CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: SMALL SMILES

6 weeks later…

"Mer do you have everything?" Mark bellowed from the bottom of the stairs where two suitcases were packed. He couldn't believe Meredith had so much stuff packed for her and Matilda, they were only going for 4 days.

"Yes" Meredith shouted. "I'm coming now, Matilda doesn't like the cold so I had to find her an extra coat" Meredith explained appearing at the top of the stairs, Matilda in her arms.

"You really shouldn't be carrying her" Mark chastised taking Matilda from her arms and setting her on the ground so she could walk out to the car. "You are 24 weeks pregnant" he reminded her.

"Yes I know Mark, you don't think the bowling ball I have in front of me isn't a big enough clue" she breathed at him clearly annoyed.

Mark rolled his eyes knowing good and well to leave her be pregnancy hormones were in full swing and they had the flight ahead of themselves yet.

"God I hope Matilda sleeps on the plane" Meredith stated as they drove toward the airport, it was Christmas Eve so traffic was terrible. Addison and Derek were already in New York they had left the previous day. Mark was needed at the hospital so they had had to leave it an extra day.

"Mommy how will Santa know where to leave my presents?" Matilda asked suddenly realising Santa would have to be able to find her.

"Santa knows everything sweetie, he will leave your presents at Grandma's" Meredith promised the little girl relieved that they had sent her presents with Addison and Derek to avoid being caught out.

"Okay" Matilda replied content with the answer she had received from her mother.

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"Mer … Meri … we are descending" Mark announced as he shook Meredith awake lightly careful to frighten her. She had slept most of the flight. This pregnancy had her more exhausted than she ever was with Matilda which made Meredith believe that she was right and they were in fact expecting a boy. Mark still failed to give in to her still having his sights set firmly on a second little girl.

"Hmm already, how long have I been asleep?" Meredith asked groggily looking over to make sure Matilda was okay but she was happily looking out the window as the plane slowly made its decent.

"Most of the flight, but it's okay we are almost there, I called ahead for the rental so all we have to do is pick it up and head to Mom's" Mark informed Meredith. He liked to have everything organised, he figured the less Meredith had to stress about the better.

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Upon landing Mark had collected their luggage while Meredith and Matilda made their way to the bathroom.

"Traffic is terrible" Mark complained as he navigated his was through the thick Christmas Eve traffic.

"This is one of the many things I don't miss about New York" Meredith agreed. She let out a relived and nervous sigh as they pulled up in front of the Manhattan home that belonged to the Shepherd's or more specifically Carolyn Shepherd. She had inherited everything when her husband Christopher had passed away.

"Ready" Mark asked as he took Meredith's hand and led her toward the house. Matilda was perched on his hip as always. She was scared about seeing everyone again; she hadn't seen them in so long.

"Mom it's us" Mark called as they entered into the large hallway of the beautiful house.

"Oh Mark finally we were beginning to think you weren't coming" Carolyn called from the kitchen.

"Sorry traffic was terrible" Mark apologised as the three of them made their way into the kitchen where he was immediately hugged by the small woman.

"Meredith its lovely to see you, oh look at you radiant as ever" Carolyn gushed as she hugged her proxy daughter in law. "And look at you all grown up" she exclaimed looking at Matilda.

"Say hello to Grandma Muffin" Mark pushed at the little girl.

"Hello" Matilda said ever so softly.

"I'm going to go say hello to everyone" Mark said heading into the lounge room where everyone else was, Matilda still clinging onto him tightly.

"Mark!" all the girls exclaimed as he entered. "Bought time you got here" Derek greeted him with a grin. In the past few weeks they had put their differences aside and were becoming more like the brothers they used to be.

"I can't believe how much Matilda has grown" Kathleen gushed at the small girl.

"She's being shy" Mark explained as he caught up with all the girls and their husbands.

"Come here to Uncle Derek" Derek said taking the small child from her father.

"Uncle Der" she giggled excitedly realising who it was. "Santa is coming" she told him matter of factly.

"Well then have you been good?" he asked joking around with her.

Matilda nodded her head like crazy worried that Derek knew something that she didn't.

"Where's Meredith?" Rachel, Derek's younger sister asked sitting herself up.

"Kitchen talking to Mom, she is tired from the flight" Mark answered.

"How far along is she now?" Anna – the youngest Shepherd asked as she rocked her 6 month old daughter Chloe back to sleep.

"24 weeks" Addison answered for him then noticed the looks she was getting. "What I'm her doctor I know these things" she defended herself causing everyone to laugh.

"I better go get our things, you right with her" Mark asked Derek referring to Matilda. Derek nodded his reply. "Daddy be back in a bit Muffin you play with Uncle Derek" he told the little girl.

"Meredith" Rachel exclaimed entering the kitchen to find Meredith sitting at the bench sipping a glass of water. Meredith leapt of the stool and hugged her friend. Rachel had always been her favourite of the Shepherd sisters.

"How are you? Fat and Happy?" Rachel asked with a giggle.

"Fat definitely, happy getting there" Meredith said honestly.

"Fat please, you've got nothing on me I'm huge" Rachel complained. "3 weeks to go" she said relieved that soon it would be over.

Meredith however wasn't listening she was watching Mark walk passed with their bags; she gave him a small smile that didn't go unnoticed by Carolyn or Rachel.