Derek had finished his clinical trial, and it was a success. He was even published in a magazine; having what he did called The Shepherd Method. Meredith was happy it was over because it meant more time with Derek that she just really needs at the moment.
Meredith has been in contact with her half-sister, Lexie. They would text quite often, and Meredith found out she's graduating from med school this June. She's planning on on doing her intern year at one of the hospitals in Seattle; though she's not sure which yet.
Derek dropped the bombshell to Meredith that his parents were coming to Seattle to visit. She would had been totally fine with it if he didn't tell her a day before. Meredith has to mentally prepare herself, plus clean her house if Derek's expecting to bring them there.
"You're holding that bottle of tequila like it's your life vest." Cristina said. "It's creeping me out."
"I shouldn't be nervous, right?" Meredith asked. "I mean, I already met them, and they liked me; at least I think they did... Oh my god, Cristina. They probably don't even like me. It was all just an act."
"Really, Mer, you okay?"
"No, my house is a mess, there's dog hair all over the place, and Derek's parents will be here tomorrow!"
"God, have you and McDreamy not been doing the nasty? You need to relax." Cristina said.
"I can't!" Meredith snapped. "I haven't been able to relax ever since-" She stopped herself from saying ever since she found out about her mother's diagnosis. "You know what? I'm not doing this tomorrow and I'm going to tell Derek that too. I just can't."
"You could always come over and help me and the others study for our intern exam." Cristina said. "Read our flashcards. There's going to be a lot of drinking." Meredith's front door opened and they both turned seeing Derek coming in. "Does he live here now?" Cristina asked.
"No."
"Could of fooled me. He's like always here."
"Because I live closer to the hospital than he does, so he spends the night on nights he might be needed."
"Which is like every night." Cristina pointed out.
"It doesn't matter. I like him here." Meredith said.
Ellis Grey asked her daughter to stop by the hospital the following day so they could talk. Meredith had brought some scones and coffee with her since she had just come from the coffee shop.
"Have you decided who's going to be the new chief?" Meredith asked.
"The board makes the final decision, but I get to give them one powerful suggestion." Ellis said. "Dr. Shepherd is the board's first choice. He's the most qualified out of them all. Don't tell him that. But I was thinking about suggesting to the board that we get Richard Webber to be chief."
"Richard would make a good chief." Meredith said.
"He would be the best candidate." Ellis agreed. She reached into the drawer of her desk and handed Meredith some pamphlets. "This is the home I want you to put me in when I get to the state where I'm unable to be alone. I know that may not be for a few years, or maybe sooner than we're anticipating, but I want to be prepared so you don't have to worry."
"Are you sure this is what you want, mom?"
"Yes."
Meredith looked down at the pamphlets and nodded. "Okay."
Meredith saw Derek leaving a patient's room and put her pamphlets her mother gave her in her purse so he wouldn't see them. She was going to walk over to him, but stopped when someone else pulled him into a conversation. Instead of waiting, Meredith decided to just leave.
Meredith went home and was greeted by Doc. She looked at her house and sighed, taking her cellphone out of her purse. She sent Derek a text asking him not to bring his parents over to her house; saying she just wants a quiet night just her and Doc. Derek didn't immediately reply, but when he did, he agreed, saying he'll just take them out for dinner, but made her promise she'd have lunch with them the following day.
Meredith arrived at the restaurant Derek told her to meet him and his parents at. They were already there, and Derek got up to greet Meredith with a kiss to her cheek. She sat down beside Derek and glanced at the menu.
"We missed you last night." Derek said.
"I know. I'm sorry. I was with my mom. We had to discuss things."
"How is your mother?" Carolyn asked. "When do we get to meet her?"
"She's fine."
"She's stepping down as chief and retiring." Derek said. "I'm, with others, are running for her position."
"Actually, she's not retiring." Meredith quickly changed the topic. "So, how are you both enjoying Seattle so far? Derek said it's both your first time, right?"
"Haven't seen much yet." She said.
"Derek is going to take us up to his land later." Nicolas said.
"You're going to love it up there. The view is just gorgeous." Meredith smiled.
"Do you want to come with us, Mer?" Derek asked. "You haven't been up there in a while."
"Not this time."
Meredith survived another day being with Derek's parents. She was trying her best to seem happier than she felt, though it probably showed. Meredith was obviously trying to avoid certain topics, like when Carolyn asked when they'd get to meet her mother.
Derek went over to Meredith's after he dropped his parents off at their hotel. Meredith was sitting at her kitchen table looking over her to do list for her second location. Derek sat down across from her.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong." Meredith said. "I'm fine."
"You're lying. I know that because you haven't been acting like yourself." Derek said. "Tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help you fix it."
"You and nobody can."
"How do you know?"
"Because I know, Derek. Look, I promised my mom I wouldn't talk about what's going on, which means I can't tell you and I want to because I need someone." Meredith felt like she was going to burst into tears. "But I only have myself because I have no other family to help."
"Meredith-"
"Derek, don't. Don't ask any questions because I can't tell you. Just give me the much needed support I'll need."
Derek reached across the table and placed his hand on top of hers, rubbing it. "Okay."
Tbh, not too happy with this chapter. I wanted to change it but couldn't think of a way, so I left it. So there's only 5 chapters left, and in the next chapter we get to see some of our favorite interns :p
Thanks for reading! Leave a review, follow, and favorite!
