A/N 27 JUN – Thanks for reading. Though the story is completed, as I went back to edit for grammar, a couple of scenes here and there seemed to fit well, so I added them. Hence, have split this up to 3 parts…and if you've ever enjoyed this story, your comment now, before posting the last chapter, would be so very much appreciated. Otherwise, it seems I'm writing for 13 people that commented on the last two chapters and are the only ones interested in reading what's to come, which is ok…because it's for each of you that do comment that I've tried to do my best to bring this to a satisfactory and enjoyable conclusion.

Heartbreaking Reverberations – Chapter 25 – Part 2

Meredith decided she wanted to work as long as possible, as she'd rather have maternity leave take effect after she gave birth; technically she was entitled to twelve weeks off, but given her residency, she and Derek had agreed she'd take eight weeks only eight weeks after the baby was born.

The two weeks that followed their "babymoon" had her working shorter hours, usually no more than six per day. But, she'd told Derek one evening, she was too uncomfortable to stand for long periods in surgery, so other than a couple appendectomies, she had been doing post ops for attendings and helping out in the clinic. It seemed, she thought and smiled as she sat in the resident's lounge for a short break to put her feet up, that her family was taking turns looking out for her, and right on time, Mark walked in.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine," she said, "for someone who's a million weeks pregnant."

"Huh…a million weeks," he sat next to her, and handed her an orange.

"Just about," she said. "I'm not supposed to get any bigger…the books say I'll feel like I am…but that I'm really not, but that's bull…total bull…"

"If you say so," Mark said indulgently.

"Really," she stared at him, challenging him for the truth.

"Yeah," he said, "Lexie told me you'd be feeling like this…irritable and moody."

"Oh…" Meredith said, as the baby kicked her ribs, "that hurt."

"You ok," Mark sat up, "are you having contractions…are you in labor…do I need to get Shep…of course I need to get Shep…"

"So much for calm and steady in a storm," she laughed.

"You laugh…" he said, "my godchild is about to be born and you laugh…"

"Your godchild," she rolled her eyes, and smiling reached for his hand, "is not ready to be born anytime soon," she said, "here…you can feel the movements."

He rarely touched her stomach, but the few times he did were amazing. "Wow…she's rolling…the kid's rolling around in there…"

"Yes," Meredith smiled, "which is part of the reason I know the baby's not ready to be born, she's being stubborn," she immediately alternated sexes, "and he's not getting in position, but Dr. Cameron says it's ok…they do it when they're ready, but he wants to make sure that happens by next week…if not, he may try to turn the baby."

"Is that safe…" Mark said, "I mean…for you…"

"It's uncomfortable…but it's perfectly ok…he assured me, and so did Nancy."

"Nancy and you," he smiled at her, "strange bedfellows…" he teased.

"She's been great," Meredith smiled, "this little one has great aunts and uncles…not to mention godparents."

"Speaking of godparents, are you ever going to decide who the godmother is?"

"We did," she said, "weeks ago."

"Who is it?"

"I want to wait…" Meredith smiled, "till the baby's born…"

"Why?"

"It feels right," she smiled, picturing the moment.

"So…other than getting kicked and being a million week's pregnant," he teased her, "you're really ok…Shep's not driving you nuts?"

"He is…just as I am," she said and smiled, "though I think he has it worse."

"You know," Mark told her, "Lexie's all excited about the baby…I'm not supposed to tell you, but we went and looked at one of those sleepover things…portable something or other, so we can baby sit…and it came today."

"You did?" Meredith's eyes watered.

"Hey, you can't cry…if Shep finds out, he'll kill me."

"He knows I cry all the time now," she told him, and reached for his hand again. "Hey baby…this is your godfather Mark and he's going to babysit for you with aunt Lexie," she smiled, imagining her sister's expression when she first held the baby.

"Meredith," Mark smiled again, "she kicked me…does it hurt?"

"Not really hurt…except when he kicks my ribs or the leg gets stuck and I have to get her to move again," she smiled at him. "You keep saying she's a girl…like Derek…but you got all boy things…"

"Do you realize," Mark told her, "that anybody that hears you talking would think you're having twins."

