Chapter 6: Bed Rest

Meredith was relieved. They had been able to stop her labor and while she had only been in the hospital for four hours, the medication had made a difference. They had been able to taper it off. Now she was running a hand over her stomach as Derek's mom told her a story. She hated the tugging at her chest that reminded her of how scared she had been. But she couldn't focus on that. She had to think about her baby and Derek who would be back soon. He had run to get things from his office, and he would be back soon. "I can't believe we're having a girl."

"I knew it. Girls run in the family." Carolyn laughed as she flipped through a magazine before pointing out a page to Meredith. "Look at that crib.

"Oh, that's pretty." Meredith looked at the dark cherry wood crib. They hadn't even considered getting the nursery ready.

"It's early to buy but not too early to start thinking about it."

"Even after today?" Meredith asked, stroking her stomach protectively.

"Oh everything is going to fine, I'm be sure." Derek's mother patted Meredith's hand to assure her.

"I don't understand..." Meredith took a deep breath. "I don't get how this happened. I thought I was doing a good job."

"It's not your fault. Sometimes these things just happen."

"Hmm."

"Don't blame yourself, dear. It will only make matters worse."

"I just..."

"What is it?"

"I don't know." She bit her lip, looking back down at her small stomach.

"I know it's scary."

"My head is full."

"Do you want to look at a magazine? I brought a whole stack."

"No." Meredith swallowed.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah. Just nauseas."

"Do you want anything?" Carolyn offered.

"No." She swallowed.

"Have you and Derek decided which room is going to be the nursery?" The older woman asked, trying to distract Meredith.

"The room across the hall." Meredith moved a hand over her mouth.

"Are you sure you're alright?"

"Sick..." She shook her head.

"Oh dear..." Carolyn frowned, reaching for the bucket next to her bed.

"Oh..." She groaned before getting sick.

"Oh my."

"I'm so sorry."

"No need to be sorry."

"I just should have...I..." Meredith whimpered as tears rushed towards her eyes.

"It's okay." Carolyn hugged Meredith, trying to keep her calm. "Shh..."

"What's going on?" Derek frowned, standing in the doorway of the hospital room. He had run out to get a few things done before Meredith got sent home from the hospital and he was surprised to see her so upset when he got back. "Is everything okay?"

"She's having some nausea." Carolyn replied sweetly as she stroked Meredith's cheek.

"No contractions?" He breathed, putting down the things he brought with him and going to the side of her bed.

"No." Meredith shook her head quickly.

"Oh..good." Derek kissed the top of her head, his hand immediately going over her stomach.

"Do I really have to stay a few days?"

"Unfortunately yes."

"But they stopped the labor."

"Why don't I leave you two alone?" His mother stood, kissing Meredith's forehead. "I'll be in the hall."

"Okay..." Meredith swallowed as she left the room.

"I'm sorry I took so long."

"It's okay." She looked down at the hospital bracelet.

"How are my girls?"

"Your girls?" She giggled tiredly.

"Yes...you and this little one." He smiled, running his hand over her stomach.

"Derek..." She tilted her head, catching his attention. She knew he was worried, that something was on his mind.

"Hmm?"

"Why won't they send me home?"

"They just want to be sure everything is perfect before they do."

"I want to go home."

"I know." Derek breathed.

"I need to know when I can go back to work...until then I need to figure out who is going to take over my appointments until I return. I can't do that from here."

"Mer..." He shook his head.

"What?"

"I don't think...you can't go back to work."

"Why?" She frowned.

"It's..." He took a deep breath. The doctor had told him not to tell her that they planned on keeping her on bedrest for the entire pregnancy, but it wasn't a secret that he could keep.

"Dr. Stein said two weeks and...is something wrong with the baby?" She gasped, sitting up quickly.

"No." Derek answered quickly.

"Then why don't you think I can work?"

"You're going to have to be on bed rest." He breathed.

"Dr. Stein already told us that." Meredith rolled her eyes.

"For the rest of the pregnancy."

"What?"

"I'm sorry."

"The entire pregnancy?" The color drained from her already pale face.

"Yeah." Derek sighed, running his hand over her hair.

"Is there something wrong with her?" Meredith looked down at her stomach.

"They just want to make sure that you stay pregnant for as long as possible."

"Oh."

"If the labor starts again..."

"We don't know that it will."

"The doctors want to be sure that doesn't happen."

"Okay..."

"For now...they want you to stay here so they can give medicine to help the baby develop...just in case." Derek whispered.

"I..."

"I brought you something."

"What?" She asked quietly.

"Well I know you miss Cash..." Derek said, pulling some photos out of his pocket.

"Cash..." She smiled, taking the pictures from Derek's hand.

"And..." He knelt down, pulling a small pink onesie out of the bag.

"Derek..." She gasped, taking the onesie that had a tiara decal on it.

"Do you like it?"

"I...I've barely had time for it to set in that we're having a girl."

"They had little pink scrubs too but I liked this one."

"We have to start planning..."

"Yeah." Derek sighed, taking a seat next to her bed.

"She needs things...we have to go shopping for her."

"We'll make a list."

"Will I be able to go shop for her?"

"That's up to the doctor."

"I don't know what to do about work..."

"We can figure that out later."

"And what if she comes sooner...we won't be ready at all." Meredith suddenly felt overwhelmed.

"Yes we will." Derek squeezed her hand.

"Right..."

"You should get some sleep."

"I don't know if I can."

"What if I lie with you?"

"It would make it easier to try." She admitted.

"Okay." Derek smiled, kicking his shoes off and sliding into the small bed with her.

"I wish this never happened."

"I know...me too. But we're going to be okay. All three of us."

"Yeah..." She moved to rest her head on his chest.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

"Get some sleep."

"I'll try." She whispered, her eyes closing. She wanted to sleep. She wanted to rest but all Meredith could think about was the risk that her baby would come early. She would be on bed rest and somehow that is one thing Meredith never even considered. She was in shock, but she would do anything she could to make sure that their daughter was safe and not too early.