It's almost six in the afternoon when Derek rings the bell at the Bronwstone the next day, Addison opens the door for him and he walks in smiling, carrying a huge gift box.

As soon as he walks through the door he asks excitedly:

"Where's Chris?"

"Good night, Doctor Shepherd. Chris is in the high chair, just had dinner."

Addison speaks in na amused tone and Derek blushes a little:

"Sorry, I brought him a first gift and I'm excited."

Addison nods smiling and goes to the kitchen to get her son.

Minutes later, Addison returns with a smiling Chris, who speaks as soon as he sees his father:

"Deek!

Derek smiles brightly and then takes the little boy from his mother's lap lifting him in his arms, bringing a hearty laugh.

Derek then places his son on the rug and sets the box down in front of him, revealing a huge stuffed panda. Chris' blue eyes sparkle and he claps his hands before approaching the bear and hugging him. Derek smiles again and asks proudly:

"Did you like it Chris? Is it cooler than what Uncle Archer gave you?"

"Derek!"

Addison scolds with a frown and Derek just shrugs. At that moment a voice echoes from the kitchen:

"Addie. Dinner is ready."

Derek frowns at Pete's voice and asks turning to his ex-wife:

"Do I get in the way?"

"No. I already imagined you would come today, I was surprised that it took so long."

"Kathleen took a moment to get out of Mom's house and then I had to help with all the thousand things she and Dylan needed to do and I still went shopping. I just came over now, but I didn't want to get in the way."

"You're not getting in the way. Came to see your son. Pete and I have dinner together most nights."

Addison speaks naturally and Derek can't help but feel a shiver down his spine, at that moment Pete appears in the room with a dish towel on his shoulder, he smiles at Derek and asks in a light tone:

"Good night, Derek. Will you have dinner with us?"

The question takes Derek completely by surprise and he doesn't know how to answer, he wasn't expecting so much assurance from Addison's boyfriend. It is she who says:

"Dinner, Derek. This way you spend more time with Chris."

Addison talks looking at her son who is still ecstatic about the teddy bear.

Derek nods also looking at his son and takes him in his arms, the boy resists not wanting to part with the present, but Addison convinces him with little difficulty.

**

Dinner starts awkwardly, Derek feels totally awkward being the guest at the Bronwstone dining table, having a man cooking in the kitchen that only he uses. It makes him wonder how long he hadn't cooked there before he left and once again a pang of guilt washes over him. He soon pushes the sensation away and asks turning to Addison:

"What time can I come tomorrow?"

"I'm not sure. I'm going to spend the day with Savvy and Weiss for the kids to play together."

"Children?"

"Yes, they adopted two children two months before Chris was born."

"Wow! It was a quick adoption."

Derek is impressed by remembering that Savvy was operated on just a few months before Chris conceived. Addison nods and explains:

"They adopted two brothers. One was five years old and the other one, the judges value those gestures."

Derek nods with a smile and asks:

"They are well?"

"Fine. They're going to Georgia in two days to visit her dad.

Derek nods smiling again and asks:

"I can go with you?"

"You want to go?"

Addison asks raising her eyebrows and Derek explains:

"It will be nice to see you two again and enjoy the whole day with our son."

Addison nods and speaks timidly:

"Be here at 9."

"OK."

Derek speaks with a soft smile and for a moment it's like they've gone back in time, but then Addison snaps him back to reality when she asks Pete:

"Are you sure you can't go?"

"Unfortunately. You know that if you cancel that appointment, the patient freaks out."

Addison nods and annoys Derek at the way they seem connected. He then asks out of nowhere:

"Are you a father, Peter?"

"No."

"Never thought to be?"

"Derek!"

Addison scolds, but Pete nods it's okay and explains:

"We did, but I ended up being a widower too soon."

"How did it happen?"

"Pete, you don't have to answer."

"It's okay, Addison. She had na aneurysm, died in her sleep."

"Didn't that version arouse suspicion?"

Derek asks in a relaxed tone and Addison slams his hand on the table:

"Derek Shepherd!"

Derek lowers his eyes towards the son who starts laughing at his mother's act, he shakes and kisses the top of the boy's head and asks a little embarrassed:

"I'm sorry, it was a stupid prank."

"VERY!"

