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-One
A White Christmas (Part Two)
Christmas Eve Morning
Small, pale hands, grasped the brass door knob, turning it slow so it wouldn't make a sound when it clicked opened. Turning back to her accomplice, she put a tiny finger to her lips, silently telling the other to be quiet.
Light blue eyes, journeyed across the room, taking in the details until they landed on two tangled bodies, legs and arms wrapped around each other, sleeping peacefully on a large bed.
"Come on," Ally said in a soft whisper. "Let's wake your mommy. She's easier to get up, okay."
Ella looked down at the wobbly tray in her hands, and nodded eagerly. She didn't really care who they woke first, all she cared about was putting down this heavy tray that held two cups of coffee and orange juice.
Ally carefully walked to Addison's side of the bed as she balanced her own tray. When she reached Addison's side, she placed the tray, which held two plates of scrambled eggs, toast and small fruit salad of strawberries and bananas, on the night stand. Ella walked over to where Ally placed the tray of food, and placed her own next to it.
"Addison," Ally said. "Wake up."
Addison groaned in her sleep, Morpheus slowly waning from her body. "A'ly, whub you w'nt?" Addison said groggily, her eyes still shut, willing herself to go back to sleep.
"Addison," Ally groaned in annoyance. She could already see Addison going to into back into Dreamland. Huffing, Ally leaned over and with her thumb and index finger, pried Addison's eye opened. "We made breakfast for you and mommy," she said. She removed her fingers, satisfied she had woken Addison up from her slumber.
Addison yawned, sitting up. She let her eyes flittered to the clock on the digital box. Her body sagged with exhaustion when the blaring blue neon numbering shined six fifty-eight, mocked her.
"We made breakfast," Ella said sweetly.
Addison nodded, getting the gist of everything. "Mer," she said a little forcibly. Blindly, she shook Meredith until the blonde attending started to stir. "The girls made us breakfast," she said once she knew the blonde was awake.
Meredith sat up languidly. "They did?" she said, her voice thick with sleep.
"We did!" Ella said a little too loud. "We made you eggs, toast and fruit. Coffee and juice, too," she added with an Ella's patent sweet smile – the kind of smile that you find yourself returning.
"Well…bring it on," Meredith said, grinning. "You know I can't pass up eggs and toast with coffee on the side."
"Wait," Addison said, halting everyone's movements. "Where did you learn to cook eggs?" She asked, cocking an eyebrow. She didn't approve to the girls handling any kitchen appliances without her or Meredith there to watch. She had seen too many accident's to not be worried.
Ella smiled shyly. "Grandma Susan taught us." As Ella spoke Meredith and Addison could hear the pride in her voice. Both knew how much Ella loved to learn to cook and bake. Ella was their little girl, that's for sure. "I know you don't like us to use the oven, but we were really, really careful and we wanted to do something nice for you guys."
"Thank you. We appreciate it. Just don't make using the oven or any appliance without us a habit. You know how I feel about it, okay."
Ally and Ella girl nodded, relieved to not be in trouble with their moms for doing something they did not approve of. It would have really sucked if they got grounded during Christmas time. Addison reached for the tray that held the plates of eggs, toast and fruit. She handed a plate to Meredith. Meredith smiled her thanks, kissing Addison on the cheek. Ally and Ella giggled when they witnessed Meredith affections towards Addison. They were clearly happy their moms were together.
"Thank you, by the way, for fixing us breakfast. Have you guys eaten?" Meredith asked taking the offered cup of coffee from Addison's hand after Addison prepped it for her.
"No," Ally shook her head. Her honey-blonde lock whipping back and forth. "We decided to eat after you guys. We'll have Lucky Charms and toast for breakfast."
Meredith nodded, taking a sip of her coffee, sighing at its warmth and bitter flavor. For the next hour Meredith and Addison ate their breakfast while the girls went into details about what they wanted to do for the day.
"That was really great, guys," Addison praised "Best breakfast I had in a really long time."
"I gonna have to agree on Addie with this. It was delicious." Meredith put their dirty dishes on the tray. "We'll take them down when we go. Why don't you guys have your breakfast, while I and Addie get ready? We'll need to hurry, if we're going to get all you planned done in time. Plus, we want to beat the Christmas Eve shoppers."
Ally and Ella scooted off the bed, scampering out of the room. The second Ella closed the door behind her; Meredith pounced on Addison, meshing their lips together in a passionate, long waited, morning kiss.
Meredith broke the kiss with a pop, grinning down at a stunned Addison. "Good morning, baby," Meredith murmured against Addison's lips.
"Not that I'm complaining, but what was that?" Addison asked a little breathlessly. Her mind was a little dizzy from the passionate, surprising kiss Meredith gave her.
"I had a dream about you last night. It made me kind of happy," Meredith replied, covering her body with Addison's. "Really happy," Meredith's whispered, her eyes eyeing Addison so tenderly.
Addison opened her legs to accommodate Meredith's body, her hands rest on Meredith hips. Though the position looked sexual, there was nothing sexual about it. It was simply an intimate way for them to connect.
Addison nuzzled Meredith's neck, inhaling the scent of lavender, sleep and something that was all Meredith. "Mmm…good things I hope."
