I'm ready

"Chapter 16"

Meredith had been banned from her own living room while Cristina and Izzie set up her baby shower. In spite of the fact that it was the end of February, however, it was a relatively sunny day. It was still a little chilly, but she wanted to spend some time outside rather than hiding out in her room while she waited.

That's how she found herself relaxing on a large chaise lounge on their patio, letting her husband rub her aching back while she used him as a body pillow. Izzie had made it very clear that men were not invited to baby showers, and Meredith had countered that Derek could leave once the shower started. She deserved to have someone to keep her company beforehand.

It was about 52 degrees out with a gentle breeze, but after pulling on one of Derek's large, flannel sweatshirts, she found that it was quite comfortable in the sun. It probably didn't hurt that her husband was essentially a human furnace, either. So, though Derek had brought a big, warm blanket out with them, they weren't using it.

"Can you move down a little?" Meredith asked, referring to the spot she needed massaged.

"Here?" Derek asked after making a slight adjustment.

"That's it," Meredith confirmed, sighing happily and leaving a little kiss near where her head rested on his shoulder as a reward.

"Are you excited for your party?" Derek asked.

"A little," she admitted.

"I'm glad. I think you'll have fun," he smiled.

Meredith's eyes narrowed when they met his, "You're hiding something from me."

Derek cursed under his breath, "How do you do that?"

"Because I know you. Don't act like you can't do it, too," she rolled her eyes, "Now what are you hiding?"

"I really do want to tell you, but there are multiple parties who would actually kill me," Derek said, giving her his best McDreamy smile.

"Is it at least a good surprise?" she asked, suspicious.

"It's an excellent surprise," he confirmed. In that moment, the way she was chewing on her lip and staring at him was too much. He had to lean down and kiss her. He literally could not stop himself.

She smiled widely when he did. It was one of those simply moments that reminded her of how much she loved her husband.

When they pulled away she giggled and let her head fall back to his shoulder, nuzzling his neck.

Derek returned to massaging her back while she ran her socked feet along his lower legs. His jeans were covering them, but at this point it was a habit.

"You're still gonna love me like this once the baby is born, right? It'll still be just us sometimes?" Meredith asked quietly.

"There is nothing that will ever make me stop loving you. And yeah, we'll be parents, but we'll definitely still find time for just the two of us," he assured her.

"I know you love me. I just meant these moments, when you lay with me and rub my back and kiss me just because you can," she smiled up at him.

"I promise we'll still have these moments, then," he leaned down to kiss her once more.

Cristina watched the end of the scene through the large glass door leading to the patio. She couldn't help but smile in spite of herself. She was happy her friend had found that person to spend her life with.

"What are you doing? I thought you were going to get Mer," Izzie asked as she came to a stop next to her.

"I am," Cristina stated, snapping back to reality.