Growing Up Fast

by Endzi

AU: What happens if you come home but you find out that your home really isn't a home? For Meredith Grey it means she needs to grow up fast and learn how to keep going. She gets help from her friends and a certain family, will they become her family?

8. Chapter 8

"Dr. Shepherd did you have a good holiday?"

"I did Olivia, did you?"

"It was good although I'm glad to be back to work."

"It is nice to be at work but I would much rather be at home with my family."

"You do have a nice family."

Michael was going to reply when the emergency doors opened and paramedics came in with a stretcher. "What have we got?"

"Seventeen year old female found unconscious. Neighbors called it in."

Michael reached the stretcher and took a deep breath as his eyes focused on the girls face.

"Dr. Shepherd what do you want?" A nurse asked.

Michael shook his head slightly and immediately went into action. "Full work up and page Dr. Grey immediately. Dr. Singh you're on this case. You will not leave her do you understand me?" Michael watched his intern nod before continuing. "She needs a CT and an MRI. As soon as you get the results you page me is that understood? I need to know what the damage is and why she's not awake. Now go and she's priority I need the results yesterday." Michael watched the gurney get rolled away before turning back to the paramedics and the nurse that was standing there. "What do you know?"

"Not much, the neighbors heard fighting and screaming. They called the police."

Michael looked to the right and saw two police officers enter the ER. "What happened?"

"From what we can tell…they were fighting. She fell or was pushed down the stairs."

"What do you mean by from what you can tell?"

"The father…"

"Step father. That man is not her father."

"Okay step father, we think he pushed her down the stairs and when she wouldn't wake up he panicked. He got in his car and sped down the street. About a block down he ran into a tree and died on impact. There was alcohol involved."

As he took in what he was being told Michael took a seat on a nearby stool. He looked up to the nurse, "I need you to call my wife. Don't say anything; just get her on the phone for me."

The nurse nodded and slipped away as Dr. Grey made her appearance. "Why was I paged?"

"You might want to sit down Ellis."

"Dr. Shepherd what is the meaning of this?"

Michael looked towards the officers. "This is Dr. Grey."

They understood who was now in front of them as they looked to her. "Dr. Grey we're sorry to have to tell you this but…"

"What are you talking about?"

"Dr. Grey your husband was in an accident tonight. We're sorry to have to say he did not make it."

Ellis just stared at them not saying a word and her face didn't show any emotions.

"Your daughter was brought in as well. She was unconscious when we arrived at the scene so we don't know her status at this time."

Ellis looked towards Michael asking the question without words.

"I sent her for an MRI and a CT. I'm to be paged as soon as the results are in."

Ellis nodded and slowly walked away with no other words.

Michael stood and made his way to the nurses' station where a phone was handed to him. "Cindy?"

"Michael, what is it?"

"Where is everyone?"

"Derek, Mark, Nancy, Kathleen, and Amelia are watching TV and Beth is at a friend's house tonight. She wanted to spend some time with her friends so she could be with family the rest of the weekend?"

"I remember Cindy."

"Michael?"

"A patient was just brought in and…"

Cindy knew that if her husband was calling it was bad and she could tell by his voice that something was terribly wrong. Knowing that all her children were accounted for she had a moment of peace until she realized that one of her children the one who had disappeared from their lives three months ago with no reason was not accounted for and that's when she knew. "It's Meredith isn't it?"

Not knowing what to say he just decided to agree. "Yes."

"What happened?"

Michael was about to answer when his pager went off. He looked down and saw the 911. "Cindy I have to go now. Just get here. I'll have Olivia meet you and explain what we know so far. I love you and drive carefully."

"I love you too and take care of her."

"I will." Michael said as he hung up the phone before taking off down the hallway.

Michael quickly made his way to the CT room expecting to see scans however when he approached he heard yelling. Coming in he saw the activity and pushed his way forward. "What happened?"

"She's crashing Dr. Shepherd. She started crashing before we could finish the scans."

Michael immediately went to action along with the others in the room to get her stable. Once she was he looked up to his intern. "Dr. Singh, what the hell happened?"

"She was stable Dr. Shepherd, I don't know but I swear she was stable."

