A/N- And without further ado, chapter 39, continuing from where we left off. Enjoy
The pair were silent for a few minutes, the sudden onset of grief a little too much for both of them. Neither went to say anything until Meredith shot up from her seat, running upstairs for her suitcase and retrieving a worn, and very cherished box. She'd put it in her suitcase after they'd unpacked, not wanting to feel obliged to share it, but right now she couldn't think of anything more fitting. Derek was watching the fire when she returned, he turned to look at her, his solemn expression replaced with a patient eagerness, knowing that whatever was in the box was so personal, that she had to be 100% certain she could trust him before she could show him, and it had to be exactly the right moment. She settled herself beside him, placing the box on the coffee table.
"I know you've seen it." She said softly, looking up at him.
"I've never opened it Meredith, I swear."
"I know." She smiled slightly, "But it's not exactly hidden, I've seen you wondering about it. It just didn't feel right until now." She took a breath and lifted the lid. On top was a folded picture, which she pulled out and laid on both of their laps. "Those are my grandparents." She pointed out the older figures behind Thatcher and Ellis, whom he instantly recognised, holding what could only be. "And that's me." She said, blushing a little. Derek grinned.
"You were beautiful even then." He said, putting his arm around her waist.
"I never saw them again that I can remember, and this is the only photo I've ever seen of them. I don't know what it is but I've always had a thing for this photo. When I was old enough, I snuck it up to my room. Mom never mentioned it, but it says 1977 right here so it has to be me." She left it in Derek's hand as she pulled out an envelope, pulling a tiny infant bracelet and the card from her bassinet. 'Meredith Elizabeth Grey, 29 August 1977, 5lb9oz, 17 inches, baby girl.'
"You were tiny." Derek commented. "I was almost 9 pounds, and had nearly five inches on you as well. You weren't a preemie were you?" he giggled as Meredith's eyes widened at the thought of such a large baby.
"Only slightly. Mom worked until her water broke, which much to her disgust was 36 weeks when I came out." She looked in the box, clearly looking for a particular photo. "There, I was a couple hours old there." The photo showed a tiny baby that barely filled half of the bassinet, a tiny amount of peach fuzz hair visible, her tiny white onesie much too big. Her tiny face held an expression of disgust that was still a common sight on Meredith, causing Derek to laugh a little. Meredith pulled out various items, tiny white socks, a diaper pin and what appeared to be the original white onesie. Derek pointed to the photo and Meredith nodded.
"I found them in one of mom's boxes. I wasn't that old, old enough to know what they were, but not quite old enough to comprehend that she'd actually kept them all that time." Derek pulled her a little closer. This box quite possibly held the only soft side of Ellis grey that anyone had ever seen, and as painful as it was for Meredith to share, it was amazing for Derek to see.
A small stack of photos followed, several of different points of her babyhood, so many features having barely changed, and other emerging as the pile went on. In most she was alone, playing bathing, sleeping, Thatcher creeping into the odd one or two. The final of the stack made Derek chuckle out loud, a much younger Richard Webber holding Meredith in one arm, an expression on his face as though she might explode at any minute. Meredith joined in his laughter, biting her lip slightly. The box was almost empty, after so few items, none appearing to be from after her fifth birthday, just an envelope and a small frame left in the box. She lifted the frame, a candid shot of Ellis looking at Meredith with nothing but love and adoration as she slept peacefully in a crib that dwarfed her, barely a few weeks old by Derek's estimate.
"I only have that picture of the two of us." She said her voice cracking slightly. It was always in my room, always. I don't know if she put it there or someone else, but that's who she was Derek, before the affair, before all the heartache she was a good mom. And I honestly think she did love me. I know she did. She reached into the envelope, a single leaf of worn paper inside.
'My dear sweet Meredith, how is it even possible that you are an entire year old? Nevertheless here we are, and you're peacefully sleeping now, finally rid of the strawberry jam and cream that joined the cake crumbs on your face. You are so incredibly beautiful when you sleep, as if you're somehow getting prettier as you do, which isn't untrue at all. I don't spend nearly as much time with you as I'd like, but I truly cherish every moment that I do have with you my beautiful girl. You're growing so fast that I'm sure in no time you'll be off to college and into the big wide world without me. I know you'll make me proud, and be utterly extraordinary. I've had a great many achievements in my life Roo, but you are by far the greatest achievement. You are perfect in every way, funny intelligent, and absolutely flawless. Your every milestone inspires me to work harder, be better, because I have the best reason to, and that is you.
