12 Chapter 12

After completing the necessary paperwork provided by child protective services, Lucas was finally entrusted to Meredith's care. However, their initial challenge arose when they had to figure out sleeping arrangements for Lucas.

It soon became apparent that Meredith hadn't fully considered all the implications of her foster care plan. While she did have a home, all the other bedrooms were already occupied by Izzie and Alex. Determined not to kick anyone out, Meredith made a thoughtful decision. She purchased a comfortable futon and placed it on the floor of her own room, creating a cozy and personal space for Lucas to rest.

It only took sleeping in Meredith's room for one night for Lucas to decide that he didn't like that arrangement. With Meredith's permission he started cleaning out the attic of the house in order to make it his own room. Due to the multiple boxes inside the attic, Meredith had to place most of her mothers stuff in storage.

Lucas greeted with a cheerful "Good morning" as Meredith, Izzie, and Alex stepped into the kitchen. The tantalizing scent of sizzling bacon, buttered toast, and fluffy scrambled eggs wafted through the entire house, enticing everyone to emerge from their respective rooms.

Taking in the lively bustle of the kitchen, a subtle expression of concern-tinged Meredith's face. Settling into the seat graciously offered by Lucas, she spoke with a gentle tone, "You know, you don't have to cook for us every day, right?".

Meredith wanted to ensure that Lucas didn't feel a burden of gratitude towards her for taking him in as a foster child. While their shared blood connection and her empathy played a role in her decision, she wanted Lucas to know that he didn't have to take on tasks like cooking out of a sense of obligation. She wanted him to feel cared for and supported without feeling indebted to her.

"It's okay, really. I enjoy making breakfast," Lucas replied, a warm smile gracing his face as he settled into one of the vacant seats at the table.

"Don't worry about it, Mer. If the kid wants to cook breakfast, let him cook," Alex stated nonchalantly while tearing off a piece of bacon.

Realizing what Meredith was pertaining to, Izzie added, "You know sometimes coffee is enough for us".

"Don't overthink it", Lucas stated as he ate his toast. In Lucas' mind he was just making a simple breakfast. It wasn't worth fussing about.

Upon hearing Lucas' response, both Meredith and Izzie exchanged a glance before sighing in resigned acceptance. They continued to eat their breakfast, realizing that there was no point continuing such a topic any further.

While Alex and Izzie left the kitchen to prepare for their day in Seattle Grace, Meredith helped Lucas wash the dishes, "I'm taking the day off today. I found a school for you to enroll in."

"School? Hasn't the school year already started?" Lucas asked, not particularly enthusiastic about the idea of attending school again. It was a sad downside of being a teenager again; school, hormones, and pimples.

"Yes, it has," Meredith replied. "But I spoke to Dr. Webber yesterday, and he has a friend who owes him a favor. Webber's friend is willing to have you take an exam to determine if you can be placed in the 9th grade since you're already 14."

"Okay", Lucas replied, nodding his head while wiping the plates dry. Education wasn't a priority for the old Lucas. After his parents died, he had spent most of his time running away, never staying in one school long enough to complete a full year since he was 10 years old.

By all accounts, he would have been placed in the 5th grade. So, Webber's friend wasn't just repaying Webber; that person was also doing Lucas a solid. In Lucas' mind, going back to school for the 9th grade was a much better option than going back to the 5th grade.

Two hours later, Meredith and Lucas found themselves standing in front of Ridgeway Junior-High School. The school building appeared oddly familiar to Lucas, but he couldn't dwell on the thought for long as Meredith guided him inside, leading him directly to the principal's office.

"Ah, you must be Webber's friend. Nice to meet you, I'm Ted Franklin. Principal of Ridgeway Junior-High School," Principal Ted greeted warmly as he shook Meredith's hand.

Returning the gesture, Meredith introduced herself, saying, "Likewise, I'm Meredith Grey, and this is Lucas Grey," gesturing towards Lucas standing beside her.

Lucas, had a puzzled expression etched on his face, nodded in response to Principal Ted's presence. The principal seemed strangely familiar, much like the school building itself, but Lucas couldn't quite put his finger on why.

As Meredith and Principal Ted engaged in a conversation about Lucas, his mind drifted away, consumed by the enigma of the school's uncanny familiarity.

Just as Lucas was about to be escorted to an empty room for the exams he needed to take, a woman with red hair came into view, dragging along a blonde student who seemed determined to escape her clutches.

The woman's face contorted with rage, her brows furrowing and her nostrils flaring. Paint splatters adorned her clothes and face, serving as colorful badges of her frustration. Ignoring the presence of Meredith and Lucas, she stormed toward Principal Ted, her eyes narrowed into fiery slits.

With a voice that crackled with fury, she declared, "This is the last straw! Sam Puckett needs to be expelled!"

Trailing behind them were two other children, a girl and a boy. The girl wore an apologetic expression, her eyes filled with empathy, while the boy couldn't help but suppress a mischievous smirk as he observed the scene of the red-haired woman dragging the blonde girl along.

[To be continued]

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[Extra Scenes during the first night of Lucas' stay]

As Lucas drifted off to sleep on his futon, Meredith quietly emerged from her room in the middle of the night, precisely timed with Alex and Izzie's return from their late shifts at the hospital.

"Good, now that I've got you guys here, there's something we need to discuss," Meredith spoke softly, careful not to disturb Lucas. The few hours she had spent alone with him had felt somewhat awkward. While she appreciated Lucas's willingness to engage in conversation, having a sibling would require her a little bit of getting used to.

"What's going on?" Alex inquired, pausing in front of his door.

"Now that we have a kid in the house, we need to establish some ground rules," Meredith explained, causing both Izzie and Alex to exchange puzzled glances. Meredith had always been a laid-back roommate and landlady, so house rules weren't typically her thing.

"Like what?" Alex asked, his curiosity piqued.

"For starters, no foul language in the house," Meredith said with a serious tone.

Izzie couldn't help but smile and commented, "Ah, Meredith is trying to be a good sister."

Meredith, lightly stomping her feet on the floor, responded firmly, "This is serious."

"Anything else?" Alex sighed, seeming less enthused. In his mind the kid has spent a lot of time in the streets, he would have obviously heard some inappropriate language.

"No loud sex in the house," Meredith stated, her gaze directed more at Alex than Izzie.

Offended, Alex retorted, "Why are you looking at me?"

Nodding in agreement, Izzie chimed in, "Well, you do tend to bring women who are a bit on the louder side into your bedroom."

"That's exactly what I mean," Meredith added, supporting Izzie's remark.

"Ah... Alex... harder... harder...Yes....Right there...Don't stop....." Izzie teased with a mischievous smile on her face.

Observing the exchange, Alex simply waved his hand and said, "Fine, fine," as he retreated into his room, no longer interested in continuing the conversation.

Witnessing this, both Izzie and Meredith giggled in the hallway, but their amusement came to an abrupt halt when Meredith's bedroom door suddenly opened, and Lucas' head peeked out.

He looked at Izzie, a playful grin on his face, and said, "That was hot, Dr. Stevens."

Izzie blushed in embarrassment and quickly retreated to her own bedroom.