A/N: Chapter 2 is up. Thank you for the reviews. I do not own Grey's Anatomy or its characters. Please review!
"That was nice." Derek told Meredith entering there bedroom.
"Yeah, everyone is really happy."
"What about you, are you happy?"
"I am. I know I told you that I could live without you, but seeing the car today, what could have happened to you, I don't even want to imagine it." Meredith told him truthfully.
"Hey, as you said. I'm okay. I'm right here." Derek told his wife, engulfing her in a hug. He kissed her forehead and let go. They sat down on the bed, Derek leaning on the bed rest., and Meredith in front him, her back pressed to his chest.
"We are going to have to expand the house." Meredith told him, turning slightly. The three rooms on the ground floor were not going to be sufficient for the two fo them, their three kids and Amelia. They also wanted to have a proper guest room for Maggie and Alex.
"I know, I was thinking of getting the above floor refurnished to have a couple of rooms and washrooms." Derek suggested, knowing that the above floor, remained untouched as they moved in before planned.
"Yeah, it's finally time to fully complete the house. Both floors." Meredith agreed.
"Yes, it is." Derek said, pecking her lips.
"I spoke to Arizona, she is willing to be our OBGYN." She told, leaning back, and getting comfortable.
"That's great. We will be much more comfortable with her." Derek said, rubbing his hands on her arms.
"Hopefully, we won't need her to be a 'surgeon' with us." Meredith wished, not wanting any complications in her pregnancy.
"Yeah, don't worry. It will all be alright. We will have a beautiful son/ daughter with us in nine months." Derek said, optimistically.
Meredith just put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Humming in agreement. Derek was contemplating how lucky he was that Meredith had forgiven him and he had her back. He tilted in head back to rest it, when he saw the post it note frame, broken. He then realised how badly he messed up, and that he wasn't going to let it happen again. He was lost in thoughts, when he looked down and saw that Meredith had fallen asleep. He gently moved her and laid her down, himself doing the same and spooning her form behind, covering the both of them with with the comforter.
The next week flew by, both Meredith and Derek falling into a proper schedule and managing time between the hospital and home. They did their best to arrive and leave the hospital together, and were successful most days. Derek had called up his mom and sisters and informed them about their vow renewal plans. They all agreed to be there.
One day, about ten days after the crash, the had to stay in the hospital longer, to plan for when they would all have to leave. The board along with Maggie, Amelia, and Alex sat down together. Amelia and Derek had decided that Derek would focus more on research and Amelia would focus on surgeries. Thus, they decided to co- head the department.
"Before we start, I want to inform you guys of something." Owen said, gaining the attention of everyone present. "From Switzerland, I will be travelling to the middle east. It's a three month program, where they need trauma surgeons. I will come back, as I do not plan on staying there longer. But, you will need a Chief of Surgery."
"Interim Chief, or what?" Jackson asked, needing Owen to be clear.
"I'd rather not be chief when I return. I've been chief long enough." Owen told truthfully.
"Let's first concentrate on when we all won't be there, then we can think about chief." Derek suggested.
"I have spoken to the attendings in Ortho, they all will be there when I'm not. No one will take leave." Callie informed them
"Same for Neuro, except Amelia and I, no one will be on leave." Derek added.
"What should I do about General?" Bailey asked, worried
"Who is next in line Bailey?" Jackson asked.
"Meredith. Even Webber will be with us. Three general surgeons will be gone." Bailey told. The top three general surgeons, would all be going.
"Oh well." Jackson said, at a loss.
"Bailey, who are the two surgeons with most experience, barring the three of you?" Arizona asked.
"There are just three other surgeons in the department. McConnell, Marsh and Booth."
"Okay, tell them they are on call all three days. Each night one of them stays." Jackson suggested.
"We can tell a few senior residents to be on General irrespective of their specialities for the time." Meredith added. She did not want anything to prevent Bailey and Webber from going with them. They were her mentors and she wanted them with her.
"Yeah, that can be done." Bailey agreed.
