Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's Anatomy.
Chapter 21
When they pulled up in front of the hospital they found Izzie, Christina, Alex, and George waiting with a wheelchair. Derek quickly stepped out and ran around to help Meredith. George parked the car so Derek could stay with Meredith.
They quickly entered Seattle Grace and started for the elevator. Before reaching the elevator, Addison and Mark joined the group. "Meredith how far apart are the contractions?" Addison asked once they were in the elevator.
"I haven't timed them."
Addison looked to Derek and Derek responded. "Maybe 4-5 minutes. I didn't look at my watch but it takes about 10 minutes to get here and she had 2 contractions in the car."
They arrived to a delivery room and Addison instructed Derek to help Meredith change while her and Mark stepped into the hall just as George and the other interns joined them.
"How is she?"
"I haven't examined her yet." Addison said in an unfamiliar voice to the others which caused everyone to look at her.
"What are you worried about Mcwife?"
"Christina not now."
"It's fine Izzie. It's just that the contractions are really close and something doesn't feel right about this."
Just as Addison finished her statement Derek opened the door. "Addi she's ready and she had another contraction."
"Ok I'm coming." Addison entered the room with another intern and a nurse. Addison went to Meredith and started her exam as the intern started an ultrasound to check on the babies. Addison looked up to Meredith. "Meredith Sheppard how long have you been in labor?"
Meredith could not answer because she was breathing through another contraction. Derek took his eyes off Meredith and turned to Addison. "Addi?"
"She's crowning Derek."
"Dr. Sloan?"
"What is it?" Addison asked as she walked over to the intern to look at the ultra sound. "Dr. Smith go prep the OR." The intern nodded and quickly left the room.
Meredith was having another contraction so Derek asked the question for both of them. "What's the matter Addi, why do you need an OR?"
"We need to do a caesarian. Your little boy hasn't turned yet and we need to get him out."
"What about our little girl Addi? You said she's crowning, why can't you deliver her now and then get him?"
Meredith had finished another contraction and had tears running down her face. "Addi you have to save them both. You can't…you have to save them both. I'm sorry I didn't come earlier…please don't punish them for my stupidity Addi…you have to save them."
Addison stepped closer to Meredith and grabbed her hand. "Listen to me Meredith. You are not stupid. This is your first pregnancy and I have no doubt that you would have been here sooner if you knew you were in labor. And Meredith, you are not going to lose either of your babies do you understand?" Addison watched as Meredith nodded her head. She then looked up to Derek. "Go change so you can be with your wife."
Derek nodded and went to leave however Meredith didn't let go of his hand. "No, I don't want you to go."
"Mer it's okay. I'll go fast, it will only be a couple minutes. Addi will be here with you and I'll send Alex in. I'll be right back I promise."
Meredith let go of Derek's hand and Derek left as he said and Alex appeared in the room. "Grey have you ever thought of doing things the easy way?"
"Alex."
"It's okay Addi, he's being Alex." Meredith then turned to Alex. "If you don't watch it I'll change my mind about letting you come with us."
"Alex go make sure the OR is ready, as soon as Derek gets here we will bring Mer in."
Alex nodded and gave Meredith a kiss on the forehead before heading out the door.
After another contraction Meredith turned her head to look Addison in the eyes. "Addison?"
"What is it?"
"I want you to promise me something."
"Okay."
"Promise me you will save both of my babies."
"Don't be silly Meredith, I already told you both of your babies will be fine."
"Promise me Addi."
Addison saw the desperate look from Meredith. "I promise you that you and your babies will be fine."
The door burst open and Derek came back into the room. Addison smiled and both her and Derek started to take her out of the room to the OR. Once they got out into the hall all their friends were waiting for them. George, Izzie, and Christina helped roll her bed while Addison stepped back to walk beside Mark. "What's wrong Addi?"
"The little boy is breach and the little girl is crowning. If I don't get them both out fast, we could lose both of them."
"Do you think you can't do it?"
"No I know I can, I've done thousands of deliveries like this before. It's just that something feels wrong about this. Where is everyone?"
"They went to the gallery. I'm going to join them and Christina said she would make sure it was only family. Mom and the girls are in the waiting room."
"Good, that's good."
They stopped in front of the OR door. Mark pulled her into a hug. "I'll be watching, I love you."
