This one flashes forward 12 years—a big leap, I know! But unless we wanted a 100-chapter story, this is the way it's got to be!
The spring passed flawlessly, effortlessly into a perfect summer. Grace had never understood exactly why, but for as long as she could remember, she loved ferry boats. She had just turned 15 that day, and had to spend it alone. Her family had planned on taking alternate shifts, but there had been a 12-car pile up on the highway, and they'd all been called in. They were apologetic, but she understood. It was the second most important thing to them—she knew she was first. As she stepped onto the boat, her phone shook in her purse. She rushed to get it, knowing so many people would be calling her for hours. The ID proved it was her Dad, and she smiled to herself as she thought that he must somehow know she was about to board the boat.
"Hey, Daddy. If you're busy you can just call me back when you're coming home, I understand…"
"Don't be ridiculous, princess. I'm so sorry that this happened today, of all days. I know I can't control these things, but I still feel horrible about it. So, we've been talking over patients," he paused while she giggled at his confession, "and the six of us have decided to take you out to dinner, wherever you want and with whomever you want. If you want Ashley and Madison to come, that's fine… if you want Jake to come, he can…"
"I know you don't like him, Daddy. I wouldn't bring him to a family thing. We're just friends anyway…"
"The only reason I don't like him is because he's… you know what, we're not going to do this, sweetie. This is your birthday, and I understand that you care for him. I just don't really care for the way he treats you and the things he says to you. It's not the way someone should talk to my baby is all. If you want, I'll give you some cash and the two of you can go to the movies after our dinner. Just think about where you want us all to go for dinner, it's all up to you. Aunt Mer and Aunt Izzie said they'll be getting out early, since they both were on-call last night, and they want to take you shopping and spoil you rotten, yet again. So keep your phone on, and don't stray too far from the house—that means you get off that ferry right now, Grace Addison—you know I don't like you going on those things alone. It's not safe for a beautiful young girl…"
She laughed, shaking her head; "Alright, Daddy, I'm getting off now. I'll just go sit in the trailer for a bit, and then take a nap or something. I love you, and don't work too hard!"
"I love you too, Gracie. Be safe, and hurry home, it's supposed to get really hot in a little bit, and you know how easily you burn. I bet you forgot sunblock again, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did, I always do. Alright, I'm going to run home then. Be careful!"
"You too honey. Have fun with your aunts!"
She hung up and secured her phone inside her purse, slinging it over her shoulder. She tightened her sneakers' laces and began her jog home.
She unlocked her door, thankful she'd turned on the air before she'd left. She ran to take a shower, but was stopped by the persistent ring of the home phone. She dashed for the phone, but heard the answering machine start first. "You've reached the residence of Derek Shepherd" there was a pause, only a second, before a softer voice came back, "and Grace Montgomery-Shepherd, and we're not home. So leave us a message and we'll get back to you."
"Grace, it's Uncle George, if you're there sweetheart pick up the phone!"
She picked up the receiver, "Hey Uncle George! I'm here, what's up?"
"Sweetie, I need you to sit down and listen closely, okay?" His voice shook, and she knew something was terribly wrong. She took a seat on her dad's chair and took a deep breath.
"Okay, Uncle George, what is it?"
"It's Richard, he's had a heart attack." His voice broke, and Grace could hear him crying quietly. Richard had long ago left the Chief of Surgery position, relinquishing the title to her Uncle Preston. He made frequent visits to the house, and called when he couldn't stop by. He was an important part of the family, the surrogate grandfather, someone everyone counted on for something. He was steady, strong… he was the constant in their lives.
"Is he… is he dead, Uncle George?" She felt her voice escape as her tears began to streak her face.
"I don't know yet. They were closer to Mercy, so that's where he is. They said they'd keep us updated." He paused, and he breathed deeply as if he'd just realized something. "Oh, God, Gracie it's your birthday… listen, Mer just walked into the room, I'm going to let her talk to you. I love you, honey, and I'm so sorry…"
"Oh Grace!" Meredith was sobbing into the phone, and she knew it was bad. He was dead, she was certain—why else would her strong aunt be so heartbroken? "Angel, I'm on my way. I told Uncle Preston that I was leaving right now, Izzie's coming too. We're going straight there…"
"Is he dead? Is that why you're so upset? Please, tell me now. I can't wait!" Grace cried, her heart breaking within her.
"Not that I know of…"
"Then why are you so upset?"
"Because it's your birthday. And everything is going wrong! First, the accident, which tied us all up here; now Richard… I just feel so terrible. This shouldn't have happened, not today…"
"I'm used to bad things happening on my birthday. The day I was born, my mom dies. My fifth birthday I got the chicken pox. My seventh birthday I broke my wrist and ankle when I fell out of that tree… I should've known this would happen. I should've seen it."
"This has nothing to do with you. You are not cursed. You are the best thing in all of our lives, the only thing that gave your father a reason to keep going after Addison died, the only thing that got us through so many disasters. Listen, Izzie just went and pulled the car around, so I'm going outside, and we'll be over in just a little bit. Find something to distract yourself with, and try not to think about these bad things."
"I'll try. I love you, Aunt Mer."
"I love you too sweetie."
Grace hung up the phone, and felt something in her snap. She was bad luck. She was a curse. She was the reason all the bad things happened to everyone she loved. And she was going to set things right…
