A/N: MerDer fans, bear with me during this chapter, because I have some meaty MerDer chapters coming your way in the very near future. In the meantime, check out my new fic "Love Never Dies." It's a post-S10 finale story that deals with the challenges they're about to face.
"And there's something else," Jo hesitated. Meredith was instantly confused. She sensed anxiousness in Jo Wilson's fair, oval face.
Meredith lifted an eyebrow, perplexed. "What do you mean there's something else?" Meredith watched Alex in the corner of her eye. His face was still frozen. He hadn't said a word. She had expected a reaction of some sort after hearing about the tumor, but there was nothing. His face was blank, and for the first time in a long time, Meredith couldn't read him. Usually Alex was easy to read. She'd known him for so long, so she didn't need to hear his words to know what he was thinking. Usually, his words were deceptive anyway. Alex's eyes usually gave away it all. But now, Meredith struggled to read him.
Jo exhaled and closed her eyes for a moment. She opened them again and shook her head. "Dr. Shepherd asked me not to tell you, Dr. Grey," Jo said.
"Then why the hell did you just say that?" Meredith spat. She felt her blood pressure rising. Normally, Meredith respected the fact when people wanted to keep things from others. Meredith remembered last Halloween when Jo had wanted to talk to her about Alex, and Alex had asked her not to talk about it. Meredith hadn't let Jo tell her what it was. She later learned that it was about Alex's dad. Meredith respected the fact that Alex didn't want the whole hospital knowing his dad was in the hospital. After all, gossip traveled fast enough in this gossip factory of a hospital.
Meredith had sensed that there was something Amelia was hiding, and she was willing to bet it was related to Izzie's condition. Whatever it was, Meredith was certain Amelia didn't want to her know because she would worry. Meredith didn't like being sheltered from information.
"I'm sorry," Jo murmured. "I shouldn't have said anything." She looked at Alex, whose eyes were glazed.
"What is it?" he said. "What else is it?" Meredith noticed his face reddening, like it did when he was upset. She noticed anger surging on his face. He was upset. Meredith wanted to give him a hug, but she couldn't from her current position in bed.
"You can't just say that, Wilson, and not tell us," Meredith commanded. "What's wrong with Izzie?"
Jo shook her head. "It's - well - her occipital lobe sustained substantial damage in the accident -"
"– She's blind?" Alex cut in.
Jo swallowed. "Dr. Shepherd believes she's suffering from a condition known as cortical blindness. It's caused by damage to the brain's occipital cortex. In most cases, it's not permanent damage, but currently, she can't see."
"Oh, my God," Meredith gasped. "Cortical blindness usually results after a stroke, a unilateral or bilateral cerebral artery blockage, or a cardiac arrest. Has she been examined by Cardio? Cristina didn't mention seeing Izzie, so I'm guessing not. We should page Cristina." Meredith's heart sunk as she remembered Cristina's exit earlier after finding out about Amelia and Owen.
"Uh, I'd have to check with Stephanie, because she's the resident on the case, but I'm sure Dr. Shepherd did a thorough examination," Jo said. "She is the neurosurgeon, after all."
Meredith was tempted to call Amelia to make sure, though technically she wasn't even supposed to know about this. She couldn't help but worry. Meredith wasn't a neurosurgeon, but she knew enough to worry.
Alex was pale. "Did you say stroke? Do you think she's had a stroke?" His eyes narrowed on Jo, who had already proven she'd known more about Izzie's condition than she had initially let off.
"Uh, as far as I know, no," Jo responded. "I'm sure Dr. Shepherd checked. Again, she's a neurosurgeon. That's her job."
Alex scowled. She noticed his fists were clenched together tightly. "Neurosurgeon, my ass. I don't trust your junkie sister-in-law, Mer. I've heard enough not to trust her. Junkies shouldn't be operating on people. She's been in the psych ward trailer for weeks, and she comes back and operates? You gotta be freaking kidding me." His face was burnt red. "I need to see her. I need to see Izzie. I'm such a fucking ass."
Meredith didn't know what to say. She instantly sensed hesitation in Jo's face. Jo exhaled a sigh. "It's past visiting hours," Jo insisted. "Come on, Alex, you should get some rest. It's late." She grabbed his shoulder, but he pushed her away.
"Fuck visiting hours," he said. "I have a white coat."
"Izzie needs to rest," Jo insisted softly. "Look, I know you want to apologize and make things right with her, but don't you think you should wait until you are calmed down? I shouldn't have told you this now. I'm sorry. I just thought you should know. I suck at timing." Jo rolled her eyes.
