Thanks to everyone who has reviewed this story, it was nice to have someone give me some inspiration to write it.
Sorry that this chapter is a little late (and epic), it was my original intention to get the whole story posted in the week between episode one and two and despite the fact that we have more information about AddiSam now I still wanted to complete the story.
Since this fanfic was only ever meant to cover the first episode this will be the final chapter.
NB: The last bit is best read whilst listening to 'These arms of mine' by Otis Redding. (on YT)
Do leave me a message if you have any other ideas for future stories.
"Addison?" Sam stepped cautiously into Addison's kitchen, bracing himself to find a perky Amelia lurking and ready to launch an attack. Having no success in the kitchen he ventured to the bottom of the stairs "Addison?" he repeated, not daring to actually look up the stairs for fear of catching a scantily clad and totally unabashed Amelia roaming the landing above. Still there was no response. He looked around the ground floor of the house wondering where she could be, she couldn't have left for the wedding already and she hadn't mentioned anything about going out. He silently chastised himself: she could go out without telling him, he didn't have to know her every move. He toyed with the idea of returning to his house but then he remembered why he had come round in the first place; -round to borrow her iron – the shirt he planned to wear to the wedding was looking a little worse for wear and his iron was proving less than useless at removing the creases. There was nothing for it; he was going to have to go upstairs. He took a breath and squared his shoulders, 'come on Sam Bennett, you're a man' he said to himself silently as he stood on the first step. He dashed up the stairs taking two at a time, he ran past Amelia's room and into the salvation of Addison's bedroom where he expected to see her sleeping or getting dressed. She was nowhere to be seen. He made the decision to head home and call her. He looked towards Amelia's room, the door was still shut but he was sure he must have woken her with his early morning antics. He considered his options, he could make a dash for the stairs and escape through the patio doors. No, making any more noise seemed too risky. He decided to go with the stealthy approach. He carefully took a step onto the landing, not taking his eye off Amelia's door.
In the bathroom Addison opened the shower and stepped quietly onto the tiled floor. What was he doing? Then she realised – he didn't know Amelia was on a plane to Seattle. She smiled to herself as she stood in the bathroom, her hair dripping down her naked back; she was going to have a little fun with him. She moved nearer to the door and listened carefully. The creek of a floorboard and Sam's heavy breathing told her that he was on the other side, taking her chance she flung the door open.
"Are you looking for me?" she said with a loud smile, ignoring her complete nakedness.
"Addison" Sam's voice was laced with shock as the red head appeared on the landing "What are you doing A…." Sam's voice lost its volume; sure that Amelia would emerge any second.
Addison, enjoying the situation she had engineered moved closer to Sam "Well, I was having a shower" she grinned as she pressed her wet body against his tense, fully clothed one "but someone interrupted me" she shot him an alluring look, a look that she'd used on him before, a look that he ordinarily welcomed but not this morning, this morning he was acutely aware of the compromising position they were in.
"Addison, Amelia is going to come out of her room any minute and…" Sam was clearly flustered and looking for a way to get out of the situation he found himself in as quickly as possible but his thinking was clouded by Addison's hands which were now exploring his hips and waist.
Addison heightened the tension between them as she leant in to place soft kisses on his bare neck, working slowly from his collar bone to his ear "Amelia isn't home" she whispered finally, as she did she felt Sam relax in her arms and she congratulated herself on her success.
Sam couldn't help but smile, he didn't need to see Addison's face to register the look of achievement on it. Relaxing, he instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist and she withdrew her mouth from his ear in order to look him in the eyes.
"You're bad" he smiled as he looked at her still damp face.
"Want to see how bad?" Addison teased.
"Hmm" Sam replied with a smile as he pushed her back into the bathroom, eliciting a small squeal of delight and anticipation from her.
Sam, having got much more than the iron he bargained for, was just leaving as Addison heard someone knocking at her front door.
"That will be Cooper with Lucas" Addison said as she got up from her place on the sofa.
"I'll see you at the wedding" Sam said as he crossed the room to plant a quick kiss on her lips "thanks for the, er, iron" he grinned as he left her side and exited through the sliding doors.
Addison smiled at Sam as he disappeared across the deck, she was glad he'd called round, she knew she was facing a whole day without the opportunity to be close to him and the thought of the time they'd spent together that morning was going to help her get through.
