Addison's POV
After 36 hrs hell of duty and more than 10 hours in the O.R I can leave this hospital and have some nice relaxing bubble bath, I'm going into the resident's locker to change when I see Meredith is in there too.
I'm less uncomfortable when she's around unlike the first time she arrived, I guess we are civil in a way besides when she and Kai are in the same room. Good thing earlier in the O.R delivering the quints, they remain professional and put their differences aside. I open my locker when I heard Meredith speak.
"Good job today" she started
"Thanks, you too" I shortly said
"Addie, I know we have a lot of baggage in the past-"
"Meredith, what are you doing?" I interrupt her
"Can you let me finish.. please" I nod
"But here I am, standing in front of you in an as nonromantic way as possible. I would do it in a more romantic setup, but I don't think I'd have enough courage as I have now to say this to you. When I saw you operate in that case, it takes me back to when we just imagine the future and how will our major surgery be. I'm rambling I know just- just bear with me okay." I nod again
"Addie you're choice is simple, her or me. I'm sure she's amazing, but I love you. I still love you even after all these years, seeing you again made me confirm what I feel about you. So pick me, choose me, love me" she said her eyes were watery but this confession out of the blue made me speechless, I had no idea what to say or do. What I feel for her and Kai is still undefined, she waits for me to answer but I cannot comprehend what's happening.
"I'll be at Joe's tonight, so if you choose me and have our second chance meet me there. You're the love of my life, no one can replace your place. Think about it"
She finished her speech and approach me our faces are in from each other, she place her hand on my cheek. God, I miss her touch, I lean in more against her hand as my body reacts to her touch she looks at me in the eyes and slowly approaches my lips. It has been so long since I felt her lips on mine, it's still soft and tender, I close my eyes and so is she treasuring the moment we are having. It took a minute or two until we parted our lips, she backed away from me, gather her things, and left the locker room, I was stunned at what was happening I stay frozen in my spot.
When I regain myself, I change to my street clothes and when I exited the room I see Kai leaning on the wall with a new set of scrubs, probably going to an O.R or has been. Looks like she's waiting for me, probably wants to talk but I had enough talk for one day all I wanna do is sink my body in a nice warm bath.
"Hey, you were great today" pushing herself off the wall
"Thanks, you too" arranging my things
"Adds can we talk?"
I let out a sigh "I had enough talk today Kai"
"It won't take long I promise" I nodded and proceed to walk out of the hospital due to hospital staff lingering around, at least in the parking lot we can talk without others hearing because it's late at night.
"Talk" I encourage her, leaning my back on the side of the car while she stands in front of me
"Ahem.. how can I start this" she let out an awkward laugh "you already know that I'm in love with you and I try not to pressure you to make a decision. And I know you still have feelings for you're ex and that ex was Meredith, now she's here. I notice also that she's trying to win you back, I won't say bad things about her. I'm not that kind of person, but I would like to try to have a place in your heart that she doesn't occupy yet. So if you choose me, I'd be the happiest woman alive and I wouldn't promise you anything, you will see it in my actions because promises are meant to be broken as they say" she placed a tender kiss on my lips, it was different with Meredith. I've known Meredith longer, I've tasted, and touched them, and something about Meredith is always familiar to me. But with Kai, I can't explain it's something new, even though we have been flirting and having sex not very often it's still new to me.
Now I'm more confused, I still love Meredith I think and I like Kai. Who should I pick?
I'm inside my car after the kiss Kai left me because she has surgery to attend to and to let me think, choose wisely between her and Meredith.
I need to go somewhere to clear my head, Callie and Cristina are out because they have a shift and I can't go to Joe's because Meredith will be there, I cannot go home it's empty.
As I roamed around the city and I came across a newly opened bar from downtown, I park my car and went inside. I go straight to the bar and order myself a drink, a double scotch whiskey. The bartender gave me my drink and in one go I swallowed it all, it burns my throat. I lost count of how many I had already consumed, in my peripheral vision I can see a man take the seat next to me
"A hard drink for a beautiful lady" a husky voice spoke, I turn to look at him. A tall dark and handsome, his thick black deep dark brown hair comb with fingers. His eyes were ocean blue, a lot of girls must fall into them but unfortunately for him, I'm not one of them. He has a trim mustache and beard
"What are you a sexiest too? That a lady cannot handle a man's drink?" I arrogantly said
"No, it's just when I go to bars I don't normally find a hot and elegant woman like yourself ordering double scotch whiskey"
"Yeah well I needed it"
"Got problems"
"Who doesn't right," I said, gesturing for the bartender to get me another one
"You just entered the facility and you already had your four glasses"
"Are you stalking me? And why the fuck do you care" I got irritated by this guy, he's so nosy about me drinking "won't you just leave me alone.. please"
"I know that look, only one of two things either you have a problem with your boyfriend or you're having trouble with work. Which is it?"
