A/N: THIS IS THE FINAL CHAPT. OF THE MEANING OF FAMILY. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO READ/REVIEWED - U GUYS ARE THE BEST! On a side note, there WILL NOT BE A SEQUEL, just in case you guys were wondering.
A/N 2: I don't own the lyrics to the song, Hold Your Dreams - they belong to the respected owner.
A/N 3: This is the first & last Grey's Anatomy story I will write.
CHAPTER FOUR
(chapter title – Hold Your Dreams)
"I can't believe they're graduating high school." Meredith told her husband and thirteen-year-old daughter, Grace.
"I know – they're growing up so fast." Izzie said, squeezing Alex's hand. He gently squeezed her hand back.
"Joy Roseanna Hunt…." The rest of the names were drowned out as Joy walked across the stage, smiling at her family. Owen and Cristina had gotten married and adopted a 3-year-old daughter from China. Joy was now seventeen-years-old and was a spitting image of Cristina, but she had Owen's eyes.
"April Rose Shepherd, Sean Eric Shepherd…" Again, the rest of the names were drowned out as April and Sean walked across the stage, smiling happily. April had been accepted to Michigan State University, while Sean decided to take a year off college and backpack around Europe, along with Joy and Daniel.
"Sara Rebecca Stevens." The applause was twice as loud as Sara crossed the stage. She was a spitting image of Alex, but had Izzie's kind green eyes. She had been accepted to the University of Michigan on a singing scholarship – she had an incredibly beautiful voice.
"Daniel James Tobbins, Liam Connor Tobbins." The student body burst into applause as the boys walked across the stage. Daniel looked and acted exactly like Arizona, whereas Liam looked and acted exactly like Callie. Liam had been accepted to Harvard and was leaving in a few days. Daniel, like Sean and Joy, decided to take a year off college to backpack across Europe. As a graduation present for the boys, Arizona and Callie had combined their last names, which made the boys extremely happy.
Countless hours of learning more
Countless hours of knowing less
Can't look behind you
You have to look ahead
"April, Sean – I'm so proud of you two." Derek told his kids that night.
"Thanks, dad." April said, hugging him tight.
"We're so proud, in fact, your father and I got you two something." Meredith said, handing Sean and April two long boxes.
"Mom, you didn't have to get us anything." Sean said, opening the box. Tears were in his eyes as he took out a pen with his name on it. April put a hand over her mouth, tears also in her eyes.
"Thank you so much." The two of them thanked their parents in unison.
"You're welcome." Derek told his kids.
Gracie hugged her siblings goodnight and went to her room to get some sleep.
So many doubts running through your mind
All the excuses
Don't have the time
All the rejection you have to leave behind
Leave it all behind
Izzie hummed softly as she stroked Sara's hair while she slept. She felt Alex enter the room and rub her shoulders.
"I'm so proud of her." Izzie whispered as they exited Sara's room, closing the door behind them.
"I am, too – she's accomplished so much." Alex chimed in.
"If only Keely was alive-" Izzie couldn't bring herself to finish her sentence. Alex kissed her cheek, knowing exactly what she meant. Keely Amanda was what their other daughter was going to be named if she had survived the accident.
"Shh, baby. Let's get some sleep – Sara's leaving bright and early tomorrow-" Alex felt tears in his eyes – his baby was growing up right before his eyes and there was nothing he could do about it.
Hold your dreams
Don't ever let it go
Be yourself
And let the world take notice
You'll find strength
When people bring you down
They will see
If you will only, only believe
Someway, somehow
Don't give up now
Don't be afraid to succeed
Someway, somehow
The time is right now
Don't be afraid to succeed
It was basically like that at the Hunt's and the Tobbins'. Both Arizona and Callie ended up crying themselves to sleep – Daniel was leaving for the airport tomorrow, along with Joy.
"Hold your dreams
Don't ever let it go
Be yourself
And let the world take notice…" Cristina sang softly as she watched Joy board the plane the following day. Owen wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her close, knowing that they would see Joy again.
"We'll see her again, don't worry." Owen reassured Cristina.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Don't give up
To succeed, yeah
Come on, everybody
It's our time, yeah
To succeed, yeah
A week later, the kids were out of the house (except Grace), which felt weird to the Shepherd's, Hunt's, Karev's and Tobbins families.
"Hey Grace, since it's Saturday and I'm off, would you like to do something?" Derek asked his youngest. Derek saw her green-gray eyes light up as she put her book down. Meredith, unfortunately, had to work, so it was just Derek and Grace.
"What did you have in mind?" Grace asked, putting her blond hair back in a ponytail.
"I don't know – is there a movie you want to see?" Derek inquired. Grace shrugged her shoulders and followed her dad out of the house. It was pretty quiet – both cats had passed away and Lucky had been hit by a car when April and Sean were freshmen in high school. Their foster dog, Foster, was still adjusting to everything and spent most of his days hiding.
Hold your dreams
Don't ever let it go
Be yourself
And let the world take notice
"You're lucky to have three wonderful kids." Izzie told Meredith as they ate lunch.
"Sara's such a sweet girl, so I guess you're lucky, too." Meredith said, taking a bite out of her sandwich.
"How are the kids anyway?" Lexie asked. She and Mark were the only ones of the group that didn't have kids – instead, they had two ferrets – Romeo and Juliet.
"Sean emailed us yesterday – they arrived in France and are going to Italy in a month." Meredith answered, feeling tears in her eyes. Lexie reached over and squeezed Meredith's shoulder. Meredith smiled and went back to her sandwich.
You'll find strength
When people bring you down
They will see
If you will only, only believe