A/N- it seems like ages since I uploaded, and I do apologise, I'm in the middle of my final degree exams and really should be revising right now, but I had this pretty much finished so I thought I'd tweak it and upload it. Thanks as always to those people who find and receive updates about this story, it's great to see that people are excited to read about my Meredith and Derek, and as always, massive thank you to my reviewers, particularly those that review each chapter, your words make me want to keep writing even when I'm buried in other stuff. Enjoy!

"Derek, stop it now, I need to get dressed." Meredith giggled, her tone far from disapproving or stern. "I'm going to be late for work." When Derek continued, she jumped up from the bed where he'd made her lay for almost twenty minutes and began rifling through her closet looking for anything that wouldn't show off her tiny baby bump that had been visible for just over a week now.

"Please," He pouted. "Just one more picture of the bump. I want a good one to send to mom." He sidled up beside her, camera poised for more pictures.

"What's wrong with the other fifteen million that you've taken this week?" She asked him, trying to find loose pants now, her regular size two skinny jeans having become a little too snug to be comfortable at the moment and wishing it was warmer so she could wear leggings or linen pants.

"But it's so much bigger today, please." He begged, hoping that Meredith would surrender.

"Are you saying I'm fatter today than usual?" She asked him, one eyebrow raised as she took in his dreamy expression, normally saved for when he wanted sex. He opened his mouth a few times looking for the right words.

"Please?" he grinned, reaching out a hand to caress the smooth skin as she buttoned the shirt she'd found hidden at the back of her closet.

"I knew I should've gotten you a dog," She giggled, lifting her shirt for one last photo. She hated to admit it, but Derek was right, the bump was a little bigger today, bee was definitely making their presence known, and the countdown to twelve weeks was now just mere days much to her excitement and Derek's.

"What?" he asked, eyes wide, as he looked up from his camera screen for the first time in a week. "A dog?" Meredith sighed playfully and looked at her fiancé's childish expression.

"I asked your mom at Christmas what to get you that would be really special and she said you'd always wanted a dog. With the house and the land I figured we had the space, but when I found out I was pregnant I figured that a dog and a baby might be a little too much. I'm not saying never, I'm just saying not now. I do not want to be obsessing about dog hair every time I let the baby play on the floor, or worry about it eating the baby if we leave them alone in a room together. And if it were anything like Doc, the baby would need a new wardrobe every other week to replace the one that got eaten. When the kids are older and can help look after it, then we'll get one. You put a baby in here." She gestured to her bump, "So you don't get a dog." She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck, smiling at his slightly dumfounded expression.

"You were gonna buy me a dog?" he uttered, his gaze finding hers at last.

"I was but we're having a baby instead. Is that okay with you? Trading the dog for a baby?"

"Best trade ever." He said kissing her, laying his camera down on the bed with the care that one would expect from someone handling a new-born. "Now let's go get you fed so you're big and strong for when you talk to Bailey."

"Oh do I have to?" Meredith pouted. The wedding parties had finally been assembled, with Cristina taking the role of maid of honour, and Izzie joining Lexie and an old travelling friend of Meredith's named Sadie as bridesmaids. Derek had been forced into picking three more groomsmen in addition to Mark after Meredith had a near meltdown when she realised that the sides would be seriously uneven. George and Alex had graciously accepted their invitations to be part of the wedding party, and Kathleen's husband Ryan had been persuaded to make up the numbers much to Meredith's relief. She would have liked Owen, but Cristina was already mad that she was paired with Mark in the wedding party, having Owen paired up with someone else so early in the relationship would have her running for the hills, and have Meredith facing an even bigger meltdown. She loved Derek, but she needed Cristina to keep reminding her of that when the dark and twisties reared their ugly heads. Derek had pointed out that the hospital would need attendings on call, and it was better that it wasn't one of the wedding party.

