Moving On

First Day Back

6:00am
Meredith woke up to the sound of her alarm going off. She got up and went to go get Zola and Bailey to find that they were not in their room. She went downstairs following the sound of little giggles. In the kitchen she found Alex giving them their breakfast. She stood watching for a moment remembering how that used to be Derek. She pushed the thought aside and went to join them for breakfast, which included Alex's home made pancakes and orange juice.

7:00am
Everyone was up and dressed now. Jo had already left for pre-rounds. Alex had made sure that she didn't tell anyone about Meredith being back, he wanted it to be Meredith that told everyone when she was ready. Meredith and Alex got the kids in the car and drove towards their work. The kids had their Ipads, Meredith was star in out the window at the town she called home. Alex knew something was up but couldnt ask what with the kids there. He just placed a hand on hers and they shared a look, and with that he knew she would make it. She was strong. She didn't need to be wrapped up and protected from the world.

7:35am
They arrived at the hospital and parked the car in Alex's assigned spot. They headed inside but when they got to the front of the building Meredith just stopped. She couldn't stop the flashbacks. Her and Derek together, sneaking around when no one knew about them.
"You ok?" Alex asked turning around to look at her.
"Yeah. Just give me a minute." She replied. "Go ahead we will catch up."
"No Mer. I lost my best friend once already this year I am not leaving you again." He said walking to her side. "We will wait until you are ready to go in."
"Its fine. I'm fine. Let's go" she said picking up the diaper bag and pushing Ellis's pram. They all headed into the building. Alex and Meredith took the kids up to the daycare.

7:40am
It was a Thursday so all the surgeons had to attend the weekly meeting on how things are going. Everyone was getting ready for the meeting. Grabbing drinks, pens, notepads from the locker rooms. They all met in the foyer ready to go to the meeting. That's when Alex and Meredith walked in.
"Meredith?" Bailey asked in shock.
"Where have you been?" Callie asked.
"I just need to get some space. To come to terms with Derek.. His death." Meredith responded. "I'm sorry that I made you all worry."
"That's makes sense you guys were together forever." Callie responded.
"I am sorry to break up this reunion but we still have a meeting to get to." Dr Webber said hurrying people towards the auditorium.

5:30pm
Everyone had got used to Meredith being back. She had residents and interns. She had just finished a case and was writing everything up in the chart when Bailey, Arizona and Callie came over.
"Hey, we need to catch up. Fancy a girls night?" Arizona asked.
"Yeah I do but I have the kids... Can we do it at Alex's? That is where I am staying at the moment. I can't be in the other house after everything that has happened." Meredith responded closing the chart and putting it at the nurses station.
"Yeah. Meet at Alex's in say half and hour?" Callie asked.
"Yeah we all get off now anyway. Thus I just gives us time to have a shower and get over there." Bailey said. And they all headed hone to freshen up.