The next morning Meredith got up and quickly showered. She remembered that Michael had to work and Beth was going to spend the day with some of her friends. Then she thought of Derek, he was going to go to a movie with Mark, Izzie, and Alex. The night before Meredith had insisted that everyone keep their previous plans. She had told herself she could do this, she would just go to the hospital and have the surgery and come home.

Finally Meredith was ready to go so she made her way to her car. She noticed Michael's SUV still in the driveway and was confused because she thought he was supposed to be at work. When she got to her car she noticed Mark's car blocking her in. She cursed him for being there because now she would have to see the family and she didn't want to see them until later. She made her way into the kitchen and found Derek, Mark, Alex, Beth, Cindy, and Michael all sitting at the table. She closed the door and made her way to Mark. "Mark will you please go move your car?"

Mark looked at her and smiled. "Well good morning to you too. And no I am not going to move my car."

Just then they heard the doorbell and Beth jumped up. She walked over to Meredith and gave her a hug. "Take care Mer, I'll see you tonight."

Meredith nodded and after Beth was gone she turned back to the others. "Mark."

Derek stood as he saw the flash of anger come across Meredith. "Mer."

"Move your car. You always park on the street why did you park in the driveway today of all days?"

"Because dad told me to."

"What?"

Michael, Cindy, and Alex all stood. "Sorry Meredith but we really need to leave; we're running late as it is."

Derek chuckled at how his father tried to change the subject so he wouldn't have to explain their master plan. He placed his arm around Meredith's shoulder and started to the car with the others following. "He's right, you slept in today."

"Not really. I only got about 3 hours of sleep. I was tossing and turning and when I did sleep it was like power naps." Meredith stopped and looked to Michael. "You are supposed to be at work."

"I cleared my schedule, something more important came up."

"Oh well, I'll see you all later." Meredith said as she continued to her car and opened her door to get in.

Michael caught up to her and grabbed the door to stop her. "Where do you think you're going?"

Meredith looked at him with a questioning look but lowered her voice a little. "I'm going to the hospital for the appointment that you," She pointed to him, "made me set up. You know I can understand you forgetting and all, after all it did happen almost 24 hours ago." Meredith giggled at Michael's look on his face. "Don't worry, I'll call after I wake up and maybe you can sneak me in some food." Meredith finished with a smile and leaned up to give him a kiss on his cheek.

Michael smiled back at her. "Implying that I am losing my memory is not very nice especially this early in the morning however I am willing to forgive you for it this time. Now when it comes to sneaking in food I don't need to sneak. If you want something edible I will just walk right in because no one would dare question Dr. Shepherd."

"Now I know where Derek and Mark get it."

"Where Derek and Mark get what?" Derek asked appearing next to his father with Mark beside him.

"Your egos. It seems to run in the family." Meredith saw the shocked looks on Derek, Michael, and Mark's face and started to laugh.

Derek, Michael, and Mark all looked at each other and after hearing Meredith's laugh they joined in until they were interrupted. "Michael we need to go." Cindy called from behind.

They quickly calmed their laughs and Michael turned back to Meredith. "Come on Meredith. We are all going with you to the hospital."

"No I can go you have to work and Derek and Mark, you guys are going to a movie. I don't want you all waiting."

"We are not going to a movie while you are having surgery Mer." Mark said.

"And I am not going to work today either."

"But you need to save lives Dr. Shepherd."

"Meredith, I called the chief and he called in another neurosurgeon for the day. My family needs me today so I am going to be there for them during your surgery and I am going to be there for you when you wake up. And if you want me to get you some edible food as you called it, I will do that too. Now let's get going, I'm driving." Michael finished and stepped out of the way motioning his arm towards his vehicle.

Meredith crossed in front of Michael as Derek closed her car door and followed her with Mark and his father right behind.

They got to Michael's SUV. Mark and Alex sat in the back row while Meredith and Derek sat in the next row. Michael drove and Cindy sat in the passenger seat as they headed to the hospital.

During the drive, everyone was quiet and Meredith stared out the window while her hands were spinning in her lap.

Derek saw how nervous Meredith was and wished she didn't have to be going through this. He reached over and placed his hand on her hands just wanting to let her know he was there.

Mark and Alex were sitting behind Meredith and they could tell she was nervous because they were too. They shared a look and each reached their hands up and placed them on Meredith's shoulders hoping to comfort her at the same time that Derek grabbed her hands.

Meredith felt Derek grab her hands and squeeze. At the same time she felt Alex and Mark put their hands on her shoulders. She finally was starting to feel like she truly was part of a family and she wasn't sure how to react to that. She continued to stare out the window.

Michael had been catching glances of Meredith from the rear view mirror. He saw Alex and Mark put their hands on her shoulder and he knew Derek had reached for her hands. He looked again and saw a tear make its way down her cheek and he wished he could take the pain away but he knew all he could do for her now was be there for her and make sure she was getting the best treatment possible because he knew she would beat this. She has already been through so much and she didn't deserve this.

