A/N: This is a very short Christmas fic for Addek Season. It's set in the Tossing Pennies universe post-pandemic, as Grey's Anatomy is right now. Expect for more new characters to come up in this one. I really, truly have no idea how I got this all together. One minute I was wallowing because I couldn't get myself to start writing and then the next I'm glued to my work-chair. (Christmas and Addek miracle, am I right?) Anyway, I'm so excited for you guys to read this one! I hope you enjoy xx

This is dedicated to ate Zia, Vivi, Nat and the Addek Nation

addison

Christmas lights glistened, and the holiday spirit beamed through the halls. Nurses and doctors who haven't been getting along recently were greeting each other with genuine smiles and wishing one another a happy holiday. Patients' families were rushing through the halls with holiday delicacies and decorations. Everyone seemed to be in the spirit—one person especially.

Addison smiled widely, as she walked through the halls of the hospital, the faint sound of Christmas carols ringing in her ear. It's refreshing to see everyone like this. Big smiles and excitement for the impending holiday. The recent changes in the country, in the world, because of the pandemic made everything so dull. So lifeless. Except this time of the year where red and green tinsels were hanging on every door. Christmas lights were changing colors as the beat of the Christmas carols went faster. It amazed her how this season—granted it was hers and his season—could bring so much color. So much love in the air. It was almost magical.

Christmas has always been like that for her. Magical. Everything about it was enchanting. It always brings out the curious young girl inside of her. She wanted to explore Christmas out of the confines of the banquet hall that Bizzy booked for the annual Winter Gala. And she did, she would explore the streets of Manhattan with Savvy, sometimes with Archer (which usually led to her celebrating the holidays alone after he finds a new conquest) and then she met Derek. They'd escape her mother's parties together. With her in a fancy gown and him in his tux, they wandered the city, eating whatever food was being sold on the street, sitting on a park bench, just being. He was the one that made her realize that Christmas could be just as full as life whether or not they were in a room full of people or if they were alone together.

Time passed and she was the one arranging the Christmas parties for her and Derek's family, with his help, of course. Christmas was their season. It was magical for them and it shone through the decorations in their house. Everybody always agreed that there was no Christmas like Addison-and-Derek's. Their house was always full of light during that time of the year. It also helped that they also radiated light to everyone. They were sunshines during that time of the year. People would look at them and immediately notice the light in both of their eyes. Especially when the two looked at each other. They gleamed together, and for each other.

There was a time in her life that she thought they'd lost it. A few Christmasses later, he stopped helping her. He stopped gleaming for her. He stopped coming home… and then there was that horrifying Christmas that they spent in Seattle. It was the Christmas when he told her that he was in love with someone else. That was the Christmas when she ran away from him. It should have been enough to end all of the chances, the hope in her heart, that they'd ever be celebrating Christmas together.

But as the following Christmasses got colder and colder, a peak of sunshine came through—although it was under unfortunate circumstances, in the form of their song getting incredibly sick, it was still sunshine nonetheless. Liam brought them back together and made them stronger, like how he did with himself. The first Christmas that they spent together again with Liam was like hell. He was still recovering then from the surgery and they tried everything they could to make it as magical as they could while Liam was in bed. They were successful, of course, receiving a smile from their son as Derek attempted to sing It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.

The following Christmasses proved to her what she already knew—Christmas was magical. With their little family with their children; Liam, Catherine and Willow, they navigated the streets of Manhattan every winter. They took them skating. They shared their traditions with them, their kids helping them with Christmas shopping. They shared laughs, tears and smiles. But whatever happened, it always led to them becoming stronger as a family. Not even the greatest blizzard could take down the Shepherds.

Not even the pandemic could do it. Sure they didn't get to celebrate the previous Christmas together because of their life as doctors, but they made sure that their kids wouldn't feel like they were apart. They sent gifts to Mark and Lexie's house. It was where they, and a pregnant Lexie, stayed during the majority of the year. They hid in Addison's office for a few hours to watch the kids open their presents. It felt different—having to celebrate away from them but they still made sure that nothing would change for them. They wanted their kids to experience the Addison-and-Derek Christmas every year.

