This chapter is nice and long I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 14 – From The Start
Meredith and Addison were extremely glad to have the day off, but typically, there hopes of a sleep in were destroyed as Mindy ran into there room at seven am and jumped into the middle of the bed.
Meredith stirred and saw the exuberant girl grinning madly. Meredith sat up and looked at Addison who groaned and buried into her pillow. She laughed.
"Mummy! Mummy! It's my birthday!" Squealed Mindy, she started to shake Addison, "Mummy-Addison! It's my birthday!"
Meredith gave Mindy a kiss and then hugged her.
"Happy birthday Mindy."
Addison sat up and pulled Mindy into her lap, squeezing her tight, "Happy birthday."
"Presents!" Grinned Mindy,
"Presents? You're expecting presents?" Teased Addie,
Meredith laughed, "Breakfast first."
Mindy jumped up and waited impatiently for her mothers to get out of bed. The three of them made their way downstairs and into the kitchen, on the table was a huge basket with a pink bow on the handle. It was filled with cupcakes and brownies and other baked goods, a card on the top read 9th Birthday Princess! The words were surrounded by glittery swirls and a picture of a tiara. Mindy grabbed it and read inside.
Have a great birthday Mindy! I hope you like cupcakes… Izzie xoxo, Alex, George, and Callie x
Meredith grinned and looked at Addison, "Did you know they were planning this?"
Addison shook her head, "What do want Mindy? Pancakes?"
Mindy nodded enthusiastically, "Can I have a cupcake as well?" Meredith nodded and Mindy took one for her self.
Addison made the pancakes and much to Mindy's delight, they ate them in true Mindy fashion; with ice-cream. Meredith smiled at how happy her daughter was to celebrate her birthday with them, rather then her fathers, even though technically she would be celebrating with both, as she'd be back home with her fathers for dinner.
As soon as breakfast was finished it became present time, as promised.
The first gift was from Addison and Meredith. Mindy read the card carefully, and placed it on display on the table, then opened the box with a flourish. It was a creative mug decoration set, full of paints and templates to fit the plain mug inside.
Next she opened a card that had a picture of kittens on the front, once opened twenty dollars fell out, which Mindy snatched up happily, before look at the fancy handwriting in the card. Mindy had to get Addison to read it. Happy Birthday, love from Uncle Archer, Bizzy and the Captain.
"Who are they?" Asked Mindy,
Addison laughed, "My brother and my parents." She handed Mindy the correct gift, and Mindy pulled it open and inside was a pretty blue dress that matched her eyes amazingly well.
The next card had funky lettering saying, Happy 9th Birthday inside it read, Mindy, We hope you have a great day. Love from Grandpa Thatcher and Grandma Susan. Mindy happily placed this card with the other two then accepted the gift from Meredith and tore open the paper. Two story books about fairies and a brad new Barbie doll looked back at her. Mindy squealed happily and placed them on the table, then took the next card.
On the front was a huge purple '9' and inside read, Mindy, have a great day (such a big girl!) we all give our best wishes, lots of love; Aunty Molly, Aunty Lexie, Uncle Eric, and Laura, xoxo. Mindy put the card with her collection then grinned as she saw the oddly shaped gift. It turned out to be hair accessories, some new bracelets and bangles, and a cute white teddy with the number 9 on his chest in pink.
The last present had no card, as it was from Addison and Meredith again. Once opened Mindy excitedly pulled out two new shirts and a new green skirt, as well as a box of new colouring pencils.
Mindy jumped up and gave Meredith and Addison huge hugs and kisses. "Thanks Mummy, thanks Mummy-Addison."
They grinned and Meredith stood up, "Mindy, sweetheart, how about you get dressed then watch some TV or play with your new Barbie, Mummy and I need to get ready for today."
Mindy grinned and grabbed her new dress then ran up the stairs.
Addison gave Meredith a curious look, Meredith smiled mischievously back. "Shower?"
Addison smirked, "I'd love too."
They took hands and headed upstairs. Mindy emerged from the bathroom looking adorable in the blue dress, she grinned then ran down the stairs.
In the shower Addison took great care in pleasing Meredith, who only managed to keep quiet by biting Addie's shoulder. When it was Meredith's turn to do the pleasuring, she pressed Addison into the cold tile wall and claimed her lips roughly, her hand travelling down Addison's naked side.
