Chapter 14: A Year Without Rain
Addison took Amelia home, letting her sit in silence. She was so relieved that Amelia had finally talked about it, even if it wasn't exactly positive. But the important part was that she made a decision. It wasn't all up in the air anymore, and they could both move forward with the pregnancy.
Addison had to admit she wanted Amelia to want the baby, but she would've also respected her choice if she chose to terminate the pregnancy. She meant what she said to her, she just made sure she didn't make her preference known to the younger woman. Especially since there was no way she could stay objective. Not when that baby could become her niece someday, if she chose to keep it. And she was relieved that she would.
Addison could only imagine how overwhelmed Amelia felt every day for the last few months. She knew things weren't all that great and made a mental note to suggest Amelia start talking to someone about all of it. Sheldon maybe, or someone at the hospital who could help her cope better. Probably someone who wasn't friends with them and didn't work at their office would be the better choice, Addison thought.
When they got home, Addison stopped at the front door, with Amelia standing just behind her.
"You ready?" Addison asked. She hadn't said a word in the car; neither of them had. But she just wanted her to be sure she'd be okay before Olivia came at her.
"Ready," Amelia said, deciding against making some kind of joke.
Addison put the key through the door and immediately heard footsteps running. She and Amelia chuckled as they found Olivia on the other side of the door, smiling back at them.
"Mommy!" Olivia exclaimed, running up to Addison just for Addison to pick her up.
"You're getting big," Addison suggested, chuckling as she readjusted Olivia in her arms.
"That's because I'm almost seven!" Olivia reminded her.
"I know you're almost seven," Addison said playfully.
"Where'd you go today, Mommy?" Olivia asked as Addison let her down. Amelia stroked her hair softly as Olivia gave her auntie a small hug at the knees.
"I just had some work to finish up, that's all," Addison said simply.
"I went home with Dr. Jake!" Olivia informed them.
"I know; I asked him to pick you up, silly," Addison chuckled.
"Did everything go okay?" Addison asked.
"I hope so," Jake said, walking closer to the front door from the living room.
"What are -? What are you doing here? I said you could drop her off," Addison said, surprised but pleasantly so.
"Well, I wasn't sure how long you'd be and I had a feeling Sloan's cooking skills are as limited, if not more, than yours. So, I thought I'd stick around for dinner if that's okay with you," Jake explained.
"Are you calling me a bad cook?" Addison asked dramatically, joking.
"You're in trouble now," Amelia joked along.
"Mommy's not that bad at cooking. I just like the box mac and cheese better," Olivia commented. Addison glared playfully at the girl.
"Well, maybe you can try my mac and cheese next time. It's Angela's favorite," Jake said proudly. Addison looked over at him, impressed.
"Okay, let's go finish your homework and let Mommy hang out with her boyfriend," Amelia joked, shuffling Olivia away. Jake and Addison chuckled as they walked upstairs.
"So, you have a famous mac and cheese?" Addison asked coyly.
"It's not exactly famous. But it is famous at my house," Jake joked. Addison laughed.
"That sounds wonderful. You know you really didn't have to stay, right? Sloan and Olivia would have survived until I came home. If worse came to worst, Sam would have made sure they weren't setting things on fire," Addison joked. Jake chuckled.
"Ange has swim practice anyway. I have some time before I have to pick her up," Jake explained before leaving her arms to head back to the kitchen.
Addison followed dutifully, wondering what he was making.
"Do you mind if I change before joining you?" Addison asked.
"No, go ahead. Take your time, take a shower if you need to," Jake said, smiling.
Addison thanked him before heading off, peeking into Olivia's room and hearing both Amelia and Olivia horribly pronounce whatever they were doing. She headed to her room to shower and change after leaving the girls, thankful Jake was cooking for them. That man was too good for them and she knew it.
Before he left, Jake helped set the table and said his goodbyes before going to pick up Angela from swim practice.
When they sat down for dinner, Sloan decided to ask what she had on her mind all day. Maybe she could use this morning as leverage.
"Addison?" Sloan asked.
"Yes, Sloan?" Addison asked, distracted, trying to keep Olivia from playing with her food.
"So, um, there's this concert on Friday that I want to go to. I was wondering…can I go? Maya wants to go, too, so it's' not like I'd be by myself or anything,'' Sloan asked quickly.
"And we thought maybe we'd invite Angela too; make it a girls' night out. I can drive, so it's not like any of you would have to drive us there and back. And I have money, so I don't need you to pay for me," Sloan explained.
"I don't know," Addison said hesitantly.
"I have to talk to your dad first. Give me all the details," Addison added. Sloan gave Addison all the information necessary and was hoping Addison would let her go. She knew if she asked Amelia, she'd let her go, but she had to get Addison's permission because this was her house.
"Selena Gomez? Why does that sound familiar?" Addison asked.
"She's on Disney Channel. Liv's probably watched Wizards at some point," Sloan replied. Addison nodded as it clicked in her head.
"I'll ask your dad after dinner," Addison promised. She wouldn't promise anything else until she talked to the three girls' fathers.
