So here we go, here's the last chapter! It took me a little longer than expected to get it up, but here it is. I was extremely motivated and then after Thursday night and the events of Grey's I was a little sad and lost some motivation. But I'm loving already where this new season is going (as long as they don't hurt my sweet Amelia), so hopefully that will give me some motivation for some new stories. But for now, enjoy this final chapter!
By the time Cristina got back to the house it was almost 3am. She entered quietly, trying not to wake anyone or scare anyone. She sat on the couch in the living room and just looked around. She thought of all the memories she had in this house before falling asleep. She was woken in the morning by the noise of tiny feet on the floor and her name being called in the distance.
"Aunt Maggie, why is Aunt Cristina asleep on our couch?" Maggie laughed at the young girl's question.
"I'm not sure Zo, but let's find out." Zola nodded in agreement and went over and shook Cristina awake.
"Aunt Cristina, wake up." When Cristina opened her eyes, she was met with Zola's smiling face and Zola instantly wrapped her arms around Cristina.
"Hey Zozo, did you sleep good?" Zola nodded and held tight to Cristina as she thought of her next question.
"Aunt Cristina, why are you sleeping on the couch? We do have beds." Cristina laughed at the little girl's question and took a moment before responding.
"It was really late when I got here last night and I wanted to see you. I have to leave today and go back to Zurich." Cristina tried to keep her composure as she seen the tears fill Zola's eyes.
"I don't want you to leave. You just got here." Tears now streamed down Zola's face as Cristina tried to control the tears that threatened to fall from her own eyes.
"I know Zo, I'm so sorry. I don't want to leave you, but there's people back in Zurich that need me to fix their hearts." Maggie went and grabbed a tissue and gave it to Zola. She had an extra one that she handed to Cristina, who gave Maggie a grateful smile. Maggie also made a suggestion, trying to make the situation easier for both Zola and Cristina.
"Zo, how about we go get your brother and sister so Aunt Cristina can say goodbye to them too before she goes." Zola let out a slight sob, but listened to Maggie's request and headed upstairs. Cristina thanked Maggie for trying to make this easier for her. Cristina hadn't been around Maggie much, but she knew that the times she was there, she didn't make Maggie's life very easy. She also knew that Maggie really stepped up for Meredith and the kids and Cristina was greatful to her for that.
A few minutes passed and Zola reentered the room with Bailey and Ellis in tow. Zola walked Bailey and Ellis over to the couch and sat next to Cristina. Cristina held Ellis in her lap, while Zola and Bailey each sat on the side of her. She hugged into Ellis, while Zola laid her head on Cristina's shoulder. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Cristina's eyes met with Maggie's, and by just a look Maggie knew it was time. The longer they let this go on, the harder it would be for all of them. Cristina kissed Ellis on the head and handed her to Maggie. She then picked Bailey up and gave him a tight squeeze and a kiss on the cheek before setting him down. She then turned to Zola. The little girl knew what was coming and sobs had taken over her body. Cristina picked Zola up and held her on her lap. Cristina looked into Zola's eyes as the tears flowed and this time she couldn't help the tears that escaped her own eyes. Cristina squeezed Zola tight and when she released she wiped the tears from Zola's eyes.
"Zo, I promise I'll call you all the time, ok? We can FaceTime whenever you want. I'll always be there for you. I'm just a phone call away. I love you." Zola sniffled her tears and wrapped her arms around Cristina's neck one last time.
"I love you too Aunt Cristina." That was Cristina's cue to leave. She couldn't put it off any longer, as it would be too hard on the kids, but too hard on her too. She blew kisses to all three kids as they watched Cristina walk out the door. She turned around one last time before leaving to see Zola wiping her tears and holding on to Bailey's hand while Ellis sat on the floor in front of them.
Cristina took the car ride back to the hospital to get her emotions under control. Cristina was a strong person, or as strong as she could be, but she still hated goodbyes. They never get easier. When Cristina arrived back at the hospital, she took a minute to herself before entering. She wanted to be strong. She wasn't sure how much strong she had left, but she knew for Meredith's sake she had to be strong. She walked into the hospital and took the elevator back up to the fifth floor. She stopped outside Meredith's room and just watched for a few minutes before entering, just like she had done almost a week ago. Except this time, the sight on the other side of the window was a lot easier to look at. Meredith was starting to look like Meredith again. Sure, she still had a long way to go, and she would still be in that bed for a while, but knowing that she could talk and hear and was on the road to recovery was enough to put Cristina at ease.
