It's hard sometimes | Merluca

Part 2

The next morning

Meredith was slowly taking in her surroundings, remembering where she had fallen asleep last night. When she took a glance over her shoulder and saw that Andrew was still asleep, a small smile appeared on her lips. She quickly looked at her phone to see how much time she had left before she needed to go to work. She turned off her alarm, now that she already knew that she had a few minutes left and then turned carefully around to Andrew's sleeping figure behind her.

She observed him for a few moments, wanting to let him sleep just a little longer. He was with his back towards her, lying on his side. She listened to his breathing for some time. In... and out... In... and out... It was so calm, he seemed so peaceful. She didn't want to wake him. But she knew she had to.

"Hey." She said softly while she gently reached out for him, letting her hand rest on his back, drawing small circles, hoping that it was enough to slowly wake him up.

After a moment, she saw him stirring slightly, seeming confused for a moment while he was trying to make out what has happened. And then a small smile formed on his lips while he was turning around to her, raising his head slightly.

"I slept." He said, the excitement audible in his voice before he let his head lay on the pillow again.

"Yeah." Meredith chuckled a little, happy for him to have gotten some sleep and to feel at least a bit better today.

"Good morning, Mer." He added softly, his warm smile for her already on his lips again.

"Good morning." She whispered back.

She was looking at him for some moments before she added carefully, knowing that it was already pretty late "Do you want to go to work today?"

"I- Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I need to work. It's what I have always worked for, to become a surgeon. I want to work. And I need it to distract myself a little."

"Okay."

"Okay?" He asked slightly surprised.

"Yes, I get that feeling too. It's what I always do." She gave him a smile.

They laid next to each other for another moment, smiling at each other, and despite everything she knew and knowing very well that it would take time for him to feel better again, she was just happy to see him like this, this morning.

"Okay, come on. Let's get up." She started an attempt to stand up, pulling the cover aside a little.

"Ugh..." She heard Andrew groan next to her, letting her know that he didn't like the idea.

"You were the one who wanted to go to work." Meredith laughed slightly at his face.

"I know, I know. But that doesn't mean that I like the getting up part." He justified himself.

And before he could say or do anything else, she stole him the whole blanket.

"Hey, that's not fair." He complained, making Meredith chuckle and then he smiled at her in return.

And before Meredith could leave to get ready, he stopped her one more time, getting over to the end of the bed where she was standing.

"Mer..." He almost whispered while he gently took her hand, making her turn around. "I'm sorry to have worried you." He turned more serious again, looking at her sincerely.

"I'm glad you talked to me. I want to be here if you need someone."

...