May 30th, 2007
Meredith's alarm clock started beeping at 7am. Today was the day she would move across the country to basically meet her father, step mother, and two half sisters which she had never met in her life. She talked to Thatcher every year on her birthday up until she was ten then he stopped calling. I knew about my half sisters and I knew their names, Alexandra and Molly.
Meredith's blackberry went off and she picked it up, it was a text from Maggie.
Dad said he would be there at 8am. Make sure mom is awake. Xo
Meredith sat up in bed, taking in the empty room around her. She pulled off the shirt she slept in and put on a bra and yellow tank top, then she slid off the shorts she had slept in and pulled on dark blue-jean shorts. She hurried down the steps into the kitchen were her mother was drinking coffee and reading the newspaper.
"They say the weather in New York this time of year is gorgeous," Ellis said, taking another sip from her coffee.
Meredith rolled her eyes and took a bite of an apple she grabbed from the pantry, "Richard is going to come pick us up at 8."
"Meredith, you cannot be mad at me forever," Ellis called after Meredith as she ran back up the stairs and her door slammed closed. After a few minutes of staring and occasional tears, she wiped her eyes as she heard her sister's voice coming from downstairs. She quickly wiped her eyes and ran downstairs, dashing into her sister's arms.
"Meredith, Let go, to tight," Maggie gasp for breath against her sister's shirt. Meredith pulled back and looked at Maggie.
"I'm going to miss you so much squirt," Meredith smiled as her sister rolled her eyes. Maggie hated being called squirt.
"Meredith, do you have your suitcase ready? Thatcher called and said most of your things arrived yesterday," Ellis was standing on the opposite side of Richard. Her and Richard had a huge fight about something and the next day, Richard was moving out.
"Yes, Mom," She groaned. She didn't want to leave yet, she went upstairs and grabbed the suitcase with a few sets of clothes and her laptop bag. She went back down and Richard was in the car with Maggie.
"Meredith," Ellis tried to stop Meredith before she walked out but Meredith ignored her and Ellis just shook her head and followed.
The ride to the airport was quiet, mostly just watching the rain fall from the sky. They arrived and parked the car. Richard didn't say much except he helped her get her suitcase up and gave her a hug.
"Bye, Richard," I gave him a smile and he smiled back.
"Bye Meredith, I'll see you again sometime," he said and stepped back to let Maggie say goodbye.
They stood their looking at each other before Maggie grabbed on to Meredith and hugged her tightly, crying into her chest.
"I don't want you to go Merrie," She sobbed into her shirt. Meredith held on to her sister and cried along with her.
"Hey, listen to me," Meredith pulled Maggie away, looking her in the eye, "I don't want you to cry because we will be able to see each other very soon. I promise I will call you every single day and if you ever need me, I am a phone call away. Be brave Mags," Meredith cried as she said the speech to her sister and she nodded along.
"I love you Mer," She said softly.
"I love you squirt," Meredith smiled as her sister walked over to Richard and hung on to him.
"Meredith," Ellis said moving to stand in front of Meredith.
"Goodbye mother," Was all Meredith said and gave her mother a quick hug before turning around to go to her terminal.
"I love you Meredith," Ellis said quietly, only Meredith could hear it and it just made her angry.
If she loved me so much, why was she sending me away. She thought to herself as she walked to her terminal.
It took her thirty minutes to get through security but she did it, she sat down in the chair nearest her gate and grabbed the carry on bag she had. She dug through to find her book when an envelope fell out of her bag.
Meredith was written across the front of it in her mothers hand writing. Meredith opened the envelope and there was a hand written letter and Meredith began reading it.
Meredith,
I know I should have told you the real reason why you are going to live with Thatcher when I first told you but I couldn't. The real reason you are going to live there is because I was diagnosed with Early On-set Alzheimer's and along with that, they found out I have a rare brain tumor that cannot be operated on and soon, I will no longer be able to take care of myself. Richard is taking Margret away so she doesn't have to see me like this. Please do not tell this to your sister, Richard will explain and she will need you. Thatcher has agreed that once Richard tells Margret, you can go stay with her until she feels better. Please do not be angry with me because I didn't know what else to do.
