I'm still standing

47

It had been a few days since Ellis' birthday party and Zola had come for a visit with Riley. After a bit, Meredith had to go rest for a while as she didn't feel very well that morning

"D-Der" Meredith was calling out for her husband the past 5 minutes "F-Fuck" She muttered as her limbs started jerking

"Mom?" Zola walked in

"G-Get-" She struggled "D-Dad"

Zola nodded and went to get her dad

"Mer, what's happening?" He ran in

"C-Couldn't- I" She stuttered

"Shh, it's okay" Derek held her limbs from jerking in the air

"Y-Yelling.. Y-You" She struggled as her eyes closed

"Mer, stay with me" Derek kissed her head

"T-Tired" She muttered

"I know, shh" Derek pulled her body in his arms while trying not to hurt her

"M-My s-stomach" She whispered

"Shh, you have no temp, you will be just fine" Derek cuddled her in his arms until she whimpered before she threw up all over herself "It's okay. Let's go clean you up" He lifted her into his arms and walked her to the bathroom

He placed her down in her large shower chair that could support her body and started to undress her while she whimpered

"Do you feel like you have to throw up more?" Derek asked

"Y-Yeah" She whimpered

"Let's change you into a new sweater first, grab a bucket and once you feel better you can take a shower" He said and cleaned her face and changed her shirt

Derek quickly ran out and grabbed her a bucket which he sat down on the ground as he rubbed her arm which made the whimpering stop

"Okay?" He asked

"Hmm.." She groaned as she closed her eyes

"Hey, hey! I know you're tired but stay awake for a bit longer. Let's get you a warm shower" He kissed her forehead and wheeled her into the shower once the water had the right temperature

"L-Like it" She smiled softly

"I know you do. You can enjoy it as long as you want. I'll grab your toothbrush first" Derek smiled and started brushing her teeth

"M-Much better" She softly smiled but started gagging again

Derek turned off the water, laid a towel over her and helped her in a position she could throw up

"It's okay" He gently rubbed her back

"B-Better" She sighed

"Let's turn on the water again so we can get you clean" Derek kissed her forehead and washed her body gently

When they were done, he dried her off, put on some sweats and wheeled her back to their room

"You should rest in bed, it's probably just a stomach flu" He kissed her forehead

"G-Good.." She sighed "C-Can you s-stay?" She quietly asked

"I wouldn't wanna leave your side at this moment" He replied with a smile even if he knew she could choke in her own vomit if she was laying on her back while being alone

"T-Tired" She whispered

"I know" Derek gently and softly rubbed her back as she was trying to fall asleep "Just sleep"

"Yeah" She sighed before soft snores escaped her mouth

Derek had to fight back sobs as he thought about his wife being sick on top of everything. He enjoyed every second of her in his arms

A while pas passes, Zola had brought him some lunch, Meredith already had her nutrients and it seems as if she was doing better until she woke up and started whimpering again

"D-Der"

"Is it your stomach? Do you feel like throwing up again?" He asked

"Y-Yeah" She muttered as Derek helped her sit up against his chest with the bucket in front of her as he helped to support her neck "I-It hurts"

"Your stomach?" He asked as he rubbed her back

"Uhu" She nodded

"It's okay" He rubbed her back

Meredith gagged a few times but didn't throw up anymore. She was laying in Derek's arms, her head on his chest, her body covered in layers of blankets

"Do you wanna try to get up?" He asked as he knew she would be in extra pain

"T-Tired" She groaned as she closed her eyes again

"That's okay" Derek whispered and brushed his hand through her hair "You can go to sleep honey" He whispered and started hearing her snores again. Derek decided to close his eyes as well for a bit

...

Hours later, a bit before dinner, Derek woke up because of Meredith

"D-Derek" She whispered

"Hi" He opened his eyes and turned around so she could see him better

"Can we sit outside for a bit?" Meredith asked

Derek pulled out his phone and checked the time and the weather "After dinner sounds good to you?" He smiled

"Perfect" She smiled back softly

"Let's get ready for dinner. Nena's cooking today" He announced and got out of bed. As he wanted to pick up Meredith, his back protested from picking her up

"Der, you o-okay?" She frowned concerned

"Just my back" He said as he put his hands on his back "Can I get someone to help?" He asked

"Y-Yeah" Meredith whispered, barely even noticeable

She watched Derek leave the room as he left the door open a bit. He returned a couple of minutes later with Ellis

"Mom, is it okay if I try and help dad?" She carefully asked while Derek's heart broke at another, barely noticeable, 'yeah'

"Can you grab mom's legs? But grab them at her knees if you can" Derek showed her and so they did

Meredith felt humiliated that her daughter had to help, that her husband's back hurted because of her endless transfers and Derek could see it. He pulled her out of her thoughts and tried to make her smile again and it worked. Just the two of them looking out of the window could make her smile for now