Michael started examining her and when he felt her abdomen his eyes grew wide as he lifted her gown and saw the huge bruises. "What the hell?"

The nurse and intern both gasped at the sight of the bruises and watched as Dr. Shepherd practically pulled the patients gown away so he could see more of her body and more of the bruises. As he did so everyone got a look at the body that was lying in front of them. There were bruises all over her. Some were yellow while the others were black and blue.

"What is going on in here?"

Michael looked up and saw Ellis step into the room. "Look…look what your husband has done." Michael yelled.

"He didn't do anything to her."

"Are you saying that she did this to herself? Look at her Ellis. Tell me she did this to herself. Look at her."

Ellis looked into his blazing eyes before looking down to her daughter. She immediately put her hand to her mouth at the sight. "No…no he wouldn't have done this, he loved her."

"Love doesn't do this, you let him do this. What kind of mother are you?"

Ellis couldn't reply as Michael carefully covered Meredith back up with the exception of her abdomen.

Dr. Singh stepped forward, "It looks to me like she was kicked and from the feeling I would say she is bleeding into her abdomen. We need to get her into surgery right away."

Michael looked away from Ellis and back to Dr. Singh. "Prep the OR and Meredith. You'll scrub in. Go now." Michael watched Dr. Singh leave the room and bent down to Meredith's ear. "I'm going to take care of you now. He will never hurt you again so you need to make sure you come back to us. For now, just rest." When he stood he nodded to the nurse that was there to take Meredith. When he turned back around he saw Olivia. "Olivia, I need you to tell my wife what is happening. I know you don't know everything but she is coming and I need to do this surgery so I can't be down there to meet her. You can take her to my office if they would be more comfortable." Michael then watched Olivia leave the room. He turned to Ellis however he couldn't say anything. Instead he turned back around and left the room.

Cindy made her way quickly down the hallway with her children following her. Derek and Mark were both asking questions however Cindy didn't answer. She was on a mission and she wasn't going to stop until she got the answers she was looking for knowing that anything less would hurt them as much as it would her. Finally she saw the person she was looking for. "Olivia!"

Olivia looked up from the nurses' station and made her way towards Cindy. "Mrs. Shepherd."

"Please call me Cindy; we've known each other long enough. Michael said you would let me know what was going on. Please just tell me."

Olivia nodded and led them to some nearby chairs. "Dr. Shepherd said you could go to his office if you would be more comfortable."

"This is fine for now; please just tell me about Meredith."

As soon as they heard her name all heads turned towards their mother and Olivia as they waited for her to talk.

Olivia took a deep breath and then started talking. "She was brought in unconscious. Dr. Shepherd sent for a CT and MRI."

"What were the results?"

"We didn't get results. When she was in for a CT she crashed. She was pulled out and Dr. Shepherd made sure she was stable before he further examined her. During the exam he found…" Olivia took a breath before continuing. "Cindy, she has bruises all over her body. Many were yellow so we know they are old however there were many that are black and blue. There was a big bruise on her abdomen. It looked like she had been kicked. And they believe she is bleeding internally which is why Dr. Shepherd had to rush her into surgery."

Cindy had tears in her eyes as she looked at Olivia. "Do you know what happened before she was brought in?"

"All we know is that there was fighting and screaming. The neighbors called the police and when they arrived she was at the bottom of the stairs unconscious. Her step father was found a block away. He had ran into a tree and died on impact. Apparently he had been drinking and lost control of the car. That's all we know until Meredith wakes up and tells us exactly what happened."

"How long will the surgery last?"

Olivia looked at her watch and then back to Cindy. "If everything goes okay maybe another hour or two. Do you want to go to Dr. Shepherd's office?" Cindy nodded as Olivia continued. "I'll let Dr. Shepherd know."

Cindy and the others walked to Michael's office in silence. Once they entered they all found a place to sit. Cindy looked at her two boys and saw both of them were struggling. "This isn't your fault."

Derek looked to his mother. "How can it not be? We didn't do anything. We didn't stop her from going back. We saw her come to school every day and knew that the smile she gave everyone was fake but we didn't do anything about it. If we had done something we wouldn't be sitting here and she wouldn't' be on an operating table."

