Chapter 11-Past Lives
Summary: Addison and Jake have some alone time, they talk about their pasts, The doctors at Seaside Wellness start asking Addison and Amelia questions about Derek.
"Do you guys want me to take Milo back for you?" Jake offered the two remaining adults in the office.
"I'm headed that way, so don't worry about it," Jake added. Amelia looked at Michelle, snickering. Jake so had it bad for Addison.
"Only if you remember Olivia loves that cat more than me," Amelia informed him.
"I find that hard to believe," Jake chuckled.
"It's true," Amelia shrugged.
"If that cat has a single hair missing, she'll know. Last month, he got a scratch above his eye from doing God-knows-what and Liv had a two-day meltdown," Amelia commented.
"It's true; I'm the one who found the scratch first," Michelle chimed in.
Jake shook his head, going to collect the cat and his daughter who, despite complaints, still had school tomorrow. He dropped Angela off at home first, letting Milo sit on her lap until they got there. He was a well-behaved cat who loved sitting on people's laps.
After a brief lecture about locking the doors, remembering to grab her lunch, catching the right bus, and waiting for Sam to pick her up after school, Jake finally went off to Addison's place. When he got there, Addison opened the door after he knocked.
"So, you're the one who took Milo home," Addison joked as she offered to take the cat off his hands.
"Yeah, well, I was already coming here, anyway," Jake said, almost blushing as he handed over the cat.
"Well, I'm sure Milo appreciates it," Addison said playfully as she looked at the cat before letting him down.
"So…," Jake started, awkwardly standing around after Milo ran off to the kitchen.
"So…," Addison repeated suggestively, giggling.
Jake smiled back nervously as Addison giggled and went to kiss him. They'd been together for months now, but she found it endearing that he still got nervous around her. And she still felt a little nervous around him sometimes, too.
"You know, I almost forgot what it was like not to be interrupted by a six-year-old every five minutes," Addison remarked, exhaling as she got comfortable. Jake chuckled as Addison lay on his bare chest. They had moved up to the bedroom a while ago, taking advantage of the quiet house.
"Just wait till she's a teenager," Jake joked.
"Oh, there's no way I'm ready for that. I doubt Derek is either," Addison laughed.
"Sorry. Is it weird? Bringing up my ex? I mean, I like you, I do, but we have a kid together. It's kind of impossible not to bring him up sometimes," Addison rambled awkwardly.
"No, it's not weird. He's Liv's dad, and he's clearly still in your life and hers. It'd be weird if you didn't bring him up at least sometimes," Jake said understandably. They laid together in silence for a few more moments before Jake thought to say something else.
"Can I ask you something?" Jake asked.
"Anything," Addison said, turning onto her stomach so she could face him more clearly.
"What happened between you two?" Jake asked hesitantly. Addison rested her chin on Jake's chest.
"It just…didn't work out," Addison said honestly. Jake cocked an eyebrow.
"Really? And how many times have you used that answer?" Jake asked. Addison rolled her eyes but chuckled.
"We weren't working. For a long time. I don't think either of us really knows why, but we tried to make it work. That's how we had Olivia and why we moved to Seattle. After that, things got worse. We fought. A lot," Addison explained.
"About what?" Jake asked.
"Everything. But we mostly fought about how he was falling in love with an intern," Addison said bluntly as she changed positions, laying on her side and leaning on her elbow.
"That couldn't have been easy," Jake remarked, moving onto his side to better face her.
"It wasn't. But I tried. I knew he was in love with her, but I wanted Liv to have both her parents," Addison said sadly.
"She has both her parents," Jake pointed out. Addison gave him a look, making him chuckle.
"But I know what you mean," Jake added.
"So, what made you want to move here?" Jake asked, deciding to venture into deeper waters. Normally, they didn't get a lot of time for deep conversations.
"Honestly? After you spend 11 years with someone, it's hard to figure out how to live without them. Ending things was the right thing to do, but that doesn't mean I wanted to watch him fall for an intern," Addison replied.
"Plus, I wanted a change. Needed one, really. And I really missed my best friend," Addison added, referring to Naomi.
"I'm sure your ex was happy to hear you wanted to move," Jake commented.
"Oh, yeah. Other than the fight we had after I found him and his teenage intern in an exam room, this was the biggest fight we ever had," Addison said.
