WARNING: Major Character Death. also if you haven't seen season 17 this could be kinda a spoiler, I'm sorry.

Keep your helmet

Keep your life, son

Just a flesh wound

Here's your rifle

Crawling up the beaches now

Sir, I think he's bleedin' out

And some things you just can't speak about

No one was speaking, nothing needed to be said as everyone gathered around the window of the hospital room. All of their hearts breaking as what they most feared was slowly becoming their reality.

"Her sats are dropping," Teddy whispered, sharing a look with Richard.

"There's nothing we can do, she's DNR," Richard said, tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Screw the DNR," Maggie whispered from beside them.

"We can't, Maggie," Richard said firmly. "She made her wishes very clear and I don't like this anymore than you but we have to respect them."

With you, I serve

With you, I fall down

Down

Watch you breathe in

Watch you breathin' out

Out

Something med school

Did not cover

Someone's daughter

Someone's mother

No one was ready to lose their friend. The strongest woman they knew was slipping away right in front of them and there was nothing they could do.

"I gave her some morphine, she won't feel anything." Teddy whispered.

Richard gave her a tight smile, his gaze never leaving the window. At least she was confortable.

"I never thought it would come to this," he whispered.

Teddy sighed. "Me either. I just wish there was more we could do."

"We've done all we can, now...it's up to her." Richard whispered.

Holds your hand through plastic now

Doc, I think she's crashin' out

And some things you just can't speak about

Meredith had been put on a ventilator days ago, after collapsing into an interns arms. She went down doing what she loved and nobody could be mad at her for that. It only sped up the inevitable.

Only twenty minutes to sleep

But you dream of some epiphany

Just one single glimpse of relief

To make some sense of what you've seen

Jo walked away, going to the nearest closet as she pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. She needed to call Alex. They hadn't spoken since he left and she knew Alex had told Meredith not to contact him but he needed to know.

It rang and rang over and over again as Jo prayed that he would pick up.

"This is Alex Karev, leave a message," she heard. She sighed, trying to get some control before speaking.

"Alex, I know you don't want to talk to me...or any of us but," she paused. "Meredith needs you. It's not good, she's not going to make it much longer. She needs you, so please, just call me back."

She put her phone back into her pocket, heading back out into the hallway. Everyone had cleared away from the window except for Bailey who was inside, holding Meredith's hand. Jo sighed, heading into the room.

"She shouldn't be alone," Miranda whispered.

"If this is too hard, I can take over," Jo whispered.

"Either way, whether I'm here or not, she's going to die. You know, I had five interns. She's the last one left and I'm gonna lose her. Meredith was like a daughter to me, I watched her grow throughout the years. So no, I'm fine where I am." Miranda said firmly.

With you, I serve

With you, I fall down

Down (Down)

Watch you breathe in

Watch you breathin' out

Out

Owen was off doing his own phone call. The hardest one he would ever make. He decided to FaceTime her instead.

"Cristina," Owen whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"Hey Owen, what's up?" Her cheery voice came through the screen and Owen realized he was about to shatter her world.

"I'm glad you're sitting down," Owen said.

"Yeah, I'm in my office, why?" Cristina said. The line was quiet for a few moments before she spoke again. "Owen, what's wrong?" She asked.

"It's Meredith, she contracted Covid and Altman ended up putting her on a ventilator. It's not good, she's not going to make it through the day," Owen whispered.

"What? You're joking, Owen, please tell me you're joking." Cristina whispered, tears evident in her voice.

"I wish I was, Cristina. I really wish I was." Owen whispered, barely able to make eye contact with her.

"Let me talk to her, Owen, please." Cristina whispered. Owen got up, heading back to Meredith's room, seeing Bailey and Jo right by Meredith's side.

"Guys, Cristina wants to see her," Owen whispered, showing them the phone. Jo and Bailey quietly left the room to give them some privacy. Owen propped the phone up on the chair so Cristina could see Meredith but also so he could leave to give them some privacy.

"Mer," Cristina whispered tearfully. "I can't believe this is happening, I know you can't hear me but I love you. I know we've had our ups and downs but you're my person...you will always be my person."

With you, I serve

With you, I fall down (Down)

Down (Down)

Watch you breathe in

Watch you breathin' out (Out)

Out

All three of them stood outside the room, tears streaming down their cheeks. They saw death every day but nothing could have prepared them for this. They didn't understand. She was getting better and everyone had been happy to have seen her up and talking, already wanting to get back to work. None of them could have expected this.

