This Life

Chapter 20

"I don't need a wheelchair" Meredith stated

"Meredith I am not going to argue with you about this. You have a concussion and its hospital policy – get in the wheelchair or..."

"Or what?"

"Or you're... not going home." Derek firmly stated.

"You wouldn't..." Meredith said but one look on Derek's face and she knew he was not joking.

"Okay I'll get in the wheelchair – doesn't matter that my ass is sore." Meredith mumbled as she walked slowly to the wheelchair. She did not want to admit to Derek that she was still a little dizzy.

"What's sore?" Derek asked as he picked up her bag.

"My ass. Not only am I sore from sitting constantly for the last two days but my ass is still bruised from the stairs." Meredith whispered the last bit to Derek.

"You have no idea how much I wish I could remember that!" Derek answered which earned him a dirty look from Meredith.

It took them thirty minutes to get from Meredith's hospital room to their car. If they had stopped for one well-wisher then they stopped for them all. Everyone wanted to ask Meredith how she was, nurses, doctors even some of the parents from the crèche. It was Dr Bailey who yelled at everyone to get back to work and gave Derek a clear run from the lift to the car park.

"Thank you Dr Bailey" Meredith said as she was wheeled past

"Take care of her Dr Shepherd." The surgeon replied.

When they arrived at the house Meredith carefully got out of the car and said "you have no idea how good is to be home".

Derek walked around to meet her and looked directly at her.

"Don't be mad. It was not my idea."

"What have you done?" Meredith asked.

"It was not me. It was Adele's idea and mom's. They are a dangerous combination." Derek said "There are a few people here to welcome you home. If it gets too much give me nod and I'll tell everyone you are tired and need some rest. Deal?"

"Deal. I need some rest." Meredith smirked.

"Meredith..."

"I was joking. Come on let's get this over with." Meredith as she took Derek's hand.

An hour later and Meredith was sitting on the sofa with Beth fast asleep on her knee.

Some of the staff from the crèche were there – Mel, Mary and Marcie were there from the baby room and Carrie from the toddler room. It had been an emotional reunion for them all and they found themselves reminiscing about the good times they had with Gina and Melanie at the crèche.

Adele was standing in one corner with Carolyn chatting to Kathleen who had flown in that morning, while Derek was sitting laughing at joke with his father and Mark.
Christina and Lexie were sitting facing her laughing at Lexie's description of Mark looking after Beth.

"I do remember Derek saying something about flying toast but I didn't think he was being serious!" Meredith was nearly crying laughing.

Derek looked over and saw her laugh and said a silent prayer of thanks. He reached over and placed his hand on Mark's shoulder "Thank you."

"What for?" Mark asked confused.

"For taking care of Meredith, looking after Beth, calling mom and dad. I don't think I could have gone through the last few days without you." Derek said.

"I just wanted to help Derek; I didn't know what else to do." Mark replied as he pulled Derek in for a brotherly hug.

Meredith saw Derek and Mark hug. As much as she was enjoying having her friends over she could not help but think that Gina and Melanie should be here. Her arm and head was starting to get sore and when Derek glanced over she gave him the signal that she wanted to rest.