A loud ring from her phone caused her to jerk from the peaceful sleep she was in. Since she didn't have to be into work until noon and Mark was already at the hospital doing surgery, she was hoping to sleep in. Without opening her eyes, she fumble through the things on the nightstand for her phone. When she finally found it, she rolled onto her back and brought it to her ear.
"Hello?" She mumbled rubbing her hand over her shut eyes.
"I guess you thought I make empty threats now." Christina's voice came from the other end of the phone.
"What? Oh, sorry. I fell asleep before I had a chance to call you back."
"You were too busy with McSteamy sex."
Christina was the only one from her past that knew about her and Mark. She didn't want rumors starting at the hospital if it were to get out. It was for the best. Plus, Christina was the only one she really talked to anymore. The others got busy and they just lost touch. Plus they hadn't really accepting of her leaving especially without saying goodbye.
"I was not. How's Kevin?"
Kevin Lewis became Mark's replacement plastics surgeon when they left. He had taken a quick interest in Christina, who at the time was more interested in one night stands then getting into a long relationship after Burke. After a year or so, they were both on-call and somehow then ended up together in the on-call room. Slowly, as their sex relationship thrived, Kevin started trying to convince her to go out on a date with him. For some reason, she said yes. Two years later, they were getting married.
"He's fine or whatever. That isn't why I called you."
"Then why did you call me? I was sleeping."
"Then maybe you should have called me back yesterday. I mean seriously it's rude…"
"Christina! Stay on topic, will you? I have to leave soon."
"We set a date, and you're my maid of honor."
"Seriously?"
"Don't get all sappy on me or I might have to go throw up."
Meredith giggled. "I'm not going to get all sappy. When is it?"
"December 14th."
"Seriously? That's like five months away."
"And you're point?"
"That's really great, Chris… But I have to go get ready for work. I'll call you later when I get off."
She hung up and pulled herself out of bed.
--
By the time she got to the practice, Mark was already at the hospital preparing for their surgery. She had to stop by her office to pick up a few files before heading over there too.
"Good afternoon, Nancy." Meredith greeted as she walked in.
"Afternoon, Dr. Grey."
"Any changes to our schedule?"
"Dr. Hill called, but he said he'll call back."
"Thank you." She said before disappearing down the hall to her office. Pushing the door open, she flicked on the lights to see a vase of lavender and pink carnations sitting on the desk.
A smile stretched across her face as she walked further into the office. Bringing a flower closer to her nose she took in the faint sent of them before pulling out the little white card.
Love you.
It was simple and sweet to her. She wasn't one for public affection, sappy love notes, stupid messages, or big over-the-top love gestures like hug teddy bears, flowers, and chocolate with over-used, impersonal messages. But when Mark gives her something so simple yet so perfect, she can't help but smile. Picking up the vase, she moved it to the small table by the couch before returning to the desk to search for her files.
"Dr. Grey?" Nancy's voice came as she shuffled through papers.
"Yes?"
"There's a Dr. Webber on the phone for you."
Meredith froze for a second. "Webber?"
"From Seattle."
"Ah, thank you."
"Line two." She said before walking off.
Standing up from the hunched over position she had been in while she dug through the file cabinet, she picked up the phone and hit the line two button before settling back in the chair.
"Chief?" She asked with an uncertain voice.
"Meredith, it's good to hear your voice. Seattle Grace has certainly been less interesting since you left."
"Isn't that a good thing?" She giggled.
"Ah, I could keep a better eye on you when you were here."
"Don't worry I'm staying out of trouble."
"Good. Bailey would have a fit about 'it always is one of hers.' to get in trouble."
"We were normally the ones who caused trouble."
"Then I have all rights to be suspicious." He chuckled. "But, seriously, what have you been up to? I've heard from Yang that you started a practice with Mark."
"Yep, East Coast Cosmetic Surgery."
"In Miami."
"Yes." Somehow, she and Mark had effectively kept their Seattle lives finding out about their new Miami lives. They never allowed medical magazines to disclose the founders of ECCS nor allowed medical journals to reveal their location if they did an amazing surgery.
"Wow, I've heard… amazing things. Number one in Florida, the plastics capital."
"We try, but I have to ask… could you keep where we are quiet? Not that I don't think everyone has moved on past Meredith Grey and Mark Sloan. It's been three years and all, but I mean…"
"No, Meredith, I understand completely. And you'll be surprised to find what has changed since you left."
Whatever Richard was or was not implying didn't sink in and the comment left her head as quickly as it entered.
"So, I'm curious, a natural flaw I guess. Why the call out of the blue like this?"
"Well, I heard from Kevin that you were coming back in town for the wedding. I figured I would let you know there are people who can't wait for your arrival."
"Well, thank you, Chief. I'll see you in December. And keep in touch. Mark would be interested in talking to you too."
"I'll talk to you later, Meredith."
"Bye." She hung up and let out a deep sigh. She hadn't thought much of her past in a while. Seattle was a big part of her past. But it also was a painful part. So it had always been easier not to think about it. It was a weird experience having that brief blast from the past.
She didn't have time to dwell over the thought for long since the phone call had shortened the time she had before she had to be in surgery greatly. Standing up, she frantically grabbed her papers, stuffed them in her bag, and hurried out.
"Good thing I'm sleeping with the head surgeon." She mumbled before hurrying out.
--
She got to the scrub room just as Mark started scrubbing in. Letting out a sigh of relief, she walked in and smiled at her boyfriend. He returned the gesture and gave her a quick kiss.
"You're late." He pointed out with a childish grin.
"Richard Webber called."
Mark paused what he was doing for a second to look at her before resuming. "What did he need?"
"Christina set a date."
"And she didn't call to tell you herself."
"She did… Richard heard that I was the maid of honor and might have been trying to get me to take a job."
"Go back to Seattle?"
She looked at him. "Yeah, I know." She sighed knowing that they both had always had doubts about ever being able to go back. "But, we'll talk later. We should get started."
He looked at her for another second and nodded. "After you, Babe."
She smiled at him and headed into the OR.