The drive to Meredith's had been pleasant. Amelia again informed her of everything, something she did weekly. However, Addison didn't mind at all. Listening to her sister while actually being with her was nice and she had missed that very much. Amelia stopped the car in front of the place she supposed was the famous Grey house and felt her heart beating uncontrollably against her chest.

"Here we are!" Amelia smiled brightly next to her.

"It's pretty."

"It's home. Come on."

They made their way up the steps and Amelia unlocked the door cheerfully saying hello to the kids running inside. Addison felt her hands shake as she walked in but the kids' and Meredith's smiles made a great job of calming her down.

"Hi." Addison smiled at the two kids in front of her. A beautiful dark skinned girl and a blonde blue eyed boy both smiling up at her happily.

"Hey. So this is Zola and Bailey. And the youngest is Ellis, she's upstairs in a mood. She gets it from me."

Addison couldn't help the tears prickling in her eyes after Meredith introduced the kids. Derek was a bastard but she could see him in Bailey's eyes and the way Zola was smirking up at her was definitely Derek's signature side smirk. She swallowed hard and smiled at the two introducing herself with her nickname.

Both kids grabbed her hands and led her to the table, which was littered with multicolored plates, each holding a different topping. The kids excitedly helped her make her own ice cream dish and in turn so did she, helping them make their own. She felt Meredith's gaze on them and looked up, finding the blonde smiling at them. She returned the smile and went back to the kids' conversation along with Amelia who had also sat at the table.


The kids were amazing. Zola seemed so smart and witty while Bailey reminded her of her own troublemaker back in LA. She wondered how Henry and Bailey would get along. After ice cream they had migrated to the living room. Bailey was talking Amelia and her about a school project while Zola sat next to her playing with her hair.

"I think you'll do great, bud." Amelia said when the boy was done explaining his assignment.

"I'll be awesome."

"I'm sure you will be, Bailey." Addison chuckled along with Amelia and Meredith.

"Wonder if Ellis will come meet you."

"Maybe she's tired."

"No. I think Charlie was annoying her again about her mark."

"Again?" Zola rolled her eyes. "Mom, that kid is too mean. But don't worry, I'll take care of it."

"I think I should take care of it." Meredith lifted a brow.

"I won't be mean mom."

"I know you won't be but I'd like to take care of it."

"I'm gonna go get her. She'll like Addie." Bailey announced and ran up the stairs.

"Sounds good." Meredith chuckled.

"Meredith, if she's not feeling well it's ok." Addison said quickly.

"It'll be fine. Bailey teases her like nobody else but he and Zozo can work miracles when I can't."

"Archer and I were and are like that so I get it."

"Who's Archer?" Zola asked.

"Her brother. Guess what? He had worms inside his brain." Amelia said.

"Worms? Oh umm."

"I know, gross. But your dad got them out so it's all good." Addison chuckled.

"Ok. That's good."

After a few more minutes Bailey was running down the stairs pulling a small blonde girl along. Addison could see Meredith plastered in all of the young girl's features. Baby blue eyes and blonde hair, and their noses. Ellis was a mini Meredith.

"Hello." Addison smiled softly.

"Hi." Ellis chirped, hiding behind her brother.

Addison could make out the small black mark along the girl's forearm. It was a feather, it wasn't the same as hers, of course, still it was a feather. One closely resembling Meredith's and her's. She felt herself shudder but kept her smile and worked up her nerve.

"So would you like some ice cream?"

"You brought?" Ellis asked, biting her lip.

"No, but there's some left from what your mom had for me. So would you like some?"

Ellis nodded but made no attempt to move. Addison smiled and stood slowly making her way to the table where some of the toppings were still laid out while Meredith moved to the fridge.

"You coming?" Addison asked and Ellis nodded again, finally moving towards her. "You seem like a… chocolate kind of girl. Right? Chocolate ice cream?" She said taking the plate Meredith had just handed her and Ellis nodded a bit more excitingly. "And umm for toppings…" She looked at Meredith who very discreetly pointed at the gummy worms. "How about gummy worms?"

"Yes!" Ellis hopped closer to her. "How'd you know?"

"Magic? Or maybe I'm just smart." She shrugged while Meredith giggled along with the little girl. "Here."

"Thank you."

"You were daddy's friend?"

"Yes."

"And momma's?"

"Well uh…"

"Yes. She's my friend." Meredith chirped, smiling at her.

"That's a very pretty mark." Addison said quickly changing the subject.

"Charlie says… he…"

"It's a beautiful mark. Feathers are awesome."

"He said it looks like I painted it so it's not real." The girl pouted.

"He doesn't know what he's talking about. He probably doesn't like his mark so he's making fun of your cool one."

"Yeah?"

"Mhmm." Addison nodded, caressing her cheek.

"I told you." Bailey said next to her, rolling his eyes. "He's only poking fun because he's stupid."

"Bailey." Meredith semi scolded. "Addison." She scolded her too once she saw her nodding along with the boy.

