Ever The Same

46

After 13 hours of labor, a little bit of yelling and a lot of hard work, Samuel Derek Shepherd, 5 pounds, 7 ounces, was born. And he was absolutely amazing. He whimpered and cooed as his parents looked down at him, tears coming down their faces in disbelief that their son, after nine long months, was finally here in their arms. He had Derek's eyes and lucky for him, hair that didn't look like Derek's.

His parents were in disbelief. As he nestled closely in his mother's arms, his father admiring from right beside them in the bed, they finally saw that everything was worth it. The fighting, the love and every tear went into this. The final product was here and he was amazing.

Even though he was two weeks early, he was a healthy baby boy, who came out wailing just like they knew he would. They were both completely exhausted, including Sam who had been quietly sleeping ever since the nurse had placed him in his mother's arms as his father took pictures of their new family.

He was loud like Meredith, but somehow calm like Derek. He was theirs and he was here. No more waiting, no more hoping that they could have this. He was theirs. Completely theirs. They were too amazed, because they couldn't stop looking at him, smiling or even crying.

Derek kissed his wife's cheek and then to top of his son's head as he changed positions lying on the hospital bed with his wife. "I'm so proud of you."

"I'm tired...sore and all I can do...I can't stop looking at him." Meredith whispered, biting her lip as a tear slid down her cheek, her fingers lightly wrapped around her son's. Her son.

"He's so beautiful." Derek breathed.

"He's yours. He has your hair color, just not the curls which is good. I mean I love your curls but he's got your hair color, my texture and he looks so much like both of us."

"You're rambling."

"I can't help it." She replied, pressing a kiss against her son's head. His perfect, soft head.

"I love him so much and it's...I can't explain it." He chuckled.

"Thirteen hours...that's a lot of love." Meredith giggled slightly.

"You did a great job."

"How's the hand?" She asked, looking away from her son for what seemed like the first time in forever. Her eyes were red, full of tears.

"Fine...Or it will be." He smiled.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

"I just....my mind wasn't with it."

"You were pushing a baby out of your...you know. You're allowed to not be with it."

"My mind...it's all foggy now."

"Mine too. And I didn't do anything."

"I feel empty." Meredith whispered.

"We'll put another one in there soon." Derek smiled.

"You're a brave man Dr. Shepherd." Meredith giggled, her yes gazing at her son again.

"I'm just very happy right now."

"He's...."

"Yeah..."

"We wanted this so bad....we fought for this."

"We almost broke up for this." He whispered.

"He was already inside of me."

"That's the crazy part."

"We just wanted him so bad." Meredith whimpered.