Sloan took Olivia outside to play after dinner while Addison went next door to talk to Sam.
"Hey, Maya. Sloan and Liv are outside if you want to join them," Addison said upon seeing Maya sitting and texting on the couch.
"Is your dad home?" Addison asked.
"Upstairs; he's probably on the phone with my mom. Fighting…," Maya shrugged.
Addison nodded back awkwardly, wondering if she should come back.
"You can go up," Maya said before heading toward the door to join Sloan and Olivia outside.
Addison nodded, unsure if she really wanted to get between another Sam and Naomi fight. Naomi tried to get her involved when she tried to get custody after deciding to move to D.C. with Fife. She used her and Derek as an example, and Addison wanted no part of that.
"Sam?" Addison asked, knocking softly on his bedroom door.
"Addison, hey," Sam turned around, pretending like everything was fine. As always.
"Everything okay?" Addison asked.
"Yeah, Naomi's still fighting this custody thing. It's not wrong that I want Maya to stay here, is it? She grew up here, and she'll be graduating in a few years. Is it really worth it to ship her across the country and make her change schools for her last two years of school?" Sam asked, wanting her validation.
"I'm staying out of this," Addison said, putting her hands up. She already made it clear that she wanted no part of this argument last time.
"So, uh, what brings you by? Did I see Sloan Sloan over there?" Sam asked.
"Sloan Riley, and yes. Her school's on a break. She wanted some sun, so she's staying with me for the week," Addison explained quickly.
"Anyway, Sloan really wanted to go to a concert this week with Maya and Jake's daughter, Angela. I don't really have any reason to say no, but I said I'd ask you first," Addison said.
"I don't know much about it, but it seems harmless," Addison added.
"Sloan's trouble," Sam commented.
"Sam…," Addison sighed. She was afraid of this response. Sam always had trouble seeing past someone getting in trouble and labeling them as bad.
"Look, Maya's a good kid, so is Angela, and I know Sloan tends to cause trouble sometimes, but she's trying, Sam. Just give her a break. Maya's a good influence," Addison said.
"Is it on a school night?" Sam asked.
"Friday night. One of us can drive the girls there and back if you want," Addison offered.
"Did your boyfriend say yes?" Sam asked.
"I haven't talked to him yet, but I imagine he would," Addison replied.
"If it'll make you feel better, we can send Amelia with them to keep an eye on them," Addison suggested.
"That would make it worse," Sam remarked.
"Oh, come on, Sam," Addison sighed.
"You think it's a good idea for the girls to go to a concert on their own?" Sam asked.
"It's not like they're five years old, Sam. They're teenagers. Don't you think they should get a little freedom?" Addison asked.
"You can give Sloan all the freedom you want. And Jake can give his daughter all the freedom he wants. No one said I had to do the same with Maya," Sam commented.
"You're really gonna keep her from going out with her friends? It's a Friday night, her friends are going and want her to come, and it's Selena Gomez. She's on the Disney Channel, for God's sake," Addison said, listing out the reasons he should let Maya go. Sam looked back at her, weighing his options.
"You're sure it's a good idea?" Sam asked.
"Yes," Addison said confidently; she knew the girls were responsible. Some more than others maybe, but she still thought they'd be fine. They knew how to take care of themselves, and how to call for help if they needed to.
"Alright, fine," Sam said.
"Thank you, Sam. I'll uh leave you to it now," Addison said, making her way out. She settled herself on a lounge chair, calling Jake while watching the girls play. Sloan and Maya were definitely hyping Olivia up over something.
"Miss me already?" Jake answered with a laugh.
"Well, yes," Addison replied coyly.
"But I didn't call about that," Addison added.
"Then what did you call about?" Jake asked.
"Sloan and Maya are gonna go to a Selena Gomez concert and were wondering if Angela could go. The concert's on Friday night, and I already got Sam's permission for Maya," Addison explained.
"Selena Gomez," Jake said, impressed. He knew Angela listened to her music, and he liked that it represented part of their Latin culture.
"You know who she is?" Addison asked, sensing his tone.
"Yeah, Angela's a fan," Jake said.
"So…what do you think about letting the girls have a night out?" Addison asked.
"I don't see why not. Let me just ask Angela real quick," Jake said, putting the phone down. Addison stayed on the line and waited. In the background, she heard Angela squeal, making Addison giggle.
"I'll take that as a yes," Addison giggled.
"You would be correct," Jake said with a laugh.
"Great! I'll let the other girls know," Addison said.
"Goodnight, Addison," Jake said.
"Goodnight," Addison blushed before hanging up.
As Addison got up from her chair, she walked over to the girls. Olivia started running towards her before she got far, clearly excited about something.
"Mommy! Mommy!" Olivia exclaimed.
"Hey, baby," Addison smiled. She knew that whatever Olivia had to say, it'd be something big, considering her reaction.
"Sloan and Maya said they're going to a Selena Gomez concert! Can I go? Pretty please? Pretty please?" Olivia pleaded. Addison looked over at the girls, who only looked a little guilty.