"Bailey, Meredith and Webber, sit down and shortlist the names of the residents and then update the attendings." Owen directed.
"Let's have an attendings meeting and tell them all that in no uncertain terms that they are to be here for those three days. We need all the remaining man power here." Jackson told. "Send out an email for it to be held tomorrow."
"Bailey, who will cover Meredith's service for the week she isn't here?" Derek asked.
"Richard and I will divide it amongst us."
"Thank you, I then don't have to be worried about that at all." Meredith said, relieved. She knew that if they were at any other hospital, these many days of absence wouldn't be tolerated. The vow renewal, their honeymoon and her maternity leave in nine months. Owning a hospital did have its privileges.
"Meredith, have you had an ultrasound yet?" Amelia asked.
"We have it scheduled for today." She replied.
"Get pictures. I want one." Amelia said, excited to meet her newest niece/ nephew.
"Me too." Maggie added.
"Hey, I want one as well." Alex demanded. They all awaited the arrival of the newest addition to their family, blood or not.
"You know what? How about I print two entire sheet for these guys and you all can have one each." Arizona say, sensing that the entire room would want it.
"Yes, thank you, Robbins." Derek replied. He was happily shocked to see the excitement regarding their unborn child. He and Meredith really did have a family here, one he wouldn't be able to work without.
"We have to keep one extra with us. Cristina will murder us if she finds out that they all got one, but she didn't." Meredith whispered in Derek's ear.
"Oh yes, I do not ever want to face the wrath of Cristina Yang like that. As it is I know I'm on thin ice with her." Derek agreed, not wanting to give Cristina any there reason to be upset with him or hate him.
"Tomorrow, I'll even call my mom for the meeting, so the the board can sit and see what to do regarding Chief of Surgery." Jackson told the others. Catherine Avery was in town for a couple of more days, so it would be nice to have it sorted out by then.
"It'll be a long day, so clear your schedules afternoon onwards." Owen instructed. There were two important meeting for them to attend.
"Got it, chief." Callie said.
"Come on guys, let's head up to the exam room and see the baby." Arizona told Meredith and Derek excitedly, as the were leaving the room.
Meredith laid back on the recliner and Derek was on her side, holding her hand tightly as they keenly watched the monitor. Soon, a small white blob was visible on the screen.
"Here, this is your baby." Arizona said, pointing to it.
"That's our baby." Meredith said, happily.
Arizona pressed a few buttons and consequently a regular beat echoed in the room.
"That's the heart beat. Strong and perfect for this stage." Arizona told the couple. Meredith and Derek, both had tears in their eyes. They looked at each other smiling and Derek kissed her on the lips.
"No complications as fo now?" Derek asked Robbins.
"No complication as of now. I'll prescribe Meredith a few pre- natal vitamins, other than that, everything looks good." Arizona smiled. She went on to do something on the computer, a soon two full pages with 6 pictures each was printed.
"Now, I am taking one for Callie and me. I'm sure Sofia will be really excited to see her newest younger brother/ sister."
"Of course." Meredith laughed. "We can give out the rest tomorrow. Now I just want to go back home." Meredith told her husband. She was tired from the long day and was looking forward to spending the rest of the time with Derek.
Meredith and Derek retreated to their room after putting the kids to bed. They hadn't told the kids about the newest addition to their family yet, as they wanted to make the second trimester without any complications first. The adults, though would be upset, would understand the situation; they didn't want to get the kids' hopes up, if there were any chances of things not going as planned.
"Today, was a long day." Derek told as he sat on the edge of the bed.
"Yes it was, but now, we are finally alone." Meredith said, as she stood between his legs, her hands going behind his neck and playing with his hair. Derek's hands went to her waist and she bent to give him a long kiss on the lips.
"I thought you were tired." Derek told her smiling, as he pulled her closer to him, so that she was straddling him.
"Not for this." She replied with a coy smile. One of her hands came to his chest and was drawing abstract patterns.
