AN: Surprise... two updates in a week?! That doesn't happen.. Since October is my birth month. It's my later birthday gift to all of you!

Again Thank you for all the love and reviews! It means the world to me. You are all the best.

and I do apologize for any errors.

Lexie pulled her keys out of her purse and unlocked the door to her father's house. The house she grew up in. She pushed the door and stood frozen on the front steps. "He's not going to be in there…"

Meredith shook her head from the step below her sister as she slipped her arm into Derek's as he joined Meredith on the step. "No." She agreed quietly, "He won't be in there."

"When my mom died and I came home, the house...It still smelled like her." She looked at Meredith. "Everything was left untouched…Her makeup products all over the bathroom counter. The cookie she'd made for you on the counter."

"For me?" Meredith asked

"She was baking you and your friends some cookies...She was going to come visit you. It was important to her, to make things better for you. She wanted you to have the family you missed out on...With your mom gone, she wanted you to have." She couldn't find the right words. "She knew you didn't need us, but she wanted you to have us."

"I do have you." Meredith reminded Lexie "Maybe not how she thought it would look, but I do have you, I think…" She paused looking at Derek for a moment.

His eyes telling her to trust her gut. She took a deep breath. "I think it makes her happy…or at least I'd really like to think so." She wasn't sure she should be commenting on what she thought might make her stepmother happy, but she wanted Lexie to have something to hold on to. Some kind of hope, before stepping into the house that would hold many ghosts for her.

Lexie paused as a flashback came to mind when she had told Meredith she dug up their mother's cat and buried her with her. How she thought that made her happy. "Do you think she's mad at me?" her voice quiet and hesitant.

Meredith was caught off guard by that question, "Uh..no?." She took a deep breath. "I want to talk about this, but I am cold. Can we go in together?" She asked stepping up to the step Lexie was placing her hand on the door.

"Lexie, Meredith." Both girls turned around to see Eric rushing up the driveway. Laura on his hip and two small items and what looked like envelopes. "Glad I caught you." He inhaled trying to catch his breath. He nodded in Derek's direction before turning to the girls. "The hospital gave me Molly's possessions, and these were in her purse. I am glad I was able to get them to you."

"Are you not staying for the reading?" Meredith asked to take the small packages and cards. When she realized Lexie wasn't going to make any moves to grab them.

"No, we have a flight back home." He glanced at his watch "In a little over two hours."

Lexie finally looked up from her shoes to Laura her arms out stretched. "May I?" She asked chewing on her bottom lip.

Eric nodded and passed the toddler over to Lexie.

Meredith watched as Lexie winced, taking the little girl into arms. She wanted to remind her she was healing, and probably shouldn't be lifting children but she couldn't get the words out. She just made a mental note to check her stitches later. After they'd been popped open over three times she knew they weren't healing as fast as they should.

"It was really nice properly meeting you." Eric offered Derek politely as he stuck out his hand.

"You too" Derek took his hand "I wish it was under better circumstances. I am terribly sorry for your loss."

"Whatever was left to Molly, will go to Laura." Meredith said calmly, "Lexie and I will make sure that's handled efficiently."

Eric watched Lexie holding his daughter speaking softly into her ear. "Depending on what Thatcher left, if you two want to divide it between yourselves first, Laura will be okay, Molly had really good life insurance. Laura's financial future will be okay."

Meredith watched Lexie wince and her lip tremble slightly.

"We want Laura to have what was her mother's." She responded for both of them. A piece of heritage. I'll make sure she's taken care of." Meredith promised. "Maybe, we can stay in touch though?" She asked hopefully.

"Of course." Eric assured her as he reached out and rubbed Laura's back. "Aunt Lexie will have to tell Laura what her mommy was like as a little girl, when she has questions."

"I love you Laura." Lexie kissed the little girl's forehead "So much...I am so sorry baby. I am so sorry." Her voice cracked as she quickly handed Meredith the toddler before running inside.

"I am going to go check on her." Derek excused himself as he followed Lexie into the house.

Meredith stood awkwardly for a moment with the squirming blonde hair blue eyed toddler in her arms. Before placing the packages and envelopes on the railing and adjusted her hold on the little girl. Settling her on her hip. Rubbing her hand up and down her back.

Eric had been about to reach for the little girl, but stilled as Meredith shifted her hold. "You know the last time I saw you, you were a tiny tiny baby girl." She spoke to the little girl. "You were so small. I think my hand was bigger."

She held up hand and Laura studied it before grabbing it and holding onto it with a smile. "Small" The little girl repeated.

