The Seventh Sense is Love

Good News Keeps Coming

Meredith walked into the kitchen one morning in February to find Derek on the phone and Ian sitting in his lap eating a banana. She gave him a questioning glance as he said, "She just walked in - I'll tell her now. Bye."

"Good morning," she said and leaned down to kiss both her husband and her son. "What was that about?"

"That was Richard," he replied, grabbing her hand and pulling her down to kiss her on the mouth. They both chuckled as Ian made little kissing sounds while chattering Mama and Dada.. "Good morning," Derek said to Mer and kissed her again.

Meredith kissed Ian and got a warm cloth to clean his sticky fingers and mouth before picking him up for a huge hug. "What did Richard want?"

"To tell us that The Annals of American Neurosurgery wants to publish our clinical trial."

"Really?" she exclaimed with her glowing smile.

"Really," he confirmed with a smile of his own. "We also got a call to say that the plans for our house are complete and ready to be picked up."

"It's a day for good news. There might be another piece of good news to add to this day."

"What?"

"Come with me," she said and carried Ian to the living room. She set him on the floor with his much-loved blocks and said, "Mommy and Daddy will be right back."

Derek looked a little confused as he followed his wife down the hall. "You know Ian is just going to follow us, right?"

"Of course," she giggled, "but this will be quick."

"Meredith," he said and chuckled. "I'm all for quickies but -"

"Not that," she interrupted with a laugh and went into their bathroom. A moment later she reappeared, held up a box and said, "This will only take a couple of minutes."

Derek's mouth fell open in surprise and then he pulled her into his arms. "That's a pregnancy test."

"it is," she nodded against his shoulder. "After you left the hospital last night - I realized that I'm a little over a week late for my period."

"Well, take it," he said pulling her toward the bathroom. She did just that and less than two minutes later they were both staring at the stick.

"Mama, Dada," Ian said as he walked into their bathroom. Meredith started laughing really hard and she and Derek both held out their arms to Ian. He went into them and patted his mommy on the cheek as she continued to laugh. "Mama," he said again and kissed her cheek. This made her start to cry.

"Hey," Derek said, rubbing her back. "Are you all right?"

"Yes," she said around her tears. "I want the baby. I'm just - reacting. Do you want the baby?"

"Of course," Derek said and sighed quietly. It was time to brace for round two of the pregnancy ride. "You're going to be a big brother, Ian."

Meredith calmed down rather quickly but continued to hold her husband and their son to her. After a couple of moments, she said, "I really do want them, Derek."

"I really want then too, Mer."

"They are due a month after Ian turns two."

"Yes," he said and gave a small laugh. "Do you really think we should say she and her right from the beginning. What is the baby's really a boy?"

Ian wiggled to be put down and they obliged. Then Meredith leaned on the sink and replied, "You and I both know they are girls. Your dad said so."

"Yes," Derek said and smiled at her. He pulled her back into his arms and said, "One little girl with the middle name Ellis - after your mom."

Pulling away just enough to place one hand on her stomach, Meredith whispered, "I love them already."

"It was the same with Ian."

"It was," she said and giggled happily. "I told you it was a day for good news. I'll call later today and make an appointment with Dr. Chu but I figured that our baby girls due date is October fourth."

They went about their morning as usual and left the house in separate vehicles. Even though the news of the morning was great and happily well-received; both Meredith and Derek were thinking about how things really did change abruptly and take you by surprise. Even things you were planning - like babies and a new house - were still a surprise when they became a reality.