AN: Thank you all again for reading, reviewing and following. I will never be able to thank you enough.
It's going to be an interesting little journey for the Grey Sisters. :)
Cristina used her phone to give off enough light to make her way up into the attic. It had been several hours since Meredith had stormed out of the kitchen and nobody had heard anything from either Grey sister since.
Cristina was the one tasked with going to go check on them. Deciding she'd be the best fit for both girls, though Cristina wasn't sure that was the case right now. The best person for Lexie right now was Meredith and Meredith was already with her.
The attic was pitch black and not a single sound could be heard. It was almost eerie. She slowly crept towards the bed and shined her phone over the first figure she could make out. Lexie. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was slow and steady showing Cristina she was actually in a good sleep.
Carefully going around the bed she repeated the same action this time being met with bright blue eyes.
"She asleep?" Meredith asked quietly as she brought her hand up to shield her eyes from the light of Cristina's phone.
"She is" Cristina confirmed "Scoot over."
Meredith sat up carefully and slid closer to her sister.
Lexie let out a slight whimper but quickly stopped when Meredith turned carefully and skillfully plucked out two bobby pins that were holding a twisted tight side braid. Tossing the bobby pins to the ground she carefully freed Lexie's hair before running her fingers through her now freed dark silky hair for a moment.
"And this why people around the world never know where their bobby pins went." Cristina tsked
"Hand me your phone." She whispered to Cristina ignoring the comment.
Cristina handed the phone over to Meredith who propped herself up on her elbow and leaned over her sister just as Christina had done a few minutes before.
Satisfied Lexie's eyes were still closed and her breathing was still even she handed the phone back to Yang before rolling back over to face Christina as climbed in and lay facing Meredith.
"It suits you" Cristina whispered.
"What, Being an orphan?"
Even in the dark Cristina could tell Meredith was raising her eyebrow.
"Being her sister." Cristina shook her head "Being her sister suits you."
Meredith exhaled as she adjusted the comforter to now cover Cristina as well "I don't know, it sure hasn't felt like that to me the last week or so."
"You don't give yourself enough credit, Mer" Cristina responded quietly "I've watched you with her all day, all this week honestly…You're good with her…Even with your own heart breaking."
"I am fine." Meredith tried.
"Liar."
Meredith took a deep breath "Seeing Eric holding Laura today, realizing that little girl is going to grow up without her mom... watching Lexie watch them as if she really grasped that thought too...That broke my heart."
"It is a sad thought" Cristina agreed quietly.
Meredith nodded in the dark "It's a sad thought." She repeated. "Everyone still here?"
"You missed Baily, Webber and Altman, they showed up a few hours ago, after you went upstairs. They were sorry they couldn't be here earlier, but you know….Hospital life."
"Understandable, plus none of them really knew Molly or my father...well Richard but that's all complicated."
"It's not about knowing your family." Cristina reminded her. "It's about showing up for you and Lexie." The dark hair woman reminded her friend. "Everyone else is still here, in the back yard drinking with Derek."
"I should go down there." Meredith sighed but couldn't sit up.
"Nobody is expecting you to come back down, we all understand that you're where you need and want to be."
Meredith closed her eyes "I am exhausted" She admitted "Mentally physically exhausted...I don't have a clue on what I am doing."
"Do we ever?" Cristina asked, reaching for Meredith's hand and clasping it in her own. "You're not alone, and neither is she...and that's what really matters.
Meredith closed her eyes. "Her family tree just got a lot smaller…"
"Meredith" Cristina tsked her tongue against her teeth. "You of all people know, there is more to life than the family you were born into. Even if Lexie's family tree just consists of you now…"
"Me" Meredith agreed. "Laura and our aunt Tami."
"Derek…" Cristina reminded her "and whatever offspring you two have….but back to Tami...Was she the lady dressed in head to toe hot pink animal print that smelled like Vodka and smoke? The one I saw 3 actually rescued you from?"
Meredith nodded "That's her...wasn't she fun?"
"Something like that...did you know her?"
Meredith nodded "Mmm hmm" She hummed as Lexie stirred next to them, her breath hitched for a moment worrying her sister was going to wake up and start crying again. However when her breathing remained still she knew she'd just been restless for a moment.
"I forgot that I knew her." Meredith whispered into the dark. "Until I saw her today...and she came up to talk to me, kissing me with her wet smoky lips. I remembered knowing her as a little girl" She shuddered almost wanting to vomit. Something was not right with that woman, and if Meredith and Lexie never saw her again she'd be okay with that.
Meredith stood in the doorway watching as Lexie sat on the ground with their niece holding her on her lap reading some children's book to the little blonde who was just too little to quite grasp the seriousness of the day.
