AN: Ummm... Hi! Let me start by sayin so, so, so, so, so sorry this took so long! I didn't mean too. First, I was caught up in Derek coming back. Then holidays and then... I was in an accident almost exactly like Derek. I was ready to post on January and my iPad completely died and I had to rewrite this chapter. That's what I'm posting now. On top of it all, I am looking motivation, I'm not sure what's causing it. Also, the app I'm using to write has the worst autocorrect, making writing hard lol. Thank you all for your patience and I'm so sorry. I hope people are still reading. Let me know which names you like...
Chapter 92
Derek and Meredith sit in shock and silence in front of the dream house. The car off as they sit. Derek watching as Meredith holds her stomach. His hand grazing her thigh. A huge, goofy smile plastered on her face. She giggles and Derek beams with his heart soaring. "I still cannot believe this." Meredith muses. Derek watching her in all of her beauty while he nods in agreement.
Derek tilts his head and watches her rub her belly. "Me neither, Mer. I am just so happy!" He shakes his head. "I'm more than happy, I'm ecstatic! The luckiest guy in the world!" He laughs and pulls her against his side. She rests her head on his chest and looks up at him. "Thank you so much, Meredith." He cups her cheek and their gazes lock. Their lips drifting together in a kiss. Meredith moans in bliss as they taste each other. "You ready to tell the kids?" Derek asks when they pull away.
Meredith takes a deep breath with a wide smile. "Yeah." She hums.
Derek cups her cheek tenderly before kissing her once more. "Lets go, wait here!" He smirks.
"Derek! " She laughs and shakes her head as Derek runs out of the car and quickly hurries to her side. He smirks as he opens the door.
"Come here, Meredith." He reaches out and helps her stand with her bigger belly. Meredith holding onto his arms. As soon as she is steady, Derek wraps her in his arms and rests his hands on top of hers on her stomach . "Damn, I love you!" He coos as she smiles up at him. Her belly preventing them from getting very close. Derek stands behind her and holds her against his chest before heading up the stairs. Fear coursing through him as she wobbles from trying to balance three babies in her stomach. They remain wrapped in each other's arms as Derek opens the door. Carolyn immediately looks up and gasps.
"Oh! Thank goodness! You're back!" Carolyn clutches her chest and closes her eyes. "What happened? Is everything okay?"
Derek and Meredith just smile at each other as they slowly walk to the couch. Laughing at Carolyn's worried expression. "Everything is perfect, ma." Derek smirks. "Uhh, where are the kids?"
"In their rooms playing quietly before bed. We had macaroni and cheese for dinner. I will call them. " Carolyn walks closer to the couch and turns towards the bedrooms. "Kids! Come see who's home!" As she calls, there is a huge stampede heard coming towards the couch where Meredith and Derek sit.
"Mama! Daddy!" Bailey gasps and slams into Derek. He climbs up next to his parents on the blue couch.
"Dada!" Lexie coos as she toddles behind her brother. Derek immediately scooping both into his arms, covering them with kisses.
"Mama, are you okay?" Zola comes up last and had paused her fast run to walk up more slowly. Her movements slowing. Derek and Meredith don't miss her hesitant gaze as she looks between Meredith and her large stomach.
"I am, Zola." Meredith coos as she looks up at Derek slyly. "I'm more than okay." She runs her hand on Zola's back.
"Well, what happened?" Carolyn smiles as she sits on the chair across from the couch.
Derek pulls Meredith right to him and kisses her head. She cuddles into him and blushes as she sees the tears in his eyes. "Mom..." He starts talking, his voice mischievous. "Meredith is more than okay, we found out some surprising news."
"Brudders okay? " Bailey tilts his head and pats Meredith's belly.
Meredith smiles sweetly as he kisses her belly and Derek places his hand where baby three lay. "They sure are, buddy!" He smirks and gets lost in Meredith's eyes.
"Daddy! " Bailey slaps Derek's arm, interrupting him when Derek starts pecking Meredith's cheek. His little face scrunched into a scowl. "No kissing mama now! We gotta know bout my brudders!"
"Okay... Guys... The reason mama had to go to the hospital was because something so rare and incredible happened! It's even more rare than the type of twins we have and I can't get over how lucky we are." Derek looks at all of them while he rambles as he brushes Meredith's hair and kisses her head. Bailey and Lexie watch curiously while Zola stays behind. Carolyn continues to sit on the edge of her seat with nerves. Still staring at Meredith's pregnant stomach.
"Well, what is it?" Carolyn encourages when Derek pauses for suspense.
Derek smiles and pulls his wife closer. Unable to keep his hands off of her. Considering how to share the news. "Well... All the babies are good. All three of them. He beams at his wife as Carolyn gasps.
"Oh! My heaven's!" She exclaims, clutching her chest. Her eyes wide and mouth open. "What?! What do you mean?" Meredith giggles at her expression as she peeks at the kids. Zola has taken another step back while Bailey and Lexie look with curiosity.
Derek chuckles before speaking. "Mom. Meredith is pregnant with triplets. Not twins." He smirks now at his mom's flustered expression.
"Wh... Wha... How?!" Carolyn squeals and covers her mouth with her hands.
"It's called Suprafetation. " Meredith explains.
"One of Meredith's eggs was fertilized after the twins." He adds.
"But, how?! " Carolyn wonders.
"It happens. It's very,very,very rare. But is does." He laughs and kisses Meredith. "We couldn't see before because the baby is behind the twins. Baby three is what caused Meredith to grow suddenly."
"Oh! This is marvelous! Wonderful!" Carolyn exclaims. "Congratulations!"
"Thanks". Blushes Meredith as she cuddles into Derek.
"Daddy? Three babies?" Bailey tilts his head in question .
"Yes, buddy. Mama has three babies in her belly." Derek pulls him into his lap.
"Three brothers?" He asks again. A huge smile on his face.
"Well,we don't know what the third one is yet, maybe." Meredith answers as she brushes his soft hair. Even Lexie moves closer and pats Meredith on the stomach. Derek places both of his hands on her stomach, obsessed with keeping her close. He kisses her once more, feeling an intense need to kiss her.
"Here, look." Derek reaches into his pocket to pull out the sonogram where you could see the profile of baby three.
"I wanna see! I wanna see!" Bailey wiggles and tries to see while even Lexie reaches to move closer. Zola though, slips out from her spot and walks out of the room as Carolyn, Bailey and Lexie look at the picture. She walks into her bedroom and crawls into bed. After she turns out her light,she grabs her Anatomy Jane and her lion and falls asleep. Her stomach clenching as she lets out a shuddery breath.
MDMDMDMDMDMDMDMDMDMDMD
A week later, Derek lays in bed propped up on his side, watching his gorgeous wife sleep. He watches as her eyes flutter as they remain closed. His mouth curves into a smirk as his hand tenderly brushes her hair back, making Meredith sigh unconsciously. Derek trails his hand down her shoulder and side. Making her cuddle closer to him. When his hand falls onto her belly, he chuckles as he feels three sets of kicks while he strokes her skin. "Quiet, guys. Mama is sleeping. I know it's getting crowed in there." He laughs. His eyes well with tears as the kicking does slow. "Good listening to daddy."
"Mmm... " Meredith moans as she sqirms, licking her lips. Reaching her arm out for Derek. He happily lifts his arm and pulls her close.
Derek kisses her forehead and then her lips. Then, runs his hand up and down her back. "Good morning, Meredith." He coos with a smile.
"Hey, you." Meredith murmurs, voice. laced with sleep.