"Twins…oh God…I don't know how I'm going to handle one…but…why?"

"Since we've been talking you've called the baby her and him," he smiled.

"Yeah…I don't want the baby to think it matters…whether we have a boy or girl."

"I know," he smirked, "I figured it was a 50/50 chance."

"We'll know soon," she smiled at him, "but if it's a girl, well save it, for the next one."

"You're going to have another one," he laughed, "he's already talked you into it?"

"He didn't have to," she told him, "I don't want our baby to have a lonely childhood."

"Uhmmm" he said, and leaned over and kissed her cheek, "and we'll make sure…we take them out trick or treating…every year…"

Meredith's eyes welled, "we will," she said, "and you'll be joining us…"

"You bet," Mark told her, and reached to hold her hand.

"Will you help me up," she said, "I need a crane now."

"You're having a baby," he told her, "one that keeps kicking and rolling around like it's a party in there…you're entitled to a little help."

"That's what Derek says," he helped her up, and she smiled at him.

"He's right," he said, and they walked out together, and she sighed, accepting she really did waddle a lot more lately.

"Hey," Derek said early that evening, when he found her in the den and leaned down to kiss her. "I didn't see you before you left today."

"You were in surgery," she told him. "I was so tired, I came home as soon as my shift ended. I'm thawing our dinner," she said, "your Mom's meatloaf."

"Do you want me to make mashed potatoes?"

"No," she told him, "I want brown rice…and tomatoes…and maybe corn…"

"Do you want a bath…before dinner? Relax a little…"

"Maybe…" she said, "but…"

"What…" he sat next to her on the couch, his hand feeling for the baby.

"Derek…I'm like a whale…I get it…why women say that…it's like I'm stuck here…like a beached whale…and it's so hard to get up, and the baby is forever pressing against my bladder…and…you must be so tired of me…"

"How can I be tired of you…I have the most amazing…beautiful wife…who is nurturing our baby…and that's creating all sorts of uncomfortable physical discomfort…and Mer…you hardly complain…and I've loved taking care of you…and that you've let me, even when I know I'm driving you crazy…"

"So am I…" she whispered against his lips.

"You're not…I promise…"

"Mark stayed with me…talked to me for about a half hour today…he wanted to know who the godmother is."

"Did you tell him?"

"No…" she smiled, "I think…the way we've planned it…that's the way I want to do it."

"Mer…do you want to stop working?"

"Part of me does…but…I'd rather wait, spend the time with the baby…I'm not going to be any more comfortable at home…and there's a maximum of twelve weeks…and if I stop working now…and anything's wrong…I don't want to risk…"

"Nothing," he kissed her, caressing her very large pregnant belly, "is going to go wrong. Mer, family leave is twelve weeks, but if you want more time…we'll make it happen."

"I don't know how I'm going to feel, once the baby is born…but I'm pretty sure I'll hate leaving the baby…but…I don't want to get so far behind…maybe I can work shorter shifts…like now…six hours…"

"You've been thinking a lot about this," he said.

"I have," she told him. "I know it's odd…for me…but…I love our baby so much already…Derek…and the thought of having to leave …when they're so tiny."

"We'll decide later," he kissed the top of her head, "once the baby's here."

"Help me up," she said, "I need to go to the bathroom."

"Ok," he said, "do you want to go upstairs…and I'll draw you a bath…"

"No," she said, "down here…baby's been pressing on my bladder for a while."

He waited for her and then walked with her up the stairs, and drew a bath for her and helped her get in carefully. "Wait for me to get out of the tub," he kissed her lips, "I'll be back in about fifteen minutes…ok…"

"Ok…" she lay her head back against the rim of the bathtub, and her eyes were still closed when he came back in, but she was running the hot water, to keep the bath water warm, as she'd asked him not to fill it completely.

"Ready to get out," he asked her.

"Yeah…" she said, and he helped her out and wrapped her in a warm towel he'd specifically just brought from the drier, "I want to lie down for a little while…"

"What's going on?"

"Back's sore…"

"We can have dinner in bed," he kissed her softly once she'd gotten in bed.

