#.. ♡ ᴍᴜꜱᴇʙʟᴜᴇʙɪʀᴅ ━ addison carter

[musebluebird]

𝓲𝓻𝓿𝓲𝓷 & 𝓪𝓭𝓭𝓲𝓼𝓸𝓷 │closed starter for @overnightheartbeats

Addison wiped her hands on her jumper pants before eating one of the grapes. The taste was just right. On point for the grape to be picked up. The grape harvest season was in full swing in the south of France. Although she worked as a curator at a museum in London, her passion was at the vineyard that her father gifted her mother with when she was still his mistress. Addison liked wines and knew quite a lot about them, her family's vineyard produced a variety of grapes that was the raw material for an exclusive line of wines that they sold mainly in Europe's most exclusive establishments.

As she walked back down the grape field, she saw some vehicle. Addison put her hand over her eyes to shade them so she could see the visitor. Irvin. Air left her lungs. Irvin was leaning against the car with his sunglasses on, staring at her. What on earth was he doing there? It had to be something very important for him to leave the States to come to the old continent to see her in person. They hadn't seen in person in years, the closest they'd ever been was a FaceTime a couple of years ago to sort out a tax issue.

He was a long way from home. In the five-plus years they'd been married, he'd never, ever came all the way to Europe. Something had to be seriously wrong for him to make that trip of at least 15 hours to talk to her in person. Addison could only guess what could had gone wrong. Maybe her lucky was done. Maybe that was the day where she got the bad news. She knew she couldn't be that happy and lucky with an arrangement involving the Lords.

For a moment she allowed herself to look at the person who was technically her husband. He was different, more mature, more grown up, looking less savage. Last time they'd seen each other he'd been wearing a white t-shirt, a half-open shirt, and light blue jeans. He was a college kid. Now he was in suit without the jacket and a shirt with the top buttons undone and rolled up on his arms. Addison couldn't help but notice that he was handsome, not that he wasn't before, last-year-of-college-Irvin had something savage but this Irvin? Hot business guy? Well, he had his own charm.

They were both different people. Older, mature, more… married. When they got married they were both just wild college kids but now they were two adults who lived separate lives but had their destinies linked for the rest of their lives. He was different. She was different. Addison was blonde, not a brunette anymore and knowing herself, her face probably had some freckles thanks to the summer sun and her lack of hat. It wasn't how she would have chosen to look like to meet her husband after a long time. He was going to have to settle with that look. If he didn't like it then he should have called beforehand.

"Hey," she greeted him, closing the gap between them before stopping in front of him "You didn't have to come all the way here, you could have just called." Normally, that was what they would do, keep their marriage exclusively via calls and texts to communicate the relevant things before each of them moved on with their lives as usual "Or texted," Addison cocked his head and raised her brows "Or emailed," she scoffed. "You get the idea."

[musebluebird]

They spent the whole night talking it out. Not that she hadn't opened her heart to him or something like that but she was sure she didn't have to either. The sun couldn't be covered with a hand and Irvin wasn't an idiot either. Addison had been honest about Aiden and Phoebe's wedding, that she doubted she would have even gotten an invitation to if she weren't married to Irvin in the first place. She made sure to make it clear that her half siblings weren't her biggest fans either. And Mrs. Carter? She hated Addison to the core ever since her father had brought his lover's daughter into her house decades ago. Those weren't things that could be fixed but she believed Irvin deserved a fair warning that his wife's family relationships were shit.

They briefly discussed moving arrangements, Addison would have her own room and they could both live their own lives indoors while pretending to the outside world that they were a solid young couple who were in love with each other. Irvin had accepted Bailey so that was a victory in itself for Addison. She also told him the story behind her dog's name. It was nothing out of the ordinary. Bailey was a stray dog ​​that Addison took in after she tried to steal her lunch, the owner of the cafe had told Addison that Bailey lived on the streets after her owners abandoned her after a move. The dog had fur the same color as Addison's favorite drink at the time. In her college years, Bailey's liquor had been her favorite. That was how she got the name.

Addison found last night that she actually liked him. He made her laugh. A lot actually. As simply as that. It was a good thing but a dangerous one at the same time. Addison could see herself actually falling in love with a guy that was funny and could make her laugh. That was a problem. No feelings mode was better. She had learned that getting attached to things or people usually ended very badly for her. People left sooner or later and her abandonment issues were already too fucked up to take another hit.

She hadn't closed a fucking eye all night thinking about the whole thing and all the changes that Addison was inevitably going to have to adapt to in the new normal of their marriage. She almost sat in her place when she heard Irvin speak, she wasn't even paying attention.

