Epilogue

She wasn't scared.

Four-year old Charlotte thought as she sat up in her bed as a loud round of thunder and lighting shot across her house. Mommy let her help fold laundry; she could make up her own bed, and pick out her own clothes. She wasn't a baby.

She squeaked as another round managed to shake the house she scrambled out of her bed with her arms wrapped around her trusty doll and ran across the hall to her brother Gavin's room. Their parents were out for the ending and the babysitter Mrs. Collins still terrified her.

"Lottie!" Gavin exclaimed looking up from the video game he was playing, "What have mom and dad told you about coming in without knocking?" He sighed seeing the look on her face and pulled back his covers, "Get in." He told her and Lottie hurried onto the bed. "You know the storm can't hurt you." He told her wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"I know! It's just so loud!"

"Nana told me its just God and grandpa bowling in Heaven." For her part Charlotte rolled her emerald green eyes.

"He should be more quiet!" Lottie exclaimed with a small smile, "Mommy makes me be quiet when Ryan's sleeping." Charlotte said referring to their five-month-old baby brother.

Gavin laughed.

Since her birth Charlotte had had the knack of making him laugh. As a baby she had an infectious giggle that made him forgive her when she used to use his PSP as a pacifier. With her dark curly hair, innocent smile, and big green eyes she made everyone she met love her. He had at first hated the idea of a baby sister but she wasn't at all like Chloe. Charlotte liked to go fishing, climb trees, play video games, and she didn't cry when she got a scratch on her knee. Nana had said she was a tomboy but Gavin knew she still liked to play endless hours of fairy princess tea party.

"Maybe mom can talk to him." He suggested, "Now you better get to sleep." He told her as she cuddled against him. Gavin turned off his game and turned off the lights. Within moments Lottie was asleep and snoring softly. Belatedly Gavin wondered if he could go into his parent's bedroom and get his dad's earplugs.

~ * ~

Meredith giggled as Derek's teeth grazed her neck. It was her fifth wedding anniversary and she was still as crazy about him as she had been on there wedding day. It was important for the two of them to have the date nights.

As the proud parents of three it was easy for them to get bogged down in the mundane. There were weekend getaways and quickies inside of Derek's office. It kept their marriage exciting and fun.

"I love you Dr. Grey," He said pulling away from her as he took out his keys.

"I love you Dr. Shepherd." She replied laying her head on his shoulder. "Tonight was fun your going to get so lucky tonight."

"That's the plan." He said pulling her into the door. He hung up there coats and walked into the living room to excuse the babysitter. An older woman named Mrs. Collins who lived a few miles down the road from them.

"Dr. Shepherds," Mrs. Collins said looking up from her knitting.

"Hi Mrs. Collins how was everything?"

"Oh just fine. Ryan slept all night, Charlotte fall asleep after watching Cinderella, and Gavin was reading a book."

"Great. Thanks Mrs. Collins," Derek told her, "are you sure you can get home okay? It's raining hard out there."

"I'll be just fine." She promised, "Happy Anniversary you two."

"Thanks, Mrs. Collins." Meredith replied, "I'm going upstairs to check on the kids." She said leaving Derek to pay Mrs. Collins and help her to put on her coat.

Climbing the stairs Meredith first went into the nursery. Ryan her baby boy was fast asleep in his crib with his favorite monkey watching over him.

He looked like such an angel when he was asleep.

But the truth of the manner was that he could be loud, stubborn and unpredictable. Just like his mother, as Derek would say. With his sweet smile and baby blue eyes he had everyone wrapped around his fingers. Stepping out of the room Meredith carefully closed the door to check on Charlotte nicknamed Lottie by Gavin.

Her little girl was the sweetest little girl she knew.

She was the peacemaker and her daddy's little girl. Opening the door Meredith was surprised to see the bed rumbled but missing the sleeping form of Lottie. Walking out of the door there was only two places Charlotte would go if she couldn't sleep.

"Hey everything okay?" Derek questioned as she came out into the hallway.

"Lottie's not in her bed."

"Oh did you check are room yet?"

"No not yet." She said going to the end of the hall that held the master bedroom. Instead of a sleeping Lottie however was a sleeping Gavin. "This is new."

At ten Gavin no longer ran to his parent's bedroom.

He was turning more and more into his father's son. He had his dad's eyes and lanky build. He had to Derek's chagrin discovered an interest in trauma following behind his uncle Owen.

"Gavin." Meredith gentle shook his shoulder, and his eyes opened. "What are you doing in our room?"

He sat up rubbing at his eyes.

"Lottie snores." Much like his father Gavin was a very light sleeper. "She was scared of the storm so she came in my room."

Derek laughed,

"Come on buddy." Derek told him, "Mom will put Lottie back to bed, and then you can sleep in your bed."

He said walking back out of the room.

~ * ~

After putting all there kids inside of their respective bedrooms Meredith and Derek came back inside of there own. Changing out of his clothes Derek smiled as his wife wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his back.

"Five years Mrs. Shepherd our you still happy with me?"

"Completely Mr. Shepherd." She returned and she was looking forward to the future with excitement.

~ * ~

Authors Note: First all congratulations Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery on the birth of there baby girl!

Second a very big thank you to everyone who has reviewed this story. They always put a smile on my face and get me though the writer's block.

Third I have so enjoyed writing this story and it's prologue. There may be more in the future, but for now I am looking forward to the new season and hopping that it won't be riddled with angst. Although with the writers I'm not expecting much.

Anyway thanks again loyal reviews it really means a lot!