To start off with- I am SO sorry how long it has been since I have updated. I have been so busy, and sort of lost my muse for Private Practice. However, after avoiding homework by watching it and Grey's my muse is back!

Also, I have just moved to the States for the year- exciting stuff! So, I am SO looking forward to the return of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice, and being able to watch it before everyone I know at home!

Chapter Three

Pete had been screening her calls all day. He had literally refused to talk to her since their 'discussion' that morning. She was also late home because of a surgery, which was only bound to make him angrier. Of course, he would have known that if he hadn't been ignoring her calls and potentially her messages all day, Addison rationalised with herself. She took a deep breath as she walked into her house, expecting round two of the argument to begin. She was greeted with the sight of Pete asleep on the sofa, with an equally as asleep Lucas on top of him. She smiled softly as she removed her shoes and jacket before moving over to the two of them. She gently lifted Lucas off of Pete, which made her husband wake up.

"I'll be back in a minute," She whispered, adjusting Lucas in her arms. "I'll put him to bed and then we can talk." She walked up the stairs.

As she laid Lucas in his bed he stirred slightly.

"Shhh, go back to sleep baby." She whispered soothingly, pulling the covers over him.

"Mummy? You late again." He murmured sleepily. She felt her heart clench in her chest, work had been hectic lately.

"I'm sorry sweetheart. Mummy had to save a baby tonight. Tomorrow night I can play with you, okay?" She stroked his hair

"Okay." He agreed, practically asleep again already. "Love you, Mummy." She smiled and kissed his head.

"Love you too, Lucas." She quietly left the room and walked back downstairs.

Pete was already sitting on the couch, waiting for her. She cleared her throat and sat next to him, but far enough away from him so that he knew she was not impressed at all. An awkward silence fell over them. Addison was frustrated; apparently he wasn't going to talk until she did.

"When exactly were you planning on stopping being unreasonable?" She finally asked.

"I'm being unreasonable?"

"Yes!" She said exasperated. "For the first time in our relationship I am being the rational one. All I said is that you should talk to her! I didn't say we needed to hand him over, or give her visitation rights or anything like that. Us being together, me raising Lucas as my own- will go down a lot better coming from you than from someone else. She will find out, and she will be angry."

"Well she can be angry. Violet abandoned him, hell- she couldn't even look at him when he was a baby."

"I know that, but she is still his mother. She went through a massive trauma and it messed with her head."

"We all went through that!" He half shouted, he stood up and started pacing. Addison stood too.

"Will you be quiet you'll wake him up!" She practically hissed at him. "And you did not go through what she did. Violet had a baby ripped out of her by a mad woman! I know it was hard to watch, but it was fifty times harder for her to deal with."

"Is this just some way to get out of this?" He asked vehemently. "Realised you are in too deep and want out? Violet's re-appearance just gives you an excuse?" She looked at him like he had just slapped her.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that," She whispered with her voice full of emotion. "Because you are upset and you are angry and probably in some sort of shock." She moved towards him, "But don't you ever imply I don't love that boy," she said gesturing to the stairs with her hand. "You know Violet coming back has been a fear of mine from day one." Addison stared at him, her eyes filled with tears he knew she wouldn't shed.

"I know," He said, shaking his head at himself. "I'm sorry Addie- I just can't believe she thinks everything will be okay." He pulled her into a hug and she returned it.

"I don't think she does," Addison whispered into his shoulder. "You need to talk to her; I'll even be there to mediate if you want." She said with a bit of humour in her voice.

"That will probably be best." He replied, with a slight chuckle to his voice.

"She's coming back tomorrow," She explained as she pulled away slightly, she looked into his eyes. "We can try then." He nodded in agreement. They stood for a few minutes. "Let's go to bed." She whispered, worn out from the day's events.

"Sounds like a good idea." He agreed and he pulled her by her hand up the stairs.

"Why were you both asleep down here anyway?"

"Lucas said he felt sick, you know what he can be like." He said rolling his eyes, as they entered their room.

"Yes, I do." She said sadly.

"She isn't his mother Addie." He said quietly. "She may be his biological mother, but you have brought him up. You are the one who he asks for and misses when you aren't around. She is nothing to him."

"But he is quite likely everything to her." She whispered before moving into the en-suite to get ready for bed. Pete sighed and ran his hand through his hair. It had certainly been a longer day than expected.

When Addison entered her office that morning, Violet was already there.

"Violet!" Addison exclaimed, obviously surprised. However, Violet did not turn around she seemed to be surprised by something herself. Addison suddenly realised what was in Violet's hand. It was the photo of her, Lucas and Pete. Crap. "What are you doing in here?" She asked, trying to sound firm but her voice came out wavered.

"I was waiting for you, then I noticed the photo frames on your desk," She rested the photo back down. "Let's just say I am a little surprised at what I saw. Tell me Addison," She said stepping towards her. "How long after I left did you decide to steal my family?"

"It was never like that. Pete and I just happened. It wasn't intentional."

"I was in here yesterday asking you about Pete, and you didn't mention that he so happens to be your mysterious new husband?" Violet was angry.

"Well how was I supposed to tell you? It's not my place."

"Not your place?" Violet replied exasperated. "You marry my ex-boyfriend and take it upon yourself to raise my son and it's 'not your place' to tell me?"

"Well someone had to!" Pete's voice came from behind them, making both women jump.

"Pete," Violet said softly. "Where's Lucas?"

"At day care," He said sternly, "Not that it has anything to do with you.

"He is my son; it has plenty to do with me."

"He is not your son, he is Addison's son." Pete was standing next to Addison now, trying to create an image of a united front, naively hoping it might stop Violet.

"He is our son, yours and mine. He has nothing to do with a woman so desperate for a child she will settle for one that isn't her own."

"Violet; stop." Pete warned as Addison tensed beside him.

"Excuse me." Addison said quietly, so desperate to escape the situation she left her own office.

RULER

Addison took refuge in Naomi's office, whose emergency chocolate supply was already half gone, despite it being 10.30am. The two women sat on the couch in her office, in silence. Addison had told her everything that happened, and Naomi had tried comforting her. Addison had been there for an hour now, after begging Dell to take her patient. It hadn't taken too much to convince him, he had seen the argument that morning- just like everyone else on the floor had. Addison could only assume Pete had talking, or yelling, with Violet since she had left her own office an hour ago.

Naomi stared at her best friend with worry in her eyes. She knew this situation was exactly what Addison had feared since she had become involved with Pete. Naomi prayed this wouldn't escalate in massive proportions. Addison loved Lucas, and he loved her back. If someone didn't know she hadn't brought him into this world, they naturally assumed they were mother and son. She moved her hand to Addison's back which grabbed her attention.

"Addie-" She started, only to be interrupted by her office door opening.

"Addie." Pete said as the door swung open, Addison stood up.

"Is she gone?" She asked, before he could carry on.

"Yes, we argued, she left. That's not important right now. I got a call from the day-care centre." Fear flashed on Addison's face.

"What? Why?" She asked shakily, Naomi stood up and put her arm around her friend. Pete looked directly at Addison, and said the words she didn't want to hear.

"Something's wrong with Lucas."

DUN DUN DUN!

I know I am evil, but the next update definitely won't be as long so the cliffhanger isn't that bad...right?

Anywho...if anyone is still reading this (and I hope they are) please please please review. They make me so happy!

Fifteen Minutes Old

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