Seattle Prep

15

Meredith sighed. Another stupid few hours of having to be with Thatcher. It was really the last thing she wanted to do, but she didn't have a choice.

"We're, uh, going to a different restaurant today. My girls and my wife love it." Thatcher said as they drove in silence.

"Okay." Meredith sighed. "Can you try to have an open mind, Meredith? I know you're not happy about this but you are my daughter and I want to have a relationship with you." Thatcher asked, getting fed up.

"No, I won't have an open mind, because I don't want this. I want to live with Carolyn and Derek and the girls. Not you." She replied with an eye roll.

"Well, Meredith, the truth is, I'm probably going to get custody over you whether you like it or not. I'm your biological father, and Carolyn has no guardianship over you, so get used to spending time with me." Thatcher spat.

"Whatever." Meredith scoffed as he pulled into a parking stop.

Thatcher sighed as he and Meredith walked in. "Hi, I'm meeting my wife and daughters." He said to the waiter. "Thatcher?" The waiter asked. He nodded.

"Wait a minute. Didn't I tell you I didn't want to meet your family?" Meredith asked, an almost amused smile on her face.

"You know, you don't get to make the decisions now. I'm the adult." Thatcher said as they got to the table. "Meredith, hi. It's nice to see you again." Susan said with a kind smile.

Meredith grumbled something under her breath. "Meredith, these are my daughters, Lexie and Molly. Girls, this is your sister." Thatcher said.

"Not sister." Meredith said. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom." She announced. "Are you sure you don't want to sit for a second? Order a drink?" Susan asked.

"No, I'm good." Meredith replied, hurrying to the bathroom.

But she had no intention of going to the bathroom.

Meredith snuck out of the front door of the restaurant, and called a taxi back to Carolyn's house. She wasn't about to let Thatcher walk all over her.

•••

The taxi dropped her off in front of the house and Meredith walked in. "What are you doing home so early?" Carolyn asked as she saw the girl walk into the kitchen.

"He brought his daughters and wife to the restaurant after I told him no. I don't want to know him let alone his replacement family." Meredith shrugged.

"You just left? He has no idea where you are." Carolyn said. "I don't care." She replied. "Enough of the attitude, Meredith Grey. I'm gonna call him now." The older woman said.

"Carolyn, do you know where Meredith is?" Thatcher asked as his voice filled through the speaker phone. "She's with me." Carolyn replied.

"What the hell? Our agreement was that she had to spend time with me. She can't just leave like this." Thatcher said angrily.

"Yes, she should not have left like that, but in her defense, you sprung your family on her like that when she told you no." Carolyn pointed out.

"She is my daughter. I tell her what to do, not the other way around." He said. "Thatcher, do you even care about what she wants?" Carolyn asked, taking it off speaker and walking into the other room.

"I want my daughter. I understand that may be selfish of me, but she's my daughter and I'm her father." Thatcher sighed.

"Then why did you leave in the first place?" She asked. "Because of Ellis! I want her back with me because if I don't take her, she'll be more and more like Ellis everyday!" He exclaimed.

"You know what, I think that if she goes with you, she'll be more inclined to be like Ellis just because she'll be unhappy. She's a wonderful young woman and you should take into account what she wants. She'll see you whenever your next day together is." Carolyn snapped, hanging up the phone.

"Where's Derek?" Meredith asked as she wandered into the kitchen.  "He's playing hockey with some of his friends at the ice center." Carolyn replied.

"Okay." She nodded. "I'm guessing you didn't eat. Do you want me to make you some Mac and cheese or something?" Carolyn offered.

"Sure." Meredith answered with a smile. "Mer, can you help me with this math problem?" Amelia asked as she came into the kitchen.

"Sure." Meredith replied, following the younger girl upstairs. "Okay, so I don't need help with a math problem, but I am talking to this boy and he asked me out and I don't know what to do." Amelia said anxiously.

"Ooh, who is it?" Meredith asked excitedly. "His name is Tyler." Amelia replied, smiling and her cheeks blushing.

"You're blushing. You must really like him." Meredith grinned. "I do." Amelia admitted. "So say yes and go out with him." Meredith said.

"Okay, but, like, how do I say yes?" She asked. "Literally just say yes. You're overthinking it." Meredith said with a giggle.

"You aren't helping." Amelia sighed. "Amelia, he likes you. You like him. Just say yes. You're young. Just see how it goes and give it a try." Meredith said.

"Okay. Thanks, Mer. You're my favorite sister." Amelia said, wrapping her arms around Meredith. "You're mine too." Meredith chuckled.

"Now let me see a picture of this kid." Merefitn said. "He's cuter than Derek, if that's what you were wondering." Amelia smirked.

"Mhm." Meredith hummed. "He is! Look!" Amelia exclaimed, nudging her playfully.

Hey guys! I hope you all enjoy this chapter and hope you are doing well. As always, if you have any suggestions for future chapters, feel free to let me know. Thanks for reading.