Meant to be.

Small Steps

Meredith's POV

I don't know what to do, I feel torn every part of me is telling me to leave, Arizona and Addison have seen my scars and I don't want to talk about them but some part of me doesn't want to leave I feel safe here. I can't quite explain it but I do I feel like the world can't get to me like I'm protected.

Arizona's POV
Addie and I are sitting next to each other on the coach and I can see Meredith's mind thinking, it's obvious she's trying to decide whether or not she wants to leave.
"Meredith can I get you anything?" I ask trying to bring her back to reality a little bit.
"Um no I'm fine, I'm sorry I'm intruding on your day. I'll go." She say quickly, standing up.
"No no your not intruding. Meredith sit down." Addison said beside me, and I could have swear I saw Meredith body soften slightly as the sat back down on the coach.
"Meredith, do you want to talk?" I try to prompt, but she just shakes her head.
"Ok that's ok, we'll just watch some TV. If you want to talk about anything we're here." I say smiling, before turning to look at Addie.
"Are we doing the right thing?" I whisper to her,
"I think so, but we'll have to wait and see." She answers, gently rubbing my back with her hand.

We just sat there for a while, before I heard Meredith mutter something, but I couldn't quite make it out.
"Sorry honey could you repeat that?" Addison asked beside me, I saw Meredith look at us her face softening at the pet name Addison had given to her, I could see tears in her eyes. Immediately I jumped up moving to her side, still giving her space but wanting her to know I'm there.
"Um..I..well...um." She starts to hyperventilate,
"Hey hey, it's ok, deep breaths it's ok honey deep breaths," I coo as Addison moves in front of her place Meredith's hand on her chest.
"Like this," she instructs softly, it doesn't take long for Meredith's breath return to normal.
"Um." She starts,
"It's ok take your time," Addie says softly and nod gently rubbing Meredith's back.
"In the morning I have to go see my mum and I don't have my car, so I need to go get it. I have to see her." Meredith says softly, although I think the last part is more directed at herself. I was slightly confused I thought Ellis Grey was doing research in Boston.
"Meredith sweetie, where is your mum?" Addie asked, obviously thinking the same as me.
"She...she has Alzheimer's, she's in a care home across town. I have to visit her every morning." Meredith says looking at Addie with big eyes,
"So that's why your late?" I asked gently, and Meredith just nodded, as I saw the tears start to rebuild in Meredith's eyes I pulled her into my lap and Addie took a seat next to us.
"Every morning, I um.. I have to go see her, and um...well she isn't always nice... so sometimes after I see her I have to umm.." she pauses for a moment looking at Addie who gives her a reassuring nod,
"Sometimes I'm even later cause I need to um...just take some time..to myself to recollect myself like today." She says quietly, and my heart breaks for her.
"Meredith honey what kind of things does she say to you?" Addie asks, I feel Meredith go ridged on my lap her whole body seems to tense.
"It's ok, you don't have to tell us anything." I say softly.
"Um..I'm tired" she says bluntly. I quickly shared a look with Addie before checking the time. It's already 7pm,
"That's fine, would you like to sleep in my bed?" Addie asked, "it's the same one you where in earlier" she explains softly. Meredith just stands up and walks in the direction of the bedroom. I look at Addie and we both know she needs some space, but Addie looks worried
"Well at least as long as she's here, we can help her and make sure she stays clean." I say gently, resting my hand on Addie leg.
"I suppose, i messed up then I pushed her to hard she was finally, opening up to us." Addie sighed,
"Hey it's ok, she's still here and it'll take time, for her to open up. We got something and tomorrow we can work on her opening up more, I've already called Richard and called us off sick tomorrow as well." I coo gently pulling Addie into a hug. "And you didn't know how far we could push, I would have asked the same question. Come on it's been a long day, let's get some sleep." I offer
"Where am I meant to sleep?" Addie asked pulling away from me,
"Well it definitely wouldn't be the first time you slept in my bed Addie," I laughed
"I suppose, but no hogging the blanket." She says laughing as well.
"Me? Never." I say standing up to get ready.
"Might need this," she says grabbing and extra blanket off the couch.
"I'm offended," I joke.
As we walk towards the bedroom. I quickly stick my head into Addisons's room and Meredith is already asleep on top of the covers. She looks so peaceful as soft snores escape her.
"Give me that," I say laughing grabbing the blanket out of Addie's hand.
"Hey" she responds before I put my hand over her mouth to shut her up.
"It's for Meredith," I say softly entering Addie's room and putting the blanket over Meredith.
"Now I'll be cold, you always hog the blanket." Addie whines, I laugh pushing her into my room.
"You'll just have to sleep close to me then." I say laughing as I start to get changed.
It doesn't take long before Addie and I cuddled up together in my bed.
"I'm worried about her still." Addie sighs softly.
"So am I but she'll be ok, just give her some time to open up and she'll be ok." I reply gently, as I run my fingers over Addies back. I know it helps her sleep when she's stressed.
"Goodnight Ari," she sighs,
"Goodnight Addie." I reply smiling.

Authors Note

Hope you enjoyed, sorry for the delay in uploading I had an busy week at work and basically crashed on my days off so didn't upload.

Thanks for reading. Please leave comments and ideas.