I need to talk about how surprised the response to this story left me!
Thanks to everyone who left their comments and is following along, it means a lot. ️
I need to clarify that, I will follow the line of the third season for now, only with the necessary changes for the development of the story. The biggest one is that Meredith and Derek are already dating for real when this storyline starts and not in that vagueness of the show.
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Derek sits at the conference room table for a few minutes still trying to assimilate what he heard from his ex-wife. Over the years, he'd fantasized a lot about the day she'd say those words to him, the moment when he'd know they'd created a life together. He imagined a little red-haired girl running around the house or a boy with his dark curls accompanying him on his outdoor programs, but that was yet another point where they failed. Yet another aspect of life for two neglected by work. And now, just as he's had a chance at a new life, she hits him with that bombshell.
Anger starts to take over him again. Addison has a unique gift of messing up his life, it wasn't enough to betray him, chase him across the country and make him hurt Meredith, in the post-divorce she would also complicate his life.
It turned out that his mother was right when she said that he was making the wrong choice and that she shouldn't have married Addison.
It takes time, but he manages to get up, willing to chase after his ex-wife and continue the conversation that she interrupted with her passive-aggressive ways.
Still dazed, Derek walks over to the surgery board and then reads her name (minus Shepherd) on the board, in a long neo natal surgery, for at least five hours there will be no conversation.
It's enough for his determination to crumble, his certainty of wanting to continue the conversation is gone and the only thing he's sure of is that he needs to get out of the hospital.
If on any other day, cutting seemed like the answer to every problem, right now he doesn't want to be there. He wants to be alone in the place he's chosen to live, and he wants to be miles from Addison and Meredith. And that's what he does, he cancels his surgeries without much explanation and leaves for the trailer.
AAAAA
A whole day alone on his land doesn't make Derek feel any better and with the holidays approaching, he sees a fishing trip with Burke as the best alternative to escape his problems. Two days in a tent in the middle of nowhere might clear his mind.
After na entire day of silence from Derek, Addison is not surprised to arrive at the hospital the next morning to learn that he has traveled with Burke, Richard and other friends. Derek running away is no longer something that scares her, she's used to it, so what she needs is to follow her life while he hides.
For a holiday everything is calm, she has no surgeries scheduled, the mother from the day before is recovering well and the NICU is under control, all of this bodes ill. And this is confirmed when she is called to the emergency room.
Finding Burke in front of his apartment, Derek decides to play it cool, knowing he's not someone he can vent to about his current problem.
Ultimately, it is Burke who surprises him by inviting Richard, O'Malley, Karev and even Joe from the pub and his husband.
Derek's hope for peace and time to think was slowly fading.
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After an entire day of silence from Derek, Addison is not surprised to arrive at the hospital the next morning to learn that he has traveled with Burke, Richard and other friends. Derek running away is no longer something that scares her, she's used to it, so what she needs is to follow her life while he hides.
For a holiday everything is calm, she has no surgeries scheduled, the mother from the day before is recovering well and the NICU is under control, all of this bodes ill. And this is confirmed when she is called to the emergency room.
The young patient fell in the bathroom and is so worried about her baby's safety that she has refused to take painkillers, despite her visibly fractured hand. That's why Addison needs to call Callie Torres.
Callie arrives just as Addison begins na ultrasound on the young woman, which is supported by her loving husband.
While Callie tends to the young woman's hand, Addison focuses on the ultrasound.
It's at that moment that Addison freezes, the image on the monitor brings tears to her eyes and she feels like she can't stay here. Barely able to hide it, she turns to the three other occupants of the room:
"I need to check something. Excuse me.
And so she hurries out the door, receiving confused looks as she walks away.
Addison walks into the first bathroom she finds, she hides in one of the stalls and sinks to the floor as tears finally escape her eyes. Soon the sobs follow and she lies there, legs drawn up, arms protectively around her stomach. Pregnancy hormones may have some part in it, but she knows it's her own sensitivity and all the difficult things she's been through is finally getting to her.
Addison isn't surprised when she hears Callie's voice asking if she's okay, she claims to be fine through sobbing. Obviously the resident doesn't believe it and threatens to climb into a toilet. Addison has no choice but to open the door. Callie offers her her hand and she gets up trying to convince herself that everything is fine:
"There's no reason for me to be like this. I should be used to it by now."
She talks approaching the mirror. Callie leans against the sink beside her and asks with her arms crossed:
"Accustomed to what?"
"That woman, yesterday she was healthy and today... she lost her baby."
Addison speaks between sobs. Callie squeezes her shoulder and waits while she calms down. After a few seconds, Addison finally takes a deep breath, fixes her makeup as best she can and nods to Callie, both of them leaving the bathroom together.
Standing outside, watching the still-happy couple through the glass, Addison reflects on her own marriage. There was a time when she and Derek were a happy, close-knit couple, and no matter how hard she tries, she doesn't know when it's over. And now they are separated, she is pregnant and he has moved away.
"This couple, they are so happy. Look at them, they love each other. They should have everything. Happy people should attract happy situations to themselves."
