This Is What Dreams Are Made Of: Merder

Decisions, Decisions

About a month had past, Meredith and Derek were embracing the new pregnancy and started talking to the kids about how they're getting a new brother or sister in a few months. They also told the majority of the people they worked with, since it would soon become obvious. They also were still not planning to find out the gender, which was more for Derek since Meredith likes to have everything planned out. In summary, their lives were pretty great.

The mornings spent on their way to work were pretty routine, put the kids in the car, listen to them talk to each other, give them snacks, but today the conversation was a little different.

"So." Derek said.
"So?" Meredith replied.
"I know it's almost time to start thinking about declaring a specialty and I was wondering if you've put any more thought into neuro."
"I mean, it's hard not to. But, I don't want something to happen when we're in surgery and then bring that home with us. I don't want to have to worry about fighting and arguing over a mistake that was made, or a difference in opinion at work, and I feel like that would happen. Mainly because I know how we both are, our personalities are like that."
"Well what if we signed some contract, hell i'll sign a post it again, that's worked for us pretty well. I don't want to be what holds you back from being great. I don't want you to feel like you have to jeopardize what could be an amazing future in neuro surgery because we're married."
"I have 72 hours to make my speciality decision. Post it 2.0 sounds great, but I want to think about this, and talk to Alex and Cristina about it. Just to get an outsiders perspective."
"Understandable." He replied back to her as they pulled into the Chief of Neuro parking spot in front of the hospital. "You know, you could be parking in this very spot someday."

As the day went on, Meredith couldn't stop thinking about neuro, and what that could mean for her future. Her and Derek always wanted to restart the Alzheimer's trial, and had every intention on doing so, but Bailey being born put a slight bump in that road. Meredith, Alex and Cristina always had lunch together. 12:30 on the dot everyday. They made it routine ever since Meredith came back to work.

"Hey." Meredith said as she sat down at their usual table, sitting in front of both Alex and Cristina who were sitting next to each other.
"You're late." Cristina said.
"I know, I have a lot on my mind. Actually stuff I wanted to ask you guys about."
"Ask away." Alex said as he took a bite of the same sandwich he bought from the cafeteria every day.
"Derek brought up me specializing in neuro a few weeks ago, when I had that butterfly tumor and he brought it up again this morning. I told him I feel like we need to basically separate work and home, but he promised me if I choose neuro whatever happens here stays here. He kept saying how I could be some neuro God, and that he didn't want to be what stopped me from pursuing it."
"Well first of all, you are a neuro God." Cristina said. "I saw first hand how you handled that tumor, and you treated it like it was something you see and operate on every single day. I say go for it."
"Second what she said." Alex replied. "I say specialize in it, become an attending and steal chief from him."
"Evil spawn, I love that." Cristina said. "Meredith, you need to put you before you put him, in this situation. He is very dreamy, but he's not the sun, you are. If that means you and him getting in fights because your opinions may differ, you'll work it out because it's what is going to be best for you."
"Well, I guess it's decided then." Meredith said as she took the last bite of her salad and went up to talk to Derek and tell him her decision.

Meredith rarely was nervous to talk to people. The steps to officially declaring a specialty for her were going to be hard, not because the steps are hard to go through, but because she was literally choosing between specialties run by two people who she loves and who have had big impacts on her life.

"Hey." Meredith said as she walked up to Derek who was in the neuro lounge.
"Fancy seeing you here." Derek replied.
"Funny. I paged Bailey, and I figured I would come get you myself. We're having a meeting, the three of us." Meredith said.

The two of them headed towards the conference room where Bailey met them.

"Dr. Bailey, I appreciate you for coming. There are a few things I need to say, and put out there." Meredith said taking a pause. "I love you both a lot, obviously in different ways, but you two have had the biggest influence on me, literally since my foot walked into the door my first day of intern year. Bailey, I didn't mention this to you, but Derek came to me and offered me a spot specializing in neuro if I wanted it. After Alex gave me that butterfly tumor, and I felt how amazing it was to look at someone's brain again, there's no way I could turn down that offer. I decided to specialize in neuro. I hope you understand and can fill that spot you saved for me with someone amazing, and talented."
"Meredith, you'd have such a bright future no matter what specialty you chose. I truly give you my best of luck, and who knows, maybe that Alzheimer's cure will be discovered." She said as she got up and left.
"You made the right choice" Derek said with a smile as he hugged Meredith.
"Yeah. I hope so." She responded.

AN: Id never leave my favorite story hanging like that. Even if it meant me updating it all this time later. So happy to be back!!! ❤️