(Meredith had headed off to get ready for bed…Derek noticed the light on in one of the spare bedrooms and found Nancy still awake, he sat on the edge of her bed.)
Nancy: So…my little brother is going to be a father…that's a little scary. (she playfully musses his hair, as they both thought back to the ornery boy that was about to have a little boy of his own…both smiling at the memory. Derek and Nancy hadn't spoken much about the baby…or about Meredith…of all of his sisters Nancy had been the closest to Addison…hadn't taken it well when his first marriage ended…and hadn't given Meredith a chance. Derek didn't push the issue…he didn't see Nancy that often, so they just never really discussed it. So, he was a little surprised as his sister's face turned more serious and she continued) With YOU as a father my nephew will be lucky to have Meredith as a mother. (Derek's head tilted…a little surprised…Nancy noticed) What? Don't give me that look…she keeps you in line…and it's obvious that she adores you…so…
Derek: (smiling) Who ARE you…and what have you done with my sister?
Nancy: (she playfully slapped his arm) I'm a big enough person to admit when I'm wrong about someone…I truly always thought that Addison was a perfect match for you…and she was in some ways, but maybe not in the ways that really matter. I'm not blind Derek…the way you look at Meredith…the look on your face when she walks into the room…I've never seen you like that before…even with Addison. You're very lucky…(she laughed) until you find a way to screw it up, that is.
Derek: (laughing, hugging her) (sarcastic) Your confidence in me as a father and as a husband is heartwarming Nance…seriously. (he kissed her goodnight and headed down the hall…still smirking as he entered the master bedroom. Meredith was sitting on the bed…making a feeble attempt to put lotion on her legs and feet, which was becoming increasingly more difficult with her growing belly.)
Meredith: What's so funny?
Derek: Besides you trying to reach your feet…(he took the lotion from her…smoothing it over her legs) I think the sole surviving member of the Addison fan club has finally deported over to your team.
Meredith: Nancy? Seriously?
Derek: Seriously. (he nodded…still kneeling on the floor at her feet…softly massaging them with lotion…smirking up at her as his hands continued to work upward…massaging her calves…sliding under her nightshirt to her thighs. He stood…leaning down to kiss her as he slid the nightshirt over her head and dropped it playfully onto the floor. He slid out of his clothes as well…smiling at her as he gently laid her back onto the bed…lying beside her…his mouth coming down to meet hers. His fingertips sliding lovingly over her baby bump and playfully stroking her bare breasts as his mouth hungrily searched hers…his tongue dancing playfully with hers. His hands sliding over her bare skin…enjoying the changes to her body from the pregnancy. He smirked down at her…she was so tiny…except for her growing belly…he welcomed the changes…somehow he felt like he wanted her even more…if that was possible. His fingers found their target between her thighs…watching her facial expressions change…softly moaning with pleasure…she looked up at him with a smile…not able to wait any longer to be with him, she pulled him to her…a long sigh as she took all of him inside her. He always began gently, slowly, always planning to be careful because of the pregnancy…but before long things always intensified…her tiny fingers grasping at his bare back encouraging him to continue harder and faster. He obliged…out of breath with a final thrust he felt her body stiffen and begin to tremble…he fell onto the pillow beside her, pulling her into his arms as she finished. She pulled back to look into his eyes…grinning up at him…kissing him again before rolling over in his arms and drifting off to sleep.)
(The next day Meredith and Cristina were in the kitchen during the baby shower. Cristina uncomfortably tugging at her skirt…almost twitching since it was mid afternoon and she had yet to step foot in the hospital today. It was her day off, but she still liked to sneak into the O.R. to at least observe…but her needy friend Meredith had called early this morning and asked her to come over early to help entertain Derek's family…so she'd come.)
Meredith: So…I've been wondering…actually Derek and I were wondering…if you'd be Jackson's…person?
Cristina: (nearly choking on the carrot stick she'd been eating) His person?
