Holding tightly Cujo's leash, Derek tried to keep up with his pace while they headed back to the house. On the porch, Derek had to jump back when the dog started shaking the water off his big fur. Derek glared down at his water stained clothes. He sighed and opened the door, grabbing the dog's collar before they walked into the house.
From the first walk they had with Cujo, Derek and Meredith learned how much he loved the water; therefore, there was always a towel by the door to dry the dog before letting him run inside. Derek stripped off his jacket and kicked off his shoes. As he walked by the stairway, he heard Morgan's crying and Meredith's soothing words. His first instinct was to go upstairs and check on them, but then he heard someone in the kitchen.
Derek found Claudia starting to prepare the breakfast while Cujo was licking clean his bowl already.
"Good morning, Claudia," he greeted her with a smile.
"Hello, Derek," she smiled back and then worryingly asked, "She still hasn't calmed down?"
Derek sighed heavily and shook his head as he sat down at the table. "She's teething and she cried all night because of the pain."
Claudia nodded sympathetically. "It will pass…" she wanted to encourage him and Derek smiled questioningly at her. "Soon," she answered and chuckled. "Unfortunately there isn't much we can do; just be patient."
Derek nodded in agreement. "I am so tired," he let out a groan as he rubbed both hands against his face. "When Morgan cries, Cujo barks. Soon enough we'll have the neighbors ringing to our door."
He stood up and walked over to the counter to fill a mug with coffee. He needed something strong to kick in fast and help him focus during the day. "The last consult of the conjoint twins is today and I can hardly keep my eyes open," he sighed and took a long sip from the hot coffee; it burned his throat, but it felt refreshing too.
"Can't you go there later and get more sleep?" Claudia asked. Derek sighed and shook his head. "There's something I should tell you, Derek," she stated and by the tone of her voice, Derek knew she was worried about something. Claudia took a deep breath like looking for the strength to say it. "Maybe it's just in my imagination and… maybe that's why Meredith doesn't give any importance to it…" she paused, hesitating.
Derek was seriously worried now. He took his mug and walked over to the counter, leaning against it as he waited to hear more.
"I think it was two weeks ago when a man rang at the door and asked to talk to Meredith. I said to him she wasn't home and he just thanked me and left. I told Meredith about his visit, but I had forgotten to ask his name so none of us gave too much importance."
"Then I am sure it wasn't something important. Maybe he contacted her by phone," Derek answered.
Claudia shook her head. "The next day I wanted to take Morgan out for a walk, but while I was preparing her stroller, something caught my attention. There was a car parked across the street and the same man that had come the day before was sitting inside and watching the house."
Derek froze. He could not believe he was finding out about this just now. "And you didn't say anything?" he snapped.
"I did," Claudia answered fast in her defense. "I told Meredith about it and she agreed with me. Maybe it was just in my imagination."
"Are you sure it was only in your imagination?" Derek demanded. "I think we need a new rule. You're not allowed to take Morgan out of the house unless you're bringing her to the hospital."
"Just listen," Claudia asked. "I am not finished. I didn't go out with her that day," she wanted to mention before she went on with the story. "A few days later… it was late in the afternoon when the same man rang at the door. He asked for Meredith and I gave him the same answer, just that this time I asked him to tell me his name. He said his name was Thatcher Grey. I told Meredith about him and she froze at his name. She just said ok and didn't ask for more details. Is he related to Meredith?"
Derek knew who Thatcher Grey was. "That's her father," he nodded, thoughtful. Meredith hadn't told him anything about this. "But I don't understand why you're worried?" he asked, confused.
"Meredith doesn't seem to want to talk to him, but he came again the other day and I think I have seen him a couple of times watching the house from his car. Are you sure he's her father? I didn't know she had a father."
"He's her father," Derek answered with a nod. "They're not in the best terms at the moment and she doesn't talk about him."
"And you're sure it's safe having him watching the house all the time?" Claudia asked him, still a little worried. "He freaks me out just thinking about him."
Derek couldn't guarantee about Thatcher's Grey sanity. "I'll talk to Meredith about this. You did good by telling."
In that moment, Meredith walked in, carrying a very whiney Morgan in her arms. Morgan nervously slapped her head and pulled off the hat she was wearing while Meredith caught it in time before it could fall down.
