A/N: It has been forever since I have updated this story. I know i promised an update a while ago but I just have honestly had writer's block for this story and I still can't really get my head back into this story but I really want to because I love the story line I have set up for this. I think once i get the next few chapter's written I can get passed the writer's block I have for this and start posting more. Until I can get out of this funk, this story will still be on its hiatus but I will try and get another chapter up soon. Thank you so much for those who are being patient with me.
Meredith woke up, she felt someone staring at her as she turned around, her suspicions correct. Derek's smile widened when Meredith's sleepy gaze met his more-awake one.
"Were you watching me sleep, again?" she yawned, she felt something different about herself. She wasn't nauseated like she had woken up like for the past week, she felt scared but held anything back just in case she was just freaking out.
"Just a little, what can I say? You are extremely sexy when you sleep," he smiled, leaning down and placing a kiss on her lips. She rolled her eyes, placing another kiss back on his lips.
"Mm, so since we both have the day off, I was thinking maybe we could take Maddie to the zoo," Derek suggested, placing a single strand of hair behind Meredith's ear.
"With her allergies? No," she shook her head, watching his brows furrow just a bit.
"Right. Maybe the aquarium?" He thought, hoping she would feel up to it.
"Yeah, sounds alright. I need to take a shower," Meredith sighed, sitting up. As she sat up, her stomach seemed to do a flip and she felt it again. She quickly grabbed one of the peppermints from the bedside table.
"Still have morning sickness?" He sighed, he did want to suggest morning sex in the shower but he knew she would turn him down. He sat up from the bed and grabbed his clothes for the day, putting them on rather quickly.
"Yes Derek, I am only 7 weeks, Of course I am still going to have morning sickness. Can you get Maddie up and fix her breakfast while I shower real quick?" She said, standing up, he nodded. Her old, hole-filled Dartmouth t-shirt hung over her shoulders as she shuffled to the bathroom. She saw the light bags under her eyes in the mirror. She felt like she could sleep forever if someone would let her.
She turned the knob, letting the water fall from the shower head. She pulled off her clothes before stepping into the shower, letting the warm water fall over her head. She was thankful for the morning nausea, it showed she still was carrying the sac of cells in her uterus.
"Morning sunshine," Derek said, opening the curtains in his daughter's bedroom.
"No," she whined, pulling the blankets over her head.
"Yes baby girl, we have a big day ahead of us," Derek said as he grabbed one of the pre-made outfits Meredith does and laid it on the chair next to the wardrobe.
"Why?" She groaned from under the blankets. Derek just shook his head, she was definitely like her mother.
"Because, we are going to the aquarium so put on the clothes I laid out so we can get going," he said, pulling the blankets away from her. She sat up and pouted, looking up at him.
"Daddy, it's too early," she whined, climbing out of the bed. Her thick curls a complete mess as she shuffled slowly to the light blue shirt with a coral flower on it and white leggings.
"I know sweet pea," Derek laughed before he went back downstairs, searching through the pantry for something to cook. He grabbed the box of muesli for himself and Cheerios for Maddie and poured her a small bowl, adding almond milk. He started the coffee before fixing his muesli and sitting down at the breakfast bar.
To Derek's surprise, Amelia comes down the stairs, completely dressed and ready for something.
"Amy," he looked up at his sister questionably.
"I have a job interview," she said, grabbing two pieces of wheat bread, placing them into the toaster.
"Where?" He questioned, knowing it was either at SGMW or Seattle Pres.
"Seattle Pres, they are looking for a new head of neuro and I'm ready and willing," she smiled, grabbing the toast as it popped from the toaster.
"I think you should be eating more than that since you are eating for two," he grimaced, he still hated the idea of his baby sister being pregnant even if she was in her thirties.
"I will grab something on the way there, just need a little something before then," she said, grabbing her purse and rushing out the door just as Maddie came down the stairs, dressed but her hair was still a mess.
"Maddie, your breakfast is up here," he said, lifting her on the stool. He shook his head at the mess that she called hair.
"Thank you daddy," she said, pushing the hair that fell in her face back.
"We need to cut your hair," he said, grabbing the brush from the counter and pulling it through the blonde curls that went a quarter way down her back.
"No, I ike my hair!" she said sadly, taking a bite of her cereal.
"Ok," he rolled his eyes as he braided her hair down her back, realizing how thankful he was that he grew up with four sisters.
"Morning princess," Meredith had a smile on her face as she came from the bedroom, her natural wavy hair rested on the red sweater she had on.
