Thank you so much for the enthusiastic reviews to the last chapter! Nothing like McBaby news to make us all happy! Along with everyone else it seems...

Chapter 25 - Spreading the News

Meredith went through the next week in a daze, realizing her life was changing totally again. She still hadn't told anyone else, hugging the knowledge to herself for the moment. Well, besides Derek, of course…they had shared the sweet knowledge together, not ready to let the rest of the world into this. At any rate, Meredith's medical side realized just how fragile this could be, how things could change without warning.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Derek asked, for the twentieth time since they had discovered she was pregnant. "I mean, you should probably see an obstetrician soon…right?" He massaged her feet, as she lay on the couch.

"Yes, I'm okay…and yes…I'll need to see someone soon," she smiled. "But part of me just wants to keep this between us. As soon as I see the OB, it won't be a secret anymore. Word travels faster than a case of syphilis in SGH…"

Derek chuckled at her metaphor. "Okay, but don't wait too long, please?"

"No, I won't. There's a good OB-GYN I can talk to….but I'll need to tell Cris and Izzie first. Well, Izzie already suspects, after out elevator escapade…"

"And I'm sure she told Mark."

"Yeah, but he's not about to gossip, thank god." Meredith sighed, as she surrendered to the way he managed to find the spots to make her fully relaxed. "God, don't stop that…"

"That sounds almost sexual," he teased her.

"Almost as good…" she murmured.

"Almost?"

"Close…" She peeked at him, her eyes half closed. "So are you going to find me sexy when I'm big and swollen and cranky?"

His eyes darkened, and he kissed her temple. "Even more…"

"You say that now..."

"You're sexy no matter what. And you're too sweet to be cranky."

Meredith swatted his arm playfully. "Just remember that in seven months or so, when I'm screaming at you in the delivery room. And you will be with me there!"

Derek pulled her up into his lap, and hugged her then, looking into her eyes. "Don't worry – you'll be a sexy mama, and I will be with you all the way through labor. I wouldn't miss it for the world." He kissed her, lingeringly, his tongue stroking hers, taking away any doubts she might have about it.

"Do you want a boy?" she asked, curled happily in his arms, recalling their conversation in Napa Valley. She peeked up at him.

"I don't care…either one makes me happy…just so long as you and the baby are healthy…"

"Well, I think a little boy would be perfect…with your hair…"

"…and your eyes…what could be better?"

At the end of the next week, Meredith settled into her chair at lunch beside Izzie and Cristina. Alex and George were across from them, all of them in their usual spots at the table. From their first day as interns, until now, as residents, they had managed to have lunch together fairly regularly, and they always sat in the same places. Now she looked at them, before spearing a few bits of lettuce in her salad.

"So you over that flu bug you had?" Cristina asked, taking a sip of her soda. "You still look a little pale, are you okay?"

"Well…" Meredith took a deep breath, gathering herself. She was scheduled to see Dr. Robbins tomorrow, so she wanted to tell her friends now before hospital gossip took over. "Actually…I'm pregnant…"

"What?" Exclamations broke out around the table, each of her friends commenting loudly.

"When are you due?"

"Are you okay?"

"Does anyone else know?"

"What did Derek say?"

"Congratulations!"

"I knew it!" Izzie beamed, giving Meredith the thumbs up. "I called it…"

"Yeah, you did…and Derek is thrilled, and so am I…"

"Are you gonna tell Bailey?"

"Yes, and I have an appointment with Dr. Robbins tomorrow, so I figured I better tell you guys now…"

"Cool, Arizona is a great OB doc…"

"So you gonna keep working?" Alex smirked.

"Yes…why not? Bailey did…"

"Just askin'…"

"You think I'm not gonna be around to kick your butt, Karev?" Meredith asked. "You aren't getting rid of me that easily…"

"Yeah, the daughter of Ellis Grey isn't going to stay home long, right?" Cristina asked.

Meredith shook her head. "I won't be off long…but I won't be missing the best parts of my child's life, either…" Remembering how much of her own life that Ellis had missed out on, Meredith was certain she would be around more than that. One way or another.

