My own version of Merder's fanfic story.
PS. This is my first time writing a story and I'm not really good in medical terms. Thank you and I hope you like it.
The Harrington-Grey family reunion was in full swing by the time Meredith arrived, and the energy in Maddison's apartment was buzzing with laughter, voices, and the excited squeals of children.
Margaret, Michael, and Mellissa had arrived early with their spouses and children, each sibling chatting animatedly as they caught up over coffee and pastries that Maddison had set out. Margaret's husband, Paul, was busy helping set up some chairs around the living room, while Michael's wife, Alissa, entertained their twin boys. Mellissa's husband, Liam, was showing his toddler daughter how to stack blocks on the coffee table, creating a colorful little fortress. And the other kids are busy playing and running all over the living room
Maddison introduce her boyfriend, Simon to her siblings and their spouses. Simon, an engineer with a warm smile and easy going charm, quickly settled in, making introductions and getting to know everyone. He seemed to fit right in, laughing at jokes and engaging easily with the kids.
Soon after, there was a knock on the door, and Maddison hurried over to open it. Meredith stood there, hand-in-hand with Derek, who held Crystal's hand on his other side. Maddison's face lit up with excitement, and she pulled Meredith into a tight hug.
"Oh, finally!" Maddison grinned, pulling back to look at Meredith, then gave Derek a quick hug before looking down at Crystal. "Hi Crystal!"
Crystal gave a little wave, smiling shyly, but her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked around at the bustling apartment filled with people.
Meredith introduced Derek and Crystal to her siblings, who welcomed them with warmth and curiosity. Each sibling took turns hugging her, with Michael giving her a playful squeeze.
"So, Derek, this is the crew," Meredith said with a grin, introducing her siblings. "This is Margaret, our cardio wizard; Michael, the ortho genius; Mellissa, the neonatal expert; and Maddison, who you already know—neuro star and queen of organization."
Derek shook hands with each of them, his friendly smile putting everyone at ease. "Nice to finally meet you all. Meredith's talked so much about you, I feel like I already know the famous Harrington-Greys."
The siblings laughed, and Michael gave Derek a friendly clap on the shoulder. "She warned you about us, huh? Brave man for joining this gathering."
As introductions wrapped up, the kids quickly pulled Crystal into their little group, showing her their toys and sharing their snacks. In no time, Crystal was laughing and playing with her cousins, as if she'd known them forever.
Meredith glanced over, catching a moment of her nieces and nephews bonding with Crystal, and felt her heart swell. She hadn't anticipated just how seamlessly Crystal would fit in with the family, and seeing her so happy with her cousins made her feel even more certain that bringing Derek was the right decision.
"Looks like they're having a blast," Derek whispered, leaning close to Meredith.
She nodded, watching Crystal spin around with the other kids, her laughter filling the room. "Yeah, I think she's in heaven right now."
The afternoon was filled with conversations, shared stories, and laughter. Each sibling shared anecdotes from their hospitals, trading jokes and memories. Margaret and Michael engaged in a friendly debate over the latest cardio and ortho advancements, and Mellissa shared a few funny stories from the NICU, all while Maddison and Simon kept the kids entertained with little games and drawing activities.
Meanwhile, Derek got to know each sibling more personally, sharing stories from his practice, swapping dad tips with Paul and Liam, and earning a nod of respect from Michael as they discussed tricky surgeries.
As the evening approached, they gathered around for a casual dinner, a lively mix of takeout and family-style dishes that everyone had contributed. The kids sat together at one end of the table, still buzzing with excitement, while the adults settled in, exchanging stories and laughter.
Meredith leaned over to Derek as they finished their meal. "This is exactly what I needed," she said quietly. "I don't remember the last time we were all together like this."
Derek gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I can see why you missed it. They're an incredible family."
After dinner, they settled in for a cozy movie night, with the kids snuggled under blankets and the adults sharing popcorn. Crystal, exhausted but happy, ended up curled on Meredith's lap, her eyes drooping as the movie played.
As Crystal drifted off, Meredith looked down at her, gently brushing her hair back, feeling a warmth that was almost overwhelming. Derek caught her eye, his gaze soft with gratitude.
When the evening came to a close, each sibling hugged Meredith and Derek, thanking them for coming and promising to meet up again soon. Crystal was already fast asleep, her little arms wrapped around Meredith as Derek helped gather their things.
As they said their goodbyes, Meredith couldn't help but feel a deep sense of happiness—a feeling of belonging and family that wrapped around her as surely as Derek's hand in hers.
Maddison and Simon's Apartment:
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