I know it's been awhile since I updated and I'm sorry for that. RL kinda got in the way. It's summertime here in California and the sun is making us a little sun crazed. I may not update as often as I would like but I promise to always, always finish a story.
Anyways, I hope the next two chapters and one-shot will hopefully make it up to you. On with the story….
Author: PeppermintPatty09
Title: What Makes a Family
Rating: T
Fandom: Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice
Pairings/Characters: Addison/Meredith, Violet/Charlotte, Arizona/Callie, Naomi/Sam, Izzy/Dell, Alex/Lexie and George/April. Past mentions of: Meredith/Derek and Addison/Mark
Genre: Romance and Family
Summary: A/U; Single moms Addison Montgomery and Meredith Grey start a friendship through their young daughters, which develops into more. This is pretty much a fluffy, romantic, family centric story with slight angst and drama.
Disclaimer: The characters of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice are proudly owned by Shonda Rhimes, production company ShondaLand, and broadcast station ABC. No copyright infringement is intended. Alyssa Harper Grey and Ella Rose Forbes Montgomery are my own.
Authors Note: If the idea of two women or men loving each other and are in a romantic relationship is against your views, please look elsewhere. All mistakes are my own.
Playlist - Seven Years by Norah Jones
Chapter Eleven
Seven Years
Ally's bright blue eyes filled with childish wonder fluttered open at the first sight of sunlight peeking through her dark blue Batman curtains. It was November fifth - her birthday. She was finally, finally seven. To a lot of kids, seven wasn't that big of a deal but to Alyssa Harper Grey, it was. At the age of seven, she knew her mother was going to give her the ultimate gift. It was promised when she was five and she had never forgot it.
Throwing back her Batman covers, Ally jumped out of bed, running towards her bathroom to complete her morning routine before she went to wake up her mommy. She want to have a nice breakfast with Addison and Ella before her birthday party later today.
She quickly used the bathroom, washed her hands and face, then brushed her teeth and hair before she made her across the hall. She walked into her mommy's room, stopping short when she realized her mommy wasn't in bed.
"Mommy," Ally called out her voice tinged with concern and disappointment.
"In the kitchen, Ally-Cat," the unmistakable voice of her mommy yelled back.
Ally grinned and started to run towards the kitchen where her mommy was waiting for her.
"Surprise!" Meredith, Addison and Ella shouted when Ally stepped foot into the kitchen.
Ally jumped in shock and then started laughing with her family. She liked how that sounded. Family. Though, her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandma and grandpa's were her family, too, she felt something different and more happy with Ella and Addison as her family.
Ally ran to her mommy, throwing her arms around her mom's frame and buried her face in her neck, inhaling her mommy's scent of lavender, honeysuckle and…mom.
"Happy birthday, birthday-girl," Meredith smiled through her tears. She couldn't deny it, her baby girl was growing up. "I love you."
"I love you, too, mommy," Ally whispered in Meredith's ear.
Ally removed herself from Meredith's arms, only to jump into Addison's arms.
"Happy birthday, Munchie," Addison said to a smiling Ally. She had given the nickname to Ally who has a bottomless pit for a stomach and could eat anything and everything without gaining weight or getting full. She had never saw the little girl go without food for more than an hour.
"Thank you, Addison." Ally kissed Addison on the cheek.
"Els!" Ally screamed out her best friends name in excitement. "It's my birthday!" Ally exclaimed, jumping into her friend's arms as they danced and giggled in the kitchen.
Meredith and Addison laughed at their daughter's joyous behavior.
A sudden thought came to Ally and she pulled back from Ella's arms. With confusion marring her face, Ally asked, "Why are you guys here. Not that I'm unhappy to see you," Ally added sheepishly.
"We're here to make you a Special Birthday Breakfast!" Ella said, loudly. "Mommy makes it for me every birthday and since she loves you, she wants to make you one too. You can have whatever you want."
"Really?" Ally whispered in astonishment, her mouth practically drooling at the thought.
Ella nodded. "So…what do you want to eat for breakfast? And while mommies make it, we can open your gift from mommy and me."
"Chocolate chip pancakes with chocolate and maple syrup, bacon, cheesy scrabbled eggs and toast. Oh and I guess you can add fruit, too."
Addison laughed. "You guess? Oh, no, you're getting at least something healthy in you. You're going to be snacking on junk food all day."
"Fine!" Ally huffed, then smiled. "Love you, Addison. Where's my present?" Ally rubbed her hands in anticipation for her gift.
