Welcome to our final chapter. Enjoy! And Breathe…
Chapter 36: Take A Minute And...
Previously…
Addison could see the pointer finger moving to the trigger and looked at Aelwyne, trying to calm her. Aelwyne stilled and just looked at her for a few seconds. She could see more fear and horror swirling in her golden eyes than she had ever seen before. The intern kept on fighting but even with all her trashing and all her pleading the finger was still there, ready to pull that trigger.
"I love you." Addison smiled through her tears and closed her eyes.
"No. No. Please! Don't! Ethan! No! PLEASE!"
Everything was a blur. Ethan. The gun. Everything was fading away. The smell of copper and smoke had passed through her nose. The arm around her throat squeezed harder and dark blotches began to invade her line of sight as the oxygen in her lungs depleted. The ringing in her ear from the gunshot was all she could hear. But then the ringing stopped, the smell was gone, and darkness enveloped her whole.
It hurt. Her throat. Her head. It hurt. She forced her eyes open and found herself in a quiet hospital room. She stared up at the ceiling, the beeping sounds of the heart monitors surrounded her. The sound was steady but soon it began to beep more frequently as images from the bridge flooded her mind. Ethan. The gun. The smell. The noise. The darkness. Addison.
"Addison." She sprang up pulling at the lines, her voice a bit hoarse.
The dull ache on her head intensified a bit. Then there were arms around her. She began to pull away frantically. She had to find her. Had to find Addison. She needed to see her.
"Addison." She repeated.
"Aelwyne." The person holding her spoke.
Aelwyne turned quickly, ignoring the ache on the side of her head, and faced the person that spoke. There she was. There was Addison. She scanned her up and down searching for where the bullet had hit her. She looked fine, not a fair out of place and her makeup intact.
"I'm ok." Addison gently cupped her face.
"You're ok?" Aelwyne asked in a shaky voice, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"I'm ok." Addison repeated and she jumped forward trying to feel as much of the redhead as she could. Addison pulled back after a while and lifted her chin gently so that Aelwyne was looking at her. "You are going to be ok." She said with a sad smile.
"We're going to be ok." Aelwyne smiled too.
"Everything is going to be ok." Addison said again. "Just know that I love you and I always will." She added.
"Why are you…" Aelwyne began but was interrupted as the door swung open and Mark walked in with a somber look on his face.
Aelwyne looked at him confused and then back at Addison but when she did Addison was not there. She looked around the room but there was no sign of the redhead. She looked at Mark and noticed that aside from his somber expression there were unshed tears in his eyes.
"Where did she go?" Aelwyne asked, beginning to panic. "Where is Addison, Mark?"
"Aelwyne…" His voice sounded strangled and she shook her head.
"She was just here. Where did she go? Where is Addison, Mark? Where is she?!" Her voice broke and cracked as fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Aelwyne, she... she's not here." Mark said after taking a deep breath.
"Where is she then? Is she coming soon?" Aelwyne asked, looking past him and to the hallway where she spotted Derek, Cristina and Meredith. Cristina held Meredith as she cried and Derek sat on the ground with his head cradled in his hands.
"I'm so sorry, kid." Mark allowed a few tears to run down his cheeks.
"No." Aelwyne said and shook her head. He was not about to say what she was dreading. He was not about to tell her that she was alone again. He was not going to tell her that the woman she would give everything for was no more.
"No. No. No. No! You can't. No. She's here. She's in her office. She's getting ready for the premies that she has to deliver today. She's just in the scrub room. Yeah. She's ok. She said she was ok." She was hyperventilating now and Mark made his way to her to try to calm her.
"Aelwyne." He said in a tone she had never heard before.
"No. Don't touch me!" She yelled and pushed against him but he just held her.
"She's gone, Aelwyne. I'm so sorry. She's gone. Addison, is gone." Mark finally told her.
"No, that's not true." She punched and pushed against him. She kept trying to fight against him, against his words. "She's not gone. She's coming back. Addie. Addie! Addison! ADDISON!" She sobbed louder and louder.
Richard and Bailey sat in silence at the nurse's station. Bailey could hear the intern's cries and felt the urge to go to her and got up but Richard stopped her.
"She's got someone with her. They'll calm her down. There's no one better to do so." Richard said with concern in his eyes.
"Right." Bailey nodded and sat down once more.
Down the hallway in front of Aelwyne's room Cristina and Meredith stood together listening to their friend.
"She's yelling for Addison." Meredith mumbled.
"I know." Cristina replied.
They both continued to listen as the other person in the room called for Aelwyne to calm down. Meredith leaned her head on Cristina's shoulder while they continued to wait until they could see her.
