Highway to Hell

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Meredith and Derek arrived home minutes later. "Home." She whispered with a smile. "Home."

Derek got out of the car and went around to the trunk. He got the wheelchair out of the back and brought it to Merediths side of the car.

Derek opened her door and smiled. "Ready?" He asked. "Yeah."

He lifted her out of the car and put her into the chair. Meredith wheeled herself to the front door and waited for Derek. "You're quick on those." He said with a chuckle.

Derek opened the door and helped her wheel in. "Meredith, Derek, welcome home dear!" Carolyn exclaimed. "Thank you." She replied, feeling a little self conscious.

"Hey mom." Derek said with a smile as Meredith wheeled through the house. "Want to look around Mer?" He asked. "Yeah."

"I'll go see Mark. I promised him a visit." Carolyn said, excusing herself. "Thanks for everything mom. We'll see you in a few hours." Derek said thankfully as his mom walked out the door.

"Everything is now wheelchair accessible. Even the sinks and showers and stuff." Derek explained. "And the chairlift." She added as she looked at the stairs.

"You want to try it?" He asked. "I- I don't know." Meredith admitted. "Okay. We don't have to now." He said soothingly. "Seeing this just makes it seem real. And I don't like that."

"I know Mer. Remember, it's not permanent though. How about we sit down on the couch and relax for while?" Derek suggested.

"Okay." She said, wheeling herself to the living room. Derek stood close by when she transferred from the chair to the couch, and sat down next to her. Meredith tried to wiggle closer to Derek, but couldn't.

He, of course, noticed this and pulled her onto his lap. "Better?" He asked. Meredith mumbled something that sounds like a yes, and buried her face into the crook
Of his neck.

"I'm glad we're home. But we're missing someone." She whispered. "I know." He replied, knowing what she was talking about instantly.

"Have you heard anything recently?" Meredith asked. "Not since that last call. I'm sure they're still figuring it out. I can call tomorrow." Derek replied.

"I gotta pee." Meredith said after a few minutes. "I'll help." Derek said right away. She sighed as she transferred herself into her chair.

"Derek, I love you and I appreciate you so much, but I have to do some things on my own. And you know how much I hate needing help. I'll yell if I need you, okay?" She said softly. "Okay." Derek replied as she wheeled away.

Meredith got to the bathroom and pushed open the door. Derek had the doors all renovated so that they could be pushed open and no door knobs.

She took a deep breath before grabbed the handle bar and grunted, successfully transferring to the toilet. She somehow managed to wiggle her pants and panties down and relieved herself.

When she finished doing her business, Meredith pulled her pants and panties back up and grabbed on to the handle bar. As she tried to transfer, her hand slipped, and she completely missed the chair, landing flat on her butt.

Meredith tried to hold the tears at bay, but failed. With tears streaming down her face, she called for Derek. "Derek!" She yelled, her voice breaking.

Derek heard her from the living room and raced upstairs. His heart broke when he saw Meredith sitting on the floor, back up against the wall sobbing.

He knelt down and grabbed her hands. "It's okay. It's okay. Are you hurt?" He asked softly. She shook her head. "I can't even pee by myself." She cried.

Derek moved behind her and held her close. "Let it out. All the frustration, pain, sadness. Let it out." He whispered into her ear. Meredith put her head back into his shoulder and just cried.

"I don't want to be like this."

"You won't be forever. I'll help you whenever you need. We'll get through this whole thing." He whispered. Meredith nodded and wiped her tears.

"Can I take a nap?" She asked quietly. "Of course. Come on." Derek replied. He lifted her up gently and placed her down into the chair.

He pushed her to the stairs and transferred into the chairlift and strapped her in. Meredith didn't make eye contact with him as the chair went up, due to the helplessness and shame she felt.

"You want to wash up or go to bed?" Derek asked as he carried her to their bedroom. "Bed." She replied. He nodded and walked over to the queen bed and put her under the covers.

"Side or back?"

"Side please." Meredith replied. Derek moved her to her side and knelt down on his knees next to her bed. "You okay?" He asked. She nodded sleepily. "I'll be right downstairs. Just yell for me, okay?"

"Can you stay? Just...hold me?" She asked, her voice cracking. "Oh, Mer. Of course I will." Derek replied, kicking off his shoes and climbing in beside her.

He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "Is this okay?" He asked. "Yeah." She replied. "I love you. We're going to get through this." He whispered, pressing a kiss to her neck. "Love you too."

As Derek felt Meredith relax in his arms and her snores filled the room, it made Derek think. This would be a hard, tough journey for Meredith. But he would help her as much as she allowed him to. Because that's what you do for the person you love.

Hey guys! We hope you all enjoyed this chapter and hope your doing well. As always, go follow the co writter  to this story _Ktje_