Alex sighed. "No, I'm glad you told me, Jo." Alex shot a look back at Meredith. "Mer, when's Derek gonna be back? I would much rather he remove Izzie's tumor and examine her than this crazy sister of his."
"Alex," Meredith said calmly. "If you remember correctly, you didn't want Derek operating on Izzie when she had cancer five years ago. Derek had just come out of a depression too. Amelia is a highly competent surgeon, and don't forget: It's because of her that Izzie's even alive now."
Alex rolled his eyes. "It's probably her fault that she's blind. She probably caused the damage to her brain."
"Alex!" Meredith scolded.
"You don't know she didn't," Alex insisted.
Meredith shook her head. "A few hours ago you were wishing Izzie dead. Now you're concerned about her treatment plan?"
"A few hours ago I didn't know she had a massive brain tumor," Alex told her. "Did you know earlier? Did you, Mer?"
"I was going to tell you," Meredith told him. "Before I passed out."
"Of course you were," he exhaled. "Of course."
"I'm sorry, Alex," she apologized. "I really am."
"I don't know why you're apologizing," he spat. "I'm gonna go see Izzie. What room is she in?" He turned to Jo. Jo was struggling to make eye contact with Meredith.
"Well, if you're going to see her, so am I," Meredith said. It was the middle of the night. Her eyes were heavy, and she knew she should be resting. But she couldn't sleep. Not knowing all of this about Izzie. She wanted to see her, as a friend. She thought she should be there for her. Meredith couldn't help but feel a little responsible. If she hadn't told Izzie upfront about Alex calling child services, Izzie wouldn't have been able to run. They would have proved she'd done nothing wrong, then she and Alex could have sorted everything out like mature adults - maybe. Also, Izzie would have made it to her annual appointment, and maybe, just maybe, they would have caught the tumor. Then she wouldn't be in this situation. There would be no car accident. Leah and Shane wouldn't be dead.
Meredith felt like this was all her fault.
"You can't leave that bed," Jo said sternly.
Meredith turned to Alex. He scoffed. "Come on, Mer." He grabbed the wheelchair.
"Alex, what are you doing?" Jo protested. "I'm under strict orders - "
"Jo, you of all people know that rules are meant to be broken," Alex insisted.
"That's easy for you to say," Jo said. "I'm a resident; this is my reputation on the line. If something goes wrong, then it's on me. I'm supposed to…"
"Dude, calm down," Alex rolled his eyes. "Mer's not even a freaking critical patient. She's just here for observation, and we'll be observing her the whole time. It's not gonna kill her go visit Izzie. It's not gonna harm anyone." Jo's mouth dropped as Alex disconnected Meredith from the IV and the heart monitor. He lifted her out of bed and set her in the wheelchair.
"Have I ever told you that I love you, Alex?" Meredith asked. She noticed irritation on Jo's face.
"Yeah, whatever, Mer." Alex said and pushed Meredith out of the room. Jo followed after. Alex asked her for the room number again and she told him.
The elevator opened and, to Meredith's dismay, they joined Callie Torres inside.
"Holy crap, Mer, what happened?" Callie asked. She seemed completely flabbergasted at the sight of Meredith Grey in a wheelchair. Great, just great, Meredith thought; she was one of the last persons Meredith wanted to find out. One, she was the most likely to be in contact with Derek, due to the work they collaborated on. Two, she'd been giving Hell Meredith all day in the OR. So, Meredith didn't want to hear an I told you so.
"This bonehead tried to work herself to death, and now she's under observation," Alex said harshly.
"Alex, I am not a bonehead," Meredith responded adamantly; she rolled her eyes, looking at Callie and explained, "I had a panic attack earlier." Meredith felt her face flush with embarrassment.
"Oh." Callie's eyes widened. To Meredith's surprise, she didn't say I told you so or comment or rub it in her face in any way, shape, or form. Instead, Callie lowered her voice and asked, "Have you heard about Izzie?"
Alex and Meredith both looked at each other briefly. "We just did. She's suffering from cortical blindness?"
Callie sighed, "Yeah. Have you been to see her?"
"We're on our way now," Jo informed Callie, exhaling slowly.
Callie's eyes widened. "Well, that's very big of you, Wilson. Going with Alex to see his ex-wife and all." Callie shrugged then her eyes studied Alex. "You must feel pretty crappy, huh, Karev?"
"That's none of your business, Torres," Alex responded bitterly.
