A month had passed since that day on the ferry and Addison was slowly rebuilding her life. She had found a great place to live and her career was going from strength to strength. She had everything she had ever wanted apart from the husband and child she had always imagined sharing it with.
Addison was trying to focus on the positives and she had decided it was time to head to New York and sell their marital home. She had decided to keep the Hamptons for now as she had always loved it there and if she did ever decide to go back to New York or for a holiday she wanted to stay there. But she had decided that it was time to let go of the brownstone.
She found Derek reviewing some scans and cleared her throat. "Derek, do you have a minute?"
Derek turns to face her and gives her a soft smile. "Of course, Addison. What is it?"
"I just wanted to tell you that I've decided to sell the brownstone so if there's anything you wanted, you know keepsakes, not of our marriage, I know that means absolutely nothing to you now, but if there's anything from your childhood, photos etc, then please let me know. Oh and I'd need your keys if you still have them." Addison tells him.
"Wow... I uh.. well if that's what you want to do. I guess it makes sense to sell it. If you're not going to live in it again. So you're settled here now?" Derek asks.
"Yeah I bought a house and I love my job here at Seattle Grace. I know that you probably thought I'd go back to New York but even though I miss it sometimes, I think it would have been too hard to move on. Too many things in New York would have reminded me of us and even though in Seattle I still see you, I think it's getting easier. I'm getting over what happened, and letting go. I'll always blame myself for messing up so badly that I lost you, but I know that it wasn't all my fault. You were distant for a long time before I messed up, and then you left and met Meredith and I guess you're happier now, and I just have to accept that. The life I always wanted with you has gone now, but I still have an amazing career and a lovely new home and maybe there's no husband or child to come home to at night, but I guess we can't have everything."
"Addison, I'm so sorry. If anything I'm more to blame for everything that happened. So don't punish yourself, I truly hope you can find happiness. It hasn't been long and you're an amazing woman, Addie. You deserve only the very best. Maybe I shouldn't suggest this, but what if I came with you? I can see what things I want to keep and we can both say goodbye to the brownstone together. Maybe I need some closure too."
"Well if you think that's a good idea then you can come, just don't even think of trying to throw what happened that night in my face again. I know going there will bring it all back, but I think I've been punished enough for it."
"Ok I'll try, Addie. If I feel angry I'll go for a walk or something. I just feel like I need to say goodbye to that house, maybe it'll help me let go of everything that happened too."
"Right well I was going to try and arrange a few days off for next week so if we go together and explain to Richard why we both need to go then maybe he'll let us have the time off."
"Yeah hopefully he'll understand that this is important for both of us. I guess I should go and visit my family while I'm there too. I know that they'd want to see you too. My sisters and the kids all miss their favourite auntie."
"Oh I've missed them too. I guess I could come. I don't think your mom would be pleased to see me but maybe she'll be happier now we're divorced."
"I'm so sorry Addie. It couldn't have been easy all those years. It was hard for me too you know, knowing that my mother didn't like you. I tried to say that she did, I think it was easier to convince us both that she did. But I'm so sorry that she never did. At least everyone else in my family still loves you the most. I think they all love you more than me."
"God I've really missed them. So I'll let you get back to your work and let me know when you're free to go and talk to the chief so we can arrange our time off. I hope that Meredith won't be mad you're going to be spending time with your ex-wife."
"Oh yeah, Meredith. I'll tell her tonight. Hopefully she'll understand that it's just something I have to do. I told her once that I was married for 11 years. 11 years of Christmases, thanksgivings and birthdays. That it wasn't so easy for me to give up. But we need to get closure on this and if she doesn't understand that, then she'll just have to get over it."
"Well if you're sure, I don't want it to cause problems for you."
"Yes I'm sure. This is something that we need to do together."
"Ok well I'll see you later, Derek."
"See you later, Addie."
So I thought of an idea to continue this story with Addison and Derek heading back to New York and the brownstone. Hope you enjoy and please review and let me know what you think.