Love is a game

13

A few more days had passed and Meredith's incision had healed, she was finally able to shower again but this morning she woke up with a very sharp pain in her left hand

"Poppy, pull me up" Meredith instructed and the dog did what it was asked

Meredith smiled as she walked into the living room and saw Derek and Ellis play

"Hi guys" Meredith smiled and her fingers twitched, causing her to wince

"What's wrong?" Derek frowned

"My fingers- they're painful" Meredith frowned and let Poppy help her towards the couch so she could start stretching out her body

Derek walked over and grabbed Meredith's hand in his "Hmm.. Make sure to tell Amy, it might be your nerve system reacting after the surgery"

"I'll tell her today." Meredith nodded. She had an appointment with Amelia to see how everything went and if she could return again soon. She also had PT that worked out great to help her minimize her fibro symptoms

"Mommy, are you going to see auntie Amy?" Ellis gasped

"Yes sweetie" Meredith nodded and stretched her arms and shoulders

...

Derek had dropped off Meredith and Poppy at the hospital. He was gonna go to the playground with Ellis in the meantime

Meredith slowly walked inside of the hospital with Poppy's leash in her left hand

She decided to go check on some of her patients first and was walking towards the surgical floor

"Grey!" She heard Bailey yell

"Bailey, hi" Meredith smiled from her spot at the nurses station where she was checking some of her patients' charts

"How have you been?"

"I can't complain," Meredith forced a smile. "Poppy and Ellis have been the best."

"I thought it was Derek's turn to take Ellis" Miranda frowned

"Ellis didn't wanna leave me" Meredith said, a soft but real smile on her lips as she thought about how amazing her daughter was

"Your girl knows how to take care of her mommy" Bailey smiled but that quickly changed into a frown as Meredith's face changed

Meredith hated to think about how her daughter had to help her out, she didn't want Ellis to always be worried about her. God forbid she became her carer.

"She just wants to help you, Meredith" Bailey said as if she could sense what her former intern was thinking

"I know" Meredith sighed "I should go. I have PT"

...

"Stop! Leave me alone!" Meredith yelled

Dave, one of Meredith's physical therapists was taken aback by Meredith's reaction

"Meredith, we have to do this-" He tried again

"Not we! I have to do this and it hurts!" Meredith started crying again and Poppy immediately reacted. Her soft head resting on Meredith's leg, her paw trying to reach for Meredith's hand "Sorry" Meredith whispered and reached out to brush her hand through Poppy's fur

"Maybe you need a minute for yourself" Dave said and walked out of the room

Meredith started crying and Poppy tried to give the comfort she needed but it was of no use until Meredith's phone started ringing. She didn't wanna pick up her phone but it was Derek. And her daughter was with him so she couldn't ignore it

"Derek?" Meredith answered

"Are you okay? Your voice sounds off" Derek asked

"I'm fine. What's wrong?" Meredith asked

"I'm back at the hospital to pick you up but I'm a bit early. Should we come up to PT?" He asked

"Oh- Of course. Just give me a minute" Meredith replied and hung up

Meredith looked at Poppy. Her dog made all of this bearable. Her biggest help during the day and night, she was so loyal, no matter what.

"Ellis is here" Meredith smiled and saw Poppy's tail starting to wiggle "Let's go see her" Meredith let the dog help her up and went to find Dave to cut the day short when she heard her daughter

"Mommy!" Ellis yelled and ran towards her

"Hi monkey. Are we going home?" Meredith asked her daughter

"Is daddy coming too?" Ellis quietly asked

"You'll have to ask daddy" Meredith said as Derek walked towards them

"Have to ask me what?" Derek frowned

"Are you coming to mommy's house as well?" Ellis asked him

"Well I'm gonna drop you two off but I won't stay long" He smiled

"Come on mommy, let's go" Ellis giggled and grabbed her mother's sore hand in her own

"You heard her, let's go" Derek laughed but his smile quickly changed into a frown as he saw how badly Meredith was pushing herself "Are you okay?" Derek quietly asked

"Don't ask when she's around please" Meredith groaned but didn't wanna worry her daughter

Derek nodded and slowly followed them outside. He helped Meredith and Poppy into the car and kissed Ellis' head as he buckled her in to eventually get in himself and drive away