Chapter Text
The Grey-Sloan was about to close when someone put their arm up to hold the door than stepped in. Meredith didn't expect to see Andy. " Andy please not here-"
Andy cut her off. " Meredith you have been goshting me for weeks! I need to know where we stand. "
Meredith put her hand on her pregnant belly. " It's complicated. I'm pregnant with my ex-husband baby, I have three kids and you are so young..."
Andy took a deep breath. " I know all of that. And I still want to be with you. I love you Meredith. And I love your kids. I'm not asking you to marry me or to ask the kids to call me Mami. I'm just asking you to not give up on us."
Before Meredith could say anything the elevator lights went off.
loud CLANK echoes above them as the elevator grinds to a halt. The lights flicker once… twice… then go black.
For a moment, all Meredith and Andy can hear is the low hum of emergency power—and their own breathing.
A dim red glow from the emergency light kicks in, casting long shadows over their faces.
Meredith shook her head "Of course. Of course we get stuck in an elevator right now.
Andy half laught " Feels on brand for us."
Meredith crossed her arms " I'm nine months pregnant, stuck in a broken elevator, and you decide this is the time for a grand declaration?
Andy bit her lip. " I didn’t plan this, Mer. I just dropped a patient and saw you and… I couldn’t keep pretending like we don't mean anything. Well it may mean nothing to you-"
Meredith cut her off. " Of course I means something to me. That is why is so complicated. I ended relationship that was the center of my universe for over a decade and I'm pregnant with his babe- "
Meredith jaw clenched as she felt a contraction. Than she looked at the ground. Her water had just broke.
Andy’s eyes widened as she followed Meredith’s gaze to the small puddle forming beneath her. “Okay. Okay. That just happened,” she said, her voice tight with rising panic.
Meredith gripped the handrail, her jaw clenched through another wave of pain. “Of course it did,” she muttered between breaths. “Of course I’m going into labor. In a broken elevator. With you.”
Andy held up her hands, trying to stay calm. “I know I’m not exactly your OB, but I’ve delivered babies before"
Meredith let out a sharp breath. “W are stuck in a metal box with no signal, no medical supplies, and no epidural!”
Andy grabbed Meredith's hand. " I'm a firefighter and a paramedic, the best company you could have in this situation. "
Meredith let out a shaky breath, gripping Andy’s hand tighter as another contraction rippled through her.
"Okay, okay," Andy said quickly, her voice soft but steady now, the adrenaline kicking in. "We’ll get through this. Together."
Meredith gave her a glare through gritted teeth. “You better not pass out or start crying.”
Andy smirked, trying to lighten the mood. “I’ve been through burning buildings, Mer. I can handle one very angry, very pregnant surgeon.”
Another contraction hit. Meredith gasped, bending slightly and pressing her forehead against the elevator wall. “God, this is happening fast.”
Andy knelt beside her, steadying her with one hand on her lower back. “They usually do when it’s not your first. How far apart are the contractions?”
Meredith squeezed her eyes shut, trying to calculate through the pain. “Maybe… three minutes? I wasn’t really timing them—because I wasn’t planning to give birth in an elevator.”
Andy took a deep breath and nodded. “Okay. That means this baby is coming soon. We’ve got to make you as comfortable as possible.”
She scanned the small space. There wasn’t much to work with, just their clothes, the metal handrails, and that dim emergency light flickering above.
Andy stripped off her jacket and folded it into a makeshift pillow. “Come sit down. It’ll take some of the pressure off.”
Meredith looked like she wanted to argue but relented, slowly lowering herself to the elevator floor with Andy’s help.
Andy took a deep breath. " Okay there are two options here. We can deliver this baby here or I can claim up trough the elevator shalf to get help. "
Meredith grabbed Andy's hand. " You are not leaving me here and it's not safe for you go claim anywhere without equipment. "
Andy nodded. " Okay so we are doing this. I'm right here with you. You have done this before. I delivered babies before. Everything is going to be okay. "
Meredith bit her lip. " She is coming. I need start to push ."
