Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's Anatomy; if I did it would be more of this and less of that.

Author's Note: Like I said last time, don't get excited! This continual posting may just be a rarity. (As much as I hope it isn't) This fic has taken on a life of its own and has gone down paths I never dreamed it would take. But, with it being my first, I'm thankful for that and the opportunity of progression as a writer that has been sparked by the reviews from you wonderful people. I still have a long ways to go, if I've learned anything it's that progress takes time.

Got constructive criticism? Let me know!

I hope you enjoy and encourage you to review if you feel so inclined.

One Week Post-Accident

We go through the motions every day; we have routines, we make schedules, and we find our normal. We get up, get ready, and get on with our day just to go to sleep and repeat nearly the same thing when we wake up. What happens when something throws a wrench in that? What happens when the routines and schedules don't fit the circumstances anymore?

Derek was coming home. After a week in the hospital with nurses waking him up (what felt like) every few hours to check his vitals, a physical therapist urging him to walk and teaching him strengthening exercises to do at home to aid in the fast healing of his fractured femur, and countless visitors pushing him to remember details of his life; he was coming home. And as much as they loved staying in the hotel for that week, Zola and Bailey were beyond excited to be going home. But not as excited as they were about Derek coming with us.

I had been worried about how Derek would react to the kids, but I quickly realized that I had nothing to worry about. The Derek I had met ten years ago, absolutely adored children and they weren't his own. Sure it wasn't the same right away; Derek needed more space than he had before, which was something Bailey had struggled with. He wanted nothing more than to sit in Derek's bed and snuggle up with him; driving his cars all over. Zola was more like Derek, a little more apprehensive because being 4 (almost 5!) she understood better than Bailey did and seeing Derek laid up in a hospital bed with a huge bandage around his head, and a cast on his leg scared her. She didn't want to hurt him. She didn't want him to dislike her.

"It's OK, Zo," I whispered tenderly as she halted just through the door to Derek's room and doubled back to hide behind my leg, clutching the yoga pants I was wearing tightly, "You can go say Hi," I continued, as Bailey 'vroomed' his car up my arm, but she didn't budge.

"Hey Zola," Derek spoke in a still slightly scratchy voice, smiling softly at her from his sitting position, "I won't bite, I promise."

"Daddy," Bailey cooed, smiling widely toward Derek causing him to light up too.

I shifted him on my hip and reached down behind myself to grab Zola's hand, who grunted timidly, "You wanna say hi, don't you Monkey?"

He started bouncing slightly before stopping abruptly and forming the cutest angry face I'd ever seen and crossing his arms and glaring down at my stomach, "Baby kick me!"

"Well, stop bouncin'," I chuckled as I reached the edge of Derek's bed, "OK, B. I'll put you next to Daddy, but you have to be careful, remember Gammy and I told you about his owwies?"

Bailey nodded with a smile, "I be good," he said, squirming to get down.

I released Zola's hand, who was still peeking out from behind my legs and set Bailey down next to his Dad for the first time in three days. Out of instinct, Derek's arm snaked around Bailey, coming to rest just on his back to keep him from falling. 'He's still got it.' I smiled to myself.

"I dwive?" Bailey asked, tilting his head in a very Derek-like fashion, hovering his car over Derek's chest.

"You can," Derek smiled, "Just not on my tummy."

The little boy nodded firmly, "No tummy," and began racing his car over Derek's chest, making vrooming noises that caused spit bubbles to form on his little lips.

"Is this your favorite car?" Derek asked, which spurred a heavy conversation about every car Bailey had at home –which was a lot.

As Derek immersed Bailey in car talk, I turned my attention to Zola who was still cowering. I moved to sit in the chair close to Derek's bed and patted my lap –what was left of it-, "Come here, Lovebug," I murmured.

Zola climbed up onto my lap with a little help and curled into my side, wrapping herself around the bump that held our new baby and sighed heavily. I watched for a moment as Zola took in the interaction between her Dad and her brother curiously.

"Zo-Zo, what's goin' on in your head," I whispered, kissing her dark-braided hair and snuggling her close.

"He looks… like Daddy, but with owwies," she whispered, so quietly I barely heard her.

"That's because he is Daddy," I whispered back.

Zola sighed again, "No," shaking her head, "My Daddy know me… he not know me," she continued, pointing at Derek discretely.