"Oh, I didn't say it was. I was just...never mind." Meredith watched Alex's face redden as he tried to control his anger. Thankfully, the elevator opened on Izzie's floor before Alex could reply with a smartass comment. Jo, Alex, and Meredith stepped off the elevator, leaving Callie.
They were outside Izzie's room when Stephanie saw them. Her eyes were wide. "What are you doing here?" she gasped. "It's the middle of the night."
"I tried to tell them," Jo insisted, "but they insisted. It's my fault. I blabbed my big mouth."
"Princess isn't good at keeping secrets," Alex insisted.
Jo rolled her eyes. "Asshat, how many times do I have to ask you not to call me Princess?"
Alex chuckled and poked her in the ass.
"Ow!" Jo screeched.
"Oh, you like it," Alex insisted with a subtle wink.
Meredith and Stephanie exchanged a glance with each other. Stephanie's eyes were wide. "Wow, you two are so mean to each other."
"She knows I'm just messing with her," Alex insisted. "Right, Jo?"
Jo nodded and smiled. "Yeah, this is just our daily routine. We just take our tension out on each other." She leaned in and kissed Alex's cheek.
Stephanie and Meredith both smirked.
"Tension, eh?" Stephanie asked.
"Well, I can just imagine what happens in my old bedroom," Meredith said nonchalantly.
Jo and Alex both blushed. Meredith then focused on Stephanie. The tone in her voice dulled, "How is Izzie?"
"I take it you know everything, then," Edwards sighed. "She's doing the best she can. She's asleep as far as I know. She was in a lot of pain earlier, so Dr. Shepherd gave her a sedative before she left. She was up about twenty minutes ago, though, and I took her vitals. Overall, they're strong, other than the obvious cortical blindness."
"Any signs of stroke or blockages?" Meredith asked.
"Mer's gone into Neuro mode," Alex explained. "She's not a neurosurgeon, but she thinks she knows everything about Neuro because she spent a few years with her big hotshot neurosurgeon husband in neuro during her residency."
"Alex, hush. I'm just trying to find out as much as I can," Meredith hissed. She looked at Stephanie, who sighed.
"Dr. Shepherd did an MRI, and there's no evidence of a blockage. She did hemorrhage during surgery, though, Dr. Shepherd thinks that's the cause. She's showing no other signs of damage," Stephanie said.
"Has she had a cardiac arrest? Has Cardio been paged to examine her?" Meredith asked. Maybe she was just looking for an excuse to bring Cristina in, so she could make things right with her. She felt bad about how Cristina had to find out about Amelia, but it was better she find out from Owen himself than through the grapevine. It was only a matter of time.
"There were no signs of any cardio deficits," Stephanie responded. "So, no, Cardio has not examined her. Do you think we should page Cardio?"
Meredith looked at Alex. "Alex, page Cristina," she insisted, figuring Cristina wouldn't respond to her.
"What the hell, Mer? Look, I just want to see Izzie," Alex said.
"I just want to make sure we've covered all the bases," Meredith insisted.
"Dr. Grey, with all due respect," Jo began, "you're not supposed to be seeing patients. You're not a doctor right now. You are a patient."
"And if something's being missed here, then we need to know. Often time cordio blindness is associated with heart problems. It's not that I don't trust Amelia's judgment; it's just she could have easily overlooked this, especially since it was getting late. Plus, Derek and I had a patient during my residency with cordio blindness, and low and behold, they had an atrial hematoma as well. The patient arrested and died because we didn't think to check their heart. It's actually pretty easy to overlook, so I think that you should page Cristina now, Alex."
"Why don't you page her?" Alex rolled his eyes.
"Because you're her roommate, and she's kinda pissed at me right now," Meredith sighed. "Please? You feel bad about what you said to Izzie earlier, and you want to make things right, don't you?"
"Fine," Alex said, taking his phone out of his pocket.
"Alex?" a low voice from inside the hospital room interrupted. "Is that you?"
Meredith and Alex froze. They looked into Izzie's room. Izzie was stirring. It was the first time Meredith had looked inside Izzie's room. Her entire face was mostly bandaged, as were her arms. She'd sustained substantial damage in the crash to her body.
"I'll leave you guys alone," Jo said in a hushed voice. She grabbed Stephanie and the two walked away. Alex wheeled Meredith into Izzie's room.
"Alex?" Izzie asked again. "I know I heard your voice. Or am I hearing voices now too?"
