(Derek's mother was leaving in the morning…they had a late dinner when Meredith got home from work. Derek volunteered to clean up the mess in the kitchen, so the two women went up to the guest room where Meredith kept Anna company while she finished packing her things.)

Meredith: It's been so nice having you here…we're going to miss you. (Anna saw the tears in her eyes…knowing how hard it was on Meredith to be having a baby without a mother to lean on for support. Anna sat down on the bed beside her…hugging her as Meredith tried to blink back her tears.)

Anna: (with Meredith's face in her hands she smiled at the daughter-in-law that she had grown so fond of) I'm not sure I've ever told you how happy I am that you and Derek found each other.

Meredith: I always worried that you would blame me for what happened with he and Addison.

Anna: Heavens no sweetie…Addison is a good person…I always liked her…but they had far more in common professionally than they ever did personally…and someone like him…already so wrapped up in his job, he certainly didn't need a wife with the same problem. They were always committed to that hospital at the expense of the things in life that really matter. Finding you…and now having this baby has completed him…and given him a reason to get his priorities straight, so thank you. It's also brought you into our lives…into our family. I know I'm not your mother…I know I can't begin to fill the void that her health condition has left you with…but I've come to love you like you were one of my own daughters, so if there's anything you need…anything I can do…any question I can answer as you get ready to become a mother yourself, I'm here for you, whatever you need.

Meredith: (nodding) Thank you Anna.

Anna: (she wiped the tear from Meredith's cheek) And one more thing I wanted to give you before I go. (she rummaged through her suitcase finding a tiny velvet box) My mother gave this to me the day Derek was born…and I wanted you to have it. (Meredith opened the tiny box and found a beautiful "mother's ring" inside with Derek's birthstone.)

Meredith: Oh Anna I couldn't.

Anna: I want you to have it…I insist. (she removed the ring from the box and slid it onto Meredith's right hand. Derek was coming to find them…stood in the hallway and watched as the two women embraced…he rarely remembered seeing his mother cry, but was sure that he saw tears in her eyes as she kissed Meredith's forehead and went back to packing…excusing herself to gather her things from the bathroom. He pulled Meredith to her feet and into his arms.)

Derek: Everything ok? (Still in his arms she smiled at the idea that she was finally part of a family…a real family…and not just Derek and the baby, but his entire family as well.)

Meredith: Perfect. (she pulled back to look into his eyes…smiling up at him…maybe the happiest she had ever been. She kissed him…still kissing as his mother was returning…she stood in the hallway smiling at the scene of her son and his wife, she discreetly slipped away to give them some privacy. After Anna was in bed for the night Meredith went to find Derek…he was reading out back on the veranda…seeing her he put the book away, opening his arms for her to crawl onto the lounge chair with him. She laid on his chest…his hand softly sliding over her hair.)

Meredith: You're very lucky.

Derek: (kissing her forehead) I know.

Meredith: I mean you're lucky to have her…she's wonderful…I'm going to miss her.

Derek: Yeah, well I have missed having you…all to myself.

Meredith: (laughing) That'll be over soon you know…(her hand on her stomach, reminding him of the baby's impending arrival.)

Derek: (ornery grin) Then I had better take advantage of you now…before the baby's born. (his hands on her bottom, scooting her closer.)

Meredith: You're mother's here one more night…behave yourself. (she closed her eyes, snuggling up closer to him)

Derek: Fine…I'll just sit here and think about all of the things I'm going to do to you tomorrow. (both laughing, they laid together for a while and then headed up to bed. Anna left in the morning, and Derek really didn't get a chance to take advantage of having Meredith to himself…she was swamped at work the next few weeks…weeks turned into months, which made the pregnancy fly by. He almost always waited for her to finish her shift…he would find something to work on in his office, or doze off on the couch so he could drive her home and help her exhausted body up to bed when they finally got home. Some nights it was so late, and she had to be back in for rounds early so she would sleep on the couch in his office. Early in the pregnancy he slept there with her, but as the baby continued to grow it got a little crowded, so he would sleep on the floor until she got up for rounds and then he would move to the couch, or head home for a couple hours of sleep. He woke up one morning and she had already headed out for rounds…he showered and changed and headed out to find her sluggishly dragging out of the interns locker room.)

