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33

Meredith woke up earlier that morning and had woken up Derek who was asleep next to her

"It's Ellie's birthday." Meredith said

"I'll go start on her favorite breakfast, you go wake her up." Derek said as they had planned everything

"Going." Meredith chuckled but empties her catheter really fast before weeling to Ellis' bedroom

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to Ellie, happy birthday to you." Meredith sang softly as her daughter woke up, giggling as her mom was singing for her

"Mama!" She kept giggling

"Happy birthday, princess." Meredith scooted into the girl's bed and kissed her head

"Thank you, mommy." Ellis giggled and climbed into her mom's lap, hugging her tight. "Luf you, mama."

"I love you too, princess. You're the best. How do you feel? This is your day, love." Meredith smiled widely, even if she was tired her daughter was the most precious thing in her life

"I'm happy!" Ellis giggled

"Derek's making breakfast for you, why don't we go dig in?" Meredith giggled

"Yes!" Ellis giggled and got up, waiting for her mom to get into her wheelchair and then the two of them went to the kitchen

"Our birthday princess! Happy birthday, sweetie." Derek smiled and started serving breakfast

"Cake and waffles!!!" Ellis gasped and jumped on the chair, her eyes wide

"Did Derek do well?" Meredith giggled as she wheeled up next to her daughter to start having breakfast

"Don't forget this." Derek smiled and put a candle on the small piece of cake. "Your mommy told me you always have cake in the morning of your birthday."

"We do!" Ellis giggled and started digging in

"Thank you." Meredith smiled as she looked at Derek

"Mama, can we stop by Dada? Just to say hi, please?" Ellis asked

"Oh.." Meredith gasped. "S-Sure."

"Dewek, can you come too? Pleaseeee?"

"Oh.. I don't know, Ellis. Maybe you and mommy should go on your own?" Derek said, not knowing if Meredith would accept him to come

"Y-You can come." Meredith quietly said, her voice barely a whisper

"Thank you." Derek put his hand of top of her hand and gave it a soft squeeze

"Mama, I gots to wear a pwetty dress!" She giggled softly

"You will, you'll wear your prettiest dress today." Meredith promised

Ellis giggled and continued eating her cake while Derek kept an eye on Meredith. He had noticed a change in her behavior after Ellis' request

"Come on, princess. We're gonna get you all ready to see your Dada." Meredith said after the little girl finished

Derek smiled softly at them as they left, leaving the moment for them and quickly cleaning up the room before he went to go take a shower as well

"Can I join?" Meredith wheeled in after a few minutes

"Of course." Derek smiled and stopped the water, drying off the bench so she'd get more grip

Meredith quietly got herself undressed and into the shower, clutching onto Derek who started the water again

"Are you okay?" He asked her, stroking his fingers through her hair

"Fine." She nodded, glad the water washed away the tears that were falling down her eyes

Derek washed her gently, making sure to take good care of her in a loving gesture

"I'm curious to see how she'll like her new trampoline." Derek tried to distract her a bit

"I bet she'll be obsessed with it. I can't believe they'll install it this afternoon, Mark is crazy." Meredith smiled softly, wiping her eyes

"He takes his job as uncle very seriously." Derek nodded, kissing her head softly. "I love you."

"I love you too. Thank you for making this day even better for Ellie."

"Of course. Let's get out, you're sure I can come.. right?" Derek checked

"Yeah.. I'm glad Ellis asked, I- Just please- I'm sorry if you might see me like that.." Meredith said

"Like what?" Derek frowned, taking a seat next to her to look her in the eyes

"To see me so weak." She shrugged and looked down

Derek cupped her cheek with his hand, caressing her cheek softly with his thumb. "You're not weak for letting your emotions open. You're extremely strong, Meredith. I admire you." He kissed her lips very softly

"Hmm.." She nodded and took a shaky breath before stopping the water

About an hour later Meredith was parking her car. Her hands were getting a bit sweaty while Ellis was telling Derek about Finn. The little girl didn't remind much of him but Meredith wanted to keep telling her stories

"Mama, we gots to get out!" Ellis smiled

Derek got out and brought Meredith's wheelchair to her side of the car and while she was transfering he helped Ellis out.

"Come on, Dewek!" Ellis skipped in front of them, her pink dress beautiful on her with her blonde wavy hair

"Go honey." Meredith smiled as they were close, wheeling next to Derek, her grip awful as she was so nervous for bringing Derek

"Papa! Papa!" Ellis giggled as she ran towards the grave, kissing his picture

"Hi Finn.. I love you." She whispered, feeling a lot more confident as Derek squeezed her shoulder. He was so supportive, not even angry she said she still loved Finn

"Dewek came too!" Ellis giggled. "Mama, flowers and my pictures!"

"Take them, sweetie." Meredith turned her wheelchair a bit so she could open the bag that was attached to the back of the wheelchair

Ellis quickly took everything out and put it on the grave

The three of them stayed a little longer until it was time to go.

"Bye bye papa!" She waved and walked over to her mom, hugging her tight after climbing onto her lap

"Bye Finn, I'm taking good care of Ellie, I promise."

"Thank you for letting me come." Derek squeezed her shoulder

Meredith wheeled up to her car, Ellis still on her lap and holding hands with Derek

She helped her daughter back in the car and got in herself

"Hey- Are you okay?" Derek stopped her

"I will be. It just hurts, thinking of Finn and realizing I lost him but also realizing I lost a lot more that day.." Meredith sighed

"But you're here and you have Ellis, you have people that love you so much." He kissed her head softly

"Thank you, Derek. I love you a lot." Meredith pulled him in for a kiss on his lips

"Let's go home, I know someone who will be happy to unwrap her presents." He quietly said and winked

"Very happy." She giggled softly and started driving home.