A/N: I'm still on exams, but am updating…hope you enjoy! Please read and review! Love, Mystical Faeries…
Disclaimer: "Make the lambs stop screaming!" I don't own Grey's…but I do quote it…
Chapter 6: "It's Uncanny – You'd Think It's Me"
Mason Road Primary School had the bulletin board at the front of their school proclaiming "Cassy Shepherd-Grey – Washington State Spelling Champ – Cheer her on for nationals!" and Miss Christensen and Meredith had negotiated the work Cassy would miss during her week at the nationals in Washington DC. Derek grinned, as he kissed Cassy before she went to her last day of class before the big event.
- - -
"Thankyou so much, Richard," said Meredith. "Derek and I really appreciate it. It's only a week, maybe less if she doesn't get through, but I really need to be there for her – my mom…"
"I know, Meredith. You're doing a better job of balancing this job and a family than I thought possible. You and Derek? Are you…?"
Meredith smiled. "It's only been three months since he found out about Cassy. We are, but we're taking it slowly…well – slower than we were," she smiled.
"So you're going pretty quickly then." Webber smiled. "A long time ago I told you it was a mistake," said Webber wistfully. "Grey – don't listen to me."
- - -
The Bee was a month later and Derek and Meredith were armed completely with supportive parenting. They weren't allowed backstage, however, and Meredith subconsciously was jiggling her leg in anticipation. Derek put his hand on her knee.
"Calm down," he said with a smile. "She'll be fine." He kissed the top of her head and Meredith nodded.
"I know she'll be fine. But me? I'm not fine, I'm a bundle of nerves." Derek took her hand.
"Well," he grinned. "Cassy loves you. And I love you." Meredith looked at Derek, wide-eyed. They'd been together since the last spelling bee, and although they were 'taking it slow' they knew that they were pretty much done. However, this was the first time either of them had decided to utter 'those words' out loud.
"You do?" said Meredith. "I mean – I love you too." The lights dimmed.
- - -
The master of ceremonies came onto the stage and the auditorium politely applauded.
"Welcome," he said, waving his hands with a flourish, "To the NATIONAL SPELLING BEE FINALS. We have tonight with us the top nine spellers in the country, ranging from only eight years of age, to thirteen. We're in for a treat tonight ladies and gentlemen, so please, make welcome…our division one finalists, Mr Taylor McFadden of Shepparton, Georgia, Miss Emily Hawthorn of Salt Lake City, Utah, and the division one champion, and one of today's youngest competitors, Miss Cassandra Shepherd-Grey of Seattle, Washington."
The audience applauded, and Derek and Meredith waved to Cassy who looked dwarfed by Emily Hawthorn and Taylor McFadden, both who were much older and taller than her.
"Our division two finalists, Mr Michael Lake of Santa Ana, California, Miss Catherine Daley of Birmingham, Alabama and the division two champion, Mr Pierce Langley of Nashville, Tennessee."
The audience politely applauded, as division two took their bows.
"And finally, our division three finalists, Miss Whitney Cunningham of Providence, Rhode Island, Mr. John Trusler Junior of Tucson, Arizona and the division three champion, Miss Emerson Forbes Montgomery-Shepherd, of Manhattan, New York!"
The audience might have been applauding – surely they were – but Derek didn't notice. His heart turned to stone and his grip on Meredith's hand turned to iron fists as Emerson Forbes Montgomery-Shepherd walked onto the stage, with hair the colour of flames and a familiar, brisk and purposeful walk - all 8 years of her.