Against the clock

42.

As I stood in the bathroom, carefully slipping into the pink dress that Izzie had insisted on, I couldn't help but admire its beauty. The fabric draped elegantly around me, accentuating my curves in all the right places. However, as I pulled the dress up over my chest, I couldn't ignore the sudden realization that my cup size had increased, making the booby dress even more booby.

Meanwhile, Derek was in our room, donning his suit. Feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement, I gently placed my hand on my stomach and turned to the side, assessing my reflection in the mirror.  However, instead of feeling self-conscious, a sense of contentment washed over me. After all, the people who mattered most knew about the little life growing inside me, and their acceptance and support meant everything.

Lost in the moment, I didn't hear Derek enter the room until his reflection appeared behind me in the mirror. Startled, I jumped slightly, feeling caught in the act of admiring my stomach. But instead of amusement or surprise, Derek's expression was one of awe and wonder.

As I turned around to face Derek, his eyes met mine with a look of genuine admiration. But as his gaze traveled down my body, lingering on my chest, I couldn't help but notice a subtle shift in his demeanor. Feeling a twinge of self-consciousness, I instinctively crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly aware of how the dress accentuated my cleavage. Derek blinked, tearing his gaze away from my chest and meeting my eyes with an apologetic smile. 'Sorry,' he murmured, his voice tinged with embarrassment. I couldn't help but chuckle softly, feeling a mixture of amusement and affection towards Derek's candid reaction. 'It's okay,' I reassured him, offering a small smile, 'it's the dress. I knew it was booby- but now it's even more booby than a month ago.'

Derek's embarrassment faded into a playful grin as he stepped closer, his eyes sparkling with mischief. 'Well, I guess pregnancy does have its advantages,' he teased, a hint of laughter in his voice. 'I mean, if I ever need to grab attention, I'll just stand next to you.'

His joke elicited a giggle from me, and I playfully swatted his arm. 'Oh, stop it,' I said, though I couldn't hide the smile tugging at the corners of my lips. 'You're looking good. I mean- just looking nice... in your - in your suit.'

Derek's grin widened, and he gave me a playful smile. 'Thanks, I try,' he replied with mock seriousness before his expression softened. 'But seriously, you look amazing. You're glowing.' I blushed at Derek's compliment, feeling a warmth spread through me at his words. 'Thank you. I hope Finn will lose his mind when he sees this dress,' I replied softly.

Just then, Derek's playful demeanor shifted slightly as he furrowed his brows in confusion. 'Wait, Finn... he's your ex, right?' he asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. I chuckled softly, nodding in response to Derek's question. 'Yes, Finn is my ex.' 

'The one who turned out to be gay?' he asked, a hint of laughter in his voice. My smile faltered slightly as I met Derek's gaze, a sense of unease creeping into my chest. 'Actually,' I began, my voice soft yet steady, 'Finn is bisexual, not gay.' Derek's laughter trailed off abruptly, his brows furrowing with surprise as he processed my words. The air between us seemed to thicken with tension, his expression shifting from amusement to genuine curiosity. 'oh', he murmured, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Before I could respond, Derek's gaze sharpened, his eyes locking onto mine with a newfound intensity. 'So, are you planning to make him regret he lost you?' he asked, his voice laced with a hint of jealousy. 'Yeah,' I replied softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Derek's reaction was immediate. A flicker of surprise flashed across his features, quickly replaced by a veil of jealousy. His jaw tightened ever so slightly, his gaze hardening as he struggled to mask his emotions. 'Why waste your time on him?' he asked, his voice tinged with frustration. 'He cheated on you, Meredith.'