"Could be worse" She shrugged without looking at him. Ok maybe that was a bit rude. Not her best moment. So she lifted her head and gave him a small smile "Hope you had a nice sleep tho" Breakfast was ready, the cook and housekeeper had left everything ready for her and the guest. It was strange to think of her husband as a guest. "Bailey is a bit anxious almost like she knew something is up," she commented, taking a sip of her coffee. Look at her trying to make small talk.

He heard Addison's tone, and was not too surprised by the comment. Irvin was semi-familiar with her family, being Aiden's friend and all. Though, his curiosity towards her family and their dynamics increased and were now coupled with the fact that his friend was about to marry his only sister. He did know she was not close with the other siblings, evidenced by her physical distance from them. But, also from any time he asked Aiden about her. Odd attempts to get to know the woman he's been married to for the last five years. "Well, I won't judge if you cry or not. I know all about complicated parental relationships. If there's anything I should know before we see your entire family at the wedding, well - you let me know."

Well, at least he could make her laugh. That was a win for Irvin. Their time together would not be all that miserable. "Okay, true true. I hate to break it to you, but no I don't have a secret bachelorette party planned on the way back. But, I mean, if you really wanted to?" He trailed off knowing that now they were edging on ridiculous and delusional. Something scandalous as a bachelorette party in Vegas would not fly, or who knows? He'd been playfully researching one for his sister, something fun but secret so there were no scandals or rumors. "You could join Pheebs' party, I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Irvin nodded as she agreed to let him stay the night. It was easier to stay than to make the long drive back into the town for the hotel that was booked. "Thanks, appreciate avoiding the drive back to town, especially if we have this long conversation pending."

One more thing? Irvin braced himself for impact. What was she gong to hit him with? "Okay what is it?" Whatever it was, Addison seemed pretty determined to make her point. Oh. There it was. His brows furrowed, slightly confused. A dog? It had seemed so serious just moments ago that the dog request seemed random. "Uh, no untreated allergies here. I wouldn't mind if you bring him along, seems like a shitty thing - to ask you to leave your dog behind. Bailey? How'd she get her name?"

With a swift movement, he pulled his phone out and sent a quick text to the driver, requesting that his luggage was unloaded and updated that they’d be staying tonight. “Agree. It’ll be best for us to have this all sorted out if before we return. If we return being on the same page, it’ll probably be better received. We can spend the day tomorrow doing that, take the last flight back to the US. As far as housing goes, my place does have extra rooms, but I suppose we can look for something else if it’s not to your liking.” He hadn’t really considered, the changes that he’d be making in his life now.

The next morning was quiet, and looking out to the bright area, he could see why this was a preferred spot of hers. Quiet, calm, and away from the chaos. And, now here he was dragging her away from all of it. Not that he wanted to, but duty called and he suspected Addison knew that too. After a quick shower, he made his way downstairs to find breakfast.

“Morning, how’d you sleep?”

[musebluebird]

Irvin would probably be surprised to know how much one of his best friends hated his wife. Cause Addison was pretty sure she was on top of his brother's enemy's list. That would be a tough pill to swallow considering her brother was going to be married to his sister soon. The invitation would never have come if her brother was going to marry anyone else. She knew that without needing to ask. She and Aiden had no love lost for each other and that was something Addison had long since made peace with. There was a time where she would have gone out of her way to have a relationship with both siblings - Aiden and Sasha - but that was long gone.

Technically the apartment in London was theirs because she had bought it once she was married but she wasn't going to go over any estate details with him. Addison understood though that she probably didn't have time to even take a vacation where she didn't have to act as Irvin's trophy wife anymore. Probably their next summers would be more Martha's Vineyard and the Hamptons than the south of France. A shame and probably European summers were one of the things she was going to miss the most. It was almost funny that Irvin considered that they could have "thought it out more." As if they had a choice, as if she had a choice. In five years she hadn't made a single decision in that entire arregement except to live their life apart for as long as she could. Until today, her luck had clearly run out.

"I'm not going to cry at night over the relationship we don't have, that's for sure." She shrugged. Although she was mature enough to admit that she had serious daddy issues, Addison had been through enough therapy to know that any relationship with her father was a lost cause. Almost as much as any relationship with Aiden was. She wasn't going to put any more effort into lost causes.

She let out a laugh at his joke. “One last hurrah would be a bachelorette party in Vegas, not a flight, but since we’ve been married for five years I think that’s out of the question.” Addison scoffed. “You can stay here tonight and we can come back together tomorrow, it’s best to get this over with anyway.�� If she didn’t get back with Irvin, Addison was sure she was going to have her father on her doorstep in less than 48 hours. She’d rather skip that conversation and any interaction with him if she was being honest.

