Meredith clutches the cup of hot chocolate in her hands as she sits on the sofa in front of the fire. Her feet are curled up under her body as she watches the flames dance. She sees images in the flames. Images of her in Derek in front of a fire just like this, cuddled up in a warm, fuzzy blanket as they drink their hot chocolate and sit in silence. His hand would be on her abdomen as they enjoy the warmth that one can only find during a blizzard in front of a fire. A warmth that one can only find in the arms of their lover. A warmth that only she can find in the arms of Derek.
She sighs audibly, not intending to, and earns a concerned look from Mrs. Shepherd.
"Is everything okay, dear?" Mrs. Shepherd asks with concern evident in her voice.
Meredith smiles as she turns to look at a woman that she is already growing to love.
"Everything is perfect," Meredith sighs as she returns her focus to the raging flames.
Mrs. Shepherd smiles at her warmly before walking over and sitting down on the sofa next to her.
"Everything is almost perfect," Mrs. Shepherd amends.
Meredith turns to look at the older woman and smiles in acknowledgement before looking down into her cup and staring at her melting marshmallows. The tears well up in her eyes of their own volition. She has never cried this much before in her life. Maybe it is because she has never been treated as nicely as Mrs. Shepherd is treating her. She is making Meredith want to talk to her.
"I can't do this. I can't do this alone," Meredith finally whispers, tears now running down her cheek.
Mrs. Shepherd places her hand on Meredith's back.
"You don't have to, Meredith. As far as I'm concerned, the moment you stepped foot through that front door you became a member of this family."
Meredith reaches up and quickly brushes away her tears. No one has ever been this nice to her. She has never belonged to a family before.
"I.." She doesn't really know what to say.
"You don't have to say anything. But just so you know, family dinners are every Friday and I expect to see you at them." Mrs. Shepherd smiles warmly at Meredith before getting off of the couch and leaving her sitting in the den alone with her thoughts.
She belongs somewhere. Finally. After 22 years she belongs somewhere. Her and her baby. Her baby will have grandparents. Her baby will have aunts. The thought overwhelms Meredith as she sits there. She doesn't even hear Dr. Shepherd walk in and sit down.
"So, how is medical school going for you so far?" he asks, interrupting her thoughts. She jumps slightly and turns to face him.
"It's…good," she responds simply.
"Are you still trying to work and go to school?" he asks in a voice filled with concern.
Meredith smiles warmly at him as she responds. "I don't have a choice," she says, the struggle evident in her voice.
Dr. Shepherd opens his mouth to speak, but just as he does the scent from the cooking dinner reaches Meredith's nose. It smells like…fish. Suddenly she feels the familiar nausea and she quickly places the coffee cup on the table and runs to the bathroom.
Meredith is lucky that she used the bathroom before, or she wouldn't have known where it is and she wouldn't have made it. She kneels in front of a new statue of the same porcelain god and begins to empty the light contents of her stomach. She jumps slightly when she feels a soft hand on her back. She turns and looks into the warm eyes of Mrs. Shepherd. Mrs. Shepherd dampens a cloth and places it on the back of Meredith's neck. This is the first time anyone has comforted her while she was sick. Well, besides on the cruise when Derek was always there for her.
"Thank you," Meredith says in a strangled voice before she turns back to the toilet and begins to dry heave, the contents of her stomach having already been emptied.
Mrs. Shepherd continues to rub her back. "How bad is the nausea for you?" She asks with concern in her voice.
"It's horrible. I thought that it was supposed to be over by now. The morning are the worst, but certain smells also set it off," Meredith responds with a groan as she leans her forehead against the cool seat of the toilet. Her face feels hot and her body is beginning to ache.
"Have you thought about getting some medicine for it?"
Meredith shakes her head no before bending back down over the toilet. There is a soft knock on the door before it is pushed open slightly. It is Dr. Shepherd.
"I'm sorry to barge in, but Derek called. Apparently the blizzard has caused several accidents and he won't be able to leave the hospital," he says in an exasperated voice.
Mrs. Shepherd sighs. "We all know how it is, dear. He can't help it."
"I know," he says as he runs a hand through his hair. "How is she?" He asks in a worried voice.
Mrs. Shepherd smiles up at her husband as Meredith groans and leans back against the side of the tub. Mrs. Shepherd places the back of her hand on Meredith's forehead to check for a tentative temperature.
"Oh dear, you are burning up. You must have the flu," Mrs. Shepherd says with worry.
Meredith groans in response. Mrs. Shepherd turns to her husband.
" Why don't you go put some fresh sheets on the bed in the guest room and find a pair of one of the girl's pajamas. She needs to be in bed."
Dr. Shepherd nods at his wife before turning to follow her instructions.
"You don't have to do that," Meredith manages to say before beginning to dry heave once again.
"Yes, I do. There will be no arguing it. You are staying here until you are better. It is about time you had someone take care of you." Mrs. Shepherd's voice leaves no room for argument and Meredith can't help but be glad about that.
Meredith suppresses a gasp as she feels a twinge in her back. It's nothing. Just a pain in her back from being on the floor for so long. She decides to ignore the telling pain as Dr. Shepherd returns with the pajamas. Mrs. Shepherd leaves her alone to change.
Meredith stares at her pale reflection in the mirror for a moment. Her eyes travel down to her abdomen and she gasps in shock. She popped. She looks huge and pregnant. Obviously pregnant. She pulls the shirt over her head before running her fingers over the soft contours of her swollen abdomen. Her son is in there. Their son is in there.
She sighs before changing into the pajamas. She feels another twinge in her back, but it is still dull. Nothing sharp. So, it must be nothing. Right? She convinces herself that it is nothing before opening the bathroom door and meeting Mrs. Shepherd in the hallway.
"Let's get you into bed," Mrs. Shepherd tells her before ushering her upstairs and into a large, but comfortable guest room. "You just lie down and I will bring you some crackers and ginger ale in a bit," she says as she pulls back the duvet.
Meredith smiles at her. "Thank you," she says while climbing underneath the comforter. It is so nice and warm. Her eyes close almost instantly and Meredith immediately finds herself back on the cruise and in the arms of her love.
So..I changed the style of writing a bit. I hope you guys like it. There is one more update until you are all caught up...sorry it's taking so long...have been busy with school and creating a new board...so things have been hectic.
-Marci