Four years later

"Vivian," Addison greeted in surprise when she opened her front door to find her mentor standing on the other side. It was Addison's day off of work and she knew that Vivian was supposed to be working. It was extremely unlikely for both of them to be absent on the same day. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at work?" she asked, opening the door and stepping out of the way so her mentor could step inside.

"I took a long lunch break to come down and see you. I'm glad you're home. I didn't think to call before coming. There is something I want to talk to you about."

Addison's brows furrowed, "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine," Vivian assured her. "Where is Riley?"

"She's in the living room watching Doc McStuffins," Addison replied.

Vivian stepped into the living room and found her psudeo grandchild sitting wide-eyed on the couch, staring at the TV in fascination. Vivian shifted her gaze toward the TV and laughed, "Already trying to introduce your four year old to the world of medicine?"

"I had nothing to do with the selection of the TV show but she loves it and it keeps her quiet for a while so I don't question it," Addison replied. "I have to go over some notes and research before my surgery tomorrow morning so anything that keeps her occupied. But it is kind of adorable. Sometimes she sees something on the show and she has questions about it. She's really got a problem with the inaccurate treatment methods."

Vivian laughed, "Maybe she'll go on to create or produce a long running medical drama."

"Based loosely on my life," Addison added jokingly. "Let's face it, my life make for decent television. Heiress with shitty parents marries a very charming, good looking man from a large, almost lower middle-class family. High stress job, lots of family drama..."

Vivian rolled her eyes at her mentee's comment. "Did you say you're doing research? Why? It's your day off... But then again, I guess that is a reason that I'm here."

"What?" Addison's brows furrowed again. Vivian was always a welcomed guest in her home. She often came over to babysit Riley if she wasn't working. She'd have dinner with the Shepherds at least once a week. When Riley was first learning to speak, she had trouble saying Vivian's name or any title. She quickly titled the woman "Vivvie" and the name stuck even after Riley's phonetic and vocabulary skills improved. Regardless of their close, personal relationship Addison, had never gotten a work related visit from her mentor on her day off.

"I need to talk to you, Addison."

"Okay…" Addison trailed off, reaching for the remote and turned off the TV. She turned her head just in time to see her wide-eyed toddler preparing to protest. Before the child could say anything, Addison said, "Sweetie, how about you go play with your toys? Vivvie needs to talk to mommy about something important. "

Riley jumped off of the couch and toward the other guest room down the hall. After Riley was born the room had been converted to a playroom.

"Try not to make a mess, sweetie," Addison called after her even though she knew her comment would be long forgotten by the time the three year old reached the room. "What's going on?"

"The board has asked me for my endorsements for replacements for me as head of neonatal and ob/gyn."

"Wait, what?" Addison's eyes widened at the news.

Vivian could help but notice the similarity of the facial reactions between the young woman and her toddler. Riley reminded her more and more of Addison with every passing week. She always thought Riley's wided eyed reaction to surprising occurrences was adorable, and now she learned that the trait came from her mother.

"Where are you going? Are you getting promoted to chief?"

"I've decided to retire, Addison," Vivian said softly.

"Why?!" Addison asked in surprise.

"Because I've been doing this for longer than you've been alive. I'm tired, Addison."

"Well, I'll take all of your patients. You just stick around as department head."

"But I don't have to. I've recommended a candidate that will be able to run both departments better than I ever did. And I've already made my recommendation to the board."

"Who is it? Is it that guy, uh- I can't remember his name. The keynote speaker from that last conference we went to together. I doubt he'd be better than you but he's the only other people I can think of who is qualified enough to run two departments for Mount Sinai."

"I've recommended you to take over for both departments, Addison" Vivian told her.

"Me?" Addison practically screeched. "I can't. I can't possibly fill your shoes."

Vivian rolled her eyes teasingly, "We both know your ego is bigger than that," she joked. "You are the best student I've ever had, Addison. You are like a daughter to me. I know you can do this. I know that you're the right person for the job and the board agrees with me."