Meredith: (smiling) Yes…I mean you're jewish, so not his godmother…but his person…to be there for him growing up…a role model…
Cristina: Seriously?
Meredith: (grinning) Seriously…and if something should happen to me and Derek…ya know…
Cristina: (her mouth gaping) Just when I thought you were going to be a great mother…leaving your kid with ME…Seriously?
Meredith: Not just you…you AND George…he's his other person.
Cristina: I can't raise a kid…I don't know anything about them…I think this is more Izzy's department. (she saw the hurt look on Meredith's face…and felt an emotion not like Cristina…guilt) Ok…ok…I'll be Jackson's person. (Meredith grinned at her and headed back to the baby shower. Cristina mumbled to herself) I'll just use his inheritance to hire a nanny…and a cook…and a housekeeper. (She smiled to herself…thinking this may not be quite so bad.)
(They finished the baby shower…that evening Cristina, Burke, Alex, Izzy, Meredith, Derek, George, and two of Derek's brother in laws headed to Joe's.)
Joe: How many more months of ice water for you young lady?
Meredith: Four.
Joe: Instead of sending flowers when the baby's born…I'll send tequila.
Meredith: (watching Derek shooting darts with his brother in law…he turned to glance at her…winking and smiling) Actually…I don't think I'll be needing it…
Joe: Seriously?
Meredith: Seriously. Somehow being "just a girl in a bar, with a baby" just doesn't quite have the same ring to it. (Derek walked up to join them…kissing Meredith)
Derek: Are you tired…do you wanna go home?
Meredith: I'm not tired.
Derek: Even better…let's go home. (he pulled her off the barstool…helping her with her coat the two said their goodbyes and headed out...outside of Joe's Derek grabbed her hand.)
Derek: Let's go for a walk. (They walked down toward the bay…they used to walk often after a night at Joe's…usually both were drunk and almost always ended up having sex in inappropriate public places. They sat on a bench…he pulled her closer, kissing her temple and smirking at her.)
Derek: Remember this bench? I remember one time when you were very naughty on this bench.
Meredith: Actually twice.
Derek: (confused) We only did it here once.
Meredith: But I'VE done it here twice. (she giggled at the look on his face.) I'm kidding…I would never do it with someone else on OUR bench. (she was laughing, but his face was serious.)
Derek: I don't want to think about you being with someone else. (he kissed her sweetly…not wanting to remember a time when he wasn't with her.)
Meredith: I never want to be with anyone else…ever.
Derek: What if I die first?
Meredith: EVER.
Derek: I plan to die in my 90's…and after I'm gone sweetie I'll understand if you still have needs. (she smacked him) I can see you…all gray and wrinkled at the age of 90…sitting at Joe's in that little black dress and strappy sandles taking shots of tequila…waiting for some good looking neurosurgeon in a red shirt to walk in and hit on you.
Meredith: Don't laugh…that was a very good night…meeting you.
Derek: (his face turned serious…kissing her) Meeting you was the best thing to ever happen to me… (he sweetly stroked her belly)…and this little guy will be a very close second. (he stood…extending his hand to her) Now let's get you home…
Meredith: So you can take advantage?
Derek: Unless you want to do it on the bench again? (they both laughed…she took his hand and they headed home.)
(The next couple of months flew by…Derek loved coming home to find Meredith in the nursery getting things ready. He finished hanging pictures and curtains and shopped with her endlessly for cute little baby outfits. He came home after a long day to find her in their bedroom packing a small suitcase.)
Derek: You're finally tired of my long hours at work, so you're leaving me? (he grinned, kissing her, he sat on the bed watching her pack.)
Meredith: It's my overnight bag…in case I go into labor. Besides…when I finally get tired of you…I won't be the one packing my bags.
Derek: Very funny.
Meredith: So…do we have a plan?
