"I have to go see what Richard needs." she sighed. "I will be back as soon as I can." Derek pulled her into another hug and kiss before letting her go.

"Addison, " he called out right before she opened the door. She turned to look at him. "I love you." Addison smiled at him. Words he had said to her countless times, but words that meant so much more now.

"I love you too, Derek." she answered and then left the room.