"Mommy, daddy is tryin to cut my hair," she pouted to her mother, hoping she would help.
"I love your hair," she smiled at Derek, sending him a thank you with her eyes for fixing her hair. Meredith looked around the kitchen, nothing sounded or look appealing to her as she poured a cup of coffee.
"See, mommy said no," she said satisfied that her mother took her side as she finished off her cereal.
"Alright, we aren't cutting it yet," he sighed, sitting back down at his bowl. He watched Meredith search through the cupboards for something to eat, settling on a handful of Cheerios and an apple.
"Don't even say it," Meredith glared at Derek, knowing what he was thinking. She didn't feel like eating anything in the morning times with this baby.
"I wasn't," he shrugged, pulling out his phone and looking through the weather application.
"Maddie, here's your medicine," Meredith said, grabbing the same pill Arizona gave her previously and handing it to her. She took it without complaining like she usually did.
"It's going to be raining soon so if we want to make it there before it rains we need to leave soon," he said, standing up and putting his and Maddie's bowl in the sink. He went to the coat closet, grabbing down Maddie's raincoat along with his own.
"Ok, Maddie get your shoes on," Meredith said, pointing to the light blue rain boots. She did without putting up the usual fight, then she put on her rain coat.
"You are being so good today," Derek said, lifting her ups and tickling her side.
"Daddy! Top it!" She giggled, wiggling in his arms.
"You two are so silly," Meredith let out a giggle before grabbing her raincoat. She loved when her baby girl was happy, when she didn't have her little outburst. She followed Derek out the door as he carried a giggling Maddie.
"Daddy, when are we going to get aunt Liz?" She quipped from his arms, her little hand running through the side of his head.
"We have to go pick her up after the aquarium," he reminded her, putting her in the car seat. He buckled her in quickly, noticing the dark clouds rolling through.
"It's about to start coming down," Derek noted, getting in the front seat. He watched as Meredith buckled herself in before pulling out of the driveway. He caught himself glancing at her as they drove through the familiar road. Her body glowed, even with the gloomy state outside, she glowed.
"Stop staring," she whispered at him. She had noticed he had been staring at her the whole time they have been in the car.
"I can't, you're too beautiful," he winked, her cheeks turned slightly pink as she turned her head to look out the window. She watched the trees pass, hearing Maddie sitting in the back talking to herself like she always did on car rides.
When they got to the ferry dock, Maddie begged to go to the top deck on the ferry but Derek managed to explain they couldn't because of the rain. She was just like her father, they both had the weird obsession with ferry boats.
"Daddy, the clash!" Maddie begged. Meredith gave Derek an evil stare, she didn't want her daughter listening to The Clash.
"Really Derek?" She rolled her eyes slightly.
"What can I say? She's just like me," he had a satisfied look on his face when he put in the CD. Maddie immediately started singing along.
"I hope this one has my taste in music," Meredith whispered, only loud enough for Derek to hear her. Derek's smile grew wider, she was accepting that this baby was ok and it was alive.
They arrived at the aquarium which was packed on this rainy day. They found a parking spot semi-close to the front, Meredith going to get Maddie out of her car seat.
"Now Maddie, please hold mine or your daddy's hand at all times. There are a lot of people here and I don't wanna loose you," she asked nicely as she got her out of the car.
"Ok mommy," she reached up and held on to her mother's hand tightly. Meredith smiled down at her as they waited at the back of the car for Derek to get the stroller for when Maddie doesn't want to walk anymore.
"Let's go," Derek said breathlessly, finally unfolding the complicated stroller. They walked together, Maddie holding each of their hands as Derek rolled the stroller with his free hand up to stand in the large line to get in.
"Thank you so much, I will be here Monday morning at 8am on the dot," Amelia smiled widely, holding out her hand. She shook hands with her new chief before walking out of the conference room. Seattle Pres was no-where near as large as SGMW but it was manageable. She got on the elevator, digging her phone from her bag and found her phone. She had a missed call and a text from Owen.
She read over it and replied that she could meet him for lunch, her stomach slowly rolled. She had a feeling he finally wanted to talk about the baby. Her hand automatically went to her stomach, she rubbed it slightly. She could feel small flutters inside her stomach, her baby was alright.
Amelia got to her car and drove to the small cafe that was right near SGMW and she parked the car. She saw a nervous Owen waiting inside for her, he tapped his fingers on the table and his knee bounced anxiously. She felt the same way as she made her way inside.
"Hey Owen," she smiled briefly before sitting down.