"Hey Addison," Cooper smiled as he handed Lucas over. "his clothes are in this bag" he continued as he proceeded to overload Addison with Lucas' stuff, "and this is the toy the likes at the moment but Violet said he still likes the old one sometimes so here" he said as Addison struggled to hold Lucas and all his paraphernalia.
"What's the rush Coop?" Addison asked, she could sense a mounting panic as Cooper offloaded the stuff.
"The rings" Cooper said, finally taking a breath "the jeweller's was closed last night and so I have to go and…." He didn't need to say anymore, Addison understood.
"Go" she said shooing Cooper.
"Thanks," Cooper said breathlessly before planting a kiss on Lucas' head "thanks" and with that he raced back to his car and sped out of the driveway.
"Silly uncle Cooper" Addison said to Lucas she took him into the house and closed the door.
After dropping some of the bags on the sofa she readjusted Lucas on her hip and took him upstairs to get him ready.
HERE
"Maybe I should just call and check everything is ok" Naomi said as Sam got out of the car and opened the door to let her out.
"Naomi" Sam's tone was demanding and warned Naomi not to take it any further.
"Ok, ok" Naomi answered taking Sam's arm as they walked towards the front doors of the hotel that was to provide the back drop for Pete and Violet's wedding. "I'm just worried that's all"
"They will be fine" Sam said assertively "Dink is her father, he needs to spend time with her, he needs to step up."
Naomi looked up at her ex- husband, why did he always have to be so calm and level headed – and right. She knew he was doing it for her as much as Dink and Maya, he knew how tired she was and that she needed a break from looking after Olivia and Maya and she appreciated his help but she would always worry about them, that wouldn't change, after what happened to them, what could have happened to them she was going to make sure she was always worried about them.
"Shall we go and take a seat?" Naomi suggested motioning towards the white chairs that had already started to fill up.
"You go ahead," Sam replied –he was hoping to catch a few moments with Addison before the ceremony started and they stood little chance of finding any privacy. "I'm just going to the bathroom and I'll be there"
"Ok" Naomi replied as she headed outside towards the lawn and her friends.
Sam strolled back down the drive in an attempt to intercept Addison before she could join the others. He looked up and down the tree lined drive that led up to the house expecting to see her car emerge at any moment. After several minutes there was still no sign of her. He decided to head back towards the house and take his place at the ceremony – he didn't want to raise any suspicions with a disappearing act.
Shortly after he had taken a seat behind Charlotte and Sheldon, Addison arrived with Lucas in her arms. She looked beautiful, he hadn't seen the dress she was wearing before and he was taken aback by the bare shoulders he had kissed a few hours before. He had to use all his restraint not to stare at her as she walked down the aisle to join a waiting Naomi although he did notice the subtle glance she gave him as she passed him, letting him know that she had seen him. As he watched her sit down beside Naomi he felt pang in his chest, she should be sitting next to him, he should be at her side, as her partner.
As Violet turned on her heel and ran back up the aisle Addison's first thought was for Pete, not that she didn't care about Violet, but she knew how much this wedding meant to Pete, how much Violet meant to Pete and she knew that Pete wouldn't recover if Violet left a second time.
"Oh no" whispered Naomi as Addison sat Lucas on the chair in front of her "do you think we should go and…"
"No" said Addison with an understanding of Violet's reservations "No, Pete has to handle this"
Naomi nodded, Addison was right, no matter how much they wanted to be there for their friend it was up to Pete to sort this one, Pete knew Violet, he knew Violet in a way that no one else did and if they stood any chance of making it they had to get past this on their own.
Addison and Naomi both took a sharp intake of breath at the same time as they saw Cooper return alone.
"They're talking" Cooper said as he approached the two women.
Ten minutes later Violet and Pete appeared at the end of the aisle, a collective sigh of relief echoed around the lawn as they walked hand in hand towards a smiling Cooper. Addison and Naomi exchanged glances of relief and happiness, after all of the tragedy that had unfolded in the past few months a happy ending was well overdue.
As Violet and Pete stopped under the flowing material of the garden arch, Addison saw the smile that lit up Pete's face, a smile that said he was committed to the woman stood next to him, a smile that said he was happy to stand next to the woman that he loved despite the fact she had just run away from him, he loved her no matter what she did , no matter what daemons she was fighting he loved her. With an ache in her heart she turned and looked at Sam, he was clearly enthralled by the couple too, did he wonder if it ever be them? In that moment Addison couldn't imagine there being a time when they would stand hand in hand in front of their friends knowing that they had their love and support. How could they ever have what Violet and Pete had, what Sam and Naomi had had. She stopped herself as she heard Sam's voice in her head, the thing he had said to her the night after Maya's accident, when they had sat up all night trying to decide what to do, how to be 'them'. 'We have to take each day as it comes and see what this turns into, there are no expectations here, just you and me trying it out.' She was jumping ahead of herself, Sam's words were the voice of reason, they were taking it slow, discovering who they are and once they knew, once they were strong they would be able to weather whatever else was thrown their way.