Addison took a shake breath at Ally declaration. She loved the little girl, too. She loved her just like she loved Ella. Ally was her little Munchie. Meredith sat back and watch the exchange with watery eyes and a pang in her heart.
Ella ran to the living room and came out with gift bag. She handed it Ally who didn't even hesitant to open it.
Ally's eyes gleamed with excitement when she pulled out three different shirts all showcasing a different Batman design, a Batman hoodie and gloves. Seeing that she had more, she pulled out her next gift. She squealed when she saw the Batman iPod case and headphones with a 50 dollar iTunes card taped to the package. Finally, she pulled out the smaller square box that was wrapped individually. With shaking hands, Ally removed the wrapping paper and creaked open the wooden box. Her eyes started to tear up when she saw the necklace with Batman's calling sign with her name engraved on the front.
"It's so pretty," Ally whispered, looking at the necklace. She put the necklace on the table and ran into Addison's arms, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, Addison. I love all of it. I love you."
Addison sniffled, kissing Ally's pale forehead. "I love you too, Munchie. Let's clean this mess up, huh? I need to run to the store to get supplies for your breakfast."
Ally stomach growled at the prospect, causing everyone to laugh.
Ella and Ally were upstairs playing the Wii while Meredith and Addison cooked breakfast downstairs. Ally paused the game and looked at her best friend.
"I know I'm not suppose to tell people what I'm going to wish for when I blow out my candles, but I want to tell you. Do you promise to keep a secret?"
Ella nodded, bubbling with excitement. She loved keeping secrets and her mommy told her she was the best secret keeper.
"I'm going to wish that both our mommies will find happiness. That way my mommy will be happy and you'll have a daddy. That's what you want, right?"
Ella looked down, fiddling with her jean skirt and tights. "I thought I did but I don't want a daddy anymore. Mommy says not everyone needs a daddy. I don't need a daddy so I'm not going to wish or want for one."
"Well, what do you want, Els. I'm going to wish something for you. I want you happy, too. You're my person," Ally said, moving to hug Ella.
Ella moved her head, tilting it till it met Ally's ear and she whispered her wish softly in it. A smile broke out on Ally face.
"Then, that's what I'll wish for. And I know it'll come true. My daddy would make it happen."
"This is so, so good," Ally moan at the chocolaty, scrumptious, batter and sweetness of the pancakes. Ella nodded in agreement as she smothered her pancakes with more chocolate maple syrup.
Addison and Meredith shook in disgusted, both reaching over to grab the gravy bowl that hosted the homemade syrup from Ella.
"That's enough for you. You're going to be up all night, hyper and going crazy like a loony."
Ella giggled before she went back to her pancakes. Ally smiled at her little family, watching as her mom teased Ella about the mini-Addison's love for all things chocolate with Addison laughing at their antics. She thought about her wish, determined now more than ever to make that wish.
"Are you sure it's okay?" Addison asked Meredith for the hundredth time as she handed her their breakfast dishes.
Meredith chuckled. "Yes, Addison, it's fine. You can get Ally the dog but it isn't needed. You gave her plenty this morning. Thank you for that, by the way. She's going to love getting the dog for a birthday present."
Addison breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. Ella's been bouncing off the walls since I brought her Luke and begged me to adopt Chance for Ally," Addison said, talking about the seven weeks old Golden retrievers she had adopted from the animal shelter last week.
She had originally bought Ella the dog because she's been begging and begging for a dog. A cat was out of the question since both mother and daughter were allergic. They had decided to look and both had fallen in love with the abandon puppies that were found in an alleyway. What started out as one puppy turned into two. Ella, her sweet daughter, had talked her into getting Ally a dog for a birthday present, also. And she just couldn't say no when it came to Ally or Ella.
"You know, in the future we're going to have to learn how to say no to our girls. We need to work on our will power. They bat their little blue eyes, pout those lips, and we're gone. That can't happen," Meredith said on a chuckle.
Addison chuckled distantly; she was still caught up in the daze of Meredith's words
Our future. Our girls. Those words gave Addison a little hope and made her stomach fill with warmth, comfort and love, like hot chocolate on a cool winter morning.
A loud squeal broke Meredith and Addison's conversation. Meredith threw down her dish town and went to investigate, Addison right behind her. They were both clueless as to what had elicit such excitement from Ally; guest were not suppose to show up for another four hours. Meredith let out a gasp of surprise when she saw who was holding Ally in a tight bear hug hold. Meredith nearly toppled over the floor, trying to reach Ally and this mystery woman.
