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A New Life Continues... by socalwriter
As had become habit anytime he was about to pick up his daughter, Derek parked, climbed from his new hybrid SUV and opened
the back door. A quick double-check that the car seat was indeed secure and ready put his mind at ease, and the overprotective
father then closed up the car and made his way up the walk to Addison's house.
Surrendering the Rover for something safer and more eco-friendly was a small sacrifice for his daughter's future. Derek
had also found that rather than miss his free time, he couldn't wait to have a night or weekend off so he could scoop up his
baby girl for some quality father/daughter time. Lena was a gift, one he thanked and loved Addison for even if those sentiments
had not been enough to keep their marriage together. Despite himself, he understood why she'd refused to stay with him.
Still, there were times he wondered what it would be like not to share their child between two households, but rather to come
home every night to a whole, intact family.
He knocked rather than using the bell--another new habit gained in deference to Lena. Addison opened the door a few seconds
later, her smile warm and welcoming as she stepped aside to let him in.
"Missy is just starting to wake up from her nap, so I figured I'd let her finish coming to on her own unless you're
in a hurry."
"No, no," Derek said, shaking his head. "She's always in a better mood if she doesn't get woke up, so
I can wait."
Addison smiled and motioned toward the living room. "Okay, have a seat. You want something to drink?"
Derek walked to the couch and sat down. "No, I'm good."
She was standing next to the chair across from him and for the first time, Derek noticed what she was wearing. The sapphire
blue dress was one he didn't remember. It fit her like it had been cut to her form and he didn't doubt the price tag matched
the craftsmanship. He also knew this was hardly something she had thrown on to sit home tonight while he was on daddy duty.
Addison had a date, and though he had no reason to be so, he was suddenly jealous as hell.
"I'm not sure the slippers go with the dress, but if that's the new trend in 'Vogue'..."
She laughed, and he took that as a sign that his quest for information had come out the way he'd hoped rather than as
a sign of his unwarranted ill will toward whoever was sharing her company tonight.
"I figured the 4-inch heels could wait till after I was done packing up Lena's bag, which, by the way, also contains
a can of that organic formula we talked about, just in case she eats like a horse and you run out of frozen breast milk."
Derek nodded and realized that Addison wasn't planning to share any more of her plans for the night. He was trying to
think of another excuse to ask when a soft cry over the baby monitor signaled that Lena had gone from waking to awake.
"Aha. I will go get her changed and ready for you," Addison said. "Make yourself comfortable."
He watched as she moved through her home, through this house he had never lived in, and went to get their daughter. Derek
knew their marriage had ended for good reason and mutually so. And he supposed it was only natural for a guy to feel a little
rankled by seeing his ex-wife, especially one he was on good terms with, move on. After all, Addison wasn't some shrew he
was happy to be rid of. They'd been good together a long time before things had gone bad. And she was Lena's mother. They
were connected forever.
Still, Derek stood and paced around the living room, chiding himself. Addison had a right to be happy. He wanted her
to be happy. So why was the idea of her going out with someone so... bothersome? Maybe just because it was a bit of a mystery,
he reasoned. He didn't know who this man was, and this was just, what, concern, caution?
When the knock sounded at the door, Derek's eyes shot toward it. Sensing opportunity, he immediately called out that
he would get it and then he moved to open the entrance to the house. Whatever he'd expected or imagined, Derek's nerves and
defenses both eased the moment he saw who stood on the other side of the entry.
"Hey, Preston. Addie's with the baby. Come on in."
"Hey, Derek."
As Burke stepped inside, Derek closed the door and mentally laughed at himself. So she was just going to dinner with
their mutual friend. So much for his big rush of unwarranted jealousy.
Except... Preston had brought flowers, Derek noted, expensive flowers--Casablanca lilies and white roses. The mix of
the two was Addison's favorite bouquet. Since when was Preston Burke a good enough friend that he knew what Addie's favorite
flowers were, and why was he bringing them over to her house before dinner unless...
"Are you dating my wife?"
The question came out before he realized he was going to ask it, and Derek saw the look of curiosity it evoked on Burke's
face.
"Ex-wife, and... yes, I am."
"You are?"
Burke chuckled. "I am. Is that a problem for you?"
"For me? No," Derek lied. "Not for me."
"Uh-huh. Do you anticipate it being a problem for someone else?" Preston asked, his eyebrow cocked, the hint
of amusement on his face making Derek really dislike him for the moment.
"Well, uh, I mean, she has to work with Cristina."
"Yes, but Cristina broke up with me, remember? Besides, Addison works with you... and with Meredith. Cristina hardly
seems like an issue compared to that. Is there some other reason you think my seeing Addison is a bad idea?"
"Oh, look who's here to kiss you good-bye before your date with daddy."
Addison's voice ended the conversation Derek was having with Burke, and they both turned to watch the gorgeous redhead,
now wearing her 4-inch high heels, approaching with Lena in her arms.
"Well, if it isn't the two prettiest girls in Seattle," Preston said, as he sat the flowers on the coffee table
and moved to take the baby from her mother's arms. Derek watched as the infant cooed in response to Burke's attention and
as Addison looked upon the scene fondly, her cheek resting against her left arm, which lay upon Preston's shoulder in a casual,
natural way, like she did it all the time.
"So do you want me to pick her up or are you heading into town tomorrow?" Addison asked. She took the baby
back from Preston and walked toward him. Derek took his daughter into his arms and held her close. Lena smiled and he felt
some of the ache in his heart dissipate. But only some.
"Uh, I'll drop her off after she gets up from her morning nap. Is that okay?"
Addison nodded and leaned over to place one last kiss on the baby's cheek.
"Have fun with daddy, baby girl. I'll see you tomorrow."
The next few minutes were filled with Derek getting Lena in the car and Addison offering to bring out the baby bag only
to have Burke say he'd do it instead. So the three of them were all outside when Derek shut the back door of the car and
Addison hugged him good-bye and he climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine.
As he pulled away, he saw Preston wrap his arm around Addison's waist and pull her close, saw her tilt her head to share
a small, sweet kiss with him.
They were dating... really dating... Addison and Burke were a couple. And she really had moved on. And Derek really
kind of hated it.
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