"I love you too Mark." Addison then entered the scrub room and quickly scrubbed in. When she was done she entered the OR. "Okay Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard are you ready to have your babies?" Both nodded as she took her spot at the table. Addison took a deep breath and looked up to see Mark smiling. She then glanced at Christina, Izzie, and George who were watching happily waiting for the newest Sheppard arrivals. She then glanced at Alex, "Ready?" He nodded. "Scalpel."
Addison made the incision and soon the first baby was out. "It's a boy. Daddy do you want to cut the cord?"
Derek quickly stood and cut the cord. After he heard his son take his first breath and let out a cry he went back to Meredith and gave her a kiss. "He's beautiful."
After handing the baby to a nurse she went back to work to get the second baby.
After a few minutes of not hearing any other cries Meredith looked into her husband's eyes with tears in hers. "I don't hear her Derek, why don't I hear her?"
Derek stood and looked to see Addison pull out his baby girl. "Addison?"
Addison looked up to Alex. "She's not breathing, we need to work fast." Addison said as she stepped away from the table with the baby. Alex followed her.
"Addison?"
"Derek I don't hear anything."
"Addison?"
Addison worked fast not wanting to answer Derek unless she could tell him everything was okay. All of a sudden the little girl let out a cry. Everyone exhaled the breaths they were holding. "It's a girl." Addison smiled as she held her up for Derek to see.
Derek sat back down after he saw his daughter. "She's as beautiful as her brother." Derek said as he leaned over and kissed her. When he pulled away he knew something was wrong.
Meredith's smile faded from her face as she looked into Derek's eyes. "Take care of them Derek."
"NO!"
"Thank-you for teaching me how to love, tell them I love them and I'm sorry I couldn't be there for them. I love you Derek."
"NO Mer, Addison?" Derek yelled again seeing his wife lose consciousness.
Addison handed the baby to the nurse as soon as she heard Derek yell and had made it back to the table with Alex following. They looked down and saw all the blood. She looked up and locked eyes with Mark for a second and she heard Derek yell again as she went to work on stopping the bleeding.
"Meredith NO. You can't do this to me, to us. Do you hear me Mer you can't leave us. I won't let you leave us."
"Alex get him out of here, Dr. Smith close the gallery."
"No, I'm not leaving her Addi. I'm not leaving my wife." Derek yelled with tears in his eyes.
"Alex get him out of here now. I can't do this with him here." Addison shouted. When she glanced up to Alex she saw the pleading look in his eyes. "Come back just get him out of here."
Alex nodded and grabbed Derek. He started pulling him to the doors.
"No, you can't do this. I can't leave her. She needs me, she can't be alone, she hates being alone."
"Derek you can't help her now. Let Addison and I do our job."
Mark had seen the blood as soon as he heard Derek yell and after he saw the fear in Addison's eyes he knew it was bad. He immediately went down to the scrub room. When he got there he saw Alex trying to force Derek out of the OR. "What's going on?"
"Addison wants him out of the OR. She said she can't have him in there."
"I can't leave her Mark. She can't be alone, you know she hates being alone."
Mark glanced at Addison who was franticly working on Meredith and then he looked back to Derek. "She's not alone Derek. You need to let Addison and Alex help her." Derek was still struggling so Mark grabbed his shoulders. "Derek! You can't save her right now. You need to let them do this."
Derek stopped struggling and allowed Mark to lead him out of the scrub room.
Alex went back in to help Addison.
Mark led Derek down the hall to the nursery where they found the others watching the new Sheppard's. When they approached they all turned to them. Mark spoke. "We don't know yet. Addi and Alex are still working on her."
"She will be fine."
"You don't know that Barbie."
"I do. Christina she loves those babies and her husband so much…she won't leave them."
"She may not have a choice."
"George." Mark said sternly.
"She told me to take care of them."
Mark and the others turned their attention to Derek who was sitting on the ground with his back to the wall and his knees pulled up.
Mark took a seat next to him while the others sat down across from the two.
"She told me to take care of them and…and she thanked me for teaching her how to love. She said to tell them she loved them and she was sorry she couldn't be with them and that she loved me."
"She won't give up Derek, you have to know that. Mer is a fighter. With all the crap she has been through, she won't give up and leave her family." Izzie said.
"Barbie is right." Christina said as she stood up.
"Where are you going?" George asked.
"To work. Page me when she gets into her room." Christina answered and then walked away.