The memory of all of it still stung, and Jake could tell. He stroked her chin, moving his hand up to her cheek. Addison smiled, feeling at ease in his presence. Every time she told this story or even thought about it, she found herself emotional. It wasn't a memory she liked reminiscing, and it definitely wasn't one she liked talking about. She felt like she had failed when her marriage did. 11 years was a good run, but it wasn't forever the way it was supposed to be.
"I'm sorry," Addison apologized.
She didn't like this side of her; the snarky, passive-aggressive side that her ex-husband threw back at her when they fought. Since she'd moved here, Addison tried hard to start anew. To be someone different, someone better. She'd done the work, made amends with Derek, moved away for a fresh start the way Derek did in Seattle, and made a life here—one that she may have made on a whim, but one she would never take back.
Over the last few years, she slowly opened up a part of her she kept closed up for a long time after her divorce. She'd dated around, but there was always a part of her she kept closed. With Jake, that was starting to change. Something about him softened her and made her feel comfortable talking about the things she had buried deep inside her.
"Don't be. I get it," Jake said, stroking Addison's hair softly.
"How?" Addison asked. Everything she'd heard about Jake's late wife was mostly positive.
"I loved Lily, but we fought a lot. Loudly. Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if she hadn't died, but I'm afraid to say I think it would've done more damage than good. I loved her and I still miss her. I don't want to speak ill of the dead, but I knew, more than anyone, how bad her addiction was, and that it wouldn't end well for her," Jake admitted.
"That couldn't have been easy," Addison commented.
"It wasn't. Angela was young, but she wasn't that young. She knows it was bad, but she doesn't know the extent of how bad. And I don't want her to know. She remembers enough of the bad, and I don't want to ruin the good memories she has left of her mother," Jake explained.
"I get that. Olivia was still a baby when Derek and I got divorced, so she doesn't know anything other than us living apart and being with other people, but I am not looking forward to the day when she finds out what really happened between us. I mean, there's always the possibility she never finds out, but if she ever asks me about it, I'm not gonna lie to her. That's not the kind of parent I want to be," Addison said. Jake nodded.
"It's not the kind of parent I want to be, either. I know Angela remembers more than she lets on, but I know she doesn't hate her mother. And I don't ever want her to. Lily had her problems, but she loved that girl more than anything. I just wish we were enough to make her stop," Jake said.
Addison gave him a small smile before kissing the hand he left on her cheek. She moved closer and rested her head back on Jake's bare chest, letting him wrap his arms around her. They laid there in silence as he stroked her hair until they both fell asleep.
"So…," Jake started while making breakfast for the pair.
"Sam lives next door, right?" Jake asked, looking up at Addison.
"Yeah. Why?" Addison asked curiously.
"Is that going to be an issue? With Angela staying with him all weekend?" Jake asked. Addison shrugged.
"No, I don't think so. Maya's a bit rebellious right now, but she's a good kid. It's been a hard year for her," Addison replied.
"And it'll be good for Ange; knowing that she doesn't have to hang out with us. That she has a friend here and doesn't feel like she has to hang around us every time you're here," Addison explained, hoping he understood what she was trying to say.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Jake said.
"Her mom used to work with you guys, right? What's the story there?" Jake asked, curious. He never met Naomi, but everyone spoke highly of her. Except for Maya, who hadn't said anything about her. But he hadn't exactly spent much time with the teenagers as he had the younger kids.
"Yeah. Sam and Naomi started the practice. They were married at the time, but they still made it work even after they got divorced. Last year, Nai started seeing someone, and a month before you started here, he got a job at the N.I.H. His dream job," Addison explained.
"So, she just…left?" Jake asked.
"Well, she wanted to take Maya with her, but she didn't want to go. And Sam definitely didn't want her to go. Naomi went with Fife anyway, leaving Maya with her dad. It hurt Maya, but it would've turned into a messy custody battle if she didn't." Addison explained.
"Do you miss her?" Jake asked.
"All the time. She was my best friend, and she's the reason I moved here! But I have to admit, I don't mind her replacement," Addison said playfully. Jake smiled back, almost blushing.
"Well, I'm sorry you lost your best friend, but I'm not sorry for taking her place at the practice. It might not change the fact that we're together, but at least it means I get to see you more," Jake replied.