"That's why we're here, Zo," I spoke softly, "To remind him who we are."

Zola's tiny voice cracked and she sniffed as she said, "What if this Daddy not like me?"

My heart broke for my little girl, because no one should have to worry about something like this at such a young age. I struggled with what to say, worrying that nothing I said would be right, "He does, Zola," I affirmed firmly, "He's your Daddy and he still loves you. You know how you feel when you tell me or Daddy or Bailey that you love us, right?" I questioned.

"Yeah," she muttered.

"That's how Daddy feels, and he still gets that feeling. All we have to do is help him remember why," I said, "Does that make sense?" I asked, praying that I hadn't just mixed up her little head more.

"I 'tink so," she said, scrunching her nose a little.

I sighed and wracked my brain for what to say, "You… you know how, sometimes you're really sad before dinner, but you don't know why… you just… feel sad? Then Mommy or Daddy tells you it's because you didn't have a nap? We remind you of why you feel that way?"

"Yeah," Zola whispered in affirmation.

"It's just like that," I replied happily, "We have to tell Daddy stuff about us and he'll know why he feels love for us."

"OK," she said, speaking in her full voice for the first time since we had arrived.

"OK," I repeated, "Why don't you get over there?"

Zola gave me a wide grin and hopped off of my lap, kissing my belly before moving around to the other side of Derek's bed and reaching to tap his arm, "Can I get up, too?" she asked.

"Of course," Derek said, enthusiasm lacing his voice, "I can't lift you though. Can you get up on your own?"

"I'll help you, Zo," I interjected, hoisting myself from the stiff chair and moving toward her.

As I settled her on the bed, she turned and snuggled into Derek's side, resting her head on his shoulder, "Daddy, do your owwies hurt real bad now?" Zola questioned.

Derek rubbed his hand up and down her back, "No. Not right now. Not at all right now," he replied with a voice full of emotion.

"Zo, in da way," Bailey huffed as he ran his car into her cheek lightly.

"Ow! B, 'top!"

I locked the rail on Zola's side in place, so Derek could relax his arms more and moved around to do the same on Bailey's side, before sitting in the chair once more.

"Hey," Derek spoke to both of them softly, "Inside voice, Zo. Bailey, stay on your side and be nice to your sister."

"Fine," the two littles grumbled together, before glaring at each other and causing Derek's breath to hitch in a laugh.

Watching the moment amongst Derek and the kids play out, made my heart beat faster, my throat close up, and my eyes water. I was overcome with emotion. My husband was alive, my kids still had a dad. Just days ago I had thought I would never see him hold them, play with them, or even talk to them again, sure he didn't remember but that didn't matter, we could remind him. As Zola fell asleep on his shoulder that day and Bailey played with his cars, tears streamed down my face and I wiped them away furiously, my breath hitching once or twice causing Derek to look over Bailey's head and meet my eyes. He had given me the softest, most understanding smile. In that moment, though I knew he may never remember every aspect of our life together; I knew he wanted to remember every new piece.

From that day on, the kids were attached to Derek nearly every moment possible and when they learned he was coming home, they insisted that we celebrated. So, on the morning of his homecoming, Carolyn and I wrangled the kids and made our way to the dollar store. We grabbed balloons (which to be honest were more for the kids than anything), a welcome home banner, and poster board for the Zola and Bailey to make a giant card for Derek.

Just as the kids and I put the finishing touches on the surprise, we heard Carolyn and Derek pull up.

"Now, remember," I said, squatting down in front of the two and looking them both in the eye, "Daddy still gets bad headaches, so when he comes inside you can't scream, OK?"

"But," Zola started.

"No but's," I stated firmly, "And no screaming," I finished as the door-knob turned and Derek crutched into the house; sporting his Bowdoin T-shirt and a pair of dark-wash jeans, followed by his Mom.

"Welcome Home, Daddy!" Zola semi-shouted, as I hoisted myself off of the floor, with one hand on my stomach.

"'Come home, Daddy!" Bailey echoed and started bolting toward him, ready to steam roll his legs. I nearly ran after him and swooped him into my arms, cradling him like a baby.

"Wait until he has a chance to sit down, Monkey boy," I breathed as I blew my hair out of my face.

Zola bounced along with Derek as he made his way to the couch slowly, "We gots'ya somthin', Daddy."