I know I was never the best mother figure but I promise I did and still do love you. Meredith you will become an amazing woman one day and I want you to know, You are extraordinary.
That was the end of the letter, tears were falling and soon realized how terrible she has been to her mother. She immediately called her but she didn't answer. She sent a text message to Maggie and told her to tell mom that she loves her and will call her as soon as she lands.
"Flight 6 going to New York is now boarding," a lady said over the intercom and Meredith stood up to get on the plane.
A man looking around the airport, just as the gate his daughter is suppose to be getting off. Thatcher Grey was a loving man, he would do anything for his family, he taught English at New York University and worked at a publishing company editing papers during the summer. His daughters were the most important people to him along with Susan.
What does she look like? Will she notice him? Will she like me? Those were all questions running through Thatcher Grey's mind.
Thatcher looked around the crowd of people that had just come off the plane, he stood waiting, watching. It was getting towards the end of the crowd, then the breath got knocked out of him as he saw her. Meredith. His daughter that he hasn't seen since she was just a little girl. She looks so much like her mother. He wonder's if she acts like her mother, before he knows it, her name comes flying out of his mouth.
"Meredith!" Thatcher yelled out and her face flew in his direction. Her face looked a little scared, then it was shock and then the loving part of her took over and she walked quickly in his direction and threw her arms around his neck in a tight embrace.
She realized what she was doing then pulled away quickly, "I am so sorry Thatcher, I don't even know what came over me," Her voice sounded embarrassed and her cheeks began turning pink. A part of her didn't care though, she needed a hug at the moment.
"It so nice to finally see you Meredith, you have grown into a beautiful young woman," He managed to get out of the smile that was on his face.
"Thanks," she smiled. They walked over and he grabbed her suitcase and they walked out of the airport and came to a black SUV that was Thatcher's and they got inside.
The car ride was a long, awkward silence with the occasional small talk. They parallel parked on the side of the street in front of a long row of town-homes.
"Wow! This is gorgeous," Meredith said looking at Thatcher, him offering a smile back.
"Susan loves working on making the front yard nice," He says turning off the car and climbing out of the drivers side.
Meredith stepped out and went to the back of the car, grabbing her suitcase and laptop bag. She walked up the stone path to the patio where two chairs sat, with a table in between. She waited for Thatcher to open the front door and inside felt warm and cozy. Stepping into the house was the foyer, straight ahead was more of an open plan, to the left was a living room area that had brown furniture set around a stone fireplace and a 50in television mounted above the fireplace.
Straight ahead was looked like a hallway with a closet and a bathroom at the end, past the stairs. Looking to the right was the kitchen, where Susan was cooking, and the kitchen lead into the dining area.
"Susan, we are here!" Thatcher yelled
"In the Kitchen darling," Susan called and they both went into the kitchen. Susan dropped the knife onto the counter and came around, pulling Meredith into a short embrace, "Oh Meredith, I haven't seen you in so long, you have became quiet the young woman. It is so nice to see you again."
"I would say it is nice to see you too, but I do not remember much. I am sorry," Meredith replied looking embarrassed.
"Oh honey it is fine, why don't you go and get settled in upstairs, your room on the top floor, you can pick between the two up there. Alexandra is at the Shepherds next door and Molly is playing in the backyard, dinner will not be ready for another twenty minutes so, take your time," Susan motioned towards the hallway.
"Thank you so much for letting me stay here," Meredith smiled at Susan, Thatcher had already disappeared somewhere in the house.
"Oh no dear, it is our pleasure."
Meredith started back into the foyer and went up the stairs on the second floor, right as you came up the stairs was a large glass window looking into the backyard and you could see a little girl playing on the swing set. Once you turn the corner it comes to a hallway, the first door on the left is a study where Thatcher did most of his work, then on the right was a closet and another set of stairs. The second door on the left was Susan and Thatcher's bedroom.
