Chapter 5: Don't Go Yet

Summary: Amelia picks Olivia up at school, surprising her with Michelle before heading back home. Jake stays the night, unbeknownst to the little girl, causing her to come running toward her aunt's room to fill her in.

For the next few days, Amelia ignored the issue, not wanting to talk about it at all. But she wasn't exactly denying anything, either. However, she followed through with Addison's advice not to fly to Seattle to pick up Olivia. Even though Derek had just had her, he asked if he could have her back for his birthday. Addison couldn't say no to that, so she sent Olivia to Seattle for the weekend. Amelia was supposed to fly down on Sunday to see Derek and come back with Olivia, but Addison didn't want her flying.

So, Addison went to the airport herself, with Jake in tow, to pick up Olivia.

"Mommy! Dr. Jake!" Olivia yelled, running to them while her trusted flight attendant walked just a few steps behind her.

"Hi, baby!" Addison scooped her up.

"We missed you." Addison told her.

"I missed you guys too! Lots and lots!" Olivia informed them.

Why don't you tell Dr. Jake all about your trip while I call Daddy?" Addison suggested.

Olivia happily agreed and talked Jake's ear off as the three of them made their way out of the airport. Addison stayed on the phone as they walked; she wasn't one to hang around airports. A trait she learned from Bizzy, who never wanted to stay any longer than they needed to in places like airports.

Addison watched as Jake took over, buckling Olivia into her seat, even laughing as she complained about it trapping her. Jake just seamlessly entered their lives in a way no one had before.

The three made their way back home while Olivia, per usual, filled the car ride with her voice, telling them everything she did on her most recent trip.

Once they got inside, Olivia immediately zeroed in on her aunt in the living room and launched herself at her Auntie Amelia.

"Lia!" Olivia exclaimed.

"Olivia! Be careful. She's not feeling well," Addison warned, sighing in relief after seeing her girl stop dead in her tracks and looking confused.

"It's okay, Livvy, come here. Just don't jump on me," Amelia said reassuringly, as she reached for the girl.

She missed her niece and felt terrible about not being able to go pick her up like she initially promised, but that was before things happened, and she felt awful so listening to Addison when she had told her not to go became more of a blessing.

"We picked up dinner on the way home; Thai food. We got some for you," Jake said.

"Thanks," Amelia said as Jake moved to dish out dinner for everyone.

Amelia pushed around much of her food before deciding she wasn't hungry and headed off to bed early, much to the disappointment of Olivia, who wanted to hang out with her aunt.

"Hey, I'll pick you up from school tomorrow," Amelia offered.

"I think I heard a little birdy say they missed you," Amelia added.

"What birdy?" Olivia asked, confused.

"I guess you'll have to wait and see," Amelia teased, heading upstairs.

The next day, as promised, Amelia went to pick up Olivia from school. She wasn't one to break her promises to the kid if she could help it.

"Hey, kiddo!" Amelia greeted Olivia after school at the pickup door.

"Lia! What are we doing today?" Olivia asked, thrilled that her aunt was here like promised.

"We're gonna go grab Michelle after you change into your play clothes, and then hang out at the park and have some dinner after finishing your homework. Maybe we can even watch a movie after if it's still early," Amelia said.

Olivia thought it all sounded fun until she heard the word homework. She hated homework, and she hated that it was always in French. And never in English. She didn't mind learning French or speaking it, but she hated it all day long at school. Reading, writing, and speaking! Olivia hated the fact that she had to do it at home, too.

Amelia took her bag and guided her to the car after saying goodbye to her teachers.

Once she secured Olivia in the car, they headed over to Michelle's place. Olivia complained about how much French sucked, and Amelia could relate. She, too, hated her French classes at her age. And even now, she rarely ever spoke it. Amelia picked up a little more over the last year to talk to Olivia's teachers whenever she needed to, but she still preferred English, or even German, if she had to choose a second language.

Once Olivia changed into her play clothes, and they hung her school uniform on the bathroom door because, god forbid, she couldn't leave it on the floor, the three walked toward the park closest to Michelle's place. Amelia and Michelle hung back as Olivia went ahead. They walked this path frequently, so she knew where she was going.

