Chasing Cars

Chapter 5

The next day Meredith was walking into the hospital. She'd work a few hours on her research project or teach the group of interns and after lunch she'd go up to oncology to receive her chemo for the day.

After an hour Meredith felt like she needed a break so she headed outside to grab herself some well deserved coffee

"What are you doing here? Didn't you start like an hour ago?" Cristina asked

"I did." Meredith nods. "And now I'm getting myself coffee

"That baby or Boston or whatever made you go really soft, Mer! Where's the time we stole surgeries?!" Cristina got up

"Cris.. Those times are over, I-" She wanted to say but they got interrupted by Alex

"Mer! I missed you! I came looking for you yesterday-" He hugged her. "But they said you had the day off."

"Yeah.. I had the day off" Meredith nodded

"Where's Maddie?" He asks

"Urgh, I'm going back inside to see if there are any surgeries." Cristina rolled her eyes

"Cris- Wait!" Meredith tried to stop her but she was already gone

"Are you okay?" Alex asked her. "You've been pale and quiet.." He asks

"Not really." Meredith sighs

"What do you mean?" Alex asks her and placed his hand on her back

"I.. I have cancer.." Meredith said and looked down in her lap

"C-Cancer?" Alex frowns. "Is that why you're back?"

"Yeah.." Meredith nodded, leaning into her friend's touch

"I'm sorry, Meredith.." Alex rubbed her back and kissed her cheek softly

"Shit happens.." Meredith sighed

"You need to talk to Cristina" Alex said

"I know.. But she keeps walking away, complaining about how I went soft for working less. I don't know if I can keep this going. I don't know if I wanna let everyone see I'm soft." Meredith admitted

"You're not soft because you're sick. Look at you, you're still working. Why would you think that makes you soft?" Alex frowned at what his friend said

"Because I work half days, I take so many breaks and I'll have to stop working soon. Swender said it's too dangerous for infections.." Meredith muttered

...

"Mama, I'm full" Maddie smiled

"Then we'll empty the tray." Meredith smiled and got up, feeling her muscles were sore as a reaction from the chemo

"Okay!" Maddie smiled and grabbed Nanas

"Now grab my hand, we're going to find daddy and then I'll bring you back to daycare" Meredith smiled

"But mommy.. I wanna come with you!" Maddie sighed

"We'll see.." Meredith nodded and they made their way over to Derek's office

"Daddy!" Maddie knocked on the door

"Monkey!" Derek opened the door and the little girl jumped into his arms

"She wanted to see you before I brought her back to daycare.."

"I don't wanna go! Wanna stay with you!" Maddie frowned, tears appearing in her eyes. "I miss you!"

"Oh-" Meredith was shocked by what Maddie said

"Maybe... Maybe Maddie and I can stay with you for a while? I can take the rest of the day off.." Derek carefully suggested, knowing Meredith hated feeling dependent on others. "Only if you want, I'm not gonna force you into anything."