Strong enough

25

Derek was pushing Meredith outside in the wheelchair, Charlotte holding tight onto her mom's hand. The three of them saw everyone stare, they knew they were always the center of gossip but this was never fun, especially not for Meredith as this was her first day of having her head shaved, which made it impossible to ignore that she's really ill

"Hey!" Addison walked up to them, clearly a bit shocked by seeing Meredith's head completely wrapped with a scarf

"Hi." Meredith smiled, accepting her sister's hug

"Are you helping her escape?" Addison joked softly, trying to ignore the annoying feeling in her own stomach

"Of course, I'd do everything." Derek smiled back, though it felt awkward and he didn't know what to say

"Go out, the sun is shining but make sure you stay warm." Addison ordered

"I'm wearing a sweater and my coat, I'll be just fine." Meredith assured the redhead

"We're not going far, just enough to catch some fresh air." Derek said sternly

"Bye guys!" Addison ran off as her pager went off

"Mom, can I go see that new movie with Emma tonight?" Charlotte asked

"Why are you only asking mom?" Derek frowned

"Because you'll wanna drive me." Charlotte rolled her eyes

"Right, you're too cool to be driven around by your dad?" Derek chuckled

"Dad!" Charlotte groaned, annoyed. "So mom, can I?"

Meredith saw Derek nodding in agreement

"Fine, but dad will pick you up, we live way too far." Meredith explained

"But can't I stay here?" Charlotte begged

"I kinda said she could.." Derek muttered

"Monkey.." Meredith muttered. "I know you will get bored, the hospital isn't very fun."

"But it's fine! I just wanna be around you.." She muttered

"Monkey, you got your own life, you should be going outside with friends and be happy."

"But I am happy around you and dad! And everyone's always coming over.." She muttered

"Fine.. But I don't want you to stay here every day, same for dad. You two need to sleep in a real bed, without rounds and beeping alarms." Meredith sighed, hating her own situation right now

"Of course.." Charlotte sighed, not liking that thought. She also noticed how her dad didn't agree to this but he decided to drop it for now and started heading back inside

Meredith felt absolutely exhausted, leaning on her arms to keep upright, the blanket on top of her kept her warm

"Do you wanna stop for some tea or something to eat?" Derek asked Meredith

"No." She shook her head

"What about you, Charlie?" Derek asked

"Could I have a muffin?" She smiled

"Of course, let's go grab one." Derek nodded, heading to the cart

"Mom, do you mind? I can grab one and come to your room.." Charlotte asked, seeing how tired her mom was

"Fine.. Fine." She muttered, struggling to keep sitting up

"Daddy?" Charlotte turned to face her father

"Maybe it's better if the two of you return, I'll grab the muffin." Derek nodded, not wanting to leave his daughter here on her own

"Mommy?" Charlotte turned to face Meredith

"Can- Can wait." She stubbornly said

"I'll page Mark to come get that muffin, we'll go lay down upstairs." Derek said and took the handles of Meredith's wheelchair and pushed her inside

Charlotte held tight onto her mommy's hand, feeling guilty for wanting a muffin

"Toilet.." Meredith muttered once they were inside the room and she tried to stand up

"Let me help really quick." Derek said as he had quickly texted Mark

Derek scooped her up and placed her down on the toilet but she reached for the bowl and threw up right away

"I think this was a bit too much, don't you think?" Derek looked sad and hurt as he had allowed the walk outside

"Just- Stomach hurts-" Meredith clutched her stomach

"I'll carry you to the bed, laying down will be much more comfortable." He said and carried her over but before he finished tucking her in she was already sound asleep

"I'm sorry." Charlotte whispered

"You don't have anything to be sorry about. Mom wanted to go out as well, she's just sick so she needs to rest, which she's doing now, okay?" Derek held his daughter's hand

"Hmm…" Charlotte muttered

"Two muffins, a few donuts and strawberry ice cream!" Mark entered the room, not aware Meredith was asleep

"Shh!" Both Derek and Charlotte hushed

"Shit, sorry!" He apologized. "I thought she was awake and had an appetite, that's why I brought so much."

"It's fine. Charlie, do you want the ice cream?" Derek offered

"Sure." She muttered, still feeling guilty

"Thanks for your visit earlier, you saved me." Mark chuckled, seeing his niece wasn't her usual bright and bubbly self

"Hmm.." Charlotte forced a small smile and ate her ice cream while Derek and Mark both grabbed a donut

As soon as the girl finished she got up and climbed in next to her mom

"Monkey, mom's fine. Don't feel guilty for this, she just needs a nap." Derek assured her

Charlotte nodded but clearly didn't just let go of the guilty feeling