Meredith and Nathan: A future *completed*

11

"Mom! Can we go on a roller coaster together?" Zola asks.
"I can't but what if daddy goes with you?" I say.
"Why can't you?"
"Because your baby sister or brother is in me and they don't allow people like me to go on roller coasters because the baby could get hurt." I explain somewhat more simply than I usually would.
"Oh. Okay. Daddy can you come with me and B?" Zola asks.
"If course honey. Let's give Ellis over to Mommy to hold during the ride. Can you take pictures for us?" Nathan asks me.
"Sure. El, come to mama." I say and hold my arms out for her and the camera.
I take Ellis and sling the camera over my neck.
"Mama I don't wanna go!" Bailey whines as Zola drags him too the line.
"Zo, if Bailey doesn't want to go, he doesn't have to." I tell Zola.
"But mommy!" Zola whines.
"Zola Elizabeth Grey. Don't whine at your mother again today, okay? Or we go back to the hotel and you have to stay inside all day." Nathan says.
"Yes daddy." She says quietly.
"And what do you say to Mommy now?" Nathan prompts.
"I'm sorry mommy. I won't whine again." Zola says and gives me a hug around my legs.
"Its okay Zola." I say and hand down so her hug is better.
"Mommy, why can't you have the baby now?" She asks quietly.
"Because it's too early. Not all of the little body parts are formed." I explain.
"Oh. Well, when do you know if it's a girl or a boy? When it the doctors take it out?"
"No, there's a machine that the doctors use to look into me, under my skin, and they can see the baby and what it looks like. You can come to the next appointment of you want." I say
"Okay. Daddy can you come on the ride with me now please?" Zola asks.
"Sure honey." Nathan says to Zola. "Careful, please."
"I'll try." I say and nod. I bring Bailey and Ellis over to a bench right next to the ride so I can take pictures while they're on it.
"Momma! Look how high we are!" Zola says a few minutes later.
"Wow honey!" I day and take a picture.

Zola, Bailey and Nathan spend the rest of the day going on rides and laughing.

"Hey are you okay?" Nathan asks.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Just really tired and kind of faint." I say.
"Okay. We're going back to the hotel. Zola, take Bailey's hand and hold Ellis for a minute please." Nathan says. His voice echoes for a minute before everything goes silent and then everything is black.

"Ma'am, can you tell me where you are?" A man's voice says.
"A hospital or clinic of sorts. I'm here with my family." I say, waking up to a really bright light shining in my eyes.
"Do you know what happened?" The man asks.
"I fainted." I say.
"Do you know why?" He asks.
"Because I'm pregnant and didn't eat or drink enough today." I say.
"True. It's also 95 degrees out." He says.
"That's hot. Where's my family?" I ask.
"There's a man outside with three young kids. Are they related to you?" The man asks.
"Yes. That's my boyfriend and my kids. Please let them in. I really want to see them." I say, suddenly looking around.
"Alright ma'am. Please call down. When you fainted, you may have fractured your coccyx but we can't tell because you're pregnant and can't get an x ray."  The man says.
"Well, then bring then in please. Also tell me your name."  I say.
"I'm doctor Andrews.  I'll bring your family in now." Dr Andrews says and walks out.

"Mama!" Bailey shouts and runs to me.
"Hi baby!  Hey Zo, come sit here kids."  I say, patting the bedside next to me.
"Mommy, are you and the baby okay?  I don't want anything to be wrong."  Zola says to me.  
"I think so.  I didn't drink enough eater during the day and I didn't eat enough so I fainted."  I explain.
"Okay.  Can we see if it's a girl or a boy right now?"  Bailey asks quietly.
"I can ask the doctor."  I say.  I hit the call button and a nurse comes in.

"Yes Mrs Riggs?"  the nurse says from the door way.
"It's Dr Grey but can you have your best OB/GYN come and do an ultrasound please?"  I ask after correcting my name.
"Of course ma'am."  She says and leaves the room.

"Mrs Riggs?"  I ask.
"They asked and wouldn't let me see you unless we were family."  Nathan says.
"Sure.  Speaking of last names, Zo, B, what do you think about having the last name of Grey instead of Shepard?"  I ask the kids.
"Wait, Mer, I think we ought to talk before the kids say anything."  Nathan says quietly.
"Why?"  I ask.
"I'll explain later."  Nathan says, and rests his hand on my shoulder and slowly rubs his hand along my neck.