Addison smiled and kissed his cheek before grabbing some plates and utensils to set the table for breakfast. He joined her not long after, bringing the food on their plates as he did.
The two ate in silence, sharing flirty looks as they talked about the work cases they had later that day.
Eventually, they got ready for work together, taking the same car. Addison drove while Jake called to check in on Angela. Addison silently laughed as she heard the teen telling him off for checking up on her. When he hung up, he just gave her an exasperated look.
"Just wait until Olivia's old enough," Jake warned playfully.
"Oh, I already know she'll give me hell," Addison groaned.
"But nothing could be worse than Amelia. So, I'm well equipped. Plus, I helped with Maya, countless Shepherd children, and who we call an honorary Shepherd," Addison chuckled, listing out the various kids she's had a hand in helping raise over the years.
"An honorary Shepherd?" Jake asked curiously.
"Mm-hmm; Sloan. She's gonna fly back with Liv and stay with us for the week. Her dad, Mark, is Derek's best friend and they've been friends since they were kids. He's practically a Shepherd himself. I think if Derek's parents could've, they would've adopted him," Addison explained.
"Mark found out about Sloan a few years ago and he got full custody. She's pretty much Olivia's cousin, and, even though she's not the best influence, she's good with Liv. Sometimes, she acts out from what I've seen because she's also a teenage girl, but her future stepmother is a good influence on her," Addison explained.
"Is every child in Seattle getting a new stepmother?" Jake laughed.
"Only those who are somehow connected to the Grey family," Addison remarked.
"What?" Jake asked, confused.
"That intern I caught my ex-husband with? They're still together, and they're post-it-married," Addison said, the disdain clear in her voice.
"What does post-it-married mean?" Jake asked, again confused.
"You know, I'm not even sure. They got married on a post-it note; now you know as much as I do," Addison tried to explain. Jake nodded, figuring he wouldn't get a clearer answer than that.
"Anyway, as I was saying, Meredith Grey, the intern, also has a little sister, Lexie, and she and Mark are getting married, which will make her Sloan's stepmom," Addison explained, bringing the conversation back to her earlier point.
"I see," Jake said.
"Wait, if Meredith's an intern, how young is her little sister?" Jake asked, slightly horrified at the thought that crossed his mind.
"She's not an intern anymore; she's a resident now. But her sister's definitely on the young side," Addison said.
"So, just to double-check, is everyone at least over the age of consent in whatever's going on?" Jake asked, half-jokingly.
"Well, Meredith is older than Amelia, but she started her residency late. I think Lexie is a little too young, in my opinion, but I think she's good for Mark," Addison explained the best way she could. She didn't know specific ages, but she at least knew the general order.
"So, your ex is post-it married to Meredith, Mark is Derek's best friend who's dating her younger sister, Lexie, and Amelia is somewhere in the middle of all of this?" Jake double-checked, talking slowly to make sure he got the names and details right.
"You know, you got that a lot faster than I thought you would," Addison laughed.
"Well, what kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn't get the details right?" Jake joked.
"You know, I knew there was something I liked about you when I flirted with you over pineapples, of all things," Addison chuckled.
"Yeah, well, I better be more than just Pineapple Guy now," Jake added.
"Would a kiss make sure you know you're more than just the pineapple guy?" Addison asked as she parked the car.
"I think it would," Jake smirked.
Addison leaned over, capturing his mouth in hers. He held her neck gently as the pair made out.
The pair got sloppier as the minutes passed until a car honked right behind them, startling them. The couple jumped apart, embarrassed, turning to look at who honked.
Charlotte stared directly at them, challenging them with her gaze. It practically stopped them from daring to even try to argue. Addison lifted an eyebrow when she saw Charlotte staring at them.
"You do know I'm your boss here," Addison reminded her.
"Oh yeah? What're you gonna do about that?" Charlotte taunted, chuckling before walking away towards the building. Addison laughed.
"I guess we should get going," Addison sighed, chuckling. She would much rather make out with Jake.
"I really don't want to get on her bad side," Jake jokingly shuddered, which made Addison laugh. Partly because of his dramatized shudder, and partly because she knew he was right.
