Disclaimer: If we owned the show, we wouldn't be spending this week randomly crying at the drop of a hat.

The only thing going through my mind the entire drive home was Mark's words. That I could kill Mer if I didn't go to her. That I could lose her. And the baby. It made me drive like a madman, a complete and total madman. How I didn't get pulled over would confuse me for the rest of my life. I was a block from home when I remembered Mark saying Mer wasn't eating and decided to stop at the super market to pick up ingredients for dinner.

It was a mad dash inside the supermarket, running through aisles, trying to get out as fast as possible as I grabbed the best steaks I could find and all of Meredith's other favourites. Part of me knew rushing wasn't necessary, that after nearly 3 months of being an ass a couple of minutes wouldn't make that big of difference but that didn't matter. I needed to get home right now. I paid quickly, more than likely giving the cashier at least fifty dollars more than necessary and got in my car, completing the drive in record time. I frowned as I noticed Mer's car in the driveway, she was supposed to be at work. Suddenly, my heart rate tripled at the thought that something could be the matter and I didn't even turn off the engine as I ran into our house, my entire body tense. And I found Meredith curled in a ball on the couch, sound asleep. Her cheeks were stained with tears and her body looked tense, even though she was sound asleep. She shifted, snorting slightly and I laughed gently. "Mer?"

"Hmmm," she groaned, her eyes still closed. I took this opportunity to look at her, really look at her for the first time in nearly three months. She had dark circles under eyes, her face was gaunt, and she just looked completely and totally exhausted. And sick. The guilt magnified as I knelt on my knees, running my fingers through her hair.

"Mer, wake up," I whispered gently pressing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"What?" she mumbled. "Why?" And then suddenly, her eyes flew open and she sat up quickly. "Shit, what time is it? I can't believe I forgot to pick up Dillon. Lucas is going to kill me."

"Mer, relax, Dill's not out of school for another two hours," I said, gripping her tiny shoulders in my hands. They felt tinier than I remembered. "I thought you were working."

"Oh," she breathed, "I took the day off. I just...I needed...time."

I moved my hand to her cheek, cupping her face gently and looking deeply into her exhausted eyes. "I'm sorry, Meredith. I am so sorry."

"For what?" she whispered, her eyes already starting to close again.

"For not being here, for leaving you and Dillon alone when I promised I wouldn't. For leaving you to be the strong one. For not noticing how bad things were getting. I'm sorry for everything," I said, feeling a tear trace down my cheek.

"Derek, it's fine," she shrugged, though I could see the lie in her eyes.

"No Meredith, it's not. You look like you're ready to drop," I sighed, rubbing her cheek slightly.

She sighed a little, leaning her face towards my touch, her eyes closing a bit. "I am," she finally whispered so quietly I could barely hear her.

I closed my eyes tightly, urging the tears back. "I should have been here," I whispered, my voice sounding rough.

"Yeah, you should have been," she stated firmly.

She nodded and sighed. "Derek, your family, I understand they're important. And I tried to understand that you were busy. And I tried to be strong. I did. I've been pregnant before. And I had my friends then. But they thought I had you so they haven't been as involved this time and I just felt like I was...I don't know...I felt like I was in a room screaming at you and you wouldn't even look at me."

"My family is important, and you're part of my family. You and Dillon and the baby are my family. I'm sorry I stopped looking. I'm looking now," I told her, surprised at the steadiness in my voice.

"You can't do this again," she told me. "You can't just turn away. You can't."

I pulled her into my arms now, holding her close to me. I hated how fragile she felt, how tiny and small. She should have been soft with the extra weight of pregnancy and it was my fault she wasn't. "I won't."

"And the thing is," she said thoughtfully, "I couldn't be angry at you. It wasn't like you had left me. You were here. You were still here. You just weren't paying attention."

"I know, Mer. I thought I was, I really thought I was giving you enough. I was so caught up in my family, everything else fell away," I sighed.

"And that's another reason I couldn't be mad at you," she was starting to cry now. "It's your mom, Derek. I can't compete with your mom having cancer."

"You don't have to," I whispered holding her closer. "I...I'm going to figure out a way to fit you both in."

"I'm just so damn tired," she cried into my shoulder. "I can't sleep at night because all I can think is that you're holding me out of obligation. I mean, Derek, you tensed up when I put your hands on my stomach. You didn't want to feel the baby moving. How the hell was I supposed to take that? I just don't sleep anymore."