"I-I'm here," Alex stuttered, putting his phone back in his pocket. "I'm here." He grabbed Izzie's hand with just a slight hesitation. "Mer's here too."
"Hi, Izzie," Meredith whispered softly. She wheeled herself over to Izzie's other side and took her other hand. Izzie's hand was iceberg cold.
"Mer," Izzie whispered. "I'm glad you're here."
"Me, too." Meredith smiled weakly.
"Oh, God. I'm so sorry, guys," she said. She stared blindly ahead. She blinked her eyes when tears started to form in her eyelids. "This is all my fault. I deserve to be in this position … blind. God, how did I get here? I'm so sorry, Alex. I owe you the biggest apology. How's Blake doing? Dr. Shepherd mentioned you were taking good care of him."
"Izzie," Alex said. His voice changed to a much softer tone than Meredith was used to hearing. Tears filled his own eyes as his love melt into Izzie's face. "I'm the one who should be apologizing. I never should have called child services. I started this mess. I was pissed, and you know I do stupid stuff when I'm pissed. Some things never change."
"You had every right to be pissed at me, Alex. God," Izzie said. "I'm the idiot who didn't tell you about your son. I can never take that back. I can never change the horrible, horrible things I told Blake about you. God, I just want to see him right now…"
"He's asleep," Alex said, "but I can go wake him up." A tear formed in his eye. "He still doesn't know he's my son. I've been telling him I'm his cool Dr. Karev. Iz, you raised a great kid."
"No, no, you shouldn't wake him up," Izzie insisted. "I'm just glad he's okay. I can't believe I put him in this kind of danger. He could have died. We both could be dead right now."
"But you're not," Alex said. "You're not." The last time Meredith had truly seen Alex like this was when Izzie had cancer five years ago. This was a side of Alex that didn't come out often. He really did love her. He squeezed Izzie's full hand. "I'm so sorry for being such a dick to you."
"Honestly, Alex?" Izzie asked. "I would've been more concerned if you weren't a dick to me. Because you're Alex, and that's who you are. And I deserved every word of it. Every freaking word. I don't deserve your forgiveness. So, please, Alex, don't forgive me. You have Jo now, and from the little I've seen and heard from her, she's a beautiful, wonderful woman. I heard your voices earlier. They were distant, but I heard every word. Apparently sight loss increases the sensibility of your other senses. Anyway, she sounds like the female version of you, and you deserve somebody like that. Someone who truly understands you. Someone who hasn't emotionally hurt you. Someone you can take your crap and will give crap right back to you with no hesitation. She's perfect for you, Alex. She can give you more than I ever could, so I'm happy for you, Alex. Really, I am."
Alex's eyes were flooded. Alex wasn't the kind of guy who cried if he could help it. The only times Meredith had truly seen him break down was when it came to the women he loved. He'd broken down after Rebecca/Ava, the crazy patient he'd fallen in love with. Then he'd had a complete breakdown when he thought he was going to lose Izzie. Meredith remembered him crying on her shoulder. Alex Karev wasn't a crier. Meredith could tell that Alex still loved Izzie deeply.
Izzie pulled her hand away, and Alex dried his tears. "Jo is an amazing person," he said, and Meredith looked up to see Jo standing in the corner of the room. Alex looked up too and saw her. "Hey," he said.
"Who's here?" Izzie immediately asked.
"It's just me," Jo said, slowly entering the room.
"Hi, Jo," Izzie greeted her. "I just want to say… thank you for taking care of Alex. I broke him, and you've put him back together. Before this all happened, before I took off, I used to watch you two. I know it sounds creepy stalkerish, but I had to know that Alex was okay. And he's great, thanks to you."
"Oh." Jo looked flabbergasted. "Y-You're welcome." She stood behind Alex and leaned into his shoulder. Alex extended his arm and put his arm around her. He kissed her hairline.
"You know, Blake has been asking about you all day," Meredith told Izzie. "I was actually the one who brought him in. Amelia rode with you to the hospital. We were on our way in and happened to encounter your accident. He wanted to see you."
"I can get him," Jo volunteered. She heaved a sigh, "I know it's late, and he's asleep, but I think he'd want to see his mom. Now's just as good of time as any."
"She's learning," Alex teased. He rocked her a little then nodded. "I think you should go wake him. He needs to see his mother." Alex smiled weakly. His entire demeanor had changed since earlier in the day.
"I felt like a horrible lying liar earlier," Meredith confessed. "I told him he could see you when we came to the hospital, Iz, then he didn't get to and I felt bad."
