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"Dr. Montgomery, I'd like to apologize. I haven't done anything, but I look outside and on the news, Twitter, anywhere… it's all you. I feel horrible about the situation and if you need anything I'm happy to help," Mika stated as they walked out of the elevator with Lucas and Simone. She thought back to the beginning of the Montgomery scandal when she barely knew anything about the OB/GYN other than the fact she helped them make fun sex-ed videos, but now she felt nothing but compassion for her.
This was the millionth apology Addison received from the staff today. Her first day of arrival. Bailey, Jo, nurses, Richard, and even a couple of patients who recognized her. She felt her stomach pit further with each one, predominantly random patients who happened to know the exact situation. The situation was across America, probably well into Canada now, and it felt like the world knew everything about her. Which, technically they did.
"Thank you, Dr. Yasuda, it's appreciated." Addison didn't even feel the adrenaline from the lie. Her common courtesy was the only thing holding together her reputation. "At the moment I just wish to have space, it feels like I don't get that though," She attempted to joke but knew the situation was too tender for a laugh. "Do you need somewhere to stay?" Bailey proposed, skeptical about letting Addison stay with her for the time being but knew she loved the surgeon and she’d go out f her way to help her. "Oh, no, I'm okay," Addison smiled and went in for a slight hug.
"I couldn't image my safety and privacy being so compromised like that, it must be torture for Dr. Montgomery," Yasuda looked to her friend and exchanged a mutual feeling of discomfort at the thought. The three stood there outside the elevator, watching. None of them thought about how awkward or creepy it might look.
Meredith was against the nurses' station. Filing paperwork which she could easily do in her office, but decided against because she wanted to take the chance to see Addison. It felt like she had a crush on her, except they were already divorced. The former couple went through heaps of counselling in an attempt to save their marriage but nothing ever worked, Meredith would hate to believe these certain circumstances were what was needed 10 years back. But maybe it was the time they had to themselves that made them realize how much better they were together.
Meredith looked up from her forms to see Addison regain her posture before heading out. The blonde watched as she checked her bag and her phone. Taking a deep breath, Meredith winced at the sound of her own voice.
“It’s snowing,” She mentioned, and Addison turned to face her. They knew they were in the same place, and even talked a couple of times. A brief hug with an apology via Meredith. Yet, neither mentioned their past or had some alone time to think about how time has changed them. How Addison seemed to need her glasses less even though she's growing older, or how Meredith seemed to get more bitchy by the day. They just admired each other from afar and constantly tried to catch the other's gaze.
They looked at each other for a moment before Addison broke the silence. “It is,” She smiled and Meredith returned the gesture. “Reminds me of New York. Miss it sometimes,” Meredith tilted her head, looking to continue the conversation. “The snow, I mean.” Addison inwardly laughed at how horrible Meredith’s attempt to lie was. They were family for 11 years and even after that there was no forgetting the other. “Yeah, I miss the snow too,” Addison gave a pause and a mutual understanding settled between the two. Nostalgia gave them goosebumps the same way the stray snowflakes flying in through the automatic door did.
November 17th, 2003~
“Addison Montgomery, do you take Meredith Grey to be your long fully wedded wife?” Mark smirked at his friends, the thought that finally after all these years the two would be official.
“I do.” It took everything in Addison not to reach out and hold her fiance’s (only mere seconds away from her wife’s) face. Snow fell in front of them and Meredith visibly shivered at the thought of being legally married in a minute. “Meredith, do you take Addison Montgomery to be-” Meredith cut him off, “Yes!” She looked for the reaction of her best friend and then to her side where Derek stood as her best man.
“Then you may kiss the bride,” The altar let out a bunch of cheers while Mark and Derek laughed at the women's giddiness.
Addison was skeptical of an outdoor wedding in mid-November weather, but the warmth of her wife’s body and the alcohol were enough to keep her on her feet. Snowflakes fell as they did in Hollywood and Addison felt Meredith’s cold lashes on her cheek.
Present~
Meredith changed her stance so now her full body was facing her ex-wife, her posture telling Addison she wanted something more than a few exchanged words between them. Addison moved closer and Meredith felt her body relax. “May I have this dance?” Meredith asked, attempting to reach out her hand but too hesitant and scared of rejection.
“In your scrubs and lab coat?”
“Better than my wedding dress,” Meredith giggled and took Addison's hand.
They walked out, the doors opening for them, and Meredith’s breath hitched at the cold seeping through her sleeves. Addison noticed and let go of her hand. Taking off her jacket Meredith protested. “I already have a hoodie on, honey, take it.” The redhead wasn’t taking no for an answer and instead pulled the faux fur over her former lover's shoulders. After putting her arms through the sleeves and ignoring the way her lab coat bunched up, Meredith hugged her hands to Addison's waist and looked up at her. Addison giggled as she pulled the cuffs of her sweater up to her knuckles and put her clasped fists to rest on Meredith’s neck.
They lightly swayed in the wind and Addison mentioned just above a whisper that it was colder than their wedding day. The mention of the intimate moment let the general surgeon know that it was okay to give in to her Ex-wife's touch. She leant in and let her head rest on Addison's neckline, the warmth of her skin giving a different colour to her cheeks. She felt Addison’s breath rise and fall. Before the both of them settled into the position, Addison took her hand off Meredith’s neck. Taking advantage of her previous offer for the coat, Addison snaked her arms through the opening and let the warmth of Meredith’s back and her jacket give her fingers some feeling back.
Meredith squirmed at the cold touch of Addison's nearly frostbitten fingers and Addison laughed. She let her cheek rest on top of Meredith’s hair for a second before lifting her head and giving her a light kiss.
“Thank you for letting me forget about the world for a second.” She mumbled onto Meredith's head and the blonde took a deep breath. “Always,” She knew how many times she wished she could go back in time to a moment when nothing else mattered.