Thank you to everyone who reviewed! Glad you're still enjoying the story. Sorry I took so long to update again, but I started my AU-check it out if you haven't yet! Anyhow, enjoy this and kindly review lots with suggestions and opinions.
Seattle Grace
1:45 p.m.
Derek finished up his consult on his new admit: a transfer from Mercy in an inexplicable comatose state. On first glance, he was stumped. Ordering a shotgun work-up by his intern O'Malley, Derek set off to find Addison for their lunch date. Poking around the nurses' station, he caught no sign of her. He did, however, find Izzie.
"Dr. Stevens." Derek called, grabbing her attention from the chart she was working on.
"Dr. Shepherd. Let me guess, you're looking for Addison."
"Am I that obvious?" He asked sheepishly.
"No. It's just we don't really talk about much else since I work exclusively with her."
"That's true. If you'd ever like a change though, even just for a day, let me know. Considering how helpful you always are, I owe you one." Derek said, oozing charm. She finally got why Addison, and Meredith for that matter, swooned over him.
"Well thank you for that, and she's in the conference room calling a patient's family member."
"Really? I mean no rudeness but why aren't you doing that instead?"
"None taken. She has a history with the patient. Actually it's the one who kicked her the other day. She went out with her brother at Columbia for a year or something. She wanted to make the call herself." Izzie finally made eye contact with Derek again as she finished up her chart while she spoke to him, and saw the discomfort in his face. He looked distracted. Coming back to earth, he realized Izzie was staring at him.
"Uh, thanks Stevens. I'll find her now." Derek turned on his heels and walked for the conference room. Izzie watched him go, a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Ex-boyfriends and current boyfriends never made for a good combination.
Conference Room
Derek quietly approached the conference room, grabbing for the knob quickly. Before he pushed it open, he paused, calming himself. He had nothing to worry about. Obviously Addie dated people before him, hell she slept with his best friend. Some college fling was nothing to worry about if he could get past that and she could work with his ex on a daily basis. Slowly, he opened the door. Addison was sitting, her back to him. She was leaning back, twirling her hair with the hand not holding the phone up. She looked relaxed, and sounded happy. He always loved her laugh.
Going to close the door as quiet as it had opened, Derek pushed a little too hard and it squeaked out loud. Addison sat up and turned her body towards the door.
"Sorry." He mouthed looking at her sheepishly.
"It's fine." She mouthed back, motioning him into the room. Bringing her attention back to the call when David asked if she was still there, she faced the table, resting her elbows on it.
"No, I know. It has been forever. Look, I have to go. I'm late for lunch with a colleague. But I'll see you when you get out here okay? Great. Me too. Bye." Addison hung up, placed her phone on the table, and spun to Derek who was occupying the adjacent chair. Smiling, she rolled herself his way until there knees were touching.
"Lunch with a colleague?" Derek asked, leaning forward to rest his hands on her knees. "I leave you alone for two hours and go from loveable, adorable, all around cute boyfriend to casual…" Before Derek could finish, Addison brought a finger to his lips. Standing up slightly from her chair, she moved over to his lap, her left hand wrapping around his neck. Derek brought his right arm to rest on her hip while the left one went to her thigh.
"Don't even bother finishing that sentence. I'm yours, and only yours. You know that, right?" Derek, looking her straight in the eyes, knew it wasn't time for humor: she was intensely gazing at him, seriousness written all over his face.
"Yes." Addison nodded, and using her around his beck, brought their lips together in a soft, but passionate kiss.
"How's your patient's family?" Addison looked at him puzzled. "I went to Izzie to find you, she filled me in." Addison nodded in understanding.
"Good. You've actually met him."
"I have?"
"Yeah. We had been dating six months and you took me to that beautiful restaurant on the water to celebrate." Addison smiled at the memory, as did Derek. Her hand ran over his facial features as she continued. It took all of Derek's energy not to give in fully to her touch. It was good he was so damn curious about this guy.
"That was a good night."
"It was. Anyway, he was the guy we ran into that night at the bar."
"That guy is your patient's brother? Small world. He seemed…nice." Derek couldn't really find a proper word to fit in. It was another man after all.
"Let's just say there is a reason why it was our six month anniversary and not mine with him." Derek looked at her confused, so she elaborated. "We dated on and off for a year. He was charming and fun to talk to, and we had a definite physical connection, but…" Addison was quick to keep talking before he got any smart ass remarks in.
