Author's Note:

It's been over 2,5 years since I updated. I assume most of you didn't think I would ever finish this story and, for a very long time, I thought so too. But a few months ago the idea of never writing an end to Broken Down was nagging at me and I finally decided to write one final chapter. I orginially intended to start in the summer, as I would have more time, but since I can use the hours writing this chapter for a school assigment, I sat down a few days ago and began typing. So, here it is: the final chapter of Broken Down.

I'm afraid I lost the majority of you readers, but I understand it completely. It's just been too long. Heck, I even needed to reread to get back into the story again. For those of you who are still with me though: I really hope you have enjoyed my work and thank you for sticking by with me throughout the years. I really appreciate it. Although this is not a definite goodbye, I can't promise I will write another story again.

Warm regards,

Isabel Konijn

Disclaimer: I do not own Grey's Anatomy or its characters. I'm just borrowing them for my own fun.

Chapter 11: Looking to the future

21 weeks later…

''Daddy, I'm here.'' A bright smile appeared on his face when he heard his daughter giggling. He was looking around their garden, walking up to every tree and toy to let her believe he really didn't know where she was hiding.

''You're really good at this game, Zozo. Daddy's having a hard time finding you.''

Another giggle erupted from their toddler and he smiled from ear to ear. He couldn't put into words how grateful and happy he was feeling. Just over 5 months ago their lives were turned upside down. His left hand was serverly injured in the plane crash, he had faced an uphill battle with his lungs and on top of that, the stress Meredith experienced over his hospital stays and recovery, had led to the early birth of their son.

It was hard for him too. Having to witness it from the other side, the side of the patient. A few days after they found out their baby's sex at the 20-week ultrasound, he experienced a relapse in his recovery. It wasn't as serious as the last time, when they were forced to put him on a ventilator , but it was enough to make his wife worry.

''Mer, that's normal. Look ou-''

''No, Derek'', she cut in. ''You know as well as I that this is not a result of the weather. You were having trouble breathing yesterday and the day before. And the weather was fine then. This is not a one-time inicident. Please, Derek, make an appointment with Teddy. I don't ever want to feel like I will lose you again.''

A lump formed in his throat when she uttered that last sentence. Tears were forming in her eyes and he was having trouble finding the right words. ''I'm scared, Mer'', were the only words he could muster. It was the truth. Derek Shepherd was scared that it would be permanent. That his asthma, they hoped would just be a temporary thing, turned out to be something he would have to deal with for the rest of his life.

''I know'', she replied, her worry instantly replaced with both anger and pity. Anger because he didn't ever seem to get a break with his health. And pity because she knew what it would do to his already damaged self-esteem when Altman told him it was permanent.

She took a step closer and laid a hand on his cheek. ''It's scary, I know. I'm scared too, but we will get through this. You said that yourself, remember? Even if this turns out to be permanent, we will deal with it. We have a gorgeous looking daughter running around and a beautiful baby boy on the way.''

''We do'', he smiled and laid his hand on top of hers.

''Do you want me to come with you to the appointment?'' She asked.

''That would be nice'', he replied and felt her arms circling his back. He was glad for her embrace as he had to mentally prepare himself for his next move: dialing Teddy.

18 hours later…

''Goodmorning'', Teddy greeted them with a smile, eventhough she knew chances were slim the appointment would yield good results for Derek's health. She closed the door and took a seat in front of them.

''I understand you still have trouble breathing'' she adressed to her collegae and friend, who, upon hearing her words, shot up.

''Oh, I'm sorry'', he replied. He was lost in his thoughts. A million thoughts running through his head as he thought of how his life would be if Teddy told them it wasn't going to resolve on its own anymore.

''Yes, I mean, it wasn't as bad as the first time, but it was enough to get me worried'', he told her, being completely honest with her.

''I see'', she said and took her stethoscope from around her neck before placing it over his lungs. Stopping there for what seemed like an eternity.

''Okay'', she hung her stethoscope back around her neck and walked up to the lightboard, grabbing his films.

