Reflections of Love - Chapter 25
Cling and Clatter
Alex drove back to the hospital and waited until Meredith's shift to end. He had texted her again saying he was already in the lobby waiting for her. Reading some news on his blueberry he noticed the young beautiful lady he saw some months ago. There she was, Derek' sister talking happily to Sloan. They were leaving the hospital when Alex greeted Sloan
"Hey Karev, I thought you left" said Mark
"I did and came back. I'm waiting for Meredith" Alex said
"Let me introduce you Elizabeth Ross, Liz, this is Alex Karev, 2nd year resident and boyfriend of a great friend of mine" he said
"Nice to meet you, Alex" said Liz with a tender voice
"Nice to meet you, Dr Ross" said Alex shaking her hand
"Liz couldn't resist me and she finally got her transfer from Sinai. She starts Monday as SGH 6th year resident" Mark said proudly of his young sister "It will be a great addition to the staff" completed Mark with a grin on his face
"This is always good news" said Alex politely
"Now we have to go, John must have been freaking out in the car waiting for us" said Mark
"See you, Dr Karev" said Liz leaving
A few minutes later Meredith crossed the lobby, happy to meet him there because she was too tired to drive
"Thanks for coming back to get me home" she said showing relief
"I didn't want to waste any second with you before I leave" he said wrapping his arm on his girlfriend shoulder
"When are you leaving? I totally forgot to ask" she said
"Tomorrow, 5am" he told her
"And when are you back?" she asked
"Sunday, 11:42pm, Tacoma" he said opening the door of his car for her to enter
"What was it with your hand?" she asked seeing a slight bruise on his hand
"Nothing you should worry about. How was surgery?" he asked starting the engine
"It was great I still can't believe he did it" said Meredith excitedly describing to Alex the complex procedure she and Derek just did
Alex paid attention on every detail she excitedly told him about the surgery. He was proud of Meredith. Surgery was hardcore and neurosurgery was definitely one of the most compelling fields.
They got home and found Alice packing a few clothes for her and Alex. Sarah was excited about moving to Seattle and couldn't hide her happiness
"We were only waiting for you to have dinner, let's gonna eat because I'm starving" Sarah said
They talked during dinner about Alex and Alice's trip and Sarah didn't stop teasing her brother.
"Meredith I have a lot of very nice stories to tell you" said Sarah
"I can't wait to listen" Meredith said giggling
"Don't you dare" said Alex a bit uncomfortable
"What? She needs to know you better" Sarah said chuckling
"There are really some very nice stories" said Alice smirking
Seeing that Alex was getting further uncomfortable, Meredith squeezed his hand and turned to Sarah
"Do any of those involve his previous relationships?" teased Meredith
"Which relationships? Do you mean the one when he was 6?" asked Sarah laughing hardily
"Oh yeah, it seems like this one was the last one" said Meredith chuckling
"He dated Claire for about two years" said Alice
"Until he kissed Rachel" burst out laughing Sarah
"They were very cute" said Alice remembering how cute Alex was as a kid
"We have pics back on Iowa, we'll show next week" said Sarah laughing
"I'm going to sleep because we need to leave early. You should go also mom" said Alex standing up
"Won't you tell us the one or two things you learnt about relationships back with Claire and Rachel?" asked Sarah sarcastically
"Shut up" he said smacking his sister arm and leaving kitchen with a mischievous smile
"You will fall in love all over again when you see his childhood pictures, Meredith. Alex was very cute" said Alice proudly
"I can imagine" said Meredith "Well, I'm going to bed also, it was a very hard day. Have a nice trip, Alice. Good night Sarah" said Meredith leaving the kitchen and following her boyfriend to their room
"You shouldn't be embarrassed about your childhood. Everyone had their very ashamed secrets" said her behind him as he brushed his teeth
"You don't want to listen to those. They are boring and definitely not fun" he said after finishing with his toothbrush as Meredith also started brushing her teeth
He got to her bed and few minutes later she joined him. He was sitting leaning in the head of their bed with his legs stretched. She sat by his side laying her head over his chest
They were in silence and Alex could read her mind. He knew she was thinking about meeting Thatcher in the following day.