Sam knew exchanging looks in such close quarters with their friends was risky – there was nothing quite like the Ocean Side Wellness rumour mill, but he couldn't help the smile that spread across his face as Addison looked at him over her bare shoulder, her delicate hair catching the light as she threw him a look that singled him out and made it seem like they were the only people in the room. Sometimes he was surprised by her beauty, not its existence nor that she was beautiful but that he was allowed to see all sides of her beauty, the obvious outward bit but also the private, painful bit that she tried so hard to conceal from the world. Seeing Pete and Violet standing together made him realise how much he loved her, how despite all the odds he was sure they were going to make it, just like Violet and Pete. He was confused by what he saw in her eyes, they didn't smile at him but they looked at him in a way that told him she was troubled by something that was happening in front of them. He experienced a second of annoyance as he realised it would have to wait until later, a lot later.
After waving Naomi goodbye Sam returned to the wedding reception, he knew it had taken Naomi a lot to stay for as long as she had and he hadn't argued with her when she insisted on going home. She had mentioned getting a cab but Sam insisted that she took his car, he could get a lift home with someone else, Addison even. He strolled back to the marquee that held the wedding party and did his best to mingle with the guests although there really was only one guest he was interested in spending any time with. He scanned the room for her, when he'd left she had been talking to Charlotte and Cooper but now the love birds were happily squabbling ,having cleared their table of any other guests. In an attempt to look casual he headed towards the bar to get and drink and a better perspective of the room. As he approached the bar he encountered a rather intoxicated Sheldon.
"Sheldon" Sam hadn't bargained on being side tracked by the shrink but he made a good accessory to his plans.
"Hey, can I get you a drink" Sheldon sounded as if he had already had enough to drink.
"Why don't I get us both some coffee" Sam offered with a smile, he knew Sheldon was unlikely to accept his offer but he had come to regard the man standing before him as a friend and he could already see the regret that Sheldon was about to wake up with.
"Screw it Sam, we're single guys at a wedding, the only way to make it through is to drink, a lot" Sheldon's voice was laced with a hint of sadness that Sam guessed was related to the fact that he had just witnessed Charlotte and Cooper leaving the reception to indulge in some time alone.
As Sam was trying to figure out a way to reason with Sheldon he spotted the woman he had been searching for. Addison was sat at a nearby table with Pete. As Sam watched them chatting he noticed how at ease they were with each other, how natural they seemed together. He felt a tide of jealousy wash over him, it should be him that was sat with her, it should be him. He quickly checked himself, Addison had explained her relationship with Pete to him, she had been honest and admitted what it was – friendship.
"Scotch rocks" Sam said turning to the bartender. What the hell, he felt like a single man at a wedding; he may as well drink like one. He took the drink from the waiter and took a swig and consoled himself with thoughts of the evening ahead.
"Hey Sam" Cooper sidled up alongside the doctor and handed him a drink.
"Thanks," Sam said as he took the drink, before taking a drink he took a large smell of the air around him. "Is that? Can I smell compost?"
"Yeah," Cooper was used to the embarrassment that his relationship with Charlotte often bought by now and didn't even attempt to deny that it was him that was making the place smell like a compost heap "Charlotte and I well, you know…"
Sam smiled, he didn't need Cooper to go into any more detail, he could imagine, although he'd rather not, exactly what would have lead Cooper and Charlotte to smell of compost.
"Do you think they'd make a good couple," Cooper said taking a large gulp of his drink as he looked across the dance floor towards the horde of dancing couples.
"What? Violet and Pete I should hope so" Sam said in a somewhat humorous tone.
"No, Addison and Sheldon" Cooper remarked as he pointed across the dance floor to where a now rather more drunk Sheldon was attempting to dance with Addison.
Sam stalled for a second as he watched yet another man spending time with his girlfriend.
"No," he said adding a deliberate air of nonchalance to his voice "he's too short."
Cooper laughed as he took in Sam's observation, Sheldon was indeed a good deal shorter than Addison and it was obvious Addison was doing her best to be kind to the psychologist whilst praying for the current song to end so that she could escape.
