In Which Questions Are Answered!

'I have a child,' Meredith finally uttered, with a sudden sense of clarity and resolution. She searched his eyes for any trace of comprehension. As she saw only surprise, she continued. 'Her name is Nora, Nora Elizabeth…Grey. She's four. I was never married or anything. I had been dating this guy for a year when I got pregnant. I was in med school at Dartmouth. He never knew. Before I even knew, we started fighting. I guess we couldn't take each other anymore. I found out right before he ended our relationship. He left me. He went to New York, I think; I don't know for sure. I never spoke to him again. I didn't want to subject my child to that arguing. Nora is staying with my father for a while so I can get settled in.' She quieted, waiting for a reaction from Derek. He stood idly for a moment.

Then he burst into a grin. 'I love children,' he responded simply. It was all that was necessary; Meredith fell into Derek's arms, gleefully. 'I always wanted children. My ex-wife and I never got around to it. We were too focused on out careers. I suppose it did us well; we both turned out to be very successful. But I always felt that I had been unsuccessful in something. I think it was that I never had children and, now, it seems that I've been given a second change.'

Meredith pulled away from his warm embrace. 'Are you serious? I mean, no one would respond like that, right'

'Of course I'm serious. Sure it's not ideal, but I meant what I told you before. I'm in this. And the father is no longer in this. Nora Elizabeth Grey might need a father figure?' Derek tested.

Meredith grinned. 'I know she would love one. But she is currently obsessed with Disney and princesses. That might not be your favorite,' she joked.

'Tell me more about her.'

'Well, she's little with brown hair and bright blue eyes. She has this ratty little stuffed cat named Kitty that she loves and sleeps with every night. It used to be white but now it's more…filthy. I've tried to replace it but she doesn't like the new one as much. She likes to play princess and watch Disney. Her favorites are Sleeping Beauty and Mulan. And she knows all the songs. She sings all the time. She's very smart. She's beginning to be able to read.'

'So, when do I get to meet her? She sounds wonderful. I'm sure you've done a fantastic job raising her.'

'She's staying with my dad and step mom for two weeks. I hope by then I'll be pretty settled. She'll stay at daycare, of course, while I work until she starts to go to school in about two years. And my parents live close by; they can help. So when she comes home I'll let you meet her. Is that okay?'

'Perfect.'

'I can't believe you're so excited about this,' Meredith admitted, 'Not many men take this news well. It's scary news.'

'No, it's not scary, Mer. I mean, I'm a little surprised I'm so happy too. It's not like I ever imagined something like this would happen to me before though. But it feels right. And to be hones, when I look into your eyes, I see forever. Scared now?' he laughed. She kissed him. They both knew that it felt right. Not only that it felt right but that it was right.

'I'm so glad we made this into more than a "one-night-and-morning-stand,"' Meredith said sweetly as they pulled into her driveway.

'Me too.'

'Would you like to come in?' Meredith asked not so innocently. 'Because Nora comes back in less than two weeks and who knows when we'll have time to be alone. And I can see the lust in your eyes,' she giggled.

Her lips met his in the twilight. She took his hand and they made their way, slowly, up the starts into the bedroom.

Later that evening Derek awoke to find Meredith nestled in his arms. But she was anything but tranquil. She was trembling slightly and tossing her head.

'Don't…don't leave me…I…love…you….you…can't…please…' she begged in her fitful sleep. Derek tightened his embrace, hoping she would feel safer. Her trembling and fidgeting soon stopped. She mumbled "love" once more before her sleep became less frightful. Derek kissed the back of her head and soon fell back into sleep.

They awoke the next morning to the incessant beeping of Meredith's alarm clock. Derek sleepily mumbled a "good morning" and Meredith pulled the blanket over her head. He shut off the alarm before uncovering Meredith and kissing her forehead.

'I'm so tired,' she complained, still not daring to open her eyes.

'Well, you shouldn't force me to stay up half the night for sex!' he joked.

'Oh, I forced you did I?' she giggled, opening her eyes to hit him with her pillow. 'It didn't look like I forced you into anything.' She trudged out of bed and walked across the hallway to take a shower.

When she came out, she found Derek in the kitchen cooking breakfast.

'It didn't seem that you slept well last night, even when you were sleeping,' he mentioned, flipping pancakes on the griddle.

'What?' Meredith asked defensively.

'You were shaking.' He walked over to her and held her. 'You were tossing and you kept mumbling things.'

'What kinds of things?'

'Like "don't leave" and "I love you."'

Meredith looked frightened. 'I…uhm… Did it last very long?"

'Not very. I held you tighter and you slept better,' he responded lovingly.

'See, you'll always be here to save me.' She forced a smile and poured herself a cup of coffee.

'Mer, what were you dreaming about?' Derek asked cautiously, hoping she wouldn't be angry with him for asking.

'Oh, I don't remember. Just some nightmare,' she avoided.

He looked at her sternly. 'Mer, I can tell you don't want to tell me, but we're honest with each other, right?'

'Okay, you're right. I'm sorry. I was dreaming of…him. I know it has been almost five years. I'm over him don't worry. He just enters my dreams sometimes. I can't explain it. And I didn't want you to panic.'

Derek stroked her cheek. 'I understand, Mer. People like him just make such an impact on you. You have his child. You'll never forget that. I can't forget my ex-wife or ex-best friend despite the terrible thing they did to me. Those things just enter our dreams sometimes. You don't have to feel like you have to hide them. I'll be here for you, no matter what happened in your past.'

'Thank you, Derek.'

So, there you have it. The little kid! And Derek's perfectness. It's amazing. Hope you enjoyed it! If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions do not hesitate to let me know! They are greatly appreciated. I hope you're having a good day.