It was amazing to Meredith how she could be so much like him, but had never met him. Her daughter finally looked over and spotted Meredith watching her. She jumped up, knocking all the blocks over, and ran into Meredith's arms. "Mommy Mommy!" Meredith scooped the little girl into her arms and kissed her while tickling her ribs. The little girls laugher filled the room as other mothers started to look at them.
They all admired Meredith. She was a fantasic surgeon, a wonderful mother, and somehow managed to do it alone. She was a tough girl and they all knew it. They also knew she was hurting inside. Something in her eyes gave it away. She wasn't close to any of them, but for some reason, they could just feel it.
"Hello Miss Dani! Did you miss your mommy?" Dani nodded, excited to see her mother. "Would you like to go on a trip with mommy? Go see some of mommy's old friends, and even Uncle Richard?" Dani's face lit up when she mentioned Uncle Richard. He was more of a father figure to her then any man had ever been. Even though they lived so far away, Richard made it a point to come see Dani at least every other weekend.
Meredith smiled, "Okay then, lets go home and get packed!" She carried Dani out to her car and settled her in her seat when she whispered to her, "Dani, you're finally going to meet your daddy." Of course, Dani was still abit young to understand the concept but replied with, "Yay! Daddy! Daddy!" Tears began to burn Meredith's eyes. Had she done the right thing by leaving him?
She pulled into the driveway and parked her car. She walked around to get Dani out of her seat. She was sleeping. That didnt take long, Meredith thought and laughed to herself. She grabbed Dani and carried her up to her room. She kissed her forehead before turning to walk out of her room.
Once in her room, Meredith sat on her bed, thinking. What would she tell him? What would he say? Would he be happy to see her? Would he be angry? She didn't know what to expect, but she did know she had less than 3 hours to get packed and on the plane by 10:15.
Digging through her drawers, she grabbed a few tees, some ripped jeans, some panties, a tank top and lastly, her Dartmouth shirt. She heard something hit the floor when she pulled it out of the drawer. She bent down to pick it up, and the sight took her breath away.
She picked the item up and walked slowly toward her bed and sat down. Gently rubbing her finger over the object, she began to weep. The picture was from a few weeks after they met. At Joe's. The two of them sitting together laughing. Their love illuminating the bar. They were so happy. The memories rushed back to her and there was no controlling her tears. She lay sobbing on her pillow until she heard little feet coming toward her. "Mommy?"
Meredith sat up quickly, wiping away her tears, "Mommy sad?" Dani questioned. Meredith just smiled and grabbed the little girl and embraced her like she would never let her go. "It Okay Mommy, Dani here." The little girl patted Meredith on the head and followed by giving her a wet sloppy kiss. Dani smiled, "Kissy Kissy, Mommy ALL BETTER!" Meredith began to laugh and suddenly all the memories, vanished from her mind.