"What are you going to tell her? You know, when I'm gone?" Michelle asked in a quiet voice. She knew how much Olivia adored her and the feeling was mutual.

"Honestly? I don't know. We told her you're sick, but that's about it. She's only six; it's not like she's gonna understand much of it. And frankly, I don't want to be the one to tell her," Amelia replied, keeping her eyes on Olivia.

"I don't even know what to say. How do you explain what death is to a kid?" Amelia asked.

"Well, you found out what it meant when you were her age," Michelle pointed out.

"Not exactly by choice," Amelia replied.

"Okay…," Michelle dragged out.

"What about the other thing?" Michelle asked.

"What thing?" Amelia asked.

"The baby? Are you keeping it? Or…?" Michelle probed.

"I don't know.," Amelia shrugged.

"Livvy would love having a baby cousin. Isn't she obsessed with one of her older cousins?" Michelle asked.

"Lucas?" Amelia asked, interrupting her.

"Sure, that sounds right," Michelle shrugged.

"Liv thinks you're a rockstar, so it's not like she'd look down on you or something. Plus, then, you could raise your kid however you wanted to. You could make your own rules, and Addison would totally buy an entire wardrobe of baby Chanel," Michelle added.

Amelia laughed. Michelle loved the luxury items that Addison could afford, and she was always thrilled when Addison threw them a bone around their birthdays or Christmas.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Amelia thought about it. Michelle made some good points.

"Well, yeah. Auntie Michelle is always right. I am Auntie Michelle, right?" Michelle asked. Amelia chuckled.

"If I decide to keep it, if. Then yes, you are Auntie Michelle. This kid will be lucky to learn everything about you," Amelia said.

"Mitchie! Come push me!" Olivia called from the swing.

Michelle laughed, getting up to push the girl. Olivia always knew how to brighten her entire day.

Michelle, who was much more proficient in French thanks to her years of living abroad, helped Olivia as she complained about her homework the entire time. Amelia had been working on dinner for them, which wasn't much, but Olivia liked it enough.

"Liv, the faster you finish your homework, the easier it'll be," Michelle said, sitting beside the girl.

"I hate it. It's stupid," Olivia whined.

"Yeah, you've said that every day for the last two months," Amelia chuckled.

"It's still stupid," Olivia complained.

"You still have to do your homework, Livvy. Your mom says you have to do it," Amelia said, silently thanking Michelle for tackling a six-year-old's homework with her.

"Fine," Olivia huffed, causing the older women to laugh.

Michelle diverted the girl's attention back to her homework so she could finish before they ate dinner. Olivia made a comment about her aunt's sucky cooking, as she called it, but she still ate it, anyway. It,however, caused a mock outrage, but Amelia knew she wasn't a great cook, so she accepted it. Michelle was much better these days but still struggled. Not that she'd admit it, but Addison hired someone to look after Michelle. Addison claimed it was a personal favor to Amelia if anyone ever asked her, but everyone knew she had a soft spot for Michelle, too.

After finishing homework and dinner, Michelle and Amelia packed Olivia up before heading back home. Weirdly, Addison didn't come rushing down the stairs to greet her like normal. And she wasn't sitting in the living room reading or working on paperwork where she normally did.

"Auntie, where's Mommy?" Olivia looked up at Amelia as she looked around.

"I don't know. I'm sure we can find her," Amelia said, softly brushing the girl's hair with her fingers.

"Found her," Michelle said, smirking after spotting two heads peeking out from above a lounge chair on the deck outside. Addison was clearly busy with her boyfriend, as she saw Addison giggling as they made out.

"Ew!" Olivia's nose crinkled after realizing what they were looking at.

"Liv, it's just Jake," Amelia chuckled.

"Still," Olivia huffed as she approached the back door.

Amelia caught up to her quickly and got to the door first. She made sure to make as much noise as possible as she opened the door. The last thing Addison wanted was for her daughter to ambush her while she was having some alone time with Jake. It wasn't like she or Jake were exposed or that she'd ever strip out there, but Amelia knew Addison liked to be more put-together around guests. Namely Michelle, in this situation.