Andy let go off Meredith hand. " I can she the head. You are doing fine mi amor. "
After a few more pushed the elevator was filled with a load cry. " She is perfect Mer. Just like you. "
Andy gave the baby to Meredith both woman had tears in her eyes. " She is so beautiful. Hi Ellis I'm your mom. "
Was than that the elevator stated working again. In a few seconds the door open to revel Carina. " Dio Mio Meredith! I told to come in earlier! You were lucky to have Andy with you. Give me the bambina, Andy take her to room one perfavore."
Andy carefully handed the baby over to Carina, who cradled little Ellis with practiced hands. Meredith looked torn, her arms aching to hold her daughter again even as her body trembled with exhaustion.
"She’s okay," Andy said gently, crouching beside Meredith again. "She’s with Carina. You did amazing."
Meredith blinked back tears, reaching for Andy’s hand. “Don’t let me go.”
Andy’s grip tightened. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Carina had already started briskly walking down the hallway with the baby in her arms. “Room one! Andy, subito! We need to check both of them!”
Andy scooped Meredith into her arms like it was the most natural thing in the world. Meredith didn’t protest—she was too tired, too overwhelmed, too in love with the tiny girl who had just come into the world and the woman holding her now.
As they moved through the halls of Grey Sloan, nurses parted to make way, staring in astonishment at the sight: a firefighter carrying the hospital’s chief of general surgery, both of them smeared in sweat and elevator grease, and a newborn being cradled by one of the best OBs in the state.
In Room One, Carina was already placing Ellis in a warmer, checking vitals. “She’s perfect,” Carina announced with a breath of relief. “Breathing well, strong heartbeat, good color.”
Andy carefully set Meredith down on the hospital bed, brushing sweaty strands of hair from her forehead." Do you want me to go?"
Meredith grabbed her hand. " No. I want you to stay. "
Carina handed Ellis to a nurse then looked back at Meredith. " Now I need to check on the Mama. "
The Italian stared to exame Meredith. " Everything is fine but next time listen to your OB. "
The nurse handed Meredith a now clean Ellis. " Hi little one. "
Andy smiled at the scene.
Once Meredith was settled Carina and the nurse walked out of the room. Meredith look up at Andy before speaking. " You will have to handle Derek and a new born babe that will keep you up when you stay over and-"
Andy cut her off with a kiss. " I know what the package is Mer. And I know you are scared to lose yourself but I promise you I will never want your life to revolve around me. I won't try to be the sun. Maybe I can be your northern star if you let me. "
Meredith blinked up at Andy, her heart racing for a very different reason now. The baby nestled against her chest let out a soft coo, grounding her in the moment.
"You’re really not scared?" Meredith asked quietly. “Of this chaos?”
Andy crouched beside the bed again, her hand gently brushing against Ellis’s tiny fist. “I’m terrified,” she admitted with a soft smile. “But walk into burning buildings for a living. I don't let fear stop me. "
Meredith smiled at Andy. " I need you to be patient with me. "
Andy nodded. " I will. I understand you have been trough a lot and I'm not going to pressure you into anything you are not ready for. I just need you to be honest with me. No ghosting, no hiding if it's to much just tell me. "
Meredith nodded slowly, the emotion thick in her throat. “Okay,” she whispered, tightening her grip on Andy’s hand. “No more ghosting. I promise.”
Andy leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, then one to Ellis’s downy head. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For giving us a chance”
They sat there in the soft hum of the hospital room, the chaos of the past hour slowly melting into a fragile kind of peace. Ellis was now asleep, nestled safely against Meredith’s chest, her tiny breaths warm against her mother’s skin.
Meredith closed her eyes for a moment, savoring the stillness. “You really would’ve climbed the elevator shaft, wouldn’t you?”