"I couldn't...I couldn't...I love our daughter, I can't wait to meet our daughter. But god, I'm terrified my mom will never meet her. And I want my mom to meet her. Your stomach, it hurt Mer. To think my mom may never see the beautiful grandchild we made together," I said through my own tears.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm so sorry."

"What? You have nothing to be sorry for. You've been perfect, you've been my rock," I told her.

"Derek, there were moments," she sobbed, "moments when I hated your mother. And I hated myself for even thinking it."

"Oh Mer," I hugged her even closer. "I'm so sorry, I never meant for things to get this bad. I never meant to put her first."

"No, you had to," she gasped as her sobbing became worse. "She's your mom. She has cancer."

"No," I shook my head quickly. "She's my mom. And you're the mother of my child and the woman I'm going to marry."

Her entire body shook as she sobbed, her breaths coming in deep gasps. "I...I...I," she gasped.

"Shhhh, shhhh..." I muttered against her hair. "Breathe, you have to breathe. My baby girl needs air, you need to breathe."

"I can't," she shook against my body. "I...I...can't."

"It's okay," I breathed against her. "It's okay. I'm here, I've got you."

"Don't," she sobbed. "Don't go."

"I'm not going anywhere," I said firmly, rubbing a hand up and down her back, doing my best to calm her down.

"I...I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing," I ordered her gently. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I have everything to be sorry for. My family means the world to me, but so do you."

In a few seconds, her breathing became more even and she fell against me, her body finally relaxing. "I'm okay," she whimpered.

"You're okay," I nodded.

"Tired," she admitted, a small smile on her lips.

"I know," I said, kissing her quickly. "You definitely have to start getting more sleep, we both do."

She pulled away a little bit, looking into my eyes. "What did Addison say to you today?" she asked. "After I left."

I took a deep breath, I didn't want to tell her, not today, not when she was so broken. But I needed to tell her, I needed her to know. "The...the cancer spread, it doesn't...things don't look good."

"Oh, Der," she breathed, pulling me close to her for a hug, her small belly in the way of us fully touching. "I wish I knew what to say to you. I'm sorry."

"Just...don't go anywhere. I need you, we need each other," I whispered into her hair, letting tears fall onto her soft neck.

"Where would I go?" she laughed shakily. "With a six year old and an unborn daughter?"

"A man would be crazy not to want you," I laughed back.

We sat there for a moment, holding each other close. "Der?"

"Yeah?" I asked gently.

"When your mom said she had cancer," she started, speaking carefully, "Erin said something about your dad. About how your mom should have known better. Why did she say that?"

I sighed deeply. I had never meant to not tell Meredith this story, I just never talked about it. Ever. "When I was 10 my dad was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He was gone within a month. The doctors...the doctors said if he had come earlier they could have caught it, could have saved him. But he...he ignored the symptoms, he acted like nothing was wrong until it was too late."

"Oh," she breathed. "And now your mom..."

"Did almost the exact same thing," I nodded.

She took my hand and squeezed it tightly before bringing it to her belly. "Your mom," she said, "your mom will be okay, Der."

"I hope so," I whispered, rubbing her stomach gently. "It's just...I'm supposed to take care of her, that's my job. It's been my job since I was 10, to take care of her and the rest of them. I'm the man of the house. I walked my sisters down the aisle when they got married. I take care of them. And right now, right now I'm useless."

"Derek, you're not useless," she shook her head. "You're getting her the best care possible. You're sticking by her. You love her."

"But that's not enough to save her. She could die, Mer, and there's nothing I can do," I whispered.

She ran her fingers through my hair, kissing me on the forehead, "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I'm sorry you have to do this again."

"I have you this time," I smiled softly at her.

"A lot of help I am," she smiled back.

"Mer, you're the only reason I'm still standing. Your tiny hand squeezes, your slight hugs, just having you here, it's the only reason I'm still standing. You hold me together. You're all I have," I told her.

"Derek," she started and then stopped.

"Mer," I gently urged her to continue. "No more not talking, no more silences."

"If you want," she said after a moment. "If you want, we can name our baby after your mom. Or her middle name. Or something. Just in case...just in case something happens. Or even if something doesn't happen. If you want that is. If it would be too painful, we don't have to. It's only a suggestion. That's it. And I need to shut up now, I'm rambling."

Tears rushed back to my eyes as I looked at the completely entirely remarkable woman in front of me. I wondered what I had done in a past life that had brought her to me. "Meredith Grey, you are...I can't...there aren't words. I love you, god I love you. And...middle name, middle name would be nice."
"I love you too," she whispered and then laughed a little.

