It's been a long time

Chapter 79

Another week passed and Meredith was done being pregnant. As she entered her third trimester, she was just sick of being pregnant. She just wanted to hold her son in her arms and never let go

Meredith woke up with a very familiar twinge in her abdomen. She had started getting Braxton Hicks contractions about 4 days ago.

In the OR, Meredith stepped back as she felt a strong sensation in her belly. "You okay Grey?" Bailey asked in concern.  Meredith nodded, knowing Derek was in the gallery.

"Are you sure?" Bailey asked. "Yeah. I'm fine." Meredith replied, getting back to work. Not a minute later, she stepped back again and groaned quietly.

"What's going on, Grey?" Bailey asked. "I don't know." Meredith admitted. "Go to OB and make sure everything's okay. Shepherd, get down here and make sure she actually goes." Bailey ordered.

"It's probably just Braxton Hicks!" Meredith argued. "Go now." Bailey said sternly. Meredith sighed angrily and walked out of the OR.

Derek made sure she went up to OB and went into a room. "Hey. I heard you've been having some pain?" Connie asked as she came in.

"Just discomfort. It doesn't hurt. It's probably just Braxton Hicks." Meredith explained. "Okay. I'll just check to make sure it's not pre term labor or anything." Connie said calmly.

Connie did her thing, and Meredith was right. Braxton Hicks. "Now, these don't mean you have to stop working, but it's a sign that you need to slow down. This little guy can come any day now." She said.

"Okay. Everything's okay though?" Meredith asked. She nodded. "Everything's fine. I'll see you both in the next few weeks."

Meredith groaned and rolled on to her back to check the clock. 3:47am. So early. "Relax in there, kiddo." Meredith murmured, as not to wake Derek.

Of course the baby didn't listen 10 minutes later, so Meredith got out of bed at 4 and went downstairs. She couldn't sleep and wouldn't get back to sleep with all the kicking and Braxton Hicks.

Meredith brewed herself a cup of non caffeinated tea and decided to go outside on the deck. It was too early for the sun to rise, but it was for once actually a nice day out.

Meredith took a seat in her chair and sighed. She was tired, but as a surgeon, she was used to running on very little sleep.

It shocked her that she would be the guardian of a little, Tiny baby in a few weeks. She was still getting used to the idea of her and Derek being parents.

But she was so excited.

She could picture their little boy running around when he got older, playing on their land with the dog. She could picture Derek coaching him in sports.

And just the thought made her heart flutter.

She was ecstatic to be a mom. Terrified? Yes. But she was excited. She was already so attached to her little boy, and she knew Derek was too.

"I love you, buddy." Meredith whispered, rubbing her belly as to soothe the baby. Meredith was rewarded with a nice kick to the ribs, making her laugh.

"A few more weeks and then you can meet mommy and daddy." She murmured. As a kid, she never wanted to have kids herself, due to the stuff Ellis put into her head.

Ellis never loved Meredith in a motherly type of way. Meredith knew that. She came to terms with that when she was 12.

But now, in her thirties, she didn't understand how Ellis didn't love her. Meredith loved her son so much already, and he was still in the womb. Just being able to carry him, and keep him safe and protected made her love him.

Meredith sighed as she just enjoyed time to herself outside. Pretty soon she wouldn't be alone at all. She'd have a baby crawling around the house.

•••

Derek woke up to the bed empty, which meant Meredith was awake. He felt bad for her, he knew the baby's kicks and her Braxton Hicks were uncomfortable and annoying.

He checked the clock. 8:21am. Derek got out of bed, and went downstairs. He saw that she had already brewed herself a cup of tea; and then went outside to the porch, when he knew she would be.

"Hey." He said as he walked on to the porch and took a seat next to her. "Hi." She replied with a smile. "How long have you been up?" Derek asked, a hint of concern in his tone.

"Long. Braxton Hicks." Meredith replied with a yawn. "Do you want to take a nap?" He offered with a sympathetic smile.

"Im sure I will later. I've been up since before 4, and I'm awake now, so..." Meredith trailed off. "Well, lucky for you we have nothing to do today." He said, kissing her head.

Meredith curled into his lap as close as possible, their unborn son making it difficult. "I'm ready for him to come out." Meredith said quietly, putting her head on his chest.

"I am too." Derek replied. "What about...Cam?" Meredith asked randomly after a moment of silence. Derek shook his head. "Kathleens son is Cam, remember? See, that's the downside of having so many older sisters. They get all the good names first." Derek said with a chuckle.

"How about...Tyler?" Meredith asked. "I don't hate it. Tyler Shepherd. The middle name is going to be after dad, right?" He replied.

Meredith nodded. "Yes. And if we ever have a daughter, her middle name will be named after mom."

Meredith yawned as they kept rattling names off. "Take a nap, mer. I'll stY here." Derek said, noticing his wife's exhaustion. "Okay." Meredith said. She didn't need too much asking, she was tired.

"Love you." Meredith murmured.

"I love you too."

Hey guys! I hope you all enjoyed so chapter and hope your all doing well. If you have any suggestions for future chapters, please feel free to let me know. Thanks for reading!!