Andy chuckled. “Absolutely. Probably would’ve broken something in the process, but yeah.”
Meredith smirked, opening her eyes. “You’re an idiot.”
Andy grinned. “Yeah, but I’m your idiot.”
A soft knock on the door interrupted their moment as Amelia peeked in, wide-eyed and clearly flustered. “Uh… Carina told me you gave birth in an elevator?” She stepped inside, staring at the baby. “What the hell, Meredith?”
“I wasn’t planning on it,” Meredith muttered, clearly exhausted. “It just… happened.”
Amelia came closer, brushing a hand over Ellis’s tiny head. “She’s beautiful. But she wouldn't be born in a elevator if you had listen to Carina. So do you want me to call him?"
Meredith took a deep breath. " Let me handle him. You know how he has been with you. "
Amelia shook her head. " Mer you just gave birth to my niece in a elevator. Let me handle my idiotic brother. I promise I won't go get high just because he said something stupid. "
Meredith shook her head. " Amelia no jokes about your addiction please! "
Amelia's expression softened instantly, guilt flickering across her face. “You’re right. I’m sorry. Bad habit when I’m overwhelmed.”
Andy glanced between the sisters, sensing the tightrope they were walking. “It’s been a hell of a day for everyone,” she said gently. “Let’s maybe all just… take a breath.”
Meredith leaned back against the pillows, Ellis still curled on her chest, her tiny mouth opening in a yawn. “Fine. Call him,” she finally muttered. “But don’t tell him about the elevator.”
Amelia raised an eyebrow. “You just had a baby with your ex, and your current maybe-not-anymore ghosted maybe-girlfriend delivered it in a broken elevator. What exactly am I supposed to tell him?”
“Tell him I had the baby,” Meredith said firmly. “That she’s healthy. That I’m healthy. That’s it. I’ll deal with the rest later.”
Andy kept quiet, her jaw tense, but she nodded respectfully. Meredith wasn’t trying to hide her—she was trying to survive the storm in her own way.
Amelia pulled out her phone, clearly reluctant but respecting her sister’s wishes. “Okay. Fine. You get a few hours of peace. But if he shows up and tries to bulldoze through this hospital like he owns it, I’m calling security.”
Meredith gave a tired chuckle. “Thank you.”
Amelia stepped out of the room to make the call. The door shut behind her with a soft click.
Andy sat down beside the bed, letting out a long breath. “You okay?”
“No,” Meredith said honestly. “But I’m glad that you’re here.”
Andy swallowed hard, emotion rising like a tide. “I’m not going anywhere, Meredith. Not unless you ask me to.”
Meredith looked at her, really looked at her, and then gently moved over on the bed—just a little, enough to make space.
“Then come lie down. Just for a bit,” she whispered.
Andy hesitated only a second before kicking off her boots and climbing onto the bed. Carefully, she wrapped an arm around Meredith’s shoulders while Meredith adjusted Ellis between them, cradled by her mothers.
Outside the hospital room
Amelia leaned against the wall, arms crossed as she listened to Derek rant on the phone.
“She had the baby and no one told me?!”
Amelia rolled her eyes. “Derek, shut up. Your daughter is healthy. Meredith is fine. You weren’t called because was a fast delivery. I got admitted babe was out. "
“I’m coming there now.”
Amelia’s voice turned ice-cold. “No. You’ll come after she says you can. She’s resting. If you show up and start yelling, I will personally have you thrown out. And don’t think I won’t.”
Derek started to rant. " You are always on her side! After everything I did for you! I was the only one in that house that cared about you!"
Amelia bit her lip. " Derek don't even start it! I'm glad you were nice to before your mom shipped me of to Boston like I was some unwanted fortiniture but I don't owe you anything. Not over anything you did for me when I was five not for what you did for me when I was using. I already paid for all of that with interest. It's not my fault that you ruined your marriage. "
She hung up before he could respond, shoving her phone into her pocket.
