Chapter 25: Trying to Get Aubrey to Come Out
By the end of the day, Meredith was certain she was going to hate Braxton Hicks. She had the minor contractions more frequently, but there was no consistency or pattern among them. Another thing she was certain she would hate; however, hadn't grown tired of yet was nesting. She felt this overwhelming urge to get everything done and Derek was the greatest when it came to assisting. She couldn't do a lot, but he helped in every way he could. He reached the fan to dust it, he vacuumed vents and helped her touch up the nursery. Aubrey would be here soon and while Meredith was two weeks from her due date, she was more relieved to know that it would be okay if Aubrey decided to come now. "Derek...can you bring me the diaper bag?"
"Where is it?" He asked, tying up the cord on the vacuum cleaner.
"I think you put it on my side of the closet."
"Okay..." He picked up the vacuum cleaner and put it away before checking the closet. "There are two of them...one pink...one purple."
"The pink one has all of her stuff for the hospital." Meredith responded.
"So the purple one." Derek pulled it out and handed it to Meredith.
"I need to put wipes in it."
"Where are those?"
"I had Lexie sit some stuff by the bed this morning." Meredith reached on to the nightstand for a travel size pack of wipes.
"I put that bag in the nursery."
"Well go get...ouch." Meredith bit her lip as she felt a small contraction roll through her body.
"Still Braxton Hicks?" Derek frowned.
"Probably...I haven't had one in about twenty minutes."
"Okay...well you know just...keep an eye on it."
"I will...now go get that bag of stuff."
"Yes ma'am." Derek laughed.
"Good boy." She giggled as he jokingly rushed out to get the purple diaper bag.
"Got it!" He yelled from the other room. She was just having Braxton Hicks, but Derek had a gut feeling that it would be sooner rather than later that they would meet their daughter. He picked up things Lexie brought over earlier and took them back to their bedroom. "At your service."
"Thank you, sir."
"You are welcome."
"My belly is too big for this top." Meredith laughed, pointing down to her exposed stomach. "This tank is too tight."
"Maybe that's why you're having contractions. It's squeezing her out." Derek teased.
"Are you calling me fat old man?"
"I did not say that." He laughed.
"I think you did." Meredith laughed, pulling him down onto the bed with her.
"Well you just called me old."
"After you called me fat. I am carrying your child." Meredith added.
"Sorry." Derek laughed.
"What do you think she'll look like?" Meredith whispered.
"Hopefully like you."
"Not all like me." Meredith rolled her eyes.
"Your eyes...and your nose."
"Your smile." Meredith giggled.
"She'll be a good combination." Derek smiled.
"Mark said she's all you talk about at work."
"Secret's out."
"Your poor patients."
"They love to hear about her."
"Did they tell you that?"
"No...but..."
"I see." Meredith giggled, kissing him quickly.
"But I can tell." Derek replied.
"Uh huh..."
"No I'm serious. They smile and they laugh, and they ask to see pictures after she's born."
"Whatever you say, Dr. Shepherd." Meredith kissed below his chin.
"Mmm..."
"Oh..." Meredith grabbed for his hand, moving it right under her breast. "Foot...that's her foot."
"I wish she would just come out." Derek breathed, feeling her kick.
"Dr. Stein said she was in position."
"Come on Aubs..."
"Maybe she'll come tonight so you won't have to go to work for fourteen hours tomorrow."
"Do it for Daddy Aubs." Derek laughed.
"Maybe she'll listen to you."
"It would be a good start."
"I...are you going to tell her about your Dad?" Meredith asked, knowing he rarely talked about his father's murder.
"I don't know." Derek whispered.
"I'm sure one day she'll have questions."
"I haven't really thought about it."
"You have time."
"Yeah." Derek sighed.
"I mean...I might tell her about Will...one day."
"We'll tell her about them when she's ready...and when we're ready." He breathed.
"I want her to know I don't regret anything."
"Yeah?"
"Not one thing."
"Good to hear."
"Or else Aubrey wouldn't be coming."
"And she's coming."
"Oh boy is she ever."
"Just don't know when."
"Soon."
"Hmm." Derek smiled, rubbing her stomach.
"And she'll have a grandma."
"Who is going to spoil her rotten." He laughed.
"Yes."
"Come on little one..."
"Aubrey...come on..."
"I don't think it's working."
"I don't either." She giggled.
"Maybe we should just enjoy this."
"Before the screaming and crying."
"Exactly." Derek laughed.
"And the stinky diapers."
"And spit up."
"I hope she won't smell too bad." Meredith breathed.
"She won't...she's going to smell like baby powder and...baby."
"Well, one of the books I have been reading has said baby gas can smell bad...so let me know what you think when she's here." Meredith rolled her eyes.
"That doesn't mean she'll smell bad." Derek laughed.
"It just means she'll have a stinky butt."
"That's not nice."
"It will be a very cute stinky butt."
"Yes it will."
"We're ridiculous."
"It's okay." He laughed.
"Who knew."
"We're just tired."
"Well we...ow..."
"Sorry." Derek frowned.
"It's not your fault...entirely." Meredith winced.
"It kind of is." Derek laughed.
"We're equally at fault." Meredith shrugged.
"Maybe we should call the doctor."
"This one isn't consistent with any of the others...when they are in a pattern I will call."
"Okay."
"Don't worry." Meredith kissed him softly.
"I'm a father...I worry." Derek whispered.
"Poor Derek." She giggled against his lips. "You know...maybe she'll come tonight."
"I hope so."
"Think good thoughts...non Meredithy thoughts."
"I am." Derek laughed.
"Good."
"Happy...Aubrey thoughts."
"She is the reason for many happy thoughts."
"I can't believe everything that's happened."
"Strange. Isn't it?"
"Very."
"But here we are."
"Mmhmm." Derek smiled.
"So we might as well try and talk her into coming tonight ."
"Hey..."
"Here." Meredith rolled her tank up over her belly.
"Mer..." Derek whispered, putting his hand on her stomach.
"What?"
"I love you."
"I love you too." She breathed, looking up at him.
"Just in case everything gets crazy, and I forget to say it sometimes...I love you."
"I...me too." Meredith swallowed, feeling her eyes suddenly water.
"No matter what." Derek whispered, kissing her softly.
"Mmm...thanks."
"You're welcome."
"Feels weird..." Meredith ran her hand over her firm stomach.
"Hmm?"
"My stomach."
"Weird?"
"Just soft but hard...it's weird having a baby in there."
"Not for long." Derek smiled.
"Aubrey if you come tonight your father won't have to work tomorrow." Meredith rubbed her belly.
"That would be nice."
"And we could spend the whole day together."
"I wish there was something we could do...to make her come." He laughed.
"Hot food...sex."
"Let's give it a shot."
"So hot wings?" She giggled, running her hands along his side.
"I'll go pick some up." He laughed, kissing her softly.
"And then hot...steamy...missionary sex?"
"Mmm...can't wait."
"Don't forget ranch dressing."
"Have I ever?"
"Not yet." Meredith rolled her eyes.
"Then I won't this time." Derek laughed. "I'll be back. Don't go into labor while I'm gone."
"I will try my very best."
"Okay."
"Extra Ranch!"
"Okay!"
"Now go." Meredith giggled as he left the room. They had gotten so much better over the last couple of months of her pregnancy, and she really liked it this way. Now hopefully Aubrey would feel the urge to come so that they could begin a life with their baby girl.