"I've missed that laugh. I've missed you," I told her, realizing it for the first time. She had been there, but I hadn't. And I missed this, I needed this.

"Me too," she said. "And Der, I think your car is still running."

"Shit," I said moving from the couch. "I saw your car here, and I thought maybe something was wrong. I panicked and...I'll be right back," I tried to explain, turning to head outside.

"Okay," she giggled and then got up, following softly behind me. I couldn't help smiling. I hadn't noticed that things had been off between us but now that we were back, I felt it. Something felt right in the world. It felt like I was back where I belonged, like I wasn't alone anymore. And I honestly wondered how everything had turned into such a mess in the first place. "Groceries?" she asked as she came up behind me.

"Yeah," I smiled. "You, Ms. Grey have not been eating. So tonight you're being treated to a feast."

"Who says I haven't been eating?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Addison. Mark. Everyone. Besides, I just held you, Mer. I can tell you haven't been eating," I told her.

"Mark," she nodded. "He was here the other night. He tried to force feed me."

"He was worried about you," I said, wrapping an arm around her. "You're family."

"He's dating someone," she suddenly said, a smile on her face.

"So he told me. Do you have any idea who?" I asked her.

"None," she shook her head. "But Dillon asked him if they could go cruising for girls and Mark told him that he was never going to cruise for girls again."

"What?" I asked, entirely stopped in my tracks. "Mark? Mark said they were never going cruising for girls again?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "He was completely serious too. It was weird. He wasn't Mark. Or at least, not the Mark I first met. He didn't even innocently flirt with me. And he kept checking his phone."

"How did I not know this? Mark? My best friend, basically brother Mark met his Meredith and I missed it?" I said, staring straight ahead.

She squeezed my arm gently. "I don't think he wants anyone to know right now," she said comfortingly. "I honestly think he feels a little guilty about it. Because of Mom."

I smiled wildly. "He's never going to hear the end of this, you know that right?"

"Leave the poor man alone," she laughed. "He's been good to me. And to Dillon."

I frowned slightly thinking of how I had been so awful to them. But that had been discussed. I apologized. And now I had to make things right. "Speaking of Dill, I'll pick him up at school."

"You don't have to, Der," she shook her head. "I'll do it. You need sleep and he's so talkative right after school."

"Good, I want him talkative. I have a lot to make up for to that kid. And you need sleep more than I do," I told her.

"I'm fine," she insisted.

"Your mom is being stubborn again," I said, looking down at her stomach.

"Are you talking to my stomach?' she laughed.

"No, I'm talking to my daughter, she just happens to be in your stomach," I shrugged.

She giggled a little at that and put her hand on her belly, resting it there. "Really, Derek, I'm fine. I got a nap in this afternoon. And Dill will need help with his homework. And that takes hours. Because he stalls. You don't have to do anything. Really."

"Meredith, I am picking up our son at school. And then we are coming home and doing his homework together, while I cook supper and you sleep. After homework you will have your feast and then we will put our son to bed. And after that, well maybe a bit of fun, if you're up for it," I winked, suddenly feeling the urge to have her under me. Or over me.

"We have to tell him about his new baby sister," she reminded me gently, a huge smile on her face.

"Over the feast," I told her. "I brought the sparkling grape juice."

"I should warn you," she sighed. "Mark did do some damage when he was here."

"What did that idiot do now?" I asked.

"He convinced Dill that a brother would be ten times cooler than a sister," Meredith laughed. "And now he's back to referring to her as a he."

"So all that wonderful work I did with the help of my mom, that very important work is all erased," I groaned. "I swear God put Mark on this earth just to complicate my life."

"Probably," Meredith giggled and then yawned deeply, swaying a bit.

"You. Bed. Now. I have to go get Dill, and I expect you to be sleeping when we get home," I told her, kissing her cheek quickly.

"Derek, I'm fine," she insisted as she steadied herself against the kitchen counter.

"Meredith, you're barely standing. Go upstairs and get some sleep or else I will carry you upstairs," I demanded softly.

"You might have to," she murmured.

It didn't take another word, I crossed the kitchen and swept her into my arms, laughing softly at her lack of protest. I walked her upstairs and she was out by the time we reached our room, snoring gently in her sleep as I laid her onto the bed. "I love you, Meredith Grey," I whispered.

I watched her sleep for a moment, kicking myself for almost losing her. This was my Meredith. The love of my life. The mother of my unborn daughter. The woman I was going to marry. How the hell could I be so damn stupid? I sighed and kissed her softly on the lips and then turned to go pick up our son at school.

