The rain was still thudding against their bedroom window at 5 o'clock in the morning, when Meredith opened her eyes, awakened by the noise. Derek was sleeping soundly beside her, with one arm beneath her pillow. Meredith smiled with content at the present moment; Derek sleeping beside her, the rain outside and their baby girl sleeping next door. Each of these things were so familiar and common to Meredith, and absolutely needful.

The sleep was gone already. She knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep for just another one hour. Besides that, being back in her bed, in her home, Meredith had had a good night sleep. She scooted closer to Derek and put her head down on his chest.

Derek felt her presence and draped an arm around her, but kept sleeping.

Meredith listened to the beat of his heart and tried to hear hers in unison with his. Even his heart beat was familiar to her now. Her smile became brighter with this thought. The rain outside and Derek's breathing were fine music to Meredith, but soon she heard a better melody coming from the baby monitor; her baby daughter's prattle.

Without any second thought, Meredith sneaked out of bed. If Morgan was awake already, she was going to take advantage of it and spend a little mommy and daughter moment. Blindly she searched for her sweats and tee shirt and put them on once she found them. Then she tiptoed to the door and slid outside on the dark hall. She crossed the hall and slowly pushed the door opened to Morgan's bedroom.

Meredith heard her prattle clearly now. She turned the light on, adjusting it to a dim level and just then Morgan became quiet. Meredith watched her with a smile as she got on her knees and sat up on her bum. She was doing it so easily now. This easily she would be walking soon also, Meredith smiled, half regretting the speed Morgan was growing with.

As someone turned the light on, but didn't say anything, Morgan became curious. She grabbed the bars of her crib and tried to look through it. Cujo stood up too and smelled her hands through the bars.

"Good morning, Morgan!" Meredith said softly as she walked to her crib.

Morgan giggled, delighted.

"You're up early," she bent over the crib and picked Morgan into her arms. "And you're so quiet. Are you listening to the rain too?"

Meredith grabbed Morgan's blanket from the crib and took Morgan to the window where the rocking chair was. She sat down, with Morgan on her lap and Cujo at her feet, and covered them with the blanket. Morgan was half lying in her Mommy's arms now. Meredith gently ran her fingers over her forehead. Morgan looked so comfortable in her arms, with her presence that Meredith got amazed of how perfect her life was. All the fluffiness she lived since the night her daughter and Derek joined to her life. Maybe it wasn't perfect to the others, but she hadn't known other type of perfection besides this one offered by Morgan and Derek.

She didn't realize she was crying until Morgan touched her cheek and swept a tear onto her finger, taking it into her mouth then.

Meredith laughed and took her hand, kissing it. "Mommy is so silly sometimes. Let's get you a clean diaper and a clean outfit." She cooed at her baby and lifted her up standing on her own feet. "Look how big you are!" Morgan laughed at her Mommy and reached with her hand to grab her nose. Meredith giggled and nuzzled against Morgan's tummy, causing her giggles of thrill.

Just when Morgan chocked, Meredith stopped from tickling her baby and got up, taking her to the table. Morgan happily wriggled her arms and legs as her mother undressed her, showing a rare good mood for an early morning. Meredith couldn't enjoy more her daughter's bright mood. As she undressed her and awed at Morgan's happiness, words popped into her head and soon they were forming the lines of a song: "You're my honeybunch, sugar plum pumpy umpy-pumpki, You're my sweetie pie!" and though she couldn't remember hearing this song before, she started singing it to Morgan … "You're my cuppycake, gumdrop, Snoogums-Boogums, You're the Apple of my Eye"

At first, Morgan became quiet and listened to her mother's voice. As her mommy seemed to be enjoying singing that, Morgan got her excitement and started giggling and squealing, wriggling her arms and legs with more energy.

Meredith took her hands and started clapping as she kept singing to her baby… "And I love you so And I want you to know… That I'll always be right here… And I love to sing these songs to you… Because you are so… dear…"

"Now let's keep it down because we don't want anyone to hear me, do we?" Meredith laughed, picking her baby up.

Morgan put both hands on her face and her tiny hands started studying her eyelids, her nose and her nostrils. She seemed playful, but Meredith knew that she would soon start screaming for her breakfast. She put her back down on the table and dressed her, turning the baby monitor off before taking her daughter into her arms.

She walked downstairs, wanting to make Morgan something to eat. Rare were the moments when Meredith actually cooked for Morgan. Claudia was always around, expecting everyone with warm meals. This morning, was her morning with her daughter, so Meredith wanted to do everything by herself. She had been the first to greet her in the morning; she had talked to her, changed her clothes and sung to her. Next on the list was breakfast together. Meredith knew Derek wouldn't like that very much, but she didn't really care as he had more available mornings for Morgan than she had.

