It's 2 weeks before Christmas and fresh snow covers the acres surrounding the Shepherd home. School was cancelled due to all the snow and because their house is so secluded, Meredith and Derek can't get to work with all the snow covering the road.
"Mommy can we go out and play in the snow nooowww?" Zola and Bailey are having breakfast at the island and Meredith is trying to get Ellis to eat mushed carrots. "After you make your bed and brush your teeth Zo" she replies. "I got Blake and Edwards to cover our patients for the day, so we're all set" Derek says as he walks into the kitchen. "Okay, good. Oh, come on baby girl! I know you want to eat the carrots! Eat the carrots for mommy" Meredith says to Ellie in a high-pitched baby voice. "Daddy can we make a snow man" asks Bailey. At 4 years old he is very into building things, and then smashing them. "We can do whatever you want Bails" Derek says with a smile. 20 minutes later Zola, Bailey, and Derek are all dressed in their snow coats and snow pants. Meredith pulls out her phone and takes a picture of the three of them on the porch. "Have fun" she says as she watches them trek into the trees. "What are you and I going to do today" she says lovingly to Ellis as she picks her up. The almost 1-year-old smiles and laughs as Meredith swings her through the air. "Do you want to help mommy pick out Christmas presents? I think you're gonna be a great helper!"
"Uh, I'm exhausted" Derek says as he collapses onto their bed. He spent most of his day running around with Zola and Bailey, and he is getting kind of old. Meredith flops down beside him and closes her eyes too, even though they are both still in their clothes. "You know what we need" Derek says as he sits up to look at Meredith. "New bodies" she suggests sarcastically. "A bath." She opens her eyes to see Derek grinning down at her. "I don't think I have the energy for that" she says with a small laugh. "Just you, me, and some bubbles. Nothing else I promise." "No funny business?" "No I won't do anything, I promise…but you can be a tease sometimes so if I -" Meredith smacks him with a pillow; "if anyone's the tease it's you!" "I'll come get you when its ready" he says. A few minutes later Meredith is woken up by Derek kissing her softly on her neck and face. They climb into the bathtub together; Derek sitting up with Meredith in his lap. She leans back into him and they both close their eyes and relax. "Mmmm…this is nice" Meredith says after a few moments of silence. "Mm-hmm" Derek replies as he nuzzles his nose into her neck. "We don't do this that often do we? Even though we had this tub custom made I feel like we never use it." "We just don't have the time." "I've missed this." "Me too" he says. Meredith closes her eyes again and just listens to the rhythm for Derek's heartbeat. "Zola did the cutest thing today. When Bailey fell down and got snow in his hat she traded with him so his head wouldn't get cold" Derek says with a proud smile. "I think Ellie is going to say her first word soon." "Really?" "Her sounds are really starting to sound like almost words, and she got really close to 'mama'." "Well it might be 'dada' first, you never know." "You're just saying that because Zo and Bailey both said 'mama' first." "Well, yeah… I want one child to love me more than you" he says jokingly. "Oh really? Is that how you wanna play it?" "Dads are just as important as moms" he says defensively. "I never said they weren't. I just think her first word is going to be 'mama'. I mean, I did carry her in my body for 9 months and then keep her sustained for another 4 after that" she says with a coy smile. "Don't play the pregnancy card. You're just afraid that I'm going to get her to say 'dada' first. I have my very charming ways." "I can play the pregnancy card as many times as I want, I almost died for that kid, remember? So I think as a curtesy you should let me have the first word." "Fine…" Derek says reluctantly. "Thank you" she says smugly. "And I guess you can sign Bailey up for hockey. But you have to drive him!" "Best wife ever" he says and kisses her neck.
It's Christmas Day, so of course Zola and Bailey woke Meredith and Derek up very early. They celebrated Ellis's first Christmas by letting her rip all the wrapping paper. After a few hours spent opening presents and drinking hot chocolate, they all had to get ready for Christmas dinner at Richard and Catherine's. Maggie, Jackson, and April are in attendance as well.