Moving up the other flight of stairs brings you to another hallway, this one with a bathroom on the right along with a bedroom painted a bright pink. It had princess themed furniture and she assumed that was Molly's. On the left was two bedrooms, one closest to the stairs was a bright purple wallpaper and dark oak furniture.
The last room which was Meredith's was painted a yellow and all the furniture was a cherry wood. She had a bed in the center of the room with nightstands on each side, the desk was against the wall next to the door and the dresser was inside the closet. There was another door that led into the shared bathroom between Lexie and her.
Meredith sat her suitcase at the end of the bed and sat her laptop case onto the dresser, a few boxes have arrived from her mother's. The first one she opened up had bedding inside, it smelled like her mother's house, she really missed her mother. The second box was all of her summer clothing, she sat that box and lifted up the third box. It had fragile written across the top and as she opened it, it was things she had on her desk, a picture of her and her sister, another one was of her, her mother, and her sister, the last one she pulled out was from when she was little, it was her sisters first birthday party, Richard had taken the picture, it was her and her mother on each side of her sister, they were all laughing and smiling.
"Who is that?" a little girls voice came behind Meredith.
Meredith turned to look at the little girl, that must be Molly. She is about half the size of Meredith, she looks like a little version of Susan. Molly was 7 years old, that Meredith knew because seven years ago was the last time she had spoken to her father. Meredith leans down, holding the picture, "That is me when I was about your age, then in the middle is my little sister when she was a baby her name is Maggie, and the woman next to her is our mom."
Molly looks at Meredith confused, "but I thought me and Lexie was your little sisters?"
"You are, but Maggie is my sister on my mom's side, you and Lexie are my sister on my dads side."
"Ohh, ok well mommy said I had to come up here and tell you dinner is almost ready," She said then she turned around and hurried down the hall.
Meredith sat the picture up on her desk and followed after Molly, whom was now sitting on the couch watching her television show. Meredith walks into the kitchen as Susan is getting things ready, "Do you need any help with anything?"
Susan looks over at Meredith, "Um, do you mind setting the table?"
Meredith smiled back at Susan, "Sure," She grabs the plates and sets five across the table and she hears two laughing girls come in through the front door.
"Mom, Can Amelia stay for dinner? Mrs. Shepherd said it was alright," Alexandra asked walking into the kitchen, not even bothering to look into the dining room.
Susan cleared her throat and pointed the knife over towards Meredith, "Tonight is your sisters first dinner with the family. Do you really think that is appropriate Alexandra?"
"Mom, I told you I am going by Lexie from now on but I am guessing that is a no?" Lexie rolled her eyes and walked Amelia back out the door.
"I'm sorry about her Meredith, she is just upset she now has to share a bathroom with someone," Susan joked and Meredith smiled, it reminded her of how Maggie would get sometime.
"It's fine, my sister gets like that too," She gulp and just finish setting the table and go back to the kitchen.
"Shoot, Meredith I'm sorry to ask you for this but do you mind running and telling Alexandra to ask Carolyn for a cup of milk, I need one more to finish this cream," She smiled at Meredith.
"Sure, just go out the front door and she should be out there?" She asked and Susan nodded. She walked out the front door and looked around. There was three more houses to the left and one to the right. Across the street was a park where children would play. She saw Lexie coming from the house exactly to the left of theirs and she walked over to meet her.
"Lexie!" Meredith called and walked over to her. Lexie rolled her eyes as she got there.
"I'm coming, did she really have to send you after me," she rolled her eyes.
"No, she asked me to tell you to ask Carolyn for a cup of milk," Meredith said. She felt someone looking her direction and she looked around. She saw a really hot guy, about 6 foot tall a little masculine but still skinny. He had short, curly black hair and his eyes could stare straight into your soul. Their eyes met and she almost melted. He had this grin that came across his face that could make Angels sing.
"Hello?" Lexie said waving her hand in front of her face and it brought her out of the stare and looked at her.
"Yeah?" She looks at her then look for those eyes again, they have already disappeared.
