"Are you mad?"

The old shed looked exactly the same way it had when he was a teenager. Filled with fishing and camping gear.

"Why would I be mad?"

"Because you were quiet during dinner and then you snuck out here," Bailey stuffed his hands into his pocket, "You don't do that whenever one of us visits. You hover and cling until we're gone."

He wasn't wrong. He remembered how his father had suddenly announced he was retiring less than three years into their lives in Boston. He didn't want to waste another minute, he announced. And surprisingly, everyone- including their mother- had been okay with it. It was a precious time that didn't go unwasted.

And it never went unnoticed by Bailey.

Derek gently dropped a bait caster he'd been cleaning onto the table before leaning against the table to face his son, "I'm not-"

"Look, Dad," Bailey exhaled before stepping closer, "I know what you're thinking. We're too young, she's in her last year of residency and I am in my third-"

"Bailey-"

"I know it's gonna be hard but we- we have a plan. I mean not a plan-plan because we just found out but we're happy," Bailey exhaled nervously, "Dad, Sofia and I are happy! Don't you want that for us?"

"Bailey," Derek shook his head, "Iamhappy for you. I'm thrilled."

"Doesn't look like it, Dad," Bailey scrunched his palms into fists, "It feels like everything I do is a disappointment to you and I know that you weren't happy when you found out about us but I wasn't- I didn't plan it and neither did she-! We couldn't help it! You always said that you couldn't help it either when you fell in love with mom-! Why can't-!"

"Bailey, it's not-I'm sorry, I'm just," Derek exhaled before rubbing his face thoroughly. He shook his head once before tilting it, "I'm not angry. I'm not upset and I'm not disappointed with you. I could never be disappointed in you, kid. Especially now. "

"Well what is it then?"

Derek pressed his lips into a thin line. He crossed his arms across his chest, "I'm thinking about Mark. Sofia's dad. We grew up together and…I didn't mean to just walk out of the dining room that way I just needed a minute."

"Oh," Bailey blinked before his shoulders slumped, "Well now I feel like an ass."

"Don't," Derek shook his head, "It's not your fault."

"You know when Zo came in here yelling that she caught you two outside all those years ago," Derek chuckled as he pictured the scrawny teenager with the dark haired girl that had captured his heart, "the first thing I thought about was Mark. Whenever Sof's around I always think about him."

He laughed again, "That night I thought about how he'd probably want to punch you because Sofia's his little girl and he was just so protective. Especially about the people he cared about. And Sof was his world. I remember being jealous, watching him be a dad before I became one. I was upset because it almost seemed like your mom and I wouldn't get a chance to be parents ourselves."

"When-," Derek couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him, "When Callie and Arizona would leave Sofia with him, he would call your mom for help and then I would tease him about it. He'd say he was doing it all wrong."

"And then I would say he was because I was busting his balls and it's how we got along- we were kids when we met and sometimes it felt like we never grew up but we did. So after he'd tell me to shut up, I'd tell him 'Mark we both don't know what we're doing.' and he'd nod and say 'I guess we're both screwed.'"

He could hear Mark's boisterous laugh in the back of his mind.

"And then your mom would tell us what to do and all was right with the world," Derek smiled,

"I like to imagine him scaring you off and then he'd turn to me, nudge me with that stupid grin he'd get whenever he found something amusing," Derek smiled before mocking his friend, "'Look at that, Shep. Your kid and my kid. A Sloan and a Shepherd finally getting together.'"

He chuckled heartily at the thought of Mark smiling at the fact that after years of friendship between the two, their children had found love with each other.

Bailey shuffled his feet, "You think he'd approve?"

"Mm, not at first," Derek shrugged, "He'd hide it from you, probably make your life impossible- and I'd probably let him for a bit-"

Bailey scoffed at the way his father grinned,"Gee thanks, Dad."

"It's how he showed he cared," Derek smirked as he crossed his arms, "but he'd be happy his daughter was happy. And he'd be relieved it was you and not someone else because of our history. And he'd sure as hell be happy now. Especially now."

Despite the divorce and the custody battle Callie and Arizona had somehow managed to find their way back to each other. And together, they raised their daughter to be brilliant, smart, kind, and generous. She and Zola had remained the bestest friends despite the distance and it had only strengthened after the Grey Shepherd's move to Boston. Eventually, the pair had gone off to Dartmouth together.