"Yes." Meredith agreed with a smile "and now look at you, such a big brave girl, beautiful little girl."

Laura studied Meredith's face intently before she used a chubby little finger to point closely at Meredith's eyes. "Blue eyes. Mommy blue eyes. Me blue eyes."

Meredith grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers "We all have blue eyes, you're right." She agreed before pulling her into a hug. "You be a good girl for your daddy, and you two take care of each other." She whispered "You need each other."

"Okay" Laura agreed, resting her chin on Meredith's shoulder.

"She likes you." Eric observed. "She's normally pretty shy."

"I like her too." Meredith whispered as she hugged her again before passing her back to Eric.

"You'll take care of Lexie?" He asked "I am sorry, I can't.. I am barley…" He tried to find the right words.

"I know." Meredith agreed. "Don't apologize. I've got her. You take care of my beautiful niece and yourself."

"I am trying." He admitted "I only get out of bed these days for her."

Meredith rubbed his arm. "I wish things were different." She took a deep breath and picked up the boxes and the cards figuring they were for Lexie.

"We need to get to the airport." Eric turned and started to head down the driveway.

"Don't be a stranger," Meredith called after him. "Laura and Lexie...They need to be a part of each other's lives."

"Take care Meredith." Eric waved. "Say bye bye to Aunt Meredith."

"Bye bye, auntie Mer." The toddler blew her a kiss before her father placed her in the backseat of the cab.

"Let us know you got home safe." Meredith called before turning around and heading into the house.

She set the boxes and envelopes on the entryway table, when she really noticed that one small box was purple, one teal. One envelope purple, one teal...Lexie's name beautifully handwritten on both purple sets and her own on the teal. "What? and she knew the colors?" She questioned herself picking up the envelope with her name on it. Sliding her finger under the flap she flipped it open and pulled out a beautiful floral stationary.

Dear Meredith,

Well this awkward, I am not really sure what to say here. What do you say to a sibling you don't really know?

I am going to admit that when I found out Lexie was in the hospital, she went to you over me. I was mad and a little hurt. However, when I started to think about it, I realized I only have myself to blame.

I am sure by now you have discovered how tender hearted and one of a kind Lexie is. How big her heart is. She's a lot like our mom. My dad...our dad... and me. We didn't really have emotions. Not like they did. It always seemed like they had their own club and I wasn't invited.

When we were kids I made Lexie's life a living hell. I am sure has never told you that. It's not really her thing.

I used to be really jealous of Lexie. She was so smart and pretty, everyone made such a big deal about her skipping the 3rd grade. Yet here she was this big ball of emotions who just couldn't get it together. I used to tease her constantly, get her to cry. It was like a game. How could I make Lexie cry next. Make stories up to get her into trouble.

As an adult I am horrified by my actions. I was a brat to my sister for no reason, but you know despite how awful I was to her. She was always there for me. She was the best big sister. Showed up to every game, every play. Thought of ways to make me happy. Always let me sleep with her when I was scared. She never teased me for wetting the bed. She paid attention to what I said. As if what I had to say mattered.

I think when I got married and had my own little girl I realized, What a gift I had in her.

My mom told us about you right after Laura was born. Mom would call me weekly telling me about you. Telling me you had it harder than we did, and you had walls around you. Understandable walls. Walls my mom said she helped create because she didn't do enough for you as a little girl. She's probably right. Sounds like the adults failed you. She was determined to make amends.

When Lexie heard about you, she went into la la Lexie world as we called it growing up. Where she created unrealistic fantasies about people. Making a dream world. A world where everyone was happy. She was desperate to have you as her big sister. To finally have a sister that looked out for, not throw under a bus as I had done so often growing up She wanted the sister she was to me. She wanted it so much more after mom died. She just needed someone to look out for her.

She never once said a thing bad about you, just so you know. I just learned to speak Lexie years ago and I knew she was having a problem connecting to you. My guess was you are more like dad and me, and you just don't do the big feelings and bubbly. You didn't want to know her. Knowing her was a reminder of what awful things our father did to you. How it looked like he just moved on without you. I don't think he ever did though. Someday when you're ready, ask Lexie about the mystery cupcakes.

Anyways…I am rambling….

When I found out you and Lexie weren't connecting, I told her to leave you alone. I told her she was stupid for trying to push a relationship with you. That she was only going to get herself hurt. That she was going to hurt you. Neither of you needed that.

I don't know what happened between you two, but I am guessing you fell victim to the Lexie charm and she won you over. Bulldozed you right over and you didn't even see it coming.