Addison sighed, "I guess I could try. You'll be around if I have questions. I'm sure I can convince you to scrub in once in awhile."

"I'm moving."

"Moving where? Connecticut?"

"New Mexico."

"What the hell is in New Mexico?" Addison asked in frustration.

"My sister is there. I've got nieces, a nephew who live close by. They've got kids out there. Plus, it's warmer there."

"So you're just leaving me just like that?"

"I'm not leaving you, Addison. I'll come visit for every birthday, every holiday, and every special occasion in between. You are my family. I'll always be here for you. I'll be just a phone call away. I'm doing this for me. I need to do this."

That night Derek came home from work to find his wife sitting in the dimly lit living room staring at a bottle of wine on the coffee table in front of her. He left his briefcase, shoes on the floor by the door and tossed his coat on the railing of the stair case. He walked into the living room and wordlessly sat beside his wife, propping his sock covered feet on the table. He turned his head toward his wife. When she didn't say anything, he spoke. "I hear a congratulations are in order."

Addison turned her head to meet his eyes. "What?"

"Head of Department? Rumor has it Vivian appointed you."

"Oh, yeah. Thanks." she said quietly going back to staring at the bottle of wine in front of them.

"Should I grab a couple of glasses and a bottle opener? We can pop that bottle open and celebrate. Or, if you'd prefer, I'll go out and buy champagne."

"I can't have either," Addison murmured. "But if you want some, you can go for it."

"Oh," Derek mumbled. He remained seated before the question crossed his mind, "Wait, why can't you have some?"

Addison turned to meet Derek's eyes again. "I'm pregnant," she told him softly though her expression was still terrifyingly emotionless.

A smile quickly grew on Derek's face. Though there was never a spoken agreement between the pair to try for a second child, it had been a wordless understanding that it was a good time to complete their child with another child. He leaned closer to her and kissed her softly. He felt the moisture on her cheeks and pulled away in surprise. "Addie?" he asked, "I thought this is what we wanted?"

"It is. It was," she replied with a sniffle. "But it wasn't supposed to be like this. Vivian is moving to New-fucking-Mexico. How am I supposed to do this without her? I couldn't have done it without her last time. I need her."

"You have me," Derek reminded her.

"You're my husband," Addison dismissed with a groan.

"And your mentor is more comforting than I am?"

"It's not that. She's not just my mentor. She's more of mother to me than my own mother. And sometimes a girl just needs her mother. And for me, pregnancy is one of those times". I couldn't have done it without her last time."

"This time is different," Derek reasoned. "You're not working on two fellowships anymore. You are the head of the department. It's your turn to be someone's Vivian. She's passing her torch to you. She believes in your. She knows that you have what it takes. She's not abandoning you. She's giving you room to thrive to become the surgical super star she knows you can be."

"You are doing great, sweetheart," Derek told her encouragingly as her doctor checked to see if there was any progress with dilation. He knew that she hated the doctor she had chosen this time around. But he also knew she would be annoyed with anyone she chose because no one could compare to her mentor.

"You are at about seven and a half, Addison," the doctor told her as he snapped off his gloves.

"Are you kidding me? I was at 7 almost two hours ago. Are you telling me it's only changed by half a centimeter?"

"Addie, it's okay. Be patient." Derek told her softly.

"Addison, I think it is time you start considering a c-section. We can give you another hour or so and see if there is any progress but if not, we really shouldn't wait anymore. The baby's heart rate drops significantly after every contraction and with your contractions getting so close together, it's something I'd rather not risk."

"No," Addison replied firmly.

"Excuse me?" her doctor asked in astonishment. It seemed obvious that none of his patients had ever questioned his judgement before.

"I'm not having a c-section right now because you are in a rush. I'm a doctor too. I'm the head of this department. The baby's heart rate is not low enough to consider it distress. The dips with each contraction are within a normal range."

"I didn't say the c-section has to happen right now."

