"Derek I have a problem, can you help me?" said Meredith out of the blue.
Derek and Meredith were looking at a patient's MRI, they had been sitting in total silence except for the usual pleasantries.
"I'll certainly try," said Derek.
"It's Ella…"
"Is she alright?"
"She's fine," said Meredith. "The problem is I have to work night shift tonight but the nanny is going to visit her aunt for a few days so…"
"You want me to get someone to cover your shift, you're on Neuro rotation right?" said Derek. "You should really go through the Chief but I should be able…"
"No I don't want time off," said Meredith smiling a little at his stupidity. "I was wondering if you would look after Ella."
"But it's not my day with her," said Derek.
"Alright sorry, I just thought I would ask," said Meredith. Derek was always moaning he didn't get to see enough of Ella, and then when she offered to let him spend more time with her, he wouldn't because it wasn't his set days. There was just no pleasing some people. "I'll just have to see the Chief about switching shifts then."
"No sorry I didn't mean I wouldn't do it," said Derek hurriedly. "It's just you've never asked me to take her when it wasn't my day."
"I know," said Meredith feeling bad. "But two days isn't really enough."
"No it's not," said Derek thoughtfully.
"So you don't mind?"
"Mind? Are you kidding me? I get to have her all night," said Derek his face breaking out into a huge grin.
"Yes," said Meredith smiling at how happy Derek was. "But just to warn you, she gets up at least three times a night and her nappies are not pleasant at four in the morning."
"I don't care," he said. "So what time?"
"I'll drop her off around six," said Meredith. "I'll pick her up at ten tomorrow."
"I could keep her tomorrow too if you want, I don't have a surgery until six and it will let you get some sleep," said Derek eagerly.
"Are you sure?"
"She's my daughter of course I'm sure."
"Well alright then…" said Meredith apprehensively.
"Seriously?"
"Yes," said Meredith. "I'll pack her all her things for you."
"You mean…you don't mind her staying at the trailer?"
"Well…I admit it's not ideal but…it's a very nice trailer," said Meredith. "She'll be staying with you overnight when she's older anyway."
"I didn't think you would want her in the trailer."
"She'll be fine just…don't psychologically damage her okay? I mean…the trailer is basically one room and even if she's asleep…" rambled Meredith.
"Oh don't worry," said Derek finally getting what Meredith meant. She was telling him not to have sex in the same room as their sleeping baby, as if he really had to be told that. "Two people sleeping in the trailer is more than enough."
"Right…sorry," said Meredith looking away awkwardly.
"Especially if Ella takes after her mother in more than just looks," said Derek casually as he pretended to be examining the patient's films.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I mean she's a baby I can't sleep in the hammock outside if she starts snoring so loud she makes the trailer move."
"That is such an exaggeration," squealed Meredith slapping him in the shoulder.
"No it's not, seriously for someone so small you can make a hell of a lot of noise," laughed Derek.
"I thought it was 'adorable' that such a big noise could come from such a little person," Meredith teased.
"It was, it is," said Derek then he cleared his throat awkwardly. "I'm sure Finn thinks the same."
"I'm sure I'll find out," said Meredith looking away.
"hmmm," said Derek watching her out of the corner of his eye. She hadn't slept with Finn yet, Derek knew it was wrong but he couldn't help but feel elated. It was probably just because of the whole 'dating' competition that happened last year, Derek told himself, it was just Finn he didn't like he wouldn't be jealous of any man that went out of Meredith. It was just Finn!
------------------------------------------------
"Derek will you look at some these tonight?" said Rose. Derek had just finished his shift and was going to go and get the trailer ready for Ella. Rose was shoving papers into his hand.
"What are these?" he said completely confused.
"Just a few little designs for the house and some contractors numbers," she said eagerly.
"Designs?" said Derek then he remembered what they had talked about the day before. "Oh right…Good news I don't have to build a house on the land, Meredith doesn't mind Ella staying at the trailer. She's staying tonight."
"Is that the only reason you wanted to build a house?" said Rose not able to keep the hurt out of her voice.
"Well…yeah I wanted Ella to stay and she can so…" said Derek then he saw the look on Rose's face. "I will build on it one day…but not yet."
"Right well obviously I was wrong," huffed Rose. "I thought you wanted to move our relationship on a level, I thought it would be a fresh start for us…"
"A fresh start?"
"Yes a way to move all from Meredith fucking Grey and her springing a kid on you. How are we meant to start a family when you want to live in a trailer?"
"Start a family?" said Derek completely lost by now.
"You need to think about us and what you want Derek," said Rose tearfully. "I don't think I should come over tonight, we can talk tomorrow over breakfast."
"Uh…I have Ella tomorrow."
"Can't her mother look after her for one day?" Rose snapped.
"I offered," said Derek defensively.
"Whatever, I suppose we can talk with her there then," said Rose grudgingly.