"Did you sleep okay? The babies were kicking. I hope they didn't wake you." Derek looks at her in concern. Stroking her cheek, letting the pad of his thumb trail her chin. She smiles at Derek with a sigh.
"I did. I was ready to wake up. It's your day off today." Meredith leans close and kisses him. Her heart racing as their tongues duel.
Derek pants heavily as they pull away. Looking into her eyes. "It is. What should we do today?"
"Hmm... I don't..." Meredith starts but is cut off by the bedroom door bursting open.
"Mama!" Bailey screams as he stands in the doorway. His face red and tears streaming down his cheeks. Derek instantly notices that his pajama shirt is soaking wet.
"Bailey! What happened?! Come here!" Meredith adjusts so she's unsuccessfully trying to sit up by moving from her side to her back. "Derek, help me". She grunts when she couldn't get the full way onto her bottom.
"Come here, Bails." Derek waves him over before hoisting Meredith to sit right. He lifts up Bailey and the little boy instantly snuggles into Meredith.
His breath is in hiccups as he screams loud. "Zo...Z...Zola... Zola..." Bailey gasps for breath. Trying to get out words. "Said she...she...hates me!" He cries and hides in his mom's chest. Derek and Meredith look at each other in shock. "She threw milk at me!" He sobs as Meredith hugs him. Kissing his head.
"Oh, Bailey." Meredith soothes as she hugs him as right as she can with her big belly. Derek runs his back with one hand and wraps the other around Meredith.
"Why did she say that?" Derek asks as he shares a look of fear with his wife. "Were you guys fighting?"
"I don't know" Bailey screams and hiccups. "No fighting!" He shakes his head vigorously.
"I'll go talk to mom." Derek murmurs as he kisses Meredith on her head. She nods as she tries to rock Bailey. With a sigh, Derek gets up and storms out of the room. When he reaches the kitchen, he is met with a tense scene. Carolyn was standing behind the counter. Hands on her hips as she stared at the corner of the room. Derek follows her gaze to Zola pouting in a chair facing the wall. Her arms crossed and her body curled together so that her arms wrapped around her legs against her chest. Lexie was happily eating her Cheerios in her chair. Oblivious to the tension that was so thick it could be cut with a knife. "What happened, ma? " Derek asks, placing one hand on his hip.
Carolyn looks at her son and then back at where Zola had started kicking the wall. "Zola Grey-Shepherd, you best cut that out right now." She warns and then turns back to Derek. Her eyes icy as they hear Zola huff loudly. "Nothing, Derek. Absolutely nothing happened." Carolyn snaps. "Zola had woken up first so I got breakfast started. Bailey woke just as I was finishing. So, I gave them their food and went and got Lexie. I heard nothing and when I walked back in with Lexie, Bailey was just humming as he ate his toast. Zola was glaring at Bailey." Carolyn whispers as Derek looks utterly confused between his daughter and his mother. "As I was buckling Lexie into her chair, I heard Zola scream at Bailey that she hates him and when I turned around, I saw Zola launch her full milk at him. I put her in timeout until you or Meredith spoke with her." Carolyn finishes her explanation while Derek takes his hand through his hair.
"Damn." He signs and closed his eyes. "Thanks, mom. Can you take Lex into our room with Mer and Bails?"
"Of course, dear." She replies and moves towards the baby to pull her out of the chair that was attached to the counter.
"Nana!" She babbles and smiles with her teeth filled smile covered with jelly.
"Come on, sweetheart. Let's go see mama." She coos, making the baby giggle.
"Stupid baby." They both hear Zola gripe from her spot. Carolyn and Derek stare at each other in shock as Carolyn adjusts Lexie in her arms. She hurries with the baby into Derek and Meredith's room while he just stares in shock at his daughter.
Once Carolyn and Lexie were gone and Derek had moved to sit on the couch. He watches Zola on the chair. Trying to figure out what went wrong. With a heavy heart, he decides that he better try. "Zola. Please come here." His voice stern, but soft. "
"No." Zola shakes her head.
"Zola, I did not ask you." He replies again.
"I don't wanna." Comes her retort.
Derek stares at the back of her head in complete shock. "Zola, get over here, now!" He says a little harder. After a moment of hesitation, Zola sits up and turns to him.
"Fine." She gripes and rolls her eyes. Walking in a slow stomp over to him. Climbing onto the couch away from Derek. Her arms crossed as she stares straight ahead.
"Hey, come sit closer, love bug." Derek says softly once he notices this. His heart breaks when Zola shakes her head. "Oh...Okay." He mutters once he swallows the lump in his throat. It's usually not this difficult to get her to talk. "I just want to talk to you. Why did you say that to your brother?" Zola just shrugs and looks away. "Oh, Zo. That's not an answer. It's so not like my princess to do mean things to her brother and sister." Derek scoots closer and places his hand on her shoulder. "You can talk to me and mama." At this, Zola immediately flinches and scoots away.
"I don't wanna talk. I wanna go now." Zola grumbles.
Derek sighs as he looks at his sweet daughter and her sad, confused expression. "Okay, Zo. But just know, what you did this morning was not right. So, that means no treats today." He gives. Eyebrows raised while Zola finally turns and looks at him.
She looks for a long time. Long enough that Derek thinks she will cave. "I don't care." Zola finally rolls her eyes. Leaving Derek absolutely stunned. But, before he can stop her, Zola runs from the room and into her bedroom. The slamming of the door reverberating through the house. Starring at where Zola ran, Derek sighs. Covering his face with his hands. His body creaks as he stands. Roaming them up and in his hair before stretching. He slowly moves back towards his room. Racking his brain for reasons why Zola, his sweet princess Zola was acting like this.
"Hey!" Meredith chirps when Derek blindly walks into the room. Her voice pulling him back down to earth.
"Oh, hey you." Derek smiles and collapses next to his wife. Kissing her while ignoring his mother near them. When they pull back, Derek notices that Bailey has his shirt off and is not sticky anymore. With a sigh, Derek moves to adjust his body to be closer to his wife.
Derek silently watches Bailey cuddle into Meredith while Derek rests his head on her big belly. Relishing in her fingers combing through his curls. Calming his raging nerves. "So..." Meredith prompts as she grips at his curls. Looking at him expectantly. Derek moans as he turns his face to bury his nose in her stomach. "How did it go?" She finishes with her nose scrunched.
Derek immediately looks at her with an expression of shock. "Went great, Meredith. Zola is just pouting in her bedroom for a minute." He snarks, making Meredith sigh and roll her eyes.
"Derek!" She smacks his shoulder. "Tell me exactly."
He sighs as he moves to hold her stomach to look at her. "Zola would not even sit next to me, let alone talk." Derek bemoans as Meredith and Carolyn, who had been watching sigh in defeat. "I...told her no treats today because of what happened."
Meredith smiles as she cups his cheek. "That sounds fair. It took me twenty minutes to calm Bailey down, Derek."
"Damn." Derek mutters and runs his face. "What happened?" He asks rhetorically. Meredith just shakes her head.
"May I make a suggestion?" Carolyn wonders as she bounces Lexie. Meredith and Derek look up at her expectantly nodding. "How about if I take Lexie and Bailey to the park and to the grocery store with me? Leaving you plenty of time to speak with Zola."
Meredith looks at Derek in relief. "That would work!" Meredith nods.
"Thanks, mom." Adds Derek as he sits up and grabs Bailey. Leaning back so that he could hold him over his head. "Does that sound like a plan, bud?"
"Yeah, daddy!" Bailey giggles.
"Great. Now why don't you go wash up and get ready." Derek kisses his cheeks all over.
