Meredith's sister

6

Meredith's POV (4 Months Later)

I woke up in the chair next to Mia's bed, my back aching from another night of restless sleep. I rubbed my eyes and checked the monitors—everything looked good. Taking a deep breath, I reached for Mia's hand, squeezing it gently.

"Mia, if you can hear me, I just want you to know... Mom keeps asking about you. I don't know how to tell her what happened." My voice cracked. "Please wake up. I need you. I need my big sister." Tears welled up as I pleaded with her.

Then, I felt it—her fingers twitching. My heart nearly stopped.

"Oh my God," I gasped. "Mia, please try to squeeze my hand." My voice shook with emotion as tears streamed down my face. I fumbled for my pager, calling for Webber. Within moments, Bailey and Webber rushed in.

"She moved her fingers," I choked out, overwhelmed with relief.

Bailey quickly assessed Mia, taking her other hand in hers. "Mia, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand."

We watched as Mia's fingers weakly curled around Bailey's hand.

"Mia, can you open your eyes?" Webber asked gently.

Slowly, her eyelids fluttered, then opened, her gaze hazy but unmistakably aware.

"Oh my God," I whispered, my tears now those of joy.

"Hi, little sis," Mia rasped, her voice hoarse but filled with warmth.

Webber smiled. "How do you feel?"

"I feel... fine," Mia murmured.

Relief flooded the room. Webber nodded. "That's great to hear. We'll give you two some time." He and Bailey exited, leaving us alone.

Mia turned to me. "Fill me in."

I let out a breath, wiping away my tears. "Well, first of all, me, Addison, and Callie have been taking turns staying here, waiting for you to wake up."

Mia's POV

"Wait, Addison was here?" I asked, surprised.

Meredith nodded. "She spent the first night. Callie took the second. I took the third. And we just kept rotating like that."

I let that sink in. "Did I... look bad?" I joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

Meredith laughed. "I don't think Addison cared how you looked. She just wanted you to wake up."

I hesitated. "Did she... say anything?"

Meredith shrugged. "I don't know. Ask Callie."

I nodded, suddenly overwhelmed by another thought. My breath hitched. "What happened to Mike?" I whispered.

Meredith's face darkened. "I can find out for you."

Tears stung my eyes. The thought of him still being out there made my skin crawl. Meredith squeezed my hand, offering silent support. Just then, the door opened, and in walked Callie, Cristina, and Alex.

My heart stopped.

The moment my eyes landed on Alex, my vision blurred. My brain twisted his face into Mike's, and suddenly, I couldn't breathe. My body tensed, trembling uncontrollably.

"Mia, are you okay?" Callie asked, concern lacing her voice.

I couldn't speak. I could only stare at Alex, my chest tightening with panic.

Cristina's sharp gaze flicked between us. "Alex, let's go outside."

As soon as he left, I let out a shuddering breath and broke down.