"Hi! Well come on in" Richard says happily when he opens the door and sees the Shepherd family. Bailey and Zola run over to Maggie and April to show them the toys Meredith let them bring. "Thanks for having us Richard" Derek says with a smile. "It's my pleasure. I'll take your coats, go make yourselves comfortable." Derek follows Richard while Meredith goes over to Catherine and Jackson. "Hi Mrs. Avery, thank you for having us over, I know it's a lot to deal with, all the kids." "It's no problem dear. Besides, your kids are absolutely adorable!" Catherine asks to hold Ellie so Meredith goes to check on Zola and Bailey. "Wow Zola! You are really good at making those" April says with a smile. Zola brought her Spirograph and has already perfected it. "How are you feeling" Meredith asks as she sits down next to April. "Uh, what…I don't…how did? Did Jackson say something, because I…uh, I'm…it's not" "April! I've been where you are twice. I know what it looks like" Meredith says with a knowing grin. "How far along are you?" "2 months" April answers quietly. "Well, congratulations." "Thanks…I guess." "If you ever need anything April, I'm always here, okay?" "Thanks Meredith." April gives her a sad smile and Meredith just pats her leg. "Hey, Mer I think she's hungry" Jackson says walking over with a fussy Ellie in his arms. "Do you mind feeding her? I promised Richard I would help with the pie." "Uh, I'm not really sure…" "Her bottles in the bag, just give it to her and then some of those cheerios. Have fun!" She winks at April as she gets up and lets Jackson take her seat. "Here, you have to hold her head a little higher" April says as she adjusts Ellie's head. "Thanks" Jackson says with a small smile. "Do you need any help in here" Meredith asks as she walks into the kitchen. "No! You stay out of here" Maggie yells. "What, I can help!" "No, you'll just cut your finger and get blood on the food" Maggie says as she points her knife at Meredith. "You can make drinks" Derek says encouragingly. "I do make good eggnog!"
"Here you go, one kid friendly eggnog" Meredith says as she sits next to Richard. "Ah, thank you." "How is everything with you and Catherine? I know she's been in Boston for a while." "She had some work to do for the foundation but she's going to be here for a while now." "That's good. And I'm glad you decided to invite Maggie, I know it's a little weird, but" "She's my daughter Meredith, I wouldn't have her anywhere else" he says confidently. "You know, we never really talked about it but she technically makes us family" he says. Meredith doesn't say anything, she just takes a sip of her drink and looks at her kids. "But I have considered you family for a long time, Meredith." She still doesn't say anything, but this time just leans her head on his shoulder. "I remembered you; when I started my internship I saw you at the welcome dinner and I remembered how I would sit on your lap and you would tell me all the organ names in Anatomy Jane" she says quietly. Richard laughs a little; "you loved that thing, you dragged it all around the hospital." "I read in one of her journals that Thatcher got mad one night because I told him that I wanted to have a tea party with Anatomy Jane and you instead of him" she says sadly. Richard doesn't say anything, but just rubs her back as he tries to comfort her. "Your kids are very lucky to have you. You're an amazing mother, and in my eyes, the better Grey for it." Meredith nods in understanding and puts her hand on Richard's arm as a few tears start to pool in her eyes. "Hey Mer it seemed like she wanted you, so...oh sorry" Jackson says as he walks in on Meredith and Richard. "No it's okay I can take her" she says as she gets up. "You okay" Jackson asks once they get into the hallway. "Yeah I'm fine." "Seriously. We were just talking about my mom" she adds when he gives her a knowing look. "Dinner's ready" Derek says coming up behind Meredith. He gives her a kiss on the cheek and takes Ellis from Meredith. "Your mom wants you" he says to Jackson. "Is everything okay" he asks Meredith. "Richard and I were just talking about my mother" she replies. "But I'm good! So let's eat" she says cheerfully. Everyone sits down in the dining room and enjoys a large meal together. Everyone laughs when Zola and Bailey tell funny kids jokes that aren't really funny, all the adults talk about their interesting cases, and Richard makes a wonderful toast. After desert Zola and Bailey hand out the presents they made for everyone: popsicle-stick picture frames with lots of glitter and dinosaur stickers.
On the drive home all three kids fall asleep, giving Meredith and Derek a chance to talk. "I think I want to get Zola her own Anatomy Jane doll" she says. "Really?" "She's not that creepy! I loved her!" "I thought we agreed no forcing surgical careers down their throats." "This isn't surgery, it's an educational toy. Besides, I don't have anything to pass down to her because my mother didn't keep anything of mine. It's just something I can share with her." "If I get hockey, you can have Anatomy Jane." "I knew that would benefit me sometime soon" she says with a smile. "If the length is too long I can take it back and get a different chain" he says pointing to the necklace he got her. "It's a long, silver chain with three little silver circles that have the kids' names. "No it's perfect. I love it, thank you." "You're welcome" he says as she kisses him on the cheek. "There's a second part to your gift that you can have when we get home" she says. "Don't tell me, I don't want to know." "I wasn't going to" she says with a laugh. "Just tell me" he says as he gives her his best McDreamy eyes. "The sparkly eye thing isn't going to work on me, I'm immune." "Oh there I would have to disagree" he says with a laugh. "Whatever. It won't work this time. You'll just have to be patient." Once they get home and put the kids to bed, Derek starts cleaning up the mess in front of the tree. Meredith sticks her head out of their bedroom window and calls his name. When he walks in he sees Meredith standing in on top of a bed she made for them in front of the fire place. "Merry Christmas" she says lovingly. He puts his hands on either side of her face and pulls her in for a deep kiss. They slowly make their way to the floor and spend the next few hours wrapped around each other.
