Meredith's morning sickness was rough, but it got better once she got into the end of her fourth month. She was showing a lot but hid it well with her loose shirts and rigging her pants to be loose with a piece of elastic to make them expand with her stomach. Meredith and Hershel decided to tell the girls on friday night at dinner which was tomorrow..
Hershel took Meredith out for a walk outside while the girls played on the swing, after doing all their homework.
"How long have we known each other?" He asked walking with her. He knew he just wanted her answer.
"It's been a year." Meredith smiled looking at him. "Long time."
"I agree." He chuckled and smiled back, he put her an arm around her shoulder. "Are you happy here?"
"Of course I am. I couldn't imagine being or going anywhere else." She smiled wrapping an arm around him. "Are you happy with me?"
"I am." He smiled and stopped walking, holding her close. "My relationship with Maggie's mother went long - I courted Josephine, for 5 years, and we were married for 3 years. She died when Maggie was about 1 and a half." He looked over at the girls. "With Annette, It went went quickly. Married when Maggie was about 4, and had Beth soon after. Annette had a little boy she adopted." He smiled slightly, and looked back at her. He rubbed her arms, "I know this has been a short and really quick relationship…" He got down on one knee, "Meredith Emmalie Kelley...Will you marry me?" He smiled opening a small black ring box - inside, was a silver ring band, and diamond.
Meredith smiled listening to him, then watched him go down on one kneel in the slowly melting snow. She listened to him and smiled more. "Yes." She nodded. "Yes, Hershel. I'll marry you."
Hershel slid the ring on her finger and smiled standing up and kissing her. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him more.
"It's beautiful." She smiled looking at it, and kissed him more. He chuckled and kissed her again.
Maggie and Beth came over and smiled big seeing them. "She say yes daddy?" Beth asked watching.
Maggie smiled slightly, watching them.
"I said yes." Meredith smiled answering for Hershel. The girls smiled and hugged Meredith and Hershel.
Beth stopped looking at Meredith, patting her stomach. "Why your belly fat?"
Meredith looked down at Beth, and smiled slightly. "I uhm…" She looked up at Hershel. "Lets go talk inside. Perhaps some - hot chocolate?" She smiled slightly. He nodded and smiled giving them a nod to go inside.
The girls ran ahead inside, taking off their boots and coats hanging them up.
"Well. No hiding it." She smiled slightly. "Tell them now instead of friday?"
"As long as you are comfortable with it." He smiled rubbing her back. She nodded. "I am."
She walked inside taking off her coat and boots, changing into her slippers and walked with him into the kitchen, Hershel made the hot chocolate and poured out a cup for them all and stood with Meredith. "Thank you." She smiled and took a drink of hers. The girls thanked him also.
"You're welcome." He smiled and rubbed Meredith's back.
"Yous going to tell me, about your tummy?" Beth asked taking a drink of hers.
"Couldn't squeeze past that one if we wanted too." Meredith smiled softly, and laughed. "Yes honey." She felt Hershel's hand wrap around her waist. "I'm having a baby."
Beth giggled and smiled. "Really?!"
Maggie stopped and looked at them, "With daddy? But you're not married.." She was confused.
Meredith moved and sat down next to them. "Remember that night daddy and I didn't come home and we were hurt?" She said looking at Hershel. "The man that hurt me...gave me this baby." She sighed softly, she wasn't sure how to explain this.
Hershel nodded, and moved closer to them. "But daddy, loves this baby - and Ms Kelley." He smiled. "That's why we are together, and also going to get married." Meredith smiled and wrapped her arms around the girls.
Beth smiled big and hugged them both. Maggie nodded, listening. "A new baby would be cool." She said still not sure about it. Beth was ecstatic.