I'm sure the next few years won't be easy, but I will do everything to give you a good life, a happy life. You are my world munchkin, and I'll love you forever. Even when you hate me, even when I hate you, I will love you more than anything. I can't wait to see you grow, and become the young woman I dream you'll become. May your every wish come true, my precious.
Your adoring mommy, Ellis. Xxxx'
Derek was almost in tears as he reached the final line, Meredith's tears already falling as he pulled her close and kissed her over and over, never wanting to let her go.
"That's why I miss her." she sniffed as Derek rubbed her back soothingly. He helped her pack the things in her box, putting on the lid, keeping the memories safe for a little longer. "She wasn't all bad, when she had the time for me, that's who she was, she just didn't have a lot of time."
"Thank you." Derek said sincerely. "For showing me, it can't have been easy for you, especially today."
"I just wanted you to see her the way I did, before things got hard, and she was so set on giving me the best life that she forgot to be a part of it. This, it just reminds me…"
"That you do know how to be the centre of someone's world." He finished for her. "You're the absolute centre of mine, and our future children's. Its things like this that convince me that you will be an amazing mother, and also." He said getting up and pulling an old book from a nearby shelf. "I know you won't be as mean as to put photos like these into albums." He opened the cover, showing a shot of a small naked baby, screaming, and wet, having just taken a bath, followed by several equally embarrassing shots of a tiny nude Derek. Many showed him asleep, or almost asleep with an assortment of stuffed toys, including the dog that had been sat on the shelf above the bed since their arrival. As the pages went on Derek grew, as did his sisters, the inevitable shots of him in fancy dress with high heels, lipstick and pearls, attending tea parties with a scowl followed, before a shot of his Mcdreamy grin as he held what looked to be a new-born Lizzie. Soon he was joined by a taller, bigger built boy, with an expression that could only belong to Mark Sloan, who looked on in awe as seven year old Derek held baby Amy, again grinning at the camera, ever the proud older brother.
Carolyn walked in as they dove into school, Derek's hair growing unruly, made worse only by his band uniform complete with saxophone.
"I knew you'd cave Derek Shepherd." She said knowingly, "You always were one to show off, even before you were born. I knew that album would be out before too long. Aren't you grateful for hair products sweetheart?" She turned to Meredith who giggled, "Don't worry, I've pulled a few out here and there for an album for you Meredith, I'm not quite done, but I'll mail it as soon as I've finished. You'll definitely want to show your children one day. I have an album of the pair of you too of course, but I'll hang onto that for now. There'll be plenty more to add once you're home and after that no doubt." Meredith's face went from elated to shocked, as Carolyn grinned at her.
"Mom likes photos," Derek pointed out as Meredith went back to smiling, "Lots of them. How was dad?"
"It was far more peaceful this year," Carolyn mused, "As though things were balanced again. I think he knows you're home sweetie, and he definitely approves of Meredith, I could feel that a mile off. The stone is keeping well, and the plot. There's always something on it, I try and go as often as I can just to check on things. The funny thing was, I was happy tonight, which was definitely a first. I think it's fairly obvious why. Thank you, the pair of you. You've made me very happy indeed these past few days, and that'll not change anytime soon. It's so lovely to see everyone so happy and just together." She looked up at the clock, boasting a time of 10.35, Derek was vaguely aware of the cemetery being open for the whole Christmas period, as opposed to the stricter times imposed for the rest of the year hence his mother's late departure and return. "Is that the time. I'd best be off to bed, or I'll never be up for the fair in the morning." She placed a kiss on each of their cheeks before climbing the stairs, a yawn evident as she ascended.
"Fair?" Meredith ventured, secretly praying that this was not of the county variety. She'd gone with a friend from boarding school once, and landed with her typical lack of grace in a particularly pungent cow pat, and vowed never again to go to one.
"Rides and stalls, that sort of thing. A couple of the guys that own it aren't from too far from here, and they come home every Christmas. One of my teachers from elementary school lets them store everything on one of the fields in return for putting the fair on every Boxing Day. They've done it for years. The girls always go. It might be fun, I could try and win you one of those exceptionally large teddy bears." He leant in to kiss her, his dreamy gaze melting her like butter as she lifted her head to let him kiss her neck.
"Fine," she agreed, "but on one condition. I am not carrying around one of those teddy bears."
