What if

Late April (part 2)

(Derek POV)

I must've dozed off after I sat down with Bailey and Richard In Merediths room because I was woken up by Meredith mumbling something incoherent. Bailey and Richard woke up too and walked over to her bed. "Mer, what is it?" I asked. "George, I- I want to go back to Derek. And the kids." She mumbled. Where is she? What is she thinking? I looked up to Richard and Bailey in confusion. I shook her arm lightly and she didn't wake up. I nudged her with a little more force, but she still wouldn't wake. She hasn't woken up for a while now. I know she's trying to wake up, but covid is really tough and exhausting on patients. Baileys pager went off just as I was about to say something, and she bolted. Richards brow fell and ran after her.

(Bailey POV)

I got paged 911 to the pit. I ran down and looked at my phone to find 12 missed calls from Ben. "Bailey." Ben said as he wheeled a patient in. My eyes widened. "Mom?" I asked in terror. I ran over to her but Ben stopped me from touching her. We hurried her into a room and took her blood. Turns out she tested postive for covid. My mom is old, so this isn't good. Not to mention she also has Alzheimer's. This is when I really need Meredith to wake up. I always avoided talking to her about it because I knew it would bring up bad memories for her. I need her. She's the only one who knows what I'm going through. We got her to a room and she was hooked on oxygen. I left her for some time and went back to Merediths room. I have to tell someone.

I walked into Merediths room and saw Richard and Derek, sitting there the same as they were this morning. I sat down next to Meredith and began sharing.

(Meredith POV) still on beach

"I'm gonna say it. I miss you." Bailey said. "My mother has Alzheimer's. I never told you... because she's older and I didn't want to bring up any old pain for you or Richard, but it would be a lie to say that it hasn't been hard or painful even as a doctor who knows about the disease. I feel like..." she said. "I didn't know crap." I said, even if she couldn't hear me. She chuckled. "I don't know anything." She said. "It's difficult to talk about it with someone who hasn't been there, been through it. No one understands that you are watching your own mother die, twice." She explained. I sighed. "I'm so sorry, Bailey." I replied. "I wish you awake." She said as her voice cracked, she went away.

I have to come back. For the kids. For Bailey. For Richard. For Derek. I want to come back. I will come back.

(Derek POV)

Baileys talking to Mer, and my heart breaks for her. Bailey hasn't talked to Mer about it because she doesn't want to hurt her, but I know she won't. Meredith doesn't mind talking about it, and I know she'll help anyone who's going through that. "Bailey, when she wakes up, talk to her. She knows what your going through. She'll help you. She doesn't mind." I said quietly. Bailey nodded. When I was with Addison, watching her deal with her mother all alone broke my heart. Even when I was with her, it broke my heart. Alzheimer's is a horrible disease.

(Richard POV)

I wish Bailey talked to me. I could help her. I know I didn't deal with it with my mother, but I can help. Meredith on the other hand, she would be a lot more help. She dealt with jt when she was really young, too. We all need Meredith to wake up.

(Teddy POV)

I walked up to Merediths room and met deluca looking at her vitals and watching Derek in there with her. I looked at the writing on the board and was shocked by it. "Her oxygen requirements dropped this low?" I asked in astonishment. "Yup. Everything's looking good." Deluca replied. "Has she been awake? How does she feel?" I asked. "She hasn't been able to stay awake for long. She's exhausted. Derek has been in there for most of the time, so we should ask him." Deluca replied. I nodded and we went into the room.

Derek looked up. "So, her vitals definitely improved. Has she been awake at all?" I asked. "No. But I did hear her talking in her sleep. Something about Lexie." He said, sadness evident in his voice. "Who's Lexie?" Deluca asked. "Lexie was her sister. She died in the plane crash." He replied with sad eyes. Deluca looked in shock, and I probably did too. I had no idea she had a sister. But what's even more concerning is that she's dreaming about her. "Has she said anything?" I asked. "She said soemtning about Lexie. And then she said she wants to come back to me and the kids." He replied. "Well, I think she's just dreaming. She may remember when she wakes up and she can tell us." I replied. He nodded and looked back at his sick wife.

"How are the kids?" I asked, trying to lighten the conversation. Derek smiled. "Their good. They are with Amy and link. I FaceTime them the other day. They miss their mommy tjough." He replied. "That's good. Leo and Allison are with Owens mom, but he won't say a word to me unless it's medical related." I rambled. He chuckled lightly and retuned his gaze to Meredith once again.

I looked over and she was twitching. Like not seizing, but like waking up. Her arm was moving slightly and her eyes were trying to open. "Mer?" Derek asked. "Take your time, Meredith." I replied.

She was moving a lot more, and she finally opened her eyes. She looked absolutely exhausted, but it was so nice to see her eyes open again. "Meredith, can you say something?" Deluca asked. "O-ouch." She croaked. Derek smiled. "We missed you." Derek murmered as he kissed her forehead through his mask.