“Mhm, there’s one more thing.” She crossed her arms over her chest ready to fight if she had to “I have a dog and unless you have untreated allergies, Bailey’s coming with me.” It was almost funny that that was the hill she decided to die on. Unless he was allergic or had a major phobia of dogs, Bailey was going with her wherever they were going to live from now on "I can't just leave her here if I don't know when I'll be back."

Her job. Addison was going to have to quit her job and wasn't sure even sure she was going to have time to work full time if they both had to make this marriage work and look good on the outside. "We're going to have to sit down and talk about how we're going to make this all work for us while we make it work for the outside." They were both going to have to come to a living arrangement so they wouldn't lose their minds. They didn't even know each other well enough. Addison wouldn't even call Irvin a friend. Plus at some point they were both going to have to talk about how the kids thing was going to work, literally how they were going to conceive them because at that point they were closer to artificial insemination than anything else.

"Honestly, I don't have a reference point for when they expect you back. I think there was some wiggle room, they probably expected more of a fuss." He had been warned that it might be an argument of sorts, prepare for anything. Irvin was counting his lucky stars that it was going better than expected. Though, as he gave it some thought, he reconsidered. "I'd say end of the month at the latest. With some...events coming up," his siblings' weddings, he knew they'd be expected to make an appearance. "We'll need to be there. Also, not like you'll miss your brother's wedding." It wasn't lost on him, the oddness of her brother marrying his youngest sister. He raised a brow at her plan for her stuff and furniture. "You plan to keep the apartment?" He supposed it wasn't too outrageous, but Irvin did wonder if she knew what the future held for them. Life would quickly get busy, too busy to take a quick trip overseas, but he was not in the business of shattering dreams today. Not more than he already had.

"Same here. We probably should've given it more consideration." He shrugged in agreement with her. He also had not looked over that agreement very carefully. Irvin probably should've, but it wasn't too necessary when their team of attorneys looked over every detail to ensure his family wasn't getting fucked over in this. Irvin listened to her putting points together and listing off the things they'd need to think of, moving forward. It was curious to hear her accurately list off the items they needed to look forward to. She's either had this on her mind for a while, or was somehow looking forward to it. Irvin didn't know which was weirder to consider. "Yes to all of that. We're basically returning to work." How romantic. "I think you're right. With the other movement in the family, they want us to be the example." Also considering that two out of three arrangements were essentially Grey-Carter. "Hm, invitations already went out then. Well, one thing you can count on is a good party. At the very least. Got a lot of love for your dad then?" The way she spoke of his plans and what they'd do was telling.

"Any chance you have a spare room here? The hotel is a bit of a ways out. I'm flying back home tomorrow, if you were ready to go. We can go back together. Unless you want to fly solo. Your last hurrah," he half-teased. Perhaps, she wanted to enjoy her last bits of freedom.

[musebluebird]

It spoke well of him that Irvin had offered to move anyway and hadn't just assumed she was going to be the one to move to the other side of the world. "Well, I have a couple of suitcases that I packed for the time I was going to be here, so whenever you want really" Addison preferred to cut it short, there was no point in prolonging something that was going to happen sooner or later anyway. She was going to have to move and there was no way to change that. Sure, she preferred to stay in France as long as she could but if she did she would probably get a visit from her father, something Addison preferred to skip if she could help it. "The moving company can pack up the rest or I can fly in later and bring the rest of my stuff." She shrugged before uncrossing her arms and resting her hands on the desk on either side of her body. "Big stuff can stay in the apartment there." Furniture and anything large could stay in London. Addison hoped to visit the city again eventually so it would be comforting to be able to stay in a familiar place there.

The idea of ​​bringing children into the dysfunctional mess that was their families and, above all, their marriage, made her hair stand on end. They were going to have to go a long way before she was even sure that they were both going to be together. to be able to handle the children in their marriage "I don't really know because we've been married for five years and I've never seen the contract, I just know minor details." Addison shrugged. She knew roughly what was expected of her. Kids, pension, no divorce, events, no scandal, perfect trophy wife.