Derek: (he moved behind her…trying to unbutton her shirt) I have LOTS of plans…(looking amused as she pushed him away)
Meredith: For the birth…if I go into labor…do we have a plan?
Derek: Sweetie…we spend 100 hours a week AT the hospital…and on the off chance that we're home when you go into labor we're both doctors…we live five minutes from the hospital…I think we'll manage. (he noticed the dirty look she shot him, so decided to humor her) BUT, if it'll make you feel better maybe we should have a plan.
Meredith: Thank you…I'm putting my suitcase in the closet in the foyer…you need to grab that AND the videocamera, AND the digital camera and everyone's phone numbers are programmed into my cell phone, so make sure we have that…and you should probably pack an overnight bag for yourself…
Derek: What?
Meredith: Well you're not going to leave me there are you?
Derek: We live FIVE minutes from the hospital…can I run home and shower and change?
Meredith: (another dirty look from her) Can I?
Derek: I'll pack my bag.
Meredith: Thank you sweetie. And I told Izzy and Cristina and George I would page them when we're on our way to the hospital…so they can be there.
Derek: Be where?
Meredith: In the delivery room…don't give me that look…they're my family Derek.
Derek: I can see it now…Cristina shoving the doctor out of the way so she can deliver the baby…and George O'Malley is not seeing your private parts (under his breath) not again.
Meredith: Oh very funny…you're a funny man.
Derek: (laughing…pulling her to him) Listen…they can be at the hospital when he's born…but I think inside the delivery room should just be me and you…uh…and the doctor…uh…and someone to give you drugs…PLENTY of drugs.
(Meredith had decided to work right up until the delivery…she did mostly consults and paperwork so she was able to stay off of her feet. And Derek was always at the hospital, so she might as well be too. She was laying in the basement on an empty hospital bed one evening when George and Cristina came down to get something out of the vending machines…plopping down on the bed next to her.)
Cristina: This is the day from hell…I've had two enemas and a rectal exam and every patient on 4 feels the need to hug me…it's like Santa Claus on ecstasy up there.
George: Well at least your patients are still living and breathing…what do you get when you breed 007 with the Angel of Death…ME.
Meredith: Yeah…well…I'm big as a house…I can't tie my own shoes…oh…and I've been having contractions all day, which last I checked were 6 minutes apart.
(Cristina and George's eyes nearly bulged out of their heads)
George: YOU'RE IN LABOR??? Oh god…what should we do…we should…uh…uh… call someone…or, or…get you to the…
Cristina: Hospital? We're in the hospital you moron…(George was helping Meredith off the bed…Cristina shoved him) Move over…I've got it. (George ran to get an empty wheelchair and they wheeled Meredith up to the birthing center. George stayed with Meredith and Cristina went to find Derek…she found him in the middle of surgery in OR 1)
Cristina: Dr. Shepherd…I hate to interrupt…
Derek: Then don't…I'm a little busy here Yang. (Cristina fidgeted nervously, but didn't leave…Derek noticed) What is it Dr. Yang?
Cristina: It's Meredith…she's in labor…
Derek: She's what? How far apart are her contractions?
Cristina: Six minutes.
Dr. Rhodes: Shep, if you need to go?
Derek: Let me finish around the spinal column here and then Dr. Rhodes will finish up…tell her I'll be right there…I'll be there in 30 mintues…but page me if the contractions get any closer.
(Cristina ran up to find Meredith, met up with Izzy who was sprinting down the hall toward Meredith's room. The doctor was checking Meredith as the girls entered…Meredith looked up anxiously hoping to see Derek)
Cristina: He'll be here in 30 minutes TOPS…
Meredith: (wincing with another contraction) 30 MINUTES??? The baby may be here by then…(Meredith heard the doctor snicker and looked at her)
Dr. Larsen: You're 3 centimeters…
Meredith: WHAT? Did you say THREE? That can't be right…
Dr. Larsen: (laughing) The good news is Derek will be here in plenty of time. Listen…you are progressing nicely…you can have your epidural whenever you feel like you need it. As you know it may slow down the progression of your labor, so you might want to wait as long as you can tolerate the pain. The nurse can get the anesthesiologist whenever you're ready.