The fear that had arisen after that man grabbed her had been unbearable. Then her lying limp on the ground after her head had struck the railing was worse. But things with the intern had turned out alright.
Aelwyne had been sleeping peacefully until a few minutes ago. Her vitals held steadily and after the CT scan any possibility of a brain bleed had been discarded. Now, though, the monitors beeped erratically as the intern shouted and sobbed. Moving onto the bed, trying to comfort her was not doing much, so now the only option was to wake her. To snap her out of the nightmare she was stuck on.
"Aelwyne. Ael. Calm down. Come on, Aelwyne." Calling her was not working though. Shaking her a bit and calling her seemed to do the trick as the intern's eyes finally flew open.
"A-ad… Ad-addison." Aelwyne's voice shook and she whimpered, eyes wide.
The intern began to touch her, as if trying to make sure she was not a figment of her imagination. Addison touched her forehead with the intern's and Aelwyne's actions stilled.
"Hey. Shhh. It's ok. I'm right here." Addison soothed and cleared her tears.
"This is real?" Aelwyne asked, shakingly as she pinched herself.
"This is real." Addison said as she grabbed her hands bringing them to her lips and kissed them. "I'm ok. Nothing happened to me." She reassured her with a small smile.
"Addison." Aelwyne whimpered out and threw herself into the redhead's arms. "Addie." She said again and again as she clung for dear life.
"I'm here. I'm ok. It's ok, Ael." Addison soothed rubbing her back. "I'm right here. I haven't gone anywhere."
"Y-you… you're here?" The intern asked in between sobs that made her heart ache.
"I'm right here." Addison assured once more.
"And- and you're not leaving?" Aelwyne asked, the pain in her voice tearing through her.
"I'm not leaving." Addison kissed the top of her head as the brunette clung to her.
They stayed like that for a long while as Aelwyne started to calm down. Once the sobs had subsided, Addison, who had moved and sat on the bed with her, pulled her onto her to lay down with her. Aelwyne, as always, shifted until she was in her usual spot tucked under the redhead's chin.
"What happened?" The brunette asked after a while.
"What happened was Mr. Sweetness and the Old man like you call him. That's what happened." Addison said, trying to make light of things. She felt relieved when she heard the light chuckles coming from Aelwyne.
"What did they do?" Aelwyne asked after a little while.
"Mark pushed his hand up while Alex took the gun away." Addison recounted the events from the bridge.
"And my head?" Aelwyne played with a lock of the redhead's hair.
"He had his arm around your throat very tightly and you lost consciousness. When Mark and Alex were fighting to get the gun away and get you away from him, Ethan shoved you and your head hit the railing. Mark did three stitches along your hairline but the scar won't show." Addison tightened her hold on the intern as the images invaded her mind.
"I'm ok." Aelwyne whispered the same words Addison had said before and chuckled a bit.
"Right." The redhead smiled. "You're ok. We're ok."
"Where is he?" Aelwyne asked wearily. "How was he here?"
"Something happened with the chain of custody so they used the loophole to get him out. However, the restriction order was still in place. So he violated that and on top of it, there's aggravated assault and attempted murder. He should be on his way to county now." Addison explained.
"So he's gone?" Aelwyne asked, taking a shuddering breath.
"He is gone and he won't ever come near us." Addison said confidently.
"Addie?" Aelwyne called her voice a bit shaky again.
"I'm not going anywhere, Ael. I promise." Addison kissed the top of her head.
After a while in silence just embracing each other Addison found herself thinking of what could have happened had Mark and Alex not come when they did. She had no doubt in her mind that Ethan was going to pull the trigger and she knew after that Aelwyne's fate would be either death or a life with that monster. She shuddered at the thought of her suffering through any of it. Aelwyne was resilient, yes, but something like this would break her beyond repair. So she was thankful.
Thankful for Karev. Thankful for Mark. Thankful for whatever god was up in the heavens, whether or not they existed. She was thankful because she still had her here, because she had not left her alone.
There was a knock on the door followed by Meredith's voice. Addison looked at the sleeping intern in her arms. When had she fallen asleep? The door opened a bit and Meredith peeked in along with Cristina.
"She asleep?" Cristina whispered and Addison nodded. "We got everything set so you can go home."
"We got Mock Montgomery to come in and Dr. Robbins will also keep a lookout." Meredith added.
Mock Montgomery was what they had taken to calling the other OB in the hospital. Even though she had asked them not to call him that, the nickname had stuck. She chuckled lightly as both Cristina and Meredith smiled a bit. Then she looked down at her bug, still snuggling onto her. She would rather not wake her but home was ten times better than the hospital. Especially after the day they'd had.
"Ael. Hey…" Addison smiled as golden eyes fluttered open and looked up at her.
