The aftermath from the events that took place in study had reverberated throughout the attendees at the wake. It started with Meredith, who discovered that even though Addison had left the room and was seen to walk to somewhere else in the house, Derek was still nowhere to be seen. When she did find him, in a state that could only be described as inconsolable, she tried coaxing him to speak and let her in to what had happened. Soon enough his sisters were surrounding him including Amelia ,and his mother as well, all getting him to reveal the contents of the conversation that had actually taken place in that very room. All the while their closest friends tended to huddle into what looked like had become a worrisome incident.
Their family and closest friends present were shocked to say the least. On some level all of Derek's sisters were even a little pleased to know that Addison's baby was going to be their nephew, but the current circumstances were definitely not in any way worthy of celebrating the discovery.
After Derek had slightly calmed down it was Archer's turn to start panicking, he sure as hell didn't want Addison to give up her child knowing well that she would regret it because she wasn't in her right mind making the decision. He couldn't let his sister make that sort of mistake.
Kathleen, Derek's second oldest sister being the psychiatrist thought it was best to give her opinion regarding the situation ,hoping that it could ease the mood a little. "I think Derek you should prioritise what you can control for now. That includes you getting the custody of your child. We all know that Addison is clearly not well, so let's just try and focus on getting her help. You know that already that you won't be able to live with yourself if you keep that child away from her. There will be a time when that realisation is going to hit her. For now, just start preparing for full custody. Once Addison's gives birth, then the real hard work will begin. You need to understand, if she isn't well then, she will most likely be able to contest the custody anyway later on. You just need to make sure you're there for your child, while the rest of us try and get some help for Addison."
Archer couldn't agree more with the sentiment. "I think that's the best solution for now. Look Derek, I will beg you if I have to, she isn't in her right mind. If you take that child away, she will regret it forever."
Derek frustrated at the accusation made by Archer.
"You think I want to do that! Hell, I want her to stop all this! I just found out that I am going to become a father to a child whose mother doesn't even want him. That too probably because of me!"
Kathleen interrupted immediately, "Derek please calm down, she isn't okay. Neither has she processed the grief, and more over she looks like she is going through the onset of depression. We need to make sure that we are around her, if we can get her some help now, then that's the best thing for her. But I think we are going to struggle getting her to listen. Let's take this one step a time."
Derek just defeatedly looked at his entire family. "She said she would put it up for adoption. How could she even suggest something like this?" Derek asked in disbelief. Carolyn went over to squeeze his hand in support as he started to weep again.
"Derek , please. I think we can all safely say that whatever she says right now doesn't mean much. We have all have known her long enough to know better. The shock of the past few days must be just too much for her to bear." Carolyn said in support, as this was her grandchild after all. As much as she would have wished her son's marriage could have escaped a child so it would leave him free to be with Meredith. Clearly there were other plans in store for them, making her sigh.
"She hates me this much? Asked Derek horrified. "Did I do this to her?" He asked looking at everyone and then at no one in particular either. As much as everyone wanted to reassure him, they all knew his part in this mess was not forgotten. Not realising that amongst the people huddled was also Callie Torres, who silently just scoffed at Derek's words. A bit of a delayed realisation for him she thought to herself. Knowing too well that Derek had been toxic and vindictive when he wanted to be these past few months. After all, they had all seen it firsthand. Now that he had successfully broken Addison, the realisation finally hit that it had all just backfired on him because the child was his to begin with.
How was Derek supposed to function with this acquired information, and where did this leave him and Meredith now? There were a lot of questions he had for himself.
Sam and Naomi being med school friends to Derek and Addison also bore witness to the calamity that was spreading in the house. Having gone through an amicable divorce themselves they were witnessing the stark opposite circumstances between two of their closest friends. They couldn't believe that things could get so bad that Addison wouldn't want to even raise their child, after all they were college sweethearts.
While everyone processed information in their own way Savvy and Naomi together also thought it was maybe time that they planned an intervention to try and get their best friend some real help. They both desperately missed their best friend, someone who was always full of light. The one left behind was just mere hollow version of the woman they knew and loved. Addison had always wanted to be mother, she in fact was waiting for the moment when Derek would say that he was ready for a family. It's a tragedy that when she finally got her moment it had to end up this way. Knowing her as long as they had they knew there was no way she would do this unless she was in so much pain. Trying to keep support, they tried comforting both Archer and Derek who were seemingly the most affected. Archer just horrified at the information and not knowing how this would impact his sister.
Derek then realised in that moment that no matter how things would go down, he would still be becoming a dad. And now it was more than ever important to do what he could for his child. And that included preparing for his arrival and being the best dad possible.
As the evening rolled in the atmosphere at Addison's home hadn't changed much. The temporary residents were still waiting for her to come out of her room and listen to them, while Derek and his family except Amelia had left the house to their planned accommodations. They weren't sure if what they set out as a strategy would even work but they thought it was worth a shot. They wouldn't let Addison give up their child, she needed to work a plan and they were there to help.
When Addison finally did step out Savvy, Naomi and Amelia all waited for her at the dining table. All sharing a concerning look at seeing Addison's disheveled state and darkened hollow eyes. She wasn't taking any good care of herself or the baby. It looked like she wasn't getting any sleep either, she was probably just avoiding everyone and trying to get out of her room.
"Addison, I have cooked some dinner. Please we don't want to hear you complain, just sit down and eat properly," said Naomi in a stern voice. Even Savvy and Amelia knew better not to complain with Naomi's mom voice. Addison knew the same, she sat down without complaining and looked at the dining plate in front of her. Starting to nibble away after a few seconds.
