Hello everyone! I hope you enjoy this chapter as this is actually the last one :( I didn't realise how many words I had gone through in this chapter. And I'd like to say that I don't know a thing about how adoption works nor do I claim to. This will likely not be realistic, so I apologize for it.
Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Grey's Anatomy. Not the characters. Not the plot. Not anything. Nor do I own anything to do with the NHL. At all. But it would be pretty cool if I did.
"Hey bud, come and sit over here," Derek beckoned. Aiden plopped himself between the two of them and peered at them.
"We need to tell you something," Meredith started, "again."
"You're not breaking up are you?" He looked at them worriedly. Then at Derek, "You said you'd stay! That you'd never leave!"
He was about to start on a little rant of his own when Derek stopped him.
"Woah, woah. It's nothing like that. Far from it. I told you, I'm never leaving. I promise. We're telling you something different."
"Oh," he blushed, "Sorry."
"It's okay," he reassured him, stroking his blond hair.
"What we're going to tell you. Is that. You're going to have a little brother or sister."
The two of them beamed at him, waiting for his reaction.
Aiden looked at them, trying to decipher what it meant. When he realised what it could mean, he raced out of the room. Meredith and Derek shared a worried look.
"I'll go," Meredith stood up, leaving Derek on the sofa, wondering what he'd said wrong.
xxxxx
Meredith knocked on the door before poking her head in.
"Go away!" her son yelled from his bed.
"Sweetie. I just want to talk to you," Meredith whispered calmly, sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Why don't you want a little brother or sister?"
"Because, because," he blubbered.
"Oh, baby. Come here."
He crawled sadly into his mother's arms.
"Because Dad will love them more than me. Cuz it'll be his own kid right? I'm not his. He won't love me as much," he sniffled.
"That's why you don't want a sibling?"
He nodded profusely, "He won't love me anymore. And he'll forget about me. You won't. Cuz you're my real mom. He's not my real dad."
"Sweetie, do you really believe that? He loves you like his own. You will be his own. We're signing the papers next week."
"But he'll still forget me. He'll love my little brother or sister more."
"Aiden, look at me." He did, tears streaming down his face. "Your dad loves you. I've never seen someone love their kid as much as he loves you. And he won't forget. He can't, because he loves you. Okay?"
xxxxx
Derek was getting paranoid. He had started pacing a few minutes ago and now he was practically running up the stairs. He couldn't stand the suspense. He walked into the room silently, seeing Meredith rock Aiden gently.
"Bud?" he whispered.
He only burrowed further, looking to Meredith. "He thinks you won't love him anymore."
"What?" he asked, completely flabbergasted. He sat next to them, wanting to reach out to Aiden.
"Aiden, buddy, I won't forget you. How could I? You're my little bud, my hockey bro. I love you more than anything, okay? I can't… You're my son Aiden. It feels like I've been your dad your whole life when really, it's just been a year and a half. I missed out on the first 5 years. And I wish I didn't. I wish I'd met you earlier so I could convince you even more that you're mine. I promise I'll love you to the day I die and after." He reached out and stroked his back.
The sniffles stopped and the boy turned to face him. "Promise?"
"I promise," he gave a watery smile. Aiden put his arms out and Derek swept him up gladly, bringing him into his chest.
"I love you Aiden." He kissed the top of his head and cradled him. Meredith shuffled forwards and rested her head on his shoulder.
xxxxx
When Aiden woke up an hour or so later. His parents were still there. He was lying on top of Dad and Mom's arm was around Dad's waist. He poked his dad's cheek, trying to wake him up.
His eyes opened groggily, and he looked at him.
"What is it bud?"
"Can I have a brother?"
Derek laughed, fuelled with relief and happiness. "I don't know. We'll have to wait and find out. We don't get to choose."
"Why?"
"I'm not sure. That's just the way it works," he lied. There was no way he was giving the talk to a 6-year-old. By this time Meredith had woken up and was wondering what they were talking about.
"Aiden was wondering if he could get a brother?"
"Really? So you want a sibling now?"
"Yeah. Cuz they'll be more fun to play with cuz sometimes you and Dad can't, so I'll always have someone to play with."
"I guess that's a good reason. Do you think they'll play hockey?"