Addison and Ella stood back, both raging with jealousy at the woman who was hugging their girls and making them sob and laugh. Finally, what seemed like an eternity but was really a couple of minutes, Ally and Meredith separated from the woman and Addison was able to get a good look from her. The woman had dark brown hair, blue-gray eyes and a mischievous smirk. She looked like she was in her late twenties, early thirties. She was wearing a Heather grey shirt, dark washed skinny jeans and a leather jacket. For some reason the eyes and smirk reminded Addison of someone. Ally stepped in front of the mystery woman, Addison then knew where she saw those looks from. Ally and this woman looked exactly alike from the smirk all the way to the face structure. If Addison didn't know for sure that Ally was Meredith's, she would have thought that this woman was Ally's, too.
"Addison this is my awesomely wicked cool Aunt Amelia," Ally said. "She's my daddy's baby sister."
Addison stepped forward, offering her hand. "Addison Montgomery," she introduced herself, shaking the hands of Amelia Shepherd. "My daughter, Ella." Addison pointed out her daughter.
"Ahhh," Amelia nodded in understanding. "The famous Addison and Ella." Amelia laughed. "Ally and Meredith can't go one conversation without mentioning you guys."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Addison said politely, feeling utterly foolish and guilty for her jealous thoughts.
"So," Amelia clapped her hands excitedly, "when does this party start? I'm ready to get my dance on."
"Not for another four hours or so," Meredith answered. "But forget all that for a moment. What - what are you doing here? I thought you, Nancy and Kathleen couldn't make it. And how long are you staying."
Amelia rolled on the back of her heels, stuffing her hands in her pockets, a grin firmly in placed. " I only can stay till Monday," Amelia regrettably said. "Nan and Kath, they couldn't make it but I do have their gifts in my car and they should be calling the Squirt some time today, but did you honestly believe I would not be here for my favorite niece's birthday?
Meredith laughed, slapping her hand on Amelia's stomach while Ally beamed. "You can't say things like that. You have fourteen other nieces and nephews."
Amelia nodded, conceding the point. "Yeah, but Ally's my favorite." Amelia smiled brightly, poking Ally in her stomach. "Come on, Squirts, help me with my bags." Amelia wrapped her arms around Ally and Ella's shoulders, guiding this towards the door."
Meredith sighed. She looked up towards Addison with a pensive look on her face. Addison sensing Meredith's turmoil, walked over to the neurosurgeon and wrapped her arms around Meredith.
"You okay?" Addison asked, rubbing gentle circles on Meredith's back.
"Yeah," Addison felt Meredith nodded on her neck. "I just…I didn't realize how much I miss Amelia. I mean, I miss Nancy and Kathleen, too. But I've always been a little more closer to Amelia. Maybe it's because she was so close to Derek."
"She seems close to Ally and vise versa," Addison commented. She smiled gently.
"Mia claims Ally saved her life. Mia's is a recovering drug addict, you see. She's better now and sober, but eight years ago, Amelia loved popping pills and drinking herself into oblivion. Derek alienated her when she started, not wanting anything to do with her after he wrecked his car. Then they reconciled when he met me but she was still using and drinking. When we announced to Derek's family we were pregnant, Amelia started to change. That's why she's so close to Ally and is Ally's godmother. She calls Ally her lifeline or lifesaver."
"What about Derek's parent's? They didn't want to help her?"
Meredith shook her head sadly. "Derek's dad died when Derek was younger and his mom died of cancer when I was pregnant with Ally. Since then it's always been Derek and his sisters together. Derek's death surprised us all but it nearly tore Derek's family. It hit them really hard. I was devastated by his death but I had my family and friends to help me. Amelia, Nancy and Kathleen had no one but themselves and they were fighting instead of helping each other."
Addison looked out the window, she could see her little girls and Amelia making their way up the driveway. "The girls and Amelia are coming. Why don't you go clean yourself up and I'll help Amelia get settled." Addison kissed Meredith's tear stained cheek. "You are an incredible woman, Meredith Grey. I'm lucky to have you in my life, in which ever way."
Meredith smiled, returning the kiss on Addison's smooth, silky cheek. "Ditto."
Addison smiled at Meredith as Meredith made her way up the stairs. She turned back around just when her little girls and Amelia entered the house, all three carrier bags.
"Hey, why don't you girls go get ready for the party while I show Amelia where's she's staying for the next two days. Ella," Addison addressed her mini-me, "Your back is in Ally's room."
