Ghosts

Letter a Grey-Sloan Memorial

Maya walked into her mother's room to see her father standing there. " Finally! It took you forever! You were to busy beeing a slut?"

Maya clinched her jaw. " I just came from a 24 hours ride after a week fighting a wildfire so I was sleeping.Mom how are you feeling?"

Katherine looked at her daughter. " Sore. They said I need sergury for my right leg and the left will need a cast for months. I was on the side walk and a car run over me. Probably drunk. "

Was than that Amelia walked in. " Firefighter Barbie I come to run a neuro check on your mom. "

Lane crossed his arms. " So you quit a Olympic carrer to be a "firefighter Barbie?" That is-"

Amelia cut him off. " Don't mind me Mr. Bishop. I like to give my friends nicknames. Mrs Bishop fallow the light for me. "

After Amelia was done with the exam she turned to Maya and Lane. " Her CT is clear but she definitely has a concussion. Dr. Linkin will be here shortly to talk to you about the sergury."

Lane looked from Maya to Amelia. " I didn't know doctors waisted their time hanging out with smoke eaters "

Amelia rolled her eyes. " We have no problems making friends with people who also save life's. Besides Maya is best friends with my sister-in-law to be so she is like family. "

Katherine looked up at Maya. " Andy is still your best friend? "

Maya nodded. " Yes. You remember her Lane? "

Lane shallowed hard. The last time he saw Andy he ended up with a broken arm. " So your guard dog is marrying Dr. Sheapard brother?"

Amélia shook her head. "Hell no. Andy would be to smart for that. She is marrying my older sister from my mother's side. I bet you don't want to be at Andy's bed side so be nice to your daughter. Maya I will be in my office if you need me. "

Maya watched as Amelia left the room, a subtle tension lingering in the air. Lane stood there, arms crossed, clearly not happy with the conversation.

Katherine, despite her injuries, gave her husband a tired look. "You never could accept Andy, could you?" She is a great friend to our daughter. "

Maya smirked at Lane. " Mom he doesn't like Andy because first she is not white and second she kicked his as when he showed up at my apartment and tried to hit me. Losing a fight to a woman hurt is ego and well you married a racist preak. Well Mom I'm sure the hospital staff will take good care of you. I'm really tired so I will see you when you are relised. "

Maya walked out of the room without another word.

Instead of going home she went to Carina's apartment. As soon as she walked in her girlfriend pulled her into her arms. " Hi bella. "

Maya melted into Carina's embrace. " Hi. My dad was as pleasant as a root canal with no anesthesia. "

Carina chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from Maya’s face as she guided her to the couch. "I can only imagine. What happened this time?" she asked, her tone gentle.

Maya sighed and sank into the cushions, letting her head rest on Carina's shoulder. "He was just… being himself. Criticizing my life choices, especially about Andy or me being a firefighter. Amelia use Andy's name to treat him. Let's say Lane's last meeting with Andy didn't went well for him. "

Carina eyes winded. " What exactly happened?"

Maya looked down to the ground. " He hit me. Andy walked in and well she is as good as fighting people as she is at fighting fires. "

Carina's arms tightened around Maya at the revelation. "He hit you?" she asked, her voice a mix of concern and disbelief. "Maya, you never told me that. What happened?"

Maya bit her lip, trying to hold back the emotions threatening to break through. "It wasn’t the first time, but it was the last. Andy was there when it happened... We were probies at the 19. He showed up to my apartment after money. Andy and I were supposed to have a movie night and she had the key. So she saw him hitting me and she kicked his ass" Maya paused, her voice quivering slightly. "And that’s why Dad hates her so much. She’s everything he can’t stand—strong, independent, and... not afraid of him."

Carina’s heart ached as she heard the pain in Maya’s voice. She gently cupped Maya’s face, lifting it so they were eye to eye. "I’m so sorry, bella. You didn’t deserve any of that. No one should make you feel like you’re not enough or try to hurt you."

Maya nodded, her tears threatening to spill. "I don't even know why I still try to fix things with him... He’s never going to change." She let out a shaky breath. "I thought maybe he'd be different now that I’m older, but he's still the same... Just finding ways to tear me down."