Derek: Good morning.

Meredith: Is it? Really? (he pulled her into his arms…she rested her head on his shoulder…wishing she could stay there for a few hours.) Apparently your baby did not like the pizza I had for dinner last night, and he let me know about it all night.

Derek: He? It's going to be a girl.

Meredith: And how do you know that?

Derek: Because I say so. (George was standing nearby and piped in with his 2 cents)

George: You know they do say that you carry wider with a girl…(Meredith's head snapped around to glare at him…he gulped…a little scared by the look in her eye) So…DEFINITELY you must be having a boy then.

Derek: (trying not to laugh) Well, you are 21 weeks, so Dr. Hill should schedule your ultrasound at your check up today, right?

Meredith: I think so…so, are we going to find out the baby's sex?

Derek: Oh…listen to her O'Malley…the girl who has opened every Christmas gift I have ever given her BEFORE Christmas morning…acting like she can wait 5 more months to find out if it's a boy or a girl.

Meredith: Well, if you want to wait…

Derek: Ha…if I want to wait then you'll have the doctor whisper it in your ear, or write it down on a piece of paper so you'll know and I won't, because I know you're not implying that you're going to wait and be surprised…you hate surprises, remember?

Meredith: Oh, I can wait…I have willpower…need I remind you who was begging who for you-know-what while your mother was visiting? (she giggled as they both stood at the nurse's station charting)

Derek: That was different…it's harder for a man…we have needs you know.

Meredith: And we don't? There's your first mistake…you know nothing about women.

Derek: Ha…I know plenty about women…one woman in particular. (he scooted close to her…she ignored him…trying to concentrate on her chart. They both jumped apart at Bailey's voice behind them)

Bailey: Back AWAY from my intern. She may go home with you, but while she's on the clock she's MINE…she's supposed to be learning something…something besides how mcdreamy her damn husband is. (Meredith tried not to laugh at the scolding her husband was receiving)

Derek: Yes maam. (he shot a quick smirk at Meredith and headed to his office.)

(At lunchtime the interns were sitting in the cafeteria…the hospital gossip mill was in overdrive today…rumor had it that Dr. Sloan planned to pop the question to Addison the night before…the interns had taken bets as to what her answer would be. Cristina, Alex and Meredith were laughing hysterically at the table watching George hover around the condiment table trying to get a glimpse of Addison's left hand. They were laughing and didn't realize Derek had walked up behind them.)

Derek: What's so funny. (Meredith spit her drink down the front of her shirt.)

Cristina: NICE…you should think about getting your wife and your baby matching bibs.

Derek: So…what'd she say?

Meredith: What? (he must have heard about Addison…why did he care…she was a little offended) We don't know yet…and why do you care?

Derek: (confused look) Because I want to clear my schedule for your ultrasound…what did Dr. Hill say at your checkup?

Meredith: Oh…that…it's tomorrow at 9:00.

Derek: (still confused) What else would I be talking about?

Meredith: (looking at Cristina and Alex who were avoiding her gaze) Oh nothing.

(George walked up…looking defeated…not noticing or thinking of the fact that Addison's ex-husband was sitting at the table)

George: I think she's on to me...she's either trying to hide an engagement ring, or she's really cold because she hasn't taken her hand out of her lab coat pocket all morning. (suddenly realizing that Derek had joined them…gulp) Oh…hi Dr. Shepherd.

Derek: Hello O'Malley (Derek trying not to laugh at the news his wife was trying to keep from him) Well I should get back to work. (he stood as if to leave and then turned back around to his wife) By the way Meredith, apparently Addison and Mark are engaged…I've already congratulated them both, but make sure you do as well…I think that would be nice…don't you?

Meredith: (busted…she ignored the snickers form Cristina and Alex…and tried to play dumb) Oh, I hadn't heard.

Derek: Yeah right. I'll see you later.

Cristina: (George laughing and collecting his money from the table) I can't believe she caved.

Meredith: Yeah, I really thought you and Burke would be next.

Cristina: No way…fight the power.

(They shook their heads at their hopeless friend and headed back to work. After lunch Meredith was scrubbing in on surgery with Derek…across the operating table he kept looking at her…shaking his head)

Meredith: What?