"I dreamt about our future. It made me happy. I was the happiest I've ever been in my dream," Meredith whispered softly, a tint of blush covered her cheeks as she recalled what she dreamt.
Addison placed one last kiss to Meredith's neck before she flopped back onto the bed, gazing into Meredith's cobalt eyes. "Tell me about it? Was I happy?"
Meredith laid her head on Addison's shoulder, Addison on reflex started to stroke Meredith's hair. "We were very, very happy," Meredith answered, smiling as she remembered her dream.
"Tell me more."
"Ella and Ally were so, so beautiful. They were at least nine, ten. Ella looked so much like you, and Ally looked more like Derek. She had my color eyes and hair, but all the rest was Derek. We didn't live in my house, or yours, it was a different house. Bigger, in a nice neighborhood and it smelt like home. I remember that." Meredith blew out a shaky breath, scared to tell Addison the next part. "In one scene, I remember coming home from a late night at the hospital, and I walked in on the sweetest sight. You were on the couch asleep, with a baby sleeping on your chest. You both looked so beautiful together. And as you rubbed their back, my sight caught sight of the ring the adorned your finger. I remember being filled with such happiness and love. It was a little overwhelming."
"A baby," Addison breathed; her heart hammering against her ribs. "We were married with a baby."
"Yeah. It was so beautiful, Addison. We were happy, married and had a baby together. Our baby, Addison, a baby that bonded me and you together."
"That does sound beautiful. Kiss me," Addison said softly. She needed to convey how much she loved Meredith. She could have used words, but to her they seemed a little inadequate to voice what she felt.
Meredith dipped her head down, just as she was about to press her lips against Addison's, their bedroom door was thrown open.
"You're not ready, yet!" Ally exclaimed. "We've ate, got ready and watch half an episode of SpongeBob."
Addison and Meredith stared at each other. They were having a silent conversation. They were aware of their current position. Though, they weren't doing anything nor planned to, they could have been and they girls could have walked in on them.
Meredith rolled off of Addison. "Come here. Addison and I need to speak to you about something."
Ally huffed, her impatience showing in the scowl on her face. Ally and Ella took a seat at the foot of the bed, giving their moms their attention.
"You know how Addison and I are together, right?" Ally blew out a frustrated breath, but nodded nonetheless. She just really wanted to get on with the day. "We'll sometimes Addison and I needed to have alone time, and we'll close the door for doing so. When the door is closed, you need to knock and when we answer, you may come in. Do you understand?" Meredith looked between Ally and Ella.
"Okay, fine," Ally huffed. "We'll knock when the door is closed. Can you get ready now? I don't want all the good trees gone."
"Yes," Addison laughed. "Give us twenty, and we'll be out the door."
The girls shouted out the excitement as they ran out of the room, slamming the door on their way out. Meredith and Addison half chuckled/half groaned. They knew they were in for a long ride for the rest of the day.
"Ho-ho…I found it!" Ella exclaimed excitedly, jumping up and down, her tiny index finger extended and pointing at a Fraser Fir tree. "I knew I would find the perfect tree."
Addison appraised the tree her daughter had found, and couldn't help but agree with her daughter's assessment. It truly was the perfect tree for their first Christmas together. It wasn't overly huge, or too small. It had the gorgeous color that Fraser Firs offered; it was full with fresh and pliable needles, a straight base, lush branches and rich in color. In other words, perfect.
A glance at her girlfriend told her Meredith thought the same, and from the overly excited murmurs of treetops, lights and ornaments, the girls thought so too.
"Well, girls, it looks like we all agree. We found the perfect, first tree for us," Meredith said, her eyes trained on the tree ahead. "We should go and find someone to help us. There is no way we're all able to carry and load this tree."
"Okay, I agree," Addison added, "but before we do anything, I want some pictures. I want one of just the girls, then Mer and I and finally all of us. Ally, Ella, strike a pose."
Ally and Ella giggled, doing as Addison told them. In the picture Ally was giving Ella a piggy-back ride with both of them sporting silly grins that made Meredith and Addison chuckle. Next, Addison had the girls snap a photo of her and Meredith together. Addison stood behind Meredith with her arms wrapped around Meredith's waist as Meredith rested her back against Addison's, laying her hands over the ones that rested over the stomach. They looked happy and in love, Meredith had said when she saw the photo, declaring that they needed to print and frame it when they get home. Addison had asked a worker to take their last photo for them with all of them in front of their new tree, smiling.
After dropping off the tree and loading it up in the Christmas stand, they all went back into town for lights, having to have brought their own ornament they didn't need to shop for much. They had let the girls pick out some ornaments they liked. For the lights they had agreed to go the multicolored string lights. The girls had picked out various decorations for the house that ranged from lights to silly, dancing Santa's. By the time they were leaving the store, they girls were cranky and tired, and Meredith and Addison were not far from them.
"Okay, you guys go on up, take a short nap and we'll wake you for dinner," Meredith instructed the girls softly. She didn't want them to take a nap, but it was easier for everyone if they took just a long enough nap to get reenergized but not enough to keep them awake for the night.
