xxii. party, baby!
10.04

Atlas is a people person; he loves to talk and he loves to make others happy. Well, most of the time anyways.

As he stands around, a drink in hand, and watches as his husband juggles bowling pins. A talent that he didn't know Derek could do.

"Lee-Sunny?" Someone speaks and Atlas tears his eyes away from his husband and towards his side where a woman stands. "I've heard about the new cardiothoracic surgery clinic."

"Hello, yes, the Venus Bardot cardiothoracic surgery clinic." Atlas shook hands with the woman. "I'm so sorry, I missed your name?"

"Shelley, Shelley Evelyn." She flashed a smile. "I've recently moved from New York, I worked with Addison, she recommended that I reach out to you."

Atlas grinned. "You know Addie, that's wonderful! Are you enjoying your evening?"

Shelly nodded, eyes quickly staying towards the woman who blew fire towards the audience, a special performance no doubt. "Absolutely, this is definitely an interesting evening. I've never been somewhere with this kind of entertainment."

Atlas nodded in agreement. This was nothing he had ever seen before, the closest he's ever been was the time his parents took him and the twins to a zoo where someone was riding an elephant like they were in the circus. "That's great. Wait — was there something you needed? I'm so sorry, you said Addison recommended I talk to you?"

"I recently left my position at the practice due to their lack of a cardio surgeon. Addison had called in a favour with Richard Webber, so here I am." Shelley grinned brightly, her white teeth flashing as her cheeks heated up with small crimson blush. "I'm your new resident."

"Oh!" Oh. "Oh?"

"I'm so sorry, I assumed you would have been informed that you'd be getting a new resident." She placed her drink on the waiters tray as one walked by. "I am certified in paediatric medicine, but I had started down the path of cardiothoracic surgery and needed a teacher that they didn't have."

"If you're chatting up my husband, you must have some incredible stories." Derek stepped towards the two, swinging his arm around Atlas. He flash a dazzled smile, eyes sparkling and his face was slightly red from the drinks he had taken. "You are?"

She sticks her hand out for Derek to shake, her happy expression never disappearing. "Shelley Evelyn, a new fourth year resident at Grey-Sloan."

"Ive read your paper," Derek tilts his head when he realized. "You and Addison worked on the two fetuses, both joined in the womb and separated before birth."

"Yes, that's me!" Her smile widened even more than before. "Now, my husband is around here somewhere; it was great to meet you both, have a wonderful evening."

Atlas Lee-Sunny-Shepherd was thrown. Why did no one tell him that he was getting a fourth year resident who was specializing in cardio. He didn't mind, not at all, he just wished he would have been informed.

As Atlas watched Shelley disappear into the crowd, he felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. He took a long sip from his drink, savoring the warmth that spread through his chest from the cinnamon tasting drink. Derek, sensing the shift in his husband's mood, gently squeezed his shoulder.

"Hey, it'll be fine," Derek said softly, his eyes full of reassurance. "Shelley seems like a great addition to the team. And think about it – you'll be her mentor, guiding her through the complexities of cardiothoracic surgery. Isn't that exciting? It'll just be like teaching Yang, only she seems much more nice."

Atlas nodded, trying to shake off the lingering unease at what Richard had done. Because Atlas would have never said no, he was more than happy to teach. He just couldn't wrap his head around why he was never informed. "You're right, it's just... I wish I'd had a heads-up. But I'll make the best of it. Me, C and Shelley will make a wonderful team."

Before Atlas could dwell on it further, the music changed, and the crowd's attention shifted to a troupe of acrobats gracefully performing above their heads. Derek's face lit up with childlike wonder, and Atlas couldn't help but smile at the sight.

It was moments like these that made him appreciate the life they had built together. Moments like that that made him know that he was right where he needed to be.

"Come on, let's enjoy the party," Derek said, pulling Atlas closer. "I want to see what other surprises this evening has in store."

And surprises there were. When a woman had collapsed, her leg shattering, the doctors around had no choice but to help. They had taken that oath, clocked in or not.

Atlas had taken a step back though. Making sure the crowd of people didn't get to big, and making sure that the ambulance had been called and someone had gone and gotten a first aid kit.

Atlas had stepped back so he could watch his younger brother work. Oliver, under the guidance of Callie, had worked at splintering the woman's leg so no further damage would be caused.

Atlas couldn't be more proud. His baby brother, doing everything to help a woman he didn't even know. His baby brother, becoming a doctor.

Somewhere off in the party stood a man, hidden away from those around him, but the faintest feeling that a presence was there remained.

Not only was Atlas Lee-Sunny proud, but so was Brian Sunny, who watched over his children with the biggest smile and the warmth that flooded his empty body.

"Let's meet them at the hospital," Derek suggested, giving Atlas a small tug with the hand he held. "Love."

"They're okay." Atlas commented softly. "They can handle it without us."

And damn, he was right. If Atlas and Derek never stepped foot in that hospital again, they'd be perfect! Oliver would thrive outside his brothers shadow, and so would Eliza. They'd all thrive, with or without their brother.

"You're right."

.