I hummed along with The Clash the entire way there. I hummed. I had forgotten what this felt like, being happy. And part of me felt guilty, because my mom was sick, really sick. But she wanted this, she wanted me to be with my family. She wanted me to be happy. And I was, because Meredith and I, we were back. And she was sleeping, finally sleeping and I was going to see Dillon. I pulled up to the school and waited in line with the other parents for the kids to be released from class. Dillon was one of the first kids out, searching the line of cars for a familiar one. I climbed out of my car and waved to him, frowning at his lack of reaction. "Hi, Derek," he said softly as he came toward me.

"Hey bud," I smiled, ruffling his hair when he reached me.

He pulled back a little bit from my hand. "Where's Mom?" he asked. "Or Daddy?"

"Your daddy's at work. And Mom's sleeping," I said, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice. "Besides I thought we could talk."

"Bout what?" he asked, still not meeting my eyes as I buckled him into the backseat.

"About the fact I haven't been a very good daddy to you recently," I told him frowning.

"You've been the worst daddy ever," he told me, tears in his eyes. "And Mommy cries all the time. And Uncle Mark had to tuck me in and he can't make a Dillon ritto."

"I know, bud. And I am beyond sorry," I told him.

"And Mommy says to be good and not talk to you cause you'll get mad," he said miserably.

"I know, bud. I've been awful. I've been a monster, worse than the ones in your closet. But I'm going to try harder now, I promise," I said confidence in my tone.

"You said that last time," he pointed out. "You said you would be better. And you weren't. You were badder."

"I know, Dillon, I know. But I'm here now," I promised, fighting back tears. It hadn't occurred to me to worry that Dillon wouldn't be as accepting as Mer had been.

"What if you get badder again?" he asked, fear in his eyes.

"I'm not going to," I shook my head.

"What if you do?" he repeated.

"Than you can...you can..." I hesitated, trying to think of an appropriate punishment. "Take away my toys, put me in timeout, whatever you think I need."

"Okay," he nodded firmly.

"I love you, Dillon," I told him.

"I love you too, Daddy Derek," he said. "But you're gonna be really mad at me."

"I could never be mad at you, bud," I laughed.

"Well, you will now," he said seriously. "Mommy's gonna take away all my toys."

"What did you do?" I asked starting to worry a little. Dillon was a good kid, a great kid, but with a higher influence from Mark recently, it was hard to say what could have happened.

"I got in trouble today," he sighed, meeting my eyes in the rearview mirror.

"Dill, what did you get in trouble for?" I asked him to elaborate.

"I hit Bobby."

"What? You...who's Bobby and why did you hit him?" I demanded.

"He's a boy in school," Dillon answered. "And I got mad at him."

"Why did you get mad at him?" I asked.

"Because," he said simply, shrugging.

"Dillon, why did you get mad at him?" I repeated

"Because," he repeated again. "I got a note from teacher to give to Mommy."

"Okay, and you still haven't answered my question," I pointed out

"I just did," he said. "He said mean things and I hit him."

"Dillon, you need to tell me more details than that," I told him.

"He said," Dillon sighed, looking out the window at the passing houses. "He said that after my baby brother was born, you and Mommy wouldn't love me anymore. And he said after Daddy and Kimmy got married, they wouldn't want me anymore."

"Bud, none of that is true, none of it," I told him.

"Well, that's what he said," Dillon stated. "So I hit him. And I got in big trouble."

I laughed gently, somehow the whole thing was kind of cute. "Your mom is not going to be happy."

"I know," he nodded.

"We're not telling her tonight though, tonight it's our secret. We can tell her tomorrow," I allowed. Because Meredith had had a long enough day, tonight was about celebrating.

"Okay," he nodded and then went strangely silent.

"Bud, you didn't hit any other kids I should know about, did you?" I laughed.

"No," he shook his head. "But...what if my brother is better than me? What if you like him more than me? What if Sam likes him more than me?"

"Dill, your brother or sister will never take your place. You're my bud, and you always will be and your mom and I will love you both equally. And Sam could never love anyone but you," I told him, nodding my head encouragingly.

"Brother," he giggled.

"Sister," I laughed back. This game was more fun now that I knew I was right.

We pulled up to the house and he jumped out, his backpack in his hand and ran to the front door, waiting for me to unlock the door and let him in. He went straight to the kitchen and took his homework out, sitting down and staring at it for a moment. "Daddy Derek?"

"Yeah, bud?" I asked from where I was emptying out the groceries.

