Zola's POV "Mom, for Valentine's day can we make cookies?" I ask. "Sure honey. Do you want to make fresh dough or get the ones from Pillsbury?" Mom asks. "Fresh ones!" I say. "What's valentines day, sissy?" Ellis asks in her little voice. "Mom, Ellie asked what valentines day is." I say. I don't entirely know what it is besides that everything is pink and red and candy is everywhere. "It's a day when you tell everyone you love them. Lot's of people get chocolates and flowers for people they love. Last year your dad got me roses and Auntie Amelia and Auntie Maggie got you guys toys and candy." Mom explains. "Oh okay." I say. "Thanks mom." "Candy!" Ellis says. "But Ellie, that's not the point of valentines Day!" I say. "Mom, Ellie doesn't get it." "Sh ed s so much younger than you, but she will in a few years." Mom says.
Meredith's POV Oh my god. Kids are exhausting. I have no idea why I decided to have kids. Well, it was mainly Derek who persuaded me with Zola, then Bailey happened, then after Derek "died" I had Ellis, and now with Lexie, yikes. I might have to seek out the help of a nanny once I go back to work. Maybe I won't go back. But that feeling of saving a live is what really makes my life complete and I don't know my life without working and being a surgeon.
"Mommy, what you think about?" Bailey asks. "Just what I'm going to make you guys for lunch. How does pizza sound? Or mac and cheese?" I ask. "Pasta! Zola mommy is gonna make pasta for lunch!" Bailey says running over to his sister. "Mom! Bailey just made me draw a line I didn't wanna draw!" Zola complains from their drawing table.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
(Above is play room, not pictured: table where Zola is drawing)
"Bailey, why don't you play Pirate, Zola, how would you ask Bailey to not bump you while drawing?" I ask. "Bailey, can you please not run into me while I'm drawing?" Zola asks. "No! I don't wanna play Pirate!" Bailey screams. "Okay. Then you can take a break in your room if you want." I say. "I'll play Pirate. I'm sorry sissy. I won't bump you again unless by accident." Bailey says and goes over to the play boat and starts playing with the toys there.
I start making lunch for the kids when I hear the door bell ring. "It's open!" I shout. The door opens and in walks Derek.
"You cook?" He asks. "You're in my house." I say in the same tone. "Since when do you cook?" He asks. "Since I was on my own for a while with three kids and before Nathan came into my life. Amelia and Maggie aren't necessarily the best. Good with adult food but not to much kid food. They didn't know what to make." I say stirring the pasta. "Oh okay. Can we talk?" Derek asks. "Sure but not here. At the hospital. If you want to visit Zola and Bailey, you're welcome to. Lexie is sleeping and Ellis doesn't need to be confused with who her dad is." I say sternly. "What? But Ellis is my daughter. I should be allowed to see her too." Derek says. "Logically, yes. But will that confuse her, also yes. She knows Nathan as her dad, since he's been here when you haven't." I say to my ex-husband. "Fine. I'll only talk to Zola and Bailey, unless Ellis approaches me." Derek says. "Okay. I can work with that." I say.
"Zola, Bailey, Ellis, lunch if ready I call as I spoon the mac and cheese into bowls for them. I put them at their places on the table as they run over.
Zola stops, causing Bailey and Ellis to crash into her. They all topple down and Ellis starts crying. I pick her up and Zola and Bailey get the their seats. "Daddy Derek?" Zola asks slowly. "Hey Zozo." Derek says, after looking at my like 'why did she just call me Derek'. "Why did you go away? Mommy said you died." Zola says unhappily. "The person who I was working for, me boss, wanted me to go away and I didn't want to bother you and mommy." Derek says. "Oh. Okay. Why did you come back if you didn't want to bother us?" Zola asks, staring Derek right in the eyes. "I wanted to see you guys." Derek says. "Oh." Zola says just as Nathan walks in. He stops short after seeing Derek sitting at the bar counter. "Daddy!" Ellis says and tries wiggle out of my arms. Nathan walks over and lifts Ellis out of my arms.
I look to Derek and see a defeated look on his face. "I'm sorry Derek. This is how it's going to be." I say, shrugging my shoulders. "It's okay. I'll leave. Have a good night, Mer." He says and walks out the door and into the night.
A/N: sorry for the wicked short update but I've hit writers block... I do have a slight idea for a new chapter but it'll take a while to get it up, since classes have resumed.