Early the next morning, Derek's door was very nearly knocked down before Mark strode in, beaming.
"Up you get lovebirds, it's fair time, mom has breakfast, the kids are on their way, and I've just realised you're both naked, I'm going to leave now." He walked away again, shutting the door behind him, encouraging somebody outside the door that it was not safe to go in.
"Do you think he realised?" Meredith giggled as she climbed back on top of Derek.
"That we were midway through some exceptionally quiet, positively mind blowing sex? I sincerely hope not." He kissed her hard as he sped towards the finish, ushering Meredith into the bathroom once they'd both come down from their orgasms.
After a quick breakfast, the ten adults and eleven children drove the short distance to the field where the fair was held. It was usually much bigger, boasting towering rides and high speed experiences, but with little time for set up and safety inspections, it was the more family friendly attractions that made it to the town each year. After filling the waltzers, they each split off to explore the stalls and other rides, Amy desperately trying to convince anyone that would to come on the ghost train with her.
Meredith held Derek's hand, leaning into him as he and Mark challenged each other to the various games, both hopelessly losing every time. Upon Carolyn's insistence, Meredith had already made her way through a corndog and a stick of cotton candy, making sure to kiss Derek hard whilst she still tasted of sugar.
Having failed hopelessly at hoopla and basketball and all attempts at shooting anything, Meredith challenged both boys to the coconut shy pushing a few dollars towards the attendant so that both could have a go. Derek hit his coconut, making it wobble a little but not fall, Mark however hit his at just the right angle so that it fell straight to the floor.
"See Shepherd, this is why I am superior. I am the alpha dog, and I have the coconut to prove it. It's going to take one helluva lot for you to change that." He puffed out his chest, and raised his height so that he had more than a few inches on Derek.
"Fine, test your strength." Derek challenged, gesturing to the stall. Carolyn rolled her eyes, making Meredith smile. She knew that the pair of them were competitive, but the childhood competition, well that was certainly a new experience.
"You're on," Mark agreed, pulling out his wallet to hand the attendant the correct cash for both he and Derek. "I'll even pay for you, so convinced am I that I shall reign supreme."
"Boys be careful, you are expected to be in one piece when you go back to work." Carolyn scolded as they limbered up, Mark taking the hammer first.
"Not bad," The attendant applauded Mark as his marker got to three quarters of the way up the measure. Derek stepped up to the plate next, rolling his shoulders and tilting his head from side to side before swinging the hammer and slamming it down, the bell ringing as the marker reached the top. "And we have a winner! Do you want to pick a prize for the lady?" the attendant asked him, gesturing to the many bears and creatures that adorned the walls. He pulled Meredith towards him as he scoured the many choices before settling on a white bear with an enormous red heart on its chest sporting an 'I love you this much' motif. Meredith cringed at his choice but gladly accepted the prize anyway, squeezing it under one arm as she put her other one around his waist.
"Thank you for my bear." She said in a cutesy child-like voice. "I never realised just how big and strong you were before. I know you lift me, but even Izzie can do that."
"Well, clearly you underestimated my manliness, "he boasted, taking in Mark's pout, and mumble about the game being rigged. Carolyn led them to the last of the stalls, convincing Meredith to try hook a duck with her. Meredith bit her lip, concentrating on hooking the pole onto her selected duck, making a small noise of triumph as she picked it up and guided it to the stallholder.
"That's a lucky duck." He informed her, "two more for your pick of the prizes." She tried again, narrowly missing one before changing her mind and picking another, hooking it almost instantly. "That's two, one more." She eyed up the ducks before selecting her target a third time, hooking it and passing it over once again. "Three for three, any prize you like sweetheart," he said gesturing to the prizes behind him. Derek pulled her into him as the man said sweetheart, clearly using his new found manliness to mark his territory. She spotted snow white's dwarves to the right of the man, her eyes fixating on the fellow with glasses.
"I'll take doc." she said, accepting the stuffed creature. "Payback, doctor shepherd." She said as she passed him the toy. "Think your manliness can handle it?"
"I think I can cope with carrying around a toy and holding onto a beautiful woman. Doc is after all the most intelligent and manliest of all the dwarves."
"If you hadn't just made yourself sound as though you have a dwarf fetish, I'd've told you that he's also pretty ancient, old man." Derek looked at mark and his toy and then to Carolyn and Meredith who were both sniggering.
