Against the clock

32.

2 weeks went by, which meant that I was 10 weeks pregnant now. Addison was still out of town for another 2 weeks, but staying with Derek was great. He cooked every day and he cleaned and he was just a proper gentleman. For some reason, we never acknowledgde the fact that we were kidnapped together, like it never happened.

The day had arrived, it was Derek's mom's birthday. As Derek dropped the surprise that he was bringing me along. My initial reaction was a mix of surprise and anxiety, and I found myself quietly freaking out at the thought. They didn't know I was coming, which made me more anxious.

I stood in front of the mirror, contemplating what to wear and feeling a swirl of nerves. Meeting Derek's family was a significant step, especially on such a special occasion. The idea of being introduced as more than just a roommate, but the woman who is carrying his child added a layer of complexity to the situation. Derek, seemingly unperturbed by my internal turmoil, knocked on the bathroom door. 'Meredith, you ready?' he called out. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door and tried to mask my nerves with a smile, 'No!' I yelled back.

Derek chuckled at my candid response, his eyes twinkling with amusement. 'Well, tough luck, because we've got to go. My mom's birthday isn't going to wait for your wardrobe crisis,' he teased, a playful grin on his face. I rolled my eyes, trying to conceal my nervousness behind a smirk. I opened the door to let him rate what I was wearing, 'this gives slutty vibes right?'

Derek raised an eyebrow, his eyes scanning my outfit. He let out a low whistle and replied, 'Meredith, if that's what you call "slutty vibes," then I'm all for it. You look stunning.' I couldn't help but chuckle at his unexpected compliment. 'Seriously?' I questioned, a playful glint in my eyes. Derek grinned, genuinely perplexed. 'Why would you think it looks slutty? You look beautiful,' he stated with sincerity, his eyes lingering on me in admiration.

A blush crept onto my cheeks, caught off guard by his earnest response. 'I don't know, I just... I'm not used to dressing up for these kinds of things. And it's a really tight and short dress.' I admitted, feeling a mixture of vulnerability and appreciation for his genuine compliment. Derek chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. 'Meredith, it's a celebration. You're allowed to wear a tight-short dress. Besides, you've got nothing to hide.' He said playfully and I added, 'you can basically see everything,' as I looked down at the dress. 'Yeah, it'll be hard to keep that a secret,' he added, pointing teasingly at my stomach. The comment caught me off guard, and I playfully swatted his arm. 'Derek, stop it,' I laughed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement.

Derek winked, undeterred by my playful swat. 'Can't help it. I call it as I see it,' he said with a grin. 'And seriously, you're glowing. Pregnancy suits you.' I rolled my eyes, appreciating the lighthearted banter as we headed towards the car. 'You're just saying that to be nice,' I teased, but a small smile betrayed the fact that his compliment hadn't gone unnoticed. Glancing in the mirror, I turned sideways and remarked, 'They won't see a thing; it's just because you know.' Derek chuckled, a knowing twinkle in his eyes. 'Well, they might know it,' he remarked playfully, gesturing toward my tiny, barely visible stomach. I placed a hand on the subtle curve, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness about the growing secret within. 'Maybe a little,' I admitted with a grin, acknowledging the subtle changes that were starting to become more apparent. The prospect of sharing the news with Derek's family added another layer of anticipation to the evening.

We sat in the car, parked in front of Derek's parents' house. I stared at the warm glow emanating from the windows, the laughter and chatter audible even from outside. Derek turned off the engine, casting a reassuring glance my way. 'You ready for this?' he asked, his tone gentle. I hesitated, the nervous flutter in my stomach intensifying. 'I don't know,' I admitted, feeling a wave of uncertainty wash over me, 'I think I might start crying.' Derek reached for my hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. 'You don't have to worry, he assured me with a ressuring smile. I took a deep breath, appreciating his support. 'I just... You should have told them I was coming. They're going to expect Addison and then I will be there. That is just weird.' I trailed off, the weight of the unspoken truth lingering in the air.