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26

Meredith was sure her feelings for Derek were growing but it was terrifying

She was currently sitting on the couch, her back was hurting still from the night in the trailer. Carolyn and Christopher were about to drop off Ellis

"Meredith, dear?" Carolyn walked inside

"Hey." Meredith smiled

"She's asleep, we'll get her in bed." Carolyn carried the girl to her bed while Christopher took a seat next to Meredith

"How are you doing?" He asked

"I'm fine, what about you?" Meredith asked

"We're well, always happy when little Ellie comes to visit." Christopher honestly said. "Sweetie.. You and Derek.. I don't wanna come in between, but is he taking good care of you?"

"Christopher.." Meredith's eyes widened

"Don't get me wrong, sweetie. We'd be thrilled but we want you to be really happy, no matter who you're dating." He grabbed her hand

"He's amazing and Ellis absolutely adores him.. and I like him a lot." She admitted

"Does he make you happy?" Christopher smiled

"Yes." Meredith blushed. "So happy.. I'm eagerly waiting each time to see him, I know that sounds crazy."

"I even have it still with Carolyn, nothing crazy." Christopher assured her. "We're happy for you."

"I'm scared, Christopher.." She whispered

"You're scared to forget Finn?" Christopher stroke his arm over Meredith's shoulder

"Scared to stop loving him. While I know I can't ever stop loving him.. But still-" She whimpered

"You won't forget about him." Christopher assured him. "And neither will Ellis."

"Thanks Christopher." Meredith said, a tear escaping her eye

"We're always here for you, honey." He assured her and hugged her softly but Meredith winced in pain. "Are you okay?"

"Sore from sleeping in Derek's trailer." She nodded quickly

"He'll need a lecture about that." Christopher frowned

"He didn't know, I should have told him." She shrugged

"Did you eventually talk to him?" Christopher asked

"Of course I did." She nodded. "But I don't think he realises."

"Or it's not a big deal for him.." Christopher said, wanting the best for her

...

Later that day Meredith was wheeling around the house as she was doing some chores, she heard the door opening and rushed, she hoped Derek would be home

"You never greeted me like that before!" Mark scoffed, smiling a bit as he saw how Meredith lookad as she spotted Derek, even if them greeting was a bit awkward

"Hey." He hugged her. "I missed you."

"I missed you too." She muttered quietly

"Teenagers." Mark chuckled

"Be nice." Addison warned him playfully

"Is Ellis asleep?" Mark frowned

"Uncle Mawk! Auntie Addie! Dewekkk!" She giggled as she heard their voices and ran inside on full speed

"Munchkin!" Mark lifted her in his arms and gave her a tight hug

"I gots new dolls." She told him

"Oh really? I wanna see!" Derek smiled

"Gotsa show, come!" Ellis wiggled herself out of Mark's arms and took Derek's hand as she ran to show him the new dolls she had gotten from Christopher and Carolyn

"She's so happy." Addison giggled before she went with the little girl

"How's your back? Derek told me it was hurting." Mark went into his protective mode

"It's fine, just a bit sore but nothing some pain meds can't make bearable." Meredith explained

"Shouldn't you slow down a little bit? You've been working a lot, not to mention taking care of Ellis."

"Mark.." Meredith sighed. "I know my body and I can take care of my daughter." She stated

"I never even doubted that, I just wanna say it's okay to take some time off for yourself as well." He rubbed her back softly

"Mama! They love it!" Ellis giggled and returned to Meredith

"I'm glad sweetie." Meredith smiled and allowed Ellis back on her lap since the burning wound had healed pretty nicely, she hoped it would get less visible over time

"Cuddle time, mommy!" Ellis wrapped her tiny arms tightly around her mother

"I agree, is it okay for you if we go lay down on the big bed for a little bit?" Meredith asked her daughter

"Yes!" She happily smiled

"Can Derek come with us?" Meredith quietly asked so the others wouldn't hear

"Couwse mommy!" Ellis giggled

Meredith reached for Derek's hand to signal they wanted him to come and went to her bedroom

"They're cute." Addison smiled as she leaned into her husband's strong arms

"But I'll kill him if he hurts one of them." Mark growled but calmed down quickly. "But I think Mer is finally going back to being happy."

Flashback

Meredith was laying on the couch, she was still wearing her night braces but she's been having nightmares so she moved to the couch a little after 3am. She didn't wanna wake anyone and raise any concerns

"Mer?" Mark frowned as he walked inside

"Mark? I-" She muttered, she knew he'd get worried

"Are you okay? Why are you up in the middle of the night?" He frowned and took a seat next to her

"I couldn't sleep.." She muttered

"Are you having nightmares again?" He carefully asked, knowing she always said she didn't have them anymore

"Maybe.." Meredith admitted, some tears starting to roll down her cheeks. "I'm so scared, Mark. I'm constantly terrified." She explained

"Do you want me to stay with you for the night? I don't mind at all." He said softly

"Please?" Her voice was barely a whisper

"Can I scoop you up?" He asked

"Please just bring my chair before we go-" She whimpered

"Right away, I promise." He nodded and carried her to her bed, bringing the chair right after

"Wait-" She wanted to stop him. "Not on Finn's side, please."

"Of course." He nodded and helped her on Finn's side so he would lay on her side

"Thank you Mark for understanding and always being here." Meredith said softly

"Of course. I love you, Mer and we'll always be here, you're never alone." He assured her softly

Im backkkkk