You've got a Way

13.

"I think she's hungry again." Derek laughed as he bounced Emma in his arms, standing in the kitchen of Meredith's apartment as she read a chapter in a textbook. He had been there the night before to put Emma to bed and came first thing in the morning. He and Meredith were actually getting along as best as they could. They hadn't yelled at each other for a few days so that was a start. Except the night before when Derek had gotten home, he had told his mother about Emma. And now she's was coming. He had to tell Meredith. He couldn't just keep it a secret but right now, with Emma, wasn't the right time.

"There are some cheerios in the pantry." Meredith flipped the page in her textbook, the pen staying in her mouth.

"She eats almost as much as you." Derek said, pulling down the box of cheerios.

"Funny." Meredith rolled her eyes.

"Bah....mah...pa!"

"She doesn't agree with you." Meredith giggled, looking back to her studies.

"I think she does." Derek laughed, sitting Emma in the high chair with a few cheerios in front of her.

"So...Susan got her pink balloons and purple banners. Is that okay with you?" Meredith asked, referring to the first birthday party they would be celebrating.

"Yeah...that's fine."

"Ba!" Emma lifted her head, looking up to Derek as she held a soggy cheerio in her fingers.

"What do you think Em...Pink and purple?" Derek smiled, kissing his daughter's cheek.

"Ba!"

"I'd say that's yes."

"Emma...." Meredith looked up from her Anatomy chart and to her baby girl.

"Bah.....gah....hi!"

"You know words Emma." Meredith rolled her eyes, looking at Derek. "You've heard her say hi and ma...and pa."

"She's a smarty."

"She does have a father who is a surgeon...a mother who is in medschool."

"Maybe she'll say birthday on Saturday." Derek laughed.

"Maybe." Meredith sighed, opening her note book as Emma popped a Cheerio into her mouth.

"So...Susan and Thatcher are coming...and Lexie and Molly?"

"Yeah, they are." Meredith scratched her nose, as she looked up from her books.

"Anybody else?"

"Lexie and Molly's friend, Sally and Susan's neighbor Sue."

"Okay." Derek nodded, giving Emma a few more cheerios."

"Mine." Emma squealed.

"All yours, noodle." Derek laughed.

"Mine!" Emma gasped, crushing her snack in her hands, causing Meredith to giggle. "Ba...Ma....Ba!"

"Very possesive."

"She is." Meredith closed her books, pushing the chair back. "Emma..."

"Mine Ma!"

"Yours...we know." Meredith giggled, walking over to the counter.

"Do you want something to eat?" Derek asked. "I could make sandwiches so you can keep studying."

"Oh...I'm okay."

"We're um...We're doing good."

"With what?" Meredith asked, opening a bag of chips before walking over towards the high chair.