"Tell mom I'll be home in a few minutes, Mrs. Shepherd doesn't have any milk either so I have to run down to the store," Lexie said and she just nodded, turning back and headed inside. She still had butterflies in my stomach just from seeing him. She tries and shake him off her mind as she comes inside.
"Did she have any?" Susan asked as Meredith came back inside.
"No, Lexie said she was running down the to store for some," Meredith answered back. She still had butterflies in her stomach from the guy outside. After Lexie came back, dinner was ready fairly quickly. They all sat at the table, Thatcher and Susan at the heads of the table then Meredith on one side by herself while Molly and Lexie sat next to each other. Thatcher was the first to break the silence.
"So Lex, what are your plans for this summer," Thatcher said as he ate his food.
"I have marching band practice most of the week days, then probably hang out with Amelia and Zoey," she said as she swallowed her food.
"What instrument do you play?" Meredith asked as she poked around her food, occasionally taking a bite.
"The trombone," Lexie replied.
"Nice, I have absolutely no musical talents once so ever," Meredith answered back.
"You get that from me," Thatcher spoke up and made Meredith swallow the food she had in her mouth. The room got silent again as they finished eating. They each rinsed their plates off and placed them into the dishwasher then went their separate ways. Meredith went up to her room, taking her phone and immediately calling her sister. It was barely 7:00pm in New York so it was 4:00pm in Seattle.
Mag; Hello?
Mer; Hey Mags.
Mag; Meredith! How is it over there? Is it nice? Are they nice people?
Mer; I guess, Susan is sweet and so is Molly. I don't think Lexie likes me.
Mag; Who is Lexie and Molly? How about Thather? Is he nice?
Mer; Lexie is my half sister and so is Molly, Molly is 7 and I think Lexie is 14. Thatcher seems nice, he is trying at least.
Meredith sighed. She wanted to talk to her sister about her mom but she couldnt, she knew she had no idea and that would crush her.
Mag; So me and daddy are moving in two weeks, he changed the dates because mommy asked him to.
Mer; How is mom? Is she alright?
Mag; Yes, she's her same old self. Why?
Mer; Just wondering if she felt bad for sending me here.
Meredith moved from her desk and laid down on her newly made bed. She wanted to speak to her mother so much.
Mag; Of corse she misses you Mer, I miss you too. I'm staying the week with mom and it's different.
Meredith heard Maggie's voice change which was a sign she was about to cry.
Mer; Listen Mags, I'll see you in two weeks. I'll find a way to Boston and I will see you then. Just don't be upset. I miss you so much Mags.
Meredith heard a knock on her door.
Mer; Listen Mags, I'll talk to you tomorrow, call me as soon as you wake up, Love you.
Meredith hung up the phone as she got up to open the door. Molly was standing there in princess pajamas holding a teddy bear.
"Hi Meredith," Molly says as she bypasses Meredith into her room.
"Hi Molly, do you need something?" Meredith asked, sitting down at her desk. Molly shook her head and hopped up on Meredith's bed.
"How come I never met you before Meredith?" She asked, running her hand over the blanket on Meredith's bed. Meredith stopped for a second to think, trying to figure out how to say it nicely.
"Well, when I was about four, my mom and our dad got into a fight and my mom took me and moved across the country and I never got to see your or Lexie," Meredith tried to explain.
"Meredith can I ask you somethin," she says softly.
"Sure Molly," Meredith stands up and sits on the other side of the bed.
"Well, Lexie said that I'm not allowed in her room and it's scary at night and I just want to know if I can come in here if I get scared," she continues to look down as she speaks softly. Meredith was caught off guard a little bit, when Maggie would get scared, Meredith would let her spend the night in her room and Meredith was glad Molly was warming up to her so well.
"Sure, I'll be here anytime you need me. I am your big sister," Meredith smiled at the little girl and her blue eyes looked at Meredith. Molly hugged Meredith before scurrying off somewhere else in the house. Maybe this wouldn't be that bad after all.
Author Note; As I promised, a longer chapter. This chapter gives off a lot of future events that are yet to come. Do you really think that Meredith will change or will she return to her old ways? Please leave a review and tell me how/what you did/didn't like about this chapter.