"You did?" Derek asked in an enthusiastic, though tired voice.

"Yeah!" Zola exclaimed, running into the kitchen to grab the poster from the counter, bolting straight past Carlyon; who was getting Derek some water.

"Walking feet," I called after her sternly before bouncing Bailey on my hip, "I'm gonna set you down and help Daddy, but stay back for a minute, Ok Monkey?" I asked, tickling his tummy lightly and moving to the coffee table. I set him down by his toys and directed my attention to Derek, who was just at the edge of the couch.

"Hey," I smiled, grasping his elbow.

He smiled tiredly, "Hey."

"Come around here and sit in the corner, it's the most comfortable and we can prop your leg up," I directed, moving ahead of him to situate some pillows as he nodded.

Once I had helped him take a seat on the couch, and adjusted the pillows around him, I asked in a whisper, looking down at him through my eyelashes, "You comfortable?"

"Yeah, thanks," he responded, before speaking more loudly, "Alright, where'd the munchkins go? Get over here," he spoke as Carolyn set his water down on the table and went to grab his bags as I took a seat by his legs.

Zola skipped up to the edge of the couch with the poster board in her hand. Bailey came to stand next to her, leaning on the couch with his elbows, right by Derek's arm and stared up at him with a smile, "Look, Daddy!" he exclaimed, "We maded this."

"You did?" Derek asked excitedly.

"Yup," Zola nodded confidently, turning the poster around and handing it to Derek.

With a slight smile on his face, he took in the large masterpiece. The sign read, 'We Missed You, Daddy!' in big block letters than I had outlined and the kids had filled in. It was surrounded by drawings and scribbles from both Zola and Bailey and at the bottom, they had signed their names (with a little help form me).

"I love it," he responded softly, "Thank you."

"You're welcome!" Zola said, bouncing in her place and turning toward me, "Mommy, can I hug 'im?" she asked.

I laughed slightly at her enthusiasm and Derek replied for me, "Of course you can! Just be careful."

From my perch, I watched as Zola slowly made her way onto the couch and Bailey looked at Derek with big, round eyes, "Me too?" he whispered almost inaudibly.

Derek just smiled at him and patted and empty spot on the couch with his hand. The three of them sat snuggled together, and I turned on their new favorite movie, 'Finding Nemo', sighing heavily as I made my way toward the kitchen and took in the mess, "Do it later," Derek's voice came in a whisper, piercing my thoughts, "Come sit with us," he continued, brushing his hand across the couch, past Zola and Bailey.

I chuckled and used the arm of the couch as leverage to bend over and pick up a blanket off of the floor, "If I wait it'll just multiply," I said as Carolyn came through the door with his, "I can take those, and start a load."

"Or you could take a break," Derek pushed with emphasis, "and come sit with us."

"Go ahead dear, I can handle this," Carolyn replied with a smile, "You put your feet up for a while, maybe try to nap."

"But… I," I stuttered, gesturing to the kitchen.

"Haven't had a full night of sleep in a week and have been running around non-stop. It's not good for the baby," Carolyn continued softly, "You need to slow down, rest up a little."

"Ma's always right," Derek shrugged.

Sighing heavily, I turned and walked around the couch, plopping down and throwing my feet onto the coffee table, "Fine."

"You're stubborn," Derek stated as Carolyn smiled at us and began to clean up.

I rolled my eyes as Bailey shifted closer to me, "And you have perfect hair, we both have issues."

"I like it," he smirked simply, "That and the rambling. It keeps me on my toes."

"I'd like to see you try to get on your toes," I snorted, and then grimaced, "Sorry, that was mean."

But he wasn't offended, in typical Derek fashion, he laughed, "and you're witty. Have to add that to the list."

"Shhh, I'm tryin'a watch da movie," Zola whispered from her snuggled into Derek.

"Sorry," I laughed, rubbing the side of my stomach as I felt the baby move.

"Is the baby kicking?" Derek asked.

"Yeah," I smiled, meeting his eyes, "Do you want to feel?" I asked, grabbing for his hand and placing it on the spot as he nodded.

Within seconds, his whole face lit up, his eyes were shining and his lips formed a wide smile, "Wow, that's amazing."

"It is, isn't it?" I asked rhetorically, sniffling as tears gathered behind my eyes. I didn't think I would ever see that look on his face again. He's alive. He's home. I gave him a watery smile and my breath hitched.

