"Trick or Treat!"
The door to her old home opened revealing their father inside, "I've got tricks but no treats. You wanna see one?"
Groans filled the quiet patio as Amelia rolled her eyes, "The trick here is that he lets us in because we are freezing!"
"You are no fun," Derek moved over and let two superheroes, and a baby dumbo in before his youngest- dressed as a chef- stood in front of him, "I wanna see the trick!"
"That's my girl," Derek smiled.
She always did.
Derek reached behind her ear and opened his hand to reveal a quarter. Ellis sighed in wonder at the sight of the mysterious coin that appeared behind her ear. She took it and ran into the kitchen, "Dad made a coin appear from behind my ear!"
Meredith giggled as she stood in front of her husband. He looked at her confused, "What? You want to see the trick? Because I still have a few I can show-"
"No!" Meredith scoffed as she shook her head in amusement, "You are such a dork!"
"Yeah, but I make our kids laugh," he leaned in to peck her lips before pulling back, "And I make you laugh."
"You do. You do make us laugh," She kissed him gently again, "You're a good dad."
He hummed as she pressed her lips again and wrapped her hand in his curls, "You're a dorky dad but a good dad who makes us laugh."
He laughed again as he gave her another kiss.
This had been the first time he'd missed out on trick-or-treating with his kids. The year before, Meredith had missed it due to a surgery. Neither of them had been happy about both predicaments but they also understood the demands of their jobs. And as long as their parents were home to count candy, they were thrilled.
The tradition of trick-or-treating in Meredith's old neighborhood was one they had kept all these years. With Amy having Scout, it made it such a family affair. And the home was still wide open for everyone. The Grey Shepherds would crash when either had a late surgery. Amelia had even gone so far as leaving their old room empty as sometimes the kids would sleep over. What surprised them was that Lucas had chosen to stay with them rather than Amelia given that the house was now left to solely her. Maggie and Winston had their own place now. But really, that house was never empty.
"Okay you two, break it up," Amelia called out, "Ellis is staying with me. Lucas is taking Bailey out to that movie later and you two need to leave now if you're gonna drop off Zola on time."
Derek rolled his eyes as he released his wife. He glanced at the kitchen and spotted his youngest kids counting candy.
"You sure you're gonna be okay with Ellis?" Meredith asked, "I don't want you to-"
"Oh my god, I've practically helped you raise your kids," Amelia sighed, "I'm an expert at all things Little Grey Shepherds."
The parents raised their brows at her.
"Sorry, that's your nickname…that you gave them and call them," Amelia muttered, "I uh, I got a little-"
It was a special nickname that only few were privy to knowing why they nicknamed that. And those that knew understood the importance of Mark Sloan and Lexie Grey.
"It's okay," Meredith smiled, "They are The Little Grey-Shepherds."
"And you have helped raise them," Derek added, "You know you're more than just their aunt. You and Maggie both are."
"Okay stop getting sappy," Amelia smiled as she waved them off, "Go!"
Meredith walked to the stairs and called out for her daughter, "Zozo, are you ready?"
Derek watched as his wife made her way down their old home, Amelia stepped closer to her brother, "You know you're more that Scout's uncle, too, right? I know you and I haven't always-"
"Amy," Derek whispered, "You and I both know you still annoy the crap out of me but you know I respect you. Besides, Scout already likes me better than you and Link."
"Okay, moment's over," Amelia patted his shoulder, "Have fun with the wife."
Derek laughed, "Bailey, Ellis your momma and I are leaving!"
Bailey ran down the hall with a lollipop hanging out of his mouth, "Lucas said he'd be here soon and then he'll drop me off again here with Aunt Amy."
"Okay, good," Derek ruffled his son's hair, "Promise me you'll be responsible."
"You got it, Dad," Bailey high fived his dad before running to hug his mother.
"Please can I come with you, I promise I'll be good," Ellis came from her mother's side and wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him, "Pretty please."
"Those pretty green eyes aren't gonna work on me tonight, Ellie," Derek chuckled, "Your momma and I have a date."
