All of Your Life

The Meeting

Several hours later, Meredith arrived at Seattle Grace, and she parked her jeep. As she got Ava out of the car and into her arms, in the distance she could see Derek and who she assumed was Mark Sloan laughing. Her breath caught in her throat, as their eyes met across the parking lot for the first time in two years, only she could see his eyes was wondering who she was. Once they disappeared into the hospital, Meredith found herself clinging on to her little girl.

"Mama"

"Mama fine baba" Meredith told her daughter, placing the hat over her daughter's dark curls, hoping that she wouldn't pull it off. Meredith entered the hospital and walked straight onto the elevator, only to find Addison already in it.

"Dr Grey" Addison greeted her politely, not hiding her surprise at seeing Meredith.

"Dr Montgomery-Shepherd" Meredith said as Ava pulled her hat off.

"Mama...no..." Ava told her mom.

"Ava, keep your hat on" Meredith told her daughter.

"My Meredith, you sure kept that a secret" Addison said, stopping the elevator, Meredith braced herself for some harsh words.

"Dr Shepherd, I have no idea what you are talking about" Meredith tried to brush her off.

"Meredith, I can tell that she is Derek's daughter, she has his eyes and hair, which obviously you know"

"Look Dr Shepherd...Ava is my daughter and no one else. She is my baby"

"Meredith you might not believe me, I don't want to hurt you but I know Derek daughter when I see her, so please don't lie to me"

"I'm sorry Addison, but I can assure you Derek will not find out, but he might want to know about you and Mark" Meredith said to Addison, wanting to show Addison that she could play dirty if she wanted too, Addison's face lit up in surprise. "Yeah, Derek told me, just after you came to Seattle, but I guess he doesn't remember, since he doesn't remember me"

"Meredith...Please?" Addison practically begged her, Meredith wanted to make her beg, but she knew that she needed to be the bigger person.

"Don't worry Addison, I am not going to say anything, it not like he would believe me anyway" Meredith said has the door opened to the surgical floor, she pushed past Addison before turning back to her. "You secret is safe with me Addison" Meredith said as the elevator doors closed. Meredith walked past the nurse's station and knew that they were whispering about her, and the little girl she held in her arms.

"Grey" she heard Bailey say, as she almost walked right into her former resident.

"Dr Bailey" Meredith said with a smile, glad to see her former resident.

"Meredith, welcome back, the chief told me, it is about time you returned"

"Sorry..."

"So this is why you stayed away so long"

"Yep, well it for the best at the time"

"You didn't know did you?" Bailey said, Meredith knowing exactly what she talking about.

"Not until recently...Richard told me before I agreed to come back"

"You are meeting the chief?"

"I am"

"Would you like me to take...?"

"Ava" Meredith told her.

"Ava, while you meet the chief?"

"Are you sure?"Meredith asked her.

"Grey...Give me your daughter and go and meet the chief"

"Ava"