A/N: Thank you all for the awesome reviews.

Chapter Twenty Six

Bridge Over Troubled Water

When Meredith and Morgan arrived back in Seattle, Cristina was there to pick them up from the airport. To her relief, Morgan didn't mention that her mother was now married to Derek. Of course, she had asked her daughter not to. She didn't want the news to get around Seattle until she was able to put her past behind her and move on with her new married life with Derek and their children.

Cristina was curious to hear the details about the trip since she hadn't heard much about it from Meredith in the first place. Meredith continued to tell her as little as possible, considering it had been a long day. She was just ready to go home and take a nice long nap, promising that she would tell her all about it later.

It wasn't long after Meredith and Morgan returned home that they received word that Derek's mother had passed away peacefully in her sleep, her children by her side. Both Meredith and Lexie wanted to join their husbands for the funeral, but Mark told them that it would be better for them to stay in Seattle. Lexie was disappointed since she wanted to see her husband again, but she was willing to stay and take care of the family.

It wasn't a surprise when Meredith found out that Lexie already knew about the wedding. Mark was her husband and he didn't want to keep this a secret from his wife. However, Lexie promised that she wouldn't tell anybody. She just wished that she had been there to see her sister get married and perhaps be part of the wedding.

"It wouldn't have been much fun," Meredith told her sister as they watched Morgan play baseball with Owen, Cristina and the rest of the hospital staff. "Even I felt out of place and I was the bride."

Lexie frowned. "Derek's family was that intimidating? According to Mark, they are the best people he had ever met."

Meredith tried not to laugh. "Of course he is going to say that. Derek's family practically raised him. We're both outsiders. We need approval to get into that family. I'm just glad Mrs. Shepherd accepted me. That was the person I was worried about."

"Are Derek's sisters really as protective of Derek as Mark says they are?" Lexie asked. "Because I really don't want to meet them if they are." Meredith nodded as Lexie made a face. She quickly changed the subject. "When are you and Morgan moving to New York?" Meredith turned to Lexie, confusion written all over her face. "Aren't you two moving to New York so you can be closer to Derek and his kids?"

Meredith shook her head. "No, Derek and his family are moving back here," she told her. "I thought you knew that." Meredith was confused by the disappointed look on her sister's face. "Why? What's wrong?"

"Well, Mark and I were hoping that we could move into the house. That way, we would have plenty of room when we have more children," Lexie replied. "But I guess we'll just have to find another house."

"Even if you do have more kids, I think our house would be too big for your family," Meredith said as she played with Ben, who was on her lap. "Besides, I think you should enjoy your first child for a few years before thinking of expanding your family."

Lexie knew that she was right. "Yeah, it wouldn't be fun to have two kids in diapers. Then again, Mark and I do want our children close in age. Speaking of children, how are those two doing in there?" she asked as she looked at Meredith's baby bump.

Meredith didn't answer. "Just be grateful that you're not carrying twins," she replied as she turned back to the game. She gave a smile to her daughter as she went up to bat. "Hit it out of the park," she called. Morgan nodded before she concentrated on the ball and hit it. The ball went across the field and Morgan dropped the bat before she started to run around the bases. "That's my girl."

"So how did Morgan react to you and Derek getting married?" Lexie asked curiously. "Was she upset?"

"Surprisingly, she was the one who encouraged me to do it," Meredith replied. "She didn't want Mrs. Shepherd to be sad. And even though Derek and the kids are moving back here, it doesn't change her feelings towards him. She is still mad at him for leaving us." Lexie then asked if she still was, but Meredith didn't answer. Instead, she focused on watching the game and the conversation was over.

Once the game was over, Owen and Cristina volunteered to take Morgan for the night. Meredith was grateful for the offer and Morgan eagerly accepted the invitation. So Meredith went home without her daughter.

As Meredith was walking into the foyer, she heard her cell-phone ringing. She put her purse down on the coffee table in the living room before answering the call. It wasn't a surprise when she heard Derek's voice. He had been calling every day since she and Morgan had returned to Seattle. "How was your day? Is everything fine with the twins?"

Meredith hated to admit it, but it was nice to know that Derek was concerned about her and their babies. "Yes, everything is going fine. Morgan and I went to the park and she played with Owen and the rest of my former coworkers while Lexie and I watched. Thanks to you, Morgan is getting pretty good at T-ball." There was a short pause before she spoke again. "How was your mom's funeral?"