Jo's phone vibrated in her pocket so she reached in to retrieve it. She saw Alex's face appearing on the screen, wanting to video chat. With shaky hands, she pressed answer.

"Jo, what the hell do you mean Mer isn't going to make it?" Alex said, fear evident in his eyes.

"She's on a ventilator, Alex. Her sats are dropping as we speak. She contracted Covid and she was doing okay, she seemed to be doing better but now..." Jo whispered tearfully. "I called you because you should say goodbye, Alex."

"Let me talk to her," Alex said. There were very few times Alex would cry, he was normally a very strong person. But right now he was a mess and he didn't care who saw. Jo walked into the room, silently noticing the monitor that read that her stats were slowly dropping even more. She had noticed that Cristina had hung up, switching the phones out before leaving the room.

"Mer," Alex whispered. "You can't die, you just can't. You're frickin' immortal. I'm sorry I told you not to contact me. I would do anything to hear your voice again. You can't give up, everyone needs you, I need you."

Only twenty minutes to sleep

But you dream of some epiphany

Just one single glimpse of relief

To make some sense of what you've seen

Richard came in sometime later, sighing softly as he walked up to the bed. This was killing him, metaphorically speaking. Meredith was his daughter, maybe not biologically but he had seen her grow up. From a funny, bubbly little girl into the strong woman she was today. He absolutely could not be more proud of her.

"I never thought this day would come. We see death every day, but I hoped that you would beat this. You have survived so much and have molded into this incredible surgeon and mother. I couldn't be more proud. Your death will not be in vain, you're a legend. You did good and you deserve to be at peace."

Hours went by, everyone came in and out of the room. Bailey being a permanent fixture by Meredith's bedside. It was clear that Meredith was trying to hold on, not wanting to let go and it was hurting everyone to see her try and fight the inevitable. Everyone had said their tearful goodbyes, Maggie and Amelia included.

"You don't have to hang on Meredith, you deserve some peace. You've fought long enough. Your kids will be taken care of, I'll see to that." She paused. "I know, we may have not always seen eye to eye but...I've always considered you a daughter. I've seen you grown up, from a timid intern into a strong, confident woman and an amazing mother. We'll be alright, your kids will be alright. You go and be with Derek. Be free of these tubes and wires. We all love you, Meredith, all of us." Bailey whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. She sat down in the chair, staring at the clock.

It wasn't too long after that, when the beeping increased on the monitor and Bailey watched as all her stats rapidly fell. She pulled her pager out, sending 9-1-1 to everyone. Even though shift change had happened, no one went home. No one could bear to leave. One by one everyone trickled into the small room, Richard, Teddy, Maggie and everyone else stood around the hospital bed, shedding tears as they watched. Maggie held onto Meredith's hand as Bailey held the other, everyone holding their breaths.

There wasn't a dry eye in the room when the monitor gave one long beep, indicating Meredith was gone. She was finally free of this world and everyone knew Grey-Sloan Memorial would never be the same. Bailey excused herself, leaving the room to call Amelia and let her know it was finally over.

Amelia hung up the phone, unable to catch her breath as tears streamed down her cheeks. She felt like she couldn't breathe, her sister was gone. Maybe not sister by blood and even though the sisters had always had their differences, she loved Meredith and in this moment she felt lost, alone even. "Take care of my brother up there," she whispered, placing her phone down onto the counter.

Zola ran into the room, laughing as her brother chased her. Amelia's heart dropped, knowing in a moment, she was going to destroy their lives.

"Um, Zola go get Ellis please. I need to talk to you," Amelia whispered, unable to look at the child.

"Auntie Amelia, why are you crying?" Zola asked.

"Just go get your sister, please," Amelia whispered, watching as Zola ran away. Soon all three of them were sat on the couch, Amelia struggling to find words.

"So, guys, I'm not sure how to tell you this." She paused, trying to find the correct way to word it. "Your mommy...isn't coming home."

"Where is she?" Zola asked.

"She's in Heaven, Zola. She's with...she's with daddy." Amelia said, her voice cracking slightly.

"Mommy died?" Zola asked, her eyes swimming with tears.

"Yeah, she did, Zola. I'm so sorry," Amelia whispered, her voice cracking. Zola started crying hard and Amelia reached over, taking Zola and Bailey into her arms.

