Chasing Cars

Chapter 24

"I'm so glad to be home.." Meredith whispered. She had to stay overnight because Bailey wanted to be sure she was strong enough to go home. She has been sleeping all morning. She had been up to try and have lunch but was barely able to eat much as she was pretty nauseous. Derek was glad that Bailey had given her a feeding tube, just to make sure she'd be able to get something inside her, although even that made her feel horrible, but she was here and he would enjoy every second of it

"I was thinking about something with monkeys.." Meredith said as she and Derek were planning Maddie's birthday party. Because of all the events lately they almost forgot to plan a party, but with all Maddie's friends still in Boston they planned on something with her Seattle family

"Sounds good. We can look for something jungle themed?" Derek suggested, writing it down

"So.. Richard and Adele, who else?" Meredith asked, feeling awful about disappointing her daughter

"Maybe Bailey and her son. And some of the kids from daycare." Derek said, noticing Meredith was terrified as she breathed heavier. Her head was resting on his chest and it felt so comfortable, as if they never got divorced but Meredith has never been this clingy but he just loved feeling her close. "It will be okay." Derek eased her

"Hmm.." Meredith nods her head, her eyes started to droop

"Why don't you close your eyes?" Derek suggests and adjusted her scarf the best he could, making sure she would be warm

While Meredith had drifted off he had been ordering all they needed for Maddie's birthday party, everything jungle and monkey themed, knowing Maddie was very attached to her stuffie Nanas

Maddie was with Adele and Richard today and they'd drop her off later today, as they were aware Meredith was trying to catch up with some sleep as she had another round of IL2 tomorrow and had tk be as fit as possible so her body would be able to fight against the cancer, she didn't wanna imagine leaving her daughter behind, and now she also had Derek back in her life and all she wanted was to be happy

"Der?" Meredith groaned a bit later

"Hey, are you feeling okay?" He frowned

"My body hurts, I'm stiff and everything is aching.." Meredith explained

"Would you like to try to take a bath? Or a shower?" He suggested

"I'm not sure, moving hurts." She complained

"Maybe the warm water will feel good on your muscles, they explained your muscles will cramp easily." Derek repeated, knowing she was a doctor but also hating to see her suffer

"Dunno.." Meredith whimpered in discomfort, she seemed a bit confused or as if she was in a haze so Derek scooped her up and brought her to his bathroom, from the tub they could look out to the cliff

Derek started running the bath with warm water, but being aware it shouldn't be too warm with her sensitive skin

"Are you enjoying this?" Derek offered her. "You- You're not using your lavender soap anymore?" He carefully asked

"They recommended that I cancel the perfume soaps. So I bought those-" Meredith points at some boring looking bottles

"You still smell amazing." Derek kissed her

"I don't, and when I tried going back to my lavender one I started to throw up, so I guess this will do for now." She muttered, more touched by it than she would have ever thought

"I'm sorry, I really didn't wanna make you feel sad." Derek apologized because he felt guilty for ruining the mood completely, he wanted her to relax, not worry even more

"You just asked a question, it's okay." Meredith said, trying to compose herself again, she didn't wanna look vulnerable over a bottle of soap, while knowing she missed her bottle of shampoo even worse and that was what mainly made her sad

After a little while Meredith started shivering because the water had started to cool down. Derek lifted her out of the bath onto the toilet and covered her with two warm towels. He then carried her to their bed, dressing her in warm sweats

"When will Mads be here?" Meredith asked

"In about an hour, why don't you take a nap?" Derek suggests

"Only if you lay with me.." Meredith quietly said

Derek could only smile, despite what was happening to the love of his life he could finally be here for her, trying to protect her but frustrated that the worst battle was something that was inside her body, where he couldn't change a thing to her situation

"Laying with you now, close your eyes. I love you." He said and tucked her in, listening as she fell asleep in his strong arms

Derek didn't wanna leave her, even if he should get some stuff done around the house it didn't have priority, Meredith and their daughter did.

'We're getting ready to leave the hospital so we'll be at your place in a while. Richard has been pulled into a surgery, see you soon.' Alex texted Derek

...

A while later Derek heard Alex' car arriving so he went to the front door, quietly to not wake up Meredith

"Daddy!" Maddie jumped out of the car with Alex' help

"Hey monkey! Come here-" Derek lifted her in his arms. "Why don't you bring your stuff inside and eat a snack, I got a bowl ready with bananas for you." Derek winked and watched how Maddie stormed inside with her stuffed monkey underneath her arms

"How's Mer?" Alex frowned

"She's not feeling well. She was nauseous and a little confused.." Derek sighed and both men head inside

"It will be a rough ride." Alex sadly sighs. "Can I go see her?"

"Yeah, I think she's asleep but you can go." Derek nods

Alex made his way over to the bedroom and saw Meredith shivering in the bed. He quickly adjusted the blankets and placed a soft kiss on her head. "Come on, you got this." He whispered

We hope you enjoyed! Thanks to my co-writer _Ktje_