Mark looked from Derek to Cindy. "We knew what he was capable of mom. We should have protected her."

Cindy stood and walked over to her boys before kneeling in front of them. "Now you two listen to me. We all love her and know that she doesn't deserve any of this. She made the decision to go back to her family."

"They are not her family."

"Derek. I know how you feel but they are her family. I'm sure she had her reasons and as those who love her it was our job to support her. She was trying to be a better person and love them. You can't fault her for that."

"I know mom. She always thinks of others before herself. She told us everything was okay. She told us he hasn't touched her since when she first came to live with us. I should have pushed her more. I knew she was lying but I couldn't see any bruises so I believed her. I shouldn't have believed her mom."

Cindy pulled them both into a hug knowing they were beating themselves up just like she was.

They all sat for another two hours in silence as they waited for news. Finally they heard the door open and turned to see Michael standing there. Everyone stood and Cindy practically ran to him.

Michael pulled his wife in for a hug. Once he let her go he looked at all of them and spoke. "She's okay. I had to remove her spleen but we were able to stop the bleeding and she will be okay."

"Has she woken up yet?"

"No Cindy. She's still unconscious."

"Is there something wrong, did she hit her head?"

"She has a concussion but nothing to show that she won't wake up. We just need to give her time now."

"Can we be with her?"

"Of course. Come on, I'll take you there before I change and clean up. Then I will join you."

Cindy nodded as she followed her husband out of the office. On their way to the room she fell in step with him and grabbed his hand giving it a squeeze.

Michael stopped in front of a room and turned to his wife. "Cindy."

"I know about the bruises Michael. Olivia told us everything. Just let me see her. She needs us in there."

Michael nodded as he pushed open the door and led his family in. Cindy immediately went to her bed and grabbed one of her hands. He watched his wife brush a strand of hair out of Meredith's face. He then saw Derek reach the other side of the bed and grab Meredith's other hand the best he could since her arm was in a sling. Mark came up next to Derek and placed his hand softly on Meredith's leg. Michael assumed it was just to let her know he was there.

In that moment he was proud of his family knowing they would be there for Meredith to help her through this part of her life. He quietly pulled up a chair for Cindy and himself as he watched his two boys do the same on the other side of the bed and his daughters sat on the couch in the room.

"What happened to her arm and leg?"

"While I was doing the surgery I had an ortho surgeon come in and he confirmed that her shoulder was dislocated and her leg was broken. I can only assume it was because of the fall."

"How do they know she fell down the stairs?"

"We won't know for sure until she wakes up but she was found at the bottom of the stairs and the police said it looked like she had fallen down them from the way she was laying."

There was no more discussion as they sat in silence until the door opened. None of them turned their heads assuming it was just a nurse coming to check on Meredith however when they heard her voice all heads turned towards her. "How is she?"

"Why do you care?"

"Derek don't."

"She's my daughter. How is she Dr. Shepherd?"

"I was able to stop the bleeding and I had to remove her spleen. She has a concussion probably from the fall down the stairs along with a dislocated shoulder and a broken leg. And aside from the hundreds of bruises over her body she will be okay."

Ellis had heard what he said but taking in the sight of her daughter lying in the bed got to her. She saw her before but now as she really looked at her she saw the bruises and the monitors as it all sunk in. "I really didn't know that he was doing this. He said he loved her and wanted her to live with us. He wanted us to be a real family again even without Jason. I believed him. She never told me that he was doing anything to hurt her. I never wanted her to be hurt."

"Like the other times?" Mark asked.

Ellis looked to the two boys before looking back to Dr. Shepherd. "It was me. I made her come home."

Michael looked her in the eyes as he felt his stomach start to turn. "How, how did you make her?"

"The surgery. I told her I would do your sons surgery if she promised to move back home and cut off all ties to you and your family. She wanted to make sure that the best was doing the operation and she knew I was the best."

The Shepherds were speechless. They never knew the true reason that Meredith left but they never thought it would be because of this. Cindy spoke first. "She put herself at risk to make sure that Derek was okay. How could you not see what is right in front of you Ellis? You have an amazing daughter and yet all you do is hurt her."