They got to the hospital and checked in. Cindy stayed with Meredith while she changed and made sure she was comfortable in her bed. "How are you dear?"

"I'm fine." Meredith said as she was looking out the window wishing everything was over.

"Meredith how are YOU really?"

Meredith turned her head and looked at Cindy. She had a tear that was making its way down her cheek. "I'm scared."

"Why? This is a routine surgery and the cancer was caught early. You are going to make it through this and we are all here for you."

"I…I just…things don't go that well for me. The other shoe always drops and I don't want all of you to be hurt because you care about me. And I kind of thought my mother would be here."

"I checked with your mother this morning while you were in the shower and she said she had a surgery but she wanted me to give her an update as soon as you are out of the surgery. And Meredith maybe this time the other shoe won't drop, maybe this time everything will work out the way it's supposed to. You have to start looking for the positives."

"I was foolish to think she would be here. But maybe you are right about the shoe."

"Dear, I'm always right. Now tell me what else is worrying you?"

"What if…what if Dr. Smith has to remove my entire breast?"

Cindy stepped closer to the bed. She knew that was a possibility but they hadn't talked about it. "Then we will deal with that. We can talk to a plastic surgeon and in the mean time we can check into getting you special bras, we'll talk to Dr. Smith and get all the information we would need. Whatever happens Meredith we will deal with it as long as you are here with us."

"Ok."

"Meredith is there something else?"

Meredith wanted to tell her about her worries about Curt and how he would react once he found out about the surgery and especially if the surgery didn't go as they thought it would. Really it wasn't just Curt it was anyone that she would ever be intiment with, what would they think? But as Meredith's thoughts were turning she decided that she had already told Cindy too much. She didn't want to be a burden to her especially since everyone had stopped their lives to spend the day in the hospital for her so she decided to tell her without telling her everything. "Please don't tell Derek, Mark, and Alex how bad it is. If they have to remove…just please don't tell them how bad. They know its cancer; I just don't want them to know how bad."

Cindy watched Meredith pull at the edge of her blanket and she wondered if there was more to what Meredith was saying but she decided not to push. Meredith had already opened up to her more than she ever had and she didn't want her to shut down. "Ok Meredith. Michael and I will keep any extra information to ourselves. But Meredith we are going to authorize whatever we need to get you through the surgery, even if it means Dr. Smith will need to remove your entire breast. Is that understood dear?"

Meredith nodded as a couple more tears ran down her cheek. She watched Cindy lean down and embraced her in a hug. Meredith squeezed tighter than she normally would.

The door opened and Derek, Mark, Alex, and Michael all came in. Meredith pulled back from Cindy and quickly wiped her face as she put a smile on her face. She looked up at the new occupants of the room as Michael spoke. "I see you are settled in." Meredith nodded as he continued. "Dr. Smith will be right in and then they will prep you for surgery."

As Michael finished the door opened and Dr. Smith came in. She checked Meredith to make sure she was ready and she asked if anyone had any questions. She received no's from everyone so she left the room as her intern started to prep Meredith for surgery. Soon a nurse came in and they were pushing Meredith out of the room. Everyone gave Meredith a hug and let her know they would all be waiting for her.

Meredith was taken into the OR and Dr. Smith soon entered. She went over the details of the surgery and then Meredith was put to sleep as the surgery started.

Cindy, Michael, Derek, Mark, and Alex had moved to the waiting room. Derek had started pacing while Mark and Alex were on their fifth magazine. Michael was sitting with Cindy holding her hand when he saw Dr. Smith's intern walking towards them. He quickly stood up and started towards him as Cindy followed. Derek saw his parents moving and made a point to follow. Mark and Alex jumped up and approached the group.

"Dr. Shepherd, Dr. Smith wanted me to give you an update on Ms. Grey."

Before he could continue Cindy cut him off. She had glanced over her shoulder and saw the boys close by. "Michael can we step away?"

Michael looked at her with a confused look.

Cindy leaned in and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Meredith, if this is going where I think it is, Meredith didn't want the boys to know all the details."

Michael looked over his shoulder and nodded to Cindy. "Boys we'll be right back." Michael then turned back to the intern and ushered Cindy a little further down the hall. He then focused back on the intern. "Ok."

Derek was worried that his parents wouldn't let them know what was going on so he tried to shuffle a little closer. Mark and Alex followed so he quickly turned to them and whispered. "Stay here, I'm going to try and get a little closer so I can hear. Keep your voices down." Mark and Alex both went to say something and Derek raised his hand. "I will let you know if I hear anything."

"Dr. Shepherd the tumor has grown. Dr. Smith feels that it would be best if we remove some of the tissue around the tumor to make sure we have removed it all."

Cindy sucked in a breath before speaking. "Does she need to remove the entire breast?"

"Yes. Dr. Smith feels that by removing the breast and having Ms. Grey go thru the chemo therapy she has the best chances."

"What about after?" Cindy asked remembering her conversation with Meredith.

"I'm sorry Mrs. Shepherd?"

"Plastic surgery. Is it an option, when she is in remission can she have plastic surgery to reconstruct her breast?"

