Chapter Eight

Don't You Forget About Me

When Meredith brought the baby home, the kids were waiting anxiously to meet the newest addition. Even Prince was greeting Meredith and the new baby. Amelia reminded the kids to give her a little space so she had room to breathe. Meredith also told them to use their quiet voices because the baby was sleeping. Both Katie and Morgan gushed over the sleeping baby. C.J. was the only one holding back. It wasn't a surprise. He still didn't quite understand about the baby. Neither did the twins, but both of them were still fascinated with Noah.

Meredith smiled fondly at her children admiring the baby. That whole morning had been a blur. Getting the baby clothes from Lexie. Signing the discharge papers. Alex carrying the baby over to her and holding him in her arms. Putting the baby in the car seat. It wasn't until she was on the drive home that it hit her that she was bringing another baby home. Six kids. What was she thinking?

"He looks really big for a little baby," Katie noted, snapping her out of her reverie.

"That's because he's not a newborn like Sarah is," Amelia gently told her. "He's four months old."

"Four months old. That means he was born in February, right?" Morgan said, doing the math in her head.

Amelia smiled. "That's right."

"I'm going to put him in the crib upstairs. You'll all get to meet him after he wakes up," Meredith said. There were a few groans, but they gave Meredith some space. Both Nicky and Abbey wanted attention from her and she promised she would be right back. Noah had only been in the house for a few minutes and she already was feeling overwhelmed.

Meredith carried the baby upstairs to her bedroom, where Amelia managed to set up a crib that she had bought when she had gone shopping with the girls. Morgan was right behind her. Meredith gestured her to continue to be quiet. Morgan just nodded and watched as her mother put little Noah in the crib. He was able to settle down and Meredith tiptoed out of her bedroom, making sure she had the baby monitor in her hands. She shut the door as Morgan looked at her.

"Is he really my brother?" Morgan asked.

Meredith nodded as she went down to her level. "Yes, but this doesn't change anything. Derek is still your Dad. And Katie, C.J., Nicky and Abbey are still your sisters and brothers." She wanted to make sure that was clear. Morgan was still quiet. Meredith tried to read her daughter's mind. "I know there has been a lot of changes lately. And it's okay if you're uncomfortable with this."

Morgan shook her head. "It's not that."

Meredith was confused. "Then what's wrong, sweetie?"

Morgan lowered her voice that was just above a whisper. "I just don't understand why he kept Noah and not me."

Meredith should have known this was what bothering her. She let out a heavy sigh. "Ok, I think it's time we had a talk." Meredith led her daughter to her own bedroom. Morgan sat on her bed and Meredith sat down beside her. She put the baby monitor on the bed before turning to her daughter. "You know it was just me and you for the first four years of your life. And I never brought up the subject of your biological dad because the situation was complicated. I didn't think you would understand, but you're growing up and I think you're ready to know the truth."

Meredith tried to think of the right words to tell her about Finn. She wanted to be truthful, but she also wanted to be gentle. "Finn, your bio dad, and I were just friends. We wanted to be in a relationship, but he was having some problems. Problems that I couldn't help him with. I thought I could, but that all changed when I found out I was pregnant with you. I wasn't going to put you in any danger."

Morgan frowned. "That's not the story I heard."

Meredith let out a sigh. It wasn't a surprise to hear that she had heard a different version. "I know. I don't know why I didn't tell your Daddy the truth. I guess I didn't want him to think Finn was a bad guy. And he's not. I can assure you he's not. I just couldn't take care of him and you at the same time."

"But you were studying to be a doctor. Why couldn't you help him?" Morgan asked.

Meredith managed a gentle smile. "Because I wasn't his doctor. And he was dealing with some mental issues. Do you know what that means?"

Morgan nodded. "There's something going on with his brain that's not right."

Her mother looked at her impressed. "How did you know that? Has your Uncle Alex been giving you vocabulary lessons? Or is it your Aunt Amelia?"

Morgan avoided her eyes, but she gave the answer away with her smile.

"There's nothing wrong with being curious." Meredith went back to the main conversation. "There are many different ways we can help people with mental health issues. There's medication. Therapy. Rehab."

"Just like Daddy did?"

Meredith nodded her head this time. "Yeah, your dad was having a hard time dealing with his feelings and he had to go to rehab to take care of himself. So he could be a better husband and a better dad to his family. It wasn't an easy choice to make, but being a parent never is." There was a short pause. "It wasn't easy leaving Finn, but he was able to bounce back." Meredith didn't dare mention anything about the murder of his wife. "Now it sounds like he needs help again. I couldn't help him then, but I can help him now by taking care of little Noah."

Morgan looked at her. "So he didn't keep me because of you? It wasn't because of me?"

