The month of December was a blur. Between wrapping up classes, preparing her and Christina's apartment for their move, trying to get in time with friends and managing her relationship with Derek, December flew by. She finished her semester with straight A's, a committed boyfriend and a bulging pregnancy bump that let anyone know who wasn't previously aware that she was expecting.

Her relationship with Derek was finally getting into a groove. They spent practically every night together either at his place or hers. They spent time truly getting to know and understanding each other and although they still had a lot to learn, they had come a long way since Thanksgiving. Mark seemed to get along well with her friends, and they started all hanging out together. Christina was still weary, but she headed home a week before Christmas which gave Meredith and Derek un-interrupted time alone at her apartment before they headed to his families for Christmas.

Ellis had called Meredith to let her know that she shouldn't bother coming home to Seattle for Christmas. She had a VIP patient that would use up all her time during Meredith's break. Meredith didn't know whether to be hurt or relieved and to be honest she was a mix of both. She didn't know when she would end up seeing her mother and if it would even be before she had the baby. She let on to Derek that she was relieved, and she hoped he didn't see through the facade too much. She wasn't fully ready to let him in on the complicated relationship that was her and her mother. Derek would never understand, and she didn't want to get into the details of it. She could have spent Christmas with Thatcher, Susan and Lexie but Meredith didn't want to intrude on their traditions and felt she would be a little out of place there. So Derek's family it was then. She had never really done Christmas before. Sure he would hear about the traditions from other people and saw the movies on what real families did, but she herself never really got to experience it. By the time she was a teenager, she stopped even wanting the experience and treated the holidays as if they were any other day. This year would be different because Derek was the holiday guy. He had traditions and a happy family waiting for him with a house decorated to the nines and presents under the tree. He had that and he wanted her to be a part of it and deep down that meant the world. She was in love with Derek. She had been for a while since before Thanksgiving. She wanted to tell him, but she was scared to say it out loud. She wanted him to want her for more than just the baby she was carrying. They never got to do the whole relationship thing, and everything had always moved fast. Too fast. They had sex the first night they met, and she got pregnant. He did the honorable thing and left his girlfriend to be with her. For the past few months he stepped up and they started dating. She couldn't help but wonder if she hadn't gotten pregnant if he'd still be with his last girlfriend and if she'd still be with Dean. She didn't like the thought so she didn't dwell on it for long but still it was there keeping her from admitting just how much she loved Derek Shepherd.

It was three days before Christmas and Derek and Meredith had been wrapped in their little cocoon in her bedroom for the past four days. Their days and nights were filled with endless sex and Meredith blamed it repeatedly on the hormones. Derek would always reply that he liked the hormones before pulling her on top of him again. He was still on cloud 9 from 3 days ago when he went to his first doctor's appointment with Meredith. Their baby was doing amazing and had a strong heartbeat. He held her hand the entire time and couldn't wipe the smile off of his face as he watched their baby on the screen. He or she was growing just as they should, and he couldn't wait to meet them. He was glad that he was doing this with Meredith. Sure, he never pictured this would ever happen, but he liked doing it with her. If it had been Addison, it wouldn't be like this. It would be structured and organized. Her parents would lay out a plan for him. His dreams would die. Addison would demand something from him that he was never able to give her, something that he seemed to give Meredith willingly and easily. He loved her. He was in love with her. She was going to be his forever. Her and their little baby and hopefully more babies after that. He was elated.

"What are you thinking about?" Meredith asked him as she rolled out of bed pulling on her underwear. She'd been naked for too long and they needed to finish packing up her place before they left for the Shepherds.

"You. Us. The baby." He commented scooting over to where she was standing in just her underwear his hands and eyes fixated on her swollen belly.

Meredith giggled "You look too happy."

"No such thing" he told her standing up and kissing her and he rubbed small circles on her exposed stomach

"You are beautiful" he whispered in her ear

"I know what you're doing" she told him with a smirk

He faked innocence

"We just went back-to-back 3 times. We have to be productive." She whined

"Is that really what you want?" he whispered seductively his hands leaving her stomach and traveling to her ass

"Yes. It is." Meredith told him sternly

"Fine" he told her with a smirk

"Fine" she smirked back

He pulled his clothes on and helped her with the rest of hers

"I need new clothes" she told him

"Why?" he asked

"Because I'm fat. None of my clothes fit because of your stupid penis" Meredith yelled

"Ah the downside of the hormones" he commented

Meredith hit him "Why would you say that?" she asked

"I was kidding. I will buy you some new clothes. And you're not fat, you're carrying my baby" He stated reaching down once more and rubbing her stomach.

"With what money? Last time I checked you didn't have a job." She said moving away from him and crossing her arms

"I have money Mer. I work summers and I'm an amazing saver." He told her with a wink

"Well, I need you to finish packing up my room first" she told him smiling

"At your service" Derek told her picking up a box from the floor and moving items from her desk into it.

