Never grow up [1/2]

14

"Mer, we need to go" Derek said as he entered Ellis' room where Meredith was dressing the little girl

"Are Zola and Bailey ready?" Meredith asked as he was putting on Ellis' shoes

"Already waiting in the car" Derek smiled

"She's almost ready, aren't you Ellie?" Meredith smiled

Ellis nodded and went back to fidgeting with her shirt

"Let's put on your jeans jacket and then we're ready to go" Meredith smiled

Meredith lifted the girl and placed her on her hip. She and Derek made their way to the car and buckled Ellis into the carseat before driving to Grey-Sloan Memorial.

"Okay guys. Here you go. We'll come pick you up once Ellis is done" Derek said

Bailey and Zola ran off inside daycare while Meredith, Derek and Ellis made their way upstairs to peds where Alex and Arizona were already waiting

"Hey guys" Alex smiled "Hi Ellie" he waved

Ellis waved back at Alex before turning to Arizona

"H-i"

"Hi, Ellis. Are you ready for today?" Arizona asked her but Ellis violently shook her head no

"Hey, hey. Mommy and I will be here all the time" Derek said as he gently rubbed her back

"We should go.." Arizona announced and led them to an examination room. "So, how has she been?" Arizona asked outside of the room when Alex was getting her ready inside

"We barely see any more evolution in her motor skills, her fingers refuse to work sometimes. Her spasms and cramps have been very bad lately, which concerns us a lot. Her speech is getting a lot better, she's getting really good at talking, except of course when she's tired or when her emotions are all over the place" Derek starts explaining

"Her walking concerns us too. She keeps asking to get carried, she barely finds enough stability to walk from the couch to her room without falling or needing to stabilize herself.. only the stroller seems to help her if we go out" Meredith explained

"Let's go in and see" Arizona gave them a smile to comfort them "Hi Ellis, can I examine you?"

"N-o b-oo" Ellis said and nodded her head

"I'll try not to hurt you and if I hurt you, just tell me, okay?"

Ellis nodded again and did everything Arizona asked her to do.

Lift her legs, stretch her arms, follow the light, can you remember a few words for me,...

"Does it sometimes hurt to walk?" Arizona asked

"T-i-red f-ist, b-oo af-ter" Ellis explained

"Can you walk to the wall and back for me?" Arizona asked and lifted the girl to the ground

"M-ommy?"

"It's okay baby. Just try" Meredith smiled at her daughter

Ellis made her way to the wall, her arms finding her balance. She turned around and walked back. Her feet pointed inwards as she took her small but exited steps

"Good job" Alex high fives the little one

"Yeay!" Ellis said which made the adults chuckle

"I wanna take her for some x rays to see if everything is growing well, then I'll discuss the results with you" Arizona said and lifted the girl on her hip