Jo broke away from Alex and nodded. "I'll go get him."
"Actually…" Alex said. "I was hoping for a minute alone with Izzie." He looked back and forth between Meredith and Jo.
"Of course," Jo said. "Dr. Grey – "
"—Meredith," Meredith corrected. She was tired of Jo referring to as Dr. Grey, especially considering she was technically a patient of hers.
"Meredith, you can come with me. I hear Blake really likes you. Earlier when I visited him he kept asking about you too," Jo informed her. She walked behind Meredith's wheelchair.
Meredith let out a sigh. "Iz, you can't see me, so you don't know this. But I'm actually in a wheelchair right now."
"What?" Izzie gasped. "What? Why?"
"I had a bit of a panic attack earlier," Meredith said. "And my wonderful sister-in-law thinks my stress levels need to be monitored." Sarcasm riveted in her voice.
"Holy crap, Mer. Where's Derek?" Izzie asked. "With the kids?"
"Actually, no," Meredith responded. "He's oh so conveniently in D.C. He doesn't know yet, and I hope it stays that way until I get a chance to tell him myself. He's not going to be happy, but I know if I tell him, he'll rush back."
"That's a bad thing?" Izzie asked.
"It is when I've given him so much shit about this job in the first place," Meredith sighed. "Okay, Jo. Let's go get Blake."
It was already one in the morning. Meredith's eyes were heavy, and she realized she wasn't going to be getting an ounce of sleep tonight. What had Amelia been thinking keeping her here over night, in a hospital? Meredith didn't sleep in hospitals unless she was drugged. People died in hospitals, and even though she was a doctor, they ultimately terrified her when she was on the patient's end of the table. If Amelia had really wanted her to rest, she would have just sent her home and offered to watch the kids for the night.
Apparently someone else didn't sleep in hospitals well, either. When they entered Blake's room, they found him sitting in the middle of the bed with the television on.
"Well, somebody isn't sleep," Meredith observed.
"Meredif! Dr. Wilson!" Blake cried, jumping out of the hospital bed. He was wearing a hospital gown but appeared to be a healthy four-year-old boy. "Why are you in a wheelchair, Meredif? Did you getted hurt?" He reached his arms out to give Meredith a hug and she reached over to help pick him up. Jo gave her a stink eye, though, as if she wasn't supposed to be lifting. Blake couldn't be more than thirty-five pounds. He weighed less than Zola, who was forty pounds at her last checkup. Zola was also tall for her age.
"Yeah, Blake, I got hurt, so I have to stay here tonight too," she told the little boy.
"Oh," Blake said, frowning. "Where's Dr. Karev? Did he go bye bye?"
"Actually," Jo said, smiling kindly at the little boy. "Dr. Karev is with your mommy right now. She's awake, and she wants to see you."
The little boy's eyes lit up with joy. "She's awake? Yay! Can I go? Please?"
"That's why we're here," Meredith told him. "We're gonna go take you to see your mommy."
"Yay!" Blake clapped. "But, Meredif, you're hurted, why aren't you in your hospital bed?"
Meredith and Jo both laughed.
"She's very stubborn Blake, that's why," Jo told him; Blake's forehead wrinkled with confusion like his father's did in the same circumstance. Meredith was really starting to notice what a miniature version of Alex this kid really was. Alex certainly had no reason to order a DNA test.
"What's stubborn?" the mini Alex asked.
"It means she doesn't like to follow rules," Jo explained.
"Oh," Blake said. "You're a bad girl." He pointed his finger up at Meredith. He continued to sit on her lap as Jo pushed them out of the room.
Meredith giggled. She was finding Blake to be too adorable. "I guess I am."
"Lucky for you, Blake, I happen to know your father very well, and stubbornness runs in your family. So, chances are, you'll be stubborn too," Jo laughed.
"You know my dad?" Blake asked. "What's he like?"
Meredith looked up at Jo. "Your dad...he's smart, kind, very stubborn like I said. He's caring, and let me tell you, Blake, he's hilarious. He has a great sense of humor." Meredith noticed how Jo's face lit up as she was describing Alex. She really did love him.
"Then why does my mom say he doesn't love me?" Blake said, pouting.
"Maybe your mom's mistaken?" Jo insisted. "Sometimes we assume things about people but we're wrong."
"Even Mommies can be wrong sometimes, too," Meredith added.
"My mommy's never wrong," Blake insisted.
"Well, Blake, that's simply not true, because everyone is wrong at some point," Jo insisted.
