This is not where she saw her life going. When she journeyed off to college she wanted to be a doctor just to prove to he mother that she could be one, but from that point of time until now her life went down a different path… a totally different path. She had her Masters in Business from NYU and was starting her life in the place she left twenty years ago. Meredith knew coming back to Seattle would be hard, but she wasn't the only one that had to adjust to this move. Avery was her world now. She explained that to Richard when he told her it was in the best interest of her mother if she came back. He assured her that he and Adele would set up everything to her liking. As always Meredith was hesitant to rely on someone other then herself. She knew that it was going to be good for Avery to have people that cared about her around. Even though she was two she was perceptive for her age.
"Meredith." A sweet voice called from the door.
"Adele." She smiled.
"My God, little Meredith Grey is all grown up, but now she has a mini version of herself." Nodding towards the toddler in her arms.
"You want to hold her?" she offered.
"Of course. She is so beautiful." Adele gushed.
"Thank you."
"Are you two settled in yet?"
"I think we're settled" she nodded looking around the room.
"Have you been to Grace?"
"No not yet…" she murmured biting her lip.
"You know you don't have to go just yet, take your time sweetie."
"I just… she's my mother but…"
"Not." Adele finished for her.
"She did the best she could." Meredith defended.
"I know she did." She sighed.
"So Richard is at work?" she asked changing the subject.
"Yes I was just going to have lunch with him, but decided to stop here first."
"Uh… would you mind if… I mean is it okay if we go with you? I would like to meet her doctors."
"Meredith you should know your more then welcome to come with me. Richard is excited to meet Avery."
"Okay." She nodded sheepishly.
Seattle was going to be an adjustment for her. She would have to face her demons, but also at the same time shield them from Avery.
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He was feeling the pressure today. He knew people were noticing. He was snapping at people left and right, but you would to if you had to operate on The Ellis Grey. She wanted the best and according to her lawyers she stated he was the best. To top it off he was suppose to meet her daughter. Which no one knew existed except for the Chief. And then his thoughts were cut off.
"Mommy, Avy hungry." A little voice pouted from behind him.
"Oh is Avery hungry?" A soft angelic voice replied and then he heard the most infectious giggle. This caused him to turn around.
"Yes! I wants gilled cheeeese!" the little voice exclaimed.
"Well Aves, Mommy has to find the cafeteria and we'll get food for your belly."
"So gilled cheese will be yummy in my tummy!" she nodded seriously.
"Yes baby." She said kissing the little girls head.
"Excuse me not that I was eavesdropping, but I heard some one was hungry and the cafeteria is nowhere near here so I'm guessing you might be lost. " he said flashing a warm smile now meeting eyes with the most beautiful women he had ever seen.
"Mommy aways gets lost." Avery giggled.
"Oh does she?" he asked amused. The women in front of him seemed to be shy because she was trying to look away from him.
"No I don't…" Meredith defended quickly.
"What you name docer?" the charming toddler asked from her mothers's arms sticking out her hand.
"Derek." He smiled taking the little hand. "What's your name?"
"Avy and that's mommy!" she said laying her head on her mother's shoulder.
"She's Avery and I'm Meredith. I'm sorry she… loves talking." Meredith grumbled.
"Nothing to be sorry for I love talking too. You know what else I love?"
"What?" Avery asked curious of this new stranger.
"Grilled Cheese." He grinned.
"Oh mommy! Dewek wants gilled cheese!" she said clapping her hands together.
"Aves…" she sighed. "Dr…" she paused searching for his name on his lab coat. "Shepherd is busy… because he's a doctor and he doesn't have time for grilled cheese… We need to eat and go see grandma remember?" Meredith rambled.
Derek tried not to laugh at her having a detailed discussion with what looked to be a two or three year old. Then the girl surprised him by saying "Sowy Dewek you so busy and sowy you can't have any gilled cheese cus gilled cheese is licious." She said frowning at him.
"No it's fine I'm going to get lunch anyways. I can show you where the cafeteria is." He offered Meredith.
"Your sure?" she asked cautiously
"Positive." He smiled.
"Okay." She nodded.
"So will your daddy be joining you for lunch?" he asked Avery curiously. The little girl is where he would have to go for answers.
"Daddy? Daddy in…" Avery started a confused frown, but was cut off with her mother's hand covering her mouth.
"D-A-D-D-Y is back home." She said quietly looking at the floor slowly taking her hand away.
"Oh I'm sorry for asking."
"It's okay… I'm not married or anything… people always think when you have a kid your married… but I'm not or even dating… I don't know why I'm telling a complete stranger how pathetic I am…"
"I'm not a stranger, I'm Derek and you're Meredith and the little princess in your arms is Avery. See we're not strangers and I definitely don't think you're pathetic." He flashed her a charming smile. "So will you please have lunch with me?"
"Alright Dr. Shepherd." She sighed.
"Mommy his name Dewek." Avery corrected
"She is right."
"Fine Derek… Lead the way."