Echoes of Resilience

45

"Are you sure Mer is okay with us going over?" Cristina picked at her nails anxiously, smiling softly when Teddy took her hands in her.

"Yes." Teddy nodded. "Addison called me this morning and said that Mer misses us, Arizona's been staying there for a week and Mer is doing a lot better." She kissed Cristina's lips softly. "She's been asking for you the past couple of days."

"Then let's go!" Cristina pulled a chuckling Teddy out to the car. When they got to Addison's house, the brunette quickly unbuckled and ran into the house without waiting for Teddy. Meredith looked up and smiled, standing up and walking over to Cristina who had tears falling down her cheeks. "Are you okay?"

"I'm getting there." Meredith smiled, her own tears falling. "Would you like a hug?" She giggled as Cristina pulled her into her arms and wrapped her own arms around the intern. "I'll take that as a yes."

"You scared the shit out of me Mer." Cristina sobbed. "I can't lose you, you're my person. I need you alive, you make me brave." Teddy walked in and smiled at Cristina and Meredith hugging, sitting down next to Addison and Arizona.

"I'm not going anywhere." Meredith promised. "I was in a really dark place, but I'm starting to see the light again. I thought I wanted to die, but I was wrong. I just wanted the pain to stop and thought that being dead was the only way."

"I'm sorry I gave you tequila, maybe if I hadn't." Cristina started, but Meredith pulled back and fixed her with a stern gaze, cutting her off.

"No. You are not blaming yourself." Meredith said sternly. "Just because I was drunk when I almost slit my wrist does not make this your fault. The way I was feeling, I would have eventually attempted while sober. You are not responsible for what happened. The tequila was not the problem, the problem was I closed myself off to the world and let the pain I was feeling take over. In fact, drinking with you helped me a lot. I've been terrified that drinking equaled bad things happening, but when we did shots together everything was okay and I was safe. You helped me conquer my fear of alcohol and I am very thankful for that."

"But she's not drinking again for a long time!" Arizona chimed in, eliciting an eye roll out of Meredith.

"How is it that Addie's nickname is Satan when she's literally the sweetest person I've ever met, meanwhile your nickname is Dr. Sunshine when you've been acting like a damn dictator for the past week." Meredith teased as she turned towards Arizona.

"Addie's only sweet to you." Arizona laughed. "Believe me, Satan is a very fitting nickname for her. As for my being a dictator, someone had to step in and keep the two of you from drowning and if that means being a dictator then I'm happy to do it."

"We appreciate it." Addison tapped Arizona's knee and then looked over to Meredith with a pointed look, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Don't we, sweet girl?"

"Yes. We do." Meredith groaned as she walked away from Cristina and curled up in Addison's lap. "Although I still fantasize about holding a pillow over your face when you sleep sometimes."

"Thankfully if I'm asleep that means Addie isn't so she can stop you from killing me." Arizona snorted.

"Are you positive that she would stop me?" Meredith smirked. "Typically I just have to pout and bat my eyelashes and she gives into my every whim."

"I do not!" Addison argued.

"Yes you do." Meredith, Cristina, Teddy, and Arizona all said in unison before breaking out into belly laughs.

"Okay maybe I do." Addison grumbled. "Doesn't mean you all have to gang up on me."

"I'm sorry Addie." Meredith pouted and kissed Addison's cheek. "Forgive me?"