One month later
Meredith breathed deeply, she stood at the front doors of the hospital. It had been a whole month since the shooting. She had been one of the first released back for surgery since she really wasn't involved. Most of the doctors had been released by the hospital shrink to return to work. They had all changed, it changed every single person and even the hospital procedures.
"We go through this every morning," Lexie groaned as she stood at the metal detector to gain entrance into the hospital, "it's me. I just cut my hair and got fat!"
"Ma'am please step to the side," the security guard asked.
"Mer! Please tell them it's me," Lexie noticed Meredith a few people behind. She struggled with the guards every morning, Meredith chuckled at her.
"Yes Banks, that is Lexie Grey," Meredith said to the older security guard. He had been at the hospital for over 30 years, she remembered him from when her mother worked here and he sure remembered her.
"You can go ahead but you need to change your badge picture," he nodded to Lexie. She rolled her eyes and stormed off. You couldn't even tell she was pregnant from behind, she didn't have a waddle like most pregnant women.
"You have to stop doing that to her every morning," Meredith chuckled at Benjamin who just laughed.
"What fun is that?" He shook his head as he handed Meredith back her badge.
"You are not right, I'll see you tomorrow," Meredith smiled at him as she walked passed him. She waddled her way to her office, finding the massive abundance of paperwork she was behind on. Her fellow had quit after the shooting which left her one surgeon short and having to pick up extra surgeries. They had lost a lot of employees, most of them resigning to work in private practices or move states. Her OB had even quit and went back to Missouri. So much had changed in a month, her life was so overwhelming. Cristina had stayed an extra week to help Meredith but she couldn't stay anymore and had to go to Switzerland.
They had lost a few amazing surgeons that day; Teddy Altman, Charles Percy, and Erica Hahn. Jackson had yet to return to work, which was understandable with the nerve damage in his shoulder. He still had a lot of pain and it caused a strain in his marriage to April.
"Hey," Amelia said as she came into the room. Amelia was another story, she hadn't been signed off to return to surgery so she was just doing charts and rounds every day.
"Have you been released yet?" Meredith asked. She knew why, she was clearly suffering from PTSD as it brought back so many bad memories. All she wanted to do was throw herself into her work but the shrink said she was t ready until she accepted and talked about what happened.
"No, our shrink is crazy. How the hell was Derek released is what I want to know?" She said with anger in her voice. She was very upset Derek had been released before her. Derek never talked to her about what happened, but apparently he talked to the shrink and that's how he got released.
"He talked about it, not with me of course," she knew Amelia knew what exactly happened. She was there. Meredith knew the cops had shot him right in front of Derek and Amelia but she didn't know exactly what happened still.
"Anyway, how's the house hunting?" Amelia asked.
"Eh, it sucks. Anything we find is just overpriced or too far from the hospital or Derek finds something about it he doesn't like," Meredith rolled her eyes. She never knew how hard it was to search for a home. Derek had mentioned building one on some land he owned but never went any farther than just talking.
"He's picky. Will you be off in time to go the the dress shop with me?" She asked. Amelia and Owen decided they wanted to get married now, Amelia didn't want to waste another second she said. So they were getting married. In two weeks. Meredith didn't agree but she was going to support her, she had become her sister after all.
"Bailey said I had to get all this paperwork done by the end of the day plus I have two hernia repairs and a lap chole after that. I will try my best, I trust you," Meredith smiled at her.
"I also don't know what size to get," Amelia replied.
"Uh, do they come in whale?" Meredith laughed, she rubbed her 29 week stomach that has grown massive.
"Funny, I expect you and the girls there at 6," Amelia said in a happy voice as she left. Meredith just shook her head, she knew they were moving fast, too fast in her opinions but she didn't know if she had a place to say anything. She began working at the stacks of papers on her desk, she felt like this would take her 10 years to conquer. Her phone did a slight buzz, letting her know she had received a text.
Amelia: I'll pick up the girls if you want.
Meredith thought for a second, she knew Amelia was just trying to be helpful, she was stressed out and Meredith assumed this was just something to take her mind off things.
