Author's Note:
Here's chapter 8! Sorry it took me so long to update but school and life in general is pretty busy at the moment. Maybe some of you have noticed a pattern in my updates. I mostly update during vacation time. The reason behind that is simple: I have time to write in my vacation. Last year when I was still in High School, I knew the school, the way of teaching, the environment and my learning schedule. Now, being in college, I have a new school, a new way of teaching, a new environment and I still have to find a way how to learn my exams the best way possible. So it takes me almost twice as much time as usual. I have adapting issues, I know :p So I don't really know when I will be able to write chapter 9 but I hope as soon as possible. I don't want you guys to wait over a month so if I can, I always try my hardest to update within the month. I hope this chapter makes up for the wait!
Back to this story. I have to say I'm fairly proud at this one. I put around 12 hours of work in it and it's a bit longer than most of my chapters, so I hope you will like it! Another thing before you can go and read the chapter, from now on this story will mostly be MerDer centered but Mark and Lexie will make their appearance at least once every chapter and most likely more often like in this one. That means a little les Callie and Arizona and more MerDer and Slexie.
For now I can only say, enjoy the chapter and please let me know what you thought of it afterwards. I would really appreciate some feedback.
Warm regards,
Isabel
Disclaimer: I do not own Grey's Anatomy or its characters. I'm just borrowing them for my own fun.
Chapter 8: Don't push it
''I love you Der, I love you so so much'' she smiled as she bend down to kiss his lips again, intending to never let go again...
3 days later…
''Do we have everything now?'' Meredith asked him as she walked through the room again, not wanting to forget something.
''I think so'' he replied, smiling smugly as he looked at his wife. It was Friday, the day he was finally going home and he was sitting at the side of the bed, smiling at his wife who was going over the room again, obviously not wanting to leave something behind.
''Do you have your sweater, the one with the print of a lake on it?'' she asked as stopped searching for a moment and looked at him intensely.
''Uhmm… I don't know. But if we miss something now we will get it back, Mer.'' he replied. ''It's no big deal.''
She sighed and slumped down into the seat opposite of the bed. She looked at her watch and saw that it was already 1 PM. Alex would be driving them home in 15 minutes and Derek still needed to be discharged.
''Where's Teddy?'' Meredith asked impatiently. ''She should already be here. It's been 30 minutes.''
''She will come, Mer. She's probably just busy'' Derek replied as he smiled at his wife. He was going home today and nothing could keep him from smiling at that thought. Callie had cleared him 2 days ago and put a walking cast on his ankle and a normal cast for his hand with strict instructions not to strain his hand. He knew he would be bed ridden for most of the day but going home was so much better than staying here for another week that it didn't matter.
A knock on the door put him out of his thoughts and Teddy walked into the room, holding a back of supplies and an oxygen tank in hand.
''Sorry for the wait'' she apologized immediately. ''I got hold up with one of my patients.''
''That's okay'' Derek smiled. Teddy smiled back at him and set the oxygen tank on the ground, holding up the bag of supplies.
''I have your meds and supplies here and the oxygen tank for at home'' she said as Meredith stood up to take the bag from her. ''Thank you Teddy'' she smiled.
''So… now I only need to discharge you'' she said as she grabbed the forms and put her signature on the bottom of the page before giving it to Derek to do the same.
''Whose driving you guys home?'' she asked as she waited for Derek to return the forms.
''Alex'' Meredith smiled. ''His shift ended half an hour ago so..''
Derek handed Teddy the papers and locked eyes with Meredith who smiled brightly.
''Great'' Teddy smiled. ''Now, go home. I don't want to see you guys here before next Friday''
''Will do'' Derek smiled as Teddy walked out of the room.
''So, you're ready to go home now?'' Meredith smiled as she went to grab the wheelchair in the corner of the room.
''More than ready'' he replied and sunk down in the wheelchair without complaining.
''Alex is waiting for us in the car'' Meredith told him as she wheeled him out of the room and into the hallway where several doctors and nurses said their 'goodbyes' and 'get well soon.'
As they went through the double doors and into the relatively warm spring weather, Derek breathed in the fresh air and smiled. The blue sky was greeting him and he wanted nothing more than to take a walk with Meredith by the lake and just enjoy the beautiful weather, but he knew he wouldn't get that chance the next couple of days.