Mark placed his hand on Derek's forearm and gave it a squeeze. "She's a fighter Derek and you know how much she loves you and those kids. She won't leave you."
"It was like she was saying goodbye Mark."
"Did she say goodbye?"
"No."
"Then she will be okay. Do you really think she would let you raise those kids alone? Do you remember the last time you changed Lilly's diaper? And what about when her and Addi spent the weekend at that resort and spa? She said herself she would never leave us alone with a child again and Addi backed her up. She will be okay Derek."
"I can't live without her Mark."
"I know and you won't have too. Addi and Alex aren't going to let her leave us." Mark finished and the four remaining friends fell into silence.
After a few minutes Derek stood up and walked to the window. While he was looking in more tears came to his eyes. He felt a presence beside him when he spoke. "She didn't even get to see them, and we didn't get to give them their names yet."
Mark sighed as he put his hand on Derek's shoulder. "She will see them Derek and you will name them together. You remember when you first told me about Mer?" Mark saw Derek nod slightly as he continued. "You were talking about faith. Derek you have always talked about having faith when it comes to Mer." Mark stopped and turned Derek to face him. "Don't lose that faith now, not when she needs you the most."
"Derek!"
"Mom."
"How is she? How is Meredith and the twins?"
Derek looked at his mother and sisters all of them had smiles on their faces because they didn't know what had happened. Derek was too worried about staying by Meredith's side while Mark had stayed with Derek knowing his brother needed him the most.
Mark knew right away that Derek wouldn't be able to tell the rest of the family what had happened so he quickly stepped up and pulled them to the side allowing Derek to go back to watching his two children and thinking about Meredith.
After Mark finished explaining everything that had happened Nancy spoke, "Mark is she…is she going to be alright?"
"Addi is with her now, we don't know anything yet."
"Answer your sister Mark."
"Mom you know I can't give you an answer…at least not the one you want."
Elizabeth looked down the hall towards Derek. She slowly made her way to him.
Derek felt her beside him. He was trying so hard to hold it together for his children, his friends, his family however all his strength left once she spoke.
Elizabeth placed her hand on Derek's shoulder. "Derek, honey."
Derek turned into her waiting arms and let the tears fall freely. In his mother's arms he didn't have to be the strong husband anymore and for some reason that was the most comfort he felt since he had left Meredith's side in the OR. "I can't lose her mom. I don't know how to live without her in my life."
"Sshh honey…we are not going to lose her. You are not going to lose her."
Derek pulled back from her arms and looked her in the eyes. "There was so much blood and…we didn't even get to name them yet."
She saw the sadness in his eyes and her heart broke more for her son and his family that was supposed to be just beginning. "Stop it Derek." Elizabeth saw the shocked look on her son's face and she decided to continue right away. "You are acting like she is gone. That women is not going to leave you and your children alone and I know that Addison would never let her leave you alone with them. I have heard the stories of you and Mark with Lilly. You are the one who has always talked about having faith…Derek don't lose that now, not when you need it most."
"That's what I said."
Derek could tell that his mother had no doubt what so ever in her eyes and he saw the small smile on her lips. He glanced at Mark quickly who also had a smile. He decided to listen to his family. "It wasn't the same."
"Are you kidding me?"
"No."
"Alright you two enough. Mark sit down here with us, let's say a prayer." Elizabeth and the rest of the family said a prayer as they all held hands. When they were finished Elizabeth looked to Derek, "Now I would like to meet my grandchildren."
At the mention of his children Derek lit up. He stood up and helped his mother to the window where he pointed out his two children. For the next half hour they all stood watching the babies and talking before they heard the clicking coming down the hallway.
Mark and Derek knew immediately that it was Addison and both turned to see her approaching. When they turned the rest of the Sheppard's stopped talking and turned towards her as well.
Alex was walking with her and when they came to a stop in front of everyone he spoke first. "Where are the others?"
"They went to work. We are suppose to page them."
"How's Mer?"
"I'm going to go page the others." Alex said before moving down the hall.
"Addi?"
"She…she lost a lot of blood Derek." Addison paused to gather her thoughts before continuing. "She's in recovery and I left instructions to move her to her room in an hour. She hasn't woken up yet Derek."
"But she will wake up right Addi?"
"Derek."
"Please Addi just tell me that she will be okay."
