Chapter 49: Welcome to the Word Babies

Meredith tries to relax as Addison completes her examination, her eyes meeting Derek's. It's the next evening, and they are at the private clinic where Geneva keeps her office. It's well equipped, with all the latest in monitors and equipment, with a birthing room in case of emergencies.

"Well, the ultrasound is normal, and I can't see anything unusual," Addison notes, tucking her hands in her borrowed lab coat.

"The pains were very sharp," Meredith recalls, squeezing Derek's hand. She still feels vaguely unsettled, a little achy and on edge, like her body is getting prepared for something.

"The first pregnancy can be unpredictable, with false labor pains."

"But I'm not due yet..."

"Babies decide their own timetable sometimes," Addison smiles. "You are healthy and young, that's always a major bonus. Extremely healthy, actually, I can't say I've ever seen anyone without so much as a minor issue." She glances at Derek. "Is there something going on I should be aware of?"

"Dr. Montgomery, we appreciate your coming here," Derek says slowly. "You've met us before, you know, in Seattle after our wedding."

"Yes, that's right." Addison searches for a memory that seems elusive. Something about them, about someone else, should be more familiar...and yet, isn't. "Your family, and friends, are very attentive. Cristina was very insistent about coming here."

"She can be persuasive," Meredith smiles. "I do appreciate it, as Derek says. We'll do our best to make your stay very comfortable, and maybe you can see some of the sights before you need to leave."

"I've never been to London before, so I'd like that." Then she crosses her arms over her chest. "But you're still avoiding my question."

"Are you quite sure you want to know?" Derek asks quietly, getting a sense of her puzzled thoughts.

"Why wouldn't I? Look, we're here at just about midnight, everyone I've met here so far is exceedingly beautiful, and there's something going on here."

"Don't you know the wealthy have idiosyncrasies?" Meredith asks, with a little shrug.

"Mmhmm..." Addison mutters. "Well, fine. All things considered your baby is quite well along for being six and half months. Are you sure of the calculations?"

Meredith looks over at Derek, unsure, and he touches Addison's arm briefly. He lets his allure wash over her, keeping his eyes on hers, compelling her to remain quiet. "Dr. Montgomery, you're right, there is something about us. You need to know this to treat Meredith properly. So please, be calm and accept what I tell you. We are vampires. We can have children, though it's a rare occurrence. This is why Dr. Williams needed to speak with you. Now, you have nothing to fear from us. We won't harm you - anything you may have thought about vampires is highly exaggerated." His low, soothing voice penetrates her mind, and she nods slowly. "By the time you're ready to return home, this will be gone from your mind."

Addison finds herself absorbing this information, calmly looking at both of them. "All right, but..."

Derek gives her a slow smile, letting his fangs extend briefly. "It's very real." He senses her heart thump rapidly at the sight.

"Please don't be afraid, Addison," Meredith speaks up. "I need you here, the babies needs you."

"And everyone I've met here is also...?"

"Except Cristina, of course."

Addison rubs her temple, experiencing a sense of déjà vu. "Why does this seem so familiar? Like I've been through this...?" Her jade green eyes are bewildered, as she struggles to work this out in her mind.

"Oh!" Meredith's breath hitches, and she clutches Derek's hand tightly, her eyes sweeping shut. "Oh god..."

"What is it?" Derek demands, his eyes darting between Meredith and Addison.

Addison snaps into action, checking Meredith's pulse. "Your child seems to want to make an appearance, whether or not you're ready for him." She glances at Derek's distraught face. "Okay, this is my area of expertise. If you trust me enough with your secrets, trust that I won't let you down here. Get Geneva in here to help me."

But Derek is already moving, faster than she can process, and back with Geneva in a blink of an eye. The two doctors confer quietly, as Derek rubs Meredith's hands. "You'll be okay, everything will be fine."

Meredith manages a small smile, trying to ease the fears that have darkened his eyes. "You're more upset than I am, Derek. Just focus on Kyrian and Ella, how you'll feel holding them for the first time..."

"Yes, our future..." He kisses her softly, wishing he could do more for her. This is a whole new experience for both of them. At the time Kiera gave birth, men were banished from the room, left to wait until the birth was over. The first sight he'd had of Matthew was wrapped in swaddling blankets, with Kiera's exhausted smile welcoming him. This time he's determined not to leave Meredith's side, no matter what.

"Derek, you're welcome to stay with Meredith," Geneva says quietly, sensing his thoughts. "We're not about to push you away from this."

"Good...just do everything you can to keep them all safe."

"That's my specialty, Derek," Addison assures him, as they begin to wheel the bed towards the birthing room. "Now let's bring these children into the world..."

"What?! Already...?" Cristina's eyebrows go up dramatically, her cell phone clutched in her hand. She reaches out towards Alexei with her other hand. He rolls over in bed, snagging her around her waist, pressing a kiss at her throat. She tries to dislodge him, listening intently, raking her thick hair out of the way in exasperation. "It's Derek...Meredith's had the babies..." she hisses.

Alexei grins. "I heard..."

