What if

Early June (part 2)

(Richard POV)

Sitting in Merediths room, her being intubated, it was scary. I've known Meredith since she was born, and I've watched the neglect and emotional abuse she's had to go through.

From the moment Meredith stepped foot into my hospital all those years ago, I've felt that love a father would for a child.

And seeing her like this? It hurts. Because fathers never want to see their daughters in pain. "You okay?" A voice asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I looked around and saw Bailey with a concerned look. I sighed. "You know, one day, Meredith walked on in to the hosptial with her neighbor. She was probably about 3 or 4. She was crying, and she watching holding her arm so delicately."

"I walked over to her and she looked to me. 'Uncle Richard!' I asked her what happened and she told me she fell the stairs. Naturally, Ellis was here, so she went to the neighbors for help. She told me to lift her up, and when I did, she cuddled right into my chest. I took her down to the pit and sure enough it was broken. She picked out a pink cast, and god Bailey, she was so fascinated by all the tools."

"I knew she'd be a doctor someday. Anyways, after that, Ellis was still in surgery, so I held her for pretty much the rest of the night. And I....watching this...covid...hurting her....it makes me angry. And it makes me upset." I ranted.

Bailey smiled sadly. "I can picture Grey running around here as a kid. "All the time. Ellis was always here. Thatcher was....absent. So, Meredith would be here. She'd escape daycare, and sometimes I'd find her sitting with the nurses or something."

"She grew up here. Grew up with you. You're feeling protective. And that, Richard, that's what a parent feels when their baby is hurt. I remember Tuck that day, crying, in pain. That was one of the hardest days of life. And you feeling that right now, aren't you?" Bailey asked.

I just nodded, surprised when tears come to my eyes. "She's going to be fine. Greys been through worse that this." Bailey said, putting her hand on my
Shoulder.

"I know."

•••

(Derek POV)

At home, things have been quiet. The kids are all doing well, they loved when Amelia, link, and scout came over , and my mom has been helpimh out a lot.

The doorbell rang and I stood up to answer. "Nancy! Kathleen! Lizzie! What are you guys doing here?" I asked in shock.

"Oh, the guys have the kids for a few days. And we wanted to meet our nieces and nephews." Kathleen said nonchalantly.

"Covid! There's 3 kids and mom in the house." I said. "We all got tested before. All negative, Derek, relax." Nancy said, walking into the house.

"Hey mom!" Lizzie exclaimed with a smile as all three women approached her. "Girls! What are you doing here?" Carolyn said happily, hugging each of them.

Bailey, Zola, and Ellis all scattered behind me. They weren't good with strangers. "Dad, who are they?" Bailey asked. "Zo, Ellie, Bails, these are my sisters. Aunt Nancy, Aunt Kathleen, and Aunt Lizzie."

"Hi guys." My sisters said softly. "Hi." They replied timidly.

The kids ran off soon after. "Where's your intern Derek? Run away yet?" Nancy asked bitterly.

"Unconscious and Intubated in the ICU. Nice to know you care." I replied angrily.

"She what?" Lizzie asked in shock. Nancy immediately looked guilty, as did Kathleen. For some reason, they never took a liking to Meredith.

"She's intubated in the icu. Covid." I replied. "Wha-how?" Nancy questioned. "She collapsed one day and she's been in ever since. She...had a heart transplant too." I explained sadly.

"Oh Derek...." Lizzie trailed off, hugging me. "I'm sorry Derek. I-I didn't know." Nancy stammered. "You don't ever talk about your brothers wife like that Nancy Shepherd!" Carolyn scolded.

"I-I didn't know."

"I don't care. Even if she wasn't sick, you don't talk about her like that. She makes Derek and their kids very happy and she's been very welcoming."

"Okay. I'm sorry." Nancy whispered. "How long?" Kathleen asked. "A few months now. She's...fighting." I replied with a gulp.

We sat down on the couch. "Heart transplant?" Lizzie asked quietly, still comprehending it. I nodded. "The virus made her very weak. She's accepting the heart. But her lungs are still weak and she could barely breathe so we had to intubate a few days ago." I explained.

"Oh, Derek." Kathleen gasped. "How are the kids handling it?" Lizzie asked. Nancy was being unusually quiet. "They miss their mom a lot, especially bails. The older kids know what's going on, but Ellie doesn't really get it."

I opened my mouth to say something when a phone call cut me off. "Hang on its the hosptial." I said, walking away.

"Bailey?" I asked worriedly. "Hey Derek. I just wanted to give you another update."

"How is she?"

"She's doing very well. She's still sedated, but we took her for A CT and her lungs are cleared up pretty much 100%. We may be able to take her off the intubation again soon." Bailey said.

"Oh, that's awesome. Thank you so much Bailey. I'll be in tomorrow." I said with a relieved smile. "How are you doing Derek? Because Richard is over here worried as all hell, so I can't imagine how you are."

"I'm...okay. I just...I don't like not being able to take care of her, you know? And I don't like leaving her, but I know Mer would rather me take care of the kids." I admitted. "You're right. I'll see you tomorrow Derek. She's doing just fine."

"Thank you. Can you tell her I love her?"

"Of course."

Hey guys! So the whole Shepherd clan is in Seattle. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and if you have any ideas for future chapters feel free to drop them. Hope your all doing well.