"Derek," she said, "I love you."

"I love you too," he said. "What should I bring for dessert?"

"Ice cream…and the radish bread…"

"I'll be back in about fifteen minutes," and he was, and after they had dinner and he'd cleaned up the kitchen, he spent the next couple hours pampering his wife, with a back massage and foot rub, and intermittent kisses and tender caresses that made her feel loved and wanted…though on this night, as the last nights this week when he'd held her all night; neither initiating lovemaking.

Meredith's 39th week of pregnancy coincided with their tenth month anniversary, and she was determined to make it a special evening; Derek had been caring and loving during the last week, and she'd been feeling guilty that she'd been too exhausted each night to even think about sex; likewise, in the morning he was up early and usually left the house while she was still sleeping, as he too had adjusted his schedule to be home early each evening. He'd requested, and she'd agreed not to drive during the rest of her pregnancy, which technically had less than two weeks to go. He'd only had to tell her he was worried in case she got any of the sporadic cramping she'd been getting, or the baby's foot getting stuck in her ribs and that he'd feel much better with her not being behind the wheel while driving, and she'd agreed without any hesitation.

Their friends and Derek had undoubtedly synchronized their schedules, as every day someone would drive her to the hospital for the start of her shift, and one of them would show up around the time she was due off and drive her home.

"Derek," she opened his office door, "are you busy?"

"Not for you," he got up to kiss her and led her to the couch. "You ok? You're out of breath."

"It's normal," she said, "according to Jenna and Nancy…and your Mom…"

"It won't be long now…" he told her.

"I know…9 days to my due date," she said, leaning in to him, "March 20th…"

"You know, most babies are not born on their due date…"

"I know…" she smiled, "and your princess…still refuses to get in position."

"You're seeing Dr. Cameron tomorrow …maybe she'll turn."

"Nancy said some babies don't turn till right before labor…"

"Then," Derek kissed her softly, "she has a few days more."

"Derek," she said, his hand already gently rubbing her belly, "our 10th month anniversary is in three days …I was thinking we could spend the night at the trailer."

"Uhmmm…"

"You don't want to…" she said, "I mean…I get it…I'm clumsy and really huge now…so I don't expect you'd…"

He kissed her, softly at first; then his lips trailed down to her neck. "Already have plans."

"You do…" she said, a bit disappointed, "you forgot…"

"I have plans…for us…together…"

"Oh…"

"Yes…oh…"

"What are they?"

"We're spending the night," he smiled, that McDreamy smile, "at the trailer…"

"We are?"

"We are," he kissed her. "Not so brainless, that I don't know what my wife would like."

"Thank you," she kissed him back.

"You're welcome," he smiled. "It's Saturday, so I'm leaving early that day…my shift ends with yours at three, and we'll take the ferry to Bainbridge."

"You're only working on Saturday because of me…you're hovering."

"What better reason?" He stated simply and kissed her.

Meredith's due date became the talk of the hospital; her friends had purposely provided a misleading due date for the first week of April, but most people were placing bets within the last ten days of March. The baby's sex was favored to be a boy with abundant dark hair like his father.

"Dr. Cameron," Meredith asked, "do you think I'm going to need a c-section…if the baby doesn't turn?"

"I think," Cameron told her, "the baby will turn, but just to make sure we haven't been wrong about the position… we'll do an ultrasound today…"

"Do you think something's wrong?" She asked, her voice filled with concern.

"No…I don't, we were going to do this earlier, and we waited…so we'll take a look at this little one today, and see what's going on. Sometimes, if they have moved low in the birth canal, we may not be able to tell any other way."

"Dr. Cameron," Meredith told him, "the baby is definitely not in position. This is his head," Meredith pointed to her side, "no doubt about it."

"Let's take a look," he said, and placed the gel on her stomach.

Derek held her hand, kissing her forehead, "we're going to see our baby…"

"We are," she said.

