Chapter 15: Daddy and Carwyn

"Excuse me, Dr. Shepherd?"

Derek's blissful sleep was interrupted by a soft, nervous voice. He opened his heavy eyelids and tried to remember where he was. He immediately smiled, feeling the weight of his sleeping daughter on his chest. Her soft curls tickled his neck as she slept peacefully, her tiny arms wrapped tightly around him. It was the same position they had slept in for the last six nights. Derek sat up slowly, careful not to wake the sleeping girl.

"Sorry. I just need to take her vitals real quick Doctor." The young nurse who had woken him spoke anxiously. She had heard rumors of how unpleasant this doctor could be, and the pediatric nurses on call that night had drawn straws to see who would have to interrupt his sleep to take Carwyn's routine vitals. Unfortunately, she lost.

The doctor just nodded and shifted Carwyn's sleeping body ever so slightly so the nurse could take her temperature and check her blood pressure. Derek laughed to himself at how nervous the nurse seemed to be, her hands shaking so bad she could barely get the sphygmomanometer's cuff around Carwyn's tiny arm. The nurse quickly finished her task and apologized again before wheeling her cart out of the room.

Derek settled back down and closed his eyes. Carwyn stirred a little on his chest and when he opened his eyes, she was staring up at him. "Where's Mama?" Her tired voice was sad, and he noticed her bottom lip tremble ever so slightly.

Derek sighed. They repeated this routine every night and several times during the day. The small little girl still didn't understand what was going on and even though she had immediately clinged on to him, she still missed her mom. Derek wrapped his arms around her protectively and kissed her forehead.

"It's okay sweetie. Mommy's still sick. But she's getting better just like you. You keep eating your food all gone and we'll go visit mommy soon. Okay?" Derek looked down in his daughters eyes to see if she understood.

"Okay." She nodded a tired nod and let her eyes fall shut again. He watched the precious girl until his eyes grew heavy and he gave in and let them close. He balanced on the edge of sleep until he heard Carwyn whisper two little words that jerked him wide awake.

"G'night Daddy."

Derek felt his heart pound fiercely in his chest. Tears snuck out the side of his eyes and fell quickly to the white pillow his head rested on. She'd never called him that before. She usually referred to him as Doctor Derek. They hadn't really talked about it together, and everyone was extremely careful of what they said in front of Carwyn.

He had to admit that this little girl was a lot brighter than anyone previously given her credit for. He shifted his sleeping daughter a little higher on his chest and buried his face in her hair. Daddy. He was a Daddy.

"Goodnight Baby. Daddy loves you." He whispered softly in her ear and fell into a content, peaceful sleep.

The next morning was a bright and sunny one. A rare occurrence in Seattle, and Derek took the opportunity to brighten Carwyn's mood. He opened the blinds in her dim hospital room, and they had sat at the window all morning while Derek pointed out various sights, including the ferry boats they could barely see in the distant harbor. He got a kick out of her excitement for the boats and knew there was no denying she belonged to him.

"Again! Tell me more!" Carwyn bounced excitedly on his lap. They were still looking out the window but now Derek was telling her silly stories about her mom. She was shrieking in laughter and clapping her hands in joy.

The unexpected noise caused a few heads to pop in the room making sure everything was okay. When they saw what was causing the commotion they would smile and go about their business. The last head to pop in was a familiar one.

"Ah, Dr. Stevens! Come in." Derek smiled at his old friend and motioned for her to join them.

Izzie crossed the room and found a chair next to the cheerful duo. She smiled down at the tiny girl, "Good morning Carwyn."

Carwyn wrapped her arms around Derek's neck, but didn't hide her face. She eyed their visitor cautiously.

Derek spoke gently to his daughter. "Carwyn. You remember my friend, Izzie. She's a doctor like me and she helps little kids."

Carwyn didn't speak but she relaxed the grip she had on Derek's neck.

"Guess what Carwyn? I just talked to your doctor, and she said you are doing so good and getting so strong, that if you'd like, you can go see your mommy today."

Carwyn finally turned completely to face Izzie her eyes shining. "Okay." She said shyly but was grinning from ear to ear.

"How about that Carwyn?" Derek turned her to face him. "Why don't you let Izzie take you? I have some patients I need to check on and then we'll meet back for lunch?"

Doubt shadowed the shy girls face. She didn't like to leave Derek's side and didn't like the idea of going somewhere with this stranger, as pretty and nice as she seemed.

"I'll tell you what Princess. You be brave for me, and I'll sneak you in some strawberry ice cream." Derek wiggled his eyebrows and Carwyn couldn't help but giggle.

"Okay." She said softly.

"Okay." Derek echoed. He set her gently on the floor and stood up. "Why don't you go color in one of your books while I talk to Dr. Stevens for a minute? Remember, I'll be back for lunch. And this time you better not eat all your french fries before I get here."

Carwyn only giggled again and nodded, her curls bouncing around her face.

Derek motioned for Izzie to follow him out into the hall and once out of Carwyn's earshot Izzie started, "Are you sure you don't want to take her to see Meredith? I mean… it just seems like you should…"

Derek shook his head quickly and sighed. "No, I don't think it would be a good idea. We haven't told Meredith that I've even been down here with Carwyn. It would just be too hard to explain…. It's better if you take her Izzie." Derek looked sad but Izzie immediately understood.

"Okay, no problem. Just let me know when would be a good time and I'll bring her down."

Derek nodded. "I have to go up there and check on a few things. I'll page you when she's ready." He thanked Izzie once more and then hurried towards the elevator, eager to finish his work so he wouldn't be late for his lunch date.