A/N: First off, thank you so much for your reviews. You're all far too kind. But, thank you, they keep me going and make this that much more enjoyable.

Ok, so I'm not sure how I feel about this one. I just feel like the story needed it.

Disclaimer: still don't own anything….sadly….

Manhattan 2017

I walk out of Halle's room at Meredith's request, but against my will. I know she and McDreamy have to talk to the girls, they should have done that long ago, but better late than never I suppose. Part of me is afraid though, actually, a lot of me is afraid. Afraid for Mer and the fact that she could get hurt again, afraid for Derek and Mer's reaction to him, mostly afraid for my nieces, innocent bystanders to however this situation plays out.

I wander aimlessly down the hall, not really sure where I'm heading. I don't want to stay too close, and be found eavesdropping, but God knows I want to…At the same time, I'm afraid to wander too far, incase I'm needed. I make it to the end of the hall before I hear a door close, somewhat forcefully. That didn't take long I say to myself as I turn around to see who's fleeing.

I meet a tearful Meredith halfway between Halle's room and the end of the hall.

"Mer?" I say, pulling her into a hug, "what happened?"

At first, she's too upset to tell me, so I just hold her as her body is racked with sobs, stroking her hair. Soon, her tears subside and her breathing returns to normal.

"Mer?" I say, my voice laced with question and worry.

"He…He wants to come to Seattle. He already has a job there. He wants to come back, to Seattle, and…and play happy family. Like the last ten years didn't happen. Like he didn't leave with Addison. Like he didn't leave me when I was pregnant. He wants to go on like nothings changed! Like he never hurt me. Like…"

"Seriously, Mer," I say, interrupting her rant, "listen to yourself." She responded with a blank stare. "You finally have the chance to have what you've always wanted. Yet, you sit here, freaking out, rather than relishing in what might be the best thing that ever happened to you."

"But he…." Her voice trailed off.

"I know. He hurt you. I get that. I was there, I lived it too if you remember. I was there when he left, when you were broken, alone, and pregnant. I was there when you brought the girls into this world, alone and scared. Mer, I'm still there, I'm there when you're awake at night crying and you think we can't hear you, I'm there when your daughter is crying because she doesn't know who she looks like and where her hair came from. I know all the bad Mer, trust me because I lived it right along with you. But I also know the good. I know how happy you both were when you were together. I know that despite the hardships, you wouldn't change the fact that he gave you the girls. And, most of all, I know that you still love him, and that he loves you. I see the way you still look at each other, even after all these years. So please, for the love of God, and for all of our sanity, give the man a chance."

"But the girls…" she began and then paused, "Halle cries?"

"Sometimes. She's a confused little girl. I try to comfort her, but, she needs more. She needs her father, and so does Hannah. And, you can give them that chance. You don't want them to grow up without a father. " I pause for a second, to make sure she's following me. I know her father is a tough subject, but I'm not sure how else to make this real for her.

"Derek wants to be part of their lives. He had every reason to run in the other direction, but he wants nothing more than to be a part of your lives again. The girls need this, and whether or not you want to admit it yet, you need it too. Let him in Mer, I know you were hurt, I know it's hard, I know you're scared, but please try to let him in. If not for you, for the girls."

"Please Mer," said a voice from behind us, "Let me in. "

I turn my head and see a tearful Derek standing behind me.

"I…I want to, I…I just…" Meredith began tearfully.

"I'm going to let you guys talk," I tell them. "I'll be in there," I say, gesturing to Halle's room, "with your girls." I add the last part, hoping to remind them both of what's really important in this situation.