Meredith realized something. They hadn't told Blake about Izzie's condition.
"Blake," Meredith said slowly. "There's something we need to tell you about your mommy."
"She's okay, right?" Blake asked innocently.
"She's okay for now," Meredith assured, not about to explain the tumor to the four-year-old. "But she was injured really bad in the accident. She still has lots of bandages, and there's something else." Meredith sighed. "Your mommy can't see right now."
"She can't see at all? Like everything's black?" Blake's eyes widened anxiously.
"Exactly," Meredith said. "Now, we don't know how long she's gonna be like this. It might be a few days. It might be forever. But we just want you to know, okay?"
"She still will know who I am, right?" Blake asked softly.
"Of course she will, Blake. She'll be able to hear your voice," Jo explained.
The elevator opened, showing them Cristina. Cristina blankly looked at Jo, Meredith, and Blake as they entered the elevator. "What are you doing roaming around the hospital with Alex's kid?" she blurted out.
"Who's Alex?" Blake asked.
"Oh, crap," Cristina's face burned. "I'm sorry - I didn't. What am I doing here, anyway? Alex paged me and said that I needed to come examine Izzie. Why is Alex paging me about McSlut's patient? Is she too busy eating my leftovers to do it herself?"
Meredith quickly covered Blake's ears. "What's a McSlut?" Blake asked. Too late. "Is it like a McNugget?"
"No," Meredith and Cristina said at the same time.
"It's nothing," Meredith told the little boy, and she exhaled. "I told Alex to page you."
Cristina rolled her eyes. "So you could talk to me? Oh, come on, Mer. You're better than that."
"That's only part of the reason," she insisted. She went on to explain Izzie's condition.
"And you don't trust Mc—your sister-in-law to make that judgment?" Cristina asked. Meredith went on to explain about the patient she and Derek had. Cristina sighed. "Fine, I'll check her out." The elevator opened and Cristina began walking swiftly toward Izzie's room; she was walking faster than Jo could push her.
"Cristina!" Meredith called after her. Cristina stopped dead in her feet outside Izzie's room. She turned toward Meredith.
"Mer, I'm not going to talk about this now," she said. She looked at Blake.
"Hey, Blake," Jo smiled, kneeling down at the wheelchair so she was eye level with Blake. "How about you come with me to see your mom?" Blake nodded and grabbed Jo's hand.
Meredith tilted her head up at Jo and whispered, "You're really good with him."
"Thanks," Jo said with gratitude as she took Blake into the room, leaving Meredith and Cristina.
"What are you doing up anyway? You're supposed to be resting. That's why you're here. Not to be running around the hospital checking on patients. That's what landed you where you are in the first place." Cristina rolled her eyes. Meredith knew she was right.
"I know," she said. "And you're right. I'm being irresponsible, but that's beside the point. I needed to see that Izzie was okay. After all, it's because of me that she's here."
"Oh, you organized the accident?" Cristina rolled her eyes.
"Basically," Meredith shrugged. "I gave her a head's up that Alex had called child services that day. It's my fault she ran."
"Oh, seriously, Mer?" Cristina scoffed. "You were being a good friend. It's like when I told you Zola was in the hospital when you and Derek were trying to get custody of her. I wasn't supposed to, but I did it anyway because I'm a good friend. Good friends tell friends things. I thought you were a good friend. Thought, being the keyword."
"Cristina!" Meredith snarled. "I thought you knew about Amelia and Owen. We were joking about it just the other day. You said you weren't jealous."
"It was all hypothetical," Cristina snapped. "I didn't actually think they were sleeping together! Owen isn't the type of guy who just sleeps with anyone. I just can't believe this. I mean, she's a ho! She doesn't even know who her baby daddy is, right? And she cheated on her boyfriend. I don't want Owen getting mixed up with her."
"I understand why you're concerned," Meredith said calmly. "And I know you still love Owen. And I didn't know they were together until today – yesterday – whatever day morning. I swear, Cristina. Owen's a grown man."
"I know," Cristina sighed. "He's fragile, and does Amelia know why he broke up with his last girlfriend? It's because he cheated on her with me."
"I know, Cristina," Meredith said, "but you're not together now, and to be fair, you want different things. Amelia's made mistakes in the past, but so have you. We all have. We're all entitled to redeem ourselves, no matter how many times it takes us. Personally, I think Owen and Amelia are good for each other. They're both a little dark and twisty right now. Maybe they'll last, maybe they won't. It's not either of our places to judge," Meredith told her.