"Emotionally, he couldn't be there for me. Not like you could…well, are." Derek smiled at her admiringly: it was a fantastic compliment to receive. Pulling her towards him, their lips connected again, this time more passionate and deep.
"I love you babe." Derek said as they pulled away.
"I love you too. And not to break up this moment, but I am truly starving." Glancing at her watch, she looked surprised. "Damn it's almost two. Sorry I kept you waiting so long."
"It's alright. It's worth it to spend time with you." Addison smiled at him, kissing his nose before leaving his lap, much to his chagrin. "Honey, I'm starving. Buy me something edible and we'll finish this later, I promise."
"Alright, only because you promised." Derek said, standing.
"Thank you." Addison responded, taking his hand in hers as they left the room. Walking towards the cafeteria, they made small talk about Derek's new patient. It was the best he could come up with to fill the silence as his mind wandered to what he was really thinking about, the same thing he had been thinking about on a daily basis for the last two weeks. He wasn't ready to talk to her about it, but he needed to talk to someone.
"Hun? Derek, you there?" Addison tried to snap Derek out of his reverie.
"What?"
"Turkey or tuna?"
"Oh, turkey is fine." He said, brushing past her to grab drinks and shrug off his daydreaming so she wouldn't prod. It didn't work.
"You alright?"
"Perfect." His McDreamy smile never failed to distract.
"Alright." Addison walked past him to the cashier. Derek silently thanked god that worked, and vowed to find someone Richard immediately after lunch. It was time. He knew it in his heart. He just needed an unbiased third party for a good "brain" answer.
Richard's Office
3:45 p.m.
"Come in." Richard called from his desk, not looking up from the mounds of paperwork in front of him.
"Hey Chief. Got a second?" Derek asked, still standing by the door in case he was busy.
"What do you need?" Richard removed his glasses as he motioned Derek in.
"It's personal."
"Alright. What is it?" Richard observed Derek's uneasiness.
"I want to ask Addie to marry me again." Derek blurted out, looking a little shell shocked that he finally said it out loud. "Technically, we never got divorced, but considering everything that has happened, I feel its time for us to renew our vows." Richard took a moment, trying to process everything Derek had told him.
"Wow. That's a big step. I hadn't realized things were progressing so well again with you two."
"These last few months have been unbelievable. We're connecting again like we did when we first started going out. So much of these last two years sucked. I completely screwed up my life by ignoring Addie in the first place, and then the whole Meredith debacle happened and she still took the high road and let me go. Now that we're back together, I can't lose her again. She's too important."
"Well Derek, you seem pretty sure. Why are you bringing this to me?" Richard leaned back in his chair, staring intently at Derek.
"I'm afraid. I don't want to push her to hard to fast and have her pull away from me. It's just…whenever I'm with her, I get this feeling. I know she feels the same way- I'm sure of it."
"Then you have your answer. You need to put faith in how you feel about her, and trust that it's enough." Richard said simply. Derek still looked hesitant, so Richard continued to speak. "I felt the same way back in the day when I asked Adele to marry me. God, I've never been more scared in my entire life."
"What happened?" Derek asked, clearly intrigued.
"I found the perfect ring, took her to her favorite restaurant, bought her favorite wine, and midway through her ramble about what she wanted to eat that she's done before every meal since I've known her, I blurted it out before I could think about it anymore." Derek nodded in understanding, laughing at the idea of Richard just spitting out a marriage proposal to a fireball like Adele.
"Thanks Chief." Derek stood and headed for the door.
"Derek?" He turned to face Richard.
"Tell me how it goes." Derek nodded and continued out. He had three hours to plan the most romantic "renewal of vows proposal" in history.
Addison's Apartment
8:00 p.m.
After finding a very mysterious note in her locker from Derek that he would meet her at home, Addison checked on Elizabeth one more time and finished up a few charts before leaving.
Putting her car in park, Addison reached into the backseat to grab her bags and headed to her door. Her doorman, Henry, was there and waiting.
"Good evening Dr. Montgomery." Henry said, opening the door for her.
"Hi Henry, how are you?"
"I'm fine, yourself?" Addison responded sweetly.
"I am…great." Henry responded with a smile.
"That's good to hear." Addison continued toward the elevator.
"Dr. Montgomery? I have something for you." Henry walked towards her, holding a note.
