Recovering from the surgery I had was hard, especially when I have two young children who definitely like to cling to me. Derek took a few days off to take care of me and the kids at home. He's doing everything he can to win the title of number one husband back. He also spent those days at home preparing for a talk he's giving about his brain mapping project since he had finally completed it.

My mom, Richard, and the daughter they share, Maggie, were in town visiting a week later. Well, actually, Richard wanted to hear Derek talk about his brain mapping project since he had mentored Derek through residency. Mom and my half sister, Maggie tagged along to visit me and see how I was doing post-surgery and dealing with Derek.

Mom and Maggie came over to my house while Derek and Richard were at the hospital. We were sitting at the kitchen island talking while Paisley and Michael watched TV in the living room. Mom asked me how I was feeling being that it had been a week since my surgery, and when I told her I've been fine, she brought up my and Derek's marriage.

"So you decided to stay with Derek; I suppose that was alright." Mom said.

"We're starting over, mom. It would have been stupid of me to end it over one time."

"That's what he says; one time." Maggie said.

"Is that woman still working with him?" Mom asked.

"Derek told me she transferred hospitals or something; I don't know. I don't care what happened to her as long as she's no longer trying to steal him. I still can't believe that happened, but I'm trying really hard to forgive him and get things back to normal."

"Meredith, listen, if he ever does this again, you should leave him." Mom said. "You'll be just fine without him."

"No, I wouldn't. I'd be a single struggling mother. I'd have to get a job I wouldn't be happy with and not be able to be home with the kids."

"I would have left him." Maggie said. "Because I wouldn't need him."

I rolled my eyes. "You also wouldn't have any kids to think about unlike me. He said it was just one time; that he wouldn't do it again, and I... I believe him. Him taking care of me after my emergency surgery and stepping up as basically a single parent with the kids has showed me exactly why I fell in love with him in the first place."

"Well, don't be surprised if he does this again." Mom said. "And if he does, I want you and the kids to move back to Boston. Together we'll figure out what to do with you."

"Let's hope we won't have to." I said.

Mom, Richard, and Maggie joined Derek and I for dinner at our house. Mom had just finished dinner as Richard and Derek walked through the front door since I'm still supposed be taking things easy and not stand for long periods of time. Michael ran and gave Derek a welcome home hug, and Derek gave Paisley a kiss on her cheek as she sat in her high chair. I told Derek dinner is ready and he went upstairs to our room to get cleaned up.

I opened a bottle of wine just because, and all the adults had a glass. Michael asked why he doesn't get any, and I told him it's a grown up drink he wouldn't like. Derek's brain mapping project was the main topic talked about at the dinner table since majority of the people at the table are doctors who are interested in these type of things unlike me.

"Have I mentioned Michael starts pre-school next month?" I asked changing the topic.

"I'm still against it; total waste of money." Mom said. "I didn't put either of you through pre-school, and you both turned out fine."

"I turned out better than fine, mom." Maggie said.

I rolled my eyes. Out of all the sisters I have, Maggie and I are the least close even though we grew up in the same house. It seems as if at every opportunity she has, she loves to point out how she's a successful cardio surgeon while I stay at home with my kids.

"Pais, you wanna eat that?" I asked as I pointed to the carrots in her bowl. She picked a carrot up with her hand and took a bite. I laughed when she scrunched her face as she chewed. "You don't like it?"

"I don't think she likes it, mommy." Michael said.

"So what's next, Derek?" Richard asked.

Derek sat straighter in his chair and glanced at me and the kids. "This was a big year for me, so no more big projects for a while; just surgery and family for now. Maybe get another baby out of Meredith."

I smiled. "Paisley, say no more; no more, daddy."

"You don't want anymore, Meredith?" Maggie asked.

"I mean, I wouldn't mind having another, just not at the moment." I said. "Maybe in a year or two depending on how well everything is going between Derek and I."

Derek helped me clean up after Richard, Maggie, and my mom left an hour and a half later. I changed the kids into their pajamas when I finished and we all sat in the living room together to watch a movie as a family. Paisley fell asleep on my lap forty minutes into the film and Michael fell asleep beside Derek towards the end.

Derek carried Michael up to his room while I carried Paisley to hers. I then went to my and Derek's bathroom and turned on the bath. As I was taking my clothes off, Derek came in and wrapped his arms around me from behind.

"Can I join you?" Derek rocked me from side to side.

"Is that a good idea?" I asked.

"I think it's an amazing idea."

"Of course you would." I breathed and turned around. "Derek, just because I'm back home doesn't mean we're okay or you can attempt to be seductive towards me. I don't want to have sex with you just because I can, I want it to be something meaningful. Besides, I'm still recovering from surgery. I don't think I should be doing anything crazy, and you, being a doctor, should know that."

Derek breathed and took a step back, his arms dropping to side. "When will you be ready?"

"When you find a horny naked woman in your bed, that's when you'll know I'm ready."

Sorry for not updating in a few days! I haven't been able to find time to reread my prewritten chapters and edit them. Anyways, there are two more chapters left until the end.

Thanks for reading, and leave a review, follow, and favorite!