Author's Note: Hello everyone, this is my first time writing a fanfiction and I don't have any beta readers at the moment, so all mistakes are mine.
Hopefully you will enjoy this story and have a fantastic time reading.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything that you recognized in this story.
Thanks.
She is beyond exhausted. Her entire body basically feels like jell-o. Working a full 48-hour shift with barely any rest is probably not the best idea in the world but because she can't bring herself to go home to a huge, empty house, she did it. When she's here it just feels so lonely and empty, she feels like she is going crazy with the eerie silence of it all. But tonight, she was basically commanded to go home and to get some rest because apparently she is very cranky when she's tired.
Lying in the couch with only the sounds of crickets and various other creatures to entertain my thoughts, I started to rethink my decision. For the world of me, I don't understand why I bought the house from Meredith. I should have known that living in a huge house alone in the middle of nowhere is a terrible idea. Firstly, because everywhere I look, there is a reminder of what it used to be- a family home filled with the sound of laughter, babbling words from a child and mindless conversation between adults who are utterly in love with each other but now all of that is gone . And I can still feel the pain like it just happened yesterday and not a year ago which makes the idea of coming home even more dreadful. The second reason why this is a terrible idea, is that bad things happen when I am left on my own devices. Seriously, my mind just keeps buzzing and it doesn't want to stop thinking so I just go with the flow and do crazy things as to entertain myself or to stop the pain and from previous experiences it always end badly. I think if I force myself I can probably conjure up a million different reasons, on why buying this McDream house is a terrible idea.
Even if I can come up with all those reasons, the only thing that matters now is that all those reasons are vetoed by the ones that matters. Deep down I know that I bought the house because even though it hurts to be reminded of him, this house is the only physical thing that I have left of him. I know that there are multiple other things that he left behind but I think this house, is the one I want the most. Because the house, makes me feel like my big brother is still there embracing me and protecting me from the world through the strong foundation of the house he helped create. And besides, this way the house still remains in the family so Zola and Bailey and Ellis can still have the chance to visit the place they once called home built by their father for them with a promise to keep them safe and to feel loved by family.
The ultimate reason I bought the house, is something that I don't want to admit to myself, not yet anyway because I don't think I am ready for anything that big and one sure to be an emotional roller coaster ride. I think that deep down, I am hoping to one day, bring this house back to what it used to be when Derek was still here- a family home filled with the sound of laughter, babbling words from a child and mindless conversation between adults who are utterly in love with each other.
The sound of someone knocking on the door brought me out of my reflective thoughts. I stood up from the couch and starts walking to the door, wondering who could it be given that its 10 o'clock at night. When I opened the door, I was shocked to see Owen standing there with a nervous and unsure smile on his face. And it wasn't that I was shocked to see him because if anyone will see me at this hour it will be him. I was shocked because of the fact, that he has my nieces and nephew with him. Zola and Bailey are both at his side in their pajamas, basically leaning on him with Owen just the only thing that's stopping them from falling over. And on his arms is Ellis, peacefully asleep without a care of what is happening right now.
"What are you doing?" I said.
"Something came up and can I explain after the kids are settled." He replied.
"Yes, sorry. Come on in." I took Ellis from him, so he can usher the other two inside.
"You can put them in their old rooms; most of their old things are still there." "Okay"
While he was doing that, I took Ellis to Meredith and Derek's room because I know that her cradle is still there. Most of the kids' things are still here because Meredith insisted on buying new furniture for her house and when she offered to pack up the kids' things I declined saying that it will make babysitting much more convenient that way.
I waited in the kitchen for Owen. I saw him coming but instead of walking towards me, he walked towards the door and I was very confused. But he immediately said, "I'll be back; I just need to get the kids' stuff in the car." I just nodded in response.
When he came back, he was carrying three different backpacks; he looked like one of those fathers who carpool their kids around everywhere. He set the bags down on the couch and made his way over.
As he was walking, I look through the fridge which is basically empty except for some water and soda.
"Do you want anything to drink? I have water, soda pops and a juice box" I asked.
"Just water please, thank you." He replied. I took out the bottle and two glasses from the cupboard and filled my glass and his.
"Here you go, now tell me why are you here with three very sleepy kids in tow this late at night"
"I was about to end my shift, when Meredith paged me and asked if I can do her a favour. Seeing as I was about to go home anyway, I went ahead and talked to her."
"Wait, I thought Mer, was not working tonight"
"She wasn't but she is on call and she was needed for an urgent surgery."
"That's why the kids are in pajamas" "Yes"
He continued on, "Anyway after the surgery, Meredith got a phone call asking her if she can come speak to a conference in New York."
"Okay, still does not answer my question."
"I'm getting there. And don't interrupt until I'm done. She is called to replace a speaker that backed out because of some family emergency. Initially, Mer declined because she has no one to leave her kids but Webber persuaded her because this conference is a huge deal its good for her career and for the hospital to and its true because general surgeons from around the world are coming to New York for this conference which last for three days."
"I think I'm starting to see where this is headed."
"Yeah, Mer called you to ask if you are able to take the kids but apparently you didn't answer"
"Oh, my phone died on my way home."
"That's when she asked me, if I could take the kids and I said yes"
"You said yes?" "Yeah, I did"
"And you decided to bring them here?"
"I did, the trailer is no place for three children and besides I told Mer, that I'll enlist your help." When he said this, his eyes are now filled with doubt, like his wondering if he did the wrong thing. The next thing that came out of his mouth is basically a nervous blabber.
"But, if you don't want to I can just find a hotel, it's no worry most hotels cater for kids. And I'm sorry for the assumption, its just that.."
"Owen, it's okay. The kids are most welcome and so are you."
"Thank you." He smiled at me and I smile back. I can see the relief in his eyes. And so I started laughing because of how nervous he was, it's cute.
He asked "What so funny?" "Nothing" which only made me laugh a little more. After a while I managed to calm myself.
Then I asked "So when is she leaving?"
"Tonight" "That is very last minute."
"It is, the conference starts the day after tomorrow and they asked if everyone could arrive a day before."
"Okay. So we will basically have the kids for the next three days."
"Yeah". We just looked at each other with a smile one. We are both excited for the next couple of days but also a little nervous because this definitely has potential to shift everything and it can kick start my roller coaster ride.