Ellis sighed dramatically, "Fine."
Derek laughed as he watched her mope behind her brother, off to count their candy with their Aunt Amy.
"Are you sure you're gonna be okay?" Meredith asked her daughter as she walked down the stairs, changed, and ready for the slumber party.
Zola shook her head, "I went trick or treating like you asked. I've been excited for this for a week, I will be fine. I promise."
Her mother wasn't convinced, "And if you have any-"
"I will call you, I have my phone" Zola finished as she handed her dad her night bag, "I promise I will call you."
Derek squinted his eyes and turned to his wife, "I don't know Dr. Grey. What do you think?"
Zola's arms dropped. Here they went again.
"I think she's just saying that to get us off her back, Dr. Shepherd," Meredith turned to him with the same amused look, "I'm rethinking this letting her go to the slumber party thing. We should prescribe a night home."
"Mom!" Zola giggled, "Dad! I am fine, I promise. I really wanna go, everyone's going."
"Okay, then Dr. Grey-Shepherd," Derek smiled, "Let's go."
"Call me if they're any-"
"Get out!" Amelia closed the door behind them as they walked out.
How long has it been since we've done this? Come out to the ferryboats?"
Meredith popped a fry into her mouth and chuckled, "Before the house of candles."
"That's so long ago," Derek wistfully whispered.
A small little nook by the docks gave them the perfect view to the ferryboats. All from the comfort of their car.
"She hasn't called," Meredith glanced at her phone, "Maybe she'll really be okay."
"She hasn't had an episode in a few days," Derek recalled, "Maybe we've reached a turning point."
"I hope so," Meredith sighed. "I did something."
Derek furrowed his brows before he bit on a fry, "What'd you do?"
"I told Zola the story about the ferryboats," Meredith shyly told him, "She was sitting on the boat staring off into this very spot and I don't know why but I told her. I didn't tell her I took you home that night- but I told her we stayed here for hours."
Derek chuckled, "Is that why you wanted to come here? Reminisce on the good old days?"
"Things were easier back then," Meredith sighed, "At least I thought they were. I just had to get through intern year and then you showed up."
"I came in to complicate your life," Derek shook his head amusingly as Meredith giggled, "Why the hell would I do that?"
"Oh, my life was already complicated, remember?" she chuckled lightly, "Besides, in the long run, we complicated each other's lives for the better. Thanks for bringing me here, by the way."
He had planned it all. Take-out from their favorite place, wine, and the perfect view. Almost like all those years ago. They'd flirt and spend some time together. And if he was lucky- which he'd be- he'd take her down to the hotel he booked because they were already too far from home and their kids were on this side of Seattle.
"Why do you have a thing for ferryboats?" Meredith asked with a whisper, "Does it have to do with your dad?"
Derek turned to her, "I never told you?"
"If you did I was probably drunk," Meredith joked, "I don't think I ever asked. I kind of liked the mystery"
Derek hummed.
"I thought you said it to charm me," Meredith smiled as she watched his eyes dart back to the ferryboats, "I thought it was just some running gag of yours. Turns out you really got a thing for them."
They laughed together, "Yeah, my dad used to uh, take us on ferryboat rides whenever he could. We'd just ride as long as we wanted. I think it's one of my best memories as a kid."
Derek laughed as he thought of a memory, "One time, we were all riding the ferry- I don't think Amy was born yet, my mom may have been pregnant, but we were on the ferry and I hid down by the cars. My dad went crazy trying to find me and my sisters were pissed because they were late to some sort of thing."
Meredith laughed at the thought of a child like version of her husband running around a ferryboat in the cold New York weather. She pictured Bailey with darker hair. A young boy with a sparkle of charming mischief in his eye. But truly, as sweet, kind, shy, boy who just wanted to garner a smile from everyone.
"I got in so much trouble and my mother never let me out of her sight again," He recounted as Meredith giggled like she had all those years ago in his car, "And when I was at Columbia, I used to ride the ferryboat to study. Destress."
