Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's Anatomy
Chapter Twenty
It was an impossible, but amazing, medical miracle. Lexie Grey couldn't believe what she had just witnessed. Despite her sister still being a bit disoriented and weak from barley moving in months, Meredith was back. Meredith was alive and it was absolutely chaotic and beautiful all at the same time. Lexie didn't believe in higher powers or cosmic balance or anything like that, but on a day like this, Lexie thanked whoever was looking out for them because this, this was something she thought was long gone almost twenty-four hours ago.
"I can't even believe you're talking to us right now," Lexie said through her tears as she sat at the edge of Meredith's bed. It'd been about about two hours since Meredith woke up and after some examinations from Koracick and some of the other doctors, they were pleased with how she was fairing. They'd have a lot to work on like physical therapy and building Meredith's strength back up, but she was alive. She was alive and ready to keep on living.
"Me too," Meredith confessed, her voice tight as she took a deep breath. Meredith looked at her sister and then Mark, who was standing beside the bed with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Mere, there's a lot you need to know," Mark stated cautiously, looking at Lexie for silent conformation. The younger Grey sister nodded her head, indicating it was time to continue. They needed to let Meredith know what was going on. It wouldn't be fair to her if she started asking about her husband or why Cristina was also missing. The plastic surgeon cleared his throat, "It's about Derek..."
"If it's about Derek, I know," Meredith replied flatly, catching the two by complete surprise. She proceeded to casually look at them as if they didn't just tell her some of the most devastating news that could hit her.
"Wait, what?" Lexie questioned, raising her eyebrows. "You know about…How?"
"I know it's crazy, but I saw him. I saw Derek," Meredith explained. Her eyes brimmed with tears and she brought a shaky hand to her face to wipe away her tears. "We were on a beach. It was peaceful. He told me I'd be okay. That he was okay. That our family would be okay and that I'd have to let him go… I'm obviously going to need some time, but….I know. I know he's gone."
Lexie blinked in surprise. Maybe she needed to believe in miracles a little more often than she did.
"Meredith, he wasn't alone, when he died," Mark spoke up, his voice hard and full of grief. He walked closer as he took a seat in one of the hospital chairs beside her bed. "I was with him. It was quick."
"Thank you," Meredith answered as she reached out to grab his hand. "I'm sorry you lost your best friend and your brother."
Mark nodded at this as he gave her hand a squeeze in return. "And now that you're back, I want you to know, I want to be here for the kids. For you and the kids– me and Lexie both."
"Whatever you need, we have your back," Lexie added, looking at Mark with a loving glance.
Meredith quirked her head a tad bit to the side. "Ah...Did...Are you two back together?"
"Um..." Lexie blushed while Mark gave a sheepish smile.
"How long was I out for?" Meredith questioned, looking between the couple. "How many weeks exactly? Clearly, it'd been a long time for the two of you to patch everything together."
"Mere, it was a bit more than that," Lexie spoke up carefully as she braced for her sister's reaction. "You were in a coma for six months."
Meredith's eyes widened and she seemed dumbfounded at first. Her eyes then forming into slants for a moment as she tried to process such heavy news. She bit her lip as she proceeded to ask, "Six months? Why that long? How come you didn't pull the plug? It's stated in my medical proxy to pull the plug after a few days if I'm unresponsive."
"It was complicated," Mark summarized.
"How complicated? Also if it's been six months that means...oh my...Zola and Bailey," Meredith whispered, a hand coming up to her mouth. "That means they haven't seen me for six months. They must be so big and...Oh my God. Who's been taking care of them?"
"We have been," Mark explained. "Lexie and I have been with them this whole time. They haven't been alone."
"The whole hospital really," Lexie added. "Everyone's been here to support."
Meredith nodded, taking the information in. "But...But why did you keep me on life support for so long? I don't understand."
"Look Mere, we had to make a decision because there were other factors involved," Lexie told her sister, looking towards Mark for a second before looking back at Meredith. "We based it on the baby…"
"The baby?" Meredith choked out. Her hand flew to her now flat stomach, which had the woman tearing up in fear. "Did…Did I lose them? I lost the baby, didn't I? I assume I did I mean with that much trauma, I just assumed..."
"No, no," Lexie said, shaking her head. She looked back to Mark, who immediately understood subconsciously. He proceeded to leave the room while Lexie was left alone with her sister. "And I really do hope you approve of what we chose to do."
"Which is what exactly, Lexie?" Meredith asked slowly.
"Well, the reason we kept you on life support was because you were pregnant. Also because Addison read some studies about women going into labor while in a coma and waking them up from it," Lexie explained hesitantly, reaching out to grab her older sister's hand to try to comfort her the best she could. "So, we did that, and well…the baby was born. Yesterday, actually."
"They were born?" Meredith asked quietly, trying to ground herself so desperately with reality. "Oh my..."
"Yes. It's a little girl," Lexie told her anxiously. "I hope that's okay. I wasn't sure if you'd approve or…"
"No. No, thank you, Lexie," Meredith stammered as she weakly grabbed for her sister's arm. "Thank you."