As the song ended Cooper left Sam with a smile as he went to find Charlotte for the next dance. Sam watched his friend leave whilst all the time being careful not to take his eyes of Addison, who had thankfully managed to shrug off Sheldon and was headed out of the marquee. Seeing his opportunity Sam made a quick exit through the nearest gap and went out onto the lawn to find her. Once outside he saw her heading towards a bench near the hotel. Sensing that his drunkenness may make him bold Sam considered anywhere in sight of the marquee to be dangerous and headed for the front of the house and the tree lined road where Addison had parked her car, once he found her car he took his mobile from his pocket and dialled her number.
Seeing Sam's name flashing up the caller display Addison was a little worried, where was he? She'd only seen him talking with Cooper five minutes ago.
"Sam?" Addison's voice was loaded with anxiety.
"It's ok" came Sam's reply, he had been prepared for her anxiety, he knew her too well "come to your car."
"What Sam, why?" Addison was becoming more mystified by Sam's strange behaviour.
"Just come" Sam said before putting the phone down.
Addison, checking that she hadn't caught anyone's attention got up from the bench and made her way across the lawn to the front of the hotel.
"Sam what is this all abou…" Addison began to ask as she reached her car and saw Sam leaning against the bonnet.
Her question was cut short as Sam moved from the car and embraced her in a deep and passionate kiss. He had fully expected her to instantly pull away and create distance between them but to his welcome surprise she returned his kiss before slowly pulling away and looking into his eyes.
"You're going to get us into trouble" she smiled.
He smiled as he looked at her, he didn't care, he didn't care what they were risking, who knew, he loved her and he wanted to show her.
"Come for a walk with me?" he asked eventually, motioning to the large expanse of garden behind them.
"People will start to wonder where we've gone" Addison replied in an attempt to bring him back to reality.
"What people?" Sam said with a smile "Naomi has gone home, Cooper and Charlotte are playing loves young dream and Sheldon is too drunk to know what day of the week it is."
She smiled as she realised he was right, no one would miss them for half an hour, they were all too busy enjoying themselves.
"Ok" she smiled before taking a quick glance around to ensure no one was watching.
They walked as innocently as possible towards the large wooded area at the far side of the estate that the hotel was situated on. As they wound their way through the trees and into the safety of the woods Sam reached down and took Addison's hand in his. As he interlaced his fingers with hers and felt the soft, warm skin around her knuckles he realised how little he had actually held her hand, he had held it many times as they lay next to each other in bed of course but very rarely was he able to hold her hand outside the confines of their houses. There had been late night walks on the beach when they had held hands but never in daylight, never in public.
"What are you thinking about?" Addison smiled as she gently stroked the length of Sam's thumb.
"Just that we shouldn't have to run into the woods to do this" Sam replied lifting their joined hands in explanation.
Addison sighed, obviously today had got him thinking too "I know" she said simply.
"I shouldn't have to watch you dancing with Sheldon and talking with Pete whilst I stand around attempting to look interested in what anyone else in the room in doing when the only person I'm interested in is you, when the only person I want to dance with is you."
"Oh Sam," Addison soothed as she stopped and gently guided him to sit next to her on a large fallen tree stump "it's just one day, one afternoon, tonight we can be….."
"But it's not just one day Addison," Sam replied unable to hide his frustration "it's every day, it's all the time, at the office, at your house, everywhere we go I have to pretend that I don't want to be by your side, that I don't want to hold your hand and all the time I have to stand and watch Violet and Pete and Charlotte and Cooper and it's just, it's just…" he wanted to say unfair but he stopped himself, it sounded childish, life wasn't fair, they all knew that "it's hard" he finished before dropping his head to look at the leaves gathered around his feet.
Addison looked at the man sat next to her, she'd never realised how this was affecting him, he always seemed so strong, so 'together' she thought it was just her that was finding their sneaking around difficult.
"Look Sam, I know it's hard" she started as she pulled Sam towards her, forcing him to look at her "but we both decided it would be for the best to start with, we need to know who we are and we need to tell Naomi first before anyone else finds out."
"I know, I know" Sam replied as Addison's words started to calm him " I just…" he let out a deep sigh "we need to tell her soon."
"I know" replied Addison planting a kiss on his head. She was glad they had decided not to tell Naomi, not because she wanted to keep it from her friend but because of the lurch her stomach gave every time she thought of the conversation and the way that Naomi would react.
