What if

Early June (part 7)

(Meredith POV)

Today was the day. After almost 3 whole months being stuck in the hospital, I was finally able to go hone. Derek spent the night here, and I gently nudged him awake.

"Derek." I whispered happily. "Good morning." He said, his voice full of sleep. "I get to go home." I said with a big smile.

"Yes you do." Derek replied, a grin gracing his face as well. He kissed me softly and I sat up. "I need to pee." I said. "I'll help." Derek replied with a chuckle.

I swung my legs over the bed and stood up. Derek was quickly at my side and linked his arm through mine. Even walking 10 feet was a challenge, but I'd rather do this than be dead.

I got to the bathroom and made Derek stay outside while I did my business. I left the bathroom and Met dereks loving gaze and grabbed his hand again.

Eventually, I got to the bed again, completely out of breath. "Good job." He said gently as I laid against the raised bed.

(Derek POV)

Seeing Meredith struggle from getting to and from the bathroom made me realize she would need a lot of help when we got home. I need to take a leave of absence.

"Hey, I'm gonna go talk to Bailey , okay?" I asked as she laid down. "About?" Meredith asked. "A leave of absence." I replied. "Yoy don't have to do that." She said.

"I want to. I'll be back." I said, placing a kiss on her forehead and walking out of the room.

I knocked on Baileys office door and let myself in. "Shepherd, I was just on my way to discharge Meredith. What's up?" Bailey asked.

"I need a leave of absence." I said. "How long are you thinking?" She asked. "I domt know, a few weeks maybe? She can barely go to the bathroom without wheezing." I replied.

"Let's start with 3 weeks and go from there. Sound good?" Bailey answered. "Perfect. Thank you Bailey." I said with a smile. "No problem. I'll walk with you back to Merediths room."

We got back to her room and she smiled when we entered. "Ready to get out of here Meredith?" Bailey asked with a grin. "Hell yeah. Let's go." She said, swinging her legs over the bed.

Bailey scribbled her signature on some papers as a nurse brought in a wheelchair. Meredith, instead of arguing, sat down, knowing she wouldn't even make it far.

"Bur gius. Be careful, and call us if you need anytning." Bailey said, hugging Meredith and myself. "Thank you Bailey. Thank you." I said genuinely.

(Meredith POV)

As Derek wheeled me out, I felt a huge sense of relief when we got o the car. I got in the passenger seat and sighed happy.

"Ready to go?" He asked. "I want to see the kids." I said, smiling.

Derek drove, and on the way, I looked out the window. This was so much better than the plain walls of the hospital.

The drive went by quickly, and before I knew it, we were home. Derek wrapped an arm around my waist as we walked up the steps and opened the door.

"Bailey, change your clothes for the love of your family!" I heard Carolyn yelled. I laughed and felt a little person collide into my leg. "Mama!" Ellis exclaimed.

"Hi baby." I said. I really wanted to lift her up, but I knew I wouldn't be able to. The kids all ran over to me and hugged me tightly. I felt tears in my eyes as I felt their arms wrap around me and dereks too.

"Welcome home." Carolyn said softly. I smiled and looked at her. "Let's let mama sit down." Derek suggested.

Derek ushered me to the couch and I sat down as the kids scrambled up next to me. "I missed you guys so much." I said, kissing their foreheads. "We did too mama." Bailey replied.

"Thank you for watching them Carolyn." I said gratefully. "Of course. You guys are family." She replied softly. "So? What did I miss?" I asked.

(Derek POV)

I loved listening to the kids fill Meredith in on their lives. It was so refreshing to know she was now safe at home, back to her life.

Even though I wanted the kids and Meredith to keep talking, I could tell she was exhausted. "I think mama needs to get some rest." I announced.

"What- no. I'm fine." Meredith replied. "Mer. You're exhausted." I said softly. "Fine." She said as she gave in. Meredith said goodnight to all the kids and then I helped her upstairs.

By the time we reached the bedroom, she was panting. "Let's take a break." I said softly. Meredith leant into my chest.

After a few minutes, she stood up syairght. "I'll get ready and get into bed." She said. I nodded and let her go into the bathroom herself.

While she got ready, I got her pajamas out and got the bed ready for her. She came out a moment later and I helped her change. "You okay?" I asked, sitting her on the edge of the bed.

"I'm good." She replied, breathing heavily and yawning. I felt bad that she was this weak, but the good thing is was that she's home.

"I wish I could talk to the kids more." She whispered, laying down on the bed under the covers. "You have all day tomorrow and then probably a while after. I don't think your going back to work for at least a few weeks." I said.

Meredith nodded and closed her eyes. "I love you. Call me if you need me." I said, kissing her forehead. "Love you too."

I left the room and went back downstairs. Everything would be okay now. She was safe, and warm in her bed. She was home now.

Hey guys! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and hope your all doing well. If you guys have any ideas for future chapters feel free to drop them! Thanks for reading.