"Yay!" Bailey squeals and squirms down. He runs out of the room with Carolyn following. Meredith sighs as Derek sits up and pulls her close. She rests her cheek on his chest while he plays with her hair.
"Ugh, what is going on with Zo?" Meredith muses as she rubs his stomach.
"No idea. She even snapped at Lex as well when I was out there." Derek admits, making Meredith look even more shocked.
"Wow. That's not like her... Has her teacher mentioned anything about at school?"
"Hmm, no. It's mostly been here that she's been off." Derek notes. Her hands roam his chest before they quietly sit close and think over the last couple of weeks.
"Derek?" Meredith whispers as the wheels in her head turn.
"Hmm?" Derek pulls her close and looks at her with an encouraging smile. Tilting his head.
"Zola has been different in the last week since I was in the hospital." Meredith emphasizes the "has" when she recalls something big. "Remember, the night we came back from the hospital?"
Derek sits back and considers this. Rubbing his chin in thought. "Yeah... She put herself to bed." He agrees.
"That's right, Derek. I had turned to ask her if she could see the sonogram, but she was gone. Derek, Zola hasn't asked for her favorite things, hasn't wanted to be put to bed or wanted extra treats or anything that she really loves in the last week." Meredith looks in surprise. Her stomach turning in realization.
"It hasn't... No..." Derek thinks as he runs his forehead. Trying not to believe what he was hearing. But, Meredith's expression solidifies his agreement with her. Realizing that she was right.
"I can't believe we hadn't noticed. I feel horrible." Meredith cuddles into her husband.
"Oh, Mer. Mer... I don't think we have to worry... It wasn't obvious and we have had a lot going on recently."
"Derek, that's not an excuse to miss that our daughter is worried!" Meredith snaps.
Derek sighs heavily and nods his head slow. "True. I'm not condoning it. But still, Mer." He grasps for something as Meredith moans into her hands. " Let's just focus on figuring this out" he mutters finally, running his hands along her back. After a long moment of silence, Meredith smiles up at him.
"Okay." She whispers.
"Hmm. Good." Derek kisses her and hugs her tight. Resting his hands on her belly.
"Have we missed anything at school?" Wonders Meredith. Resting her hands on his. Feeling his strong fingers beneath hers.
His face scrunched up in thought. Little crinkles forming besides his eyes. "No, Mer." Derek replies finally. "We've been to our special parent day and field day. She seemed fine at donuts with dad and that was the same day you went to the hospital. Graduation is tomorrow." He comforts. Meredith just sighs in defeat while she cuddles into his arms. They sit together for a while longer until there is a knock on the bedroom door.
Carolyn pokes her head inside while Meredith and Derek see her. "Hello dears, I just wanted to let you know that we are heading out now. We will be back in a few hours. I left some bagels out for you. "
"Okay, thanks mom." Derek smiles and waves as she exits their bedroom. As the door shuts, Derek let's out a heavy sigh. "Time to face the music, I guess." He rubs his eyes and looks at Meredith. "Wanna come with me to get Zola?" She bites her lip in contemplation.
"Mmm...yeah. I can't feel my ass." She scrunches up her face, making the cute look that Derek adores. Her head turning up towards his.
Derek's eyes sparkle as he lifts his head and licks his lips. "Oh!?" He practically growls as his eyes roam her body. "You uhh... Want me to help you out?" Derek leans in close as his voice becomes low and full of desire .
Meredith gasps in shock as she begins giggling. "Derek!" She shakes her head.
"Let's see..." He coos and leads her so that she is straddling his waist. Her arms instantly go around his neck while her belly impedes her balance. Making her smile broader and grip him tighter. His hands keeping her in place while they run along her spine. Bypassing her bottom to squeeze her thighs. Eliciting a shocked but pleased groan from Meredith when he moves his hands to cup her bottom. "Hmm...sensation is intact." Derek coos as leans up to kiss her while copping a feel. Meredith giggles against his lips as he moans.
"Derek." Meredith moans as his lips find her neck and her head drops to the side.
"Hmm?" He hums as he bites further up, burying his nose in her hair.
"We need to talk to Zola." She mutters as she rubs his arms. Cupping his cheeks and giving him a soft kiss on the lips. Derek looks up at her sad as he feels her body on top of his. Sighing as he knew that she was right. Nodding, Derek smiles and nuzzles his nose against her cheek before kissing her once more.
"Yeah... We do." He breathes and helps her off of him. "We will continue this later, though." His laughter echoing in the room as he stands and pulls her up to him. Meredith gripping him tight as she tries to find her footing. She bites her lip as she watches his hands move lower to her bottom.
"Definitely, Derek!" She clutches his shirt and looks up at him as he can't help but kiss her once more. He sighs and wraps his arms around Meredith as they walk out of the room. Her arms going around his waist. They creek open the door to Zola's room and are met with darkness. Her nighttime shades were still drawn and her light was off. Meredith and Derek share a sad, shocked look as they see Zola laying on her bed. Resting on her belly, staring straight ahead.
"Hey, ZoZo!" Meredith coos when she doesn't acknowledge her parents.
Zola then turns her head on her arms and peers between Meredith and Meredith's stomach. "Hi." She whispers lightly before going back to her initial position. Both parents feel their hearts break at how sad Zola seems.
"Hey, Princess, it's a surprise mama, daddy and ZoZo day. Doesn't that sound fun?" Derek coos as he kneels down by her bed. Brushing her little poofs of hair. When Zola just shakes her head, Derek sighs. "Come on, ZoZo." He musters a big smile and scoops her up into in arms. "You okay to walk?" Derek whispers to Meredith as his arms are full. He can't guide her by holding her.
"Umm... Yeah, Derek. I can walk twenty feet to the living room." She rolls her eyes as he tilts his head in concern. Both ignoring Zola's squirms and attempts to get down and back into bed.
"I'm just making sure." Derek murmurs as he moves closer to her.
Meredith looks up at her husband's worried features. With a smile, she places her hand on Zola's squirming body. "I know, Derek. Thank you." With that, Derek smiles in relief. Leading the way out the door. Meredith walking close behind. Her hand on her back, trying to support her huge stomach while she waddles despite being twenty five weeks pregnant.
"I wanna go to my room!" Zola pouts and folds her arms against her chest once Derek gets her sitting.
"In a bit, Zola." Derek smiles after helping Meredith sit next to their daughter. He goes to sit on her other side so that she is in between them. His worried eyes meeting Meredith's. Both silently agreeing that something was definitely bothering their oldest child. He tries to wrap her in his arms but she pushes his arms away.
"Zola." Meredith soothes and reaches for her hand. Trying to calm the little girl. "Please, talk to us." She encourages.
"Yes, Zo. We know something is bothering our baby. We can help, love bug." Derek rubs her back.
The little girl sits very quiet against the couch. Arms crossed. Finally, she looks up at Derek. Looking almost like she was going to say something. "Don't feel like it." She grumps and stands, running into her room. Leaving Meredith and Derek shocked and stunned.
"What was that?!" Meredith gasps, jaw dropping
"No idea." Derek rubs his eyes and scoots close."Hey... Maybe her friends know something if her teacher doesn't." Her suggests after thinking quietly.
"Oh! Good idea. I'll text Mikey and Sarah's mom and Callie. Maybe they can get it out of their kids if they know anything." Meredith replies as she lays against his chest. His arms wrapping around her protectively. She reaches for her phone to send a quick text. When she's done, she lays against Derek. Her hands rubbing his thigh. "What should we do now? Wait for Zola to come out?"
