Weeks rolled by as if they were months. Even minutes seemed to be three times longer than they used to be. Meredith found herself staring at the clock more often.

She walked around the living room in one of her panicked fusses that she had been getting into lately. Her friends, including Addison, who after a couple of weeks was welcomed into the group with minimal hostility, all sat on the couch and watched Meredith in her nervous state.

"She won't have to worry about working out today," Izzie whispered to Christina as they watched with their eyes as their nervous friend paced the room. With interns being pushed back two months due to "system issues" the residents found themselves with time off.

Christina nodded and sipped her beer even though Meredith insisted on not drinking in front of her claiming that she couldn't think as well with temptation.

"Mere, just slow down," Alex said cautiously glancing at George who had already gotten his head bitten off by hormonal Meredith.

"I don't see the problem," Christina shrugged.

"How can you not see the problem?" Meredith snapped. "I haven't told a single person, other then you guys, that I'm pregnant…"

"So?" Christina said promptly.

"I'M SHOWING!" Meredith yelled. She pulled up her shirt to show a baby bump. It was starting to get noticeable and everyone knew it was but refused to tell her because they knew this would happen.

"Mere, you're three months pregnant." Addison said. "With twins! But don't worry. We can sneak you a pair of maternity scrubs."

"Yeah, maternity scrubs," Meredith said. "Good Idea."

"I'll take you maternity clothes shopping." Izzie was quick to say.

"I'd be glad to help too," Addison added.

"See, Mere, nothing to worry about," Alex said.

"I think I need to tell the Chief," Meredith said as she sunk into the leather recliner.

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She walked into the hospital even though she was off. The morning was cool as many days in Seattle in February were. The air was thick due to all the moisture. She walked over the overpass and looked out on the flags. There was a breeze going and the flags gingerly swayed away from the pole and back again. She sighs. She's about to open the book of her life to the Chief. A man whom she had know since she was in dippers and crawling around on the carpeting. A man who slept with her married mother. A man who had made and broke her life over and over. Yet, she was about to trust him with the secret that she had kept for three long months.

She knocked on his door glancing in the glass wall that over looked the main nurses' station of the surgical floor.

"COME ON IN," He said while waving her in at the same time. She took a deep breath and opened the door. He smiled at her and she forced one back. "Hello, Meredith." Even though he had done all those things to her parents, she still looked up to him as some sort of surrogate father.

"Hey, um, Chief," She sighed and sat down.

"So what did you need to talk to me about?" He leaned his elbows on the desk.

"I… Chief, I'm three months pregnant." She said and added quickly. "It is Mark's."

He leaned back in his chair. He looked shocked at the news.

"Have you seen an OB/GYN?" He asked then felt stupid for it. Of course she had, she knew how far along she was.

"Yeah… Addison." Meredith said playing with her hands.

"Is everything okay?" He asked and got up. He leaned on the corner of his desk.

"Yeah, everything except for Mark not being here." She said and tears threatened to fall but she refused to let them. She couldn't let the Chief know she was weak. He expected her mother's standards. She had to prove that she could handle everything all at once. "I'm…I'm, ah, having twins." She looked at him and her eyes glistened with tears.

"Meredith," He reached out and touched her arms. "What's wrong?"

"I just miss him you know," Her voice quivered. "I need him… And he's not here."

"If I knew where he was, I would…" He started.

"It's okay." She cut him off. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Do you need a few days off?" He looked up at her as she walked towards the door. She shook her head.

"No, I'm fine." She forced a sad smile and walked out.