"Freaking marvellous he groaned as they began to walk onwards towards the rest of the family, and no doubt, even more laughing at his expense.
Carolyn started on lunch when they got back, a few nibbly bits and leftovers from Kathleen's on Christmas Eve, laying them out for anyone to help themselves. After corn dogs and hot dogs and the many high sugar and fat treats at the fair, only Derek was truly hungry, only having bites of Meredith's because she insisted. The boys had cornered Derek and mark as they got in, convincing them to join in with their video game, whilst Meredith played tea parties and watched chick flicks with the girls. She'd sat down to tea with Riley, Erin and Taylor when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder, a terrified looking Hailey staring back at her.
"Sweetie what's wrong?" she said, turning to face her, looking for signs of injury or impending death. Hailey said nothing, simply holding out a hand and looking at her pleadingly. "Girls, save me a cup, I just have to phone the prince." The three little ones smiled at her as Hailey led her away from the sitting room and up the stairs. Derek pouted at her leaving his sight line, but she smiled and stuck out her tongue, blowing a quick kiss to tide him over.
"Sweetie, are you okay?" Meredith asked her, genuinely concerned now.
"I think I'm dying," Hailey whimpered as she pulled Meredith into the bathroom.
"What makes you think that?" she asked looking for obvious signs.
"I'm bleeding," She whispered, "And my tummy hurts real bad. Uncle Derek said you're the best doctor in the world. Can you fix me Aunty Meredith, I don't want to die." The little girl began sobbing, and Meredith bent down pulling the child to her chest, rocking her gently as if she were her own baby, rather than Kathleen's.
"Okay," She soothed, "It's all gonna be okay. Can you start by showing me where it hurts?" The young girl lifted her shirt slightly, pointing to the bottom of her abdomen. Meredith palpated it gently, not feeling anything that made her think Hailey was seriously ill. "Where did you say the bleeding was Hailey?"
"In my knickers," She whimpered. "I think it's coming from my butt, please fix it Aunty Meredith." Meredith finally clicked, realisation coming over her face.
"Oh, sweetie," She tried to reassure her "You're not dying, you're definitely not dying. This is normal, I promise, you're becoming a young lady that's all. Hang here a second, I think your mom may be able to help explain a little better." Hailey nodded reluctantly as Meredith slipped out of the bathroom, spotting Derek as she descended the stairs.
"Derek," she hissed, hoping no tot alert to many people. He looked up at her.
"Everything okay?" He frowned a little at her expression.
"Its fine," She promised, "I just have a bit of a situation, can you grab Kathleen, but not let anyone else come with her?" Derek nodded, his frown still there, but Meredith's pleading face telling him not to question her. He walked into the lounge returning seconds later with Kathleen.
"What's up Mer?" She asked looking as puzzled as Derek had.
"Can you just come here a second?" She asked, not willing to humiliate her future niece by telling everyone within earshot. Kathleen started up the stairs, Derek following behind.
"Derek go away," Meredith said, shooting him a smile that told him not to worry. "It's girls only for the next few minutes. Mostly just Kathleen." Derek looked a little hurt, but made his way down the stairs pouting.
"Meredith, what's going on?" Kathleen asked, slightly concerned now.
"It would appear that Hailey has reached womanhood," Meredith told her watching as the words sunk in and Kathleen's eyebrows raised slightly as she realised what Meredith meant.
"Is she…?" Kathleen gestured to the door, Meredith nodded before knocking on the bathroom door.
"It's me Hailey," She told the little girl, opening the door and following Kathleen in. Kathleen took Hailey into her arms.
"Oh baby," she said into her daughter's hair, "Why on earth didn't you say anything?"
"I was scared," she whimpered, "I thought I was dying, and Aunty Meredith is a surgeon, so I thought she might be able to fix it."
"Oh honey," Kathleen rocked her third born in her arms, her heart breaking a little that she hadn't said anything before then. "I know, the first time is scary. I'm really glad you told someone though. Did Aunty Meredith tell you why it happens?" Hailey shook her head no, the miserable look still on her face.
"I wasn't sure how you wanted it explained, and what supplies you have. I have some in my purse but I wasn't sure so I thought it best that I call you. Sorry." She bit her lip, suddenly feeling slightly inadequate.
"Oh God, Meredith, you did good, honestly, it's hard when it's someone else's baby." She let Hailey go and took a look in the cabinet over the sink, grimacing at the lack of products in there.