And every year, on the day of what would be Mark's birthday, Sofia would never fail to call her Uncle Derek and ask for a story about her father. And he'd indulge her with one. Each story had gotten more and more ridiculous as Sofia turned another year older. They mourned and celebrated the man together. And when she'd visit the family on her summers, Derek would see a little of his best friend.

"You know you don't have to squeeze me so hard every time you see me, Uncle Derek," Sofia pulled away.

"I know," Derek sighed, "I'm just hugging you a little tighter because it's what your dad would do."

"Mama says the same thing," a nineteen year old Sofia chuckled, "Um, Zo said Bailey would be here. And Ellis! She said you would all be here for the summer"

"They're up in the old treehouse," he nodded as he motioned toward the front door, "You know the trio. They're either out and about or up in the treehouse covering up for each other."

He hadn't thought much of it then but now he could recall the slight twinkle in their eyes whenever they saw each other. They'd been friends and had grown up together but he had always figured that Sofia had merely seen Bailey as Zola's little brother. And Bailey had seen her as Zola's friend. That was it.

Until two summer's later when Zola would run into the house shrieking that Bailey was kissing her best friend.

"Bailey and Sofia?"

"Mmhm," Meredith nodded as she flicked off the bathroom light, "I didn't see it coming. Did he tell you anything?"

"No," he said, shaking his head as he tugged the comforter back and slid beneath it. He tossed his glasses onto the night stand next to him, "I'm just as surprised as you are. I mean, they grew up together. Isn't it a little-"

"Weird?" Meredith offered, sliding into bed beside him and pulling the blanket up to her chest,"I don't know. I mean, they only spent time together until Sofia and Arizona moved to New York. Even when Sofia would visit, she spent most of her time with Zola. Bailey was in his own world, so…" She trailed off, shrugging.

"It's still weird," Derek said, the corners of his mouth twitching as though he couldn't quite decide whether to smile or frown.

Meredith laughed softly, "Maybe it's just a summer thing," she said, sinking back into her pillow. "Maybe when they go back to school, they'll move on."

He hummed, "Why is it that every time we come to Seattle for the summer, our kids decide to do something crazy?"

"They're our kids," Meredith mumbled, "Seattle is always bound to be crazy for them."

He watched her for a moment before shutting off his own lamp.

Meredith's slight giggle made him turn back to her.

"What?"

"Bailey really is your son," she sighed as she turned to him, "He's fallen in love with who could be the love of his life in Seattle."

Bailey's voice brought him back from the memory, "I wish I had met him."

"Me too," Derek nodded. For a moment, he stared at the floor. There's a lot of 'what ifs' and 'should haves' that Derek had. There were people in his past life that he had wished his son had met. Still, the life he had now was one he wouldn't trade for the world.

He and his wife had raised three great kids. Each unique and brilliant in their own way with their own gifts and challenges. And even then, he questioned himself a lot and had wished he had someone to reach out for.

"I didn't leave because I was thinking about Mark- I mean I was but notjustMark," Derek looked up at his only son and quietly admitted, "I was also thinking aboutmydad. He didn't get to see us grow up either."

Bailey turned to his father and blinked.

"When you were born, he was the first person I wanted to talk to," Derek swallowed, "I wanted to ask him what to do. How to help your mom. What to prepare for. How to help Zo understand that no one was forgetting her- because he had to do the same with your Aunt Nancy and with each one of us when the other was born. We were all dethroned when your Aunt Amy was born."

"Like Zo and me when Ellis was born," Bailey rolled his eyes, "You can say it, we both know it, Ellis is the favorite."

He earned another heart laugh from his dad.

"My dad just- knew what to do," Derek shrugged, "He was a good dad. And every time you three do something good, I always think about him."

"I wish he'd met my kids the way I'll get to meet yours," Derek smiled sadly, "I wishyougot to meet him. He was a good man. They both were."

His father is an open book.

Sometimes.

Still, there's a lot about his father that Bailey is still in the dark about. It took a minor injury in high school for Derek to explain why he never wanted Bailey to play hockey. He didn't know about Michael Boetcher until then.