When Cristina finally walked in Alex and Meredith stopped the conversation they were having. Cristina first looked at Alex, who with just a facial expression let her know that Meredith still did not know she was leaving. Then she looked at Meredith. In all the years that Cristina and Alex and Meredith have been friends, they have been able to communicate through facial expressions. Meredith noticed the look Alex gave Cristina and she instantly knew something was up.
"What's going on? Why are you guy looking at each other like that?" Alex and Cristina both let out a sigh before Cristina spoke.
"Mer I have to leave…" Meredith's face turned from being fearful to sadness. She knew Cristina wasn't going to stay forever. She knew eventually she would have to leave and go back to Zurich, but she wasn't ready. She was never ready for the goodbyes. No matter how long Cristina was there, whether it was a day or a year, she would never be ready to say goodbye.
"Do you have to go right now?"
"No, I still have a few hours and I'll stay with you until I have to leave." Meredith was happy she still had Cristina for a few more hours. The last time Cristina had been in Seattle was completing different. She was there for almost three weeks and Meredith barely remembered her being there. Sure this time Meredith was stuck in the hospital, but least her and Cristina were able to talk and catch up.
Alex left the room so Meredith and Cristina could have some alone time. Cristina sat in a chair next to Meredith's bed for the next few hours while the two just talked. They talked about anything and everything.
"Cristina, do you promise that we will talk all the time. I know we said before we would talk but sometimes things happen and we don't get to, but I need you to promise this time that we will talk."
"I promise. I told Zola she could call anytime that she wanted and I would talk to you guys all the time."
"Oh god Cristina, you know she's going to want to call you every day right?" Cristina chuckled at the thought of Zola harassing Meredith to let her call.
"That's fine. If she calls and I'm in surgery or something, she can watch. It will help her for when she goes to medical school." Meredith smiled at Cristina.
"And how do you know she even wants to go to medical school?"
"I mean it is in her genes, both her parents are…were amazing surgeons, but she also told me." Meredith smiled at Cristina, curious as to when Zola told her that.
"She told you?" Cristina nodded.
"When Derek died…" Meredith took a deep breath, unsure if she was ready to hear what Cristina was going to tell her.
"She told me that her mommy and daddy save so many people, but now that her dad is gone, she's going to have to help save all the people that he isn't going to be able to save anymore because he's gone." Tears filled Meredith's eyes. She had no idea Zola told Cristina that. Sure, she had expressed interest in being a doctor, but she never put much thought into why. She figured it was just because it was all she knew, but that little girl had found a way to give it a greater meaning.
"Oh Cristina, those kids keep me alive. I would be lost without them." Cristina grabbed Meredith's hand and squeezed it.
"You all have to come visit me in Zurich. You and the kids and Alex, you all have to come. You would love it there. It's so beautiful." Meredith smiled at Cristina and nodded.
"One day, we will all come. The kids will love it."
The two continued their conversation talking about whatever they could think of. They knew the time was coming and Cristina would have to leave but neither were prepared. Neither of them were ready to say goodbye again. A little while passed and Alex finally returned. When he entered the room both Cristina and Meredith looked at him with grim looks on their faces because they both knew what his return meant.
"I hate to break up the party, but Cristina, you got to get going if you don't want to miss your flight." Tears began to fill her eyes as she looked at both Meredith and Alex.
"Wait! There's one more thing we have to do before you leave." Cristina, who was trying to control her emotions looked at Meredith wondering what she needed.
"30 second dance party." Cristina's eyes widened and a huge smile came across her face. Meredith motioned for Alex to pass her her phone so she could get a song. Even though Meredith was unable to actually get up and dance, it didn't matter. She found a song and the three of them were moving to the music and the two women laughing at Alex, who reluctantly danced when Cristina grabbed onto his hands. It was the fastest 30 second dance party they ever had it seemed. When the music came to a stop, the three looked at each other and let out a sigh. They knew it was time.
