A/N Thank you for your reviews on the last chapter.

I don't know when American universities/colleges starts there semesters but in this fic I am going to say it starts mid-September, around the time some UK universities begins their terms.

I have done a lot of research into this chapter and it has made me want to get my ass to New York so I can visit Niagara, the photos are amazing. I wanted to treat you all to a less angsty chapter since the last few chapters has cranked the angst up a notch.

This is my second version of this chapter and I think it is much better than the previous version I wrote. Thanks to Suzy for proofing this chapter for me.

Enjoy!

Chapter 35- A trip to the Falls

September 1941

Meredith woke the girls up at 7 o'clock that Saturday morning; she decided to treat the girls and take them away for the weekend. She would have less time with the girls when she started university the following week. She gave the girls their breakfast; whilst she got herself ready and packed them all an overnight bag.

She needed a break; to get away from the house. She felt like she was suffocating despite things being slightly easier now Derek had gone to stay with Mark. Meredith felt guilty that Derek had decided to move out; this was his home but she still felt like she was constantly on edge, afraid to bump into any of the Shepherd's when she did venture out of her room.

She knew it was time that she stopped hiding from everyone and after this weekend that was exactly what she was going to do. She couldn't carry on like this; it was selfish of her and it wasn't fair on Lexie and Molly. She was still angry but if she was honest, that anger was directed more at her father - he was the one that spent the last 15 years lying to her but it was easier to blame the Shepherds since her father was dead.

A part of her knew that Carolyn did what she thought was best for her and her sisters but it still hurt and Derek's part in it all hurt her even more; he broke her heart and his lie was the hardest one to deal with, after her father's. She missed Derek so much but she wasn't ready to face him yet. She would take it one day at a time starting with Carolyn and Chris. She needed one more day and then she would deal with it.

After loading up the automobile she went to check on the girls but when she walked into the kitchen she saw Chris and Carolyn sat at the table chatting with the girls. Both Chris and Carolyn looked up at her at the same time. She took a deep breath before greeting them for the first time in two weeks.

"Good morning," she said as she started to clear up the girl's breakfast dishes.

"Morning Meredith," Carolyn said to her.

"Morning Meredith, it's good to see you," Chris said to her. Meredith offered him a tight smile.

"I am taking Lexie and Molly away for the night," she informed them.

"Where are you going?" Carolyn asked unsure whether Meredith would tell them or not.

"Up to Niagara Falls."

"That will be good for you all. We are having a family dinner tomorrow night," Carolyn informed her. "Will you be joining us?" she asked gently, hoping Meredith would accept the invitation. Meredith was silent for a moment. "Derek will be here too," Carolyn added, giving her warning. Chris warned her that morning not to push Meredith when she shared her plans but she knew that she needed to ask her at least; she was still a part of the family.

Meredith knew in that moment it was decision time; she could say no but she knew it was time to put the last couple of weeks behind her; a little earlier than planned.

"What time?"

"5 o'clock," Carolyn answered, holding on to hope.

"We will be back in time," she said, before turning to Lexie and Molly. "Go and get your coats and shoes on please?"

Lexie took Molly by the hand and lead her out of the kitchen. Meredith watched them leave and once they left she turned back to Carolyn and Chris.

"I want to apologise for my behaviour over the past two weeks," Meredith said, taking the plunge.

"We are so sorry Meredith," Carolyn told her.

"I know but I don't want to-do this today. Can we talk about it another day?" she asked them and Carolyn nodded; not before squeezing Chris's hand for reassurance.

"Whenever you are ready Meredith," Carolyn assured her. Meredith gave her a tight smile.

"I will see you tomorrow. Bye," she said.

Meredith turned into the Niagara Reservation, the drive to upstate New York took several hours and it was nearing lunch time before they pulled up at the hotel where they would be staying that night. Meredith had to make several stops because Lexie had been travel sick; which was the first time since the journey over to the US.

"How are you feeling Lexie?" she asked her.

"I am fine, Meredith."

