A/N: Meredith has the parent issues, but she's not afraid now with Derek, because it's like the first season of GA. Derek hasn't done anything to hurt her, so she still thinks of him as the one. And keep in mind that approximately two months passed from the first date to now, but Meredith and Derek have known each other for about four months.
The shock of the early hours events had yet to wear off. Derek had been planning on asking Meredith to marry him in the near future. He hadn't imagined that he'd do it so soon, in his trailer, in bed, at six in the morning, with his daughter sitting in his lap. But he didn't care; because he got the result he wanted. Now, of course, at nine o'clock, his daughter was dying to get going. She had never gone ice-skating before, and she never passed up time with Meredith.
"Daddy, do you have to come with us?" asked Susannah, as she reached for Meredith's hand.
"What do you think, Zanna? How about if you and Meredith go by yourselves this morning, Mer and I get to go out to dinner by ourselves tonight?" he said, shaking his head as he realized the absurdity of making a deal with a nearly three-year-old. Susannah smiled and nodded.
"That sounds fair." She said, as she pulled on her jacket. Meredith smiled and helped her with her hat, scarf, and gloves. As she tied the little girl's scarf, she found herself staring at the ring. Smiling, she continued to help the little girl get dressed, while dreaming about the future.
"All done. Are you ready to go, Zanna?" she asked, as she slipped a scarf around her neck.
"Yes." Said Susannah, as she smiled up at Meredith.
"Then let's hit the road." Said Meredith, pointing at the door. Susannah giggled, and opened it, and ran over to the car, her boots leaving footprints in the snow. Meredith followed closely behind, leaving Derek home alone to plan Meredith's first dinner as his fiancée.
"Are we going to have to rent skates, Meredith?" asked Susannah, as Meredith buckled her into the car.
"Yep. But they should have your size." Said Meredith, as she shut the door. It was in that moment that the realization hit her. She was going to become a mother. She, Meredith Grey, was going to have a stepdaughter. She knew nothing about being a mother. The only thing she knew for sure was that she loved Susannah, and Derek.
"Have you ever been skating before, Mer?" asked Susannah, as Meredith got into her sear and buckled up.
"Of course." Said Meredith, looking back at Susannah as she backed up out of the driveway.
"How many times?" said Susannah, as she stared out the window at the snow.
"I'm not sure. A hundred times, maybe. When I was a little girl, we moved to Boston, and right near my house there was a park, just like the one we're going to, that opened up a skating rink in the winter. I used to walk there on my own and skate all day." Said Meredith, smiling as she recounted one of the happy memories of her childhood.
"I wish Daddy would let me walk places on my own." Said Susannah, dreaming of what that freedom would feel like.
"I was almost six the first time. That's over two years older than you, Zanne." Said Meredith, as she focused on the road.
"I know. I just wish I was older." Said Susannah, sighing.
"You don't want to grow up, Zanne. It's so much easier to be a kid. Treasure every minute of it." Said Meredith, as she pulled into the park's parking lot. Meredith parked the car and got out.
"Is it hard to skate, Meredith?" asked Susannah, as Meredith helped her out of the car.
"Not if you practice, and not if you have a friend to hold your hand." Said Meredith, walking hand in hand with Susannah to the skate rental shop.
"Size six, and size uh, nine in kids." Meredith said to the man at the register. The man went in the back and got two pairs of skates.
"Here we are. Size six and size nine." Said the man, handing Meredith the skates.
"Thank you." Said Meredith, as she walked away with Susannah.
"You're welcome. Have a good time." He said, before they were out of earshot. Meredith carried the skates to a bench, and sat down. Susannah followed suit and sat down as well. Meredith slipped her shoes off and put her skates on. She laced them up quickly, using her surgical dexterity. She then helped Susannah out of her shoes. She slid the shoes on the little girl's feet, and then laced them up. Holding out a steady hand, she helped Susannah stand up.
"This is hard to walk, Mer." Said Susannah, as Meredith helped her walk to the rink.
"It's not so bad once you get used to it." Said Meredith, catching Susannah as she stumbled.
"I don't think I can skate." Said Susannah, wiping off her hands and knees.
"You can. Are you ready to step onto the ice?" asked Meredith, stepping onto the ice. Susannah looked down at the ground, and then took the step.