"I don't suppose you could spare a few supplies, could you? Mom used to have a whole bunch, but they're not here anymore."
"Of course, I'll bring everything and you can choose. I have some spare clothes too, if you'd like, they'll be a little big, mostly zero or two but maybe better than her jeans, comfier at least."
"Oh you superstar, that'd be brilliant. Thank you so much." Meredith retrieved the items from her purse, plucking a sensible pair of panties and her comfiest sweats from the wardrobe in Derek's room before passing the load to Kathleen. She looked away as Kathleen stripped her daughter's soiled clothes and helped her step into Meredith's before giving her a quick demonstration of each product that Hailey could use, turning away too so that she could place the product in her panties with a little privacy. When she was sorted, Kathleen and Meredith turned back around, taking in the sight of what was really still a little girl thrown into womanhood. She looked utterly mortified, and Meredith couldn't help but feel for her, she reached out and rubbed her arm gently, trying to comfort her.
"Hailey, I know this sucks, but it's just part of growing up." She gently explained. "When girls get to your age, maybe a little older, things start to change a little, their breasts grow and they have to wear training bras, and hair starts growing in really weird places." She pulled a face, making Hailey smile slightly, "And then they start their period, like you did today. And it's totally embarrassing, and a little bit scary, but it's just your body telling you that it's working, that one day when you're married and you're ready, you can grow a baby in your belly." She kneeled in front of her niece. "In here," She pointed to her lower abdomen. "Are thousands of tiny tiny eggs, and once a month, your body lets one out and it bleeds for a few days and it hurts for a little while but then it's all fine again. It happens every month until you decide that you want a baby. One day it won't come and you'll know that there's a baby in there." She paused for a second, hoping Kathleen wouldn't notice the slight hesitation. "But you don't have to worry about that until you're much older, at least twenty five, and a superstar doctor already." Hailey grinned at the remark and Meredith's hand gestures. "What can make it even easier is if you make a note of the day, and track when it should next come, and that way you're ready when it does okay?" Hailey nodded, her frown still there, clearly a little overwhelmed by the whole thing.
"And we have supplies at home." Kathleen assured her. "I'll put some in your bathroom, and leave some here just in case. I'm here if you need me, and so is Aunt Meredith and all your other aunties and grandma, they've all been through it, they all know how awful it is. You can speak to any of them, or jen, she was 12 when she got hers. It'll be fine kiddo, I promise. Anything you don't understand, just ask any one of us and we'll do whatever we can to help you understand." Hailey nodded and smiled back at her mother and Meredith. "You head downstairs, I'll grab you a heat patch, and we'll see if there's some Tylenol kicking around." She kissed her daughter's forehead, pouting a little as she saw yet another of her babies head into adulthood. Meredith squeezed her shoulder, surprised when Kathleen turned it into a full blown hug, wiping a few stray tears away.
"I knew it wouldn't be long, but it's still horrible when it happens, I just want her to be a baby forever. Poor thing getting it right near Christmas, she's been off for days, now I know why." She sighed, looking at Meredith again. "Thanks Mer, you handled it so well, your kids are gonna be incredibly lucky to have you as a mom. Derek was right, you don't half shine in a crisis. He made a good choice." Meredith smiled as she followed her downstairs, finding Derek for a quick hug, as Kathleen went to find her husband and her mom. Carolyn looked concerned at the two women.
"My little baby's become a little lady." She pouted, Carolyn immediately pulling supplies from the cupboard, putting cookies on a plate with water, Tylenol and a heat patch. Kathleen took it to the lounge where her daughter was curled up, sitting one side of her and holding her close. Meredith watched them bonding over such a big moment. She wanted that, badly. She desperately needed to have a chat about when miniature Shepherds would be on the cards for them, sooner rather than later. She snuck away from the adults in the kitchen to Derek's bedroom, pulling out a small diary from her purse, she'd brought it weeks ago, and hadn't put it to use yet, so she put it in her pocket, and headed to the lounge where she placed it on Hailey's tray, squeezing her niece's shoulder and smiling as she took it into her hands, a smile creeping onto her lips. Kathleen mouthed a 'thank you' as she left the pair alone. Derek pulled her into the hall, having seen her expression as she interacted with his niece. She would inevitably say she was fine, but he knew otherwise.
"Everything okay?" he questioned her, he was vaguely aware of what was going on having lived with four sisters and a revolving door of Meredith's roommates.
"Yeah," she nodded. "I just… our kids will be able to come to us for this stuff right? They'll have someone?"
