"Can we talk?" Richard asked as Meredith left one of her patients room. "Is everything okay?" Meredith asked with concern as she sat down in the empty lounge.
"Um....when's the last time you talked to your father?" Richard asked. "Thatcher? When lexie died, I guess. Yeah." Meredith replied, wondering why rhem hell he was bringing up thatcher. "Why?"
"He's sick, Meredith. Really sick." The older man said. Meredith looked at him. "His liver? Is he drinking again?" Meredith asked with a sigh.
"No, no, he's sober. I heard from an AA friend this morning. Thatcher as AML. He's in hospice, meredith." Richard said softly.
Meredith didn't know how to respond. "Did you hear what I said?" He asked after a moment of no response. "Thatcher is dying. Thank you. I got it." Meredith said before standing up and walking out of the room.
••••
Just a little while later, Richard got notice that Meredith had left and took the rest of the day off. "Derek, come over here for a minute." He said, noticing the tall neurosurgeon.
Derek walked over to him. "You know where meredith is? I cant find her anywhere." He asked, a hint of worry in his tone.
"Come here." Richard said, leading him into his office. "What's wrong? Richsrd, where is she?" Derek asked.
"Thatcher's dying. AML. He's probably going to pass by tonight. I told Meredith a little while ago." Richard said. "Oh." Derek breathed. "I'm not positive, but I'm guessing she went to see him." He explained.
"Um....okay. Thanks." Derek said. "Let me know she's okay?" Richard asked after a minute of hesitance. "I will."
•••
Meredith drove home In a silence. Saying goodbye to thatcher was.....hard. She didn't think Thatcher dying would be so painful, but it was. Her family was all dead. Her mother, her sister, Susan, and now her father.
She pulled into her driveway and got out of the car. "Hi mommy!" Zola said happily, running to her. "Hi, babies." Meredith replied as all three kids ran to her, wrapping them into a big hug.
Derek watched his wife interact with the kids and he knew she was hurting. Once the kids all ran off, Derek walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you." He whispered, holding her close, knowing it was exactly what she needed. "I love you too." Meredith replied, trying to hold herself together. She could fall apart later.
•••
Later that night, meredith joined Derek in bed. She spooned him, her back to his chest and pulled his arm around her waist.
"Thatchers dead." Meredith whispered into the darkness of their room. She felt Derek squeeze his arms tighter around her body.
"I know." He whispered in response, kissing her neck. "I don't even know why I'm sad. It's not like he was there for me." Meredith admitted quietly.
"He's your father. Whether he was there for you or not, he's your father." Derek said softly. Meredith sniffled and a few tears dropped down her face.
"It's okay, Mer. I got you. Let it out." Derek whispered.
Just a oneshot about if Derek was alive when thatcher died.
