Meredith was sitting in her living room with happy little grin on her face, sipping from her morning coffee. But this morning was different. It was the first Christmas morning she actually enjoyed.

When she was a child she liked Christmas. It was the only time in the year when she felt, that someone was paying attention to her. Her mother always bought her a lot of presents, hoping she won't ask why they spend Christmas in the hospital. To be honest, Meredith didn't know how it feels to spend Christmas at home with big beautiful tree and real dinner. Her mother always worked during Christmas and Meredith was in the hospital with her. When she was a little girl, nurses gave her presents and brought her something from their dinner. They played with her, sang Christmas carols and waited for Santa with her until she felt asleep in a patient's room. Meredith felt happy about it. But when she got older, nurses weren't paying too much attention to her anymore. She was too old to believe in Santa and she rather spent the Christmas Eve at home. Completely alone.

But this year was different. This year she had family. She sipped from her coffee one more time as she looked at a big Christmas tree in the middle of the living room. Under this beautiful symbol of Christmas there was her little daughter playing with a wrapping paper instead of playing with her new toys, while Derek was trying to take some pictures of her. Meredith gave him this camera because she wanted to memorize every single moment they spend with Zola.

"Zo, look at me. Smile for daddy," Derek said tickling her little foot with one hand, while in the other one he was still holding his new camera. Zola finally smiled, showing her little teeth and Derek's smile grew bigger. "Mer, come here. I wanna take a picture of you two together," He said and looked at his wife, who was obviously having fun watching them.

"That's not a good idea. I'm still in my pajama and I'm not wearing any make-up. I don't want to ruin the photo." He resisted shaking her head and her long messy hair were flying around.

"You are beautiful. And I need a new photo of you two so I can put it on the table in my office." He grabbed her hand and tried to make her stand up. "Please," He said blinking a few times and Meredith finally stood up from her comfortable armchair and sat on the floor next to Zola, who was just tearing the wrapping paper and laughing. She lifted her little daughter and sat her in her lap. Meredith brushed her hair with her fingers and then smiled at Derek, who was holding his camera again. "Say cheese."

"Cheese," Meredith said trying to look the best, but burst into laugh when Zola blew a raspberry at Derek. "You are really my daughter," Meredith said with grin and put a little kiss on her daughter's forehead. "You're mommy's little girl, right?"

"Mom," Zola said giggling and Meredith's and Derek's lips widened into a big smile.

"Oh my God," Meredith squealed.

"Her first word," Derek added and hugged his wife. "Can you repeat it? Can you say mom again, Zo?"

"Mom," she repeated again, looking around, not understanding why are her parents so happy. Derek lifted her into his arms and gave her a big kiss.

"Yes. You're right. This is your mom and that will never change." He said, because he knew it was true.