"Baby Shepherd," Dr. Cameron laughed. "Mom you're right, this little one is definitely comfortable…and probably knew you didn't want to know the sex…because…no way to tell from this," he smiled, "let's hear the heartbeat," he said, and the healthy beat was music to their ears, "oh yes…perfect…"

"Derek," Meredith squeezed his hand, "look…the baby is sucking the thumb, wait till Lexie finds out… she's been telling us they would do this…for weeks."

"She's moving," Derek said, "a lot…for this late isn't it."

"Nothing's wrong with that…this baby will get in position when it's time," he took measurements, "we'll keep due date for March 20…but think this little one may have other ideas…then again, the baby can turn quickly. But, there's no dilation or effacement right now," he said, "so we'll just see how things are next week."

"Dr. Cameron," Meredith asked him, "is it normal…that I can have a lot of energy and then I'm exhausted."

"Absolutely," he said, "it's very common in the last few weeks. Meredith, everything looks good, your blood pressure, the weight…there's no significant swelling of your hands or legs…it won't be long now…but, it may be a little bit longer than next week."

"I can only wear my wedding band," she fidgeted with it, "the other ring was a little tighter…do you think I need to worry…about…"

"Meredith," he told her, "most women can't wear rings at all after a certain period, you're within days of having a baby…it's perfectly normal."

"Can you tell how big she is?" Derek asked, both he and Meredith still mesmerized by the images of their baby.

"Just about 20 inches and a bit over seven pounds would be my guess right now."

Later that night as they lay in bed she told him, "you can really see my stretch marks…"

"Mer…" her belly was exposed as the top she wore no longer covered it, and his hand rubbed gently, "you can't tell…"

"Right…" she mumbled, a little more irritated than usual.

Derek leaned over to kiss her, "hey princess…I think Mommy just wants for Daddy to put you to sleep…it's nighttime you know," he reached for the cream on the nightstand and began rubbing gently into her skin.

"You're wasting your time Derek," Meredith told him, "and wasting a lot of money, you should complain, you've spent enough money there," she referred to the maternity store he'd discovered, "this hasn't stopped me from getting more stretch marks…"

"I disagree," he continued gently massaging the cream on her skin, "since I can't tell where the stretch marks are at all."

She giggled, "you are so blatantly lying to me…"

"I'm not…" he told her, "but…even if you had them…it doesn't matter Mer…we're getting a baby…any minute…she's going to be here…"

"I'm not so sure," she told him, "about any minute…but…it's sooner than before…and we may be having a boy."

"I don't care…what we're having," he told her. "Feeling better…" he kissed her lips softly.

"Yes…" she kissed him back.

"Ok…" he smiled and sat up and reached for a book from the nightstand drawer.

"Help me sit up," she smiled as soon as she saw the book he held.

"You want to go first?"

"Go ahead," she smiled and saw the boyish happy grin as he began to write.

"Your Mommy and I got to see you again today, and you were sucking your thumb…but, you seem to be very comfortable…" both he and Meredith wrote in the baby's journal, a treasured and loving keepsake they'd prepared for their first baby.

"I'll be right back," Derek told her after they'd put the baby's journal away, and he smiled as he walked in the room holding a small gold gift bag with a well renowned logo of a long haired woman on a horse.

"Derek, I didn't get you anything…I mean…I just thought we'd make it special by spending time at the trailer…but, I didn't think of buying a gift…I just…I'm sorry…"

"It's not an anniversary gift…" he sat next to her and kissed her, "it's a bribe baby gift."

"A bribe baby gift," she sniffled, "the baby's not here yet…"

"Exactly," he teased her, "bribe her into thinking she'll get some of this…if she finally agrees to get in position…and meet us," his hands were on her belly, caressing her.

"You think," Meredith smiled at him, that half questioning smile he loved, "if she or he…thinks that they're getting chocolate like this…once they're born…they'll hurry up and get here…" she went along with his playfulness.

"No," he nibbled her lips, then found the place their baby was moving and kissed her belly, "but…I know it will make her mommy happy…much happier than just about anything else right now," he raised an eyebrow suggestively at her and smiled as she finally laughed.

"Oh…Derek…I really do love you…you're spoiling me rotten…"

"I love you…and I can't think of anything that would make me happier…" he kissed her softly, "than spoiling you…and taking care of you," the baby kicked, "both."