"You wanna go to the concert, too?" Addison asked.
"Yeah!" Olivia exclaimed.
Addison looked at her suspiciously, making Olivia pout. Surprisingly, the girl started singing her favorite Selena Gomez song, and Addison instantly recognized it. A Year Without Rain. It played on the radio sometimes on the way to work and school, Olivia always sang along. The girls behind her giggled, admiring her spirit. And Addison joined them. Olivia was adorable, but a good singer? Not so much. Unfortunately, she had two parents who couldn't sing, either.
"Alright, alright!" Addison exclaimed, giggling.
"Are you guys sure you can watch her?" Addison asked, directing her question toward the teenagers.
"Absolutely," Sloan said.
"You know I'd never let anything happen to her, Aunt Addie," Maya added.
"Well…if you girls promise to watch her like a hawk, I guess she can come with you," Addison gave in. The girls jumped up in joy.
"Also, in case you're interested, Angela's coming with," Addison said loudly, making sure the girls heard her.
"Angie's coming too?" Olivia asked excitedly.
"Yes," Addison said.
"Can Betsey come too, Mama? She likes Selena Gomez too! We always sing when Dell takes us outside!" Olivia begged.
"I don't know about that, Livvy." Addison smiles, smoothing her girl's hair. This would involve yet another phone call.
"I'll call her dad and ask. That's all I can do. Now go back and play," Addison chuckled, putting her down.
Quickly checking the time, she figured Betsey was still awake. So, she called Dell to ask for his opinion. She assured him the girls would keep a close eye on the younger ones, and it'd be her treat. Sometimes, she felt she overdid it with buying Betsey things, but it was her way of thanking Dell for all he did for her and ensuring he never had to struggle with being a young single dad on a limited income.
"I don't know, Addison. I appreciate the offer, but a concert with three teenage girls?" Dell asked. Addison chuckled. That was everyone's hesitation.
"I know, but it's Maya. You know she'd take good care of her. How many times have we trusted her with our children? And Angela does know first aid and CPR. They basically all have doctors as parents," Addison pointed out. She knew equating Dell as an equal among the other doctors would help with sweet-talking him into saying yes.
"One of us can drive them there and back if that makes you feel more comfortable," Addison added, trying to think of who had a big enough car to accommodate five passengers.
"And what about Sloan? Is she trustworthy enough to keep an eye on the girls?" Dell asked, slowly caving.
"Well, she does babysit Liv back in Seattle occasionally and does have a two-year-old sister so I'd say yes." She knew Sloan wasn't the best babysitter around but she wasn't going to put anyone in harm's way.
"Okay. She can go," Dell finally caved, not wanting his daughter to miss out on opportunities.
"Great. Sloan will drive everyone, and I guess they can stay at my place afterward since Liv wants a big sleepover," Addison said.
"Actually, Auntie Addie," Maya interrupted. Addison didn't even realize the girls were listening in. She looked over and saw it was just Sloan playing with Olivia further back now. Addison turned her attention back to the girl after making sure Olivia was okay.
"We were wondering if we could have the sleepover at my house," Maya added.
"Well, I'm fine with that. Dell would probably be okay with it…," Addison started.
"Yeah, that's fine," Dell yelled into the phone, making sure Addison and Maya heard him. Which it did.
"But what about your dad?" Addison asked hesitantly.
"I'm sure he'll be fine," Maya insisted. Addison gave her a doubtful look.
"He owes me," Maya said coyly.
"He owes you?" Addison asked, laughing.
"Actually, hold that thought." Addison told the girl before going back to her phone call.
"Dell, I'll talk to you more at work tomorrow. Text me if you need me," Addison said, hanging up before gesturing to Maya to continue.
"With all the arguing lately, he knows how bad it's been," Maya said nonchalantly.
"You're sure?" Addison asked, still doubtful.
"Yes," Maya insisted.
"I'm sure he'll love having five girls in his house," Addison commented, chuckling.
"Well, he had a daughter. That's his cross to bear," Maya said.
"Is everything okay at home, Maya?" Addison asked, concerned for the girl. Maya sighed but tried to brush it off.
"I miss my mom; I still don't wanna move to D.C. just to leave again for college wherever that'll be. But…," Maya started.
"She's still your mom," Addison finished her sentence. Maya nodded.
"I get it; believe me. I know it isn't easy right now, but I know your mom loves you. And that's why she's fighting so hard for you. But I know it's not fair for you to just be in the middle of it like this. If you ever need anything, a night off from your dad's, anything, just let me know," Addison insisted.
"Thanks, Addie," Maya smiled back before Addison roped the girl in for a hug.
"I know I'm not your mom, but I'm happy to fill in anytime as your favorite Aunt Addie," Addison said. Maya squeezed her a little tighter before pulling away to join Sloan and Olivia.
A/N: Chapter title inspired by the song, A Year Without Rain by Selena Gomez, thanks to Olivia singing the song to convince Addison she should go to the concert with the big girls.