"Derek she made it through the delivery. She lost a lot of blood but I was able to stop the bleeding and save her uterus. If she wakes up in the next 24 hours…"
"She'll wake up. What room?"
"Derek."
"What room Addi?"
Addison looked from Derek to Mark then to Elizabeth and the other sisters before looking back to Derek. "4310."
Derek didn't say anything else before running down the hall towards her room.
"Addi." Mark said her name softly knowing she was ready to break. He saw her look up to him before he pulled her into his arms and she broke down into sobs. "Sshh it's okay Addi, you did good."
"What if…she lost so much blood. What if…"
"Stop that."
Addison pulled away from Mark and looked to Elizabeth.
"You did everything you could Addison and I know Meredith is not going to leave those precious babies with my son. I love him dearly but I know how well he changes a diaper. She would not subject her children to that. Now let's get you something to eat before we go to her room and wait for sleeping beauty to wake up."
Addison chuckled a little as she let a small smile spread across her face. "Thanks mom."
Elizabeth gave Addison a hug as the group headed down the hall.
Derek ran as fast as he could to her room. In the back of his mind he was afraid. Afraid of what he would find but he knew she was alive and that's what he held on to. Now he just had to get to her so that he could make sure she stayed that way.
Once he reached her door he took a deep breathe to calm his nerves before he slowly pushed open the door and entered. When he walked further into the room he saw her. And let out the breathe that he had been holding. "Mer." He whispered out as he quickly made his way to the side of her bed and grabbed her hand. Squeezing slightly he took in her appearance. She was pale which he knew was due to the loss of blood but it still caught him off guard. She looked so peaceful with her eyes closed, her breathing was even and then he realized how quiet the room was without her soft snoring that should have been there.
He quickly pulled close one of the chairs that was in the room and took a seat not once letting go of her hand. Once he sat he looked back up at her and started talking. "Mer, you have no idea how much you scarred me. I know you didn't mean to but you have to promise never to do anything like that ever again. You have to wake up Mer our family can't go on without you and you need to give our son his name. I know you didn't get to see them yet but they are so amazing. Our little girl looks just like you, she even scrunches her nose right before she lets out a cry, or maybe she's going in her diaper." He paused to chuckle before continuing. "Whatever the reason it is just like when you scrunch up your nose. Mom said our little boy looks just like me when I was a baby. I guess she is right but I am grateful he also has your nose. They haven't opened their eyes yet so I don't know if they have yours or mine but Mer, they are beautiful and they need their momma. I need you Mer, remember what you said about me changing diapers. I know you have been through so much in your life and each time you have pushed through and come out so much stronger. You amaze me Mer and I am so proud and grateful that you are my wife. I need you to push through this Mer. I need you to come back to me and our children. I'm here for you and I promise I'm not going anywhere, I love you Mer."
There was a soft knock on the door and in came the rest of their family minus the interns. Elizabeth and Nancy quickly went to the other side of the bed from Derek and both gave Meredith a soft kiss on the forehead. Mark and Addison went to stand next to Derek while the other sisters went to the end of the bed.
"She's so pale."
"It's because of the blood loss but she will get her color back mom."
"Has there been any change Derek?"
Derek simply shook his head no to Nancy's question.
There was another knock on the door as two nurses made their way into the room with the babies. "Dr. Sheppard it's time for their first feeding."
Derek turned his head towards them but didn't let go of Meredith's hand. "Addi, Mom can you?"
"Derek Michael Sheppard I know you are hurting right now and you want to be here for Meredith but don't you think she would want you to take care of your children?"
Derek looked at his mom and then Meredith before looking back to his mom. He nodded as he slowly let go of Meredith's hand and approached the nurses. "Mom, can you help?"
"Of course." Elizabeth replied as she made her way over to the babies.
"Was she going to breast feed?"
"No, we talked about it and we decided that with the two of them it would be easier if we bottle feed them from the beginning so I could help out."
"I think that's a great idea dear. Now who do I get to feed?"
"Go ahead and grab your grandson, I'll take this little angel." Derek took his little girl from the nurse as his mother took his son. They each took a bottle and Derek went back to the bed and took his seat next to Meredith before he started feeding his daughter. He watched as she latched on and started right away.
"She eats just like her mom." Mark chuckled from beside him.
Derek smiled. "She does. How is he doing mom?"
"He's doing good. He didn't like it at first but he seems to have figured it out."
"Good."