"We haven't talked about that however I can let Dr. Smith know that you are interested in that option and she can refer you. I know this is a lot to take in right now however Ms. Grey advised Dr. Smith that you both should be consulted and if there are any medical decisions that need to be made we were suppose to discuss them with you both before we go ahead. I need to let Dr. Smith know if she should continue."

Michael and Cindy looked at each other and Cindy spoke first. "She needs to be here."

Michael turned back to the intern after nodding in understanding to his wife. "Tell Dr. Smith to go ahead."

The intern nodded. "Dr. Smith will come speak with you once the surgery is finished." He then turned and walked quickly back down the hall.

Michael turned back to his wife and saw the tears in her eyes. Cindy looked up at him as she spoke. "Just tell me she's going to be ok Michael."

Michael put his hands on Cindy's shoulders and looked her in the eye. "Honey you know as a doctor I can't say that but I will tell you as your husband who loves you and this family more than anything, we are all going to get through this together. And Meredith is part of our family now." Michael finished and pulled her into a hug.

"This could break her."

"We won't let it."

Cindy pulled away and looked back up to her husband. "She already has so many walls around her heart. Michael she wasn't going to have the surgery because of what Curt said to her. What if he really believes that and hurts her?"

"If he hurts her…I don't want you to be an accomplice." Michael said wanting to lighten the mood but he still had a serious look in his eyes letting Cindy know he would be sure to hurt him back.

Cindy smiled a small smile and then continued. "Michael as much as we don't want to admit it we are getting older and you can't harm every boy that could hurt her." Then she turned serious again as she turned her back to him. "This is something that is going to follow her. You heard what Beth told us about Jason and her talk. She won't admit it but she has so many dreams about her first time, what if she is ready and then she finds out that she made the wrong choice because the guy turns out to be some jerk. How can you, how can we protect her from that?"

Michael turned her back around to face him. "We can't. We can only be there for her. If and when she needs a shoulder to cry on or if she just needs a hug we will be there. But Cindy there are good boys in the world and Meredith will find one."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Well besides the fact that I am never wrong…"

Cindy cut him off. "She was right about the ego."

"Besides that, we raised one and practically raised another. And the third one over there," Michael stopped as both their eyes went to Derek, Mark, and Alex. He then looked back to Cindy. "The third one is a good one as well. They are going to be good men and they know what is really important in a relationship."

"You make it sound so simple."

"It is. I didn't like Curt to begin with so if this will get rid of him so she can move on and be with the person she is meant to be with then I am not going to lose any sleep." Michael said as she glanced at Derek who he noticed had moved back to be closer to Mark and Alex. When he heard his wife's voice he quickly looked back to her.

Cindy squinted at him. "Michael Shepherd, first of all, if I am up in the middle of the night because she is crying from a broken heart you will be up as well. Second, I can't believe you would want her to go through that pain. And third you are the one who hasn't wanted any of his daughters to date. How could you possibly say that you want her to move on?"

Michael held his hands up. "Hold on. First if she is crying over some jerk as you called him because I can think of some other words to call him. If she is crying she will not want me around however I will be there if she does. Second, I do not want her to go through any type of pain however you and I both know that finding your true love can be painful. And third my dear wife, as you pointed out she will be a Shepherd and to get to be a Shepherd she needs to get rid of the jerk." Michael finished with a smile and his arms crossed in front of him.

Cindy smiled back at him understanding what he had meant. "So you are admitting I am never wrong?"

Michael contemplated his answer at first. "I am admitting that about this one thing, I agree with you. I can see the way they look at each other and I have noticed how they are spending more time together. It's only a matter of time. Derek won't hurt her Cindy, we raised him."

Cindy gave Michael a hug. "So when did we change roles?"

"What?"

"I am usually the voice of reason trying to calm you down. Today you have been calming me down."

"Meredith. She has changed us all. We need to get back to the boys before they make a scene. I can tell they are bursting at the seems to know what's going on. What are we going to tell them?"

"Let's just tell them the tumor was a little bigger than before however Dr. Smith is going to cut it out and the surgery should be done soon."

"What about Derek's questions?"

"What do you mean?"

"Cindy if it was you on that table I would have a million questions."

Cindy sighed knowing he was right. "Just answer them with as little detail as possible Michael. That is what Meredith and I were talking about before you four came in the room this afternoon. She does not want them to know all the details and she defiantly does not want them to know that they had to remove her breast."

"Ok. Let's go." Michael led Cindy back to the chairs.

Derek made his way back to Mark and Alex.

"What did you hear?"

"Nothing." Derek Replied.

"Give it up Derek, I've known you most of your life and you have always been able to find things out that you weren't suppose to by easdropping so tell us what you found out before we tell your parents all your hiding spots."

Derek didn't say anything so Alex spoke up. "Derek just tell us what's wrong with Mer."

"The tumor has grown." Derek paused and looked back to see his parents hug and then they started back. He turned back to his friends as Izzie came up to them.

