She stood frozen in time. Molly fell to the floor. Lexi wasn't far behind. Sobs racked their bodies. Time seemed so slow.

"Time of death 13:07." Burke pronounced him dead.

"No!" Molly yelled shaking Lexi off over her. She jumped at the bed trying to grab her father's lifeless hand. "No, he can't be."

Everything seemed like slow motion.

"Molly…" Lexi said through sobs and hugged her. They stood their sobbing together. And, Meredith just stood there and watched.

The nurse cut off the machines and disconnected the IVs.

"Meredith?" Izzie called. "Are you okay?" She looked at her and slowly shook her head before turning and walking off.

The clouds had completely taken over the sky. They had turned blacker in the hour and a half since she had been outside. Thunder started to rumble as she passed through the sliding glass doors. She got halfway to the curb and felt the first rain drop. Soon, it started to pour. She stood their and let the rain soak her.

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Four days later…

Black was a color she had thought about wearing a lot over the last couple of years. But due to her hope to stay optimistic, she declined the need to wear it. The last time she wore a black dress was when she was preparing to go to Susan Grey's funeral three years ago. She had worn a black pair of pants here and there but tried not to often. It always made her think of the pain she had.

But, today… today she had to wear black. She bent down and pulled the black dress over her shoulders. Her eyes were set on the mirror in front of her. She slipped on her black heels before turning to walk out.

Her eyes explained her feelings. Her loss of hope that things would ever be as bright and shiny as they were three years ago. She was happy enough where she was. She was happy with her kids. She was happy with her family of friends. People could tell that she wasn't sleeping well and may never be able to again. People knew that the hope of Mark's return was slowly slipping from her hands. Her eyes explained how she felt on a good day and a bad day. But, she always put on a happy face for the kids and they were far too young to suspect that their mother was slowly slipping away.

She smiled a sad smile at her kids and kissed them each, thanked Izzie for sitting for them, and walked out the door. The November morning was chilly and she pulled the black coat closer to her body. Her heels clicked as her feet lightly hit the brick stairs of her house. She got in the car and started to drive.

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She opened her eyes to be met with the same dismal scene as before. People lightly dabbed their eyes as the minister said his words about Thatcher Edward Grey. About what a great man he was. About how much he cared. About his research. About his fatherhood. The words went in one ear and out the other as if he were speaking a completely different language. Lexi and Molly stood a couple of people away from her. Their hands her together and heads were bowed. A man stood behind Lexi with his hand resting on her waist. His wedding band sparkled in the light. She knew he was her husband. Another man stood beside Molly. That had to be her husband.

It was a small funeral compared to her mother's. About thirty people attending; all of which she never met. Some held flowers; others held the hands of the person standing beside them. Their heads were lowered and tears fell to the moist grass below. The casket was covered with flowers of different colors. A couple of picture sat to the side. Most of them were in golden frames and were of him or his family.

The minister finished talking about his life and said a final prayer. Then, it was over. People said their last words before the group scattered in different directions. She figured they would be going to something afterward.

"We'll meet you later," She heard one of the girls say to who she assumed to be their husband.

Two men, waited a few moments before beginning to lower the casket into the group. She finally tore her eyes away to notice it was just her, Lexi, and Molly standing there. Her eyes returned to the casket getting lower in the ground.

"May I?" She found herself saying. One of the men nodded and the casket stopped lowering.

"Take as long as you need." The other one said in a hard to indicate accent.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't save you in time." She said quietly not caring that the others heard her. "And I hope I didn't let you down. I wish we had more time together. Goodbye That… Dad." She threw a flower into the hole.

"Meredith?" Someone said in a cracking voice. She turned to looked at her half sisters. Molly was the one talking.

"Thank you for letting me come," Meredith said quietly.

"You're family too. We want you part of our family." Lexi said. Meredith smiled sadly.

"Thank you. You better go. I'm sure people are waiting."

"We don't want to go with them." Lexi explained. "They will say they're sorry over and over. We don't want that now." Meredith nodded knowing what they meant.

"Come on." Meredith said quietly. "I know what will help."