In the meantime Alex had stepped out of the car and was helping Meredith take the supplies and wheelchair into the car. ''We have everything?''
''Yes'' Meredith replied and walked towards Derek as Alex went to sit in the driver's seat.
''I'm okay, I can do it by myself'' Derek said as Meredith chuckled sarcastically at his answer.
''Yeah right mister'' she smiled. ''Let me help you'' she put one arm in front of him and one under his armpit to help him upright. A few groans escaped his mouth and a pained expression marked his face as he willed his body to move.
''You're doing great Der'' she coached him as she saw how much the movement pained him.
''Okay, take small slow steps now'' she said as she supported him towards the car door.
He swallowed past a lump in his throat as his whole body was screaming at him. He willed his legs to keep moving. He couldn't give in now. Meredith kept talking to him, kept coaching him but it wasn't relieving the pain that was making his movements look sick and his breathing look ragged.
He finally breathed a sigh of relief as he sat in the backseat and could finally lean his head against the seat cushion. He closed his eyes and tried to control his breathing as Meredith stepped into the car and sat beside him, stroking his hand as he struggled to get his breathing under control.
''We're ready'' Meredith said and Alex started the car. They were finally going home and although she knew it wouldn't be an easy week, they would get through it. Together…
A few miles from SGMWH, Mark put the key in the lock of his apartment. After Lexie was discharged from the hospital, he intended her to stay with him as she still needed some help before she could do things on her own again. Her pelvis was healing nicely and that was great, but walking was still very painful and the wheelchair was giving her the comfort she needed in order to heal properly.
''I welcome you to my mansion'' Mark smirked as he pushed the door open.
''Nice apartment, Mark'' Lexie smiled as she wheeled herself into his living room. ''It's quite big. Clean. It's beautiful.''
''I know, right? It's actually too big for only one person'' he winked as he gave her a tour through his house.
''I really like the bathroom'' Mark began as he stepped into his favorite place of the house. ''It has a really nice, steaming shower and a bath. I could stay there a great majority of the night.'' he smirked.
''I bet'' she replied smiling as he led her to the bedroom.
''So, this is the place where the magic happens'' he smirked as he winked at Lexie who rolled her eyes at his remark. ''Its position is great as the morning sun peaks through the blinds, making you feel like you're in heaven.''
Lexie was listening to him in awe as his beautiful facial features were making her swoon and his kindness smiling. It was great being with him and she didn't know why she didn't tell him sooner that she loved him. He was perfect, just perfect and she couldn't wait for the great time they would have together when she was fully healed from her injuries and they could do whatever they want. Going on trips or just watching a romantic movie together on a lazy day. That thought was making her feel like the happiest girl on earth and she led herself guide him towards the kitchen and living room where Mark chatted away happily about how great of a house he owned before seeing him slumping down on the couch. Worn out from the guide he gave her and the busy week they had both had.
''That was the best tour I've ever had'' Lexie giggled as Mark opened his eyes and turned his head towards the sound, smiling at her words.
''I'm glad you enjoyed it'' he smiled as he saw Lexie wheeling herself closer to him.
''Oh, I have put your crutches by the door if you need them''
''No, I'm fine'' she smiled as she laid a loving hand on his knee. ''My pelvis hurt a bit but I'm okay.''
''I'm sorry'' he said and laid his hand on top of hers that was laying on his knee.
''It's not your fault, Mark. Shit happens and it could have been worse.'' she replied as she saw his features change from pure happiness to sadness in just a few seconds and she could sense who he was thinking of.
''You're thinking about Derek, aren't you?'' she said as she saw him nod.
''Yeah.. I just, I don't know why the universe always goes to him when someone needs to be punished. It's just not fair. 5 years ago Meredith almost drowned, 3 years later he got shot and almost died, and now he's just as bad off. I don't get it Lexie, I really don't.'' he said, his features telling her the whole story.
''I know, Mark, I know…'' she said sadly, squeezing his hand. Hoping it would somehow make him feel a little less sad and understand.
