Snow fell like it did in the movies; big flakes in the air, creating blankets of white throughout the streets. Wisps of wind catching their drift, then falling to the ground in almost slow motion. I sat on the edge of the couch, my nose pressed against the cold window, a blanket covering my body. Outside was Hallmark perfect, the branches with appropriate amounts of snow and the lawn sparkled with white. The fire made it smell like home, even though this wouldn't be home for much longer.

"Hey" Derek came up to me, kissing my cheek.

"Hey," I replied, kissing him back softly. He sprawled out on the couch, I laid on top of him, feeling the cold tip of his nose, his breath in rhythm with mine.

"I like this," he said, smiling, "you know, this is our last winter without baby." He looked up at me, almost expecting me to cringe at the word, but instead, a smile crept its way across my face, and for the first time it was real.

"Baby," I repeated, smiling again, pulling myself off of Derek, sitting up on the sofa, he sat up in response.

"Baby." he said to himself, "baby."

"Yeah." I replied, laughing giddily.

"Yeah," he placed his hand on my stomach, "I think she likes it when we say baby."

"I think so too," I put my hand on top of his, smiling broadly. "She does need a name."

"We'll figure something out," he said, "I don't want to rush myself into it, when we hear the perfect name, then we'll use it."

"And we aren't getting a name book." I said, "those are pointless. It's not like I'm going to name our daughter something bizarre like the stuff in there."

"Daughter." he smiled.

"Yeah," I smiled back.

I was in the middle of my nap, because I've been too exhausted lately, when the phone rang. Derek wasn't home, I think he was at the hospital, actually he had to have been at the hospital. I laid in bed, listening to the persistent ringing, I was too invested in my laziness to get up, but I managed to roll out of bed.

"Hello?" I greeted, my eyes still squinting.

"Meredith! It's Richard, I've been dying to hear your voice." I smiled, I missed his voice.

"Chief! I, uh, I'm sorry I've been on leave for y'know, well," I kept rambling nothing, I really had limited excuses for why I haven't been working.

"Well yes, about that," he began, "I know that losing your daughter took a toll, so I understand that you needed some time. But it's been months now, and I've been pulling for you, I've been pleading your case, but the board needs to know if I have to take your name out of the program."

"Oh." I replied, swallowing a large lump down my throat, "it's just-"

"No, you deserved the time off, I understand, but I need to know if you're planning on coming back."

"Well yeah," I ran my hand through my hair groggily, "I guess I just haven't thought about it lately, I've been busy."

"Have you made any sort of decision?" I could tell he was anxious, he knew my mother wouldn't want me quitting, and I sure as hell aren't quitting. But I've told four people I'm pregnant, telling the Chief seems, I don't know, weird.

"Yes, I plan on coming back," oh how I am good at making decisions on a whim, "Chief, I have something to tell you."

"Yes?" I could hear him lingering on the phone.

"I'm coming back and all," I paused, now nervous, "but I'm going to need maternity leave for a bit, because I'm uh sorta pregnant."

"Sort of?"

"Yes," I gulped, "pregnant. Four months. Pregnant."

"Congratulations!" I could hear his excitement, "what great news! I'm so happy for you and Derek, do you know the gender?"

"Girl," I smiled to myself, placing a hand on my abdomen.

"Wow, just, wow." I could see him smiling.

"Thanks, I appreciate it. So, uh, about the maternity leave?" I asked.

"You can take as much time as you need after the baby's born, but Meredith, I need you in the hospital up until you need to stop working. The place just isn't the same without you here."

"Yeah, yeah, definitely, I'll come tomorrow."

"Great, wow, I'm just so happy for you."

"Thanks."

"I've gotta run, have a good evening."

"You too." He hung up, and I felt tears streaming down my face, it was the hormones or something, but I couldn't have felt more happy. I couldn't tell my mother I'm pregnant, my baby will never know my mother. And my father, maybe I'll get to it eventually, but he's shacked up with some twenty year old in who knows where. But Richard, knowing he would be a part of my baby's life, I was simply blessed, because my baby, is going to be so loved.

I know short sorry guys! Thoughts, reviewS?

I thought getting Mer out of her bad place would be a good way to transition her back to work with her friends, tell me what you think!