Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's Anatomy

Chapter Eighteen

It was surprising they were able to get their babysitter to come last minute, but it was enough time for Lexie and Mark to change out of their wedding outfits and into normal clothing. They took a cab to the hospital– their minds still buzzing from the champagne and earlier confessions.

Mark Sloan still was uncertain why he confessed to Lexie like that. Maybe it was Jackson's bravery or the adrenaline of the moment. Maybe he didn't want to waste anymore time. However, he felt like he should've waited. He shouldn't have bombarded her like that. But something about that moment told him he needed to tell Lexie. He needed her to know how much he loved her. If Derek taught Mark anything before he died, it was to live his life the best he could. To tell those he loved that he loved them. But, Mark was extremely worried it was enough to scare Lexie Grey off.

They got to the hospital as fast as they could. Unfortunately, they were met with some stormy weather starting to crackle in the skies above. It didn't look to be a pretty sight and they both had a feeling it would only get worse.

When they finally arrived at the hospital, Tom Koracick was waiting for them in the lobby. He had Amelia and Alex with him as they prepared to tell the ex-couple Meredith's fate.

"What's going on?" Lexie demanded worriedly. Mark placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, sensing her distress. "Is she really in labor? Is this really it?"

"Yes. Meredith's water broke and her body is forcing itself into labor. It's a bit before her due date, but it's time," Koracick explained. "Dr. Montgomery is on her way now. We're trying to get her here as fast as we can, but there was a delay to her flight based on the upcoming weather. Until she gets here, we're going to have to prepare for the absolute worse. We do have Dr. Robbins monitoring her very closely until then."

"She's in safe hands, I promise," Alex added. "I'll be aiding Arizona in everything. Promise."

"I want to see her," Lexie announced pleadingly.

"Yeah, of course. Come with me Lexipedia," Alex said. He reluctantly put an arm around Lexie while Tom Koracick followed close behind. It was moments like this, Alex Karev knew how to be a huge softy. Mark often had to remind himself how Alex viewed Meredith as a sister– the two were now all that was left of their original intern program.

Mark sighed as he was left standing beside Amelia Shepherd. She looked like something was bothering her. Derek's sister was known to express her emotions openly, but by Amelia's quiet attitude in this moment and soft tears, he knew she was trying her best to stay strong. Despite not being close to Meredith, Mark knew she saw Derek's wife as a tether to her deceased brother.

"That baby is the last thing Derek left," Amelia spoke up unexpectedly, looking at her late brother's best friend. "This is going to make or break everything, isn't it?"

"It really is," Mark confirmed, swallowing hard. "And I promise, Amy, if anything happens to Meredith… I'll take good care of them. Me and Lexie. And you'll be such a good aunt. You'll see."

"I know you two will," Amelia replied, smiling bittersweetly. "Just like I know I'll be this baby's favorite aunt."

Mark chuckled at this and nudged her playfully. Meanwhile, Amelia cleared her throat and changed the subject, "You know, I heard about Julia…"

Mark scowled. "Why would you bring that up now?"

Amelia shrugged. "I don't know. Why did you break up with her?" Mark didn't say anything. This had the youngest Shepherd raising her eyebrows at him.

"It's Lexie, isn't it," Amelia stated flatly.

"Hey–"

"I'm not stupid, Sloan," the neurosurgeon replied, rolling her eyes as she patted him on the back. "If it makes you feel better, I approve and I'm rooting for you two."

Meanwhile, Lexie Grey was holding Meredith's hand. Her sister had no clue what was going on, but she was in active labor and this baby would be coming. Lexie was praying this would be the key to wake her sister up. That this would be there saving grace after all these months. She was just praying… If not, this is where she'd say goodbye. Lexie had called Molly to update her on the way. She mentioned Lexie should say something to their father, just in case. However, it'd been months since Lexie last heard from her father and wasn't in the mood to try to make amends with him now. Besides, she wasn't sure Meredith wanted to. At least Molly would be flying out here. Her younger sister had booked the first flight she could get to come and help Lexie– wether it would be planning another funeral or helping their older sister adjust to having a baby.