Derek: Oh nothing.

Meredith: Then why do you keep giving me that look.

Derek: Did you really think I wouldn't find out about Addison and Mark? AND did you really think I would care…and more importantly why do YOU care?

Meredith: I don't care…but I do care that YOU care.

Derek: Who says I care? I don't care.

Meredith: Oh…well…GOOD.

Derek: Good. (he was laughing at her behind his surgical mask…she was cute when she was insecure and jealous. They finished up…he harassed her a little more as they washed up after surgery. He was busy the rest of the day and didn't see her again until that evening when he went to find her after her shift. She was changing in the locker room…looking exhausted…he sat down on the bench, pulling her down onto his lap.)

Derek: Are you ok?

Meredith: Yeah, just tired.

Derek: Well, how bout when we get home I'll make dinner and you go soak in a nice long bath….how's that sound?

Meredith: How bout we pick up dinner on the way home, and you soak in a nice long bath with me?

Derek: (smirking…kissing her) I think I like your idea better. (He pushed her to her feet…grabbed her bags for her and helped her with her coat…taking her hand they headed home.)

(They ate a nice dinner…he could barely keep his hands off of her as she tried to clean up the dishes. She shooed him out so he headed upstairs to draw a warm bath while she finished in the kitchen. She finished and made her way upstairs…their bedroom was dark, as she stepped inside she saw a faint flicker of candles from the bathroom…she glanced inside the bathroom with 20 or so candles sitting all around their large tub. The jets were on in the tub, he had drawn a bubble bath and must have tired of waiting for her, he had laid down on the bed and was dozing peacefully. She slipped out of her clothes, wearing only a towel, she sat on the edge of the bed. He felt her beside him and began to stir…a smile across his face showing he approved of her "outfit". Neither spoke…he sat up and began to kiss her…softly at first and then with more urgency, his hands moving slowly over her bare shoulders and down her arms…his mouth moving down her neck. He stood, pulling her to her feet. She unbuttoned his shirt…sliding it off…and fumbled with his belt buckle…slowly pulling it from his pants and sliding his pants to the floor. He playfully began to remove her towel, dropping it to the floor as his hands slid up and down her bare skin…pulling her to him…their mouths meeting as he slowly pulled her toward the bathroom. He helped her up the step and inside the tub, following her in and pulling her onto his lap. Still kissing her, his hands and mouth exploring every inch of her wet skin. Her back to him she rested against his chest…smiling as he parted her legs with his hands…his fingers finding their mark…she laid against him…he enjoyed feeling her body respond as his fingers continued to massage her…her body tensed as she tried to prolong the pleasure…finally he felt her body began to quiver…a sigh of relief escaped her as she finished. She turned around in his lap…smiling at him…her fingers reaching for him under the water…taking him into her hands. He leaned back against the tub…his eyes closed…his body responding to her touch. After a few minutes he couldn't take it…needed to be inside her…he stood up, helping her to her feet and draping a towel over both of them, he picked her up into his arms and carried her to their bed. Laying her onto the bed, and quickly following her down…both sighing in unison at the feeling of her taking all of him inside her. The wild, loud sex that they always enjoyed before the pregnancy had been replaced with gentle, passionate love making with a tenderness and closeness that neither had ever experienced with anyone else. Just when he was sure that he couldn't want her or love her more than he already did, when he was sure that the sex couldn't get any better, it always did. As they both finished he fell onto the pillows, pulling her into his arms. He couldn't imagine his life without her…couldn't imagine starting a family with anyone else. Both exhausted they drifted off to sleep.)

(He woke up…Meredith still in his arms…the alarm clock blaring for them to get up. He flipped it off, and enjoyed a minute or two of watching her sleep before he had to wake her up for work. His hand sliding over her tiny baby bump.)

Derek: You better get going so you can finish rounds in time for your ultrasound today.

(she smiled…too tired to open her eyes…he kissed her neck)

Derek: I'll go get you some juice…(she nodded…her eyes still closed she drifted back to sleep)

(She had gotten up when he returned with her juice and a muffin for her…she was trying to find something to wear, a little depressed that jeans that had fit her just last week were now too tight.)

