What was I made for? |2/2|

14

"Girls, can you wash your hands? Daddy will be here soon." Carolyn asked them while Christopher was in the bathroom emptying Meredith's catheter

"Nana, are you and poppa staying?" Charlotte asked her grandma, not moving out of her lap

"I don't think so, sweetie." Carolyn said, she knew how self conscious Meredith was about needing help with food lately, they didn't wanna add more pressure when staying over

"Hmm.. kay." Charlotte sighed and climbed off Carolyn's lap, walking towards the sink

"We're back." Christopher announced and let Meredith wheel herself into the livingroom first

"You really don't have to stay, I can take care of them." Meredith said, not looking them into the eyes

"We love to be here, honey." Carolyn said softly. "Do you want us to leave?"

Christopher looked at Meredith, he was scared for the answer, he hated to see how distant she had gotten, he just wanted to hug her and see her smile again

"No, it's fine." Meredith said and just remained where she was. She moved her head and started looking outside

Christopher squeezed Carolyn's hand. He saw how his wife was getting emotional. She quickly left the room and went to check on the girls, unable to see Meredith do this to herself

"We love you, we miss you." Christopher took a seat onto the couch so he was close to Meredith

Meredith didn't respond, she was terrified he's see the tear escaping her eye

"Sweetie.." Christopher's voice cracked. "Please don't shut us out, I'm begging you, let us help."

"Dad-" Meredith started sobbing, for the first time since she was home

"Oh Mer.." Christopher started to comfort her

"Sorry- I'm so sorry-" She wanted to flee and leave the room

"Stop apologizing, none of this is your fault. Just let us in, let us love you." Christopher asked her softly

"I haven't even been able to properly hug my children!" Meredith looked at her dad, her eyes red from crying

"Let's change that." Christopher said and carried her onto the couch

"Dad! Your back!" Meredith wanted to stop him but he didn't listen at all. He helped her get comfortable on the couch

"Girls!!" Christopher called out for them

"Poppa?" Emma and Grace ran in first

"Time to cuddle with mommy!" He smiled and saw their little faces light up, running towards their mom to start cuddling

"Mama!" Little Charlotte ran in as well, a little out of breath by the time she managed to climb on the couch

"I love you girls so so much." Meredith said softly, forcing her right arm to move

"Let me help you a little." Christopher installed Charlotte on Meredith's lap

"We're glad you're home." Emma said, she really had missed her mom

"Thanks Emmie." Meredith nodded. "I'm sorry we're not in our house."

"But mommy, it's nice here and we go back once you're better!" Grace smiled at her mom

"I like it here." Charlotte murmured in her mother's chest

"And we're close to nana and poppa." Emma said

"Maybe it's not too bad after all.." Meredith muttered, her arm pretty tired by now but she didn't have to let go, instead her girls had cuddled completely into her body

...

"I put the food in the fridge, you can heat it up whenever you want." Carolyn explained to Derek

"Thanks mom. Is Mer asleep?" He asked

"No, she's been cuddling with the girls." Carolyn said and opened the door from the hallway and they got inside together

"Daddy!" The girls looked up but stayed seated

"Cuddle time!" Grace announced with a giggle

"Hey." Meredith softly smiled, visibly more relaxed then how she had been ever since her surgery

"Hey you." He walked up to Meredith and kissed her, then joining his girls for some snuggles

"We'll leave you then. We gotta go home." Christopher said once he saw the family was cuddling together

"But poppa, why aren't you and nana staying?" Grace whined

"I don't know if that's a great idea, monkey." He sighed, seeing Meredith look away right away

"Pretty, pretty please?" Emma spoke up

"You can stay." Meredith quietly said, almost unhearable

"Are you sure, honey? We don't wanna make you feel uncomfortable." Carolyn said softly

"Please stay." She nodded and closed her eyes as she took a deep breath

"Thanks sweetie, I'll put the food in the oven then." Carolyn kissed Meredith's head softly

"I'll go put the table ready, we gotta make sure our food monsters don't make everything dirty." He winked at Charlotte as she had the habit of messing around with her food

"Thanks." Derek kissed the side of Meredith's head

"I don't know how we'll do this." Meredith admitted

"You can try to feed yourself. And if you need help then I'm here, or we can wait until they are gone, whatever works best for you, Mer." He assured her

"I'm sorry things are so complicated." She took a deep and shaky breath

"As long as I'm with you things go easy." Derek breathed in her scent

"That's cheesy, even for you." Meredith giggled softly

"Doctor McDreamy?" Derek teased her

"Hmm.. So dreamy." Meredith nodded and leaned into her husband's strong arms

"Let's get you ready, I'm sure mom almost finished with the food." Derek lifted her into her wheelchair, strapping her in. Together they made their way over to the dining table

"Strap my fork to my wrist, please." Meredith quietly asked

"Of course." Derek nodded and did so, the whole family gathered together at the table and started eating

Meredith managed to eat some by herself but stopped after a bit. Her arm was tired and she'd continue later, without her parents so Derek could help her without feeling like a zoo animal

"Thanks mom, it was really good." Meredith said, breaking the silence

"Glad you like it, I put the leftovers in the fridge." Carolyn told her softly