Meredith let out a little laugh at that line. There wasn't a better description of how Lexie Grey entered her life.

She's changed since knowing you Meredith. Maybe the fantasy of the big sister she had in her head didn't work out how she pictured…

But you've been good for her. You challenge her. You teach her. You encourage. I can tell you look out for her. I know you love her.

I don't honestly know what happened to land her in the hospital, and I know Lexie's not going to tell me before she tells you. As much as I wish it was different.

Can you take care of our sister? No matter what happens from here on out? Please? She needs you. You need each other.

Me living halfway around the world half the time doesn't help. I am not there for her as much as I would like to be, but I worry less...Now she has you.

I know with all my heart despite the brat I was to Lexie, that she loves me. With every fiber of her being. I hope you know it's the same for you too. No matter how rocky it started between the two of you. She loves you, and she will always love you. That's our Lexie girl for you.

Okay, Okay now that I wrote you a book.. Full of feelings...which is weird for me. I will put the pen away.

PS. I picked up a hobby after having Laura. Jewelry making. Lexie told me sometimes you get to go to weddings or award dinners...I figured you had to get out of your scrubs sometime so I made you some jewelry. I hope you like it. I think this and your stunning blue eyes will be a knockout combination.

PPS. Maybe…..While I am here and Lexie is asleep the two of us can go out and have coffee or dinner? I think I'd like to get to know my big sister too. If that's okay with you. If not I totally understand... I haven't exactly earned it.

Give Lexie a kiss for me.

Lots of love,

Molly.

Meredith tenderly folded the letter back up. She wiped a lone tear away. Before placing the letter gingerly in her purse.

She didn't think her heart could break anymore, yet here it was shattering again. Knowing she'd never get that coffee. She'd never get to ask Molly questions. Or dig in deeper on what Molly had just shared with her. She'd never get more.

Grabbing her box Meredith lifted the lid and gasped. In the box was the most beautiful blue opal drop earrings encased in sterling silver with a matching floating blue opal necklace. It was a beautiful jewelry set. She couldn't even fathom that Molly had made this...Or made it for her. She fingered the blue fiery stones.

"That's beautiful," Derek observed from behind Meredith's shoulder.

"Right?" Meredith turned to look at him, her eyes wide. "Molly made this for me!"

Derek leaned in nodding in approval "That's amazing...She was quite talented"

Meredith couldn't take her eyes off the stones before the realization hit that she was standing in her father's house. Where Lexie and Molly had been raised. Where her father had spent his last night.

Her hands began to shake slightly as she closed the box and handed it to Derek "Can you hold on to these for me?"

He slipped them in his coat pocket and rubbed her back as she looked around swallowing the brick inside her throat "Lexie?" SHe asked when she realized she hadn't seen her.

"Her room up the stairs. First door on the left. Can't miss it." He smiled "It's purple…"

"Of course it is" Meredith managed a smile "Did you happen to see if there was a happy face poster too?"

Derek laughed and shook his head "No, but there were some Live Laugh Love stickers on the door.

"The lawyer should be here any minute, as well as our lovely Aunt Tami." Meredith glanced up the stairs. "I should go check on her."

"You could," Derek agreed. "Or you can give her a few minutes. It's going to get worse before it gets better."

Meredith exhaled "That's a horrific truth." She nodded looking around. "When do you think she's going to move out?"

"Excuse me?" Derek asked picking up a framed picture of Molly and Lexie from a camping trip looking closely. "I never knew Lexie camped or fished...I should take her fishing"

Meredith peered over his shoulder to look at the picture. "God she was cute even then." Meredith shook her head "And that fish is bigger than she was."

He laughed, "It's not hard to do, when you're like six and tiny."

"So tiny. Had we been raised together, I would have been royally screwed." Meredith picked up another picture of Lexie and Molly on Christmas morning a few years later. Both wearing matching tutus in their colors. Cheesing for the camera. "The cute factor here would have just killed me. I didn't do cute…"

"My sisters were pretty cute growing up." Derek agreed "Amy...was probably the cutest out of all us Shepard kids. It does make saying no harder." He teased. "Even if she was as stubborn as an ox, her cute as button smile...Always did me in."

"I still think you fall under Amy's power from time to time." She poked his chest with a laugh.

"You're one to talk." He laughed "I have seen Lexie Grey bat those brown eyes at you, and you melt into a puddle."

"Stop" Meredith slapped his arm with a laugh. "I do not."

