Strong enough

7

Derek was driving his wife and daughter home. They had agreed with their family to meet the day after

Meredith was asleep in the car but woke up as Derek drove onto the ferryboat

"I wanna get out." Meredith muttered

"Take my coat, let's keep you warm." Derek got out and helped her out. Meredith immediately held onto her daughter, making her way out to the deck to watch over the water

Charlotte remained quiet, she was holding her breath as she would start sobbing otherwise, her cheeks wet from tears that kept coming

"I know." Meredith whispered, she knew her daughter was about to cry

Derek wrapped his arms around them, never wanting to let go

…

The next day Meredith was dedicated to get as much done as possible, she didn't wanna complain as today no one would have to be reminded of the bad.. something she felt she had caused..

"Mom? What are you doing?" Charlotte asked confused as she shuffled inside and saw Meredith on her laptop.

"Just arranging some stuff." Meredith muttered and closed her laptop. "How did you sleep?"

Charlotte took a seat next to her mom, leaning into her. "I don't know."

"I'm sorry honey." Meredith sighed and softly rubbed the girl's back

"Mom, this isn't your fault!" Charlotte was slightly upset by her mom apologizing

"So.. What should we do today?" Meredith asked, changing the topic

"Aren't nana and poppa coming?" Charlotte frowned as she was slightly confused

"They are, but I thought maybe it'd be boring sitting at home." Meredith shrugged

"Mom, you need to rest, you heard Bailey!" Charlotte was getting slightly annoyed

"I will rest." Meredith sighed. "Just.. I want you to enjoy this weekend.." Meredith insisted

"I will, I just wanna be around you." The little girl muttered softly

"Hey girls, breakfast is ready." Derek walked towards them

They both got up and walked up to the kitchen where they sat down. There was an awkward silence, neither of them knowing what to say until Meredith grabbed her stomach

"Are you okay?" Derek immediately started to get worried

"Yes." Meredith nodded, trying not to curl up into a ball

"Are you sure? Can I do anything?" Derek hovered over her

"No. I said I'm fine." Meredith moaned in discomfort

"Maybe you should go lay down? We can have breakfast on the couch.." Charlotte softly suggested

"That's good." Meredith nodded, a tear escaping her eye

"Let me help you up." Derek said and felt her leaning onto him. "We'll have a relaxed day, just all of us together." He kissed her cheek softly and tenderly

"I actually wanted to go see Alex before everyone would come over." Meredith muttered, laging down onto the couch, she curled up completely

"I don't think it's a smart idea right now." Derek was worried sick about his wife

"I can't just not tell him. He's my best friend." Meredith sighed, struggling to stay very alert as the amount of pain was overwhelming her

"Can I call him and ask him to come here?" Derek asked

"Hmm.." Meredith nodded, swallowing her meds she had gotten from Bailey

Charlotte cuddled into her mom's side, really feeling the need to love and comfort her

Derek called Alex, he jumped into the car right away as he heard how serious Derek had sound

A while later Alex arrived but Meredith was still not feeling well on the couch but she pushed through, sending Charlotte and Derek away for a shower and to get privacy with Alex

"Hey, is everything okay with Shep? He sounded worried!" Alex plopped down on the couch, almost making Meredith wince in pain

"Alex, I gotta talk to you." Meredith started, moving a little closer to grab his hand. "I got stomach cancer, stage 2. Bailey thinks all will be fine after chemo treatments, the tumor would shrink so they can cut it out." Meredith told him

"Wait? You got cancer?" Alex gasped. "What the hell are you even doing here now? Aren't you supposed to rest? Are you okay?" He freaked out

Meredith was the closest thing he had to a sister, for many years she was his only family and vice versa

"I'm fine, and I'm taking it easy, I had my central line placed yesterday." She told him sadly

"Why didn't you page me? I'd have done it!" Alex said sternly

"Bailey did it, Mark closed up." Meredith quickly showed him as she had been hiding it underneath an oversized sweater, she hated how it looked, it actually made her look ill

"Oh Mer-" He pulled her in for a hug, holding her tight. He felt some tears slipping down his own cheeks as Meredith softly sobbed in his arms

"I needed to tell you.. I'm sorry." Meredith muttered

"Don't apologize. Can I do anything for you?" Alex asked her, feeling useless

"No, all is fine, just.. I'm worried about Charlie." Meredith admitted

"I'll suggest taking her out soon. Maybe she needs a day with uncle Alex." He tried to make Meredith smile

"Yeah." Meredith nodded while Alex dried her tears. "Everyone's coming in a bit.. since.. you know." Meredith muttered

"I'll go say bye to Charlie and Shep and then I'll leave the three of you on your own before your whole family bursts inside." Alex hugged her once more

"Thanks for coming.." Meredith muttered

"I'll call you tonight, okay?" He asked

"Okay.." Meredith nodded