Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews. This is with Sammy's baptism. As I wrote more, I realized that the chapter is really based around Derek's mother.

Disclaimer: Don't own Grey's Anatomy

Chapter Ten

Derek's Mother

Meredith and Derek were going over every list they would need for Sammy's baptism when Derek looked angrily at her. "We are not inviting Mark Sloan," he demanded when he saw his name on the guest list.

"Why not?" Meredith asked. "We're inviting your ex-wife."

"That's different. Addison is her godmother. Mark Sloan is nothing to Sammy."

"Addison might not come if her boyfriend isn't coming," said Meredith. It was hard to say those words. Ever since Addison left, they had been corresponding to each other. Their topics were mostly about Sammy. Recently, Derek mentioned that they were engaged. Addison congratulated them.

"If he comes, I'm not coming," Derek replied.

Meredith had hoped that Derek had gotten over the whole thing with Mark. Instead, he remained the same. He still hated him. Meredith looked at him. "Please don't ruin Sammy's baptism. I want everything perfect on Sunday," Meredith told him.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine," Derek replied. Meredith's thoughts then drifted off to Derek's family. Meredith only met a few of his sisters. That was even before she found out she was pregnant.

For the baptism, Derek's mom was coming and Meredith was terrified. She was afraid that she wouldn't like her. Derek kept assuring her that she would. Meredith wanted to make a good impression anyway.

Meredith stood by Derek. It was the day before Sammy's baptism and they were picking up Mrs. Shepherd at the airport. Meredith couldn't stop shaking. Derek held her hand as her other hand was on Sammy's stroller.

"Did you have to wear a ponytail?" Derek asked her.

"I wanted to look presentable," Meredith replied. "By the way, you should be happy to know that Mark won't be coming."

Derek smiled happily. "I wish my sisters could come. But that's the busy lives of doctors."

Meredith then snapped back into reality as an elderly woman went over and hugged Derek. Derek then introduced his mother to Meredith. "Mom, this is Meredith."

Mrs. Shepherd smiled. "Meredith, finally."

Meredith smiled widely. "Hi."

"My son has been acting like a dog with his favorite bone hiding you away. I can't wait to dive in and learn all about you." They then hugged.

Mrs. Shepherd then noticed Sammy. "So this is my new granddaughter, huh?"

"Yep, this is Samantha, Sammy for short," Derek replied.

"Samantha Shepherd, what a long name for such a little girl," Mrs. Shepherd said.

Meredith just nodded. She didn't say anything as Derek and his mother played catch up. She instead just listened and pushed the stroller as they talked. Once in awhile, Mrs. Shepherd would turn around and ask Meredith a question. Meredith would answer it truthfully before becoming quiet again.

When they arrived back at the house, Meredith saw that there was a message on the answering machine. "Hey, it's Addison. I just called to tell you that I checked in my hotel. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. Bye." The machine then clicked off.

"You invited your ex-wife to your daughter's baptism?" Mrs. Shepherd asked, surprised.

"She's Sammy's godmother. I told you that," Derek replied.

"She saved Sammy's life. We felt like we owed her," Meredith added. Mrs. Shepherd just shook her head. Meredith closed her eyes. It was going to be a long day tomorrow.

The next morning, Derek and Meredith were at the church, waiting for everyone to come. Mrs. Shepherd was with them. Meredith kept pacing. "What's wrong?" Derek asked.

"It's almost time and nobody hasn't shown up," Meredith replied.

"Don't worry. They promised to be here. They wouldn't miss Sammy's baptism," Derek said, trying to assure her.

Just then, George and Callie showed up. They were about to apologize when they noticed that nobody else was there yet. "Never mind," said Callie as she went and sat down at a front pew.

"Where is everyone?" Meredith asked.

"We're right here," said a familiar voice and everyone turned around to see the rest of the crew except Addison.

"Is everyone here now?" the reverend asked.

"Everyone's here except the godmother," Derek replied.

"We can't start if Addison's not here," Meredith said. They waited a few more minutes before Derek was going to call.

Suddenly, she showed up at the entrance. "Sorry, I'm late. I had trouble finding the church," Addison said.

Meredith noticed the nervousness of her voice. She didn't have a chance to reply as everyone went into position. Derek and Meredith stood at the front of the church along with Addison and George, who was going to be her godfather.

As they were about to start, everyone turned to the doors as someone else came in. Meredith gasped when she saw it was her other half-sister, Lexie. She had recently started working at Seattle Grace. She had tried several times to bond with Meredith. Unfortunately, Meredith doesn't want anything to do with her. Yet, once Lexie found out about Sammy, Meredith let Lexie visit Sammy.

Meredith turned to Derek, furious. "What is she doing here?" she whispered.

"I felt like I had to invite her," Derek replied.

Meredith was not happy, but didn't stop her as she took a seat next to Meredith's friends. The rest of the short ceremony went smoothly. Sammy cried when the reverend poured water on her, but Meredith was able to calm her down.

After many pictures, everyone headed back to the house for the rest of the celebration. Meredith kept watching Mrs. Shepherd and Addison, who were talking. "I think that the baptism went well," Derek told her.

Meredith didn't answer him. "Do you think they're talking about us?" she asked.

"Does it matter? We're together. That's what counts," Derek replied. Meredith knew that he was right.

That night, Derek and Meredith cuddled up together. "I think that the baptism went well today," Derek repeated. "There was nothing really to worry about."

Meredith shrugged. "I suppose so."

"What did you think of my mother?" he asked.

Meredith didn't know how to answer. "I don't know if your mother likes me. I want her blessings before we get on with the wedding plans." Derek wasn't sure how to respond to that.

The next day, Derek and Meredith went to the airport to see Mrs. Shepherd off. Before she went through security, she pulled Derek away from Meredith. Meredith wished she knew what they were saying.

Meredith saw that they were hugging before Mrs. Shepherd went to stand in line. Derek then came back, smiling. "What did she say?" Meredith asked.

"She gave us her blessings," Derek replied.

Meredith was surprised. "Are you serious?" Derek nodded. Meredith smiled. She could finally put her fears at rest. They could now concentrate on planning the wedding. She couldn't wait to get started. The best was that she would be doing it with Derek.