"If Mommy's sleeping, whose gonna help me with my homework?" he asked.

"Me," I shrugged.

"Are you good at adding?" he asked seriously.

"I am," I nodded. "Before they let you cut open people's brains they make sure you can add."

"Cool," he said and then turned to the stack of homework in front of him. I helped him as I started the steaks, sitting down every few minutes to make sure he was doing everything correctly. Meredith was right, he did like to stall, but this felt right. This felt perfect. Helping my six year old son learn to add felt right. We worked for an hour or so, until Meredith came down the stairs, looking a little more refreshed.

"Feeling better?" I asked, giving her a quick kiss.

"A little," she nodded. "I sleep better when I have company though."

"Tonight I'm all yours," I smiled.

"Hi Mommy!" Dillon came over to her and then got really close to her stomach. "Hi, brother!"

"Sister," I cut in, looking at the panic of Meredith's eyes. "Dill, supper is nearly ready, can you set the table for me?

"Okay," he nodded, setting about his usual task of setting the table.

"He'll be fine," I whispered in Meredith's ear as I pulled her close to me.

"I'm going to kill Mark," she rolled her eyes as she grabbed a carrott.

"Not until I find out who he's seeing," I laughed.

"Why don't you ask him?" she suggested.

"I plan to. I just don't expect an answer," I told her, starting to place the food on the table. I made a lot. But I knew Meredith, when she was happy she could eat non-stop and I really needed her to.

"I wonder if your mom knows," she said as she carried the salad to the table. "That's what I don't get. How did he have time to meet someone? He's always at the hospital, working or sitting with your mom."

"Which means it's someone at the hospital," I nodded, smiling.

"Interesting," she grinned. "Anyone you can think of?" She paused for a minute. "Oh God, you don't think it's Cristina do you?"

"If it's Cristina it's our duty to society to end it now," I told her seriously. "And with Mark...the list is impossibly long."

"I should ask Alex if he knows anything," she said thoughtfully. "He was saying he's seen Mark around a lot lately."

"We need to know, you realize that Mer? This is something we need to know," I laughed, pulling out a chair for Meredith to sit down.

"Yes it is," she smiled and sat down. "I need to know. He just kept staring at his phone. At first, I thought it was about your mom but after what he said, well..."

"I never thought Mark would fall. When I met you, when I was fighting for you to give me a chance, he made fun of me every second," I smiled at the memory.

"Uncle Mark's in love," Dillon suddenly came in from the washroom. "He told me."

"Name, Dillon, did he tell you her name?" I demanded to know.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"Who? Who is it?" Meredith asked, sounding just as interested as I was.

"Um," he scrunched up his nose. "Add...Add...Addson."

"Addison? Mark's dating Addison?" I asked, not quite believing it.

"He said she's really pretty and smart and funny and that she loves Grandma," Dillon reported.

"Mark's dating Addison," Meredith said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"And he said he's gonna marry her," Dillon said. "But it's a secret. Cause he can't ask her yet."

"What? Mark wants to marry someone?" I asked, looking at Meredith with confusion.

"Yeah," Dillon nodded. "He said she's gonna be my aunt Addson."

"Mark doesn't fall in love, Mark doesn't get married," I told Meredith.

"It makes sense," she shrugged. "I mean, if Mark's always with your mom. Addison is too. I guess it makes sense. That they're dating, I mean."

"No them doing other things makes sense. Mark dating anyone doesn't make sense," I shook my head.

"He said somethin' else," Dillon said as he took a sip of his sparkling grape juice.

"I can just imagine," I groaned, rolling my eyes.

"He said she was special," Dillon said. "Cause he wanted to wait. I don't know what for, he wouldn't tell me. He said he'd get in big trouble. But he said he'd wait for a long time."

"Mark...Mark...he's not..."I stumbled over my words. "Mer, Addison broke Mark."

Meredith grinned. "I think it's sweet. I wonder how long it's been going on."

"Did he tell you that too?" I asked Dillon.

Dillon shook his head. "But he said Addson said that mommy needed me to be a good boy. And that she needed lots of sleep. And he said Addson told him to come and make sure mommy was okay."

"Oh, he's already doing her bidding. He's worse than me," I winked at Meredith.

"Derek," Meredith said.

"Yes?" I smiled.

"Shut up," she said as she cut into her steak.

I laughed. Really honestly laughed, and then sighed in relief as I watched her eat something that wasn't a tiny sandwich she pulled together. "Mer, I think there's something we need to talk to Dill about."

