Meredith had gone to the Psychiatrist twice since she and Derek had their talk. Things with her and Derek had been running a little more smoothly too. Meredith began talking to him more about what happened and she told him when she couldn't talk about it.
"Hey you." Derek said as Meredith got into the car. He had picked Meredith up from the bakery on his ride back from the hospital.
"Hey." She got into the car and kissed him quickly. "How was your day?"
"It was alright, but I lost a patient." Derek said.
"I'm sorry." Meredith replied sweetly.
"How was your day?" Derek asked as he began to drive.
"It was good. I went on my lunch break to the psychiatrist." Meredith said.
"How was that?" Derek asked. "Did you eat lunch?"
"Fine and yes I ate lunch." Meredith said.
"Good, show how is the baby?" Derek asked as he put his hand against her stomach.
"Good I think." Meredith replied with a smile. "The stomach got slightly bigger in the past two weeks."
Derek smiled, "Yes it did."
As they pulled up to Meredith's apartment they walked inside. Meredith sat her bag on the counter and sat at the table, "I am so tired."
"Meredith can we talk?" Derek asked.
"Sure, is something wrong?" Meredith asked.
"Not really, I just want to ask you something." Derek asked.
"Okay."
"Well before I met you, I applied for a program to go to Africa and work in a small American made hospital. I didn't hear back until this morning and I got it." Derek said nervously.
"Baby that's great!" Meredith said as she jumped up and hugged him.
"Well here is the problem. It would set me to leave in about five months. I would leave a few days after the baby is born." Derek said. "I'm going to tell them I can't go."
"Oh." Meredith
"Yea."
"Derek, don't let me stop you. I think you should go." Meredith insisted. You've mentioned doing this to me before, as far as wanting to. Now you have your chance and I think you should take it. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Derek looked at her and put his arms around her. "I don't want to leave you alone with a newborn baby and I think the baby would forget who I am by the end of the time I get back."
Meredith frowned, "How long would you be gone?"
"Six Months."
Meredith felt her shoulders drop. She knew that she wanted to be supportive and he really wanted this opportunity, "I won't let the baby forget you."
"Meredith, I can stay. It's going to be hard on me too." Derek said.
"I know, but this is something you talk about. You have always hinted that you want to go to Africa and do something to help." Meredith pulled him closer. "You should do it."
"Are you sure? Derek asked. "Because once I get there, I can't come back."
"Its okay." Meredith said. "You want to do this. It's going to be hard, but its something you shouldn't pass up."
"Okay then. I'm going to it." Derek said. He kissed her forehead. "You're going to have to take extra care of that baby."
"I will" Meredith smelled his shirt. "You smell good."
"You smell great too." Derek said as he took a whiff of her hair. "Are you going to miss me?"
"Too much." Meredith responded. "But I'll be fine. I have Izzie, Miranda, Christina, Callie, Alex and George."
"Well and my mother and sisters will be here to help you out. They are going to want to come over a lot." Derek said. "It's going to be fine. I just don't want anyone helping you out with sex."
Meredith laughed, "I forgot about the sex."
"There is always phone sex." Derek said with a grin.
"Okay." Meredith laughed. "You can go if you promise to be careful."
"I will, I have too much to come home to." Derek pulled her towards the bedroom. We still have a little over five months until I have to go."
"This is true." Meredith said as she kissed him.
He led her onto the bed. "I love you."
"I love you too." Meredith said as she lifted his shirt over his head. She took a deep breath. "We're going to be fine."
Derek kissed his as he undid the rope belt around her waist, "We'll be great. I have you and a baby to come home to."
Meredith felt a tear come down her cheek, "We'll be here."
Right here waiting…