I can't live without you.

Day 1 as an intern

*Beep beep beep beep beep*

You look at your alarm clock and see it says 6:30, you sigh and roll back over.

"Grace, breakfast is ready, come on we're going to be late!" Your mom shouts. You groan and sit up groggily. You put on your dressing gown and go downstairs.

You can't even begin to describe how you feel. You're excited, nervous but determined. You've spent most of your life preparing for this! It's your first day as an intern at Grey Sloan memorial hospital. You take a big breath, and walk down the stairs and smile at your beaming parents. After all, Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd's daughter is destined for greatness, right?

"I'm so sorry Mom, I was up late studying last night!" She looks at you intently and just sighs.

"You know, if you spend all of your time studying, you'll miss everything! Yes we all have to study hard, but take some time to take everything in, you'll learn so much more in surgery! Now hurry up and eat, I've put a pair of my old scrubs and your dad's old scrub cap on your bed, we need to get going!" Meredith is fussing about you, she never had her mom on her first day as an intern, Meredith wants to make it special.

Derek grabs your bag and loads it up in the car, Meredith straps Zola, Bailey and Ellis into their car seats and you set off for the hospital. 

"You know Grace, on your mother's first day as an intern, she got lost with a patient in the hospital, it took her an hour to find where the C.T machine was! So at least you don't have to worry if you make the same mistake" Derek laughs as Meredith hits him over the head with a magazine. 

"If I have it right Derek, on our first day, you were the one who was picturing me naked!" Meredith added as Derek blushes.

You can feel your stomach churning and you begin to feel nervous. You roll down the window and take in the fresh air. You've been studying for this day since you were 5 years old, you and Zola performed whipples together with playdough since she was old enough to understand. You just want to go back home and study more and have more time to prepare yourself. You are running through all of the possible mistakes you could possibly make, there are endless possibilities and 'what ifs' coursing through your mind. You take some deep breaths and focus on the radio.

"Mom, what if I don't have what it takes? You and dad are such amazing surgeons and I don't want to let you down." Tears start to drip down your cheeks, Zola holds your hand and wipes your tears on her sleeve. 

"Oh sweetie, you're going to be amazing! I've never seen you so dedicated to your studies! Look Grace, you've got empathy, kindness, compassion and a level head! Grey-Sloan is our family, there are some amazing doctors and surgeons there, who you will be privileged to meet and perform endless surgeries with! Every single one of them are behind you and want to watch you flourish and succeed! You aren't on your own Grace, we take this step together okay?" Meredith hands you a tissue and places a hand on your cheek.

"And if it doesn't work out, there's always a place at Joe's bar? We'd all enjoy free drinks Grace?" Derek jests.

"Oh Derek! You're useless! Grace don't worry, everything is going to be fine! Remember, Amelia and Maggie are working today, if you need something, page one of us okay? I love you sweetie, good luck!" Meredith presses a coin in your palm for luck.

You get out of the car and breathe in the fresh air. You look around and see the entirety of this huge hospital standing before you. You trace your fingers along the hospital plaque and mutter under your breath, "I'll make you proud Aunt Lexie, I promise"

You quickly glance down at your watch and realise you have 15 minutes until your shift starts! You run through the entrance and to the nearest elevator. You follow directions to the nearest locker room and take your chances, you burst in through the door heavily out of breath.