Cristina exhaled. "You know what? You're right. But I bet anything Owen is only interested in her because of the baby."
Meredith shrugged. "Maybe so. He's convinced her to keep it. That puts Derek and me off the hook."
"So that's why you're Team Amen," Cristina sighed.
"Amen? Amelia and Owen?" Meredith asked. She wasn't sure what was with all the mixing of names. She thought the new fad was somewhat amusing. "So what does that make Derek and me?"
"MerDer," Cristina said simply.
"MerDer?" Meredith made a face. "I don't like it. It sounds like MURDER."
Cristina shrugged. "Owen and I were Crowen...we sound like some type of black bird. We were doomed from the beginning." They both looked in Izzie's room to find Izzie, Alex, and Jo all laughing. Blake's face was also lit up. He sat on his mother's bed with his head lying on her shoulder. Cristina sighed, "Do you really think Izzie could have a heart problem?"
"You're the heart doctor. That's your job to find out," Meredith insisted.
They entered the room together.
"Did you two kiss and make up?" Alex asked.
"Stop being an ass, Evil Spawn," Cristina demanded.
"Cristina?" Izzie asked.
"That's the name. Don't wear it out," Cristina smiled.
"What are you doing here?" Izzie asked. "I mean...it's not that I'm not happy to hear your voice, since I can't see you. But what are you doing here? Is there something wrong with my heart? Oh, God…"
"Mommy, don't say God's name in vain," Blake insisted.
"Right, sorry, Blake," Izzie apologized.
"I'm just here to check on your heart. Mer has some concerns that the eye condition you're experiencing could also be related to a heart defect. She is right; it's not entirely uncommon." Cristina looked at Blake. "I'm going need you to move, so I can examine your mom." Alex reached over to pick Blake up. "Thanks, Alex," Cristina said.
"Alex?" Blake looked perplexed. He looked at Cristina, then at Alex. "That lady says I is Alex's kid. Dr. Karev's name is Alex?"
"Shhh." Cristina put her finger over her lips. Izzie took a deep breath and looked at her son and then also at Alex as Cristina listened to her heart. "Hm, well, I do hear a slight murmur. Also, your heart is racing right now, Izzie. Wilson, go set up an EKG." She turned to Meredith. "And you should go to bed."
"I'm fine," Meredith insisted, yawning. She couldn't hold it back.
"Actually, Meredith's my patient. Edwards is on Izzie's case. I should take Meredith back to her room…"
"Okay, then find Edwards," Cristina rolled her eyes. "I'm not gonna sit around here all night and wait for you residents to get your shit together."
"Bad word!" Blake pointed out, clinging onto Alex. "Dr. Karev, why did that doctor over there say that I'm your kid?"
"What's he talking about?" Izzie asked, confused. "What did you tell him, Cristina?"
Cristina sighed. "I made a stupid comment in the elevator, and I didn't realize he didn't know."
Blake looked so confused.
Izzie blinked several times. Maybe she thought that if she blinked enough, she would be able to see. She sighed. "It's time he knows anyway."
"Know what?" Blake asked; his arms still wrapped around Alex's neck. Alex then gently sat on the foot of Izzie's bed. Blake let go of Alex's neck and took a seat next to him. He looked up at his mother.
"Blake, baby," Izzie sighed, "Dr. Karev...Alex...he's your father."
The room buzzed in silence as Blake's eyes widened. "But you said Daddy doesn't love me."
"I shouldn't have said that," Izzie confessed. Tears welled in her eyes. "I was very wrong, Blake. Your daddy does love you. He loves you a lot, and he wants to be part of your life. Right, Alex?"
Alex froze for a moment. His eyes widened, and he then put his hand on Blake's shoulder. "Yeah, buddy. I do."
Blake's eyes lit up. "I have a dad? Dr. Karev is my dad? Oh, my goodness. This is so cool!" The little guy jumped off the bed and extended his arms above his head with excitement. "I've always wanted a dad, and Dr. Karev is the coolest doctor ever. I can't believe he's my daddy!" He started to jump up and down, and then he flung his arms around Alex. "I love you!"
"I love you too, buddy," Alex smiled. He glanced at Izzie, whose eyes were melting with tears.
Meredith felt a happy tear in her own eye. She was glad Blake finally knew who his father was, and that it had been his mother who told him. Meredith couldn't help but smile, though. Blake's reaction was so Izzie. He definitely had inherited his mother's excitable trait.