"Yeah. I guess." Derek answers. "I can think of something we can do in the meantime." He coos and his eyes sparkle at her while his hand lifts her chin. His lips pecking Meredith's lips. Tongue gently pushing inside her warm cavern. Making her moan in bliss.
"Ohhh!" She moans as they pull away panting. Eyes connected. "That feels so good! But we can't have sex now, Derek." Meredith whines.
Derek smirks and captures her lips once more. "I know, Mer." He cups her cheek and kisses again. "Zola is awake in her room. She may come out at anytime. But, we can make out." Derek kisses Meredith as she turns her body towards him. Her large belly pushing them apart.
"Hmm, okay!" She giggles as she moves to straddle his waist. Derek beams with bright, sparkly eyes as he watches her beautiful, golden hair frame her equally gorgeous face. He kisses her while Meredith wraps her arms around his neck and buries her hands in his curls.
"Mer!" He coos reverently as he rubs her body with slow motions. His teeth biting her lips with a growl.
"Derek." Meredith whimpers while she feels his stubbled cheek. Her body pushing closer. "Oh, I love you!" She kisses him hard as he sits up and holds her close.
"Love you too!" Derek moans as he moves to run his tongue down her neck. Meredith dropping her head back from the amazing sensation.
"Oh..." Meredith murmurs as she tries to lean up on her knees so that she was hovering over Derek. Their kisses becoming more intense. Making Meredith wobble, unsteady. Derek goes to twist his fingers in her hair. Suddenly, Meredith gasps.
"Woah! Woah!" Her knee slips and Derek immediately gasps as he catches her fall, guiding her back to lay down on the couch next to him. "Are you okay, Mer?!" His eyes look over her in concern. Meredith looks around, shocked at what just happened.
"Yeah...yeah." Her voice quiet before she looks up at Derek with a smirk. As Derek sees her sparkly eyes and cute smile, he mirrors her look. Meredith begins giggling and covering her face in embarrassment. He cups her cheek and begins laughing as well. "Oh! I can't believe that happened!" She buries her nose in his neck while he pulls her close into a hug. They laugh in histerics together.
"Oh, Meredith." He coos as they laugh. Their hands resting on her belly.
"I'm so off balance!" Meredith moans as Derek watches her. "I'm so huge, I can't even keep balance to kiss my husband.
"You're sexy. You're carrying three more of my children." Derek calms her sincerely. His McDreamy smile in full view.
"Derek." She whispers in awe as she looks up at him and noticing how he was looking so lovingly at her. Like she was his everything and nothing would ever change that.
"I love that you're off balance because my children are growing." He kisses her, making her laugh. "I love you no matter what, Meredith." He brushes her hair back as he looks into her beautiful green eyes. Meredith smiles back, reassured. Humming as she cuddles back into him.
"Thanks. I love you, too." She breathes in his warm scent. Her head on his chest while he strokes her hair.
"I know what we can do today while we wait." Derek pats her arm as he squeezes her close.
"What's that, Derek?"
"Baby names. My boy needs a name." He smirks and leans forward to grab the baby name book.
Meredith scrunches her face and looks at him like he was crazy. "Derek, baby three is a girl.
Derek turns to look at her, "its a boy, Mer. The other two are boys. So, this one is a boy." He shrugs and gives her a look of total seriousness.
"Derek! That's not how it works and you know it!" She laughs as he sits back against the couch.
"Fine, I can just tell then." Derek banters.
"Hmm. Well, mother's instinct tells me that it's a girl." She shrugs.
"Well, I guess we have a challenge then." He nudges her with a smirk.
Meredith bites her lip and looks up at him with her eyebrows raised. "What kind of challenge?"
"Let's see... Whoever picks the sex right, gets to officially choose the name and the loser has to..." Derek looks unsure at her. Making Meredith smirk at him.
"Has to change diapers by themselves for one day." She laughs.
"What!? Meredith! What if that person is you?" Derek looks at her with wide eyes.
"Hmm, it's not." She shrugs, nonchalantly. "I know I'm right." She giggles. Derek shakes his head with an amused sigh before he laughs along with her, hugging her close. He breathes in her lavender conditioner that was still noticeable after a whole day. As he does, Meredith's stomach growls.
"Hmm, guess it's food and then baby names." Derek smirks and leans forward to kiss her neck. "Be right back." He goes and gets the food Carolyn left. When he sits back down, Meredith grabs the book and hands it to him. Trading it with the bagel he offered. She sits back against the couch and lifts her legs, signalling to Derek that she wanted to lay her legs on his lap. He gladly obliges and drapes them over his legs. Rubbing his hands up and down her long legs as they eat their food.
"Derek, go ahead and start with the boy names. Even though it's so not a boy." Meredith smirks as she stuffs a grape in her mouth. Her giggles echoing through the room.
Derek snorts as he sits back. Opening the book. "How are you so sure that it's not a boy?"
"A mom always knows." She shrugs. "Pretty sure that I heard mom or Miranda say that." Meredith adds when he looks at her incredulously.
"Fine then. Let's see what we have then." Derek turns and looks at the lists of names. Reading carefully and shaking his head at a few. "Some of these are crazy." He mutters out loud. "Here are some...Adam? Anthony? Aaron?" Derek puts down the book to gauge Meredith's reaction.
"No... No... And No." She muses and shakes her head.
He sighs and returns to the book. "Uhh... Andrew?"
"No! No! Absolutely not!" She sits up and looks at him with wide eyes.
Derek looks highly amused at her as he expectantly waits for an explanation. Eyebrows raised and head cocked. "Why?" He simply asks.
Meredith shakes her head and looks like she wants to vomit. "Ugh! Big, big mistake in Italy. I can't believe I let it happen. But, I slept with a guy named Andrew and he was like nineteen. It started as only one night, but he kept finding me and we'd have sex every night. He thought we were in a relationship." Meredith shudders and doesn't have to look at Derek to know that he is fuming. "Looking back, he was very gross and way too young!"
Derek swallows hard and shakes his head. Meredith's past always bothered him, but it was part of who she was. So, he just moved past it with a sigh. "Definitely not that name." He grumbles.
"Derek. Careful." Meredith warns and strokes his cheek.
He looks at her with a soft smile. "I know, Mer."
"I love you." Meredith reminds with a smile.
"I know." He grins as she wobbles to sit up so that she could kiss his cheek.
"Good. Now let's keep reading!" She giggles and slaps his stomach. Sitting back against the couch.
"Okay, let's see." Licking his lips as he reads. "Ashton, Ben, Braydon, Brandon?"
"Definitely not." Meredith shakes her head.
"I like Brandon." Derek notes.
"I really don't." Meredith says seriously.
With a sigh, Derek continues. "Brian, Brent, Bowie?"
"Are we having a rock singer?" Meredith smirks.
"Thought we weren't having a boy." He banters in reply. Making Meredith's giggle sound. "How about...Caleb, Carlos, Cole, Caden or David?" He looks at her.
"I like Caden and David." She offers.
"Me too. Let's write it on the maybe list." He notes and Meredith pulls out her phone to make the list. "Okay... Declan, Dylan...Devon... Nah." Derek shakes his head.
"I like Dylan." Meredith muses.
"Its very common, Mer." He argues.
"So? It's a good name. Dylan Grey Shepherd." Meredith retorts.
"There's other names." Derek replies.
"Fine. Keep going." She rolls her eyes. Derek continues as they eliminate many more names.
"Oh, here's one I like." Derek does a double take at the name. Meredith tries to sit up and look.
"Oh! I like that a lot." She smiles at him.
"Elijah. Elijah Grey Shepherd." Derek tries. "Mark, Mason and Elijah."
