Meredith gathered three large bags in her arms and began walking to Chrissy's hospital room when she heard a woman's voice saying, "Meredith, I'm so glad to see you."

Meredith looked to her right and for a moment she couldn't place the woman who had called her name.

"It's Alice, we met at the parent group and you came to see me and my daughter, Darla."

"Yes, Alice, I remember you and Darla," Meredith smiled. "I'm sorry, I just have a lot of things on my mind."

"How's your daughter?"

"She's in recovery. She had a Hickman put in this morning. I'm going to her room now. I like to decorate her hospital room."

"I do that, too, for Darla. It's nice to make them feel a bit at home."

"Yeah. Not that it's anything like home."

"Well, we need to do what we can."

"Yeah." Meredith took a look at Alice. She realized she needed to reciprocate. "How is your daughter?"

"Much better, at least emotionally, thanks to you."

"Me?"

"Yes. Her dad came for a visit after you talked to him, and he's been coming every day since. Darla is so happy to see her dad. I had totally given up on him, but now he's here for her, and she is so happy."

"I'm happy it worked out."

"He was impressed that a doctor with a sick kid herself took her time to visit him and give him hell. Not many people would do what you did."

"It wasn't much really. Just one visit to his office. I think I might have spent 15 minutes there, that's all." Meredith shrugged. "Really, it was good for me. I got to tell him what I wish I could tell my father. I could see from the photos around the office that he loved Darla. He was just frightened about the illness."

"It sucks."

"Yup. It definitely sucks. But running away doesn't help anyone."

"You're right. Can I help you decorate the room? They just gave Darla some morphine, and she's sleeping"

"You can keep me company." Meredith didn't see how she could tell Alice no. She knew that caring for a sick child could be very lonely. She was lucky she never felt alone at Seattle Grace. Even late at night the nurses were always reaching out to her to cheer her up, and even at the beginning she knew she could call Cristina or Bailey any time of day or night.

The two went together into the hospital room. "I don't really have much," Meredith commented. She took out three framed photographs and put them on the nightstand.

"She's so beautiful," observed Alice as she examined the three photos. All three were wedding photos. The first was Derek and Chrissy dancing together. Derek had gathered her in his arms and held her while swaying. The second showed Chrissy sitting on her mom's lap next to her dad as Chrissy cut the very first slice of the wedding cake. The third was a photo of Chrissy with her Grandma Carolyn.

"Yeah. She was so happy. We had such a great time with her at home. I guess one thing about her being so sick is that we appreciate every good day."

"That's for sure. Even every good minute some days."

"Yeah," responded Meredith as she took out Chrissy's calico critters.

"Was this your wedding?"

"Yes. We don't know what's going to happen, and we wanted Chrissy to be there for our wedding. And she was so thrilled to be a flower girl."

"I can imagine. I was a flower girl for my aunt years ago. I loved getting dressed up and throwing rose petals on the ground."

"You must have been adorable."

Alice looked as Meredith took out Chrissy's calico critters. "These are cute."

"Thanks. She likes the red pandas."

"Darla has some kittens."

"They're definitely a perfect toy for the hospital. Very cute and very small."

"That's true. Darla also likes to color."

"Chrissy, too." Meredith opened the second bag. "I have coloring books and crayons, and watercolors. I also have several drawing pads."

"Drawing pads are great. When Darla's feeling too bad to draw herself, I can draw things. Not that I'm much of an artist, but still it's something."

"You're right. It's good to have something to distract them."

"And us, as well."

"Yes, that's for sure."

"You should come to the parents' group next week."

"I probably will. This week was too difficult. We were getting ready for her admission today."

"No judging. I only go when I'm here in the hospital. I find it helps. It's nice to know I'm not alone."

Meredith looked at her. "You're not alone. Unfortunately, there are far too many of us fighting childhood cancer."

"I know. Have you thought about having a birthday celebration when your daughter get the bone marrow transplant?"

