Season 11 Merder

2

They both woke up in the morning, and without a word began getting the kids ready. "Okay, zozo, bails, Uncle Alex is going to pick you both up and bring you to daycare." Meredith said.

Bailey sat in his high chair, eating away and Zola sat at the counter. "Okay mommy." Zola said with a grin. "Why aren't you and daddy coming?" She asked as Derek came in the kitchen from the shower.

"Mommy and daddy have some stuff to do." Derek replied for her. "Okay." Zola replied.

Everyone looked as dereks phone started ringing. "I'll be right back." He said as he grabbed the phone and went into the bedroom.

"Dr Shepherd speaking." Derek said. He knew it was the NIH. "Dr Shepherd, this is Anne again. The president has asked to inform you that you will need to make a decision - work here in DC or home and at another job permanently. We can't have you traveling back and forth." Anne explained.

Derek frowned. "Why not?" He asked.

"The president didnt give a reason. He just said that. We will need a decision by tomorrow, he was very adamant about it." She replied.

"A day? Just one day?" Derek asked in shock. "Yes. Are you still planning on coming down this afternoon?" She questioned.

Derek sighed. "I don't know." He admitted. "Well, I'd suggest coming. President Obama asked to speak with you personally." Anne said.

"Okay. I-I don't know yet." Derek said.

"I don't mean to budge, but didn't you and your wife already decide to move here?" Anne asked. "I gotta go. I'll let you know if I'm coming today." Derek snapped before hanging up the phone.

He composed himself and casually went back into the kitchen, to find them kids gone and Meredith cleaning the dishes.

"Who was that?" Meredith asked, the first words they've communicated all day. "The NIH." Derek replied, sitting on the couch.

"Oh." She breathed.

"They've asked me to make a decision. It's either move there permanently to work there or stay here and work at Grey Sloan." Derek explained.

"That's...that's a big ask." Meredith said.

"I know. Can you just tell me why you don't want to move? I want to know why exactly and hear your side of this." Derek asked.

"I grew up here. I made my family here. Like I said yesterday, I refuse to pack it all up and move. I understand it's what you want, and I want you to be happy, but it's not what I want. I'm not saying it's all about me, we compromise on a lot, but this is a big ask of me." Meredith explained.

"I get that, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. You can do everything you can do here in DC." Derek argued.

"But this isn't just leaving Seattle for me. It's leaving something more than rhat. Derek, I literally grew ip here. I've been through so much here, we've been through so much here. I survived a bomb, a drowning. My best friend died here. I almost died giving birth. It's so much more than a state to me, Derek." She said.

Derek contemplated this for a moment. "I don't know what to do here, Mer. This job...it's what I've always wanted to do."

"Well is it worth losing your family? Because the truth is I don't see us working it out if you move all of us to DC. I won't be happy." Meredith said. It was the harsh reality that Derek needed to hear.

"Nothings worth losing my family. I won't lose my family." Derek said thickly. "Then you need to make a choice, Derek. I understand you want to go here. I understand it's your dream. But asking me and the kids to move and leave my hometown is a lot. I am staying here, regardless of whether you move or not. I love you, and this is your decision. Not mine." Meredith said.

Derek thought for a few minutes in silence. "Fine. I won't move to DC. I'll turn the job down. Nothing is worth losing my family." He said sadly.

"If that's your choice, then okay. But it's not my fault If you resent me for it. And for your sake, I hope you don't. Because it's your decision." Meredith replied softly.

Derek nodded. "I need to call them." He said. "No. You need to think about this for a few hours. Weigh the options in your head. It's only 9, so make a final decision at noon." Meredith said sternly.

"Okay."

"Okay."

•••

Meredith went to their bedroom and laid on the bed while Derek sat on the couch. This was his decision, he knew that. But he felt wrong making it without her. She did give her opinion, but he really didn't know what to do.

"Is it worth losing your family?" Merediths voice rang in his ears.

No.

It wasn't worth losing his family at all. Meredith and their kids were his life.

So the answer was no. He was going to turn down the job. Sure, he would be sad, upset about it for a few days, but the consequences of his going would be too painful for him.

He was starting to understand why mereditj didn't want to go.  It was her home. It wasn't fair of her or the kids to move them all.

And it wasn't that he was unhappy. He just...wasn't the happiest he's ever been. So, he'll turn down the job. Staying with his family would be more important.

Derek got up and walked into their bedroom. It had only been about an hour, but he knew he was making the right decision.

"I'm not taking the job. Nothing is worth losing my family. You, zo, and Bailey are my life. This job...doesn't compare. I won't resent you, I promise. I understand why. I love you, Mer, and I don't ever want to lose you." Derek said.

Hey guys! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and hope your all doing well. Thanks for reading, and if you have any suggestions or ideas for future chapters, let me know!!