"Boy or girl?" George asked, grinning.

"Hmm…don't care…"

"What if it's twins? Do you know if it runs in Derek's family?" Izzie asked.

"God no…I have no idea…"

"You better hope it's not twins…" Cristina eyed her friend's petite frame. "And you weren't even really trying and you get knocked up…must be Shepherd Super Sperm!"

Alex choked on a bite of his sandwich, and George nearly spit out the mouthful of coffee he had just taken. "Oh crap, I so did not need to hear that..."

"Buck up Georgie...you'll get used to that kind of talk if you do your rotation in OB," Alex smirked, slapping George on the back, and the conversation dissolved into more laughter.

Derek was closing his office when Addison caught him. "Don't you have something to tell me?" she asked him, putting her hand on his arm. Her green eyes were on him, and she had that expression that told him he couldn't escape her at the moment. It was the same look she skewered hapless husbands with when she was trying to get her client the best offer she could.

"Well...yes, actually I do have something to tell you, but..." Derek gave her a puzzled look, not sure what she was irritated about.

"No buts...what did you do?"

"Do?"

"You've been smirking a lot this week, and having whispered phone calls...are you having an affair?"

"What? Addi, come on...when would I have time to have an affair? And why would I want to? Meredith is enough woman to keep me happy and you know it," he protested hotly.

"So what's going on...tell me, Derek...I know you too well," she reminded him, tapping her foot in the sleek Gucci pump.

"Okay, I meant to tell you sooner, but we wanted to wait and be sure things were okay." Derek couldn't keep the smile off his face. "Meredith's pregnant..."

"Oh Derek, that's wonderful!" Addison flung her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a hug. "When is she due?"

"About seven months from now..."

"You sly devil...it was that trip to Napa that did it, wasn't it?"

Derek shrugged. "Maybe...but the main thing is she's young and healthy and her doctor just gave her a checkup and everything's great. I'm going to be a father, Addison, can you believe it?"

"You'll be awesome. And Callie and I will be sure to spoil the baby shamelessly! Oh, I have to call her and let her know...!" Addison kissed Derek's cheek again, before rushing off to make a phone call. "Oh...and tell Meredith to rest, and I'll be sure to take her shopping for maternity clothes!"

Derek grinned to himself as she disappeared into her own office, shaking his head a little as he strolled out the doors of theiroffice complex. Life couldn't get much better, though he was sure it would change completely once the baby was born. Whether it was a girl or a boy, it didn't matter, just so long as everyone was healthy.

Meredith stretched languidly, enjoying the warm heat of the steam room. It was late on a Sunday evening, and she loved the heat that surrounded her. Closing her eyes, she drifted into a light sleep, lulled by the hot, humid air. It was quiet, except for the occasional hiss of steam. Her body felt drenched with the oil she had spread over her skin, and the sweat that popped out within minutes. Her hair clung to her damp flesh, curling in tendrils in the heat.

Then she felt a slight whisper of cool air as the door opened, and she turned her head to see Derek closing the door behind him. He held a towel around his hips, and she felt the usual thrill of desire just looking at him. His dark hair fell across his forehead, his intense blue eyes meeting hers. Somehow, the room seemed to throb with immediate sensuality between them, as he crossed the room and held his hand out to her. "I was hoping you were here," he said softly, as she stood up. His towel hit the floor, and he pulled her closer, their slick skin sliding in a hot embrace.

His hands caressed her body adoringly, sliding over the warm globes of her perfect breasts, her tiny waist, and the slight curve of her hips. As always, the feel of her in his arms was enough to make him hard and hot for her. She was his, and he was hers, and he never wanted to let her go. At this moment in time, nothing else mattered. The steam hissed around them, surrounding them in humidity. Their lips met hungrily, and his tongue found hers, alternating between demanding and gentle. He wound his hand in her wet hair, as she melted against him. The air was wet and heavy as molasses, pressing down on them.