''I have taken a close look at your films this morning and saw, unfortunately, that the infection is still there.'' She pointed at the spots that were causing the issue.

''I'm very sorry, Derek'', she said sympathetically and walked up tot hem again, laying a supportive hand on his shoulder.

''I love you, Der'', she squeezed his hand and he met her gaze instantly, smilingsoftly at her.

''I love you too, Mer'', he replied with tears in his eyes and squeezed back. He felt like he was hit in the face by the news, but her loving words were functioning like a warm blanket, giving him the support and hope he needed in that moment. And he was grateful fort hat. More than she could ever imagine.

''I know that's not the news you wanted to hear, but your asthma is very treatable, Derek. I will give you a prescription for the inhaler to treat both the infection and improve your airflow. It's important to use the inhaler daily as it takes up to two weeks for the medicine to clear the infection'', Teddy explained.

She then opened the cabinet behind her and grabbed the plastic bag with his name on it. ''Here's your inhaler, a few informationfolders and your prescription for the medicine'', she handed it over to him. ''When you catch a cold or are down with the flu, you will mostly like get a stronger response from your lungs, but a few extra puffs a day will solve that problem in most cases. And don't worry: there are periods the asthma won't bother you as much. If you continue to eat healthy and excercise enough, you will feel the benefits of it. I'm sure.''

''Thank you, doctor Altman'', Derek responded as he slid from the exam table and grabbed his coat.

''If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to give me a call'', she offered as she guided them to the door.

''We will'', Meredith answered and smiled softly at Derek as their hands connected. She knew, in that moment, that everything was going to be alright. It would be hard for some time, but she was sure the storm would subside eventually, making place for a more happier period of their life.

But it wasn't until a few weeks ago that things had finally calmed down again. Even with the support of the medicine, Derek had experienced some unexpected setbecks in the months following his appointment, making Meredith literally sick with worry. Eventhough he had tried to reassure her numerous times, it wasn't doing anything good and it eventually led to the early birth of their son.

''No, no, no. He's not coming. He's barely 38 weeks. It's too soon'', Meredith cried, but the OB on call told her they couldn't wait any longer. Their baby was in distress and they weren't sure he would live long enough to wait for a couple more weeks.

''Shhhh… it's going to be okay, Mer. You and the baby will be okay. I promise'', he took her hand and tried to reassure her the best he could, eventhough he was feeling scared himself. They were trying to get pregnant for so long. They couldn't lose their baby now. He thought back to the moment she first told him she was pregnant. It wasn't very romantic, to say the least, but it was a special moment nontheless.

''We need to move quickly, doctor Grey'', the OB said stern and pulled the brakes on the bed, wheeling her into the hallway.

''Derek…'', the adrenaline coursing through her veins making her sound breathless.

''It's going to be okay, Mer'', he gave her hand one last squeeze before she dissapeared behind the double doors. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. Would things ever calm down again?

3 hours later…

There was no part of her body that didn't hurt. Her arms, legs, head, belly. Everything ached. She squinted her eyes, the bright lights making her eyes burn.

''Mer'', Derek whispered, a huge smile plastered all over his face. There was no denying, he did have the most sexy voice in the world.

She slowly tried to get her eyelids to open. The blurry figure in front of her becoming sharper with each blink.

''Derek…'', she spoke softly, her eyes tearing up at the sight. There he was, their baby boy. In her husband's arms. ''Oh, Derek..''

''Here he is, Mer'', he smiled, tears filling his eyes. He bend over, placing their bundle of joy in her arms for the first time.''He's beautiful, isn't he?''

''He is, he definitely is'', she hiccuped as she looked her son in the eyes, tears streaming down her face.

''We haven't giving him a name yet'', Derek said as he watched her rock their baby safely in her arms, tears sliding down his face too.

''Chris…'' She said, letting the name sink in for a moment. ''What do you think of Chris? I mean, your middle name is Christopher. We have a son. I think that would be nice, wouldn't it'', she asked, not quite sure if he would love that name for their son too.