"Yeah! They'll be really good. Cuz they'll have me and Dad as teachers."
"That's right bud, we'll be the best teachers ever."
Aiden grinned at the possibility. Then asked, "When do we get him? Or her?" he corrected.
"Nine months," Mom smiled.
"Nine months? But that's ages away," he whined. "Why not now?"
"Because he or she has to grow in my tummy before they can come into the world."
"They grow in your tummy? But you're too small mom," he laughed.
"I am now, but I'll get bigger," she groaned.
"You'll be just as beautiful," Dad told her, kissing her temple.
"You'll be the only one that thinks so," she rolled her eyes.
"You'll be gorgeous."
Aiden wanted to talk more about his sibling, but he was hungry. "Can we get pizza?"
His parents laughed and sat up.
"Sure bud, go and get the phone and I'll order."
And just like that, all was well again.
xxxxx
In the middle of the week, they somehow found the time to get an appointment with a doctor. Meredith was laid down on the exam table and Derek was perched on a stool next to her.
"You know, I hope he or she has your nose," he speculated, brushing her hair back.
"My nose?"
"It's a cute nose," he argued, kissing the object in question.
"Well I only hope they don't have your nose," she giggled.
"Thanks Mer," he laughed.
Their conversation was interrupted by a redhead in salmon scrubs, wielding an ultrasound machine.
"Hello Meredith," the women smiled. "I'm guessing this is the fiancé."
"He is. Addison, this is Derek Shepherd, my fiancé. Der, this is Addison Montgomery, she's head of neo-natal so I did rotation under her as an intern. And she said she'd be my doctor."
"It's nice to meet you," he stood up to shake the doctor's hand.
"Likewise. Now shall we see what baby Shepherd is up to?"
"Please," Mer smiled.
"Alright then. This will be a little cold," she warned, squirting the lotion onto her belly. A whooshing filled the room, the ultrasound doing its magic.
"There it is. It's only about the size of an apple seed but you can see it right… there," she pointed to a spot on the screen. A little oval of a thing making its presence known.
"Der," Meredith breathed, squeezing his hand.
"Wow," he stared in wonderment. Their little baby was growing in there. Subconsciously, he ran a hand over Meredith's stomach. He kissed her gently, completely amazed at what he had witnessed on that screen.
"I want you to come back in 4 weeks for the second month check-up. I'm going to give you some prenatal vitamins that you have to take."
"Ok. I've done this before Addie, I know the drill," she smiled, snapped from her reverie.
"Good," Addison smiled. "I can print off some pictures if you want?"
"Please," Derek urged.
"I'll be right back."
The doctor left and Derek stared at the image again. His family were going to go nuts!
xxxxx
They arrived at Sunday dinner at the end of the week and Aiden could hardly contain himself, telling anyone that would listen he was having a little brother (he'd decided that was the only choice!). And first up was Carolyn Shepherd.
She answered the door in her apron, as usual, and found Aiden bouncing at her feet.
"Hello Aiden. How are you?"
"I'm gonna have a little brother. But he's coming in nine months. Which is a long way away. But I can wait cuz it means I'll have someone else to play pirates with."
"Really?" She asked, both amused and shocked.
"Uh huh. I'm gonna go and tell Lucas and Elliot."
"No Aiden-" Meredith tried to stop him but he was already gone.
"Hi Ma. We wanted to tell you first, but Aiden beat us to it," her son grinned.
"Congratulations you two," she smiled, bringing them into a hug.
"Thanks Mom," Meredith grinned.
"How far along are you?"
"About a month."
"So a summer baby," Carolyn beamed.
"Yeah. I just hope it's not too close to Aiden's birthday. He might go crazy."
"I'm sure it will be fine dear. And that's months away. Are you getting morning sickness? Would you like some ginger tea?"
"That would be amazing, thanks."
"I'll go and make you some. Everyone is in the living room. You can tell them now if you want. Although they've probably heard via Aiden by now," she chuckled.
"That's true," Derek smiled. "I hope it is a boy, he might throw a tantrum otherwise."
"Come on," Meredith giggled, dragging him towards the family room.
"Hey everyone," Derek waved.
They didn't reply, merely stared at them expectantly.
"I guess you heard huh?" Meredith giggled.