"I also assume we will have to go to events and sponsor some charities as well" She pointed out "And knowing our parents I think your dad will want to draw attention to us in particular to start creating a social profile for us as a couple" Honestly it was what her father would do, Addison was not particularly excited about playing houses with Irvin and having to go out but especially with Irvin's siblings getting married early too and leaving the nest to start their own marriages. Yes, she received the invites earlier that month "If they are now wanting us to make this marriage work after five years and if I have to guess, it's not gonna be so we can hide ourselves at home and it has to do with your siblings weddings, congrats by the way, got the invite the other day" Her head was already hurting from thinking about everything they were going to have to do to fulfill all the absurd requests that their parents were probably going to have, "If you think about it, otherwise they wouldn't even take the trouble, no matter how many heirs they wanted"

Irvin listened to her initial response, and partly, was grateful for the lack of surprise. He had prepared for any reaction, of course, but he had to admit it was easier to have the conversation without a big reaction or refusal right off the bat. “True,” he shrugged in response. “Honestly, this arrangement has been more generous than they usually allow. Don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad thing.” He raised an eyebrow as she thought out loud, decisions already formulating. Okay sure, while he didn’t expect a rash reaction, he also found it odd how calmly she went into solution mode. It was also then that he understood a possible reason his dad picked a Carter for him. “Fair enough. I honestly had not thought about that when I offered the option." But, that was always his issue, wasn't it? Not thinking before speaking. It's something he had to work on, especially as he continued working towards the eventual passing of the torch. "London?" He offered a smile, nodding slowly. "Didn't know you were out there. I was just there a couple months ago." That was definitely something normal to say to your wife of five years.

The room went quiet, and it didn't take a genius to know. Irvin could guess that her mind was going towards that clause. The one that loomed over each couple - the one that had dictated he'd get everything and his siblings would need to find their own families to reap benefit from. It was fucked up. They both knew it. But, Irvin was far too fatigued to fight against it. It's the reason he didn't fight the marriage five years ago. "I know," he muttered under his breath. The thought of bringing children into the world to have the same fate they did was horrendous. He couldn't bring himself to the idea, but what choice did they have? "We don't have much of a choice. The time for rebelling is past us. We didn't say anything then, what difference does it make now? Five years into our marriage? I don't like the idea, and trust me, I'll delay it as long as I can. But, it'll catch up to us eventually." He crossed his arms over his chest, sounding like his father was always an unnerving feeling. "There's a lot to discuss, starting with the move. When's the earliest you can come out to the U.S.?"

[musebluebird]

So this was why her father had been blowing up her phone for the past few days. It wasn't enough that she had moved on after he married her off with a marriage certificate that hadn't even been signed by Addison but had her signature on it somehow. She never said anything, she couldn't say anything and just moved along with it.

Truly, she felt bad for him, there must be no easy way to tell your estranged wife all of that. Addison could see why he wanted her to sit down. A normal person would kick, cry and scream their hearts out because their world was being turned upside down but not her, Addison was used to expect the unexpected. "We both knew we were living on borrowed time, Irvin." Sooner or later they were going to end up like that, having to make their marriage work. She looked at the ground briefly before pushing a strand of hair behind her ear and looking up at him "You live in the US, I doubt moving halfway across the world is really an option for you." His family's company was headquartered in the US, Addison doubted he could run everything from somewhere else and it probably wouldn't be wise for him to move just so she could keep her life. As always, she was ready to sacrifice her life for others "And I live in London, not here, I'm only coming here for the summer but I guess I'll have to be the one to move out of the two of us" She still appreciated that he had put both of those options on the table, not automatically assuming that Addison was going to be the one moving halfway across the world. Their marriage was so messed up that he probably didn't even know where she lived the rest of the year when she wasn't in the vineyard.

The silence felt heavy in the room after she finished speaking and Addison let it settle for a moment before continuing. Of course she knew what he meant. The marriage contract included that they both had to have two kids, an heir and a spare in order to keep the bloodline going. There was no deadline for the two of them to complete that part of the contract which was a relief but Addison didn't think their parents would be willing to wait too long now that they were breathing down both of their necks. Even though there was no deadline for the kids, that clause of the contract had always been floating around in her mind knowing one day they would had to make it happen. She wished that day never came "Irvin," she sighed, "We can't bring a child into this mess." The tone of her voice was almost pleading against all her best wishes cause Addison hated to show weakness. She didn't want to be the dramatic and crazy-ass wife but it wasn't that they couldn't, they shouldn't bring a child into all that dynamic. No child deserved the life they could give them.

He raised a brow at her question, knowing her connection to such a question. Of course he knew, he'd practically received the information in a brochure when the marriage idea was first tossed around. That was the thing about being part of this family. Everything was decided for you, a life laid out before you even knew how to walk. Still, if anyone could appreciate good humor, it was Irvin. "You really doubt your loving husband that much?" The smirk on his lips said yes, good idea to doubt him, but his eyes said differently. He didn't want trouble, couldn't afford it right now (literally). He nodded in agreement and followed her to the country house.

