CHAPTER 1

Meredith sat on the couch and waited patiently for Derek to come back from his shift at the hospital. She had some exciting news for him. Her face lit up with the brightest smile ever when he unlocked the door and entered the big, beautiful home that he had built for them.

Meredith: Hey, you're home earlier than I expected you to be.

Derek: Yeah, I talked to Clemens. He referred the tumor patient to somebody over at Seattle Pres.

Meredith (nervously): Great. Uh, take a look at the shirt that I bought Zola. It-it's in the bag on the counter.

Derek: Oh, Meredith. Guys don't get all goo-goo over some baby clothes.

Meredith (slightly annoyed): Just look.

Derek (taking the shirt out of the bag): What is this?

Derek couldn't believe his eyes. When he saw the inscription on the shirt, he was overcome with a feeling of inexpressible joy. Those four little words on the fabric -World's best big sister- made his heart leap with sheer elation and bliss. After all these years of trying so hard for a baby… He held the shirt up, arched his eyebrows and looked over questioningly at Meredith, who was smiling suggestively.

Meredith: It's only been three weeks. So, I-I shouldn't even be telling you. I mean, I still have a hostile uterus, and terrible things are constantly happening to us, which is why I haven't told anyone. I haven't even told Cristina. So, if you tell anyone, I swear I will kick you out of this house that you built.

Derek (walking over towards her): Don't worry. And good things happen to us. We're going to have another baby.

Meredith (crying with happiness): We are going to have another baby.

They laughed and pulled each other in an embrace.

Cristina couldn't believe that this was happening yet again. She had come to terms with the fact that she and Owen made a complex couple, as they both wanted completely different things out of life. However, despite the various ups and downs in their relationship, the most important thing was that they were back together and they were happy. But the circumstances that had torn them apart initially were resurfacing once again. She hurried to find Owen who was standing near the OR board with Arizona, taking her consult on a difficult case that he had recently encountered.

Cristina: I need to talk to you.

Owen looked at her with eyes full of concern and then followed her into an empty on call room nearby.

Owen: What's the matter, Cristina? Are you all…

Cristina (cutting him short): I'm pregnant.

Owen (speechless): Oh, Cristina…

Cristina: I cannot believe this is happening.

Owen: I know. I know it's complicated. I know it wasn't supposed to happen like this. But I'm here. There are two of us. We are a partnership. Can we just think about the possibility of this together? Is that okay?

Cristina nodded her head in consent. She had accepted the reality that a relationship could be successful only with the help of compromise. Besides, she loved Owen with all her heart. They'd both grown up and moved on from her abortion fiasco. She was ready to consider the possibility of a child, if that would make her husband happy.

Owen: I know who you are. I know what you want. I love you. I don't love the incubating potential of your womb. I love you. But, I believe there is a way to make this work without it ruining our lives or derailing your career.

Cristina: It's not like I hate children. I respect children. I think they should have good parents who want them.

Owen: Are you doubtful about our parenting capacity? Is that what this is all about? We'd make amazing parents. Cristina, do you love me?

Cristina: Of course I do.

Owen: Do you trust me?

Cristina: Yes.

Owen: You would be a wonderful mother. I know you don't believe me, but it is true. I believe your life can be bigger than you think it is. I imagine such a huge life for us…

Cristina (cutting him short): Yes.

Owen: I'm sorry. What?

Cristina (smiling): Yes, let's bring this baby into the world.

Owen: Oh my god, you're so not going to regret this. This baby is going to have an amazing upbringing…

Cristina (laughing at his excitement): Dr. Hunt, getting a little ahead of ourselves, are we?

Owen (smirking): I love you so much.

He crossed the space between them and kissed her fervently.