"Hey Amelia," he swallowed. He couldn't be anymore nervous if he tried.
"So what did you want to talk about?" She asked, getting comfortable in her seat. Being around Owen was very uncomfortable, they barely knew each other.
"The baby, I want to be a father to this baby. I always dreamed of having a family, though I thought it was going to be with Cristina..." He stopped, it still pained him to talk about her at all. Even though when she left, they were fighting and most likely were going to get a divorce, he still loved her.
"Owen, you don't have to talk about her," Amelia reached out and touched his hand. He waited a second before he looked at her and slowly moved his hand away.
"I know. Even though this isn't how I thought, I want this more than you think. It's unexpected but kids are always unexpected. And I also want to get to know you, not as a boyfriend or anything but as a friend and the mother of my child," he explained. Neither of them were ready for any kind of relationship, especially not now.
"So our main focus is the baby, right?" She asked, he hand rested on the small baby bump that was developing.
"Always," he nodded in agreement. The two started talking, trying to get the awkward phase out of the way. Amelia being herself, she didn't give Owen many intimate details except about her family. Owen talked a little about his life in the military, leaving out the gruesome parts.
"So the woods, you actually like it?" Amelia joked, she knew he was staying in Derek's trailer because she had seen him a few nights standing outside on the small deck.
"It's quiet, nice getting away from the hectic hospital,"he explained. He actually really enjoyed nature and it's beauty.
"That is true but, bugs and bears and woodys creatures," she cringed at the thought of all the bugs, she hated anything with more than four legs. He just laughed in response, he didn't know if it was the way her face scrunched in response to the bugs or just her but he was actually enjoying himself.
"It's not that bad, you know one time..." he started to tell a story before his pager started beeping and he grabbed it from his side.
"It's a 911, I have to go," he explained, forgetting she was also a doctor.
"Yeah I understand, go save lives," she smiled up at him as he stood and grabbed his coat.
"I had fun, we have to do it again sometime," he smiled back down at her, he didn't know he could have so much natural chemistry with someone other than Cristina.
"We do, I'll call you," she smiled watching him leave. Something about him made her feel different. His soft, blue eyes and his messy red hair made him seem so welcoming. She was glad she met him in that bar that night.
Halfway through the aquarium, Maddie got into the stroller and fell asleep. Meredith and Derek walked hand-in-hand through the blue tunnels. They were now surrounded by all the tropical fish, the bright colors in the low light made them glow.
"I never thought fish was that interesting," Meredith spoke up as they slowly walked.
"I did, you know when I was younger, I wanted to be a scuba diver?" Derek smiled down at her, she looked curiously up at him.
"I had no idea, why did you want to?" she stopped and sat on one of the benches. She had never heard this story from him. He sat next to her, turning the stroller so they could see Maddie asleep inside.
"Well when I was around 6, we all went down to the beach one day and dad had bought all of us snorkeling gear and my sister's hated it but me and dad spent all day out in the water. I remember my dad having to drag me out of the water when it started getting dark," he grinned at the memory.
"That's a cute story, now I hope this baby is a boy so you can have that," Meredith smiled, putting her hand on the undeveloped bump. Derek placed his hand over hers and smiled also.
"I don't care what this baby is, just as long as it is healthy," Derek loved his wife and their fetus.
"Oh you secretly want it to be a boy too," she playfully hit is arm and he gasped slightly.
He laughed at her small giggles and nodded. It was true, he had hoped for a boy. Having a boy would make his whole life complete. He always imagined having a son that he could take fishing and play baseball with.
"So what? You want a boy too," he teased and she giggled again.
"I do," she continued to giggle. They both laughed and Maddie started to stir.
"Well good morning sleepy head," Meredith smiled at her daughter. Maddie sleepily wiped her eyes and looked around.
"Did we miss the sharky's?"she realized that she had fell asleep and missed some of the exhibits.
"No Maddie, they are coming up next," Derek replied. She got out of the stroller and climbed into his lap, still half asleep.
"Did you have a good nap?" Meredith asked sweetly,she nodded.
"Tan we go see the sharky's and go pick up Lizzie," she asked.
"Sure thing, do you want to walk?" Derek asked and she shook her head. He stood up and put her on his hip and Meredith got the stroller to push. They continued to walk through the tunnel, picking out the bright colored fish for Maddie.
"Here comes the shark exhibit," Meredith said as she went through the exit first, Derek following behind. They walked into the beginning, pointing out the baby hammerhead sharks and the facts the aquarium had plastered all over the glass.
