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Chapter three – It takes two

"What do you mean she's not even starting today? Things are packed here, Naomi!"

"She had to save a baby's life! Two babies, Sam!"

"We need her in this practice!"

"She's a doctor first, Sam, human life comes first!"

"You bring someone in without telling us, and now you can't even keep her? You sent her to Pittsburgh, for God's sake!"

"Who went to Pittsburgh?" Pete came in.

"Addison did."

"Addison?" Pete sounded surprised. "The redhead?"

"Yes." Sam and Naomi said at the same time.

"Why do you guys care?"

"Because she's working here when she gets back."

"Here?" Pete couldn't help a half-smile. "She's working here?"

"Don't even get your hopes up, buddy, she's still pretty attached to that ex-husband of hers."

"Yeah, I wonder how Derek's doing." Sam said, imagining himself ten years ago.

"She won't be attached once she sees me again!" Pete smiled widely "I'll detach her in no time!"

Mercy Hospital

"Addie!" Liv ran towards her friend and hugged her tightly. "Thank you so much for coming!"

"How are you, Liv?" Addison flashed a smile.

"I'm really worried about the babies."

"Don't worry, Liv, we'll do our absolute best."

"Where's Derek?"

"He should be coming in here any second now." Liv's eyes lit up.

"How's the marriage going?"

"Actually, we got divor-"

"Did someone order a neurosurgeon?" Before Addison could finish her sentence, Derek Shepherd barged into the hospital, exhaling intelligence and blue eyes.

"Derek!" Liv gave him a tight hug.

"How've you been, Liv?"

"Good! What were you saying, Addie?"

"Oh, nothing!" When Addison spoke, Derek's eyes turned to her.

"Addison." He said, with an enigmatic smile on his face. She could see the joy behind it, but it was concealed under a brick wall that was there for a reason she couldn't figure out.

"Derek." She took a few slow steps towards her husband, waiting for him to make the next move. Derek walked up to her and gently wrapped his arms around her inhaling the sweet smell of her hair and closing his eyelids slowly, as if trying to live that moment and nothing else. She let her face sink into his muscular shoulder and felt her lips contract in a bright smile. Feeling herself held so tight she could barely move her arms, by hands so loving and safe that she wasn't afraid of anything, was happiness she had missed experiencing.

"You guys are so made for each other!" Liv yelled, breaking the thick layer of fire that separated the couple from the rest of the world. "God must be so proud! C'mon, let's meet your patients."

Neonatal Ward

They got to the door of the patient's room and Liv thought she should stop them.

"This patient is in a lot of pain. Emotional pain. She's trying to keep her cool, you know, be positive? But, in her situation, I don't think I'd be able to do it. So, let's not be harsh, okay?"
Addison took a deep breath, imagining how unthinkably hard the patient's situation was. Derek reached for her hand, gently wrapping her fingers with his. His warm touch calmed her and she was sure that was exactly what he was trying to do.

Liv opened the door.

Inside the room, there was a pretty girl, early thirties. Her light brown silky hair fell on her shoulders, making large waves like a waterfall. Her bright blue eyes had also shades of green and illuminated everything around her. She was tall and slim, and her even skin was glowing under the light. To the average person on the street, she was a normal pregnant woman. Nobody would know she had a time bomb in her brain, waiting to burst out.

"Hello, Blair! How are you today?" Liv asked her, with a bright smile.

"As good as I can be, Dr. Lennon." She forced a smile, lying on her hospital bed. "Trying to live each day at a time."

"Good. I have brought you hope, Blair."

"Great!" Blair sounded unbelieving. "I've been in need for a lot of that."

"This is Dr. Shepherd." She pointed at Derek. "He is the head of neurosurgery at Seattle Grace Hospital."

"Nice meeting you, Dr. Shepherd."

"This guy can perform brain surgery just as easily as you can brush your teeth."

"Wait to go, champ." Blair brought a smile to her own face.

"And this is also Dr. Shepherd." She pointed to Addison. "And she is the head of Neonatal Surgery. And, by the way, that includes in-uterus procedures."

"Oh, another Dr. Shepherd!"

"Actually, I'm Dr. Mont-"

"She's my wife." Derek said, wrapping his arm around Addison's shoulder. That was the second time Derek kept her from saying they were divorced. Addison decided to play with it.

"Whoa, hot shot couple!" Blair smiled. "You must be so rich!" Liv was suddenly embarrassed.

"Forgive Blair, she tends to get a little carried away." Liv winked at Blair, who giggled like a naughty child.

"So, you'll operate on me?"

"And on your babies." Addison smiled.

"And at the same time." Derek completed. Addison couldn't help but notice how synchronized they were. Their minds – and their hearts – were thinking the exact same thing in the exact same time. She knew everything about him. She knew how much he loved ferries, she knew the shades of blue that mixed together in his eyes, she could map the lines in his hands and she could draw his most perfect smile like it was right there in front of her.

She knew all about him. And he knew all about her. And they were gonna work together to save this woman and her babies. Their minds fit together like pieces of a puzzle. And nobody could convince her that it wasn't meant to be.