Okay next chapter is up. I feel as if I am on a role.
The next morning Cooper woke Meredith and Derek.
"Can you get him please?" Meredith asks.
"Sure but I don't think that I have what he wants."
"I know I just need a few more minutes."
He gets up off the bed and takes Cooper out of the bassinet and carries him into the nursery. Changing his nappy and taking him downstairs to the back porch. He sat with Cooper enjoying the warm sun. Cooper wouldn't sit. All he wanted to do was stand.
"You are one determined boy aren't you?"
He just answers with falling back down on Derek's lap and then standing again.
Meredith soon emerges and sits down with them. When Cooper spots Meredith he leans towards her and holds his arms out to her. She takes him in her arms and he soon sits. She starts feeding him.
"See what I mean he only wants you for the food and me I don't know."
"You will be there for the football and the sports and everything else just like how I will be there for Kaylee for the shopping and the makeup and you will be the over protective father and the one she comes to for money."
"I won't be that over protective."
"Sure you won't."
"I'm being serious. Anyway you made me forget what I was going to say just before."
"Sorry. It will come to you." She says. "What time does this Christmas party start today?"
"Well they are having a barbeque that starts at about 12 at the hall over behind the hospital. They're going to have jumping castles and other small rides for the kids and games then Santa gets there at about 2 and they hand out the presents and then we can go. Cooper should be the first kid then Kaylee will be about 4 age groups later."
"Okay, it seems like a good social event and it is something for the kids as well."
"I know and most of the kids who go to the crèche come as well so Kaylee will have friends."
"Good."
"Oh and I also got told to pack swimmers because they have like a slip and slide and the weather is good for it as well."
"Okay well you can pack all that gear in and make sure you put the sunscreen in I don't want Kaylee being a beetroot."
"Yeah I know." He says. "I'm going to go and make some coffee do you want one?"
"Not a coffee but a tea please."
"Coming right up." He says kissing her cheek.
...
After feeding Cooper she put him in his swing. Kaylee was awake as well.
"Now sweetie daddy and I are going to go and get ready. We should be 15 minutes. Remember no answering doors or phones. If something happens then come upstairs and get us okay?"
"Okay mummy."
She headed upstairs into the bathroom. The shower was already going and Derek was in there. She dropped her clothes and joined him in the shower.
They soon emerged 10 minutes later. Getting dressed.
Meredith dressed in a pair of cargo print shorts and a white singlet. She let her wet hair hang down over her shoulders. Derek dressed in board shorts and put a blue shirt on.
"I'm going to go downstairs and get the kids breakfast." Meredith says.
"Okay but before you do we have forgotten something."
"What?" She asks.
"This." He leans in placing his hand on her cheek and leaning in and kissing her for a few moments. He pulls away. "Morning."
After having a slow morning of doing nothing they were getting ready to go. Cooper was in his walker following Meredith around as she was doing housework.
"Come on Coopie time to get you dressed and we can go and see Santa."
She says to Cooper taking him out of the walker and walking up the stairs with him in her arms. She laid him down on the change table taking off his clothes.
He was happily smiling so Meredith started pulling silly faces at him and blowing raspberries on his stomach and pretending to eat his feet.
He laid there enjoying the attention and the silliness.
"You are one funny boy aren't you?" She says to him. "We better get you ready so we can leave. I don't think your daddy or your sister is willing to wait."
She changed his nappy and his clothes into a onesie with "Daddy's future rock star" and a pair of shorts.
"I think we should put some shoes on your feet."
She picked him up and carried him to the basket were all his shoes are. Finding him a pair of shoes she put them on his little feet she also grabs his hat and glasses from the top of the dresser.
"You are ready to go my baby boy." She says to him.
He wraps his arms around her.
"You're my little koala bear today aren't you."
She leaves the nursery with some spare clothes, bibs, nappy's and wipes.
Derek and Kaylee are downstairs waiting.
"Oh here you are. We thought you had left without us." Derek said.
"No we haven't. This little one was having his smiling time."
"Oh was he just." He coos to him. "He still is."
"I know he always does."
Derek takes Cooper into his arms and Meredith walks into the kitchen to find the baby bag.
"Did you get sunscreen, Kaylee's hat, her swimmers, a towel and some spare clothes?"
"I sure did. It's all packed in the baby bag or Kaylee is wearing them."
"Okay good. I just have to pack this in and we can go."
