AN: Thank you all who have followed this ride with me. Here is the final chapter of this story...
I do have a sequel ready to go.. I have honestly been working on it for over a year, but its a little different.. So I have been hesistant to post. Hopefully I find my brave here soon.
YOU ALL ARE AMAZING. Seriously!
Over a year later
Callie entered the locker room after a long day. Her phone in her hand as she shot Arizona a message about the plan for their dinner since they had the night to themselves.
She stopped straight in her tracks when she found Lexie stretched out again on the bench in front of Meredith's locker her eyes closed, her breathing soft.
"Not again." She groaned to herself as she quickly headed to the bench, dropping down she placed her hand on Lexie's forehead. Causing the younger Grey to startle and jump quickly. Their heads connected with a loud thud as she sat up. "Crying Out loud! Ow…Callie! You scared the crap out of me."
"Geeze, Little Grey, is your head made of brick?" Callie asked, rubbing her forehead. "It is you who scared me!" She accused as she held onto her forehead. "Are you okay? Why are you camped out in front of Meredith's locker again?" She scanned her up and down. Her mind flashing back to when she found the little Grey like this about a year ago, and all the hardship that had come after for the sisters.
Once she was satisfied Lexie looked okay her gaze softened. "Hon, you know Meredith is never going to forget you. I promise."
Lexie dropped her hand and stretched back out on the bench, trying to get comfortable. "I am okay. I am just exhausted… and now have a headache." She lifted her head up and eyed Callie up and down. "How are you so bright eyed and alert?"
Callie's eyebrow shot up. "Come again?" She asked in pure confusion as she headed over to her locker, pulling off her scrub top to replace it with the royal purple sweater hanging in her locker.
Lexie tucked one hand behind her head as she lay back down. She closed her eyes and let out a tired yawn. She used the hand not under her hand to cover her mouth during the yawn before gesturing up and down. "You're all up right, and talking…Not yawning, nor circles under your gorgeous eyes. You're all hot. It really sucks."
"Thank you?" Callie's tone came out high as she tried to figure out what the youngest Grey was rattling on about. She was beginning to wonder if they hit their heads harder than she thought. She should be paging Meredith.
"You look flawless" Lexie repeated "And me on the other hand have ten pound bags under my eyes…How?" She asked. "Does Sophia sleep through the night already? If so, what baby magic did you use? Teach me. Please."
A knowing smile washed over Callie's face "Zola been keeping you up at night?"
"The attic sits right above her room" Lexie yawned "I love my niece to the moon and stars and back again…but the kid has some lungs on her."
"Sorry love," Callie shook her head with a smile. "Sophia has her phases too. Last night she gave her mama's seven hours of glorious sleep."
"Don't brag it's not nice" Lexie shot her a glare. Before smiling a little. "Zola is actually pretty good." The younger Grey admitted "It's just this week, she's regressed on her sleep. Meredith thinks she's cutting a molar."
"oooh painful" Callie winced "And that means no sleep for auntie Lexie."
"No sleep for auntie Lexie" Lexie confirmed "And now I have a headache on top of it." She winced her head was pounding. Though it had been pounding all day. She just wasn't going to let Callie know that. The last time Callie found her asleep in front of her sister's locker, Lexie's whole world had turned upside down hours later. She wasn't going to give Callie a reason to worry, or worse have Callie give Meredith a reason to worry.
"I wonder if Meredith would consider stopping at a drug store on the way home." Lexie mused. "Earplugs they are an affordable solution."
"One bat of big those doe eyes of yours, and I am sure she couldn't say no to you" Callie winked as she finished getting dressed. "Use your super power."
"Doe eyes, are my superpower?" Lexie mused out loud her eyebrow arching. "Not my photographic memory?"
"Both are your superpowers" Meredith's voice came from behind Lexie causing her to jump slightly. She had not heard anyone else come in the room. She turned to see her sister standing behind her. Zola on her hip and purse on her shoulder.
"You're already changed and got Zola?" Lexie questioned, glancing at her watch she hadn't been late had she.
"I got paged about thirty minutes ago, Zola is running a fever…" The older Grey explained "I changed went and got her and was halfway to the car when I remembered we carpooled." She replied sheepishly as she found a spot on her shoes to look at.
"Oh snap" Callie coughed into her arm and turned around as Lexie's jaw dropped slightly. "You forgot me?!"
"Not technically" Meredith stammered as she bounced the fussy Zola on her hip. "I didn't even get in the car." She added "I think it only counts as forgetting you, if I had actually left the hospital…."
"And you said she wouldn't forget me." Lexie pointed to Callie with an accusing finger before lifting herself from the bench.
