A/N: I wrote this somewhere else then never published it and just copy pasted and I am not spending time on cutting it into chapters so good luck. And this was written entirely before 12x09 came out. Any similarities are accidental.
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"We're going to be late! Can she even hear me? GREY? YOU AWAKE? I mean she snores loud enough," Amelia shepherd was not shy about raising her voice to get Meredith up. Maggie stood by her, arms crossed, Bailey clutching her leg.
"Mer? Hey! Look Zola will be late for school and you know Susan will give you a hard time about Bailey and Ellis being late." She called out before picking Bailey up and walking upstairs. Maggie hesitated before knocking on the door. "Meredith I love you and I've known you like two years almost and you're very sweet but it's the first day of Chief Bailey and your son has preschool screenings this week and Zola can't be late for first grade. Please get up. Your children are cleaned, dressed, and fed. We just need you." She said, leaning her head on the door. Maggie couldn't hear any movement...nor Meredith's snoring. Amelia hurried up, carrying Ellis in a baby pouch,
"You hear her?"
"I can't hear snoring...Amelia there's steam coming from under the door is she just showering?" Maggie asked, frowning.
"Meredith is the type to stop and talk to you mid shower. She'd pick up Derek's cell a lot." Amelia assured her, knocking on the door again before opening. Steam bellowed from the bathroom and the door to both the bathroom and shower was open.
"Why isn't she responding? Amelia wait. Put Ellis down." Maggie bounced Bailey, kissing his head before setting him down on the bed. "Bailey stay here. Aunt Maggie is just finding mommy ok?" She smiled at him, and he smiled back, his nose wrinkling like Meredith's. Amelia paused and set Ellis in a bouncer on the floor, then turned to the bathroom once more.
"Amelia?" Maggie asked for an update as she looked back at Bailey. Amelia's phone chimed, happy birthday spilling from the speakers. Her face dropped, seeing the words Happy Birthday Derek light up and hover at the top of her screen. Maggie shook her head, "What is it Amelia?"
"Derek's, his birthday. And I know. Once I walk in that bathroom, what I will see. I don't want it to be true. But it can't be anything else." She said, licking her lips. Maggie's face fell as well, horrified. She walked past Amelia, hurrying inside the steam clogged room. Maggie took a deep breath, calming herself, but tasting the air as she breathed in. Sharp. Metallic. She breathed it every day, in each OR she stepped into but never did Maggie Pierce expect to taste blood on her tongue in her own home.
"Meredith?" Maggie asked as she turned to the right, seeing Meredith, naked, blood running down from her wrists.
"Oh god, Mere." She whispered, kneeling down. Amelia walked in, her stomach churning.
"Vein?" She asked Maggie who shook her head.
"there's too much blood, I can't tell what's on the outside and from the inside. I'm calling 911, you get the kids and go to Grey Sloan." She added, looking at Amelia with tear filled eyes. "Her heartbeat is weak."
Amelia nodded, turning around.
"Ambo might take a few with traffic, get her some underwear or clothes." She suggested before picking Bailey and Ellis up.
"Aunt Amy what's going on?" Zola asked, worried. Amelia rose a brow, then sat down.
"Zola. You and Bailey, and Ellis are going to school with me today. Your mommy wasn't feeling well and Aunt Maggie's taking care of her." She said, rubbing Zola's head, thinking of Derek off handedly. Amelia could remeber the day she got the news about Zola. Derek had sent an email to the family group message. No picture, just saying,
"Hi guys, It's been a while. Sorry. A lot had happened at Seattle Grace but I'm skipping all that. Yesterday night, Meredith and I gained full custody of an African orphan who recieved treatment from Seattle Grace's exchange program. Her name is Zola, she's from Malawi, and only 10 months old. We love her so much. She'll go by Zola Grey-Shepherd we decided. Love you all, write soon, Derek." They all had freaked out, and began teasing Derek mercilessly. Of course he was the one to save the poor African orphan. Derek the super hero. Amelia sniffled and sat up, looking at Zola.
"Let's go on to school." She said, picking bailey up and holding into Ellis's carrier while walking out to Meredith's van. She drove Zola to school, passing by an ambulance on the way, one could only pray was for Meredith. Amelia drove into the Grey Sloan parking lot, sitting. It was a nice May day. The sun was shining, blue sky's, puffy clouds in the distance. You could breathe in the spring around you. She looked at her phone one last time before walking into the building.
