A/N: Hey guys! So, here's the next chapter. Just moving things along. This is just like a bridging chapter to continue the story before we get into the truly juicy stuff. Hope you like it!

Do comment and let me know!!

Chapter 2: Out in the open

"It's all good. For now. But you do need to take better care of yourself. You're anemic and dehydrated. And I know and you know that that is not a good combination for the baby. Not to mention the fact that you haven't eaten anything since morning. You're a doctor. You should know this."

Dr. Lucy Fields, the OB/GYN attending was readying up the ultrasound as she stated in a reprimanding tone.

"Don't worry. She's not going to miss any more meals. I will make sure of it."

Meredith was the only one in the examining room with Lexie since Dr. Fields had basically kicked everyone else out because of the ruckus they had made. Lexie had somehow ended up in OB with Meredith, Derek, Mark, and for some unknown reason, Callie Torres. Initially, it was chaotic,

- and everyone was speaking over others. Mark was still in some kind of shock, repeating to himself 'she is pregnant' over and over and Callie stuck to his side trying to snap him out of it by taking about some baby furniture she had gotten for their unborn baby. Meredith and Derek were arguing about the reason he had kept Lexie's pregnancy a secret. After about a minute of this, Fields decided that everyone should head out. Mark had immediately snapped at her saying that he had wanted to stay, prompting Callie to glare at Lexie, who just looked like a deer caught in headlights. Thankfully, Derek had taken charge and herded everyone but Meredith out.

"I know I should eat more. I just…had an early surgery and then.."

"Nope. No excuses Dr. Grey. Your first trimester is almost over, and you haven't been in for any kind of check-up. That cannot continue."

"I know. I know. I did take all my prenatal vitamins and I usually eat well in the evenings. I just can't keep anything down in the mornings."

"Well, that is what I'm here for. I can prescribe you some medications for the nausea. But you must start eating better. You are underweight. Okay, this is going to be cold."

Lexie had the ultrasound and heard her baby's heartbeat for the first time. Despite all her misgivings and all her confusion, she was sure of only one thing. She had to have that baby. There was just no other option.

"I'm having the baby. Okay, I know it's not ideal but I can't….it's my baby."

"Hey now, you are not going to get any argument from me okay? Whatever you decide, we will support you. Me and Derek." smiled Meredith.

After her check-up was over and confirming with Fields regarding her health plan, Lexie hesitated to leave the room because she knew what was waiting out there for her. She couldn't find it in herself to face Callie just then.

"Want me to get rid of everyone?" asked Meredith sensing Lexie's struggles.

"No. I have to talk to Mark. It's about time." Lexie smiled weakly.

"You don't have to do anything right now. You still look sick and you must eat first. Say what? Why don't I ask Mark to come by the house tonight? For dinner? And then me and Derek can get out of your hair and you can have some privacy to discuss things. How about it?"

Lexie figured that that was probably the best option since she really did feel light-headed.

"Okay."

Later that night, Lexie checked herself in the mirror for the tenth time, breathing in and out, trying to calm herself down for the upcoming confrontation. Downstairs, Meredith and Derek were discussing Mark Sloan.

"So, what did he say then?"

"Nothing. Although, to be fair, Callie was speaking enough for all of us."

"What?"

"Never mind. He wants to talk to Lexie first. That's all."

"He's not going to shout at her or something, right?"

"I don't think so. If anything, I think they both will end up fast tracking their relationship. I mean, for months now, all I hear from him is Lexie that and Lexie this. Honestly, I will be glad not to be the sounding board for both of them."

"Oh, just so you know, you are so still not off the hook for keeping this a secret from me." smirked Meredith.

"Oh, come on.." whined Derek.

Just then, the doorbell rang and to their surprise Callie stood with Mark outside.

"Hey, we were not expecting you…both" Derek said uncomfortably.

"Yeah, since we are all going to be a family anyways, I thought we should all sit and down and talk." Callie's smile was sharp.

Meredith had no compunction letting her know exactly what was on her mind. "Yeah, you know, that's sensible. But we should let Mark and Lexie talk alone first. We were going for a walk to give them time alone", she stressed the alone part to get her point across.

"But.." Callie immediately dropped her fake smile and raised her voice.

"You know, we would be happy to have you join us." Meredith cut out. "Derek, why don't you get our coats and Mark, Lexie is just upstairs. Why don't you head up?"

Meredith only moved a little bit to let just Mark inside. Callie was still outside the doors and her glare would have cut diamonds. Mark still seemed dazed and hadn't uttered one word still. He just slid past Meredith and headed inside the house. Callie abruptly turned and walked out into the woods.

"Oh, don't go far. We wouldn't want to lose you now, you know." Meredith's smile was just as fake as she called after Callie's retreating back.