"Addie." Aelwyne grumbled and sunk more into the redhead.
"How about we go home?" Addison chuckled. "Our bed is more comfortable." She tacked on.
"You are comfortable." Aelwyne said but began to sit up.
"Come on you two. We're parked in the red zone." Mark said from the hallway startling Aelwyne.
The intern stopped and immediately clung to her for dear life now. He threw an apologetic look at Addison who shook her head to let him know it was ok. Soon Aelwyne was whimpering once more.
"Addie?" Her voice sounded so weak.
"It's ok, Ael. Just take a minute, ok? Take a minute and everything will be ok." Addison soothed.
"You're still here right? If I open my eyes you'll still be here?" Aelwyne managed to get out.
"I'm here. I've not gone anywhere." Addison said, rubbing circles on the brunette's back.
A few more minutes and she had calmed down again. Addison pulled back to look at her brushing away the remaining tears. She smiled at the intern and Aelwyne smiled back with puffy eyes and red nose. Mark stood by the door throwing worried glances over to them.
"Mark is here." Addison whispered. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Hi." Aelwyne said to him as she finally turned to look at him.
"Hey, kid. You ok?" Mark asked and she nodded with a small smile. "You both ready to go, then?" He smiled.
"Yes. Let's go home." Addison said as she climbed off the bed holding tightly onto Aelwyne's hand, who was holding hers just a tight.
Once home Addison took the brunette with her to the shower. It was not a sexual thing, it was more that neither wanted to let the other out of their sight. And so they showered together. Addison made sure not to get the three stitches on Aelwyne's scalp wet as she cleaned the dried blood around it.
They got out and slipped into their pajamas. Aelwyne asked to brush her hair and she of course let her. She sat on the vanity chair while Aelwyne stood behind her, she enjoyed her gentle movements with the brush and her hands. Once done she threw her head back to look up at her and the brunette kissed her forehead lovingly.
As Addison giggled the doorbell rang and Aelwyne's hyperalertness kickstarted, eyes darting everywhere and breathing erratically. The redhead stood up and grabbed her hands. The brunette's eyes were on hers quickly and soon she was calm again.
"Let's go see who it is." Addison smiled. "You can stay here if you want, though."
"No." Aelwyne said quickly. "I'll go with you."
After a nod they made their way to the door. Addison looked through the peeping hole and chuckled.
"Seems we have a lot of company." She announced and grinned as she saw the confused frown on the brunette.
She opened the door to reveal Meredith, Cristina, Derek, Mark, and Alex. She was a bit nervous at Aelwyne's reaction but when she looked at her and saw her smile all worries were erased.
The group walked in chattering and joking with bags. Addison eyed them all waiting for an explanation, Aelwyne was next to her smiling widely.
"So… what's with the bags?" Addison said with a raised brow in question.
"So we're staying the night." Cristina said as she plopped herself on the couch, Alex following suit.
"You have wine, right kid?" Mark asked as headed for the kitchen.
Aelwyne was still giving him a weary look and quickly grasped her hand. Addison was still a bit confused as to why she only did that when Mark was around but she would ask later. Meredith followed Mark into the kitchen already familiar with the place and pulled out the wine and wine glasses.
"Go right ahead I guess." Addison scoffed.
"Thank you, Addison." Meredith chirped as she filled the glasses.
"Right." She laughed.
"Mer! I want tequila." Cristina called.
"Oh, I left a bottle of scotch here. Can I have that?" Derek asked.
"And you Alex?" Meredith asked exasperated.
"Are you ok, Sweetness?" Alex asked Aelwyne instead of replying to Meredith and suddenly everyone grew quiet, his serious expression was not something Addison had seen in quite a while.
"I'll… I'll be ok." Aelwyne said much as she had when this whole thing started. Alex's face softened into a small smile, which Aelwyne returned.
"Good." He simply said and turned to Meredith. "I'll have some of that scotch too."
"I didn't say you could." Derek said.
"I didn't ask you. Besides, Sweetness and Spicy over there let me have anything I want in their house." Alex shrugged.
"Spicy?" Addison lifted a brow.
"It's either that or Bittersweet. You decide, McHot." He shrugged again and Cristina slapped him.
"Only Angel Eyes can call her that." The brunette admonished.
They began to bicker after that and Addison found herself shaking her head. She heard a light giggle next to her that melted her. Looking to her left she found Aelwyne giggling at her.
"Don't laugh. This is serious." Addison could not help but smile.
"Mhmm." Aelwyne grinned back.
There was another knock on the door and this time Aelwyne just took a deep breath. Addison smiled at her and then headed for the door. As she opened it she was met with Callie and Arizona with a few bags of food.
