"Grey, Shepherd. I need you to fly out for a VIP consult" Bailey said

"When?" Meredith asked

"I want you to leave this evening" Bailey told them

"Bailey, we're sorry but it's too late to book a hotel and arrange someone who can fly with us to take care of the kids and we can't leave them here for more than a few days. You know why one of us stays home" Meredith told her

"Can't you ask Amelia instead of me?" Derek suggested

"They asked for you and I'm your boss" Bailey told them

"Bailey, we can't leave Ellis alone for more than one night!" Meredith said with a bit of anger in her voice. She knew it wasn't the easiest situation but it wasn't too hard to understand, right? Her 5 year old daughter suffered brain damage when Meredith was giving birth

"Grey, what about your sisters?" Bailey suggested

"I.. Derek?" Meredith whispered, feeling bad for even considering work before her kids

"Mer.. They'll be fine with Maggie and Amy.." Derek whispered

Meredith seemed to hesitate. She had no idea what to do and seemed to zone out for a bit "Okay" She whispered a bit later when Bailey and Derek were already talking about the practical things about their consult

"Okay" Bailey sighed relieved. "So you're gonna fly to LA and you'll meet there with Catherine Avery, she'll give you the rest of the info you'll need. So far I know it's a 62 year old male-" Bailey kept telling but Meredith was lost in thoughts.

'Am I a bad mother now? Am I Ellis?" All these crazy thoughts went through her head and she walked out of Bailey's office and went to her own. She sat down and paged Alex

"Hi, Mer! You alright?" Alex asked once he walked in

"Bailey wants me to fly to LA to do a consult with Derek" She sighed

"And now you have no one to come with you for the kids? Mer, I really wanna come but I can't-"

"I know, Alex.." She sighed "But if they stay home.. Could you take them for a night? Or well, sleep at our house? Ellis really wants her own bed and her words and-"

"Mer, Of course" Alex interrupted her

"Thanks" She whispered back "I'm gonna make a list and.. do you think I'm a bad mother because I'm going?" Meredith asked with vulnerability she never shows

"Of course not, Mer. This is you caring. Not wanting to go, making lists,.. don't beat yourself up for this" Alex grabbed her hand as she started to panic slightly

"I don't know Alex.. I don't want my kids to hate me like I hated my mother" Meredith told him

"Mer, they love you and Derek! Please, don't you ever doubt that" Alex said with a frown

"I'm gonna go home and prepare everything, I-"

"Mer, you go home and I'll get the kids from school" Alex told her

"Thanks, Derek should be home in the afternoon, he had a surgery that couldn't be delayed" Meredith told him

"Go, Mer" Alex smiled softly and she grabbed her stuff and left.

It felt weird taking the ferry without the kids and knowing she wouldn't be here for a few days

When she arrived home, she immediately started packing for Derek and herself. Qhe packed some formal clothes, pajamas and a comfy outfit, she typed out the list for the kids', especially Ellis', needs.

She went downstairs and placed the luggage next to the front door and started prepping some snacks for the kids for when they will arrive home. She made a fruit salad for them and placed the bowls on the coffee table and waited till Alex and the kids would arrive home

It didn't take long till Bailey and Zola ran into the house, followed by Alex who was carrying a fuzzy Ellis. Meredith stood up and took Ellis in her arms, being thankful that she's very petite.

"Here, let's sit down, baby. Let's eat your snack" Meredith said as she sat down on the couch between Bailey and Zola. She handed the bowl and the kids spoon to Ellis and she started eating.

She needed a bit help from her mother as she became tired and Meredith helped her with spooning up the food and bringing it to her mouth

"You're doing great" Meredith whispered in Ellis' ear and the little girl giggled

"Hey, I'm home!" Derek yelled as he entered the house

"D-ddy" Ellis clapped

"Daddy!" Bailey and Zola yelled and ran towards him

"Hi guys" He said as he hugged them close. He walked towards Meredith and Ellis who were still sitting on the couch and kissed Ellis' head "Hi, baby girl" He smiled "Hi Mer" He said before kissing her lips

"Okay guys. Daddy and I need to go to work tonight but you'll be staying with uncle Alex. We have a patient far away so we need to take the plane" Meredith explained

Ellis stretched out her arms like a plane to show she understood what her parents were telling her. Bailey's eyes grew wide, he loved planes.

"So you guys are gonna stay with uncle Alex today and tomorrow after school, aunties Maggie and Amy will come get you

"How long will you be gone?" Zola asked

"3 days" Derek sighed as he looked at Meredith, seeing how much this hurts her

"That's long" Bailey whispered

"We'll be back very soon" Derek assured him

"N-ooo! ong! Ma, da, l-ong!" Ellis started to scream and cry

"Hey, baby girl. You're gonna be just fine. We're gonna call you twice a day!" Meredith said as she cuddled the little girl even tighter

"N-oo!" She kept crying

"Ellie, we're gonna be okay. Bailey and I will be here with you" Zola grabbed Ellis' hand

Ellis started to stop crying, only sobbing a bit. It seemed as she was thinking about this, realising she wouldn't be alone

"Kay" Ellis whispered "M-ommy" She said as she crawled closer into Meredith's arms

"Come here guys" Meredith stretched her arms to let the other kids join them "I love you and call us if there's anything"