5 YEARS LATER

Skye bounced down the stairs followed closely by Lily, Lucas and Harry. They had all just been up stairs getting ready for their first day of school. Meredith had helped them chose out their outfit while Addie had stayed downstairs cooking the breakfast.

Meredith watched her children closely as she followed them down the stairs. She couldn't believe that today would be their first day of Kindergarten. It seemed like time had flown.

"Don't rush" Meredith sighed as she thought about all that had happened once the kids were born, and even more so since Addie's return.

After that first night of being in bed together, even after everything that had happened, Addie had taken the time to sit down with her and showed her the photos that she had collected, stating that she had Bailey forward them as well as having a private investigator tail her every so often so she could get reports on how Meredith was going and the well being of the kids. She had explained that she had needed the reassurance that everyone was okay because she couldn't have been able to handle the thought of the damage that her leaving may have done.

Meredith hadn't known what to think when she had seen the photos. She had still been hurting that Addie had left, but it made her feel better knowing that Addie had still cared.

"Quick, through to the kitchen." Meredith urged her children knowing that Addie would want to see them before they went outside and ate.

Skye quickly ran in, her head thrown back as she giggled with excitement. She had chosen out a fairy costume at first, but after some gentle coaxing, Meredith and happily changed her outfit to a pair of little denim shorts and a little miss giggles shirt.

Lily who was following closely behind Skye was in a little gypsy skirt and short sleeved top. Her hair flowed in little waves down her back.

Lucas and Harry were giggling mischievously. Meredith knew that they were completely excited about starting school today, but was worried by the stories that Alex and Derek had told them about school. Lucas was wearing an adorable pair of red astro boy shoes, denim shorts and a little black astro boy shirt while Harry had put up a fight to wear his bob the builder outfit with Meredith finally relenting as long as he left his hat and tool belt at home.

When Meredith entered the kitchen she wasn't at all surprised to find that Addie had already finished packing their lunches into their bags and was helping them put their bags on their backs. "Breakfast is outside." She told Meredith with a smile before ushering the kids towards the front door. They then forwarded out into the courtyard that was now filled with their extended family.

After they had brought such a large piece of land and built their home, it seemed as though everyone else had wanted to live with them, and build alongside them. It had slowly become their over little world which was easier for Meredith and Addie in knowing that there was always someone around if they had to get to the hospital for an emergency.

Cissy and Nigel had made sure that the land was completely secure and that the family not only had their own fantastic play set but also a large pool and tennis court were set up within the grounds. They had also surprised everyone by moving out to Seattle a year after Addie's return claiming that it had been time for Nigel to retire and that he wanted to be closer to his grandchildren.

Richard had then purchased a part of the land, claiming that he needed a fresh start because the old house that used to be their family home was far too big without everyone and felt empty. Meredith had known that he need to start over and had been quite thrilled that they had chosen to be so close.

Derek had brought the connecting property and soon after found love in Elisabeth. She was the new cardiologist who came to replace Preston after her had been shot. On finding out that Preston was extending his leave to go visit his mother, claiming that he needed to realign his wants and needs, she stayed. Preston hadn't returned to the position, having decided to stay with his mother in Alabama. He had still called every week to check on her, claiming that he would come back for a holiday soon, but the last thing Meredith had heard was that he had fallen in love with the new chef at his mother's restaurant.

After Olivia had gone though therapy and had been cleared to return to work, they had opted to transfer to Seattle where they then built on the family land. They had been surprised a year later when they welcomes a little girl of their own whom they called Mia.

Now as the kids ran out to the filled table where they were greeted by Bailey and Tucker as well as Christina, Alex ad their little boy Izaak, they had realised exactly how far they had come.

Not many people could remember the time 5 years ago when they thought that this was all over, or talked about the long path that had taken to get them back on track, but what they could remember was the united front that had surprised everyone when they had returned from New York and further more the front that the family had put up when they had come face to face with Thatcher Grey and his new family.

Meredith stood looking over the family that surrounded the table and the pancakes that had been piled on along with the bacon, mushrooms, sausages and hash browns. She was amazed that they had all gotten their happily ever after despite the bumps that they had experienced along the road.

Addie slipped her arms around Meredith, holding her close. Similar thoughts were whirling around in her mind. It was weird to think that their babies were starting school.

Meredith leant into Addie's embrace, and let out a small sigh. "Should we tell them?" she asked despite knowing that it could change everything if they did.

"Nah" Addie replied as she pressed a kiss to Meredith's shoulder. "Let them stay happy a little bit longer."

Meredith let out a small sigh before pulling away, both moving to their spots at the table, both trying to forget the bruises that were covering her body and what they could mean for not only her, but for the people that loved them.

My Happiness... my happiness.... my happiness

The kids walked nervously alongside them as they moved down the hall towards the kinder class room. It was quite amazing to see the contrast in their behaviours now as they got closer to the room.

Meredith could tell that they were getting nervous, and she was worried that there was going to be tears from the kids when they realised that both mommy and mama weren't actually going to be in that same building as them.

Addie had been watching Meredith struggle with the emotions of today, knowing that this was not the only big thing that was on their agenda today, but also that they were supposed to be getting Meredith's lab results soon. The doctor had asked for her to stay in hospital, in fear that she could get sick while her immune system was weaker, but Meredith had refused stating that she had needed to be here for today.

As the small family reached the classroom Meredith and Addie ushered the nervous children through the door just as Meredith's phone sounded. She looked at the caller, at first tempted to silence it until she noticed who was ringing. "I've got to take this." She murmured shooting Addie a look before stepping from the room.

Addie had nodded nervously before encouraging the kids to hang their bags up in their assigned cubbies. Each had already been labelled with their names.

After doing so, Addie had encouraged them to follow her to meet with their teacher again.

It was while she was there that Meredith had re-entered the room with tears in her eyes. She was sure that her heart had stopped as she watched her wife wipe the tears from her own eyes.

Just small steps from the teacher, who was now crouched down talking to the kids Addie, moved to question her.

"All clear." Meredith murmured to her. "Don't know why I'm bruising, but I'm all clear." She told her with relief as she wiped the tears from her eyes again.

Addie's eyes began to well with tears too, relief washing over her as she considered what it could have been.

"Thank god." She murmured as she slipped an arm around Meredith's waist holding her close, too scared to let her go.

"They're going to be fine." The teacher told them as she approached them, misreading the moment the couple had just shared.

Both girls forced a small smile before moving towards the door, having already noticed that the teacher had worked their magic and had them already focused on craft.

"I was scared that I was going to miss all this." Meredith said as she looked back at their children.

"Me too." Addie murmured as she urged Meredith out of the room, wanting to be able to touch her and embrace her with everything that she had, knowing that it was exactly what she was needing.