Carina wiped away a stray tear from Maya’s cheek, her voice soft but steady. "You don't need to fix him, Maya. You never did. You’re your own person now, and you don’t owe him anything. "

Maya leaned in, resting her head against Carina’s chest. "I know... But sometimes, it feels like no matter what I do, I can't escape the shadow of who he wants me to be."

Carina kissed the top of Maya's head, her fingers gently stroking through Maya’s hair. "You’re not that person anymore, and you don’t need to live in his shadow. You’re strong, Maya, and you’ve built your own life. You are your own person. And amazing beautiful person. "

Maya sniffed, finally allowing herself to relax into Carina’s embrace, feeling the weight of the last few days lift just a little. "Thanks, Carina. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

Carina smiled softly, pressing a kiss to Maya’s forehead. "You’ll never have to find out." She paused, then added, " Let's me get you to bed I know you are exhausted. "

Later at Meredith and Andy's home

They were snuggling in bed with the kids. " Aunt Andy now that you and Mom are going to get married you are really moving here for good?"  Zola asked.

Andy nodded. " Yes. This is going to be my home too. For good."

Ellis eyes winded. " Are you guys going to make a babe?"

Andy exchange looks with Meredith. " Not soon but when you guys get other it's a possibility. "

Bailey snuggled into Andy. " And after you and mama get married are you going to become our mom? Because you are already like a mom you read us stories and you pack our lanches and you loves us right?"

Andy couldn't help but cry. " I love you guys more than anything in the entire world. "

Meredith ran her fingers through Andy's hair. " If that is what you all want Andy can be your mom and you don't even have to wait for the weeding. "

Zola's eyes light up. " I want you to be your mom but if we call you both mom or mommy is going to be confusing. "

Bailey looked up at Andy. " Andy can be Mami like in Spanish. "

Ellis clash her hands. " Mami Andy!"

Andy smiled through her tears, feeling overwhelmed by the love and acceptance the kids were offering. "Mami Andy," she repeated softly, the nickname making her heart swell. "I like that."

Meredith chuckled softly, brushing a lock of hair from Andy's face. "I think it sounds perfect."

Zola beamed. "Mami Andy!" she repeated, her excitement filling the room.

Bailey snuggled closer, her voice serious for a moment. "Mami , will you always be here?"

Andy looked down at the little girl, her heart full. "Yes, Bailey, I'll always be here."

Ellis, not wanting to be left out, piped up, "And you love us forever?"

"Always," Andy whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She pressed a kiss to Ellis' forehead. "I love you all forever, all of you."

Meredith squeezed Andy’s hand, the bond between them growing stronger by the second. " We love you so much princesa. Te amamos mucho. "

The room fell into a comfortable silence as the kids, now content, drifted off to sleep, their gentle breathing the only sound in the room. Andy lay there, holding Meredith close, feeling a peace she hadn’t known in years. This was home—her home, their home.

Back to Carina's apartment

Maya was running her fingers through Maya's hair as the blond lied in he arms. " What are you going to do when your mom is out of the hospital?"

Maya took a deep breath. " I will have to move back home for a while both her legs are broken. No nurse will put up with my dad so it has to be me. "

Carina frowned slightly, gently tracing circles on Maya's arm. "I wish there was something I could do to help. You shouldn't have to take on all of that responsibility by yourself."

Maya smiled softly, appreciating the concern but shaking her head. "It's what I have to do, Carina. I can't leave her alone, especially with how... unpredictable Lane can be. I can have people coming when I'm at shift but as I know no one will stand him for to long I will never be able to get people 24\7."

Carina kissed Maya's forehead gently. "You're so strong, bella. But I also know how much this situation drains you. You don’t have to carry it all on your own. I’m here for you, always."

Maya closed her eyes, her heart warmed by Carina’s words, but the weight of the responsibility still lingered. "I appreciate that more than you know. I just wish things were different. But I'll do what I have to. She’s my mom."

There was a long pause before Carina spoke again. "You deserve peace too, Maya. You’ve already been through so much. When everything calms down, we’ll figure out how to get you some time to breathe, okay?"