Claudia could see how worn out both, Derek and Meredith were. Meredith had bags under her eyes and her hair looked as messy as her daughter's.
"Hi," Meredith just gave her a smile.
Derek went and took Morgan, handing Meredith his mug of coffee. He gave a kiss on her cheek before he kissed Morgan too and took her to the table. He put her down on his lap and ran his cold palm over her hot forehead. "Is she running a little fever?" he asked, worried.
Meredith pulled a chair next to him and held Morgan's hand. "Maybe she has just overheated because of the crying.
Morgan leaned her back against Derek's chest and stuck her thumb into her mouth, whimpering and glaring at everyone. In her good days, Morgan loved having the three people she knew the best for breakfast; she loved staying in Derek's arms and eat while having her puffy cheeks kissed by him –because Morgan had been for almost a month on solids diet and Derek absolutely adored her cheeks. Not today; she didn't seem to like the air she was breathing, the clothes she was wearing; she couldn't stand anything because of the ache caused by the teething.
"I'll make her a milk formula and try feed her with the bottle. Sucking the nipple will help ease the ache," Claudia suggested and dropped the pancakes dough to go and prepare Morgan's breakfast.
Meredith didn't care about the breakfast or about the big surgery that would take place to the hospital soon; she kept wondering if there wasn't anything more serious with Morgan than the teeth growing. She constantly held a heavy rock on her heart, worrying about her baby.
Derek let Morgan go back to her Mommy as he went to help Claudia and finish their breakfast. Meredith closely cradled Morgan to her chest, slowly rocking her back and forth- almost in the same rhythm with her whimpers. Having his stomach full now, Cujo came and jumped on Derek's chair, sitting and looking at Meredith and Morgan. Though she was laid in her mother's arms, Morgan recognized her dog's hot breath. She started fussing, wanting to sit upright. As Meredith repositioned her onto her lap, Morgan stuck her thumb back into her mouth and started staring at Cujo. That seemed to help her calm down her whimpers and distracted her from the ache while Claudia prepared the bottle.
Meredith took the bottle and gave it to Morgan. Morgan had started grabbing things with her hands already and whimpering asked to hold the bottle. As Morgan starting sucking the bottle's nipple, a complete silence filled the room and the grown-ups just watched Morgan eating.
"She didn't want a pacifier until now, but I am sure she would love having one to chew now," Claudia noticed.
"She'll have one after breakfast," Derek agreed. "That might help her calm down the ache."
Meredith didn't give much attention to the discussion that Derek and Claudia were having. She had a lot of things on her mind; that was the day when she would see Mark again and the biggest thing, when Morgan would see her father for the first time. Since Carolyn's visit a month ago, Meredith couldn't stop from wondering how this day would go or if she should let Mark see Morgan. At this point, with Morgan's situation, she couldn't make any scenario.
"Meredith?" Derek's soft breath against her temple made Meredith start. Just then she noticed Derek and Claudia's stares and they were waiting for an answer. Derek smiled at her. "Maybe you should go to bed for a little longer. I will call the Chief and tell him you're not well."
"I am good," Meredith grumbled.
"Then let Morgan trade the empty bottle with a pacifier," he said and pulled the already empty bottle from her hands.
Morgan started crying as Derek did that and held her hands up to get it back.
"I'll take her upstairs and see how I can cheer her up," Claudia offered. "You need a peaceful breakfast."
"Don't you eat anything?" Derek asked her. "The pancakes are almost ready."
Claudia just smiled. "You know you don't have to worry about me. I ate before I came here anyway." She took Morgan from Meredith, same as Derek, running her hand over her hot forehead. "Let's change you from this clothes and calm down, ok?" she started talking Morgan as she walked out of the kitchen. Just then Cujo jumped off the chair and went after Claudia and Morgan.
Derek put a plate of pancakes in front of Meredith and sat down next to her. "Eat something."
Meredith just stared at the plate, showing no appetite.
"She'll be fine," Derek comforted her and gave her a peck.
"I know," Meredith sighed and lazily picked up the fork, slicing the pancakes.
Derek wanted to bring the Thatcher topic into discussion and didn't know how to do it without ruining Meredith's mood even more. "Have you heard anything from your father since your visit?" he tried to sound matter-of-factly.
Meredith looked at him and rolled her eyes. "Claudia told you."
"You can't blame her. He's stalking you? Is it normal?"