"Hey," Addison said as she straightened up and held out her arms for Olivia to run into.

"Hi, Mommy!" Olivia exclaimed, climbing up on the lounge chair and onto Addison's lap.

"Hey, Liv," Jake said, who also sat up when Addison did as he waved to the little girl.

"Did you have fun today?" Addison asked before planting a kiss on Olivia's head.

"Yeah!" Olivia exclaimed.

"Did you finish your homework?" Addison asked.

"Yes," Olivia said, making a face. She clearly wasn't a fan of homework.

"Good job," Addison said, moving some of Olivia's hair out of her face.

"Michelle, it's good to see you," Addison said, smiling up at Michelle and Amelia, who stood back and watched the entire encounter.

"You too," Michelle said. She looked at Amelia, and the two gave each other looks, silently communicating. Clearly, Michelle wanted to get the rundown on Addison and her new man.

"Hi, I'm Jake," Jake got up from his seat and held out a hand for her to shake. Michelle shook his hand, using her free hand to clutch her chest jokingly. He wasn't just good-looking, he was a gentleman, too.

"Nice to meet you," Michelle said, her voice a few notes higher than normal. It was easy to swoon over someone like Jake.

"Alright, relax. He's already taken," Amelia joked, chuckling.

"I know we just met, but it looks like you've got a good one here, Addison," Michelle said.

"Thank you?" Addison wasn't sure if she should feel threatened or flattered.

"Don't worry, he's all yours," Michelle chuckled.

"Alright, well, let's get you ready for bed," Addison decided, getting up from her seat, still carrying Olivia as she did. She was getting a little too big to carry, but she took every chance she could to hold her daughter close.

"But I'm not tired," Olivia argued.

"Yes, well, it doesn't matter. It's getting close to your bedtime," Addison said, just grateful she wasn't telling her she wasn't a baby anymore, and wanted to be put down.

"But they don't have to go to bed yet," Olivia said, referring to Michelle and Amelia.

"Who says we aren't?" Michelle asked. She knew Olivia would never go down if they didn't tell her they were also going to go to sleep soon.

"I still don't wanna go to sleep," Olivia huffed. Addison sighed.

"Hey Liv, how about this? If you get ready for bed, I'll help your mom read you your bedtime story tonight," Jake offered. Olivia looked at him, clearly interested in his offer.

"I do a pretty good Tigger," Jake teased. Liv's eyes widened; she loved the Winnie the Pooh books.

"That sound good?" Addison asked, giggling. Olivia nodded her head up and down enthusiastically.

Addison carried Olivia upstairs as Jake trailed behind to give Olivia a bath first. After the day Olivia had with Amelia and Michelle at the park, Addison was sure she could use one.

"Mommy, I wanna take a bath in your bathroom! It has the bigger tub! And the jets!" Olivia exclaimed. Addison giggled and gave in, Her bathroom, it was then. The bigger bathroom and tub turned out to be a good idea with the three of them in there together; it was just more room that way.

"Can you really do Tigger?" Olivia asked.

"Of course I can," Jake said boastfully.

"Can I hear it?" Olivia asked.

"Not until you're ready for bed. Jake said he'd do Tigger when we read your bedtime story," Addison butted in before Jake could answer. She needed her to have some kind of incentive to get into bed tonight.

"But," Olivia started.

"No buts," Addison said.

"Tell you what? How about I show you my Pooh bear first? And then later, you can hear my Tigger," Jake suggested.

Addison looked at him and both of their smiles widened. He couldn't be dreamier, Addison thought. Olivia nodded back enthusiastically.

"Can you say please first?" Addison asked, encouraging her daughter to use her manners.

"Please?" Olivia pleaded.

"Alright, alright," Jake chuckled. He stopped himself from laughing and composed himself, preparing to speak as he cleared his throat.

"I think I hear a rumbly in my tumbly," Jake said in his best Pooh bear impression.

Olivia looked pleased as her smile widened, and Jake and Addison bursted out laughing. It was a pretty good impression, as well as something Addison never thought she'd ever hear her boyfriend say. And similarly, it was something Jake never thought he'd share again now that Angela was a teenager.

