Thanks again for the reviews. I'm going to slow things down for a bit on this chapter and maybe the next. Think of them as sort of fillers. :)
As usual, thanks to Suz for the beta.
Disclaimer: Still not mine. No infringement intended.
CHAPTER NINE
"Hello, Addison."
"Adele! This is a very pleasant surprise. I'm glad you're here. I was starting to get bored and lonely."
Savvy and Weiss left a few hours earlier to get some rest and pack for their flight the next morning. Savvy insisted on staying but Addison was persistent and told her friend that it was time to get back on with their lives. She was going to be fine and Savvy reluctantly agreed after promising she will be back right before Addison gets discharged. The blonde New Yorker wasn't really happy that Addison decided to stay in Seattle and even more so when she learned her friend was giving Derek a chance to redeem himself. But just like a true best friend, Savvy gave her full support to Addison and her decision.
"How are you doing, sweetie?" Adele asked.
"Getting better and getting bored. I'm cooped inside this room all day long. Richard gave strict orders to the staff that I am not allowed to leave the room or bed without supervision. I'm going to kill that husband of yours. He's treating me like a piece of china."
"Oh, hush now. You know you've always been Richard's favorite. You're like the daughter we never had. Did you know that Richard had second thoughts about accepting Seattle's proposal 'coz he didn't want to leave New York and you?"
"Really?" Addison asked in disbelief. "That was so sweet and totally unnecessary."
"I told him, you were a big girl and could handle everything on your own. Richard really did take a liking to you especially during your first year when you just lost your father. He saw something in you and it brought out the father in him."
"And I'm really grateful for him taking me under his wing and for the two of you for becoming my family." Addison smiled at Adele. "So, what did you finally say to convince him to take the proposal?"
"He saw to it that Derek takes good care of you."
The joy in Addison's face instantly vanished at the mention of her husband's name and Adele noticed the change in the younger woman's bearing.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. I heard…"
"God, news does travel fast here. I bet the gossip mongers are having a field day with the drama of my life."
"You know, Addie. You and I are kindred spirits. Our men strayed with Grey women. I've known for years about Richard's affair with Ellis."
Addison stared at Adele. "And now you're here to tell me that giving Derek a chance was the right thing to do?"
"I'm here to visit a friend who's recovering from an accident. I don't need to tell you what to do, Addison. I know you already know what to do."
x x x
"Shepherd" Richard called out to Derek who was sitting alone at the doctor's lounge reviewing a chart.
"Richard, what can I do for you?" Derek said as the Chief entered the room.
"Just wanted to check on you, Shep. How are you doing?"
"I'm dealing."
"You know Derek, I'm disappointed. I told you about my affair in hopes that you'll learn something but here you go and do something so callous. Calling you decent and honorable was a mistake." Richard said, letting the younger man know that he knew all the drama involving Derek and his wife.
"I know what I did was wrong, Richard. And I'm a bastard for it but I'm rectifying the situation. I'm making it up to Addison. The thing between me and Meredith is over. I'm working on my marriage."
"Addie is taking you back?" Richard asked in surprise. He was almost certain Addison would kick her husband to the curb.
"She wanted a divorce but I asked for another chance and she agreed. We're giving us another go and this time I'm not going to let anyone or anything mess this up."
"For your sake, Derek, I hope it works. But remember this," Richard started. "If you hurt Addison again, I swear to God, I'm not turning a blind eye anymore. And I'll do anything she asks, professionally and personally."
x x x
"Good morning" Derek greeted his wife with a smile as he entered her room with a steaming cup in each hand. "How are you doing?" he asked and leaned down to kiss her forehead. Addison tried with all her might not to flinch and pull away.
"I'm fine." She answered flatly.
Derek brushed off her cold reaction to him and went to her closet to grab a coat for his wife. "It's a beautiful day outside and I thought you'd want to go out for a while. There's a slight chill in the air but the sun is up. Let me help you up and bundle you with this coat." He pulled the blanket covering his wife's legs and helped her up straight. "You do want to go outside. Right, Addie?"
"Yeah, I'd like that" she answered.
"Great. Let me just a grab a wheelchair and then we'll be off. Oh… here… I brought some juju for you." He handed her the cup before leaving the room for the wheelchair.
The sun and the fresh air outside lifted Addison's spirits but had not thawed the iciness towards her husband. Derek was trying to engage her in idle conversation but she remained silent. He was pushing her slowly around the hospital's garden where a couple of patients and their loved ones were also taking advantage of the wonderful weather. Derek spotted a secluded area and guided Addison towards it.
"Why don't we rest here for a while? You okay?" Derek said, hoping Addison would answer back.
Addison just nodded. She was really getting tired of being asked how she was and of answering that she was fine.
"Addie… listen. I know you're probably having second thoughts about giving us another try but I promise you, I want this. I want our marriage and I am committed in making it work. I love you." He waited for any reaction but Addison had none. "I want to tell you something…something that I've been keeping from you. I'm telling you this right now because you deserve to know. We need to be honest with each other as we work on us." He paused then continued, "Meredith and I would always meet when I took Doc for his walks."
He waited for Addison's reaction but she just looked at him with unreadable eyes.
"I swear nothing happened… until prom… which I'm really sorry about. The walks with Doc were very platonic. Nothing happened. We were just…"
"I want to go back." She said, cutting him off.
"Addison…" he started to say.
"I want to go back." She said again with more force.
When Derek didn't move to push her, Addison tried to maneuver the wheelchair with one arm to no avail. He then went to grab the handles and started to push her back towards the hospital in silence.
The almost pleasant morning start suddenly turned chillier for Derek Shepherd.
It's gonna be a hard climb for Derek. Review please. I have the next chapter done and I'll just wait for a number of reviews and post it when we reach it, Yes, I'm evil.