Delicate Hearts

Nineteen

Ellis and John Grey were highschool sweethearts, they fell in love at 17, went to the same college where he studied architecture and Ellis studied medicine. They married at 20, and moved from Boston to Seattle. At 23, a year early Ellis became an intern at  Seattle Grace, it was the place she found all of her friends. She had always been smart.

The couple started trying for a child of their own, from when they were 22 until 27 Ellis miscarried once other than that they couldn't fall pregnant. After having very fertility test they discovered that Ellis's eggs didn't mature properly and if she were to conceive the likely hood of miscarriage was 90% each time. Followed by the news that John's sperm was abnormally shaped and he had a low sperm count they also had low mobility. 

It was clear to them in those moments that they would never have a baby of their own. They were cleared to foster, which they did for 9 months, a little boy. Who was allowed to go back to his parents. after everything.

That was 8 months ago now, it broke them and they vowed they would love each other even though they couldn't have children. That was when they rescued a 1 year old tri-coloured blue eyed Australian Shepherd, Nyla.

Meredith, 5 years and 5 months 

She held onto Jenny, the social worker tightly , she couldn't remember the last time she had been held so tightly.

Jenny had called her colleague to bring pink pyjamas, a soft blanket and a doll. It was clear the child needed some time at the hospital.

"Chief Jenkins"She called, the curly haired chief looked up at the worker. Never had she seen such a neglected child. Most cases would go to Mercy West. "She is starving, skin and bones. Severely beaten" Jenny looked at the eyes of Dorothy Jenkins, she ruled this hospital, she was hard headed and almost never showed emotion. But looking at this girl her heart broke.

"Page Doctor Collins and Doctor Grey, take her into that side room"Dorothy pointed. Jenny walked the girl over to the room. It took light persuading but the little girl let go.

Marie Collins aged 34 was the best when it came to working with children, she had worked so many cases, but never one like this, neglect. When she saw her page come through she looked to Ellis who had also been paged

Ellis now 31 looked at Marie and walked over to her. "Why do they want me on a peds case"She asked. She had been a general surgery attending for a year now. 

They both shrugged but walked to the room they had been paged to where their chief met them.

"Chief"They both responded.

"The little girl in there is neglected, severely abused...I haven't ever had a case like this here before. Be gentle"She warned. They both nodded and walked into the room. The atmosphere filled with sadness.

"Who do we have here then"Marie smiled. Meredith looked up with her sad emerald eyes.

"Meredith"Her voice is barely audible. Marie nodded.

"You look hungry, when did you last eat"Marie asked, but Meredith didn't want to speak. She looked so empty. Ellis stood forward.

"You have a lovely name darling, now me and Doctor Collins need to know when you had some food so we can help you. Can you help me"Ellis spoke gently. The lost eyes met hers.

"I..i think yesterday, me not really remember. Sorry please don't get the belt" She sounded so fragile, her vocabulary wasn't advanced considering how she had been living. But it was good, they wouldn't have expected it from her. Jenny wrote down what she had said. Ellis took a long deep breath.