"I didn't know this was happening."

"How could you when you were never home."

"Mark don't."

"He's right Dr. Shepherd. I spent more time at this hospital then at home." Ellis stopped and looked at Meredith before looking back to Dr. Shepherd. "Dr. Shepherd can I speak to you for a moment in private?"

Michael looked to his wife. He saw her nod and then he motioned to Ellis to go out into the hall.

Once they were out in the hall, Ellis spoke. "I've been offered a position in Boston. I've decided to take it. I know I haven't been a mother to her and I'm afraid now I've hurt her beyond repair. Will you and your wife take her in? I have set up a trust for her and I can make sure you get money each month. I don't think bringing her with would be the right thing. I know she was happy with your family and after everything that has happened I want her to be happy."

Michael was at a loss for words. He really hadn't expected her to ask this but he knew what to do without a second thought knowing that Cindy would agree. "Of course we will. And there is no need for money Ellis."

Ellis shook her head. "It's the least I can do. I'll make sure the movers drop off her things before they bring my things to Boston."

"I can bring the boys and we can pick them up. How soon are you leaving?"

"In the morning. There's nothing left for me here now and the sooner the better."

"Okay, I'll bring the boys tomorrow. We can pack her things and bring them to the house."

"Thank-you. I'll go say goodbye now."

Michael watched as Ellis slipped back into the room and made her way up to Meredith. She bent down and whispered, "I'm so sorry I hurt you. I don't know of any way to make this up to you besides giving you what's best and that is a family. I'm going to go and you are going to stay with the Shepherds. They love you Meredith more than I have shown you and you deserve this. You deserve a family that I never gave you. I do love you and one day I hope you will believe that. Goodbye." Ellis gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before turning back to Cindy and bending down to whisper in her ear. "You are the mother I will never be. Please take care of her and give this to her when she wakes up." When she was finished she quickly left the room.

Cindy looked to Michael.

"She got a job offer in Boston and she asked that Meredith stay with us. I told her we would keep her. I hope you don't mind having another mouth to feed."

Cindy smiled before standing and hugging her husband. "Of course I don't mind. Thank-you."

"It was the best thing for her. She deserves a family and we can give that to her especially after what she did for Derek."

"When will she leave?"

"She's leaving in the morning. Derek, Mark I'll need you both to help me tomorrow. We are going to go pack up her stuff and move her to the spare room. I want her to have her own room."

Slowly she felt the pull to open her eyes. She knew it was bright because she could tell through her eyelids however the last thing she remembered was falling down the stairs. She didn't remember getting up and she defiantly did not remember getting into bed. That's when she heard the other noises in the room. There were whispers and beeps. Next she noticed the smell. There was a mixture of the hospital smell she was use to and a smell she thought she would never get to smell again. Slowly she opened her eyes squinting some at the bright lights.

"Mer, you're back."

"Cindy?"

Cindy leaned in closer. "Yes sweetheart it's me."

Meredith wanted to hug her so she wouldn't disappear. When she moved out before she hadn't realized she would miss Cindy and Dr. Shepherd as much as she did. She had gotten used to having them there for her even though she didn't go to them she knew they were there and she missed that. "You…you shouldn't here be." Meredith replied coming out horse.

Cindy stood and got some water before helping Meredith take a drink to ease her throat that she knew was soar. "I'm right where I should be."

"What…what happened?"

"You don't remember?"

"I remember landing on the floor before everything went black and..."

"Mer honey tell me what you remember."

Meredith looked away not wanting to see her face. She took a deep breathe and then opened up. "He was drunk and watching old movies of Jason. He told me I shouldn't be there and then he hit me. I ran up the stairs and he followed me. He caught up to me and he hit me again. I fell down and then he kicked me. I didn't realize I was so close to the stairs. I guess when he hit me I must have stumbled some before I fell. When he kicked me I started going down the stairs. I remember it hurt, right after he kicked me but then I hit the wall and my shoulder started hurting. I think I did something to my leg before I reached the bottom because then it started hurting." Meredith paused as a tear rolled down her cheek. "I have to get home. I'm sure I need to clean him up before mom gets home." Meredith finished as she went to sit up.