The family watched as the babies where fed. Once they were done they were passed around so everyone got a chance to hold them before Derek's sisters went back to the house.
Derek, Elizabeth, Mark, and Addison stayed in the room with the babies who were now sleeping. Mark and Addison were on the couch sleeping while Derek and Elizabeth held the sleeping babies.
Derek noticed his mom was having trouble keeping her eyes open. "Mom, why don't you put her down?"
"She's okay dear."
"Mom you are about ready to fall asleep." Derek said as he gently laid his son next to Meredith and walked around to take his daughter. He then laid her on the other side of Meredith and made his way back over to the other side of the bed where he sat back down and took Meredith's hand while watching his children and Meredith.
Elizabeth looked at the new family and didn't argue. She sat back in the chair and slowly fell asleep.
Derek put his head down next to Meredith keeping one hand holding hers while the other arm reached across her body so he was holding the three of them.
"Oh, look at you two. You are so beautiful. Are you hungry? You both are wide awake and you both have your daddies eyes, yes you do. I hope you keep the Sheppard eyes although I'll have to figure something out for when you start dating. And you little angel, I think your daddy will end up with a shot gun by the time you start dating." Meredith giggled as she watched her children's eyes look at her.
Derek quickly woke once he heard her giggle. When he looked up he saw her eyes were open and she was holding their children tightly in her arms. "Mer."
Meredith heard his whisper and looked over towards her husband. "Hey."
"Hey."
"They are beautiful."
"They are just like their mother. How long have you been awake?"
"Not long although I think these two might be hungry."
Derek looked at his watch. "It has been a couple hours since they first ate. What do you say we name them before I go get the nurse so we can feed them?"
"Okay. You first."
"Megan Sharlene Sheppard. I remember you said Sharlene was a family name and I know your family hasn't been there for you but they gave me you and I was thinking that maybe this is their second chance plus it means strong and you are the strongest women I know. And I've always liked Megan."
"It's perfect Derek." Meredith said with tears in her eyes. She then looked down towards her daughter and looked her in the eyes. "Hello Megan Sharlene Sheppard. I'm your mommy and this is your daddy."
Megan let out a small gurgle in reply. Meredith and Derek both chuckled. "I think she likes it. Now what about him?"
Meredith looked back up to Derek before answering. "Michael Sloan Sheppard."
Derek didn't know what to say as tears came to his eyes.
Meredith saw the tears and immediately tried to fix it. "I can change it if you want but I just thought, well I know I didn't know your dad but from everything you and your mom and sisters have told me he was an amazing man and you are an amazing man so I thought our son will be just as amazing and Sloan, well I know it's a little unusual but he is your best friend and him and Addi have been by our sides through everything and I couldn't really name our son after Addi so I hope she understands because I think I owe her that after she delivered them and she did make us Lilly's godparents but if you really don't like it then…"
Derek did the only thing he knew would stop her rambling without telling her to be quiet. He leaned in carefully not to disturb his children and kissed her. Pulling back he smiled at her. "It's perfect and just so you know, you are an amazing women yourself." Derek looked down to his son who was still looking up towards his mother. "Hello Michael Sloan Sheppard. I'm your daddy and this is your mommy." Michael did just as his sister did and gurgled a little. "I guess that means he likes it just like I do."
"I'm glad. They really are perfect Derek. I can't believe they are ours."
Derek was about to respond when he heard a sniffle. He looked up and saw his mom who had tears coming from her eyes and then he saw Addison standing next to her with tears and an arm around his mother. Mark was standing next to Addison with his arm around her and he had a huge smile on his face. Derek looked back to Meredith. "Are you really sure about the name?"
Meredith saw Mark's smile and knew what Derek was talking about but she just giggled.
"I'm glad sleeping beauty has woken up. You gave us quite the scare there young lady."
"I'm sorry mom. I didn't mean too."
"I know. I'm so glad you are alright dear." She bent down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Now can you officially introduce me to my grand children?"
"Of course. This is Megan Sharlene Sheppard. Megan, meet your grandma."
Elizabeth smiled down at her granddaughter as she ran her finger along her check. "You are beautiful Megan, and welcome to the family."
"And this is.." Meredith trailed off as she looked to Derek to continue a little worried about Elizabeth's reaction.
Derek noticed her hesitation and immediately spoke up. "This mom, is Michael Sloan Sheppard. Michael, meet your grandma."