Cristina went over and sat on the bed next to Meredith. She couldn't hide the tears anymore. Neither of them could. Cristina leaned in and hugged Meredith tight. She hugged her so tight, hoping that the next time they seen each other it wouldn't be like this. When they finally let go of each other, they both had red eyes and tear stained cheeks. Alex stood and watched, knowing how hard this was for the both of them. He picked up Cristina's bag off the floor for her and handed to her. Cristina leaned in and gave him a hug. He hadn't realized how hard it was going to be for him to say goodbye as well. Cristina had been there less than a week, but he was so glad she had come. He probably wouldn't have made it the first few days without her. Alex offered to take Cristina to the airport, but she declined, noting that it would just make things harder. It was easier for her to just go on her own. Cristina let out a sigh and headed towards the door. Before she left she turned around one more time and looked at Meredith.
"You are the best thing that has ever happened in my life. The strength you have inside radiates through your body. You are strong and brilliant and have an extraordinary mind. Don't let anyone push you around ever again. You are my person and I need you alive. You make me brave; you make me want to be better." Tears streamed down Meredith's face. Cristina tried to control hers until she got out of the room. She waved to Meredith who looked at Cristina and then looked at Alex before she spoke up.
"Go with her Alex. Make sure she actually leaves and doesn't miss her flight." Alex looked at Meredith and nodded before he followed Cristina out the door.
The two walked down the hall towards the elevators. Alex handed a tissue to Cristina that he had grabbed on the way out of the looked at him gratefully, but also a little embarrassed. They were supposed to be the tough ones, but all Alex has seen Cristina do this week is cry. When they finally made their way to the lobby, Cristina let out a sigh as she told Alex this is as far as he got. Any farther and it would be harder for her to leave. Alex opened his arms and pulled Cristina in a tight hug. Tears began to fill his eyes, though he tried to hide it. Cristina squeezed him tight before lightening her grip and speaking.
"Alex, you have grown into one hell of a man. You have stepped up for Meredith in ways that I honestly never thought you could. It is so much easier for me to go back to Zurich knowing she has you here. Keep her safe Alex. Make sure she's happy and taken care of and make sure those kids are happy. They need you, they all do. Meredith wouldn't be able to do it without you. You're her person." Alex looked at Cristina and wiped a tear from his eye. He tried to hide it, although Cristina saw. She pulled him in for one final hug and said goodbye. Alex waved as she walked out the door.
As she exited the hospital she was faced with sadness that she was leaving her friends and the place she called home for so long, but at the same time she felt relief that she was done with the goodbyes. Or at least she thought she was done with goodbyes until she heard her name being called and Owen running towards her.
"Cristina, wait." When Cristina turned around she could see Owen running in her direction. She breathed a heavy sigh at the thought of this just getting more and more difficult as the time went on. When he finally caught up to her he was breathing heavily, but smiling.
"I'm glad I caught you before you left. I didn't want you to leave before I got a chance to say goodbye." Cristina smiled. Deep down she was glad she would get to say goodbye to Owen. They never did goodbyes very well. Neither one of them were very good at them. They usually just left things unsaid and unfinished.
"Owen I can't stay long. Meredith will kill me if I have to go back in and tell her I missed my flight."
"I won't keep you long, but there's just one thing I had to do before you left…" Before Cristina had a chance to react or to even think of his statement, Owen had pulled Cristina into his arms and met his lips with hers. Neither of them could deny the passion that they felt. It was undeniable. When they broke apart, Owen could see the sadness in Cristina's eyes. He held her face in his hands and questioned her.
"Cristina, what is it? What's wrong?"
"I'm just so sick of goodbyes. I thought I was done with them and here you are and now it's even harder. I mean I love living in Zurich and the work I get to do there, but I miss it here. I miss my friends…I miss you and coming back here gets harder every time because it gets harder to leave every time." Owen grabbed Cristina's hand and squeezed it. He knew he was making this harder for her.
"Cristina, I'm sorry. I want you to go and be happy. Go save lives." Cristina smiled at Owen and thanked him. As they finished their conversation Cristina's cab pulled up. Owen helped her get her suitcase in the trunk and opened the door for her. Before she got in the car she took one more look deep into Owen's eyes and leaned in and kissed him one final time.
"That will help me when I miss you." Owen smiled at her and nodded.
"Come visit me whenever you want." Owen smiled and closed the car door as Cristina got in and waved as he watched the car drive away. Cristina was right, the goodbyes would never get easier, but they also make the hellos more worthwhile when they come around.
So that's it, that's the end. I hope you guys enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please let me know what you think, I love reading all reviews! Also, if any of you guys have any story idea for me, let me know!