"So, what did you get?" Derek asked her after school, a little over a week later and she mumbled something incoherent. "Huh?"

"Ninety-four," She told him.

"That's great, Meredith!" He exclaimed. "I'm proud of you."

"Really?" She felt herself grinning like an idiot. No one had said that to her in a very long time.

"Really." He leaned down and gently kissed her. "What are you doing today?"

"Well, me and Izzie are going to go Christmas shopping," She told him. "I have to get you something, remember."

"Don't get me anything," He told her. "I have you and that's enough."

"Yeah, okay," She shook her head. "Go hang out with Mark for a few hours. And I should be home about five or six."

"If I have too," He kissed her one last time before running out to his own car.

"You two are so cute," Izzie smiled walking up to her. "Like seriously."

"Seriously?" Meredith smirked as Izzie just rolled her eyes. "Come on, let's go pick up Marlee."

"Yay."

After quickly running in and out of the hospital, the three were on their way to the local strip mall. "So, what should I get for Derek? Like, I have no idea."

"Uhm," She thought about it for a minute. "Yeah, I agree. No idea."

"Well, I have a feeling this is going to be a very successful shopping trip." Meredith let out a groan.

x.x.x

"I can believe if forgot the stupid stroller," Meredith mumbled as she held Marlee against her side. "I'm a bad Mom."

"No, you're not. Do you want me to hold her, so you can look around some more?"

"Sure. Thanks, Iz," Meredith put Marlee into Izzie's arms.

"Not a problem." She smiled. "So, have you a Derek had… grown up time?" She laughed.

Meredith looked at her with a questioning look and then shook her head. "She's only nine weeks old, Iz. You can say sex."

"Okay. Have you and Derek had sex yet?" She rephrased her question.

"No," She told her. "I don't know, 'cause I think he wants too, it's just… I don't know if I'm ready for that yet."

"Because of last time?"

"I love Marlee, you know that. I'm so happy that I have her." She paused. "But if that were to happen again? There's no way my mom would let me live at home anymore."

"You could buy Derek condoms?" Izzie smiled as Meredith laughed.

"I could," She nodded. "And we haven't been dating for that long, so I think I'm going to wait a little longer."

"I think that's a good idea." Izzie agreed.

"Yup," She sighed. "What should I get him?"

And that quickly, they were back to the original question. She walked over to the jewelry counter and peered into the glass. She saw this sliver chain and instantly liked it. It was all different squares interlocked. "Hey, Iz, what about this?"

"I like it," Izzie smiled. "What do you think, Mar?" She just smiled brightly. "I think we have a winner."

"Thank god."

x.x.x

"Okay, so tell me how bad your extended family is," Meredith sat down on the counter in the kitchen. Marlee was fast asleep in her crib and both Izzie and Derek had left about an hour ago.

"You really want to know?" Mark laughed as she nodded. "Okay, there's my two cousin's Justin and Lauren. He's seventeen and she's sixteen." He paused. "Justin's… manageable. I can handle hanging out with him for a day tops. Lauren… well, she's like Nancy's bitchy side, but ten times worse and all the time."

"Awesome."

"Oh, yeah. Then My Aunt and Uncle. I can guarantee they're going to ask about Marlee's father, so be prepared."

"Thanks for the warning." Meredith ran a hand through her hair. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

"Night."