"So…" Meredith smiled looking in the bag, "you think this could persuade our baby to get ready…"

"Hey…you love chocolate," he brought his lips to her neck, bit playfully, "even more…" his mouth found her earlobe, again biting playfully, "than me…"

"It's only been a week…" she told him, her hand caressing his face, "that's happened."

"I'm teasing you Meredith…"

"Well…" she rolled her eyes, "even I have to say…I'm looking forward to a more, should we say… exciting 38 weeks…the next time…"

Derek chuckled and hugged her, "I'm not complaining about last week…at all…"

"I am," Meredith told him, and they both looked at each other and laughed.

"Jenna, it's our 10th month anniversary today, and I feel bad, because…let me tell you…you were right, I'd much rather have ice cream or chocolate most nights."

"Trust me," Jenna laughed, "I know…but Mer…I'm bigger than you are…and Rob and I still manage, in fact last night…"

"Jenna…don't you dare," Meredith laughed, "you're on speaker phone…and Derek's about to walk in and will probably be mortified if he hears us talking about pregnant sex," she said and their laughter rang in the pre-dawn hour.

"Mer…all kidding aside. Derek understands just like Rob does…"

"Believe me, he's been indulging me…I'm still eating the Godiva truffles he got me…they are decadently good…"

"He asked me," Jenna laughed, "what my favorites were the other day, I think he believes we have similar cravings, and I told him it had to be Godiva original dark chocolates, good to know he listened."

"He did," Meredith laughed, "and I think I've had half of them already…"

"Mer," Jenna told her, "chocolates are really good…but…just keep in mind…after the baby's born you'll have no choice but to wait, and Mom's going to be there next week."

"I know," Meredith said, "we have definitely kept that in mind," and the sisters in law spoke for several more minutes, and after he came back in, also spoke to Jenna before he told Meredith he was ready for their evening celebration.

"Mer," Derek whispered in her ear a while later, as she sat with her back pressed against his chest, relaxing in one of the teak lounges he'd set up by the trailer that night. "Are you warm enough?"

"I am," she said, "it's a beautiful night…we don't get those too often…when we can see the stars," she guided his hand over her belly both feeling the baby's movements.

"Thank you," he said, nuzzling her neck, placing soft kisses on her skin, "for a special evening."

"I wasn't sure," she said, "if we'd get out here again before the baby comes…"

"It was a wonderful idea to spend it here," he said.

"I loved yours…" she said, "watching the sunset turn to dusk on the cliff, as though we were watching from the view…that will be our bedroom…"

"Our true victory dance…" he said as he became lost in the future, "a celebration without equal…when we can bring our little one…to see where her home will be…"

"Derek," she placed her hand over his as the baby rolled again, "will you be disappointed if we have a boy…I know you think it's a girl…but…"

"Meredith," he said her name almost reverently, "you delivering a healthy baby…without complications…and both of you being well…that is all that matters," and he wrapped his arms tighter around her.

"I love you," she said, and he heard the deep emotions in her voice. "So much…"

"I love you too," he said, "and give thanks everyday…for having found you."

"Derek…" she hesitated, "I'm not sure…if you want to…I'm really huge now…you can't tell me I'm not…but…tonight…now…if you want…I 'd like…I mean…we haven't made love as often the last week…but…"

"Meredith," he said tenderly, shifting their positions so she could see him, the light of the nearby lantern flickering, "I'd like nothing more than to make love to my wife…how can you even doubt that," he cupped her face and kissed her.

"Derek…" she said breathlessly, "let's go inside…celebrate this anniversary…last one where it's just the two of us."

"It will always be the two of us," he kissed her once more, "nothing…even our babies, will change that."

Meredith woke him in the middle of the night, "Derek…"

"Uhmmm…"

"Derek," she touched his arm, "wake up…" she shook him slightly.

"What…" he said, almost instinctively, "what's wrong?"

"I can't get comfortable…I'm sorry…I can't sleep…the leg cramps are bad tonight."

"Hey," he turned to her, "no apologies…we're in this together."