"Sleep deprived?" Callie tried to offer.
Lexie rolled her eyes before smiling at the baby as she pulled her niece from Meredith's arms wrapping in her a tight hug kissing her warm feverish cheeks. "You'd never forget me, right?" She asked in a goofy smile. "You love your auntie Lexie."
Meredith was about to say something about maybe it not being a good idea for Lexie to kiss Zola while running a fever. However she decided against it. They all lived under the same roof. The germs would be equal opportunists. Besides watching Zola lay her chin on Lexie's shoulder while wrapping some of her sister's long dark hair around her tiny baby fingers holding on gently, was just too precious for words.
"I hope you have a good night, Greys." Callie called to the trio "And I hope sleep is had by all."
"Thank you," Meredith smiled. "I hope Sophia doesn't catch whatever this is."
Callie shrugged "She probably will, or she gave it to Zola, she was sick last week, comes with the territory of little people. Though if you guys need anything…Give us a call."
"We will, good night Torres." Meredith smiled as she led her crew out the door. Listening to her kid sister happily give her daughter a play by play of her day, as if Zola has perfect understanding of everything being said."
The smell of coffee was welcoming to Meredith as she descended the stairs the next morning. Her poor sick baby had been up all night. The little one was uncomfortable and wanted the world to know. She was congested. Her head hurt, her nose hurt, her voice was raspy from crying and a cough. She was all around miserable.
Thankfully much to Meredith's relief the fever she had been running had broken around four am, and that's when the little one had finally fallen asleep.
"Coffee?" Derek held up the cup that Meredith thankfully took. She inhaled the fresh brewed scent willing it to give her energy.
"Are you sure you don't mind staying home with her today?" Derek asked. "I can try and reschedule my surgery."
"No" Meredith shook her head. "Don't do that. I can use the day to hold my sick girl while studying for my boards. It's a good day to slow down." She tried to assure her husband. She knew he worried about their little girl too. Especially with her shunt. "It's just the baby flu. She's going to be okay. I promise."
Derek couldn't argue with that. He knew she would be. "I'll take tomorrow" He offered.
Meredith nodded though she'd wait and see how Zola was feeling before she agreed to take him up on that. She wanted to be home with her sick baby. She wanted her daughter to have what she didn't have growing up.
A mom who didn't find a fever inconvenient. One who would walk the floor with her sick child all night. One who cuddles up on the couch with chicken soup, crackers and kleenexes while reruns or the Price is Right played.
Derek glanced at his watch. "If Lexie wants to catch a ride, we need to leave in fifteen minutes."
Meredith frowned as she scanned the kitchen realizing Lexie was not there. Normally she was up by now in a mad rush to get out the door on time with the rest of them. She moved to the base of the stairs. "Lex, get a move on it. Derek is leaving in fifteen minutes" She called up before heading back to her spot at the kitchen table. She and Lexie had talked the night before about how Meredith would be the one staying home, but she could carpool with Derek that morning as his surgery was at ten, and he'd be off at normal time."
Derek pulled some toast from the toaster. He handed Meredith a plate of already buttered toast before he set work at buttering the slices that just came out for himself and Lexie. He sprinkled cinnamon and sugar on Lexie's slices before wrapping them in a paper towel to keep them warm before grabbing a banana and placing it on top. He kept his own toast simple with just butter while grabbing an apple.
Meredith took a bite of toast while keeping her eyes on the stairs. "I should go up" She said after a minute "I don't want to wake Zola by yelling up again." Before she could get up, she heard the attic door open followed by the familiar creeks of the stairs. "She's coming." She smiled at Derek proudly as if she'd done something.
Derek shook his head with an amused smile. "Thanks Meredith."
A moment later Lexie entered the kitchen at a slower than normal pace.
"Morning sunshine" Derek smiled as he pointed to her breakfast, where he'd just put a black to go coffee tumbler next to her wrapped toast and banana. "Breakfast of champions, we leave in ten?"
Lexie gave a slight grunt of appreciation and acknowledgement as she fell into a chair next to Meredith. Her breakfast untouched on the counter.
Meredith turned in her seat and sipped her coffee as she peered over the mug at Lexie.
Her sister was dressed to go into the hospital, her hair brushed back into a simple ponytail. At first glance everything would appear to be normal.
Though under further inspection she noticed the glassy eyes, flushed feverish cheeks and dark bags under eyes. She had her arms wrapped tightly around herself shivering slightly every few seconds. Meredith inwardly groaned Zola wasn't the only one sick under their roof.
"How'd you sleep?" Meredith asked wondering if she'd have to pry out of the younger mini version of herself that she was sick. Because it would be too easy for a Grey to just admit they didn't feel good.
