The Seventh Sense is Love

Telling Her Sisters

"Have you told Lexie yet?" Derek whispers as they sit together having lunch in the cafeteria.

"No." Meredith answers and grins at her husband's frown.

"Why not? I don't want to tell Mark until you've told your sisters."

"Thank you," she says and reaches to hold his hand in hers. "You said 'sisters,' as in plural. Which means, I have to tell them at the same time or Molly will be hurt. Also, I think we need to tell Kathleen or she's going to be hurt, as well."

"You're probably right," Derek says carefully, "I thought we'd decided to keep it low key for a few weeks. At least until we have our first OB/Gyn appointment."

"True." Meredith says and is a bit horrified to feel her eyes fill with tears. "I just don't want to hurt any feelings. I don't want anyone to think they're less important to us than someone else." She sighs again as Derek chuckles. "Yes, I realize how emotional that sounds, but I can't help it."

Derek leans over and kisses her softly on the mouth. "There's nothing wrong with emotional. I'm thrilled with telling everyone if that's what you want."

"It is," she says, "but family first, friends second. Okay?"

"Yes, that's absolutely okay with me. You do realize that means you'll have a lot of babysitters for the next nine months. Right?"

"Yes," she answers. Then surprises him by saying, "but I've decided I'm okay with that."

"Really?"

"Yes," she says and swats his arm playfully. "Don't sound so shocked."

"Sorry," he chuckles, "but shocked is exactly what I am."

"Here's the thing," she explains. "I know there are going to be many beautiful and amazing moments during this pregnancy. However, there are also going to be the not-so-great aspects of it. Like morning sickness, back pain, possible food aversions and eventual sleeplessness. Not to mention that I'll actually have to push our beautiful child out of my body."

"Can we not think about that part yet?" Derek asks, turning a little pale.

"Yes," she giggles and squeezes his fingers in her own. "My point is, I've decided that since I'm growing a little human being in my body, I'm okay with some extra attention, TLC and pampering."

Derek laughs and asks, "Is that right?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Are you saying I don't give you enough of that already?"

"Of course, you do," Meredith giggles. "I'm just saying I'll be okay with some more."

"It's a deal," he replies and leans over to kiss her again. "I love you, Mer."

"I love you too," she answers, stroking his cheek with her fingers. "So much."

"Sorry I'm late." Molly said as she sat down at the table with Meredith, Kathleen and Lexie.

"It's okay," Meredith says and reaches for her water glass.

"We've only been here for a few minutes," Lexie states.

All four women open their menus to decide on dinner. Once they've placed their orders Meredith takes a deep breath and starts, "Thanks for meeting me for dinner."

"Why wouldn't we?" Lexie asks. "It's our weekly sisters dinner."

"Thanks for including me in this, by the way," Kathleen says with a smile that is exactly like her brother's.

"With the holidays, I wasn't sure -" Meredith sighs and waves her hand, slightly agitated.

"Are you all right?" Lexie asks.

"Yes," Meredith says and sighs again. "Let me just get this out."

"Oh," Molly squeals, "I know -"

"Wait," Meredith snaps. She shakes her head as her sisters start to giggle.

Kathleen gives a confused frown and asks, "Am I missing something?"

Meredith looks at each of the three women having dinner with her and finally grins. "I'm pregnant," she says with a little shrug. "Derek and I are going to have a baby."

Lexie and Molly start giggling again and jump up to hug their sister and kiss her on the cheek. Kathleen just stares at Meredith as her eyes fill with tears. "Okay, okay," Meredith says to her sisters, giggling a little bit herself as she hugs them in return. "Sit back down," she says and then notices Kathleen crying and smiling at the same time. "Are you all right?"

"Yes," Kathleen answers with a crack in her voice. "I just need a minute."

Molly waves her arm a little to get their waiter's attention. Once he comes over, she orders a bottle of champagne. "We're celebrating."

"I can't drink that," Meredith says happily.

"You can have a tiny bit to toast," Lexie says. "Then switch back to your water."

Kathleen is done crying and reaches across the table for Meredith's hand. "Congratulations," she says. "I don't have the right words to tell you how happy I am for you and Derek." Her eyes fill with tears again as she continues, "I am so thankful that you and Derek found one another. And now a baby."

Meredith's eyes become teary at Kathleen's words.

"All right," Molly interrupts as the waiter returns with the champagne and glasses. "Enough crying, let's celebrate."

The waiter uncorks the champagne and pours four glasses, puts the bottle on ice and retreats. Molly says, "To Meredith and Derek and their baby-on-the-way."

They all clink glasses, drink and start talking again. Their meals arrive and it's quiet for a bit as they all eat. After a few minutes Lexie asks, "What's the due date?"

"September third," Meredith answers. "I think. We haven't been to the Doctor yet but I'm pretty sure that's the correct date. I went online and found a due date calendar. There is a lot of baby related stuff. It's a little overwhelming actually."

"It can be," Kathleen says with a nod, "but just try to take it all a step at a time."

"I'll give you my copy of What to Expect When You're Expecting," Molly says. "It helped me with a lot of questions I had."

"Actually," Meredith says hesitantly, "I'm going to Barnes and Noble after dinner to see if they have any baby related books on CD." She shrugs as they all grin at her. "Just in case Derek wants to hear what the books have to say."

Kathleen laughs and says, "He'll probably memorize the entire set of CD's while you're at work and then school you."

"I know!" Meredith giggles.

They finish their dinner, talk some more and then - after more congratulatory hugs and kisses - Molly and Kathleen leave to go home. Meredith and Lexie go to Barnes and Noble together.