So...this chapter is kind of low key, as far as Mer/Der loving, but I wanted to have a bit with Meredith and her mother, and then a little other fluff as well...
The next day, they head to Roseridge to visit Ellis. Meredith takes a deep breath as they head through the main doors, as Derek gives her a reassuring smile. "Okay?"
She nods slightly, unsure of what to expect. Despite Teresa's description, it's been awhile now, and the last time she saw her mother, Ellis hadn't been in the best condition. They check in at reception, having phone earlier to make sure Ellis was awake.
"Oh, Miss Grey, of course. So lovely to see you," the motherly looking receptionist beams at her. "Your mother is ready for you. She's having a relatively good day, according to the nurse."
"Will she know me?"
"It's hard to say. Dr. Webber will be stopping by later as well. He can answer your questions." She looks over at Derek. "Are you family too?"
He exchanges a smile with Meredith. "Almost. I'm Derek Shepherd, Meredith's fiancé."
"Excellent! You can go on through the lobby, and into the sitting room. She's there, by the fire, with her tea. We'll bring in some coffee, if you want."
"Sure, thanks," Meredith says, and they head in the direction indicated. They pause at the doorway, looking in at Ellis for a moment. She is in the wing back chair by the fire, sipping tea, looking more relaxed than Meredith can recall seeing her. Ellis is staring into the fire, almost mesmerized by the dancing light, before catching sight of the two of them. She frowns slightly, putting her cup down.
"Hello?"
They cross the room quickly. "Mom..it's me, Meredith."
"Meredith…what are you doing here? You should be at home, with Brenda. You're far too young to be out alone."
Meredith kneels in front of Ellis, taking her hands tightly. "No, Mom, I'm not a little girl anymore."
"Thatcher should be here to take you home. I have back to back surgeries today, I can't be babysitting!"
Meredith blinks a few tears away, and looks at Derek for help. He squeezes her shoulders, helpless to know what to tell her. Then Ellis shifts in her chair, and looks down at Meredith, puzzled again. She puts her hand on Meredith's head, stroking her hair briefly. "You look so pretty, Meredith. Where have you been?"
"At school, Mom. I'm at Dartmouth, just like you, remember how we planned for me to go? With Derek…"
"Dr. Grey, we have something to tell you," Derek says, helping Meredith to sit beside her mother in the other chair. He takes Meredith's hand with the ring, and lifts it for Ellis to see. "We're engaged, Dr. Grey, and I hope you can understand how much I love your daughter. I promise to take care of her, and be there for her, always."
"I love Derek, Mom," Meredith adds softly, hoping that Ellis is there somewhere, able to pick this up.
Ellis blinks. "Derek…such a sweet little boy. I always liked him."
Meredith sighs. "Well, Mom, he's gonna be your son-in-law one day, and a doctor, like me."
Dr. Webber knocks on the door softly, before heading into the room. "Meredith, Derek, so good to see both of you here." He smiles warmly at them. "Did she recognize you?"
"Not exactly – she thinks I'm six again."
"I'm sorry – she has lucid moments, and I was hoping this would be one of them." He pulls up another chair and they sit for a minute, drinking coffee. "So, Derek, the lady at reception tells me that you're here as Meredith's fiancé?" He looks quizzically at them both.
"Yes, sir, just recently," Meredith confirms, holding out her hand.
"Well, that's great news. All the best to you. Did you tell Ellis?"
Meredith nods. "I don't know if it registered, but we told her."
"Richard, get these children out of here, we have surgery to perform, don't we?" Ellis asks brusquely, looking at Dr. Webber.
"Not right now, Ellis," Richard soothes her, as he pushes a small button to call the nurse. "It's time for your nap, Meredith can come and visit you another day."
The nurse comes in to the help Ellis walk to her room, leaving the three of them in silence again. "I need to discuss something with you, Meredith," Richard says after a time. There is a new drug available, as a trial, that I would like to have your permission to give to Ellis. It shows good promise. She could get back almost to normal life, except for operating, of course. But enough to live at home again."