Cindy reached over to settle her. "Mer you are not going anywhere. You just had surgery and your shoulder was dislocated. You also have a broken leg so you are going to stay in this bed and heal."

Meredith struggled some before settling back down.

"Meredith I need to tell you something."

Meredith just looked at her and waited for her to continue.

"Ray he…there was an accident last night. Before you were brought in he hit a tree and didn't make it."

"What?"

"I'm sorry Mer but he didn't make it."

"Mom?"

"She got a job offer in Boston and she's decided to take it. She left this letter for you."

Looking at Cindy she asked, "Can you read it to me please?"

Cindy nodded and opened the letter as she began to read. "Dear Meredith I don't really know what to say to you. You have been through so much and I know that now. I'm sorry. I'm sorry we blamed you for Jason's death and I'm sorry for what Ray has done to you the last year. I do love you. I know I haven't shown it but I do and I know now the only way that I can show that to you is to let you go. I'm going to Boston and you are going to stay with the Shepherds. You Meredith Grey are an amazing young women and I hope that I haven't hurt that. You deserve to be loved the way Dr and Mrs. Shepherd will love you, let them Meredith. Let them show you even if it's only for a little time what having a real family is like. You deserve that and maybe someday our paths will cross again and you won't hate me for all the hurt I have caused you. I love you Meredith….be happy, be the extraordinary women you are meant to be. Ellis." Cindy finished reading and looked to Meredith with tears in her eyes. She saw her struggling with her emotions but Meredith wouldn't look to her. "Meredith?"

"I just want to be left alone. Please Cindy I'm tired and I think I need to sleep. You should go be with your family."

Cindy knew that at this minute Meredith was not going to listen to her so she stood and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "You are my family dear." She whispered before making her way out of the room. She found a nurse and told her she would be back and if anything happened she was to be called right away.

Once Meredith heard the door close she let her tears fall. Once again she had been left alone. Her mother couldn't even say goodbye to her face. She softly cried herself back to sleep.

Cindy had gone to get a cup of coffee and was making her way back to Meredith's room when she saw her husband approaching. "Michael."

Michael gave Cindy a kiss and hug before he spoke. "Hey, Did Mer wake up yet?"

"She did. I read her the letter Ellis left and then she asked me to leave. Where is everyone else?"

"They are all getting Mer moved in."

"Michael…"

"She will be okay…we will make sure she will be okay."

Cindy went to respond when they heard a commotion down the hall.

"Quick get a suture kit, she popped her stitches and page the intern on call."

Michael and Cindy looked at each other before quickly making their way to the room. When they entered they saw two nurses trying to hold down a screaming Meredith. Michael quickly took charge. "What is going on here Olivia?"

"Dr. Shepherd, she's having a nightmare. I tried to wake her but its not working and she popped her stitches."

Cindy quickly went to the other side of the bed and grabbed Meredith's hand as she tried to wake her.

"Dr. Shepherd should we sedate her so she doesn't hurt herself more?"

Michael caught Cindy's eyes before he responded. "No we don't need to sedate her we just need to wake her up. Olivia why don't you go get that suture kit for me and let the intern know that I have it from here please."

Olivia nodded as she left the room.

Cindy had finally gotten through to Meredith. "Mer, honey open your eyes."

Slowly Meredith stopped struggling and opened her eyes. She found Cindy and Michael watching her.

"Its okay honey, it was just a bad dream. You're okay now."

Meredith winced as she moved her hand to wipe her face.

"You popped your stitches. I'm going to have to fix them for you." Michael paused as Olivia entered the room with the suture kit in her hand. Michael nodded as he accepted it and watched Olivia leave. "I'm going to numb the area first and then I'll get started. It won't take long." Michael finished. He looked to Cindy and then started cleaning the area before he fixed her stitches.

Cindy watched Michael start before turning her attention to Meredith who still hadn't said anything. "Mer do you want to tell me what the nightmare was about? It might make you feel better." Cindy just watched the hurt and sadness in Meredith's eyes before she spoke again deciding to change the subject. "Michael and the boys packed all your stuff and brought it to the house. The girls are there now with Derek and Mark. According to your doctor you should be able to come home in about 2 more days as long as there is no infection. Doesn't that sound good to you?"

