I Won't Let Nobody Hurt You

18

"I can't believe that she actually thought I hated her." Addison whispered as she stared down at Meredith's sleeping face. "I never hated her, not once. I tried to, but I couldn't. How could I? She never did anything wrong and she's so sweet, so innocent. She's just a baby."

"Addie, she's two." Arizona reminded her. "In her mind it made sense. She hates Ellis for hitting her, so of course it would make sense to her that you would hate her for hitting you."

"Her slapping me away is nothing compared to what Ellis did to her." Addison argued, choking back a sob. "How do you take a belt to a child? How does someone do that? I don't get it!"

"I don't know." Arizona sighed. "But, it's never going to happen to her again. She's with us now, and Ellis is dead, she's safe." Arizona moved on the bed to take Addison into her arms. "She's safe my love, it's okay."

"She thought she was like Ellis." Addison sobbed into Arizona's shoulder.

"I know, but she's not and we will tell her that every day if that's what she needs." Arizona assured her, kissing her hair.

"She thought I hated her. My sweet little bunny thought I hated her." Addison whimpered. "I heard her tell you that and I could feel my heart shatter in my chest. I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but I knew something was really wrong and I had to know what was going on."

"I know and I'm not mad. I would have done the same thing." Arizona confessed. "She's our baby, you have every right to know what's going on with her when she's obviously not okay. I knew you were going to listen in, that's why I left the door open."

"Thank you." Addison whispered.

"You are very welcome." Arizona smiled and titled Addison's chin up, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. Addison snuggled into her chest, the only sound in the room being Meredith's snores, until the blonde started whimpering in her sleep.

"No, not da bwelt! I be a good giwl." Meredith pleaded in her sleep. Addison jolted up out of Arizona's arms and gently pulled Meredith into her lap.

"Bunny, it's mama. You're safe, it's just a bad dream." She cooed in her ear, relief flooded her when Meredith began to calm down. "You're here with me and mommy, everything is okay."

"Mama." Meredith whimpered as she slowly opened her eyes.

"I'm here bunny." Addison assured her. "I'm right here."

"Ellwis." Meredith broke down crying.

"She can't hurt you anymore sweet pea." Arizona promised softly, brushing Meredith's tears away with her thumb.

"Pwomise?" Meredith whispered.

"We promise bunny. We won't let anyone hurt you again, if they try we'll kick their butts." Addison vowed with a small chuckle, kissing the crown of Meredith's head.

"I'm sure Alex, Cristina, Bailey, and April would help us too. You have a family now sweet pea, and none of us are going anywhere." Arizona added softly, smiling when Meredith reached out for her hand.

"Do you want to try to go back to sleep?" Addison asked as she fixed Meredith's hair into a loose braid.

"No, too scawed." Meredith whimpered.

"Do you want to go down to the arcade and play some games?" Addison suggested.

"But Mewedif bad." Meredith frowned.

"Look at me bunny." Meredith turned to look at Addison who offered her a gentle smile as she caressed her cheek lovingly.

"You are not bad. You acted a little naughty because you were tired and upset, but you are not bad. You took an early nap and that's that. Everything is all better now." Addison explained. "Do you want to go play some games?"