Meredith shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. My life isn't normal either," she muttered. "I am not sure what he has to say to me and I don't think I want to hear it. I'm so tired right now."
Derek rubbed circles onto her back and pulled her into his arms. "I know." He knew the reason.
"He's coming today?" she asked and nestled her face in the curve of his neck, breathing in his cologne.
"Yes. If he isn't here already."
Meredith sighed heavily. "I am not sure I want him to see Morgan. At least not now when she's in this condition."
"She's in a natural condition; there isn't anything shameful in this."
"I know, it's just… I don't think I can deal with him," Meredith sighed and pulled away from Derek. She picked her fork up and took a small bite from the pancake. "My father, Mark, Morgan's teething; so many things."
"Right now let's focus just on Mark's visit and the surgery we have today. I told Claudia not to take Morgan outside when she's alone."
"Do you think he will want to meet Morgan?" Meredith asked him. "What if he won't want?"
Derek's answer came naturally, "Then I would be free to adopt Morgan."
Those words brought a small smile on Meredith's lips. "I can't wait to see him leaving."
Derek squeezed her shoulder and agreed with her.
Meredith managed to eat something and Derek refreshed himself with more coffee. As the silence had fallen back over the house and Claudia seemed to have Morgan under control, the breakfast was less tense. After breakfast, Meredith and Derek went upstairs to check on Morgan and then to get ready for the day.
They weren't surprised to find Cujo at his usual place, down beside Morgan's crib, but they were surprised to see Claudia in the rocking chair and Morgan sleeping in her arms. Claudia smiled at them and made them a sign to stay quiet.
Meredith knelt in front of her and gently ran her hand over Morgan's head. Even in her sleep, Morgan was frowning and showing a bad mood, but at least she was finally getting some rest.
"I'll stay with her a little longer," Claudia whispered.
Meredith smiled gratefully.
"We might call you later today to bring her to the hospital," Derek told her. He could see Meredith's glare at his words.
"Ok," Claudia nodded, whispering.
"Call me if anything goes wrong," Meredith asked.
"Of course I will," Claudia nodded.
Meredith leaned in and gently brushed her lips against Morgan's forehead. She sighed as she pulled back and stood up.
Before they left to the hospital, they saw Morgan still sleeping in Claudia's arms and both, especially Meredith, felt an ease.
--------------------
Meredith and Derek got off on the surgical floor together. Meredith was about to head to the locker room and Derek to his office when they saw Cristina, Izzie and a few interns gathered at the nurses' station, giggling and watching something.
Curious, they looked at each other and went to see what was going on.
"Is she drooling?" Derek chuckled as he saw an intern's jaw hanging wide open.
"Why is she drooling?" Meredith asked them and in the same time she followed their gaze. They both did it and their smiles froze.
The Chief and a few other doctors were in a conference room… with Mark Sloan.
"Dr. Mark Sloan is here," Izzie was the first one able to break the gawk and answer. "I've seen his photos in a few medical journals before, but he looks so much better in reality. Do you think he operates on himself too?" she asked Meredith and by the expression she was showing, Meredith could tell she meant that question.
Meredith just shrugged.
"I would so get hot and steamy with Dr. McSteamy," Cristina laughed.
"I so need to get hot and steamy in the first place," Izzie sighed. She looked at Meredith as if she was waiting for a reply from her too, but then she saw Derek and remembered. "Sorry," she smiled at Derek.
"How did you call him?" Derek asked, amused.
"Dr. McSteamy," Cristina answered.
"How can you call him like this? Are you sure he's that hot and steamy as you imagine?"
Cristina lifted a brow and looked at Derek with an offending expression. She rolled her eyes and went back on gawking on Mark. "By the way he looks he can't be another way but good."
"I agree," Izzie nodded.
"I agree too," the intern cut in as well.
Everyone turned waiting for Meredith's answer. "I need to go and change the clothes," she answered quickly. As she turned to leave, Meredith saw her interns still gawking. "There isn't anything medical to learn from watching this doctor…"
"I think there's some anatomy I could learn if I meet him," Izzie interrupted Meredith's lecture with her giggle.
Meredith glared at her and then towards her interns. "If you don't move in the next second, you will be doing scout for the rest of the month."