Ally and Ella didn't protest as they trudged up the stairs, shoulder's slumped and step languid and heavy.
"They go up for a nap?" Addison questioned once she walked through the door, hands full of bags.
"Yeah," Meredith replied back tiredly. She let out a loud yawn. "Sorry," Meredith said sheepishly.
"Why don't you go on up, and take a nap with the girls," Addison suggested, kissing Meredith chastely on the lips.
"I'm not going to leave you down here to do everything, Addison." Meredith looked into the second favorite blues eyes, right after Ally's, and saw just how tired and exhausted Addison was also. "How about me and you snuggle up on the couch, take a short nap, wake up and order some Chinese for dinner. I honestly don't feel like cooking if I'm going to be doing all the cooking tomorrow."
Addison looked into Meredith's hopeful eyes. She knew right then and there she would ever be able to say no with those eyes gazing back at her. "Okay," Addison breathed, suddenly loving the idea of cuddling with Meredith and falling asleep in Meredith's arms for a few hours. "Let me put everything away then I meet you on the couch."
Meredith kissed Addison on the cheek. "See you in a five," Meredith said over her shoulder as she walked out of the kitchen and into the living room.
It didn't take long for Addison to join Meredith on the couch, eyes drooping and breath slow and soft and a soft throw blanket over her. Addison crawled behind Meredith, her back pressed against the back of the couch, legs tangled into Meredith's own and her left arm thrown lazily over Meredith's stomach and right wrapped around Meredith's shoulder, letting Meredith use her arm as a pillow. She knows when she'll awake, her arm would be sore and asleep, but it's worth it to feel Meredith wrapped in her arms.
Meredith let of a sigh, relaxing into Addison's warmth and comfort. It didn't take them long for them to fall asleep in the comfort of each other's arms.
Later, Meredith woke up to soft murmurs, giggles and paper wrestling. Slowly fluttering her eyes opened, Meredith tired; heavy eyes found all three of her favorite girls huddled in front of the tree, going through what they had bought earlier that day.
"Hey, you're up," Addison chimed when she had noticed Meredith was awake and watching them. "I was just going to wake you when the food came."
Meredith sat up, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. "How long was I asleep? And when did the two rugrats wake up?"
"You've only been sleep for about an hour and a half, and the girls woke up about ten minutes ago. The food should be arriving any minute."
Addison crawled over to where Meredith was. A sleepy and frazzled Meredith was just too damn cute. Kneeling between Meredith's legs, Addison kissed Meredith soundly on the lips. "Love you."
Meredith's lips slow stretch into a small smile. "Love you, too. I'm going to get cleaned up before the food arrives."
"Mm…give me a kiss first, Doctor Grey," Addison flirted, murmuring against Meredith's lips.
Meredith shivered when she felt hot breath ghost over her lips. Meredith gave briefly glance over to the girls, seeing that they were preoccupied and playing on their Nintendo DS, she replied.
"You know I can never resist you," she grinned against Addison's mouth as Addison tugged Meredith's lip with her teeth and nibbled on the pillow-like flesh. Meredith let out a low groan into Addison mouth and cupped Addison's head with her hands, bringing Addison closer to her as Addison nibbled, sucked and gently teased her bottom lips with her slick, smooth tongue.
"Mmm," Addison moaned, slipping her tongue into Meredith's mouth and rasping it against the roof of Meredith's mouth.
Meredith parted her lips, trapping Addison's tongue into her mouth. She sucked on Addison's tongue, relishing in the whimpering whine Addison gave. Feeling the kiss becoming more intense, Meredith gently, regretfully pulled apart. Seeing the frown on Addison's face, she chastely kissed Addison again.
"The girls," Meredith explained standing and helping Addison up.
Addison shot a look at Ally and Ella. They were engrossed in their game. Just as she was about to lean in for another kiss, the doorbell rang.
"Get cleaned up and I'll meet you in the kitchen," Addison said with a slight edge to her voice.
"I'll make it up to you tonight, love," Meredith murmured against Addison's pout.
"Goodnight, girls," Addison called out, closing the door slightly behind her. The girls for the night decided to sleep together so they can wake up in the morning together.
Addison sighed as she shut the door behind hers and Meredith's room. After dinner, they had made hot chocolate and got to work on decorating the tree. It took a good two hours before they finished. By the end, Meredith and Addison were once again tired. The girls had piled at least three ornaments on each branch, and the tree was covered with so much lights, Addison was fearful if kept on for too long, it might catch on fire.
Addison walked into the room, finding Meredith on the floor of their walk-in closet, wrapping paper, tape and the girl's gifts circled her.
She sighed at the piles of gifts. It was going to be a long night, but so, so worth it in the morning when she sees the girls faces at their gifts.
TBC
A/N: Yes, you are not dreaming. I finally updated. It's been awhile, but like I said I always start what I finish. This story will be finished. Sorry for the long wait, stuff came up and it needed to be handled and I've been in the land of Faberry for a while. I mean, can you blame me. Dianna Argon is fucking hot. Anyways, I promise not to let the wait get the bad again. We actually have about five or six more chapters till the end.
R&R