Thought I owed you guys a proper ending. I really enjoyed writing this, but I loved sharing this with you. I write on tumblr and ao3 as izziejomarbles if you want to see more of me, but for now, thank you for reading x
Zola made her way up to Lexie's gravestone, clutching the flowers in her hand. She would have come with her mother, but she didn't really remember much these days. Sometimes she would tell a story about Derek or her life at the hospital but she was never really lucid enough to go anywhere other than her nursing home or her old house.
But Zola didn't mind looking after her mom. Meredith had taken care of her for so many years, so it was only fair that she did the same. The hardest days, however, were bad. The days that she didn't remember what had happened to Derek were difficult. She had to remind her again and again until she eventually just told her that he'd be back soon.
But her best days were when she told stories. She loved retelling stories of Derek, Lexie and everyone she could remember. She used to say they were her best years. She never really says much of anything anymore.
But Zola grew up hearing the best stories about her Dad and Aunt. And she became a neurosurgeon, fulfilling the dream Lexie never got to finish. Ellis and Bailey never wanted to become doctors, but they loved hearing the stories just as much as she did.
Zola tried to visit her Aunt and Dad's graves as much as she could, but she didn't have much free time as a resident in her 5th year. They always say 5th year is the hardest. And they were right. She sometimes even came with Sofia so that she could talk to her Dad too.
Zola knelt on the grassy ground in front of the stone, wiping away the fallen leaves around it. She set down the flowers and brushed her fingers across the top.
'Hi, Auntie Lexie. I hope you've been okay. I know, I know I haven't been in a while. But 5th year is kicking my ass. I know you and Dad are having the time of your lives wherever you are. And Uncle Mark too. I really hope you are. Ellis and Bailey are doing good, as you probably already know. Ellis just had a baby?! It's crazy, I remember playing in her dollhouse and now she's a mom. And Scout is a teenager? I know you probably don't know Scout too well, but he's the biggest teddy bear I've ever met. From what I've heard, you two would definitely get along.'
Zola leant forward, placing her forehead against the cold stone. After taking a deep breathe she said-
'I think Mom is going to join you soon. She says less and less these days. I can only hope that whatever is going on in her head is good. I know you guys will take care of her, I've tried to do the best that I could. She'll be safe with you. I know she will. She'll hopefully be happier too. She misses you all a lot. She doesn't say it much anymore, but I know she does.'
Zola stands up, wiping her hands on her jeans before taking one last look at the gravestone with tears swimming in her eyes and whispering-
'I love you. Please take care of Mom for me. I'll see you soon.'
Then she left.
Meredith died a week later.
And Zola cried.
But she knew her Mom would be okay wherever she was.
Because she had a village looking after her.
This was my first ever fanfic that I wrote, and it's sad to say goodbye but I'm glad it's finished. I started it in 2020 and what a journey it's been since then. Anyways, I love you all and I hope you are doing okay x
