Chapter 53:

February 3, 2026- Seattle, Washington

Meredith pulled out her cell phone and stepped out of Derek's room so that he could rest. She rested against the window of his room as she dialed her home number.

"Hello?"

"Hey, honey," Meredith said sweetly.

"Mom! How is everything?" Celine said over the phone.

"It's Mom? Let me talk to her!" Meredith heard from the background.

"Go away," Celine said with her hand over the phone before turning back to Meredith, "So how's Dad?"

"He's doing great. He's sleeping right now actually," Meredith said as she turned around to see her husband.

"The surgery was successful?"

"Almost," Meredith said, she could hear the disappointed sigh from her daughter, "He'll have to stay in the hospital for another three months for chemotherapy, but that should clear everything up."

"You sound really happy," Celine said, sounding as if Meredith was never happy.

"I am. You're father is really doing well."

Celine was unconvinced, but she decided not to push it, "Okay, well tell him we both love him and we will see him soon."

"All right, I'll see you after school tomorrow."

"Bye mom, we love you," Celine said.

"Bye, Celine."

Meredith closed her phone and walked back into the room. She sat down next to Derek and looked at him, smiling, "You are horrible at pretending to be asleep."

"I'm not pretending," he whispered without opening his eyes, making Meredith laugh. He finally did open his eyes and looked at her, "Read me something. From when we were happy."

"I am happy now too," Meredith said as she reached for the notebook.

"I think I am too," Derek said, never taking his eyes off of her.

"What do you want me to read?" she asked as she got comfortable in the chair and opened the book to where she left off.

"Anything."

"Anything?" she asked raising an eyebrow, "I'll just open to a random page," she said as she flipped through a few pages.

April 21, 2007- Seattle, Washington

Meredith changed into her pajamas and got into her bed. She couldn't believe that they'd be moving out of this trailer soon. She knew she couldn't raise a child in it and that they needed more room, but she always loved it. It had become home.

As she got lost in her thoughts, she felt the mattress move and Derek lie down next to her. She smiled as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She kissed his lips gently and then closed her eyes. He smiled and closed his as well.

About five minutes passed before Meredith opened her eyes again. "Derek?" she whispered only receiving a grunt from Derek, "Derek?" she said again, this time a little louder.

"Hmm?" he mumbled.

"We're getting married tomorrow," she stated.

"Yes we are," Derek replied, keeping his eyes closed.

Meredith closed her eyes again and tried to fall asleep. Another ten minutes passed before she opened them again and nudged Derek with her elbow, "Derek?"

"What?" he asked in a tone mixed with annoyance and tiredness.

"I'm scared."

"Scared?" Derek asked, waking up a little and opening his eyes.

"What if something happens? We haven't been back together very long. What if we get married and then a year into this realize it was a mistake?" Meredith said facing the wall.

Derek tightened his grip on Meredith a little and shut his eyes again, "It's not a mistake. I love you and that's not going to change."

"Promise?" she asked.

"I promise."

"

"Well, we're eighteen years into this. Thinking it's a mistake yet?" Derek asked jokingly.

"I think it's the only thing I've ever done right," Meredith responded as she closed the notebook and placed it on her lap.