"We bring the goods!" Callie announced.
"By the goods she means Chinese from that place close to Meredith's." Arizona smiled. "Come and help us, Mark." She said as she spotted him.
The rest of the loft cheered as the two brought in the food with Mark's help of course. Soon everyone sat with their full plates enjoying the food. Addison watched as Aelwyne played around with it for a while and gave her a gentle nudge.
"Just a little." She murmured and the brunette smiled and nodded, beginning to eat.
Alex and Mark had gone for seconds and thirds and yet there still was a mountain of food. At some point Cristina had sat next to Aelwyne as Addison and Arizona began to put away the food. Soon Meredith joined the other two interns while Alex talked with Derek about the surgery they had done earlier that morning. Mark kept on teasing Callie about Arizona, who kept on chuckling about it in the kitchen.
"Have you guys decided on where you will go for vacation?" Cristina asked.
"Nope." Meredith said and Aelwyne just shook her head.
"I'm thinking Hawaii. But I don't want to go alone." Cristina pouted. "You both have people though."
"I haven't talked to Derek about going on a vacation." Meredith sighed and then smirked. "We could technically go together." She smiled at Cristina.
"Yeah?" Cristina beamed and Meredith nodded. "How about you? Will you ditch McHot?" She asked, looking at Aelwyne, who glanced over at Addison.
"I can't. Not now." She smiled sadly.
"Let's bring her with us." Cristina suggested. "I like her too much to leave her behind."
"Yeah. I wouldn't mind Addison at all." Meredith added.
"Only if you swear I won't have to watch you two being all mushy and crap." Cristina winced.
"What are you three plotting about?" Addison asked as she got to them.
"We're going to Hawaii and we are deciding whether we are going to bring you or not." Cristina shrugged while Meredith rolled her eyes at her friend and chuckled.
"You are not taking my girlfriend anywhere without me. It's a rule. Now if you'll excuse me." Addison waved with her hand. "Move over, you're in my spot."
"We don't have assigned seats." Cristina protested.
"Move over, Yang. I'll sit on you just so I can sit with her." Addison threatened.
"You wouldn't." Cristina countered. "He-hey…" She huffed as Addison sat on her lap, Meredith and Aelwyne laughing.
"Move." Addison smiled that evil yet sweet smile.
"Fine, Satan. Get up." Cristina conceded and moved over.
"Was that so hard?" Addison asked as she quickly grabbed the still chuckling Aelwyne's hand.
"I'll refrain from saying anything 'cause… 'cause surgeries." Cristina rolled her eyes and Addison laughed.
"What surgeries?" She chuckled.
"Whatever." Cristina crossed her arms on her chest.
"Well, I'm tired." Alex said, getting up.
"Where the hell are you going?" Cristina asked.
"The guest bedroom." He replied.
"Oh no you're not, Evil Spawn. That's our room." Cristina motioned to Meredith and herself. "And maybe those two if they want to sleep away from you nasty boys." She added pointing at Arizona and Callie, who laughed.
"That's not fair. Who died and made you Queen?" Alex crossed his arms across his chest.
"It's good that you know your place, peasant. I am definitely royalty." Cristina said, giving him a withering look.
"Look here you half pint…" Alex began and off they were bickering again, everyone watching as if they were at the movies, all that was missing was the popcorn. In a particularly longer pause where Alex seemed stuck and trying to come up with some sort of comeback Aelwyne spoke.
"Not that I don't like you all here but why are you here?" She asked and Cristina turned to her immediately.
"We almost lost the both of you today." The brunette said, her eyes getting glassy. Everyone was quiet as she spoke. Addison squeezed Aelwyne's hand as Cristina continued.
"We almost lost you, Aelwyne. And we almost lost Addison. You both could've died on that damned bridge." Her voice started cracking at parts. "I don't know about everyone else but I wanted to be where you are. Y-you," She swallowed hard. "You are way too important. And I know he's gone but I'm still scared as hell to let you both out of my sight." She admitted.
"Cristina." Aelwyne said as tears welled in her eyes.
"You idiot. We are not leaving or dying on you so you better do us the same damned courtesy. Understand?" She asked, her tone growing stern. "Understand?" She asked a bit louder.
"Yes." Aelwyne let out.
"Addison?" She directed towards the redhead.
"Yes." Addison nodded with a sad smile.
"Good." Cristina began as she wiped at her eyes. "Go get blankets and sleeping bags 'cause we're all sleeping here." She declared.
Hehe surprise. Yes you get another one. Because let's be real this one was about to be the longest chapter ever. The last one will be up tomorrow. Thanks for bearing with me. Y'all are awesome, stay that way. Until tomorrow. ;)