Meredith looked away from Cindy and towards Michael.

"She's right Meredith. I think the girls are happy there will be another female joining the family. Especially Beth. She was practically jumping out of her skin when I told her you were coming to live with us."

"I don't want to be a burden. I can stay in the room above the garage."

"No you can't. Meredith you are not going to be a burden and you will be staying in the house. I know it will take some time to get use to all of us again but you are a part of our family now so whatever it takes for you to realize that we will help you." Cindy finished as she looked to Michael.

"She's right Meredith. You are not alone anymore. There I'm done." Michael finished with the bandage as he took a step back.

"Thank-you…thank-you for fixing the stitches."

"You are more than welcome."

"Honey do you want to talk maybe about what your mom wrote or your nightmare?"

Meredith looked to Cindy before looking to Michael and then back to Cindy.

Cindy immediately picked up on what Meredith was saying without hearing any words. She looked to her husband. "Michael why don't you go grab us something to eat? I know Meredith hasn't had anything to eat in a while and I could go for a sandwich or something."

"I think I can do that. Does the deli across the street sound okay?"

"That would be great dear. We won't go anywhere."

Michael smiled as he bent down and gave Meredith a kiss on the forehead before he made his way around the bed and gave Cindy a kiss. Then he left the room.

Once he was out of the room Cindy looked down to Meredith still holding her hand and gave it a squeeze. "Okay, he's gone."

Meredith took a deep breath before she started. "He was watching old video's of Jason when I came in the room and he was drinking. I should have known better than to go into the room. He would be alive if I had stayed away from him" Meredith finished with tears rolling down her face.

"This is not your fault. I know there is nothing I can say to make this better for you. I want you to know Meredith that you are a part of our family now, truth be told you have been a part of our family since Derek brought you home that first night. I know you are going through a lot right now but your mom, Meredith as a mother I really think that her leaving was the only way she could do something right for you after everything that you have been through."

"Everyone leaves."

"What was that?"

"Jason died, Ray died, mom left. Everyone that is supposed to love me leaves me."

Cindy took a seat on the bed and looked Meredith straight in the eyes. "Meredith I love you. Michael loves you and I know Derek, Mark, Beth love you. Heck even Kathleen, Nancy, and Amelia love you. We all love you and we are not going anywhere. You are not alone anymore Meredith no matter how hard you try to push us all away we are not going anywhere."

"Once you get to know me really know me you will. It's what everyone does."

"Meredith Grey that's enough. We are not leaving you. You are already moved in and I promise that we will help you through this so that you can learn to trust us. No matter what. Now when Michael gets back I expect you to eat so that you are able to go home in the next two days. I'm sure the girls will be here along with Derek and Mark soon."

"What do I say to them?"

"You don't have to say anything. Just be yourself Meredith, that's all any of us want from you."

All the sudden the door opened and in came Michael with a bunch of bags followed closely by the rest of the Shepherds. "Look what I found on the way up."

"Whatever dad. You called us and asked us if we wanted to have lunch with the three of you so we put in our orders and met you here." Nancy said as she went to grab a bag from her father.

The others chuckled before they also grabbed bags from Michael and started to eat.

The family started eating as if they were not sitting in a hospital room for which Meredith was grateful. It made her feel like she hadn't even been away from them.

Over the next three weeks she was able to heal more while Cindy and the others helped her. Meredith still was having a hard time accepting help from them all but slowly she knew she was making progress. When she was brought home she was surprised to see the Christmas decorations. Meredith had figured that the Shepherds would be into Christmas but she hadn't expected it to be like it was. Since she had never really had a Christmas she felt uncomfortable and didn't want to ruin everyone's Christmas so she decided to just stay in her room.

"Okay everyone, dinner is almost ready. Derek or Mark can you go help Meredith down?"

"I'll go. I left my pager on the dresser so I need to go up anyways." Michael replied as he headed out of the kitchen.