"It crossed my mind, but she had her third birthday in the hospital, and I don't think she'd like the idea of another birthday in the hospital. And she's gotten so many presents since she's been here . . . I don't want to spoil her."

"It's hard to resist spoiling them."

"I know. And it's very hard for Derek and his family to resist spoiling her."

"I'm not worrying about spoiling Darla."

Meredith looked at Alice. "You're right. This is not the time to worry about spoiling them. We need to give them joy. I just think another birthday in the hospital would make Chrissy sad."

"Just do what you think is right."

"I will. Thanks."

There was a knock on the door, and Olivia opened the door for the orderlies and the gurney with Chrissy. Meredith took a breath and pushed her worries aside, so that she could project strength to Chrissy."

"I better get going," said Aice as she looked at Chrissy, who was very sleepy.

"Chrissy, this is mommy's friend Alice. She came to say hello. Her daughter Darla is getting treated here."

Chrissy stared at Alice.

"Nice to meet you Chrissy. I hope you feel better."

"Thank you," murmured Chrissy.

"She's so polite, Meredith."

"Yeah, she's great." Meredith smiled and went to help the orderlies transfer Chrissy to the bed. "Good-bye, Alice."

"Good-bye."

"Mommy, where's Daddy?"

"He's working, sweetie. But Grandma Carolyn is going to stop by in a little bit."

"Okay."

"Are you up to watching a movie with me?"

"Can we watch Beauty and the Beast?"

"Sure."

Meredith climbed in bed with Chrissy and put her on her lap and then put the IPAD on her lap and started streaming Beauty and the Beast. Before long, Chrissy fell asleep, but Meredith kept watching the movie. She felt at peace, just holding her daughter and watching the movie. She thought for a moment about her mom. Ellis Grey had always told her that fairy tales were a waste of time and there would be no Prince Charming; she would tell Meredith that she needed to be extraordinary and never depend on a man. And, until she met Derek, she had believed her mother. But now she felt sorry for her mother, that she had wound up alone, without either Thatcher or Richard Webber. When she was younger, she had thought her mother was telling her the truth. Now she realize it was her mother's truth, based on her own bitter experiences, but that she and Chrissy could have a different life. But then Meredith thought that her mother had never really appreciated that having a healthy daughter was a miracle worth celebrating. She would give anything for Chrissy to be healthy, but sadly she had nothing to give; it was Derek who had the matching bone marrow.

And just as she thought of Derek, he walked in the door. He smiled, "I hope you don't think I'm a beast."

"No, you're not a beast. You're McDreamy." Meredith laughed.

"I wonder if my sisters have heard of that nickname."

"I can tell them, if you want."

"No, don't. And when did you become so friendly with my sisters that you'd call them?"

"Well, I had to call them to thank them for the swingset. That was such a wonderful, thoughtful gift."

"Yes, it was great. I can't wait til we go home and use it again."

"Well, we're going to be here for the next six weeks, if we're lucky."

"I know. And that's fine. Mom is bringing some lasagna for our dinner tonight."

"She has done a wonderful job of feeding us."

"And she has filled the freezer at your house and my apartment with many meals."

"She is amazing."

"I'm lucky."

"We all are, when it comes to having your mom here helping out. Your sisters must miss her."

"It's my turn. She has been doing childcare for them since Mike and Danny were born, more than twenty years ago. I'm entitled to my turn."

"I don't know if your sisters see it that way."

"Mom's going to visit them next week. But Mom is thrilled to help out with Chrissy, and we need her more than they do."

"I know."

"My sisters know they're lucky."

"Derek, no matter what, I feel lucky to have Chrissy." Meredith hugged her daughter, was still sleeping. "She is so wonderful."

"Me, too." Derek sat down beside the bed. "And she's going to be fine."

Meredith looked at him. "Well, you know this is Chrissy's room, and only positive thoughts are allowed."

"I know. But it's the truth."