Meredith put Morgan down on the table and took a seat, watching her struggles of getting steady on her arms and knees and stand up. Morgan whimpered, not liking so much all that effort; but Meredith stood firm, letting her struggle until she succeeded. When she was on her knees and her Mommy started clapping and cheering, Morgan forgot about the effort and threw her arms in the air, giggling with satisfaction.

Meredith knew what the others thought about this, but she had no problem having her daughter have breakfast on the table. She brought the bowl in front of her and started feeding her with a teaspoon. Morgan was curious to see how the food felt in her hands, so Meredith found herself feeding a very smudgy baby girl, smelling like apple, bananas and biscuits.

"Delicious," Meredith kissed sloppily Morgan's cheeks until Morgan put her sticky hands on her mother's face. She washed her hands and face and put her on her hip as she took Cujo's food out of the cabinet and poured it in his bowl.

It didn't pass long and Claudia report for duty and soon Derek was up too.

Meredith was in kitchen, drinking her coffee and playing with Morgan, when Derek came downstairs. He had taken a shower and got dressed, carrying a huge smile on his face as he walked into the room.

"Good morning," he cheerfully made his presence noticed.

"Good morning, Derek," Claudia smiled and looked at Meredith, confused. "What's with the world today? It's pouring outside and everyone is so bright."

"I don't know," Meredith laughed, just as surprised as Claudia.

Derek walked up to Meredith and Morgan and leaned down, kissing Meredith. He crouched in front of her then and stroked Morgan's cheek. "Good morning, honey bun!"

Meredith gasped and turned bright red. Why hadn't she turned the monitor off before singing to Morgan? Now she just had to endure Derek's mockery.

Derek chuckled and gave Meredith a peck. "Gummy yummy."

"No gummy yummy!" Meredith slapped him playfully. "And no honey bun! You don't even know the words."

"What's going on here?" Claudia asked.

"Don't ask."

"Why don't you tell her?" Derek teased her. "She asked already."

Meredith smiled shyly and turned her back on him.

"I guess I don't want to know," Claudia nodded in understanding.

"What's with you up so early?" Derek asked Meredith. He rubbed his face and let out a yawn. "I know I could need a few more hours of sleep."

"I had a good night sleep in my bed," she answered.

"You'll have to get used to a new bed soon. Although I think we could take this bed with us. If you're mother doesn't mind."

Meredith looked at him, confused.

"Did you forget we're building a house?"

"The trailer," Meredith smiled as she remembered Derek's place. "Yeah," she muttered, remembering now the plans they had for building a house on Derek's land. "How is it going?"

"It's not really going, because we don't have a plan for the house yet," said Derek. "We need to make time and go see the offers. Maybe later on?"

"Maybe," she nodded. She hadn't thought about moving into a new house with Derek; she had forgotten actually. She sighed discreetly. She started getting used to her mom's house. It was homey now; it felt differently than it used to feel in her childhood. But she knew she could adjust to a new house, because there would Morgan and Derek be too.

"I am taking Cujo out for a walk," Derek stated and the dog was already up and ready to go. "Just one more kiss to my honey bun," he leaned in to kiss Morgan's cheek and then her mother. "And to her gummy yummy Mommy."

"It's the song!" Claudia exclaimed.

Derek and Meredith laughed.

"Don't say anything more," Meredith pled and Claudia chuckled at Meredith's embarrassment.

Derek took Cujo and went outside for a walk, while Meredith stood up with Morgan. "Can you stay with her? I need to take a shower and get ready for work."

"Of course," Claudia took Morgan into her arms and Meredith stroked gently her cheek before she left the kitchen.

The shower was refreshing and added to her good mood. It was a bright and shiny weather in her house this morning compared to the dark and twisty weather outside. As she walked out of the shower, wrapping herself in a bath towel, Meredith spotted her face in the mirror. She was smiling; everything about her features was smiling. Meredith giggled and looked away. She made her toilette and got dressed, ready to join to the family downstairs. She was about to walk out of the bedroom when she heard Derek's phone ringing on his nightstand.

Derek wasn't back yet from the walk, so Meredith hesitated a little, considering her option. She hurried to the nightstand; at least she would know what to tell Derek about the caller's id. Nancy's name and number were flashing on the display screen and Meredith didn't know what to do. She could answer to Nancy now; in her short visit to New York, the relationship between them became more friendly and familiar. She didn't want to seem nosy either though, so she put the phone back. The call ended. Meredith nodded to herself, "Better to have Derek answer."

