It was Monday morning and Addison had hardly slept the night before. Between what had happened with Carolyn, and what would happen with Bizzy, she could barely rest. She envied Derek during those moments, he could sleep with complete peace of mind without worrying about either family.

She got out of bed very early that morning and the first thing she did was go to the balcony of the room and call her brother.

"Archer, I need your help," she said as soon as she felt him pick up the phone.

"Hey, sis. Long time no see. Yeah, I'm fine. And you? Thanks for waking me up with your call..."

"Archer, listen to me. It's important. I'm in New York."

"Did you decide to come back to civilization? Finally," he yawned.

"It's just for a few days, I need you to go home today. We'll go with Derek and I don't want to be alone with them, please."

"Addison, you know I'm in the middle of a book tour. I'm in Los Angeles right now. It's 5 in the morning here. I don't plan to go to Connecticut until next week."

"Please, it's been over a year since I last saw you... and I don't think I can come again this year, it's a complicated issue and... please, Archie. You'll understand when you're here."

"Okay, I'll be there in a few hours."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. You're the best."

"I know."

"I love you."

"I love you more, sis."

~•~

"Addie, you were awake," Derek said, opening his eyes.

"Yes, sorry, did I wake you?"

"No... what's wrong?"

"I'm feeling nauseous, I think I'm going to vomit right now."

"Calm down... do you want me to take you to the bathroom?"

"Derek, Bizzy will know about the pregnancy!" she exclaimed.

"I know, we came here to tell her..."

"I'm not ready! I can't do it."

"Yes, you can... come here..."

"Once again I feel like a 16-year-old girl apologizing for losing her virginity in the back of a car."

"What?"

"I can feel that disapproving look on me again."

"You lost your virginity in a car?"

"Yes... and Bizzy found out. She was coming back from her stupid late-night charity gala... I thought she would stay there all night, but she came back early. And he had parked his car near the entrance, so the security guards wouldn't see us."

Derek couldn't help but laugh. He had formed a very ungraceful image of the situation in his head.

"Don't laugh, I was grounded for a year. And they didn't let me see the boy anymore."

"At least the first time was good, right?"

"Of course not, it was horrible. We didn't even know how to position ourselves. Stop asking me about that, I don't want to remember it."

"You brought up the topic..."

"But I don't want to talk about it anymore!" she exclaimed nervously.

"Addison, you're overreacting. You're an adult now and you're married. There's nothing extraordinary about a pregnancy in your position."

"Do you think if I just have a sip of wine it will harm the baby? I can't handle this sober."

"Addie..." he sighed. "Do you want to go down to the lobby for breakfast?"

"I want to vomit. I feel something hot coming up my throat," she put both hands on her neck, pressing.

"You don't have to be that graphic..."

"Derek, I can't do this. Let's go back to Seattle, we'll figure out what to do when the baby is born. Please."

"Listen, you did the same thing when you introduced me to your parents. You did the same thing when we announced our engagement. Now you're doing it with the pregnancy. If they didn't judge you or say anything the previous times, why would they do it now?"

"Oh, how naive. Of course, they judged me. They don't need to speak to say it. Those people speak in WASP, a language that doesn't need words to be understood. It consists of gestures, expressions, looks... of course they judged me."

"But did they do anything to stop it? Did they prevent you from continuing to date the Columbia guy?"

"No, but..."

"Did they forbid you from getting married? Did they go to the church and object to the wedding in front of everyone?"

"No..."

"And now... will they make you have an abortion? Will they make you get rid of your child?"

"No."

"Then what are you afraid of?"

"You don't understand. You don't know what it's like to grow up in a dysfunctional family."

"Of course I do, my father was killed when I was 15 and my youngest sister is a drug addict. I also grew up in a dysfunctional family."

"It's different. You know it is."

"In that case, all families are different. Otherwise, they would all be part of the same thing. Come on, stop always thinking of the worst, and start trusting a little more. They will be happy, you were the last baby in the family."

"Because they hate babies."