"So, what's the verdict?" Jake asked as the two girls continued giggling.

"That was so cool!" Olivia exclaimed. Jake smiled at her and then turned his attention to his girlfriend.

"It's definitely one of the best Pooh bear impressions I've ever heard," Addison said, still giggling.

While they were downstairs, the two younger women flopped down in the living room, staring at each other from opposite couches.

"I feel like crap," Amelia complained, now that they were finally alone.

"Well, yeah. That happens when you're, what is it again? Oh, yeah, pregnant," Michelle teased, grabbing a magazine off the coffee table. Addison always had the best fashion magazines, and she often left them out for Michelle to read, knowing she liked flipping through them.

Amelia chucked a throw pillow at her head.

"I thought we agreed to not talk about it anymore," Amelia commented, rolling her eyes.

"That was before you openly complained. It's fair game now," Michelle pointed out.

"You suck," Amelia said.

"I know. I'm good at it," Michelle bragged.

"I am, after all, the one who showed you that trick with the…," Michelle started. She didn't finish her sentence, knowing Olivia would somehow overhear their very adult conversation if she continued. If that happened, Addison would never let her see the kid again, much less welcome her here.

Amelia rolled her eyes, hauling herself up.

"I'm gonna change into my pajamas. You coming?" Amelia asked, heading toward the stairs. It was an unspoken agreement that Michelle was spending the night.

Michelle agreed and followed her friend upstairs. The two could hear Jake, Addison, and Olivia from Addison's bathroom.

"Okay, so tell me everything you can about the hottie. He's obviously with Addison and that's great and all, but I need details," Michelle said, looking for clothes in Amelia's things.

Amelia laughed, telling her everything about how Addison and Jake met. And how quickly he immersed in their lives. Especially how easily he got along with Olivia.

"So, future stepdad for Liv?" Michelle asked playfully.

"Honestly? He could be," Amelia admitted.

"Really?" Michelle leaned forward, that much more interested now. She was only joking before.

"Yeah. I think he's good for Addie. And they're so mushy and obnoxious and just so stupidly in love with each other already. Plus, I think Liv likes him," Amelia said.

"And they've been together for how long now?" Michelle asked.

"I don't know, maybe a month or two now, I think," Amelia said, thinking out loud.

"You know, the mushy stuff doesn't always last," Michelle pointed out.

"Yeah, I know. But, I don't know. I don't think I've seen Addison this happy in a really long time. That's gotta mean something, right?" Amelia asked.

"Definitely," Michelle agreed.

"The only thing that might become a problem later is his daughter," Amelia bit her lip, thinking about it.

"Wait, he has a kid, too?" Michelle asked.

"Oh, yeah. Did I forget to mention her?" Amelia asked, feeling bad she left her out of the story earlier.

"Uh…yeah!" Michelle said.

"So, what's wrong with her? Is she a brat or something?" Michelle asked bluntly.

"No. I don't think so, anyway," Amelia replied. Michelle gave her a look, waiting for her to tell her more.

"Her name's Angela, and from what I've seen, she seems nice. But, you know, she's a teenager. She has her own life and does her own thing. I haven't seen much of her, so I don't really know what to think about her," Amelia said honestly.

"Maybe you could, I don't know, set her up on a playdate with Maya next door? They're the same age, right?" Michelle asked.

"They're 15, not five," Amelia gave her friend a look. Teenagers didn't use words like playdate anymore, but before she could say anymore, there was a small hand banging on the door.

"Mitchie! Lia! Are you in there? Mommy says I have to go to sleep now," Olivia huffed.

Michelle giggled, going to open the door, since she was closer.

"We're getting ready for bed, too, kiddo. See?" Michelle motioned to their outfits. Olivia just pouted.

"Five minutes, Olivia!" Addison called from down the hall, reminding the girl.

The girls giggled, letting Olivia hang with them for a few more minutes.

When the five, or more accurately, ten minutes, were up, Addison called for Olivia. She gave her an extra few minutes because she was behaving.

"Winnie the Pooh time!" Olivia exclaimed when she ran back to her room to find Jake and Addison waiting for her.

