"Look Zo..." Derek pointed to the Christmas decorations on the lawn of one of his mother's neighbors as he pushed Zola down the street in her stroller, Mark walking next to him. He hadn't slept well the night before and instead of sitting in the hospital all day waiting while Ava had tests run, Meredith had suggested that he stay home with Zola and even spend some time with Mark. It was cold outside and he had made sure that Zola was bundled up enough so she would be warm for a short walk, but it was nice to finally get some fresh air and spend time with his other daughter.
"It's a lot more calm when it's only one kid."
"We always said we were only going to have one."
"Yeah that went into the shitter."
"We were actually...trying when her school called to tell us she was sick." Derek laughed harshly.
"You guys fuck like rabbits."
"I...not anymore."
"Well maybe not now." Mark chuckled.
"If we get ten minutes alone now it's a miracle." Derek laughed.
"Well...what else can Lexie and I do?" Mark asked, zipping up his jacket.
"Nothing. We can't ask you guys to do anything else."
"Sure you can."
"Da!" Zola shouted, clapping her hands together.
"Are you warm enough Zo?" Derek stopped, kneeling down in front of the stroller.
"Da..." Zola pounded the tray on her stroller.
"You could always adopt again."
"It's not even an option right now."
"This won't last forever."
"I don't even know if she wants it anymore." Derek stood up and kept pushing the stroller.
"Ask her." Mark shrugged.
"Hmm."
"Can't hurt."
"All that matters right now is Ava...another baby...our relationship...that all takes a back seat right now."
"Your relationship can't...I mean I'm no expert but the kids need you guys to be stronger than ever."
"I don't know how to do that."
"How did you do it before?" Mark asked, leaning over to grab the toy elephant Zola had dropped.
"I don't know...sex...talking...sex."
"Do that..."
"We don't have time."
"You had time before."
"Our daughter didn't have cancer." Derek sighed.
"True." Mark walked, looking around at the bare trees.
"How are you and Lexie?"
"We're good...everything with Ava has really got us to talking about our future. I Mark Sloane...am talking about the future."
"I'm impressed." Derek laughed.
"And we want you guys to move back."
"I know."
"It's time."
"We've talked about it."
"Talk more." Mark groaned, pulling Zola out of the stroller.
"Hi Zo." Derek smiled.
"Ah!"
"Are you and Lexie thinking about kids?" Derek asked, walking alone and pushing the stroller while Mark held Zola.
"She's not ready but we've talked about it."
"And you haven't run away. I'm shocked."
"Hey." Mark frowned. "I've grown up."
"Yes you have." Derek laughed, patting him on the back.
"Da!"
"Don't get me wrong...I love my children...they're...everything." Derek sighed. "But with all of this...sometimes I wish Mer and I could go back to that stage. That happy...care free...everything is perfect stage."
"One where your daughter wasn't fighting for her life?"
"Something like that."
"You and Meredith aren't on thin ice?" Mark asked, almost sounding concerned.
"No...no we're not...it's just..."
"Ava..."
"We could be better."
"But you're not doing horribly?"
"No."
"But you rented out a fancy suite for a few hours of sex?" Mark replied, stopping on the sidewalk.
"Meredith spoke to Lexie..."
"I did." Derek laughed, smiling as he remembered the afternoon.
"With no intention on staying."
"Nope."
"Dirty."
"And now it's been...almost two weeks."
"I'm off Wednesday night...so is Lexie so we can stay with Ava in the hospital for the night." Mark offered.
"Thank you but...no thank you."
"And if she's not in the hospital than we'll help Mom with all three kids at home...not that she needs it."
"I'll let Meredith know you offered."
"Besides...we enjoy time with the kids. At least go on another date."
"Thank you Mark."
"Bahhhh!" Zola gasped, reaching for Mark's nose as they walked.
"Zola...who is that?" Derek laughed.
"Da!"
"No...that's Uncle Mark."
"Go!"
"She has no idea of what's going on." He took Zola from Mark.
"She's brilliant."
"With Ava...the cancer...she's just innocent. And Meredith and I feel like we've been neglecting her." Derek sighed, kissing Zola's head. "I tell Meredith over and over that we're not but..."
"But it's hard."
"Its hard." He nodded.
"I bet."
"And I'm terrified."
"Of?" Mark took Zola.
"Of losing my daughter." Derek breathed.
"I would be lying if I didn't say I was worried but...Ava's going to win this battle."
"That's what everybody says."
"It's true."
"Hmm."
"Starting to doubt it?"
"A little."
"I thought Arizona said everything was going well."
"She did...but we won't know anything for sure until her tests next week"
"So wait until next week to worry." Mark shrugged.
"I wish it was that easy."
"She's put on weight." Mark shrugged.
"I know." Derek sighed.
"It's a good sign."
"You know what I miss?" Derek looked over at Mark.
"What?"
"The OR."
"I knew that would set in." Mark smirked.
"It's not...I can't do anything for my daughter...medically at least. But I can operate on other people and save their lives."
"Talk to Richard Webber. He's our Chief and the head of Neuro recently left to take a position in England."
"I'm sure they already have someone else lined up."
"Give him a call."
"I'll think about it."
"Don't think. Do it. You're doing enough thinking."
"I have to talk to Mer first."
"She won't care." Mark shrugged.
"Yes she will." Derek laughed.
"I thought she was all laid back." Mark laughed, handing Zola to Derek, before taking over pushing the stroller.
"She is. But that's a big decision right now."
"True."
"She's getting cold." Derek held Zola close to him.
"Well and I think those ladies over there think we're gay." Mark sighed, almost hiding his face.
"Who cares? You are in a deep and meaningful relationship." Derek laughed.
"And you?"
"I'm married."
"Maybe Meredith's your beard." Mark laughed, walking towards the house.
"Funny." Derek rolled his eyes.
"Ah ha!" Zola laughed.
"Smart kid." Mark chuckled.
"You're supposed to be on my side Zo." Derek laughed.
"Ba!"
"Come on." He laughed, carrying her inside the house.
"She's definitely not yours...so smart."
"Thanks Mark."
"You love me..."
"Yeah."
"I'm gonna go put on a pot of coffee."
"Okay." Derek took Zola's hat off. "I'm going to put her down for a nap."
"Have fun with that!" Mark called, walking into the kitchen.
"Oh we will, won't we?" Derek smiled, kissing Zola's nose and carrying her up the stairs for her nap. He missed Ava and every other moment he wondered how she was doing but it was great to spend some time with Zola and Mark and that even though he wasn't there, Ava was taken care of.