Addison states still annoyed and Derek lowers his eyes even further, but Pete intervenes:

"Fine. I'm not offended."

*

The rest of dinner goes by pretty much in silence and once it's over, Derek leaves the table with a sleepy Chris in his arms, he sits on the couch with his son and Addison follows.

As soon as they are in the room, the redhead asks clearly annoyed:

"What was that?"

"A joke."

"No it wasn't. Look Derek, I understand this must be hard for you, you have a son you just met. Archer and Pete are part of his life and it bothers you."

"Addie..."

"Don't deny it! I'm really glad you're meeting Chris and forming a bond with him, but that doesn't mean you're going to erase people from his life. Archer was on my side from the beginning, he was the one who stayed with me. Our son in the ICU when nobody knew if I was going to survive. As for Pete, he's important, we've only been together for a short time, but I took this step of assuming a relationship, of bringing him into Chris' life because I believe in the relationship ."

"I know... I'm really sorry. I can apologize again to Peter."

Derek speaks clearly embarrassed and Addison takes a deep breath as she softens her tone:

"No need. Just behave from now on."

"Okay... Will I still be able to go with you tomorrow?"

"Go. Now let me put Chris to bed, it's past his bedtime."

Derek nods and kisses his son's forehead before handing him over to Addison, but then asks fearfully:

"I can go with you?"

Addison smiles slightly and nods, then they both walk silently upstairs to her son's room. Derek feels a shiver go through his body, it's the first time he's been there since that night, the first time he's been up the stairs since he snatched his wife off her feet and threw her in the rain. When he arrives at the door of Chris' room, he takes a deep breath trying to get the thought away and enters feeling calmer in the environment.

The room is elegantly and understated in shades of blue and white with shelves full of teddy bears and clearly expensive children's books.

Addison notices her ex-husband's smile and asks as she puts Chris already asleep on the changing table:

"He liked?"

"It's just like I imagined."

They smile at each other and Derek asks surprising her:

"I can?"

"He is sure?"

"It is clear!"

Derek speaks slightly offended and Addison laughs before handing him the diaper and other items and walking away from the changing table. Lack of practice makes Derek fumble a bit and Chris wakes up mumbling, but he starts talking to the boy in na amused voice that makes him calm down and laugh. After a few minutes he finally puts his son in his pajamas and lifts him into his arms, Chris snuggles into his shoulder, but smiles at Addison calling her:

"Mama!"

"Hey my Love!"

Addison talks approaching and smiling, for a few moments the three are together and Derek puts a hand on his ex-wife's waist while she plays with her son. As soon as Addison realizes what is happening and walks away, Derek makes the same move and approaches the crib, placing Chris gently on top of it and handing him a stuffed giraffe. Chris snuggles into the toy totally exhausted and Derek covers him, both caressing their son's red curls, who goes back to sleep easily.

Derek smiles at Addison and they just watch the boy snoring peacefully. Suddenly Derek whispers:

"Thanks."

"Whereby?" Addison asks confused and Derek smiles with teary eyes:

"By him."

Addison nods and Derek pulls her into her arms, it's a soft but comforting hug that wordlessly says things that needed to be said between them. When Derek starts sniffing her hair, Addison pulls away and asks:

"You better go, Derek."

"Clear." He says averting his eyes and continues- "You can stay there with him, I'll go out alone."

"OK, see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow, Addie."

Derek speaks with a soft smile before walking away and leaving the room. Addison runs her hands through her hair and leans over her son's crib with a deep sigh.

*

The next morning, Derek rings the bell promptly at 9 am and smiles to see Addison opening the door still in her pajamas with Chris already ready on her lap. She lets him in and puts the boy in her arms as she states:

"Don't you dare laugh or comment that I'm late!"

Derek laughs and gets na irritated look, he hides his smile and asks:

"What happened?"

"He made a mess for breakfast, another for showers and here we are."

Derek laughs and lifts his son up as he asks in a childish voice:

"Did you fuck with Mommy?"

Chris laughs and raises her arms excitedly, Addison smiles at the scene before heading upstairs to get dressed.

*

Half na hour later Addison comes back into the living room and smiles at the scene in front of her, Chris and Derek are lying on the rug laughing out loud with each other. As soon as he sees his mother, Chris smiles and lets out a "mama" before getting up and walking over to her. Addison bends down to level with her son and asks softly:

"Shall we go to Aunt Savvy's?"

