Hey guys! This update didn't take long at all. I was pretty stoked to hear that so many of you liked where I took the story. I want to thank Ankaz123. She told me "You should be really proud of what you've written." It made my day. Thank you so much!

Disclaimer: I own nothing, if I did, Jackson wouldn't have been an issue in the first place.

It had been a long night of silence for Lexie. Mark slept on the couch all night and was in the shower when she got up with Haley and began making breakfast. She knew this fight was not going to blow over easily. Mark had always made it clear that he wanted a big family and Lexie had always been hesitant to say the least. What she wanted Mark to know was that it had nothing to do with Mark and everything to do with the fact that she still wanted things she hadn't gotten to experience, like her career. Mark walked through the living room and into the kitchen where he started rummaging through the refrigerator. Haley sat in her high chair and Lexie sat at the bar next to her.

"I made breakfast." Lexie said lamely.

Mark silently grabbed a bottle of water, walked over to Haley and kissed her on top of her head before walking to the front door.

"Are you seriously not going to talk to me?" Lexie tried again. "Mark, come on."

Ignoring her, Mark walked out the door without as much as a grunt of acknowledgement. Lexie sighed, pushing the food she was feeding Haley away from her and closing her eyes.

"I don't know how I'm gonna get out of this one, baby girl." Lexie said as Haley just cooed. "I'm sorry I am always screwing things up. I wish I could just get it right for once."

At that Haley giggled, causing Lexie to smile. She loved how Haley could turn her whole mood around just with one smile or one laugh.

"You're right. I already got it right. I got you, didn't I?" Lexie said, wiping her baby's mouth. "Yeah, I did."

"There he is." Derek greeted Mark on the catwalk. "Hey, I need you to take a look at these blueprints for me. I left them with Meredith, but she gave me no feedback. I'm sure she just has no idea what to suggest." Derek paused. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, man." Mark responded. "I can take a look at the blueprints later."

"You look like someone just ran over your puppy and you're less talkative than usual." Derek pressed. "Come on, you can tell me."

The duo walked into Derek's office. "I had a fight with Lexie." Mark said, sitting in the chair in front of Derek's desk.

"Ah, and the truth comes out." Derek laughed. "What did you do this time?"

Mark sighed. "We were going at it last night. It was pretty hot and heavy and when she noticed we didn't have any protection I suggested we just take a chance."

"Oh, Mark." Derek said, shaking his head.

"What?"

"She's not ready for that." Derek pointed out.

"We already have a baby, it's not like we don't know how to be parents." Mark said.

"Exactly. There." Derek said. "The beginning of that sentence. 'We already have a baby.' To Lexie, having another baby is a huge deal, just like it was the first time. She is having doubts, just like the first time. She is scared, just like the first time. Cut her some slack."

"I'm an asshole." Mark said, rubbing his temples. It had never occurred to him to think of it the other way around. "I didn't think that she would be afraid."

"You have to think of what you are asking her to give up." Derek said. "She just got back to work, Mark. She is finding some normalcy and balance. Once she figures it all out, the rest will fall in place."

"You're right." Mark said. "Damn it. I hate it when you're right."

"Really? 'Cause I kind of like it." Derek leaned back in his chair with a smile.

Mark walked into his apartment that night, regretting everything he said to Lexie the night before. He knew he made her feel bad and whether she knew it or not that was never his intention. He felt as if he was losing something and at this point, he wasn't ready, willing, or able to lose anything else. He looked around and found the place empty and quiet. He opened the door to Haley's room, finding her fast asleep, clutching a small stuffed bear. He smiled to himself and headed to the master bedroom where he heard the tv playing.

"Hey." Mark said, kicking his shoes off.

"How was work?"

"Oh, you know. Same old stuff." Mark said, laying next to her and sighing.

"So you're talking to me now?" Lexie said, still clearly upset.

"I'm sorry I was such an asshole. I wanted another baby. I got tunnel-visioned and all I wanted was another kid." He told her.

"I'm not ready." Lexie said, on the verge of tears.

"I know." He said, caressing her face. "I get it, babe. Believe me, I do. It just didn't occur to me how hard it was the first time around. I don't expect you to jump into it right away."

"Thank you." She said, smiling.

"But can we talk about again one day?" He asked her, giving her that smile that made her heart melt.

"Of course we can." Lexie said, kissing him. "I promise."

"Good."

"But just because we aren't having another baby right now, doesn't mean we can't practice." She said, seductively pulling a box of condoms from the bedside drawer.

"Are you serious?" He asked her.

"Not often, but just then, yeah, I had some serious going." Lexie said, tossing him the box. "So what do you say?"

A couple hours later, Lexie and Mark laid together after making love. They felt they were finally able to be together and not worry about what the other one was thinking or trying to figure out. Lexie rested her head on Mark's chest and slowly traced patterns with her fingers. The silence was soothing. All that could be heard was the light breathing that accompanied the rise and fall of both their chests. Everything was peaceful, calm, and perfect. Then Haley was heard on the baby monitor.

Lexie giggled. "You want me to go?"

"No. I got it this time." Mark said, pulling some pants on and walking to his daughter's room.

"Hey there, troublemaker." He said, turning the light on. "What's the matter, huh?"

He picked Haley up and walked over to the window. He learned that when she fussed during the night, she found standing by the window calmed her. There was something about the stillness and the moonlight that just seemed to soothe her.

"I want to tell you something." He said, looking down at the small child resting against his chest. "No matter what. I want you to tell me things, okay? I want you to always feel like you can tell me what's bothering you, big or small. I will always love you and I will always protect you. I want you to know this and remember this. I promise, okay?"

He just stood there for a while, enjoying the calm before placing his daughter back in her bed, carefully covering her with a blanket and heading back to his own bed. Lexie was rolled over on her stomach fast asleep and Mark couldn't help but chuckle to himself. He crawled into the bed next to her and lightly stroked her hair.

"I don't think you quite understand how much I love you. You're my family now, Lexie. You and our little girl. Don't you ever forget that." He lightly kissed her on the forehead and turned the bedside lamp off. He was content with things. They were a family, regardless of any stupid fights. Families stuck together, and he wasn't going anywhere.

I know this chapter was slightly shorter, but I hope you are happy with it all the same. Again thank you for reading and your reviews mean the world to me. Peace and Love. xoxo