"You don't need to worry about him" said Alex kissing her forehead
"What if he doesn't want me there? What if I destroy Laura's first birthday?" she asked concerned
"Nothing of this will happen. I already took care of this for you. Didn't I say I would?" he said caressing her hair
"How?" she asked turning to look at him
"It doesn't matter how but I know your father wants you to be there and I'm completely sure he won't make anything to you or to destroy the party" he said with such confidence that she just believed on him
"I wish you were there though" she said tilting her head on his chest avoiding eye contact
"I wish I was there for you too, babe"
"I mean, not only because of Thatcher, sure he is the main reason, but I wish we were doing this together"
"Doing what?" he asked totally clueless of what she was talking about
"Be there with my family. I know we are not exactly a family but I'm friends with Lexie and Molly is a nice person. There is Thatcher but I really liked Molly and Susan" said her
"Maybe we can invite Molly and Lexie to come over some day" he said trying to comfort his girlfriend
"Yeah… maybe" she said vaguely
"I promise I'll be there in the next time. No matter what" he said after a few minutes of silence
"I'm gonna to buy her a teddy bear. Lexie said she likes Nemo and is afraid of Shrek" said Meredith
"That is nice of you, Mer"
"Yeah. I thought I needed to show her somehow I'm her aunt" said Meredith "Maybe she likes me"
"It is impossible to don't like you, Meredith Grey" he said kissing the tip of her nose making her shyly smiles to him
Not saying anything else to him Meredith got lost again on her thoughts. She wanted him to be there. She wanted to know how he will be around her family, especially around Laura. She had few opportunities to see how he is with children and all the times were patients. Though the other day she agreed with him about not wanting to have children like him, she wanted. It wasn't a short term plan but she wanted. They never discussed about their future, they never made any kind of plan. Their careless relationship really didn't bother her, in fact she liked to live like they did – only caring about today and about each other. He used to say people like them have to survive to everyday and that was enough for them to care. It took a lot of weight of her shoulders but sometimes, just sometimes, she wanted him to show any stronger attachment.
Alex was surprised by Meredith reaction. In fact she changed a lot in the last four months since she broke up with Derek. He didn't know exactly what caused her to be such different. He thought trying so hard to make their relationship work and to be someone else leaded her to be an avoider. She must have been an avoider before, just like himself, but she clearly got worse after Addison appearance but now she seemed to take a leap of faith. She was scary about the future, he could say. They never talked about their future. He never showed her how he wanted to marry her one day. He had this manwhore mask but Alex always thought about having someone. It would make him proud of himself that after all the issues of his parents marriage he could be encouraged enough to give it a try. He liked to make things right. Though it never showed he was a good man but he was sure Meredith will never agree to get married. She is probably like Cristina and seeing what resulted of Burke insistence he rather never see Meredith walking the aisle than seeing her apart from him but now she was willing to have him meeting her family. She said she wanted him with her when she was introducing herself to her niece and allowing a connection with her both sisters. Maybe his relationship with Sarah and Alice encouraged her. He wasn't sure but it gave him a slight feeling of hope. Maybe she will walk that aisle one day. Even if it is City Hall aisle.
Slipping his body through the bed and laying his bed in the pillow he carefully spooned on her, kissed the back of her head and wished her goodnight. She answered him back and few minutes later both were sleeping.
Early in the morning Alex and his mother headed to the airport. He didn't want to wake Meredith, so he let a note for her in the nightstand.
She woke up about 6am and found his note.
Everything is gonna be alright. I know.
Enjoy Laura's party and your family.
Love, Lex
That was all she needed to finally convince herself to go. Though he didn't say what he did, she knew if he assured her Thatcher will behave, so he will.
"Hey!" told Lexie excitedly to Meredith
"Hi' Meredith answered awkwardly "Where is George?" she asked noticing she was sitting alone
"We had a fight" told Lexie
"You talked to him about moving in?" Meredith asked?
"Yes, but we will talk about it in the hospital, I want to enjoy my niece's party, come on, let's meet Molly and Laura"
"Hi" said Meredith still uncomfortable
"Meredith" cried out Molly hugging her sister although Lexie had told her Meredith didn't like to hug and she definitely will not play with the kids
"I--I—brought this to Laura" rambled Meredith handing Molly the fuchsia package
"Come here, give her yourself" said Molly happily
Laura was among other kids. She wore a pink gown and looked like a little princess.
"Laura, come here with mommy" said Molly crouching and stretching her arms to her daughter
The little girl yelled in happiness and tried to run to her mother stumbling a lot in her way. She finally reached Molly's arms and gave her mother a hug
"Say hello to Aunt Meredith, Laura" said Molly
Laura looked to the nervous frame in front of her and appraised Meredith for some seconds. "Give Aunt Meredith a kiss, sweetheart, she is mommy's sis just like Aunt Lexie" Meredith crouched either and waited for the little girl to react. Finally she giggled and releasing herself from her mother's arms she walked towards Meredith with her arms stretched. Meredith put the package in the ground and embraced her little niece that immediately released from Meredith's arms and ran back to her mother. Meredith didn't understand and was standing up when Laura released again from Molly and run back to Meredith. Seeing her niece was playing with them Meredith relaxed. After the fourth round Laura lost her balance harder and not resisting fell in the soft grass. Worried about her reaction and especially Molly's Meredith blushed waiting Molly to react and Laura to cry. But the little girl yelled again and ran towards Aunt Lexie laughing. Lexie took Laura in her arms and stood up rounding Laura in the air.