"Deek."

Chris talks while pointing to his father and Addison smiles as he explains:

"Derek is going with us."

Chris also smiles and Derek approaches asking:

"Let's go now?"

"Uhm."

Addison nods before reaching out to his son who surprisingly offers the other to his father, so the three of them leave the house hand in hand.

*

The drive to Savvy and Weiss' house is permeated with conversations about the couple, with Addison updating Derek on the children's adoption and everything that followed. He is happy for his friends that things have worked out between them after the crisis with Savvy's operation.

It's Addison who rings the doorbell, while Derek holds his son in his lap, then the door opens and Savvy appears smiling, but a quick glance makes her smile fade as she frowns asking:

"Derek? Derek Shepherd? Did I open any doors to na alternate reality?"

Addison can't help but laugh, while Derek feels uncomfortable, he can't imagine what Addison said about his time in Seattle, but it couldn't have been good things. Much to Derek's relief, Addison takes the lead, explaining:

"It's a long story, Savvy. But now Derek knows Chris and he's going to be a part of his life."

Savvy nods and then smiles again turning to the boy in Derek's arms:

"Come with Aunt Savvy, Chris and let's wake up that lazy little friend of yours!"

She holds out her arms and the boy smiles pushing himself forward, Derek hands his son over to the blonde who gives him a dirty look, before smiling again and inviting them inside.

Addison and Derek follow her into the house and the redhead asks:

"Where's Weiss?"

"Went to the tennis club with Luke, they're already there."

Addison nods and the blonde says:

"I'm taking Chris to wake up Jay."

Addison nods again and savvy goes upstairs with the boy. Addison and Derek sit on the couch and he says:

"So Savvy hates me now?"

"Derek..."

"Alright I deserve it."

Derek dismisses it and looks away, Addison prepares to say something, but the door opens and Weiss enters with na excited little boy who soon runs up to her:

"Aunt Addie!"

Addison smiles and hugs the boy who speaks in the same excited tone:

"I loved the Christmas present!"

"Glad you like!"

When Addison turns her attention to Derek he and Weiss are already talking like old times and she breathes a sigh of relief that at least his friend doesn't treat Derek badly.

Soon Savvy comes downstairs carrying the youngest son and Chris in her arms, Addison quickly picks up the boy and the two go with the three children to the playroom.

*

Soon lunch is served and with everyone seated at the table, Savvy asks:

"So Derek, what was it like knowing you have a kid?"

"The best and most surprising news I could get."

"I'm glad Chris fits into his new life."

Savvy speaks with a sly tone and Weiss exchanges a look with Addison before trying to cover it up:

"What Savannah means is that we're so happy that you and Chris are together now."

Derek nods awkwardly and Addison immediately finds a new subject to lighten the mood.

*

After lunch and with the three kids asleep, Derek and Weiss sit at the bar with their beers as they watch Addison and Savvy chatting excitedly about a home decor magazine.

Suddenly Weiss asks:

"It looks like nothing has changed, eh?"

"But it has changed a lot!"

Derek says dejectedly, not taking his eyes off his ex-wife. Weiss, brings the bench even closer to his friend and asks:

"You're not okay with all this, are you?"

Derek nods silently and lets out a deep breath before asking:

"How was it, Weiss? Addison told me, but you know her, it was just once and without much detail."

It's Weiss' turn to sigh, he looks at Derek and explains:

"It was bad, very bad. The whole pregnancy was difficult, but when Archer took her to the hospital and they said the baby needed to be born and that even with the delivery they couldn't guarantee her life, it was a nightmare. Coma and even after birth, the kidneys took a long time to react, there were fifteen days of uncertainty."

"She was in a coma for fifteen days?!"

Derek asks in horror, tears welling up in his eyes as he struggles to keep his tone down. Weiss nods and he asks again:

"And why didn't anyone warn me?!"

"I wanted to warn you, me, Liz and Kathleen, but Archer, Amelia, Savvy and Nancy didn't. Eventually your mother endorsed them and we lost the battle."

Derek nods and is silent for a few seconds before confessing:

"I feel very guilty that I haven't been with both of them."

"You had no way of knowing."

