Edwards is sitting in one of the research labs. The 3D printer is back on and she has complied all the research and information there is on portal veins. She twiddles her thumbs nervously and keeps looking up at the clock.
"Edwards!" Meredith yells when she walks in the room causing Stephanie to jump up in surprise. "Glad you could make it" Meredith says with a smile. "I've compiled all your research from last time and I found a bunch of new articles on how to work with a 3D printer that I thought would be helpful." Meredith walks over to the table and leaves through all the information. "This looks good" she says. "Well, let's get started with…"
Earlier that week…
Meredith bustles around the kitchen while holding Ellis on her hip. "Okay, so the kids are all fed and dressed for the day. I'm taking Zola and Bailey to school and Ellie is all dressed for her doctor's appointment she just needs a change" she says to Derek when he walks in. "I put Bailey's lunchbox in his backpack this time so he won't forget it" he says. "And don't you forget about our date" he adds with a smirk. "I wouldn't miss it" she says as she kisses his cheek. Ellie starts fussing as Meredith walks away so she quickly turns back around to kiss her baby. "You are going to have so much fun with daddy at the doctors" she says in her baby voice. "Don't worry I'll send you pictures" he says with a smile. "Your daddy's my hero" she says to Ellie as she gives her once last kiss. She runs out the door and leaves with the kids for school. "Is everyone buckled" Meredith asks as she pulls out of the driveway. Zola and Bailey both nod, and Zola pulls out her book. "Did you remember to read a chapter last night sweetie?" "No I forgot, so daddy said I should read it to you and Bailey in the car." "That's a great idea Zozo" she says with a smile. Getting to spend time with her kids before she starts her mornings is one of her favorite things.
"I can't get this portal vein stuff out of my head" Meredith says coming up to Kepner at the nurse's station. "Well you did say you wanted to start it again. Maybe now's a good time" April replies. "I don't know, I just have so much stuff going on with the kids…but I do miss it." "How did you make time for surgery after Bailey and Ellie were born?" "Well I didn't really. I just had to figure it out as I went along because you never know when your baby is going to need you or you need to stop in the middle of surgery to pump" Meredith says with a knowing smile. "But I'm sure you'll be fine. And it really helps to schedule all your surgeries and cut back on your on-call time" she adds. "Well that should be easy since I run the trauma department, where everything is scheduled and goes according to plan" April says sarcastically.
"It's 1:15, I was beginning to think you forgot about our date" Derek says as Meredith walks into the on-call room. "I know, I'm sorry. I just got caught up in the ER and my interns have been doing their paper-work all wrong" she replies. She sits down next to him on one of the beds and he pulls her into his lap. "But no more work talk" she adds between kisses. "I couldn't agree more" he says with a playful smile. A while later they are laying in each other's arms. "You're looking very thoughtful" Derek says as he places a kiss on her neck. "I just love you" she says with a smile. "I love you too. And that's why I know you're buttering me up so you can ask me something big!" "I…you...uh, whatever!" Derek laughs at her mumbling and she playful swats at him. "Just tell me what it is, I can handle it" he says seriously. "I want to start my portal vein research again" she says quickly. "I think you should." "You do?" "I promised you a year so you could work on your research and I went back on that promise. I might never forgive myself for that…" "Derek…" "I want to do this for you. For us. This time there will be no interruptions; nothing standing in the way of you and your work" he says with a smile. "Are you sure? Because I don't want to…" Derek leans in and kisses her to make her stop talking. "I am totally sure."
Two weeks later…
"How much longer is the printing going to take?" "A few more hours Dr. Grey. But I don't mind staying here tonight to make sure it prints properly" Edwards says. "Alright, Dr. Edwards. Page me with updates." "Will do" Edwards calls as Meredith walks out of the lab. She gets in her car and drives to Zola's girl scout meeting. "How was it, did you have fun?" "It was great mommy! I got my helping badge today!" "Oh, that's great Zozo!" Meredith starts driving home while Zola tells her all about school and the girls in her troop. Meredith's phone rings and when she answers it Edwards tells her that the vein graft got contaminated so she had to restart the printing process. She told Meredith she would stay up all night to make sure it prints. "Zozo, how do you feel about bringing pizza to a very nice doctor who's helping me with my research project?" "Okay! Can I get pepperoni?" "Of course you can" Meredith says with a smile. Once they pick up the pizza, they head back to the hospital. "Dr. Edwards?" "I'm back here" she answers from the closet. "We brought you a little snack" Meredith says with a smile when Stephani comes out. "Do you like pepperoni? It's my favorite" Zola says. "It's my favorite too" Stephani says. Meredith helps Zola get into a chair and Edwards puts the pizza on some plates. "I love your hair" Edwards says to Zola. "My daddy did it" she replies with a smile. "When I was your age, I wore my hair just like that too." "You did?" "I did! And I can show you some more really pretty ones. That's of course if it's alright with you Dr. Grey" she says nervously. "Of course Edwards. I could always use some new ideas" Meredith says with a smile. She watches happily as Stephani starts showing Zola different hairstyles. Zola starts yawning a little while later so Meredith picks her up to take her home. "What do you say Zola?" "Thank you Dr. Edwards!" "Anytime, Zola" she replies with a smile. "Page me when it's done?" "Will do Dr. Grey."
"How's the research going" Derek asks once Meredith gets Zola to bed. "It is going great" she says with a smile. Derek hands her a glass of wine and she accepts it happily. "This is why I keep you around" she says with a smile. "And I thought it was for my amazing laundry skills!" "Oohh that too" she says with a laugh. Meredith's phone dings, and she sees a text message from Edwards with a picture of the printed portal vein. "Look" she says excitedly as she puts her phone in front of Derek's face. "Very impressive! Oh I forgot to tell you earlier but my mom invited us to her house for Christmas. It would be us, Amy and Owen, and Nancy and her kids." "I pretty sure she still thinks I'm a slutty intern." "She can be a little…yeah that's just Nancy, I'm sorry." "I know. But we should still go it'll be good for the kids to see their cousins." "You amaze me" he says as he kisses her. "I am pretty good" she says with a laugh.
"Did you get the lab results back?" "So far everything is functioning as it should Dr. Grey" Edwards answers. "This sheep might live" Meredith says tentatively. "Oh this sheep is totally going to live!" "Let's not get our hopes up too high Edwards, we still have a lot of work to do. But yes, there is a very good chance this sheep will live" she says with a coy smile. Edwards cheers and puts her hand out for a high five, which Meredith reciprocates after a moment. "Dr. Grey will you mention me in your acceptance speech?" "Acceptance of what?" "Your Harper Avery!" "Dr. Edwards…" "I overheard Dr. Avery talking to Dr. Kepner" she says interrupting Meredith. Meredith looks thoughtful for a moment, like she's trying to decide if she really wants to know what her resident heard, and then says "tell me everything." "Well I heard him say how he has been trying to get his mother to revoke the unspoken rule that someone from this hospital can't win a Harper Avery because he heard that your name is on the short list!"
