"Ok kids are you all ready? Ellis stop fiddling with your hair" Amelia said as she led the Grey-Shepherd children downstairs with Scout in a lichen green onesie in her arms. Maggie brought up the rear, finishing Zola's hair as they walked downstairs.
It was a week and a half later and Derek was finally coming home. Meredith had moved the giant tumour and their post-it into the office, putting a double bed in the centre with all the office furniture stacked on the side. The kids had brought a fresh bouquet of lavender and daisies into the room, pinning their artworks on the walls and putting their favourite toys on the bed. When Meredith went to pick up Derek and bring him home, they ran upstairs to put on their favourite clothes. Their dad was coming home after five years and the eldest especially wanted to make it as special as possible.
"I think I hear a car in the driveway, who wants to come help daddy in while mummy and I get the bags?" Maggie said as she opened the front door. The kids ran out the door and over to Derek's side of the car. "Here daddy, let me help!" Zola said as she opened the door, reaching for Derek's hand as he swung his legs out of the car. Bailey rain to the back door and hot out Derek's frame. He was able to walk with the frame for short amounts of time as his strength built up.
Derek smiled at his children's eagerness as Ellis wrapped her little arms around his legs. He picked her up and gave her a hug before taking the walker and starting towards the house. By the time he got inside, Maggie and Meredith had brought his bags into his room. Meredith helped him over to the chair by the bed and the kids snuggled up with him eagerly showing him their favourite toys and pictures from their rooms.
They spent the first evening quietly readjusting to having Derek home in the house, eating pizza on his bed while watching the kid's favourite movie Frozen.
The next few days were relaxed for the Grey-Shepherd-Lincoln family. The first morning that Derek was home Meredith, Amelia and the kids woke him up with blueberry pancakes in bed.
"Quiet Ellie, we don't want to wake your daddy until the surprise is finished!" Meredith whispered to her youngest. Meredith and Amelia were making the pancakes while Zola and Bailey made a fruit salad to eat with them. Ellis was drawing a present for Derek since she was too young to use a knife on her own.
"What are you drawing?" Meredith asked her, looking over the island at Ellis' drawing.
"This is me and this is daddy" Ellis said pointing at two figures standing beside each other. "And this is you mommy" Ellis continued pointing at the figure beside her. "These are Zola and Bailey; we are all together!" She said pointing at the smaller figures holding each of their parent's hands.
Meredith started to tear up, smiling as she looked at her youngest drawing her first picture of their entire family. "That is beautiful, darling. I'm sure daddy will love it when you show it to him"
"Are you sad mummy?" Ellis said innocently, looking up at her mother who had tears in her eyes.
Meredith wiped the tears from her face saying "No honey, mummy is very happy" while walking around the counter to give Ellis a big hug.
After a few more minutes of cooking, they had a heaping plate of streaming pancakes and a big bowl of fresh fruit salad.
"Ok everyone, lets wash out hands before waking daddy!" Meredith said lifting Ellis down from the stool. The kids ran off to the bathroom while Meredith and Amelia put the dishes in the dishwasher and washed their hands. Once everyone was ready, they picked up the pancakes and plates, Zola and Bailey carried the fruit salad while Ellis carried her picture, and they made their way into Derek's room.
"Daddy, wake up!" Ellis exclaimed jumping onto his bed. "We made blueberry pancakes and fruit salad and there is maple syrup!" she said jumping up and down.
Derek rolled over, smiling at his little girl who was bursting with excitement at the prospect of pancakes. "Good morning Ellis! Those pancakes smell amazing Mer. Wow, look at that fruit salad. This all looks and smells delicious!"
"We made the fruit salad ALL BY OURSELVES!" Zola and Bailey exclaimed together, beaming with pride at their accomplishment.
"I made you this picture daddy, this is you and me and mummy and Zola and Bailey and we are all together" Ellis said a little more quietly, showing Derek the picture and waiting for his reaction.
"This is beautiful Ellis! Thank you" Derek said as Meredith and Amelia moved around the room setting up the breakfast so they could eat.
Derek looked up at Meredith and say the joy in her eyes. They made eye contact haring in the miracle that was their family.
"Ok kids, lets get some plates and pancakes then we can eat on the bed with daddy!" Amelia said, starting to serve the food for her nieces and nephew as Link came downstairs with Scout. Meredith took over for Amelia as she went over to her son. After everyone was served, Meredith and the kids piled onto the bed to eat with Derek while Amelia and Link sat together on the armchair in the room with Scout on their laps.
Everyone ate and chatted together, bursting out laughing when Ellis got yogurt on her nose. Derek reached over to wipe it off with a napkin and all Meredith could think was how natural it was.
I hope you are enjoying this story! This is the last chapter I have pre-written. I have many more planned and will update, just cant promise when. I start my second year of university in a month, and am working full time to save up while choosing subjects and timetables and planning my college ball and moving house. Pretty much my life is kinda hectic and writing this story gives me a break, i just don't always have the energy to formulate coherent thoughts. Anyways that is all to say, i will update and hope to soon just don't get discouraged if it takes me a few weeks to add a new chapter. Let me know what you think and what you are hoping for! i have plans but maybe i can incorporate it into the story.