Michael made his way up the steps and into his room where he quickly found his pager. After checking it to make sure he hadn't missed any pages he made his way across the hall. Once he got to Meredith's room he listened to the voice coming from within.

"I'm sorry Jason. I know I let you down again. I tried to love Ray, I hope you know that. I'm alone now. Mom didn't want me and she left. I think this shows, you were wrong about me. Any way…Merry Christmas Jay. I miss you so much."

Once Meredith stopped talking she started singing 'The Little Drummer Boy'. As she sang Michael slowly and quietly pushed the door open and found her sitting partially on the bench in front of the bay window looking up into the sky.

As soon as she finished the last verse she noticed that she was not alone. "What are you doing up here?"

"Well I came to bring you down for dinner. I didn't know you could sing." Michael answered noticing the sad look in her eyes.

"I don't sing much. This was Jason and my Christmas tradition. Mom and Ray would always be gone usually at the hospital party so it was just the two of us. We would sing after a quick dinner. Usually pizza and then we would play in the snow a little and we each made our Christmas wish before heading to bed."

"What about presents?" Michael asked as he sat down next to her.

Meredith had turned so her back was to the window and she looked down at the floor. "We didn't get presents. Mom said anything we needed we would earn we didn't get handouts. Jason tried to get gifts when he got a job but I always told him to save the money for when he went to college."

"So you haven't had a real Christmas before have you?"

"I don't know what a real Christmas is. Sometimes Jason would get a little crazy and we would dance around while we sang. Usually he did that when I was sick or if Ray or Mom yelled at me. My favorite song was always The Little Drummer Boy. Usually we would sing it 3 or 4 times, I never got tired of it. Since the accident every Christmas I have spent in my room singing by myself."

Once she told her story Michael felt her sadness and wanted to cheer her up and show her what a real Christmas was at least according to the Shepherds. "What was Jason's favorite song?"

"He said he didn't have a favorite because he liked them all but I think he always had a soft side for the faster ones."

"So he could dance?"

"Probably."

"I guess it's safe to say that Santa missed your house too then right?"

"I'm not 3 anymore Dr. Shepherd."

"You know there is no age for Santa and…You…better…watch out…you…better…not cry…you…better…not pout…I'm…telling…you why…Santa..Claus…is coming…toooooo…town."

Meredith looked towards Dr. Shepherd carefully as she saw him stand and start to dance as he continued the song a little faster and louder. It didn't take long before a smile came to her face as she watched him further. He acted like he forgot the words and motioned for her to join in so Meredith started to sing with him.

As Michael continued to sing he reached down and lifted Meredith into his arms as he moved around and sang. Soon she was giggling. He smiled and continued until she was fully laughing with him as she was moved around the room.

Cindy and the rest of the family was getting ready to sit for dinner when all the sudden they heard laughing coming from up the stairs along with singing. They all looked at each other before Cindy rose to her feet and started towards the stairs while the others followed her. When they reached the top of the stairs they quickly made their way to Meredith's room where they found the laughter and singing coming from. They all perched themselves at the door and watched their husband and father dance around with Meredith while he was singing Christmas carols.

"Dr. Shepherd." Meredith tried in between laughs.

"Deck the halls with…"

"Michael. Please put me down before you hurt yourself."

"Not until you join me for a full song….Fa la la la la la la la laaa."

Meredith knew he was doing this for her and it warmed her heart as she looked up to his face and saw the smile not only on his lips but also in his eyes. That was all it took to get her to join in. "Tis the season to be jolly…Fa la la la la la la la laaa."

Michael went to start the next verse when he got a little too close to the lamp that was on the night stand and Meredith's out stretched leg hit it due to the cast. He immediately stopped moving as he heard a stern voice behind him.

"Michael Derek Shepherd what on earth are you doing?"

Michael looked down to Meredith who had a smirk on her face as she whispered. "You're in trouble."

Rolling his eyes he replied. "You be quiet this is your fault." Before he turned around and found his wife with the rest of his family. While his wife wore a serious expression he could tell the smile in her eyes however the children all had smirks on their faces. "Cindy, we were just coming down for dinner as you asked."