"Mommy isn't coming home?" Ellis whispered, confused. At her age, it was hard for her to understand. She had never had to deal with death before.

"No, Ellis, she's gone to be with Daddy." Amelia whispered.

"Why did she leave? Did she not love us anymore?" The little girl asked, breaking Amelia's heart.

"No, no, Ellie. She loved you with all her heart. You know how sometimes people get sick and sometimes the doctors can't help them and they go to a special place and we don't get to see them anymore?" Amelia asked, hoping Ellis would understand.

"Yeah, why did Mommy go there?" Ellis asked innocently.

"Mommy was very sick and the doctors couldn't help her. But she will always be with you, you just won't be able to see her." Amelia explained.

"I want Mommy," Ellis whispered, tears swimming in her beautiful blue eyes, slowly rolling down her cheeks.

"I know, Ellis, me too." Amelia whispered, wrapping her arms around the child. Amelia wasn't sure what the days ahead would look like, but she would help the kids in any way she could. But for now she held the children close as they cried. Wishing it hadn't ended this way.

The salty fresh air, the cool breeze flowing through her hair. It was like something out of a storybook.

She looked around at the ocean as its waves beat against the rock. It was peaceful and serene as the only things that could be heard were seagulls flying around as the sun was setting over the horizon.

"Meredith!" She heard his voice say. It made her smile every time.

"Derek," she whispered, getting up off the sand. She walked down the shoreline, Derek slowly coming into view. "You're back!"

"I never left," derek said. "Come here, sweetheart."

She started running, just a little bit before she stopped.

"But I can't! Last time I tried that, I fell flat on my face." Meredith laughed.

Derek laughed. "Sure you can, just try."

And so she did. She ran as fast as her legs could take her, getting closer and closer to him until she finally reached him. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest as they both sighed in contentment at the feeling of finally being in each other's arms.

"Told you it would work," Derek whispered.

"Why couldn't I do that before?" She asked, looking up at Derek. He stayed silent. "Does this mean..." she trailed off.

"Yeah, you're free. You're not sick anymore." Derek said softly.

"I heard everyone talking, saying their goodbyes but I didn't think I would actually die." Meredith whispered. She paused. "It feels so good to be in your arms again, Derek."

"It feels so good to be able to hold you again. I missed you so much, Mer." Derek whispered.

"I missed you, too. I feel bad I left the kids, though. I didn't want to. They're still so young." Meredith whispered.

"They'll be alright, they have an entire village behind them and Alex will never let them forget us." Derek said softly.

"How do you know Alex is getting the kids?" Meredith asked, confused.

"I know things and I've been watching. I have to admit, I'm excited for you to be joining me. Our kids are as strong as you...they'll be alright." Derek whispered, smiling. He squeezed her tighter. "Come on, let's go see what they're up to."

"They?" Meredith asked.

Derek smiled, staying silent as they walked along the shoreline. A short while later, they saw two people sitting in the sand holding a baby. Meredith couldn't see who they were though.

"Hey, guys! Look who I found!" Derek said to the couple. Meredith's eyes widened when she realized who they were.

"Mark? Lexie?" She asked, tears springing to her eyes.

"We missed you," Lexie said with a smile.

"I missed you, too. More than you know." Meredith said as she sat next to the couple.

"Hey, Big Grey!" Mark said to Meredith with a smile.

"Wow, I haven't heard that in a long time." Meredith laughed softly.

Suddenly, the baby in Lexie's arms whimpered then opened it's eyes.

"And who is this little cutie?" Meredith asked with a smile. Derek, Mark and Lexie all looked at each other.

"This is our baby." Derek said softly.

"What?" Meredith asked, confused.

"The baby that you lost the day of the shooting, this is that baby." Derek said softly, taking her hand into his own.

"Oh, my God," Meredith whispered, a tear sliding down her cheek.

"Do you wanna hold him?" Lexie asked softly.

"Yeah," Meredith whispered. She took the baby into her arms and gasped. Even though he was just a baby, she could see herself and Derek in him.

"You okay?" Derek asked.

"Yeah, I think I am." Meredith said with a smile.

Sitting with her family, watching the waves of the ocean crash against the sand, she felt...peace. She felt peace knowing her children would be okay. Knowing that Alex would keep her memory alive as well as Derek's, she knew everything would be okay. She just knew.