"Are you ok?" he asked, removing his hand from under mine and reaching to rub up from my shoulder to my elbow, squeezing my shoulder the third time around.

"Ye..ah," I sniffed, "I'm fine."

"You know, someone once told me that saying you're fine is a tell-tale sign that you're not," he smirked.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed his hand, squeezing it firmly and looking him in the eye, "I'm just really glad you're ok. I'm more than fine," I finished, wiping a tear from under my eye with my free hand.

"Mom," Zola groaned, "Shhh."

My eyes widened as I looked at Derek and mouthed, 'Mom?!'.

It had only been a week since I had woken up in a hospital bed in a daze missing ten years of my life and I was still grappling with how to deal with everything. Ten years. Ten years is a huge chunk of time to be missing. The last memory I have is getting to my hotel room my first night in Seattle. I had just found Addison with Mark and decided that my unstable marriage was not worth salvaging. Just a few days ago, I had been told that Mark was now dead. My best-friend… my brother was dead and my last memory of him was catching him in bed with my wife (ex-wife now apparently). I learned that I had a wife, two kids, and a baby on the way. The moment I had a chance to talk to my wife face to face without anyone else around, my chest was tight and my heart sped up, but I didn't remember anything about her. She was beautiful and tiny, even being pregnant (days away from 6 months; I had discovered). It was similar with the kids, Meredith had 'debriefed' me on Zola and Bailey before I met them for the first time and the second I was laid up in that hospital bed with a kid on each side of me, they felt familiar, it felt normal to protect them from falling off and diffuse a fight before it went rampant. But I couldn't for the life of me, remember anything about them. It was frustrating as hell to have all of these emotions running through my body that I couldn't pin a reason to. The first week was interesting; to say the least.

I was nervous the day I was discharged to be sent home and I could tell Meredith was too, she had even asked me if I would rather stay somewhere else for a while, but I knew that being home, wherever that may be, would be for the best. Besides, I didn't remember any friends in Seattle (if I had any) and Meredith and the kids felt familiar, they didn't feel like strangers; I was comfortable around them. My mom being there helped, she always had a way of making every situation seem better than it was and I was glad that she was there to help Meredith with the kids. That's one thing I've learned; my kids are rambunctious. Bailey isn't referred to as 'Monkey' for no reason.

As I crutched my way into the house - that was surprisingly in the middle of nowhere - my nerves melted away. This was home. I could feel it in my bones. The familiarly unfamiliar smell calmed me down and a weight was lifted from my shoulders as I settled into the couch in the middle of a house I didn't know anything about, but felt like my home. This is where I belong, I thought to myself as Zola and Bailey curled up next to me and became immersed in a movie.

After Mom and I finally coerced Meredith into sitting down, we talked and joked, about random, but somehow meaningful things. As she teared up and whispered that she was glad I was ok, I couldn't help thinking that I was too. We sat, hands entwined - with the kids dozing between us - in silence until she pulled her hand from mine, "I'm sorry, but I really have to pee," she said urgently, "The baby's sitting on my bladder."

Chuckling a little, I watched as she got up from the couch and made her way behind it and out of sight. Zola groaned and shifted in her sleep and I instinctively ran a hand over her head and repeated a chorus of 'shhh's' until she was snoring again.

Seconds after Meredith had left, the front door clicked open and a tall, dark-haired Latina stepped into the house, "Hey," she said, "I'm here for the kids, where's Mer?"

I stuttered for a moment, resisting the urge to yell for Meredith as not to disturb the kids. My arm tightened around them as I took in the woman before me. Who the hell is she and why is she talking about taking my kids?

"Callie!" came Meredith's voice from behind me, "Oh crap," she said, taking in the look on my face, I'm so sorry, I should have told about this. Umm… this is Callie she works at the hospital with us. She's gonna take the kids for a couple days so you have time to adjust," Meredith sighed, running a hand through her hair and moving to sit by my legs, giving me an apologetic look, "I'm so sorry, I should have…"

"She works with us?" I asked, "We trust her, right?"

"Of course!" Meredith exclaimed quietly, resting a hand on my good leg, "She was really good friends with Mark, Derek. They have a little girl together, Sophia, she and Zola are best friends," she explained.

