I apologize for the delay. Academic life has been very busy.
I want to thank you for all your comments on the last chapter, they made me really happy and really motivated to even write another Addek story in the future.
Once again I apologize for my mistakes and reinforce that I don't own anything.
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It's been exactly five weeks since Derek returned to New York for good and he's still adjusting to his new life.
His first step was to buy na apartment near Central Park so he could be close to Chris. He soon landed a position at New York Presbyterian, deciding that returning to Mount Sinai and working with Addison, Mark and Pete would not be a smart idea.
Gradually life is falling into place, he has returned to his programs with Weiss, to attend the old club and has re-established ties with old friends. Derek is also closer to his family, as close as he had been in years before Seattle. He has lunch with his mother on the weekends, goes to games with his brothers-in-law when he can, has dinner at his sisters' house and takes Chris to spend time with his cousins. Everything could be perfect if it wasn't for Addison.
Deep down Derek knew that just going back to New York wouldn't be enough to get her back, but a part of her was disappointed by the redhead's reaction.
Flashback
Her kiss is deep and passionate making Addison melt in her ex-husband's arms for a few moments. But soon she comes to her senses and pushes him away from him while she asks frustrated:
"What does that mean, Derek?"
"It means I love you and I want another chance for us."
Derek speaks in a soft tone, taken aback by her reaction. Addison shakes her head and asks:
"What about Meredith?"
"She's in Seattle. I broke up with her a month ago. I quit the hospital and I'm here for you and our son."
Addison swallows, still not believing what is happening. She has a nervous smile as she asks again:
"And you think that's how it is?! It ends with Meredith crossing the country and we magically get together?!"
"Addie..."
"No. You don't have that right, not after all."
She speaks angrily and Derek tries to approach but is rebuffed. Exasperated he says:
"I love you, Addison. I've spent the last few years fighting this, but I'm tired of it. I changed my life again to have you with me."
"Then go back. Go back to Seattle and your twelve-year-old girl, because our story is over."
Addison says raising her voice. Derek prepares to respond, but just then Chris' nanny walks in with wide eyes and na embarrassed expression. Seeing employee Addison immediately picks up the bag, she addresses the younger woman stating:
"I think Derek will want to spend some time with Chris. Help him with whatever he needs, please."
The other woman nods and Addison just walks past Derek, walking out of the house without giving her ex-husband another look.
Derek couldn't deny that it was a bucket of cold water on his hopes, but it didn't let him even close to giving up.
Derek knows he needs to be patient and is fully willing to do so, he knows Addison too well to believe he doesn't stand a chance anymore.
And that's what he's counting on when he leaves the hospital early to go to the grocery store.
Knowing that Pete is at a conference in Baltimore, he's decided it will be a good night to cook his ex-wife's favorite dish.
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Addison enters the house exhausted, the day has been long with a complicated case and very close emotionally, all she needs now is to be with Chris.
She frowns when she smells food and hears her son's chatter, strangely she rushes to the kitchen. The image in front of Addison impresses her, Chris is sitting in his high chair, talking animatedly with Derek who is cooking. Addison approaches her son, she smiles kissing his cheek, but soon gets serious as she faces Derek:
"What are you doing?"
"Cooking for my family."
Derek speaks with a bright smile. Addison takes a deep breath and tries in a lower tone:
"Derek..."
"I know Peter is at a conference, I decided to enjoy the evening with you."
"You can't break into my house and cook for me just because my boyfriend is gone."
"Apparently I can."
Derek speaks showing the environment. Addison rolls her eyes, but soon her expression changes to a sad smile as she strokes Chris' curls. Derek notices the change and asks worriedly:
"Are you okay?"
"Weary..."
Addison speaks dejectedly, still stroking her son's hair. Derek approaches her and holds her free hand while suggesting:
"Go upstairs, take a shower and relax while I finish dinner."
"Thanks."
Addison speaks sincerely squeezing his hand. Derek smiles returning her affection and then watches her walk away.
Derek plays with his son for a while and then goes back to his dinner.
Minutes later Addison enters the kitchen with wet hair, wrinkled clothes and looking distraught. Before Derek can ask, Addison speaks in anguish:
"I need to get back to the hospital."
"What there was?"
"My patient...I need to go..."
She talks nervously, casts a sad look in her son's direction, and then hurries out of the house.
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It's past midnight and Derek is dozing on the couch, when the rattle of the key wakes him up, he sits up a little groggy, but smiles at the sight of Addison. To Derek's surprise, Addison doesn't smile back, instead she looks shaky and her eyes are puffy. Her voice sounds weak when she asks:
"Where's my son?"
"He is sleeping."
Addison just nods and starts to walk away, but Derek gets up, he approaches and holds her shoulders asking:
"Addie, are you okay?"
"Yes. I just want to see my son."
Addison talks lowering her eyes and then tries to walk away. Derek holds her tighter and asks:
"What happened?"
"I already said nothing!"
Addison speaks angrily and finally walks away running to the stairs.
Derek stays in the room for a few seconds trying to understand what's going on, but then follows her upstairs.
Derek doesn't have to look far to find Addison, she's huddled on the floor in Chris' bedroom. One of her arms holds her knees to her chest, while the other hand caresses her sleeping son's curls, silent tears streaming down her face. Derek. He approaches and sits next to her, he caresses her hand and asks worriedly:
"Addie, what happened?"
Addison doesn't respond, just shakes her head no and tries to get up, Derek helps her and she guides him out of the room. Once they are in another room Addison sits on the bed, she lets out a deep sigh and starts talking while playing with her hands:
"A few days ago a pregnant girl arrived at the hospital with the same problem I had when I was pregnant."
"Addie..."
"Yesterday she got sick, we managed to stabilize..."
"But..."
"I was called for na emergency delivery and…I couldn't save the baby, Derek."
Addison breaks into a sob and Derek pulls her into her arms. Addison lets herself sink against Derek's chest as she sobs hard. Derek strokes her back in a comforting pattern and whispers soothing words in her ear. Addison clings to her ex-husband more tightly and speaks in a totally choked voice:
"All I can think about is it could have been Chris... He might not have made it, Derek."
"Don't think so, Addie. Chris survived, he's fine, you're fine."
"I can't imagine what I would have done if I had woken up and he..."
She can't finish her sentence and breaks down in tears again. Derek holds her even tighter and lets her cry. It takes a long time for Addison to calm down, Derek then pushes her away a bit, he wipes the tears that are still streaming down her face and kisses her forehead before whispering:
"You're exhausted."
Addison nods and then Derek gets up, he pulls back the covers and guides her to bed. As soon as she's comfortable under the covers, Addison caresses Derek's face, she smiles and speaks softly:
"Thank you for taking care of me."
"I will always take care of you, Addie."
Derek speaks fondly before kissing her forehead. After that, he gets up and is getting ready to leave the room when she calls him in na uncertain tone:
"Derek..."
"Yea?"
"Stay?"
The way she asks warms Derek's chest, he doesn't answer, just smiles and lets himself sink into the bed beside her. Addison smiles as Derek pulls her into his arms again, she lays her head on his chest and lets out a sigh of relief. Derek just holds her tighter, kissing the top of her head and promising himself he'll never let her go again.
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That's it. A little Addek cuteness.
The most awaited moment will come in the next chapter.