Author: PeppermintPatty09
Title: What Makes a Family
Rating: T borderline M for naughty talks.
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.
Chapter Twenty
A White Christmas (Part One)
"How long are we staying here?" Ally asks from the back seat of their SUV rental, playing on her 3DS.
They had just left KASE, Aspens' airport, after a three hour flight from Sea-Tac airport to KASE, and were on their way to the cabin they would be staying at for two weeks. The girls were so giddy and hyped up; they were unable to sleep much the night before. They had their whole vacation planned out. Everything from skiing to snowboarding to local sites and holiday festivals that were hosted there was planned out.
Meredith looks up from her iPad, bookmarking her page from the book she had downloaded from her iBooks app. "We'll be visiting until the fifth. That's close to two whole weeks. Don't worry – we'll have enough time to do all your activities that you've planned."
"What's the first thing on itinerary, girls?" Addison asked, pressing down on the break to come to a stop.
She smiled when twin, excited voices crossed each other out. She hasn't stopped smiling since they told the girls about them, she mused to herself. Everything was finally falling into place for her. She had wanted to always dreamt about when she was younger – a family. A family full of laughter, happiness and love. Turning back into the conversation, Addison caught a brief gist of what the girls were chatting about. Apparently Ella wanted to find somewhere to ice skate, and Ally wanted to ride on some snowmobiles and learn how to snowboard. They were so different in personalities and likes, but they clicked and loved and protected each other liked true sisters.
Her thoughts were broken when she felt a cool handed touch hers. She turned and looked at Meredith. Meredith was giving her a puzzle look. Seeing that the road was clear, she leaned over quickly and kissed Meredith on the lips in a chaste kiss. Her heart fluttered when Meredith's eyes shined and a blinding smile broke out. They had decided that they wouldn't hide their affection from the girls; they would have to get used to it. They haven't had any problems so far. Not even when they visited Meredith parents' house for a small dinner and gift exchange. Meredith had snuggled up to her on the couch as they watched the girls tear into the presents, she had kissed Meredith in thanks when she handed her a glass of eggnog and kept a firm hand on Meredith's thigh as they ate what Susan prepared.
"I'm hungry," whined Ally. "Can we get some food?"
"Is anyone else hungry?" Meredith asked. She, herself, was hungry. They haven't had a solid meal since breakfast. That was seven Seattle time. It was now one Aspen time.
"I think we all are," Addison answered. "How about we find some places to eat, and when we're finished find some place to shop for food and supplies we need. Might as well get it over with since we're out," she added.
Addison tried to think of a place to eat nearby. She decided on Boogie's Diner. They had some great burgers on their menu that was perfect for a lunchtime meal.
Turning on Cooper Ave, she drove the rest of the way to Boogie's Diner. It didn't take long for her to find a parking spot.
It wasn't long before they were seated and placing their order for drinks as they looked over the menu.
"It so nice here," Meredith commented. "The people are so nice, relaxed and the air smells fresh, clean and crisp. It's so different from Seattle."
"We should make it a tradition to come every winter," Addison said. She placed her menu on the table, already knowing what she wanted.
The girls cheered at the prospect of coming back for the next years. Meredith, however, was beaming. Addison words made her swoon. Addison planned on them being together in the distant future. She had the same thoughts that centered on family vacations, birthday parties, anniversaries, vows and the pitter-patter of tiny feet. They were in it for the long haul, she knew.
The waitress came back and took their orders. While they waited for their food, they talked about what they had planned for the day. The first day back was mainly settling in at the cabin they were staying in.
Addison took a bite of her opened faced turkey sandwich, moaning when it does the trick. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. Meredith is sitting next to her taking a bite of her tuna steak sandwich. Throughout their lunch they talk about what they need from the market, making lists.
After paying for their lunch, they made their way to the car. It wasn't long before they found a market close to where they were staying. They gathered food and supplies to their stay, paid and made their way to the cabin they were staying.
Ally and Ella squealed when Addison parked the car when they arrived at their home for the next two weeks.
"Wow," Meredith breathed as she gazed at the house and view that surrounded it. "I thought you said cabin. This is not a cabin, it's a mansion."
"It's cabin style," Addison shrugged.
Gathering some bags in their arms, they made their way to the front door. The house was already warm from the caretaker of the house coming in and getting the place ready for its guest. They all gasped when they entered the great room. Huge ceiling to floor windows covered one wall of the room that over looked a rare unobstructed view of Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain and Maroon Creek Valley, there was a great stone fireplace that was centered in the middle of the left wall. The stone that made up the stone fireplace made up the wall and had the entry opening to the gourmet kitchen. The ceiling had high, exposed wooden beams that ran crossways. The room was decorated in the warm tones of brown, and Meredith immediately felt at home and at ease in the room.