''We can visit him tomorrow if you want. He was discharged this afternoon and the two of you can talk if you would like.'' She suggested. And she immediately saw his face lightning up a bit.
''I think that would be great.'' He smiled and leaned over to kiss her softly on the lips.
''Have I told you already that you're a great kisser'' Lexie giggled.
''I'm known for it'' he winked and pressed his lips once more on hers. Enjoying every second of having the love of his life next to him…
It was almost 5PM and Derek was sitting on the couch watching one of the many talk shows on television as Meredith came into the living room, holding a cup of pills and a bottle of water in her hands.
''Here, take these'' she said and watched him gulp down the pills immediately.
Although his ankle and hand were doing much better he was still feeling a lot of pain so he welcomed the pills with open arms.
''How late is Cristina gonna bring Zola again?'' he asked as he focused on stretching his fingers again to try and keep them flexible and preserve a good blood flow.
''She gets off at 6 so I think around 6:30.'' she answered, looking at his strained face as groan escaped his mouth.
''Everything okay?'' Meredith approached cautiously, not wanting to disturb him.
''I'm fine'' he snapped back but immediately regretted it.
''I'm sorry. I just.. I hate this'' he sighed loudly, putting his arm back in the sling.
''I know..'' she sighed, taking a seat next to her husband and taking his good hand in hers, squeezing it tightly. ''I know it's hard. I can't say I went through the same because I didn't, but I know what you're feeling. When I was little, my dad got fierce when I forgot to clean the kitchen after he came home from the bar and he threw me against the wall. I broke my arm and couldn't do much for a whole month. I know it's not the same but I mean I get your frustration.''
''Did you report him?'' Derek asked, intrigued by her story.
''No. He was my dad and I just couldn't.'' she replied shrugging. ''But the point is, that in the end, everything is gonna be okay. No matter how hard or how painful the road has been. We will get through this together.'' She said as she gave his hand another tight squeeze and tears began pooling in his eyes at his wife's words. He still got amazed every time she showed how strong she really is and every minute he loved his wife just a little bit more.
''You're amazing you know that'' he smiled as he pressed his lips on hers again. Releasing all his frustration and stress and just enjoyed that special moment.
''I am?'' she questioned.
''Yes you are, Meredith Grey'' he smiled as he let his lips feel hers again. Remembering the night she first amazed him…
''What are you making?'' Lexie asked curious as she wheeled herself into the kitchen. It was nearly 6PM and Mark told her he was making her something special. Like a 'welcome home' present, and she couldn't suppress her curiosity.
''You just wait and see'' he smirked. ''But I promise you that you will like it.''
''Is it Italian? Spaghetti? Lasagna?'' she guessed as she tried to catch a glimpse of his features telling her she was at least warm.
''I'm not gonna say anything Lex'' he laughed.
''Fine'' she pouted and wheeled herself towards the couch. She then grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
''I will call you when it's done'' he smiled as he grabbed the already prepared chicken out of the fridge, ready to put it in the oven.
''It better be good, Mark'' she said as she kept her eyes on the screen while Mark turned around and smiled at her remarks.
''Only the best for you, Lex'' he smiled and put the delicious looking chicken in the oven.
25 minutes later, the alarm on the oven went off and Mark put the chicken and potatoes onto the table.
''Wow, that's looking delicious, Mark!'' Lexie chimed in.
''Hold on. Before we enjoy the chicken, I have to grab something else.'' he smiled as he went back into the kitchen and put something onto a plate. She couldn't quite see what it was but she guessed it had to be something special by the way he was trying to keep it a secret from her.
''I have another surprise for you.'' he smiled as he set the plate onto the table.
''What is it?'' she asked curious as she stared at the round, weird-looking brown balls on the plate.
''It's a bitterbal, a Dutch snack. Bought it from the foreign food shop down the street'' Mark smiled as he grabbed one of the plate and gave it to her.
''Here, taste it. It tastes delicious.'' he smiled as he then laughed at the face Lexie was giving him.
''Oh come on'' he said. ''Don't give me that face. You haven't tasted it yet. You like ragout don't you?''
''Yeah, I do'' she said and give him a face before she carefully brought the ball to her mouth and took a bite. Slowly chewing at the little piece as Mark watched her in enjoyment.