Meredith: Ok, that will save me some time. I'll send you some money for their dinner
She sat her phone back down and another buzz came through immediately.
Amelia: don't worry, it's on me.
Meredith didn't bother to reply, she knew she couldn't fight her on that. She really loved Amelia and how well the girls attached to her. She had been spending a lot of time at their house.
She managed to file half the papers before her alarm went off she had set on her phone. She had to get started on her surgeries. She paged Jo, she had really taken a liking to her. She had a natural talent to general and Meredith knew she would be an amazing addition to her general team. She felt a weird sensation in her stomach as she started down the stairwell. It felt almost like a contraction but it wasn't as painful as one normally is, she didn't start getting Braxton Hicks with either of her pregnancies until 32 weeks but she assumed it was just her uterus expanding.
"Hey," she heard a voice come behind her.
"Hey you," Meredith smiled and leaned up for a kiss.
"Mark invited us to dinner tonight," he said.
"Can't. Dress shopping with you sister."
"Are they really doing this thing?" He asked.
"Yep. I can't believe it myself," Meredith replied.
"I tried to talk to her but she is dead set on this thing," he shook his head.
"She's a grown up. Owen is good," Meredith said.
"I know, I just think they should wait a little bit," he shrugged.
"After everything that happened, are you surprised?" She asked.
"No, she likes to do things before she thinks," he said.
"Have you thought of baby names?" Meredith asked, trying to change the subject. She wasn't going to argue with him today.
"I really like Sebastian," he smirked.
"No! Think of something new," she said as she walked off from him. She could see his reaction without even looking at him. He was looking at her with his sparkly eyes, shaking his head and smiling. She glanced back and she was right. He winked when he saw her look back and she just laughed.
"Stop looking at me like that," she giggled, stopping and turning around.
"Like what?" He asked.
"Like you've seen me naked," she said in a low voice with a chuckle. He laughed and turned to walk away. She felt another Braxton hick as she stopped at the nurses station.
"Dr. Grey, watch out!" She heard Jo say before she had a chance to react an intern had ran right into her, knocking her to the ground.
"Hey, what where you've going!" She yelled at him. She felt a jar in her stomach as she gasped from the pain.
"I'm so sorry, are you ok?" he looked terrified. She laid there for a second, trying to recover from the blow. She was surrounded by two nurses and Jo who had reacted.
"I think so," she held her hand up as the nurses both helped her to her feet.
"You," she started at the intern who was still on the ground. She felt the anger boil in her blood which was interrupted by another jabbing pain in her lower abdomen.
"Meredith, you need to go get check out," Jo said.
"I will be speaking to Bailey," Meredith said to him as she pointed her finger in his face. He looked almost in tears as he quickly ran away. She leaned down against the nurses station.
"Let me help you," Jo said.
"I'll be fine," Meredith tried to breathe through the pain.
"You are pregnant and you just fell flat on your stomach. We have this new OB and they say she is amazing," Jo started.
"I'll go, please update Smith on Mr. Hernandez and I'll be fine to come back and do the rest of my surgeries," she handed her chart over. She couldn't help but feel this utter feeling in the pit of her stomach. She was feeling the babies move which was a good sign but she knew something wasn't right. She called Derek to meet her in the OB wing as she slowly made her way there.
"What happened?" Derek was already there waiting on her.
"I fell, an intern ran right into me and ow-" she held her stomach as the pain continued.
"If there is anything wrong with those babies, his job is gone," Derek spat in anger.
"Dr. Grey, what can we help you with?" The nurse said that was sitting at the computer.
"I just had a fall and I am having these awful pains in my stomach," she stated.
"Oh no, we will get that checked out. Our new attending actually just finished up with a birth so I'll send her to your room," the nurse took her to an exam room. She took her vitals and had her urinate in a cup. Meredith was thankful there was no blood but she couldn't for the life of her figure out what these pains were.
"Did you know we got a new OB attending?" Meredith asked.
"No, I knew when Lucy left that they were looking but didn't know they would find one that quickly," he shrugged. He couldn't help but grab her hand to try and calm her down. There was a knock at the door.