To Bailey, Derek was invisible. His dad was like the superheroes in the movies they'd watch together when he was growing up.

But like all superheroes, his dad had his own kryptonite. And sometimes Bailey could see the glue keeping him together.

"You were the first person I wanted to tell," Bailey confessed, "You drove me to all my soccer games every weekend, baseball games and hockey games. You sat next to me every time I was in a hospital room even when mom was freaking out because she was worried."

They chuckled. She was protective. Fiercely protective. She was just as much a superhero and he had yet to see her crack.

"You were tough on me but never in a way that made me think you didn't care for me. It was always a good kind of tough like you never let me give up on myself even when I wanted to."

"If I'm any bit of how good of a dad you are-," Bailey shrugged, "You didn't have to ask anyone Dad. You were always good. I know Zo and Ells would say the same."

Derek swallowed a lump formed in his throat before laughing.

"What?" Bailey asked as he watched his father's face crinkle with laughter, "What is it? Dad, you're freaking me out-"

"No, it's just-," Derek gripped Bailey's left shoulder and shook it, "Bailey, you're gonna be a dad!"

Bailey laughed before letting himself be pulled into his father's arms. He embraced him tightly.

His son. His only son was about to be a father. There was joy in his blue eyes. There was excitement and a little fear. The kind of fear that came with the news that so much was about to change.

He'd watched his son grow into a caring, kind, young man. The kind of man that still held doors and sat with his sisters when they were upset. He'd follow him everywhere, just like Derek had done with his own father. And he'd argued with him. The same temperament seemed to have been inherited by Bailey as well as gentle mischief.

Sometimes he reminded him of himself. And sometimes, he saw his wife.

And now, the baby he had held all those years ago was waiting on his own. Derek squeezed his son a little tighter.

"I'm gonna be a dad," Bailey echoed before pulling away, "Any advice? You know before I start panicking and hitting old cans with my old baseball bat?"

Derek chuckled before stuffing his hands into his pocket, "Don't miss anything."

Bailey nodded.

"Jobs? They'll come and go. Some will be tempting and you'll want to chase them but the high of watching your kids grow, of watching them be their own selves- a little bit of you and a little bit of Sofia- that's a high that beats out any surgery or any other job."

Bailey stuffed his hands back into his pocket, "I kinda want a boy. I want to do all the things we did. Baseball and soccer. I want that, too."

"I hope you have a girl," Derek shook his head with a smile, "I mean, I love you kid and when we found out you were a boy I was excited to do all the things I did with my dad, but a girl? Oh, girls change everything."

"You just want to teach me a lesson because I used to mess with my sisters when we were kids-"

Derek laughed, "Maybe."

There's a comfortable silence between the pair that settles. They quietly relish it for a moment before Derek breaks it.

"Whatever you have," he smiled, "You're gonna be a great dad. You've always been good, Bailey."

"Aunt—" Sofia hesitated, stopping herself mid-sentence. Her cheeks flushed slightly. "Are you mad?"

Meredith chuckled softly, drying her hands on a dish towel as she leaned against the kitchen island. The warm glow from the pendant lights overhead cast a soft light on her face. "Does it feel weird to call me 'Aunt' now?"

"It's just," Sofia shrugged, "I mean technically we're not related so it shouldn't be weird but I've always called you 'aunt'."

"I get it," Meredith smiled, "Of course I'm not mad. I'm going to be a grandmother. Derek, however, might be freaking out."

Sofia laughed as she tucked a dish into the cabinet and closed it with a quiet click. "Bailey was worried about that," she admitted, turning back to face Meredith. "He worries a lot about what his dad thinks."

"That's because they've always been so close. Derek grew up with girls and Bailey is our only boy. They've always been outnumbered so they stuck together," Meredith nodded as she leaned against the kitchen island, "What did your moms say?"

Sofia beamed, "Mama was so happy. Mom was a little worried but she's happy."

"Did they almost kill my kid?"

Sofia broke into laughter. "No, no! Although he was worried they would. Mama said if Dad were here,heprobably would have."

"Mm, he probably would."

A comfortable silence settled.

"I like to think he watches over you," Meredith quietly said, "I once dreamt of him on a beach- not- I wasn't."

Meredith laughed at the confused face Sofia throws at her.

