"Something the matter? You look nice by the way." Amelia brought her out of her thoughts, which had been invaded yet again by a certain redhead.

"Addison."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. She said she was tired so I was worried."

"Just that?"

"Yeah."

"She's ok. Trust me." Amelia smiled encouragingly.

"Ok. Did you let her know you'll be getting there late tonight? I don't want her to get scared when you walk in."

"I texted her already mom." Amelia rolled her eyes and in turn so did she. "Now, you go enjoy this dinner with the hottie."

"Hmm."

"You not excited?"

"Yeah I guess I am. He's nice and funny and pretty to look at." Addison is prettier to look at though. No! Nope! Stop!

"Mer? Meredith!"

"Stop yelling!"

"He's here."

"What?"

"You're way too spaced out. Anyway I'm going too. My cab's downstairs. Come on."

"Right. Ok." Meredith shook off her weird thoughts and walked over to the door with Amelia.

"Hi." Nick grinned.

"Hi." She smiled.

"Hello." Amelia chirped behind her. "You two have fun." She wiggled her brows and quickly left.

"Ready?" Nick asked.

"Yep." No.


Dinner had been… nice. She couldn't deny Nick was a great guy, passionate about his work, kind, funny. However, try as she might, she could hardly focus on the conversation with him. He had spoken a bit about everything, his life, his niece, his work and research. She had chimed in here and there of course but her head wasn't totally there. Meredith felt awful. Nick had been so excited and eager and here she was… pinning.

That's what it was, she was pinning like never before. Pinning after someone she'd never be able to have. Why did it have to be Addison she had to set herself on? She had done so well before. Granted she was in love with Derek. Right? It was love, wasn't it?

She wanted to keep her head from thinking too much. She needed to distract herself but it wasn't working. Especially since the moment she got into her room she had received a message from the person torturing her. It wasn't just a message, it was a series of pictures of Addison with the kids. 'Just to show you we're all good' , the message had read and she flicked through the pictures with a silly smile. Her kids had loved Addison instantly much like everyone did once they met her.

It was impossible not to like her much less to hate her. That had been her issue when she met the redhead all those years ago. She couldn't find it in herself to hate Addison at all. She actually craved her company. But how does the mistress get close to the wife?

"I need to stop!" Meredith said, throwing herself on the bed. "You won't get anywhere thinking about this, Meredith."

The ringing of her cell phone startled her from her thoughts. She frowned as she noticed the time. Grabbing her phone she noticed the call from Zola's iPad. She smiled and picked up the call. Soon her screen was filled with three smiling faces.

"Mom!" The kids greeted together.

"Hi, guys."

"Mom, Addie made pasta and it was awesome." Bailey chirped.

"She did?"

"Yeah, I ate it all." Ellis said proudly.

"Good Elle Belle. And now? what are you guys up to?"

"We're having another ice cream party!" Ellis cheered.

"You are? That's awesome!" She exclaimed as excited as the kids were. "Where's Addie?"

""She was putting Scout to bed." Zola replied. "But mom, we have something to tell you." The girl said in a near whisper while the younger kids giggled.

"Are you being naughty? I told you guys to behave for Addie."

"We are. Promise." Bailey said with a mischievous grin.

"somehow I don't believe that." Meredith said and was once more met with giggles. "Kids."

"I promise we're not being bad Momma." Ellis smiled innocently.

"All that giggling suggests otherwise. what's going on? You guys are being too suspicious."

"Ok, mom. We have to tell you something." Zola began. "Come on, Ellis. Tell her." She grinned knowingly.

"Momma..."Ellis started but soon giggled, covering her face.

"Hurry, Ellis." Bailey groaned impatiently

"Ok. Ok. Momma, Addie umm..." Ellis giggled again.

Meredith frowned but giggled along with her little girl. She wondered why her kids were acting so strangely. "Guys, what's going on?"

"Ellis..."Zola rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll tell you mom. So this morning Ellis found your mark."

"My mark? What mark? Wait guys, hold on. Someone's knocking on the door." Meredith headed over and opened the door to find Nick's smiling face."Hello again." She frowned slightly.

"Hi. I know you said lunch tomorrow but I wanted to make sure everything was ok. And... I brought ice cream." Nick said, pulling out a tub of ice cream from behind his back.