"I thought you liked the quiet?"
"Everyone left me alone on the ferry," he nodded before swallowing a lump, "Addison knew not to follow me unless I invited her along. Mark knew to leave me alone, especially after my dad died. It was my-"
"Sanctuary. I get it," Meredith whispered, "Now you take your kids on rides as often as you can."
"Yeah, now I get to do that with them," Derek nodded as he thought about them for a moment, "Did you have that? A sanctuary? In Boston?"
"Anywhere that wasn't the house was my sanctuary," Meredith laughed, "I'd sneak out at night and get in cars with boys while my mother was asleep or in the hospital. I was a real rebellious child back in my day."
He pictured a teenage version- a mix of Ellie and Mer. A pink haired, angry, teenager who was just begging for attention. For love from her mother but knew deep down she wouldn't get it. Because Ellis Grey was enamored with her job. Passionate and dedicated. And she was a trailblazer- to her credit. But somewhere along the lines a little girl trailed and barely got through.
Derek laughed as he turned his head back to the rain, "Oh man, I'm in trouble with our girls."
Meredith giggled, "It doesn't help that I'm still in cars with one."
Derek laughed and looked out at the boats in front of them.
The sound of the ferry interrupted them. A few moments of silence passed between the two of them.
"What did we talk about that night?" Derek asked quietly, "The night you brought me here? I remember bits and then we downed a whole bottle-"
Meredith giggled, "I don't remember. I think we talked about why we became surgeons. You didn't tell me about your dad but you said something about wanting to help."
He hummed again, "You said it was expected of you, right? Said your mother pushed you to go to med school?."
"I guess so," Meredith shrugged, "That's why I started, anyways."
Another sound interrupted them.
"And then we went to your place-," Derek continued reminiscing.
Meredith giggled again, "And George and Izzie caught you sneaking out."
They both laughed. They'd come a long way from being the young intern and the hot shot surgeon who fell in love with each other.
Now they were established surgeons. Well respected surgeons. Parents to three children and happily married.
And yet, still learning from each other. Still discovering new things that surprised them.
"I was watching you with the kids the other day," Derek whispered, "It was late- a Friday I think- I had just gotten home and I was standing by the french doors after I got home. You were sitting on the porch eating ice cream with them and they were in a fit of giggles."
Meredith furrowed her brows as she listened.
"They were just laughing and laughing. It echoed all over," he chuckled a bit as he was lost in the memory, "And I just thought 'This is it. It's all I've ever wanted.'"
"You. The kids," He was lost for a moment before turning to her, "You gave me that. You've given me everything I could ever want."
Meredith tried to think back to what he was talking about. Truth was, she had done that so many times with the kids over the last few months that she couldn't pinpoint when he was referring to. All she knew was that she'd scoop ice cream into four bowls. A mix of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Maybe when they were older, they'd like coffee but for now, it wasn't on their menu. They'd sit inside and watch a movie or sit on the porch. He'd join them as soon as he would be home.
"I-," he whispered, "If anything were to happen to me-"
"Don't. Start," Meredith warned. She knew this speech, back and forth, "Please. Don't start."
"I'm serious, Meredith," he turned to her as he let his hand wander to her jaw, "If anything should happen, I know they'd be okay with you. I know you'd be fine-"
Meredith shifted uncomfortably, "You've said this before, you-"
And then he was shot. And then there was a car crash. And then it was life or death.
"I shouldn't have brought your dad up," Meredith whispered as she felt her eyes water, "If I'd known you'd start-"
"Meredith. I'll stop," he whispered.
"Thank you," she whispered back as she looked back into her hands. An awkward silence lingered amongst them. He'd tried to bring it up before. The what if he died like he was supposed to all those years ago.
It left her anxious and she shut him down every time. She wasn't interested in any 'the kids will be fine' or 'here's where those important things are' or 'I don't want you to be lonely' speeches. She couldn't even dare to imagine that being a reality. Ever.
And the truth was neither was he. He had made promises far down the road that he intended to keep.
