Highway to Hell

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Meredith woke up the next day, feeling absolutely awful. Derek was sleeping soundly next to her. She transferred to her chair that was next to bed and rolled herself to the bathroom.

She looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. She was as pale as a ghost. 'Just didn't sleep enough.' She thought, transferring to the toilet.

After she relieved herself, Meredith rolled out of their bedroom and went to the top of the stairs. She was going to transfer once again to the chair lift, but she just felt so damn weak. Sighing, she turned around.

Meredith let out a shaky breath and rolled back to her bedroom. She took a deep breath before transferring back into bed. She was almost positive she had a fever. But she was just tired, right?

•••

Derek woke up a little while later around 9 and smiled when he saw his wife still sleeping. Instead of waking her up, he pressed a kiss to her forehead quickly and rolled out of bed.

"Good morning." Carolyn said with a smile as he walked into the living room.

"Hi mom. Hi Zo Zo." Derek replied as he picked up Zola. "Da!!" Zola squealed excitedly.

"Merediths still sleeping?" Carolyn asked. "Out like a log." He replied. Carolyn nodded.

"Ma?" Zola questioned. "Mamas still sleeping. She'll be down soon." Derek replied. Zola smiled and pinched dereks nose. Carolyn watched her son and his daughter, reminding her of what she and Christopher used to have.

"Is Meredith okay? She had a little fall yesterday." Carolyn asked.

"She fell? When? How? What happened?" Derek asked with a frown. "She tried to overdo it will Zola and just tipped over. She was okay after I gave her some meds, but I did notice she was a little wheezy." Carolyn explained.

"Why didn't she tell me?"

"Honey, I haven't known Meredith long, but I do know that she likes to be independent and keeps to herself."

Derek sighed. "What time is it?"

"9:45." Carolyn replied, checking her watch. "That's late for her." He frowned. "I'm gonna go check on her."

•••

Derek walked upstairs and into their bedroom. Meredith was still sleeping, which was unusual. She was anytning but an early riser, but with Zola, she never slept past 8:00.

"Mer." He whispered, shaking her shoulder slightly. Meredith just groaned.

Derek put his hand on her forehead and frowned when he felt the heat. Mahbe it was from the blankets. He hoped.

"Mer. Wake up, I think you have a fever." He said louder. Meredith opened her eyes and looked at him. "Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine." Meredith replied, lying. She still felt awful, possibly even worse. "Where's Zola?" She asked, changing the subject. She wasn't sick. Just tired.

"Downstairs with mom. Do you want to come?" He asked. She nodded. Derek lifted her up out of bed and held her for a moment before putting her into the chair.

Meredith wheeled down the hall and Derek helped transfer her to the chairlift.

"Ma!" Zola exclaimed happily. "Hi baby!" Meredith replied happily.

Carolyn put Zola in her lap. Zola bounced hard on her leg, forcing Meredith to take a wheezy breath. "You okay?" Derek asked with a concerned frown.

"I'm okay Derek. Just tired." Meredith replied. Derek nodded, but he didn't believe her. If she had a cold, it could be fatal. But he wasn't sure.

"Anybody want to watch a movie?" Carolyn asked. Derek looked at Meredith and nodded.

The 4 of them sat down on the couch, Carolyn on the single recliner, and put on a movie. Zola was already half asleep in Merediths arms, so they put in what they wanted.

Meredith burrowed under dereks arm, which wasn't unusual, but wasn't exactly normal. Meredith like to cuddle at night in bed , but on the couch she usually keeps a distance. She was certainly clingier than normal, but Derek didn't mind.

About halfway through the movie, Meredith had soft snores coming out of her mouth. "She must've been tired." Carolyn said with An amused smile. In the short time of knowing Meredith, she had actually gotten used to the snoring.

"I don't know...I guess, I thought she's been sleeping well." Derek said quietly. "I don't think she's feeling well, dear."

"I don't either. But what do I do? She won't listen to me, but she knows if she gets a cold it can be deadly." Derek said helplessly. "Confront her about it. She's stubborn, Derek."

"I know. I'm gonna take her up to bed. Can you take Zola?" He asked with a sigh. "Sure dear." Carolyn replied.

Derek scooped his tiny wife into his arms and effortlessly brought her up into bed. He put her down, on top of the blankets as he felt she was already hot, and went to the bathroom to grab a thermometer.

He swiped the thermometer across her forehead. 100. It wasn't a high fever, but if it got any higher, Derek would bring her to the hosptial. Swallowing a gulp, he laid down in bed next to her.

If Meredith was sick, she could die. He didn't want to think about that, but it was a possibility. And it terrified him. The thought of having to live without her and raise their daughter alone make him sick to his stomach.

•••

Meredith woke up, sweating. Her chest was on fire, and she was wheezing like crazy. She could hardly breath.

"Der." She said, nudging him and gasping for air. "What?" He asked, shooting up. He must've snoozed off for a little.

"Oh, Mer." Derek said, seeing her shivering form and her gasping. "Don't feel good." She said. "I know. I know. We gotta go to the hosptial, okay?" Derek asked. "Cant ....breathe." Meredith murmured, eyes drooping closed.

"Mer? Stay with me Mer!" Derek yelled.

Hey guys! We hope you all enjoyed this chapter and hope your doing well. As always, go follow my amazing co writer, _Ktje_  thanks!