"We're just waiting to see if it's true," Amelia smirked.
"Well guys. You're going to have another niece or nephew to spoil in the summer."
Amelia was the first to congratulate the pair, standing up and hugging Meredith tightly.
"Congratulations. Make sure you get a body pillow. Those things are saviours. And get Derek to give you foot rubs. He has to be your slave, he can't say no," she whispered.
"Thanks for the advice Amy," she giggled.
"Why do I feel like you're talking about me?"
"I don't know what you're talking about Derbear. Where could you have possibly got that idea from?" she smirked, hugging her brother.
"That smirk right there. That's why," he chuckled.
Everyone else took a turn in congratulating him until finally his dad stood up and hugged him firmly.
"I'm happy for you Derek. You're getting everything you ever wanted," he smiled.
"Thanks Dad."
"Now you look after that fiancée of yours. You've got to help out as much as possible. And lord knows, if she's half as fierce and Carolyn she won't hesitate in making you help."
"I know she won't," he chuckled.
His dad went on to hug Meredith, probably telling her what he had just told him. The two of them sat down and the ginger tea was soon brought in. The normal crazy dynamic took hold and after a while the centre was thrown off them and Meredith was able to really snuggle into Derek's side.
"I hope he or she doesn't have your eyes. I can barely resist you as it is," she sighed.
"Hey, if they're anything like yours or Aiden's I have no hope," Derek replied.
"We'll have cute kids," she giggled.
"The cutest," he whispered, kissing the top of her head.
xxxxx
Next Tuesday, they rolled up at the adoption agency. Aiden in tow. They thought he should be here for this. They walked into a swanky office and sat opposite a guy in a pressed suit.
"These are the final papers you'll need to sign, then Aiden Grey will be all yours. And his name will be changed to Aiden Shepherd."
"That is if you still want it bud," Derek asked Aiden, he didn't want to force him into it if he didn't want it.
"Course I wanna be a Shepherd still Dad."
"Okay then," he grinned. "I'll sign those papers."
He scrawled his signature along the designated line and placed the pen back on the desk.
"I'll file these straight away. Congratulations sir," the suit grinned.
"Thanks," Derek grinned back, a wash of something he'd never felt before sweeping over him.
"Hey son, do you want to go get a burger?"
"Yeah," Aiden giggled.
Derek picked him up, resting him on his hip and with his free hand he took one of Meredith's. She kissed him quickly and they left the office and the building. Aiden was a Shepherd, he was his!
xxxxx
Today was the day. Today was the day she would become Meredith Grey-Shepherd. Aiden already was a Shepherd, it was only fair that she got her turn. She inspected herself one last time in the mirror while Amelia, Cristina and Lexie fussed around her, trying to make sure everything was in place. Well, Lexie and Amelia. Cristina was sipping wine casually leaning against the kitchen island. They had decided to have the wedding on their land. The builders had made fast work of the house, most of it already built. Only the top floor really needed to be furnished. The rest was like something out of a catalogue. It was gorgeous. Derek knew his stuff. She didn't know how, but he did.
And now he was stood outside, thankfully not in the freezing cold, waiting for her to walk down the aisle so they could be married. She composed herself and followed her bridesmaids out of the door into the crisp winter air.
Little Aiden stood at the front, his blond hair styled with gel, thanks to Mark. Who stood behind him smiling gently. He would kill her if she told Derek he had a soft side! Then she saw Derek. His perfect raven locks that she had run her hands through so many times ruffled slightly in the wind, his bright smile weakened her knees and the tuxedo he had picked out looked great. But it was his eyes that made her breath hitch. They were so expressive; they could see straight into her soul and were so full of emotion that she had to concentrate hard to keep walking.
xxxxx
She was gorgeous. Her stomach was just a tiny bump at three months, but it filled him with so much joy he could hardly function sometimes. As she reached him, the soft smell of lavender reached his nostrils and he smiled at the familiarity. She was his home. Staring at her, her blond tendrils framing herself, he could see himself looking at her in the same way 40, 50 years from now.
xxxxx
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered her today for the holy matrimony of Meredith Elizabeth Grey and Derek Christopher Shepherd."
The minister, or was it priest, she wasn't sure, droned on and Meredith could only focus on Derek's eyes. Until it came to the vows.