"I haven't really had them…not too bad, except this last week."

"Do you want anything? Something to drink?"

"No…just…help me up…I need to try to walk," she said, and he walked with her back and forth for several minutes inside the trailer.

"Do you want to get back in bed?"

"Yeah…it's better now," she said.

He helped her get somewhat comfortable. "Do you want some pillows behind you?"

"No…" she said, "but… will you hold me?"

He simply got in bed behind her and helped her settle against him, wrapping his arms around her, his hands resting on their baby.

"She's awake," Derek said, as he rubbed her very pregnant belly and felt the baby kick.

"Baby's been," Meredith said trying to keep the gender neutral as the impending birth got closer, though not successfully most of the time, "very active tonight."

"Hey…princess…Mommy's tired and needs to get some sleep…how about you get some sleep too," he said, and continued talking to both his wife and child.

"Oh God…" Meredith said suddenly, "Derek…did you feel that?"

"I did…" he couldn't keep the tone of concern from his voice, as it had literally felt that the baby was performing acrobatic stunts. "I do…Mer…you ok…" he said, as he saw her wince.

"Yeah…I guess…" she said, as the baby kept up her unusually persistent kicks and wiggling for several minutes.

"You think," Derek said, "Mer…we …maybe it bothered her…we had sex…and …"

"Derek," she said, surprised at her calmness, "she can't feel any of that…"

"Maybe…"

"Wait…" she said suddenly, her hands trying to find the baby's movements.

"What…what's wrong?"

"Derek…I think she shifted…I really do…all those punches…feel…she's not lying across me horizontally anymore…"

"Really…"

"Really," Meredith told him, guiding his hand, "I really think he may have turned…feel here…it feels like the head is down…but I'm not sure…"

"Call Nancy…" he said.

"Derek…it's barely five in the morning."

"So what… she gets up early, she has to deliver babies all the time."

"Derek…I'm not calling her now…"

"Fine, I will…"

"Derek," she rolled her eyes. "The baby's finally settled, let's try to get some sleep," she told him as she felt a small little nudge every so often, but not enough to keep her up.

Meredith's next appointment was a day before her due date, and Baby Shepherd remained content in the warmth of the womb; movements though ever present were more moderate and less frequent given the cramped space; Nancy and Dr. Cameron had both confirmed the baby had probably flipped into position the night of her acrobatic performance. However, her doctor also confirmed there were no other indications of an impending birth in the next couple of days.

Two days later, she was at the hospital working in the clinic, when Derek walked in and saw her pacing, her hand on her back as her face revealed obvious signs of discomfort.

"Hey," he said, "how are you feeling?"

"Awful…" she whined, surprising him, as she had done very little complaining throughout her pregnancy.

"Are you having any signs of contractions," he asked hopefully.

"Not the real thing," she sighed, and he placed his hand on her back, massaging her.

"Can you take a little break?"

"Yeah…" she said, and turned to speak to the nurse in charge, and then they walked away holding hands.

"Mer…" Cristina came across them, "you're off at two, I'll find you to drive you home."

"Thanks Cristina, but I think I need to go home earlier today, I'm really tired," her hours had remained at six daily, with no more than thirty a week, as she had insisted she wanted to work as long as she could.

"You ok? Are you having contractions?"

"I'm not in labor, no real contractions," she smiled; the question seemed to be the first thing her friends would ask during the several days. "I'm just feeling uncomfortable and clumsy and tired."

"How much earlier?" Cristina asked. "If I can't make it…Alex or Mark…or Lexie…"

"It's ok Cristina," Derek said, "it's Sunday, I'm her driver today."

"Derek," Meredith said, when they reached their destination, the hospital rooftop terrace. "I know I said I wanted to wait…till the last minute…but…I think I need to stay home…it can't be that much longer…right…it can happen anytime, and Dr. Cameron said if I'm much later than a week…I don't want you to think I'm being weak and…"

"Meredith," he interrupted her, "I don't know why you haven't stayed home before…I can tell you're tired…and it's normal…but I'm not going to think anything other than you're about to have our baby…and I wish you would get some rest the last few days before the baby comes."