She headed back to the door, but the phone stopped her again. She went back to the nightstand and it was Nancy again. Meredith picked up the phone, determined to answer this time.

"Hi, Nancy! It's Meredith."

A short silence came from the other side of the line. She must have taken her by surprise.

"Meredith," Nancy sounded surprised indeed. "Where's Derek?"

"He's out with the dog," answered Meredith.

"Oh. Will he be back soon?"

"Any minute now. I'll tell him you called."

"Ok," Nancy answered. Then another short silence.

"Or I could pass him the message if it's important," Meredith said.

"Actually…" Nancy seemed to be hesitating over her options. "I … I can tell you. After all, it involves you as well."

Meredith expected curiously to hear her.

"I just had a revelation," Nancy started. "I woke up and the first thing that popped into my head was Mark's birthmark. Morgan has an identical one."

Meredith felt chills sweeping through her body.

"I didn't pay attention to it when I first noticed the similarity, but suddenly I realized everything. You came from New York no long ago and you worked with Mark. You know Mark. And Mark and Morgan… their birthmarks. Mark is Morgan's father," was a conclusion and not a question for confirmation.

Meredith regretted she had picked up the phone and answered. She didn't know what to say or how to react. Even a movement would have convicted her now.

"You lied to us."

"I didn't," Meredith answered quietly.

"Of course," Nancy replied. "Derek knows. It was impossible not to know." And it was indeed impossible for him not to know as that was the same way he had found out about Morgan's birth father.

"How long did you think you could lie to us? Did you think it would go like this forever?" there was reproach in Nancy's voice now, though the tone was still low. "That's why Derek and Mark don't talk to each other anymore."

"They still talk," Meredith replied. "Not as much as before, but they're still friends."

"This is ridiculous. It was convenient for you Derek's decision of not telling us anything."

Meredith couldn't take such accusation. "It wasn't convenient. I asked him to tell you."

"You just asked him. To have your conscious ..."

"Maybe," Meredith didn't let her finish. "Both your mother and your brother said it would be better if we don't tell you anything."

"My mother?" Nancy snapped. "Does she know about this?"

"Yes, she does. She wasn't happy with it, but she thought it clearly and decided it would be better not to tell you and your sisters."

That let Nancy speechless.

Meredith didn't wait for her silence to wait, afraid of other reproaches. "I do have my conscious clear because Derek knows. He knows everything and he's still willing to be with us. What the rest of you think doesn't really matter to us." Then it was her turn to become quiet. "I'll tell Derek you called," she added quietly and hung up the phone.

The phone slipped out of her hands onto the nightstand and she sat down at the edge of the bed. Why was she feeling the weather inside her house just as dark and twisty as outside now?

Derek returned home shortly after Meredith hang up to Nancy. He shook the rain off outside on the porch, same as Cujo, and entered the house. Cujo ran ahead while Derek stood behind, taking his shoes off. From the doorway, Derek heard Morgan's happy prattle and Claudia's encouraging voice.

As he walked into the room, he found both, Morgan and Claudia, laid onto the carpet and sharing a set of toys. Derek chuckled quietly, especially when Cujo ran to them and licked Claudia's face. She jumped up quickly, wiping her face while Cujo lay down and wriggled his tail at her as if he was expecting a reward now.

"Bad dog," Claudia scolded.

"Now you were reachable to him," Derek laughed, taking the dog's side.

"Still," she frowned.

"Where's Meredith?" he noticed Meredith wasn't there.

"She left to take a shower right after you left, but she's not down yet," answered Claudia and, same as Derek, found weird her delay.

"I'll go see what's going on," said Derek and waved at Morgan as he turned around and headed to the stairs.

Arriving upstairs, Derek was greeted by silence. Their bedroom door was closed and no sound was coming from inside. Usually, you could hear the shower if that was on.

"Could she be sleeping?" Derek asked himself and slowly opened the door. It would have been unlikely of her to go back to sleep at this hour. Derek found her sitting at the edge of the bed, nervously chewing her bottom lip. "Meredith?" Derek asked softly as he made his way to her side of bed.

Meredith looked up at him with a nervous frown. "Nancy knows and I was sure they would find me guilty of everything."

"What are you talking about?" he asked, though he had his suspicions now.

"We should have told everyone that Morgan is Mark's daughter."

"Morgan is my daughter, because I haven't seen Mark changing her diapers, feeding her or putting her to sleep lately."