"Good" Lexie mumbled.
Yes in fact she would have to pry out of the girl she was sick. "Zola didn't keep you up, did she?" Meredith continued to press.
"No, those ear plugs worked miracles. Thank you for stopping"
"Good" Meredith replied, noting the horse sound to her sister's voice standing up "And how are you today?"
Lexie groaned. "God Meredith, it's too early for twenty questions. I am fine. I slept fine. Everything is fine."
Derek and Meredith exchanged glances before Meredith rolled her eyes. Clearly everything was not fine. She grabbed the basket from the counter that held the thermometers in them before crossing back to her sister. She placed one hand on the back of Lexie's head while gently inserting the tip of the ear thermometer into her ear.
"What are you doing?" Lexie snapped "Stop." She grumbled trying to move away and swat at Meredith's hand, but her sister's sturdy hand kept her from moving too far. "Ouch" She winced when her flailing caused the tip to push more uncomfortably into her ear.
"Well, sit still." Meredith responded with nor remorse. "I swear Zola does better at getting her temperature taken, and she's one!"
Lexie's shoulders slumped as she quit moving. "You know those things aren't that accurate." She said choosing to ignore the remark about Zola doing a better job.
"101.3" was Meredith's response as she pulled the thermometer away to read it. "Accurate enough to confirm you do have a fever."
"Not accurate." Lexie repeated stubbornly. "I am fine, Meredith."
Meredith wasn't sure how many times she could roll her eyes in less than fine minutes as she found herself rolling them again.
Derek turned his back to keep his amused smile hidden from the girls. As he knew neither would appreciate it.
"We can try this one." Meredith shrugged, taking the temple scanner version and scanned it over her forehead. "Look 101.1."
"Again not accurate" Lexie mumbled "Those were two different readings."
"Oh for the love of…" Meredith pulled out a third thermometer and extended it to Lexie. "Put this under your tongue, if you don't believe the other two…Or maybe just admit you're sick…and save us both the headache."
"I am…"
"IF you say fine, I am going to kick you" Meredith warned cutting her off. Her steely grey eyes narrowed at her sister as she held her finger up as a warning.
Lexie pushed Meredith's hand out of her face; she eyed her for a second before letting her hand fall to the table with a dramatic thud. "Okay, I don't feel so well, I think Zola shared her germs."
"Obviously." Meredith responded as she dropped the thermometers in the basket and moved it back to the counter. This time she returned with a bottle of water and two Tylenol. "Do I really need to tell you that you're staying home?"
"I was hoping I'd feel better after I got up and moved around." Lexie grumbled as she took the Tylenol and tossed them in her mouth tilting her head back and chasing them down with water.
"How's that working for you?"
"Not well" She admitted with a slight whine. "I am sick, don't pick on me." She whined.
"You're sick, and staying home with Mer and Zola" Derek agreed as he grabbed his coffee and went around the island to kiss Meredith. He pulled her into a hug and rested his chin on top of her head. "Call me, if you need anything."
She nodded under his chin "We'll be fine. I have all the baby and adult cold and flu items I need, for both these sick girls."
"I'll bring home dinner." Derek promised giving Meredith at least one less thing to worry about. "Lexie…"
"What?" She asked, putting her head back down on the table. This time more gently. "Be a good girl and mind my sister?"
"I mean that would be nice" Derek smirked "But also, feel better."
"Thank you" Lexie replied, lifting her head to offer a small smile and waved in his direction as he slipped out the back door, and away from the germ filled house.
"Here" Meredith placed the wrapped paper towel of cinnamon toast in front of her. "Try and eat this…I'll go run you a nice bath, that will help make you feel better." She turned on her heels to head up the stairs before pausing and swinging back around. "I am having flashbacks, talk about a full circle moment."
Lexie unwrapped her toast "Maybe a little" She offered a small smile "Though this time, I really am okay. Just Zola's flu." She promised "Not a bruise or broken bone… I am not keeping anything big from you, I promise."
"I know," Meredith responded with a knowing smile.. "I am fluent in Lexie lingo nowadays. Eat your breakfast and don't forget to let them know you're not coming in."
"I got it" Lexie promised.
Meredith's legs were stretched out resting on the coffee table. Zola sleeping soundly on her chest. Her baby's cheek against her shoulder. Her mouth open making an adorable little O. Thankfully Meredith had the forethought to put a burp rag on her shoulder before bringing her daughter up to rest on her chest, before she fell asleep. The cloth was able to catch all the drool, while the little lady slept as peacefully as she could while running a fever.
