(It was a long flight back…they were all anxious to be home…especially the baby…but they survived. Walking into their house, Meredith and Derek were happy to be home, but a little reluctant to get back to reality, of course they had tons of messages, mostly for Derek from the hospital, so it was right back to work for him. Meredith still had 2 ½ weeks off…next week was Derek's birthday, so she was working on that while he was busy catching up on work for the hospital. Derek's sister Susan had left a message…her family wanted to come next week to visit for Derek's birthday, so Meredith was busy getting ready for them. They arrived on a Saturday…Derek was at work, but would be home for dinner…Susan helped Meredith cook dinner while her husband Jim and the kids went out for the day.)
Susan: So…how's married life?
Meredith: Wonderful.
Susan: It must be…my phone calls to Derek used to be 50/50, 50 of the time he was his chipper, happy-go-luck self, and the other 50 he was moody, stressed, picking fights with me like when we were kids. I have not gotten a moody phone call in quite some time. (Meredith smiled, always thinking to herself that she had never been happier, and hoping that the same was true for Derek, even during the good times with Addison, but it was good to get some reassurance of that from his sister. )
(Derek's arrival home was announced by the children who were playing in the living room who shrieked uncontrollably to see their favorite uncle. Susan was checking the food, Meredith setting the table, when Derek walked in to the dining room, he kissed Meredith…maybe a little more intensely than if he'd noticed his sister watching from the kitchen.
Susan: (Derek jumped, startled by her voice) There are children in the house…let's keep this rated G. (he smiled at her, and walked over to greet her with a warm hug and kiss) Happy Birthday.
Derek: Thank you…yes it is. (he grinned at Meredith. They all sat down to dinner…Susan hadn't picked up on the theme of the dinner that Meredith had chosen…neither did Derek until about halfway through the meal…)
Derek: Ribs…(his eyes met Meredith's, who was smiling at him…almost glowing) Baby-back ribs…baby carrots…(he stood up abruptly, the guests didn't notice, but with a smile he pulled her from her chair into the other room.) Am I sensing a theme to dinner tonight?
Meredith: Yes.
Derek: Are you?
Meredith: Yes, yes…I'm pregnant.
(He grabbed her…his eyes squeezed shut as he held her…almost in shock at the news. He pulled back to look at her, tears in his eyes…tears in hers…almost forgetting about their guests, he kissed her…looking at her…beaming…)
Meredith: You're going to be a daddy. (he pulled her to him again…still in shock, but they pulled it together and went to rejoin the group. They wouldn't tell people for a few weeks at least, so they didn't say anything to his family, and the group may have noticed the looks exchanged between the couple, but were used to seeing them all over each other, so didn't think much of it. They had a nice visit, they stayed for a long weekend, and headed home on Monday. As he shut the door behind them he could finally speak openly about the news.
Derek: (walking over to join her…smiling…his hands softly caressing her abdomen…) We're having a baby?
Meredith: We are.
(In years past the last week of their break was usually a drunk fest…taking advantage of their last week of being able to sleep off the hangover…Meredith had made excuses all week to discreetly avoid the festivities so as not to be questioned about why she wasn't drinking. Their final night off Meredith met Derek at the hospital…they were going to go to dinner, but were intercepted in the parking lot by Cristina and George meeting Burke and heading to Joe's. They were drug along to the bar. Alex and Izzy left the baby with a nice neighbor lady, and joined them at Joe's. Derek had to drink fast…switching drinks with Meredith and drinking hers as well…no one suspected…no one except Joe that is…)
Joe: (a confused look) Water?
Derek: (whispering, so as not to be overheard by the their group) Yes Joe…one of the usual's and one water…she's driving…so she's not drinking…what's the big deal?
Joe: Driving, huh? You two have kept the local cabbies in business over the years…and she's drinking water because she's…driving?
Derek: Yep…she's driving…(he grabbed the two drinks…and headed back to the table to avoid further questions.)
(A few hours into the evening everyone was feeling pretty tipsy…except Meredith…which was a huge red flag considering the girl could not handle her alcohol. The men went to play pool…Izzy went to the restroom…leaving Meredith and Cristina at the table…alone...which made Meredith a little nervous…Cristina was staring at her…Meredith pretended not to notice.)
Cristina: Ok…spill it blondie.
Meredith: What?
Cristina: That was me giving you one more chance to tell me the news yourself, before I have to call you out for keeping this pregnancy from me…I mean…you were my PERSON…and you're keeping this from me…I have to say…I think I may have to get a new person.
Meredith: (smirking) How did you know?
Cristina: What was my first clue…let's see...you have supposedly been drinking for three hours, and yet you have not once been on top of the table dancing tonight…you are on like your sixth drink and have not knocked over your glass once yet, which is a new record for "Drunk Meredith"…and your husband is downing his drinks AND yours…so either we need to get Derek to the nearest AA meeting…or you're pregnant. (Izzy was walking up and overheard the conversation.)
Izzy: You're pregnant? (Derek was walking up and heard Izzy)
Derek: You told them you're pregnant?
Alex: (walking up and catching the end of the conversation) Who's pregnant? Not you right Iz? (a sigh of relief from Alex as Izzy shook her head no.)
Meredith: Ok, ok…yes…we're pregnant. (Amid squeals and congratulations the group converged on Meredith…hugging her…patting her belly…Meredith caught a glimpse of Derek smiling at her over the crowd. Derek finished his drink and the couple headed home. In the car he was half drunk…and pestering her as she drove…)
Meredith: I have to say…if I can't drink…I'm thinking you shouldn't either…you know…for moral support.
Derek: And I'm thinking I have a sober driver for the next nine months…and think of it this way…I'm drinking for us both. (he laughed…amusing himself as she parked the car in their driveway)
Meredith: Really? Well, in that case…why don't you have s e x for us both tonight too. (shooting him a fake smile…she headed inside…leaving him shaking his head and laughing…in the back of his mind hoping she wasn't serious.)