A Choice to Make

Grey's Anatomy

Setting: After 13x24

Characters: Meredith Grey, Alex, Maggie, Cristina, Nathan

Chapter Eight

Meredith heard the front door open.

"Hey Mer!" It was Maggie.

Meredith walked out of the kitchen to greet her. She walked slowly and carefully, trying to hold back tears that were about to form.

"Hi Maggie, I thought you had post-ops."
"Yeah I did, but I finished and I thought I would come home. Do you want to go out to dinner or something?" Maggie asked.
"Um- maybe another night, I got some stuff to sort out."
"Oh okay." There was a pause between the two of them. "Is everything okay?" Maggie asked seconds later.
"Uh, yeah." Meredith hesitated.
"Really? You don't seem okay, you can tell me anything, you know that right?"
"Yeah of course...have you heard anything about Megan?"
"No, nothing really. I think they took her to another hospital because well- you know the fire."
"Yeah that makes sense. I'm going to go, I got to talk to Zola."
"Oh okay."

Maggie took off her coat and went over to hang out with Bailey and Ellis. Meredith went up the stairs, she found Zola in her room sitting on her bed. She had pulled out a photo album.

"Hey Zo, we never got to finish our conversation." Meredith said softly.
"Yeah I know."
"Well i'm sorry you had to find out this way."
"Yeah I know." Zola said calmly.
"So what are you looking at?"
"Pictures"
"Oh thats nice." Meredith didn't really know how to react or what to say. She could see that the photo album was from a few years back, it was when Derek was still alive.
"I love this picture." Zola pointed at a picture and smiled. Meredith made her way over to her bed and she sat next to Zola.
"Yeah that picture was taken at your birthday party. Do you remember that?"
"No, I just like the picture."
"Well I remember we had all of our friends over and that you looked so good in that pink dress." Meredith smiled and she wrapped her arm around Zola. They both smiled. Zola turned the page.

Looking at this photo album made Meredith feel happy. She reminisced the day they got Zola back. The day the social worked showed up at their house. Meredith remembered that she was expecting the pizza delivery guy but instead it was Zola. In that moment, as she held Zola and looked at Derek she finally felt like she had a family, a happy family. She felt complete, she had a child and the man she loved. In that moment they were a perfect family. Bringing herself back to the present day, it was just like that moment except Derek wasn't there. She still had a family but it didn't fell like her family. She had three kids, a man whom she thought she was falling in love with, and two sisters. This was her family now. The next photo was taken in the dream house. Looking at that photo she remembered how long it took her for her to finally commit. She remembered the time when he was with Rose and how she went to therapy. Looking back, therapy really did save her. If she never went, she probably would still have abandonment and trust issues. She wouldn't have Zola or any of her kids, she would be alone. The dream house was amazing. It had the best view, but ever since he died she couldn't go back. It was his floor plan and his land. The dream house represented how perfect her life was back then. Another picture was taken at the hospital when she had Bailey. Meredith smiled and looked at Zola, Zola was smiling because those pictures held good memories. Meredith thought about her pregnancy and what her life would be like if she had this baby. This baby wouldn't look like her love of her life, it would look like Nathan. Tears formed in her eyes.

"Mommy? Are you okay?" Zola looked up at Meredith.
"Um...yes." Meredith said through the tears.
"Are you sure? You're crying."
"I'm okay, it's okay." Meredith said trying to push through.

Zola closed the photo album and hugged her mom.

"It's going to be okay mom." Zola whispered into Meredith's ear. "Daddy isn't here but that's okay. I know he is looking down on us, I know he loves us and he wants what is best for all of us. He is still in our lives even if he isn't here. It's okay mom, it will be okay."
"Zola-" Meredith said, but Zola kept going.
"I love you mom and dad loves you too." Zola said, tears were in her eyes.
"I love you too Zola, and I will always love dad." Meredith said quietly trying to stay strong
"I miss him." Zola responded.
"Me too" Meredith repeated.

Meredith hugged Zola tight.