The next real task was shopping for outfits, but without spilling the beans about their impending arrival, Meredith knew it would be hard to take one of her friends to the bridal shop with her. Izzie would be far too excitable about the baby the dress and every detail in between. She loved Izzie, but she wanted her wedding to be just that, hers, and not fuelled by Izzie's desire to plan the perfect wedding. Cristina would be the opposite, no doubt able to point out a dozen reasons why it was the wrong time to have a baby. Sadie was 1500 miles away, and virtually unreachable other than for scheduled Skype dates and occasional emails or texts. That left Lexie, who was working every hour that she could to make up for the time she took off when Thatcher had been in hospital, and Bailey. Bailey had seemed happy at the idea of playing mother of the bride within the ceremony, but Meredith was scared that her role wouldn't extend to dress shopping. Her day off was scheduled for Saturday so Meredith has switched her shift and booked appointments at several boutiques that had websites boasting that they catered for pregnant women. All she had to do now was ask Bailey to join her.

Meredith's nausea had begun to wane slightly, her morning trips to the bathroom far shorter than they had been, and certainly not every day much to her relief. It meant that she was able to work an hour or two before her shift started if she wanted to, slowly banking hours to use to extend her maternity leave. Derek didn't have to be in until late that morning, so she hitched a ride with Izzie, allowing her friend to gush non stop about the wedding and the many many elements she had an opinion on. It seemed that Meredith's 'I'll do it when I have the chance' attitude simply wasn't good enough, most importantly in Izzie's eyes when it came to bridesmaids' dresses.

Finally released from the car she made her way to the ER in the hopes she could get her hands on a nice bloody trauma before the other residents came in. The waiting room was instead filled with several regular visitors and what appeared to be a broken finger. The on call resident could more than manage the few without any assistance. Instead Meredith went in search of Miranda, who always seemed to be there when she was wanted. She checked the nurses' station and the OR board before deciding she simply wasn't in yet. She glanced in the research library as she walked past; Derek had been looking at meningioma for a research project, and she was keen to help him find anything of use. She was about to go in and log on to one of the computers when she spotted Bailey sitting at the small desk reading up on a case.

Meredith lingered in the doorway watching Miranda read, occasionally making notes on a yellow legal pad.

"Why are you lurking Grey?" Bailey asked, looking up at the resident, who was staring at the floor punting the floor with the toe of her converse.

"Cnyuhlpmfndadrs?" she mumbled quickly, her cheeks flushing as she continued to tap the floor with her toes.

"Grey speak up and slowly so I can hear what you're saying." Bailey scolded, looking down at the textbook she was reading.

"Um…" Meredith stumbled. "I know I should be asking Cristina or Izzie, but… I don't have a mom and well Susan… and you're like… so I thought…" she rambled on, Bailey frowning at her.

"To the point Dr. Grey, we both have work to do."

"Could you possibly maybe help me find a dress please? Izzie is just a little too overwhelming and Cristina is, well Cristina and I'd really appreciate it if you could be my mom and help me find the right one." She looked from the floor to Miranda who was wide eyed and open mouthed. "You know what, don't worry, I can… yeah. Sorry to have bothered you." She turned and started out of the door hoping she could get to Derek's office before the tears came.

"Meredith Grey." Bailey said emphatically, standing up from her chair. Meredith turned to face her, immediately switching her gaze back to the floor. "Look at me." She said softly but sternly. Meredith did as she asked, biting her lip as she looked into Bailey's dark eyes. "I would be honoured to act as your mother, and go dress shopping with you." She smiled as Meredith's face lit up with a smile. "Have you really only been trying to ask me that all this week, and acting like a deer in headlights every time I come near you?" Meredith nodded before giggling slightly.

"I made a few appointments for this Saturday if you can make it. Derek said he'd buy lunch after and you can bring Tuck, or Derek can take him while we shop. Oh thank you." She grinned, embracing the shorter doctor in a hug, praying that her tiny bump couldn't be felt through her scrubs.

"Okay," Bailey warned as she shook Meredith off. "Just tell me when and where and I'll be there. Now come on, you've got rounds to prep for. You might as well attach yourself to a good case since you're here so early. Go." Meredith spun around almost running full force into Derek as she left the room.

"I take it went well then?" He asked, his Mcdreamy grin making her hormones go crazy. Rather than answer she stole his lips with a steamy kissing, inciting cat calls and wolf whistles from the nearby staff. "So it went really well." He joked as they came up for air and she skipped off to find herself a patient.