"Hey Maddie, did you know Hammerhead sharks can swim at speed of 25 miles per hour," Meredith read off one of the card.
"Dats fast, Mommy why is they named that?" Maddie asked curiously, she wiggled out of Derek's arms and over to her mother.
"Well their head is shaped kind of like a hammer," Meredith guess, she hoped there wasn't a scientific reason for that. Maddie continued to ask questions about all the different sharks.
"Mommy look! It's sharky!" she squealed, pointing out one of the tiger sharks.
"It sure is sweetie, here stand with daddy so I can get your picture with the shark!" Meredith said, grabbing her phone out. Derek happily picked up Maddie and stood against the glass tunnel. Meredith took about 10 pictures before Maddie started trying to get down. They continued down the tunnel, Maddie switching between Derek and Meredith.
"Ok, we tan go now I seen sharky," she smiled her cheeky grin.
"Not yet, we have to finish this tunnel then we can leave," Derek pointed out, she didn't put up a fight and continued to walk with them. They got to the end where the stingray's and horseshoe crabs were in the small tank where kids could touch them.
"Hey Maddie, you want to touch the stingray?" Derek asked hopeful.
"Daddy, dey will ting you!" she gasped. He laughed and shook his head.
"No, only if you touch their tail," he reassured her by going to the tank. He showed her by touching one of them.
"See, no big deal," he shrugged, she was still a little hesitant but Derek managed to get her to touch one of them.
"Ew it slimy," she wiped her hand across Derek's pants and went over to Meredith. Derek laughed as he got some of the hand sanitizer from the guy working the tank and he put some in her hands, instructing her to rub them together.
"Ok, so Lizzie's flight arrives in 30 minutes so if we go straight there, we can meet her at her gates as she is getting off," Derek said as he took the stroller from Meredith and put Maddie into the stroller.
"Alright, then we can go grab a late lunch?" Meredith asked, grabbing the zip-lock bag with goldfish inside and started eating on them.
"If that is what you want," he shrugged. They walked faster toward the exit, they were all pretty hungry and ready to eat. Maddie had almost fallen asleep as they made it to the car. Meredith put her in her car seat while Derek put the stroller away.
"So are you excited to see my sister," Derek smirked, he knew Meredith wasn't a fan of the whole family thing. He just hoped they got along while she stayed with them.
"I don't know, I am just glad it's not Nancy," Meredith mumbled.
"Oh why not?" he replied jokingly. Nancy was by far not his favorite sister but he had to love her.
"Derek she hates me," Meredith gasp, she hated replaying the incident where she met Nancy the first time.
"Oh she does not, she just doesn't know you," Derek tried to explain. Things happened and she admitted that Meredith wasn't that bad the first Christmas they spent with his family when Maddie was just a baby.
"She still calls me the slutty intern," she rolled her eyes. She could honestly say she did not like Nancy herself, it's was a mutual dislike in her opinion.
"She's joking," Derek said defensively. He glanced over at Meredith as they got closer to the airport. She would flinch every so slightly at the sound of an airplane flying above. He reached over and put his hand on her knee, squeezing gently.
"I know," she nodded. She tried to focus on her breathing as they pulled into the airport parking lot.
"Are you ok?" He asked cautiously.
She just nodded in response. She didn't want to admit she was scared to death. She had to get over her fear sooner or later, this was just another step. She was ready to get this over with, ready to hurry up and leave.
Derek was grateful Maddie was asleep, he got the stroller out and put her inside. He kept an eye on Meredith, he could tell she was secretly freaking out. They walked together, her standing extremely close to him with her arm linked into his. This was her coping, she had to focus on breathing and hold on to Derek.
They waited by the baggage claim, it seemed like forever before they saw a glimpse of Lizzie making her way through the crowd of people. Her dark hair was the trait of the Shepherd's while her eyes were brown like Carolyn's. She had the same smile as the rest of the Shepherd's as she made their way to them.
"Der Bear," Lizzie said as she got to her brother. Derek had let go of the stroller and Meredith to give his sister a hug.
"Liz, good to see you," he smiled as he pulled away from his sister.
"Always, and nice to see you Meredith," Lizzie had a sympathetic smile which made Meredith want to hide away. She hated that look she got from people who knew about the plane.
"You too," Meredith gave her a smile.
"Alright, so we are going to get your bag and take you to this amazing place to eat," Derek explained as he pushed the stroller again toward the conveyor belt to grab the luggage. Meredith knew she had a long week in store with Lizzie being here.