"Mark." Izzie said as she gave Mark a hug and kiss. She pulled back and turned to the others. "How's Mer?"

"The surgery is almost over. The tumor has grown and Dr. Smith is going to remove it." Michael said as him and Cindy came up.

The four friends turned around to them. "Dr. Shepherd is Mer going to be ok?" Alex asked.

"She will be. After she has her chemo treatments she should be fine."

"Are you sure? I mean as a doctor are you sure?"

"What is that suppose to mean Mark?"

"I don't mean any disrespect Dr. Shepherd it's just that it's Mer. So when you say she should be fine are you saying that as a doctor or are you saying that because we are all family and you want to make us feel better?"

Michael looked at Mark a little surprised. He has known Mark since Derek started preschool and he has never known him to be serious about anything. He saw the look on his face and then he looked to the others that were staring at him. They all cared for Meredith and he knew he needed to be honest. "Both Mark. Cancer is very scary and there is no way to know what is going to happen in 10 years however Dr. Smith stated that it was caught very early and she is very confident that with the surgery and chemo that Meredith will be fine. Right now we need to be strong for each other and for Meredith."

"Will she be able to go back to school with us in the fall?"

"She wants to but we have to wait and see how everything goes first."

"Dr. Shepherd I was thinking that maybe it would be a good idea for me to come stay with Mer. I mean if she gets sick or whatever it would be better if someone was staying with her right?"

"I can stay with her too Dr. Shepherd." Alex replied.

"And me I already spend most of my nights at your house anyways." Mark replied after Izzie and Alex.

Michael held up his hand. "I appreciate your offer kids but it won't be necessary."

"Michael?"

"Cindy she's right across from us, if she needs someone and you and I don't hear her Derek or Beth will be right there."

"Let's all have a seat. The surgery should be done soon and Dr. Smith will come let us know." Michael said as he motioned to the chairs and pointed Cindy to them.

Derek watched his father help his mother to a chair and then sit next to her still holding her hand. He approached and addressed his father. "Dad, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure Derek what is it?"

"Can I talk to you alone for a minute?" Derek saw his father nod and then started away from the chairs.

Michael looked to his wife. "Here come those questions." He then gave her a kiss on the cheek and followed Derek.

Once they were out of earshot Derek turned to his father. "Dad how is she really?"

"Derek I already told you and your friends."

Derek started pacing in front of his father. "I know what you told us now I want to know what that doctor told you when he came out and you and mom walked away."

"That was not your business Derek that is why your mother and I walked away."

Derek stopped his pacing and looked his father in the eyes. "Dad, I lo…" Derek stopped himself and saw his father raise his eyebrows. "I care about her a lot and I want to know that she is going to be ok."

"Derek I know you care about her, we all do. Right now we have to wait"

Derek started pacing again trying to figure out how to tell his father that he knew what the doctor had said without getting himself into trouble. Finally he stopped and decided Mer was more important than him getting into trouble so he looked back at his father. "I know what the doctor said. I know…I know that they…Dr. Smith is going to take her breast."

Michael saw the concern on Derek's face even as he continued to pace. He reached out his hand and grabbed Derek's arm as he passed him again. "I'm getting dizzy with all your pacing so sit." Michael pointed to a couple chairs in the hall and they sat. Michael looked back to Derek. "I didn't know your talent for easdropping extended to outside of the house."

Derek's head shot up to his father. "You know?"

Michael let out a laugh. "Your mother and I are not stupid Derek. We have our ways of ensuring a private conversation. We're just glad your sisters didn't have the same talent."

Derek smiled. "Beth does. She showed me a couple new spots so I should warn you."

"I guess I should say thank-you for the warning then."

"Dad about Meredith."

"She doesn't want you and your friends to know about that. We knew this could happen and so did Meredith. Dr. Smith is a very good doctor Derek and I trust her. Meredith is in good hands and I know that if there was any other way Dr. Smith wouldn't have taken Meredith's breast. Right now we have to help her recover from the surgery and then help her through the chemo. Izzie is right about what could happen."

"I know I did some research of my own."

"What?"

"We all have. We didn't just say we wanted to be surgeon's dad; we really do so we spend time researching different surgeries and illnesses. Mer does too. About 2 months ago she was looking up breast cancer. We didn't think anything about it but I saw a look in her eyes. I told myself she had a relative with breast cancer or she knew someone and that was why she wanted to know so much. I should have known there was more to it. She asked Mark, Alex, and I how we would feel if our girlfriends lost a breast. We shrugged it off but she was adamant that we answer."

"What did you say?"

"We told her the truth. It wouldn't matter as long as the girl was ok. We said that losing a breast or both would be worth it if it meant saving their life. Besides breasts are just a part of their body, yeah they are nice but we can live without them and they don't make the girl."

Michael smiled. "You really said all that?"

"You look surprised."

"Not everyone feels the way you and your friends do."

"He didn't."

"I'm afraid he did. That's why she wasn't going to do anything."

Derek shot up. "I am going to kill that bastard."

"Derek calm down."