Meredith never wanted to have this conversation with Morgan. She didn't want to break the little girl's heart by telling her that her biological father never wanted children. And he only had Noah because he was willing to sacrifice his dreams for his wife. "Finn was able to settle down with a family only because he realized he needed help. It had nothing to do with you." Morgan embraced her mother in a tight hug. Meredith didn't want to let her go and gave her a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too," Morgan said.

Meredith finally pulled away and looked at her daughter. "Now is there anything else bothering you?" she asked. "You really don't mind having another baby in the house?" Meredith saw how quick her daughter's face was turning from happy to sad. "I thought so. It's okay. To tell you the truth, I'm nervous too."

Morgan's eyes went wide. "Wow! Really? Because you don't have Daddy here to help you?"

Meredith nodded. "It's a lot of work to take care of six kids. That's why I need all the help I can get." There was another short pause as Meredith thought for a moment. She knew exactly what would cheer her daughter up. "You know what we need? We need a Mommy and Daughter Day. Just the two of us. Just pick a day and I'll make arrangements to get someone else to watch your siblings. And we'll do whatever you want."

Morgan's eyes lit up instantly. "Can we go to the park and ride the carousal?"

Meredith smiled. "Of course we can."

The conversation was interrupted by a shout from downstairs. "Meredith! Meredith!" Katie shouted. Meredith was prepared to remind Katie that Noah was down for his nap when her next words made Meredith alert. "Something's wrong with Aunt Amelia!"

Both Meredith and Morgan jumped off the bed and hurried into the hallway. Meredith moved in front of Morgan and reached the living room in seconds. Katie was leaning over Amelia who was on the floor, unconscious. "What happened?" Meredith asked, joining her on the floor. She used the medical training she remembered to look Amelia over.

"I don't know. I think Aunt Amelia passed out," Katie said. "Is she going to be okay?"

Meredith nodded as she realized Katie and Amelia were the only ones in the room. "Yeah, she's going to be fine. Morgan, go and see where C.J. and the twins went off to. Keep an eye on them." Morgan nodded before she disappeared out of the room. "Katie, get a washcloth and wet it down." Katie did what she was told without complaint. Meredith watched Amelia closely until Katie returned with a wet washcloth.

As Meredith pressed the wet washcloth on Amelia's face, she fluttered her eyes open. Meredith let out a relieved sigh as Amelia managed to let out a groan. "What happened?" she asked.

"You fainted," Meredith said. "Luckily, it was only for a few minutes." Amelia wanted to get up, but Meredith gently helped her back to the floor. "You shouldn't move right now. I don't want you to faint again."

"I'm fine," Amelia assured her before she managed to sit herself up. She removed the washcloth from her forehead. "See? I appreciate you looking after me, but I'm fine."

Meredith wasn't convinced. "You're getting checked out. I'm taking you to the hospital," she told her. "Katie, go get my phone. I'll see if I can get a couple of babysitters to watch the kids." Katie once again did what she was told without question.

"You just came from the hospital. Do you really want to go there again?" Amelia pointed out as Katie returned with her phone. "No, I'll drive there myself." She slowly got up from the floor. "You worry too much."

"I'm not worried. I just want to confirm my suspicions about your diagnosis," Meredith replied before she put her phone to her ear. Amelia gave her an exasperated look. However, she knew she couldn't say anything in front of Katie.

"Honey, can you get a glass of water?" Amelia asked Katie, knowing that was the perfect excuse for her to leave. Katie nodded. Amelia waited until she was out of the room before speaking. "I'm not pregnant," she hissed.

"Then prove it by taking a pregnancy test," Meredith whispered before she turned her attention to her phone call. "April, I know this is last minute, but is there a chance you can come over and babysit the kids for an hour or two?" To her relief, April was available to come over. "Great. Thanks. See you in a little bit. Bye."

Katie arrived back with Amelia's glass of water. Amelia thanked her before turning her attention back to Meredith. "I appreciate you looking after me, but there's no need for you to take me. You just got home. You should be spending time with your kids. Especially since Noah is still sleeping. How do you think he will feel when he wakes up and finds another stranger in the house with him?"

Meredith let out an inward groan. She realized Amelia was right. As much as she wanted to go with Amelia, the children was her first priority. Especially little Noah. He was already in a strange place. Did she really want to overwhelm him with another stranger? No, she had to be here with him. He was the most comfortable with her.

Amelia looked at her and Meredith gave in, defeated. "Alright. I'll stay here with April, but I'm still not going to let you drive." She was interrupted by the rest of the kids coming in and the twins went straight for their mother. Meredith picked up Abbey and embraced her in her arms. "Call someone or get a cab to take you. You really should get checked out to make sure it isn't serious."

"I will," Amelia promised before they turned their attention back to the kids.