"It was very beautiful. Thank you for asking. It will be a little while before any of us can get back to Seattle. Lizzie told me that I don't have to stay and help sort out my mom's stuff, but I want to. I don't know when we'll be able to return, but it will definitely be before Morgan and Katie starts kindergarten in the fall."

Meredith let out a deep sigh. "I can't believe that they are going into kindergarten soon." She still wasn't sure if she was ready for that milestone.

"I know," Derek agreed. "It seems like yesterday I was holding Katie in my arms and rocking her to sleep. But it won't be long before we will have two new babies to rock to sleep." Meredith was surprised at his optimistic attitude. However, the feeling soon went away with his next words. "And no matter what happens with us, they are still our children."

Meredith shook her head in disbelief. "You don't believe that this therapist will help me, do you? Do you think I want to do this? Do you think I want to pour out my deepest thoughts and secrets to a stranger just so we can raise our family together?"

Derek tried to calm her down. "You were the one who came up with the idea of going to the therapist, remember?"

"That's because I didn't like your first idea," Meredith reminded him. "Besides, I wouldn't know where to find him." She didn't like discussing her ex-boyfriend with him. "Look, you take as much time as you need with your family. I'll be able to handle everything until you get back here."

"Are you sure?" Derek asked. "After all, you are carrying twins. And you are taking care of Morgan at the same time." Meredith was about to respond when he spoke again. "I know you are an expert on taking care of Morgan alone, but this is different. You have to take care of yourself so the twins can be healthy too."

"Yes, I have plenty of people to look after me," Meredith told him. "So you have nothing to worry about. Just take care of your family." They then exchanged good-byes before she hung up the phone.

Meredith wanted to take a nice relaxing bubble bath to make her forget the conversation that she just had with Derek. She really believed that this marriage would work until the subject of Finn was brought up. She couldn't believe that Derek had suggested that she should go and talk to him. What could she say to him? Would talking to him really would make her find peace and closure?

Meredith pondered these questions and a lot more the whole night. It wasn't easy to clear the thoughts out of her head, but she tried as hard as she could so she could get some sleep. It didn't work and Meredith decided to try a different idea. She turned on the television and started flipping through the channels. However, the search for something good to watch was unsuccessful. The television was then turned off.

Meredith then pushed back the covers and climbed out of bed. She went out of her room and went down the hall to the room where she was planning to have as the nursery. It still needed a lot of work, but she had already brought in some of Morgan's baby things that she had kept down from the attic. There was the rocking chair where Meredith had rocked Morgan off to sleep. There was the crib that she had slept in for the first two years of her life. There wasn't much else besides a few boxes of baby clothes. Even though the attic was full of Derek's things as well, it was Addison who had kept her children's baby items.

Opening a box, she pulled out Good Night Moon. She smiled to herself as she remembered the many nights that Morgan had cuddled up next to her in the rocking chair while she read the book to her. It was a little sad when Morgan decided that she didn't want her mother to read her the story anymore, but she knew that it was time to move with other stories for them to read.

Meredith let out a heavy sigh as she put the book back in the box. This wasn't helping her get to sleep. This was only making her think even more about her future with Derek and their children. Yet, she had to think about the future in case this marriage didn't work out. The plan would have to change. Unfortunately, she would have to go back to working a full-time job. But that didn't mean that she would have to go back to working at the hospital. Working at a clinic would probably be better for her.

Coming up with names for the twins was also a priority. As much as she wanted to keep the sexes of the twins a surprise, she knew that Morgan and Katie would want to know whether they were having two brothers or two sisters or one of each. Of course, she and Derek would have to tell them that they are going to have two siblings first. Then they could really start planning the nursery and the names. Derek was right. Even if this marriage wouldn't work out, she still had him to help her with their children. She just had to keep holding onto that thought and everything would turn out fine.

Letting out a little yawn, Meredith sat down in the rocking chair. As she rocked the chair back and forth, her eyes started to close. Too tired to stay awake, she drifted off to sleep. It seemed like only minutes, but she found herself waking up hours later. Looking at the time, Meredith let out a groan. She wasn't looking forward to this appointment, but she knew she had to go. Climbing out of the chair, she headed to the bathroom to take a shower.