Meredith: Ugh…I have nothing to wear.

Derek: Well, as much as I would enjoy you going to work in your underwear I think it's a bad idea…and you're going to be late, so throw something on.

Meredith: The next 5 months I'm wearing nothing but scrubs…and sweatpants…that's it.

Derek: (he pulled her to him…kissing her nose) You look cute in scrubs…and you look cute in sweatpants…not as cute as you look out of them, but still…very cute.

Meredith: You have to say that because you're my husband…and it's your fault I'm getting fat, so you're trying to lie and say I look good. It's not working. (she threw on some workout pants that had an elastic waistband and a shirt and they headed off to work. She tried to focus during pre-rounds and rounds, but she was distracted thinking about the ultrasound…hoping everything was ok with baby…trying to decide if she wanted to know the baby's sex….she felt George nudge her in the ribs, and realized that Dr. Bailey had been talking to her.)

Meredith: I'm sorry, what?

Bailey: (rolling her eyes) Get to the pit until your appointment...at least you can't kill anybody if you're day dreaming down there.

(On her way to the pit she saw Derek talking to Izzie and Lexzie at the nurse's station…they didn't see her coming so Meredith saw Derek slip Izzie a large wad of cash. Izzie tried to cram it in her pocket as she spotted Meredith approaching.)

Meredith: What was that?

Derek: (turning around, looking surprised) Oh, hi…look Izzie brought the baby in for a visit.

Meredith: What are you two up to?

Izzie: Us two (pointing to her and the baby) are having breakfast with Daddy before Lexzie's checkup…so…I should go.

(Alex and George were approaching)

George: There's my girl! (taking the baby from Izzie)

Alex: And my girl (kissing Izzie on the cheek)

Derek: Well, my girl will kill me if I don't check on my patient before her ultrasound…(kissing Meredith's cheek and starting down the hallway he ran into Dr. Bailey)

Bailey: So…I'm waiting…

Derek: For what Miranda?

Bailey: Somebody to tell me whose girl am I? (Alex, George and Derek looked at each other.)

Derek: (whispering) Mine of course, but not in front of Meredith.

Bailey: (whacking his arm with the metal chart she was holding) Get OUT of here…some people are trying to work. (he rubbed his arm, laughing, he headed down the hall.)

(It was 9:15…the ultrasound tech had waited 15 minutes and then had to start without Derek…he came rushing in just as the first pictures of their baby were coming up onto the screen…Meredith was relieved that he had made it…smiling at him as he took the seat next to her and held her hand.)

Meredith: WOW…there is a little person in there.

Tech: There is indeed…(she pointed out the baby's heartbeat, spine, all organs, 10 fingers, 10 toes. Knowing they were both doctors and would be able to tell the baby's sex she avoided that region until the end until they decided if they wanted to know.) So, do you want to know the baby's sex?

(All of the big talk about "maybe we should wait" flew out the window…they both looked at each other and smiled, answering together)

Meredith/Derek: Yes.

(The tech moved the ultrasound to get a shot between the baby's legs…Meredith was at a weird angle, so Derek saw first)

Derek: It's a boy!

Meredith: A boy!

Tech: Congratulations. Your doctor will review the scan, and discuss it with you at your next appointment. (she left the room, leaving the couple to talk while Meredith was changing back into her scrubs.)

Meredith: Can this world handle another Derek running around? I'll be outnumbered…I'm not sure I'm going to like this. (He pulled her to him…kissing her and then pulling back to look into her eyes.) I can just imagine a little version of you with all the dark curly hair…

Derek: As long as he has your eyes.

Meredith: And NOT your ego.

Derek: HEY!

Meredith: (laughing) As long as he's healthy and happy that's all I care about.

(As they were heading back to work Izzy and the baby were at the nurse's station…she was updating Alex on the baby's checkup…the little girl began babbling happily as Derek grabbed her from Izzy.)

Derek: Hi there pretty girl.

Izzy: How was your test?

Meredith: Great…everything looks normal…only one problem…(Izzy and Alex looked at her, wondering what could be wrong) Lexzie here is going to have to play with GI Joes and Hot Wheels.

Izzy: It's a boy!

Meredith: It is! (the women hugged)

Izzy: Congratulations.