Unexpected Love

Chapter 14

The day began with the soft chirping of birds outside Meredith's apartment window. She stretched, feeling the remnants of sleep fade as she mentally prepared for another bustling day at Mount Sinai. After a quick breakfast and a shower, she donned her white coat, feeling a sense of purpose wash over her. Today, her schedule was packed with patient rounds and consultations.

As she walked into the hospital, the familiar sounds of bustling staff, ringing phones, and the faint beeping of machines enveloped her. The energy was infectious, reminding her of why she loved being a doctor. She exchanged greetings with nurses and staff as she made her way to the pediatric floor for her first round.

Meredith entered the pediatric ward, her eyes scanning the rooms filled with young patients. She found Lexie leaning over a chart in one of the rooms.

"Hey, Lex! Ready to save some lives today?" Meredith joked, grinning as she approached.

"Always!" Lexie replied, looking up with enthusiasm. "How's your morning been?"

"Pretty smooth so far. Just finished my coffee fix. How about you?"

"Just the usual chaos. You know how it is," Lexie said, her tone light despite the gravity of their work. "I have a few patients I want to discuss with you later. But first, let's see how our little patients are doing."

Together, they moved from room to room, checking on kids recovering from surgery, chatting with parents, and offering reassurances. The first stop was a young girl named Lily, who had undergone surgery for appendicitis.

"Hi, Orie! How are you feeling today?" Meredith asked, pulling up a chair next to the bed.

"Better, but I miss my teddy bear," Orie replied, her big brown eyes wide with sincerity.

"Well, I think your teddy bear is missing you, too. How about we get the nurse to bring him back after lunch?" Lexie suggested.

Orie nodded eagerly. "Can you, please?"

"Of course! We'll make sure he's back with you in no time," Meredith assured her, feeling a warm sense of connection.

As they continued their rounds, Meredith couldn't help but notice the bond that had formed between her and Lexie during their time at Mount Sinai. Working together strengthened their relationship, allowing them to share not only the burdens of their profession but also the joy of helping others.

After finishing their morning rounds, Meredith and Lexie headed to the hospital cafeteria for a quick lunch. The aroma of various dishes wafted through the air, and they joined the bustling crowd of doctors, nurses, and staff grabbing their meals.

"Any plans for the weekend?" Lexie asked as they settled at a table with their trays.

"I think we're going to take Crystal to the aquarium. Derek's been talking about it all week. She's really excited!" Meredith replied, a smile tugging at her lips.

"That sounds perfect! I know she loves animals," Lexie said, taking a sip of her drink. "And it'll be nice for you to spend some time as a family outside the hospital."

"Yeah, it's important for us. It feels good to have some normalcy," Meredith said, looking thoughtful. "It's easy to forget that we have lives outside these walls."

Lexie nodded. "You're right. Speaking of normalcy, have you heard from any of the other siblings? I feel like we should plan another get-together soon."

"Actually, I talked to Michael yesterday. He mentioned wanting to plan a trip to the beach this summer. He thought it would be great for all of us to relax and unwind," Meredith said, her eyes lighting up at the idea.