Her hand started to tease Addison, never quite going where it was wanted. Addison groaned out in frustration and in the background they could hear the phone start to ring.
Mindy was down stairs when the phone rang, she jumped up and grabbed it, "Hello? Mindy Joseph-Grey speaking!"
"Hello, this is Mrs Henry; I'm looking for Meredith Grey."
"Just a minute." Mindy placed the phone on the table and ran up the stairs; she looked in Meredith's room then went to the bathroom, and knocked on the door.
"Mummy! Phone."
"Who is it?" Meredith called out,
"Mrs Henry."
Meredith exited the room, wrapped in a dressing gown, her whole body wet. "Mrs Henry?"
"Yep."
Meredith sighed and ran a hand through her hair; she made her way after Mindy and to the phone.
"Hello?"
Addison held Mindy's hand as they walked with Meredith into the home Ellis Grey lived in. Meredith went to the desk to speak with Mrs Henry.
"Mummy?" Mindy asked Addison, "Where are we?"
"We're visiting Grandma Ellis." smiled Addie, "For your birthday."
Mindy frowned, "I thought Grandma Ellis was too sick for visitors, that's what Mummy and my daddies say."
Addison bent down, "She is, but this is a special treat. We won't be able to stay for too long though."
Mindy nodded just as Mrs Henry walked to them smiling, "Follow me,"
They followed her and stoped at a brown door, through the small window Meredith watched her mother pacing. She only half listened as Mrs Henry explained that in a random gift, her mother was completely aware.
"Well how long will it last?"
"It's different in every case, but not long."
"So she's lucid? She remembers?" Asked Addison,
"Pretty much everything except the last five years." Mrs Henry turned to Meredith, "And of course she doesn't realise she has Alzheimer's. We thought she should hear it from you."
"So, she'll know me? I'm gonna walk in there and she'll know who I am?"
"She's been asking for you."
Meredith let out a breath.
"Mummy, what's going on?"
Meredith bent down, "Grandma Ellis is feeling much better today, but she's a bit old so she might not remember you, she hasn't seen you since you were just a little girl."
Mindy nodded and took Meredith's hand as she stood up.
Addison dropped Mindy's hand and looked at Meredith closely, "Do you want me to go in there Mere? I can tell her."
Meredith ran a hand through her hair, "Thanks Addie." Addison kissed her softly, and Meredith walked down the corridor with Mindy whilst she walked into Ellis' room.
"Addison!" Ellis exclaimed, still pacing, "What is going on? Why aren't you in New York?"
"I haven't lived in New York for a while Ellis, it's been-"
Ellis cut over her, "I've been sitting here, thinking about the fight I had with Meredith. The things I said...I...I...I said some terrible things."
"She's fine. It's all ok."
"No! It's not. After she left for Europe I was upset. Did I have a breakdown? I must have had a nervous breakdown. I'm in a...is this a hospital? Because I...I can't remember anything for the past two months, Addison. The last thing I remember is the fight. Just take me home. I want to go home, Addison. I need to go home."
Addison sighed slightly, "You are home." She put her arm around Ellis and sat her down on the bed in the middle of the room, "Meredith went to Europe five years ago. You got sick Ellis, you have Alzheimer's. This is your home now."
Ellis started to shake, tears filling her eyes. Addison held her, "No. No!"
"Ellis."
"No!"
Ellis froze up and fell back onto the bed, her eyes rolling back.
"Ellis? Ellis!" Addison lay her down carefully, "Some body call 911!"
Mindy sat in the front seat of the car, Addison was driving, and Meredith was in the ambulance with Ellis.
They met up with Meredith as Ellis was being pushed in a wheelchair through the hospital.
Mindy rushed forward her hand clutching her new Barbie doll, "Mummy what's wrong with Grandma?"
"Grandma will be fine Mindy; we just need to do some tests."
Ellis gasped, "Melinda?"
Mindy grinned, "Grandma! Grandma, guess what! It's my birthday!"
Ellis grinned "Melinda Meredith Grey!" she hugged Mindy and kissed her forehead, "You must be ten years old by now."