Inside the room, Andy and Meredith didn’t hear the argument. They were still in that peaceful cocoon—three heartbeats steady in the quiet hum of the hospital.
Was than that Lexie wheeled in. " Oh my God my niece is so perfect! Do you want me to get Zola and Bailey?"
Meredith took a pregnant pause. " Just wait until they are out of school. I think I need a moment before I have to handle over excited kids"
Lexie nodded. " Sure. So the two of you are official now?"
Meredith took a pregnant pause. " I think we are."
Lexie clapped her hands. " Finally! So you are telling the kids ?"
Meredith glanced down at Ellis, asleep and warm against her chest. She brushed a fingertip over her daughter’s tiny cheek, buying herself a moment before she answered Lexie.
“Not tonight,” she said softly. “They’ll meet their sister first. Then… when things settle, I’ll talk to them about Andy.”
Andy shifted on the bed beside her, sitting up straighter. “Mer, you don’t have to rush that. I mean it. I’m not going anywhere. The kids can take their time.”
Meredith’s tired eyes found hers, lingering. “They already love you, Andy. I just… need to make sure I do this the right way.”
Lexie’s smile widened, bright but gentle. “Mer, there is no perfect way. The kids already adore Andy. They’re going to be fine.” She wheeled herself a little closer, her voice lowering conspiratorially. “Besides, I think Zola already knows the kid is to smart for her age. "
Meredith leaned against Andy. " I will tell them when we are home. Now stop gossip about my love life and hold your niece. "
Meanwhile at Carina's office
Th doctor was review some charts when Maya walked in carrying to cups of coffee. " I brought you espresso. Is real that Andy delivered Meredith's babe on a broken elavador?"
Carina looked up from her charts. " Grazie bella. It's true. I told Meredith she should come in earlier but she decided to drop the kids to school first than well the elavator broke. Grazie Dio Andy was there. "
Maya took a sip of her coffee. " Than means she did come after Meredith. I just hope my sister doesn't get her heart broken. "
Carina grabbed Maya's hand. " I think they are figuring things out. "
Maya took a deep breath. " I hope so. Andy is taking the Lieutenant's test again I really hope Papi doesn't pass her over this time. "
Carina bit her lip. " You and your sister graduated tougher from the academy, why aren't you taking the test?"
Maya took a deep breath. " I don't want to. I don't like having to chase it brings up I side of me I don't like. "
Carina rubbed Maya's hand with her thumb. " I understand bambina. You know we could go to your place after I'm done here. "
Maya let out a smile. " I would really like that. "
Later at Meredith hospital room
Lexie wheeled in with Zola and Bailey behind her. Zola was holding her little brother's hand.
The oldest was the first one to speak. " The babe is so tiny!"
Bailey looked at his baby sister. " She is like a doll! Tia Andy you back!"
Andy smiled, her heart swelling as Bailey launched himself into her arms. “Yeah, buddy, I’m back.”
Bailey clung to her tightly, his little hands fisting the fabric of her shirt. “ I missed you a lot!"
Andy glanced at Meredith, silently asking for permission to answer. Meredith gave a small nod.
“I missed you too,” Andy said gently, brushing a hand over Bailey’s hair. “But I never stopped loving any of you, okay?”
Bailey looked up at her, wide-eyed. “Even when you were gone?”
“Especially then,” Andy said, her voice catching slightly.
Zola stepped closer to the bed and looked at Meredith. “Can I hold her?”
Meredith hesitated, then nodded. “Sit down first, and be careful with her head.”
Andy helped Zola onto a nearby chair as Meredith carefully handed Ellis over. Zola stared at her baby sister in awe, her eyes wide.
“She’s so little,” Zola whispered. “Does she have a name yet?”
Meredith looked at Andy, then back at her daughter. “Her name is Ellis.”
Zola blinked. “Like Grandma?”