MDMDMD

The week seemed to whizz by after Miranda was on board, and Meredith soon found herself in bed nice an early that Friday night, wondering whether she'd find 'the dress' the next day.

"What do you think I should get?" She asked Derek as he came out of the bathroom having brushed his teeth.

"Well it's not really up to me." He informed her. "As long as you look beautiful and sexy and our little bee is comfy under there then I really don't mind. You could come in a trash bag and I'd still think you are the most beautiful woman in the world."

"Well that would save time. And money." She conceded, giggling as Derek's hands began to wander. "But I'm still thinking a dress is better. I wanted white, but I guess that's a little tacky seeing as I'm pregnant. Though honestly who is actually a virgin at their wedding anymore. Cristina wasn't and she wore white. What do you think?"

"Less thinking more undressing." Derek growled, pulling at the fabric of her pyjama shirt with his teeth. She giggled and did as she was told, tomorrow was for dresses, tonight was all about them.

MDMDMD

They arrived at Bailey's door bright and early, mere seconds passing before the door was opened, and the doctor, accompanied by a grinning Tuck came to join them in the car. Lexie had called late the previous night to accept Meredith's invitation to come shopping having been able to swap her shift with Steve Mostow. The flat she shared with George was on the way to the bridal shops, so they picked her up and headed to the first store for their appointment. Derek was taking Tuck to an indoor play area nearby, so he could bring him straight to the store if there were any problems. Both seemed quite thrilled at the idea, Derek's uncle side showing strongly as he hoisted Tuck onto his shoulders much to Bailey's horror. Once he was appropriately scolded and allowed to leave, with a long list of instructions and phone numbers, they headed into the small boutique, all three grinning in anticipation.

It was by far the most welcoming of all the sites she had looked at, and Meredith hoped that she could find something that would not only suit her now, but when her bump was even bigger in May. Opening the door, a tiny bell rang out, and a friendly looking woman in her early fifties came quickly to greet them.

"Hello there, are you Meredith?" she asked politely reaching out a hand to shake. Meredith extended her own hand, nodding politely.

"Yeah that'd be me, and this is Miranda, she's the acting mother of the bride, and this is my sister Lexie, she's one of the bridesmaids." The woman shook both Bailey's and Lexie's hands before ushering them over to a small table with a jotter and several material samples. Meredith had done a little research on materials and necklines, all too aware that she'd undoubtedly change her mind once she was in the shop.

"So Meredith, is there anything about you or your wedding that we need to think about when choosing your dress?"

"Um," Meredith began, smiling a little as she bit her lip. "I'll be almost 22 weeks pregnant." She giggled softly at the expressions on the three women's faces looking at her. Lexie and Miranda jumping from their seats to embrace her.

"Oh Meredith that's such great news," Bailey gushed, holding one of Meredith's hand in both of her own and giving her a tear filled smile.

"I'm so happy for you," Lexie squealed, pulling Meredith close. "I'm gonna be an aunt again!"

"Well that certainly does give us something to work around," their consultant smile warmly. "We have a maternity section which has the dresses that offer the most support, but you're quite welcome to take a look at some of the looser dresses in our regular range too if you'd prefer." Meredith looked at Miranda and Lexie, trying to silently gauge their opinions.

"I guess Maternity first." She smiled, the consultant taking them to a corner filled with a multitude of dresses that would encompass their little miracle.

"Start by picking out the designs that you like, or have elements that you like and we can go from there." The consultant instructed and Meredith headed towards the rack to pick out designs. A jewelled neckline Maxi dress was picked out first, the flowing skirt undoubtedly comfortable with a baby bump to contend with. An A-line skirt with a partial corset was next, and a traditional ball gown with patterning at the bottom. There were many nice choices but Meredith wasn't sure if any were 'the dress'. After picking out around a dozen she headed to the fitting room with their consultant to begin trying them on.

There was no denying that all of them were nice. But with every new dress came the same feeling that it most certainly wasn't the dress she was going to marry Derek in. By the twelfth dress Meredith was close to tears. She hadn't expected it to be easy to find the perfect dress, but some small part of her had honestly believed that this would be the shop that she would find it in. She twirled for her audience of three, biting her lip in the hope of quelling her tears. Another consultant walked into the room, stopping to admire Meredith in her final dress.