"This is too cute. I have to get out of here." Cristina turned around. She looked at Meredith. "You look like you're about to lactate."
"Shut up. I haven't breastfed in six months," she said.
"I read most women lactate for a year after they stop breastfeeding," Cristina shrugged.
"I wouldn't know," Izzie sighed. "I struggled to lactate with Blake. The doctors blamed the chemo and radiation. Though, they told me it was a miracle that I'd gotten pregnant so fast after chemo."
"This is all wonderful to know," Jo sighed, glancing at Alex.
"Oh, come on, Jo. You know you can't wait to be pregnant," Alex laughed.
"I can wait," she assured him with a wink. "Trust me, oh, I can wait."
"You don't want to go make a baby right now?" Alex teased.
"Hey, little ears in the room!" Izzie gasped, pointing aimlessly, trying to point at Blake. She was actually pointing in Cristina's direction.
Meredith could tell it was going to take Alex a long time to get used to keeping the conversation in the room appropriate for a four-year-old. She still hesitated leaving Zola and Bailey alone with him. Then again, she wasn't exactly innocent either. She had to watch her mouth in front of the kids, especially now that Bailey was starting to repeat words like a parrot. Luckily, she'd learned her lesson when Zola started talking. She'd said the word Damnit one too many times in front of Zola, because low and behold, one day, she'd woken up to her thirteen-month-old daughter saying Damnit. There were plenty of other worse words in Meredith's regular vocabulary she could have picked up, though.
"Is Dr. Wilson your girlfriend?" Blake asked sweetly.
Alex nodded. "Yes, Blake. Jo is my girlfriend."
"Why did you and my mommy break up? She was your girlfriend once, right?" the little boy questioned.
Alex sighed. "Blake, it's a long story." He eyed Izzie.
"Do you not love my mommy anymore? Is that why you breaked up?" Blake asked.
Alex shook his head. "Son, it's a long story," he sighed. Son, Meredith noticed how Alex smiled when he said the word. It was a smile that Meredith hadn't seen before on Alex's face before; it was warm, and filled with compassion. He really did love Blake. Blake may not have been in his life for very long, but he was his son. And Meredith was confident Alex would be a good dad. It might just take him a little time to get used to it. After all, it had taken her time to get used to being a mom. She was still getting used to it. She wasn't sure how long it actually took to get used to being a parent. Sometimes it baffled her that she had two children now. She really had to look in the mirror and see how much things had changed in the past two years. A few years ago, she thought she'd never have kids. They'd tried and tried and tried, and nothing. And now she looked at herself with two beautiful babies.
"He still loves your mommy very much," Jo insisted. She smiled at Izzie, even though Izzie couldn't see the smile. "But sometimes two people who love each other, for whatever reason it is, can't be together. That's just how it is."
"Oh," Blake said softly. "Well, I like you, Dr. Wilson. You're really cool. Are you gonna be my second mommy?"
Jo's eyes widened then directed a quick look at Meredith. "Actually," Jo said. "You already have a mommy. You only need one mommy."
"Oh," Blake said. "Then what do I call you?"
"You call me," Jo said slowly, "Jo. Just Jo."
"Okay, Just Jo," Blake smiled. He extended his hand to shake Jo's. Jo, Izzie, and Meredith all giggled. Cristina merely shook her head.
"Well, since nobody's finding my resident to set up the EKG, I'm gonna go take Mer back to her room, since she's supposed to be resting," Cristina insisted. "Let me know when you residents get your heads together." She looked directly at Jo.
"I don't where Steph is," Jo sighed. "But I'll set up the EKG, okay?"
"I don't care who does it," Cristina shrugged, gripping onto Meredith's wheelchair handles.
"Bye, Meredif!" Blake waved goodbye as Cristina pushed Meredith out of the room. Meredith waved back.
"Somebody needs to get you back to bed too, buddy," Alex pointed out. "It's way past your bed time."
Meredith's night in the hospital had resulted in everything but rest. She didn't regret it one bit, though.
A/N2: Somehow this chapter ended up over 7K, so this seems like a good place to end it. Some of you may have seen me tweet that next chapter will be mostly MerDer. Well, now that's going to be chapter 41. I got carried away with the Jolex/Izzex in this chapter, but I needed to move that storyline along and tie up some loose ends. The remainder of this story will be about tying up loose ends as I still have plenty to tie up. Next chapter will focus in more detail on the Amelia/Owen/Cristina situation (as you got a taste of that this chapter), Izzie's health, and Meredith makes a decision.