Meredith's sister

27

Mia's POV (After the Honeymoon)

I woke up to the soft rhythm of Teddy's breathing beside me. She was still asleep, her face peaceful, and I smiled before slipping out of bed. After a quick shower, I got dressed and checked on Allison. She was already awake, bouncing happily in her crib.

"Good morning, sweet girl," I cooed, lifting her into my arms and pressing a kiss to her forehead.

I gave her a bath, dressed her for the day, and carried her downstairs, placing her in her high chair. As I started making pancakes, I kept glancing over at her, smiling as she babbled to herself.

"Morning, beautiful," I heard Teddy's voice behind me. She wrapped her arms around my waist, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek before kissing the top of Allison's head.

"I made pancakes," I said, turning to face her.

"Today we go back to work," Teddy reminded me, taking a seat and starting on her breakfast as I fed Allison. I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. It had been a blissful honeymoon, and now reality was waiting for us.

Once we were ready, we dropped Allison off at the hospital's daycare and started our shifts.

Eight hours later, I had just finished my third surgery when my phone rang. Seeing Addison's name on the screen, I quickly answered.

"Addison! Hey, what's up?" I asked, but all I heard on the other end was quiet sobbing. My stomach dropped.

"Mia," Addison choked out, her voice thick with emotion.

"Addison? Are you okay? What's going on?" I asked, ducking into the storage room for privacy.

"I just... I just want you to know that you've been the best friend ever. And even if I didn't always show it, I love you," she said, her words laced with a kind of finality that sent chills through me.

My breath hitched. "Addison, where are you? What's happening?"

"In another life, I'd be your girl... We'd keep all our promises, be us against the world..." she whispered, her voice breaking. "In another life... I—I would make you stay. So I don't have to say you were the one that got away."

Panic surged through me. "Addison, please don't do this," I pleaded, tears already forming in my eyes.

"In another life, Mia." And then the call went silent.

"No—Addison? Addison!" I shouted, but there was nothing. Just an empty dial tone. My hands trembled as I dropped my phone, my entire body shaking. I slid down the wall, hugging my knees to my chest as sobs wracked through me.

The door creaked open, but I couldn't lift my head. A hand rested gently on my shoulder.

"Mia?" Amelia's voice.

I looked up, my vision blurred by tears. Amelia and Owen stood in front of me, their faces etched with concern.

"A-Addison..." I choked out, unable to form the words.

"Mia, what happened?" Amelia asked urgently.

"I—I..." My breathing became erratic, my chest tightening. Cold sweat covered my skin, and I felt like I couldn't get enough air.

"Mia, breathe," Owen said firmly, but I shook my head.

"I c-can't—" I stammered, gasping for air.

"Mia, can you feel my hand?" Amelia asked, squeezing my palm. I nodded weakly.

"Okay, tell us five things you can see," Owen instructed gently.

I struggled to focus. "You... Amelia... shelves... floor... lights."