"It was a while ago," Meredith clarified, "I dreamt of my sister- Lexie. And then he showed up."

Meredith exhaled, "They were happy. I always hoped they'd find their way back to each other. One way or another. And I like to think they did."

"Dad loved Lexie?"

"Oh yes," Meredith smiled, "And she loved him. They just couldn't make it work. If they had more time they-"

Her smile faded, "We think we have forever but we don't."

"Aunt Mer?"

"Sorry, I-" Meredith shook her head, "You're gonna be a mom. That's how we get forever. By living and giving new life."

Sofia raised a brow.

"I know, it's corny and gross, but it's true," Meredith smiled, "You'll get it when you have your baby in your arms."

"Momma and Mom said the same thing," Sofia confessed, "I kinda hope it's a boy. I think Bailey would like that."

"Don't be so sure," Meredith raised her brows, "He was very protective of his sisters when they were growing up- even when he teased them.

Sofia smiled.

"Did Zola ever tell you about how he once got suspended because a boy was making fun of her panic attacks? He went up to the kid and punched him right on the face. Nearly knocked him out."

Sofia laughed.

"We are going to be grandparents," Meredith sighs, "Bailey is gonna be a dad."

"He probably already is one," Derek replies, "I feel like I was dropping him off at college just last week."

"Nope," Meredith sighs, "He's all grown up. And he's gonna be a dad."

Derek chuckles. Until it bursts into a full laugh.

"What? What's so funny?"

Derek removes his glasses and rubs the bridge of his nose. He shakes his head as he puts his glasses back on, "Remember, when I brought up having kids and you freaked out? We're sitting here with three grown kids and one of them is about to be a father."

"We're really old, aren't we?" Meredith said, her voice tinged with mock dread, her head resting against his shoulder as they sat together

Derek leaned closer, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Well I did promise you 110 years."

She tightened her hold on him as shuffling footsteps grew louder with every step

"Did we miss it?" Zola, with long braided hair and wide brown eyes ran into the waiting room with Ellis tagging behind her, "Is my goddaughter here yet?"

"Wait," Ellis pulled her arm, her short darkened blonde hair bouncing at her shoulders, "Who said you were the godmother? Also, it could be a boy, you know?"

Zola shook her head, "Nope, it's gonna be a girl."

"Did Sofia tell you?" Derek furrowed his brows before turning to his wife, "I thought Bailey said they wanted to be-"

"Ijustknow," Zola rolled her eyes, "I mean they don'tknowbut Sofia knows I know."

Derek scoffed before his youngest sat next to him, "Daddy?"

"Yes?"

"I'm still gonna be your favorite, right? Even if I'm not the baby girl anymore?" Ellis batted her green eyes at him, almost like when she was a child begging him to stay home and forget about school or work.

"Ellis, you have been living out in Boston for a while now," Meredith laughed as Zola rolled her eyes again and plotted next to her mother.

"Yeah," Zola chimed in, "Besides, you're not the favorite. I am."

"My kids are all grown adults and they're still fighting over who's the favorite," Derek chuckled, "I told you, I don't have favorites."

"Not helping yourself there, bub," Meredith teased, her brows motioned to their youngest.

"I know," Derek sighed before turning to Ellis, "But if it helps, you will always be my baby girl."

"Good," Ellis smiled as she wrapped her arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder.

"I can't believe Bailey is about to be a dad," Zola muttered as she opened a bag of chips.

"Me either," Meredith agreed, leaning over to pluck a chip from Zola's bag with a smirk.

Zola gave her a mock glare but didn't resist, instead popping another chip into her mouth as she leaned back. "Guess we all grow up eventually," she said, her voice quieter, a touch of nostalgia creeping in.

Meredith glanced at Derek, who caught her gaze and gave her a small, knowing smile

The doors burst open and Bailey, with his unruly blonde curls at the top of his head, stepped out. Exhaustion covered his face.

"Oh, God," he exhaled as he watched them all stand and run towards him, "You're all here."

Zola smacked his arm, "Jackass! We're here because we care!"

"Yeah," Ellis smacked his other arm, "And because we want to meet our niece! Or nephew! You know what-"

"Alright, stop it! Leave your brother alone," Meredith chided, "Bailey, how's Sofia?"

