A/N: Sorry this took SO long!

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Carolyn Shepherd walked out of her son's room, pushing Meredith in a borrowed wheelchair. Because of her healing lung, crutches were too much strain, confining her to a chair. Together, they had decided to go across the street to Joe's to get some air as well as pick up real, non-hospital food. It had been a fight for Carolyn to even get Meredith to leave Derek's side but after whispering, I need to talk to you, in her ear, she became more compliant. Derek had been in an understandably piss poor mood since Dr. Nelson delivered the news and Erin walked out. His emotions were uncontrollable. One minute he'd be sobbing, the next, yelling; he never smiled. Meredith hoped that some non-soggy hospital food might elevate his mood or at least make him feel more human.

Meredith took a few deep breaths, listening to the wheels spin softly under the chair. Watching Derek, tears constantly threatened to spill but she stayed strong, for him. Everything she'd been doing was for him. Unlike the heartless, shallow bitch who'd walked out, the fact that he was wheelchair bound didn't deter her whatsoever. She was just as much in love with Derek as she had been before the accident. "What did you need to talk to me about?" questioned Meredith quietly.

"Let's wait until we can sit," said Carolyn. She walked forwards, pushing Meredith out of the hospital and across the street. A few people turned to look at the woman pushing a girl in her pajamas with a bulky black cast encasing her leg. Technically, Meredith hadn't been released but no one had noticed them leaving the hospital. She bit her lip, chewing deftly on the soft flesh with her front teeth, an unconscious habit.

Carolyn pushed Meredith across the street, avoiding cars, and down the ramp to the bar's door. Bright green words reading Emerald City Bar sat above the door. Carolyn reached in front to open the door before pushing Meredith's chair through. The reek of stale cigarette smoke and alcohol flooded their noses as they moved into the dimly lit space. Chimes sounded as the door shut; Joe, the owner, looked up. "Meredith!" he smiled. "I heard you got into an accident." Carolyn pushed her up to the bar, standing in place behind the chair.

"I did. I'm alright, as you can see," she smiled sadly. "Made it out with only a few minor injuries."

"What about Dr. Shepherd? I heard he was with you."

"Derek…he'll be okay," she said tentatively.

"Well good. What can I do for you ladies?"

"We just want to bring some real food for my son back to the hospital," said Carolyn.

"You must be Dr. Shepherd's mother then," surmised Joe.

"That I am," she smiled proudly. "Carolyn Shepherd." She extended her hand to Joe who smiled and shook.

"So, what kind of food were you thinking?"

"Two hamburgers with fries and a large House Salad for Derek," responded Meredith. "And Carolyn…"

"I'll just have a Cesar Salad."

"Coming right up." Joe smiled and walked back into the kitchen to deliver the order. Turning the chair, Carolyn pushed Meredith over to a table and sat at a seat.

"I think you need to tell him," blurted Carolyn.

"What?"

"Not now but, soon, you should tell Derek you love him."

"I…he's dealing with so much already. It'd be selfish," she stammered.

"No." She shook her head, grabbing Meredith's hands. "He's going to need you. Right now, besides his family, you're the only one who will take care of him. And, right now, he's feeling like he'll never be loved again."

"I…I can't put that sort of pressure on him," she sighed though it came out like a sob. "It'll just make him feel the need to say it back or our friendship will be ruined, I can't risk it. You said it yourself. Besides you, Amelia and the rest of your daughters, I'm the only one who is willing to give up anything to take care of him."

"Then just take away the pressure," said Carolyn. "Tell him he doesn't need to say it but you just wanted him to know. I just think it will make him feel better about himself and the future. And, I know my son and I think saying it back won't be the issue."

"Carolyn I-"

"Just think about it. Wait until you get home. I assume Derek is staying with you because he can't live in that trailer anymore.

"I didn't even think about that but, of course."

"Great. Then one day just sit down with him and tell him."

"Carolyn…"

"Think about it," she pleaded, looking deeply into the younger girl's eyes.

Meredith sighed, twisting the watch on her wrist. She paused to take in the magnitude of what Carolyn was asking of her. Telling Derek would mean opening her heart for the first time to a man and leaving it open for breaking. But she knew Carolyn had a valid point and, she'd do anything to make Derek's McDreamy smile reappear on his fallen face. "I will think about it."

"Thank you, Meredith. You've just been so great today. I don't know how you stay so strong," she sighed in admiration.

"I have to be," she replied bravely.

"Well, I commend you. I fell apart just calling Nancy today. I asked her to tell her sisters. I just don't think I could handle telling them all."

"Are they coming out?"

"No. I told them to wait a bit. Nancy was upset but Derek doesn't need a gaggle of brown haired women bothering him," she attempted to joke. "I think you, Amelia, and I are quite enough. And Mark is around."

Meredith nodded in agreement. "I take it you'll stay and help for a while?" she asked hopefully.

"Of course. He's my son. There's nowhere I'd rather be."

"Thank you. I don't think I could do it all by myself, at least at first," she breathed, sighing in relief.

Carolyn reached forwards and stroked the side of Meredith's face in a motherly manner. "I'd never ask you to." Meredith looked into Carolyn in the eyes and smiled gratefully at her pseudo surrogate mother. They sat silently for a few minutes, just breathing and enjoying a moment of slight relaxation. Meredith thrust her head from side to side, trying to alleviate the tight stiffness in her neck.

"Meredith?" said Carolyn softly.

"Yes?" she replied.

"I can't wait until you become my official daughter."

"How do you know I'll ever marry Derek?"

"A mother always knows."

I wanna ask for directions but I don't dare to disturb
I got a thing with affections
Yeah
That's why I'm walking alone

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A/N: So what'd you think? Lemme hear it1