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Chapter 12

Meredith

I got home from work. I had to work later than I usually do so the kids are most likely asleep by now.

I take off my coat and shoes and put my things away at the front door. I go into the living room and see Derek sitting on the couch, he's not asleep but he looks tired.

"what are you doing up? it's very late," I say as I walk into the living room.

"since when do you work so late. I thought having three would make you come home earlier," he says tiredly as I sit next to him.

"I don't usually work this late, there was a big trauma and they needed all hands on deck so it was a long night," I say.

"did you at least get any good surgeries?" I asks moving to lay his head on my shoulder.

"I did, one guy came into the E.R with a Christmas tree through his abdomen, that was fun, it was scary but it was fun," I smile running my fingers through his hair.

"that's nice," he yawns. I'm not one hundred percent sure he's even listening.

"you shouldn't fall asleep on this couch. lets go up to bed, I'm tired too," I say tapping his shoulder gently.

"Derek?" I ask. I can hear him sleeping, his breathing relaxed.

I carefully remove myself from under him and lay him on the couch. I throw a blanket over him and kiss his forehead before I go upstairs and into my room.

I take a shower and get dressed into my pajamas and go to bed.

~the next morning~

I wake up the next morning and when I open my eyes, I see Derek is now lying next to me in bed.

"When did you come up here?" I ask, turning on my side and running my fingers through his hair.

"What time is it?" he asks me as he slowly wakes up.

"it's early, and I have the day off so I can spend it with you while the kids are at school," I say kissing his forehead.

"I'm going back to sleep, my back hurts," he groans as he presses his face into my chest.

"You're boring," I kiss his head.

"I told you not to sleep on the couch," I continue running my fingers through his hair.

"But you left me on the couch, why didn't you wake me up?" he asks.

"Because you were tired and you needed the sleep," I say.

"Goodnight," he says before he falls back asleep shortly after.

I kiss his head a couple of times before I get up and out of bed.

I get changed into some clean clothes and do my hair before waking up Zola and Bailey.

I go downstairs and start breakfast by making them some cereal and placing it on the table for when they come downstairs.

I go back upstairs and pass my bedroom. I see that Derek is still asleep in bed, sleeping peacefully.

it feels so good to have him back home. everything feels right again.

I go into Ellis' room and gently wake her up.

"No, mama. my head hurts," she groans as she pushes my hand away from her arm.

"What's wrong, are you sick, Ellie?" I ask her as I push her hair back from her face. I press the back of my hand to her forehead and feel that she has a fever.

"Okay, it looks like you are sick. you can stay home from school today, get some rest, baby," I kiss her forehead and close the curtains before I leave her room and go back downstairs.

when I walk into the kitchen, I see Zola and Bailey both eating at the table already.

I say good morning to them and kiss their heads as I start a pot of coffee.

once the coffee is ready, I pour myself a cup and start drinking it.

I place my mug down and make another cup and take it upstairs.

I go into my bedroom and place the mug on the nightstand.

"Drink this, it's time to wake up now," I tell Derek as I wake him up again.

"Meredith, my back is killing me, what the hell is wrong with that couch?" he says as he rolls back onto his back and winces.

"I don't know, we're getting a new one when we move. drink the coffee and you can take a hot bath instead of a shower. I'm going to go get the kids ready for school," I say.

I kiss him on the lips before I go back downstairs and get the kids ready for school.

I do both of their hair before they grab their coats and bags and put their shoes on, and I take them to school.

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