I Won't Let Nobody Hurt You

10

After a week off, Addison and Meredith were set to return to work. Throughout their break, Meredith had mostly stayed in her headspace, but Addison and Arizona managed to discuss the house with her, and she agreed to sign it over to Alex, giving him a place to call his own. They planned to meet a notary at the hospital later that day for her to sign the necessary documents.

"Mer, we gotta get up," Addison singsonged as she brushed Meredith's hair off her face. Meredith rolled over, opening her eyes and smiling at the sight of Addison.

"Mama!" Meredith beamed, reaching for Addison who gladly embraced her.

"Hi, bunny. Do you remember what today is?" Addison asked gently.

"I gotta go away," Meredith sighed sadly.

"Just until big Mer is done with work for the day. After that, you can come back out, and we can have dinner and play before bed," Addison reassured her.

"Otay. I miss you," Meredith pouted.

"I'll miss you too, bunny," Addison said, kissing her forehead. "Can you let big Mer out now?" Meredith nodded.

"Hey Addie," Meredith said a couple of minutes later with a yawn.

"Hey Mer, ready to get back to work?" Addison asked as she began to get up.

"Honestly, I'd rather just stay little," Meredith chuckled. "Everything is so calm and quiet in my head when I'm little. I'm not sure I'm ready to face everyone now that they all know."

"I think Bailey will either put you with her, me, or Arizona, so you should have a good day. Once work is over, you can go back into your headspace if that's what you want or need," Addison said as Meredith slowly got out of bed. "You can move as slowly as you want; it doesn't change that we have to go to work today." She laughed.

"I know," Meredith groaned. "Where's the suitcase with my clothes?" she asked, looking around.

"Oh! We finished your big room!" Addison smiled, pulling her down the hall by her hand and opening the door. "Ta da!"

"Addie, I love it. Thank you," Meredith said, tears in her eyes as she hugged Addison tightly. "You guys really didn't need to do this."

"Mer, we love you. Big or little, we love you and want to take care of you," Addison kissed her temple.

"I love you guys too," Meredith smiled.

"Alright, I'm going to get dressed and then make coffee. I'll meet you downstairs?" Addison said as she walked towards the door.

"Sounds good," Meredith nodded, opening the closet to pick out an outfit. Once ready, she walked downstairs to where Addison was waiting in the kitchen. Addison handed her a mug of coffee with a smile. "Thank you," Meredith said.

"Of course," Addison smiled.

"The notary is coming to the hospital today, right?" Meredith asked.

"Yes, at five. We'll meet with them and then go home," Addison confirmed. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"I want Izzie out, and honestly, that house doesn't feel like home to me. It never really did. I planned on selling it, but it was easier to keep it at the time. I don't have a lot of good memories there," Meredith confessed.

"As long as you're positive this is what you want," Addison said.

"It is. Alex deserves a place to call his own, and I deserve not to be stuck in a place that makes me unhappy, not when I finally am somewhere that truly feels like home," Meredith said.