"That was mean." Derek came in with her coat, for they had really planned to talk a walk. "But, not unwarranted."

"I don't know what her problem is. But she really is starting to get on my nerves."

"Come on, let's go find her before she really gets lost."

"Would it be such a bad thing?" Meredith and Derek left to catch up with Callie.

Inside, Lexie and Mark were sat facing each other. Not uttering a word. Silence stretched long after the house was empty but them.

"Why wouldn't you tell me?" Mark broke first.

"I was going to. I really was."

"Are you keeping it?"

"Yes, yes I am."

"Well, I just thought…"

"What? What did you think?"

"Hey, you are the one who broke up with me because I was going to be a father."

"Yeah, I know that. Don't you think I haven't thought about it every single day since then. I have Mark. I was not ready. I am still not ready." Lexie got up agitated and started pacing in front of Mark all the while continuing her tirade, "But, you know what, I am becoming a mom. That is a fact. So, I am going to make sure that I will be a damn good one. And you are the father and it's up to you what you want to do. If you want to be involved, be involved. If you don't, well, I can do it alone. Okay…, I have given it a lot of thought. So, it doesn't matter that this was an accident. I'm doing this and the rest is up to you….and….and….if you think we are getting back together just because of this, you are so wrong. Okay?"

Lexie stared at Mark and he stared back at her.

"Well, say something." snapped Lexie.

"Okay."

"Okay? Okay what? What..?"

"Okay. I want to be involved. I know where we stand. We will face this together, but we are not together. Did I get it right?" Mark calmly stated.

"What?...yes. yes. Wait… That's it?"

"Yup."

Lexie sat down flabbergasted.

"What were you expecting Lex?"

"I…I don't know. But not this…"

"Well, let me explain then. I have been thinking a lot. First, I wasn't sure if you were keeping it, but then its been months. So, I figured maybe you had come around to the idea of having the baby. And I am already having a baby Lex. So, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to be a part of this too. I am ready to be father."

Lexie had forgotten Callie by then until he brought it up. And then it struck her what he said.

"So, if I had decided that I didn't want the baby, we wouldn't be having this civil conversation, right?"

Mark started. Lexie continued, "I'm right, aren't I? Oh god, this is worse…"

"Wait, just hold on. Before you panic, first tell me what you are panicking about."

"Well, you are being nice to me because I'm having your baby!!' screeched Lexie.

"No. I am being extra nice to you because of that. But, if you had decided otherwise, I would like to think I was mature enough to understand. Well, I'll be truthful. It would have stung, and I would have probably thrown a fit but I have had to think like a grown up these couple of months Lex. I am having a baby, well, babies now. So, I've been told that throwing tantrums are for babies and not for dads." Mark smiled disarmingly at Lexie.

"Don't do that. Don't you smile at me like that."

"What? I'm not allowed to smile at you now?"

"Mark, I meant it. We cannot happen. We don't work." Lexie wondered why she was pushing hard for something that even she didn't like.

"Okay."

Lexie again stared at Mark surprised. It stung her a little how quickly he had agreed. True, she wanted him to realize that a relationship because of a baby was a bad idea. But a small part of her had hoped that he would push for it regardless. And that maybe, maybe, he would want to be with her irrespectively.

Mark was quick to read the disappointment in her face. "Look, Lexie. The baby comes first." Lexie was once again startled with surprise. She realized that when she had been preoccupied with the baby and obsessing over keeping it a secret for the past nearly three months, Mark had somehow matured a little. He had taken being a dad seriously. It struck her then how much he wanted this. How much he wanted to be a dad.

Mark continued, "If you and me being together is going to complicate things, then I say we leave it uncomplicated. Both of us should be on good terms. We have to make a lot of decisions together. So, if you think getting into a relationship won't work, then I'm not going to push it."

"Wow" breathed out Lexie.

"But I want to make sure that that is not what I think." Mark smirked.

"What?"

"Uncomplicated Lex. Let's focus on that. For now."

Mark smiled at her and Lexie found it hard not to return the smile. She realized that she hadn't been so worry-free since she found out she was pregnant, like she was in that moment. Maybe it was a sign that everything would work out well.

"Hey, where are you guys? We are home." Meredith's voice floated up.

"Oh, did I tell you? Callie tagged along. Since you are both pregnant, she thought you guys would get along great. I mean, the babies are going to be siblings now. I did try to tell her maybe we can all get together next time, but you know how she is right? And the hormones…man, you should see her. Hey, speaking of hormones, you are having any cravings yet?" Mark smiled as he led her down the stairs. "This is going to be great." He sounded ecstatic.

"Yeah, it is. It is going to be so…. great." Lexie forced herself to say all the while thinking

'Oh, shit!'