Addison then showed them the gourmet kitchen with its dark granite counters, cherry wood floors and cabinets, and stainless steel appliances. Moving on from the kitchen, the girls were showed their bedrooms and bathroom, and left to unpack. Addison and Meredith then made their way to their own room, working together to unpack and planned dinner for the night.
Meredith walked into the kitchen to find Addison marinating salmon and chicken for dinner. They had all decided on having a light dinner of chicken and salmon on a bed of wild rice and garlic, lemon asparagus and French green beans.
"Are you almost done?" Meredith asked Addison, sliding her arms around Addison's waist. "The girls are done putting away their things, and were wondering if we all could go outside and play in the snow. I'm surprised they held out for this long," Meredith chuckled.
"Almost," Addison replied, sealing of the large freezer bag. "Just need to put this in the fridge."
Meredith kissed the back of Addison's neck. "Good," Meredith commented. "I'll tell the girls to get on their snow suits, hat and gloves. Meet you outside."
"Let's make snow angels," said Ella already lying down on the cold, white snow. "Mommy, you come to my right. And Ally, you come to my left then Meredith."
Everyone went into positions; legs and arms spread out. They knew not to defy little Ella. They all pretty much feel for those baby blue eyes and puppy look.
"Okay, on the count of three, we start," Ella told the group. "One…Two…Three. Go!"
Meredith, Addison, Ella and Ally all started to move their arms up and down and their legs side to side.
"Okay…Stop!" Ella shouted. "Now, let's stand. But be careful." Again, everyone whipped, did as told. "See, we're a family," Ella pointed out at the four angel figures that looked like they were holding hands. "That's what we are, right?"
"Yes, little butterfly, we are," smiled Meredith.
"I'm cold," announced Ally. "I can't feel my ears."
"You can't feel your ears, period," laughed Addison.
"Oh." Ally smiled sheepishly. "I'm still cold, though. Let's go in, drink hot chocolate and have a Home Alone marathon."
"No, let's have a Harry Potter marathon. They have more movies."
"No! I hate Ron. He's a bloody prat! He ran away like a baby," Ally argued.
Ella went to open her mouth only to find a hand clamping it shut.
"Okay, let's cool it," Meredith said firmly although inside she was smiling. It reminded her of her fights with her sisters. "Since it was Ally's idea, we'll watch Home Alone first. When we're done watching the movies, we can watch all the Harry Potters. Deal? And Ally don't say prat and bloody again, okay?"
Both girls nodded.
"Perfect. Let's go in, and make that hot chocolate."
"Hey, you wanna go play Just Dance on our Kinect until the mommies are done making the hot chocolate?" Ally asked Ella, reaching for Ella's hand to help her stumbling best friend/sister in the snow.
"Sure!" They heard Ella's enthusiastic voice from the distance.
Addison held out her hand. "Come on, mommy; let's go fix our girls some hot chocolate. We can let them play while we, or rather I, fix dinner for those minions."
"They went out like a light," Meredith sighed tiredly, taking off her shirt, leaving her in only a black cotton bra and underwear. "I'm surprised they stayed awake this long." She glanced at the clock with its glaring 11:37 neon time.
Addison was sitting on the edge of the bed, unlacing her shoes and pulling off her socks. "Yeah, hopefully they'll sleep in. I sure could use the extra hours."
"You and me; both," Meredith yawned. She walked over to the dresser, pulled out her heather gray yoga pants and thermal long-sleeve shirt and Addison's nightgown. "We have to get a tree tomorrow, decorations, wrapping paper, lig-" Meredith ramble was caught off when she felt a pair of lips kiss across her shoulder, lingering Ally's name etched inside Batman's calling signal tattooed on her right shoulder.
"Calm down," Addison instructed softly. "You'll never get any sleep with your mind running off like that. After breakfast will go in town and get whatever we need, okay."
Addison hooked her thumbs inside Meredith's pants, pulling them down. Meredith methodically stepped out of them, kicking them to the corner of the room. Once Meredith's pants were off, Addison directed her to their bed. Lovingly, she slipped on Meredith pants. She reached behind Meredith, unclipped her bra then slipped Meredith shirt on. There was no denying it; Addison was the caretaker in the family and Meredith was the protector and disciplinarian.
Addison pulled back the covers of the white down comforter. "Get in, I'll be back soon." Addison kissed Meredith's forehead, noticing that ever time Meredith blinked her eyes would stay shut a little bit longer. "Relax, baby."
Addison snatched her gown of the bed. She walked over to her side of the bed, undressed her clothes from the day and dressed in her satin gown. When she was finished she walked over to the fireplace, making sure the fire was lite and tame then made her way to the bed where Meredith was already sleeping. Addison wrapped her arm around Meredith, spooning her from behind. It was long, after her head hit the pillow, that Addison followed Meredith into REM when she dreamt of little blonde babies with honey-blonde hair and grey-blue eyes.
TBC