Derek didn't know how long he had let himself stay sitting on the floor in the hallway outside Meredith's room. After sobbing until his body had nothing left to give, he had quietly picked himself off the cold floor and found a chair not too far away. He then sat back down and just stared straight ahead, trying to figure out how he was going to get through this.
His thoughts were interrupted by the clicking of expensive heels on the sterile hard ground. He shifted his tired eyes to the approaching woman and was met with compassionate green ones. Addison took the empty seat next to her ex husband and stayed quiet, letting him take the lead.
Derek let out a frustrated sigh and sat up, running both hands through his disheveled hair. He turned towards Addison and shook his head.
"It's... It's almost surreal. Meredith's alive. She's been alone and scared not knowing who she was. Thinking she didn't have anyone in this world who cared about her, who loved her." He shook his head again, almost not believing it all himself. Derek went on, his voice shaky now, "All these years. All this time, I thought I was the victim. When the only victim has been Meredith and...."
His voice cracked and he had to swallow a few times before he could go on. "Did you know I have a daughter? Meredith and I have a daughter." He corrected himself. Derek had a far away look in his eyes. The sorrow had been replaced with wonder and awe. He looked back at Addison. "Her name is Hanna." He smiled a small smile, the reality still hard to believe.
Addison smiled and nodded back at her ex-husband. It was so good to see him smile. "Yes, Derek I know. She's absolutely beautiful." Addison felt her heart quicken. Children were something that Derek had always dreamt of, but something Addison had never been willing to give.
Derek's eyes brightened in surprise. "You've seen her?"
Before Addison could answer, Burke walked up and interrupted the two good friends. "Shepherd, we really need to discuss that other matter I mentioned."
Derek looked back at Preston and shook his head disbelief. "Yes Burke, I would say so. A tiny piece of information like, I have a daughter might have been helpful with the whole stay professional act everyone is so determined to keep." Derek spoke sarcastically, but they all knew his anger wasn't with anyone but himself.
"So you know." Was the only reply Burke could think of.
"I know." Derek echoed.
The dark that had returned to Derek's eyes quickly disappeared and was replaced with a faint flicker of light. "Where is she?" He looked up into both Addison and Burke's face. He suddenly looked a little younger than he had in months, a new expression of hopefulness resting on his features.
Addison and Preston exchanged a glance that Derek couldn't read.
"What? What is it?" Derek was suddenly worried again.
Preston sat on the other side of Derek, opposite Addison. He took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose, something he found himself doing a lot lately. "Derek" he started slowly, "Hanna was admitted last night to the Pediatric Ward for malnourishment." Preston paused and waited to see how the fragile man would take the news.
Derek rocked back and tears stung his eyes. He shook his head and thought it crazy. He had only learned he was a father minutes ago and here he was, worried out of his mind for his little girl. His heart ached and he vowed he would do everything in his power to take care of her. To protect her. To make sure no one would ever hurt his innocent child. Paternal feelings flowed through his mind and body that he didn't know he had.
He just nodded at Burke and asked, "Can I see her?"
"Of course, of course. I just wanted to warn you about her condition and also, Derek, there's something else." Burke thought it best if he warned Derek first.
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Out of the Darkness
FanfictionMeredith disappeared and left Derek a dark, broken man. Everyone had assumed Meredith had left to escape her problems. Did Meredith really make the decision to leave? Or did something else happen that was out of everyones control? This takes place y...