"I'm taking some time off," Derek announces while Meredith rushes around the kitchen, getting Zola's lunch together. Derek puts a hand on her back and takes over the sandwich making.

"Derek, you already are taking time off," Meredith says, as if she's stating the obvious. Derek has already been home for a month.

Bailey whips through the kitchen making airplane noises while Zola walks into the kitchen yawning—she has never been a morning person or a punctual person for that matter. Zola is constantly making someone run late on account of sleeping in too late.

Meredith sighs and turns towards their children. "Bailey, breakfast now, baby. Zo, please make sure you have your homework in your book bag so daddy doesn't have to come and bring it to you at school," Meredith pesters.

Derek ignores the children and focuses on Meredith. He's worried she's been stretching herself too thin, maybe it was time for him to have some time off. Maybe try out being a stay at home dad for a few months. He brushed too close to death and now he wanted to get back to his family. "I know, but Meredith I think I should take an extended leave. Maybe six months to a year—I can do research and conduct studies still, but I want to be home more often. I want more of this," Derek says, gesturing to Bailey and Zola, who are arguing over who will take the umbrella to school on this perfectly sunny day.

"Derek, as long as you're here, in Seattle that's all I need. Work or no work or just less work, I just need you here, okay?" Meredith clarifies.

Derek smiles at his wife and gives her a kiss.

"Eww! Aunt Amelia told me kissing is where babies come from!" Zola giggles as she stares at her parents. Bailey seems to have won the umbrella, he stands by the door proudly holding the small, yellow children's umbrella.

"Aunt Amelia might have just been kidding," Derek tells Zola.

"Aunt Amelia wouldn't lie to me," Zola insists.

Meredith clears her throat. "Come on, we have to go. Daddy will pick you up at 12:30 from pre-school Bailey to go to the dentist. Zola, mommy will be there after school to get you and if I'm in surgery…" Meredith starts.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah and if you're in surgery daddy or Aunt Maggie or Aunt Amelia or Uncle Alex will pick me up," Zola finishes.

Derek laughs at Zola. "I will pick you up if mommy can't," Derek clarifies.

Meredith herds the kids towards the door. Bailey runs and grabs the toast from his plate. Meredith sighs as he runs towards her with his uneaten breakfast. "Have a good day!" shouts Derek.

Meredith gives him a wink and the kids race to their mother's car.


Later on that afternoon, Meredith calls Derek to tell him that there was a massive car accident on the freeway and she wouldn't be home for hours. "It's a beautiful day to save lives, Meredith. Don't worry about the kids, I'll see you later," Derek tells his wife as he pulls into Bailey's preschool.

"Okay, love you," Meredith says before the line goes dead. Derek parks the car and takes a deep breath. His knuckles are white from driving so nervously. He still can't shake the accident. It's not his driving that scares him—it's everyone else's.

Derek puts his thoughts aside as he walks into the office. "Dr. Shepherd, I am glad to see you have made a recovery," the office secretary, Rachel says.

Derek gives her a small smile. "I am glad to be recovered, should I go get Bailey?" Derek asks.

"No, need he's right there," Rachel offers, gesturing towards the door.

Bailey runs into the office, his all-too-big backpack flailing off his shoulders. "Daddy!" he says as Derek takes his son into his arms. Derek can't believe he ever thought about leaving all this behind. His family is happy in Seattle. Meredith was right.

"You ready for the dentist?" Derek asks.

Derek's three-year-old just shrugs and nods his head.


About a quarter past four, Zola's school bus pulls up to the end of the small private drive. Derek and Bailey wait as Zola bounds down the steps with a toothless smile on her face. "Daddy!" she greets just as her brother did a few hours ago.

Derek greets her with a hug and asks her about her day. The walk back to the house is a long shaded driveway that both kids refer to as "Zola and Bailey Road". "I lost another tooth!" Zola announces as she holds up a plastic bag with a white, bloody tooth.

"Tooth?" Bailey asks, reaching for it.

Zola stops and looks at her brother. "In a few years, you'll lose teeth too. I'll help you pull them out, it'll be like our own surgery," Zola vows to Bailey.

Bailey doesn't respond and looks to his father. Derek laughs at his children. "We will cross that bridge when we come to it," he mumbles.

"My friend Lizzie said the tooth fairy would come tonight but I was wondering how could the tooth fairy be real daddy?" Zola wonders aloud.

Derek considers telling the truth, but figures Zola might ruin all the fun for other kids. "Why can't the tooth fairy be real?" Derek reflects.

Zola squints at her father. "Because there's no such things as magic," Zola insists.

"No magic!" Bailey echoes, making Derek smile.

"And who told you that?" Derek asks Zola.

"Aunt Cristina told me on the phone," Zola reveals.

Derek sighs, he knew this had to have come from Cristina. Maggie, Alex, and Amelia would've gone along with the tooth fairy. "How about for now, you just put that tooth under your pillow and see what happens, if you're still doubtful, we can talk," Derek negotiates.

Zola considers the offer and nods. "What does doubtful mean again?" she asks, totally changing topics. Derek swears her brain runs laps around his sometimes.

"It means that you're not sure of something," Derek clarifies.

"Well, I am doubtful a fairy will sneak into my room tonight," Zola says as she marches up the steps to the house.

"I want fairy!" Bailey proclaims.

Derek sighs and represses another laugh. "What's for dinner?" he asks.

Zola just shakes her head with a smile. Zola is a very picky eater. "Cereal!" Bailey shouts. Bailey could live off of Cheerio's.

"No, no more Cheerio's," Zola tells him stearnly.

Derek laughs at how adult Zola can be—she can be bossy, but she's an amazing big sister. "Be nice, go play, I'll order pizza," Derek tells them.


Later that night, when both kids have long since went to bed, Derek can hear Meredith in the bathroom. "Meredith, when did you get home?" he asks.

The sound of retching reaches him instead. "Meredith, are you okay?" he asks as he gets out of bed and knocks on the bathroom door.

"I've been like this ever since I got out of surgery. Maybe it's food poisoning," Meredith answers.

Derek opens the door and looks at his wife who looks exhausted. Derek sees vomit on her chin and reaches for a washcloth and a hair tie. Gently, he wipes her face and puts her hair back. "There's no point in you being in here," Meredith sighs.

"Yes there is, my wife is sick, that's my reason," Derek says as he takes a seat next to her. Meredith gives him a small smile and leans her head onto his lap.

"I love you," Meredith whispers.

Derek runs his thumb across her forehead and then kisses it gently. "And I love you," he responds.