Chapter 68: Going On A Trip

Meredith, I'm fine." Derek said in a voice very close to a whine.

"Then why are you so grouchy?"

"Oh well, I don't know," he said sarcastically. "Let me think about this for a minute. Maybe I'm grouchy because you're saying no sex until I'm completely healed. Even though I feel great. Or maybe it's because Livingston had to shave my head. Jerk. Why couldn't he just shave the part he needed to cut and not my entire damn head? Then there's the possibility that I'm being pissy because my vision is at the same place it was two days ago when we came home. No, no. I know what my problem is: All of the above."

Meredith had calmly listened to her husband's tirade. He sat on the couch and she sat next to him. Then, taking his hand in hers, she turned to him and moved so she was right in his face. She wanted him to see her as clearly as possible. "You're alive and our son is strong and growing exactly as he should be at the beginning of the third trimester. Granted, the bald look isn't really good for you but it's just hair, Derek. It'll grow back. And have I mentioned today how much I love you?"

Derek just looked at her for a few moments. Then he heaved a sigh and pulled her into his arms for a very tight hug. "I love you, too. Sorry I was being an ass."

"You're forgiven," she giggled and kissed him softly on the lips before pulling back again. "And just so you know - the no sex thing is killing me, too. It's just for a few more days, though. Until Livingston gives you the all clear. Just think of this celibate period as practice for when we have Ian."

"What do you mean?" Derek asked sharply, frowning again.

"Derek," Meredith giggled. "Don't you remember anything about your OB/GYN rotation?"

"Apparently not enough," he grumbled. "I'm not going to like this, am I?"

"Well, no. We can't have sex for six weeks after the baby is born."

Derek put his head on Meredith's forehead and groaned. "That does sound vaguely familiar," he replied. "Come on," he said, standing up and pulling her to her feet with him.

"Where are we going?"

"Outside. I refuse to be grouchy and whiny. Let's go for a walk and just look at things."

"Okay," she said, smiling even as her eyes filled with tears.

"Mer?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you travel during your third trimester?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"Well," Derek said and laced his fingers with hers as they stepped outside onto their land. "You're done with your Fellowship in two weeks. Then we have three weeks off -"

"Maui," she giggled, remembering their plan to go back for their first wedding anniversary.

"Yeah, Maui." he answered with a grin. "Do you want to go? I mean, if you can? If the Doctor will clear the travel."

"Of course, I want to go," Meredith answered happily and snuggled into his side as they walked. "I'll call and find out if I can in the morning."

Meredith and Derek walked for a while. Enjoying the early June evening, one another's company. Derek marveled at every little thing he could see. And Meredith thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.


Derek feels his hand going numb as his tiny but very strong wife grips it tightly. He chuckles and leans over to kiss her on the cheek, hoping to erase the worried strain from her features. "It's all right," he whispers in her ear.

"I'll be okay," she answers with a nod. "As soon as the plane levels out."

"I hope that's soon," he teases her, "before I permanently lose the feeling in my fingers."

"Oh, sorry," she says and lets go of his hand.

Derek takes her hand back in his and laces their fingers together. She immediately grips him tightly again and he grins. "I'm glad we're able to take this trip to Maui." he states, hoping to distract Mer from her fear of the plane taking off.

She turns to look at him and smiles. "Me too," she replies. "Especially considering how busy, home bound and sleep deprived we're going to be in a couple of months."

Derek places his free hand on Meredith's tummy and asks, "Do you really think he'll change things that much?"

"Yes," she answers resolutely, "but I'm okay with it."

"Me too," Derek grins. "I'm excited for his arrival. Not that I want him to be born early but I'm really looking forward to seeing him."

"I know," Meredith giggles. "I want to count his fingers and toes and stare at his face. I want to cradle him and feed him and oh," she sighed as she started to cry.

"Hey Mer," Derek said softly and pulled her close to him. "It's okay," he said as he rubbed her back. "I feel all that stuff, too."

"I just love him so much already," Meredith sighed when her tears had stopped. "Is that crazy?"

"No. I love him, too."

Meredith grinned and was about to say something to Derek when the flight attendant approached. "Are you all right, Mrs. Shepherd? I noticed you were upset. Can I get you anything?"

"Oh," Meredith said, blushing a little. "I was just having a weepy pregnant moment."

"I had those," the flight attendant grinned, "with both of my pregnancies. Would you both like a bottle of cold water or fresh fruit?"

"Yes please," Derek answered, and Meredith nodded. Then he said, "you know we're missing a couple of the Lamaze classes while we're on vacation."

Meredith snorted and Derek asked, "What? You were so excited about taking the classes."

"Well, now I don't like them," she said.

"You don't?"

"No, I don't. I especially disliked that business about you tapping on me to distract me from the pain during a contraction. Who the hell thought of that technique? If you started tapping on me like that now, I'd be seriously annoyed. I can't imagine being in labor, in pain and suddenly liking that. And the breathing techniques - hello. Are they trying to make pregnant women hyperventilate?"

Derek laughed and started doing the hee hee hee hee breathing in her face. "Ouch," he said as Meredith reached over and pinched him. "Yeah," she said, "let's see you breathe through that, Derek."

He tried and then finally shook her hand off. "That actually really does hurt, Mer."

"Yeah, and I imagine contractions are going to hurt a lot worse. Hee hee hee hee my ass."

Derek started laughing and then leaned over to kiss her again. He pulled back and said, "You are so completely adorable when you have a little tirade."

Meredith glared at him and he chuckled before kissing her again. "I love you, Mer."

"I love you too, Derek," she answered as the flight attendant brought their fruit and water. They had their little snack and then Meredith reclined her seat to take a nap. She reached over and rubbed the spot where she'd pinched Derek. "Sorry," she mumbled.

He placed his hand over hers and said, "It's all right, I'm tough."

She giggled and then closed her eyes and fell asleep for a while. Derek put on his iPod and listened to a book on CD he'd downloaded. Even though he was able to see now - it still wasn't well enough to read comfortably. He still loved his books so he continued listening to them.