"I want to be the center of someone's world, and I want them to be the center of my world. I want them to sacrifice for me and with me." Addison took a deep breath. "Again, I'm really sorry Nae. I know that we talked about shopping today, but since I was already here..."

"It's fine Addie. We could go shopping after." Naomi had her back turned partly to focus on sterilizing the needle and mostly because she knew that shopping would only happen to distract Addison. Derek called a few minutes before Addie arrived at the practice to say that he was boarding a plane to LAX. Naomi turned around with the needle in her hand. She watched as Addison turned pale white. She was never a good patient. Addison was cool and collected when she's the one with the needle, but once the tables are turned, the redhead could get a little squeamish.

"Distract me Nae."

"So Addie. You want a baby." Naomi stated without hesitation. However, there was judgement and sarcasm in her tone. They have barely talked about this specific topic. They both just left it hanging.

"Well I'm not getting any younger you know, and I always planned to have one. It's just" Addison paused to look for the right phrase to describe her messed up life. Naomi took this as an opportunity to stick the needle into her best friend's arm before she could protest. "Well now clearly a man is not in the cards for me." Naomi rolled her eyes. Addison replied with a glare, then went on. "I mean this is Addison post-Derek, post-Mark, and I just have to get it over with." By this time, Naomi had drawn enough blood to run Addie's test. Addison looked at Naomi, offered a gentle smile, then muttered a 'thank you.' It wasn't the usual smile that Addison Montgomery Shepherd was known for. It wasn't the bubbly million dollar smile that made all the boys in med school crazy. It was polite, but it wasn't real.

"It's not too late you know." Naomi said slowly. Almost like she was afraid of offending her best friend. Everyone knew that Addison has been in a delicate mood since the affair. One wrong move and she'll break right before your eyes, or at least that's what they thought. Addison was stronger than that. Naomi knew it. She just didn't want to say too much too soon. She can ease up to it. "It's not too late for you and Derek." She clarified.

Addison rebutted with "Just like it's not too late for you and Sam?"

Naomi frowned. "Sam and I are different."

"Different how?"

"Well Sam doesn't love me anymore. Maya was the only reason he stayed." Naomi raised her voice.

Addie suddenly regretted her words. She had gone too far. "I'm really sorry Nae." Addison smiled.

"I am too."

"If it makes you fell better, my husband walked in while I was having sex with his best friend on our bed, then walked away. Didn't even want to fight. Now, he has a girlfriend and a trailer. He has friends and a job. He lives across the country from me. He has a life without me, and it didn't even take him a week to move on." Addison tried to lighten the mood.

It's unbelievable how easy things can change, but Naomi Bennett knew that it was not the case with the unbreakable Addison and Derek. They were Addison and Derek; they couldn't end without a fight. Naomi knew that she had to be Addison's voice of reason. It is true that Addison was incredibly intelligent, but she was also stubborn. Addison wouldn't fight for her marriage without a push; or in this case a shove. Obviously, Savvy wouldn't tell Addie what she needed to hear; she was too much of the 'fun friend' to do that. Nancy too wouldn't say too much to Addie; Derek was her brother after all. Mark was too head over heels for Addison to even get a say in the matter. Sam and Archer are both useless in situations like this, so it was up to Naomi. "I know you don't want to hear it, but I'll say it anyway because you need to hear it." Naomi stated. It was non-negotiable. The dark haired woman used her motherly tone. That alone was a sign that she was not kidding, so Addison sat there ready to hear what everyone was afraid to tell her. Naomi took a deep breath. "You cheated." Naomi started. Addison cringed. So much for easing up to it. "You cheated on your husband with his best friend. His best friend since they were kids Addison. Of course Derek would be pissed. Sure he was indifferent for a while, but that does not give you the right to sleep with Mark. You had no right to hurt him that way." Naomi cleared her throat. "Addison you had no right to hurt either of them, but you did. You were stupid and selfish and impulsive." Addison looked defeated. Naomi knew that she was crossing the line, but she couldn't stop now. "I'm sorry if I'm offending you Addison, but you need to hear it. From where I'm standing, it seemed like your marriage was over before the cheating. Derek wasn't home. You were dating Mark. You guys didn't try hard enough. It was over for awhile."

"Thanks Nae I needed to hear that" Addison was now fighting back tears. Bizzy did tell her that Forbeses don't cry.

