MerDer

Meredith pressed the button for the elevator for the third time. It was taking forever. She sighed and wiped her tired eyes. Zola had a flu and had kept her up all night. Plus her stupid pregnancy hormones were driving her nuts. Her hand rubbed the tiny swell of her abdomen under her scrubs. Hi Baby, she thought. Stay in there... and no extra heads or toes or whatever, kay?

The elevator opened and emptied, and she plodded inside thumbing the button for the fifth floor. Leaning against the back, her hands behind her, she closed her eyes. She was just... so sleepy.

Her eyes remained closed even as she felt the elevator lurch upward. It settled on a floor and she heard the door open and someone step inside.

Derek looked up from his patient's chart when the elevator dinged. The door opened slowly and he took a step forward, but stopped when he saw the lone figure inside. And something else. Hm. He wasn't sure who... but someone had hung a mistletoe from the ceiling.

And his wife was under it.

Leaning tiredly against the back wall, eyes closed, Meredith's face was slack and relaxed. The soft glow of her pregnancy shone even under her pale skin and wayward bangs.

She was beautiful. She was perfect. And she was having his baby.

He tucked the chart under his arm and stepped inside.

In the periphery of consciousness, Meredith felt him. But she could barely keep her eyes open. Derek came closer. She could feel his breath, the warmth from his body. The temperature of the elevator seemed to rise. She sighed.

Derek moistened his lips as he approached his wife. Unconsciously, she tilted her head toward him. "Hmm," he sighed before stroking her cheek. She leaned into his touch and he tilted her chin up. Those lips.

So kissable.

He kissed her. Soft and sweet at first, then deeper, tasting, plundering, wanting. He teased her nerve endings into a swollen mess before pulling away to catch his breath.

Meredith stared at him, dazzled, perplexed, smitten. "Der- what?"

His eyes shone with mirth and wit as he pointed above them. "Mistletoe," he said.

Her gaze followed his finger as she stared at the small green and red plant hanging over them. "Mistletoe."

He nodded.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah," he chuckled, leaning in closer, pressing her against the wall.

"Der-"

"Shh. It's Christmas. And we're under the mistletoe." He said, before his lips found hers again. We're under the mistletoe. We survived a plane crash. People died. And we're having a baby. "I'm taking advantage," he breathed against her, "It's time for a little 'happy,'" He nuzzled her neck.

Meredith's light and airy giggle filled the elevator as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She kissed his ear. "I love you."

"Mm," he breathed in her sweet scent. "I love you too."