After Addison had satisfactorily eaten it was Savvy that brought up the impending conversation first.
"We all heard what happened Addison, why didn't you say anything before?"
Addison just shrugged her shoulders before looking away.
"Please don't do this? We know it's hard, but you don't want to give up on your own child. We all know you, Addie." Savvy continued.
Addison who was still looking away, looked down instead before finally speaking. "I don't want to. I know all of you are probably ashamed of me, and I don't blame you."
"We're not Addie," injected Amelia.
"We know you're in so much pain. We know it hurts that you don't have Mark by your side. But Addie, that little boy inside of you is still your son. He will need his mother. You will never be able to let go of that." Amelia finished but Naomi continued.
"Addie, I have known you for so long and I know how much you have wanted this. Please don't give up on this because of how things went down between you and Derek. Don't let him win if this is what it is about."
Addison finally looked up, "you weren't here Naomi, you didn't hear what he used to say to me every single day. I could tolerate it then because I had Mark, but I can't tolerate it anymore. I just can't. It's best if Derek raises him, it's best for everyone involved." Addison said with defeat and pain in her voice.
Naomi was silenced temporarily, only because she did know all the things Derek had been saying. After he left today, Callie Torres and sat down with Amelia and Savvy explaining exactly what had been going down here at Seattle Grace that led up to this day, and that didn't leave Derek in a good light. He had a lot to pay for.
"Addie, don't prove him right. We know what he has put you through the last few months. Honestly, we don't know what to even say and ask that why didn't you reach out to us if it was that bad. Yet you stayed? You did it because you wanted your child to have both parents in his life. So even then you kept your child more important in your life, and that's all we are saying, that think of that innocent child right now. He deserves to know how wonderful his mother is. Don't let Derek take that away from you."
Addison wasn't convinced, not really. She wanted no responsibility because it was all starting to feel too much. How could she say that without sounding more selfish than she already was. Maybe deterring them all was better option she thought to herself.
"I am not ready to be a mother, I don't feel like I can raise this child anymore."
Pausing and thinking how phrase the next part "I just don't want it." Believing she was fully convinced herself.
"I am happy to sign away custody, I have told him that already." Addison defended her position.
Amelia who was still getting messages from her family in regard to updates wasn't sure what to say to them either. Addison wasn't budging and Derek had to get over his shock pretty soon if they wanted this child to have at least someone who wanted him. Or someone who was somewhat prepared.
After the relentless messages the phone just rang, she noticed it was Nancy's number. Amelia stepped aside and headed for a quieter place in the house to receive the call. Keeping all her differences with her family aside for Addison, Amelia picked up the phone, " Hey," said Nancy first.
"Hey," replied Amelia.
This was the first one on one conversation she was having with her sister in the last few years.
"Has Addison said anything else?" Asked Nancy.
"No, she is adamant that Derek takes the child. She is just too traumatised clearly. Look Nancy, I don't know what you or the family have chosen in terms of sides with them, but Derek has been an ass these last few months on a scale like never before. I am not saying this because of my relationship with him, but I think you should know or maybe speak to any of their colleagues."
Amelia finished.
"I already know Amelia, Addison used to call in the last few months, she just forgot to mention that our dear brother was spewing all this nonsense about his own kid. I know he is responsible for why things are so bad, but now isn't the time to lay blame. This is our nephew's future we are talking about."
"I know and I agree," said Amelia.
"I think for now Derek needs to find better living arrangements and figure out how he is going to raise his child without Addison in the picture. That trailer of his isn't going to cut it unless Meredith is okay with them moving in with her, which I doubt. In the meanwhile, it's up to us to see how Addison handles everything after the birth. Is she leaving Seattle?" Asked Nancy hoping that she wouldn't.
"We wanted her to, before, when we thought the child was Mark's. We wanted her to get away from here. Not sure if it's the best idea now. I think it's best if we stay with her and just get her some therapy," said Amelia.
"Do you think you can stay a bit longer?" Asked Nancy hopefully, knowing she had her kids to go back to.
"I plan on it till whenever Addie needs me." Amelia stated proudly.
"Thank you, I would if I could."
"Yeah, I know."
"I hope that you're also doing well Amelia. I know it's been too long since we've spoken. But I heard that you're doing well at Johns Hopkins from mom."
"Yeah, let's not get sentimental about that stuff Nance. I'll keep you posted with Addison. Good night."
Not wanting to deal with anymore of the conversation regarding their personal situation, Amelia cut the phone call short.
Taking a deep breath, she returned to the dining area to see Savvy and Naomi sitting rather disappointedly.
"I'm guessing no luck?"
"None," said Savvy.
"I have an idea," said Amelia.
"Let's hear it," said Naomi.
"Let her sign away the custody, Derek should raise the child until we know Addison isn't fully okay. Until then we don't let her move, I'll stay with her here in Seattle. This may take a while but it's the only shot we have. We just need to make sure she doesn't leave Seattle."
As Amelia was speaking Archer joined them as well.
"I'll stay here with Addison as well." Said Archer.
"So, we can both stay. We just have to keep trying, and once she delivers and sees that Derek has her child, it might just stir up something? It's a long shot we all know, but it's the only one we have." Amelia said with a heavy heart.
Everyone else just silently agreed and took in the somber silence in order to prepare themselves for the uncertain future.