Family life

Talk to me

"Meredith, you need to talk to me." Derek pleaded with Meredith the next morning as she moved round the house.

"Derek not now, Oscar is still sick and now I think Willow has caught it. They've both got a fever and my head is killing me." Meredith rubbed at her head as she finally stopped from the cleaning.

"Alright, that's enough." Derek placed his hands on Meredith's shoulders and forced her to sit down. "Remember you need to stay calm Meredith." He crouched down cupped her cheeks in his hands. "Are you finally going to tell me what's going on in that head of yours Mer?"

"I don't have time for this Derek, there just isn't enough time. Life isn't meant to be this hard. Every time I feel like I'm getting things under control, something comes a long and ruins it all. You need to leave you're going to be late for work." Meredith moved to stand up again but Derek forced her back down.

"I'm not going to work Meredith, I phoned in sick for the day." He ran his hand over her hair. "I told you, I'm being there for you and you clearly need more now more then ever so I'm not going to work. Plus the kids are ill and I'm not leaving you to deal with that on your own."

Oscar coughed loudly and Meredith pushed to her feet and quickly made her way to his room. Derek sighed as he dropped his head into his hands, he had no idea what to do. His phone began to ring so he answered.

"Hey ma."

"Derek, how are things?" His mother asked, concern laced in her voice.

"Not great, she won't talk to me, she's completely shutting me out. Plus Oscar and Willow have got a fever and aren't well, so there's that. I just don't know what to do ma." Derek rubbed at the back of his neck.

"Derek, you know what Meredith is like. When things get tough, she pushes you away, that's how she copes. But you just need to be there. As for the kids, they will be over it soon, do you want me to come over and help? Cook dinner for you?"

"No ma, thank you though." Derek heard Meredith shouting for him in the distance. "Look ma, I need to go Meredith needs me, I'll phone you later. Love you."

"Love you too son."

Derek disconnected the call before heading to find Meredith in Oscars room.

"Hey what's up?" He whispered as he heard Meredith sitting on the floor, next to Oscars head a she smoothed her hands over his curls.

"His fever has finally broke." She smiled up at him, exhaustion displayed on her face.

"Good that's good." Derek leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. "Come on." He reached down, grabbing her hands and then pulling her to her feet.

Derek kept a hold on her hand, pulling her downstairs and finally out to the garden. They took a seat on their porch, sitting in silence as their hands stayed clasped together.

"My mom has cancer." Meredith whispered before turning to Derek. "It's terminal, she's going to die and she's known about this for 6 months and she's only just telling me now. I mean how messed up is that..." Meredith squeezed Derek's hands tight.

"Oh Mer. Come here." He pulled her into his lap and pulled her tight into his body and kissed the side of her head. "Why didn't you tell me?" He asked as he ran his hands up and down her arm.

"Saying out loud, it makes it, it makes it all seem so real. Real is scary. I don't know how to deal with this, how I'm meant to feel. I don't know how to help her." Meredith wiped away her tears and snuggled into Derek even more.

"We will get through this Meredith, we will but you keep pushing me away. You need to let in so I can help you." Derek reached out and turned Meredith's face so they were finally facing each other. Smiling at each other they leaned in and pressed their lips together for a passionate kiss.

"So now what?" Derek asked as they finally pulled apart from one another, holding their stare.

"I don't know, I wish I did. She has no one, so I might ask her to move in here, so she isn't alone for her last few days." Meredith said, feeling Derek's body tense up.

"Meredith, I'm sorry but no. That women literally destroyed you and broke you down. You was a mess. Finally we are happy, I know she's ill but she doesn't have to live here." Derek replied, standing his ground.

"This isn't a debate Derek, it's happening. I'm not having my mom spend her last few days alone or in some hotel room. I know she was a shit mom, you don't need to constantly remind me. This is happening. So get used to it or you know where the door is." Meredith got up out of his lap and stormed inside, slamming the door on the way in.

Derek groaned in frustration and ran his fingers through his hair. He waited a few minutes before pushing to his feet and followed Meredith inside, finding her pacing the kitchen.

"Meredith." Derek watched as she stopped and glared at him.

"What Derek? What do you want or what else have you got to say?" Meredith exclaimed.

"Alright time out." Derek walked closer and placed his hands on Meredith's shoulders. "Enough. Look the only reason I don't want your mom under the same roof as you is because I can't bare to watch her belittle you. But if you want her here then fine she can move in but the minute she says anything about you or the kids she is gone, alright?"

Meredith's features softened before finally nodding her head.

"Thank you." She whispered before standing on her toes and pressing her lips to his. "Come on, let's go get the kids and just sit and watch a film. As a family." Meredith said as she linked their hands together.

For the rest of the day they spent the evening curled up together. Oscar stayed clinging to Meredith's side whilst Willow gurgled and playfully slapped Derek's cheeks as she giggled. This right here was everything to them, family time. But things were about to take a turn, Derek still wasn't sure this was a good idea but he was willing to do whatever for Meredith. Even if he knew it would likely end in tears.