Meredith looked down, guilty of the words she had said.

Derek took a deep breath and sat down beside her. "I know. We should have told them. I had started thinking about this very serious lately. So Nancy realized after all."

"You knew she knew?"

"I knew she saw her birthmark."

"You know…" Meredith said quietly. "I don't really feel guilty for not telling them, but it makes me feel like crap the whole situation between you and Mark."

Derek saw her coming back to her self-conviction. He put an arm around her and pulled her to him. "The situation between me and Mark is as it is because of the distance. Do you know how many times we talked while he was in New York and me in Seattle? Probably once a month. Because if the situation was different between me and him I would have went there more often and you and I would have met. We would have met and Morgan would have been my birth child now."

Meredith looked up at him, almost amused with his scenario. "It would have been much easier, wouldn't have?"

Derek smiled and kissed softly her lips. "Not really. I think the actual situation is just a little messed up. That's all. Now let's get back to Morgan because we'll have to go soon."

Meredith nodded and Derek took her hand as they stood up. "I told Nancy you would call her."

"She can wait," and Derek put an end to Meredith's worry and remorse.

Morgan was lying in Claudia's arms, playing together with a teddy bear when Claudia's phone rang. It was Derek, asking her to bring Morgan and Cujo at the hospital. Morgan had just had dinner when Derek called, so she didn't arrive in a very good mood at the hospital.

The rain had stopped at noon and now the evening was fresh, smelling like spring. Claudia took Morgan out of the car, letting Cujo wait inside. She pushed her hat off her forehead and gave her a moment to breathe in the fresh air. Morgan put her finger into her mouth and scrutinized the surroundings while the mild wind did its job and brushed against her forehead. Her tummy hadn't taken very well the car trip, but she seemed to be doing much better now.

"Huh," Morgan made a sound and pointed with her finger to the hospital.

Claudia looked at her, surprised. "What you're saying?"

Morgan looked at her, glanced back at the hospital and then started playing with the hem of her jacket.

"Someone started to know Seattle," Claudia giggled. "Let's go see Mommy and Daddy."

The moment they stepped into the elevator, people started hovering around Morgan. Some of them were hospital staff, already knowing Morgan, wondering of how fast she had grown. Morgan was in a tight place, surrounded by many people, so she didn't take very well the whole attention. Claudia didn't do better either. She tried though to stay polite, but got off before her floor.

"We can take the stairs. It goes perfectly with the diet," said Claudia and quickly looked for the stairwell before anyone else could notice them.

"May I help you?" a young doctor and pink scrubs asked nicely.

Claudia looked around. She was on the Pediatric floor. Not the best place to keep a baby hidden.

"I need to go to the surgical floor."

"Oh. Here's Pediatrics."

Claudia smiled. "I think I noticed that."

The doctor didn't pay attention to Claudia's sarcasm. "Is something wrong?" she asked and frowned with worry as she looked at Morgan.

"She's visiting her parents."

"Oh," the doctor sighed with a relief, but then put on a pitiful smile. "I am sorry. I hope they'll get better."

Claudia fought back a groan. "They will," she smiled and turned around quickly looking for the stairwell.

"The elevators are right over there!" the doctor called after.

Claudia looked at Morgan and whispered, "Doesn't she have anything to do?" then she turned to the doctor. "I am taking the stairs."

"Oh. Ok."

"Ok," Claudia muttered under her breath. "What a weird moment."

Claudia found the stairwell and finally got on the surgical floor.

"Hi, Morgan!" a new round of hello's echoed as they stepped in.

"Morgan!" Claudia recognized Izzie's beaming voice. "What are you guys doing here?" she asked, coming to them. "Come here, cute baby girl," she cooed and took Morgan from Claudia's arms.

Morgan stared at Izzie as if that was the first time she saw her.

"Is she tired?" Izzie noticed her stare also, knowing what usually her stares meant.

"I little groggy after dinner maybe," answered Claudia.

"Aww, you poor baby girl," Izzie cooed and gently kissed one her of her cheeks.

Morgan rubbed against it, fighting to get away.

"What's going on?" Izzie whimpered, not liking Morgan's attitude.

Claudia had to admit that she was surprised too. Usually Morgan showed a lot of thrill with Izzie around.

Morgan started fussing in Izzie's arms. Something was discontenting her and she couldn't tell the grown-ups what that was. She stopped suddenly and started squealing as she looked over Izzie's shoulder.

Everyone turned and saw George with Dr. Bailey.

"I saw you!" George shouted warningly and came laughing to her. He stopped briefly to look back at Dr. Bailey. "Is it ok if I say hi to Morgan?"