"I didn't want to decide something like this without your consent, but it was my niece and we had records that you and Derek knew," Lexie explained in a ramble. "Besides, if it was a chance we could take to wake you up, we wanted to try it."
"No. I'm not angry. I'm glad you made this choice for me," Meredith told her gently. "I'm worried though. Worried I won't be enough. I'm a single parent, I..."
"Me and Mark are here. You are not alone," Lexie stressed, placing her hands on her sister's shoulders. "I'm not going to have you go through this alone. We're a family. It'll be like Full House."
Meredith looked at her sister in surprise at this. "You did not just compare our situation to Full House."
"I kind of did," Lexie replied with a chuckle.
"Someone's been wanting to meet their mother," Mark announced as he made his presence known. The two women turned to see him entering the room with the bundle in his arms. The little girl cooed and made all sorts of noise in Mark's arms, causing Meredith to smile.
"Oh my," Meredith whispered as Mark placed the baby in her arms. "She's... She's perfect."
"She really is," Lexie agreed as her boyfriend walked over to her to place a hand on her shoulder.
"She looks like Derek," the grieving widow choked out, hushing the baby.
"That she does," Mark confirmed through his emotion.
"Did you name her?" Meredith asked, blinking back some tears. She was admiring her daughter, running a finger alongside her cheek and whispering all sorts of nonsense to her.
"No. We weren't sure what to name her," Lexie said, her fingertips brushing against her niece's soft hair. "But it looks like she'll have her mom to name her after all."
"Did you have a name in mind?" Meredith asked curiously, her eyes still fixated on her daughter.
"I like Stacy or Rebecca, but you know, maybe not the route," Mark remarked jokingly, causing Lexie to roll her eyes and playfully nudge him in the ribs.
"I don't know. I've been thinking about a lot of strong women," Lexie continued, trailing off. "I wasn't sure if you would approve of this one, but I was thinking maybe after your mom. How about Ellis?"
"Ellis, huh?" Meredith tested it out as she gently pat her baby. "Ellis Grey Shepherd...It suits her."
"For the full name, I was going to suggest Ellis Meredith," Lexie confessed, looking towards her boyfriend who smiled warmly. "That's what I was thinking..."
"Oh god no," Meredith said, shaking her head at the mention of her own name. "You know, I think I might have a better name in mind…"
"Do you now?" Lexie questioned lightly, raising her eyebrows.
"Yes. I think... Ellis Alexandra Shepherd has a nice ring to it," Meredith spoke up gently, causing Lexie's eyes to water. "For the woman who raised my children these last couple of months and helped save my life. And my sister, of course."
"Meredith," Lexie cried. "You don't have to."
"I haven't been up for very long, but I think I do," Meredith insisted. "I'm trying to take everything all in and I will admit, it's very overwhelming but...You did something for me that I will never forget. That was insanely kind of you, Lexie."
"Oh!" Lexie couldn't help it as she threw her arms around Meredith and the baby.
"Careful, I may have woken up but I am still pretty sore," Meredith teased.
"Now, I know this has been a lot," Mark said as the sisters broke apart. "However, there are some people wishing to see you. I hope that's okay."
"I think I could use seeing some familiar faces right now," Meredith replied.
"Good because you made me think you're dead for almost six months and I come running back on a flight home to find out that only now you decide to wake up."
Cristina Yang stood in the doorway with a bright smile. Since the last time she saw her, Lexie noted Cristina looked healthier and more tune with herself. It was the perfect timing and to be honest, both Lexie and Mark couldn't help but grow ecstatic seeing their fellow plane crash survivor and friend.
"Cristina," Meredith breathed gratefully as the woman rushed over to bring her best friend into a hug.
"I'm sorry I left, I just couldn't be here," Cristina confessed through her tears. "It was too hard…My PTSD…"
"It's okay, Cristina," Meredith said, hugging her best friend tight. "You went through a lot. It's understandable, but you're here now and that's what matters."
"I also brought a few others, if that's okay," Cristina added, causing Meredith to raise her eyebrows.
That's when Zola and Bailey were brought into the room with Alex holding both of their hands. When they both saw their mother, sitting up and awake, they both could not contain their joy.
"Mommy!" Zola shouted eagerly.
"Zo-Zo!" Meredith exclaimed.
Meredith passed the baby off to Cristina while she was greeted by her two other children. Zola and Bailey were crying as they reunited with their mother– happy that one of their parents was still alive and with them.
Lexie meanwhile leaned against Mark's chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close as they observed the scene before them. Callie, Arizona, Webber, and Bailey would also join the party in greeting Meredith back from her coma. Everyone was in joy at the return of Meredith. It was an absolutely chaotic day and they would have so much of a long way to go. They would have to help Meredith get back to full strength and help her mourn, but what was important was that she was back. She was back and it was time to celebrate for once in their lives.
As they enjoyed the moment, two figures with intertwined hands walked into the room.
