Dark Passions

70. Epilogue

Six Years Later

Meredith smiled as she walked into the library, finding Derek with their children, reading to them late in the evening. Michael, now six, was leaning against Derek's knee, while the twins, Hannah and Ella, were snuggled together as usual, on the other side. Cradled in the crook of Derek's elbow was the youngest, James, now one year. The spot was his favorite, and Meredith swore that he preferred Derek over herself, much to Derek's amusement.

"And they all lived happily ever after..." Derek said, closing the book slowly. He caught Meredith's eyes on him, and he gave her a quick wink, before returning his attention to the rapt faces looking up at him.

"I like that story, Papa," Michael said, "can you read it again?"

"Please?" Hannah asked sweetly, reaching up to pat Derek's cheek, while Ella nodded in agreement, peeking at him from under her fringe of impossibly long lashes. Just as Meredith suspected, the girls had their father wrapped around their perfect little fingers, and she could see him ready to give in to their pleas.

"I want to be a princess when I grow up..." Ella added. "With the prince riding a white pony to take me away..."

"Don't be silly, Ella, princes don't ride ponies!" Michael teased his sister. "They have big stallions. Ponies are for girls!"

"I think it's getting late, and you all need to go to bed," Derek said, in an attempt to divert a full scale argument from breaking out, deciding that another reading was not in order. "After all, your cousins will be here tomorrow, along with the Sloans."

"That's right," Meredith confirmed, joining them on the settee. She brushed the hair off Michael's forehead, noting his eyes were getting heavy anyway.

It was almost Easter Sunday, and they were planning to have a celebration with Kate and Alex, along with Marcus and Izzie, with all the respective children. It would be a boisterous group, Meredith was quite sure. Besides Kate's twins and Marianna, they had two more children of their own. Marcus and Izzie had two boys, and Izzie was pregnant again. And joining them all as well were Eleanor and John, who had formed a relationship of sorts, over the years. Meredith suspected there was more than just friendship between the two strong-willed individuals, but she wasn't about to confront them about it. She had seen the discreet looks that passed between her father and Derek's mother, and the lingering touches that they tried to hide. It made her smile, thinking about it, hoping that they were able to find some companionship. Both of them had been alone for many years, after all.

"So, who is ready for bed?" she asked, pulling Hannah into her lap, and kissing the top of her head. Ella immediately clambered up as well - the two of them were peas in a pod, always together, always making up little private games and stories. As they grew older, their resemblance to each other was more pronounced. Hannah's hair had darkened, and they both had startling blue eyes, with dark brows winging over them. With their hair in braids, and wearing identical gowns, it was often difficult to tell them apart. Only when you talked to them, you noticed the differences. Hannah was quick to talk, chattering non stop, while Ella was more thoughtful and quiet.

"I'm sleepy, Mama," Ella yawned now. "Will you tuck us in?"

"You can count it on, sweetheart," Meredith assured her. "Meggie is waiting to take you up to your rooms, and we'll be up shortly to say good night." Meggie was the nanny/governess, a capable young woman who was a cousin of Rose's. Rose still enjoyed helping out with the children, but she was married now herself, and Meredith insisted that Rose spend time with her own family as much as possible. Now, she waited at the library door, and came in at Meredith's nod. She held her hands out to the children, as Meredith stood up to take the baby from Derek. James made a little sound of protest at being moved, but his eyes swept shut again almost immediately. Meredith kissed him and passed him to Meggie.