Dr. Bailey rolled her eyes, but smiled as she came to Morgan as well.

"Why is she happy to see you?" Izzie protested. "What did you do to her? Morgan," she looked at the baby. "Whatever he told you was a lie."

"Of course she's happy to see me," George huffed, smugly of finding himself on the top of Morgan's favorite people list. "I am her personal Santa. Come here," he took Morgan from Izzie.

"Oh, why don't you keep reaping that when she'll be around 4 or 5 and ruin her childhood," Izzie grumbled. "You're such a dumb-ass."

"Oh and why don't you keep using this word when she'll be able to memorize and pronounce words? I am sure Dr. Shepherd would love being called dumb-ass by his daughter. And it's your new perfume she doesn't stand about you."

"My what?" Izzie gasped, outrage, but Dr. Bailey nodded her head, taking George's side.

Claudia looked at Dr. Bailey and said, "This seems like a weird day at the hospital."

Dr. Bailey chuckled knowingly. "That's what a slow day does to doctors." She glared at her residents. "Give her to me. You two don't know how to behave around a baby. Come here, Morgan," she gently took her into her arms and spoke softly to her. "You and I don't know each other very well. I am Miranda. I work with your mommy and daddy."

"You let her call you by your first name?" George asked.

"She's a baby. Babies are allowed to call me however they want. Except for Grandma. Why aren't they bringing her to the daycare?" Dr. Bailey asked Claudia. "My little Tuck would need a new companion."

"Meredith doesn't want to hear about daycare until she turns 1. I am not sure later what plans she has."

"Wouldn't that be great?" George chuckled shyly. Everyone looked at him, confused. "I mean… Morgan and Tuck. You could hook them up. Dr. Tucker Bailey and Dr. Morgan Grey. Or is it Morgan Grey-Shepherd?" he asked, confused. "But Meredith and Derek are not married yet," he gave the answer also. "Anyway, Grey is enough for a doctor name. Besides, if the little ones get married, Morgan would be Dr. Grey-Shepherd Bailey. Oh my God. The names would do the surgeries. She wouldn't need the hands or the brain."

"And couldn't you give them something to work?" Claudia asked Bailey.

"Wouldn't you like that, Dr. Bailey?" Izzie asked. "I think that would be cute. They would know each other from daycare and they would spend each day of their life together. I think it would be a cute story." Then she bent to Morgan and cooed, "Dr. Morgan Bailey."

Derek and Owen were passing by just then and Derek listened amused to Izzie's fantasy. "Are you planning on opening a dating agency, Izzie?"

"Wouldn't that be cute?" Izzie asked him.

"No," Derek answered frankly and then realized how his answer must have sounded to Dr. Bailey. "Not that I don't like your son. I think he's adorable, but my baby girl is too young for dating."

"I share your pain," Bailey reassured him, but she also elbowed him jokingly, "Derek."

"Yes, of course. We'll see. In the meantime, let her come to her Daddy," and so Morgan was passed again. Just that this time, she got in her happy place. There was no other place like in her Daddy's arms. She spoiled herself a little bit as she rubbed her forehead against his cheek and then she turned her attention to the others. She was ready now to give everyone all the attention they wanted.

Meredith stood aside, down the hall. Derek had just taken Morgan from Bailey when she saw them. There were a lot of people around Morgan and Derek but they were the only she saw.

"Could this day be any worse?" Cristina grumbled as she stopped beside her, leaning against the wall.

"Just look at them," Meredith muttered, her eyes still on Derek and Morgan. "Look how great he is with her. You wouldn't say she's not his birth child. And he's not doing it because she's Mark's. No, he doesn't."

"Owen and I are dating for 3 weeks now and we haven't hit the sheets yet," Cristina had her soul problem as well. "Now I also have to do charts at work. All day."

"Nancy found out about Morgan's father and she's imagining all kind of stuff. She put the whole blame on me."

"I can't be blamed for this," Cristina stated. "I am competent. On so many levels."

They looked at each other as if they noticed each other's presence just then.

"He must have a dysfunction," Meredith heard her friend though. "Support him. Maybe you'll even get to do surgery on him if necessary."

"And you should support your sister-in-law. Maybe she wants to write a book with your story."

Meredith nodded. "I should go to them. Derek's taking us to see the big hole from his land. That's where our house will be."

"Have fun at the hole," Cristina nodded and walked away, in the opposed direction.

----

N/A: For the next chapter I will skip a few months, so the story time will be around Morgan's first birthday.