"I'm not finished." Naomi said sternly. "I'm saying all of this out of love. I'm telling you what I wished someone would've told me." Naomi reminded Addison. Addison nodded. "It was over for awhile. Neither of you just wanted to accept that, and in return, you ended up hurting each other much more. Or at least that's what I thought when you first came here." Addison was starting to stir. She wanted to protest. Naomi held up her hand to say that she still wasn't done. "But after seeing you this morning, I realized that it wasn't over between the two of you. All the cheating and the indifference were just rough patches." She stalled to come up with an analogy. "Unconventional, but for you and Derek it's the 'worse,' when you said 'for better and for worse.'" Naomi explained. Addison glared at the fertility specialist for bringing up the vows. "You can still fix your marriage Addison. I know it. You know it. Hell even Mark knows it. You're still in love with him, and he's still in love with you."

"He isn't. He has Meredith." Addison interrupted.

"He does." Naomi argued. "But he didn't sign the papers. He asked you to stay Addison."

"Then ignored me for a few days."

"Well you did hurt him really bad." Naomi bit back. Addison sat there stunned. She was ready for a lecture on her infidelity, but she wasn't prepared for this. "He needed time to think. He may be mad, but he still loves you." She paused. "He's still in love with you Addie." Addison remained silent, so Naomi went on. "Okay maybe it was wrong that he didn't get back to you for awhile after he asked you to stay, but you stayed anyway." Naomi sighed. "My point is you and Derek aren't like Sam and me. Sam and I are over. Really, truly over. My ex-husband felt indifferent, then left. I didn't stop him. We didn't fight. You and Derek" she shook her head. "You can get passed this if you really want to. All you have to do is fight for it Addison."

"I don't know if I still have it in me to fight." Addison admitted.

"If you still love him, then you'll find it in you to fight." Naomi replied.

Of course, Richard was furious when Derek asked for some time off. Derek knew that it was unprofessional to leave on such short notice, but he needed to go see Addison as soon as possible. Richard, being the chief, insisted that the neurosurgeon thought about how this would affect his patients. Derek, being Richard's former intern, insisted that the chief thought about Addie and the current state of his marriage. This went on for far longer than Derek hoped. Webber and Shepherd had ended up on a screaming match loud enough for all of Seattle Grace to hear, but they both knew where it would end up. Dr. Webber wanted the head of his neuro department to stay, but Richard Webber could never just be the chief when it came to Derek Christopher Shepherd and Addison Adrianne Forbes Montgomery Shepherd. Richard was like a father to them. Derek was like a son to him and Adele since Derek's intern year. Addison, on the other hand, was not only like a daughter to the Webbers, she was also Richard's star. Addison would always be Richard's best and brightest star, so the chief gave in eventually. Derek would only be away for a few days anyway, or at least he certainly hoped so. Derek wasn't stupid. He knew that he couldn't fix his marriage in a span of a few days. All Derek wanted to do right now was convince Addison that he was all in this time, and he needed to go to Los Angeles to do that.

As soon as Derek got Richard's approval, he practically ran back to the trailer to get a decent amount of clothes. He didn't even care if he left anything. LA had malls too, and he has been married to Addison long enough to know that a trip to the mall was always necessary. It didn't matter if they were in Paris, Connecticut, London or Italy. If Addison didn't approve of Derek's choice of clothing, there would always be a trip to the local mall. Derek couldn't help but smile as he zipped up his suitcase. He missed Addison desperately. All this time he had pushed the idea of her so far back that he had almost forgotten everything they've been through. Almost being the key word. He could never completely forget her, even if he tried so hard to do so. He hurried out of the trailer and drove to straight to SeaTac. He ignored his grumbling stomach and remained unbothered by Seattle's continuous downpour. Los Angeles was the only thing he could think of right now. He could eat on the plane anyway. All that matters is that he gets on the next plane to LAX.

The drive was unsettling. There were a few traffic spots and red lights, but none of them were bad enough to delay the neurosurgeon. Derek was still able to reach SeaTac with enough time to purchase a ticket on whatever airline would be leaving first. He checked in his luggage and proceeded to the terminal gate. Derek wanted to check his watch to see how much time he still had, but that quickly went to waste. As soon as he saw the steel Rolex watch, all he could think of was the person that had gifted him the watch.

"Here" Addison handed him a small blue paper bag.

"What's this?" Derek inspected the bag. He had no clue on what it could be, but it sure was heavy.

"You have to open it honey." Addison replied. Her smile beamed so bright that Derek too couldn't help but smile.