"It's nice," She commented, "very flattering with a baby bump. Though I think I might have something even better in the back. Would you like to try it?" Meredith looked at the three hopeful faces looking back at her before nodding, a small smile reaching her face. The consultant grinned and hurried into the back of the shop, returning with a large white dress bag, ushering Meredith into the fitting room. Minutes later, Meredith returned, with tears in her eyes, not because she had failed in her mission, but because this dress was even better than she could have hoped for. A beaded sweetheart neckline with halter straps led into a fitted bodice that jutted out over her tiny bump, leading into a full skirt with detailed beading at the bottom, soft material sweeping from her left side, hiding the bump a little, but not too much. It was definitely the dress. Miranda gasped when she saw it, fighting her own tears, while Lexie was silently sobbing, while grinning at her sister.

"This is it," Meredith breathed, the other two nodding. "This is the one." The original consultant stepped out of the room for a second, returning with tissues and a large box, and a tray with several glasses of sparkling water. Meredith went to step off the podium but the consultant stopped her, opening the box to reveal a beautiful white veil with a small jewelled comb to fasten it. She swept it from the box, and placed it gently among the loose waves of Meredith's hair.

"Oh, that's perfect," Bailey nodded, reaching for another tissue as the consultant grabbed a mirror. Meredith couldn't stop the tears then, the sparkly tiara matching her sparkling eyes.

"All of this please." She giggled through her tears, unbelievably excited for the day that she got to show Derek, a tiny part of her wishing she could wear it every day.

"Do you mind if we snap a few pictures for the portfolio?" Meredith's saviour asked her, pointing the camera hopefully. Meredith smiled, taking the poses and grinning when she was instructed to. She looked and felt like a princess. She almost wished she could show Derek sooner than their wedding day, but she'd do anything she could to avoid any bad luck. She knew he'd love it anyway, so for now the only ones that would know would be the three of them and the two wedding dress consultants.

By the time all of the measurements had been taken, and the deposit paid, it was almost time to meet Derek. The three of them bustled excitedly out of the shop, each of their phones brimming with pictures that were under Meredith's insistence to be kept under wraps until she said otherwise. They were greeted at the door by little Tuck holding out three tulips, handing one to each of them, Derek grinning from just a few feet away.

"Well aren't you the most handsome boy to ever give me flowers," Miranda gushed at her son, sweeping him up into her arms and hugging him close. "Did Derek teach you how to impress the girls? Huh? Well no woman is ever gonna be good enough for my little tuck, no she's not. Are you hungry, shall we get some lunch?" Meredith leaned into Derek. He knew exactly what she was thinking in that moment, imagining how wonderful it would be in a little over six months when they had someone to gush over like that.

"Should I take it from the tears that you found something you liked?" Derek asked them as they began to walk to the tiny bistro just down the street, his arm around Meredith's waist, caressing her baby bump.

"We did," Meredith confirmed. "And it'll fit both me and bee inside it without any problems."

"So you told them?" he asked her grinning even more now.

"I did." She nodded, "and they have agreed not to tell anyone until we say it's okay."

"But we're thrilled for you both," Miranda interjected. "You know Tuck, Meredith has a tiny little baby growing in that belly of hers, she does, another future doctor for Seattle Grace, cause that's where the best doctors go, that's where you'll go someday when you're all grown up."

"Seriously, I'm so excited. I so hope it's a boy then I'll have a niece and a nephew. Though girls are so cute, and you can dress them up and it's so sweet. Please tell me you're gonna find out the sex." Lexie gabbled, the Grey ramble more than obvious.

"We haven't decided yet Lex," Meredith giggled. "Give it time to grow first." They walked a little further down the street, discussing all that they knew so far about the baby before stopping in front of the restaurant and heading to their booked table.

"I am so hungry," Meredith announced, scouring the menu. "But I don't know what I want. Are you having salad?" She asked Derek.

"I don't know why?"

"Because I really want lettuce, with like loads of dressing and if you're getting salad then I'll just steal it from you."