"Well if you do that then I will get your daughter and we will head down to the car."
"Okay, do you need anything?"
"Can you get my hat and sunnies and my phone and wallet?"
"Anything else?"
"My keys."
"Sure go put the kids in the car."
He leaves with Kaylee and Cooper and puts them in the car. Meredith gets Derek's gear and she grabs her gear along with some baby food and a cotton blanket for Cooper. She locks the house door and climbs into the car handing Derek his sunnies and keys. He starts the car and they head off to the Christmas party. She put Cooper's hat and sunnies on as well.
"Mummy will Santa be there today?"
"Of course sweetie."
"What else is going to be there?"
"Well there will be rides, a jumping castle, slip and slide, a lot of kids, ice cream, games and I'm not too sure what else is going to be there."
"Is Car going to be there?"
"She sure is."
"Good."
Meredith looks at her daughter. She has pink sunnies on and her pink hat on. Her black curls tied in a ponytail underneath her hat.
"Did Kaylee dress herself?" Meredith asks Derek.
"Yeah she did."
"Well she is matching; I think she will be a fashion designer rather than a doctor."
"Well actually I got her clothes she just got dressed herself."
"Oh so it's you who wants to be a fashion designer."
"Yes it has always been a passion of mine to be in the industry. I know I would be amazing."
"Oh you're too funny." She says smiling at him.
"I'm not joking."
"Oh I thought you were. Well if that's the case then you better get enrolled in a course."
"Maybe I will."
There is a silence between them.
"Your joking aren't you." Meredith says.
"Yeah I am."
"Good because then I would have thought other things about you."
"Well I'm not. I have a wife and 2 kids don't I?"
"Yeah but that doesn't mean anything we could just be." She says checking Kaylee then turning back. "S-e-x buddies." She spells out in a whisper. "And just happen to have 2 kids and be married you could be going off and doing other stuff to other people."
"And why on earth would I do that when I have you and being buddies is weird." He says smiling.
"Yeah I know. I'm glad you don't do stuff to other people."
They arrived at the party. Derek got Kaylee out of the car and helped assemble the pram. She transferred Cooper into the pram and strapped him in and pulled the shade over him. Derek put the baby bag into the basket and locked the car.
"Let's go." He says grabbing Kaylee's hand and walking off. Meredith trails behind pushing Cooper in the pram.
When they walked into the park they saw all the rides and the many kids running around.
"Daddy can I go and play."
"Sure sweetie but we need to put sunscreen on you first. Your mummy doesn't want you to look like a beetroot."
"A beetroot?"
"Yeah it's a vegetable that is purple but people use it as a saying your red like a beetroot."
"That's a silly saying."
"I know it is." He says rubbing the rest of the cream into her skin. "Okay you can go now."
She runs off towards the jumping castle.
"Do you want to find a seat in the shade and get some lunch?" Derek asks.
"Sure."
The find a seat on the veranda of the hall. He opened the chairs and they sat down in them.
"What do you want to eat?" He asks her.
"Um I don't mind."
"Okay I'll be back in a few minutes." He tells her kissing her on the lips.
She looks at Cooper who looks at her.
"Do you want some food?"
He just smiles. She grabs a jar of food and a spoon, puts the bib around his neck and starts feeding him.
The jar is finished just as Derek comes back with lunch. She wipes his face and she starts eating her own lunch. They sat eating and entertaining Cooper. He looked more interested in running around with the other kids.
"You are too young Coopie. Next year you will be able to run around with them." Derek says.
Charlie then comes walking towards them.
"Hey Car." Meredith says. "Who brought you here?"
"Dad did, he is talking to some people. Where's Kaylee?"
"She is running around somehere. I don't know where but she is on something."
"Okay I'm going to go and find her."
They watch Charlie head towards the jumping castle.
"She has found her." Meredith says.
"She sure has."
Richard soon comes towards them.
"Hey Richard."
"Hey, how are both of you?"
"We are good. What about you?"
"I'm good. Where are my two grandkids?"
"Kaylee is with Charlie and Coopie is in his pram wanting to play with the kids."
"Oh it isn't that fun out there baby boy." He says unbuckling him and taking him out of the pram. "God you have gotten big, have you been working out?" He asks him.
Cooper just smiles at him.
"Richard take the seat." Derek says. "I'm going to go and check on Kaylee."