Derek gently removed the small piece of tape that was keeping the bag from opening. Then pulled out a forest green box. "Addie I can't accept this." He quickly looked over to his girlfriend.

"Sure you can." Addie replied as she took the box from him and started to open it. She grabbed the silver watch, took his hand and placed it on her fiancé's wrist. "See it's perfect on you." Addison then leaned in to kiss his cold hand.

"Addison" He was stunned. He had not been expecting this at all. Sure this was their graduation night, but he did not expect a gift this grand. All Derek wanted was for his long time girlfriend to say yes, and she did.

"Just think of it as an engagement gift." Addison was still smiling. Happiness certainly looked amazing on her. "I got a ring and you got a watch." She stated as if it was a fair trade. She then proceeded to wrapped her arms around her fiancé and pulled him closer for a quick kiss. Leaving a small trace of her lipstick on his lips. She really couldn't keep her hand off of him tonight; not that he was complaining.

"Well you didn't even know I was proposing tonight." Derek teased.

Addison giggled. She did know. Mark accidentally hinted it last week when she was looking for a gift to give Derek for their graduation, but she wasn't going to tell him that. It would just ruin the moment. "No I didn't." She lied. "But this day was still a special milestone for us." Addison smirked. "whether you proposed or not, and I just happen to have a gift for you." The redhead seductively, yet slowly swayed her hips. "Just accept the watch Derek." She leaned closer to him. "So that I could give you my other gift."

Derek suddenly turned pearl white. "Other gift?" McDreamy's voice was suddenly ridiculously high.

Addison laughed. She loved having that affect on him. "Just say thank you then kiss me."

She didn't have to say that twice. As soon as she finished talking, Derek quickly wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for a long passionate kiss.

The wait to board the plane was not long at all. As soon as Derek finished admiring his watch, the PA system announced that his flight was now open for boarding. Derek then grabbed his phone and dialed Naomi's number. He needed time, and Naomi was just the person that he needed to make it happen. Derek knew just what he wanted to do. It was bluntly obvious that the dark haired doctor wanted to surprise his wife, but how he was going to do it was still a mystery to him. He wanted to come up with the best apology that would fit his and Addison's whole relationship. After all, this was his last chance to win her back. Derek did promise Richard that he was going to sweep Addie off her feet, and that he would do everything and anything to win her back.

The flight was expected to last for 2 hours 43 minutes and 29 seconds. Not that he was counting. All throughout the flight, he was looking out the window. The view of the beautiful blue sky and the contrast of white clouds had made time stand still. All that mattered was where he was headed and why he was there. He was grateful that he spent the extra hundred dollars for a first class seat. He wouldn't have survived in economy. Right now, he just appreciated the silence and the view. His mind kept racing back to his wife. It would be a lie to say that he has completely forgiven her. He hasn't. He can't. What Addison did was cruel and beyond heartbreaking. She is his wife and that was their bed. She had violated that, but Derek wasn't all that innocent too. He had slept with Meredith. He started a relationship with her. He may have even fallen in love with her. It was safe to say that they had both broken their vows.

All the messy stuff, before and after Addison's affair, was still there, and they do need to address them. He knew that their marriage was tainted, and it would take more than just his McDreaminess to fix it. Derek shook his head. Who was he kidding? He didn't need to be McDreamy anymore. At least, not to her. Addison has seen his ups, downs and in betweens. To Addie, he isn't McDreamy. He wasn't even dreamy to her. He's her husband, a dorky bad singer/dancer/guitar player that insisted on making Addison a song for their wedding. The best way to sweep her off of her feet would be one that includes a real apology and a concrete course of action instead of a promise. He could go overboard and promise her a home in Seattle, but they both knew that he had already given her a home back in Manhattan. Addison is a woman. She isn't just a girl that you met in a bar. She is complicated and breathtaking at the same time. If he wanted to make their relationship last this time around he needed to give her the attention she deserved. She deserves to be the center of his world, and he knew that she would also make him the center of her world. Derek knew that this time around he needed to make sacrifices for her and with her. It wad a two way street after all. Addison comes with baggage. Fixing their marriage wouldn't be easy. There's history there; a lot of history that can't be erased. She can't be won over with sex or a speech on how much he loves her. Derek knew that. Maybe Derek could suggest that they go see a marriage counselor to prove to her that he wanted to fix this. Maybe she could move to Seattle. Maybe he could go back to Manhattan with her. She did say there were three ways they could go about their relationship.

