Chapter 46: What's the Name?

"Boys are icky daddy." Carwyn insisted for the umpteenth time that morning.

"I promise Carwyn… this boy is definitely not icky…he's your baby brother and you're going to love him." Derek reassured.

"Nu uh... Emdie… my bestest friend in the whole wide world said boys have cooties."

Derek sighed as he held on to Carwyn's small hand with one of his and brought the other to his face to release the tension on the bridge of his nose. He was tired, exhausted. Neither he nor Meredith had gotten much sleep the night before.

After reaching the hospital via ambulance, they had been rushed up to the obstetrics floor and both mother and infant were thoroughly examined. Of course, they both checked out okay, he had reminded the doctors and nurses repeatedly that he was a brain surgeon after all. He cut brains in half and completed successful stand still operations, how hard could delivering a baby on the side of the road really be.

That had earned numerous eye rolls and death glares from Meredith, who fondly remembered just how panicked he'd been when she woke him and how he couldn't even dress himself properly. He had a feeling he would never live that down and she'd be sure to not let him forget it.

In spite of the fatigue and long night he'd endured, Derek found himself smiling. After finally being left alone in the room with his Meredith and his brand-new son, they were able to sit back and reflect on the miraculous event that had just occurred. Their love had made this tiny perfect human being. He had enjoyed watching the pure joy on Meredith's glowing face as she looked down on her son with such love and patience. It was then that she had looked up and frowned at him that this wasn't right. Carwyn needed to be there. They needed their daughter for the moment to be complete.

So, Derek dutifully driven home, borrowing Addison's car as Mark had taken his to the detailers for him, to see what could be salvaged of the upholstery. Carwyn was already up and ready, bouncily waiting for him on the front porch when he'd arrived home, eager to meet her new baby.

Derek sighed again remembering how her little face had fallen when he announced she had a new baby brother. Her brow furrowed and she pursed her small lips as she explained that she had wanted a baby sister. And the debate had ensued.

He spent the whole car ride over explaining how much fun a brother would be and that not all boys were mean and this baby boy most definitely would not put a frog in her lunch box. Well, at least not for a few more years, he thought with a chuckle.

"Boys do not have cooties princess." Derek replied, stepping off the elevator at their destination, eager to get Meredith's back up. She was much better had talking her strong-willed daughter out of things like this.

"Okay Carwyn, you're going to have to use your quiet voice in mommy's room okay? Mommy's real tired and so is your baby brother."

"I wanted a sister." Carwyn insisted again, causing Derek to shake his head defeated.

They reached the room quickly and Derek pushed the heavy door open quietly, leading Carwyn in beside him. They crossed the dim room to the large bed in the center where Meredith had dozed off, the small bundle still resting peacefully in her arms.

The quiet commotion caused Meredith to stir, and she blinked her eyes open, smiling immediately as they settled on her young daughter, her eyes wide in awe.

"Hi Carwyn, do you want to meet your new little brother?" She asked softly.

Derek braced himself for Carwyn's reaction but was surprised to hear her quiet intimidated reply. "Yes mama."

Derek easily lifted the young girl, so she perched carefully on the oversized bed. Her eyes were trained on the dark-haired infant, a sweet small smile playing at her lips.

"He's so tiny mama." Carwyn whispered.

Both Meredith and Derek smiled, the calm and gentle behaviors such a stark contrast to her usual manner around them.

"You can touch him Carwyn." Meredith encouraged. "And talk to him too… he'll remember your voice from when you used to talk to him in my tummy."

Carwyn reached a tentative arm out to touch his tiny hand. His small fingers instantly grasped her outstretched finger eliciting a delightful gasp from his big sister.

"He's holding my hand mama!" Her voice rose, more common to the hyper tone they were used to, producing chuckles from her parents.

"What's his name?" Carwyn tilted her head and looked back up at her parents.

Derek smiled and nodded to Meredith, letting her know she should make the official introduction.

"I want you to meet Michael Grey Shepherd. Mikey… meet your big sister Carwyn."

Carwyn giggled and softly moved her finger, delighting in how Mikey didn't loosen his grip one bit.

"Hi Mikey…" Carwyn began in a high-pitched sing song voice. "I'm your big sissy. I'm going to teach you how to talk and ride a bike. We're going to build a tree house together at daddy's silver house. We're going to be best friends forever and ever and ever…."

Carwyn continued sharing with her new brother all the millions of fun things they were going to do together as Derek smiled relieved, his tiredness and exhaustion beginning to settle in. He slipped off his shoes and climbed into the bed, pulling Carwyn on his lap as Meredith snuggled into his side, Mikey sleeping contently in her arms. He was complete. He had his family.

Derek closed his eyes and let himself drift off into a light sleep. It was the first time in his life, that sleep came, and he could honestly say he had everything he had ever dreamed of. Everything... and so much more.

Epilogue to come!