He squeezed her hands and went first. "Meredith. Since the first day I met you, I knew that I couldn't not see you again. It was something about you. Something that just clicked inside me and I knew that there would be a future for us. Mark thinks I'm crazy, but I like to think that fate threw us together and we were always meant to end up together. No matter what happened. I just thank my lucky stars that I met you when I did because if I hadn't, I would have spent the rest of my life not knowing what true happiness and true love was. I love you Meredith Grey, and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."
Meredith smiled weakly at him, weak at the emotion clear in his voice and the love and sincerity in his words. She took a steadying breath, and spoke her own vows.
"Derek, before I knew you, I never really believed in soulmates and true love. I believed in happiness and love, but not the idea that you could be made for someone else. But being with you, I finally understand what people are on about. I used to think those people were crazy, now I'm one of them," she laughed, "You are the kindest, most amazing and loving man I've ever met. You changed my life Derek. Now, if anyone was to ask, I can safely say that I am spending the rest of my days with the love of my life. And you're so amazing with Aiden that sometimes I wonder how lucky I was to find you. I love you Derek Shepherd, and I can't wait to be your wife."
All they could do was stare at each other, taking in every moment.
"And now for the rings."
Derek took her hand, sliding the ring perfectly onto her finger. "I, Derek Shepherd, take Meredith Grey to be my lawfully wedded wife."
Meredith returned the gesture, the band glinting in the winter sun. "I, Meredith Grey, take Derek Shepherd to be my lawfully wedded husband."
"I know pronounce you husband and wife."
The applause drained away when their lips met in a passionate lock. That special kiss that would stay with them for the rest of their lives. They finally drew apart, hands locked together. The cold metal on each other's hands only making them grin wider. They were married. They got to spend the rest of their lives with each other.
xxxxx
"Edward."
"No."
"Eldon."
"No."
"Elias."
"No."
"You know, you're not very good at this Derek," she laughed.
"I can't help it," he chuckled, "I'll know it when I hear it."
They were lying on their bed in their new house, sunlight streaming through the floor to ceiling windows, giving the space a beautiful natural light. A framed picture from their wedding day stood proudly on the bedside table, next to one of the three of them at one of Aiden's little league games. Meredith was seven months pregnant and they still hadn't chosen a name for their baby boy yet. Aiden was all too keen to put forward names although they were all an assortment of characters from the Looney Tunes. So that was out. Although they appreciated the enthusiasm.
"Keep going."
"Fine," she sighed playfully.
"Elijah."
"No."
"Enzo."
"No."
"Ethan."
He was silent for a second. "Ethan," he mused.
"It means strong and long-lived."
"Ethan," he repeated.
"Yeah," a grin grew across her face, "Ethan."
"So we're calling him Ethan?" he grinned.
"Yeah. I like it. Ethan Shepherd."
"It sounds good."
He shuffled towards her protruding stomach, kissing it first, then murmuring, "Hey baby. We're thinking of calling you Ethan. Do you like it?"
A strong kick came as a response.
"I'll take that as a yes," he laughed.
"Ethan Shepherd, it has a nice ring to it," his wife smiled.
"Now all we have to do is pick a middle name," he smirked.
"Shut up! Otherwise I'll throw this baby book at you," she threatened.
"Oh no you won't," he raised his eyebrows. Tickling her with no warning, sending her into a fit of giggles.
"No, Derek stop," she laughed.
"Take back the threat, take it back," he chuckled.
"Okay, okay, I take it back," she breathed heavily, her eyes shining up at him.
"You'll pay for that Shepherd."
xxxx
Two months later, Ethan Christopher Shepherd was brought into the world. A beautiful, bouncing baby boy with tufts of brown hair and as expressive eyes as both his parents. Today was the start of the rest of their lives, they could feel it in their bones.
THE END
So that's it. That's my first story. I have made an epilogue… Ok more like two. I went a bit overboard with it, I'm not going to lie to you *sheepish grin*. I just had a bit of fun with it, I'll try and put them both in the same update so that I can keep a nice 20 chapters :) I will try and get it ready for tomorrow. Thank you for everyone who took the time out of their lives to read this, I certainly got a bigger response than I thought I would, and I can't thank you guys enough for it!