NEVER LEAVING YOUR HEART ALONE

HELL OF A SEND OFF

Meredith rolled out of the empty bed. Literally rolled. Her back and hips ached. She moaned when she stood on her feet. The house was silent. She didn't know where Derek was. At the moment she wasn't too concerned. She was concerned about the fact that she was more comfortable walking bent over than vertical. She tried to push it out of her mind as she went through her morning routine, and then took a steaming hot shower. Derek was sitting at the kitchen table eating his muesli and reading the paper when she came down.

"Good morning." He said with a smile as he watched her hobble in.

"Morning." She grumbled as she made her way to the cabinet and pulled out the bottle of pain relievers. She threw back a few with a swig of water and then rested her hands on the counter. Derek quickly dropped his spoon and made his way over to her.

"Are you okay?" He asked as he rubbed her back softly.

"Yeah." She moaned as she turned around and faced him. He gave her a smile and kissed her softly. "We need a new bed..." She said frankly. "I can not stand that thing."

"You love your bed." He said with a smile. She did. That was one of her things...never get rid of the bed. It was a perfect bed.

"Not anymore. I hate it." She pouted. He looked down at his watch, and back up at her.

"Come on..." He said as he pulled her to the sofa. "Lay down." She laid down softly on her abdomen. He hands went to work on her back. He heard her moan softly. A smiled crept up on her face. They both looked up when they heard the door. Derek quickly walked over and let Jane in the house.

"Hello, Derek. Hello, Meredith." She said as she walked into the house.

"I'm rubbing Mer's back. It's killing her." He said as he walked back over to the sofa and continued.

"Oh, are you okay?" Jane asked sympathetically as she walked by.

"Yeah... I just- I'm only halfway there. I should not feel this way." Meredith explained.

"You never know how your body will react to pregnancy." Jane said softly. "My sisters have three kids each. Theresa suffered the whole way through." Jane pointed out.

"Oh thanks for that!" Meredith chuckled. She winced when Derek began kneading her lower back.

"Has she eaten?" Jane asked Derek, knowing Meredith would tell her not to worry about it.

"No, the pain was too bad." He explained as he continued. Meredith gave her a dirty look.

"Are eggs okay?" She asked Meredith from the kitchen.

"Jane, you are not our cook. Or our housekeeper. Don't worry about." Meredith said softly. The last thing she wanted was for Jane to feel overworked.

"It's my pleasure." She said as she walked into the kitchen and began banging pots and pans around.

"When is your next appointment with Addison?" Derek asked with concern.

"Derek, I am fine!" She said as she sat up.

"I wasn't done." He told her, shocked that she got up. She always begged him not to stop.

"I'm fine." She said as she stood up and walked away.

"Maybe you shouldn't be running anymore." He said as he followed her into the kitchen.

"I need to be healthier." She said as she sat down at the table across from him.

"Mer-" He started as he looked up at her.

"You spent all that money having a trail cut through the woods for me." She said as she looked out the window into the darkness.