"Hi, I'm Dr. Reilly," the door opened. A beautiful woman with red hair stepped in. She had a shocked look across her face when she saw Derek.
"Derek Shepherd!" She said in surprise.
"Addison Montgomery," he laughed as got up and hugged her.
"Reilly now, just got married about six months ago," she showed off the ring.
"You two know each other?" Meredith asked, a little worried at the fact the father of her children knew this drop-dead gorgeous woman.
"You can say that," he laughed.
"We met in our first year of med school, his friend Mark had the biggest thing for me but I only had eyes for Derek," she laughed. He chuckled nervously.
"Yep that's Mark," Meredith laughed to hide the jealousy she felt toward this woman. She remembered when Mark moved to Seattle how much he got around at the hospital.
"We were better as friends Addie," he laughed.
"You're not wrong," Addie laughed as well.
"I'm Dr. Meredith Grey," Meredith introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you Meredith. What brings you over this way?" Addison asked.
"I had a fall and now I'm having these awful pains in my lower abdomen," she stated.
"We will get that checked out. Any other problems?" She asked.
"Nope. They have been very well behaved," she laughed.
"Multiples? How many?" Addison asked.
"Twins. Boy and girl," she said. She laid back on the table as Addison started examining her. She grabbed the ultrasound machine and pulled it to her as she began the ultrasound.
"So what brings you to Seattle?" Derek asked, trying to make conversation.
"I can ask you the same thing, last I heard you were living in Manhattan with that one girl, Daisy or something?" Addison said.
"Rose. She died about four years ago and about a year ago Richard called and offered me a job here so I packed up and moved to Seattle," he said.
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that. I bet Carolyn had a cow," Addison laughed.
"Well she has more than me to just visit out here. Amelia and Mark both live here too," he said.
"No way! I'll have to catch up with ole Markie," she laughed. She focused in on the ultrasound.
"Baby B is being difficult and won't let me get a good reading on the heartbeat," Addison said as her eyes squinted behind her glasses.
"She's like her dad," Meredith laughed.
"Got that right," Addison replied.
"Hey! I am very easy going," he said defensively.
"Does he lie all the time?" Addison asked Meredith.
"No, it's just the ego," Meredith couldn't help but laugh. She still felt a little jealous she had never heard of this woman who knew a lot about him.
"Here we go," she said as she turned the sound on and the little thump filled the room.
"I don't see any tears or anything problematic. They are probably just a little shaken up but I would set up an appointment with you regular OB in a week for a follow-up."
"Thank you, my OB actually moved away so I guess my search for a new OB has to be narrowed down quick," she smiled as she grabbed a towel from Addison's hand and rubbed the remaining gel off her abdomen.
"Well if you want, you can just do a follow up with me until you find someone," Addison offered.
"Thank you, I'll call and schedule one," Meredith smiled.
"And if your pain gets any worse, contractions start, or if you start bleeding just come back anytime," Addison stressed to her.
"Absolutely. Got to keep these little monsters safe," Meredith smiled as she pulled her shirt back down.
"Thank you Addie, it was nice to see you," Derek said.
"Nice to see you too Derek, and congratulations," she said before exiting the room.
"Thank god they are alright," his voice was much more relaxed now.
"Yes, so who is she?" Meredith asked.
"Just an old friend, you have nothing to worry about," he assured her.
"Mhm, I'll see you tonight," she kissed him before she was off again. She sent a message to Bailey and told her she was rescheduling her surgeries for the day and she was just going to focus on her paperwork. She got back to her office, she was still feeling the pains but they had started to subside. She knew resting would help with the pain more. She saw Bailey had responded to her with just a thumbs up. She was still mad about the intern but she also remembered herself being an intern, constantly pulled in every single direction and being distracted with the list of things she had to do on a daily basis.
It was almost a miracle she was able to finish filing and charting all the paperwork, the babies were moving like crazy. It calmed her feeling the tiny kicks inside her. The pain had faded to almost nothing and she knew everything was going to be alright. She gathered her thing, letting Derek know she was leaving and she drove to meet Amelia. She was met in the parking lot with her daughters who both had ice cream stains on their face.