Option one, she apologizes, I forgive her, we move back to Manhattan and move on with our lives like adults.

Derek shook his head. That's definitely not the right solution. The brownstone would just remind him of Mark. Manhattan held too much memories for them to start over in the same place.

Option two, she would apologize, I could forgive her, move back to Manhattan but I could still bring up the affair whenever we argue.

Again not the right course of action. He did not want to move back to Manhattan at all, and he would fight Addison on that. Plus, it wouldn't be fair to keep bringing up the affair. They needed to move past it, not use it as leverage. Marriage is about being equals after all.

Derek looked over to the seatbelt sign flashing right above him. The pilot was going over the last set of announcements. The view of Los Angeles suddenly appeared from behind the clouds. Derek smiled. "The third option it is." He whispered.

Addison and Naomi spent the rest of their day shopping. Naomi was able to buy a decent amount clothes, a bag, and a new pair of earrings. Addison, however, went all out. She got countless pairs of shoes, a new handbag and a few tight, revealing yet work appropriate clothes. I mean she is flying back to a hospital where both her husband and his dirty mistress worked. Might as well show off. She was Satan after all.

"I'm so exhausted. I'm taking a long deserved nap as soon as we get to your house." Addison announced as she fastened her seatbelt. Naomi just stared at her with a guilty expression on her face. "Oh no." Addie frowned. So much for the long deserved nap that she was desperately longing for. "What did you do?"

"I promised Sam we'd have dinner over at his place tonight." Naomi smiled apologetically. Addison replied with her signature death glare. "How was I supposed to know that we'd go that hard with the purchases?" The fertility specialist defended.

"It's shopping Nae. We always over shop." Addison stated.

"Come on Ads. It's not even sunset." Naomi pointed to the clear blue sky. "I already had you yesterday and today. Sam would hang both our asses if we cancel on him tonight too."

"He did say that you get custody of me when you got divorced since you've known me longer." Addison said in a childlike tone. It was her ploy to get Naomi to cancel.

"Nice try Addie." Naomi rolled her eyes. "I have a teenage daughter. Did you really think that would work on me?"

Addison pouted and slouched back into her seat. "Fine! We'll go. Just don't expect me to be my usual charming self." She said with a sarcastic tone.

"You really are a teenage girl. Thank God you're not my responsibility outside of Los Angeles." Naomi joked. Addison stuck out her tongue. Causing both ladies to burst out laughing.

The drive over to Sam's took awhile longer than they had expected. As soon as they left the parking garage, they were surprised by LA traffic. It didn't help either that Sam lived along the beach. That just meant that it would take several unnecessary tight side streets to get there. Nevertheless, they got there just in time for sundown.

"Oh Addie could you please be the one to ring the doorbell? I have to call Maya and tell her to buy herself dinner." Naomi asked. Addison nodded. The redhead got out of the car and knocked on Sam's door. From where she was standing, she could clearly see that Sam's house was the definition of a bachelor's pad. After taking a few moments to answer, Sam finally opened the door to reveal Addison standing in her ridiculously tall red stilettos.

"Hi." She greeted. "Naomi is just on the phone with Maya." Sam nodded and let her in. "This place is just" Addison looked around. "Wow." She mustered.

"Thanks." Sam replied with a smile. "I hope you don't mind waiting on the deck. I just have to grab something upstairs." He lead her to the living room. "Oh yeah and I have someone waiting there for you."

"For me?" Addison replied. Who could be here for her?

As soon as she got a glimpse of Sam's deck, she was speechless. She froze on the spot. The deck was covered with her favorite flowers in varying colors and a few candles, but what really caught her eye was the neatly spread out picnic set up at the edge of the deck. It was far enough where their feet could touch the sand. The romantic set up mixed with the sunset made this picture even more mesmerizing. It reminded Addison of the trip she went on with Derek for their 5th anniversary. How could they forget it? It was in their second big purchase as a married couple. They had gone to the Hamptons that year to purchase their first, and maybe their only, vacation home. Addison suddenly felt a hand pressed on her lower back. "Derek what are you doing here?"

I'm so sorry if it took me almost a month to update this story!

Also, if you could recommend an beta, or are a beta, that could proofread my stories, please send me a message. I'm in deseperate need of one.

Anyway I hope you liked it! Please leave a review! I'd love to know what you guys and gals think.

Thanks for reading!