"Nine." Giggled Mindy,
Ellis took Mindy in her arms, the young birthday girl sitting comfortably in her lap. Addison flashed Meredith a small smile and took her hand, giving it a small squeeze.
They rounded a corner and the chief walked out of an exam room, stopping them. He looked at Meredith, "Is she all right?"
"She's-" Meredith was cut of by Ellis, who smiled up at him, her arms around Mindy's waist.
"Richard Webber. My god you've aged."
"Ellis?"
"I was having arrhythmias, they wanted to do tests and... I hear you're the chief of surgery now. That's wonderful."
"Yes, um...but I'm stepping down soon."
"Stepping down?" She gave him an odd look, "Well, I can only assume that was Adele's idea." Ellis had a small smile that Meredith thought looked teasing, "Meredith."
"I'll be right there, Mum. Go ahead." The nurse wheeled Ellis and Mindy to the elevator, Addie squeezed Mere's fingers then followed.
"She's lucid." Meredith said with an odd fake smile, "She woke up this morning with her memory back. They say it's temporary."
"My God." Richard sighed, "Well… You need to be with her. I mean, this time...it's a gift."
"It's a gift. Right." Meredith wasn't so sure, but she moved away, jogging to the waiting elevator,
Cristina walked into Ellis' room to find Addison sitting next to the bed. Mindy was in the bed next to Ellis, using the table trolley while she drew on a scrap of paper. Addison and Ellis were chatting animatedly about Addison's experiences and career.
Cristina cleared her throat slightly, "Dr. Montgomery." She nodded before turning to Ellis, "Hello Dr. Grey, I'm Dr. Yang; I just need to get an echo."
Ellis nodded, "Melinda off the bed now."
Mindy looked at Addison, who nodded, then jumped up off the bed, moving to sit in Addison's lap.
Cristina started the echo, Ellis watched her quietly.
"You and Meredith are good friends." Cristina gave her a look, but continued her work, "I can tell. Because you're afraid to look at me. As if I might ask you some personal question about her and you'll accidentally slip. But you don't do anything accidentally, do you?" Cristina finished the echo, and Addison laughed,
"You can read interns like a book." She smiled, "Elle, this is one of Meredith closest friends and another promising intern of Seattle Grace, Dr. Cristina Yang."
"Has Meredith chosen a specialty?" Ellis asked Cristina,
Cristina raised her eyebrows, "That's a personal question?"
"For surgeons, the most personal question you can ask. It tells you who they are."
Addison smirked and Cristina snorted, "My mother would wanna know whether I had a boyfriend."
"You're mother sounds like a frivolous woman." Ellis said,
Cristina looked at her seriously, "If I chose cardiothoracic's, what would that say about me?"
"Heart surgeons are the know-it-alls. They're the most ambitious, the most driven. They want it all and they want it now. And they don't want anything getting in their way." Cristina seemed happy with this, and she wrote something in the chart, "Addison tells me I'm part of an Alzheimer's research study. I want a Neuro consult. With the doctor who put me in the trial."
Cristina nodded and left.
"I'm going to check on my patients," Addie said, "While we're here." She kissed Mindy's head and squeezed Ellis' hand before leaving,
Ellis smirked and let Mindy settle next to her again, "What are you going to draw me now Melinda?"
Meredith walked through the halls and stopped at George's patient's room and motioned him over.
"Hey, everything ok? Aren't you off today?" He asked,
"You got engaged?"
"Yeah, I did. It was uh... I know it's impulsive."
Mere smiled, "Well is it good impulsive or is it Meredith-impulsive? Because if it's Meredith-impulsive maybe I can help get you out of it."
"No... No it's a good thing."
"Good." Meredith smiled,
"It's good, um..." They hugged and Mere kissed his cheek, "but, uh...thanks for the backup."
"You're welcome. Congratulations, George."
"Thank you." George went back into his patient's room and Ellis walked up behind Meredith,
"People who hover in doorways-"
"Are coming from nowhere, and are heading nowhere… You said that to me a lot, growing up."
"You hovered in a lot of doorways." Reasoned Ellis, "Are you planning on coming to talk to me anytime soon?"
"Mummy." Mindy walked out, "Can you get me a drink?"
Meredith smiled, "What would you like honey?"
Mindy thought, "Can I have Lemonade?"
