What if

Chapter 22

1 Year Time jump

Meredith's condition was serious for the last year. She had 4 more heart attacks before she became a Bypass. She only was lucid one more time. Derek also buyed a medical bed for Meredith which was big enough that he could sleep in it too.

"Good Morning Mer." Derek whispered as he saw that Meredith was about to wake up. "Who are you?" Meredith asked after she was fully awake. "I'm your husband, we have been married for 8 years now." Derek whispered while his voice was cracking. "Married?" Meredith asked and Derek nodded slowly. "Why are you with me because you surely don't love me." Meredith whispered. "I'm married because I love you so much. You’re everything for me. You are my air, my reason to live. You, You saved me when I needed love the most and you gave it to me." Derek replied while tears welled up in his eyes. "Really?" Meredith asked in disbelief. "Really." Derek answered. Meredith looked him into his eyes and smiled shily. "Thank you." Meredith whispered then. "You don't have to thank me, Meredith. I'm happy to be with you." Derek replied. After a few minutes of silence the door opened and Zola ran into the room. "Mommy, Daddy it's my Birthday." Zola yelled happily and climbed quickly on the bed. Derek smiled at his daughter but when he looked over to Meredith he got concerned. He could see that she was confused and scared because of Zola. "Yes ZoZo it is. Why don't you go downstairs and search for your presents? We'll be with you very quickly." Derek asked and said to Zola. Zola nodded and went quickly downstairs. Derek then turned to Meredith who was breathing heavily. "Okay Meredith, breathe with me." Derek said as he went over to her side of the bed. "I'm gonna take your blood pressure. Is that okay?" Derek asked quietly and Meredith nodded. "Take deep breaths Meredith." Derek whispered while taking her blood pressure. "That's too high." Derek said to himself as he looked up and saw that Meredith was still breathing heavily. "Look me in the eyes Mer. Just look into my eyes." Meredith locked eyes with Derek and soon she calmed down. "There you go." Derek whispered to Meredith as he took her hands in his and gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. "Good Job." Derek smiled at Meredith and so did she. "Who was this girl?" Meredith asked. "That was Zola. Our daughter." Derek replied and Meredith nodded slowly. Derek saw how pale Meredith's face was and he frowned. "Are you dizzy?" He questioned and she nodded slowly. "Okay, lay down for a moment. I'll grab your medication and check on Zola okay?" Derek told Meredith as he helped her to lay down once again, Meredith nodded and closed her eyes. Derek quickly kissed her forehead and went downstairs.

"Daddy, Daddy." Zola yelled as she saw her father coming down the stairs. "Hey my little Birthday girl. How old are you now." Derek asked as he tickled her stomach. "I'm not little Daddy and I'm four." Zola yelled happily. "Yes you are sweetie. Did you find your presents?" Derek asked and Zola nodded eagerly. "They were standing in the kitchen Daddy." Zola yelled as Amelia came down the stairs. "Auntie Amy, it's my Birthday and I'm four now." Zola said as she ran into her aunt's arms. "So big are you now?" Amelia asked in fake shock. "Yes, and I found my presents. Daddy hid them in the kitchen. There are soooo many presents and a very big cake. Which is very yummy." Zola whispered at the end. Derek and Amelia laughed at Zola. "How's Meredith?" Amelia asked as she and Derek, as Zola went into the kitchen to wait for Derek and Amelia. Derek sighed and looked slightly up. "Got scared when Zola ran into the room. Her BP was way too high. She's dizzy, that's why she's in bed at the moment." Derek replied quietly, Amelia sighed and nodded. It was hard to see her brother so broken. "She will have more lucid moments Derek." Amelia tried to give Derek some motivation. "I hope so." Derek breathed. "But today is the Birthday of my little girl. I don't want to have any bad news." Derek put a smile on his face and went over to the kitchen.

"Zola, do you want to open the presents?" Derek asked and Zola nodded before looking at the ground. "What's wrong honey?" Derek asked gently as he kneeled down in front of her. "I want Mommy. I want her to celebrate with me." Zola whispered with tears in her eyes. Derek looked over to Amelia and took his little girl into his arms. "I know Baby. I know you want her here with us. I want that too." Derek whispered into his daughters' ear. "But why can't she be with us? She sleeps in your bed and everything. Why can't she be here? Why can't she remember my name? Does she love me?" Zola asked in a tiny voice. Dereks' eyes welled up with tears hearing his daughter saying these things. "Of course she loves you. More than anything. She would love to celebrate your Birthday." Derek whispered as he stroked Zolas cheek. "Remember when I told you that Mommy was sick?" Derek asked and Zola nodded. "Mommys brain is sick, that's why she can't remember you anymore. But she loves you very much, that's something that I can assure you." Derek said. "Will she love me forever?" Zola asked and Derek choked. "She will love you forever." Derek replied as he hugged Zola tightly. Amelia watched the scene with tears running down her cheeks. It was sad that Zola had to have such a childhood, sometimes it reminds her of her own. Zola looked up and saw Amelia crying. "Auntie Amy, join the hug." Zola told her aunt and Amelia went over to the two and hugged them as well.