Against the clock

35.

I groggily opened my eyes, squinting against the intrusion of morning light. Derek's face came into focus, and I let out a soft groan in response to his persistent nudges. I shifted, turning away from him, attempting to shield myself from the impending wakefulness. 'Meredith, wake up,' Derek's voice was both amused and determined. His nudge became more insistent, a gentle but effective reminder that time was of the essence. I mumbled something incoherent, still half-lulled by the remnants of sleep.

Derek sighed, the sound a mixture of exasperation and fondness. 'We have to leave in an hour,' he announced, his words cutting through the haze of drowsiness. The realization of our impending departure brought a reluctant awareness, and I finally forced my eyes to stay open. 'An hour?' I muttered, my voice thick with sleep. 'I still have time'

'I already dragged your suitcase downstairs, but you need the time. Wake up,' Derek urged, his tone a blend of amusement and impatience. With a reluctant sigh, I forced myself into a sitting position, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. Derek chuckled, his eyes scanning my less-than-put-together state. 'Well, aren't you a vision of morning glory?' he teased, a playful glint in his eyes. I shot him a mock glare, fully aware of my less-than-polished state. 'You're lucky I even manage to function at this hour,' I retorted, attempting to smooth down my unruly hair, which seemed to have taken on a life of its own during the night.

As I stood up to get ready, a sudden wave of nausea washed over me, catching me off guard. I paused, placing a hand on my stomach, hoping the sensation would pass quickly. Derek's teasing remarks faded into the background as I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. 'Are you okay?' Derek's playful tone shifted to genuine concern as he noticed my sudden change in demeanor. Without responding, I rushed to the bathroom, barely making it in time before my stomach revolted.

The sound of retching filled the air, and I could feel Derek's concerned presence behind me. After a moment, I flushed the toilet and leaned back against the cool porcelain. 'I thought this part was over,' I mumbled, a mix of embarrassment and discomfort coloring my voice. Derek, ever the supportive partner, handed me a glass of water and rubbed my back soothingly. 'Maybe we you should eat something.' I took the glass of water from Derek, appreciating the comforting gesture. 'Yeah, maybe something light,' I replied, still feeling a bit shaky. Derek helped me stand and guided me to the sink to wash up. Despite the less-than-ideal start to the morning, his presence was reassuring, and I couldn't help but be grateful for his support.

'I'll grab you some crackers,' Derek suggested, giving me a reassuring smile before leaving to fetch a snack. Finishing up in the bathroom, I took a moment to brush my teeth, hoping that the morning sickness was just a one-time experience for the day. As Derek returned with a pack of crackers, he handed them to me with a gentle expression. 'Can I get a sweater?' I asked, my voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. Derek nodded, understanding my unspoken request. He disappeared for a moment, returning with a soft, cozy sweater that he gently draped over the chair.

'If you want to keep it a secret, we might need another strategy,' he laughed and I looked in the mirror, 'what do you mean?' Derek hesitated, a fleeting moment of realization crossing his face. 'We're going on a summer vacation. People will notice your stomach, Meredith,' he said, his gaze fixed on me. With confidence, I insisted, 'No, they won't,- and it's a wedding not a summer vacation,' my eyes locked with him in the reflection. Unfazed, he asserted, 'They'll notice the vomiting,' his concern evident in his eyes. Placing a gentle hand on my stomach, I reassured him, 'That will go away anyday now. And... it's a wedding, not a summer vacation.' I reached down and grabbed the hem of my shirt, pulling it up without much thought. Suddenly, there I was, standing in front of Derek, my bra on display. I could almost feel the shift in the atmosphere as he noticed the change from a C to a double D.