"They don't hate them... besides, why are you so sure Archer doesn't have a few scattered around the country?"

"I wish that were true, then they wouldn't judge only me."

"Let's have breakfast, okay? We have to figure out how to get to Connecticut now that we don't have a car."

"We can take a taxi..."

"What taxi would be willing to travel 2 hours round trip from here to Connecticut?"

"I don't know, one that wants to be well paid. I don't care about the fare, I'll pay for it. I prefer that over taking the train."

"Alright."

~•~

"We can't do the same thing as with your mother, I can't just show up and reveal that I'm pregnant. They would have a heart attack right then and there," Addison said as they drove down the road. They were half an hour away from arriving.

"But they'll notice, it's too obvious."

"I could hide it with my coat, and once we say it, I can take it off... or I could never take it off, say it, and they won't see... or we could turn back and they won't know..."

"We won't turn back. If you want, you can go in with your coat."

"Duh, I feel nauseous."

"Addison, you've been saying that all morning. It's psychological. It'll pass, it's just nerves."

"It's not psychological, it's pregnancy and a moving car. Oh God..." she placed her hand over her mouth.

"Addison, please don't vomit here. The taxi driver might kick us out," he whispered through his teeth so the driver couldn't hear.

"I don't feel well."

Derek was starting to worry, Addison's face didn't lie.

"Listen, think of something pleasant. The baby... the baby is 19 weeks today. It's Monday, remember?"

She nodded.

"Today the baby's the size of a mango. Can you believe it? Just the other day it was the size of a blackberry."

"The fruit comparisons aren't very accurate..."

"This week it starts developing a second skin, the vernix. I know you know it's a greasy substance that will cover and protect the baby from floating around in the amniotic fluid. So it doesn't turn into a raisin... can you imagine being underwater for such a long time?"

Addison smiled. Derek knew how to make her feel better.

"Now it might be sleeping, right? It's starting to develop sleep patterns."

"I suspect it'll be a night owl..."

"It's practicing for when it has to do night shifts at the hospital," he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Thank you, Der."

"We're almost there... just a few more minutes. Everything will be alright."

~•~

After a few minutes, the black car stopped in front of the impressive mansion in Connecticut. The air was cool and smelled of dry leaves, which covered the ground in a brown and yellow blanket. The house's facade was imposing, with large columns and windows framed with green wooden frames.

Addison got out of the taxi first, wearing a black leather coat to hide her figure and matching high boots. Underneath, she had a thin beige wool dress that accentuated her pregnancy even more.

Derek followed her and they walked towards the entrance of the house, stepping on the crunchy dry leaves. As they approached, she pressed the doorbell located next to the solid wooden door, adorned with golden hardware.

The door opened and the doorman greeted them cordially.

"May I take your coat, Mrs. Montgomery?" one of her parents' employees said as soon as they entered.

"Oh... no, I'm fine like this, it's a bit chilly today... Thank you."

"However you prefer."

Addison walked towards the mansion, admiring the enormous rooms and elegant decorations surrounding her. It was like stepping back in time. Everything remained the same as before, yet somehow renovated. The fallen autumn leaves were present everywhere, from the floral arrangements to the carpets and pillows. Bizzy loved the themed decoration.

"Addison, Derek, you're already here," Bizzy said entering the room. Susan, her right-hand woman, followed her.

They approached timidly and greeted each other with two kisses on the cheek.

"Go ahead, the tea table is already set. Your father and your brother are already there."

"Oh, then Archer did arrive," Addison smiled.

"This morning, yes. He said he missed seeing you. Which is true, you disappear without telling anyone and move to the West Coast of the country..."

She didn't respond. Bizzy was the true Queen of passive-aggressive. Addison? She was just an apprentice by her side.

They walked silently behind her until they reached the living room, where the tea table was set.

"Kitty!" Captain exclaimed upon seeing her enter. He got up from his chair and went to greet both of them.

"Oh, I'm not a little girl anymore, stop calling me that..." she smiled as she hugged him, "Hello, Captain."

"Shepherd."