"Of course they will, why wouldn't they?" He looked at her confused, wondering if something really was wrong.
"I didn't" She whispered. "I didn't have anyone. Mom was on a 48 hour shift, I didn't have a nanny anymore, and the housekeeper wasn't interested in anything I had to say. I went to the school nurse in the end. I was old enough to know what was going on, I mean I was 14, and I paid attention. I just needed that someone to give me a hug and remind me that this is just what happens. Instead she just told me about my choices, and how safe sex was a must even more so then than before. I think she knew mom hadn't been around to tell. I told her about a week later, she didn't say much, but there were supplies in my cabinet after that, so I guess that she listened, and made some effort to show me that. I would've liked the hug and all that other stuff, but I'd already figured out what I didn't know already. I'd definitely have freaked out if I were Hailey's age. Probably thought I was dying too. Maybe it was a good thing I bloomed a little later. And Hailey, she has a whole army Derek, and I didn't even have one person to give me hug, to say it'd be fine." Derek pulled her close, kissing her forehead softly.
"Remind me to hug you every time from now on." He said into her soft skin, "And to buy you a new period diary to make up for the one you gave Hailey. You're such a brilliant aunty Meredith. You may not have had anyone there when you needed it, but you were so good to her, you can see that from Kate's face. And you'll be there for our kids too. And I will be there from the first day of your skipped period, right up to the day they leave home. And beyond. Don't worry about a thing. Shepherd's mate for life once they find their soul mate, so I'll be there, with my crazy enormous family, every step of the way. He grabbed her hand as they headed back into the kitchen, and she held onto him as they re-joined his family, never more a part of it than in that very second.
Later that evening, Meredith sat on the sofa, a much perkier Hailey snuggled up beside her as they watched a movie, a bowl of popcorn on the table, and Meredith's leftover gingerbread men. The older girls flitted in and out, not caring much for the title. Derek sat on a chair nearby, watching the two ladies far more than the movie. Meredith was practically a mom already, he could picture her in years to come, giving the same care and attention to their own daughter, smiling at the thought. Kathleen tiptoed in with a tray of Shepherd hot chocolate, a grizzly Madison on her heels. She placed the tray on the table, smiling as her youngest daughter clambered up into Meredith's lap, and stuck her thumb in her mouth, almost instantly falling asleep. Meredith wrapped her spare arm around her, placing a kiss on her raven curls. Kathleen met Derek's eye, both convinced that whether it be in ten years or tomorrow, Meredith would be a wonderful mother.
"Do you want any more of my kids?" Kathleen joked, "I can probably get Nancy and Liz to donate a couple as well, your own readymade brood to take home." Meredith giggled, running her hands through the girls' hair.
"I'd have a dozen if I could give them back at the end of the day." She smiled, before looking at Derek, "And that does not mean I want to grow and push out a dozen mister."
"Oh you say that now Meredith. I said after Dylan, I was never having another baby, yet somehow I ended up with five more. It doesn't always go quite as planned." She saw the look Meredith and Derek shared, furrowing her brow. "Hang on Are you two trying?" she raised her eyebrows, desperate to be the first to know the long awaited announcement.
"Not yet," Meredith told her. "We have a house to build and a wedding to plan before then. Not to mention residency as well. It'll happen, we just have a few more hoops to jump through first." Kathleen pouted a little.
"Well, I suppose I can wait a little longer." She said playfully. "You'll never regret it though. Whenever it happens. Even if it's the worst moment, it's all worth it to have this tiny perfect person that's all yours. By all means get the wedding sorted first, but don't wait for the perfect time. Plan just don't force yourself to stick to it."
She sat down next to Meredith, watching the film with her, wondering where she'd been Derek's whole life, her wonderful future sister in law, who was already part of the family.
Carolyn came in a little over an hour later, the five of them, plus three others snoozing peacefully in front of the blank screen. Huddled together, you'd think they'd spent forever together rather than just a few days. She beamed at her family, peaceful and happy at last, totally awestruck at just how much difference a year and one beautiful woman made.
A/N- This chapter had so many parts to it that fit so badly, that I wondered if it would ever work, but they slotted together as best I could and hopefully it wasn't too bad. Next chapter (I think) should be the last in NY, and then back to reality, and wedding planning and maybe something to rock the boat a little depending on whether I decide to stick to my plan. Please leave your thoughts, they are always appreciated.