Lexie's head was on her lap, she was using one hand to run her fingers through Lexie's long dark locks gently. While using the other to pat Zola's bottom in a soft rhythmic pattern. Neither motion was needed anymore; both of them had long since fallen asleep. The actions were comforting to her.
The Price is Right played in the background, not that Meredith was paying any attention to it. Lexie had insisted on it, and promptly fell asleep the minute Meredith's fingers stroked her hair. That trick still felt like a magical super power to Meredith.
Letting her hands finally still she picked her phone up from beside her. She thought about snapping a selfie with the sleeping beauties on her and sending it to Cristina. She was pretty sure she'd become the person her and Cristina used to make fun of. She was home, happily home. Where she wanted to be. Taking care of her baby and kid sister. She hadn't thought about the hospital once. While she did love the hospital and it was her go to place, it didn't feel like her main home anymore.
She put her phone down, deciding she'd text Cristina later. She took in the sight in front of her. Both of them in her personal space. By her own choice. She had wanted to hold Zola, even after the little one started to fall asleep. She knew she could lay her down in her crib now and she'd stay asleep. She just wasn't ready to let go.
It had also been her that had patted her lap, calling out to Lexie to lay down. The girl had been at the other end of the couch looking miserable. She had been shivering and shifting around every few minutes trying to get comfortable. The fever making it impossible. She couldn't watch that all morning. It was pitiful.
So she'd patted her lap, told Lexie to lay her head down for a minute. Of course the stubborn girl had resisted for a minute, claiming Meredith needed to attend to Zola. After finally convincing her Zola was good, Lexie finally twisted around on the couch laying her head on Meredith's lap. The older Grey dropped a blanket over her and started running her fingers through her hair getting her to what Meredith had desired… To sleep.
She felt the rise and fall of Zola's chest against her own. She felt the heat of their fevers against her own skin. She felt Lexie's head on her lap, her long dark hair tickling her hand every now and then. Something that just a few short years ago would have bothered her. Someone else, in her space. Let alone two people in her space.
Being raised as an only child in a house with a workaholic mother she'd grown used to having space. Nobody was in her bedroom. Nobody ever randomly crawling in her bed. A whole couch to herself.
If her mother was home and happened to decide to watch a movie with her. The two were never close enough to touch. Usually Meredith on the love seat her mother on the couch. She'd grown used to having her space. She actually thought she cherished it.
There was a point in her life, where she wondered if she would ever be okay with having people, that invaded her personal space. She wondered if she ever could be a mother. Had she been conditioned to a life of needing space.
With the space her mother had given her, she'd also taught her to be guarded. To be so self sufficient she'd never rely on anyone else for anything. In her young 20's she was fine with that.
Slowly the guard she'd built started crumbling away. First with Izzie and George living with her, being in her home, in her space. She'd learned to let them in. To welcome them into her home. She actually even enjoyed the fact they made her house feel full. Feel like what she thought a home should actually feel like. Full, loud, messy , chaotic and fun.
Cristina powered her way into life as well. She started breaking down more walls. More safeguards Meredith had to keep herself safe and somewhat isolated. The two of them had an undeniable unique bond. They understood each other. They understood each other's walled off hearts. There was no judgment. Their bond had become safe. Safe enough that personal space wasn't always needed.
Then there was Derek. If she was honest with herself, she really never pictured falling in love. She honestly thought she'd end up being alone. Working at the hospital and following in her mother's footsteps. She'd watched what her parents had done to each. The hurt they caused each other. The hurt they caused her. She wanted no part of that. She really didn't want to bring someone else into that madness either.
When he came into the picture, he changed her whole world. She couldn't imagine a life without him. She wanted the togetherness. She wanted the messiness. She wanted to live with him. She wanted him in her personal space, even when she didn't want him in her personal space.
Just when she thought no more possible walls could come down, Lexie Grey came into her life like a wrecking ball. She tried with everything she had in her at first to keep that girl at a distance too. She really had never stood a chance though. She knew her sister looked up to her. She knew Lexie viewed her as the strong sister. She wasn't though. Not compared to Lexie. Her sister had changed Meredith's world. Doing it all with sweet, nerdy, compassion and grace. She never once gave up on Meredith. Now Meredith couldn't picture a world without this girl.
Meredith kept her eyes on her sleeping sister. She pushed hair away from her forehead. She ran her fingers over her forehead and smiled down at her. "Thank you" Meredith whispered to her sleeping sister. Gratitude filling her heart "Thank you for breaking down walls. Thank you for invading my personal space. Thank you for teaching me to have some of your compassion, for trusting me. For loving me." She let her hand rest on Lexie's forehead.
