Family life

Goodbye

Derek was scrambling. He was driving towards his moms house, with the kids buckled in their seats. He kept ringing him mom over and over but he just couldn't get through. Frustrated didn't come close to how he was feeling right now. He needed to be with Meredith, she needed him.

When he failed to get through his mom, he decided to go with plan B. The phone rang until, finally, someone picked up.

"Mark, I need a massive favour." Derek hurried, before Mark could get a word in.

"What's up man?" Mark asked, hearing the worry in his voice.

"Can you have the kids? Ellis has been rushed into hospital and it's not looking good. I need to be with Meredith and I don't want to take the kids with me. I don't want them seeing that." Derek was desperate at this point and needed him to say yes.

"Of course, drop them now. Addison will be back shortly with Eva so." Mark replied.

"Thanks man, I'll be there shortly." They said their goodbyes and Derek started driving to Mark's.

     *******************

Meanwhile, at the hospital, Meredith sat at Ellis' side, clutching her hand tight. Praying for Ellis to wake up. For anything. Just a sign that she would be alright. But Meredith wasn't stupid, she knew this was it.

She kept glancing at the clock, waiting and waiting for Derek to turn up. This is one thing she couldn't go through alone. Feeling a tight squeeze on her hand, she turned her head and watched as Ellis slowly opened up her eyes, turning towards Meredith.

"Hey mom." Meredith stood up and stroked her hair with her free hand. "You had an accident remember, you're alright though." Meredith smiled sadly down at her.

With a shaking hand, Ellis reached up and tried to take off her oxygen mask.

"No, don't." Meredith moved and placed it back on her face. "You need to keep that on."

Once again, Ellis reached up and successfully pulled it down this time.

"Me...Me...Meredith." Ellis breathed out, exhausted. Taking a few big breathes in, she finally continued on. "I have to say this before I go, I'm...I'm so proud of you. You...you turned out amazing. That's all down to you." Ellis began to cough aggressively and Meredith wasted no time in placing her mask back on her face.

Ellis kept on their for a while before lowering it once again. She needed to say what she had been longing to say for years now.

"You're the best mother to Oscar and Willow, I hate that I missed out on their lives. It's all my fault. I just want you to know you're extraordinary Meredith. I...love...you..." Ellis words faded off as her eyes shut and the machines began blaring around her.

Meredith looked round frantically, scared and alone. In a second, an army of nurses and doctors flew into the room, pushing her out of the way. She could feel herself crumbling to the floor until a pair of strong arms wrapped round her and pulled her into his body. Immediately, she knew it was Derek, she didn't need to look to know it was him.

Derek cradled Meredith in his arms, as they watched everyone fight to keep Ellis alive. But they were fighting a losing battle. Until, finally they called time.

12:46pm.

That time would forever be engraved in Meredith's brain. As the time her world changed. As the time her mother died.

It didn't feel real, like it was a crazy dream. She would wake up and Ellis would be healthy, back in the hospital and being the best surgeon. But it wasn't a dream, this was all reality.

She didn't cry, she was numb. Staying in Derek's arms, she allowed him to guide her to the car and buckle her in. In which he then drove them home and helped her change before climbing into bed. He kissed the top of her head and left her to go and get the kids.

Meredith just stared at the window until her eyes finally drifted shut. She was out of it, not even hearing Derek come back home.

With time she would get better and she would get back to being the loving wife and mother she had grown to be. But right now, she just needed sleep. Then things would all be alright. Or so she would like to think.

*A/N*
After 3 days, I'm finally back!! After lots of sleep and medicine, I finally feel better and can get back to writing. Will try and upload again tomorrow so just let us know what you think or if there are any ideas you would like to see if this story. Here for all suggestions!