Meredith and Derek are sleeping in their bed with Ellie sleeping in between them. She woke them up in the middle of the night crying in pain due to her teething. At six months old only her 2 bottom middle teeth have come in so it's time for the top middle 2.
Derek wakes up slowly and runs his hands through his slightly-gray hair before turning to look at Meredith. Her blonde shoulder-length hair in fanned out on the pillow while quiet snores come out from her open mouth. He looks down at his sleeping daughter; she has a frozen pacifier in her mouth and her little hands are closed into fists on either side of her face. He slowly moves closer to the edge of the bed so he can grab his phone and take a picture. The quiet moment ends quickly when Zola opens the door and runs to his side of the bed. "Shhh mommy and Ellie are still sleeping" he says. She nods in understanding and climbs into bed with him. At 5 years old she is very smart and talkative for her age. "Daddy I'm bored" she says as she plays with the stubble on his face. "Why don't you help me make waffles?" "Oh yay! Can I crack the eggs this time?" "Sure Zozo" he says with a smile. He climbs out of bed and lifts Zola up into his arms. They go into Bailey's room to see if he's awake. They find him playing with some of his stuffed animals. "Bails we're gonna help daddy make waffles!" "I want chocolate chips" he yells excitedly. "What about blueberries" Derek suggests, always the health nut. The three of them walk into the kitchen and start making their blueberry waffles. "Good morning" Meredith calls as she walks into the kitchen. She gives Derek a kiss before giving each of the kids a kiss. "Mommy we have waffles" Zola says excitedly. "I can see that! And with blueberries, wow what a treat." "Do you have surgery today" asks Bailey. "Nope. And neither does daddy" Meredith says with a smile.
Two hours later the Shepherd family is starting their hike. It's a beautiful early-summer morning; the kids are running ahead while Meredith and Derek walk leisurely behind. Every once in a while Ellie will make some noises but she mostly just sits contently in her baby bjorn on Derek's chest. "So I like that school that has all the athletic programs after school and the after-care till 6" Meredith says. "Yeah that's fine." "Fine? Derek, this is our daughter's education we're talking about" she says. "I just don't see why she has to go to private school. I went to public school and I turned out fine" he says. Meredith doesn't reply and Derek looks over to see her looking down sheepishly. "You were one of those private school brats weren't you" he says with a smile. "The expectations of my mother did not coincide with public school. She'll get a really good education and think of how cute she'll look in the uniform!" "What do Callie and Arizona think?" "They both like it." He sighs and rubs Ellie's back before responding; "I guess we can send her to private school." Meredith just smiles happily knowing she fully won that argument. They walk in silence for a few minutes just enjoying the scenery and seeing their kids play. "Bailey's been asking for a dog" Derek says. "And what did you say" Meredith says with terror in her eyes. Their schedule is already packed and she has no idea how they would fit taking care of a dog into it. "I told him not right now but that I would talk to you about it" he says. "How can we fit a dog into our lives? We can barely handle the kids and our jobs. Amelia and Owen are leaving next week so we'll have even fewer people to help out. I mean, how would it work?" "You know I love dogs, I always had one growing up." "I have no idea how your mother did it" Meredith says. "Wasn't it fun taking Doc for walks" he says with a smile. "Want to start celebrating the moments of our lives" she says with a small laugh. "Any problems you need help with?" "Truthfully, in this moment in time, I don't have any problems" he says with a smile.
"Okay here's a pb and j for you Bailey, and here's your turkey and mayo Zozo" Meredith says as she hands her kids their lunches. They're all sitting on a rock overlooking the mountains. Derek is standing off to the side giving Ellie a bottle while Meredith feeds the other two. Bailey comes up to Meredith and climbs into her lab. "How's your sandwich little man?" "It's 'ood" he says with a mouthful of peanut butter. Meredith laughs and kisses his head. Derek walks back over to his family and sits with Zola. "What if we took a vacation" Meredith says to Derek. "Seriously?" "The last time I took off other than for medical reasons was right before I started my residency." "Ah, right" he says thinking back to those 17 days. "I want to see dolphins" says Zola. "I want to see a whale" adds Bailey. "What if we just go to the beach" suggests Derek. "Can I build a sandcastle" asks Zola. "Of course sweetie" says Meredith. "I'm sure we can get the time off. We do own the hospital" Derek says with a sly smile.
One week later Derek and Meredith are riding the elevator into work. The nanny takes care of the kids in the morning because it would be too hard for them to coordinate school, pre-school, and day care with morning surgeries and anatomy classes.
"First day back as chief of neuro. How does it feel" Meredith asks him. "It feels good" he says with a smile. "It's going to be weird without Amelia here" he adds. "Yeah, I think out of all your sisters she has become my favorite." "Who's going to cook for us now?" "Well I'm not" she says defensively. They both laugh and kiss quickly before parting ways.
"Edwards!" "Yes, Dr. Grey?" "I've been thinking about restarting my portal vein research. I think the way I approached it last time was all wrong. I already have a few ideas. You were great last time, want to work together again?" "You don't want Blake? She's on your service" Edwards says timidly. "I would love to, thank you for the opportunity" she says quickly when Meredith glares at her. Meredith just nods her head and walks away. "Hey have you seen Derek" Callie asks as she walks up to Meredith. "No I haven't. It's his first day as chief of neuro again so he's around here somewhere." "Well if you see him tell him I've heard rumors that our research is being considered for a Harper Avery" Callie says with a huge smile.
