Never Too Late | Grey's Anatomy AU

10 | Too Little Too Late

Author POV:

"Did you see Jon? Did he make it out in time, is he at a hospital?" she asked

"I'm sorry darlin'. He's gone" Mr. Davis said.

Meredith and Derek gasped. Riley was ready to empty the contents of her stomach, her heart shattered into a million pieces. She started to sob and grip onto Meredith's hand for support.

"Hon, don't cry. Maybe you'll reconnect with him someday, there's social media and the chat snap thingy..." Mr. Davis said.

Riley was on the verge of a breakdown but she managed to control herself.

"Reconnect? But, he's dead...isn't he? You said he's gone!" She cried

"Oh my God, no Riley. Jon's not dead. He moved, remember?" he said

"Moved? Like for good? Permanently? How long ago did he leave?" she asked eagerly.

"Sweetheart, he left two weeks ago. I'm sorry, I thought you knew, you two were close." He frowns

"No don't be sorry, I hope you feel better soon and thank you for everything. I think we should get going now, it's getting late. Goodnight Mr. Davis." She waved and walked to the car holding both of her parent's hands.

Nobody was talking at all in the car.

Meredith and Derek made eye contact and then they looked at their daughter, a hundred things were on her mind right now.

"How could he leave...without telling me? He didn't even leave a note. He really meant it when he said that he'll never see me again, this proves it. I drove him away, he loved me and cared for me and I drove him away." Riley was breathing heavily.

"Breathe...Riley, in and out. Slow deep breaths, look at me, baby." Meredith held her hand and looked at Derek.

"I'm pulling over." He whispered

Derek pulled over to the side of an empty road. Riley ran out to the edge of the road and threw up near some dirt. She was filled with so many emotions. Even though Jonathan hadn't died, it still felt a little like he did because she knew that there was no chance of ever seeing him again, she ended their friendship.

"Drink some water." Derek handed her a bottle and rubbed her back.

"Thanks...Dad." She sighed leaning against the car and she was still crying.

"Come here, it's going to be okay. I promise you, you are strong and you've got Mom and I, we love you more than anything." Derek opened up his arms for a hug and she held him tightly. Meredith joined in on the hug behind Riley and they couldn't stand to see her cry. It was truly breaking their heart. She's had so much loss and so much pain, she doesn't deserve any of it.

"Promise me that you guys won't leave me again." She cries on Derek's shoulder.

"Darling...we won't. We promised to never put you through that again. That was a big mistake. We wouldn't leave you, ever! You're stuck with us...forever. We're not going anywhere. Love you babe." Meredith kisses the top of her head.

                          —————————————

A year later, Riley is in her last her of high school and she's been better with everything that happened since she met her biological parents. She's been happy with her friends and her family. She couldn't ask for better people in the world to take care of her.

Derek comes home from work and the house seems empty.

"Girls and Bailey? I'm home! Are you guys hiding?" He says resting down his briefcase and tossing his keys on the counter.