Chapter 69: Returning to Maui (Part 1)
"I can't believe you got us the same room," Meredith sighed as she and Derek stepped onto the lanai.
"Really - this surprises you?"
"Yes," she answered as she went into his outstretched arms. "You amaze and surprise me on a regular basis. How did you manage to pull this off?"
"I just asked," he replied with a chuckle. "It's only ours for two nights, though. Then we have to move because someone else had this room reserved."
"Oh," Meredith pouted for a moment. Then she shrugged and smiled. Turning to look out at the beach and the ocean she asked, "What can you see?"
"Everything that's amazing and breath taking," he answered while looking at her and rubbing her tummy."
"Not me," she giggled, placing her hand on top of his. "The beach, the ocean, the scenery and people and all of this."
"I guess I won't argue with a seriously pregnant woman," Derek chuckled and turned to look out at the horizon. He was quiet for a while as he looked around, taking everything in and savoring the delight of being able to see this in any fashion.
"Derek?"
"As crazy as this may sound - my first thought was that I'm glad I'm wearing my sunglasses. It's bright, really bright. I don't know if it's so noticeable to me because the light is new again, or -" he trailed off.
"It's not crazy," Meredith whispered, a little choked up. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "It is bright here. Not just because the sun is actually out instead of hidden behind a cloud cover. The sun is at a different angle here and it's definitely, noticeably brighter. It might be a good idea to be certain you always have your sunglasses here."
"Yeah," he agreed. "I can also see the contrast between the colors of the sand and the ocean. It's pretty amazing."
"It's beautiful.
"It is," he nodded. "I can't make out the details of anything. I can only make out the general colors and notice the contrast, but that's okay. Being able to see any of this is -" he trailed off again, shrugging his shoulders.
"A gift," Meredith said softly because that's exactly how she felt for and about Derek.
"Yes," he replied, turning his attention back to her and smiling. "Definitely a gift."
"Not -" she began and was cut off by him kissing her. They shared a long and relaxed kiss. Both enjoying the fact that they didn't have to be anywhere or do anything unless they wanted to.
Once the kiss ended, Derek said, "Yes you, Meredith. You and Ian are the most amazing gifts I've ever received. You give my life a sharpness, a clarity, a meaning that it never had before. Even before I lost my sight. You and our baby mean everything to me. Now and always."
"Okay," Meredith giggled in spite of the tears in her eyes. "Making the hormonal chick cry again." Then she reached up and stroked his cheek with her hand and said softly, "You and Ian mean everything to me, too. Now and always."
"I feel like a beached whale."
Derek chuckled and then felt like an ass when she started crying. "Meredith," he said and moved to pull her into his arms. "Mer, don't cry. I'm sorry for laughing. You don't look like a beached whale. You look beautiful." He kissed her cheeks and wiped her tears as she continued crying.
A few minutes later she was done crying. She was still pouting a little bit, though. "I'm sorry," she said. "Why don't you go down to the beach without me."
"Why would I go without you?"
"It's our vacation and I'm being grouchy. I couldn't get comfortable all night, so I barely slept. When I did, I'd wake up ten minutes later having to pee. You shouldn't have to endure my crappy mood or my fat ass."
He took her by the hand and led her back to the bed. He nudged her until she was laying down on her side. Then he tucked her pillow under her head and crawled into bed behind her - spoon style. He kissed her neck and started rubbing her lower back with deep but gentle pressure.
"Derek -"
"Shhh…" he kissed her neck again and said, "It is our vacation and I want to spend it with my glowing, beautifully pregnant wife. If you can 'endure' back aches, sleepless nights, hormone surges and mood swings to grow our son; then the least I can do is 'endure' some snarky comments and a bad mood that I know isn't directed at me. Okay?"
She rolled slightly to her back so she could look at him. "Okay," she whispered and smiled at him. She felt a little better. "Thank you," she said as he continued the back rub once she'd rolled back to her side.
"You're welcome," Derek answered. Then, he moved his hands down and massaged her butt. He said, "For the record, I like the extra two ounces you've gained in each butt cheek."
She giggled and it made him happy to hear the sound. "I bet you do," Meredith replied. Then she grabbed his hand and pulled it up to cup her breast. "I've noticed you like the extra fullness here, too."
He made a little sound of acknowledgement but otherwise said nothing. Even though he was grinning. Mer rolled over and caught the look on his face and laughed. "You do like the bigger boobs!"
Derek chuckled, pleased that her mood had shifted for the better. "Hey," he said and kissed her mouth. "I am a male and I never claimed to be perfect."
Meredith reached out and stroked his cheek, "You're my perfect guy. "And," she giggled, "I like that my boobs are bigger, too. They'll fill out more when the milk comes in, too."
"I know," he said with such a pleased grin that she laughed again. She wiggled closer to kiss him. Long, slow, and sweet. Then she put his hands on her boobs again.
"I thought you were tired," Derek said.
"Not that tired," she replied, slipping her hands under his shirt. They made love and then took a nap. When they woke up, they finally made it down to the beach - together.