''And? How does my ball taste?'' he smirked, and Lexie almost chocked in the food, swallowing it quickly before throwing a bitterbal at him.
''That's not funny, Mark'' she smiled as he laughed at her before taking a bitterbal himself.
''No, really. How did it taste?'' he asked her as he swallowed the food down.
''Great, actually.'' she smiled as she took the rest of the ball into her mouth and swallowed contently.
Mark laughed at the sight and began cutting the chicken. ''You still hungry for the rest?'' he asked as she nodded immediately. Smiling contently as he put a piece of it on her plate. ''You want some potatoes too?''
''Yes, please'' she smiled as he grabbed the plate with potatoes before grabbing a wine bottle out of the wine cabinet and filling their glasses.
''I love you, Mark Sloan'' Lexie smiled.
''I love you too, Lexie Grey. More than you would ever know'' he smiled back. Enjoying every second of being in the same room with the love of his life who was giving him all he needed in life. Love…
The sun slowly disappeared behind the clouds and it was getting dark. Meredith and Derek both sat down at the dinner table, enjoying their dinner when the bell ringed.
''Sit down, I'II get it'' Meredith said when Derek tried to make a move to go to the door.
''Cristina!'' she said when she saw her person standing at the front door, their little bundle of joy in her arms. ''And look who we have here..'' she smiled as she took her little girl from her arms.
''She was a very sweet child'' Cristina said as she stepped inside.
''On the way home?'' Meredith laughed at her friends remark.
''Yes. She didn't cry, didn't move, just sat still so I could drive in peace.'' she said. No emotion of any kind visible on her face when she spoke.
''So you were good for auntie Cristina, huh?'' she smiled to the toddler as she took her into the living room where Derek still sat at the dinner table, waiting to see their little girl whom he hasn't seen in days since he was hospitalized.
''Hi sweetie!'' Derek smiled as Meredith put the toddler into his lap. ''Did you have a nice day?'' he asked her. But she didn't have attention for him as she immediately began exploring the cast on his arm and the sling it was in.
''Boo-boo?'' she asked, and Derek nodded. ''Yes, daddy got a bit hurt but he's okay now, sweetie.'' he smiled as he grabbed some crayons from the table and a piece of paper and began drawing with Zola, who eagerly participated. Giggling as Derek drew a monkey with two tales.
''How are things with Owen?'' Meredith asked Cristina as they stood in the kitchen. A steaming cup of coffee in their hands.
''I've talked to him and he apologized.'' She shrugged. ''I think we're good again.''
''After all he's done to you'' Meredith frowned. ''You take him back immediately? Why?''
''Because he's Owen, Mer'' she said. ''He's…-''
''A jerk'' Meredith interrupted. ''Cristina, you can't pretend he didn't cheat on you because he did. Do you forgive him that easily, really?''
''No, but I..'' she tried to form words but she couldn't find any. Meredith was right. She shouldn't have forgiven him that easily but he's Owen and for some reason he has a way of making her feel soft, and forgivable.
''You should talk to him again, Cristina. He needs to feel that he wasn't right what he did to you.''
''Okay, I will, okay'' she said, wanting nothing more than the subject to change.
''How's Arizona?'' Meredith changed the subject as she saw that her person didn't wanna talk about it anymore.
''Better, physically.'' she said and Meredith sighed. She had seen how her leg had looked in the forest and she had known by then that they most likely wouldn't be able to save the leg. Cutting it off was the best and only option left.
''Jerry died this evening.'' Cristina continued.
''Oh..'' Meredith said, shocked. They all knew his chances of survival were very slim from the beginning, but he had fought back and was ever since hanging on.
''It was a matter of time, really'' Cristina said. ''But it's sad, I know''
''Yeah…'' Meredith sighed, setting her empty mug on the sink.
''Well, I think I'II go now.'' Cristina spoke, walking over to Zola who was still happily drawing animals with Derek. ''Bye ZoZo'' she said.
''Bye aunie Cris'' she waved at her as Cristina grabbed her jacket and walked towards the front door.
''See you tomorrow?'' Meredith asked.
