Chapter 74: Discharged

Derek was all smiles this morning. Meredith was awake and hoping to be released later in the day. The last few days had been up and down. Ellis got everything straightened out with the doctor although, it wasn't easy. She had to pull up some dirt on him, but it was easily done with her contacts. Derek had talked to his father, and he wasn't too concerned either. William was much more comfortable after talking with Ellis the following morning. Ellis was a powerful woman, and everyone knew it in the navy world. She had assured William he would retire without this backfiring in any way. She did suggest moving up the retirement date if at all possible. It worked out where he would retire a month early, which was just another month away.

"Mom, you really can go back home. I am fine. I have Derek and Alex at home to take care of me." Meredith was all smiles and was sitting up in the bed. Derek had learned from the incident with the doctor to keep his distance from her in the hospital. He was ready to be able to do more than see her from a distance. They had sat up playing cards the night before, laughing the entire time. It took everything he had not to kiss her and touch her while playing, but Ellis and/or Alex was usually present just to make sure they didn't get carried away. Alex had left early in the morning to head back to make sure the house was clean, and they had food.

"I am going to make sure you get settled. I do need to fly back home for a few days and get a few things in order." Ellis said looking between Derek and Meredith.

At that time the surgeon came in. "Well, ready to get out of here today?"

"More than ready. I need to get home to start recovering. I have to get back to work."

Derek and Ellis both looked nervously at each other. This was a topic they tried to redirect anytime it had come up in the last week.

"We need to discuss that." The doctor said cautiously but kept a positive look on his face.

"There is nothing to discuss." Meredith said almost forcefully like she is trying to convince herself.

"Ms. Grey. I know this is difficult, but your recovery is going to take some time, a long time. I know this is hard, but I am recommending at this time you switch to another job in the navy and possibly medically retired." The doctor said slowly and clearly. This was the worst part of his job.

"Retired? You have got to be kidding me. I just made Lieutenant Commander. I am on my way up to be a great female pilot. My goal is to be as good as my mother, if not better." Meredith looked to her mother with tears quickly feeling her eyes then turned to Derek, pleading with him.

"Mer." Derek whispered out trying to keep the tears from pooling in his eyes from seeing the pain in hers.

Ellis stepped in front of him slightly so that he wouldn't go to her. There were a few seconds of silence. "Meredith, I know I have never been good at expressing my feelings. I know I have expected nothing but the best from you. Hell, sometimes I have expected more than the best, the impossible. But, this…" Ellis stopped to pull her emotions back in check, "has shown me many things about the person you are. I am proud of you now more than ever."

Meredith sat in silence with a look of shock at her mom. She had no idea how to respond. She wasn't used to showing any emotion to her mother other than neutrality. Meredith had no problem showing Derek love and affection, but this was something different. For the first time in her life, she felt love from her mother.

The doctor didn't know what to say seeing this display of affection. The doctor smiled at Meredith, "This isn't going to be easy, but you have a support group behind you it looks like. It will take all of them. I have already spoken with the base at NAS Whidbey. The hospital has a copy of all of your records just in case they need anything. They also have my cell phone number. I will see you back in two weeks. If you need anything, please call me. I am signing your discharge papers and you should be leaving within the hour."

"Thanks for all of your help." Meredith said politely.

The doctor had to add this last thing, "Take it easy. This recovery, it will be tedious. If you follow the instructions, you will have a successful recovery, but please remember, a successful recovery means engaging in everyday life functions for this type of injury and subsequent surgery. Don't try to push it." The doctor turned to Derek, "I assume you will continue to be the one monitoring her recovery?"

"Yes. I am going to be one of the ones monitoring."

"Good. I have paperwork for you to read as well as anyone else helping out when she gets home." The doctor smiled, shook Derek and Ellis's hand and left the room.

"I am going to step out and will be at the door outside the room while you two get ready to head out." Ellis spoke quickly when the doctor left, knowing Meredith and Derek needed a few minutes alone.

The second Derek heard the door click, he was on Meredith's bed, taking her into his arms carefully. They both were at the brink of tears for many different reasons. "Baby, it will be okay. I am here and not going anywhere."

"I know. But flying, it is my life." Meredith said through the tears that freely fell now that it was just the two of them.

Derek's heart was breaking. If there was any way to put her back in the air, he would do it, no matter what. He had listened over the last week to the doctor's, the possibility was basically not possible. He had no idea what to say other than to hold her while she cried, remaining the strong one of the two. He wanted nothing more than to take her pain away. He continued to whisper calming words in her ear. She gradually eased up a bit and broke free of him to look into his eyes. "I am not weak. I don't know how to be."

"You are the strongest woman I know." Derek gave a comforting smile and cupped his hand around her cheek, brushing her tears away. His other hand instinctively reached up to move some hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.

"How will I be strong if I can't even walk?" Meredith asked trying to be strong, but failing miserably at it.

"You will walk; you will do everything you could do before the accident. I will be here to help you every step of the way. I love you, Meredith Grey. You aren't getting rid of me that easy." He chuckled lightly and took her into his shoulder carefully as to not mess up anything in her back.

"I love you too."

Derek felt Meredith relax a little in his arms and kissed her head lightly. "Why don't we get your things together and get ready to go. I have my car. Your mom is going to drive my car and I am going to make sure you are comfortable in the back." Derek had gone to Wal-Mart during the night and got pillows and things to make her comfortable for the 2 ½ hours back to the island.

"Thank you." Meredith said as Derek laid her back gently in the bed, getting her things together.