Chapter 5- New Beginnings

Tears were flowing down Meredith's cheeks continuously, the grief finally setting in. For the past two months, Meredith had ensured that she didn't feel anything. She had made herself so busy with her work and the kids that she barely had time to think. This had helped her to live, for the sake of the children and for the sake of her unborn baby. And Addison's arrival had finally allowed Meredith to let her feelings flow. Maybe it was a familiar face in the sea of unknown ones, or simply having someone who understood her and knew her life in Seattle, but the grief had finally kicked in and there was no stopping it now. And so, Meredith cried on till her eyes became red and swollen and her throat became so sore that she couldn't cry anymore. And Meredith couldn't be more grateful for the presence of her dead husband's ex-wife in her life right now. Addison had made her feel what she had been avoiding for the past months now. Denial was finally over, and although she was a long way from acceptance, she at least moved forward a little bit. Addison felt like the only real thing the void, and Meredith held on to her with all her strength, till she fell asleep.

Addison had just stared at Meredith till what she had just heard sunk in. Meredith was pregnant. With Derek's baby! And now he was dead, basically leaving her to raise the kids alone. And as Addison saw Meredith cry uncontrollably, all she felt was pity. She had always kept her distance from Meredith for obvious reasons, but today, Addison held Meredith as she cried her eyes out. And when Meredith fell asleep, Addison stayed by her side till sleep got to her as well and both slept, one dreaming of a future that would never come and the other thinking of the memories of 12 years that had remained despite of everything that had happened later.

Addison woke up to the smell of coffee. Someone had put a blanket on her and she could here faint noises from the bathroom. Meredith had just finished giving Bailey a bath and Zola was eating her breakfast cereal. Meredith and the kids were already awake...

Addison got up and said hello to Zola who smiled back and then she went to the bed on which Bailey was standing as Meredith dressed him and wished Meredith good morning. Meredith had her happy facade on for the sake of the kids, it seemed as if last night had never happened. But the puffiness of her eyes gave her act away.

"Good morning! Did you sleep well? I am sorry for yesterday, I don't know what came over me..."

"Meredith, it's fine. You don't have to pretend in front of me. I understand why you did what you did."

"Thank you. You are the only person that I have talked to in the last two months, since-"

"Yes, I figured that out. Listen Meredith, if you need anything at all, please tell me. I know we have not been exactly friends, but, I can help you out, with whatever you need-", Addison stopped, unsure whether Meredith would accept her help in anyway.

"Don't worry, I am fine. We are fine. The job here is good and the kids love staying in the hotel and now they have even gotten used to the face that we may not be going to Seattle anytime soon. But thank you for asking..."

"I am glad that you are ok. I was concerned after yesterday. But I know how strong you are. Derek always said that you can cope with anything, and that you can be calm even in the worse situations because you have always seen worse..."

Even the mention of his name brought a sadness in Meredith's eyes, but she was quick to cover it up with a smile.

"Yes, he said that. Thanks for asking Addison. I really appreciate it."

"Ok then, I will get ready, I will see you at the hospital. I will hand over the case to the Ob-Gyn and then be off to LA. See you..."

"Ok, bye! Kids, say bye to Aunt Addison.."

"Bye. Auntie Addison!", both the kids waved in unison.

Addison waved back as she left the room to go to her own.

The rest of the day went as planned for Addison, her patient was stable and doing better that expected, and she had handed over her case to the Ob-Gyn guy at this hospital, who had then asked her to consult on one of his cases, which she had happily done. Her flight was scheduled for 6 p.m. and everything was on track. She was waiting in the attendings' room reading an issue of one of the medical journals when Meredith dropped in to see her. This was unexpected, Addison had planned to say a quick good bye before leaving...

"Addison, do you have some time to talk?"

"Yes, do you need a quick consult for one of your patients?"

"No-"

"Oh, then what do you need?"

"I was wondering if you could be my doctor...you know...for the baby...?"

"What?- Yes of course! I would be happy to!"

"Seriously? Thanks so much! I have been thinking after you showed up, that a familiar doctor would be really good. But I didn't want to burden you and so I didn't say anything... But I am so glad that you agreed. Here in my latest ultrasound. The doctor said that everything was fine, but you have a look at it too, just in case..."

Addison observed the images and report. Everything was alright and Meredith was being overcautious. Addison smiled as she told Meredith the good news.

"Everything is perfect. The baby seems healthy. So don't worry. Just take care of yourself. And mail me new reports every two weeks so that I can keep a track of things."

"Yes. I will do that. Thank you again for agreeing to do this. It means a lot to me."

"Meredith, I actually have a better idea. Why don't you come and live in LA, with us. You can join the practice and stay with us for a short while till you figure something out. And the kind can join the school that Henry goes to. And I can monitor the baby much more closely. Your age makes the pregnancy risky and so does your history. So this shall be much better arrangement..."

"Addison...! I don't want a permanent job or to be around anyone that I know. That's why I left Seattle. And I don't want to burden you by living in your house..."

"You won't be. We have a spare room and I am sure Jake won't mind. And we always have guests over...Naomi, Jake's daughter...And Amelia used to live with me...And you don't have to join the practice, you can work on cases at St. Ambrose. Charlotte can manage that, I am sure. Think about it. And I will make sure that no one in Seattle will know, not even Amelia..."

"Addison-"

"Take your time. Think about it. I am leaving tonight but you can complete your work here and then come to LA. Tell me if you want to come or if you don't. Either is fine. It's up to you. Tell me what you decide, when you do.

"Thanks Addison! I really appreciate this. All that you are doing for me."

"Anytime!" Addison smiled.

Addison reached LA on schedule. When she went home, her perfect husband and child were waiting for her. They had dinner and watched some cartoon which Henry liked. Her life couldn't be anymore perfect.

Addison checked her phone before going to sleep and there was a message from Meredith...

"I thought about what you said. I think moving to LA will be best for the baby. Wrapping things here will take 2-3 days. I will text you the flight details when I book the tickets. Thanks again for everything."

A/N: I know all the chapters till now were sad and nothing really happened in the story but I wanted to make sure that Meredith got time to bond with Addison. So the next few chapters will be light and happy, of at least I'll try to make them so. Thanks for reading and do review! Also, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah in advance! :) :)