"Calm down. She was going to do nothing because of that bastard. She could die." Derek said as he started walking away from his father.

Michael tried to grab Derek's arm to stop him but he was already out of reach. He looked past Derek and saw Cindy, Mark, Alex, and Izzie all watching. "Derek where are you going?"

"I am going to have a talk with him"

Cindy came up behind Derek. "What is going on here?"

"I have to leave for a little bit mom, I'll be back."

"Derek here wants to go talk to Curt."

Cindy realized what that meant. "You can't leave Derek."

"Someone needs to talk to him."

"That may be true but honey you can't leave now. Meredith needs us here."

"It's because of him she didn't have the surgery right away. If you hadn't have found those papers she still wouldn't have had the surgery. What if she…what if it's too late?"

"It's not too late Derek. It's still early. Let's go sit." Cindy led him back to the chairs he and Michael had just left. They all sat. "Derek Meredith is going to be ok. We all have to believe that."

"He knows Cindy. His eavesdropping talents go outside the house as well."

"Dad I wasn't eavesdropping. You and mom were talking to the doctor and I was just standing close by."

"We walked away from you kids for a reason Derek. You weren't supposed to know about this."

"Mom it has to do with Meredith. Anything that has to do with her is something I should know." Derek stopped and took a breath before continuing. "It's because of him that the tumor grew. He should have supported her then she would have had the surgery right away and maybe then she wouldn't have lost…"

"Honey we can't know that for sure. Yes the tumor grew but there is a chance that Meredith would have lost her breast even if she had the surgery right away. This isn't Curt's fault. Meredith didn't tell him about the cancer, he didn't know she was talking about herself. I would like to think that if he had he would have encouraged her to have the surgery but we have no way of knowing."

Derek thought about what his mother was saying. He realized he was mad at Curt for what he had said to Meredith that had made her mind up about the surgery but he was also mad that she had the cancer. More than that he was scarred. He knew Meredith was strong but what if this was something she couldn't fight. The thought of losing her scarred him more than he wanted to admit. He pushed his feelings aside going back to Meredith knowing he had to be strong for her. "Mom is she going to be ok?"

"We have to wait and see Derek but I believe your father and Dr. Smith."

"No mom I don't mean that. After this surgery, after she beats the cancer. Is SHE going to be ok with loosing…" Derek once again couldn't finish his sentence.

Cindy looked from her son to her husband and back to Derek. She saw the concern on his face. "Derek if you can't say it you will not be able to help Meredith. I can only imagine what Meredith is going to feel and think when she finds out the outcome of the surgery. What I do know is that I am going to be there for her. If she needs to talk, yell, cry, or just have someone hold her hand I will be there for her."

"That's what I want too I will be there whatever she needs I will be there for her. I'm just worried about her. I don't what her to be hurt anymore. She doesn't deserve this."

"Nobody does Derek." Cindy said pulling her son into a hug.

Derek pulled back from his mother and looked back to his father. "Thank-you dad."

"For what?"

"For what you said to Meredith last night and for helping her."

Michael pulled Derek in for a hug. "There's no need to thank me Derek. That spitfire has worked her way into our hearts and our family. Whatever she needs, your mother and I will see that she gets it."

Derek pulled back from his father. "Spitfire?"

Michael smiled as they all stood and started back towards the others. "Well she told me I have an ego, I couldn't think of anything else at the time."

Cindy chuckled. "I have to agree with your father on this one."

Derek also laughed as they rejoined his friends. "I wonder what Mer would have to say about that?"

"What Mer would say about what?"

"Nothing Mark."

"What?"

"Dad's right, it's nothing."

"Oh come on Derek. You know you cannot keep a secret."

"Dad just called Mer…"

Michael cut him off. "Derek if you finish that sentence you will be sleeping in your car for the next two years."

Derek and Cindy laughed at him. "What's the matter Michael, are you afraid of Meredith finding out?"

"No."

"I think you are dad."

"Dad is afraid of Meredith. What did you say?"

"Nothing Mark."

"Come on it can't be that bad."

Cindy decided it would be good to let the others know what Michael had said knowing Meredith would probably be amused by it and she liked watching her husband squirm in front of Derek and Meredith's friends. "He called her a spitfire."

"Cindy."

"Oh be quiet Michael. Meredith…" Cindy stopped as she looked back down the hall. "Michael."

The others all turned to see what Cindy was looking at. Dr. Smith was making her way down the hall towards them. She stopped in front of the Shepherds.

"Dr. Smith, how is Meredith?"

"She is in recovery and will be moved to her room shortly Dr. Shepherd. I'm sorry the surgery took longer than I thought. I don't expect her to wake up for a few hours and I'm sorry that visiting hours are almost over."

"We want to be there when she wakes up." Alex said.

"I don't think it would be good for you all to be there, it might be a little overwhelming. I think it would be better if you come back tomorrow morning. She will be refreshed and ready for visitors then. I am going to need to talk to her tonight and let her know how the surgery went anyways so it would be better for her if you came back."

