Derek POV

When I got downstairs to let Meredith talk on the phone, I stopped in the doorway to watch Zola play with my mom. Both kids still trying to adjust to my Mom. We were a long way away from their comfort zone... I sat down on the couch and Zola saw me first, running over to sit on my lap.

"Having fun with Nana?"

"Yes Daddy... Nana says my aunt and uncles are coming over for dinner tonight. But not Auntie. I don't think Nana likes Auntie."

Zola only called Amelia "auntie" because she was the only blood related aunt she knew besides Maggie. Our hospital family provided her with tons of aunts (Arizona, Callie, April, Cristina, Jo, and Miranda), but she had a very special bond with Amy. A bond that got even stronger after my accident when she spent most of the time with her. My mom's face turned beet red, unsure of what to say. I looked Zola directly in the eyes so hopefully she would actually listen to what I was saying.

"Zola, Nana loves Aunt Amelia very much. Sometimes parents are in sticky situations with their kids. Kind of like Mommy and Grandpa Thatcher."

Zola knew enough about Mere's situation to where she understood. We were always very honest with Zola but never said anything that would cloud her judgment on others. She was very smart and was a great people reader- a quality she got from both Meredith and I.

"Oh, okay then. Nana said Aunt Nancy, Aunt Kate, and Aunt Lizzie are gonna be here soon with my cousins! Lots and lots of them!"

I sighed to myself. All the sisters here was not going to end up well... It hasn't ever since we were all in med school. Quick to cover up my dislike for the news, I smiled.

"14 of them... 9 girls and 5 boys. Carly, Harper, Julia, Bennett, and Gavin are Aunt Kathleen's kids. Ava, Olivia, Sarah, Leah, and Jacob are Aunt Lizzie's kids. Rachel, Kara, Ryan, and David are Aunt Nancy's kids."

Zola's eyes widened.

"Daddy, that's so many. I don't think I can remember all of them."

"That's okay sweetie, you're meeting them for the first time tonight. It's okay if you don't know them all. They're still going to love playing with you and Bailey."

"Are they nice?"

"Very... And Nana has a really cool playground in her backyard for all the grandkids to play on. I'm sure before dinner you all can go out and play."

"Okay Daddy... Where is Mommy?"

"On the phone with Aunt Cristina."

"No, here I am. Our little bear cub woke up from his nap.. And Cristina didn't answer so I left a message. Have you told your mom yet?"

Meredith now was standing in the doorway with Bailey still sleepy resting in her arms, his little face hidden in the crook of her neck.

"Told me what?"

My mom looked at both of us all bright eyed.

"That date I took Mere on? We first stopped at the old hospital... Saw Peter and Claire... Claire was able to fit us in for an appointment before lunch. Meredith is six weeks pregnant."

Mom jumped up, hugging me then Meredith.

"That is so great! Grandchild number 17... I can't wait."

Meredith looked so happy, and we both directed our attention to Zola.

"Zo, you're gonna be a big sister again! Are you excited?"

Zola looked down at her hands rather nervously.

"Then I'm going to be in a sticky situation with either Mommy or Daddy because it happens when there are lots of people in a family."

Meredith handed Bailey to Mom before sitting on the couch next to me and Zola.

"Zozo, what are you talking about? Daddy and I still love you all the same."

"Well Nana and Auntie are in a sticky situation like you're in a sticky situation with Grandpa Thatcher. Then you won't want me one day because Grandpa didn't want you and Nana doesn't want Auntie, but you and Daddy will like Bailey and the other baby more than me."

Meredith pulled Zola to her lap, cradling her much like a baby, holding her in a close and loving way that only mothers could. Mom saw the opportunity to take Bailey out of the room and into the kitchen to get dinner started before everyone came over.

"We love you Zola. We have since the second we laid eyes on you. Daddy and I made Bailey, and this other baby so we didn't get to pick who they were, but what makes you special is that we hand picked you. We saw how amazing, strong, and beautiful you were and we wanted you so so so bad. We're always going to want and love you."

"Mommy is right, Zozo. You're our princess. No matter what happens, you're always going to have a very special place in my and Mommy's hearts. You were our first baby, the first baby we got to share so many first occasions with. Plus you are such a good big sister and you share your toys with your little brother very well. We are both always so proud of you."

Zo sat up and gave Meredith a hug, then me. I suddenly felt more protective over the kids and Meredith... I needed them each to know how much they were loved and that adding another baby wasn't ever going to change that.

Shortly after our big talk with Zola, my sisters and their families started showing up. The house got loud very fast. Mom sent all the kids outside to play. Meredith and I sat at the table, waiting for the right time to share our big news with everyone. My eldest nephew Ryan came running in.

"Aunt Meredith, Zola wants to swing but doesn't want anyone to push her on it but you. Will you come outside with us?"

Meredith gave Ryan one of her biggest smiles. I'm sure she was thrilled to escape the scrutiny from my sisters.

"I'd love to."

That left me inside with my mom, two of my older sisters, and my brothers in law, Kevin and Sam. Lizzie was still stuck at her hospital in a surgery so they were going to be late.

"So, Meredith just went outside but we were going to tell you... Meredith is pregnant again. She's six weeks along with baby number three."

Nancy let out a sarcastic laugh.

"Taming the slutty intern yet again, I see."

I could feel my blood pressure automatically rise. Mom gasped and stepped forward but Kathleen waved her off. This fight between Nancy and I was long coming and extremely overdue.

"What did you just say?"

"Meredith... She was the slutty intern. You keep knocking her up and she won't be able to sleep around anymore."

"Meredith is not slutty, for one. And two, she is extremely faithful. I suggest you keep your mouth shut before we go down a road you don't want to go down."