This year is no different. Sure, it was Christmas eve and she and Derek were still at the hospital but it was okay. She knew that they'd get to celebrate it together this year. They're gonna be able to come home to their kids this year and that's all that matters.

"Addie." She turned to see Amelia standing beside her, her scrubs were wrinkled, and her scrub cap was saggy. She'd obviously just got out of surgery. "What are the plans for Christmas this year?"

"We're having brunch with the kids tomorrow." Addison said, wrapping an arm around Amelia's shoulders. She gave Amelia her big-sister-smile; a combination of authority and teasing. "And then we're having a Shepherds-Sloans plus Archer dinner. You're still coming, right? You know Lexie and I are gonna need your help to put Mark and Derek in their places."

"Yeah, of course." She mumbled, looking up at Addison with an anxious face. Addison raised an eyebrow. "Can I… Is it okay if I bring someone?"

"And this someone is…"

"Kai." Addison saw the blush on Amelia's cheeks as she mentioned her partner's name, and she couldn't help but smile. "And our cat."

"You're bringing a cat to our dinner?" She asked in amusement.

"We can't leave her alone at the apartment. It's Christmas." Amelia said, shrugging out of Addison's arm. "And besides, you're bringing home a cat too… okay, that's not the point. Addie, can I please bring them?"

"You know you didn't have to ask. We all love Kai." She pointed out. And it's true. The moment that Amelia came into her office, blushing and smiling as she gushed about Kai, she knew she'd love them. It also helped that Kai was not only good to Amelia but also to everyone she loved.

"A little too much." Amelia rolled her eyes. "You and Lexie steal them all the time."

"We do not." She smirked, knowing that Amelia was right. "Kai comes to me and Lexie to ask things about you, and we indulge them with a few glasses of wine."

"You two are scarring my partner." She grumbled.

"Yeah, well, before we scar anyone, we have to get out of this hospital first," She chuckled as her pager rang. Addison opened it and sighed. "Speaking of."

"New patient?"

"No, your brother paged me to the rooftop for God knows what." She grumbled, putting her pager back in her pocket. "He isn't planning anything, is he?"

"None that I know of." Amelia said. "Why don't you go up there and see?"

"Yeah, you're right." She gave Amelia a smile before enveloping her in a hug. "I'll see you and Kai tomorrow at dinner."

Addison rushed to the elevators. She sighed in relief when she saw that no one else was there as she pushed the button to the rooftop. She drummed her foot in impatience. It's not like she hasn't seen Derek yet, she's seen him multiple times throughout the day but Christmas is different. All she wants is to be with him and their kids, preferably at home. So she dreads whatever her husband planned for her.

"Derek." She gasped as the elevator doors opened.

There was a body lying on the ground. She couldn't see him clearly from where she stood but the curly hair was all it took for her to start striding towards the body. She trembled from head to toe to the idea of this happening on Christmas eve.

Just when she was about to reach the body, she was spun around, her lips landing against someone else's. She was gonna pull away before she realized whose lips it was. Addison deepened the kiss, running her fingers through the familiar curls she thought she'd never be able to touch again a few minutes ago.

"Derek." She murmured breathlessly as he purposefully, unexpectedly pulled away.

"You can leave now, McAvoy." The body that she thought was lifeless stood up and rushed towards the elevator.

She opened her mouth to say something but Derek had already pulled her in and started kissing her again. She can't talk now. Not when she's kissing Derek and he's kissing her back. Not when something about kissing him felt as magical as celebrating Christmas with him.

derek

Derek couldn't bring himself to pull away from his wife. He took his time, as he did since the first time he'd kissed her, kissing her and caressing her waist. It was during Christmas time too when he first kissed her. Though he already knew that he would marry her the moment their eyes met over the cadaver that summer, he still hasn't confessed his feelings to her. Instead, he basked in her presence. He let his eyes linger on her whenever she was around. He never said a word about how he felt but he knew that she knew. He wasn't shy to make her feel like she was the only girl in the room. But he also knew that he had to say something soon. And the impending break gave him the chance to do so.

