Meredith was exhausted, she had slept over 12 hours but it was of no use
Derek had brought her some breakfast, he wanted to make sure she'd take care of herself
"Hey, are you okay?" He stroke his finger over her cold cheek
"Dunno.." Meredith admitted
"Can I help you sit up so you can eat?" Derek offered
"I can try." She nodded and let Derek help her sit up, she was completely exhausted
"I got some orange juice for you and some cereal." He said and let her attempt to eat
"My bag-" She whispered
"I emptied it earlier for you." He said and kissed her head, watching how she weakly started to sip her juice
"Where's El?" She asked
"Mom's looking after her, they'll come over as soon as they can." He assured her
"Need to go see Richard." Meredith suddenly realized
"I'll go see him once mom and dad are here." Derek assured her
"I don't need a babysit." She groaned
"I didn't say that." Derek sighed. "But I'm worried and so are mom and dad, they just wanna check on you." He assured her sadly
"Fine." She sighed
...
A few hours later Derek had arrived at the hospital, he walked through the orthopedic ward as he heard yelling
"Don't touch me!" It was Richard, obviously annoyed
"Hey, what's the problem?" Derek asked, not taking a seat right away
"I am going home." Richard stubbornly said
"You're not. You will behave for once because all of this is the reason Mer's at home and completely stressed out." Derek said sternly
"Whatever, Shepherd! I don't need anyone to tell me what I can and can't do!" Richard growled
"You drank? Because you behave like you did and this is breaking Meredith. She's trying to look after you but you don't even seem to care the tiniest bit." Derek sighed
"You're saying I don't care? What about you when you could take my position?" Richard started a fight
"I'm not doing this. Either you go to a care home or we'll pull our hands off. You've hurt her enough, I don't want her to be broken again or to spend hours consoling her."
"Shut up, Shepherd. You have no right to talk!" Richard spat out
"You're talking about my wife, the girl that sees you like her father and all you can do is yell at her or her aggressive, no I won't let her get hurt again." Derek shook his head no, thinking of how Meredith wanted Richard to come live with them
Derek sighed, he hated the situation they were in, with his wife this weak, their daughter being confused and Richard like this
He walked out and drove straight home, only he stayed in his car and didn't wanna enter the house yet until he heard his dad knock on the window
"Hey son, what's wrong?" Christopher asked
"Richard.." He sighed
Meanwhile Meredith was doing a tiny bit better. She had made it to the living room and was now cuddling with her daughter
"Mama, why daddy not comin'?" Ellis asked
"I think he's talking with poppa, we should give them some time." Meredith responded, wanting to go check on Derek but feeling too weak to make it to the driveway
"I gots to get daddy!" Ellis said and ran off
"El-" Meredith tried to stop her but it was of no use
"Sweetie.." Carolyn walked towards her. "How are the tests going?"
"So far it's been exhausting, especially combined with everything.. and no diagnosis yet.." She sighed. "Sometimes I'm scared it isn't as big.. And I'm scared all of this is too much on Derek and Ellis."
"Sweetie, you're not making up anything. Your stomach was also something more complex and if it'd be too hard then we're all here to help you out." She assured her daughter in law
"Thank you." Meredith muttered
"You should go relax at the cliff for a weekend, I think you need it." Carolyn carefully started
"Mom.. I can't with Richard in the hospital. My mom made me promise I'd look after him." She sighed sadly
"Mer, you promised something when he was sober and acting normal. He hasn't been acting right and if he doesn't want help.." Carolyn rubbed Meredith's back
"I know. I'm so scared this will cause arguments between Derek and me.. I- I don't wanna make Derek angry or disappoint him.. But I don't wanna disappoint my mom either."
"Talk to him. But he has to understand, you're loyal to your mom." Carolyn hugged her tight, knowing how hard it was when Adele passed away
"I will." She muttered and heard the door open, Derek carrying their daughter inside
"Hi, I missed you." Meredith smiled at her husband. "H-How was Richard?" She asked
"We'll go finish dinner." Carolyn stood up, Christopher following with Ellis
"I think he has been drinking, he clearly wasn't sober. He was so.. rude... so harsh and he's nothing of the man I used to know
"He's mourning.." Meredith muttered
"That doesn't mean this behavior is okay, Meredith." Derdk sat down next to her
"I know, I'm sorry." She sighed
"Don't." Derek kissed her hand. "How are you feeling?"
"Better I guess, I'll be fine by tomorrow." She said, assuming so
"Hmm.. I love you." Derek kissed her lips
"I love you too." Meredith muttered, holding onto Derek as they waited for dinner to be served