Meredith: Ok…thank you.
(The doctor left…Izzy started fussing over Meredith…George was pacing…and Cristina sat in the chair finishing a patients chart she had been working on earlier. They're mouths were all running a mile a minute…all talking over each other…she sat there in silence…frustrated…in pain…finally the door opened and Derek breezed in. He noticed the frustrated look on his wife's face…with one reassuring smile and a wink he took over.)
Derek: Ok everybody…thanks for keeping her company, but I'm here now…and it will be a while…so I will page you if she needs anything. (they tried to object, but he ushered them out the door and slammed it in their faces…turning around to look at her…smiling for the first time since her labor began.)
Derek: Hey…
Meredith: Hey yourself.
Derek: (He kissed her…sitting on the edge of her bed) So, it looks like we're going to have a baby today.
Meredith: (smiling) It looks like. (another contraction came…she closed her eyes…grimacing in pain. He held her hand…)
Derek: It's ok…it's ok…just breathe…nice deep breaths…that's it…that's it…gooood. (the contraction subsided…she looked up at him with a smile.)
Meredith: You taking 30 minutes to get here so you could finish a surgery was NOT in the plan.
Derek: He's going to be surgeon someday…I knew he wouldn't come until I had finished in the OR.
Meredith: Oh...oh…OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD. (It killed him to watch her suffer…she refused the epidural for another 2 hours. Finally she relented and was resting comfortably when the nurse told her she was at 10 centimeters and ready to push. She left to get the doctor…giving them one last minute together alone.)
Derek: Well, this is it…it's no longer going to be just me and you.
Meredith: I know…how did I get from just a girl in a bar…alone…having no one…no family…and now I have you…and your baby. My whole life I never won anything…I was never lucky…and today I feel so lucky. (her eyes were filling…his were too…he lovingly wiped the lone tear that slid down her cheek)
Derek: I'm the lucky one…to have you as my wife…and the mother of my children. You are the sweetest, most loving person I know. A little bossy….and narcissistic to the nth degree…
Meredith: THANKS!
Derek: But sweet, and caring, and kind. I love you more than anything…
Meredith: I love you too. (he leaned in to kiss her…it lasted longer than planned as usual…the doctor came rushing in)
Dr. Larsen: Let's get this baby out before you go making another one, ok?
Meredith: (giggling) ok.
(Derek massaged her back…trying to relax her as the doctor prepared for the birth.)
Dr. Larsen: Are you ready to meet your son? (both nodded…both smiling) Ok…I'll watch the monitor…I'll let you know when the next contraction comes…take a deep breath…hold it…and push for a 10 count…quick breath and do it again…ok?
Meredith: (looking nervous) Ok.
Dr. Larsen: And here comes one…and breathe…(Meredith pushed…several times…she was alarmed to see the baby in some distress with each contraction. She knew it meant that the cord might be wrapped around the baby's neck. The doctor could see the concern on her and Derek's faces) The baby is doing fine. But concentrate Meredith…push hard, so we can get him out soon…ok…here comes one…and breathe. I see the top of his head…lots of dark curly hair…(Meredith felt a rush of adrenaline knowing that she was so close…and noting that the baby's heart rate was dropping…with one more big push his head was out.) Ok…wait for just a moment. (The doctor cleaned out his mouth and nose and nodded for Derek to come down to take the baby…he never got nervous in the OR...or emotional…he was always very confident…actually cocky was more accurate. But he was actually nervous…taking the baby from Dr. Larsen…fighting back the tears in his eyes…he smiled up at his wife as she pushed one final time. He held the baby close…taking the blanket from the doctor to clean off his little face to get a better look…and laid him on Meredith's chest…tears streaming down both of their faces as the baby began to whale. Meredith tried to blink away the tears…wanting to get a good look at her little boy. He had Derek's dark curly hair…Meredith's little nose and Derek's little pouty mouth. The nurse came and took the baby to check him. Derek hugging his wife…kissing her sweetly.)