"Sounds good. Let's look for a second place name." Meredith runs her hand along his arm. "But, that's a winner for me." The share a look of pride at finding a name. Derek skims past the F and G names. Neither of them thrilled about any of those. "Harry, Harrison, Howard?" He suggests.
"Eh." Meredith shakes her head.
"Mmhmm." Derek shakes his head. Bemused at her continued rejection. "Okay... Ivan, Isaiah, Isaac, Ivory..."
"None of those." She shakes her head.
"What?! Why?!" Derek gasps and looks in shock.
Meredith just shrugs. "I went to school with an Ivan. He ate glue in the third grade. Ivory sounds like a last name. I just don't like Isaac."
"Mer, the tumor on the wall was the tumor Isaac the CT tech had." Derek banters back. His eyebrows raised.
"I know. I just don't want those names." She retorts.
"Oh Meredith." Groans Derek as he moves to the next letter. "James, Justin, Jacob, Jace, Joshua?" He looks at the book silently. "I really like Jacob."
Meredith sits up and plays the names in her head. "I definitely don't like..."
"Mer! Seriously?!" Derek groans as she begins dismissing names again.
"What?! Derek, if you'd just let me finish, I was gonna say, I don't like Joshua or Jace. But... "
"Why?" Derek asks, annoyed now.
"Because Joshua is too common and Jace is a pet's name. But, I do love Jacob." She glares at him.
Derek looks at her in silence for a moment. "Do you really?"
"I do, Derek." Meredith reassures.
"Good." They smile together. "Let's keep going." He looks before opening the book again.
"Jayden?" Meredith reads as she sits up and notices a name.
"Eh, that's as common as Joshua." Derek scoffs.
"Fine." Meredith shrugs.
"Hmm... Kenny, Kyle, Larry, Linus, Leo?"
"Linus the Peanuts kid?" She raises her eyebrows.
"Uh, yeah good point." Derek laughs. "What about the others?"
"I like Kyle. Leo is okay."
"I don't really like Leo." Derek adds.
"What about Kyle?"
"Let's put it on the maybe list. I do like it though."
"Hmm, good. What about Luke or Lenny?"
Derek shrugs and shakes his head. "I think one of Addison's friends has a kid names Luke and whenever I hear Lenny I think of the book "Of Mice and Men."
"Of Mice... Oh! I remember, Derek. They are still good names. You shouldn't let it change your mind though." She argues.
"I'm not, Mer. I just don't think those two are for our son." Derek adds.
"I like Luke." Meredith notes.
"Let's keep looking." Derek shakes his head at her comment. Meredith rolling her eyes at him. He goes through a few more letters before stopping. "I think we're good for boys." Derek let's out a sigh.
"Mm, yeah. I still really love Elijah." Meredith muses on thought.
"Oh, me too! Plus we have Jacob, Caden, Kyle and David." Derek smiles.
"I...no... " Meredith starts but stops immediately.
"What is it, Meredith?" Derek tilts his head and places a warm hand on her shoulder.
"Nothing. What other names do you have?" Meredith adverts her eyes in avoidance.
"Meredith don't do this." Derek warns.
"I'm not!" Her green eyes wide.
"Oh, you so are!" He laughs. "Talk to me, Mer."
Meredith looks at him in contemplation. "Fine. I don't think we should use David because..." Her teeth bites her lip in nerves.
"Meredith?" He coos with concern. Brushing her cheek.
"Because of the middle name I want if it's a boy."
"What's that, Mer?"
Meredith scrunches her face and sighs quietly. She looks at him before whispering. "I want to use your name. Even though it's technically Bailey's first name... I want our boys to carry the name. We didn't get a chance to with Mark and Mason." She blushes as Derek beams and instantly grabs and kisses her. " Oh!" She moans.
"Meredith! Thank you! Damn, I love you so much!" He kisses her again while cupping her cheeks.
"You like the idea?" She looks up, hesitant."
"Meredith, yes! It's a great idea! If it's a girl, we will use yours instead so that one of ours is continued twice." He cups her cheek and kisses her with passion.
"Derek, we don't have to do that." Meredith blushes deeper.
"I want to, Meredith." He muses and pecks her lips. Meredith smiles at him in content. Her heart warms at his sentiment.
"Okay. So, we're between Elijah, Jacob, Caden and Kyle?"
"Yes, and Nicholas." Derek nods.
"Still not that crazy on that one, but you love it so we can keep it on the list." Meredith nods.
"Thank you. Now it's your turn." He hands Meredith the baby book.
"Okay. But, first go check on Zola." Meredith points. Derek nods and carefully stands as Meredith sits back and opens the book to the girl section. He walks over to their daughter's door and gently opens the door.
"Zola?" Derek calls into the dark room. He listens for a moment before he hears the faint snoring. Heart breaking as he shuts the door and walks back to the couch. With a sigh, he sits next to Meredith and pulls her close.
"Everything okay, Derek?" She asks.
"She was sleeping." He explains sadly.
"Oh, my sweet baby." Meredith muses. "I hope we hear soon." She adds as Derek agrees. Meredith reluctantly opens the baby book to the girls section. Not really wanting to look for names when her daughter was so sad.
"She will come through, Meredith." Derek reassures as he seems to read her mind. He kisses her head after pulling her against him.
"I know." Meredith looks up and nods at him.
"Good. Now let's pick girl names since you seem to be positive that baby three is a girl." Derek smirks and playfully rocks her. Making her giggle ring out like a carol of bells.
"Fine." Meredith smiles and opens the book. "Uhh... Abigail, Alice, Aliyah, Annie?"
Derek shakes his head vigorously. "No. I don't like those."
"Hmm, me neither." Meredith giggles. "Uhh... Ashley, Allison, Alyssa, Arielle, Aubrie."
Derek rubs his face and thinks. "They sound too... What's the word?"
"Girly?" Meredith scrunches her face.
"Yeah." Derek laughs.
"Hmm... Then we won't like many more of these names." She replies echoing his laugh while skimming the next pages. "I will read some B names. Let's see... " Muses Meredith and Derek watches expectantly. "Bella, Barbara, Brittany, Briella, Bridget, Brooklyn?"
"Mostly girly, but I do like Brooklyn and Bella."
"Derek, our niece is Bella. But, I do like Brooklyn also." Meredith giggles.
"Oh, don't mention that I forgot her name!" He buries his nose into her neck as they laugh together. "Let's keep Brooklyn on the maybe list." He sighs as his wife nods.
"Okay... Now we have Bently, Brandy, Cassidy, Carmen, Cadence? I like Cassidy." Notes Meredith.
"I'm not crazy about Cassidy."
"Derek! Why?! It's a good name!" Meredith moans.
"It's just not... Catchy." Derek shrugs.
"What does that even mean, Derek?" She rolls her eyes at him in annoyance.
"That I don't like it." He laughs. "We can keep in mind. But, it's not going on my list."
"Fine." Meredith rolls her eyes and looks at the book again. "Carrie?"
"Like the horror movie?" Derek scrunches his face.
"Was thinking more like the main character from "Sex and the City." Meredith laughs.
"Oh, yeah. That makes me love it, Meredith." He snorts as he laughs.
"Hmm, I like that show." She shrugs and Derek looks at her in shock as she has a sneaky smirk on her face.
"Oh?" He gasps in curiosity. Scooting closer.
"Yeah. What?" She laughs.
"Did you...learn anything?" His voice low with desire.
"Derek!" She howls with laughter. "That's not all the show was about!" Her hands cover her mouth.
"Really? What was it then?" His eyes sparkle.