"But if I had acted differently, she wouldn't have hidden the pregnancy."

Derek still speaks with his head down. At that moment Addison and Savvy get up smiling from the sofa, the blonde tells her husband that they are going to the garden and then the two leave arm in arm.

Derek smiles at the scene and Weiss takes a long swig of his drink before asking:

"You regret?"

The question takes Derek completely by surprise and he stares at his friend in silence for a few moments before confessing:

"Half of me regretted it before I even knew about Chris."

Weiss nods more surprised by his friend's honesty than by his words and asks again:

"So you don't love the intern?"

"Love it. It's confusing to explain. I never understood why I walked away from Addie here in New York, then went to Seattle and was mad at her and fell in love with Meredith. She was like a breath of fresh air, but then Addie came along and I fell in love with her." I felt obliged to give the marriage a new chance, but I never really did, on the contrary, I hurt and trampled on her at every possible moment."

Derek pauses for a moment contemplating his own words, then continues:

"It's just that after she left I realized I missed her. From the habit of talking nonstop, the way she gestures when she talks, the laugh... But I convinced myself that it was normal for so many years together and I kept going. Forward with Meredith. But today I miss it so much, our conversations about affairs and mature friends and family. Weekends at my mom's or sisters' house, her bond with the girls, especially Amy."

Derek then stops talking and a sad smile graces his lips as he realizes that all this is not over, he is the one who is no longer a part of it. After more silence he confesses:

"We kissed."

"What?"

"Addie and I kissed at Christmas. It was a thoughtless kiss, but it happened."

At that moment Weiss drops his drink on the bar and turns fully to Derek, a hard expression on his face:

"You're one of my best friends. I adore you and I understand things aren't easy, but I'm not going to let Addison get hurt again."

"Weiss..."

"She was really sad when she came back here, Derek. The only thing that made her smile again was the pregnancy and then things went awry again. She's getting her life back together with Pete and I don't think it's fair that the guy dropped everything for Seattle and na intern he met at a bar comes in and messes it up."

Weiss' outburst takes Derek completely by surprise and he stares at his friend in disbelief. Weiss takes a deep breath and runs his hands through his hair before speaking in a softened tone:

"Don't get me wrong Derek. I don't want to be na idiot here, or meddle in your lives, I just think someone your age should already have the least amount of emotional maturity. It's unacceptable that you come here, kiss her. And stand there saying sorry after all."

"She told you all about Seattle didn't she?"

"She told you about Christmas, but I'm sure it was a lot worse, she even softened it up for you. But it's not just what she told, it's her attitudes and everything that came before Seattle. You hurt Addison for a long time. "

"I regret."

Derek speaks lowering his eyes, after a few seconds he turns to face Weiss:

"The kiss won't be repeated, it was a momentary lapse in judgment, she's with Peter, I'm with Meredith and that's it."

Weiss nods satisfied with the words of the friend who then asks:

"Is Peter really a nice guy?"

"Derek..."

"What? This guy lives with my son. Is it a crime to want to know more about him?"

The argument makes sense and Weiss gives a nod before speaking:

"He is. We don't hang out often, but every time we've been in the same place, I can tell how much he likes Addison and how much he cares about her and her and Chris."

Derek nods, he takes a last sip of his drink and looks at the pool table asking:

"Do I still spank you?"

"I doubt it, woodcutter fisherman!"

Derek laughs out loud knowing this was a kindness from Addison and then the two of them walk away from the bar towards the table. Weiss knows that Derek is running away from the difficult conversation and decides to let it go, starting to whip up his taco while telling some funny office story.

*

"You know you don't have to be so hard on Derek, right?"

Addison asks out of nowhere and Savvy crosses her arms defensively as she states:

"I'm being very polite. If it weren't for you and Chris, Derek wouldn't even be in here!'

"Savannah!"

"What? You make me hate the guy and now you want the hate to go away like that?"

"I didn't make you hate anyone, I told you what happened between us, but I said you didn't have to take sides."

"You're my best friend and he hurt you, I took sides with pride!"

Savvy states with a soft smile, which Addison reciprocates. After a few seconds of hesitation, Addison confesses:

"We kissed the day he met Chris."

"I can't believe you let him kiss you!"