In less than a second, none of Meredith's interns was in her sight. Meredith glanced at Derek and received one of his comforting smiles. She discreetly glanced towards the conference room too as she started heading to the elevators, but Mark wasn't in sight in that brief glance. She would deal with him later, she told herself. She needed to bury in work and think less about Mark Sloan.
"She needs something hot and steamy," Cristina stated with a thoughtful expression as she watched Meredith leaving. She smirked at Derek's glare.
"Is this how you practice medicine?" Out of nowhere Derek snapped at them. "You'll all have a report because of this," he stated as he spun on his heels and started walking towards the conference room.
Cristina and Izzie looked panicked at each other and sprint off after him immediately.
"Derek, you know we didn't mean what we said. We're just joking," Izzie tried to excuse them.
Derek stopped suddenly and made them almost knock him down. "I am not your friend here. I am your boss. You don't work, I write a report. You know the rules."
"But we're working," Izzie answered quickly and Cristina nodded.
Derek folded his arms against his chest and glared at them.
"I think he wants us to work. Now," Cristina pointed out after a brief moment of thinking.
"It took you long enough to figure out," Derek retorted. He shook his head with disapproving motion and turned around. Why was he bothering with Cristina and Izzie when he had other things, more important to deal with.
As Derek opened the door and walked inside, all the people in the room stopped from talking and greeted Derek either with a short hello or with a smile only.
"Shepherd!" Chief Webber beamed. "You're partner is here," he announced and , having a hand on Mark's back, led their way to Derek. "I am sure you have a lot to catch up and I am also counting on convincing him to move to Seattle and work for us." He patted Derek on the shoulder, lowering the voice, "Praise Seattle Grace for me. We need him."
Mark chuckled. "He will have to work hard to convince me. You know how much I hate the rain."
"But you'll love the people," the Chief replied.
"I naturally don't like people," Mark answered with a smug smile.
"You need to give him a chance," the Chief asked Mark and patted Derek on the shoulder again. "I'll let you catch up with the news now," he told them. Having Mark Sloan working even for a couple of days at his hospital was a reason of joy for Chief Webber. Cheerfully he gestured to the other doctors, asking to let Mark and Derek alone.
Shaking a few more hands, Mark was left alone in the conference room with Derek. As the door closed and there was nobody else but them in the room, the inevitable awkwardness filled the air. They nervously smiled at each other until Mark made the first step and held out his hand for shake.
That felt even worse than the awkwardness to Derek. Probably this was the first time they were meeting and shaking hands. They were more close to each other than a hand shake.
"Long time no see," Mark was also the first one to break the silence.
Derek nodded. "I heard you were to Europe." That was all Derek could think about telling in that moment.
"Germany and Austria," he nodded. "Great places, great doctors."
Derek kept nodding his head at every answer Mark was giving. "Something bigger than a conjoint twins separation? Adult conjoint twins?" he didn't want to let this topic end as he didn't know what else they could talk about without mentioning Meredith and Morgan.
"I have to admit; nothing competes to this," Mark admitted.
Though Mark looked more relaxed than Derek, Derek could tell he was nervous about this meeting too. "How have you been?" Mark wanted to ask, but Derek saw him regretting for asking that.
"Busy," Derek answered simply. "The usual you know already." Like taking care of your beautiful daughter echoed in his head as addition to his answer.
Mark nodded awkwardly. He put his hands into his pockets but then he quickly took them out and folded his arms against his chest. "Is everything alright then?" he asked.
Derek answered with another nod. "Kind of. At the moment," he answered.
That seemed to have kicked up a little interest to Mark. He would have liked to know what the less good thing was, but he didn't dare to ask.
"Morgan's having her first teeth growing," Derek couldn't help it and gave him the answer.
"Morgan," Mark looked questioningly like 'that Morgan'.
"Morgan," Derek answered with 'that Morgan'.
"Oh, ok," Mark replied quickly and showed he didn't have the intention to hear and find out more about whatever was going on in Derek's life with 'that Morgan'.
Another moment of awkwardness was inevitable after that.
"You just got here," Mark noticed, pointing to Derek's street clothes.
"Yeah, well… as I said, I had a situation," Derek answered. "You seem to have arrived a while ago," he said.
"Early this morning," Mark nodded.
"Have you seen the patients yet?"
"Yes," Mark answered and from there their talk drifted to the surgery they were about to perform and they could finally feel comfortable with each other's company.
