A/N: Let me know your thoughts, I was trying for repentant Derek on this one.

Quick Note: Still-Waiting-4-it-2-Pass - I had already kinda wrote her distraction and it wasn't Alex. So sorry, hope you're still with me.

Also, took someone's advice, and here's your chapter for every other day:)

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I didn't know that an opportunity to move on would be dumped into my lap so quickly. "Dr. Montgomery?" I looked up at the sound of my name being called and am immediately intrigued by the handsome stranger who is eyeing me up and down.

"I'm Dr. Montgomery. I'm sorry; I don't believe I've had the pleasure."

He extended his hand towards me and said, "I know that I haven't. My name is Alan Coldstone, I'm the new doctor that Richard hired to help oversee his psychiatry department, and after reading some of your recent cases, it seems I arrived just in time."

I laughed at his joke and notice that he's handsome. Not in the traditional sense, not in the Derek or Mark sense but he's pleasant. With his jet black hair, warm brown eyes and gleaming white teeth he would give the nurses a run for their money if he was interested. "Anyway, Dr. Montgomery, I wondered if you would have time to go out to dinner with me. I've already heard through the grapevine that you are currently single."

I gasp in shock. I can't believe that I've just been asked out on a date. I was never one to deny that I had a certain appeal, but being eight months pregnant seemed to make the appeal disappear. I had just prepared myself to be a part of the wallpaper until I gave birth and got back to wearing my knee length skirts and wrap tops that showed off my breasts. "You do know that I'm pregnant with my ex-husband's child? Not to mention he's currently living with me."

He flashed his white teeth at me and I feel a flutter in my stomach, "I've heard something to that affect but I'm also aware that you are currently detached even if he is living with you. Now if that's the case and you wouldn't mind going on a date, I'd be delighted."

I shrug. Now's a good time as any to start looking for someone to help fill the void where love used to be in my life, "I would love to but not tonight…What do you say to tomorrow?"

Alan grinned at me and said, "I'd love to. Tomorrow, I'll get directions to your house and I'll pick you up from there what do you think?"

I nod and speak softly, "That sounds good, thanks Alan. It's been a pleasure meeting you."

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I move around my kitchen efficiently as I part the pasta into two parts and put one package in the refrigerator. I look over my shoulder as Derek comes stumbling through the door with his backpack slung over his shoulder and an easy smile on his face. We had fallen into a quiet, companionable silence that worked well, and especially if we were going to become parents.

Derek came up behind me and peered at the stove over my shoulder as he kissed my cheek, he reached for a piece of sausage and I slapped his hand away. "Derek, dinner is almost done. Do you think you can wait ten minutes?"

He rolled his eyes at me and I take the moment to clear my throat, "I'm leaving the leftover pasta in the refrigerator so you can eat it tomorrow for dinner."

He smiles at me as he falls into the chair and shakes his head, "That won't be enough for all three of us to eat. Let's have something else tomorrow."

I flinch as I turn back to the stove and speak softly, "I have plans tomorrow."

He raises an eyebrow at this and asks, "Did Callie and Miranda need another girl's night out?"

I shake my head as I turn off the flame on the stove and prepare to bring dinner to the table. You hop up before I have a chance to stop you and start to help me as I maneuver the spaghetti with sausage, salad and garlic bread to the table. You take the burden out of my hand and look back at me in confusion, "If you aren't going out with Callie and Miranda who is it? Richard has plans as far as I know."

I smile to myself in disbelief when I realize that I was hesitant to tell you about my plans, it was almost as I was expecting you to disapprove. "Have you met the new head of the psychiatry department yet?"

Derek looked perplexed for a moment but then nodded at me and said, "We met briefly. Spoke in the hall but I was on the way to a consult so I didn't have a chance to chat with him for too long, why?"

I sit down gingerly at the table and start to toss the salad as I try to speak nonchalantly and say, "He asked me out on a date today and I accepted. We are having dinner tomorrow."

I spoon up some salad on the plate and count to ten before daring to meet your gaze. I'm shocked to see a flare of anger in your eyes, "Derek, what's wrong?"

The flare of anger is quickly masked by confusion, "Doesn't he know that you are pregnant?"

I smirk and roll my eyes, "Of course he knows I'm pregnant. He also knows that you live with me but as platonic friends. He knew the whole story which was rather disconcerting, but he still wanted to go out with me even though I'm as huge as a whale."

Derek leans back in satisfaction, "That's my boy. Us Shepherds are known for making strong, big boys."

I roll my eyes as I start to cut a piece of bread, glad that the anger I had detected in your eyes was replaced by the friend I had come to rely on during my pregnancy.

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It was almost three o'clock in the morning when the knock on my bedroom door came. I hadn't been able to sleep, I was too busy tossing and turning worrying about the date, I suddenly found myself in. I was also worried that the time for the birth of my child was getting close and I hadn't yet picked out a name. I clear my throat and said, "Yea Derek, what is it?"