The girls nodded before they took off up the stairs. Addison's fought the urge to tell them not to run but she didn't want to waste her breath. They'll learn their lesson not to run in the house some day, and she'll be around to tell them she told them so.
Addison turned her attention back to the dark haired woman. "If you follow me, I'll show you where you'll be staying. Meredith went upstairs to get ready."
"Thank you," Amelia spoke softly. She met Addison's confused gaze. "Thank you for being here for Mer and Ally. I know from the way they speak about you, that you take care of them. They deserve it."
"They're easy to care for. I - I love them very much," Addison breathed out.
"I know," Amelia stated, giving Addison a look. "That's why I'm not worried about them so far away from us. I know you'll take care of them, give them anything they need and want. Will you promise me something? I know we just met but it feels like I've known you forever. Can you promise me to never hurt them? I know it's an impossible promise but can you at least try."
"I promise," Addison vowed. "I promise to never hurt or leave them." I need them, Addison silently said in her head. "They're very important to me. I would rather hurt myself than to hurt me." Addison looked down self-consciously. For some reason she felt she was being tested and she was determined to pass this test. "I love Ally as if she was my own. And Meredith, I care for Meredith very much."
"Good," Amelia beamed. Addison breath a sigh of relief. She felt like she past this test. "I think you and I, Addison, are going to be great friends. You have my blessing," Amelia grinned.
She patted Addison on the back on her way out the door, leaving a very confused and very elated Addison behind.
Around three the party was full swing. The Batman jumping castle was full of laughing kids, tables were filled with refreshments and various junk foods and the adults were scatter all around mingling to one another. Meredith had introduced Addison to her family, which all had loved her just liked she predicted.
Meredith watched from the balcony of her bedroom. She had stepped away momentarily to get Ally's gift ready and decided to look at her family and friends. Her head filled with happiness, warmth and love as she gazed at family, friends and guest chatting, laughing and smiling. Finally, her eyes found the sight that always seemed to attract her, Addison. Addison was laughing and talking with Susan, Lexie and Thatcher like they've known each other forever. She smiled at the sight.
"She fits in," a voice said from behind Meredith.
Meredith turned around, coming in contact with her best friend, rock and person, Christina. She laughed when she saw Christina holding a bottle of patron and two shot glasses.
"I can't get drunk, Christina. We're at a kids party," Meredith said but that didn't stop her from taking the offered shot glass. "And who fits in?"
"Addison." Christina filled their shot glasses with the clear, soothing Mexican alcohol. "When I first met her, with her Chanel skirt, Armani shirt and Prada shoes, I thought another rich, prissy snob. She's not like that; she pretty down to earth. Drink up, mommy," Christina told Meredith, saluting her own glass.
Meredith laughed, shaking her head slightly, before tipping the glass and downing its contents. She let out a sigh of pleasure at the smooth and cool feeling of the patron tickling down her throat.
"You ready to give Slugger her gift?" Christina asked, refilling their glasses, knowing her friend was about to break down any moment.
Meredith blew out a shaky breath, downing her newly refilled shot. "Sometimes it's so, so hard, ya know. He should be here, celebrating Ally's seventh birthday, giving her this gift. Not me. This was suppose to be his thing. And I will always, always miss Derek, it's just, I'm ready to move on with my life, but it's so hard," Meredith cried, wiping away at her tears harshly.
Christina placed the bottle and her glass on the ledge before she pulled Meredith into her arms. Meredith clutched on her person, crying out her pain for Derek, Ally missing her father and special moments with him and for herself, for these unknown feelings that terrify her when ever she's in the presence of Addison.
"It's okay, Mer," Christina soothing, rubbing Meredith's back. She looked over Meredith's shoulder and saw Addison looking concern and in pain at a crying Meredith. Christina motion Addison to come closer, knowing what Meredith needed.
"She's here," Christina whispered into Meredith's arms. "Go to her."
Meredith didn't need to ask who Christina was talking about, she just flew into Addison's arms. Inhaling the scent of sandalwood and vanilla and something that was all Addison. She was finally able to breath in Addison's arms. She was safe.
Christina gave Addison a small smile before she left them alone. Addison would take care of her friend.
"It's okay, Mer. I've got you," Addison murmured into Meredith's silky honey-blonde locks, kissing Meredith's temple. "I've got you, love."
"There," Addison smiled sadly at Meredith after she just got finished cleaning Meredith's face with a warm cloth. "Beautiful as ever."
