In My Blood

Chapter 7

Addison Montgomery's Point Of View

Christmas Eve 2010

"I'm fine. Mark, please stop this worrying! It's excessive. You're driving me crazy hovering over me constantly." I snap, standing up too quickly. My head is spinning and I still feel unsteady due to the newfound heaviness of the pregnancy. The past week since the doctors visit has been hell, to say the very least. There have been some positives though. The medication I was prescribed seems to be working wonders. I'm feeling a little stronger as the nutrition I am taking in replaces what is constantly being depleted y the little parasite growing inside of me. I steady myself against the kitchen counter for a minute before bustling about the kitchen, sipping on a cup of coffee, and washing up the breakfast dishes.

"Addison, you're not okay. You need to rest." Mark insists, his tone forceful.

"I promised Willow that we'd bake cookies tonight for Santa. Her parents are having dinner at Masa. They go every single year Mark. They booked this reservation last Christmas Eve. I still have to go to the store and get the ingredients. I forgot to order the grocery delivery yesterday, and we are out of glitter sprinkles in the Christmas colors that she wants." I protest. I haven't even realized how much I have been looking forward to her visiting tonight, until the thought of her not visiting became a reality. Slowly, a little bit of light and joy have crept in through the darkness. I am finding a new normal. It is almost as if Heavenly lives on through her.

"What a horrible tragedy, no glitter sprinkles." Mark says, sarcastically.

"She is a tiny human. Tiny humans love sprinkles, especially the glittery ones." I remind him with a smile, remembering all the cookies that we baked with Heavenly. They almost always included glitter sprinkles, even the flavors you'd think would taste terrible with sprinkles like Oatmeal Raisin. It was as if Heavenly was adding a little bit of magic to our baking. I don't think cookies will ever taste the same without them.

"I can't believe that you agreed to take her tonight, knowing you're not feeling well." He says in a disappointed tone. "You should be resting, not baking and chasing after children."

"It's important to me, and we've taken her every year before. It's not like this is something new. Willow is excited about baking cookies for Santa. It's a tradition for her, and I don't want to let her down, not after how terrible this year has been." I almost plead. I know this is sad and hard on him too. This is our first year without Heavenly. The first year we will be baking with only one little girl, instead of two.

"I get it, Addie." Mark says with an understanding sign. "I'm sure Derek and Meredith would understand. You need to take care of yourself too. You cannot keep pushing yourself like this." He gives me another disappointed look, and I look down, placing my hands on my belly. I know he wouldn't be arguing with me about this if I wasn't pregnant. How many times have I worked when sick? Preformed complicated, emergency surgeries? He wouldn't be arguing with me about this if the baby wasn't too small. If I wasn't on restrictions. If only he had allowed me the options I so desperately begged him to.

"I know, Mark. I'll work on that, I will. I just want to Make sure that Willow has a good Christmas Eve. She's been through so much already. I want to help bring her some joy. Did you drop her gift off with her parents like I asked?" I ask him. His expression softens when he hears my reasoning. He places a gentle hand on my back.

"I did. She's going to love it." He pauses, and then quietly says. "Okay. Lets make a compromise. I'll go to the store and get the ingredients that you need. You stay here and rest, so you have the energy to look after Willow when she arrives. I'll be sure she gets her glitter sprinkles."