"Of course, I'll be right back." She gave Ellis a small smile and walked away,
She walked past a nurses' station that Addison was leaning on, she started swinging her hips just a little more then usual, knowing Addison was following her carefully with her eyes.
Callie smirked and walked over to Addie, leaning on the nurses' station next to her. "You know those cartoons where there's a bear, or whatever, and it's starving and it looks at a table. And the table turns into this delicious cooked turkey with like, lines of deliciousness coming of it..."
"Oh, I was not looking at her like that." Scoffed Addison, as she fought not to run after Meredith and push her into an on-call room, "And even if I was, I'm allowed to. She's my girlfriend."
"I'm engaged." Callie blurted out,
"What?"
Callie grinned, "George proposed, and we're getting married."
Addison looked at her slightly shocked, "That's...not that I'm not happy for you but...why? Getting married, so fast?"
Callie smirked, "You know those cartoons where there's a bear and it's starving, and it looks at a cute intern…"
"Well, congratulations." Addison hugged her,
"Thank you." They pulled back and Addison took Callie's hand, putting her glasses on to get a proper look at the ring, "Oh it's small I know, it's small."
"It's beautiful."
"You think so?" Asked Callie,
"Yes."
Meredith walked over, a can of lemonade in her hand. "Hey." She kissed Addison, "Oh Callie, congratulations." She smiled,
"Thanks."
"Well I have to go talk to my mother." Meredith made a face and left.
Callie watched with amusement as Addison looked after Meredith's retreating form.
"Have you considered it further?" She asked,
"What?"
"Asking Meredith to marry you."
"She almost found the rings last week." Addison bit her lip, "I need to work." She walked away, heading to Ellis' room.
Mindy grinned as Meredith passed her the Lemonade and thanked her before sitting on Ellis' bed. Ellis stood at the end of the bed and motioned for Meredith to sit down in the chair that Addie had previously occupied.
"So, tell me about yourself." She asked kindly,
"Well..." Meredith fiddled in her seat; Ellis made her feel like a twelve year old again.
Ellis chuckled, "What's your life like?" She sighed, "I...I really do wanna know you, Meredith."
"Well, I'm dating."
"Does he understand the demands of your career? Cause not all men do. They say they do upfront but they-"
"It's great. They're a doctor too, so they get it."
"Good."
"Actually..."
Addison walked into the room, "Mere honey, I'm gonna start working, just a half day, is that ok?" Meredith nodded, "Good." Addison grinned and bent down, brushing her lips gently over Meredith's. Mere raised a hand and caressed Addison cheek.
"I love you." Murmured Addie,
"I love you too."
Addison kissed her once more then straightened up, "I'll come in later Ellis." Ellis nodded, stunned, and Addison walked away.
"You're dating Addison?"
Meredith nodded, "She's perfect."
"Have you chosen a specialty?"
Meredith laughed, "No, it's... its still early."
"Cristina's already chosen cardiothoracic's."
Meredith nodded, "Cristina's had cardio picked since she decided she would be a surgeon." Meredith looked at Mindy and sighed, "But me… I was all set on Neuro, but lately I've been thinking about Paeds…I don't know I just... I'm really happy, mum."
"You've changed." Murmured Ellis,
"What do you mean?"
"You're happy. The Meredith I knew was a force of nature, passionate, focused a fighter. You've changed. You're Mummy."
"I was a mum five years ago."
"Five years ago you were a mother." corrected Ellis, "You were almost like me. Now you're Mummy. I was never your mummy. I was always your mother."
"That's not-"
Ellis walked over and hugged her daughter. "Listen to me, Meredith. Anyone can have a baby. But not everyone can be a mum."
Meredith nodded, "Mum I think I should tell you… I've been talking… to Dad."
Ellis looked at her sharply.
"He's remarried now. And he's really trying to be there for Mindy, and so is his wife Susan." Meredith closed her eyes and sighed, then opened them, "They have two daughters… I haven't met Lexie, but I have met Molly."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Because Mum for just one day you should be able to be you again."
Ellis nodded, "Thank you Meredith."
"Grandma, it's finished, look."
Ellis walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, looking at the colourful drawing. It was Addison holding Meredith's hand, who held onto Mindy, who held onto Ellis. The words My 9th Birthday were written at the top.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it Melinda." They hugged, and Meredith felt inspired, she rummaged in Addison's handbag and pulled out a camera, something Ellis noticed,
"Smile, Melinda."