"Ah, what did we miss?" Jackson Avery questioned as he held April's hand in his.
"Look who finally decided to show up!" Alex shouted as he went to greet the two runaways.
"Avery! Kepner!" Mark cried out in surprise. "Where have you two been? You missed so much."
"We can see that," Jackson said, motioning to an awake Meredith. "However, we were kind of tied up with some stuff…"
"What kind of stuff?" Lexie questioned suspiciously.
"We kind of got married," April said, showing off the rings on their fingers. Mark and Lexie shared surprised looks with each other before looking back at the couple.
"Today is really some day, huh?" Mark said as he wrapped an arm around Lexie's waist.
"I could say the same for you two," Jackson replied, looking at Lexie who chuckled.
"I guess a lot has changed," Meredith muttered in a low voice to Cristina who nodded in agreement.
"Do you know what kind of mess you two left?" Arizona said with her hands on her hips. "Although, I cannot deny I am terribly happy you two finally got some sense knocked into your brains!"
As everyone crowded the newlyweds or greeted Meredith, Mark and Lexie couldn't help but relish in the scene before them. It was something out of a dream and even though Derek Shepherd was not there in a way, it felt like he was. Smiling as he watched his family reunite and enjoy their time together.
"Little Grey, I cannot wait to bring you home later tonight," Mark whispered in Lexie's ear as he pressed a subtle kiss to the top of her head. "These last few hours have been insane and as crazy as they were...There are so many things I would love to do with you..."
"You are literally such a dirty old man! Your best friend's wife came back to life and your plastic's protegeé just got married and all you're thinking about is sex," Lexie retorted wryly, chuckling as she gave him a playful nudge. "And as much as I think that, I really can't say no to an offer like that..."
Mark Sloan just laughed as he pressed a kiss to Lexie's lips before bringing her into a tight hug. Lexie only chuckled more as she wrapped her arms around his waist and held on for dear life. The two of them vowing that they wouldn't let go of the other or their family ever again. That this was their purpose now.
About a month later, they were finally able to bring Meredith home– just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Since then she'd come a long way with her physical therapy and was working on her mental health. Hopefully, in a month's time, she'd be able to return back to surgery. Miranda Bailey had been helping out a lot with that and emerging herself in some work did Meredith some good.
In the meantime, the family decided to have everyone over the Grey-Shepherd-Sloan house for Thanksgiving this year. Just because the holidays felt like they could be celebrated with a little more energy this year.
Lexie watched in pure amusement as Amelia cradled little Ellis and showed her off to the other guests. Zola was telling her mom and Aunt Cristina all the things they missed while Alex and Jo played with Bailey, who couldn't help but giggle. Ben and Bailey were also here with Webber, Jackson, April, Callie, Arizona, Sofia, Sloan, Koracick, and Owen. April and Jackson had announced they were expecting their first child and Callie and Arizona were looking into adopting another child. Not only that, but Morrison had quit a day after his fight with Mark and they were finally rid of him. Everything felt almost too perfect.
"Guess we don't have to worry about being parents, huh?" Mark said as he joined Lexie in the kitchen. The couple had been going strong since they finally agreed to pursue their relationship. It was like falling back into a comfortable place. They already knew each other so well and we only getting to know each other more the second time around. This time they felt so much stronger as a couple and knew that this was something they were both willing to fight for.
"We'll, I wouldn't say that," Lexie replied slyly.
"Well, of course not, we're moving in here to help Meredith take care of the kids still," Mark said, gesturing to their family. "The kids are still going to be the kids in our lives, but this time, we have Meredith with us."
"You know...You're a really great father to them," Lexie said softly as cupped his cheek. "Derek would be so proud of you."
He smiled warmly at this. "Thanks."
"Although, I think we might have to see how you do with a baby of your own," Lexie muttered slowly, causing Mark to look at her in perplexity.
"Baby of my own? What the hell are you implying, Little Grey?"
"It's pretty early," Lexie revealed, biting her lip. He could tell she was nervous about something as she fiddled with her hands and looked down at the floor for a moment. "But the doctor confirmed it yesterday morning and well, I thought you'd like to know that…I'm pregnant."
"You're pregnant!?" Mark looked at his girlfriend with wide eyes. "When? You mean, the day we got back together? When we went home and…from the bathtub!?"
"I think so. I guess we might've gotten a little carried away," Lexie said, blushing brightly as she placed a hand on her stomach. "And it's pretty early and also pretty early in our relationship, but…Maybe it'll be perfect for us. That is, if you want this."
"Lexie, you have no idea how happy you've just made me," Mark said as he pressed a firm kiss to her lips. Lexie squealed as he brought her into a tight hug. "I love you so much, Lexie Grey."
"I love you too, Mark Sloan," Lexie said as she cupped his cheek with tears in her eyes.
With that, they joined the rest of their family and friends for the Thanksgiving holiday. Their laughter and smiles could be heard for miles as they celebrated all the joy to come.