I quickly put the candles on the cake before I heard Lexie's and Derek's voices, and the key in the door.

"Surprise!"

We all shouted, and as her face lit up with the biggest grin bigger than any child, anyone, I've ever seen, I decided that all the time and all the effort I had put into making this party, was worth it. So worth it.

"Meredith! This is amazing! Did you do all this?" She whipped around to face Derek, who was smiling widely at the sight of his sister so happy. She jumped up as she wrapped her arms around him, his quick to envelope her small frame.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She was laughing and glowing more than I think I've ever seen anyone be. After her long hug with Derek, she ran over to me, giving me the warmest hug I think I've ever had. I melted into her, silently thanking God, or anyone, that I get to be this girl's sister. That I get to know her, love her and cherish her.

Later on, the party was still going, and I could clearly see Lexie dancing around with Alex, the smile never leaving her face, not for a moment. I jumped as a pair of arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

"How does her face not hurt from smiling so much? Her face hasn't dropped once since we got here."

"She's happy, Derek. Let her be happy without asking questions."

"I'm sorry, I'll shut up. I know you were worried about today."

"I just didn't want her to be sad about George today. He meant so much to her, he was her best friend. And this is the first year in two years without him on her birthday. And you know how much of a fuss George made on her birthday. Everything had to be perfect, just for her. I see why now. Her happiness today was worth every cent, every hour of preparation."

"And to see that girl so happy, my god, I've never been prouder to know someone in my life."

"Neither have I."

When I woke up, my neck ached from leaning on Alex's shoulder for about an hour. I got up and checked my bag, seeing a page from Bailey, then a message saying ' Sorry for the page, just remembered what today was, hope you're ok x '. I smiled, sending her a text back that today wasn't great, but I'm getting through it.

I then found myself in the attic, remembering all the memories we had here. I pulled out my phone, and went back to the pictures and videos from her first birthday after George died.

Lexie had become slightly tipsy, and was swaying back and forth to the music, before she caught me staring, and pulled me onto the dance floor. Her head lolled back, laughing. I pulled out my phone and started filming her, deciding I wanted to remember this moment forever.

"Are you filming me? Am I a movie star now?"

"I guess you are. Is there anything you would like to say?"

She stared right into the camera grinning like a maniac.

"Meredith Grey is the best person to exist. She has been the best sister to me and I can't wait to grow old with her. I can't wait to be an aunt to her kids. I love her so damn much. More than I could ever say. And she was a bit mean when we first met, but now she's my favourite person in the whole world! Love ya Mer."

I remember that day so clearly, that moment. Watching my sister dancing around, and suddenly realising how much I meant to her, and how much she meant to me. I had found her later on in the backyard, looking out, not even aware of the party going on without her.

"Lexie? What are you doing here?"

"I forgot."

"Forgot what?"

"I forgot for a moment that George wasn't here. I actually enjoyed my birthday while George wasn't here. I mean, yeah, I got a bit drunk hoping I would forget, but I didn't think I actually would. He should be here. And I feel awful that I'm here and he's not."

"Lexie, I'm so thankful that you're here. And today is your day. Cry and be sad about George any day, but not on your day. Look, I'm sad about George too. More than words can express. But Lexie, if I ever lost you, god, I'm not sure I would want to live a life without you in it. You mean the world to me. So don't you dare ever talk about dying again. Because you have done nothing to deserve that."

I suddenly had an idea, so I ran downstairs and shook Alex awake.

"Alex, get up! I have an idea, but I need your help."

"Okay! I'm up. What do you need?"

"First, I need you to message everyone to come over for a party tonight."

"Let's get going then."

Lexie had decided she wanted to sleep with Derek and I tonight, in case she got sad. And I got that. Sometimes I don't want to sleep alone either. So I got sleeping bags so we could all sleep downstairs together.

Derek had his arms wrapped around me, as we both watched Lexie peacefully doze off.

"She looks so peaceful."

Derek whispered in my ear.

"She's so naturally beautiful like this. When a man comes to try and scoop her up, he's gonna have to put up a fight to take her from me."

"You bet I'll be fighting right by your side. I'm that girl's big brother and if anyone dares to break her heart...well lets just say they won't look the same afterwards."

I had picked up the kids from daycare and school, and had left Alex to finish the preparations for tonight. Zola was continuously asking questions about why smile was so big.

"You don't even smile that big on your birthday, what is happening?"

"We are going to have a special party tonight Zola. A very special party."

"Why? Who's birthday is it? Will there be cake and chocolate and sweeties?"

I laughed, amused at how excited my kids were getting in the back of my car.

"Yes, there will be cake and chocolate and sweeties. And as for who's birthday it is, today is your Auntie Lexie's birthday."

"But she's not here? How will we celebrate her birthday if she's not here?"

"She's watching us from above Zozo. And we can celebrate it, even without her."

"Wow. Do you think she can see me?"

"Definitely, I bet you her and Daddy are both looking down at all of us."

"Then let's go to this birthday party and celebrate Auntie Lexie's birthday with lots of chocolate and sweets, she can even have some, up in heaven!"

"Okay, whatever you say, Zo."

The party had just started and guests were still arriving, but I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. This is what Lexie would have wanted me to do on her birthday. Throw a massive party, that she would have loved, not mope around and cry. But I needed to realise that, not the 5 people who had come up to me and told me 'this is what she wanted'.

I saw Bailey walk slowing towards me, a smile upon her face.

"She would have absolutely loved this, you know."

"She would have passed out from excitement."

"I can still picture her dancing like a crazy person in the middle of your living room."

"She loved that party. Even if she had had a lot to drink."

"She would be so proud of you. She is. I know she is, I can feel it. She's here with us."

"I know she is." I said, smiling.

I then walked away from Bailey, after giving her a quick hug. I got a knife and clinked it against my glass.

"Everyone! Thank you. I know we are all here to celebrate and not be sad, but I just want to say a few words about my little sister. Most of you knew her, and if you did, you know she was the purest sweetest soul to ever land this earth. I'm not even sure if she was human. She was an actual angel, and she deserved nothing less than the whole world. And I miss her. A lot. But today we are celebrating her life, because it was worth it, and she would have loved something like this. Anyway, turn your heads, because our wonderful Alex has made a slideshow of our angel Lexie Grey."

Everyone turned their heads to the projector, and watched as the pictures came to life. It started off with pictures of Lexie as a baby, and we all watched as she grew up. I had a massive smile on my face as the video's I took of her came up, even the video's Derek took of us made me laugh. And I could feel happy, just for a moment, because I knew she was here with me.

The ending really sounds like the end, but I promise it's not. As always, comment what you think and hope you have a great week!

Izzie