Title: Retracing Steps
Author: MissMouseMD
Rating: K+
Disclaimer: Don't own it.
A/N: Here's chapter two! This one is a lot longer, and it contains a lot of shockers, hence the title. Anyway, I'll try to update fast, faster if you guys review!
Shock
Meredith
She's packing her suitcase.
She should be crying.
Heartbroken.
But the thing is; she never really knew her father.
Maybe it just hasn't sunk in yet.
She walks into the bedroom.
Stands in the doorway.
Doesn't want to wake anyone up.
She stands by the bed.
And looks down at her beautiful baby girl.
Who'll never know her grandfather.
And all of a sudden, the tears are threatening to come.
She bites her lip.
Squeezes her eyes shut tight.
She can't cry.
It'll make it too real.
The feeling passes and she walks back out of the room.
And packs a second, smaller suitcase.
…
The plane ride goes smoothly.
She never really liked planes.
There's no one to tell her it'll be okay.
But she's too busy telling it to her daughter.
Adrienne's quiet for a two-year-old.
Solemn.
Big, blue eyes.
Just like her mother's.
Adrienne sits on her lap the whole trip.
Doesn't cry once.
Everyone, even the flight attendant, comments on what a sweet girl she is.
Meredith smiles, proud.
She's sacrificed a lot for this.
She no longer has any social life.
She rarely gets down time.
But she wants the best for her daughter.
And most of all, she wants Adrienne's childhood to be happier than hers was.
…
The plane's landing.
She holds her daughter to her.
The truth is; she's more frightened than her daughter.
She's claiming her baggage when it hits her.
She doesn't have a place to stay.
There's no way she's staying with her father's family.
She really doesn't want to go to a hotel.
She opens a phone book.
Stevens, Isobel
She carefully dials the number shown on the page.
The phone rings for a while.
Izzie's probably at work.
But then,
"Hello?"
"Izzie?"
"Who is this?"
"Um, this is Meredith. Meredith Grey."
"Oh my God, Meredith? What are you doing here?"
"My father died. I'm here for his funeral. And I figured I might as well visit you guys while I'm here."
"Well, you have to come over!"
"Are you sure? I don't want to intrude."
"Of course! Where are you?"
"The airport. I'll call a taxi. So…I'll see you?"
"See you."
She hangs up the phone.
Izzie still lives in her mother's house.
Last time she checked, George was there, too.
They don't pay rent, in exchange for keeping it livable.
She dials the taxi number.
Goes outside to wait.
The taxi drive is agonizing.
She hasn't told Izzie about Adrienne yet.
She's still nervous about her reaction.
She tips the taxi driver.
Probably more than is necessary.
But she's not really concentrating.
She rings the doorbell.
Izzie flings open the door.
And sees Meredith Grey, holding a two-year-old.
Her jaw drops in shock.
"Meredith…is she yours?"
She rolls her eyes.
"No, I just picked her up at the supermarket. Of course she's mine. Izzie, this is Adrienne. My daughter."
The little girl just stares at Izzie.
And Izzie stares back.
Until her face breaks into a smile.
"She's beautiful."
And then,
"Oh, what am I doing? Come in!"
Meredith smiles, and walks into the house that was hers once.
"Okay, we kept your old room for you, but we didn't know you were bringing a toddler with you, so I don't know how that's going to work. Oh, and George is at the grocery store. He'll be back soon."
"I think my old crib from when I was little is still here. I know I never threw anything out."
Izzie smiles.
"That's perfect."
The door opens.
George walks in.
Holding the groceries.
He takes one look at Meredith Grey.
Holding her daughter.
And drops the bag in shock.
A/N: Some of you guys guessed right! So, what do you think? Let me know in a REVIEW, please!