Eric stood nearby talking to some of Molly's friends from High school, Untouched cookie in his hand as his eyes occasionally going back to Lexie and Laura. Giving them both a sad smile when either would catch his eye.
She wasn't honestly sure how much Eric would allow Lexie to be in Laura's life after this day. If he was smart he'd stay in contact. After all Lexie was the one person that had known Molly from the day she was born. Her photographic memory would keep Molly alive. She'd be crucial in filling in the gaps that Laura would need. Not to mention nobody loved the way that Lexie Grey loved. Laura would be the one that would suffer if kept away from her aunt.
Meredith did know Eric was in the Military and traveled. She also knew his family was heavily involved... She just hoped he wouldn't break her sister's heart, by cutting off contact.
"Oh my Lord! Be still my heart...If it isn't my little Merry Berry…" A loud shrill voice from behind Meredith causing her to jump and spin around.
Suddenly she had a flash of being four years old. Standing in a room of bright godly colors. Plastic on the furniture that squeaked when sat upon. The smell of smoke so strong it caused her eyes to burn and make her stomach churn, and a feeling of dread.
"Do you remember me, my little Merry Berry. I am your daddy's older sister." An older woman dressed from head to toe in neon hot pink animal print. Her now white hair pinned up in pigtail buns with some sort of blinged out clip. Her face painted with so much makeup, Meredith had to wonder what her actual skin looked like and familiar blue eyes locking with hers...Her father's blue eyes... She'd seen this woman as a child.. Though she had been blonde back then.
Before Meredith could say anything the woman grabbed her face in her hands and leaned in and kissed her three times on the cheeks. "Oh my sweet Merry and Berry give your auntie Tami some sugar."
It took Meredith everything she had inside of her not to gag. "Hello, aunt Tami." She managed to get out once her face was free. "I am starting to remember you, actually" Though she kind of wished the memories weren't springing back.
"You were five years old." The last time I saw your angelic little face. Those big blue eyes. "Just like your daddy and Auntie Tami. Still have them… You're gorgeous girlfriend." Her voice kept going in and out of a New York Accent. "Oh my god you were a doll. I am so happy to see you." She pulled Meredith in for another hug smashing her against her enlarged breasts. It was official Meredith wanted to be the one that was dead now.
"Such a shame baby girl, that your mean ole mom wouldn't let your daddy see you. We all missed you at Thanksgiving time…. Do you still love rolls? My god as a child you could down ten rolls in a meal…"
"Uh" Meredith shrugged "I guess, I mean bread is good."
"You poor baby lost years, because of your mother…Broke your daddy's heart child."
Meredith shook her head "I don't know what he told you, but my father didn't fight to see me."
"Of course he did!" Tami waved her hand in Meredith's face trying to silence her.
Meredith exhaled "Maybe they wanted you to think that, so you wouldn't be sad." She tried "But my...Susan… My stepmother actually apologized to me before she died...telling me that she wished they had actually done things different.. That I was a child...Nobody fought to see me."
"Oh girl, Susan was a little bit flakey" She shook her head "You can't take what Susie said to heart. She was just trying to make you feel better about your mother's actions. It's what she did."
Meredith seriously doubted that, and now she wanted to punch this woman for talking ill of her stepmother at her father's funeral. Her father had loved that woman with his whole heart. She had personally witnessed how it broke him when she died.
"And my poor Molly Dolly, I am so sad that your horrid mother kept you from your sisters. You didn't know our sweet Molly Dolly at all. Such a shame."
The more this woman talked the more tense Meredith became. "Don't worry Merry Berry, I got lots of pictures...I've got pictures from the day you were born and the first five years of your life...Plus pictures of your sisters. You can see them all."
Meredith smiled tightly "Great…"
"Hi Auntie Tami." A smile quiet voice from behind Meredith spoke interrupting the conversation as she felt her sister slip her arm inside of hers, hooking them together and anchoring them.
Tami's face softened but her eyes didn't match her expression. "My Lexie Lu Who, Oh baby girl. Come see me." She tried to reach for her but was only stopped by Meredith's outstretched arm.
A flash of anger went through the older woman's eyes as she narrowed her eyes at Meredith.
"She just got out of the hospital, broken ribs and sternum...Can't have hugs."
The older woman gave a fake smile "Oh of course" She tried to lean in to kiss Lexie only to have Meredith keep her arm extended "And she had a life threatening infection. We are really limiting her exposure to germs. No kisses today, she's already around too many germs just being in this room."
"Sorry Auntie Tami." Lexie apologized offering her a small and very sweet Lexie Grey smile.
"No worries, Lexie Lue Who." She reached out and ran her hand over her forehead. This time Meredith didn't stop her from that, but she did feel Lexie's body grow rigid against hers.
"My little apple dumpling...You okay?"