Meredith nodded softly. “Yeah. But this Ellis is going to grow up surrounded by love and she is going to love us back. "
Zola smiled. “Hi, Ellis. I’m your big sister. I’m going to teach you everything.”
Bailey piped up. “Me too!”
Everyone laughed, the tension in the room finally easing into something warmer, lighter.
Andy leaned down and whispered in Meredith’s ear, “You’ve got a beautiful family.”
Lexie took a photo from the doorway, beaming. “This is going on the fridge, for sure.”
Meredith rolled her eyes playfully. “Not the attending´s lounge fridge, Lexie.”
“No promises!” Lexie called as she stepped out, letting the kids bond with their new sibling.
Andy wrapped an arm around Meredith again, careful not to jostle her. “So…when do I get a turn holding her?”
Meredith looked up at her with tired but smiling eyes. “Right now.”
She gently took Ellis from Zola and passed her into Andy’s arms. Andy held the baby with a reverence she usually reserved for sacred things—like photos of her dad, or memories of Ryan.
“Hey there, little Ellis,” Andy whispered, her voice cracking just a little. “You scared me today, you know that?”
Ellis let out a soft sigh, her tiny fingers curling around Andy’s thumb.
Meredith watched the scene with wet eyes. “She likes you.”
“I like her too,” Andy murmured, not looking away from the baby. “She’s perfect.”
Just then, Amelia poked her head back in. “Derek’s been told. I might’ve threatened him with security again.”
“Again?” Meredith said with a tired laugh.
“I’m not even sorry,” Amelia replied, walking in and planting a kiss on Ellis’s head. “He’s still freaking out, but he’s not coming until tomorrow. You get tonight in peace.”
Andy looked over at Meredith. “You want me to go before he comes?”
Meredith reached for her hand again, firm this time. “No. You’re staying. I don’t care if Derek walks in and throws a tantrum. He can't control my life. "
Andy nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Then I’m staying.”
Amelia crossed her arms with a smirk. “I like her.”
Meredith smirked back. “Me too.”
Back to Maya's and Andy's apartment
Maya and Carina were seating on the couch drinking some hot cocoa when Maya decided to tell Carina some things about herself. " I used to run track. Until I was twelve my biological father was my coach. He made a champion but at the cost of my mental health. Even after he was out of my life I couldn't turn him off my head. That was why I quit. "
Maya took a pregnant pause. " I beat his golden girl at the Olympics final and I quit. That is why I don't want to have to compete for a promotion. Especially not with my sister. I don't think I can compete for anything without feeling like he is in control again."
Carina set her mug down carefully, her eyes never leaving Maya’s face. “Amore mio…” she whispered, her voice soft with the weight of understanding. She reached over and gently tucked a strand of hair behind Maya’s ear. “That must have been so hard. To carry him with you even when he wasn’t there anymore.”
Maya shrugged, her jaw tightening. “It was. I didn't knew what to do with my life without track so I fallowed Andy to the Academy. I wasn't even sure if I wanted to be a firefighter. I guess I just wanted to help Andy I guess that is why I made through it. Because I wasn't actually chasing. "
Carina pulled Maya closer. " I understand bambina. I started my residency in trauma just like my Papa. I wanted to prove him I could do it. Until I realized I would never be happy trying to be what he wanted to be. So a turned to the expecialy he dispited the most. And I'm glad I did not because it spites him but because is something I makes me happy. I get to help woman. I get to bring life to this world. Sometimes we found what we need by walking way of what we don't want. "
Carina’s words lingered in the quiet of their apartment, wrapping around Maya like a blanket she hadn’t realized she needed.
Maya leaned her head against Carina’s shoulder, her voice barely above a whisper. “Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever really be free of him. Even when I try to choose for myself, it feels like he’s still pulling the strings.”
“Look at the life you build,” Carina said firmly, tilting Maya’s chin so their eyes met. “ Do you think he would approve?"
