2009 - Summer:
Hershel had thrown Meredith a simple birthday party earlier that day with the kids, and a few friends, she had turned 30. She had thrown him a 50th birthday party back in December during his birthday.
She came down in a dark blue dress she had and heels. She had curled her hair a bit, she had grown it all the way down to her butt,but cut it off to her shoulders and donated it. She smiled seeing Hershel in a light blue shirt, and dress pants.
"You look so pretty mama." Joel said running up and hugging her along with the twins and Noah. Beth and Maggie walked over also and hugged her.
"Thank you honey." She said kissing them all on the foreheads. "We will be back tomorrow." She smiled, Hershel had gotten them tickets to go see a show in Atlanta, along with going out for dinner and spending the night away from home. Patty had agreed to come over and stay the night with the kids, Meredith and Hershel knew Maggie could handle herself along with the kids, they trusted her, but didn't want her doing all that plus checking on the animals alone. Patty came over and smiled. "You two lovebirds have a good time." She winked.
Meredith smiled and blushed walking over to him. "We shall."
"Thank you Patty. Kids, listen to Maggie, she is in charge. Maggie our hotel room number is on the fridge." Hershel smiled. "Along with money for pizza, from the Little 5 Start in town."
"Really daddy?" Beth smiled.
"Yes." He smiled and hugged them all, along with Meredith. "Be good. I expect - we expect a good report when we come back tomorrow afternoon."
The kids nodded and watched them leave.
Meredith and Hershel drove to Atlanta, and went to the concert, along with dinner. They stopped at a dance club in town, and danced for a few hours and had two virgin drinks. They got a cheap bottle of wine and walked back to the hotel.
They went to the hotel room, locked the door. Meredith opened the bottle, letting it breathe and put it on ice. Hershel grabbed her hand and turned on the radio. "Happy Birthday, Turtledove" He said kissing her softly.
"Thank you, so much Bear." She smiled kissing him more, she wrapped her arms around his neck and felt his hands go onto her waist. She moved in closer and danced softly with him kissing him more. She felt a hand go to her upper back and slowly play with the zipper. She tilted her head as he kissed her neck, and laughed feeling his beard scratch her neck.
"You deserve a good birthday, you've given up a lot to be with me, along with taking on a lot at home." He groaned kissing her neck more.
Meredith let out a soft groan, "I've loved every minute of it." She closed her eyes letting him continue kissing her neck. "I love our family, and you." She moved a hand to his shirt and slowly undid his tie.
Hershel smiled more and kissed her neck. He picked her up and sat her in his lap, at the table. He pulled out a small box. "Happy anniversary also it took forever to arrive."
"Oh bear. We promised no gifts on our anniversary.." She smiled softly looking at the package.
"I know, but you got me tickets to go see Atlanta Thrashers back for my birthday/ anniversary." He smiled rubbing her back. "Open it please."
Meredith smiled and opened it. She removed the tissue paper sand say a small black box. She looked at him for a moment and removed it. She opened it up. It was a mothers ring - with the baby Meredith had in high school she lost - Jasmine - as the first stone, followed by: Maggie, Beth, Joel,Mark (miscarried baby), Luke, Daniel, Noah, and for the babies they lost after having Noah named, Adrian, Matthew and the baby she lost this last year at 7 weeks they named Heaven. She didn't realize she had been pregnant: 8 times.
She smiled looking it over and tried it on. She just stared at the birthstones. "I love it Hershel.." She smiled more and felt the tears fall from her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him more, and hugged him tightly resting her face on his shoulder. She held him close for a minute. "Thank you Bear. It's so beautiful." she said looking at it more. "Jasmine, Maggie, Beth, Joel, Mark, Luke and David, Noah, Adrian, Matthew and Heaven.." She ran her finger over the stones and closed her eyes.
"Dove?" He said gently rubbing her back watching her, he grabbed a tissue and wiped her face. "I'm sorry honey. Maybe I should have waited.." He said rubbing her back more, worried he upset her.
Meredith shook her head. "I'm happy love…" She wiped her eyes and looked up at him. "I just can't believe we only have 6 children survived out of 11…" She looked down.
Hershel rubbed her back. "I know having another baby would be a wonderful thing honey." He kissed her neck. "God must have a reason why we aren't having much luck…" He sighed. "But we have 6 healthy children." He smiled kissing her again.
Meredith nodded kissing him more, and sighing. "I know…" She bit her lip. "I life feel like a failure." She said wiping her eyes.
"You are not a failure." Hershel sighed rubbing her back. "Things will work out honey.. I promise."
"I hope so." Meredith sighed kissing her back, taking a glass of the drink. "To another year." She smiled as they hit glasses together. They drank some that night.
Hershel stood up and danced her close, as he slowly undid her dress. He kissed her neck and held her closer.
Meredith groaned softly feeling him undo her dress. She slowly stepped out of it, leaving on her undergarments and heels. She moved her hands to his shirt and undid it, kissing more, and taking it off. "Why, Mr Greene.. You've been working out." She smiled looking him over.
"I have." He winked and kissed her more moving his hand over her body. "You look beautiful."
Meredith smiled and moved a hand to his pants and helped him. She pushed him on the bed and kissed him more.
Meredith woke up the next to Hershel and cuddled close. "Never...drinking...again." She groaned softly.
Hershel rubbed his head, holding her close. "Me either." He groaned. "Not a young rooster anymore." he laughed slightly.
"I'm no spring chicken either." She teased kissing him more. She shifted in bed slightly. She grabbed something for a headache and gave him some also, she stumbled out of be grabbing her bra and panties putting them on and starting some coffee in the mini coffee pot. She walked into the bathroom took a shower and slowly woke up. She called on the phone ordered breakfast. She got dressed in some new clothes while Hershel showered, and she drank her coffee after brushing her hair and answered the door for breakfast, she paid him and took it to the table and waited for Hershel to come out. While they were both in a shower, they swore they wouldn't drink again, and asked for, forgiveness.
Hershel walked out a bit later, cleaned up and dressed. He sat down drinking his coffee and they prayed before eating breakfast. They ate, finished packing up and left.
They arrived home later that day, and returned to their lives.
