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8

Flashback

Meredith suddenly heard noises, she was waking up for the first time since surgery. She couldn't open her eyes but felt an intense pain in her back

"Hmm.." She groaned in discomfort, her eyes fluttering open

"Hey Mer." Mark was the first at her side

"Finn-" She groaned, hoping all of this was a bad dream

"Shh, stay still, Mer." Addison said softly, starting to brush her fingers through Meredith's hair

"Finn passed away. You two were in a car accident, do you remember?" He asked her after he pushed the button

"Y-Yeah.." Meredith choked up, only then noticing she was wearing a neck collar and a body brace

"You're out of surgery. They operated on your spine, you're paralyzed. I am so, so sorry, we did all we could." He explained

"N-No? P-Permanently?" Meredith asked in terror, in the car she had thought it was just temporary, she believed it wouldn't be permanent.

"Yes Mer." Mark nodded, holding her as good as he could without moving her, they cried together for a long time, it was the start of a lot of mourning

"Where's El?" She asked after she started to realize they hadn't told her about Ellis

"Alex is watching her." Addison said softly

Meredith tried to nod, but the brace didn't let her. She went quiet and started sobbing again, which made the pain only worse but she closed her eyes and after a bit she drifted off, she had cried herself to sleep

End of flashback

Meredith was standing in the standing frame, it trained her muscles and bones to keep used to standing up when Ellis walked in

"Mama! You're so tall!" The girl giggled

"I am, watch me going back to sitting." Meredith chuckled and lowered herself, eventually getting back in her wheelchair.

"We gots to see Ca-lyn!" Ellis said

"I know princess, put your coat and shoes on, we'll leave in 10 minutes." Meredith explained and got herself ready

She grabbed her keys and put on her coat before they left the house and locked the front door

The two of them started the short drive to Carolyn and Christopher's house. Her usual spot was occupied, it looked like Derek was here as well

"Come on, mommy! I want cookies!" Ellis giggled as Meredith helped her out of the car

"Look who we got here!" Derek opened the door, Ellis walking past him

"Sorry, your mom's cookies are her biggest addiction." Meredith wheeled up to the house, laughing a bit

"I'm heartbroken." He laughed. "I had no idea you two were coming as well." He said and let her enter the house first

"Your mom asked if we wanted to come over." Meredith explained and removed her jacket

"Now I know why she's making cookies, it's for the two of you. Now I'm heartbroken." Derek laughed

"Hey Mer!" Christopher walked up to her and gave her a hug. "Ellis is in the kitchen with Carolyn, would you like a cup of coffee?"

"That sounds amazing, thanks Christopher." Meredith nodded

"Go sit down, I'll get that cup." He announced and walked off

"Hi sweetie, how are you doing?" Carolyn appeared to come say hi

"Hi, I'm doing well. Is Ellie behaving?" Meredith asked before she got herself comfortable on the couch, taking a minute to elevate her legs

"She's being great. We'll finish the cookies and we'll be back." Carolyn placed a soft kiss on Meredith's head and disappeared again

"I'll see if I can steal a cookie." Derek chuckled

"How have you been doing?" Meredith asked Christopher as he returned with coffee

"We've been doing well, we're really happy Ellie and you are visiting, and with Derek back in Seattle.." Christopher smiled

"Thanks for having Ellis when I'm working late." Meredith was really grateful the girl now had some family

"Always." Christopher squeezed her hand. "What about you? Have you been doing okay?"

"It's busy at the house, but I kinda like it. I've been working a lot and spending a lot of time with Ellis."

"Have you been taking care of yourself?" Christopher asked

"Derek has been cooking a lot." Meredith chuckled

"You know that's not what I mean, but I'm glad the three of you eat something different than mac and cheese." Christopher laughed

"It's fine. My back hasn't been hurting too much, PT is going smoothly and there are no real issues at work." She shrugged

"I'm glad. We love you, Meredith." Christopher told her. "We're really proud."

"Thanks Christopher.. That means a lot, I love you guys too." She nodded, some tears were close to roll down her cheek

"We see you like our own daughter, Meredith. Same with Addison." Christopher squeezed her hand and pulled her in for a hug.

Now Meredith couldn't keep it dry any longer and some tears slipped down her cheeks

"I got cookies!" Ellis giggled inside with a cookie

"And did you get some for us as well?" Meredith chuckled, wiping her tears as she pulled back from the hug

"I did!" Derek chuckled and walked inside with a plate full of cookies

"Oh yummy!" Meredith's eyes widened and grabbed one as quick as she could

"How do you like them, dear?" Carolyn chuckled as she walked out

"Amazing!" Meredith smiled, causing the others to laugh

"Like mother, like daughter." Derek winked and took a seat while eating his own cookie