"She is an angel" said Molly approaching Meredith "Like I never was to mom" she said smirking "I was a pest"
Meredith took the package and stood up "Lucky you" said Meredith smirking
"Come on, I want you to meet Eric" said Molly pulling Meredith to follow her
Eric was close to other guys and Meredith's heart skipped a beat when she spotted Thatcher sat on a nearby chair
"Hon, this is my sister Meredith, Meredith, this is my husband Eric" said Molly
Meredith greeted her brother in law awkwardly and looked for help. Lexie was totally distracted playing with Laura and she felt Thatcher's eyes on her while Molly was talking about something to Eric go fix. Not knowing what to do Meredith gasped for air slightly. She knew what will happen within some minutes. She will hyperventilate in front of her sister guests and destroy her niece party
"You will need this" said a familiar voice behind her handing her a pink plastic cup
Meredith turned to see Cristina handing her a cup with… tequila.
"Be cool, nobody needs to know what's inside" said Cristina as Meredith took a shot
"Thank you" said Meredith still surprised by Cristina's presence but relieved she had a familiar face around
"Come on, I'm sat over there" said Cristina leading Meredith to a farther table
"I didn't know Lexie invited you" said Meredith
"She didn't" said Cristina drinking a soda "I demanded to come"
"Why?"
"Because I was there when Alex talked to Torres about his trip to Iowa"
"Uuhh, thank you" said Meredith
"Look Meredith, I'm not going to apologize for what I think and I do think you are doing a huge mistake dating Alex but now you know my opinion I don't need to repeat it and this I can offer to you, I won't talk about it anymore"
"Sorry about the other day. I was nervous about the dinner. His mother… I knew she will appraise me and no sane mother will approve me as her son girlfriend" rambled Meredith
"She doesn't look sane to me" said Cristina, her tone still cold
"She is nice"
"Okay" Cristina simply answered sipping her soda again
"I need you, Cristina. I know you are right and I'm probably doing the biggest mistake of my life but I can't do it by myself. I'm not asking you to support my relationship with Alex but I need you to be close to me" said Meredith almost pleading her friend
"Why Meredith? Why do you need me so hardly if you know you are going to get hurt? Didn't Derek make damage enough? Do you have to taste Evil Spawn?" said Cristina annoyed
"I fell, Cristina, I fell for him, okay? I thought I wouldn't, especially because I was still mourning my failed relationship, but you are right, I get involved easily" said Meredith with a defeat tone
"I'll be there for you, that won't happen again because you don't get to say me to not talk to you" her tone a little more gentle
"Okay" said Meredith
"Okay, now get rid of this tequila cup, you certainly don't want people to think you are an alcoholic that needs to bring tequila to a children's party" said Cristina
Meredith motioned to look for a trash bin when Cristina called her "And Meredith, you own me big time for coming to a place infested by these noisy pests" said Cristina pointing her index finger to Meredith
"Okay" said Meredith smirking slightly
"Now go" said Cristina getting a hot dog from her plate
The party was going well when they finally reunited everyone to sing Laura Happy Birthday. Everyone was singing and some children were frightened by the noise but Laura was totally excited and couldn't stop clapping her little and fatty hands.
Meredith and Cristina was far from the cake table when Lexie joined them
"She is the cutest girl in the world, isn't she?" asked Lexie her eyes teary
"She is" said Meredith contemplating the scene in front of her: her little niece in her father's arms and her mother trying to get her to blow the candle out, laughing with her daughter still clapping her hands joyfully. Laura motioned to clap her hands in the cake but Eric was quick enough to avoid it. Molly blew the candle out and they shouted Laura's name, Eric wrapping his arm around Molly's shoulder while holding Laura with the other. They were a picture of a happy and complete family that deep inside Meredith dreamed to herself but she knew she unlikely will have it. Alex definitely didn't fit in this family model in her mind
A voice came next to her making a shiver run on her spine "Meredith" Thatcher said softly
Cristina and Lexie looked to Meredith that was frozen. She didn't turn to look to Thatcher and finally finding strength to move she quickly gave Lexie the package she couldn't give to Laura yet "I bought her Dory because she might like her too... and she is blue... she is colorful" said Meredith storming out Molly's backyard
"Don't worry, she will be stupid enough to forgive you someday" said Cristina harshly to the elder man, turning to ran after Meredith
Cling and Clatter is a Lifehouse song