"Friendship." Meredith adds. "Sadie and I would watch it and talk about how we were the same as those girls. Then, we would go out and have sex with random guys and pretend to compare them with the men on the show." Derek looks at her, shocked. Slightly jealous like he always was at picturing his wife with other men. Meredith quickly catches this look and wiggles up to lean her hand on his chest and kiss him. "Hey." She silently calms him. Derek covers her hand with his and smiles. Not a wide smile, but one that shows he understands. "Let's name our daughter." She murmurs.
"You say that like it's official, Meredith. It could still be a boy." He laughs.
"Whatever you say, Derek." She giggles and continues to read while Derek tickles her arms. Meredith reads a few more pages in silence. Shaking her head at some. "Christy?"
"Too much like Cristina." He shakes his head. "Unless you want that?"
Meredith let's herself think for a moment. "I don't think so. If I did, it would have to be her actual name because I don't like Christy."
"Me neither, Mer." He laughs. "Keep going."
"Caydence or Cassie?" She looks up at him.
"I knew a Cassie. Bullied everyone. Slept with Mark and then bullied him." Derek explains.
"Uh, no. Definitely not!" Meredith gasps in disgust. "Onto the next! Umm...Delilah? Daisy?"
"No! No! One is just...weird and the other is a pet name." Derek looks in shock.
"Ugh, fine." She sighs. "Debra?"
"No." Derek answers.
"We could name her Denim." Meredith laughs instantly.
"What?! No way!" He gasps and looks at the book. "Seriously?!" Their laughs resound around the room after he reads.
"Oh! Look! I like Emma!" Meredith points at the book.
"Ugh, that name is so overdone! How about." He quickly skims the page. "Emmalyn? A nice twist."
"No, I don't want a twist on that name." How is Emma overdone, Derek?" Meredith demands.
He runs his hand over his face. "Because everyone names their kid that. There are four Emma's in Zola's class and three in Bailey's!" He throws up his hands in argument .
"So? Derek, she is still special even though lots of kids have that name." Meredith argues. Derek sighs as she glares at him.
"I just... Meredith, its not a bad thing to have a common name. I mean, listen, Emma Grey-Shepherd. Isn't that beautiful?" Derek whispers and tilts his head. Meredith glares at him.
"Ugh. Let's just put it on the maybe maybe list." She rolls her eyes and looks back at the book as Derek does a silent victory dance next to her.
"Thanks, Mer." Derek smiles and kisses her head.
"Hmm. Yeah. Yeah. How about... Ember? Elena? Eliza? Or..." Meredith continues reading down the line. "Oh! Oh!" She points to one name and gets a soft look on her face. "Derek... What about this name?" He leans over to look at the book. His eyes widen as he looks between the name and Meredith.
"It's beautiful, Mer." He coos.
Meredith looks up at him hesitantly. "You don't think it's too... Close...?"
"Close to what, Meredith?" Derek whispers and squints his eyes. Brushing hair out of her face.
"Close to..." Meredith begins but immediately looks down. Derek though, lifts her chin up so he can see her. "Her name." Derek looks at her as he thinks. Reason suddenly dawning on him.
"Oh! Meredith! No, it's not close at all. We would know that we aren't naming her after your mother. Besides, it is different." Derek strokes her cheek as he calms his wife. Meredith smiles brightly in relief.
"Thanks, Derek. I... Just read the name and I just pictured calling her by a nickname of Ellie Belle." Meredith giggles.
"That's adorable!" Derek coos and kisses her lips. "Makes me almost wish that you were right about it being a girl." He laughs as she instantly nudges him.
"Derek! Shut up!" She gasps and seats at him. He just laughs and nudges back. "Do you like it or not?"
His hearty laugh rings through the room. "Yes, Meredith. Ellie Grey-Shepherd is perfect. I think it should be on the top of the list.
"Me too!" Meredith beams. "It's perfect. We just need a middle name."
"We'll figure it out, Meredith. Let's look and see if anything else stands out for us." Derek lightly brushes away some hair from her eyes.
"Okay. So... We have Ellie and..." She continues to read. "None of these... Do you like any of these?" Her face scrunches up while she looks between the book and Derek. He takes the book and reads through the names.
"Not really... Hmm... Definitely not Heather." He shakes his head.
"What, why?" Meredith wonders.
"I had a huge crush on a girl named Heather. When I was in the sixth grade." He adds when he sees her dark eyes with jealousy coursing through them. With a chuckle, he continues. "She totally didn't notice me. She was in tenth grade I was little, puny and the only time I saw her was waiting for the bus and where she worked at the ice cream shop. According to Mark she didn't notice me because I looked like I was eight instead of twelve." Derek smirks at Meredith's bemused expression before she howls with laughter. "Yeah...yeah it was so funny." He rolls his eyes and nudges her playfully.
"Sorry, Derek. Its just... Picturing you with a crush on an older girl is adorable." Meredith covers her mouth with her hand as she giggles again.
"Hmph. I have a bigger crush on you anyway." Derek looks at her with a twinkle in his eyes. Pulling her up and against him.
"Derek!" She blushes and shakes her head.
"It's true! Now keep reading." He laughs playfully and points to the book.
Meredith bites her lip as she looks at him before turning to read once more. "Ivy?"
"No. Oh, I like Jessie."
"No. Julie?"
"Judith?" Derek reads.
"No way." Snorts Meredith and Derek rolls his eyes.
"I like it."
"Not naming her after your aunt, Derek." She argues, flipping to the K names. Derek is about to retort when something catches his eye.
"Meredith, look!" Derek grabs the book and stares at a page. His finger brushing a name in reverence.
"What?" Meredith whispers and looks over his shoulder.
"This name. We should name her this." Derek strokes her cheek as he looks at her the same way he did that day they first worked together.
"What name?" Meredith pulls away to look. Gasping when she reads it. How they passed it before, she has no idea. But, Meredith was smitten. "Katie?!" Meredith beams at Derek.
"The first surgery we ever scrubbed in together on. Our first save." His eyes twinkling just as they did when he first said those words.
"I love it!" Meredith exclaims. She looks up at her husband. "Oh... But..."
"What's wrong, Mer?" Derek asks softly as he moves to get a closer look. His hand grazing her soft hair.
"Nothing... It's just... I love Katie, but I also love Ellie." Meredith pouts that cute little pout that Derek can't resist.
"Meredith." He muses with a smile. Trying to find his words. "Meredith." Whispers Derek again, before brushing her hair back gingerly. "I understand. I feel the same way. "
"You do?" Meredith whispers as Derek places his free hand on her stomach.
"Oh yeah. Maybe we could use one as a middle name?" Shrugs Derek.
"Derek!" Meredith squeals with joy and moves to rub his chest as he smirks at her.
He laughs and nods. "How about... either Katie Ellie...?"
"No." Meredith shakes her head. Sticking her tongue out.
"Yeah. Not that order. Uhh... Ellie Kate?" Derek wonders after laughing at his wife.
Meredith considers this for a moment. "I like that, Derek!" They smile at each other.
"I love it too... But I still want to use Meredith in her name." Derek muses when a thought pops into his head.
"Oh..." She looks up apologetically at him. "I know... We don't have to though..." Meredith offers.
"I want to, Meredith." Derek insists and cups her cheeks. "I want our daughter to have her mom's name."
"Lexie has my name." Meredith reminds.
Derek sighs and closes his eyes. "I know... it's just... Can we find another combination?"
Meredith glares at him for a moment before relenting. "Fine."
"Thank you." He beams and looks at the name again. "How about Katie Meredith?"