Michael saw Mark, Alex, and Izzie all wanting to say something. "Dr. Smith is right. I know you all want to be there for her but it may be overwhelming. Izzie can you take Mark and Alex home?"

Izzie knew she couldn't object so she gave in. "Of course Dr. Shepherd."

"Thank-you. You all can come back in the morning."

Mark, Alex, and Izzie all said their goodbyes and were happy to know that Meredith made it through the surgery ok.

Once they were in the elevator Derek turned back to the doctor. "Can we go see her now?"

"Dr. Shepherd?"

"This is my son Derek. He will be staying with my wife and I."

"Okay. I'll walk you to her room and tell you about the surgery. When she wakes up I'll have the nurse page me so I can come and talk with her."

The Shepherds all nodded and followed Dr. Smith down the hallway.

Derek sat on one side of Meredith's bed holding her hand while his mother sat on the other also holding her hand. Michael was next to Cindy. Dr. Smith had told them about the surgery and when Derek went in to sit with Meredith Dr. Smith explained how she wanted to proceed with the chemo. Once she was done Cindy asked to be the one to tell Meredith thinking it would be better coming from her. Dr. Smith agreed and said she would be back before she left for the night to check on her.

Dr. Smith was right and hours had passed. The sun was setting when Derek saw Meredith starting to stir. "She's waking up." Derek said standing up getting closer to Meredith.

Michael stood from his spot next to Cindy and watched both Meredith and the couple monitors that were monitoring her.

"Mer?"

Meredith's eyes fluttered before finally opening. When they did open she was looking right into Derek's. She gave him a soft smile. "Hey." She croaked out since her throat was sore.

Derek smiled back at her. "Hey."

"Derek get her some water." Cindy said.

Meredith turned her head and saw both Cindy and Michael beside her. "You're both here." She looked down to the end of the bed and frowned when she didn't see anyone else. "Where is everyone?"

"They got tired of waiting for sleeping beauty to wake up so they left." Derek said holding a cup of water.

"Derek. Meredith Dr. Smith said you would be out for a few hours and that visiting hours would be over so they will be back in the morning. How are you feeling?" Michael asked after giving Derek a look.

Meredith gave Derek a look and he helped her take a drink of the water he had poured for her. Once she was done she spoke again. "I feel like I just got out of surgery I guess. When can I go home and if visiting hours are over why are you all still here?"

"We are here because we are family." Michael smiled at Meredith.

"You mean you pulled a couple strings so you could stay?" Meredith saw the look on Michael's face. "I have spent a lot of time at Grace and I know how strict the nurses are about visiting hours. What did you have to trade to get them to allow you to stay?"

Cindy and Derek both had smiles on their faces as they looked to Michael. "That's a very good question Michael."

Michael stammered a little before recovering. "I am Dr. Michael Shepherd; I did not need to trade anything. Besides I don't even work in this hospital so I couldn't trade anything anyways."

When he finished the door opened and in walked Dr. Smith. "Good evening. Meredith, I'm glad you're awake, how do you feel?"

"Like I just had surgery. When can I go home?"

"Well if you don't get a fever or anything I suppose you can leave day after tomorrow."

Meredith smiled and then looked closer at Dr. Smith. She knew something was wrong so she decided to get right to the point. "Dr. Smith just tell me."

Dr. Smith smiled and looked to Dr. and Mrs. Shepherd.

Michael gave a small smile. "Ripe off the band aide."

Meredith nodded. "No anastasia."

Cindy stood and addressed Michael and Derek. "Michael, Derek would you mind giving us a few minutes?"

Michael nodded to his wife and then to Derek. Derek gave Meredith's hand a squeeze and followed his father out of the room.

Once the door closed Meredith spoke up again. "Just tell me, get it over with."

Cindy looked from Dr. Smith to Meredith as she took a seat on the bed next to Meredith and grabbed her hand.

Dr. Smith stepped to the other side of the bed and looked at Meredith. "I removed the tumor."

"OK."

"It had grown since your last appointment."

"But you took it all out?"

"Yes I removed the entire tumor."

"OK, so when do I start the chemo? I want to have this all done by the time I start school this fall."

"Meredith."

"That's 3 months. Dr. Smith I have to be done in 3 months, everything has to be good so I can go back to school. I can't miss my junior year."

"Meredith." Dr. Smith tried again.

"I have so much to do. I have to start narrowing down my college choices so I can get applications sent and…"

Cindy cut her off. "Meredith, Dr. Smith removed the tumor however because of the size she had to remove your left breast."

"I was thinking Dartmouth but Harvard is a possibility. Mom always said I wouldn't ever get in so I thought I would try and maybe prove her wrong. That's why I have to…"

Cindy grabbed both of Meredith's hands and looked her straight in the eyes. "You Meredith will have your choice of colleges however right now we need to talk about your health." Cindy paused as she saw the tears come to Meredith's eyes. "Dr. Smith removed the tumor however she had to remove your left breast as well."

Meredith looked down to her chest and saw her left side was flat compared to the right. She looked back up to Cindy and then to Dr. Smith. "Thank-you Dr. Smith. I know you did what you needed to. I'm feeling a little tired now, can we talk about the chemo maybe tomorrow?"