"They begged for ice cream and ate dinner first," Amelia said before Meredith could argue.
"Did you guys have fun with Aunt Amelia?" She asked.
"Yes! And we both get to be Flower girls," Zoe said as she spun around.
"I know. You excited?" She asked even though she already knew the answer.
"Yes, mama when can we be flower girls for your wedding!" Scarlett asked.
"When Derek ask me to marry him first silly," Meredith laughed.
"Well daddy already has a ring," Zoe said and she immediately stopped in her tracks, covering mouth.
"Zoe! It was suppose to be a secret!" Scarlett said.
"Oh really?" Meredith raised her brows.
"Sorry mama," she said.
"Its ok, I won't tell if you don't," Meredith winked at her. She felt butterflies in her stomach, she knew Derek wanted to marry her but she had no idea he had a ring.
"Anyway, girls what color dress do you want?" Amelia asked as she started looking through the dresses. Amelia already had her wedding dress picked out. It was a basic white gown with shoulder straps and lace covering the dress. It was simple and beautiful.
"Pink!" Scarlett immediately said.
"I was thinking this one," Amelia pulled out a dress that was white at the top and flowed down to a lavender color at the bottom.
"It's pretty," Zoe said.
"Go try them on," Meredith said as they walked over to the dressing rooms. Both girls ran into one together and shut the door before Meredith could even walk in.
"So do you know Addison Montgomery?" Meredith asked Amelia in a low voice.
"Yeah, she was Derek's first girlfriend like ever. They dated for a few years but she broke it off and moved to LA for her internship. They ended on good terms I think, why?" Amelia asked.
"Just wondering. She got a job at the hospital," Meredith said.
"Addie is in Seattle!" Amelia said in shock.
"Yeah, why?" Meredith sounded worried.
"No reason. I mean she was his first love but they mutually agreed to end things because she was leaving. I mean it ended up good because he started dating Rose right after. We thought she was a rebound but guess not," Amelia shrugged. Meredith felt knots in her stomach. First love. She couldn't compete with a first love. Rose was a rebound. She had no idea, she felt sick to her stomach knowing that.
"Hey, don't be worried. Derek is head over heels for you. He looks at you like you hung the moon. I've never seen him look at anyone like the way he looks at you," Amelia said in a reassuring voice.
"I hope so," Meredith gulped. Just then, the door swung open and both girls came out.
"I love it! Give me a twirl," Amelia smiled widely as the girls giggled as they twirled in their dresses. Meredith had never seen Zoe in a dress, she wasn't very girly at all.
"You girls look so good. Let me take a picture for your dad," Meredith smiled at the girls as they hugged each other's side and smiled for a picture.
"Now you guys get to help me pick out your moms dress," Amelia smirked and the girls giggled as they went to change back into their regular clothes. Amelia carried their dresses as they went to the maternity section of the bridesmaid dresses.
"This one," Amelia smirked as she pulled out this deep purple halter top dress. It had elastics pinched on the side of the dress to grow with a bump.
"I'll try it on," Meredith tried to smile. She hated dresses, despised them in fact. The last dress she ever put on was her wedding dress to Charles. She undressed and stepped into the dress. It easily slid up her legs and baby bump. She put her arms through the sleeves and looked at herself in the mirror.
"Show us mama!" Scarlett said from outside the dressing room. Meredith stepped out and showed off the dress.
"I love it!" Amelia smiled.
"Twirl for us mama!" Zoe exclaimed.
"Zoe, I think if I tried to twirl I'll fall. I'm a little too heavy," Meredith joked.
"Ok, alright," Zoe pouted.
"Alright, first one," Meredith smirked as she went to change back into her clothes. She was thankful she only had to try one on, though it was easy to get on and off. She went out and handed the dress to Amelia.
"Alright girls, tell Amelia bye," Meredith said as she took the dresses from her after she paid for them.
"Bye Aunt Amelia, I love you," Scarlett said as she hugged her.
"I'll see you girls soon," Amelia kissed each of their heads before going to her car. Meredith was nervous to say the least but if this was what Amelia wanted, she was going to support her.