Unexpected Love

Chapter 9

Meredith felt a mixture of nerves and excitement as she stepped through the doors of Mount Sinai Hospital, her new workplace and the start of a fresh chapter in her career. The bustling lobby was filled with doctors, nurses, and patients, all moving with a sense of purpose. She took a deep breath, reminding herself that this was exactly where she wanted to be. This fellowship in neurology would give her the freedom to pursue her dreams—and, for the first time, to define her own path.

She headed up to Chief Richard Webber's office to pick up her hospital badge, her heels clicking on the tile floor as she walked. When she reached his door, she knocked lightly and heard his familiar voice call, "Come in!"

Richard looked up from his desk, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Meredith Grey, on her first day at Mount Sinai. It feels like a family reunion."

Meredith grinned, feeling a wave of gratitude toward the man who had always been her mentor. "Feels like old times, Chief."

He handed her a lanyard with her new badge attached. "Dr. Meredith Grey, General Surgeon and Neurology Fellow. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?" Richard's eyes sparkled with pride. "You're making a big step here, Meredith. I know you'll do great things."

Meredith looked down at the badge in her hand, the weight of her new role sinking in. "Thank you, Richard. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you."

He nodded, and they shared a brief, understanding silence. "Now, go on. Get familiar with the place. I hear you have a guide waiting for you."

She smiled, nodding in thanks as she slipped the badge around her neck and made her way out of his office. Just as she entered the main corridor, she spotted Derek leaning against the wall, his signature dreamy smile lighting up his face as soon as he saw her.

"Ready for the grand tour?" he asked, offering her a playful salute.

"Lead the way, Dr. Shepherd," she replied with a smirk.

They walked through the bustling hallways, with Derek pointing out each department, various landmarks, and shortcuts that would save her time once she learned the maze-like layout of the hospital. "And here's the best coffee machine in the building—don't let anyone tell you otherwise," he said, gesturing to a corner with a fancy espresso machine.

Meredith laughed. "Good to know. Now, where's the operating room?"

Derek's smile turned serious. "Right this way." He led her down a series of hallways to the neurosurgery wing, where he stopped in front of the doors to one of the largest ORs. "How about we start your day off with a bang? I've got a craniotomy in half an hour, and I could use an extra pair of hands."

"Craniotomy on my first day?" Meredith raised an eyebrow, a thrill of excitement coursing through her. "Count me in."

They scrubbed in together, and as they prepped for surgery, Derek briefed her on the case. "Our patient is a 52-year-old with a meningioma that's pressing on his optic nerve. We'll need to carefully remove it to prevent any permanent damage to his vision."

Meredith listened intently, already running through the steps in her head. This was what she loved most—being in the OR, where nothing else mattered except the work in front of her.

Once they were in the OR, Derek nodded toward her. "You ready?"

"More than ready," she replied, feeling the familiar sense of focus settle over her.

As they worked, Meredith marveled at how seamlessly she and Derek operated together. Each movement felt synchronized, as if they'd been doing this side by side for years. She could feel his confidence in her, and it fueled her own.