Meredith took a photo of the two. Then Mind excitedly took the camera and took photos of anything she could, including a few of Mere and Ellis.
"I've missed you mum." Meredith murmured softly, resting her head on her mother's shoulder,
Ellis nodded, "I know Meredith, sweetheart." She kissed the top of Meredith's head, and unknown to them Mindy snapped another picture.
Mere's pager went off, she frowned, and Ellis smiled sadly, "On call even when you're not,"
Meredith gave a small smile back and looked down at her pager, "Oh my God…"
"What?"
"It's Addison… She… Jesus, I have to go." Mere kissed her mother's cheek and ran off, not noticing as her mother's heart rate started to jump and nurses rushed in quickly followed my Cristina.
Meredith walked into the clinic and saw Addison curled up on a bed, an oxygen mask over her mouth.
"Addison Adrianne Forbes Montgomery." Addie looked up, "That was so incredibly stupid."
"I think it's kinda cool." Alex said from the next bed, Meredith glared at him, and walked over to her girlfriend who she pulled into a hug,
"Stupid." She muttered before pulling back and climbing up onto the bed next to Addison. Addison smiled through her mask and let Mere press three kisses on her jaw and down the side of her neck.
"Marry me." Whispered Addison,
Meredith looked at her, "Maybe tomorrow." She whispered back, "Come on, let's go for a walk."
They got up and Addison pushed her oxygen supply with her, Meredith wrapping her arm around her waist.
"Where are we going?" Addie asked,
"My mother, then the gallery."
They walked into Ellis room to see Cristina awkwardly rubbing circles on Mindy's back as she cried and hugged Ellis,
"What's happened?" Meredith asked making sure Addie was sitting down before moving to her mother and daughter,
"I had SVT." Ellis said,
Cristina turned to Meredith, "Mindy had a minor panic attack Mere."
"She's asleep." Ellis murmured,
"Ok," Meredith relaxed, "Addie and I are going to the gallery, okay mum?"
"Of course."
"I'll join you," Cristina said, and you nodded, the three of you making to leave,
"Addison, could you stay back for a minute?" Ellis asked,
Addison frowned but moved back into the room, she pulled back her oxygen mask and spoke, "Yes, Ellis?"
"Do I know who Meredith is? Do I at least recognize Meredith?"
Addison sighed, taking a breath from her oxygen mask before answering, "You know she's someone important. Someone who loves you."
"Look out for her Addison, because she's got so much more to learn and I won't be able to teach her."
"I'll look out for her." Promised Addison,
"Thank you, Addison."
"I'd do anything for her Ellis, she's… I'm going to propose to her."
Ellis smiled, "Then while I still can, let me hug my daughter in law."
Addison hugged Ellis and kissed her cheek, "She really is amazing Ellis."
"I know."
Addison smiled and left, walking to the gallery, when she got there she saw the room empty and the chief in the OR, pulling Burke and Derek out.
"Oh my God," she murmured, and she watched as Cristina, Izzie and Meredith went in for small shifts of about twenty seconds, as any longer and they'd suffer from the effects of the patient's toxic blood like she had.
When Meredith was done Addison found her in the scrub room, an oxygen mask of her own to her face.
"Stupid huh?" Addie asked as she removed her mask completely, feeling she no longer needed it.
"Shut up." Meredith grinned,
"Where are the others? Yang and Izzie?"
"They went to shower, I needed a minute." Meredith told her, Addison moved and sat on the floor next to Mere and took her hand.
"I love you, Mere." Meredith smiled and pulled back her mask, she lent forward and the two kissed softly, "I love you so much."
"I love you too."
"I have rings. Two rings, one for each of us. I want you to be mine for the rest of our lives. I want to marry you."
Meredith looked at Addison, "I want to marry you too." She smiled, "But don't ask me right now. Please. My head is… Just not yet. Let's let Callie and George, and Cristina and Burke enjoy being the engaged ones for now."
"Okay,"
"Okay." They kissed again, "On call room?" Meredith asked with a smirk against Addie's lips,
"I was thinking a shower." They grinned and stood, then walked through the hospital hand in hand.
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