"I was going to go with the salmon, but if you want lettuce why don't you get a Caesar and just pick the dressing you'd rather have."

"Can I get fries with it?"

"You my love can have anything you want." He leant over to kiss her, Lexie awing at them while Miranda covered Tuck's eyes.

"Child at the table," She scolded. "keep the PDAs to a minimum."

"I think it's sweet." Lexie defended, "they're in that place, and she's so happy about the dress, and she's having cravings. It's nice that he wants everyone to see how much he loves her."

"I didn't say it wasn't, I just said not in front of my son's innocent eyes. I saw first-hand what these two get up to in cars once they start kissing, and I'd rather shield my son from that." She told Lexie making the table giggle, Tuck joining in when he heard the adults.

Once they had ordered, and Meredith had made a Pregnancy-safe and Meredith-friendly choice of dressing, conversation shifted to the inevitable question.

"So did you guys plan for a May wedding, or did it get decided for you?" Lexie asked, trying to remain as tactful as possible.

"We'd considered May or June, but neither of us had done anything about it, so we thought maybe fall then when we found out about the baby it pushed us a little bit to do what we wanted in the first place. But it wasn't because we were having the baby, I'm glad that he or she gets to be born into a family where the parents are married, but we'd love him or her just the same even if we'd waited. We figured it's be unfair for bee to be the only baby born out of wedlock so it was either plan fast or wait years to get married when our family was complete."

"That's lovely," Bailey complimented. "I see the maternal instinct has kicked in already."

"Like you wouldn't believe." Derek informed her. "Mer was thinking about a dog but didn't want to worry about the baby with it. And At the house she wanted our bedroom joined to the nursery so we had a door knocked in. Since we found out, it is all about the baby. She's gonna be such a great mom. She is such a great mom." Meredith blushed slightly before leaning in to Derek's shoulder. Today was one she would never forget. If it weren't real enough already, telling her sister and her mentor made it even more real. She couldn't wait to tell everyone else. Especially the Shepherd sisters. The next few months were going to be incredibly hectic, but she absolutely couldn't wait for everything that would be thrown at them.

MDMDMD

Tired from her emotional day, Meredith was glad when she was able to climb into bed and simply snuggle with Derek and think about the coming weeks.

"Do you think we should tell people about the baby?" she asked him as he slid in behind her, smelling like toothpaste and soap.

"I thought you wanted to wait until week twelve?" He reminded her, not wanting to be seen as rushing her before she was ready.

"I do, but it's only a week or so away and there are a lot of people to tell. Your sisters, our friends, Richard, and people are going to think we're having a shotgun wedding rather than what we really have."

"The people that mind don't matter and that people that matter don't mind." Derek told her wisely finding her bump with his warm palm.

"What?" Meredith screwed up her nose at him. "Why are you being a poet?"

"It's Dr. Seuss. You've never heard it?" Derek looked at her incredulously, not believing that someone could have gone their whole life without the stories his parents read to him as a child.

"I analysed the bread and butter battle for extra credit once but other than that I have no idea what you're on about. Didn't have much of a childhood Derek, you're gonna have to clue me in a little here."

"It means that we will tell people, when we are ready and if they make a big deal about the fact that we got pregnant outside of marriage, or think it's simply a shotgun wedding, then they don't matter. But our friends, our family the people that matter most to us won't mind. They know that we're getting married because we want to not because we feel we have to. Those are the people we focus on. Those are the people we want at our wedding and in our baby's life. My sisters, and your friends and Richard and Mark will all be thrilled for you. They will only be concerned with our happiness. The rest is just details."

"You promise?"

"I promise, now let's go to sleep, we have a craniotomy at 8 and I don't want you yawning all over the patient." Meredith giggled and snuggled down into his arms, reaching for his hands to hold as she slept. Just nine more days until their twelve week appointment, and a lower chance of miscarriage. Nine days in their little bubble before the whole world found out, and she planned to savour every single one.

A/N- I'm not promising an update next week as I have two big exams and have to focus on them, but I'll try for two weeks, and as often as I can after that. I'll need something to get me through this hiatus!