"Are there side effects?" Derek asks, putting his arm around Meredith's shoulders.
"Some…" As they get up to walk outside, he tells them the pros and cons of the drug, giving them all the information they need. "You can think about it and let me know. You'll be here till after New Year's, correct?"
"Oh, yes, absolutely, Dr. Webber. I'll let you know."
They head out into the damp December day, chatting about school, and what specialty they might choose, parting at their cars with a wave. Meredith sinks into the car, closing her eyes, and leaning her head back. "God…Derek…I didn't expect it to be so hard…"
He takes her hand, and leans over to kiss her lightly. "You don't have to decide about the drug right now. We can talk to Mom, too, get her opinion, but it sounds good so far. I'm sorry Ellis wasn't more lucid today, though. It's tough, I know, baby."
Meredith smiles at him, leaning in to kiss him. "You're right, of course…"
"And you're not in this alone, ever…I'm right here with you, future Mrs. Shepherd," he says softly. He pulls her a little closer, kissing her a little more heatedly, his tongue caressing hers, his hand at her cheek. "Better?" he asks, drawing away.
"Much…"
"Good…" He starts the car. "Now, what else do we need to do today?''"Christmas shopping…"
Derek makes a face. "Kill me now…"
Meredith giggles. "Gotta be done – let's split up the list and it'll go quicker."
At the mall, they split up at the door. "See you later baby," he murmurs, with a quick kiss. She watches him walk off for a moment, wrapped up in her thoughts of how lucky she is to have him in her life. Thinking of her mother's lonely life after Thatcher left, Meredith sighs. No way she wants that kind of life.
She's browsing through the racks awhile later, when she hears her name. "Meredith! Hey!" She looks up to see Cristina waving at her from a few feet away.
"Cristina! How are you?" Meredith squeals, hugging her tightly.
"I'm good – stop hugging me," Cristina says, rolling her eyes.
"Sorry…what was I thinking?" Meredith teases her.
"What's new? Where's Derek?"
"Shopping somewhere here too…" Meredith waves her hand, and Cristina homes in on the ring that sparkles in the bright store lights.
"I knew it!! Didn't I tell you… are you pregnant yet?"
"Cris! Just engaged, alright? Probably a long engagement…."
"Well, congrats, I guess."
"Don't sound so thrilled. Are you and Alex still together?"
They wander around, chatting, as Meredith tries to shop. "He phones now and then, but I'm seeing someone else anyway. Just for sex."
Meredith shakes her head, amused. "Seriously?"
"Seriously. If you talked to me more than once in two months, you'd know. I thought I was your person."
"God, Cris, I'm sorry – just with my mom, and school, and everything…"
"Kidding, Mer, just kidding…." Cristina says drily. "How long are you home for?"
"After New Years – we should get together for New Year's Eve. Is anyone else home?"
"I think Izzie and George."
"Oh, god, that reminds me, I have to tell you about Addison…" Meredith gasps, filling her friend in on the incident with Addison.
"No shit? Way to go, Mer. And Jenny – she sounds awesome. I can't believe Sloan is staying with her family for the holidays."
"I know but she is sooo good for him. But speaking of Mark…" Meredith tells Cristina about the shower, and the resulting fall out.
"No WAY… in the shower with you? So, tell me… is his dick as big as gossip says?"
"I don't know! I was trying not to look…." Meredith blushes, remembering the close brush of his body against her, before he jumped away.
"C'mon, not even a little peek? He always came across as such a stud, I'm curious…"
"Well, he does have a cute ass.." Meredith admits with another giggle.
"Who has a cute ass?"
"Derek!" Meredith says, blushing furiously, as he shows up behind her. He slings his arm around her, grinning at her pink cheeks.
"Better be mine."
"Shep… you never change," Cristina says, with a wink to Meredith. "Congrats on the engagement."
"Thanks. Hey, we need to get going, Mer. You haven't finished your list and I'm all done." He holds up the bags he's accumulated.
Cristina looks at her watch. "I should go too, Mom's waiting for me. I'll call you later, we can catch up on ALL the gossip!"
"Great! Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!"