Before she turned to look down at her daughter, she placed a kiss on Zola's warm chubby cheeks taking in that deep baby scent. It was magical. She really did owe a lot to those in her life the last few years. The ones that broke down her walls, invaded her space. Especially Derek, Cristina and Lexie. Their unwavering love, their pushing, their faith in her. Made her believe in herself. Made her believe she could be a mother. Made her believe she'd be a better mother than she'd ever thought.
Once long ago she never would have believed that she'd have a best friend, that she'd be so connected to someone that they would be her person. Someone she could communicate with, without any words at all.
She also would never have believed that she would be a big sister. Or that she would have actually wanted to be a big sister. That she would care for her little sister so much that at times it literally felt like her heart was outside of her body. She loved being a sister.
She would have laughed in someone's face had they told her that she'd meet the love of her life. That she would have the whirlwind romance that others often dreamt about. She would love her husband so much that it hurt at times. That she would get to work with him and build a meaningful life with him.
Now she was holding their precious little girl. The little being that she loved more than anything else in the world. She got the chance to raise this precious little girl in a world that she loved. With people that she loved most in the world.
She would never be Ellis Grey. She would never be lonely again.
"You're awake."
Lexie grinned as she entered Zola's room to find Meredith rocking her while giving her a bottle. "There are my two favorite girls" She greeted them with a huge smile. Her eyes lighting up.
"How are you feeling?" The older sister slowed her rocking to peer up at the younger one.
Lexie could feel her sister's eyes scan over her. Checking closely on her. The thought made Lexie's heart swell a little.
She moved to the little loveseat in the corner of the room and curled up, watching her sister rock her niece. She smiled to herself. Meredith was in sweats. Her dark blonde hair pulled up into a messy bun. Formula and children's cold medicine staining her sweats. Dark circles under her eyes from being up the last few nights with a screeching little nugget.
Yet the glow of motherhood radiated off her. She'd never been more beautiful.
"Earth to Lexie." A soft ABC's book hit Lexie in the face, shaking her from her thoughts. "I am talking to you, where did you go?"
Lexie grabbed the book and tossed it into the toy basket by the end of the love seat. "I am feeling better." She responded.
Meredith's eyes were still narrowed and locked on her. "You checked out for a few seconds, where did you go?" She asked again.
"Was thinking about how motherhood looks good on you." Lexie replied with her eyes then dropped to her lap. "I am missing my mom right now."
Meredith continued to rock, her own eyes traveling down to her own baby. "I miss your mom too."
That was not what Lexie was expecting her to say. Her eyes traveled back to Meredith curiously.
"I think if she were still alive, I think she'd be the one I'd ask my questions to." She admitted honestly "I don't know what I am doing."
Lexie smiled knowing her mother would have loved that. She only wished Meredith and her mom could have had more time together. "She would have loved that." She admitted "But I don't think she ever knew what she was doing, if that helps."
"Probably not," Meredith agreed. "Seems to be a learning as you go kind of thing" She agreed. "I am sorry she's not here, and I know I can't ever be her." She added "But I am here, and I am not going anywhere. ON days you feel like crap, you got me. On days you feel like you are winning the world…You got me too, always...My little Grey."
A big grin spread across Lexie's face "I know" She beamed "Even if you did forget me yesterday."
Meredith rolled her eyes and tossed another cloth book at her sister. "Yep, you're feeling better." She agreed as she stood up and crossed the room. She deposited her milk drunk happy baby into her sister's arms and watched as the little girl's eyes lit up, spotting her favorite auntie Lexie. "Now that you two both seem to have lower fevers. I am going to go take a shower." She paused as she stood up straight "You got her?" She asked more seriously "You're okay?"
Lexie kissed the top of Zola's head as she shifted her in her arms and grabbed the soft book Meredith had thrown at her. "I got her" She promised opening the book. "Go, we're good. I promise."
Meredith's eyes lingered on them for a few more seconds before she allowed herself to leave the room. To go treat herself to a shower.
"You got a good one, Zola." Lexie whispered to Zola. "Your mama loves you fiercely. I can promise that you'll never question whether she loves you or not." She wrapped her arms around her niece tighter. "We are both lucky girls to have her in our lives. Do you know that? We are so lucky."
Lexie continued to hold her niece close as they looked through the book. Her replaying her relationship with Meredith… She never would have believed how far they'd come. The moment she'd know about her big sister, she knew that she wanted Meredith in her life. She just never knew how much she'd need her in her life.
The shadows did not have a chance as long as the Grey sisters had each other in their lives.
Thank you again for taking this journey with me.. I really felt as it has come full circle... Writing the Grey sisters was so much fun.