"If right now there is no indication that I'd need one then why would I consider one at all?" Addison argued knowingly. "I've only been admitted for ten hours. I've got patients in labor for three times as long. Some woman are slower than others. We don't force them into c-sections."

"So you want to doctor yourself and risk losing this baby?"

"No, what I want is for you to get out," Addison told him with a glare. "And we will discuss your bedside manner when I'm back from maternity leave."

The middle aged man turned and left the room, trying to keep himself as composed as possible.

Addison rolled her eyes, "I hate male ob/gyns. They're all assholes," she told her husband. "I knew I should have gone with a woman but he is supposed to be one of the best."

"He is one of the best, Addie. And you just fired him as your doctor and I think you threatened to fire him as his employer."

"Yeah, if he's such an asshole with all patients then my department is taking a hit because of him. I have a reputation to uphold. This hospital has a reputation to uphold," she explained. "And he's not coming near me or our baby. Can you find out who is on call? I want a different doctor. Hell, I'd prefer to have the charge nurse than him."

"Addison?" Vivian called out softly as she entered the private suite.

"Vivian!" A grin grew on Addison's face.

"Richardson is out there complaining about you. He's muttering all kinds of things under his breath," she said in amusement as she neared the bed to hug her mentee. "I don't recall you being such a difficult patient."

"I am not a difficult patient. He is just an idiot. He was trying to convince me that the baby is in distress. I know he's not. I can see the monitor. I'm not going to get a c-section just because he's tired of waiting for me. " Addison insisted. "I know you didn't come here for work but any chance you're willing to take over?" Montgomerys did not beg but she would if she had to.

"I'll take over, sweetie, don't you worry about anything," Vivian promised, squeezing the woman's hand comfortingly. She checked the print out from the fetal monitor and then glanced up at Addison, "This looks very normal, Addie. I doubt you need a c-section, sweetie. We just need to wait and give your body some time. And unlike any doctor here, I don't have any other patients, any charts or anyone waiting on me for anything. I'm here for you and only you so we have lots of time."

Two hours later, Addison hadn't progressed any further. Addison cringed when she felt a nurse check her dilation and then she groaned when the woman reported to Vivian, who was seated casually beside Addison's bed. "Dr. Carlsmith, she's fully dilated by the baby is still at minus two station."

Addison turned her head toward Derek, "I am convinced this baby is all you in personality. He's not even born yet and he's already testing his boundaries and my patience."

"Addie, maybe we can try pushing. If we can get him to descend, we can get him out. I will be able to use vacuum assist and he'll be fine," Vivian suggested as he nurse helped her into a surgical gown and a pair of gloves. "We'll keep our eyes on the fetal monitor, sweetie. If his heart rate drops then we'll have to do a c-section. We don't want to risk the baby."

The baby had indeed gone into distress and Addison knew she couldn't deny the fact that she needed a c-section. She felt much more comfortable knowing that Vivian would be her surgeon. She was quickly wheeled to an OR, Derek stood by her side and held her hand the whole time. She could barely see the top of Vivian's head with the blocking screen step up to block her view but the sound of her voice was comforting.

"Are you ready, Addie? I'm about to get started," Vivian told her softly as she held her hand out for a scalpel.

"I'm ready," she replied nervously.

"You're going to feel a little pressure, Addie. If you feel uncomfortable let me know."

Addison let out a deep breath when she felt a strange pressure on her abdomen. She's done more c-sections than she could count or remember but the experience was entirely different. She had to silently remind herself what she told patient on a daily basis; despite the fact that it felt more clinical and impersonal, a c-section did not make the experience any less special.

"Addison," Vivian called for her attention, "I can see him, sweetie, get ready to meet your baby."

"Is everything okay?" Addison asked as the pressure in her abdomen increased.

"Everything is fine, Addie. It's a boy. Ten fingers, ten toes and a little puff of dark hair. Do you want to cut the cord, Derek?" Vivian called out to the couple.