Dr. Smith looked to Cindy who nodded and then back to Meredith. "That's fine. I'll be back to check on you in the morning and we can talk. Get some rest Meredith." Cindy patted her on the arm and started to the door.

"Thank-you Dr. Smith." Meredith called out and soon the door closed. She looked back to Cindy. "You should go. Beth is probably wondering where everyone is."

"Meredith I'm not going anywhere yet. I'm here, you can talk to me."

"There's nothing to talk about and I'm tired."

"Meredith honey you can't just ignore this, and you can't push me away." Cindy said firmly as she watched Meredith try to hold the tears in.

Meredith saw the concern in Cindy's eyes and soon it was too much. She let her tears fall. Cindy leaned down and held her gently.

"Its ok honey just let it out."

"…what if…what if I survive this only to be alone?"

Cindy pulled back and looked at her. "Meredith you are not alone any longer."

"But Curt, he said…he won't…"

"I know you care about him honey but I really don't think he deserves you. You deserve someone better than him."

Meredith looked back up to Cindy. She still had tears coming from her eyes. "I just…I'm…I'm scared." She sobbed harder.

Cindy again leaned down and hugged Meredith as her heart broke for her. "Oh Meredith, I'm scarred too. We all are." Cindy had tears coming from her eyes as she held her. "I know you are scarred but Meredith we have to listen to Dr. Smith. She did what she needed to give you the best chance in beating this so that you can stay with us for a long time. We are not going to let you give up or push us away now." Cindy finished rather firmly.

Meredith nodded and started talking without thinking. "Thank-you mom, thank-you for…"

As soon as Cindy heard Meredith say the word she pulled back and looked to Meredith.

Meredith stopped once she realized what she said. When she felt Cindy release her hold her heart fell. "I'm sorry Cindy." She said looking down.

Cindy placed a finger under Meredith's chin gently forcing her to look into her eyes. "Meredith you have nothing to be sorry for. You are part of our family now. Do you remember when you gave me my birthday present?" Cindy watched Meredith nod. "Your present was the best present I received Meredith. The necklace was beautiful and I cherish it but more importantly that was when you told me you thought of me as your mother. I can't change your past and I know I'm not your real mother but I'd be honored if you wanted to call me mom. I would actually prefer that to Cindy anyway." Cindy finished with a smirk.

"I don't know what I did to deserve you. You and Michael have been wonderful to me. I feel like I've invaded your family and I am so sorry for that but I don't know where I would be right now if it wasn't for you both and the rest of the Shepherd clan."

"You didn't invade; actually Derek brought you home if I remember correctly. Look the only difference between Derek and Mark is the name and technically the blood. What I'm trying to say is that I love Mark just as much as I love Derek and Alex is also an honorary son." Cindy smiled as she wiped Meredith's tears. "Beside Meredith I started thinking of you as a daughter a long time ago."

"You did?"

"Yes." Cindy replied as she watched Meredith try to hide a yawn and saw her eyes getting heavy. "I saw that. I think it's time for you to get some rest and we can talk more in the morning."

"I'm ok, I can talk now." Meredith said with a small smile.

"No Meredith, you need your rest. We will be back in the morning and we'll even bring breakfast. How does that sound?"

"Good." Meredith said as she yawned again. "Thank-you, Cin…mom for everything, thank-you."

"You're welcome." Cindy said after she reached down and gave Meredith a kiss on the forehead. She then made sure she was tucked in and she watched Meredith close her eyes. She started towards the door and turned back around as she reached the door. "Goodnight Meredith."

"Goodnight mom." Meredith called from her bed as she heard the door open and close.

When Cindy stepped out the door she saw Michael and Derek waiting for her. They both saw the tears that she had cried since they were watching through the window. Michael immediately pulled her into a hug not even saying anything. Cindy sighed and Michael knew she was crying again by the shake of her shoulders so he just held her.

Cindy let Michael comfort her until her tears stopped. She pulled back and wiped away her remaining tears as she looked up into Michael's eyes. She didn't know what to say and she didn't have to as Michael spoke first.

"Is she ok?"

"She will be." Cindy answered looking between Michael and Derek. She rested her eyes on Michael's chest.

Michael reached up and tilted her face so she was looking into his eyes. "Are you ok?"

Cindy looked into her husband's eyes and after a second she smiled. "She called me mom."

Michael smiled back and pulled her into another hug.

Derek had listened to his mother and he smiled knowing how much his parents cared for Meredith. "Mom can I go in and see her?"

Cindy pulled back from Michael. "I'm sorry Derek she's sleeping. I told her we would be back in the morning and that we would bring breakfast."

"I'm not going to leave her here alone."

Cindy looked to Michael for help. Michael knew if he were in Derek's shoes he would want to stay as well so he decided to compromise because he also didn't want Meredith to be alone. "OK Derek. Let's go get some dinner and then we'll go home and you can get a change of clothes and your car so you can come back and sit with her."