The night before she was set to leave her apartment, he knocked on her door (he called Naomi a few hours before to make sure they'd be alone) and said goodbye to her. They both stood there for a moment, just basking in each other's silence. Despite him planning everything, he couldn't find the words to say. Addison Montgomery always had that effect on people. She leaves everybody speechless without even lifting a finger. He hesitated, wondering if it'd be okay, before he kissed her. He swore his heart almost stopped when he felt her wrap her arms around his neck, feeling her kiss him back. It was more than he ever expected. Kissing her made time stop… kissing her felt right. And ever since then, it only ever felt right when she's the one he's kissing.

Sure, he'd kiss someone else after her but everytime he did, his mind always went to that moment when he vowed to himself that she would be the only one. And admittedly, that was the reason why he could never work it out with someone else after she left him. It was a disaster without her. It's as if his life was set on an eternal winter and he couldn't escape it. Only she was able to get through him and bring him back to where he was. To where he should be—with her.

Addison pulled away and he winced as he saw the subtle glare in her eyes. After all these years, he should've known that setting up surprises for her only brought hell-fire.

"You scared me to death, Derek!" She exclaimed, smacking his chest playfully.

"I'm sorry," He said, planting a kiss on her temple, getting his plan into action. "But I needed to distract you."

"Distract me from what?" She asked bemusedly.

He untangled himself from her, taking her hand in his, before he led her to the other side of the rooftop. There was a picnic cloth on the ground, some hot buttered rum and a few Addison's favorite Christmas desserts. He squeezed her hand when he felt her stop in front of the picnic setup.

"Do you know what time it is?" He asked softly, urging her to sit with him.

Addison glanced at her watch and gasped. "It's midnight. It's already Christmas."

"And our anniversary." He added with a smile. "We didn't get to celebrate it last year and we're probably not getting any time alone together when we get home, so here we are. I asked a little help from my resident to set this up."

"And set me up?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Honey, it was part of the plan." He chuckled as she rolled her eyes.

"I thought you were dead!" She exclaimed.

"But I'm not. I'm not leaving you and our kids anytime soon," He promised, handing her a glass of hot buttered rum, before his phone rang. "Speaking of our kids, they're facetiming me right now. Do you want me to answer it?"

"Do it so I can tell them about the stunt their father pulled." She muttered with a smirk.

He stole a quick kiss from her as he shifted closer, answering their children's call.

"Merry Christmas!" The three of them greeted him and Addison.

"Merry Christmas." He smiled at their children. They're all growing beautifully… quickly. They've already achieved a lot in the past years and he couldn't be any prouder.

"Merry Christmas!" Addison echoed, resting her chin on his shoulder so she could see their children too.

"What time are you coming home?" Catherine asked eagerly, her fiery red locks bouncing as she did.

"We just have to finish some paperwork," Derek gave Addison a wink. "And then we'll come home and get the brownstone ready for you."

"And then uncle Mark and aunt Lexie will bring you home tomorrow morning for brunch." Addison finished with a smile.

"Promise?" Willow frowned and gave them her best puppy eyes.

"Yes, we promise. You can even ask aunt Lexie." Addison answered for both of them.

"Cathy, why don't you ask aunt Lexie?" Liam gave his little sister a teasing smirk causing Catherine to blush.

"Y-you ask aunt Lexie!" Catherine stuttered, completely flustered.

Addison and Derek exchanged a knowing glance. Catherine developed a crush on Lexie when she was five years old. Everyone thought that it was just admiration for Lexie, Catherine idolized Lexie and followed her around whenever she was in the Shepherds' residence. But they quickly realized that it was a crush when Catherine challenged Mark into a fistfight because he apparently made her aunt Lexie cry and even went ahead and said that he doesn't deserve her. The two eventually made up and at the end of the day, they all saw Mark and Catherine cuddled on their couch.

"Come on, Cath!" Willow piped up. "You know you don't have a chance with aunt Lexie."

"Because she's old?" Catherine asked, causing her siblings and parents to laugh.

"Because she's married to your uncle Mark, honey." Addison said gently with a chuckle. "Don't let your aunt Lexie hear you say that."