"Mom." The kids whined.

"Sorry Nick. One sec." She told him and looked back at the kids. "Where were we? A mark, right?"

"Not a mark. Your mark. Your soulmate mark." Zola said in a 'duh' tone.

"What did you just say? What do you mean, Zozo?"

"It's Addie, mom!" Bailey shouted while the girls shushed him. "Sorry." He said a bit more quietly.

"What?"

"Addie has your mark Momma." Ellis chirped happily. "She has your feather on her hip."

"Addison does? Addison has my soulmate mark?"

"Meredith?"

She faintly heard Nick call her but all she did was close the door and walk back to the bed, sitting at the edge. She felt numb, her kids' words bouncing inside her head. Addison, Addison was her...

"Mom, we found your soulmate." Bailey giggled excitedly.

"Shh, Bailey. If Addie hears you there won't be an ice cream party. I was supposed to keep the secret." Ellis shushed him.

"Mom?" Zola called.

"Hmm?"

"Are you ok?" Her daughter's worried eyes snapped her out of her trance.

"Fine, Zozo."

"Guys? What are you all up to? I was waiting downstairs."

Meredith felt tingly all over as the redhead's voice, her soulmate's voice, rang through the phone. Ellis looked at her and drew an imaginary zipper across her lips with her adorable smile.

"Is that Meredith?" Addison asked, coming into view. "Hi."

"Hi." Meredith let out breathily.

"You ok?"

"Yup."

"Sure?" Addison tilted her head adorably making the butterflies in her stomach flutter.

"Yup. Just tired."

"Oh. Then why don't we say goodnight to Mom and go have our little ice cream party so she can rest."

"Yay!" Both Bailey and Ellis chirped. "Nite mom!" They sang before running out of the room.

"I'll be right down, Addie."

"Sounds good." Meredith watched as the redhead caressed her oldest daughter's cheek before looking at her once more. "Have a good night, Grey. Get some rest." She winked before getting out of frame.

"Is she gone?"

"Mhmm. Mom…"

"I'm ok. Go have some ice cream. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Mom…"

"It's ok, Zozo. Go."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, honey."

As the screen went dark with the end of the call she felt the world crumbling around her. It was her. It really was her. Addison was her soulmate. She was the one person destined for her. The one she thought she'd never find. A choked sob left her and soon tears streamed down her face.

This was some sick joke. Wasn't it? A cruel twist of fate. Addison . That kindhearted, gentle, warm, gracious, amazing person who had come into her life so suddenly. The person she had hurt deeply all those years ago. She was her soulmate. This was absurd. This was utter chaos. A painful mess, much like everything in her life had been. Why did it have to be her? Just why?

But also why hadn't she said anything? Why had she asked Ellis to keep it a secret? And how long had she known about this? Had she been hiding it? Maybe she had found out long ago and decided to stay away from her. No one could blame Addison if that had been the case. Not even she could. What with the mess and pain she had brought to Addison's life she wouldn't have stayed either. But still. She could've said something. She could've done something.

She should have. She could have. But she didn't. She felt unimaginable pain gripping her heart as her sobs echoed in the room. Hugging a pillow tightly she let the pain consume her for a while until her phone dinged. After a few deep breaths to calm herself as much as possible she reached for the phone and another sob passed through her throat.

-Incoming Message: Addison Montgomery

Grey, I do hope you're ok. You are, right? Listen, I promise your kids are ok. I'll make sure you come back to them still with all of their pieces attached.

Meredith, just tell me you're ok. Please.

Meredith?

Meredith watched the multitude of texts coming through and gathered the strength to reply.

-Outgoing Message:

Sorry I was almost asleep. I'm fine. I trust you. Nite.

-Incoming Message

Oh good. Glad you trust me. I'm sorry. Get some rest. Nite.

The screen went dark again and she pulled the pillow back to her chest. Last thing she thought about as tears slid from her eyes and sleep began to take her was the conversation from the night before.

"Are you best friends already?"

"No we're not."

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

"Would you? Do you want to?"

"I uh… I don't know."

"I wish you knew Addison. I so wish you did." Meredith whimpered before sleep claimed her.