"Yeah, the only people who are safe from her are Amelia and Mason. She tries to avoid the other kids," Addison laughed.
The pair grabbed their stuff and headed into the office, determined not to look at Charlotte for fear of getting chewed out. Jake still wasn't sure how Amelia, of all people, was on Charlotte's good side when it seemed even Cooper wasn't on most days.
"Took you long enough," Charlotte commented jokingly after seeing Jake and Addison enter the office.
"You know, we're still early," Jake said mildly as he checked his wristwatch.
"The earlier you get here, the more productive you are," Charlotte commented.
"There's no mini-you tied to your leg today," Charlotte pointed toward Addison, who was indeed, without Olivia.
"Well no. She's with her dad this weekend," Addison said, filling her in.
"I'm not one to gossip, but why is he never around?" Charlotte asked.
"He lives in Seattle, and I live here," Addison said simply.
"Is there a reason why he doesn't come here? I mean, I know you're rich, but what kind of parent doesn't come to visit his daughter?" Charlotte asked.
"He does come to visit Liv; he just doesn't come here to visit her. Why would he? This is my workplace. I don't live here. Usually, he comes to see her at home. Plus, he works at a level-one trauma center. He can't exactly come out all the time," Addison explained.
"How come we've never met him?" Charlotte asked. By now, the other doctors at the practice were standing around, looking at Addison for an answer.
"I don't know," Addison shrugged, feeling a little like she was on display.
"What's with the 50 questions, anyway? Don't you guys have patients to get to?" Addison asked before she walked away to her office. Everyone looked at Jake to see what he had to say.
"I haven't met him either, but he sounds like a nice enough guy," Jake said honestly, shaking his head before following his girlfriend to her office.
Amelia stepped into the office, confused as to why everyone was standing around.
"What'd I miss?" Amelia asked.
"We asked Addison why Olivia's dad isn't around and she blew up," Violet answered.
"Maybe because it was a dumb question," Amelia answered, annoyed.
"Why does it even matter? They have a kid together and they live in two different states. We're friends, but it's not like we spend all our time together," Amelia added.
"It's just a little weird that we've never met him," Cooper shrugged, a little defensive.
"You've never asked to meet him," Amelia pointed out.
"Don't you think it's a little odd that he's never come to the office?" Sheldon asked.
To be honest, Amelia never realized Derek had never been to the office.
"I mean, there's never really been any reason for him to," Amelia said after a minute, pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"What does it even matter, anyway?" Amelia asked after a beat.
"I don't know. We just don't know anything about him. It's weird," Violet replied.
"We kinda thought he was a spy for a while," Cooper admitted.
"That might be one of the dumbest things you've ever said," Amelia commented.
"And you've said a lot of dumb things," Amelia added. Pete couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Violet whacked him on the shoulder as if telling him to knock it off.
"Hey! It's not my fault the guy's so mysterious," Cooper said, insulted.
"What do you mean, he's mysterious? Derek's not mysterious," Amelia replied.
"To you, maybe. He's your brother. All we know about him is that he's your brother and that he and Addison had a kid together," Pete pointed out.
"It's natural we'd be curious," Sheldon added.
"Well, what do you wanna know?" Amelia asked bluntly as she leaned against the kitchen counter.
"What's he like?" Charlotte asked.
"He's a doctor - a neurosurgeon, like me. He and Addie met in med school, got married, got pregnant, moved to Seattle, then got divorced," Amelia replied.
"That's it?" Pete asked, thinking they were going to learn more.
"What else is there to know? He's engaged, or…married? I don't know, and Liv seems to like his fiancé slash wife," Amelia said.
"You don't know if he's married?" Violet asked.
"I do know. It just depends on what you consider married," Amelia snickered. Addison had rubbed off on her when it came to Derek's new "marriage".
"What do you mean by that?" Sheldon asked.
"It means they got married on a post-it note, but never got a marriage license," Amelia explained.
"So, they're not married," Pete said.
"Technically yes, but it doesn't stop them from calling each other husband and wife," Amelia said.
"Well, this was fun, but some of us actually have work to do," Amelia added, leaving the kitchen with her cup of coffee.
A/N: We couldn't resist everyone asking personal questions because it's on par for everyone. I still would like to understand why they think Derek would come to his ex-wife's work when his kid isn't even there lol.