I'm still standing

20

"Mer, sit down!" Derek sighed

"Derek, Ellie and Nena will be here in a bit and I wanna make sure that everything is perfect" Meredith said as she placed a bowl on the coffee table

"Everything is perfect" Derek pulled her into his arms "But you won't be able to enjoy if you're exhausted"

"I can still be a mother!" She sobbed

"Of course and the kids love you so much" Derek brushed his fingers through her hair

Derek helped her sit down on the couch and pulled her in his lap as they heard the front door opening

"Help me up" Meredith instructed and Derek did as he was asked

"Hi mom, hi dad" Ellis entered the living room "This is Nena. Nena, these are my mom and dad" Ellis smiled as she held hands with Nena

"Hi, Nena!" Meredith smiled "I'm Meredith"

"Hi, I'm Derek" They introduced themselves

"Hi!" Nena shook Derek's hand and moved over to Meredith "Hi ms Shepherd" Nena smiled and went over to hug Meredith

"Sit down! And please, call me Meredith" Meredith smiled

"Are you thirsty?" Ellis asked Nena "Do you want some water?"

"Oh yeah that would be great" Nena smiled as she looked at Ellis

"Ellis told us a lot about you. She can't shut up about the things you guys do together"

"Mom" Ellis blushed

"I'm very happy that I met Ellie" Nena smiled

...

Ellis and Nena went upstairs and Derek and Meredith were left alone downstairs

"Take a nap before we have dinner" Derek suggested

"No" Meredith responded without saying anything else

"Why not?" Derek frowned

"I don't need one" Meredith said. But her body told Derek the truth. Her body dropped into the cushions and pillows underneath her

"Mer, I really think it would be better if you would take a nap" Derek said and looked into Meredith's eyes

"Ellis will come down in a bit" She said

"And she wants you to feel okay!" Derek responded a bit too quick

"Derek, I never really feel okay!" Meredith snapped

Derek was shocked. His wife was slowly getting depressed and it was totally to be understood. Her mind was as clear as ever but her body just didn't wanna cooperate. Constant pain, the fear of when her body would give out, knowing there's no cure..

Derek sat down next to her and wrapped her into his arms. He scooped her up and brought her to their bedroom

"Derek, stop! I said I didn't need a nap" Meredith said sternly

"Maybe you don't need a nap but I need some cuddle time with my wife" Derek said and opened the door of their bedroom, gently placing Meredith down on the bed. He made sure she was comfortable and tucked her in before crawling close to her

He pulled her a bit in his arms without trying to move her too much and he wrapped his arms around her, which he knew she felt safe in them

He kissed her head and held her the whole time until he felt her body relax a bit. Her muscles let go of the tension that was build up

"I love you so much, Meredith Grey" He whispered and decided to join her during her small nap

Derek woke up about an hour later and decided to go check on Ellis

"Hi dad!" Ellis smiled as she and Nena sat down on her bed watching some tv show

"Hi girls. What do you guys wanna have for dinner?" Derek asked

Nena looked at Ellis

"Nena, what's your favourite food?" Derek smiled

"Oh- I.. I really like chilli con carne" Nena smiled

"Then I'll make chilli con carne" Derek smiled

"Thanks, mr Shepherd" Nena smiled

"Please call me Derek." Derek said before leaving the room. He started to make dinner and regularly checked on Meredith

"Der?" Meredith whispered as he came to check on her again

"Hey sleepyhead" He smiled and walked up to her

"How are the girls?" Meredith asked as Derek started to empty her catheter after he put on some gloves

"They're watching a show. I decided to make Nena's favourite food. Chili con carne" Derek told her

"She knows what's good" Meredith smiled "Can you help me up?" She asked once Derek was finished changing her catheter bag

Derek helped her up and walked outside

"Hi mom!" Ellis smiled. She and Nena moved to the couch in the living room

Derek walked Meredith to the couch and helped her take a seat

"Has Ellie been good for you?" Meredith teased

"She's been great" Nena smiled

"Nena's been better for me" Ellis giggled

"That's good. You're always welcome Nena! We're glad you're here" Meredith smiled

"Thanks Meredith" Nena smiled

"Dinner is ready" Derek yelled

Ellis helped her mother on her feet but got hold back

"You hold Nena's hand, not your mother's" Meredith smiled and slowly shuffled her way towards the kitchen

When Derek saw her coming, he helped her and started serving the food

"Enjoy your meal, everyone" Derek said and they started digging in

Everyone was having conversations over dinner as it was the perfect thing to meet Nena. Meredith barely had any difficulty eating the food except for a few times that Derek had to help her out

"Anyone who wants to watch a movie?" Derek suggested once they all finished dinner

The girls immediately agreed and Ellis frowned at the exhausted form of her mom

"You guys go pick a movie, we'll be there in a bit" Derek smiled

Derek cleaned up the plates and helped Meredith over to the couch where the two of them collapsed and cuddled into each other's sides

"They're so cute" Nena smiled as she wrapped her arms tighter around Ellis

"They are" Ellis smiled and kissed Nena's temples