"Sorry."

"Sorry mom. Addie, I have a cool mark too. Look." Bailey said, turning around and showing her his lightning shaped mark on the back of his neck, just below the hairline. "I'm Harry Potter."

"Harry Potter wears glasses Bailey." Zola called from the living room.

"I'm Bailey Potter."

"You… ok Bailey Potter."

Addison chuckled at their whole exchange along with Amelia and Meredith. Ellis seemed a bit more cheerful and at some point had taken her hand and pulled her to sit down with her on the table.

"You really think it's pretty and cool?" Ellis asked in whispers while everyone else was distracted with Bailey, making her smile and lean in to whisper back.

"Definitely."

"I think it's cool too. But Charlie's mean."

"It'll be ok. You'll see. Plus, somewhere out there there's someone with your mark too."

"And they'll be my best friend?"

"They'll be the bestest."

"What are you two whispering about?" Meredith whispered right next to her, startling her.

"Jesus Meredith."

"Sorry."

"N-no it's umm fine." Addison felt her cheeks heating up and mentally slapped herself.

Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Just don't look at her. Look at Ellis. Yep. Ellis. Ellis that's a carbon copy of Meredith. This won't work.

"Addie?"

"Bailey?" She said back to the boy who grinned toothily.

"What's your mark? Zozo has a flame."

"Oh umm it's uh well it's…" Addison couldn't do it. She could say it. She was too scared.

"Can we see it?"

"Bailey, I've told you before you can't go asking people to show you their mark. Sometimes it's in places not everyone should see." Meredith scolded.

"Oh. Right. I'm sorry I forgot. Sorry Addie."

"It's ok." Addison said quickly and smiled, prompting the boy to speak again.

"Mom has a feather like Ellis."

"Does she?"

"Yeah. Mom, can you show her yours?"

"Bailey…" Meredith shook her head with a sigh. "Mine is on my lower back, you know? A little lower than my waist line." She chuckled nervously.

"Same but on my hip." Addison chuckled nervously as well.

"It's not on a bad part."

"Bailey."

"Ok. Ok. Sorry mom."

"A lightning bolt does go with you, doesn't it?" Addison chuckled.

"Addie, have you found your soulmate?" Zola asked, walking over to them. "Only aunt Maggie has in our family. And aunt Lexie but umm…"

"I know." She gently stroked the girl's hand.

"Have you found your bestest friend?" Ellis took part in the questioning.

"Are you best friends already?" Bailey joined in.

Now there was a question she could answer without having to lie.

"No we're not." She replied with a sad smile, glancing over to the blonde who was picking up the dirty dishes.

"Mom hasn't either." Bailey said.

"Would you be with your soulmate? If you knew who they were and had them close?" Zola asked.

"Would you? Do you want to?" Ellis asked too.

The kids' inquiries were starting to get to her. She felt her heart breaking and the pain she had been stuffing down beginning to rise. Tears stung her eyes but she blinked them away quickly.

"I uh… I don't know."

"And you mom?" Bailey asked.

"She's seeing that Nick guy, remember?" Zola smiled at Meredith who seemed surprised.

"Nick?" Addison couldn't keep herself from asking.

"N-Nick is uh… he's a transplant surgeon in Mayo. I umm went to dinner with him. That's all Zozo. I'm only checking him out."

"Mhmm." The girl grinned.

"Oh… that's uh. That's nice. Going out and yeah… you deserve it." Addison tried to chuckle but only an awkward laugh came out.

Thankfully it seemed like only Amelia had noticed. Judging from the slight frown and questioning look she gave her.

"Well I think I should be going. It's late and I've yet to check into the hotel."

"Stay here." Bailey said, holding onto her arm when she stood.

"I'm not sure that'd be a good idea."

"It'll be fine, Addison." Meredith smiled. "I don't mind at all. There's plenty of room. I mean unless you know I umm." The blonde's cheeks began to flush red.

"You can stay in my bed. Promise I won't kick." Ellis giggled.

"Your bed is too small, Ellis." Zola giggled.

"She can stay with me." Amelia smiled.

"I…"

"It's ok Addison. If it's too much… I get it." Meredith gave her a sad smile and she found herself unable to say no.

Always. It's always like this with her. Damn soulmate crap. Damn pretty baby blue eyes. Damn it, stop looking at me like that.

"I'll stay. Let me get my stuff from the car."

Meredith's features shifted quickly as she brightened up. Her eyes crinkled at the corners while smiled and they sparkled beautifully.

No! Don't look at me like that either. Damn it. This isn't good. This isn't good at all.

"Sleep over!" The kids cheered, snapping her away from Meredith's hypnotic eyes.

"Sleep over!" Amelia cheered, grabbing the keys to her car. "Come on, Addie."

"Right. Yeah. Uh thanks Meredith."

"No problem, Addie."

Fuck. The smile and the nickname. Damn it all.

"Addie?"

"Yeah. Mhmm. Right behind you."