"We weren't married or anything," Callie interjected, "We were… friends… with benefits? And I'…"

"That's good enough for now," Meredith said, "I'll fill him in later," she continued, "It's a long story, but it's a juicy one," she said with a mischievous look.

"It's not that good," Callie groaned, "Don't get the man's hopes up."

"It involves cheeseburgers and lots of them, his hopes should be up," Meredith retorted, getting up from the couch and pilfering through the little bags on the chair that I hadn't noticed before Cheeseburgers? What the hell is special about that?

She turned to Callie and rattled off information, "They just fell asleep about… 15 minutes ago," she began, glancing at her watch, "I can help you get the car-seats into your car and they may sleep through us strapping them in. This is Bailey's favorite blanket, he'll scream until he projectile vomits if he doesn't have it when he goes to bed," she continued, showing Callie a light blue, knit blanket, "and this is Zola's lion, she carries Gi-Gi everywhere, but she won't sleep without Lucy; Derek got it for her a couple years ago. Oh, and…"

"I've got it, Mer" Callie interjected with a smile, "I've watched them over night more than once," she laughed.

"I know, I know," Meredith sighed running a hand through her hair, "They just haven't been away from home for so long before… without me or Derek, I mean."

"They'll be fine. We'll call you every day, I promise, and it's only four days. Give your raging Mama-Bear hormones a rest," she laughed.

"Shut-up," Meredith smiled and as she did, the most adorable giggle erupted from her chest and could have sworn that my heart skipped a beat.

Just then, I felt Zola shift next to me and a groan escaped her lips as her eyes fluttered open, "Hey, sleepy head," I whispered, causing her to smile.

"Hi, Daddy," she whispered back. I could get used to this, I thought to myself. I could get used to holding tiny humans while they slept and feeling them cuddle into me. I could get used to having someone depend on me in such a huge way as kids do to their parents.

Another giggle from Meredith pierced the air as she talked to Callie and I was suddenly struck with a series of pictures in my mind and the memory of the first time I had heard that sound.

"You must really like yourself, huh?" the tiny blonde smiled.

"Just hiding my pain," I shook my head and chuckled slightly as she giggled. It was short, but god, it was so sweet.

"So what's your story?" I asked curiously.

"I don't have a story," she stated simply, "I'm just a girl in a bar."

I nodded and raised my glass slightly before taking a sip, "I'm just a guy in a bar," I replied.

"Derek," the soft voice seemed foggy and far away, "Derek," the voice came again, clear this time as Meredith appeared next to me, "It's time for your meds," she said, handing me a cup of water and my medication.

"Thank you," I replied sleepily before downing it and wiping the sleep from my eyes, wincing at the throbbing pain in my head and thigh, "Are the kids… gone?"

"Yeah, Callie left with them about an hour ago," Meredith whispered, "Did you want to move to the bedroom?" she asked, moving to sit on the couch next to my hip.

"Meredith," I whispered.

"You can sleep in the other guest room for now," she continued as she folded a leg under herself and cradled her stomach, "Until you're ready."

"You," I swallowed thickly still half asleep, "You were just a girl in a bar and I… I was just a guy in a bar," I finished with a smile.

I watched as a sheen covered her eyes and she swallowed thickly before she replied, "You…you remember that?" she asked as a tear made its way down her cheek, "When? How… how did?" she shook her head and wiped the tear off of her cheek only to be replaced by more.

Smiling at her, I placed my hand on her arm and squeezed it softly, "You… you made me remember," I whispered, "You were talking to… Carly? No, Callie, right?"

Meredith nodded and giggled as I said, "You were proud of me for a whole two seconds, weren't you?" in an amused tone, "That! That right there, your giggle. You were talking to Callie and she made you laugh, it was the first time all week I had heard it and it just… clicked. I mean," I shook my head slightly, tears forming in my eyes as well "I fell asleep and I knew I wasn't dreaming… it felt too real to be a dream, too good. It was a memory, right? We met in a bar."

"We did," she sighed happily, smiling as more tears ran down her face, "We met in a bar the night before I started as an intern. Damn-it, I'm sorry," her breath hitched, "I don't know why I'm crying so much."

I tilted my head as a few tears ran down my face too, "I won't tell if you don't," I replied with a snort as she pulled her arm from under my hand and laced our fingers; they fit together like two pieces of a puzzle and though I didn't know the in between, I knew how we began and I know where we are now: married with two kids and a third on the way, living in a huge house in the middle of the woods, and no longer separated by a job and for now… that was good enough for me.