"Captain..." he firmly shook his hand.

"Heyyy, but look who's here, my favorite sister and her idiot of a husband!" Archer shouted. Derek tried to hide his discomfort, he had never had a good relationship with him.

"Archie..." Addison hugged him cheerfully, "Don't bother Derek."

"Okay, I'll pretend it's a pleasure to see him again. Just when I had gotten my hopes up about getting rid of him from the family."

"Thank you, Archer, it's a pleasure to see you too," Derek said through gritted teeth.

"Well, can you both behave like civilized people?" Bizzy ordered, and everyone sat in silence.

"What brings you here, guys?" The Captain asked.

"We wanted to see you all and..."

"Have you gained weight, Addison?" Bizzy interrupted. Always so subtle.

"Oh, well... yes, I have a few extra pounds, actually..."

"Your face looks rounder than usual. Is the food in Seattle not healthy?"

Addison was uncomfortable. Not surprised, but uncomfortable.

"Or maybe it's the hairstyle, darling, it doesn't suit your face. It makes you look older. You should visit one of my stylists here."

"Aren't you hot? Take off your coat. It's heated inside here," Archer changed the subject.

Addison looked at Derek nervously. She had already lost control of the situation. Well, as if she had ever had it...

"Continuing the previous conversation, the reason for our visit is to personally tell you that..." he began saying, "we're going to have a baby!"

Bizzy choked on her tea upon hearing those words come out of Derek's mouth.

"Oh my God! Kitty, are you going to make me a grandparent?" Captain got up from his seat and walked towards her to hug her.

"That's right... I guess you'll be grandparents," she gave a small smile with tight lips as she received her father's embrace.

"When did this happen?" Bizzy asked as she recovered from the shock. She didn't seem very excited.

"About five months ago," Derek said, and then Addison took off her black coat, revealing her swollen belly.

"Oh my God, you are pregnant..." Bizzy whispered.

"I can't believe I have to congratulate you for impregnating my sister, Shepherd."

"Oh, Archie..." she said.

"I thought you were sterile by now. A baby at 40?"

"Well, it was a surprise..." Derek replied.

"Was it an accident?" Bizzy asked bluntly.

"I wouldn't call it an accident, that word is too strong for a baby on the way... I would say it was unexpected..." she said nervously.

"But we're happy about its arrival," Derek added, placing a hand on Addison's waist."

~•~

"Do you already know the gender of the baby?" Bizzy asked after dinner. It had been a few hours and she was still having a hard time wrapping her head around the idea of her daughter being pregnant.

"Not yet, we've decided to wait," Addison responded.

"Oh, so you don't have any names in mind then."

"At the moment, a few options are floating around, but nothing is definite."

"You should choose a classic and elegant name. Something with prestige and honor."

"It's a baby of the 21st century, Bizzy. I'm not going to name him Frank Jacques III."

"Oh, names these days are so ordinary. Opting for something traditional is the best."

"We'll see," Addison said as she took a bite of her dark chocolate cake.

"You should stop eating like that, that's why you've gained weight."

"Oh come on, whether I ate like this or not, I was going to gain weight anyway. I'm creating a human being inside my womb."

"How uncouth you are, Addison. A lady would never make those comments or chew with her mouth open."

"Lucky for me, I'm not a princess. I can be vulgar while eating dessert."

"You should limit desserts. They will just get stuck in your hips and then you won't be able to get rid of them."

"When I breastfeed, I'll lose at least half of the accumulated fat."

Bizzy made a disgusted face. She never breastfed her children, obviously. She considered it gross, a behavior only animals acquired.

"Oh, you expected me to bottle-feed my baby," Addison said, annoyed by her mother's expression.

"Well, it's a much more hygienic form of feeding. Children are so demanding... You're not a dairy cow."

"I don't want to discuss this topic anymore. I'm a doctor and I know perfectly well the benefits of breast milk for the baby's immune system development. I'm not going to debate a decision that I've already made, nor listen to the opinions of someone who never breastfed in her life. As long as I can and want to, I will breastfeed my child, whether you like it or not."

