What if

Chapter 14

Derek woke up early this morning, Meredith was still sleeping. He knew that because he could hear her snore. Derek turned around to face her, he smiled softly. He gently caressed her cheek and pulled some of her hair behind her ear, that’s when Meredith stirred a bit and opened her eyes. She saw her husband who was watching her sleeping. “Good morning.” Derek whispered as he leaned down to kiss her gently. Meredith smiled and returned the kiss. “Morning.” Meredith whispered. Meredith then looked around in the room and frowned when she saw the wheelchair. “Hey Der, why is there a wheelchair next to the bed?” Meredith asked. “Because of your legs, they don’t work right at the moment.” Meredith frowned. “Why aren’t they working right? Wait. Did I code while I had the trial surgery?” Meredith asked, Derek looked at her in shock. “You can remember that?” he asked, Meredith nodded. “Derek, I know that I have Alzheimer’s. So I guess I’m lucid now.” Meredith said with a small chuckle. “What happened to your hand?” “Nothing.” Derek replied quickly. “Derek Christopher Shepherd, don’t you dare lie to me.” Meredith said sternly, Derek sighed. “You fell down, you tried to climb out of the tub on your own while I was checking on Zola. You slipped and I catched you but slammed my hand against the tub. After that I slammed my hand against the sink. Callie operated on it, it was a pretty bad break but I’m good now.” Derek explained. “You sure?” Meredith asked as she took his hand in hers. “I’m good Mer. I promise.” Derek replied as Meredith leaned up to kiss him. “How far?” Meredith asked after a minute quietly. Derek inhaled deeply. “You can’t remember Lexie anymore and you’re thinking that I’m your boyfriend, not your husband.” Derek said quietly. Tears welled up in her eyes, Derek quickly pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry Derek. So sorry.” She whispered into his chest. “Meredith, you have nothing to be sorry about, I promise you.” Derek assured her. Meredith nodded against his chest. After they talked for a bit more they got themself ready, Derek helped Meredith with her pants while Mer helped Derek with his shirt and pants as well, Meredith lifted herself into the wheelchair and went with Derek to Zola’s room. Zola was wide awake and was staring at the door as her parents came in. “Mommy.” Zola yelled happily, Meredith had a big smile on her face. “Hey baby.” Meredith exclaimed happily. Derek got Zola ready with help from Meredith and then placed her onto her lap. “Do you want to go downstairs?” Derek asked Meredith as she was snuggling with Zola. Meredith nodded and smiled at him warmly. Meredith wheeled herself out of Zola’s room and placed herself into the chairlift. 

“Derek is that you?” Carolyn asked from the kitchen. “Yes, it’s me, Meredith and Zola.” Derek replied, Carolyn came over to the living room. “Good morning Carolyn.” Meredith said with a smile, Carolyn looked at her with wide eyes, then she looked at her son who had a big smile on his face. “You’re lucid?” Carolyn asked, Meredith nodded. Carolyn came over to Meredith and hugged her tightly, Meredith was surprised but returned the hug. Zola was on Derek’s good arm and played with his hair, Derek watched his wife and mom. He was happy that his mom and Meredith had a good connection even though Meredith never really talked to his mom. Carolyn pulled away after a while and wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry.” She laughed. “It’s okay, really. It felt good.” Meredith admitted with a smile, she looked up at Derek and saw that he had tears in his eyes. Meredith knew that these were happy tears. Carolyn excused herself and went back to the kitchen, while Derek and Meredith sat down on the couch, Zola was playing in front of them. “I love you.” Meredith whispered as she looked up at her husband. “I love you even more Meredith.” Derek replied and leaned down to kiss her. Zola clapped happily as she saw her parents kissing. After they pulled away, Meredith snuggled herself closer to Derek, she wanted to be close to her husband before she was going to forget him. Carolyn came into the living room with a happy expression. She sat down on a chair and watched her son taking care of his wife. “Derek, you’re sisters are coming here.” Carolyn spoke up, Derek looked at his mom with wide eyes. “No, they are not coming in here. At least not Nancy.” Derek said angrily. “Why not Nancy?” Carolyn asked. “She said some things about how I live my life and told me to do it better. My life isn’t perfect but I love it. I don’t want to change a thing and she has to understand that before she comes into this house.” Derek explained angely. Meredith placed her hand on Derek’s knee and squeezed it gently, Derek put his hand over her hand and held it tightly. He looked down into Meredith’s eyes and softened. They communicated without words. “Fine, she can come, but if she say’s one thing about my family or my life-” Derek began. “She’ll not.” Carolyn cut in. “I hope.” Derek muttered under his breath.