"How's the baby?" Derek asked.

"Mom, Dad," Bailey sighed, "Wanna meet your granddaughter?"

Derek's eyes widened, the surprise hitting him all at once. "Granddaughter?"

Meredith gasped, "A girl?"

Without waiting for an answer, she pulled Bailey into a tight hug.

Bailey chuckled, the sound warm despite his obvious fatigue. "Yeah, Mom. A girl."

Meredith pulled back, brushing his curls out of his face as she smiled at him with misty eyes.

"Let's go meet our granddaughter," Derek said, his voice thick with emotion as he motioned for Meredith to follow their son.

Zola and Ellis watch the trio disappear before Ellis turns to her sister, "I think-"

"Yeah," Zola smiles, "I think he might be the favorite."

"For now," Ellis raised a brow.

They followed him into the room where Sofia cradles a small, tiny thing.

The bundle in her arms is small. So small and Bailey took her in his arms. Sofia reached to adjust the tiny hat covering her dark hair.

"Mom, Dad," Bailey whispered, his voice thick with emotion "This is your granddaughter."

Meredith's breath caught as Bailey turned toward reached for her granddaughter, cradling her tightly against her chest as if she could shield her from the world.

"Oh my…" Meredith gasped, her voice cracking. She looked up at Bailey and Sofia, tears welling in her eyes. "You two have a baby girl."

Bailey chuckled softly, wiping at his face before turning back to Sofia, who smiled sleepily.

"Sofia how are you feeling?"

"I'm tired," Sofia admitted, leaning back against the pillows with a sigh., "My moms were in here the whole time so I got some rest before they started bickering over the last name."

Derek, who had been quietly taking everything in, stepped closer to the bassinet. He glanced at the label to the side. "Shepherd," he read aloud. "You went with just Shepherd?

Sofia nods, "Torres Sloan Robbins Shepherd was too long. Besides, Bailey came up with the most perfect two names. And they earned my moms' approval so all is well."

Meredith looked up as she gently placed her granddaughter in her husband's arms, "Where are your moms?"

"They went to the cafeteria to bring me food," Sofia rolled her eyes, "They were bickering about what the baby was going to call them."

Meredith laughed, "She's calling me Nana. I'm calling it now."

The new parents quietly laughed.

"But what are we gonna call her?" the newly minted grandfather asked, "And by the way, I'm going with Pop."

Bailey and Sofia looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

"Well we wanted to honor our family," he sighed, "And honor the people that aren't here."

Derek stared at his granddaughter who opened her eyes just in time, "Oh, these are going to be brown eyes, Sof. You're Dad loved your brown-"

"Her name is Alexandra Everett Shepherd."

Derek's head snapped up, his eyes widening. "What?"

"Alexandra," Bailey cleared his throat "Like-"

"Lexie," Meredith finished for him, her own voice trembling. "Like Lexie?"

"Yeah," Bailey nodded, "Like Lexie."

"And Everett," Sofia added in a quiet, reverent tone. "Like my dad. We couldn't name her Mark, but… Everett felt right. It's so beautiful, and it was-"

"That was his middle name," Derek said, his voice thick as he swallowed the lump rising in his throat. He glanced back down at the baby. "He hated it when my mother would yell his full name."

A soft laugh escaped him, though his eyes glistened with unshed tears.

Sofia smiled, her gaze falling to her daughter. "We can call her Evie."

Derek let out a shaky breath, gently brushing his granddaughter's cheek with his finger. "Evie," he murmured, as though testing the name on his tongue. "It's perfect."

Meredith stepped closer, wrapping her arm around Derek's waist as they gazed down at the baby together. There's something she sees in this newly formed life. Something she doesn't always quite see but when she does, it takes her breath away.

"You did good, Bails," She turned to her son and smiled proudly before turning to Sofia, "You both did good."

She turns back to her granddaughter and sees it again.

Hope.

A/N: Hi! First of all, the world is crazy right now and I hope you are safe. And happy. If you follow me on socials than you know things are wild. But writing has been my oasis. So here I am.

I always had this head canon because it just made sense to me. A Shepherd and a Sloan falling in love just made sense after the epic McBrothers friendship. And I miss them. So here we are.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts. Thanks for reading. Take care.