Derek was surprised at how, for the first time, Addison had silenced Bizzy.

"Well... so Seattle, huh?" Captain asked, trying to cut the tension in the air.

"Yes, and Washington is a civilized state before you start criticizing," Addison replied.

"Addie is the head of the obstetrics-gynecology and neonatal departments at Seattle Grace Hospital," Derek said.

"Two departments at once? Wow, that's my girl. I always knew you'd be extravagant."

"I imagine you already have plans for what will happen with the child once it's born. Do you want me to recommend nanny agencies?" Bizzy asked.

"Not at the moment, thanks. The hospital where we work has a daycare center."

"Have you talked about schools? Which institution will the child attend?"

"I don't know, it's still a fetus."

"Don't kid yourself, dear. Vacancies in good schools are reserved years in advance. I don't know what kind of institutions there are in Seattle, but..."

"We'll take care of that when the time comes, thanks."

"Are you happy?" Archer asked.

"Of course we are, it's a blessing."

"Well, that's relative... I see it as a crying and pooping machine, but oh well. If it has your face, Addie, it will be cute. Can't say the same if it inherits its dad's nose."

"Thanks, Archer," Derek forced a smile.

"Oh... we have some ultrasounds. Did you bring them, Der?" Addison asked him.

"They were in your suitcase, Addie. Did you leave it at the hotel?"

"You're staying in a hotel?" Bizzy asked.

"Yes, in New York. We'll be leaving shortly..."

"Stay the night here."

"Oh, no. No. I'm sorry," she said.

"How long will you be in New York?"

"Until Wednesday afternoon. We have patients afterward in Seattle."

"Then you can stay one night, Addison. We could have lunch tomorrow."

"I don't think that's a good idea, Bizzy... we're just passing through here. We have work and patients in Seattle waiting."

"Stay the night," Captain said now.

Addison looked at Derek and he nodded. He never knew how to say no to his in-laws.

~•~

"I've asked Mary to prepare your rooms, you can go up and settle in a few moments," Bizzy said on the stairs.

"Separate rooms? How old do you think we are, 17? As if I'm going to get pregnant, oh wait. That already happened," she laughed ironically.

"Addison..." Bizzy closed her eyes.

"Shh... let's go," Derek said, placing a hand on her waist and leading her up to their room.

"Why did you agree to stay, Derek? I'm tired of being treated like a child, not an adult, responsible and independent person."

"I know..."

"I'm married and almost 39 years old! She had Archer when she was 18!" she shouted.

"I think you're a bit upset today."

"Oh, are you trying to make me angry? Because then you'll go to your room."

"Addie..."

"I'm sorry... I can't control the hormones. They're driving me crazy," she covered her face with both hands.

"I know, it's not an easy time. It has never been easy with Bizzy, in fact."

"I shouldn't have even told her about the baby..."

"What do you mean? She had to find out somehow that you were going to be a mother."

"Yes, but if I had just sent her an email, it would have been easier. After all, she didn't care, she only cares that I don't gain another pound in my abdomen."

"It's not like that, in her way, she's happy with the news. But she doesn't know how to convey it. She cares about you, Addison. I know it's hard to see, but her way of expressing love is through her concern for your physical well-being."

"Oh, Derek. That only happens in your family. Bizzy just doesn't want to have a fat daughter. Can you imagine what they would say in her country club group if they found out she has a chubby daughter? Am I really that fat?" she looked at him with tears in her eyes.

"Of course not, Addie. You're beautiful and radiant."

"We could anger my parents a little more..." she said, grabbing the collar of his shirt.

"Do you want me to get kicked out of the house?"

"You could hide under my bed, or jump out the window..." she whispered, kissing his lips.

Derek responded and held her tighter, bringing her closer. She wrapped her legs around him and held onto his mouth without letting go.

"Go back to your hotel, you degenerates," Archer said, passing by the hallway, the door was slightly open.

"Go to your room!" Addison got up to lock the door.