The Seventh Sense is Love

Slight Baby Blues

Derek was starting work at the hospital next week and Meredith was a nervous wreck. She wants him to be happy and feel great about his decision. She wants the transition back into medicine to go flawlessly for him.

"Stop worrying about it."

Meredith is startled out of her reverie by Dr. Bailey's stern and no non-sense voice.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Bailey snaps. "Stop worrying about your husband. He'll transition back to this lifestyle like a pro."

"Am I that transparent?" Meredith asks with a sigh.

"No," Bailey answers after silently studying her former intern for a few moments. "It just doesn't take a rocket scientist to know what's had you pre-occupied and edgy lately."

"It just takes a genius surgeon," Meredith answers with a small smile.

"That's right," Bailey answers with a grin. Then, in a show of affection and support, Bailey touches Meredith's hand. "Derek will be fine. He has a lot of people on his side hoping for his success. We'll all do whatever is necessary."

"I know," Meredith says and her eyes fill with tears. "Oh damn."

"Damn is right. Don't you dare cry or you'll get me started, too. Freakin' hormones."

"Hormones?"

"Yes, damn pregnancy hormones. I'm having another baby."

"That's great," Meredith responds, truly happy, and gives Bailey a hug.

"Thanks," Bailey replies. "You can tell Derek, but not anyone else. Not yet."

"Okay," Meredith agrees. She's happy that Bailey came along when she did. Her mood is much improved.

"I know something you don't know," Meredith tells her husband over dinner, in a sing-songy voice.

Derek erupts with laughter and says, "And the mystery information has turned you into a seven year old."

Meredith giggles and asks, "Do you want to know what I know?'

"Sure," he answers with a shrug and takes a bite of garlic bread.

"Bailey's pregnant. I'm not sure if she originally intended to tell me, but she did. She said I could tell you but we are sworn to secrecy for now."

Derek nods his acknowledgement while finishing the food in his mouth. Then he says, in a neutral voice, "I'll give her a call. Congratulate her and Tucker - see how she's feeling."

"Okay," Meredith says, irrationally saddened by her husband's rather apathetic response. She's also a little pissed at herself. She had been hoping that he'd hear about their friends having another baby and change his mind about them having a child. How stupid.

"Meredith?"

She jumps at the sound of his voice and pulls herself back from mentally beating up on herself. "Yes?"

"Do you still think about us having a baby?"

She's silent as she decides how to answer his question. Finally, she sighs and goes with simple and honest, "Yes. Not often, but sometimes, like today. I'm truly happy for Bailey and her family but I can't help that I think about us having a baby."

"Meredith..."

"Derek," she interrupts, "You asked me a question and I gave you an honest answer but I remember exactly how you feel about having children. It's okay."

"How can you say it's okay when you just told me you think about us having a child?"

"I accept how you feel about it, Derek. I love you and I love our life together."

"And you'd love to have a baby," he stubbornly insists.

"I would," she agrees, "but only if you wanted one, too. I don't need a child to feel fulfilled. I mean it - I love our life together."

Derek comes around the table and pulls Meredith into his arms. "I don't want you to ever resent..."

She cuts him off with a kiss then says, "I don't and I doubt I ever will. We have bigger things to focus on right now."

"Okay," he says, letting the topic go for now. "I love you."

"I know," she answers and starts to clear the table while talking to him about the hospital.