We have started the fire

Routine

Meredith's POV

I don't know when it started. I don't know how it happened. But unconsciously it just did.

It's been a month since Andrew's dad has worked at Grey Sloan with his innovative idea. Very first time Andrew explained it to me, it was quite alarming and I was nervous. But I have seen the videos, the pitch, the hard work Andrew and his dad has put to this project.

Carina still has reservations mostly due to their dad's health and fear of the eventual heartbreak Andrew will suffer. I have my reservations as well but I just choose to stay out of the family drama as much as I can.

But each morning Andrew and I have now started a routine. I pull up to the parking lot about 4 am. Sun still hasn't risen yet. Whether by coincidence or planned out carefully, Andrew usually is not far behind in his motorcycle. I have asked him why he chooses to come to work on his bike instead of his car, his excuse is usually convenience. Motorcycle parking is closer to the hospital than resident parking.

This morning like every morning since going public, I wait for Andrew to dismount his bike and take off his helmet.

"Hey Mer." He leans into my car window to kiss me.

"Hi." Andrew opens my car door for me so I can step out. "So rumor has it I'm in your service today."

"Yup. That's what I hear also." We walk to the familiar doors of Grey Sloan hand in hand. "So how's things with the lamb?"

"I don't know. Dad's locked me out of the lab this week."

"Really?" I see A look of concern flit across Andrew's face. "Have you told the chief yet?"

"No. I'm not too concerned. I will if I think it becomes worrisome." We reach the front doors of the hospital and as per usual we kiss one last time before entering. "I'll see you later, Dr. Grey."

"See you later, Dr. Deluca." We go our separate ways.

That's become our unspoken comfortable routine. And I like it.

I reach the attendings' lounge expecting it to be empty. I'm surprised to see Amelia there. "Hey what are you doing here so early?"

"I never came home. I have a patient in critical care and I wanted to be here in case she wakes up." Amelia rubs sleep off her eyes and stretches before getting up off the couch. "How are things with you and Andrew?"

"The usual. Which is something I want to talk to you and Maggie about."

"You ready for some bow-chick-a-wow-wow time with your Italian stallion, huh? And want Maggie and I to take the kids somewhere overnight?"

"Can you not be so crude?" I laugh at the bluntness.

"I'm surprised it's taken this long. I mean y'all have been hot and heavy since Catherine's party. And don't look shocked that I knew all this time. It was obvious for months before that."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Amelia."

"Mm hmm. Sure you don't." Amelia gives me a knowing look but luckily she chooses to drop it. "So what. You want us to disappear?"

"Well not disappear really. But you know. Find yourself occupied with something else. Somewhere else for at least two nights."

"Two? Wow. You really have been wanting this huh?"

"Look Zola is going camping for the weekend with some friends in school. Bailey was invited for a sleepover. Ellis, I was hoping you'd take her. We just need unencumbered 48 hours. No sisters. No former chiefs. No kids."

At the small reference to Catherine's party, Amelia bursts out laughing. "I heard about Richard walking in on you two. Sitting on Andrew's lap."

"Richard needs to learn the value of knocking." Just at that moment, the door opens and Dr. Webber walks in. The sisters can't help but share a good chuckle at his perfect timing.

*****

After our morning rounds, Andrew and I are in the scrub room before performing our first surgery in the morning. A blunt force trauma to the gut that leaves our patient bleeding internally.

As we begin to scrub I approach Andrew about plans for this weekend.

"So do you have plans this weekend?"

"Not really unless my dad needs me at the lab or something. Why?"

I lift my hands up as I have finished scrubbing and look at Andrew. "Well you see Zola has a camping trip. Bailey will be at a sleepover. And my sisters have been giving marching orders to occupy themselves and Ellis anywhere outside of the house for two nights."

"Oh." Andrew has a glint in his eyes. Smile has spread across his face.

"Yeah so do you think your dad will be needing you in the lab this weekend?"

"No I'm sure he's fine. He has carina if he needs help." Andrew finishes scrubbing. "I'm kind of mad now that you're telling me before this surgery."

"Why?"

"Because right now I want to kiss you. But that will be breaking sterile."

As I walk past him to head for the doors leading to the OR, I whisper "there will be more time for that."