"Meredith, Zola and Bailey are so worried for you. They want their mom," Lexie whispered to her sister. "They need you…I am here though. I will be their momma, if you need me to be. I'll be this baby's momma too. I promise. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."

"She's doing good so far," Tom said, trying to provide comfort, oddly enough, to his co-worker. Alex had gone back downstairs to help with another case, but he would probably be coming back sometime soon. Lexie knew how worried Alexa was for Meredith and he was the one also providing updates to Cristina, who was also trying to fly back to Seattle as they speak.

"Thanks," Lexie muttered in a low voice.

"Where's Dr. Sloan?" Koracick asked as he began to jot some things on a clipboard.

"I don't know," Lexie confessed, shrugging. "He's probably somewhere…"

"Are you two a thing?" Koracick asked bluntly, causing Lexie to look up at him in shock. It was rather uncharacteristic of him to be like this, but at the same time, back when they'd been working together, Koracick would call her out on any bull shit. If she was ever in a mood or something was bothering her but she was insisting it wasn't– he was always there to tell her straight. Something told Lexie it was one of those moments right now.

"Tom, what the hell?"

"I'm just curious. The two of you have been acting so weird," the doctor replied, shrugging. "Besides, Amelia and I had a bet established, but I don't think either of us is going to win."

"A bet about what?" Lexie asked dryly.

"A bet to see if you two would get together by the time Meredith was about to give birth," Koracick explained nonchalantly. "I like to have some fun, you know."

"Glad my life could entertain yours," Lexie grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. "Besides, it's up in the air."

Koracick raised his eyebrows. "Up in the air? Elaborate?"

"No, it's just…Mark and I are complicated–"

"So, you slept with him."

"What the–"

"You did sleep with him."

"Even if I did, it's none of your business," Lexie told him curtly. "What gives you that right?"

"I'm not saying I have a right or anything, but Grey, get a grip," Koracick said, shaking his head. "Stop doing this to yourself and just go for it."

Lexie looked at him, absolutely baffled. "I'm sorry?"

"It's so clear that the two of you have something going on. Just figure it out, like adults," he said, placing the clipboard down. "Why torture yourself?"

"I don't know," Lexie answered, fidgeting with his hands.

"I say face it. Fix the issue and move on," Koracick answered honestly. "That way I can get my money from Amelia. Alright?"

Lexie frowned while Koracick excused himself from the room. She wasn't sure how to feel about Tom's outburst, but she accepted it as she sat in the silence of the room with her comatose sister. She had Meredith to concentrate on right now. Her personal life would have to wait. So would her feelings.

Lexie hadn't been waiting there by herself for long. A few moments later, Mark would walk through the door with two cups of coffee in his hands. He gave her a half-smile, trying to encourage her in a way that everything would be alright. That he'd be with her every step of the way through this.

"Here, I wasn't sure if you'd need it," he said as he handed her the paper cup. "If you don't want it, I'll drink it. I'm sure we're going to need the energy to stay up."

"Thanks," Lexie said gently as she took it from him. She noted that there was cream in there. He always knew exactly what she liked– just cream. No sugar. Only cream. "It's much appreciated."

"Of course," Mark said, taking a long sip of the coffee. To which she guessed had two packets of sugar and a splash of milk. He was always so particular about his morning coffee, even if it was hospital coffee. "I talked a bit with Robbins. It sounds like we're going to have a pretty long night ahead of us."

Lexie nodded, fidgeting in her seat for a moment. There were a few moments of silence between the two of them. It wasn't long enough, but it was enough for the neurosurgeon to speak up, "Mark, about the kiss…"

"We don't have to talk about that now. Let's wait until this is over," he said gently, sensing she was probably anxious about leaving that chapter undone. "Making sure Meredith makes it through this is more important. Don't worry about me."