"This is my favourite part of pregnancy." Derek joked as he lifted Meredith shirt above her head.
"Oh, mine too." Meredith replied as she started to unbutton his shirt.
It seemed as if the entire next day was spent in meetings. The attendings meeting was smooth and without any interruptions. The board meeting was another story. Catherine was dead set on having a person come in from outside while Richard wanted Bailey. At a point, Jackson also asked Derek if he wanted to resume his previous role, but he declined politely, having no interest in being chief anymore. Richard and Catherine were arguing, when Meredith interrupted them.
"Stop, both of you." Meredith said. "This will get us nowhere. Everyone in this room knows that neither of you will budge and let the other win."
"So what's your solution Dr. Grey?" Catherine asked in her challenging tone.
"Get the Doctor you want as chief to come here. Both, Bailey and the doctor can present their vision for the hospital and us, the board can decide." Meredith explained. This was the closest compromise to something that could satisfy the both of them.
"But you all know Dr. Bailey, how can you be fair?"
"Exactly, Dr. Avery. We know Bailey." Derek told, making it evident that Catherine's objection didn't go her intended way.
"Fine, but at least try and be rational when making your decision." Catherine relented. "I can call Dr. Grant and get her to come here within the next two weeks. That way, the new chief can ease into the role while Dr. Hunt is still here." She said, standing up and thereby concluding the meeting.
Meredith was sitting on the porch at their house after a long day at work, when her phone rang indicating that Cristina was calling her on FaceTime.
"Hey, Mer."
"Hey Cristina."
"How's the planning coming."
"Great. We sat down together at the hospital and discussed each department and how it would function in out absence. Everyone has agreed to attend the party."
"That's great. How my newest nice or nephew?"
"He or she is great as well. We had our first OBGYN appointment with Arizona. She says the baby looks healthy." Meredith took out the sonogram from her purse and showed it to her.
"It's perfect, Mer." Cristina said, marvelling at her youngest niece or nephew's first picture.
"Yeah I guess. so you prepared to host twenty five people at your place?"
"Yup, I spoke to the cleaners. My house will be vacuumed, polished and ready for your ceremony. You, Derek and the kids are staying with me, right?"
"I would prefer that. I don't want the kids to be at a hotel when you have a house."
"Great, then Derek gets the kid duty and you and me can talk and dance. Tell Evil Spawn that he is to stay with us as well."
"Totally, just what I need, and I'll tell him. It'll be fun, the three of us catching up." Meredith smiled at her person.
"I miss you guys." Cristina said, in a rare moment of being emotional.
"I miss you too, Cris, just six weeks and we will be there." Meredith was really looking forward to the vacation. She missed her person and wanted to be with her. This trip would be a clear end to all the problems she and Derek have had, she really hoped it would.
Soon their conversation ended as Derek was entering the porch. She looked at his face and immediately knew that something was bothering him and she wouldn't like it.
"What's wrong?" She asked him.
"How do you know something is wrong?"
"Derek..."
"I need to go to Washington. Just for a day. I'll go in the morning, then catch a red-eye back."
"No."
"No?"
"Derek. D.C. brings bad things. We were apart for two months. Then someone kissed you, kissed you, Derek. I looked past that, because I trust you. Then the last time you travelling to Washington, you were in an accident. So, no. You are not going."
"Meredith... I'll be okay." Derek knew her concerns were not unwarranted, but this wasn't in his hands.
"You can't guarantee that." Saying this, she headed to her room, not wanting to argue further. She knew that Derek was being reasonable, but that did nothing to calm her fears, of research assistants or car crashes.
"Come with me." Derek said, as he laid beside her on their bed.
"To Washington D.C.?"
"Yes, it's only a day. It won't be an issue." The best thing about working at Grey-Sloan was that they understood if someone was having problems. He was positive that Hunt would not mind her taking a day off. He knew that Meredith and him still had to work on some issues between them, but he was not going to give up. Him being away, at Washington D.C. no less, would not help matters. Maybe, Meredith coming with him would help in that process.