"Eh, doesn't flow." Meredith shakes her head.
"Ellie Meredith?"
"No."
"Uh... Oh! How about Grace? Think about it, Mer. We met again at Seattle Grace... It kind of encompasses all of our patients and our story. We could either do Grace Meredith or Ellie Grace."
"What about Ellie Kate and you wanting my name?" Meredith wonders.
"We can keep that as an option, Meredith." Derek encourages as Meredith's phone rings. He doesn't get to finish his next argument as Meredith gasps.
"It's Mikey's mom." She stares at Derek and hits answer. "Hello?" Meredith whispers as she answers.
"Hi, Meredith, it's Lisa. I got your text. I hope you don't mind that I called because It took a while getting Mikey to explain." She laughs.
"Oh, we don't mind at all. Thank you for calling. Did Mikey say anything?" Meredith asks while Derek moves to motion to her to put it on speaker. She gestures for him to check Zola first. He nods and hurries up and over to Zola's room.
"Yes, he didn't want to at first, said Zola made him promise." Lisa explains as Derek comes back. He gives her a sad look as he shakes his head. Signaling that Zola was still asleep. Meredith groans silently and turns on her speaker.
"Really?!" Meredith gasps and sqirms close to Derek. He wraps his arm around her and rubs his chin with the other.
"Yeah, but we told him that a true friend helps by telling someone if something is wrong. That we help those we care about." Lisa explains.
"Thank you. We appreciate it so much." Derek speaks for both of them.
"My pleasure. We gave him ice cream and a movie afternoon as a reward." Lisa answers. "Now... Are you guys ready to hear? It sounds like you had a busy morning already."
Meredith looks to Derek for reassurance. When he nods, she continues. "Yeah. We have our younger two out with their nana for a while. We were unsuccessful at getting anything out of Zola."
"Any information you have is great." Derek adds.
"Okay then. Well, Mikey explained that after donuts with dad that they talked about families a lot." Lisa starts. Meredith and Derek listen intently as she begins. "Well, I guess Mrs. Davis read a story about a family who was expecting a baby. The story talked about how the little girl in the story felt left out at first after she was told by someone that her parents wouldn't pay attention to her. Apparently, after, they were drawing pictures of their families and talking about them. When Zola talked, she mentioned that you were pregnant with two babies. She talked a lot I guess. But then, Mikey said one of the other kids at their table started saying mean things like the story was true, that Zola was just like the character and that the more babies a mom has, the less she loves her other ones. Then, another kid said that they heard that if a person had too many babies at a time, the mom may... " Lisa hesitates as Derek and Meredith's blood boils. "May go away forever. "
"What?!" They both yell in shock.
"I know! My husband and I were mortified. Mikey was so upset that he was crying. He said that Zola started to cry then and he wanted to tell the teacher. That's when she told him not to say anything."
"I can't believe this." Derek muses as Meredith gasps and clutches her chest. Looking at each other. "Who teaches their kids this?!"
"I have no clue. I am so sorry." Lisa laments.
Derek heaves a big sigh as he comforts his wife. "It's not your fault. Thank you and Mikey for looking out for our daughter." He replies honestly.
"Our pleasure and Mikey really cares about her and was scared that she would not love him anymore if he told." She laughs.
"We will make sure that she's not mad at him." Meredith notes as she swallows the lump in her throat. After one last goodbye, Lisa asks them to keep her posted before they end the call.
"Damn it!" Derek growls and hides in Meredith's neck as they cuddle together. "Why the heck would anyone put those thoughts into a child's head." He muses.
"Ugh, I know! My poor baby!" Meredith moans. "Derek, how do we talk to her about this? I don't want her to be mad at Mikey but at the same time I don't want her to hurt."
"I know Mer. I think... Ugh... What..." Derek stumbles as he tries to figure things out.
"I just want my baby to be happy again. She's so sweet and innocent. I can't believe another kid could say that." Meredith cuddles into Derek for comfort.
"Me too, Meredith. Me too." Derek adds and rubs his face. "Let's think..." He says as they sit together. Meredith wraps her arms around his waist and lays her head on his chest as they try to figure out Zola.
"Derek?" Meredith wonders a while later.
"Hmm?" Derek looks down at her.
"How about we do what we did with Bailey when he was scared about being lost?" She suggests while Derek considers this.
"That's good, but what do we give as examples?"
"I guess examples of friends helping when something or someone was bothering them? I don't know, I've never done this before." Meredith moans,
"Oh, Mer. I haven't either, but if it worked for Bailey, it may work for ZoZo." He beams at her proudly.
"Thanks, Derek." Meredith musters as they hear a door creak open. They turn their head and their jaws drop in shock.
"I'm hungry." Comes Zola's little voice. She's looking down at the ground and wringing her hands just like Meredith does when she's nervous. Meredith and Derek share a small smile as they notice this. Derek even notices her biting her lip.
"You are?! Well, we have to change that." Derek coos as he stands and walks over to her. He lifts her into his arms and kisses her. "A special, surprise mama, daddy, ZoZo day calls for Pb and J with banana. What do you think, princess?" Derek smiles.
Zola looks tentatively at him. "That's my favorite."
"Is it?!" Derek plays. "Did you know that, Meredith?" He smirks at her.
"Hmm, Derek we have been putting it in her lunch everyday." Meredith giggles.
"Oh I remember! I couldn't forget that!" Derek beams and kisses Zola. Noting her slight smirk. "Come on, love bug." He carries her over and sits her next to Meredith. Surprisingly, Zola leans in to Meredith. Derek goes into the kitchen and then watches as he makes sandwiches and grabs chips. Meredith looks as Zola rests her hand on Meredith's hand laying on the couch. Watching her stomach with nervousness.
"I'm glad we have this special time love bug." Meredith smiles brightly as Derek places the tray on the table.
"Hmm, me too!" Derek adds as a DVD catches his eye. "Hey, I have an idea! Let's watch a movie." He grabs it and sticks it in the player. "Here we go!" Derek hands Zola a plate and sits on her other side. He presses play while Meredith looks at him curiously. Zola takes a small bite and chews while the movie begins. Meredith gasps when she sees what the movie is, smirking as Derek winks at her.
"She's a love bug!" They hear a much younger Meredith say with a giggle. Derek beams and his heart squeezes at the sight of his wife and daughter on screen. Seeing how small Zola was. "She's gonna take her first steps any second, I can feel it!" The Meredith on the video suggests.
"That's me?" Zola pauses mid eating. Causing her parents to look in concern at one another since she had seen this before. Her voice was hesitant almost. Like she didn't believe it anymore.
"Yeah, ZoZo. That was the day you walked for the first time." Derek explains.
"How come I don't see me walk on it?" Her voice comes out, monotonous.
Derek smirks at his wife. "Because you walked after this was taken. When we got home later that night. You surprised us, we weren't ready and couldn't get to the camera fast enough. You were so happy to be up and moving." He wraps an arm around her as she stares straight ahead. Her teeth nibbling at her lip.
"Do you have video of Bailey and Lexie?" Zola mutters after a long, piercing silence.
Meredith looks at Derek while both feel their hearts shatter. Zola wanted to know if her siblings had it different. "No, not when they first walked. Bailey was while we were at work and you know Lexie was at the hospital. We didn't get videos until later. Just like you." Meredith smiles and kisses her hand.
"Just like me?" She looks up at her with big, brown eyes.
"Yes, look. This was about twenty minutes later. We do see you walk. We finally got the camera working" Meredith points to the screen with a smile at Derek.
