The Seventh Sense is Love

New Years Surprise

"Hi Meredith."

She was exiting her patient's room and looked up from the chart she had in her hands. "Hi Mark," she answered. Then she continued with a smile, "I'm feeling fine."

He chuckles, "Have I become predictable?"

"No, not you," she said with a shake of her head, "But my husband definitely is. Well, about some things. I'm certain you've been instructed to look out for the baby and I at all times."

"Something like that," Mark chuckles. "Are you really okay, though? It is New Year's Eve and you've been here for ten hours already."

"I really am fine," she assures him but sounds a little wistful.

"Why don't I believe you?"

"I'm just being a baby," she answers and rolls her eyes.

"About what? Meredith, if you aren't feeling well -"

"It's not that," she interrupts and giggles. "I agreed to the extra attention and babysitting. I'm not going back on my word. Like you said, it's New Year's Eve."

"Oh," Mark grins again, relieved. "You're sad because you'll be here at midnight and Derek is at home - therefore, no kiss for you."

"Exactly," she pouts. "Like I said, I'm being a baby about it."

"You are," he agrees and makes her laugh. "See you later."

"Bye," she answers with a shake of her head as she stops at the nurse's station.

At 11:45 Meredith receives a page to the fifth-floor nurse's station. She rolls out of the on-call room bed and frowns. She doesn't have a patient on the fifth floor - she thinks as she puts on her sneakers and then walks to the elevators.

Meredith gives a puzzled frown when she steps off the elevator and sees Mark at the nurse's station. Then she smiles upon realizing he's flirting with the nurse working the night shift. Probably trying to ensure a midnight kiss, she pouts to herself.

"Hi," she says to them.

"Good evening, Dr. shepherd," the nurse replies, suddenly professional.

"Come with me Meredith," Mark says. And to the nurse he grins and says, "I'll be right back, Linda."

Once they're on the elevator again Meredith giggles and teases, "That poor nurse."

"There won't be anything poor about her in -"

"Okay," Meredith interrupts, "I do not want details."

"Hey, I'm just making sure I have someone to ring in the New Year with."

"I know." Meredith sighs. "Mark, do you ever want to settle down?"

Mark groans then says, "Don't start trying to shove a family life at me just because you're pregnant and hormonal."

Meredith's back goes rigid with insult. And to her dismay her eyes fill with tears. "What? I'm not shoving - I mean," she stammers a little and takes a big breath. "I'm sorry. I was just wondering."

Mark heaves a giant sigh as the elevator doors open on the top floor of the hospital. He starts walking toward the staircase and then stops to look at Meredith. "No," he says, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I know you - and everyone else who asks me questions like that - care. And the answer is: I don't know. Okay?"

"Okay," she whispers, vowing to herself to keep her mouth shut in the future.

"Come on," Mark says and starts walking up the stairs.

"Where are we going?"

Mark opens the door to the roof and steps aside for Meredith. She gives a delighted gasp and a sparkling smile. Mark gives her a tiny push on the back and says, "To make sure you get your kiss at midnight."

Meredith walks out onto the roof and over to her wonderful and handsome husband. He's dressed in jeans, a button-up shirt and a dark blue sweater. "Hi," she whispers and wraps her arms around him, placing her lips on his for a soft and gentle kiss.

"Hi," he says. "Surprise."

"Definitely," she giggles and looks around again. There's a small table set for two - with white linen and glowing candles. There are two plates covered with silver lids and something chilling in an ice bucket. She picks up the bottle and giggles, "Sparkling cider, Derek?"

"Yes," he answers. "Besides the fact that you're working - I'm looking out for you and our baby."

She pours two glasses and walks back to hand him one. "Thank you," she says. "This is wonderful." She looks out at the shining lights of downtown Seattle and leans into her husband's arms. "I was missing you. Being a pouting baby because I couldn't be with you tonight."

Derek rubs his hand down her back and then reaches up to play with the ends of her ponytail. He hugs her tighter and replies, "There's no way I was going to sit at home - alone, without you - on New Year's Eve."

He leans down to kiss her again. They both feel happy and content.

"Next year our baby will be here," Meredith sighs and lays her hand on her stomach.

"Yes," Derek grins and places his hand over hers. "You'll be done with your Fellowship. Maybe we'll actually spend the evening at home. As a family, all together."

"That would be nice," she smiles. "This is pretty spectacular, though"

They listen as a clock in the distance chimes down to midnight. At the final stroke their lips attach, and they share a bone-melting and tender kiss. It's filled with love. Anticipation for the New year and the joys to come in their life together.

"Happy New Year, Meredith."

"Happy New Year, Derek."