Derek: (smiling at her proudly) You did great. (He hugged her…as she hugged Derek she saw over his shoulder that her friends were trying to peek through the window.)
Meredith: I think Jack has his first visitors. (Derek saw the three peering through the window…he smiled…waving for them to come in. It was a steady flow of visitors all day… the hospital was a buzz with the news of the Mcbaby. Between visitors and phone calls to family Derek was relieved late that evening when he came back from checking on a patient and found his wife sleeping peacefully in the empty room. The baby sleeping peacefully in his bed right next to Meredith's. Derek stood above the baby…in awe of how perfect he was…almost in shock that he was finally here. He was staring at the baby, and felt Meredith's fingers reaching up and interlocking in his. He looked down to see her smiling up at him. She lifted the covers and slid over so he could crawl in with her. It had been a rough day...exciting, but rough, and emotional, and somehow things always seemed better when she could curl up next to her husband…taking in the smell of his cologne…feeling his strong arms around her.)
Meredith: He's been sleeping for an hour…is it crazy that I miss him already?
Derek: Is it crazy that I contemplated sedating my patient so I could get back here?
Meredith: Ugh…I don't even want to think about having to go back to work…I can't imagine leaving him.
Derek: Luckily you are married to the chief…we'll just hire a nanny to keep him down in the nursery, and I've already had the computer in my office wired so I can see into the nursery at all times.
Meredith: So…I'll be spending a lot more time in your office then.
Derek: (wicked laugh) That's the plan. YOU…get some rest. He'll be up soon wanting to eat.
(She curled up next to him…both resting…but neither could sleep. He stroked her hair softly, rarely taking his eyes off of the baby sleeping peacefully in his bed. The night flew by, he ate every couple of hours…he had just finished when Izzy and Alex came in for a visit that morning. Derek discreetly slipped away as they visited. Alex was heading off to work and Izzy had to get home to Lexzie…after they left Meredith realized that Derek was gone…he must have had a patient to see. The baby had finished eating, and was sleeping peacefully on her chest…she laid back to rest her eyes when she heard the door open. A lump in her throat as she saw Derek helping her mother into the room. Meredith held her breath for a moment…wondering if her mother was lucid…)
Ellis: Hi darling…(tears stung Meredith eyes as her mother came over to see her grandson for the first time) It seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital giving birth to you. Where does the time go? (Ellis sat on Meredith's bed, chatting with her for a few minutes before she started to get confused)
Ellis: Well…I hope the nurse's didn't alarm you, but your baby is just fine…this case is not surgical…so if you'll excuse me I am needed in the OR.
Meredith: (squeezing her mothers hand) Thanks for coming. (Derek winked at his wife as he helped his mother-in-law out of the room. Meredith simply mouthing "thank you" to her husband as he was heading out the door.
(Meredith and Jack were released the following day…Derek had gone to pull the car around and returned to find the baby bundled up in his car seat…Meredith leaning over the infant seat talking to him sweetly. She was in jeans and a sweater…he was certain that no woman had ever looked this sexy two days after giving birth. He pulled her into his arms for a warm kiss before they headed off to take their new baby home. Of course they had to pass through the surgical floor for everyone to get a look at the baby. Meredith felt a pang of guilt at the look on Addison's face to see Derek carrying an infant seat with his new baby looking happier than he had ever looked during their marriage. Meredith avoided her gaze concentrating on Derek as he proudly introduced the staff to the "future Dr. Shepherd". He could see that Meredith was tired, so he took her hand and they made their way to the car.)
