I Wanna Be Yours

"Chapter 9"

A whole lot of charting, very little sleep: not the night shift Derek has dreamed of.

He's been living with tiredness for the past two months, and even he can recognize that this is a completely different kind of tiredness. He's been constantly experiencing some of the highest highs and the lowest lows of a lot of people, and it's catching up with him. He also knows he doesn't want to be the next intern having a nervous breakdown and leaving the program.

"Daddy!"

The reason why he has to keep going and become a resident comes barreling towards him, a backpack floundering from his shoulders as his little legs carry him through the aisle. David stops in front of him and catches his breath, his eyes shining with alertness.

"David, how did you get here?" Derek smiles, listening to his son giggle.

"Nana took me. She's slow, Daddy."

"Oh, here she comes," he smiles, seeing his mother walk towards them, shaking her head. "Are you too excited for slow?" he asks, and David nods eagerly.

"First day of school, Daddy, of course I'm excited," he shrugs. "I'm a big boy, now."

"You are," he sighs, memories of his newborn son flashing through his mind. Derek knows he's just as scared as he was the very first time he held him, and right now he's flying just as blindly as he was when his mother dropped David into his care.

"Daddy," he murmurs, sobering up as his mother comes closer and stands behind him. "Are you sure I will have fun?"

"I'm sure. You have to listen to your teacher and do what she says, but kindergarten is fun. You know, I'm in school too, now, so believe me, it is fun," he grins, hoping he can be a good liar.

He remembers being teased and being the butt of stupid jokes before he became friends with Mark, and he knows David will have it even worse, but he can't discourage the boy even before starting. He'll take the brunt of it when the time will come.

"Do I have to go to school if I want to be a firefighter?"

Derek frowns. This one is new, but he'll go with it. "Yes. Firefighters need to be smart and know all about fires and chemicals and building structures before being firefighters."

"Okay," he sighs. "And I'll learn how to read and write and count numbers?"

"You will," Derek smiles, watching as he dances on his heels.

"Nana, did you like school?"

"I met your Pops when I was in school," she winks, her eyes shining. Derek wishes he'd find a love that will make his eyes twinkle even forty years after they've met.

David is still pondering her answer when his eyes light up too, and his lips curl up in a smile. "Meredith!" he shouts, and Derek turns around as well.

Meredith is walking out in street clothes, looking tired and slightly dejected. Her lips curl up in a smile when she spots David, her whole demeanor relaxing. Her aura makes Derek's shoulders loosen too.

"David, hey, good morning! You're here early," she smiles, and David squares his shoulders and puffs out what little chest he has.

"Did you like school?" His son blurts, a flicker of worry in his eyes.

"School was fun. I learned a lot of new things there, I loved that."

"Daddy said I will have fun there."

"You will. You will meet new friends and play games with them. You will have a great time," she reassures, even though the way her eyes dull for a second makes him wonder if she didn't have a great time in school either. "Is it your first day?" she smiles, looking up to meet Derek's eyes in confirmation. He nods slightly, unable to speak when she looks at him so intensely.