He turned back around and kissed her forehead. "You're very cute and very bossy" he told her

Derek kept his word and took Meredith out for new clothes. They decided to use the opportunity to pick up a few more Christmas presents for Derek's family and especially for his little niece Grace that Meredith spent half the trip talking about.

"You do know that we're about to walk into a baby store" Derek told her carrying the bags of all of Meredith's new belongings

"I just want to…take a look around" Meredith told him entering the store and being met with a parade of employees ready to help them

Derek laughed "I like that we're doing this" he told her

Meredith rolled her eyes and started looking around. "Start looking for stuff" she told him

"What stuff should I be looking for?" Derek asked laughing

"I don't know. You have sisters and your sisters have babies or whatever. You should know what we need."

"Meredith, I don't know anything about baby stuff" he told her

"I thought you did" she told him with wide eyes

"I mean basics right: crib, highchair, diapers, clothes"

"That's a good start. Let's start with that!" she told him

"There's clothes right over there" Derek said nudging her towards an array of baby clothes, shoes and bibs. Most were either pink or blue with some neutrals in between.

"I guess the neutrals for right now?" Meredith asked

"Yeah or we can just wait until we find out. The doctor said only a few more weeks" Derek noted excitedly.

"We've never really talked about it, but do you want a boy or a girl?" she asked him

"Hmmm. I don't have a preference either way." He told her

"Really? Not even a slight preference at all?"

"No. Do you?" he asked

"I guess not. I'll be surprised either way. I heard someone saying the other day that a mother usually has a gut feeling on what they're having but I don't. Maybe because I've never done this before?"

"You know Amy's having a boy." Derek told her

"Really? Is she happy about that?"

"No, I think she wanted a girl."

"I can't even see her with a baby" Meredith told him

"Me either. Are you ready to go? We need to get all of this wrapped up and the car packed before heading to my parents" Derek told her

"Let's go" she told him

Christmas was the Shepherd's holiday. It always started for them the day after Thanksgiving and everyday was a sprint to fit in as much holiday spirit and activities as possible. As their kids got older, they refused to allow the spirit to die down and reminded them constantly that they were expected to keep up the Shepherd's level of commitment when it came to the Christmas holiday.

Derek had spent the last 3 Christmas's abiding by his parent's wishes, leaving school as soon as the semester let out, driving straight home and partaking in each and every activity his mother planned. This year was different. He needed the extra time with Meredith. He needed to take advantage of each and every day they got together before their baby came. He loved the time between just the two of him, getting to know her inside and out and learning her- truly learning her.

His parents weren't thrilled that this year they weren't going to get their usual time with both of their boys but it he knew there was no way that Meredith would agree to an entire 2 weeks spent with his family. He really couldn't blame her. She'd only met them once and Amelia

betrayed their secret. He knew that she felt judged and while they were still in the stages of getting to know eachother, he wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. They had to build the foundation now if it was ever going to work long-term for them. And he wanted it to- badly.

She was nervous the whole way there. He found it cute but he just wanted her to understand that it didn't matter if his entire family hated her (which he knew they didn't) he would pick her over and over and over.

She took a deep breath when they made it to his family's door. He wanted to pull her into a hug and never let go, but he didn't, instead he gave her a look – their look and opened the door.

This time when his sister's bit at Meredith. She bit back. She was learning and he was proud. She eased into the family by Christmas Eve. She partook in all of their traditions. She helped his mom bake cookies and openly shared with his family when she felt their baby kick for the first time. She forgave Amelia and even hugged her. He heard her whisper "It's okay" and watched his sister visibly relax. She put Mark in his place in a funny way and in a way no one else seemed to be able to. She just fit. As hard as she seemed to fight the whole family thing- she fit with his. His parents loved her. Anyone with two eyes could see that. She didn't try to be anything but herself and it was working. Their lives were intertwining perfectly. They both wanted it and he had never been happier.

When he finally got her alone he showered her in kisses. He ran his hands all along her body and she was always quick to respond. The sex was mind-blowing but it was their connection that made it that way.

"Thank you" he whispered to her in-between kisses

"For what?" she asked

"For coming home with me for Christmas and for doing the whole family thing. I know it's not easy for you." He told her sincerely

"Your family is really great." She told him with a weak smile

"You're really great." He replied his arms wrapping around her body and pulling her into a hug

"I realized something today." She told him

"What's that?"

"I don't really have any holiday traditions. I mean I knew that before but seeing your family and all the memories… I just…. I don't have any" she told him tears brimming in her eyes

"Mer." He sighed

"You do now. I'm your family now okay? My traditions can be yours and we can make our own too." He reassured her using his thumb to wipe the single tear that flowed down her cheek

"It's just…my mom… she's not a very good mom but she's all I have and she doesn't know about the baby and it's Christmas. I know she's at the hospital probably operating on a very sick person who probably just wants to be home with their family on Christmas and my mom…my mom is exactly where she wants to be. At the hospital in surgery and saving lives. And her daughter is across the country and it's….it's Christmas and I don't think she even cares" Meredith rambled

"Your mom loves you Meredith. It's impossible to for anyone who knows you not to love you."

