Breathe

Chapter 38: ... Breathe.

This is it everyone. Thanks. Enjoy!

Chapter 38: ... Breathe.

"Marry me." Addison repeated. Aelwyne froze as she heard those words and just stared at her a moment.

"W-what?" She was certain the shock was clearly visible as Addison smiled nervously, her eyes growing red once more.

"Marry me?" The redhead shook the tears and reached into her pocket. "I uh... I've been carrying this around since the day you got your results from the intern's exam." She opened that small box to show a silver band with three beautifully cut diamonds. "I was going to ask you when we went to celebrate that day but everything happened. I started to put it off over and over again and then I started getting scared. I am scared. Scared as hell to lose you but I do want to marry you. I do want the paper, and the judge, and the ceremony with all these nosey people. I was just being a coward. I mean it only took me two years, right?" She chuckled nervously. "You love me and I love you so I want it all. And I've held us off long enough." She finished.

Everyone silently watched waiting for Aelwyne's reply along with her. The brunette, however, remained silent, her face emotionless as if her head had emptied. Addison started growing restless and squeezed her hand a bit.

"You have a ring." Aelwyne declared as she looked at Addison's hand, where she held the small open box, where the ring glinted out. Addison only nodded, pressing her lips together. "You've had a ring."

"I'm sorry. I know I freaked out on you a bit. I've been so nervous about the whole thing. I'm so sorry." She was not sure what she was apologizing for. For waiting? For making her wait? For giving her the idea that she did not want her? "I'm sorry." She repeated holding her breath.

Aelwyne stood and moved closer to her. As golden eyes peered at her blue green ones, she could see dancing lights glimmering through. Just as many times before, the world around them stopped, leaving only the two of them.

"Breathe, Addie." Aelwyne smiled, which made the redhead relax.

"Ael." Cristina called behind her. "Aelwyne." She grabbed her free hand. "Aelwyne." She continued insistently.

"Cristina." Aelwyne protested along with pretty much everyone else.

"Aelwyne!" She called again and Aelwyne turned around exasperated.

Cristina only smiled and as discreetly as possible she placed a very tiny box in her hand. Aelwyne gasped as she recognized it and her friend only smirked at her smugly. Aelwyne laughed and mumbled a thank you before turning to Addison.

"Can I have my ring?" She shrugged adorably and then brought her own box up. "If I give you yours?"

"Yes." Addison giggled through tears.

"About damn time." Cristina said behind them.

"I know, right?" Meredith added.

They leaned in for a kiss as everyone celebrated, glasses clinking together and cheering loudly. Happily, Addison slid the ring onto Aelwyne's finger and then Aelwyne did the same. They beamed at each other and kissed once more before everyone came around to congratulate them.

Cristina, Meredith, Izzie, and Lexie were quickly by Aelwyne's side to take a look at her ring. Richard and Miranda came around to hug them both. Callie and Arizona were besides themselves showing off their own rings and inspecting Addison's as Teddy joined them in celebrating. Alex gave them both a hug but only after a slightly stern look at Addison, who only unabashedly smirked back at him. George smiled happily from where he sat munching on some bread, apparently he had found out about the proposal and resolved to eating instead of revealing secrets. Derek remained next to George laughing at the resident before he winked at Addison, who grinned happily back.