The silence lingered and time passed. Neither would remember who leaned closer. All they recalled was that their lips slowly made their way towards each other. Slowly. Almost like they were new at this and didn't know where to start. Reigniting a flame that never seemed to dim.
And finally the flames burst when they collided and got lost within each other, fighting for dominance and yet promising each other everything over and over again. Derek's lips left hers as they chased the all too familiar trail of her neck, leaning over the console as she kissed any open area she could reach.
Everything they needed to say was whispered in fluttering passionate kisses. I love you. I need you. Don't leave me. I can't live without you. And even if I could, I don't ever want to.
It wasn't what he planned. Nothing close to it. He had planned a night in the hotel. A romantic, sexy, quiet kind of night.
The alternative was better, anyway. Because somehow, they ended up the same way they had all those years ago.
"We're too old for car sex," Meredith muttered as she felt his lips trail her exposed neck. She was sated and still landing on planet Earth.
She pushed away from him and reached for her clothes- which had been skewered in all sorts of places.
Her jeans and shirt on the floor. His shirt on the seats after she nearly tore it off and dropped it. His undershirt somewhere in the front seat. Her bra hanging on the headrest of the driver's seat.
Derek chuckled as he buttoned up his pants, "Are you complaining? Because it didn't sound like you were complaining when I-"
"I am not complaining. I've never complained after that," Meredith raised a brow as she awkwardly tried to redress in the small space.
She stared at him for a moment before he pulled her towards him again, "C'mere"
Meredith giggled as her lips reached his. Whatever awkward conversation there was had all disappeared within moments.
Their lovemaking had been a tangled mess of limbs and yet everything that needed to be said was said over and over again. The love, passion, all of it.
Her fingers tangled in his hair as his reached under her shirt.
"Are we going for round two?" His lips wandered down her neck as he muttered.
"Maybe we should try getting to that hotel first," she muttered as she grinded against him -unintentionally.
They both chuckled again into each other as their lips wandered once more. A buzzing sound interrupted them from getting any farther.
"Wait, wait, stop," she reached for the phone in her console and stared at the face that shined on the screen, "It's our kid."
She gently pushed her very tempting husband away.
"Crap," Derek whispered as he helped her off. He already knew. Deep within, he knew what was happening.
"Zola, are you-?"
"Mom?" Zola pleaded through the phone. Meredith's heart stopped as she heard her tear ridden voice, "Can you come pick me up?"
Meredith softly whispered, "Take a deep breath for me, I'm right here."
"Don't hang up okay?" her daughter begged, "I'm sorry."
They gathered themselves quickly before Derek opened the door, "Tell her we're on our way."
He got off the car and switched to the driver's seat. He turned the engine on quickly and pulled away.
"Zo, I'm right here," Meredith consoled her, "I got you, let's take some deep breaths. We're on our way."
The night shifted quickly. And their date ended.
"You two scared me when you rang the doorbell," Amelia whispered as she tiptoed into the kitchen, "How's she doing?"
"Better," Derek whispered back, "Mer had a feeling it might happen."
Amelia shook her head as she watched her brother pour boiling water into two mugs, "I don't get it, she was fine when she left- I mean she was excited."
"Anxiety creeps up on you when you don't expect it, you know that," Meredith whispered as she stepped into the kitchen, "Thanks for watching the kids. I'm sorry we woke you up."
"Are you kidding? This was your home too- it still is," Amelia waved her off, "Besides Bailey and Lucas were up pretty late in the study. Your kid crashed a while ago."
Meredith took a tea bag from the tin and poured honey into both mugs. She took a deep breathe, "I think it's time. I think we have to tell her."
"Tell her what?" Amelia asked. Both parents looked at each other.
"Yeah," Derek nodded, "I think she should know that we're doing everything we know we can do."
"Which is?" Amelia whispered again.
"You don't think it's going to trigger any more episodes?" Meredith asked oblivious to her sister in law, "I hate that word but I can't even-"
"I mean, we'd be turning her life upside down and the other Little Shepherds but she deserves to know and not just spring it up on her."
