Sometimes Miracles Happen

Derek knew that his life had been nothing but a hospital bed, doctors and nurses checking on him for the last 5 years. Zola would be 10, Bailey 6, and…he had this sinking feeling that after the accident Meredith had found out she was pregnant with their third child. He couldn't quite figure out what was happening. He knew they hadn't gotten the neuro attending to the operating room in time. That he was declared brain dead. But why did he still hear beeping of machines, a ventilator? He thought for the longest time that Meredith would've pulled the plug right after she was told he would never wake up. How was he even still processing this? Why did his wife keep him on life support?

Meredith arrived everyday to shave his face and tell stories of what was going on at the hospital. She wanted him to know even on a slight subconscious level that she needed him. She told him how amazing their 3 children were. How Zola, Bailey and Ellis would come everyday after school just so they could talk to their dad. How Meredith, had been named Chief of General Surgery. Alex and Jo had finally tied the knot and were expecting their second child. She told him about Amelia and Owen, and the attack in the hospital, that left her unable to visit for 6 weeks. About their being a new cardio attending.

It was this and more that made Derek want to wake up. He had been in limbo for so long. His brain had time to heal. His body hadn't failed him. His organs were still going strong. Meredith hadn't given up on him, even though it had been 5 years, she didn't move on. He vaguely remembered the post it wedding and things began to get clearer. He was regaining his ability to think, and needed more than anything to wake up not just for himself, but his family.

A nurse walked in to check on Derek and smiled at the sight of Dr. Grey.

"Dr. Grey," she smiled. "How is he fairing today?" The nurse had been there with her since day one. She's the reason Meredith refused to give up on Derek.

"I don't know seems the same, but I felt a twitch today. Although it might just be me hoping. I really miss him. You know, Maggie and Amelia are great with the kids. So are Alex and Jo. But Bailey needs his dad, and Zola and Ellis deserve to be able to have their father walk them down the aisle someday." Meredith smiled at the thought of her beautiful children.

Derek heard everything Meredith had said and prayed to whatever God was listening to please let him wake up. Let him see his wife's face again. Let him prove that he meant everything when he said that This is forever.

"M…M..." Derek moaned. He couldn't talk against the ventilator and he knew that but now he was fighting it.

"Nurse! Get in here!" Meredith screamed as tears started falling from her eyes.

The nurses and doctors rushed into his room, running every test in the book hoping for something that would explain how someone who was brain dead after 5 years, someone who had fought off infection after infection and still survived could suddenly wake up. His pupils were equal and reactive, he could flex his fingers and move his arms and legs.

"Dr. Grey," said the primary doctor on her husbands case. "I'd like to take him off the vent. He's fighting it as it is and it might be time for us to see how he fairs on his own. Just to make sure his cardiovascular system is strong enough."

Meredith nodded and signed the consent forms, still crying and quickly calling her mother in law and the rest of the Grey Sloan family.

"Carolyn. Hey. It's Meredith. I wanted to tell you that Derek woke up this afternoon. If you want to come out to Seattle let me know." She hung up and quickly dialed Amelia, Alex, and Maggie. Telling them the same thing and asking Amelia if she would mind picking up the kids from school and bringing them to the rehab center.

She looked down at the bright eyes of her husband, whatever happened…whatever this is…whether it was prayer, hope or just giving his brain time to heal it worked.

"M..M…Mer." He reached up as he wiped a tear from her eye.

"Derek…it's been 5 years. 5 long years, I never thought this would happen."

Derek smiled at his wife and fought the urge to cry too.

"You know all 4 people you saved that day come and see you. So does Dr. Blake. She's a resident at Grey Sloan, I met her that night she was upset because she thought she failed you. The teenager, the one you kept from dying, she told me a story about what you said. Did you really tell her about our first kiss?" Meredith was rambling and she knew it could be overload on her husbands brain and that he might have some issues processing.

Derek smiled, he wanted to admit to it but some stuff was still foggy. "K…K…Kids?" Derek stuttered. He hated that he couldn't form full sentences, but he knew that he would soon, because he was able to process everything she was saying to him.

"Zola is doing great. She's in dance now. She's funny and athletic, she even plays soccer. She's got a knack for science, I had to move her up a level in school because she wasn't challenged enough. Bailey is doing great. He got your personality, he's so outgoing, kind and sweet. Ellis, well you don't know her yet, but I told you about her. While you were asleep. After the accident, I found out I was pregnant. She's feisty like me and determined. They come everyday I wanted them to be able to know their dad and that he was alive." Meredith sighed talking his hand in hers.

"I'm so sorry, Meredith." Derek said when he was finally coherent enough to bring out thoughts.

"Derek don't be you are alive. You are here with me. You saved 4 people. You gave a young resident a new sense of purpose. You are that patient, that patient who made her want to try harder, to speak up and fight against the stronger voice in the room. I asked Chief Bailey to bring her in after everything calmed down and interview her. She re-matched about a month later, when Dillard closed."

Derek smiled. "I liked her, she wanted to do whatever would help bring me back to you."

Meredith grinned at the man she loved more than anything. "Please never take a short cut again."

Derek sighed and pulled her hand to his lips. "I promise."