He gets up and heads down to the jumping castle and Richard takes his chair.
"This is a good set up." Meredith says.
"Yeah it is, I'm really surprised because it hasn't run before and when I went to Boston they had one every year so I thought it was a good idea for the families to get together and socialise and a way just to have fun. They done a good job this year and hopefully it lasts for a while."
"Well I think that is a good idea. Meet some of the wives and husbands of the people Derek works with."
"Well I can go and introduce you to some of them."
"No that's alright. I'm happy to sit here and talk to you."
They sat talking when Derek came over.
"Pass me Coopie; I'm going to take him on the teacups." Derek says.
"Okay, I'll come and watch." She says.
She turns to Richard to grab Cooper.
"I'm going to go and talk."
She settles Cooper on her hip and heads over to Derek and they walk to the teacups. Cooper is getting excited and bouncing around on her hip.
"Settle down Coopie. You have to wait your turn." Meredith says to him.
Charlie and Kaylee come and stand beside them.
"Do you want me to take Coopie?" Charlie asks.
"If you don't mind." Derek says.
"No I don't."
"Okay well hold onto my boy tightly." Meredith says handing Cooper over to Charlie.
It is soon their turn and they find a cup to sit in. Charlie holds Cooper with one arm and Kaylee with the other.
The ride starts and Cooper starts smiling.
Derek wraps his arms around Meredith's waist and watches with a smile.
Every time they pass Meredith and Derek laugh at Cooper's reactions.
"His having a ball." Meredith says.
"I know. I'm hoping we can coax him away from them."
"I can, I was going to feed him and try and get him to sleep before Santa comes."
"Good idea."
The ride finally stops and they get off. Charlie hands Cooper to Meredith.
"Did you enjoy that Kaylee?" Derek asks.
"Yes I did daddy but I'm hungry can I get something to eat and a drink."
"Sure sweetie. Let's go."
Derek takes the kids to get food and Meredith goes back to their chairs and starts feeding Cooper.
When Derek came back with Kaylee and Charlie, Cooper was close to being asleep. His eyes were closed and his drinking had slowed.
Kaylee and Charlie shared the same chair and ate their lunch. Meredith finished feeding him and he was fast asleep. Derek helped her lay him down in the pram and she covered him so he could sleep.
"Do you want anything?" Derek asks.
"No I'm fine."
"You sure I can get you something."
"I'm sure."
"Good."
"But I wouldn't mind going for a walk and sitting in the sun."
"Okay we can do that. Charlie will you be fine looking after Kaylee, we will take Cooper with us."
"Of course I will."
"Anyway I think they are going to be doing some of the novelty events soon."
"Are you going to race Kaylee?" Charlie asks.
"Yes."
Derek packed the chairs up and the girls went off. He helped Meredith with the pram and they went for a walk around. Stopping every few seconds to talk to a workmate.
When they headed back from their stroll 10 minutes later Derek's resident was there with his wife and new baby Jillian.
"Meredith this is Dr Roach my Resident." Derek says.
"Meredith it's nice to meet you finally. I her your becoming an intern next year?"
"Yes I am I'm so looking forward to it."
"Well its an amazing experience. This is my wife Tasha by the way."
"Hi." Meredith and Derek said at the same time."
"And this I Jillian."
"She's adorable." Meredith says.
"Thank you." Tasha says.
"Where's your two kids?"
"Well Cooper is here asleep and Kaylee is with her Aunty."
Jillian started crying.
"Oh we better be going." Dr Roach says. "Nice talking to you."
They grabbed two ice creams and sat on the wooden seats overlooking the oval.
"Look there's Kaylee. Ready to go." Derek points out.
They watch all the events with the kids from running, to egg and spoon races, sack races and all the others. Kaylee soon comes running over to them puffed.
"Look mummy and daddy, look at what I won." She says puffed.
"Wow, good work sweetie."
Then over the P.A system they hear "Time for all you men out here to have a go at the boot throwing completion. We have great prizes."
"Go on big guns show them what you have." Meredith says.
He sits there.
"Go on daddy."
"Okay fine."
He gets up heading towards the line.
"Come on girls we have to see this." Meredith says.
They walk over and stand behind him. Meredith leans on the pram trying to hide her smile.
"Woo go dad." Meredith says.
Derek turns around and shoots her a look before smiling. They watch him throw it. Not getting very far. Meredith claps and he walks back towards them.
