"Zola's asleep again...she tossed her pacifier out of the crib." Derek walked back into his and Meredith's bedroom in his mom's house. It was three in the morning and he and Meredith were still wide awake. Ava had been getting sick since they had gotten home from their walk and now she was finally sleeping in Meredith's arms. They had called Arizona who had told them that this was perfectly normal and that they could increase her dose of Zofran a little bit to see if it helped. Unfortunately, the medicine had only helped for about an hour and then their little girl began to get sick again. It was a relief to see her sleeping and he and Meredith should have been doing the same thing, except every time they closed their eyes, they remained wide awake.

"She's funny." Meredith whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Zola's funny." Meredith replied, looking down at Ava who was sleeping quietly against her chest.

"She is." Derek slid back into their bed, running a hand over Ava's head.

"I'm so glad she's sleeping."

"She shouldn't have to deal with this." He sighed.

"But she is."

"She looks like nothing is wrong."

"For all she understands...there really isn't."

"Are you tired?" He asked.

"Not really."

"Me either."

"I don't think I would be able to sleep even if her stomach felt okay."

"I didn't think it would be this fast...the side effects..."

"Alex said it could be a few hours or after a few treatments." Meredith sighed, looking up at her husband.

"He also said it would go away after a day or two,,,or at least it normally does."

"None of this is normal."

"Derek..."

"Yeah?"

"It's normal for...what she's going through."

"I know...I know...I just...not handling this as well as I thought I could."

"I know."

"Sorry Ava." Derek whispered.

"Do you think Zola understands something is wrong?" Meredith asked, shifting Ava in her arms.

"No. I think she's too young."

"But she probably knows something..."

"I don't know."

"Oooh..." They heard Ava groan.

"Hey Aves." Derek whispered.

"Hi Daddy." Ava wiped at her eyes. "Hi Mommy."

"Hi Ava." Meredith bent her head to kiss Ava's head.

"How do you feel?" Derek asked, running his hand over her hair.

"My tummy's sick."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"How did you sleep?" Meredith asked.

"I'm still tired." Ava whispered.

"Well you can rest and sleep as much as you need to." Meredith breathed. She loved holding Ava which was something she had forgotten about the past few years. It had been at least 3 years since she had rocked Ava in her arms, but suddenly Meredith never wanted to let go.

"What time is it?" Their little girl rubbed her eyes.

"It's very late." Derek told her.

"Like eleven?" Ava asked. "Or later?"

"Later." Meredith giggled.

"Is Hunter sleeping too?"

"He is. He's in your room." Derek replied.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah?"

"Do the stars still light up when people aren't looking?"

"They do."

"What about the bugs and the squirrels? Are they still outside when we are inside?"

"Yup."

"Wow."

"Pretty crazy, huh?" Meredith giggled.

"Yeah." Ava sighed.

"They have to sleep, too. Just like you." Derek laughed.

"No they don't..." Ava laughed.

"Yes they do. Or else they'd be really tired all the time."

"Is Zola sleeping?"

"She is." He nodded.

"Do you want a sip of your drink?" Meredith asked.

"No." Ava shook her head.

"Ava you got really sick and now you're dehydrated." Meredith whispered. "I just need you to take slow sips."

"I don't want it."

"Ava just a little sip."

"Please." Derek whispered.

"Please Ava..." Meredith breathed, kissing her little girl's head.

"Just a little tiny one." Derek handed her the cup of juice.

"Fine..." Ava groaned, rubbing her eyes again as she looked up at her parents.

"Thank you pumpkin."

"You're welcome." Ava took a little sip before resting her head against Meredith's chest. "Am I better?"

"Not yet." Derek sighed.

"Why?" Ava asked.

"You still need more medicine."

"Ooh man."

"I know." He chuckled.

"Hey Ava...your school stuff is going to come in the mail soon." Meredith added, running a hand over Ava's soft hair. "We can start home schooling when it does."

"I get to go to school?" Ava's face lit up.

"Well kind of..." Meredith explained. "I will be your teacher and we will do school together instead of going to a school."

"With Hunter too?"

"No Ava." Derek answered, hating to disappoint his daughter. "Hunter is going to school...you're going to do school at home."

"With Mommy?"

"With Mommy." He nodded.

"What about crafts?"

"Well Mommy isn't very good with arts and crafts but I guess I'll have to work on it won't I?" Meredith laughed, wiping at the tears that had come to her eyes.

"Why are you crying Mommy?" Ava frowned.

"Oh um...I'm not..."

"Don't cry." Ava kissed her cheek.

"No crying." Meredith breathed, hugging Ava close. "I love you Miss. Ava."

"Love you too Miss Mommy." Ava started to giggle.

"Will you take another sip?" Meredith looked up at Derek who was holding the sippy cup.

"Just one more."

"Good girl." Derek smiled, kissing the top of her head.

"Look." Ava lifted her princess top, pointing to the scar that was turning pink on her belly. "I gotta big boo boo still."

"It's getting better."

"Yucky."

"Daddy has a scar too." Derek pointed to his forehead.

"Wow." Ava ran her small fingers over Derek's scar.

"What do you think?"

"You're a tough guy."

"I am?" He laughed, looking up at Meredith.

"You are feeding your father's ego way too much." Meredith laughed.

"What's that mean?" Ava asked.

"It means Mommy thinks you're going to give me a big head." Derek laughed.

"Daddy..." Ava laughed.

"Do you want more juice?"

"No."

"Ava..." Meredith whispered.

"Are you sleepy?"

"No." Ava said quickly, even though they knew she probably was.

"No? Not at all?" Derek asked.

"Nope." Ava laid back against Meredith.

"I am." He faked a big yawn.

"Go to sleep Daddy."

"Ava...why don't you cuddle with Daddy to help him sleep. He likes to cuddle." Meredith said softly.

"I do." He nodded.

"Mmkay." Ava breathed, crawling into Derek's arms.

"And we can use the soft blankets." Meredith crawled next to Derek and Ava before lifting Ava's cup.

"One last sip?"

"No." She shook her head.

"Fine..." Meredith sighed.

"Daddy's really sleepy." Derek whispered. "Let's close our eyes."

"I wanna play Barbies." Ava yawned.

"We can play Barbies tomorrow."

"Where is the sun?"

"Sleeping." Meredith whispered.

"Like Daddy." Derek breathed.

"You're awake!" Ava laughed.

"Nope."

"Yeah huh!"

"Shh...sleep..."

"Sleep time." Meredith whispered, rubbing Ava's back.

"Sweet dreams, Ava." Derek kissed her head.

"Night." Ava whispered, before kissing Meredith's cheek. "Night Miss. Mommy."

"Night my Miss. Ava." Meredith giggled.

"She's out like a light." Derek whispered a few minutes later.

"Mmm...when I was little I used to watch her sleep...I did the same with Hunter and now Zola but...I can't believe I stopped watching her because she's so...I just feel better knowing she's right here."

"I know what you mean."

"We should sleep in case she ends up sick again...get our rest or whatever."

"Good idea."

"Love you."

"I love you too." Derek leaned over and kissed Meredith softly before laying back down with their daughter asleep in between them. It was hard to believe by looking at Ava that she was sick. He knew that eventually, anyone looking at her would be able to tell that something was wrong but it made it even harder to comprehend just what his daughter was going through.