The door opened and he stepped in and met my eyes as he shuffled his feet across the floor, "I couldn't sleep."

I roll my eyes at his attempt at appearing pitiful. I cross my arms over my chest and say with a grin, "And? How exactly does that affect me Shepherd?"

You scowl at me playfully and speak, "Don't be that way Satan. Can I get in?"

I gasp in shock; he wanted to sleep with me? He wanted to be in the same bed with the woman who in the last couple of months had wreaked havoc on his life and caused the rift between him and Meredith? I shrug trying to appear unaffected by the fact that he wants to be that close to me, that intimate. I pat the side of the bed next to me and wait on bated breath as you hurry over and slide under the covers.

I slid back under my covers and face you, "Derek, we need to talk."

You open an eye at me and grimace, "I came here to sleep Addi. Go to sleep, we'll talk in the morning."

I sigh as I turn over and then I hear you roll over on your back. You clear your throat so I turn over and I'm facing you as your eyes are staring at the ceiling, "I don't like that you are going on a date with the doctor, there I said it."

I hadn't expected that one. I had merely hoped to bring up the idea of naming our son before he arrived. I didn't expect to be confronted with his jealousy. "Derek, its just dinner. We aren't going off to Vegas to elope or anything. And even if I do end up with this doctor, you will always have a place in your son's life you know that. To emphasis that point, your son just kicked my bladder." You don't hesitate as you shape your hand on my belly and feel our son greet you warmly.

I'm watching you for any signs that you are still apprehensive about my date on tomorrow but you seem content to let the subject drop. I start to turn over and try to go to sleep when you exhale again and speak, "I think I'm over Meredith."

A simple phrase. But it had the power to make my heart start beating at twice its normal rhythm. I didn't want to pay attention to it because it would mean that I could have a chance, that we could have a chance to be a real family. I steel myself to be your friend and not the hopeful woman who still loves you, "Why do you think that is Derek? Did you have another fight?"

I watch as he struggles with what he's about to admit to me so I wait patiently and then he shocks me when he takes my hand and said, "Meredith is dating again. I thought I would be so jealous I would see red but she was smiling and I was happy for her and I told her so. She told me that we had our moment and that the best thing for us to do was to move on. I kissed her on the cheek and wished her well; I don't think I ever felt so relieved in my life. She's happy Addison, and even though it's without me, I'm okay with that."

I swear I can hear my heart pounding in my ears, "Do you still love her?"

He meets my eyes with a sad smile of his own, "I will always hold a special place in my heart for her. But the kind of love, I professed to have for her isn't there anymore. The romantic love, the passion it's gone."

I nod not meeting your eyes as I watch as you hold my hand in yours while caressing my fingers, " Addison, I want us to try again."

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I stared at the sun beaming through my blinds and feel my stomach lurch as the morning sickens hit me. Some women were blessed to only have morning sickness in their first trimester. I unfortunately wasn't one of those women and was probably going to carry the morning sickness with me to labor & delivery. I will admit that my stomach was also tied in knots at Derek's request last night. I had listened as he told me that Meredith was no longer his obsession and I was happy for him, happy for my son but most of all happy for me. And then you asked me to try again and I felt the bottom fall out of my stomach. I didn't know if I was strong enough to handle you again. I asked for time but I knew that I didn't need it. I have never stopped loving you, even when you were denying my existence and that of my child my love for you remained in tact. It was one of the things that I hated about my treacherous heart.

I slip easily into the maternity green suit and reach for the clip to pull my hair back when you enter the bedroom while I'm struggling to zip up the back of my dress with no assistance.

You clear your throat in disgust and speak from behind my shoulder with you hands firmly on my hips, "Why didn't you call me Addi? You know that's what I'm here for; you don't have to be superwoman you know."

I nod in agreement and try not to flinch when you wrap your arms around my waist and I stare at our reflection in the mirror. The smile that's gracing your face is one I never thought I would see again. You were happy, just happy to be with me, happy to know that I was here and happy to know that your child was safe. I leaned back in your arms allowing myself the pleasure of basking in your strong arms.

"Addison, I know it's not fair to ask but would you cancel your date please?"

I wanted to nod emphatically that it was the first thing on my agenda but I shake my head in negation, "Derek, I accepted this date and I mean to go out with Alan. If nothing else, it would be good to meet the new doctor on board."

I listen to your disgusted sigh and try not to analyze its meaning. You didn't want me; you had made that abundantly clear so I was in all the right in the world to try to move on. I do however; feel like comforting you, "Derek, this is only dinner, not an engagement party. I'm just going out to eat." I don't know why I feel the need to explain my actions to you but if we are going to be co-parenting our son together the least we should be able to do is discuss matters like rational adults.

So he finally declared his intent to try again, too soon? I don't know, I guess 6 chapters in is good? Thoughts please!