''I think it's beautiful, Mer'', he said and kissed the top of her head. Pride swelled in his heart at the thought of his wife naming their son after him. He was so happy. There was no greater feeling in the world. The puzzle was finally complete and he couldn't wait for their new lives to start. A start without hospital stays, recovering and all the other drama that had happened the past year.

''Derek, have you seen the meat? Mark said they would be here any minute'', Meredith called out as she stepped onto their porch, her hands occupied with all kinds of food she didn't know what to do with. And he was playing head-and-seek. Again. She smiled at the scene in front of her, shaking her head. He's such a great dad. She sometimes still had to pinch herself to realize this isn't just a dream. That he really is there, playing his butt off, smiling, laughing. She had missed that smile for so long.

''Oh, I put it in the fridge'', he said as he saw a piece of Zola's pink t-shirt behind the bushes. He slowly walked up to her, all the while talking to Meredith to trick Zola into believing he was distracted. ''We have enough for five people, right?''

''Yeah, I think so. You went to the shop'', she laughed as she noticed what he was doing.

''Got ya!'', he said as he rounded the bushes and saw her standing there. An immedaite giggle erupted from her throat and she runned inside, hiding behind Meredith.

''Some day you will scare her to death, you know?'' Meredith giggled as she put the food on the counter before lifting their daughter into her arms. Just seconds after, the doorbell rang.

''I will get it'', he said and jogged to the front door.

''Hey, how you're doing, Shep?'' Mark greeted as he saw the familiar face of his best friend in the dooropening. Lexie and Cristina trailing behind him, handing him two bottles of red wine.

''You didn't have to bring anything, guys'', Derek said. ''We're the one's hosting the dinner.''

''It will get empy, I promise'', Cristina responded, making both Lexie and Meredith smile.

Moments like this, when he had something in both hands, reminded him of the plane crash again. The crash that had taken so much of him, of his family. But he was glad he was able to leave it all behind him now after his last surgery. The one that had given him his full function back.

''Mark, could you please grill the meat?'' Meredith asked, blushing a bit at her request.

''Yeah, sure'' He shrugged.

''Mer, I can do it'', Derek sighed, knowing where this was coming from.

''Derek, please. Let Mark do it, okay?'' She pleaded, hoping he would get it. She wasn't trying to make him feel babied, but she just so desperately wanted to have a normal dinner. One she was able to fully enjoy.

He saw the concern in her eyes and knew this wasn't the moment to press. There was still some doubt in her mind when it came to his health, although he had assured her that his asthma was under control. He was eating healthier than ever, had taken a personal trainer to work on his condition and was resting as much as possible. He still needed to use the inhaler daily, but not as often as before. He hoped it would be just a matter of time before Meredith would let the leash she had on him go.

''Wanna play hide-and-seak?'' Zola tugged at both Derek's and Cristina's pants, bringing a smile on their faces.

''Sure'', Cristina replied and followed Zola into the garden.

''I guess you can prepare yourself for round two'', Meredith winked at her husband, who let out a conent smile.

While Mark concerned himself with the BBQ, Lexie helped her sister prepare the rest of the food.

''I guess he's fine, Mer'', Lexie said as she grabbed the potatoes. ''He has a good color, is active. I think you need to give him a little space.''

''I know, I know…'' she chimed in. ''It's just, his body endured so much over the past year. I still expect it to shut down any second.''

''I get it, but you have to put faith in him. Otherwise he's gonna worry again. And I know that's not what either of you wants'', she stopped for a second, collecting her thoughts. ''You have a beautiful family, Mer. It's time to leave the past behind and move forward.'' She pointed out and looked into the living room, where her nephew was fast asleep in his crib.

''You're right'', she smiled, stopping with what she was doing for a moment. ''This is a fresh start, a new start. Derek is doing okay'', she said, the words putting a smile on her face. And for the first time, she believed it. Really believed it. ''I love them so much, Lex'', she looked her sister in the eye before diverting her gaze to the backyard. The love from their friends, the giggles from Zola and the happy voice of her Derek making her heart swell with pride. It was all she needed in life and it was right there. For what she hoped would be a lifetime…

THE END