So. . . this is a co-fic with Barbara (TeamDer-Mer) and Maggie (bflygal) . . . and we are SUPER excited!!!
If you know us and our stories. . . we do update them often. . . like once a day. . . this one will not be as frequent, but we have BIG plans. . . exciting plans. . .not Shonda plans - we promise. Thanks to Katie for the initial idea of this story. . . it got us thinking and going although really - she should be writing this. . . Love ya Sis!!! Disclaimer: We do not own these characters . . . Shonda does. . . we are just using them because right now, Shonda doesn't know what to do with them. . .but, we do. . . We do own Dr. Sullivan, William, Amanda and Abby (and more characters to come. . . ) Hope you read and enjoy this story!!!
William Shepherd raised his glass to get the crowd's attention, "Excuse me." He said as everyone turned to look at the older man standing on the stage beside him. Once he got everyone's attention, he started his speech.
"Tonight we are gathered together to celebrate the retirement of the wonderful Dr. Darby Sullivan. I have known Dr. Sullivan most of my adult life; he delivered every one of my children and saw them through all their ailments. He was the first person I met when Amanda and I moved to Laramie, WY. She was pregnant with our first child and I was the nervous first time father and husband. . . We had to see the doctor the second we got into town." Everyone stopped to laugh while William looked at his wife Amanda. Everyone knew that look they had . . . the look of true love. Very few couples were lucky to find their soul mate in life and these two . . . definitely had.
After another story or two, Dr. Sullivan cleared his throat, interrupting William from all of the stories over the years because these two had shared many together. "I think we have heard enough about me. . . I would like to now welcome the new doctor in town. We are very lucky to have such a talented doctor in our town. I have no worries about retiring with her in the doctor's seat. But, we all know Bailey will keep her in line." This caused another round of laughter. Everyone knew Miranda Bailey was the boss of the office no matter what Dr. Sullivan or anyone else thought.
"Many of you have already had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Grey, but tonight, I would like to officially introduce her to the great town of Laramie. Meredith . . . can you come up please."
She climbed the stairs of the make-shaft stage. She heard about the Shepherd Ranch, but never had a reason to visit it before tonight. The view was breathtaking . . . As she drove up, she noticed the mountains off to the northwest. She got out of her car looking out over the lake where a few people had already gathered. She noticed a stage set up as well as a band setting up. She had heard this was going to be some party, but she didn't realize how big this was going to be. She was nervous to be here. She used to love parties . . . but, now, she wasn't so sure. Her eyes took in the full extent of the scenery with the horses grazing, the sun setting, the moon starting to show over the water, and the beautiful land.
As she reached Dr. Sullivan and William, they both gave her a hug. . . This made Meredith nervous. They were all very close in this little town so giving out hugs were very common for them, but for Meredith it was all really new to her. She was not use to the touchy, feely people because back in Boston it just wasn't done that way.
She has seen William Shepherd at least twice a week since arriving in town 2 months ago. He and Dr. Sullivan have lunch together often. He has been in to see Dr. Sullivan 2 times professionally since she had arrived, complaining of being tired . . . something he was not used to. He worked very hard on the ranch. Meredith noticed the last time he was in, he was rubbing his arm quite a bit; which she noticed the same thing tonight as he was talking.
"Dr. Grey, would you like to say a few words?" William asked.
"Oh. . . I wasn't planning on it. . . I mean, this is Dr. Sullivan's retirement." She rambled quietly enough that only the two men could hear her. They had been around her enough in the last two months to know she rambles. They also know she just wants to move on. . .
"Come on, they want to hear from you tonight." Dr. Sullivan urged her. The town had already fallen in love with her sweet charm and her compassionate heart.
"Ok." She said smiling nervously. "I would like to thank Dr. Sullivan for giving me the opportunity to come to this town to be your doctor, I hope you will continue to come in and help occasionally. I have big shoes to fill and I hope that I can do half as well as he has done over the years. I want to thank all of you for making me feel so welcomed—even Bailey who will keep me on my toes. Now, let's get on with the celebration of Dr. Sullivan." She said smiling to the crowd; she did like this town. It was exactly what she needed and was thankful to Dr. Sullivan for giving her this opportunity. She had to get away from Boston—too many memories. . .