Derek shrugged before his face became more serious. "Can we revisit the whole moving out thought?"

Meredith looked around "Lexie, don't you think she'll move here?" She asked "I would assume my father left the house to her and Molly. She doesn't need to stay with us if she has her own house."

"How would you feel about that?" Derek asked cautiously.

"I'd understand her doing it." She tried.

"Not what I asked" He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her. "How would that make you feel?"

"I'd hate it." She answered honestly. "I know you want it to be just us, and I know someday it will be… In our beautiful dream house, but I am not ready for some day next week." She admitted "I like having Lexie under my roof, I don't want her to go yet."

Derek dropped his arms and pulled his wife into a hug "For what it's worth." He said quietly, tucking her under his chin. "I don't think she wants to go yet either. I don't think you have to worry about her moving out next week." He kissed the top of Meredith's head. "Though with the mood she was in this morning, she may threaten it a few times in the next few days." He squeezed her tighter. "Just remember it's not really her heart talking when she does."

"I heard she gave you all a good round of Grey sass this morning, kind of bummed I missed it." Meredith chuckled. "and we Arizona Robbins is our Godsend."

"Can we invite her to move in?" He laughed.

"Where are my baby girls?" The front door flew open as Tami let herself in. Today she was decked out from head to toe leopard print with rhinestones everywhere.

"Oh boy" Meredith muttered "Lexie! Aunt Tami is here…" She called hoping her sister would come back and save her again.

"Merry Berry" The woman grinned. "I still can't get over how beautiful you are." She grabbed her again and brought her in for a big bear hug squeezing her so tightly Meredith swore a piece of her soul left her body.

When she finally broke free she backed into Derek. "Aunt Tami, this is my husband Derek, Derek this is my dad's sister. Tami."

"Va Va Va Vooom… Girl" Tami squealed, eyeing Derek. "Merry Berry You married eye candy!"

For the second time in two days Meredith wished it was her that was dead as Derek's cheek flushed quickly. He cleared his throat before extending his hand out. "Nice to meet you."

"We don't hand shake, doll face." Tami pulled Derek into the same hug before pulling away and kissing his cheek. It took everything Meredith not to laugh as she watched Derek's arms and legs flail as the older woman kissed his cheeks.

"Oh, Auntie Tami, you're here." Lexie greeted her pace quickening when she saw Derek being smothered in kisses.

Meredith watched Lexie wince in pain as she hit the bottom, but she tried to recover quickly as she rushed over to join them.

"My little Apple Dumpling!" She squealed as Meredith threw out her arms again to block her aunt who had just smothered her husband. "I know Lexie looks oh squishable, and you really want to pinch those cheeks, but you have to refrain."

Tami's arms dropped as Lexie made it to Meredith's side. "Right, broken ribs, I almost forgot. My little Lexie Lu Who is just so cute!" She tapped her nose instead.

"The cutest." Meredith agreed as she gently placed a hand on Lexie's back "Why don't you go sit down, while I let the lawyer in." She offered "Why don't you both go sit down."

"Come baby doll" Tami grabbed Lexie's hand and pulled her to the couch. "Come tell Auntie Tamil all about the hospital you and Merry Berry work at. Can't believe I am the auntie to two such brilliant babies, now tell me… Are you dating anyone?"

Derek watched them head off to a family room before he shot Meredith a glare "Never leave me alone with her...Do you hear me?"

Meredith nodded "Can you do the same?" She asked with a smirk.

"And you save Lexie and not me?" He pouted quietly.

Meredith shook her head "You don't have a broken body, remember us all trying to heal her body?" She reminded him.

"Mine could be broken now, you don't know that." He mumbled as Meredith opened the door just as the lawyer walked up. Looking surprised that he didn't even get to ring the doorbell.

""Saw you coming" She smiled as she greeted him. The sooner this was read, the sooner she could get Lexie out of this house of ghosts and even further away from Auntie Tami.

Lexie twisted in her seat uncomfortably as her father's lawyers went over all the legal jargon. She couldn't sit still anymore. She pushed herself off the couch and away from her smoke smelling smothering aunt who wouldn't quit patting her knee or grabbing her hand.

She began to pace around the room. She could feel Meredith's eyes on her.

"Are you okay, Ms. Grey?" The lawyer asked.

"Yeah, fine." She waved her hand "Carry on, I am listening."

"Apple Dumpling, maybe you should sit down, come snuggle with me. Like when you were a little girl." She patted her side.