Maya shook her head . “God, no he already hated that I joined the academy he would be furious that I'm not chasing ranks and he would definitely say that I'm waisted my time by helping Andy or by dating you. "
Carina smiled, brushing her thumb along Maya’s cheek. “ See ? He is not on control anymore. You are. You are choosing what is best, what feels right for you. "
Maya leaned in, pressing her lips to Carina’s softly, lingering there as if grounding herself. When they finally pulled back, Maya exhaled. “Thank you for not… pushing me about the test. Or about chasing after rank. I just want to be good at this job, good for the team. I don’t need the bars.”
Carina cradled Maya’s face with both hands, her dark eyes shining. “And you are good, Maya. You are more than good. You save lives every day, and you care for the people you love with everything you have. That is more important than any test or title.”
Maya didn't say anything else she just snuggled against Carina.
At the next morning
Andy was changing Ellis diaper while Meredith slept when Derek walked in. " What are you doing here?"
Andy didn't take her eyes from Ellis. " Lower your voice Dr. Shepard. I'm here because my girlfriend asked me to stay. I'm not going to get between you and your children but I also not letting you interfere in my relationship with Meredith. "
Before Derek could say anything Meredith step in with a groggy voice. " Derek arguing with Andy will get you nowhere. My kids won't be growing up in a war zone so stop this right now. "
Derek froze at the sound of Meredith’s voice, his expression shifting from irritation to something closer to wounded pride. “Mer… I’m not trying to fight. I just walked in and saw her changing my daughter’s diaper like she belongs here—”
“She does belong here,” Meredith interrupted, adjusting her hospital gown as she slowly sat up in bed. “You don’t get to decide who’s part of my life anymore. "
Andy finished changing Ellis diaper and walked towards Derek. " Hold your daughter and stop trying to start a fight. Believe me Dr. Shepard you wouldn't want to fight me. Meredith just gave birth, Ellis is not even a day old they don't need chaos. "
Derek took his daughter into his arms. For a moment at list he stopped arguing. " She is perfect Mer. I just wish-"
Meredith cut him off. " I don't care about what your wishes are Derek. "
Derek stood still, holding his newborn daughter as if she were made of glass. For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the soft cooing of Ellis and the quiet rhythm of her breathing. He finally looked down at her, his voice low. “She looks like you, Mer.”
Meredith didn’t respond right away. She reached for a bottle of water and took a slow sip before meeting his eyes. “She’s going to grow up in a house filled with people who show up. That’s what matters.”
Andy remained silent, seated in the chair beside the bed now, watching Ellis with quiet vigilance. Her hand rested on Meredith’s blanket-covered knee—grounding them both.
Derek glanced between them, his jaw tightening. “I didn’t come to start a war. I just… I wasn’t expecting this. You. Her.” He nodded toward Andy.
Meredith crossed her arms. " And I was expecting you to break your promise and get a job in DC , I didn't expect to find in bed with another woman. Whenever you are feeling it doesn't matter. Not to me. But don't make Ellis grow up like I did. "
Derek shook his head. " Meredith don't pretend you are a saint you were sleeping with her long before Rene!"
Meredith’s voice sharpened, but there was no guilt in her eyes. “I wasn’t, Derek. Andy and I were friends. We didn’t cross that line until after you broke our marriage. Don’t rewrite history to make yourself feel better.”
Andy stayed quiet, but her jaw tightened. She wasn’t going to let Derek paint Meredith as the villain in this story. Still, she knew Meredith could fight her own battles.
Derek’s grip on Ellis shifted, his knuckles whitening. “So what? You’re saying the two of you were just waiting in the wings? That all those months+"
“Stop.” Meredith’s voice cracked, but it was fierce. “Yes, I was already attracted to Andy but different from you I decided to not break my vows. "
Was than that Amelia walked in. " Derek if are here to argue you better leave. "
He shook his head. " You are always on her side. "
He gave Ellis to Amelia than walked away.