"I hope it's okay mom. I know I didn't know him but…"
"Meredith, Michael would be…I'm sure he is very proud to know that you decided to name your first born after him." Elizabeth paused before looking down towards her grandson. "You are very handsome…Michael and welcome to the family."
Mark being Mark stepped forward and grabbed Michael from Meredith's arms. "You munchkin have a very good name even though your silly mommy only gave it to you as a middle name. At least every time you do something bad we will be hearing it." Mark paused and bent his head closer however still spoke so the others could hear. "As your uncle and godfather it is my job to make sure we hear it quite often."
Addison softly hit him on the back and then bent down to move the blanket so she could see Michael. "Don't worry, Aunt Addi will help your mommy keep him in line."
"I'll be holding you to that Addi." Derek said now sitting next to Meredith on the bed.
"We're glad your back Mer. And your children are beautiful even though you named your son after my husband."
Meredith smiled while Derek spoke up knowing what Meredith was thinking. "Addi, is she okay?"
Addison explained what had happened during the delivery and explained what she had done to stop the bleeding. Once she was done Meredith decided to speak up. "Addi, can I…right now isn't an option but in the future, can I maybe have more children?"
Addison smiled as she gave Meredith's hand a squeeze. "You can defiantly have more children."
"Thank-you Addi."
"Your welcome Mer."
All of a sudden there was a cry and everyone looked down towards Mark who was frowning. "I didn't do anything."
"He's hungry Mark." Meredith said with a smile. "Derek can you?"
"I'll get the nurse." Addison said as she left the room. It didn't take long before she came back with two bottles. She handed one to Mark and one to Meredith.
"Derek?"
"Go ahead Mark. Are you okay Mer?"
"I'm perfect Derek. Are you okay?"
"I'm perfect." Derek replied as he watched his wife feed his daughter.
Once they were done eating they soon fell asleep. A nurse came in and took them back to the nursery to allow Derek some time with Meredith and Mark, Addison, and Elizabeth decided to head home.
"Goodnight you two, I'll be back with your sisters in the morning so you can officially introduce them to their niece and nephew. You two get some sleep." Elizabeth finished and gave both Derek and Meredith a kiss and hug. As she hugged Meredith she whispered into her ear. "You should be very proud of yourself Meredith. You became an adult despite everything that was thrown at you and I want you to know that I am very proud of you for that and for making my son happy. Plus you gave me two beautiful grandchildren today."
Meredith closed her eyes not wanting the tears to fall. "Thank-you mom…just thank-you."
"Come on mom, Addi and I will give you a ride back to the house."
Elizabeth pulled back from Meredith and wiped her tears as Meredith wiped her eyes. "Thank-you Mark."
"We'll be back in the morning, let us know if you need anything."
"Maybe some breakfast." Meredith said with a smile as she gave both Mark and Addison a hug and a kiss.
"Always thinking about food aren't you?"
"Of course. Thank-you both for being here."
"We wouldn't be anywhere else Mer. Now get some rest and we'll see you in the morning."
"Thanks Addi and drive safe Mark." Derek replied.
Derek and Meredith watched the three walk out of the room before Derek climbed into the bed fully with Meredith.
Meredith moved over slightly to give Derek some room as she fit into him perfectly.
"I'm glad you came back."
"There's nowhere else I would go Der. I'm sorry I scared you."
"Just promise you won't do it again."
"I promise I love you and our children more than I ever thought possible thanks to you."
"I didn't do anything Mer."
"You taught me how to love Der. I didn't think it was possible to feel this way but with you…"
"You let me love you and when it is our time to go home, we are going to go together and we are going to be 110 years old."
"You sound so sure."
"We have two children to take care of and as you said more in the future. With all the kids you are planning I would say at least 110."
"So you heard that did you?"
"Of course I did and don't think I will ever forget it."
"I know. I love you Derek."
"I love you too Meredith. Now get some sleep. I'm sure the sisters will be here first thing in the morning along with our friends."
Meredith turned slightly to give Derek a kiss before falling asleep. Derek waited to hear the soft snores before he allowed himself to sleep with a smile on his face happy to know that his entire family was alive and well.
There you have it and I hope you enjoyed! I started the Epilogue which should be up within the week. As always if you have a chance I would love to hear what you think and a huge Thank-you to everyone still reading and to those who reviewed the last chapter.