Derek let go of Addison's hand and took a step passed the divider set up between Addison's head and her lower body. He accepted a pair of scissors from the nurse and cut the cord. His eyes immediately darted to his newborn son as the baby was passed off to a nurse. The nurse quickly wiped the baby clean and passed him off into Derek's arms.

"You did great, sweetie," Vivian told Addison comfortingly. "I'm just closing up and Derek is coming around with the baby."

"How are you doing, Addie?" Vivian asked as she came into the recovery room. "Any pain, fever?"

Addison had just been transferred to a postpartum recovery room and she knew, if she had any other doctor, no one would be come by to check on her so soon. Vivian had only been gone long enough to change out of her scrubs and back into her own clothes. "No, I'm doing okay. Still pretty numb but the feeling in my legs is slowly coming back,"

"Have you tried breastfeeding yet?"

"No, he hasn't expressed any interest in food yet. He's been asleep in the basinet ever since we got to the room."

"I'm sure he'll start dropping hints very soon," Vivian joked. "I'd like to give you another couple hours to rest but then I'd like to have you do a lap around the floor so we can slowly get you back on your feet. Normally a nurse or your husband would help you but you are extra lucky, you get me," her mentor told her teasingly. "Speaking of Derek, where is he? Most men don't take off immediately after the birth."

"I made him go. I want Riley here to meet her brother as soon as possible. I made him go get her from day care."

"Well, again, lucky for you, I have no patients at this hospital and absolutely nothing else to do so I can keep you company in Derek's absence. And tonight I will take care of Riley so Derek can spend the night here with you. Riley and I can have a night out together. I'll bring her in first thing in the morning so she can spend some time with her baby brother.

"Vivian, you really don't have to do that. Derek can go home with Riley. I'll be fine on my own."

"Nonsense. You just had a c-section. The least your husband can do is held with the recovery. He's staying here and I'll take care of Riley. End of story," Vivian told her firmly. The baby boy in the plastic bassinet let out a small cry as he opened his eyes, officially ending the conversation. Vivian lifted the baby boy from his plastic bassinet. "Look at him, Jeez, Addison, he's gorgeous. This one might give Riley a run for her money," she said as she passed the baby to Addison. "I think he's hungry."

Addison looked down, silently encouraging her newborn son to latch on. She cringed in pain as he tried to get familiar with the concept of latching on and suckling.

"I know it can hurt at first but you'll get used to it and it will get easier as he gets more practice. Or you can pump and bottle feed," Vivian told her when she noticed the cringe on the younger woman's face.

"Vivian, I can't thank you enough for your help. I couldn't have done this without you. Any of this."

"Yes, you could have," Vivian dismissively. "What's his name? I completely forgot to ask earlier. Does he have one yet?"

"We haven't finalized it yet but we're leaning toward Christopher Richard Shepherd. After Derek's father and Richard."

"That is beautiful."

"Richard doesn't know yet. Both of our mentors chose to abandon us through this pregnancy. He moved to Seattle and they are three hours behind us. We don't want to bother him in the middle of the work day. Derek will call him later tonight."

"Did you and Derek take it hard?"

"Not as hard as I took it when you left," Addison replied, watching as the older woman stared at her infant son in awe. "I don't know what I would have done without you today," she said again. "I wouldn't trust any other doctor to do a c-section on me. And even if I did let, it would have been such a horrible, cold experience. But you made me feel as comfortable with the situation as possible."

"Addison, I know that you depend on me and that's okay. I consider you a daughter and I'm happy to do just about anything for you. But look at this place, you are doing a spectacular job as head of department. The hospital has gotten so much attention for the cases you've been able to bring in since I've been gone. You've very quickly gain a lot of recognition and you're brought more attention to a lot of your staff. You're doing a better job as head of department than I ever did and I knew that would happen. I knew you were capable of it. And, Addie, you accomplished all of that with a family at home. You've got one amazing daughter and now a son, whom I'm sure will be just as amazing. You did all of that on your own. Well, you and Derek. All I did was support you. All I've ever done is support you. The rest was all you."

There ya go, part 2 of 2. Hope you enjoyed it.

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