"What?" Dillon asked. "You said we'd wait til tomorrow."

"Not that, bud," I laughed at the confused look on Meredith's face. "Your mom and I have something to tell you."

"Oh," he said, nodding. "What? Are we gonna go to the moon? Jackie in school says you can go to the moon."

Meredith giggled at him. "No, Dill, we're not going to the moon. We have to talk to you about the baby."

"My brother," he nodded as he took a bite of mashed potatoes.

Meredith looked over the table at me, a smile stretched across her face. I nodded at her. "Your sister."

"Brother," he laughed.

"No, Dill," Meredith shook her head. "We're not playing. Derek and I...we went to the doctor's today and we found out what the baby is. It's a girl."

He dropped his fork and stared at us, a frown on his face. "How'd you do that?"

"Remember the pictures we showed you of the baby inside mommy's belly?" He nodded. "Well now she's big enough so the picture showed us that she was well...a she."

"But, but, Sam and I want a brother," he pouted.

"I know you did, but you're getting a sister. Remember, you get to be a police man and take care of her," I gently told him.

"But I don't want a sister!" he shouted, throwing his fork on the floor.

"Dillon, honey, there's no need to do that. You're going to love her," Meredith tried.

"No," he shook his head. "No. I won't. I want a brother. Take my sister back and get a brother." His hands were gripping the sides of his plate.

"Dillon, we can't. It's a sister. Maybe next time you'll get a brother," I suggested.

"But I want a brother now!"

"Dillon," Meredith said. "You can't have one now."

"But Bobby said if I had a sister than you definitely wouldn't love me anymore," he cried, picking up his plate and throwing it on the floor. I had never seen him act like this. I had never seen him throw a temper tantrum and it was frankly scaring me. Meredith didn't need this right now.

"Dillon, we talked about this in the car. Mommy and I will always love you, always. A brother or a sister aren't going to change that," I told him, moving to pick up the broken plate.

"You'll like her more," he said, now moving to grab his cup.

"No we won't," Meredith chimed in. "Dillon, we love you. We'll love you both the same."

"I don't want a sister," he said, raising the cup.

"Dillon, if you throw that glass you're going to bed right now, no dessert!" Meredith yelled. It was really the first time I had ever heard her yell at him.

"See, you already don't love me!" he shouted, throwing the glass to the ground where it mixed with the remainder of his food.

"Dillon, we love you. But right now, you're not being a good boy," I told him.

"Dillon, please," Meredith said. She looked exhausted. She looked tense and exhausted. This definitely was not good.

"Dillon," I said, brining my face to his level, looking right at him. I vaguely remembered my dad doing this too me. "Your mom, she's tired. I'm tired. We're all tired. And right now, we really need you to be good. If you don't want a sister, that's fine. But use your words."

"Maybe we should show him the video," Meredith suddenly said, a smile spreading across her face.

"Good idea," I nodded. "Dill, come on, we have a video to show you. And no shouting or screaming."

"Fine," he snapped, following behind us, his arms folded across his chest.

We trudged to the living room, where I put the video on, and then took a seat beside Meredith, pulling a still angry Dillon on my laps. The grainy image of my daughter filled the screen. "See that? That's your sister."

He watched for a few minutes as she moved around, kicking out a leg, sucking her thumb. My eyes watered as I took Meredith's hand, squeezing it gently. "That's my sister?" he asked, sounding a little awestruck.

"That's your sister," Meredith whispered.

"She's moving," he stated.

"She does that sometimes," I laughed.

"Is she moving now?" he asked.

"A little," Meredith smiled, taking her son's hand in her own and pressing it against her stomach. "Feel that?"

He nodded a little and then giggled. "It feels funny."

"So you're going to be a good big brother to her?" I asked him.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I'll be the best big brother ever." He stuck his chest out proudly as he kept his hand on Meredith's stomach. "What's her name?"

"We don't know yet. But we're going to give her grandma's name for her middle name," Meredith smiled.

"Oh," he nodded and then turned to look at the screen again. "Wow."

"Yeah, wow," I echoed, hugging him close. "We love you Dillon, we'll always love you."

He just nodded and continued watching the grainy image, his hand still on Meredith's stomach. "I love you," he suddenly said to Meredith's stomach, resting his blond head where his hand had been moments before.

Meredith's eyes filled with tears and I wrapped an arm around her, silently mouthing I love you. I couldn't believe that less than a day before I had been close to losing this, all of this, of losing my family. This is exactly where I belonged, this was exactly what I needed.

"She is everything I want, but I never knew I needed..."