Maya nodded, her eyes still closed as she allowed herself to melt into Carina’s embrace. "Yeah, I’d like that."

Back to Andy's and Meredith's place

Meredith and Andy were snuggling in the couch as kids played with Lego's.  

Andy rested her head on Meredith's shoulder as she watched the kids play the doctor ran her fingers through Andy's hair. " Are you okay princesa?"

Andy kissed Meredith's jaw. " Right now I am. Everything is better when I'm with you guys. "

Meredith kissed Andy's cheek. " I'm glad to hear that my love. "

Was than Ellis jumped on Andy's lap. " Mami cuddles!"

Andy hugged her youngest. " You can have as much cuddles as you want pequeña. "

Ellis giggled, nestling into Andy’s lap as she melted into the warmth of her embrace. Bailey and Zola, watching with smiles, soon followed suit, climbing onto the couch to join in the cuddle pile. Andy's heart swelled as she looked at the children, their innocent joy filling the room.

"All the cuddles," Andy murmured, pressing a kiss to Ellis' hair. "

Meredith smiled at the scene. Was than that the bell rung and Andy went o awnser was her father. 

"I don't want to talk to you right now. You lied to me my whole life. God I joined the department because I wanted to be a firefighter like her! You even had a fucking memorial picture of her on the Station wall! You made up a heroic story about her going onto a fire while out of duty to save a kid! You - I don't even know who you are !"

Andy stood in the doorway, her chest rising and falling with deep, furious breaths. Pruitt Herrera looked at his daughter, his face worn with regret, but he still had that firm, authoritative stance that had defined their relationship for so long.

"Andy," he started, his voice rough. "I—"

"No." Andy held up a hand, cutting him off. "You don't get to talk first. You don’t get to walk in here like nothing happened, like you didn’t spend my whole life making me believe a lie." Her voice cracked, but she clenched her fists, pushing through. "You let me grieve a mother who was alive. You let me become a firefighter because I wanted to honor her memory. And all this time, she was out there."

Pruitt exhaled sharply. "I did it to protect you."

Andy let out a bitter laugh. "That’s your excuse? That’s your answer to everything, isn’t it? You controlled me, you manipulated me, and now, after everything, you expect me to just accept it?"

Meredith appeared behind Andy, resting a hand on the small of her back. "Andy, maybe—"

"No," Andy said again, shaking her head. She turned back to her father, her eyes blazing. "Do you even understand what you did to me? How it feels to realize that everything I thought I knew about my own life was a lie? I feel like I don't even know who I am anymore!"

Pruitt's shoulders sagged slightly. "I never wanted to hurt you."

Andy clenched her jaw, her eyes stinging. "Well, congratulations, Dad. You did."

The silence between them was thick, suffocating.

Pruitt looked past Andy, his gaze landing on Meredith. "Meredith." His voice was stiff.

Meredith raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond, staying firmly at Andy’s side.

Pruitt sighed and turned back to his daughter. "I know you don’t want to hear this, but I love you, Andy. Everything I did—right or wrong—I did because I thought it was best for you."

Andy swallowed hard, her whole body tense. "Well, you thought wrong. Would have been natter not to grow up to a lie. Would have been better if I had the change to process my mom's abandonment. Would have been better to know the truth. Wouldn't have been better if the only parent I have haven't betrayed me. "

She took a step back, gripping the door. "I don’t know when—if—I’ll be ready to talk to you again. But right now? I don’t want to see you."

Pruitt hesitated, then gave her a small nod. "I’ll wai for as long as it takes," he said simply before turning and walking away.

Andy watched him go, her heart pounding, her emotions a tangled mess inside her.

Meredith gently guided her inside, shutting the door. "Come here," she murmured, pulling Andy into her arms.

Andy let herself be held, burying her face in Meredith’s shoulder. "I don’t even know how to feel right now," she admitted, her voice muffled.

"You don’t have to figure it out all at once," Meredith said softly, running her fingers through Andy’s hair. "Just know that I’m here. Always."

Andy exhaled shakily, nodding. "I know."

She wasn’t okay. Not yet. But standing there, wrapped in Meredith’s arms, she knew she wasn’t alone. And for now, that was enough.