"But…then I'll have less time with the baby at home," her eyes glistened.

"You'll have all the time with the baby that you want…you can make that decision later. We'll do whatever you want…"

"I'm going to ask Bailey…if it's ok…to just cut back to four hours today and tomorrow."

"I'll drive you home now," he told her the minute she admitted needing to cut back hours, "and I'll talk to her about your hours."

"Derek, she won't like that," she closed her eyes, "crap…that hurt…"

"Contraction?"

"The non-productive kind…the real kind apparently are felt all over the abdomen, this is just lower abdomen…and no consistency…sporadic at best."

"You don't know that…this could be it…"

"We'll know soon enough," she leaned into him. "I'm supposed to see Dr. Cameron again tomorrow, Nancy talked to him and figured I'd feel better if he checked again for any dilation, so he's promised her he would see me every day if it makes me feel better, and that just makes me sound like a…"

"First time mom…" he interrupted her, "and lucky to have lots of people that want to take care of you."

The next day, Dr. Cameron told her it was not a bad idea to stay home, most mothers took did not wait to go into labor. He also told her there was no dilation and that if she did not go into labor by the 27th, which was a week past her due date, he'd likely induce labor.

"Carolyn," Meredith said two days later, "Derek convinced me to stay home, after Bailey only let me work four hours after I saw Dr. Cameron and then she forced me to take yesterday off.

"I think it was an excellent decision on her part," Carolyn told her. "Jenna's staying at home, but you already know this, starting next week. She wants to spend time with the girls before a new baby is in the house."

"She told me," Meredith said, "and Derek walked in when I was talking to her, and she told him to convince me to stay home, since I'd slept all day and that my back is bothering me a lot now… so I agreed, I still need to get things ready in the nursery."

"Meredith," Carolyn chuckled, "you had that done weeks ago."

"But I got new things…Mark and Lexie keep buying baby outfits, and even Cristina showed up the other day with a tiny baby scrub cap…I told her it wasn't Halloween anytime soon, but she thought the first time the baby goes to the hospital…for the first pediatrician's appointment it would be appropriate…"

"Oh, I bet she will insist on it after the baby is born," Carolyn laughed, and told her she was convinced her granddaughter would arrive at the perfect moment.

"Carolyn," Meredith said, "I may be having a boy…"

"I know dear," Carolyn said, "but…her daddy's convinced…"

"You don't think," Meredith asked her suddenly, "he'd be disappointed…do you…if it's a boy?"

"Meredith," Carolyn smiled across the miles, "I think…the moment he knows you've delivered a healthy baby, and that you're both ok…it won't matter one bit…if it's a boy or a girl."

"You're probably right," Meredith joked, "as long as the baby has his hair."

"I have to say," Carolyn chuckled, "you are probably right about that."

"Carolyn," Meredith said, her voice turning serious, "do you think it's ok…that there's no sign of the baby coming…I don't want to worry Derek about this…and I know if I say something to Jenna she'll tell him…"

"From what Nancy tells me," Carolyn assured her, "everything is quite normal, and she spoke with Dr. Cameron after your last visit. Now…you just have to get some rest, because once the baby's here…you won't know the meaning of the word."

"Do you think," Meredith asked, a bit uncertain, "if the baby's really late…you'll still be able to come?"

"I will be there when the baby is born, no matter when that is."

"I really want the baby to get here," Meredith told her.

"Of course you do dear, at this point you're like every Mom who just wants the baby to be born. Jenna's the same way and she has almost three weeks to go."

"Carolyn…I want the baby to come…because I hope you can be here…but I know that if Jenna's baby comes early…you'll have to be there…"

"I'm going to be there when your baby is born," Carolyn told her, "sweetheart, Jenna and I have already spoken about the possibility of you being very late and her baby coming early, and Jenna wants me to be there for your first baby…even if it means I may miss hers…she's had me here twice…and she wants me to be there for you and Derek and welcome your first child."

"Oh…but I couldn't…" Meredith sniffled, her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm going to be there Meredith…God willing, to welcome your baby."