"She doesn't know me though. She never really took the time too."

Derek wrapped his arms tighter around her

"It's not too late Meredith. It's only Christmas Eve. Why don't we give her a call?"

"She wouldn't want that."

"I bet she would. Maybe she just doesn't know what to say?"

"She would say 'Why are you trying to ruin my day. You know I have an important case Meredith.'"

"Is that what she's said to you before?" Derek asked quietly

Meredith gave him a look that said it all.

Derek squeezed her tighter. If he had to work a Christmas miracle, he would. He was going to get Ellis to call her daughter. He was going to make his and Meredith's first Christmas a little brighter.

The family headed to bed around 11 pm and Derek got to work. Once he assumed everyone was asleep, he stumbled down the stairs of his parents' house and collapsed on the couch with his laptop and cell phone in hand. He knew Ellis Grey's reputation. He never let on to Meredith, but he was going to be a surgeon and he was awestruck that Ellis was her mother. He studied her contribution to the medical field and her technique. She was a force of nature, just like Meredith.

He typed Ellis Grey into Google to see if he could figure out where she was currently working. News articles popped up and he clicked on the latest one he saw. It was from last week announcing that Ellis Grey would be performing a stomach, intestines and bladder transplant all at once over the Christmas Holiday. It had never been done altogether before and it was about to be the highlight of her career. Reporters and medical journals were waiting on bated breath on what the story would be. Derek knew this was going to be an incredibly complex and time-consuming surgery. It was estimated to take 48 hours. He probably wouldn't be able to reach her in time even if he could figure out where she was working.

"What are you doing up so late?" Carolyn asked startling him

"Mom, hey. I'm just reading" Derek told her

Carolyn walked around the couch to sit beside him tightening her robe in the process

"Reading up on a transplant surgery" she stated looking over at his laptop

"Yeah, Meredith's mom is the lead surgeon on it"

"Ah"

"Pretty cool right?" Derek asked

"Not as cool as spending the holidays with the people you love." His mom told him with a knowing look.

Derek raked his hand through his hair "I didn't realize it before, but Meredith's pretty sad about her mother not wanting her to come home from Christmas."

"Well of course she is dear. That's her mother."

Derek sighed "So how is looking up articles on her mother going to help you make her feel better?" his mom asked

"I'm trying to find which hospital she works at. I'm going to call her."

"And say what?" Carolyn asked

"I honestly don't know." Derek told her

Carolyn patted Derek's knee "You have a good heart. You always have." She told him

Derek gave her a weak smile "I found it. She's the head of general at Seattle Grace Hospital."

"Do you want me to stay here while you call or do you want me to go?" Carolyn asked

"Stay. Please" Derek stated with a smile

Carolyn smiled.

Derek called the number and was met with the front desk administration department

"Hi. Yes. My name is Derek Shepherd and I was calling to see if I could get an extension to Ellis Grey, Head of General Surgery."

The operator on the phone all but laughed at him "Sir, we can't give out that information."

"It's regarding her daughter, Meredith Grey. It's important."

"Hold on" the operator told him

After a few seconds she came back on the line "Dr. Grey's not available right now."

"Does she have a direct line or office line? I really need to get in touch with her within the next 12 hours." Derek told her

"I can give you her office line but she's very busy."

"Please. Thank you" Derek told the operator.

He got the number and called it. It rang a few times and then went to her voicemail

"You've reached Dr. Ellis Grey Head of General Surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital. Please leave a message. If it is an emergency, dial 911."

Derek sighed "I have to leave a message" he whispered to his mom. She nudged him to go ahead

"Um. Hi Dr. Grey. My name is Derek Shepherd and I'm friends with your daughter Meredith. I'm sorry to be calling you so out of the blue but…. It's Christmas Dr. Grey and I think. No I know that your daughter would want to hear from you. I was hoping you could wish her a Merry Christmas. That may seem trivial to you as I know you are performing a pretty amazing transplant surgery right now but she's your daughter and she needs you. I hope you'll do the right thing. Okay, thanks for hearing me out."

"Give me the phone." Carolyn said and Derek reluctantly handed it over

"Hi. Dr. Grey is it? I'm Derek Shepherd's mother. My son loves your daughter and he's going out on a limb here. Please do not disappoint him because then you'll disappoint me and I'm not a person you want to see disappointed. It doesn't end well. As a mother, I'm hoping you'll do the right thing and at a minimum call your daughter. It is Christmas."

Carolyn clicked the phone.

"Mom" Derek said laughing

"Get some rest sweetie. We have a big day tomorrow."

"Goodnight Ma" Derek said and kissed her head.

Next Chapter: Christmas Day! Thank you for all the reviews, favorites and follows. I can't wait to continue writing this story and get to the sequel!