"Seriously, what's happening?" Amelia pleaded, "There's nothing else that's wrong with Zo, right?"
Meredith and Derek looked up at her.
"Meredith and I are looking at schools for Zo," Derek began.
"Schools that best tailor to her needs. Maggie was right, she needs more than what her current school can provide," Meredith added before she rubbed Derek's back. What was coming wasn't something he was ready to confide in his little sister yet.
"Okay," Amy glanced between the pair, feeling that there was more.
"There's one here in Seattle," Derek paused, "And the rest are outside of Seattle."
"Oh," Amy blinked, "Oohhh."
"Mom?" Zola's voice took their attention back.
"We should talk to Zo," Meredith took both mugs and made her way out of the kitchen. Leaving both siblings alone for a moment.
"Amy-" Derek muttered.
Amelia smiled as she held in tears, "Don't. We talked about this last year remember. When you were leaving to Minnesota. We talked about this."
Derek nodded.
"And I get it," Amy grinned forcefully and yet sincerely at the same time, "I do, I mean, I'd do anything for Scout. They're our kids."
Derek grinned sadly, "I should go with-"
"Yeah, me too," Amy turned to make her way back upstairs as Derek walked into the living room.
Derek made his way into the room with his wife and daughter.
"I'm sorry I made you guys pick me up," Zola fiddled with her fingers, "It's late and we woke up Auntie Amy and Scout-"
"Zola," Derek reached to embrace his eldest, "We will pick you up no matter the time or place."
"Always," Meredith added, "You want to tell us what happened?"
"Layla, and Hannah and" Zola sighed, "Everyone just…I don't know. It was okay. We got into our sleeping bags and I couldn't sleep."
"Were you feeling left out?" Derek asked.
"No," Zola fiddled with her robe again, "I laid there thinking about you."
She turned to him and then to her mother, "And you."
"What were you thinking?" Meredith asked.
"I thought about Dad's accident all those years ago," she mumbled, "And how you got sick a while back."
The parents shared a look.
"And then I thought about Alzheimer's and Aunt Maggie too," Zola added, "And I couldn't talk to anyone about it because I couldn't breathe. And no one else gets it."
"Zozo," Derek whispered as his daughter turned to look at him, "We're right here. We're not going anywhere."
"Why is this happening to me?" Zola asked, "When is it gonna get better?"
They were at a loss for a moment.
"You've seen a lot, Zo," Derek began, "You're a brilliant little girl with a gift that just needs a little more attention. And you've seen a lot."
"And Daddy and I are gonna do everything,," Meredith swallowed a lump as her daughter turned her brown eyes to her, "everything, we can to help you."
"Does this mean more therapy?" Zola sighed.
"Probably," Derek answered, "But there's more."
"We've been talking about looking into different schools," Meredith broke the ice, "Schools with the right teachers, programs, all of it."
Zola furrowed her brows. "In Seattle?"
"Maybe," Derek nodded, "There's a great one here that we think you'll like."
Zola glanced between the pair and silently asked for more.
"And there's some outside of Seattle," Meredith conceded, "I know how you feel about leaving but we want to help you. And we've put a lot of thought into this."
"But we won't pressure you," Derek added, "You will get a say no matter what. All that we ask is that you keep an open mind."
Zola thought about it for a moment. She nodded and squirmed lower into the couch.
"Come here give me a hug," Meredith whispered. Her daughter quickly fell into her embrace, holding her tightly.
Meredith and Derek glanced at each other. All those years of fighting over ex-wives, vets, and jobs were nothing.
This fight they were braving together to find what was best for their family was the toughest thing they'd face. The biggest difference between it all was that they had each other.
They would always have each other.
"C'mon Bailey!" Derek shouted as he watched his son kick the ball. He ran it across the field and tried to kick it as far as he could, "You got it, Bails!"
He lined up the ball before kicking it with gusto. It missed the goal net and the young boy shook his head in disapointed.