''Yeah, think so'' she replied. ''See you tomorrow!''
'''Bye!'' she said and closed the door behind her before joining her family at the kitchen table…
A few hours later, Meredith walked into their bedroom. She had just put Zola to bed and had cleaned up the living room a bit when she heard a loud noise coming from the bathroom.
''Derek..?'' she questioned, worried.
''I'm okay.'' he replied immediately, but he sounded breathless and in pain, letting all the alarm bells in Meredith's head ring. So she quickly opened the opened the bathroom door, seeing Derek lying on the floor with his head down.
''Derek, what… what happened?'' she asked worried as she quickly went over to him and tried to get a view of his face.
''I slipped and fell'' he replied. The embarrassment evident in his voice, making her eyes water.
''Where does it hurt, Derek?'' she asked him, as she tried to assess his injuries.
''I'm sorry, Mer'' he apologized as he looked her in the eyes. ''I should have called you or used the wheelchair, but I thought I could do it without help.''
''It's okay.'' she smiled softly. '' I just wanna make sure you didn't hurt yourself.''
''I'm fine'' he breathed. Not wanting to make such a big deal out of it. Although he knew that this was a big deal for her, especially if he got hurt being barely home for a day.
''I'II grab the wheelchair. Don't move, okay?'' she said as she sprinted back to their bedroom.
A few seconds later she wheeled the chair inside and kneeled in front of him again.
''Derek, can you stand?'' she asked as she put his arm around her neck.
''Yeah, I think so'' he said as he slowly tried to stand.
''Okay, slowly.. slowly'' she guided him.
A few grunts escaped his lips as he slowly sunk down in the chair and closed his eyes. Letting his body recover from the initial shock.
As Meredith wheeled him back into their bedroom, she grabbed his clothes and laid them on the bed.
''Derek, do you need help changing?'' she asked, although she knew it shouldn't even be a question. He needed her help. He needed help with almost everything and she knew he was embarrassed by it.
''Yeah…'' he sighed, staring blankly ahead as she changed him into his pajamas.
''Derek, look at me'' Meredith said when she was done changing him into his pajamas and cupped his chin in her hands, willing him to look her in the eye.
''It will be okay. Everything will be okay. Next week they will free you from the walking cast you'II be able to do much more things. We can go to the park together with Zola, and ride the ferry.'' she said as she smiled softly at him.
''This is not permanent. You will get better, Derek.''
''I know Mer. ''he sighed. ''It's just.. I hate this. I can't do anything on my own. I'm a fucking invalid.'' he snapped, making her sigh.
''You're not, Derek. You're my husband, the love of my life and Zola and this child's daddy'' she replied, laying a hand on her belly. ''You're everything but an invalid.''
He stopped dead in his tracks at her words and looked her in the eye. Seeing her pain. He knew she was right but he just couldn't see it. So much had happened to him over the past few years. He just couldn't see what she saw anymore and it pained him to only just notice that.
''I'm sorry, Mer… I-''
''Don't apologize'' she interrupted. ''I know it isn't easy.'' she said as she grabbed the oxygen tank standing by his bedside.
''Let's just focus on the happy things in life, okay?'' she smiled softly as she laid her hand on her belly again. ''We finally have our dream house, a wonderful job, Zola, and another beautiful baby on the way.'' she smiled.
''We do'' he smiled back and leaned forward to kiss his wife on the lips before placing his hand on her belly.
''Hello little one. It's your daddy here. '' he smiled as she giggled at him. ''And he loves you very much.''
''We do'' she smiled back as she enjoyed the moment between the three of them. Making what happened beforehand hurt a little less.
''Let's go to bed'' she smiled to him and he nodded. ''Great idea.''
She changed herself in one of his shirts and some pajama pants before hooking him up to the oxygen tank.
''Comfortable?'' she asked him as she had hooked him up to the oxygen tank.
''It won't ever get comfortable but it's fine, Mer'' he smiled softly at her as they lay in bed together and she returned the smile, although a small one.
She hated it to see him like that. Vulnerable and hurt. But she reminded herself that he would get better and that in just a few weeks' time he would be the old Derek again. Laughing and joking, but most of all, making her feel like she was the most beautiful girl in the world…