Meredith ducked her head shyly.
"We better head out. Ally's probably looking for you; wanting to open her presents. And you know we can't have her majesty waiting."
Meredith laughed. "Yeah, we better go, or she'll start without us. Just let me get her gift."
"Can I make a suggestion?" Addison asked, nervously.
"Sure,"
"I think, and don't listen to me if you don't want to, but I think you should give Ally her gift private. Something to share just the two of you. I can call her in, give you guys your moment, and then return to the party to open the rest of her gifts. I just think it's should be a memory between the two of you and not everyone else."
"Oh, god," Meredith moaned in mortification. "Why didn't I think of that? You're absolutely right. Can you find her and Ella? I think you two should be with us. You're…you're important to Ally, to me. I would like it if you were to be here with us. And I'm sure Ally would too."
"Okay," Addison whispered. Addison moved closer to Meredith, pulling her into her arms, they embraced tightly. "It's going to be okay. I'll always be here for you." Addison kissed Meredith on the forehead then made her way out the door in search of their daughters.
Two minutes later Addison returned with two flushed and anxious and shaken girls. Ally crawled on the bed along with Ella and Addison. Ella moved onto her mommy's lap, Ally did the same.
"You remember when you asked me at five to let you take guitar lessons, and I told you, you can at the age seven? We'll, you're seven now." Meredith reached behind her, handing Ally the Batman wrapped gift.
Ally took a shaky breath, slowly pulling apart the wrapping paper to reveal the black guitar case. She swallowed thickly, opening the case, her breath gasping when she saw her daddy's 1960 Gibson Les Paul shining in all its glory. This is what she's been waiting for. It was her last connection to her Daddy.
"Your daddy used to play for you when you were in my stomach." Meredith smiled at the memories of a goofy Derek serenading her stomach with classic 60's to 80's songs. "Your favorite was Sweet Child O' Mine."
"Really?" Ally asked, savoring at the information. She looked at the guitar. "What's this?" Ally asked, pointing to a grainy black and white film.
"Oh, that," Meredith laughed. "That's you. My," Meredith furrowed her brows, trying to remember what sonogram that was.
"Your second to the last sonogram photo," Addison added, looking at the film, seeing the signs and date from when the photo was taken.
"Yes! That's it. My second to the last sonogram. That's actually when we found out you were a girl. We tried to get you to show us, but you were camera shy. That's why this one is so special. Before we all thought you were a boy and named you Christopher Christian. After you daddy and your aunt Christina; however, that all changed when you showed us you were a girl."
Everyone laughed, breaking the tension and gloomy atmosphere.
"You started lessons next week with Mr. Walters." Meredith stretched awkwardly and dug into her pocket, pulling out a old Batman pick. "This was your daddy's. His lucky pick. You can use it, or we can buy you some more. Have you own little collection."
Ally grasped the pick, closing her fist tightly around it. "I'm going to drill a hole into it and add it to my necklace with my lucky quarter."
"If that's what you wanna do, baby, then we'll do that. Are you ready to join your party? You still have other gifts to open and cake and ice cream to eat."
"Yes! Come on, Els, we have a party to crash," Ally said. "Can you put this away, mommy, until I need it?"
Meredith nodded, smiling at her daughter, too happy that her daughter wasn't too upset with the gift. Ally and Ella kissed Meredith and Addison on the cheek before they ran out the room, screaming out their excitement.
"That went well," Meredith breathed, scooting closer to Addison, resting her forehead on Addison's shoulder. Addison encircled her arms around Meredith's waist, rubbing Meredith's lower back in circles.
"Mmm…" Meredith said, sleepily. "That feels good.
"Oh, no," Addison said, chuckling. "You are not falling asleep and leaving me with a house full of hyperactive kids, Meredith Grey."
Meredith grumbled lightly. She leaned back and looked deeply into Addison's deep, sapphire eyes. They gazed at each other with such intensity it was as if they could see each others soul. The world around them slowly disappeared, leaving them and only them.
As if caught in some trance, Meredith slowly, cautiously, with trembling hands, gently brushed away Addison's reddish-gold air away from her face. Addison's belly fluttered and she let out a shuddering breath.
"Meredith," Addison scarcely whispered. "Meredith," Addison repeated a little louder, a little firmer. "The girls…they're callings us," Addison lied easily.
Meredith drew back sharply as if burned by the fire. She ran a frustrated hand through her hair, scrambling off the bed.