Irvin followed to her office, partly curious why this conversation required an office. The sitting area by the entrance looked perfectly fine. He didn't question it however, taking advantage of the extra minutes to try coming up with how best to broach the subject. A life-altering subject. Irvin looked around the space, a low whistle emitting from him before his gaze landed back on Addison. Blonde suited her, he noticed. He shook his head, trying to bring his focus back on the pending conversation. "You're right. It is important." He watched the way se leaned on her desk, and figured this is as good as it'd get. "Things are changing. Your family, mine.We've had a good run, with our marriage being the way it is, but then again, you know all good things must come to an end." He hadn't caught himself, the way this sounded like just repetition of what his own father had told him. "This is just a very general overview, but we're going to need to move in together. Put some work into our marriage, and well, according to our parents - it's time to bring that next portion of our arrangement to fruition." He didn't need to say it word for word, right? Irvin looked up at her with an uncertain smile on his lips. He knew it was a difficult ask, but it also wasn't necessarily an 'ask.' Another lovely perk of these unions was that divorce wasn't an option, Irvin could always roll his eyes at that. "We'll need to discuss details. Moving here, or moving back with me to the states. Figuring out how this will work moving forward." He might as well just have dropped a pile of bricks on her. Told ya, you should've taken a seat for this."

[musebluebird]

Unable to help it, she smirked slightly. Irvin still retained his sense of humor. Her brows raised at being asked to sit down. “Oh no, what poor girl did you get pregnant?” Addison joked. Jokes about extramarital affairs could be dangerous territory considering the circumstances surrounding her birth but them? They were way past that point. She couldn’t think of another reason why he would want her sitting down. “Come on, we can talk inside.” She carefully moved around him to walk into the country house. The only thing on her mind was what could have gone so wrong that he came all the way to see her.

Addison was fully aware that she was no crown jewel in the marriage market but still ended up married to a real catch. A heir well ranked among his pairs and with a multi-billionaire company. Why? She had never quite bought the excuse that her dad was only interested in the Greys and their power among their society. There had to be something more. She had never been able to figure out what it was. Irvin's father should have gotten something very nice in exchange for letting his heir, the golden child, marry the bastard daughter of a Lord.

She walked up the stairs until she reached her office. It was the only room in the house she could be sure there were no hidden mics hiding around. That wouldn't be strange with her father. The man always seemed to be breathing down her neck and he had once found a hidden microphone in her car. Was Irvin's visit related to her father's calls over the past few days? He was usually relentless anyway and Addison was used to ignore him for the longest she could before he showed up at her door. "What's so important that you came all the way here, Irvin?" She asked leaning on her desk and crossing her arms over her chest. Ready for whatever he wanted to hit her with.

He'd been in Europe a few times throughout the time they've been married, but Irvin never really bothered to tell her of those occasions. She didn't need to know. They didn't really keep each other updated on those kinds of things. Even this occasion, Irvin hadn't bothered telling her that he was coming to her place. But, for good reason. He figured if he provided any context ahead of time, she'd outright refuse him before he even had a chance to explain the whole situation.

Still, it's not like the thoughts hadn't crossed his mind. Five years had gone by, and he saw the barista at the local coffee shop more than he did his own wife. Then again, that was the arrangement that worked for them. They were married, but lived independently. Their lives were separate, and that had worked so far. His father made the deal of a lifetime with this arrangement, Irvin knew that. Marrying Addison wasn't necessarily the catch of society, but his father assured him that the agreement he had made with the Carters would inevitably benefit the Greys. But, give his father the opportunity to aim higher, and he would, leaving Irvin to pick up the pieces to solve.

Irvin began walking her way, taking a moment to really take a look at her. Casually dressed, and now a..blonde? Interesting turn of events there. As he moved closer, he could see traces of some faint freckles, and though they both looked older, he could still see the face of the girl he married way back when.

A breath fell from his lips before replying, "hey to you." His brows furrowed when she mentioned calling as an option. "Picking up the phone or a trip to Europe, which one sounds more fun?" Leave it to him to keep the humor and casual tone even when the world was falling apart. "Could've done all those things, maybe even a messenger pigeon, but none would help explain the shit I got for you." He looked around the place, it looked like she was doing pretty well for herself. Irvin almost felt bad pulling her away from all of this. "Any chance you have somewhere with shade that we can talk? You might want to sit down for this."