Meredith's sister

28

Mia's POV

I woke up to find Teddy already awake, watching me with concern.

"Morning. How are you feeling?" she asked softly.

I shrugged, not trusting my voice.

"Do you want me to call in sick? I already told Richard you should take the day off, and I told him about Addison."

"No... It's fine. You can go to work. People will need you," I said quietly.

Teddy leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips. I kissed her back, drawing comfort from her presence.

"If you need me, please call me," she urged.

I nodded.

"I'm going to take Allison to the hospital's daycare," Teddy added.

Another nod. She hesitated for a moment before finally leaving, and the sound of the front door closing echoed through the house. I sat up slowly, feeling heavy and drained. The emptiness in my chest was suffocating.

I forced myself to get up and take a shower, hoping the hot water would wash away some of the weight pressing down on me. It didn't. When I got out, I grabbed my phone and tried calling Addison. It wouldn't go through.

My stomach twisted. What if I lost her?

Shaking my head, I went downstairs and turned on the TV, hoping for a distraction. But my thoughts wouldn't stop racing. My heart ached with every beat.

Five Hours Later

The shrill sound of my ringing phone jolted me from my thoughts. My heart pounded as I glanced at the screen. Addison.

I picked up immediately. "Addison? Hello?"

But it wasn't her voice that answered.

"Dr. Grey?" It was the same woman from before.

My breath caught in my throat.

"I'm so sorry, but Ms. Montgomery didn't make it."

The world around me shattered. I felt my heart physically break, the pain sharp and unbearable. My grip on the phone tightened as I forced out a response.

"Okay... Thank you."

I hung up.

And then I broke.

Tears streamed down my face as sobs wracked my body. My thoughts spiraled. Drugs. The craving hit me like a freight train. The one thing that could numb this agony, make me forget. I clenched my fists, trying to fight it.

I texted Amelia: Come over. Please.

I couldn't stop crying. My body shook violently, my mind screaming for relief.

Then a knock at the door. I stumbled to open it, barely able to stand.

Amelia.

She took one look at me and her expression softened.

"Oh, Mia," she whispered, pulling me into a hug.

I collapsed against her, sobbing into her shoulder.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice steady.

I tried to speak, but the words stuck in my throat. I swallowed hard.

"T-They..." My voice broke.

"Mia?" she pressed gently.

"Addison is dead," I choked out.

Amelia's body tensed. Her arms around me tightened slightly, but she didn't cry. No visible emotion crossed her face.

I sniffled, pulling back. "Do you feel like going to a meeting?" she asked.

I nodded.

At the meeting, I sat beside Amelia, my hands trembling in my lap. When it was my turn to speak, I hesitated before finally finding my voice.

"My name is Mia Grey, and I am a year clean..." I swallowed hard. "I don't really know what to say. This week, my world fell apart. And all I can think about is drugs because they would make me happy. They would make me stop caring about the pain." My voice cracked. "A person I was really close with just died today. And I don't know how I'll survive this."

Amelia reached over, taking my hand in hers. I gripped it tightly, needing the anchor.

"I'm scared," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Scared that drugs will be the only thing I depend on for the rest of my life."

Tears welled in my eyes, and I wiped them away quickly. The meeting continued, but I barely registered it.

Afterward, Amelia turned to me. "Wanna come with me?"

I nodded.

We got into her car, and I didn't ask where we were going. When she finally parked, I looked around.

The beach.

We got out and sat on a large rock overlooking the waves. The ocean stretched endlessly before us, the rhythmic crash of waves filling the silence.

"Whenever I need peace or just need to feel safe, I come here," Amelia said softly.

I stared at the horizon. "I feel horrible," I confessed. "The last time Addison called me, she told me she'd see me in another life. That she would be my girl." My voice wavered.

Amelia wrapped her arms around me, letting me rest my head on her shoulder.

"I broke her heart more than once. And she never said anything about it. She just accepted it. And now... she's gone."

Tears slid down my cheeks. We sat in silence, watching the sun dip below the horizon, until my phone rang.

Teddy.

"Answer it," Amelia urged.

I exhaled shakily before picking up. "Hello?"

"Mia? Where are you? Are you okay?" Teddy's voice was filled with worry.

"I'm fine," I said, though I didn't believe it. "I just needed to get out for a bit."

"Okay... Come home soon."

"I will."

"I love you, Mia."

My throat tightened. "I love you too, T-Teddy."

I hung up, wiping my face. Amelia gave me a small nod, and we headed back to the car.

When we pulled up to my house, Amelia turned to me. "Tomorrow, call me if you need me."

I nodded.

Inside, I found Teddy in the living room, cradling a sleeping Allison in her arms.

I walked up to them, wrapping my arms around Teddy from behind. "I love you so much, Teddy. And you too, princess." I kissed the top of Allison's head.

Teddy turned to me, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. "Are you okay?"

I hesitated. "Addison died. Amelia and I went to a meeting."

Teddy's eyes filled with sorrow. "Oh, Mia. I'm so sorry." She pulled me into a careful hug.

We put Allison to bed before heading upstairs.

"I love you so much, Teddy Grey-Altman," I whispered.

Teddy smiled softly. "I love you too, Mia Grey-Altman."

She kissed my forehead. "Do you need anything?"

"Just you," I admitted.

She pulled me into bed, wrapping me in her warmth. "Teddy, I'll survive this... right?" I asked, my voice small.

"You will," she promised. "And if you ever feel like you won't, I'll be here. Amelia will be here. Allison will be here. We love you, and we will help you get through this."

I clung to her, her heartbeat soothing me. As she ran her fingers through my hair, I finally drifted into sleep, safe in her arms.