"Who's this from?" Addison extended her hand.
"I'm under orders of strict secrecy. Have a nice night." Henry walked back to the desk, leaving a confused Addison in the elevator bank. When the elevator arrived, Addison stepped in and opened the note. Immediately recognizing the handwriting as Derek's, she smiled and began to read: It was our second year of medical school. I watched you in bio lab, always intently taking notes at the front of the room. I thought it was the most endearing thing how your brow wrinkled when you were thinking intently about a topic. When I asked you to study and you turned me down flat, I knew you had to be mine.
A huge smile played across Addison's face as the elevator came to her floor. She had no idea what Derek was up to, but had a feeling this would be a very good night. When the doors opened, Addison saw another note on the wall facing the elevator, the same distinct writing as her first note. This one picked up where the other left off: I continued to watch you in class, trying my hardest not to be creepy-stalker guy. You had this confidence about you. No one would stand in the way of you getting to your goal of being a doctor. Three days after my first attempt, I tried again. We were in the library, both look over reserve readings for class. My attention was lost the second I walked by you, so I brought the book I was reading and knew you would need to you for a trade: the book for a date Friday night. You smiled at me innocently, clearly weighing your options. Taking the wise road, you agreed to my deal.
Addison continued towards her door, not surprised to find a third note waiting for her, taped to the handle: When I showed up at your door, I was soaked through and through. It had begun to pour was I walked from your apartment to mine and finding a cab on a Friday night is like finding a needle in a haystack, so I toughed it out and walked. When you finally opened the door, the expression on your face I will never forget. At first you looked a scared, but when I shifted my weight and my shoes released water, you broke down laughing, so much so that you lost all your manners and left me standing there to get pneumonia. Finally realizing your error in judgment, you stepped back to let me in and get me a towel. Using my brilliance, I suggested we order in so that you wouldn't ruin what looked like extremely expensive shoes. When the food finally arrived, your building lost power. We lit an assortment of candles in your living room, and chopsticks in hand, proceeded to talk the entire night.
Addison, after finishing her most recent note, opened her door. All of the lights were out. Reaching for the switch that rested by the mirror in the foyer, Addison instead found a final note and what felt like a flashlight. Knowing better than to go against what seemed like a very well-laid out plan, Addison grabbed the flashlight and started reading: Before we knew what happened, it was 3 a.m. We had talked for seven hours straight. There was still no power in your building and after another fifteen minutes of arguing, you agreed to let me stay on the couch when I insisted I wasn't leaving you alone. We realized we only had enough candles to light one room, so after careful rearranging, the living room was lit enough for us to move around but still sleep. I offered the couch to you, but you told me it was a pullout. After several threats of abuse if I tried anything, you asked me if I'd like to share. I was shocked, and eagerly accepted. As we slept, the power was restored. I felt you wake up to lower the lights. I was too tired to open my eyes. You turned them off, and were free to go back to your own bed. Instead, you came back to the couch, situating yourself next to me in bed. Taking my left arm, you slung it over your waist and snuggled closer to me, lacing our fingers together. I could feel you smile as I pulled you closer. You instantly fell back to sleep, but I couldn't. I watched you sleep, just breathing in and out. You looked as beautiful as I had ever seen you before.
A tear came to Addison's eye as she finished reading. Derek hadn't been romantic like this in years. The last part of the note told her to close her eyes. Doing as she was told, Addison could hear Derek moving around the apartment. Wanting to enjoy every bit of her surprise, she kept her eyes closed. She felt him in front of her.
"Derek, what is going on?" She was smiling, but clearly nervous.
"You'll see. I'm almost ready." Derek reassured her. Addison could swear she smelt smoke.
"Okay, open." Addison slowly opened her eyes, and lost her breath. The room was filled with candles, mimicking the pattern of sixteen years before. Her pullout couch was out and made and Chinese take-out, chopsticks, and wine adorned the table next to it. Derek poured himself and Addison a glass and walked towards her.
"I don't know what to say. This is unbelievable, Derek. I mean, it's exactly like that night, down to the blanket on the couch. And the notes- how did you remember it all?"
"The better question is how could I forget." Derek leaned over and kissed her cheek. Taking her hand, he led her to the floor where the food was set up. Kicking off her heels, they sat down, her leaning against the couch, him across from her against the ottoman. He handed her the lo mein and a set of chopsticks. She smiled and tasted some.
