What if

Late may (part 10)

(Mer on the beach)

I walked along the sandy shores, enjoying the sunshine's and sound of waves crashing when Richard showed up.

"You know Meredith, I've known you since you were a tiny baby. I've watched you grow from an intern dating a married attending, to a married chief of general with 3 kids. It's been an honor to watch my little girl grow up. But now, this part is up to you. You're fighting this, I know you are, but it's not enough right now. There's a high chance we'll have to intubate again at the end of the day." He said.

"Your O2 levels are very low. Your lungs aren't functioning well at all. Now I don't want to wake you now, but just please, force yourself to wake up, even if you feel like you can't."

"I don't know if I can fight this thing." I admitted.

"You know, I watched the kids a few nights ago with Catherine. Ellis, she's a spitting image of you. Same personality, same everything. Very bossy. Bailey? Well, he's a little charmer. Looks like you and acts like Derek. He thinks Ellis hogs the tablet. And Zola. She's a brilliant little girl. She is like the negotiator of the other two." Richard explained.

He sighed. "Oh, Mer. You gotta wake up. And you gotta stay awake. For your family. And your hospital family."

(Meredith POV)

I slowly opened my eyes and gave a sleepy smile to Richard. "You listened to me." He said softly. I just nodded, wheezing even though I hadn't done anything.

Richard pulled the oxygen mask over my face and put his hand softly on my head. "Could you hear me?"

I nodded again. "Derek is in the bathroom. When he comes back we'll discuss intubation if needed, which it likely will be." Richard explained.

Minutes later, Derek, Bailey and Teddy came into the room. "Hey." Derek whispered as he grabbed my hand softly. "Hi." I replied quietly, muffled through the mask.

"Derek, we need to discuss a few things." Richard started.

"We need to discuss re-intubation." Teddy blurted. "What? Whats her O2 levels at?" Bailey asked with a frown. "Low. Way too low." Richard replied.

"Is it necessary?" Derek asked. "Derek, Bailey, you know Richard and I would never suggest it unless it was absolutely necessary." Teddy answered.

"Some people we put in vents never come off!" Derek cut in sharply. "I'll be fine." I said quietly as i pulled down my mask and grabbed dereks hand. "I'll wake up." I whispered, breathing heavily.

(Derek POV)

"Derek, she can hardly breath without the mask." Teddy pointed out. I felt Meredith squeeze my hand as Bailey put the mask back over her mouth.

"I think we need to do this soon." Bailey said.

"I love you. And the kids. Tell them." Meredith said with teary eyes. "Hey, none of that. We all love you too and we'll see you when you wake up." I replied as teddy prepped for the intubation.

"Okay Meredith, we're going to sedate you now. After your out, we're going to intubate you and keep you sedated until your levels rise." Teddy explained. Meredith nodded and I grabbed her hand tightly.

I watched as Merediths eyes fluttered shut as the sedative worked its magic. "She's out." I said softly as I stroked the back of her hand and felt her body relax and breathing even out.

"I'm gonna intubate now."

Teddy inserted the tube down her throat and attached her to the ventilator and turned the settings up. "There we go." Richard said softly as he laid a hand on my shoulder.

•••

After I stayed with Meredith for a while and explained to Alex and Cristina what happened, I left to go home.

When I got there, I took a shower quickly and went back downstairs with the kids and my mom.

"What's wrong dear?" Mom asked quietly as we ate dinner. "They re-intubated Meredith." I replied solemnly. "Oh no. Why?"

"Her O2 levels were way too low. She'll be sedated and on the vent until they go back up. I have to tell the kids but..."

"Oh Derek. We'll tell them together, okay?"

•••

After dinner, mom and I all sat the kids down in the living room. "Dad, how's mom doing?" Zola asked.

"Actually, guys, that's what we have to talk about." I started.

"You all know how mommy has covid, right?"

"Yes." They replied.

I took a deep breath and looked at them. "Mommy had a hard time breathing again today, and she needed some help. She's in a ventilator again. Do you guys know what rhat is?" Derek asked.

"It's the tube thing right?" Bailey asked. "It is." I confirmed.

I explained the best as I could to the kids before it was time for bed. "Dad?" Zola asked. "Yeah Zo?"

"Moms back on the vent? Will she come off of it?" Zola asked. I sighed. "We aren't sure. But let me tell you something Zo." I started as I sat down on her bed.

"Your mommy is the strongest person I know. She's been through so much. And she'll fight this." I replied softly. "She's the best mommy." Zola murmered sleepily. "She is." I whispered.

That night, I laid in bed, alone, the cold sheets confusing me. I clutched Merediths pillow tightly in my arms, and fell into a dreamless, uncomfortable sleep, just praying that my wife, my Meredith would pull through.

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