"Or your uncle Mark." Derek laughed, before growing serious. "Anyway, we have a surprise for you. Look behind you."

Their kids turned to see Lexie holding a little puppy. They heard them gasp and run towards Lexie. Addison gave him a look and he mouthed "trust me" to her, grabbing her hand and kissing her fingers. A few moments later, their kids return on screen, Liam holding the little puppy as the twins pet the puppy.

"Mommy, look, we have a puppy!" Catherine told her mother in excitement.

"I see that." Addison muttered, subtly nudging Derek with her elbow.

"What do you want to name him?" Derek asked, completely missing or purposefully ignoring his wife's daggering glare.

The three exchanged looks before looking back at their parents.

"Shep!" They said in unison.

"Shep Shepherd? Isn't that a little ta—" This time, he couldn't ignore it when his wife elbowed him. He tried to stop himself from wincing. "I think it's a great name."

"It's beautiful, guys." Addison smiled at their kids, savoring the smiles and happiness radiating from the screen. "I think it's perfect for him."

"Thank you, Mommy!" Willow grinned.

"And daddy," Liam added with a smile. "Thank you, mommy and daddy!"

"Yeah, thank you!" Catherine piped up as she caressed Shep's ear. "We love him so much."

"We're glad you guys love him." Derek smiled at their children. "Why don't we leave you guys with him? Play with him for a while then go to sleep. Okay? We'll see you and Shep tomorrow."

"Your daddy's right." Addison agreed, Derek catching the edge on her voice. He's in big trouble once this call ends. "Have fun with Shep! We love you."

Derek burst out laughing once the call ended, earning him a smack in the arm from Addison. He didn't tell her about the dog (with good reason). She would prevent him from doing so if he did (also with good reason). Their schedules weren't as strict as they were during the first year of the pandemic. They got to go home like how they did before the pandemic started, with caution of course. But they weren't too keen on getting their children a pet now.

"Look, honey, I'm sorry." He said seriously when his wife continued to glare at him. "I'm sorry about the dog, they've been asking for a pet so I decided to get them one. And I'm sorry about the surprise. I didn't mean to scare you. I just wanted to get a moment for us. Just you and me. "

He watched as his wife's face softened, the way she raised his hand to caress his cheek. Derek put a hand on top of it and he kissed her palm. The two of them shared a moment of silence, just being. Just feeling each other. Derek could tell that Addison understood him now.

"I bought them a kitten." She said quietly. Too quietly that Derek almost didn't hear her.

"You what?" Derek chuckled.

"I bought them a kitten." She repeated a little louder, her cheeks flushed. "She—Cocoa is in my office, I picked her up from the shelter during lunch break."

"You bought them a kitten?" He asked again.

"Yes, Derek, I did. How many times do I have to repeat it?" She rolled her eyes as she took her hand away from his, reaching for a gingerbread cookie.

"No… I'm sorry." He laughed, sounding not sorry at all. "It's just, you bought them a kitten. I think it's adorable, honey."

"Cute." She muttered dryly. "But, you know, I've never had a dog before, except for the caretaker's dog that I rarely see. I don't know how to take care of one."

"So, you got them a cat?" Addison nodded and Derek gave her a teasing smirk. "Addie…"

"Mr. Whiskers was my cat too." Addison interrupted, knowing exactly where he was going with it. "I think my Gamma's exact words were 'what's yours is mine, my dear Adrianne.' And I spend more time at Gamma's house than the estate that by the time we met, I've already memorized Mr. Whiskers dietary plan—"

"And her sleep schedule." He finished with a reminiscent laugh. "You know, I still don't understand why your Gamma called her Mr. Whiskers. She was obviously a girl."

"I still don't get it either… we'll have to ask Gamma or the Captain but unfortunately we can't do both," A chuckle escaped her mouth. "Because I have no plans on trying to reach those from the great beyond and the Captain is enjoying his vacation in Europe with Bizzy and Susan. He's also probably sleeping with the entire female population of Italy as we speak."

