A Healing Heart

Chapter 23

October 21st came around quickly and Derek and Meredith were both up early preparing the house for Ellyse's birthday. This would be Derek's first birthday for his daughter and he felt grateful for it but also sad that he hadn't been there for the previous five. But, they were moving forward so he pushed his feelings back as he made pancakes in the kitchen of Meredith's apartment.

He hadn't been back to his own apartment in a while, somehow, along the way, he found himself sleeping at Meredith's apartment every night. He doubt she'd even noticed, but it felt right, there was no tension between them at all and it was good for Ellyse to finally have both of her parents around. Standing over the stove watching the pancakes cook over the heat, he was thinking of his life as it was in that moment and he couldn't be any happier.

"These smell amazing!" he heard from behind him as a small pair of arms wrapped around his waist.

"I know, must be strange having a good smell coming from this kitchen." he teased.

She giggled, "it was more your giant ego swelling the room that caught my attention."

He turned around, still wrapped in her arms, and looked at her grinning widely as he shook his head, "you."

He gripped her tiny waist and began tickling her as he lifted her off the ground, her giggles bouncing off the walls of the room. She squirmed in his arms and tried to free herself but she was so tiny, she had no chance.

"Derek!" she squealed.

"Say sorry." he continued.

"F-for your... fat ego? No." she laughed, her breath struggling to catch up with her enjoyment.

"Well then." he smirked.

Before she knew it, she was over his shoulders and he carried on tickling her.

"Ok-okay. I'm so-sorry." she breathed.

He laughed at how easy she gave in and placed her back on her feet as he stood in front of her. She looked up at him, her face red and her hair messy, he smiled at her and she laughed back at him before her tiny ineffectual fists met his chest.

"I hate you." she said.

"You wanna go again?" he asked smirking.

"No!" she laughed and ran to the other side of the room and walked out.

He turned around and realised he'd totally forgot about the pancakes but luckily for him, they were done to perfection. He smiled smugly to himself.

"Okay, so, the living room is set up with her birthday gifts, the balloons are up. Is breakfast ready?" Meredith walked back in.

"Just plating it up. Go wake up the birthday girl?" he smiled walking over to her.

"Yeah." she sighed.

"Hey, what's up?" he cocked his head and frowned in concern.

"We have a six year old." she smiled sadly.

"We do." he nodded.

"A six year old, Derek. She's not my baby girl anymore." her tears gathered.

"She'll always be our baby girl. Dry these tears, this is a happy day, okay?"

She nodded and smiled as he leaned forward and hugged her, placing a chaste kiss into her hair.

***

Meredith walked quietly into Ellyse's bedroom, she was surprised she wasn't up yet as usually she wakes up early, just like her dad. She watched her sleep peacefully, her curly brown hair feathered across her pillow with her bunny cuddled underneath her chin. Almost as if subconsciously she could sense Meredith, she began to stir and within a few seconds Meredith was met with her beautiful, but tired, blue eyes.

"Good morning, birthday girl." Meredith smiled as she walked closer to her small bed.

"Birthday." she said tiredly and smiled as she rubbed her eyes.

"Yeah, it is. Happy birthday baby girl."

"I'm 6 mommy." She smiled, a quiet giggle leaving her tired body.

"I know you are. Are you ready to get up, I have a surprise for you." Meredith brushed some strands of hair away from her tiny face.

Ellyse stood up and grabbed her bunny, she held her moms hand and followed her.

"Happy birthday monkey." Derek picked her up, kissing her head multiple times.

"Thanks daddy." She laughed and cuddled into his neck.

"Are you hungry?" He asked and felt her nod into him.

"We made your favourite." He whispered.

"Cookies!!?" Ellyse lifted her head quickly.

Derek opened his mouth but quickly shut it again and his tilted his head, frowning as he looked to Meredith.

"Okay then maybe your second favourite?" He guessed.

"Pancakes!" She squirmed to get out of his arms.

"Yeah, we made you pancakes and strawberries."

"And, because it's your birthday you can have some chocolate chips too." Meredith smiled as she brought the packet over.

"Chocolate for breakfast?" Derek looked disgusted.

"It's our little tradition. Welcome." She giggled.

"Ah." He nodded.

It was half an hour later and the tree of them had finished their breakfasts, Derek had cleaned the kitchen whilst Meredith chatted with Ellyse. They were now sat watching her open her presents, so far she had gotten a doll that she was wanted to match her friends in kindergarten, some crayons and a princess colouring book, new clothes and a birthday badge to wear for the day.

"I actually have a little surprise for you, I guess for you too, Mer." He cleared his throat as he got up.

"More presents!" Ellyse gasped.

Derek walked back in with a box wrapped in shiny pink wrapping paper.

"This is a very special present. Happy birthday Ells." He kissed her head.

He turned to Meredith who looked confused and smiled as he watched her watch their daughter eagerly open the paper. She turned to him once she seen the converse box, Ellyse didn't quite know what it was yet.

"Mommy! Look! We can match!" She shouted excitedly as she held the small navy blue shoe up.

Meredith laughed and turned to Derek, her eyes sparkling.

"Now we can match every day Ells." She giggled as she held the small shoe.

"I know how much she likes dressing like you, so, I had to." He smiled.

"She loves them, I love them. What do you say to daddy?" She turned back to her daughter.

"Thank you daddy!" She launched over and hugged him.

Derek stroked the back of her hair as he embraced her, opening his eyes he saw Meredith watching the two of them.

"Come here." He told her.

She moved closer to them and sat next to Derek, her pulled her into a hug and she joined.

"I love you." He whispered into her ear.

He felt her nod, "I love you too. Thank you."

The morning was spent just the three of them, Meredith and Derek entertained by Ellyse playing with her new toys as she wore more or less the same outfit as Meredith, including her new shoes. Later that afternoon, they would be having a small get together for her birthday with their family and close friends and the day after would be Ellyse's birthday party in kindergarten, where she would get to wear her pink outfit, although Meredith was doubtful if she would ever take their matching converse off.

****
A relatively short chapter as this is 1/2 for it. I'm not sure when I'll update again, most probably on Saturday as I've spent to last couple of days in hospital and I got home this evening, I'm doing better though! Hope you enjoyed :)