"I asked you about 15 minutes ago. Now I have a broken lamp. Mind telling me how getting Meredith for dinner turned into breaking my lamp and almost hurting the girl more?"

"I'm fine mom I didn't feel a thing and I'm sorry about your lamp."

"I'm glad you are okay dear however I know this is all Michaels fault. How many times do I have to tell you that you can't sing and dance at the same time?" Cindy asked with a smile as the rest of the audience broke out in laughter.

"Sorry dad but dancing and singing are not surgery and you can't be good at everything." Beth exclaimed from the doorway.

Michael was smiling as he watched his family get a good laugh along with the girl in his arms before he looked back to Cindy. "Alright enough all of you. Let's go eat before your mothers fine cooking gets cold."

Everyone reluctantly started to go back downstairs. While Cindy stayed behind for a moment with Michael and Meredith. "I'll clean it up later Cindy. Let's go eat."

Cindy nodded as she followed them downstairs. Michael put Meredith in her chair and went to the kitchen to help Cindy finish carrying in food. "Are you going to explain what we walked in on?"

Michael smiled towards her. "I promise I will but let's wait until all the other ears are sleeping okay? Just know that she finally laughed…a laugh that reached her eyes…she has never laughed like that since we have known her."

"I heard, we all heard. It was music to our ears. Even if your singing left something to be desired."

"I did hear that and if you are not nice Santa may leave you coal this year."

"If he knows what's good for him he wouldn't dare." Cindy replied as she gave him a kiss. "Come on Santa lets go eat before the natives get restless."

Michael smiled as he followed Cindy back into the dining room where they sat and enjoyed their first Christmas meal with Meredith Grey.

The few days that I was in the hospital were spent with the Shepherds, I was never alone. They even brought in leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner. I couldn't believe how much food Cindy had cooked. She had enough for all the nurses and doctors that were there to also come in and grab a plate. Michael said she did it on purpose because she remembered the holiday's when he couldn't be home with them and she knew how hard it was so she wanted to let them know they were family. The smiles on their faces were amazing and they were so grateful.

This was how I came to live with the Shepherds permanently. Once mom left there was no doubt where I would be living and part of me was grateful for that. After everything that happened however I was still sad that my own mother left me with another family. Don't get me wrong they were the best family I could imagine but they still were not my blood. I was amazed by how the Shepherds opened up to me. When I lived with them the first time they were great but now it was almost like I was being passed off on them and I didn't want that.

Christmas approached fast. It would be my first Christmas with a family. I couldn't believe all the decorations they had and Cindy baked so many cookies she almost ran out of room to put them. With everything I was still sad. I know I shouldn't have been because it's not like my mother was ever home for Christmas but I just felt out of place. The Shepherds were doing their best to cheer me up but it wasn't working. Even Derek and Mark were tring everything they could think of.

Christmas Eve was finally there and all I wanted was to spend the night in my room. I wanted to celebrate the only way I knew how so I stayed there. When Michael came in I was surprised to see him. He listened to me and then when he started singing, I couldn't believe it. That was when my walls came down and then when he picked me up and started dancing, I knew that I had a home. Michael did not show a lot of emotions to me but that night I think he also let down some walls and I wonder if that's what happened when he let Mark in.

Even though I had a cast on and couldn't walk, that Christmas which was my first real Christmas, was the best holiday I had ever had. Of course it would have been better if Jason was really there but I like to think he was there with me and he was as happy as I was.

Derek and I got back together. I apologized for the way I treated him but he didn't want to hear it. He thanked me for what I did for him and promised to never do anything so stupid again. All of the Shepherds thanked me and Derek got a car instead of a new bike. I had never been thanked before. I think now I'm ready to let myself be happy with Derek and my new family. To do that I know I need to let all the walls down…that was my Christmas wish and it's coming true.

Author's note: Thank-you so much to those that have reviewed...it means a lot. I figured it wouldn't be nice to make you wait a long time for this chapter so I hope you liked it. The drama is almost over along with the story. I have a total of 10 chapters so 2 more to go. I'm hoping then I can focus on the story that I haven't finished. If you have time I would appreciate your reviews and again I hope you are still enjoying the story. Thank-you all!