I'm baaaack! I know it has taken longer than I had originally promised, but life has had some interesting things to throw my way. Anyway, I figure it is better late than never. Thanks for all the positive feedback I have gotten on this story. When I started it I really didn't think it would get anywhere but I am so happy it did. Enough about me...So once again...ENJOY!

Disclaimer: I do not own Grey's Anatomy or any of the characters. Shonda Rhimes and ABC are the ones who have all the control.

It had been a couple months since Lexie's life changing news and it seemed that everyone at Seattle Grace-Mercy West couldn't be happier or more supportive. Meredith seemed pretty interested in being an aunt, Derek was super supportive, Cristina acted like she could care less, and Callie and Arizona had already began buying baby clothes. The only problem Lexie had was her growing baby bump. Small as it was, it seemed to get in the way...a lot.

It was close to the end of Lexie's shift and she could not have been more tired. It seemed that the energy needed to compensate for the baby took more out of her than she had expected. She was filling out last minute charts when Mark snuck up behind her.

"Hey you." he said, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his hands on her growing belly.

"Hi." she responded, sleepily.

"Babe, are you okay?" Mark asked, concerned.

"I'm fine. I just...it's been a long day, looooong day." she told him.

"You shouldn't be pushing yourself too hard, you should sit and put your feet up. Come on." he tried.

"I am fine, Mark. I'm pregnant, not elderly." she snapped before slamming her chart closed and storming off.

Either more was going on with Lexie than she was letting on or the hormones were getting the best of her. Mark hoped that whatever it was would resolve itself soon. He hated seeing her so miserable and not being able to do anything to fix it or make her feel better.

Mark met Lexie in the lobby after their shifts and proceeded talking to her with caution.

"How was your day?" he tried.

"It was fine. I'm just tired." she told him. "Look, I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier. You were concerned and I practically bit your head off. It's just that everyone has been treating me like I am Little Miss Breakable now. I am having a baby. It doesn't mean I can't do anything for myself anymore."

"Who is treating you like you're breakable?" he asked her.

"Everyone." she continued. "Meredith monitors my eating habits, Derek is always making sure I am hydrated, Jackson and Alex won't let me lift anything heavier than 10 pounds, and you don't help either."

"What did I do?" Mark asked, he genuinely seemed lost.

"Seriously? 'Hey babe, you should go put you feet up.'" Lexie said in her best imitation of Mark. "Do you have any idea how many times you tell me that every day?"

Mark protested. "First of all, I don't sound like that and second of all, I am just worried. You two are the most important people in my life. I don't want anything to happen to either of you, small or otherwise."

"I understand that, Mark. Really I do, but you have to let me live my life. I can't just crawl in a hole, you know?" she told him.

"I know. I just wanna protect you and our baby for as long as I can." Mark told her.

"Okay but there is protective and then over the top. Just tone it down a little. 'Kay?" Lexie asked.

"Okay" Mark agreed.

"Thank you." she said with a smile.

That night Mark and Lexie walked into their apartment and fell into their nightly rountine. Both would shower, separately of course, since the very idea of Mark touching her body right now made Lexie cringe. Then they would brush their teeth and crawl into the huge king sized bed they shared. Mark tried to put his best moves on Lexie the last few nights, but it seemed her current mix of crankiness and hormones were not going to help his game. Lexie laid next to him in the darkness, trying desperately to fall asleep. She tossed and turned endlessly, moaning every few minutes. Finally, laced with worry, Mark asked the one question he had learned to regret.

"Lex, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just can't seem to get comfortable. Everything is in the way." she complained. "My boobs, my belly, everything!"

Here we go again. Mark thought to himself. "I'm sorry babe. I wish I could help you."

"This is all your fault you know? If you hadn't have knocked me up, I wouldn't be having this issue right now." Lexie shot at him.

"Baby, I am sorry. If I could I would take all of your discomfort from you." he offered.

"It doesn't matter. God, I am such a whale right now. A fat, ugly, whale." Lexie whined.

Mark had heard enough. "Hey, you are not ugly. You are beautiful. And you are not fat." he continued. "Lexie, you are perfect and I wish to God you could see what I see when you look in the mirror. You are beyond words, Lexie Grey. So don't you dare start thinking less of yourself. I won't listen to it."

"I'm sorry." Lexie said. "My hormones have just been so out of whack."

"It's okay. They said it should get better in the second trimester." Mark told her.

"Where did you- You read the baby books?" Lexei asked, touched that Mark would do such a thing. "You read the baby books."

"Well I need to know what exactly my girl is going through. So yeah, I read the baby books." he told her.

"I love you so much." Lexie said as she hugged him.

"I love you, Lex." he answered.

As Lexie went in for a kiss, Mark went for her stomach

"I love you too, little one." he said.

"Hey, what-" Lexie started.

"Sorry" Mark laughed as he kissed her.

This was going to be fine. Lexie would make a good mom and she could tell that Mark was going to make a great father. She knew she was in great hands and she began to find herself counting down the days till the human inside her made its grand appearance. Lexie was happy, but she was also scared out of her mind. However, somehow she knew as long as Mark was there. It didn't matter. She would be fine. She had never felt safer and more at ease.

I know this chapter was shorter but I really did try. I am battling some fierce writer's block. If any of you have any idea on how to combat this, please do not hesitate to share. Anyway, you know the drill, read and review. Let me know if I should keep this going.

LOVE & PEACE GUYS!

XOXO