He was off his game, Derek could see it. He adjusted the baseball cap he wore and stuffed his hands in his leather jacket, "That's alright Bails."
Footsteps approached him and stood next to the worried father, "Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you were on call today?"
"I hit my hours," Lucas sighed, "Bailey invited me, I told him I'd come. How're they doing?"
"No goals on either side," Derek shook his head, "It's the second one he misses."
Lucas mimicked his uncles pose indirectly. Both men stood side by side with their hands stuffed in their jackets.
"Bailey had fun with you the other night," Derek turned to look at his nephew, "He kept going on and on about it."
Lucas laughed, "He reminds me of me when I was a kid. I kinda like having him around. I missed out on a brother."
"You had your cousins," Derek furrowed his brow, "I mean you got the short end of the stick with three sisters but you had the other four cousins-"
"Not the same," Lucas shook his head, "Being surrounded by girls is-"
"Loud," Derek chuckled as he recalled his own youthful days. Back when his sisters- his very girly sisters were kicking him out of their rooms, hogging the bathroom, and giving him headaches.
"We're still surrounded by them,"Lucas chuckled.
The laughed in tandem once more before focusing on the game again. Bailey ran across the field and looked for an open player. He passed it to a teammate and continued his trek.
"Your mom called me the other day," Derek muttered as he turned to his nephew, "I didn't pick up because I was in a surgery so I was sent a very angry text asking why you weren't answering your phone."
Lucas didn't move. He grimaced slightly before turning to his uncle, "And you said-"
"Nothing," Derek shook his head, "I said nothing. So do me a favor and call her or at least answer a damn text. So she won't annoy me."
"Isn't that what your wife said about you not calling back Nana?," Lucas chuckled as he checked his watch, "Oh I gotta go, I told Simone I'd meet her to study."
Derek watched as his face briefly brightened as he mentioned the young woman. Derek liked her. She was smart, caring, and quick on her feet. She had the most clinical experience and she was always on top of her cases.
Of course his nephew would set his eyes on someone like that.
"Study? Is that what you're calling your dates now?" Derek teased as he watched the young man slowly walk away,
Lucas turned around and stepped backwards, "It's not a date."
"Uh-huh," Derek remained unconvinced, "Hey uh are you flying home for Thanksgiving?"
"Is this your gentle way of telling me I should?"
"It's my gentle way of figuring out your plans," Derek raised his brow, "You should spend it here with us. It's better than flying back and forth on short notice."
Lucas stopped for a moment and studied his uncle, "Did Aunt Mer tell you to ask me? She's usually the one who-"
"I'm not sure if she even remembers it's November," Derek chuckled. Some things never changed with his wife, "I'd like it if you spent it with us, you're practically with us all the time."
Lucas nodded as he watched his uncle fumble. The last time they had spent a holiday together, his Uncle Derek was still married to Aunt Addie. Aunt Mer was no where near the picture.
"Look I get it, you probably want to go home and see-"
"No, no," Lucas shook his head shyly, "Uh, thanks. Yeah, I'll stick around."
"Good," Derek nodded once in approval, "You better go, don't keep her waiting. The girls hate that."
"And then what happened?" Meredith opened the closet door and pulled out a blouse and muttering to herself, "Ugh, it's like she did it on purpose."
"Her BP dropped," Derek sighed as he finished grooming his hair, "I had Kwan run neuro exams every hour and when I called earlier this morning, she was stable."
He turned to watch her redress herself, "What did she do again?"
"Spilled her cereal," Meredith fixed the collar of her sweater, "But it was more like she threw it. I don't know how the heck she did it but it spilled all over my blouse! I'm gonna be so late."
She had gotten up early and made a quick breakfast as he helped with the kids' lunches. It was a big day. A big day in which they took a step forward in helping their daughter. And yet it sounded like their youngest was off to some sort of start this morning.
"That doesn't sound like Ellis," he shook his head, "Bailey? Bailey is the food fighter."