Lexie forced a smile "Hanging in there, I would love to catch up...Right now I need my sister's help with changing a bandage…"
Tami nodded "Of course Apple Dumpling, I am sorry you're hurting. Auntie Tami is here all week. I'll see you at the reading…"
Lexie swallowed hard and forced another smile. "Of course."
"Oh look, your dad's friend from school. Yoohoo. Edgar." She called seeing an older man sitting in the corner of the room eating a cookie. "I'll see you baby girls tomorrow…Oh Merry Berry, I am so excited to see you again. She tapped her nose. "Precious child." She added before quickly heading in the direction that Edgar was trying with all his might to get out of the chair he was in. Most likely wanting to run.
Meredith stood dumbfounded for a moment after the woman left leaving a trail of assaulting smoke lingering. Thank God her little sister had stepped in and saved her.
"You okay?" Lexie asked "I came as soon as I saw you cornered."
"Was that real?" Meredith asked, getting the first real Lexie smile she'd seen in days as the young girl nodded "Welcome to the hell known as Auntie Tami, Mer."
"Eww." Was all Meredith could say.
"Quick, she's watching." Lexie observed "Get us out of here, and make a show of it."
Meredith nodded as she placed her hand on Lexie's back. "Lexie, you need to get off your feet. Your doctor said you couldn't be up this long." She caught Callie's eye across the room who happened to be watching the entire exchange with a horrified look on her face.
"Lexie Grey, I believe I told you, you needed to be off your feet by now. Come on." She quickly crossed the room and placed her hands on both of their backs before pushing the Grey sisters to the stairs allowing them the freedom they needed to escape. "Run" She hissed into their ears.
"Thank you." Meredith's voice with complete gratitude. "I'll be back down in a little…once she's upstairs."
Callie nodded, "Take it easy." She called to them as she watched Lexie slowly and painfully head up the stairs.
Lexie rolled onto her back and wiped the sleep from her eyes. She realized something was tickling her arm and she slowly sat up to see Meredith's long blonde hair on her arm. She was confused for a moment at why Meredith was in the middle of the bed practically pressed against her.
She sat up straighter and spotted the second form on her bed, and realized Cristina had joined them at some point. So she'd been a part of the twisted sisters' sleepover. She wasn't sure if she should feel special or annoyed. At least Derek would be happy it wasn't him this time.
She carefully adjusted the comforter around Meredith and Cristina as she slipped out of the bed. When her sister didn't even stir at the movement of the bed she knew she was in a deep much needed sleep.
Her feet hit the cold wooden attic floor causing her to shiver. She realized that she was still in her black sleeveless dress from the day before. She quickly pulled it off and discarded it in the same waste basket that now held her and Meredith's shoes. She knew it was wasteful, and she should probably just put it away or give it away but throwing it in the trashcan felt satisfying.
Lexie stood in front of her mirror in her underwear looking at her body. The bruising was continuing to fade. Less blacks and blue coloring more greens, yellows and browns. All disgusting. The area around her stitches that she had successfully popped open three times during her hospital stay after finding out about the death of her father, her sister and who was responsible for killing them. Was red, swollen and warm to the touch. They were probably infected again. Though she was supposed to be taking an antibiotic for it. She just didn't have the energy to care.
She kept her back to the bed as she dressed in case Meredith or Cristina were to wake up. She didn't need anyone in her business about her body or health right now.
Freshly dressed in a fresh pair of sweats with a hoodie. She shoved her socked feet into her favorite Nike's made a quick stop in the restroom before descending down the stairs.
If she remembered correctly it was a Monday morning. Time was all jumbled in her head these days...But if it was a Monday the house should be fairly quiet. So walking into the kitchen to find. Derek, Alex, Jackson, April, Mark, Arizona and Callie were not what she was expecting. Granted, several of them lived there. She inwardly groaned before heading to the coffee pot keeping her eyes down.
"Good morning, Lexie." April greeted her cheerfully as she always did. Normally she actually liked Kepner's sunshiny morning greetings. Today she kind of wanted to punch her in the face.
"What are you all doing here?" She grunted "Don't you have jobs? Lives?"
"I live here…" Alex reminded her. "I am allowed to be here." He added shoving a bite of some kind of egg breakfast casserole into his mouth.
"Some of us drank too much last night to drive home." Mark shrugged, sipping his coffee as he kept his eyes on her closely.
"Right." Lexie nodded, pouring some coffee into a to go tumbler she popped the lid on it. "That's going to make a hell of a long day for you, isn't it?"
"Nothing a little Ibuprofen, greasy food and some water can't fix." Mark shrugged.
"Where is Meredith?" Derek asked changing the subject hoping to settle his sister in law.