"Good, we are almost here girls," Meredith told them.

"Where are we Meredith?" Molly piqued up sleepily; she had spent the last hour asleep with her head on Lexie's lap.

"We are at Niagara Falls Mols."

"Where is that too?"

"We are still in New York sweetheart. After the hotel, I have a surprise for the both of you"

"What is it?" Lexie asked. Meredith smiled her first genuine smile in two weeks.

"It won't be much of a surprise if I tell you both," she teased them.

"Please Meredith," Lexie said. She was so happy to see her big sister relaxed and carefree.

"Yes, Please Meri, tell us," Molly whined.

"No," she laughed, pulling into a car park. "Time to go to the hotel," she said as she pulled into a parking space.

Meredith took the girl's hands as they left the hotel. She had given them the speech about holding her hand and not running off which Molly was famous for; she can't remember how many times their parents had panicked because of Molly running off. They walked the block to the Niagara River.

Walking along the river, Meredith enjoyed the fresh air; the smells of the water, it reminded her of home; in a way it made her miss it more because she missed being by the water. Just being able to take a walk along the edge of the Thames always relaxed her and apart from the trips to the Hamptons, it wasn't often she got to be by the water. As the American Falls came into sight; she could hear the girls gasp at the sight of the natural beauty in front of them. She held Molly's hand tighter not trusting her to slip out of her grip.

"Wow," Lexie gasped.

"Meri…look," Molly shouted, and Meredith could feel a tug on her arm as Molly surged forward. Meredith was glad that she had such a tight grip on her.

"I know Molly but what did I tell you?"

"No running off," Molly sighed.

"Yes I did, now you will stay by my side Miss Grey," Meredith told her and Molly started giggling.

"I am sorry," she said ducking her head.

"I know you are Molly. Come here," she said, lifting Molly in her arms and carrying her.

"It is beautiful Meredith," Lexie said in awe and in that instant, looking at the girls faces, she knew coming here was the right decision; they all needed this.

"How would you like to get a closer look?"

"Yes please Meredith, can we?" Lexie asked practically bouncing. Meredith smiled at her sisters' antics; it had been a long time since she had seen Lexie so excited about something.

"Of course we can," Meredith told her; what she didn't tell her she how close they were actually going to get.

They boarded the Maid of the Mist II; it was the first time any of them had been on a boat since the trip to the US from England. Meredith hoped that since it was a small boat compared to the ship they travelled on; the Concorde; that the girls were ready for this especially with Lexie being ill on the journey up here. Both the girls tightened their grip on her as the boat left the dock and headed out towards the Falls. Molly was still held in Meredith arms and her small arms tightened on her neck whilst Lexie held her arm tighter.

Meredith pointed out that the other side was Canada but since the bridge connecting the American side and the Canadian side of the falls wasn't yet completed, they couldn't walk over to the Canadian side. She had planned this trip back in July after discussing it with Derek; a part of her wished that he was with them. Maybe one day she would come back here with him but she loved being able to share this with her sisters.

Meredith was half listening to the guide who was telling them about the history of the falls but she was more enthralled by the looks on her sister's face as the spray of the American Falls washed over them; seeing their face lighting up at the view, which she had to admit was spectacular, made everything worth it.

"Meri! Rainbow!" Molly said pointing and bouncing in her arms.

"I see Molly," Meredith said, smiling.

When the boat stopped in front of the falls, Meredith felt a tap on her shoulder and she turned to find an elderly couple who asked her if she would like a photograph of her and her family. Meredith accepted and passed them the camera that she had and they had a photograph taken with the falls behind them. She was surprised that they managed to keep the camera dry and she thanked them.

After arriving back on dry land she decided to leave the Caves of the Wind until the next day and head for an early dinner; with the excited day the girls had, he could tell how tired Molly was. They headed back to the hotel; this trip was paid by some of the inheritance that they received from their parents and normally she would never be so extravagant to book them into an expensive hotel but she figured that her father owed them and the girls would have the best as long as she cared for them.

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