"Both" I bluntly said, "my ex-girlfriend and my ex-lover told me they were in love with me and kisses me both and fate have it, I work with them"
"Do you have feelings for them?"
"Not reciprocal, I think I still love my ex-girlfriend, and with my ex-lover I just like her"
"How come you're not sure about your feelings for your ex-girlfriend?"
"Because I haven't seen her for years and one day she showed up at my workplace as my coworker, O thought all these years I have forgotten her and what I had for her was long gone but now she's here in my City invading the life I build after she has broken me," I said drinking the alcohol "she was the love of my life but she did the one thing I despise the most"
"You mentioned they kissed you both, did you feel any different?"
"Meredith's kisses weren't new to me, even though we go years without touching or kissing each other. It's like muscle memory, my body will always be familiar with hers. But with Kai, she wasn't Meredith so there's something new. Her touches and kiss were different"
"You said what Meredith, you're ex did something you despise the most. You don't have to tell me what it is but let me ask you when you see her, does she remind you of the mistake she did?" I can't answer verbally so I just nodded "but you still love her?"
"Think so"
"Wow, it is hard because you're indecisive" the nosy man let out a sigh "how about this, close your eye. CLOSE IT!" I was startled a little
"I don't even know you and you're bossing me around geez," I said but I close it as he told
"I'm trying to help, anyway. You've been with both of them even for a short while, think of the times you have with them. And compare them, which one do you feel happier about. Do you want to be with Meredith because she is very familiar to you or be with Kai as you said she is different, I'm sure they're both great."
I did what he told me, I started first by looking back at the times with Meredith. We were happy, we build a life together. Planning the future imagining us working together, supporting each other to be the best surgeon there is.
And now it's with Kai, with her she made me feel special. Always there to support me and comfort me when I'm down, before she was my lover, she was my friend just like Meredith. She doesn't know me well unlike Meredith who knew me better than I knew myself, as I compared both situations, I open my eyes and conclude. I turn to look at this man beside me, with a smile.
"So which is it?" He asked, curiously who I'm going to pick
"Thank you but I have to go," I said picking up my wallet to pay for my drinks and his, but he put his hand on my hand stopping me.
"No need" I gave him a questionable look, why he won't let me pay. What I ordered was an expensive drink "I'm the owner of this bar so..." he said and that's when I realize, I made an 'O' shape "I guess you're not going to tell me who did you choose but I hope I'd see her with you, maybe you can bring her here sometimes" I nodded
"Thank you for everything really- hmmm..." oh God I've been talking to him but I hadn't known his name.
"Daniel Di Tomasso" extends his hand
"Addison Montgomery" I accept his hand
"A beautiful name for a beautiful lady" he kisses my hand "too bad you play for the other team"
"Yeah, anyway I have to go I need to get my woman," I said, I thanked him again and promise that I will introduce him to my soon-to-be girlfriend.
After all the talking and even I drank a lot of whiskeys, my alcohol tolerance is high. Growing up with a family of WASPS, alcohol was our best friend. I take out my car keys and get inside my car, I start my car and drove to my destination.
As I drove through the City, I realized that it was more beautiful at night with all the lights in the streets, and the buildings. That side of the City has a lot of people walking in groups, alone or two people walking by enjoying their company either way they seem to enjoy themselves.
I focus myself on driving and without realizing it I'm in front of one of the most famous bars for hospital staff anyway, I parked my car and get out. I'm kind of nervous because I know this decision will change my life and everyone who is involved, as I enter I notice that there are fewer people in the bar. That was very unusual, I glance at my clock and it was just nearly eleven o'clock.
I look around, scanning for a petite blond woman but I didn't see her or anyone that resembles her. I proceed to the bar where Joe is serving drinks.
"Hey Doc, what can I get you?" He asked politely
"I'm just looking for Meredith have you seen her?" I asked for rescanning the facility
"Yeah, she was here for a while then—" he got cut off by the sound of my pager, I check it might be an emergency and I am right. Train wreck accident, I apologize to Joe and also thank him, and left going to the hospital across the street.
I go first to the resident's lounge to change to my scrubs because for sure I'd be in the O.R for a while, passing through the door as I proceed to the emergency room, I see people on the stretcher some are covered in their blood or somebody else, some patients have minor injuries and just being asses maybe discharge them after examining and making sure there are no complications.