"Sleeping, with the twisted sister in my bed." Lexie responded with a shrug "Nobody is to wake her, I think she had a long night...and it's not like she's allowed to go in today anyway." She rolled her eyes "Which is complete bullshit if you ask me. The Chief telling her she needs to take a few days to grieve…"
"She is sad, Lexie." Derek tried "It's probably good for her to have a few days off."
"That's crap and you know it, Derek." Lexie snapped, "She is sad, you're right." She agreed. "Death is sad…"
"Lexie…" Mark warned as he stood.
Lexie whirled around and glared at him. "Don't you dare Lexie me." She pointed her finger at him. "And don't treat me like I don't know my sister." She added. "I know Meredith is sad. Death is sad...Like when you find out your third grade teacher died...It's sad...but for Meredith it's not the same life stopping being sad. My father was horrible to her. He abandoned her." She reminded them. "He didn't fight for her. Not once. Did he stand up and say Meredith is my daughter and I am going to see her. I am going to be a part of her life…and yes" She added "After I talked her into going under the knife and taking a chunk out of her liver for him, he started trying a little...That doesn't excuse what he did to her." She snapped "And as for Molly, she didn't even know her. I could not convince either one of them to try and get to know each other...It was like talking to brick walls on both ends."
She scoffed, "Do you know Molly even told me I was a complete idiot for trying to get to know Meredith when I was a person she never wanted to have to know?" She shook her head her stomach tightening with the anger she was feeling. "So yes Meredith is sad, because death is sad...but she's not grieving them the same...If anything she's sad because I am sad and she knows she can't fix it.!"
After taking a deep breath trying to calm herself she realized she couldn't. "If you ask me, Meredith is being punished for being my sister right now. She loves the hospital. It's her home. It's the place she feels alive… She's not going to make some drastic mistake because she's grieving. Telling she has to take a few days off is punishing her! Everyone in this room knows that." She accused.
When nobody said anything Lexie grabbed her to go coffee tumbler and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" April asked, biting on her lip.
"On a run!" Lexie threw her head back in frustration. "Why does it matter to you?"
"Lexie, hon." Callie cleared her throat as she stepped in front of the back door blocking it. "I have not cleared you to run yet...You my friend are healing from broken ribs and a sternum. A run will injure you further right now…which keeps you from returning to work even longer..." She stated calmly but firmly.
Lexie's whole body tensed as she glared up at Callie daring her to do something about it.
Callie crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned on the door and narrowed her eyes at the younger Grey. Two could play at that game and Callie could do it all day long.
The two had a silent stare down for a moment longer before Lexie's resolve broke slightly as she backed away from the door in defeat.
"Lex, why don't you come and eat something?" Jackson offered.
"It's all good." Alex nodded in agreement as he patted the stool next to him.
Lexie found herself groaning as she moved to the counter and slumped down on a barstool eyeing Alex's bowl. "Give me that." She pointed to his bowl "And I'll eat."
"You can't have that." April shook her head "That has eggs in it."
"Exactly." She muttered with an eyeroll.
"No" Alex shook his head "You're not going to off yourself with my breakfast." He stood with his bowl and left the room to go get ready for work.
Arizona pushed a plate of freshly buttered toast sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar in front of the seething Grey.
Everyone was almost waiting for her to explode on Arizona, but instead she pulled the plate closer to her. Taking them all by surprise. A few even let out some sighs of relief. "Thank you." She spoke quietly, her cheeks flushed and her eyes filled with tears.
"Come on." Arizona offered as she rubbed Lexie's back. "Why don't you and I go sit out on the porch swing for a bit, get some fresh air, yeah?"
Lexie nodded in agreement as Arizona picked up both the plate of cinnamon toast and the little basket that contained all of Lexie's medications before ushering the girl out the back door.
"If I ever doubted she was a Grey, I am not now." Jackson whistled.
April used her hand to lightly smack the back of Jackson's arm. "Shut Up!"
"That was pretty dark and twisted." He defended.
"I think she's just hit the anger part of her grief." Derek offered. "I hope...Because that would actually be healthy...and can we just keep Arizona around?" He asked Callie with a smile. "Because whatever she just did was magic."
"Yeah well.' Callie grinned "That's why she's great with the tiny humans. She's magical and comforting."
"Meredith is in for a long day, We are all leaving in half an hour." April observed sadly "Aren't they going to read their father's will today?"
Derek nodded "At three today, I am getting off early to take them. Figured it would be good for Meredith to have someone. That way she can put her focus on Lexie."
"Good choice." Mark sipped his coffee as his eyes locked on the back door, his eyebrows knitted in clear worry. "I wish I could go too."
Derek offered him an understanding look. "I hear that, but I honestly think right now the less people the better. She seems overwhelmed."
Mark nodded in understanding. "He knew this was true, but it didn't mean he didn't want to help. But for now he'd have to trust that Meredith was the one that was needed.