"I got it, Mer!" They hear Derek say on the screen. It's followed by Meredith giggling on the tv while they watch her hold her hands out for Zola.
"Come to mama, Zo!" They hear Meredith say. "Derek, she's perfect!" She squeals as Zola falls into her mom's arms.
"She is!" Derek says in the video as they watch him put the camera down so that they can still see them. They watch as the Derek on camera walks over and hugs both girls. "My girls, forever." He says and kisses both and baby Zola giggles.
"That sounds like mama." Zola casually notes while they watch together.
"Yeah, Zola. You and mama always had the same giggle. I love that you have it." Derek beams at her while brushing her cheek.
"Oh." Zola says to herself as the video ends. She stares ahead as she thinks.
Meredith brushes her daughter's arm and looks at her expectantly. "Zola? Please let us help you." She encourages as they watch her.
"You're gonna be mad." Zola mutters.
Derek sucks in a breath as Meredith closes her eyes in sadness. "No we won't, Zo. If something is bothering you or if someone did something, you need to tell an adult." Derek smiles and takes her hand and rubs Meredith's thigh with his free hand.
Zola whines as she closes her eyes and sinks back into the couch. Seriously considering what to say. "Mikey knows. I wouldn't let him tell Mrs. Davis."
"Oh, Zo. It's okay. You can tell us what happened." Derek says softly. He reaches for Zola and is relieved when she doesn't pull away. But, instead lets him pull her into his lap. "We got you, Zola." He coos and kisses her head.
"Umm. After you left on daddy day, Mrs. Davis read a story." She says and then covers her mouth.
"She did? That sounds fun." Meredith encourages.
"What was it about?" Derek whispers and rubs her arms.
He feels Zola shiver in his arms. "It wasn't a good story." She says finally.
"Why?" Both adults ask and Meredith scoots closer.
"Cause it was about a mommy who had a baby. The little kid already had three sisters and the mommy was having anudder one. Her friend said that the more babies a mommy has, the less time she has for the bigger ones." Zola explains before she starts to cry.
"Oh Zola!" Meredith gasps. "You know that is not true! Daddy and I love you, Bailey and Lexie so much. No matter how many babies we have." Meredith wipes Zola's tears.
Zola cried silently for a minute before continuing. She turns in Derek's arms to face Meredith. "Then we talked about our families with our tables and two of the kids said that I was just like that girl cause mama has two babies in her belly. The other one said I should run away like she did. But that don't make sense cause that kids mommy and daddy found her and hugged her lots." Zola cries. "Then... Then... Then... One of the kids said that the more babies a mommy has, she might... D... go... Go... GO... Where Uncle Mark is..." Zola finishes and cries into Derek as he looks at his wife. While he hugs Zola and Meredith brushes her soft hair. Both shocked beyond words. Their innocent daughter was worried that Meredith was going to die because of the babies.
"Zola... Zola... Listen to daddy." His strong blue eyes meet her sad brown ones as he pulls her up. "Do not listen to those kids. Do you hear me?"
"But, daddy, she said to believe her cause her mommy is a baby doctor and sees its lots." Zola argues.
Derek share a a look with Meredith. "Well, apparently that doctor doesn't know everything. Especially not to explain to her kid completely." Zola sniffles and wipes her nose on her sleeve. When Derek notices that Zola was listening, he speaks once more. "Zola, you know that mama and I have known Dr. Addison for a long time, right?"
"Yes." Chokes Zola.
"Well, I've known her a lot longer and she helps deliver babies too."
"Does she see lots of mama's... Ummm." Zola wonders as Meredith closes her eyes to stop the pain in her heart.
Derek sighs heavily. "Well, Zola, yes, but..."
"Daddy!" Zola screams and cries again.
"No, Zola, listen, I'm not done." He coos and Zola gulps for air. "She has and so have mama and I." Derek shakes his head for a minute as he remembers Jen. By now Zola is listening again. "But Zo, usually the reason the mom dies is because the mom is very sick. Your mama is not sick." Derek smiles.
"You're not, mama?" Zola turns to Meredith now.
Meredith smiles softly and reaches for her daughter. "No, love bug. Not at all."
"But...but... You keep going to the hospital." Sniffles Zola.
Derek moves to pull Meredith closer. Letting her lay on his chest. "Because Mark and Mason are at risk of being very sick and now baby three just because he or she is younger." Meredith explains. "Its a good thing that I do because then Dr. Addison can catch a problem." She brushes away the tear stains on Zola's cheeks.
"Really?" Zola whimpers.
"Yes, Zola. I have known Dr. Addison a long, long time. She's the best at her job. That's why we picked her. She fights for her patients and does everything she can for them." Derek explains.
"She will?" Zola asks.
"Yes. She is the best in her field. People from all over come to see her because of how good she is. Just like daddy." Meredith explains.
Zola stares between her parents. "You wasn't sick when you went on daddy day?"
"No. Actually, mama and the babies were just fine." Derek smiles. "It was baby three showing us that he or she is here."
"Oh." She thinks. "You...umm..." Her little lip goes in between her teeth. While she looks at Meredith and Derek. "Umm...But What about when all three come. They said you won't spend time with me. But prolly Bailey and Lexie cause they w...w...was in your belly."
"No!" Meredith and Derek say at the same time. Making Zola pause talking.
"Zola Grey-Shepherd. Do not ever think that for a second." Derek insists firmly and Meredith has that motherly look on her face that you couldn't help but feel safe and loved while she nods in agreement.
"Zola, you are our baby. No amount of kids will ever change that." Meredith adds.
"Mama is right, ZoZo. When the babies come... It will be tough, but we will still have special times and days." Derek cuddles her close. "From the second I held you I knew that you were our daughter. Whether you were in mama's belly or not. That doesn't change anything." Derek smiles while Meredith agrees and he lifts Zola's chin. Feeling a bit better as Zola smiles very softly, almost unnoticeable.
"We still have are daddy and ZoZo days?" She asks, sucking her fingers now.
"Yes, love bug and our mama and ZoZo dates and daddy and I will have ours and ones with Lex and Bails." Meredith giggles.
"Hey! You know what?" Derek gasps as he gets an idea. Meredith looks with Zola up at him. Both intrigued. "Zola, you are in charge of making sure that we have some sort of time with each of you." He smirks as Meredith looks at him in shock and awe.
"Me?! I gets to be in charge?" She looks in awe at Derek.
"That's right, Zo! It may be short periods at first, but it will be something." Derek adds.
"Like reading a story. We did that when Lexie was tiny." Nods Zola.
"That's right, Zola!" Meredith giggles as Zola launches herself into Meredith's arms. "Oh, there's my ZoZo! I love you so much." Meredith kisses her all over as they try to hug around her stomach.
"Love you, mama and daddy!" A much brighter Zola beams as she reaches for Derek.
"I love you, too, Zo." Derek coos as he meets Meredith's eyes.
"Thank you. You are amazing." Meredith mouths as they hug together.
"You too." Derek mouths back making her blush.
"Mama? Is Bailey gonna be mad at me? I'm sorry I was mean to him and Lexie." Zola looks at the ground.
Meredith and Derek share another look. "Oh, Zola. Just tell him that you are sorry. Do something nice for him." Meredith rubs her back in circles. Zola resting her head on Meredith's chest.
"Kay, mama. I already drew a picture. I will make his bed for him or something. Can I sit here for a little while first?" Zola whispers.
"Of course, Zola." Meredith answers as Derek adjusts them so they were all cuddled together. He holds both girls in his arms as they rest against him, quietly. Kissing both Meredith and Zola's head slowly and gently. Basking in just being together.