Dreams On Fire

Brave

After the most recent ordeal, Meredith had landed herself back in therapy. It wasn't even with Dr. Wyatt; it was some new, older male and she didn't bother learning his name. Trips to him were frequent and ordered by Dr. Bailey, though she was allowed back at work. She had stepped inside the trauma room where the attack had happened, she had faced her fears. Breakdowns didn't happen, no great revelations happened, absolutely nothing happened but wasted time. Finally Bailey let her stop going, and Meredith was happier because of it.

Everyone at work looked at her like she was going to blow at any minute, but truthfully she was fine. She had dealt with it like she dealt with everything else, by pushing it away and focusing on the rest of her life. She had suffered, she was strong, she had endured. And she had endured worse than this. She was fully healed body-wise; mentally she knew she was still skittish but that would go away in time.

Suddenly it was August and it was Zola's 6th birthday. Meredith was busy getting things ready for her party – the girl was obsessed with Frozen, so they were going to have a Frozen themed birthday party. Derek was out with Bailey getting the cake and the rest of the food, while Meredith and Amelia – their sisterly relationship healed – decorated the kitchen and living room. Zola as busy watching a movie and Maggie was on her way with cupcakes as well.

"Amelia, lift it higher!" Meredith said, trying to hang a happy birthday banner over the entry from the front door into the kitchen/living room area. The two women were on chairs.

"Mere, I'm a lot shorter than you!" she countered. She was just an inch or two shorter but she was struggling and on her tip toes, a roll of mounting tape in her hand so they could anchor the banner. Finally they had it placed and both of them taped it up before climbing down. It was a little off center because of the difference in their heights but oh well, it looked good enough. They went around the downstairs placing decorations around. The house was cleaned up, and Derek would be back any minute with everything else they needed. Carolyn and the rest of the sisters would also be here any moment; it wasn't everyday that one of the youngest grandchildren turned 6.

Once they were finished decorating the house, Amelia set to work getting out the plates, cups, and some of the food, while Meredith grabbed Zola and took her upstairs.

"Come on birthday princess, it's time to make you pretty for everyone," she smiled, getting out an Elsa and Anna t-shirt and an ice-blue tutu, gently brushing her hair into two braids and tying matching ribbons on the end. Just because it was her birthday she smeared glitter around her eyes, knowing it would make Zo happy, before letting her look in the mirror in the bathroom, lifting her onto the sink and slipping her tiny feet into silver sparkly ballet flats.

"Look how pretty you look Zozo! You're mommy's gorgeous girl, I can't believe you're so grown up and six years old," she said, squeezing her daughter tightly. She really couldn't believe Zola was six already; it had been almost six years since they had fought for custody to adopt her and finally won. Meredith snuggled her for a moment before letting her go, watching her run downstairs and back to Amelia.

Meredith herself changed into leggings and a tank top, doing something to make her hair not so much of a hot mess, and finding a pair of flip flops that matched. With three kids she had become even more low maintenance than ever before. Slipping out of the bedroom she was pleased to see that Cristina had arrived and was playing with Zola, and several cars pulled up outside, with the rest of the Shepherd family spilling out. Soon the house was filled with kids of all ages, and everyone and rushing to Meredith, asking how she was after what happened.

"I'm fine, really," she insisted. She still had bruises on her arms that were fading, but she was fine. A few minutes later Derek arrived at home with Ellie and Bailey, and everyone's attention was focused on how big Ellie had gotten since they had last seen her in February. Meredith was happy to slip into the background, setting out all the food on the dining room table, making up a bar on the kitchen island for the adults. All of their friends were arriving now and the house was full of laughter and love. It made her heart swell; everywhere she turned there was someone else that had been added to their extended family. She had always joked that it takes a village to raise a child; here was her village, spread out around the bottom floor of her house.