"The food is even cold like last time." She teased as she ate some more. He just grinned back, enjoying his beef and broccoli. "So, did you really watch me that much in lab? Because that's just creepy."
"Every guy in that class watched you. You were hot and smart and wore skirts. I was just the only one ambitious enough to go after you." He teased back.
"Actually, you weren't. Not at all." Derek's jaw went slack.
"You never told me that before."
"I didn't want your ego to inflate even more, which is what would have happened if I told you I rejected everyone else hoping that you'd ask me out." Addison played with her lo mein some more. When she finally did look up, the admiration in his eyes nearly brought more tears to her eyes.
"You're right: that would have gone to my head back then." They both laughed, and returned to their food.
"How did you have time to plan all of this?"
"It was easy. Richard let me go a little early. I told him my plan and the romantic in him agreed to it."
"So you called Adele and had her convince him?" Addison answered dryly.
"Yeah, pretty much." Derek joked. They ate a little longer in silence before curiosity got the best of Addison.
"Derek, what is this really all about?" Addison asked.
"What do you mean?" Derek tried to act naïve, like it wasn't such a big deal that he was being romantic towards her.
"Derek…" Before she could continue, he interrupted.
"Addison, just trust me. Enjoy this night, you'll find out everything later. I promise. This is just for you- no strings attached."
"Okay." Addison smiled graciously at him. "God, do you remember that night? You looked so cold."
"I was so cold. And you made me stand their soaking wet while you took your time laughing!"
"Yeah, well, you looked like a wet dog." Derek looked offended. "A very handsome wet dog."
"Once I got dried off, it turned into a pretty good night if I do say so myself."
"It was certainly not what I expected when you bribed me for a date." Addison joked. "But definitely a good night."
"I have a secret from then as well." Addison looked up at him, intrigued. "At like 5 in the morning when you got your power back and you woke up to turn them off, I was awake. I didn't open my eyes, but you kicked me when you moved and I felt the bed shift. That thing was like a water bed." Addison nodded and he continued. "When you got back in to bed, I felt you take my arm around your waist and snuggle closer." Derek smiled and Addison couldn't help but blush.
"Why did you never tell me that?" Addison asked.
"I liked the chase. One of the things that made me fall for you was that you didn't make it easy on me. Most girls, I smiled my McDreamy smile and they were in to me. You made me work for it. And I loved you for that." Derek looked at her, sincerity evident all over his face.
Addison looked back at him for a moment before shifting herself closer to him. Bringing a hand to his cheek softly, she leaned in for a gentle, but passionate kiss. Derek snaked one hand behind her head to hold it close while the other reached for her leg to bring it across his lap. She was now effectively straddling him.
He was kissing her slowly, deeply, and passionately. This is not something he wanted to rush, and neither did she. Everything he did tonight was about reconnecting with her: soft and sensual love-making was the perfect end to it. Slowly, he ran his hands from her knees where they rested on the ground, up to her hips and waist. Her own found their way to his shirt buttons, undoing them one by one.
Once his top shirt was off his shoulders, he moved on to her blouse. Undoing the tie in the back and releasing the wrap, she lifted her arms so he could remove it. Tossing it aside, Derek returned his hands to her waist as his lips began working down her neck. Addison closed her eyes and ran her fingers through his hair, savoring the feel of his lips on her neck and chest.
Wanting the attention back on her mouth, Addison tilted his head back away from her body. Rejoining their lips, their tongues tangled passionately. Sensing she wanted more, Derek shifted his weight and sat up, holding her close to him. Getting to his feet, he gently laid her on the bed. Addison reached down for the hem of his undershirt, pulling it over his head. His hands made their way to the clasp of her bra, releasing it. Their eyes locked momentarily, both seeing in the others pure admiration and love.
XXXXXXXX
With the candles providing the only light in the room, Derek and Addie huddled close under the blanket of her pullout couch, much like they had done 17 years before. Her face was buried in the crook of his neck, his chin rested on top of her head. Their legs were tangled, and Derek never wanted to move again.
"Thank you for tonight Derek. It was perfect."
"You're welcome." He kissed the top of her head gently, running his hand up and down her back.
"Hey Addie?" Addison nodded into his chest, moaning lightly that she was paying attention. "Will you marry me?"
Don't kill me for ending there! Just review! More to come soon!