"Well your little, baby girl was picking a food fight with me today," Meredith scoffed as she walked back into the bathroom to eye herself once more, "Are you gonna go back in again? On your patient?"
"I hope not. It'd be too much in such a short time, I don't know if she'll make it if I go back in," Derek walked out of the bathroom to put on his own shirt, "You sure she did it on purpose?"
The two conversations were a switch between the parents, the married couple, and the parents. A balance of three personas that were sometimes at odds and sometimes in perfect harmony.
"Yes! No. I'm not sure but something's off with that one today," Meredith stood by the door, "Is this case too much? I know you've been overwhelmed with-
"I'm fine, you don't need to worry, I'm fine," Derek sighed before turning to the door, "Hey Zo are you ready? You two are gonna be late."
"How's Adams doing?" Meredith asked, "I haven't heard any complaints from him this week."
"Still tumbling around," Derek sighed, "I invited him to stay for Thanksgiving by the way. Thought it'd be nice to have him stay."
"As long as I'm not the one stuck with trying to burn a turkey, it's okay with me," Meredith grinned, "Did you figure out what was going on between him and Griffith?"
"Not yet," Derek shook his head, "They hang out after work but other than that I know nothing."
"What good are you as my Director of the Residency Program if you don't know the gossip," Meredith teased, "It's bad uncle points too."
Derek laughed, "I'll keep that in mind as I yell at them today."
"Okay, I'm ready," Zola stepped into their bedroom begrudgingly, "Why can't we just switch my school? I don't want to see the schools in New York or Boston. This one should be fine."
"Well you'd be missing the point, princess," Derek smiled at his kid, "We want to make sure you like this school before we even look at anything else."
"Zola," Meredith chuckled, "Keep an open mind, you've got options. It's a privilege to have them."
She rolled her eyes and walked out of the room earning a scoff and sigh from her parents.
Meredith looked at her husband, "She's gonna hate us for this, you know that, right?"
"Well they're supposed to at one point, aren't they?" Derek joked and earned a slightly audible breathy chuckle, "Go. Drop her off. I'll pick her up later."
"Dad," Bailey asked from his seat in the car, "If Zo goes to a new school, does that mean that we won't be together at school anymore?"
"I thought you two avoided each other?" Derek glanced from the rearview mirror, "At least that's what you were saying last school year."
"She's not gonna have anyone to watch out for her," Bailey shook his head.
"You can watch out for me?" Ellis smiled at him. The both of them didn't always see eye to eye. Bailey loved to tease his younger sister, and Ellis loved to tease her older brother.
But the thought of them reaching some sort of bridge was heartwarming. The tingling sense of guilt crept up within the father of three.
"Okay look," Derek turned to the backseat as he pulled over at his first stop, "There's a lot going on with Zo, I know that. Your momma knows that. And we know that it's been tough on the both of you but worrying about Zo is our job."
Bailey and Ellis glanced at each other quickly.
"You two have been doing a good job at handling all of this," Derek continued, "And whatever happens, whatever we decide, I promise we'll keep you in the loop, okay?"
Bailey smiled and nodded. Ellis looked down at her fingers before looking up and gave him a very thin grin.
"You're gonna be late, bud," Derek nudged him gently, "I'll see you later. Love you!"
"Bye dad! Love you too!" Bailey opened the door and ran off the car. Derek watched as the young boy caught up with a few friends. He laughed and turned back. Bailey waved at his dad and walked again once more.
He hadn't had any anger outbursts since the first one. And Derek sincerely hoped it stayed that way. He hoped he didn't feel the burden of feeling the need to overprotect. Of feeling like his family was made of glass and anything could break it. So he had to defend it. Protect it. Keep it safe from everyone. Derek knew that feeling. He had it right after his own father had passed.
"Don't forget about me, Dad!" Ellis called out as she pulled him out of his trance, "I'm gonna be late if we wait here."
"Okay," Derek laughed as he shook his head, "Let's go, baby girl."
A/N: I'm a little behind on the holidays but it's due to my pacing. Sorry about that!
What'd ya think?