"I'll - I'll go see what they want," Meredith said looking everywhere that isn't Addison.
"Okay," Addison croaked out, feeling the burning sting of her tears build. "Shit!" Addison said, falling boneless on Meredith's bed, she pressed her fingertips to her eyes, willing her tears to not fall.
A single tear fell.
"…and the next we have is from Cindy," Meredith announced, handing a medium size present to Ally.
"Thank you, Cindy," Ally smiled at a bubbly little girl with a bob hair cut.
Ally tore open her present. She smiled when she found a new Batman action figure and a poster Batman with all his nemesis. So far Ally's been happy with her gifts. It seems that everyone knew what she loved. There was only a few presents she internally cringed at but smiled politely anyways. Those were presents of pink, frilly dresses and skirts or some sort of doll or Barbie.
"Thank you, Cindy," said Ally, giving her present to Addison, who put the present into the growing bundle of presents.
Ten minutes later, Ally was coming to the end of her presents. All she had left were from family and she knew she was going to love each and every one of them. Ally bounced on her butt with excitement when her mommy handed her a present from her Aunt Amelia. It was a long, rectular box that was pretty light.
"Wow," Ally breathed out. Her eyes widen when she saw the crisp, clean and brand new Batman guitar bag. "This is so, so cool. It even has my name stitched on it." Ally held up the case so everyone could admire just as she does.
Ally crawled over to her Auntie Amelia and hugged her. "Thank you, Auntie Amelia."
"You're welcome, Squirt," Amelia replied back.
For the next couple of minutes Ally opened presents from her family. That included more clothes, toys, gift certificates, music sheets, Cd's, DVD's and games. Now all she had left was her mommy and Addison.
"Here, open mine first," Meredith told Ally. "Addison's is in the backyard."
Ally nodded. She tore open her gift and screamed when she found an iPod touch. She already had an iPod but it was outdated and cracked from when she dropped it.
"Thank you, mommy!" Ally enthused. "This is so cool. I can't wait to put music, movies and apps on it."
"Wait, Ally-Cat," Meredith laughed. "There's more."
Ally turned her attention back to the bag. She found a envelope. Confused, she opened it and found a brochure to Disney World. Realization dawned on her as she looked over the brochure.
"We're…We're going to Disney World? The same Disney World in Florida?" Ally asked slowly.
"Yes," Meredith chuckled. "I thought it would be a nice for a summer vacation. We're spending a couple of weeks there. Addison and Ella are coming, too."
Ally and Ella squealed together. They both hopped up and started dancing excitedly. Everyone laughed at the excitement. It took a couple of minutes for Addison and Meredith to calm the excited girls but once they were calm, Meredith directed everyone out to the back, where Meredith swore she had lost her hearing for a moment from the loud screamed the filter out of Ally's mouth.
Ally ran to the puppy that was sitting impatiently in its cage, ready for its own to come rescue it. Ally unlatched the cage and laughed hectically when the puppy jumped on her, licking Ally's red face. Ally picked up the puppy and ran to Addison's, hugging her tightly.
"Thank you, Addison," Ally murmured against Addison's stomach. "I love all my presents from you. What's its name?" Ally asked, her bright eyes looking into Addison's with trust, adoration and love.
"Chance, that's his name. And Ella has Luke, Chance's brother," Addison's answered softly, running her hands down Ally's hair. "They were found in an alleyway. The shelter said their owners must have dropped them off."
Ally's eyes sparkled with emotion. She didn't understand how anyone can be mean to such sweet puppies.
"I'm promise to take care of him and love him and walk him and feed him, and be the best owner for Chance."
"I know you will, Munchie," Addison smiled. The smile grew when she went felt familiar and welcoming arms, wrap around her waist and the scent of bubble gum and strawberries of her other little girl joining her and Ally. They all petted and greeted the little puppy who was soaking up the attention.
To the outside world it looked it was a family in the making.
An hour later everyone was gathered around Meredith's kitchen table, singing happy birthday to Ally. Ally eyes gleamed in the muted, amber light as she took in everyone. Her eyes lingered for a moment on her mommy and Addison. Addison had her arm around her mommy's waist while her mommy lent into Addison.
"Okay, Ally-cat, make a wish and blow out your candles," Meredith told her daughter.
I wish mommy and Addison would fall in love like Lois and Clark, Ally wished quietly in her mind. She took a deep, deep breath before she blew out the candles. Everyone cheered around her but Ally didn't hear them; she was too focused on her wish - a wish she knew would come true.
TBC