Four hours later, after moving to the guest bedroom under an agreement that we should take things slowly, and taking what became a little more than a power nap, I awoke to still quiet house. Pushing myself into a sitting position, I leaned against the head board for a second in order to will away any possible dizziness. Then, I brought my leg around so it would hang off of the bed and winced at the pulling sensation for a moment before reaching to grab my crutches, using them to hoist myself off of the bed and make my way out of the room gingerly. As I reached the kitchen, I heard Meredith and Mom talking and when I rounded the corner, I saw Meredith was seated at the island while Mom put something in the oven.

"So what's that called again?" Meredith asked as she sipped on her tea.

"Green bean casserole, it's very good, I'm sure you'll love it," Mom spoke softly, "It was Derek's favorite when he was a kid."

"Still is," I interjected with a smile as I crutched further into the kitchen.

"There's my boy," Mom smiled.

"Hey sleepy head, how'd you sleep," Meredith asked, wrapping both hands around her steaming mug.

"Really well," I sighed in content, "That bed is amazing, it's like a cloud, but it's a little stiff too."

Meredith smiled widely, "That's exactly what you said when you chose it," she giggled (still couldn't get enough of that sound), "You said it'd be perfect for your Mom, and you were right, she loves it too. There's one in the room she's staying in."

"That mattress is half the reason I'm still here," Mom laughed.

"Well I'm glad I make good decisions," I half asked half questioned as I shifted on the crutches slightly.

"Here," Meredith said with a smile, "Sit down," she finished as she went to get up only to be stopped by my mother.

"Meredith Grey, don't you dare move. He can sit next to you," Mom scolded her almost as if she were a teenager and I looked back and forth between the two curiously as Meredith rolled her eyes marginally, "Don't roll your eyes at me," she continued, "You have been pushing yourself too much, and don't think I haven't noticed that you have had a full night of sleep all week. We were in the same hotel room, dear."

"OK, Ok," Meredith sighed, sitting back in the chair again and holding her hands up in defense, "You're on your own, buddy," she said, looking at me with a smile.

I laughed and made my way to the stool two away from her to prop up my leg with the other, "So, that's the second time she's said that; want to tell me why you haven't been sleeping?" I asked.

"Not you, too," she groaned, "You're not supposed to hover. You barely know me, remember?"

I scoffed a laugh, "Just because I'm brain damaged and crippled right now and I don't remember does not mean you aren't my wife and that isn't my baby. I'm allowed to be worried."

Now it was Mom's turn to roll her eyes, "I love you both dearly, but you're the oddest couple I've ever met. Alright. Dinner is in the oven. I'm going to take the timer with me and read a book on the deck, if you need anything give me a holler."

"Thanks, I think," I responded, amused, "Love you too, Ma," I finished, more somber this time. I almost died last week. I almost died and left my mother without a son, she's lost her husband, and evidently she lost Mark; who was just about as much her son as I am. No parent should ever have to go through the pain of losing their child. No parent should have to outlive their child; in that moment, I was more grateful than ever that I had survived for my mother as well as my own growing family.

"Carolyn," Meredith spoke suddenly, just before Mom stepped outside, "I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow at 9, before Derek's physical therapy appointment and I don't know if I'll be out on time to come back and pick him up. Would you…"

"You have an appointment tomorrow?" I asked, "Meredith, why wouldn't you tell me about that?"

She looked confused as she responded, "You want to go? I thought it would just be awkward for you and…"

I sighed and stared at her intently, "Of course I want to go. You can't just assume these things, Meredith! I may have brain damage, but I can still make decisions for myself, I'm still me!"

"But, you're not! You're not still you!" she snapped, "Life experiences shape who we are and right now you're missing 10 years of that!"

"Alright, alright. Knock it off you two," Carolyn intervened, "Meredith, you should have asked Derek to go to your appointment with you, he is still your husband. And Derek, you can't expect her to know how to deal with this any more than you do. The both of you need to relax, Derek you just had brain surgery, raising your blood pressure this much is not safe. Meredith, you're pregnant and if you don't start taking it easy you will either end up on bed rest or with a premature baby, got it? I'll be back in 20 minutes to check on the casserole and make sure the two of you haven't killed each other."