Savvy screams, hitting Addison's arm, the redhead ends up laughing at her friend's outrageous reaction, but soon gets serious and explains:

"We kissed each other. It was a moment of weakness..."

"Oh for Addie!"

"I'm serious. I had just told him about what happened to me and Chris, he started blaming himself, I got moved and before I knew it I was kissing him."

"And what happened?"

"Fortunately, Nancy returned to Bronwstone at this very moment."

Addison ends up laughing remembering the scene and Savvy also smiles trying to imagine, but then it's his turn to get serious:

"Addie, there was a time when you and Derek were the most amazing couple in the world! We all wanted to be AddisonandDerek, but he hurt you, he was cruel and distant and disinterested. And I know I don't need to tell you all that, because you suffered, but I don't want to see that happen again."

Addison feels the tears welling up in her eyes, she nods, biting her cheek to keep them from falling and then says:

"I know all that, Savvy. It was a silly moment amidst a whirlwind of emotions, but I'm fine with Pete and I know Derek is happy with Meredith. From now on, all I want is to get back together." Our friendship and doing the right things for Chris. Our son deserves his parents to be adults and be nice to each other."

"And your feelings for him?"

"Derek is the love of my life, but I kept him in a box and he won't get out of it. I can't let him out."

Addison states with all the conviction she can muster and Savvy nods. After a moment of silence, Addison takes her friend's hands and sincerely asks:

"Derek was na idiot to me, but he's also na amazing guy when he wants to be."

"Addie..."

"Savvy, he's your friend too. He's been your friend for over fifteen years, he's been by your side in many important moments, including the OR of your surgery. You know he doesn't deserve to be treated like that."

Savvy lets out a long breath, but nods knowing the redhead is right.

After a few more minutes of talking, the two link arms again and go back inside the house.

When Addison and Savvy enter the playroom, Weiss and Derek are carrying three awake and excited boys into the room. Soon Weiss kneels on the floor, putting Jay and Chris on his back and mimicking na animal. Luke sits next to him and Addison kneels beside the boy to see his new strollers.

Derek watches the scene idly as Savvy leans her head on his shoulder and starts to speak:

"I'm sorry I treated you badly."

"It's okay, you have your reasons."

"Many."

They laugh together, but Savvy soon states:

"I'm glad you're a part of your son's life. You're going to be na amazing father, I'm sure."

"Thanks, Savvy."

Derek talks a little emotional before kissing the top of his friend's head.

Soon the two join the rest of the group on the floor and the afternoon unfolds full of laughter.

*

As Addison starts driving, Derek smiles at her, he pats her shoulder and thanks:

"Thanks for asking Savvy to be nice to me."

"I just needed to remind her what na amazing guy you are."

Addison speaks nonchalantly and Derek smiles asking somewhat teasingly:

"Do you think I'm amazing?"

"That's not what I said!"

Addison jokes back and Derek laughs out loud but soon gets serious again as he asks:

"How can you be like this to me after all, Addie?"

"Because I chose to forgive you and forgive myself too. I was wrong, you were wrong, but now we have Christopher and he is so much bigger and more important than these things."

"You're amazing, Addison."

Derek states with a sweet smile and squeezes her shoulder again. After a moment of silence he spoke again:

"It was nice to be with Savvy and Weiss. It was a really nice day."

"Yes it was."

"And the children are beautiful."

Addison nods, smiling broadly. Derek looks back to where Chris is sleeping in the car seat, hugging his stuffed giraffe, his hair shining in the sun. Derek smiles and turns back to the front, listening to Addison's hum behind the wheel.

When Addison pulls up to the car in front of Kathleen's building, Derek lets out a heavy sigh. She smiles at him who kisses her cheek, takes one more look at his son and gets out of the vehicle, leaning against the door he says to his ex-wife:

"I loved spending this day with you."

"So do we. Have a good night, Derek."

"You too, Addie."

Derek smiles and closes the door, Addison then nods and continues with the vehicle, Derek stands for some time in front of the building, his hands in his pockets and his thoughts far away.

For a few minutes in the car, he could pretend they were just na ordinary family on na ordinary day. For a few minutes he can be the Derek he always wanted to be.

*

I know this chapter didn't make the story go very far, but I felt the need to write this.

I wanted to bring Savvy and Weiss, because like every Addek shipper, I love them.

Your comments make me happy.