She speaks to Callie, but without taking her eyes off the scene ahead. She then abruptly moves away from the glass and decides to go tell. Callie stops her by asking her to let them be happy a few more minutes.
Addison turns to the glass again, her eyes filling with tears.
AAAAA
After the horrific delivery, Addison and Callie sit on the floor in the hallway, both leaning against the wall in heavy silence. Suddenly the redhead whispers with a trembling voice:
"I'm Pregnant."
Callie turns her face towards her immediately:
"My God! I had no idea."
"Seven weeks."
Addison says smiling despite the tears in her eyes. Callie deduces aloud:
"That's why this case moved you so much."
"Also... But I'm just difficult...everything."
She speaks in the same tone as before. Callie pulls her into a hug and whispers in her ear:
"Are you happy...for the baby I mean?"
"I still do not know."
Soon they walk away and Addison says:
"At least I'm not alone anymore."
A small smile plays on her lips as she looks down at her abdomen. Callie nods, but soon breaks out:
"Have you told Shepherd yet?"
"Yes and his reaction was to disappear from the hospital and go fishing."
Addison says rolling her eyes. Callie shakes her head and says:
"He's na idiot."
"I understand his confusion... I just wanted a definitive answer, you know? So I can follow through with my plans."
"You are going...?
"No! I want this baby, it may have been the most absurd way, but this is probably my last chance."
Addison states with conviction. She then shakes Callie's hand and stands up stating:
"Thanks for today. I think I need my bed now."
"You are welcome."
They smile at each other and then the redhead turns away, walking down the hall.
AAAAA
Derek enters the hotel elevator fully resolved to have a civil conversation with Addison. The failed camp finally served to put his thoughts in order about his ex-wife's pregnancy.
He watches anxiously as the numbers climb until the elevator gives its signal and he descends on the floor, taking a deep breath before walking to the door.
Addison answers the door wrapped in a robe, her hair tied together and it's like the first time he knocked on the door weeks ago, except this time his eyes are puffy. He gives her a half smile as he speaks softly:
"Thanks for letting me up."
"We needed to talk."
She says, shrugging her shoulders and making room for him to enter. Derek walks in and they stare at each other a little awkwardly until she sits on the bed, motioning for him to follow her.
When Derek finally sits down, she asks:
"Did you have enough time to think?"
"Getting away was good, but there's nothing to think about, if it's my son, we'll do this together."
Addison arches her eyebrows and asks in a low tone:
"If?"
"Addison, you slept with Mark the day after prom, I just need to know you're sure it's mine."
At that moment Addison stands up, she points to the door and demands:
"Get out of here, Derek."
"Addie, I didn't mean it like that, I'm just confused."
"Oh just you're confused? I'm in a place I hate, away from all the people that are important to me, pregnant by my asshole ex-husband and you're the one who's confused?!"
Addison explodes and Derek looks down in embarrassment.
The redhead takes a few deep breaths, before speaking in a hard but low tone:
"Get out of here, Derek. After the day I've had today, the last thing I need is to keep listening to you."
"Bad day? What happened"
"It doesn't matter. It didn't even matter when we were married."
Derek runs his hands through his hair, visibly frustrated but trying to remain calm. He then speaks sincerely:
"I didn't mean to offend you. I just need to know you're sure."
"Four years in medical school and two majors leave me in no doubt, Derek. It happened the week before prom."
"At one of our boring sex sessions?"
Derek asks with a crooked smile. Addison ends up smiling too when he says:
"We are pathetic."
At that moment he also stands up, holds her hand and says softly:
"We're in this together, Addie."
They are silent for a few moments, until she asks:
"I don't want anyone to know yet. And when we do, I want us to start with Richard who is our boss and needs some satisfaction as the hospital is going to be flooded with gossip again."
"I agree, but there's one person who needs to know before Richard does."
Derek doesn't need to explain who he is. Addison says:
"You need to think about it before talking to her."
"Like this?" Derek asks visibly confused.
Addison takes his hand and says:
"Derek, you feel this need to be the good guy and…then you resent it. If you tell Meredith now and she doesn't stay with you, you might regret it. That's how it was with me, you took me back out of obligation. And made it clear every day we were together. I don't want that for my son."
"It was different, Addison."
"Really? I'm just asking you to take it easy."
"You don't know me if you think I'd give up a kid for a girlfriend."
"I really don't. Not this Derek you've become."
She speaks before averting her eyes. Derek tries to approach, but she takes a step back and asks:
"Go away, Derek. I've really had a hard day and I need to sleep."
"Okay. But you can be sure I won't change my mind about this."
She doesn't answer, just walks past him and opens the door. With no alternative, Derek has to leave.
Addison lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding as soon as she sees him walk through the door. She then walks over to the bed and sinks under the covers, wishing this horrible day was finally over.
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Derek gets into the car irritated. Addison once again managed to get the best of him.
He ponders what he should do and decides he'll be honest with Meredith, she deserves it.
With these thoughts he starts driving to his girlfriend's house.
AAAAA
So, I took my time because I had to watch this episode and my grad school and big-girl job take up a lot of time.
I decided to spare us that very sad delivery and just get the main episode.
I want to remind you that my native language is not English and apologize for any mistakes.