"Showoff," she smirks. "Oh, not you, Derek...this other undead here listening in with his super hearing." Alexei moves even closer, running his hands seductively along her skin as she attempts to keep focused. "Um...okay...tell Mer I'll be over to see her...soonish. Damn, I never even had a chance to do a baby shower. oh...and um...congratulations..." Clicking the phone shut, she tosses it onto the bedside table. "You are impossible...why do I put up with you?"

Alexei gives her a slow, deep kiss that takes away her train of thought. Moving over her in a glide of masculine heat so strong and sure she surrenders instantly. "I can think of one very good reason, baby,' he growls, with the evidence of his reasoning making itself known.

"Oh yeah, that good reason..." Cristina sighs happily, letting him take her away into pleasure. "Meredith needs to rest for a while anyway..."

Thatcher closes his eyes briefly, and Veronique glances at him. He's been troubled the last hour, pacing the library, ever since Derek let him know that Meredith was in labor. Now he smiles, pulling her into a sudden embrace. "She's had the babies, Ver... they're fine...thank god." The last thoughts from Derek were nearly incomprehensible, suffused with joy and relief combined.

"See, cherie, did I not tell you all would be well?" Veronique smiles. "And now you're a grandfather. I'm sure you will spoil them horribly."

"Derek Kyrian Shepherd...that's the name they have picked for him; they will call him Kyrian to honor Kiera, and their daughters name is Ella Grey Shepherd." Thatcher realizes.

"Ah, very strong names that match their personalities, non?" She pauses. "You must be anxious to go to her."

Thatcher pulls her closer, kissing her briefly. "You are coming with me, dear heart. I'm sure you realize how much I've come to appreciate and enjoy your company in my life again these last few months."

"And I yours. I would never presume to replace Ellis in your heart, cherie, however..."

"...we can take it one step at a time." He gazes into her wise lavender eyes. "We do have a long time to discover where our feelings take us."

Veronique gives him a throaty laugh, meeting his kiss halfway.

Yes, we do...

Mark is heading for the exit at Savage Garden, intending to head straight home. The crowd is thinning, with only a few die-hard revelers milling around. Gilles has wrapped up his set for the night, and several women are loitering around the stage, waiting for him to join them. The French vamp has been attracting his share of female attention, with his dark hair, soulful eyes, and a body made for sin. It would be enough to make Mark jealous, if he were so inclined, but he's had his share of female company for the evening.

Gregor gives him a grin as he passes by outside. "Leaving alone?"

"This time."

Mark...Meredith's had the babies. All is well.

The thoughts from Derek take him off guard, and he stops in his tracks. Gregor gives him a puzzled look, before Mark gives him a high-five and disappears with a shout of celebration. Not giving Derek any chance to add that Addison is already there.

Gregor scratches his head, gazing up at the night sky. "Is it a full moon?" he asks no one in particular, shaking his head. "Should I be on the watch for werewolves...?"

Meredith sits up in the bed, pillows behind her back. Her body is already beginning to recover from the birth, her skin flushed from taking some of Derek's blood as Addison whisked the babies away to check them over and clean them up. Derek kisses her now, his mouth lingering over hers, savoring the sweetness and the feel of her in his arms. "My love, this is the best night...our children are healthy, and you are amazing..."

"I haven't done anything that extraordinary," she sighs happily.

"It is to me. I've never experienced anything so miraculous...are you sure you feel all right?"

"Yes, of course. Are you?"

"I feel awed, and thrilled and relieved that's over, and I love you more than ever, Meredith." He gathers her closer, feeling the sweet desire for her as always, charging the moment with love and emotion.

There's a soft tap at the door, before Addison peeks in, holding the small blanket wrapped bundle. "They are absolutely perfect," she announces, handing the babies over to Meredith and Derek. "And I've seen many babies, but he's the most beautiful little boy. As for your daughter, she is the most gorgeous baby girl in the world."

The moment Meredith looks into her son's eyes, she feels a peace like never before. He almost looks as wise as Thatcher as he blinks solemnly at her. His hair is a soft cap of downy blond, and his eyes are deeply blue as Derek's.

He's amazing...

Meredith touches one little fist escaping from the blankets. "Hello, Kyrian, my son. Welcome to the world. You're going to be a strong little boy; I can tell that already." His finger is gripped suddenly in Kyrian's tiny grasp, as the baby gurgles in delight, as if he knows already how to captivate his parents totally.

Just then, baby Ella started crying, "oh sweet girl, don't think that we forgot about you. You're just as beautiful as your mother. Also, I have no doubt that you can beat your brothers butt one day if he needs it. You will be the one to keep us all in line." Derek says to soothe his crying daughter.

"You should rest here tonight, and you can go home tomorrow. Obviously, you're well on the road to recovery," Addison notes dryly. "All my patients should be so fortunate."

"Thank you again, Addison," Meredith beams, reaching for her hand. "I hope we haven't freaked you out too much."

"It's been an interesting experience, to say the least. Eye-opening, seriously. I'm not sure if I'm dreaming or having a drug induced hallucination. I've been working very hard lately. I think I need a vacation." Addison smiles tiredly. She pulls her scrub cap off her head, letting the auburn hair fall over her shoulders.

Meredith exchanges a look with Derek. She can sense the approach of Thatcher and Veronique. And Mark...