(The first two months were rough…Meredith was nursing, so Derek couldn't help much with the feedings. But, he did diaper duty and bathed him and held him nearly every minute that he wasn't at work. Derek was a morning person, so after Meredith fed him in the mornings Daddy and Jack would go downstairs to watch TV or play so Meredith could get some sleep. Meredith was now pumping in preparation for returning to work, so Derek could help with the feedings, which made a world of difference. Meredith was getting some decent sleep now that Derek was taking the 3 a.m feeding before work, so they were getting into a nice routine.)
(Meredith was in the kitchen cooking dinner and Jack was sleeping when Derek came home from work late one night. They sat down to eat.)
Derek: So…I've decided to step down as chief. (Meredith nearly choked on her food…certain that she had heard him wrong)
Meredith: What? Derek, being chief is what you've worked for…it's what you've always wanted…
Derek: It's what I THOUGHT I always wanted…but now…I want my son to know me…I want to be home at a decent time in the evenings…I want to be here to see the look on his face when he comes down the stairs on Christmas morning, and watch him blow out the candles on every birthday cake…I don't want to have to miss all of that every time there's a crisis at the hospital. So…like I said…I've decided to step down as chief.
Meredith: Well…it's your decision…but we'll make it work either way. (He smiled at her…holding her hand across the table he pulled her around to sit on his lap.)
Meredith: Maybe you'll enjoy being at the hospital more once I'm back to work. (her mischievous grin…she kissed him)
Derek: True…although I've lost five pounds from taking the stairs…(pouting) the elevator is not nearly as much fun without you in there with me.
Meredith: Well…(kissing him) we could go upstairs and work off five more pounds…(she giggled as his hands slid up the back of her shirt. They both stood…their hands all over each other as they made their way upstairs…bumping into walls…she was walking backwards up the stairs as he kissed her…she tripped and fell onto her back at the top of the stairs…he didn't mind, just came down on top of her on the rug, starting to strip off her clothes as she continued on toward the bedroom. The bedroom door was closed…she was fumbling for the door handle, but he had her back pinned up against the door…his mouth moving hungrily over her skin. She fumbled with his belt buckle…slipping his clothes off as he opened the door…picking her up and throwing her onto her back on the bed…quickly coming down on top of her. She was down to her bra and panties…he unsnapped the bar…his mouth moving down…kissing her stomach as he slowly slid off her panties…his eyes locked on hers the entire time. She sat up to slide down his boxers…sitting him on the bed she crawled into his lap…carefully easing herself down on top of him…their foreheads touching…looking into each others eyes…both smiling with a sigh of relief to be together. His hands reached for her bare bottom…pulling her further down onto his lap. His mouth moving over her bare skin as she began to rock on his lap. She pushed him back onto the bed…continuing to rock gently on top of him…enjoying the changing looks on his face as he enjoyed letting her be in control. His soft hands sliding up and down her bare back…resting on her bare ass as he encouraged her harder and faster. Finally, when he couldn't wait any longer he flipped her onto her back…his mouth coming down to meet hers…her fingers running through his dark hair as his mouth traveled down her neck and chest. With a final thrust her body began to respond…waves of pleasure rolling over her as she began to quiver uncontrollably...moaning softly…he released…falling out of breath onto the pillow next to her…with a smile he kissed her forehead and pulled her into his arms. They dozed off for a few minutes before Jack began to cry. Derek went to get him while Meredith got dressed. Derek couldn't take his eyes off the baby as he nursed contently…falling back to sleep in his mommy's arms. He couldn't imagine life being any more perfect. He kissed her…took the baby back to bed when he was finished eating…he didn't return for a while so Meredith went to check on him…he was sitting in the rocking chair in the nursery…holding the baby while he slept peacefully. Meredith stood in the doorway with a smile.)
Meredith: (teasing) You're going to spoil him.
Derek: (smirking) That's my job…to spoil you both. (he laid the baby in his bed…watched him for a second longer…then took his wife's hand and headed back to bed.)