If Im Not In Love

50

Derek was frustrated. Meredith was only eight weeks into the pregnancy and Derek was already frustrated. One day she would be happy and want to be around him and the next day she wouldn't let him touch her and would just start crying. Those things Derek was used to, having grown up and see in his sisters pregnant. What he wasn't used to was this Meredith, that was staring blankly at the television as they watched a movie in the living room with his mother. This Meredith who barely touched her popcorn and wasn't even laughing at her favorite movie that they had put on. Frustrated didn't even being to cover it.

"Do you want more candy?" He asked, holding out the bag of M&M's to her that she hadn't touched.

"No." Meredith whispered, one hand on her stomach as she ignored the look from both Derek and his mother whom was sitting in the arm chair across from them.

"Okay." Derek sighed, putting the bag of candy down on the coffee table. "I'm...Mom, can you help me...in the kitchen?"

"Sure Dear." The older woman leaned forward, pushing herself up.

"We'll be right back." Derek whispered, kissing Meredith's cheek lightly before getting up and going into the kitchen, a deep sigh coming out of his mouth as he sat down at the table.

"Is something wrong Dear?"

"You don't see it?"

"See what Dear?"

"I don't know what to do...I...she just stares." Derek breathed.

"Meredith just stares?" His mother looked at him strangely.

"At the TV...she's barely said a word...she's not eating."

"Maybe her morning sickness is all day sickness."

"That's not it." Derek sighed, leaning his head in his hands.

"Pregnancy is hard on a woman. All of Meredith's emotions and her body is changing..."

"She won't even talk to me."

"Then make her talk to you Derek."

"I tried that this morning."

"Well son...I don't have a doubt in my old mind that Meredith loves that baby. Her hand hasn't left her belly since I've been here." Mrs. Shepherd chuckled, before patting her son's head. "But you're that baby's father."

"I just...It kills me that I can't do anything to make her feel better." Derek breathed, running a hand through his hair.

"But you can be there for her each step of the way and sometimes that means demanding she talk to you even when she's not in the mood."

"Just...make her talk to me."

"You make her talk to you." Mrs. Shepherd nodded.

"Make her talk to me..." Derek repeated to himself, standing up from the kitchen chair.

"And you don't give up until she does."

"If I'm sleeping on the couch tonight...I'm blaming you." He laughed weakly.

"You wouldn't be the first partner of a pregnant woman to do so."

"Still...I'll blame you."

"Derek...go talk to Meredith." She shook her head.

"Okay." Derek sighed, taking a deep breath before going into the living room.

"Turn the fan off." Meredith whispered.