"Agreed," Lexie said, her eyes distantly looking at her sister's still form. Mark could see the hope in her eyes, pleading that the contractions would wake Meredith up at any moment. That this would be their medical miracle. Hopefully, Derek, wherever he is, was helping out in some way. Mark didn't believe much in the afterlife or ghosts, but he liked to think that Derek was there, doing all he could to keep his wife grounded in the world of the living.

"I was going to wait to tell you this," Mark announced, clearing his throat. "But…I think this would be a good time to do it."

"What?" Lexie asked curiously.

"Well, with the settlement and the shares of the hospital we have…Webber, Avery, and I were talking, and we're thinking of changing the name," Mark explained. It'd been part of what they were working on. It was going to be a surprise for Lexie later– hopefully a good one.

"Change the name?" Lexie quirked her eyebrow. "To what?"

Mark bit his lip. "We were thinking…Grey-Shepherd Memorial Hospital."

Lexie sputtered at this. "But- but why Grey? Meredith isn't dead?"

"No, she's not," Mark answered. "However, your family established this hospital to be what it is…Ellis Grey, Meredith Grey, Lexie Grey. She may have not been your mother, but three strong Grey women built this place."

Lexie looked like she could burst into tears. "Mark…. I couldn't…."

"Besides, I thought Derek should have his name in there somewhere. That way his kids can one day look at it and say, my dad made that place," Mark confessed through tears that were threatening to fall. "They deserve to know how special their father was. And his name up there with Meredith's…It's fitting."

Lexie smiled at this as she proceeded to rest her head against Mark's shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her while she grasped his hands tightly in hers. "I think it's a lovely thought, Mark. A wonderful thought."

"I'm glad you think so," he muttered against her hair.

For the next two or three hours, they waited as patiently as they could. Lexie and Mark would take turns sleeping and checking to see Addison's status– but they were refusing to take off and at this point, the OB/GYN was willing to drive her way down to Seattle to help them out.

"It's the storm that's going on out there. The pilots refuse to land in Seattle. Addison's trying to get a flight somewhere in the remote area, that way she could maybe drive, but now we have a weather advisory," Owen had explained to Lexie and Mark. "We're trying our best to get her here. But, we have other things to worry about too…Like this storm."

"Storm?" Mark questioned, his nose scrunching up in confusion.

"We've got reports of a storm headed this way. Unexpected," Owen told Mark and Lexie. "It's all doctors on deck."

"Do you guys need help?" Lexie asked worriedly, sitting up from the hospital chair. "If so, I should be there for my department."

"Amelia's been taking charge in neuro. You don't have to leave your sister's side," Owen pointed out, reassuring her. "However, Mark, unfortunately we don't have Avery so we are down a hand…"

"I can help," Mark announced. "Anything to help."

"I need something to distract my mind, I can do something," Lexie said, looking at Mark Sloan with pleading eyes.

"Stay here with your sister. She needs you," Mark told Lexie, taking her hands in his. "If we need you, we'll call you. However, if we lose power, Meredith is going to need someone to fight for her."

Lexie nodded while Mark pressed a kiss to her forehead. She then scooted closer to Meredith's beside while Mark followed Owen Hunt.

The storm ended up proving to be insane. It was all hands on deck as they did their best to keep the hospital afloat especially with the spotty electricity and all the casualties they seemed to be getting. Mark was trying his best to hold the fort down in plastics, but even as a veteran plastic surgeon the severe injuries got to him. The thoughts of Zola or Bailey ever being stuck in a situation like this made his stomach do flips. Thankfully, everything in the house was going fine so far.

"Today has been enough for me," Callie said as she and Mark worked side-by-side in the emergency room. It really was all hands on deck as they tried to battle the incoming mass of traumas. "I swear– I fight with Arizona, April abandons her own wedding, and now my wife and I are patching things up but we're currently trying to fight off some surprise storm that decided to wreck Seattle."

"Tell me about it," Mark muttered. "I'm glad you and Arizona are okay though."

"It was so strange. She just came running up to apologize to me in tears and that we would work on everything," Callie sputtered. "I mean, I'm grateful. I missed her. I feel like she's coming back to me."