Meredith felt hot and erotic, as if they were somewhere in a hot jungle, their bodies radiating heat from the steam and their own urgent need. She slid down to her knees, taking his cock against her lips. He felt solid and strong in her mouth, and she wrapped her tongue around him, sucking and licking. Her fingers fondled him, as he pulled at her hair, groaning at the intensity of his desire.

"God, Meredith, I love it when you do that," he growled. His whole body shook as he felt himself close to edge, so close to losing it completely. "Come here." He pulled her up to her feet, and spun her around. He lifted her hair away from her neck, and kissed her hotly, his cock sliding against her wet skin. His hands moved to her waist, and stroked her belly. "Do you think our baby is enjoying this...?"

"Maybe, there's nothing to say we can't do this, Derek…" she moaned, as she bent down to brace her hands on the bench. His knee parted her legs carefully, his cock searching against her. "You aren't going to hurt him…"

"So you think it's a boy?" he asked thickly, a smile on his lips.

"I don't know...but..."

"But?"

"Is there any kind of...oh god...twins in your family?" she managed ask.

"Not that I'm aware..." Derek assured her. "But I guess you never know..."

"Let's just hope for one at a time," Meredith sighed as he filled her suddenly, taking her breath away.

"God, yes…"

"Now…."

He thrust into her, as deep as he could go, marveling at her tightness, her slick heat pulling him inside. Her head went back, as he pulled out and pushed back in again, heightening their arousal by his slow, deliberate thrusts. Derek withdrew slightly, pushing deeper for two strokes, then pulling back, and returning again, alternating until she was lost in the way he made her feel. It felt like sweet torture, her orgasm building up to the point of no return. She moaned and lost herself in the sweet delight as she went over the abyss into the climax that shuddered through her. She clenched around him, feeling him spilling into her.

With a soft sigh of contentment, they sank to the floor, and he took her into his arms, cradling her as their breathing slowed. Beads of moisture ran down their bodies, as she rested her head against his chest. She was completely content, wrapped in his arms.

"Are you really okay?" he asked, resting his chin on her head. "I'd hate to do anything to hurt you with this..."

"I'm fine, seriously. Dr. Robbins assured me there's nothing to worry about..." Her hand rested on her abdomen almost unconsciously. "Let's just enjoy this experience okay?"

"Okay." He clasped her hand where it lay on her midriff. "Just give me some leeway here...I have no idea what to do or expect, I don't want to mess it up."

"I think you're more excited than I am..." Meredith teased.

"We both are…you've been immersed in those baby books Dr. Robbins gave you," he smiled at her.

"Well…you may be right," she confessed. "Dr. Bailey told me to just relax, she's been through this and she knows how tiring it can get. She's going to make sure my schedule isn't too crazy."

"Good…" Derek continued to stroke her abdomen, "I'd hate for anything to happen."

"Derek, don't worry…women do this all the time…"

"Yes, but now it's my woman…"

Meredith curled her fingers in his damp black curls, enjoying the possessive tone in his voice. "You sound positively caveman," she teased him.

"I do, don't I?" he sighed. "Forgive me?"

"I actually kind of liked it…"

"You probably shouldn't admit that…isn't that anti-feminist?"

"Hmm…I suppose so…but just don't get too carried away."

"My only other request is that I want you to drive the BMW sedan from now on. That Jeep of yours isn't reliable enough – I don't want you getting stranded somewhere on the freeway in your condition." He sat up on the bench, taking her hands in his. "Will you promise me that?"

"Yes…I can see the point."

Derek leaned in closer, and kissed her lips, his tongue caressing hers briefly. "Thank you for putting up with me…"

"Oh, it's a hardship…" she giggled. "But I love you and I understand…"

"Love you back, honey…" Derek breathed, pulling her close again. He kissed her softly at first, his tongue caressing her, making her respond eagerly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, as she rocked in his lap, needing to meld herself tightly against him. It would never be enough, she thought hazily...for either of them...after being alone for so long, this was all she needed.

As if sensing her thoughts, Derek lifted his head and gave her one of those drop-dead sexy smiles that made her tingle all over again. "I think you're ready for more, Dr. Grey..."

"Oh yes, Mr. Shepherd..always..."