Derek didn't say anything so Cindy spoke up. "That's it Derek take it or leave it. If you don't come with us now so we know you ate something then your father will drag you out of here and you won't be able to come back until morning. Plus you need to call Mark, Alex, and Izzie to let them know how she is."

Derek looked back to Meredith and then back to his parents. "Ok." Is all he said.

Cindy gave Derek a hug before they all started down the hall. They ran into Dr. Smith and Michael explained that Derek would be back so Dr. Smith said she would let the nurses know. When they left they went out to eat and then went home. Derek called Mark who said he would tell Izzie since they were together and then he called Alex. They all made plans to be at the hospital in the morning to have breakfast with Meredith. Once he was done he took a shower and changed his clothes. Then he headed downstairs. "Mom, dad I'm going back now." Derek said walking into the living room where his parents were.

"Call us if you need anything and drive safe Derek."

"I will mom. Goodnight mom, goodnight dad." Derek said as he gave his mother a hug and kiss before walking out the door.

Once she heard the car pull away she looked to her husband. "I wonder how much longer it will take them to realize they love each other."

Michael smiled. "I have a feeling it will be soon."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because stuff like this helps us to see what we have right in front of us and realize we don't want to lose it."

"I hope so. Curt is going to hurt her."

"I know. We just have to be here for her when he does."

Cindy was about to respond when she heard a car pull up. "We have to tell Beth."

"Let's just tell her what the others know."

"That's fine and then we need to get to bed so we can go see Meredith in the morning. I'm sure Beth will want to come."

Michael nodded as Beth entered the house. They all talked for about 2 hours by the time they answered all of Beth's questions. Beth had jumped at the idea to go to the hospital and see Meredith so they headed to bed.

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"Good morning."

"Good morning."

"How long have you been up?"

"Not long."

"I stayed because I didn't want you to be alone."

"That was sweet of you, thank-you."

"You're welcome. How are you feeling?"

"A little sore but good. Can you help me sit up a little?"

Derek helped Meredith sit up and then took a seat on the bed. "So I figured out what I want for my birthday."

"Oh really, what is it?"

"A motorcycle."

"What?"

"A motorcycle and I already talked to dad."

"What about your mom?"

"She didn't like the idea but I promised I would be safe. Besides she couldn't say no."

"So you gave her the face."

"There is no face Mer, dad and I just talked to her about it and told her how responsible I am."

Meredith laughed. "Responsible, please Derek. I know you. You got your dad to talk to your mom with you so that you both could give her the face and it worked, she caved."

"I am responsible and I don't know what you are talking about."

"Okay Derek whatever you say. So when is breakfast coming?"

"Now you what breakfast."

"I'm hungry so I want breakfast."

Derek looked at his watch. "Well it's almost 9 so I expect them any minute. I can't believe we slept so late."

"It was a long night." Meredith smiled again.

"What?"

"She so caved."

"She did not cave."

"You and your dad gave her the face and she caved."

"There is no face and she did not cave."

"The Shepherd face times two to your mother equals caving." Meredith said again giggling.

Derek was watching Meredith giggle. He loved hearing her giggle and seeing her smile. Just watching her made him smile. "No face, no caving"

Meredith stopped giggling for a second. "I'm immune Derek."

"What?"

"You're giving me the face; I'm immune so you can stop."

"Meredith there is no face."

Meredith started giggling again. "There is so a face and I am immune, I will not cave like your mother."

"For the last time there is no face and my mother did not cave."

"What's this about a cave?" Michael asked as he entered the room behind Cindy and Beth.

Mark and Alex came in after Michael. Meredith and Derek didn't even hear them enter.

Meredith tried to suppress her giggles. "N…nothing Mr. Shepherd, Derek was just telling me about his birthday present."

"The motorcycle. I don't even know how I agreed to that." Cindy said.

Meredith couldn't hold the laughter any longer and let it out as all eyes turned to her.

Mark stepped forward. "Is there laughing gas in that morphine?"

Eventually Meredith calmed down and they all eat breakfast.

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Truth be told when I found out the Shepherds, Mark, and Alex were going to be waiting for me I was happy and scared. Happy that there were going to be people waiting for me and scared because I knew that they cared for me and I didn't want to let them down. Letting people down seemed to be a normal thing for me. The surgery was a lot scarier than I thought it would be and I was glad that Cindy was there when I woke up and that she was the one to tell me the outcome. A part of me knew that it wouldn't be as easy as it seemed, after all nothing is ever easy for me. I was just grateful that the Shepherds didn't get scared away.

I couldn't believe that Derek was there when I woke up the next morning. He was becoming more than a friend and part of me was scared about that. I still had Curt but he was nowhere to be found and that means something right? Derek was there and he wasn't judging me. I could tell by the look in his eye.

The Shepherds, Mark, and Alex showing up for breakfast the next morning was amazing. I know they said they would but to actually have them show up for me was amazing.

Author's Note: Thank-you to those of you who have reviewed...I can't tell you how much that means and I hope you enjoyed this chapter.