"No" Lexie spoke firmly as she began to pace. "Can't sit any longer." She added in a more gentle tone. More for her sister's benefit. So she wouldn't worry.

"Is she in pain, Merry Berry?" Tami asked, turning to face Meredith.

"Probably" Meredith responded honestly "But she's listening, carry on." She encouraged the lawyer with her hands.

Lexie shot her sister a thankful look as she kept pacing. The room they were in held so many memories. Her mother's touch everywhere. Her father's aftershave still lingering in the air. The indent on his recliner where he sat and watched the Sehawks.

The ding in the wall from where she had fallen one Christmas eve riding her new scooter Tami had given her in the house even after her mom warned her not to.

She remembered Tami telling her to not worry about it. It was Christmas Eve and rules didn't apply. So she defied her mother and rode that scooter as fast as she could.

Molly had darted right in the way on the second trip around and she swerved to miss her hitting the wall with her mouth. Knocking out three teeth and having to be rushed in for emergency mouth surgery to save her teeth.

Though Lexie hadn't realized what a big deal it was at the time. All she had known was Santa and the tooth fairy came that night, and she didn't have to eat the disgusting brussels sprouts the next day. She'd been given delicious smoothies instead.

Her eyes landed on the couch. The couch she used to curl up with her mom on. Whenever she was sick, or having a bad day. Or just needed to be hugged or held. Her mother always knew.

She'd sit on the right side, hold her arms open and Lexie would just melt into her side. Susan would play with her hair, kiss her hairline. Talk to her. Made her feel special. Heard that every emotion she felt was real. It wasn't over-dramatized. Susan would encourage her heart. She'd tell her to never lose her heart.

Nobody had a perfect childhood. Nobody had perfect parents. Lexie's own childhood came with it's own traumas. Ones she didn't talk about. But she knew despite everything she had it good. She was loved and cherished by her parents. Now they were just gone.

"As for the estate of the house. It is requested that the house go to Tami Grey-Pricket."

"Oh Thatchy, I knew you'd come through" Tami clasped her hands together.

"What?" Lexie's voice came out cold and harsh. "What in the actual hell?" She yelled after a moment to recover.

Meredith and Derek were quick to their feet as Tami sank back on the sofa crossing her arms over her chest with a little smug smile as she looked at Lexie. "Told you a long time ago, pudding pop. Auntie Tami always wins."

"You bitch!" Lexie yelled as she inched closer to Tami "What did you do to convince my dad to give you our house?"

"Lexie." Derek tried first.

"Oh Lexie Lue Who, I did no such thing, that hurts aunt Tami's feelings." She shook her finger at the seething Grey.

"I'll show you hurt feelings, you bitch!" Lexie lunged at her "I kept your secret! All these years and I kept your Goddamn secret and this is what you do? Take my mother's house away from me!"

Meredith quickly intercepted Lexie's lunge. Causing Lexie to yelp in pain as she pulled away. Which just made Tami laugh.

"Baby girl, you need a nap. You're in la la Lexie Land again. She smirked. "Used to tell your mama it wasn't healthy for you to be living in la la Lexie land, but she thought your little world was cute."

"Shut up." Meredith spoke first, still holding her sister back as she felt Lexie's knees give out from under her.

She successfully eased them both to the ground to not cause any further injury to Lexie as her sister let out an enraged scream as her body began to wither with rage. "Let me go, Meredith!"

"So you can go kill our aunt and go to prison?" Meredith kept her grip tight. "Pass."

The lawyer cleared his throat as he stood. "Tami, I have the papers you need for the house, and in the time frame it will become fully in your name. However, in the last part of the reading, Thatcher did request that the last part be just for his three girls...He paused when he realize what he said "The two living girls.

Tami stood "That's good with me. I'll be in touch." She winked at Derek. "Bye Handsome ." She winked before walking by Meredith and stroking her hair on the way out. "Good luck Merry Berry, once Lexie Lue who enters la la Lexie land, it's a while before you can get her back out." She smirked. "Sometimes she has to go visit the nice doctors who make her go night night, but you already knew that, didn't you?" Her smirk growing wider.

Derek quickly stepped in front of his wife before she could peel herself from off the floor and kill the woman, like her eyes were wanting. "Let me walk you out." He offered before quickly escorting her out.

"She's a bitch!" Lexie yelled "Mean, nasty good for NOTHING BITCH… I hope you go to HELL." Lexie's body went rigid. Her heart beating face in her chest. Pool of sweat ran down her forehead before she crumbled to the ground completely. "She's taken my mama's house, Mer… She took it…."