"Wow, ok," Meredith breathed.

"Yeah. Wow," I echoed, "I haven't been yelled at like that by my mother since I crashed my motorcycle in college," I said, before questioning what I had just said. Had I been yelled at by my mother since then? If so, for what reason? I don't even know simple facts about myself.

"It was about 8 months ago I think, that job you took in D.C? It really did a number on us for a while and you went to see your Mom while you were over there since it was so close by. You told her you weren't happy and she basically smacked you upside the head and told you that if you weren't happy it was your own fault and you should go fix it," Meredith said with a knowing look, "I'm sorry, Derek. I really do want you there tomorrow, if you'll still go with me."

"I know that you keep saying we put D.C. behind us before the crash, but I really am sorry. I don't know what encouraged me to go in the first place, but I'm sorry," I said sincerely, because though I knew that I may never be able to completely explain my actions. I also knew that I could always apologize for those I feel were wrong, "I'll think about it," I said slyly in regards to the appointment.

"Oh," she replied coyly, "You'll think about it?" Meredith got up from her chair and walked up to me, sticking her hand out, "Come on," she said, "let's get you re-acquainted with this beautiful house you built us."

Smiling softly, I grabbed her hand and pulled myself off of the stool, standing steady on one leg with her help until I had both crutches in my grasp, "How'd you know I was questioning myself? You're ot a mind reader, are you?" I asked with a laugh.

"No, just a face reader," she smiled, "Let's go…Oh! But first," she said suddenly, "It's time for more meds," she reported, moving around the counter to grab the pills and some water.

As I watched her move around, a realization struck me, "You're waddling," I said with a smile, "I don't know why I noticed now or when it started, but you're waddling."

"I am not!" she gasped, "Take it back."

"I can't it's an irrevocable truth, and adorable, irrevocable truth," I said with a laugh.

"You know what else is irrevocable?" she asked angrily.

"What?"

"Castration."

I burst out laughing at her answer and when she went to punch me I faux-screamed, "Oh no, not the tiny ineffectual fists," and for some reason this small phrase caused her to stop and smile.

As she let her guard down and handed over the medication, she whispered, "You used to say that all the time."

"Really?" I asked, in honest wonder, "I guess that means those memories are still in here somewhere," I smirked, tapping my head.

"I guess," she said whimsically then ushered for me to follow her. After a few feet she muttered, "I'm trying really hard not to waddle."

"I know," I muttered back tenderly, "That's cute too." Meredith led me around the house, showing me every corner and adding little anecdotes here and there, like her initial disdain toward the brick I had chosen for the fireplace in the living room, her down right need for a tub that covered her boobs and her knees at the same time, and that time we were sitting in bed together at the old house (the 'Frat House') discussing the exact lay out of our bedroom when Cristina (Her person) barged in and they 'decided' to add a bedroom just for her. A look of sadness crossed her face as she mentioned Cristina, but I decided to leave it be for now. Meredith needed some time to think about happy things.

Once we reached the guest room Mom was staying in, I was in need of a break, so we sat on her bed for a few minutes. That was when Meredith caught me by surprise, "I was thinking of moving Bailey into this room and keeping his room as a nursery for the new baby. It took me forever to find a layout I liked - you would definitely be groaning if you remembered that – plus, then the crib could just stay put," she was making plans for the future, plans for both of us, all of us really. Meredith had told me the other day that she wasn't an optimistic person, but for the first time, I was seeing just how wrong she was. Because she was moving forward and she was making me move forward too, "I really don't want your mom to leave though," she sighed.

"We'll figure it out," I said, reaching to place a hand on her back tentatively.

When my hand settled, she turned her head and smile at me, "We will, because this isn't the end of us," and I couldn't have agreed with her more on those words, this couldn't be the end of us, because to me we were just beginning.

Normal doesn't have to be a place or a schedule, it doesn't even have to have anything to do with what you do every day. You can find your normal in a person. It's normal to want to take care of this person. It's normal to feel whole with this person. It's normal to build a life with this person. When you have the person you feel normal with, nothing else matters.

There she is, chapter 14 in the books.

Thank you for reading

Huge shout out to Darlene, AliceJuveArtico, Guest, roganjalex, Melanie, Patsy, and beth1814 for reviewing on Chapter 13! I appreciate you more than you know and you have given me a boost of motivation to keep this story rollin'.