"She is. Don't worry," Mark told his friend with a pat on the back.

"I heard about you and Lexie, by the way," Callie said, causing the plastic surgeon to frown. "Amelia doesn't shut up."

"I'm not surprise," Mark said dryly, taking a deep breath. "Yeah, we'll see where that goes. In the meantime, I'm about to have an infant child at any moment."

"I know it's nerve wracking, but it's exciting still, right?" Callie asked him. "There's a new life coming into the world. Derek's son or daughter. That should be exciting in some way… I know it could mean you might loose Meredith, and trust me I'm praying for Grey's safety, but at least she'll leave a piece behind…"

"It'll be a good thing. Lexie and I will make sure," Mark declared. "That baby will never feel alone nor will Zola or Bailey. We're a family."

"That's the spirit," Callie encouraged.

"Hey! Where's Grey?"

Mark Sloan looked to see it was Dr. Morrison who had made the comment. He looked irritated as he looked down at his clipboard and made his way into the area. It always irritated Mark about how much he liked to act like he owned the place.

"She's with her sister. Meredith's in labor," Alex told him shortly. Another person who was not his biggest fan was Alex Karev. The PEDs surgeon made that very apparent. "Why do need to know?"

"She should be here. Doing her job," Morrison stressed bitterly.

"And you should be doing yours," Mark said in a low and warning voice. "Or I'll sick Shepherd on you."

"Please do!" Morrison rolled his eyes. "This hospital can't ever decent chief of neuro, can they? Dr. Grey is pathetic and the fact she's not even here right now–"

That was enough for Mark. It wasn't much, but it was enough. He was seeing red when suddenly, his fist went swinging for Morrison's jaw. The neuro surgeon flew back and cried out, clutching his jaw. "My face!"

"Ow," Mark hissed, shaking his hand in frustration.

"Mark Sloan, I swear!" Callie cursed as she went to examine her friend's hand. "I can't keep fixing your hand every time you punch someone for Lexie Grey!"

"That was pretty sick," Alex commented, raising his eyebrows.

"What's going on here!? Owen barked, looking at his employees. "This is a hospital! I expect better for you two!"

"To be fair, Morrison was bad mouthing Lexie Grey," Alex pointed out, ready to throw the pain in the ass doctor under the bus. "And has been harassing most of the department for the last couple of months."

Owen raised his eyebrows at this. "Is this true?"

"Very," Callie stated dryly.

Owen frowned as he looked at Morrison. He sighed, picking him up by the collar. "Fix yourself up. We'll deal with this after the storm passes. Right now, I need you all to be on your best behavior. People need our help tonight."

"How's your hand feeling?" Callie asked, trying to examine it as Mark shook it.

"I think it's just bruised," he confessed. "Not as hard as last time, I promise."

"Good," she said. "You should probably go ice it for a bit. We'll be okay here."

"Alright," Mark said as he went to go find an ice pack in their supplies. As he was going to do that, he was interrupted by none other than Amelia. The neurosurgeon looked frantic, more frantic than he'd ever seen her before.

"Mark!" she cried out, running as fast as she could to him. "Mark!"

"What is it, Amy?" he questioned once she reached him. She grasped to his forearms like she'd been running for her life and Mark was the one holding her up.

"It's Meredith," Amelia gasped out. There were tears in her eyes. "You need to get there. Right now."

Mark didn't waste time. He kept running until he got to Meredith's hospital bedroom. When he arrived, he held his breath. There was Meredith. Just where he last left her with Lexie. He proceeded to turn to his side to see Lexie was in there though. In her arms was a bundle.

Lexie looked up at him and there were big fat tears in her eyes. She tried to breath through them, but couldn't. "It's…It's a girl."

"Lex," Mark whispered as he approached them. Lexie immediately buried her face into his chest while she held the infant girl close. Mark looked down at the baby. She was sound asleep, yet only a few minutes old.

The plastic surgeon hushed Lexie as he wrapped his arms around both of them, trying to control his own emotion at this tragic event.