"Alright, come on up," Jake motioned and Olivia crawled into bed while Jake and Addison sat on the floor beside her.

Addison handed Jake a Winnie the Pooh book, and the two took turns reading. Jake, as promised, read Tigger's lines, as well as Winnie's and Eeyore's. Addison, meanwhile, read for Piglet, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo, and the two alternated when they narrated the story. Jake was great at impressions, while Addison mostly just read it off as expected for the most part. But given that her characters didn't have incredibly distinct voices, it worked. As they read, Jake and Addison both noticed Olivia's excitement wear down as her eyelids became heavy as she started to fall asleep. By the time they finished reading, Olivia was half asleep.

"More," Olivia said softly.

"No more, baby. It's time to go to sleep," Addison chuckled, moving some of her stray hair away from her eyes.

"Maybe Jake can read for you again another night, okay?" Addison asked softly. Olivia nodded her head slowly, agreeing with her mom.

"Goodnight, Livvy. Sleep tight," Addison whispered before kissing her forehead and pulling up her blanket so it'd cover her shoulders.

The little girl's eyes fluttered closed as she drifted off to sleep. The adults quietly sneaked out of the room before Addison closed the door behind them afterward.

"Thank you," Addison said softly.

"My pleasure. Honestly, it's been a long time since I've gotten to read a little kid to sleep. Ange just kind of grew up overnight after her mom. She just sort of started putting herself to bed and stopped asking," Jake sighed. He still felt like he could've done more.

"Hey, kids grow up faster than we think. Especially after a traumatic experience. Trust me, I've seen it," Addison said, softly touching his cheek, hoping it would soothe him.

She saw firsthand what a sudden loss of a parent did to kids. She saw Derek's internal struggle for years, how the older Shepherd kids basically parented themselves, and how Amelia, who was so little, just slipped through the cracks.

"Doesn't make it any better, does it?" Jake asked softly, looking up into her eyes.

"No, it doesn't, but I get it. If you ever need to talk about it, I'm here," Addison smiled softly at him.

"Hey, do you have to go home tonight?" Addison asked, biting her lip.

"Um…no. Not necessarily. Why?" Jake asked coyly.

"Maybe you could…stay over tonight?" Addison asked.

"Olivia's home," Jake said after a minute. They'd never had a sleepover when Olivia was home before.

"I know," Addison chuckled.

"So are Amelia and Michelle. I'm okay with it if you are. I know it's a big step," Addison bit her lip harder, watching him.

"She's pretty good about sleeping through the night. Unless there's thunder. She usually comes looking for me, but sometimes she'll go find Amelia. Especially if I'm not home," Addison explained, rambling slightly. Jake thought about it for a moment, taking her words in.

"I have to check in on Ange, but if she's okay, then I'll stay," Jake said. Addison nodded, smiling. She respected that he needed to check in with his daughter before agreeing to stay over.

Jake stepped onto Addison's balcony to call Angela. He appreciated the balcony for a higher view of the same landscape. After the call, he stepped back in, telling Addison that Angela was alright with him staying.

"She said, and I quote, wear a condom," Jake informed her. Addison had to hold back her laughter after seeing Jake didn't find it nearly as funny.

"I commend her for wanting us to practice safe sex," Addison joked. Jake laughed; Addison always had a way of making things better.

"But, just so you know, we're just going to sleep," Addison reassured him after a minute.

"My daughter is right down the hall," Addison pointed out.

"I wasn't thinking of anything but sleeping," Jake said.

"I, uh, have trouble falling asleep a lot of the time, so I usually go to bed around nine in hopes of falling asleep," Addison admitted, blushing.

"Well, maybe you'll sleep better in my arms," Jake suggested with a grin.

She blushed but made no comment. Instead, she moved to get ready for bed. Jake left a pair of track pants here from the other day after they went for a joint run. Since then, Addison washed it and was planning on giving it back for him to bring back home. But since he was going to be spending the night, she was happy she hadn't done so yet. Jake followed her lead as they both got ready for bed together.

