Unexpected Love

Chapter 31

The late afternoon sun streamed through the windows of the Shepherd home, casting golden light across the living room where Meredith sat on the couch. She rested her hands on her swollen belly, a small smile playing on her lips as she felt Sean kicking enthusiastically. Crystal sat cross-legged on the floor, carefully coloring a picture, occasionally looking up to ask Meredith if she liked the colors she'd chosen.

"You're going to be such a good big sister," Meredith said warmly, running a hand over Crystal's hair.

Crystal grinned proudly. "I'm going to teach him everything. Like how to color inside the lines and how to swim!"

Meredith laughed softly, wincing slightly as a sharp cramp hit her. She shifted uncomfortably but brushed it off, thinking it was just another Braxton Hicks contraction. But moments later, another wave of pain hit—stronger and sharper this time.

She placed a hand on her belly, her smile fading as she realized something wasn't right. Then, the pain intensified, radiating across her abdomen like fire. Panic began to rise in her chest.

"Crystal," she said, her voice trembling. "Go get my phone, sweetie. I need to call Daddy."

Crystal jumped up and brought Meredith's phone from the coffee table. Meredith quickly tried calling Derek, but his phone went straight to voicemail. She groaned in frustration, knowing he was likely in the middle of surgery. She tried paging him but got no immediate response.

"Okay, okay, think," she muttered to herself, feeling the pain worsen and a sudden, terrifying gush of fluid. She glanced down and saw blood pooling beneath her on the couch. Her heart raced.

"Crystal, I need you to stay calm, okay?" she said, her voice firm despite the panic in her eyes. "I'm not feeling well, so I'm going to call Grandma Carolyn to come help."

Crystal's big blue eyes widened in alarm, but she nodded quickly. "What can I do, Mommy?"

"You're already helping," Meredith assured her, dialing Carolyn's number. When Carolyn picked up, Meredith's voice was shaky but controlled. "Carolyn, it's happening. I'm bleeding, and Derek's not answering his phone. I need you to come over now."

Carolyn didn't waste a moment. "I'm on my way. Call 911, Meredith," she instructed before hanging up.

Meredith nodded to herself and pressed the emergency number, but before she could even explain the situation, her hand began to tremble so badly that the phone slipped from her grasp.

Crystal, who had been watching everything closely, immediately picked up the phone and calmly explained to the dispatcher, "My mommy's having a baby, and there's a lot of blood. We need an ambulance."

The dispatcher reassured her, asking for their address, which Crystal recited confidently. After hanging up, Crystal climbed onto the couch and held Meredith's hand.

"It's okay, Mommy. They're coming," she said, her small voice full of determination.

Meredith squeezed her daughter's hand, tears in her eyes—not just from the pain but from how brave Crystal was being.

Minutes later, the sound of sirens filled the air, and paramedics rushed through the front door. Meredith was pale and weak as they carefully lifted her onto a gurney. One of the paramedics asked her questions about her symptoms, while the other gently reassured Crystal that her mommy would be okay.

Carolyn arrived just as the paramedics were wheeling Meredith out. She swept Crystal into her arms, holding her tightly before climbing into the ambulance with them.

The ambulance ride was a blur of pain and fear for Meredith. She could hear the paramedics talking about placental abruption, a word she knew all too well. The baby was in danger, and so was she.

As soon as they arrived at the hospital, the team was ready. Arizona Robbins, who had been alerted to Meredith's condition, met them at the ER entrance, her face a mask of calm professionalism.

"We need an OR prepped immediately," Arizona barked, taking in the situation at a glance.

"Derek?" Meredith asked weakly as she was wheeled through the halls.

Arizona shook her head. "He's in surgery, but I've paged him. We're going to take care of you, Meredith. I promise."

Meredith nodded faintly, clutching her belly as another wave of pain hit.

Derek was midway through a complex brain surgery when the page came through. At first, he ignored it, thinking it could wait, but when the nurse handed him the urgent note—Meredith in OR. Placental abruption—his heart stopped.

"Dr. Sloan, take over," he said sharply, stepping back from the table. "Now."

Mark, who had just scrubbed in, immediately took Derek's place, giving him a reassuring nod. "Go. I've got this."

Derek didn't waste a second, sprinting through the hospital to the OR where Meredith was being prepped. He arrived just as Arizona was about to make the first incision.

"Derek," Arizona said, looking up briefly. "She's stable, but it's critical. Sean's in distress. We're doing an emergency C-section now."

Derek scrubbed in quickly and took Meredith's hand. "I'm here," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You're going to be okay. Both of you."

The next minutes were tense as Arizona and her team worked to deliver Sean. Meredith was pale but conscious, gripping Derek's hand as he reassured her. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a small, piercing cry filled the room.

"The baby is out" Arizona announced, holding up a tiny, wailing baby before quickly handing him off to the neonatal team for assessment.

Relief washed over Derek as he leaned down to kiss Meredith's forehead. "You did it, Mer. He's here."

Meredith gave a faint smile, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Sean Michael," she whispered.

The neonatal team quickly confirmed that Sean was healthy despite the early delivery, and he was soon placed in Derek's arms. Derek brought him over to Meredith, who cradled their tiny son against her chest.

"He's perfect," she whispered, her heart full despite the exhaustion.

Later that night, after Meredith had been moved to a recovery room, Carolyn brought Crystal to see her mom and baby brother. Crystal's eyes widened in wonder as she approached the hospital bed, where Meredith held Sean.

"Crystal," Meredith said softly, "meet your baby brother, Sean."

Crystal leaned in carefully, her face lighting up as she saw the tiny bundle. "Hi, Sean," she whispered. "I'm your big sister."

Derek watched the moment unfold, his heart overflowing with love for his family. Despite the terrifying day, they had made it through, stronger than ever.