"It's the body that lets the lungs scar, leading to a double lung transplant. There's 60% chance that the body will scar again after about 20-30 years but there's still no evidence found on why it happens" Ellis spoke during a conference

"Thank you, doctor Ellis Grey-Shepherd" the speaker of the event said

Ellis, mostly called Ellie left the stage and walked backstage

"You.. were amazing" Meredith smiled, slightly out of breath from clapping

"Thanks mom" Ellis smiled and rubbed her mom's back

"Are we still going for dinner?" A now grey haired Derek asked

"I'm starving" Ellis giggled and rubbed her 6 months pregnant belly "Luke is meeting us at the restaurant with Eliza. I just need to pack some stuff and I'm ready to go"

"Zo's.. coming too" Meredith smiled

"We'll be reunited" Ellis smiled and grabbed her mother's hand "Are you okay, mom?"

Meredith nodded and smiled. Her youngest daughter just spoke about IPF. The disease that changed a lot for them about 25 years ago and has returned a bit over a year ago, leaving Meredith with a nasal cannula at the age of 70

"I'm proud.. of you.. of all.. of you" She slightly coughed

"I love you mom" Ellis smiled and kissed Meredith's cheek

"Now.. let's go" Meredith stood up with the help of both Derek and Ellis. They grabbed Ellis' stuff and got into the car. Meredith and Derek sat in the back, Meredith's head was resting on Derek's shoulder while she was taking a short nap, being exhausted after the event. They made their way to the restaurant and slowly walked inside

"Look who's waddling into the room" Bailey laughed and wrapped his arms around his youngest sister

Zola quickly followed and rubbed her hand over Ellis' belly before helping her parents take a seat

"Nana? Can I have a dessert?" Little Eliza asked

"Of course" Meredith smiled and Eliza climbed next to Meredith and laid her head on Meredith's chest

"Of course she asks her nana" Luke, Ellis' husband laughs

"Nana never says no" Bailey laughed

"Oh, but wait till your 2 boys are old enough to call for nana" Ellis laughed

"How're they doing?" Derek asked

"They're great! It's a bit sad that Katie had that funeral and I couldn't attend but they will be back in a couple of days" Bailey smiled

"Still unbelievable that you had twins" Zola laughed

"Still unbelievable how we pulled through it! Thanks to all of you!" Bailey smiled

"What about you, Zo? When's that wedding of yours?" Luke asked

"We think in about 4 months. Archie and I really wanna do it during summer" Zola smiled and looked at Meredith

"I'm not.. going anywhere" Meredith smiled but started to wheeze a bit

"Let me adjust a bit more oxygen, mom. It will be better in a bit" Ellis immediately jumped up and helped Meredith

"Thanks.. baby" Meredith smiled and grabbed Ellis' hand

"Mom, stop talking for a bit. It will be better soon" Ellis kissed Meredith's forehead and felt a couple of strong kicks "Your granddaughter is giving me a hard time" Ellis smiled and placed both her and Meredith's hand on her belly

Meredith smiled widely, remembering her first grandchild that was born only 4 years ago when she was still healthy

...

"We have so much luck" Derek said as he and Meredith laid in bed together. She was laying in his arms, breathing heavy but steady. Her coughings had just stopped and this time there was no blood

A bit over a week ago, right after Zola's wedding and the birth of little Emma, Meredith coughed up some blood. Derek went into panic mode and immediately called for an ambulance but they only got told that it's been progressing a lot more lately. If Meredith was lucky they might find her a new pair of lungs but chances are small, even smaller than the first time

"I.. love.. you" She whispered, taking a couple of minutes to breathe in all the air that she could take

Derek pulled her closer to his body, trying to keep her warm as she was always cold these days

"How.. Ellie?" Meredith asked from underneath the oxygen mask

"She called when you were napping this afternoon. Emma is doing great and Eliza adores her" Derek laughed

"Good.. they.. need help?"

"Zola's been helping her this week with bringing Eliza to daycare" Derek replied, his fingers brushing through Meredith's hair "They're bringing Eliza tomorrow"

"Zo.. take it.. slow" Meredith whispered

"I told her too but her OB apparently told her everything was okay but she'll go on maternity leave at about 32 weeks"

"Good.." Meredith breathed

Derek held her closer for a couple of minutes and changed to a nasal cannula when Meredith stopped wheezing

"I really... wanna meet.. her little one" Meredith smiled

"You will. I'm sure you will" Derek whispered as Meredith started shivering "Are you okay?" He asked

"Cold" She muttered

"Let's change that" Derek wrapped her close in the blanket and kissed her forehead

"Do you remember when Zola had cutted Bailey's hair?" Derek started telling an old story

This was Meredith's favourite thing. Even though she's here with IPF, she can cope with it. It's no alzheimers, she still remembers every single one from her family. She won't die alone and remembering all these memories make her realize how blessed they have been in all these years

- The End -