Early the next morning, Olivia went to her mom's room to wake her up. Sometimes, they snuggled in bed for a while. But usually, Olivia wanted her to get up. She wasn't really someone who wanted to lie in bed all day. After opening the door, she was ready to run in like always, but she stopped dead in her tracks after noticing the extra body in her mommy's bed. And it wasn't Amelia.

Quickly abandoning her plans, she took off and ran down the hall. She flung her aunt's bedroom door open. She'd get in trouble for that later, but right now she didn't care.

"Lia! Mitchie!" Olivia squealed, jumping up onto the bed and bouncing.

"Wake up! Wake up! Guess what? Wake up!" Olivia exclaimed.

Michelle cracked an eye open, looking at the bouncing kid before glancing at the clock.

"It's too early, kid. Come here," Michelle tried to reach out, but Olivia ducked her arms. This wasn't the first time Olivia had woken them up, but they always tried to get her back to bed.

"Guys! You have to get up! There's a boy in Mommy's bed!" Olivia exclaimed dramatically, catching Michelle's attention.

"Tell me more, kiddo," Michelle sat up, intrigued. She knew it was just Addison's boyfriend from last night, but she still loved gossip.

"Please stop jumping," Amelia said, feeling her stomach becoming more and more unsettled as she felt the girl jump.

Olivia, being a kid, didn't listen, and kept up her dramatics and kept bouncing.

"Liv, I beg of you. Please stop," Amelia groaned, politely trying to get her to stop once again.

"But Auntie, you'll never guess what!" Olivia said, continuing to bounce on the bed.

"Olivia, please," Amelia begged, feeling like her food from last night was going to come up.

"I promise we can talk if you just sit down," Amelia said.

"Auntie," Oliva whined, jumping up between the two women, not realizing that her aunt was begging her to stop for a reason.

And with that, it was the final straw for Amelia. With a hand over her mouth, Amelia rolled out of bed to make a run for the bathroom. She just barely made it before spilling the contents of her stomach. Michelle and a wide-eyed, guilty-looking Olivia followed. Michelle pulled her friend's hair back as Amelia held her head down into the toilet bowl.

"This is what you get for letting yourself get into this position!" Michelle sing-songed in a teasing voice,

"God, why are you such a bitch?" Amelia groaned, her head hanging over the toilet.

Olivia gasped.

"You said a bad word! I'm gonna tell Mommy!" Olivia scolded her aunt.

"Hey, Livvy? If you don't tell your mom, I'll give you 20 dollars," Michelle said, hoping to bargain with the kid.

"I don't know…she said a bad word," Olivia thought out loud.

"She did, but she's sick right now, so we shouldn't hold it against her, right?" Michelle asked. Olivia sighed, agreeing. Then she watched as her aunt got up to brush her teeth.

"Okay, Liv. What's going on that's gotten you so worked up this morning?" Amelia asked, feeling a little better.

"There's a boy in Mommy's bed! And he's naked! Mommy never has a boy in her bed! Not even Daddy or Uncle Mark!" Olivia exclaimed.

"There's a naked boy in Mommy's bed!" Olivia repeated, wanting their attention, after they ignored her for a minute.

"It's just Jake. He slept over, Liv. It's not a big deal," Amelia shrugged.

"But I can't have sleepovers with boys. Do you have sleepovers with boys?" Olivia asked, her eyes widening. Maybe it was something only big girls did, Olivia thought.

"You've had sleepovers with Jonah before," Amelia reminded her, chuckling at the dark look that crossed the young girl's face. She tried to forget those times.

"But did she see his boy parts? 'Cause Daddy says we're never allowed to see them," Olivia whispered softly, knowing it wasn't something her dad would approve of her saying if he were here.

"I don't think she did, Livvy," Amelia said, moving to tackle the small girl's massive bedhead.

"Auntie," Olivia whined, trying to move away, but Michelle forced her still while Amelia fixed her hair.

"There," Amelia let her go a minute later.

"Mitchie can make us breakfast. Let's go," Amelia ushered the small child out of the bathroom, wandering down the hall to close Addison's bedroom door. She assumed Olivia had left it open earlier in her haste to gossip with her and Michelle.

A/N: Chapter title inspired by the song, Don't Go Yet by Camila Cabello.