"I'm surprised he hasn't had anyone knock on the Estate's door, telling him that they're his child." Derek quipped, taking a sip from his hot buttered rum.

"Believe me, I'm surprised too." Addison laughed.

Derek smiled as he watched Addison. He loved it when she looked this happy. He loves talking with her like this—when they reminisce and talk about anything in the world. It's one of the reasons why he loves her. He could talk to her for hours and he wouldn't get tired of hearing her speak. Derek loved it as much as staying silent with her. She's absolutely mesmerizing and he wants to watch her for the rest of life if he can.

There's not many words to explain how amazing Addison Adrianne Forbes Montgomery is. She just is. She walks in the room and everything lights up. She bodies what she needs to be. She can be an amazing doctor. She's an amazing daughter and sister. And she's the most amazing wife he could ever ask for. And an even more amazing mother to their children.

Their children. The three people that completed their family. He loved them so much his heart could burst if he didn't stop it. They were his everything.

Willow, the youngest one (by a few minutes), had Addison's charm. She could wrap everyone around her fingers with a smile. Another thing she got from Addison is her love for fashion. At the tender age of ten, she already had a wardrobe that rivals her mother's. And she could talk about fashion for hours. Besides that, Derek could also see a glimpse of his father in her. Despite her soft demeanor, she was a fighter at heart. He knew she would do everything for her siblings.

Catherine, despite looking exactly like a mini-Addison, is a mini-Derek. She's the most adventurous out of all of them. She loved nature. A little too much that Addison came home once and saw a puddle inside their living room. But she couldn't stay mad at her for long. Not when their daughter made an intricate plan to surprise her. Catherine had surprised Addison, with the help of Derek, by planting her flowers.

Liam, his sweet, special boy. He was the one who brought him and Addison back together. He brought everyone together with his wisdom. Even though he's young, even when he still couldn't pronounce the letter "s" (adorably), he always knew what words to say. Liam is an outstanding child. Derek was right about him being a great son—being a great big brother.

There was a time when Derek thought he'd never get the chance to have this. To have a family with Addison—he even thought that he'd never be able to see Addison ever again. And if it did happen, he would understand. What he did to her, what he said, was the worst thing he has ever done in his life. And despite him suffering greatly for it during those years, he promised himself to work everyday to be better. To never be that man again.

"Addie." He said after a moment.

"Yeah?"

"I'm not saying this to hurt you…"

"Derek—"

"Because I know how much it hurts you when I bring it up." He continued, looking in her eyes. "But I just want you to know that I'm so sorry for that Christmas. I was cruel. I hurt you because I was hurt. You didn't deserve that, Addison. And I'm sorry because of what I said. What I did to you."

"Derek, you know I've forgiven you for that." She said softly, giving him a reassuring smile. "We're past that. We're okay now."

"I know. I just… remember what I said when we got back together? I want to earn the right to be with you. Every day, I want you to know how much I love you. Especially today because Christmas makes you want to be with people you love." He swallowed hard, he meant every word. "We've been remarried for eleven years."

"I know." Addison nodded.

"We could've had more." He said sadly.

"We can still have more." Addison corrected him, shifting to sit on his lap. She gently took his face in her hands. "I don't know about you but I'm not going anywhere this time. This is where I'm supposed to be. With you. With our kids. On Christmas or on any other day."

"I'm not leaving either." He smiled softly.

"Good because I love you too." She grinned before leaning in to kiss him.

Neither of them noticed as the first fall of snow on Christmas came down on them—they were too busy savouring their time together. Just being Addison-and-Derek. It felt right. It felt incredibly right. The kissing and being together. It makes Christmas even more magical when you're with someone you love.

And right now, Derek is glad to have this moment. Just between him and his wife.

"Hey, why don't we start celebrating our anniversary?" Addison whispered when they pulled away. "Because I'm sure once we get home with Cocoa, it's not gonna be just us."

"You don't have to twist my arm there." He laughed, reaching around Addison for their hot buttered rum. Derek handed her glass. "Merry Christmas, Addie."

"Merry Christmas, Derek."

A/N: Thank you for reading. Happy Holidays!