I scan around to see a pregnant woman then a nurse called me, I immediately accompany the patient. Assessing the patient, she had a 1st-degree burn majority in her swollen belly and upper peripherals. There are also signs of 2nd-degree burn and if left treated can proceed to 3rd degree and I won't let that happen. I see Bailey just came out of in trauma room
"Dr. Bailey I need an intern," I said
"All my interns have their own assignment Addison" she replied "but I'll let you know if there's available"
"Okay thanks," I said, turning to the nurse "admit her and page me if her vitals or there's a contraction"
"Yes doctor" she replied and move quickly as I ordered, I attend and help patients as much as I can.
I was turning to the corner of the hospital to check on my patient when I see Bailey and Meredith exiting the exam room, Meredith had her hand with the I.V line. I come closer to them because I still need an intern, I'm tired and I need help.
"Hey" I interrupt "what happened?" I observe Meredith, why does she have a banana bag.
"Oh ahm... Tequila" I nodded, as expected for her. She always loves her go-to drink, tequila.
"Miranda, do you have a person available now?"
"Still no one Addison" Miranda reply
"I can help" With Meredith's voice, Miranda and I look at her though we have different looks. I am suspicious that she can help because she's drunk, though not drunk, the banana bag help. And with Bailey's reaction is a mix of suspicion and a big "hell no".
"No, Dr. Grey you'll need to have a blood alcohol test before performing any medicine" Bailey using an authoritative tone
"What?! no, I'm fine" and she did the finger to nose proofing that she can be Dr. Grey, she did it multiple times "see fine" I restrain myself to laugh at her persistence
"Right, come to room 3421," I said and walk away from them but I heard her trying to convince Miranda that she is fine.
"Regretting that last shooter about now, aren't you" I heard Bailey respond to her.
When I arrived at my patient's room I asses her by checking her status, so far nothing's changed. A couple of minutes later, I heard a knock on the door, permitting that person to enter and I see that it was Meredith this time, there was no I.V hook up with her. That's good because we will lose out on credibility if a patient will see that one of the doctors attending her case is hooked up with an I.V, and she comes closer to the patient's bed and stands next to me. I could feel her warmth radiating to my skin even though there was a small distance between us.
"Janna this is Dr. Grey one of our senior residents, due to patient overload because of the accident Dr. Grey will be assisting me if you show any sign of contraction" I explained to her, and the two were talking. Again Meredith distracted the patient, another unfamiliar voice interrupt the conversation. We turn our attention to the door and a pregnant woman wearing a neck brace came in and called my patient's name.
"Janna," the blond said
"Brookie" Janna replies, right after Brookie or I guess Brook enters Dr. White follows, and Meredith and I approach her.
"Dr. White? She was on the train?"
"Sorry, I couldn't stop her, she wanted to see her" she excuse
"Have you done an ultrasound?"
"Yes-"I cut him off
"Check her c-spine? Is there any reason you could think of that this patient wander around the hospital unattended?"
"She's not alone I came up with her"
"You can leave now Dr. White" she hesitated to leave but did it anyway "what an irresponsible even for an intern," I said leaning my hand on the doorway "what do you disagree?"
"I think you're being too harsh on White, she wanted to see her friend Addison, what do you want her to do? Tackle her?" Meredith commented and I do not like her response
"Dr. Grey why don't you get our new patient into a bed"
I lost track of time when I got the page to Janna's room, when I arrive Janna is screaming in pain. She's in labor but due to the burns in her body she cannot have the baby in a normal delivery, I need to perform a c-section.
I explained to Brook and Janna why we need to do the c/section for her and they both understood, now I and Meredith were preparing to scrub in.
"Hey" she started opening the water faucet
"Hi" I smile trying the mask around my neck "I came to the bar"
"Yeah, I.. uh... I heard" I can feel her eyes watching my every move, observing me then silence took over the scrub room then I decided to break it
"You should take an aspirin with a banana bag, helps with the hangover"
No one speak after that, the only sound you will hear was the running water coming from the faucet. I don't know what to do or what to say so I just stay silent waiting for her to speak
"Oh," the first word she speaks "you're sating with her" disappointment, hurt, betrayal and other negative feelings are evident in her voice. I know she expected me to choose her but I couldn't let go of the past, when I closed my eyes at Daniel's bar, yes we were happy but that doesn't make the difference that we have a lot of baggage and after years of not seeing each other in one day we will return on what we left off before. I couldn't, she lost my trust and it's hard to get it back.