"No need to get so defensive, it was a small comment."

"It was a degrading and extremely false comment."

"She is damaged goods Derek, why can't you see that? You think she really loves you? You don't think she ever slept around since you two have been married, especially after your wreck when there was no man to go home to since you were laid up in a hospital bed? You think she actually likes being a mom? You're using her to have kids, I get that... But she is no good for you. Quite frankly I don't want her around Amelia either. Someone as wild as her is no good around a junkie. They're toxic for each other."

"You need to shut your mouth right now. You don't know what's best for me, my kids, my wife, or my baby sister. Meredith doesn't sleep around. I have been married to her for six years. And no, she wasn't sleeping around when I was in the hospital, you wanna know how I know? She was with me, every night. She either slept on the cot, in the bed with me once I was strong enough, or in the on call room. She is damaged, yes. She was never wanted by her mother, and her father was never around. But I am damaged too. I was 12 when Dad was shot and killed right in front of me. I held my five year old sister in my arms and muffled her sobs with my hand so the shooters didn't kill us. We watched him get gunned down. Meredith and I have survived a shooting and a plane crash together... We lost friends in the shooting, and then there was her sister Lexie and Mark in the crash... So we know dark and twisty too well... That doesn't make her a bad person. She loves me, she loves our kids, and she loves Amelia. You lost all rights to even try to have a say in what's best for Amelia. She isn't a junkie. She's over two years sober. She lives with Meredith and I. She is head of neuro at Grey-Sloan. She is an amazing aunt. Amy is in a very strong and healthy relationship with Owen who is the chief of surgery. I'm pretty sure they'll get married one day. Amy and Meredith are very close and they have a good relationship, as do I with her. You haven't spoken to her in years. You can't even pretend to care."

"Derek, relax sweetheart."

My mom was worried, almost to the point of tears.

"I can't relax. I'm not going to sit here and listen to Nancy trash me and my family. None of you have been to Seattle in years. That just goes to show how little you can say about anything that goes on with us. You know, after years of being together, I finally convinced Meredith to go on a vacation. We came here, thought it would be great to catch up with family... I was so wrong. Even my four and a half year old daughter picked up on how unloved Amelia is by you all. Ever since we've been here, everyone has made comments about Meredith, or about my family. Meredith is my wife, she is part of this family, and she's staying that way. I've been doing a damn good job with Amy too. She's happy and healthy and loved back in Seattle. You can say all you want, but you realize you're pushing us away. You guys are going to lose out on your only brother... Your baby sister... A sister in law, at least a niece and nephew... And it's all because you can't get your head out of your asses. Now I'll be damned if I sit here and let you ruin our vacation. You all enjoy this dinner, we will have no part in it."

I got up from my chair as fast as I could and went upstairs to pack our bags. We had enough of visiting with the family.

Meredith POV

I was standing by the screen door in time to hear the ending of Derek's fight with Nancy. It made my heart swell hearing him defend us like that, but my heart also sunk. Family was so important to him yet he was at war with his sister. I entered the house and followed him up the stairs.

"Derek, what are you doing?"

"Meredith I don't want to stay here. My sisters... They're difficult. And all of us together under one roof isn't good for anyone. I want us to be able to relax and enjoy our vacation. We can go stay in the city and enjoy all the touristy things there tomorrow with the kids."

"Are you okay?"

Derek snapped his head up at me from the suitcases, tears pooling in his eyes.

"I made a mistake bringing us here. They're just so rude and disrespectful. I don't want you and the kids around this. I don't want Zola or Bailey influenced by them."

"I'm okay Derek, I have thick skin. I'm not worried about them."

"It's just time for us to go. Please go get the kids. I'll load up the rental."

Derek was moving fast. I went downstairs to get Zola and Bailey from outside.

"Mommy, where are we going?"

"Daddy is going to take us to a nice hotel. It's the next part of our vacation. We're going to have so much fun. I bet there is even a swimming pool in the hotel. Do you kids want to go swimming?"

"Yes please!"

I smiled at both kids. They were so resilient. Very little ever got them down. When we got inside, Carolyn, Nancy, Kathleen, Kevin, and Sam were all standing there talking in hushed tones. Nancy glared at me but Kathleen and Carolyn both gave me a sympathetic look.

"Zola, Bailey, go hug Nana and your aunts and uncles goodbye please. Maybe we'll see them later this year if they come visit in Seattle."

They ran up to give everyone hugs and thankfully Nancy faked her happiness around us or else Zola would've picked up on that like how she did with the sisters and his mom not liking Amelia. Derek walked back through the house after loading the car to go hug Carolyn and Kathleen bye, giving them each a kiss on the cheek.

"We'll be staying at Four Seasons Hotel through Wednesday morning before we catch a flight to Orlando. If you want to meet up for something, give us a call. Sorry tonight couldn't work out."

Derek and Nancy exchanged an icy glare. I picked up Bailey and carried him out to the car, getting him buckled in while Derek did the same. I got into the passenger seat, waiting for Derek to get in. He looked so flustered. I gave him a kiss before we got onto the road.

"Let's make it to the hotel, and everything will be okay Derek. I'm going to call Amy."

He just nodded, staying quiet. As we got closer to the city, more lights from all of the buildings lit up the streets making Zola shriek with joy. Bailey clapped along in excitement. We were reminded of why we decided to take this trip.

~So, lots of drama... I get that... I have a feeling most of you won't like it but I couldn't pass up the opportunity of writing out some of that Derek-Nancy hostility. I will try to update tomorrow night but we shall see... I love updates, they really motivate me so let me know your thoughts and suggestions!~