A silence fell between them, it wasn't an awkward silence, it wasn't a silence that cried out to be filled it was a silence that said they understood each other and that there wasn't always a need for words.
"We'd better get back" Addison said softly.
Sam nodded as they both left the stump they were sat on and made to head back to the reception.
"Just promise me you'll come round to mine tonight Addison, that we can spend the night together and that you'll stay the night" Sam heard the slight tone of pleading in his voice but he wasn't ashamed, he had spent all day sharing her with other people and that night he wanted her, wanted to relax with her, make love to her and wake up beside her.
"Of course I will," smiled Addison in an attempt to buoy Sam's spirits "I've got to drop Lucas home and then I will come straight round to yours" she assured him "and stay the night" she added before planting a quick kiss on his lips and heading out of the woods.
As Addison pulled out of Violet's drive after dropping off Lucas she looked down at her watch, 8.30, she smiled, still plenty of time to spend with Sam. Once she had pulled onto the road she stopped the car and sent him a quick message.
Just leaving Violet's. x
She threw her phone onto the seat beside her and headed towards Sam's. As she drove she thought about what Sam had said earlier in the day; she was cross at herself for not realising that the secrecy was hard for him too, she hadn't thought about how hard it would be for him at the wedding, not that she hadn't thought of him, but concealing their relationship had become so commonplace that she hadn't stopped to consider the reality of the effect it was having on him.
As she reached Sam's she parked on her own drive and, turning away from her own front door, she headed to Sam's front door and turned her key in the lock. As she entered the house she was surprised by the darkness that surrounded her, as she ventured further she saw a flicker of light bounce off the sliding patio doors that led out to Sam's deck, seeing that one of the doors was open she headed over with the hope of seeing Sam. As she neared the doors she heard the sound of music drifting in from the deck. As stepped outside the doors, she saw that the flickering light was coming from the candles that were littered about the deck and patio area, her eyes scanned the scene taking in each dancing light, her ears becoming attuned to the music and the deep voice of Otis Reading as he sang 'These Arms of Mine, her eyes led her to Sam who was standing at the end of the deck looking at her.
"What is all this?" she asked softly as she walked, smiling uncontrollably, towards Sam.
"Well, I thought seeing as I didn't get my dance at the wedding…" Sam smiled as he pulled her towards him, snaking his arms around her waist and taking her other hand in his.
Addison smiled, as she hooked her hand upon his right shoulder and looked straight into his eyes. After a second of taking each other in Sam slowly began to move in time with the music, keeping Addison's body close to his but keeping a tantalising distance between them. They danced slowly as they both let the music wash over them and gave into the feelings that had been hiding all day.
Feeling Sam's hand softly moving up and down her back Addison let the sensation the feel of his skin created echo around her body. She felt him inhale deeply as he relaxed and she responded by laying her head on his shoulder, closing any space that was left between them. With their bodies pressed close together they slowly danced on the candlelit deck enjoying the chance to let their feelings for each other float openly around them.
Addison smiled back at him and kicked off her shoes, her feet instantly thanked her as they were allowed to breath and reclaim their original unsquashed shape. As she peeled off her dress Sam was reminded of the night after the accident, the night she had walked into his house and turned his world upside down and inside out. He thought of the question she had asked him and the answer he gave, an answer that was still the same, yes she did make him happy, happier than he thought was possible. He smiled as she slipped into the bath, sliding her legs beside his and making the water level rise. There had been a time when this moment seemed impossible, when he felt she was running away from him, a time when he felt that giving up was the only sane thing to do but as he had learned in the past month, she had needed time to realise that she deserved what she wanted, that she deserved to act for herself, that she deserved happiness.
There were a hundred things he wanted to talk about: when they were going to tell Naomi, what was going to happen when they did, how they were going to cope with it, how they were going to tell the rest of the practice…. But they could wait, for now he was happy, for now he just wanted to spend time with the women he loved.
"Do you think they're going to make it?" Addison asked as she rubbed smooth circles into Sam's knees. "Violet and Pete? Do you think the second time around people do it better?"
Sam knew that her question wasn't exclusively about Violet and Pete, he knew that the day had raised the same questions for her as it had for him and he also knew that this was Addison 'talking'.
"I hope so." He replied simply – and he meant it. He hoped that this time he would get it right, that they would both get it right, that they'd learnt from their mistakes, from the ways in which they'd been hurt and the ways in which they had hurt other people and they, despite the inevitable bumps that lay ahead, would make it work.