"Great work Derek."
"Shut it. I would like to see you have a go."
"Well they don't have girls competing."
"Yeah so."
"Hey it's alright your still my big guns."
"Will you call me that tonight in bed?" He whispers.
"I'll see." She says.
"Okay now time for the daddy and kids piggy back race." Comes over the speakers.
"Come on Kaylee let's go." Derek says picking her up on his back.
Richard then comes over.
"Come on Charlie; let's see if we are better than Derek and Kaylee." He says.
They go and line up next to Derek and Kaylee. Charlie jumps on Richards back and they wait. The whistle soon blows and they are off. Meredith is laughing the whole time.
"God where is my camera when I need it." She says to herself.
Derek makes it over the line outrunning everyone by a few seconds. He spins around and comes towards Meredith.
"We won mummy."
"I know you did. You even beat poppy." She says as he just comes over the line.
Charlie jumps off his back and they walk to Meredith, Derek and Kaylee.
"God I'm getting to old to do this." He says.
"You should have given up a long time ago."
"I know. I'm going to sit here and take a few minutes."
The next race is the three legged race, kids first then the adults.
"Come on Meredith you're in this one." Derek says.
"Sure, who am I going with?"
"You can go with me." He says.
"Okay good. Go on girls you are first."
The race starts and the girls come in 2nd. Derek and Meredith are then up.
The whistle sounds and they are off. They run down the end and straight back up beating everyone. They had just made it over the finish line after they won and Meredith jumped up and down and made the two of them lose balance and fall to the ground. They just laid there laughing and soon got up and collected their prizes.
Richard had recovered and stood up.
"The Santa should be here soon." He says in a whisper. "And we better move away from here because this is where he is landing."
Everyone moves just in time as a helicopter flies over.
"Who's that Kaylee?" Derek asks.
She gets picked up by him for a better look.
"I don't know."
The helicopter then lands.
"It's Santa. Can we go and see him."
"Hang on sweetie."
Cooper started crying as well so Meredith took him out from the pram putting his hat and glasses on. The Santa had walked towards them. Stopping next to Richard.
"Hello Richard." He says.
"Hi Santa, I have some very special kids for you to meet."
He guides them over to Kaylee, Charlie and Cooper."
"This is my daughter Charlie and this is Kaylee and Cooper my two grandkids." He says.
Kaylee is a bit unsure at what to do.
"Do you want to give him a hug?" Derek asks.
She nods her head and then gives him a hug. Cooper throws his arms out to be carried by this new person. Meredith passes him off and the Santa holds him.
All these other kids had come up and talked to him with Cooper staying in his arms the whole time.
Derek pushed the pram for Meredith and Kaylee and Charlie ran inside to get a seat up the front.
After everyone was in the hall Cooper was passed back to Meredith and the Santa and Richard went up the front welcoming everyone.
They started with the babies and Cooper was one of the first.
"Baby Cooper Shepherd 5 months." They said through the microphone.
Derek took him up the front and they received his present and came back to Meredith.
"Open it now or wait?" She asks.
"We will open it now. He wants to open it." He says.
"Okay my boy let's see what you got."
Meredith opens the present and he got a fisher price walk and go.
"Well at least this will be used."
They waited for Kaylee and she got her present. Derek helped her carry the present and she opened it. Her face lit up. She was given a Barbie house and a new Barbie and Ken doll.
"Do you like it sweetie?"
"Yes mummy."
"That's good."
"Can we go home so I can play with it?"
"We are going to wait for Car then we can."
...
After the long day the kids were in bed.
"After telling me to put sunscreen on the kids you don't do it yourself." He says applying moisturiser to her shoulders and back.
"Shut up big guns." She says with a smile.
"Oh you called me big guns. I've been waiting for that all day." He says kissing her shoulders.
"I know you have been." She says turning around and lowering on his back.
"Why are you on top?" He asks.
"I'm sunburnt and I think that I deserve to big guns." She says kissing him.
What'd you think? Please please please please let me know.
This chapter was inspired by what we do here in my town. Since my dad is a coal miner every week some money goes into a kitty and that money is usually of about 90 dollars and the Christmas party committee go out and by presents for kids up to 12 years of age and when you are from 12 to 16 you pick your own present from these selected stores. It's the best day to have free ice creams and rides.
Next chapter is Meredith and Derek's weekend away.