What if

Early may (part 9)

(Meredith beach POV)

I opened my eyes on the beautiful beach again. As I admired the beautiful water, I saw one of my former interns, deluca.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" I asked with a smile as he threw a rock into the water. "I don't know. What are you doing here?" Deluca asked. "I...don't know." I admitted.

"I don't like being here. I don't like sleeping anymore." I said with a sigh. "At least you have a choice. I don't think I do." Deluca replied as he looked out to the ocean.

"You don't?" I asked. "Opal was caught. I did what I had to do. It just made sense. And I don't regret it. And if that means I die, then that's what it means." He said. "You're not...scared? To leave anyone?" I asked.

"No. I'm worried for my sister, but she's strong. She'll be okay. If I'm going to die, I'd rather die this day than another." Deluca replied. "Andrea!" A voice in the distance called. We both looked and saw a woman far away, kind of like how I saw George and everyone. "Mom?" He asked as he stood up.

"Andrea!" The voice yelled again. Deluca looked at me. "I have to go. You need to go back to your family." Deluca said. "Okay." I whispered. "Mama!" Deluca yelled as he ran closer to his mom. I smiled as they hugged.

(Derek POV)

Deluca was brought in to the hospital a few hours ago. And now he's dead. He died in surgery with Owen and Teddy. He was a good guy, and a good surgeon. And he died being a hero. Saving multiple kids from being kidnapped and sold. Meredith and him were even friends, so I didn't know how I would tell her.

I saw Delucas sister carina sobbing in the corner and decided to walk over. "I'm so sorry for your loss Carina. Andrew was truly a great surgeon." I said sympathetically.

I went up to merediths room and Bailey sleeping peacefully in the chair next to her bed and saw Meredith awake again. "Hey." I said solemnly. "Hi." She replied, a sadness in her tone. "Whats wrong?" I asked in concern. "It's Deluca, isn't it? He's dead?" Meredith asked. "I-yeah. I'm sorry Mer." I replied sadly as I grabbed her hand. "Did he catch opal first?" She asked. "He did. He died a hero. I know you two were semi friends." I replied.

"I don't want to die." She whispered with tears in her eyes. "You won't. I'll make sure of it." I promised as I climbed into bed next to her. "I can't lose you guys." She whispered again. "I know. You won't." I reassured as I grabbed an oxygen mask and pulled it over her face gently. She fought it for a moment, but with her tears and heavy breathing, it did help.

"I'm Not gonna let anything happen to you Meredith. You'll be okay soon and we'll go home, I promise " I said quietly as I took her into my arms. I hated seeing Meredith like this. It truly broke my heart.

"I'm scared to go back to sleep. " Meredith whispered, exhaustion evident in her voice. "Dreams?" I guessed. "I...keep seeing people. Lexie, George....Deluca. I can't sleep." She said. I frowned. "I'm sorry Mer." I replied. "Kids?" Meredith asked, half asleep. "They're all fine with my mother. Get some sleep mereditj. I know you don't want to but your exhausted." I said quietly.

"But- "Meredith, you need sleep. You're still recovering from a heart transplant and you have Covid. Please." I cut in. Meredith nodded and I watched as her eyes fluttered closed.

I sighed and quietly slipped out of bed. I technically was still working, so I went back to treat a few patients. "Good morning Mr Jacobs." I said with a smile as I flipped through his chart. Mr Jacobs has covid as well. "Hi." He replied quietly. "How's the wife?" He asked. I told mr Jacobs about my family mainly to make him more comfortable. "She's doing good. Got the kids to see her yesterday." I replied.

"Oh, that's good. So doc, when can I get out of here?" Mr Jacobs asked. I sighed. "You're O2 levels are still down. I want them up before we do anything. And I know I'm a neurosurgeon, but I still know my stuff." I said. "Okay." Mr Jacobs said dejectedly. "I'm sorry Tyler. I have to go." I said as I left the room.

"Derek!" A voice called. I turned around and saw Cristina and Alex walking toward me. "Hey." I said. "Hey, how's Mer?" Alex asked. "She's okay. She was happy to see the kids yesterday." I replied with a smile. "How'd you do that mcdreamy?" Cristina asked. "I bought mini PPE." I admitted with a sheepish smile.

They both laughed. "Hey, how's carina?" I asked. "Heartbroken. She's been crying for an hour since she found out." Cristina replied. "That's awful." I replied. "Kind of like Mer with Lexie." She said quietly. "Yeah." I replied sadly. "Well, I'm gonna check on a few more patients and crash in Mers room tonight." I said. "Okay. See you Shepherd." Alex said as I walked away.

After checking on a few more patients, I walked back to Merediths room and saw Richard talking to Bailey. "He's dead?" Bailey asked in shock. Richard nodded, and I immediately knew they were talking about Deluca. "Oh my god." Bailey muttered. "I gotta-I have to work." She mumbled as she walked out. "How's she doing?" I asked as I watched Richard sigh and flip through Merediths chart. "O2 levels are still down. If she gets any worse we're going to have to intubate." He said.

"But she's still conscious." I pointed out. "Her lungs aren't functioning very well, Derek. The heart transplant was flawless. That shouldn't be a Problem anymore. I just don't want to have to intubate, but if her lungs decrease were to have to." Richard said. "Damnit." I scoffed. "Sleep Shepherd." He said as he walked out. I plopped myself down in a chair and closed my eyes.

Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter and if you have any ideas for future chapters feel free to drop them! Rip Deluca 🪦 hope your all doing well