B for Babies

17

Meredith didn't think she needed to attend any birthing classes, she's already given birth twice before, it wasn't exactly something she needed to take a class in. Arizona was persistent though, and there she was, Alex sitting behind her as her and all the other expected mothers, practiced breathing techniques. She couldn't figure out exactly how Arizona had convinced either one of them that coming to this class was a good idea. She's never been one to be easily persuaded, so the blame was solely on Alex for this one. That's what she was going with anyway.

"Why are we doing this?" She asked Alex, her voice thankfully being drowned out by the panting that was erupting in the room.

Alex didn't really have an answer to that, apart from Arizona feeling like he needed to have that fatherly experience of helping his child come into the world. "I can go and get Nathan if you'd prefer." He whispered, causing Meredith to smirk. That was never going to happen. Alex was constantly bringing him up, as if she was going to just spontaneously run off with Nathan into the sun. That was ridiculous, and Alex's constant fear of that happening was getting rather tiring for the both of them surely. Meredith didn't know exactly what bond her and Alex shared currently, but it was there and she wished he would stop feeling so cautious. The last thing she wanted was to be with Nathan Riggs, even if Maggie had nothing to do with it.

She tried to mimic the other women in the room, but all it did was make her feel like laughing, no matter how inappropriate that may be. She turned back to Alex hoping he was feeling as awkward as she was feeling right now. "This is ridiculous. You already know enough about birth, and I've had two babies already." She pointed out, and Alex shrugged, paying more attention to the instructor than her at this point.

"We don't need these classes, it's just a whole bunch of things you forget as soon as your water breaks anyway. Women scream, curse and make sure their partner's know how much we hate them in that moment. It's easy."

Alex chuckled at that and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. "If we don't last at least one class Robbins is going to wonder why, and when she is curious about something, she's like a dog with a bone."

Meredith sighed. "I hate this class Alex. I hate this class more than I'll hate you when I'm in labor..." she scoffed, feeling annoyed at the very thought of having Alex in the delivery room with her. She knew he was going to be Mr Smarty Pants, trying to tell her what she had to do. It drove her wild, and he knew it. It was exactly why he did it, he loved getting a rise out of her, it was the kind of attention he craved because he loved being able to have somebody in his life who didn't mind a bit of banter, somebody who knew he was kidding around, and who knew how to take a bit of grief. Meredith dished it out just as hard as he did, so no matter how hard they argued in real time, he knew they'd always fall back on the constant teasing, and mutual respect.

"Should have used protection then." Alex whispered back in amusement. He knew Meredith was only being passive aggressive right now, he didn't have to worry about any long lasting grudges when it came to her. It was fun, and the only way for either of them to actually survive the entirety of this class, which was complete hell. They both agreed on that at least.

The class was filled with awkward positions, sounds and conversations, but they survived it, both vowing they didn't want to come back for a follow up lesson. They both went their separate ways once they were back at Grey Sloan, with Alex heading back to the pediatric ward, running into Arizona without fail, which made him smirk in anticipation. He knew exactly where her own smile was coming from.

"How was it?" Arizona bounced, she nudged Alex with her shoulder as they walked down one of the hospital's corridors. Alex hadn't said much about the class she had sent him too, but she wanted to squeeze all of the details from him as possible.

"It was a class." Alex responded with a shrug. "Meredith hated it, I thought it was awkward, and you are too cheerful about this to be normal." He added, looking at his smiley friend with a less than cheerful expression.

Arizona frowned for a second before her smile returned. "But are you excited about the birth?" She asked him, prying was her favourite thing to do, and Alex's least favourite thing to experience.

"Not anymore." Alex told her coldly, making her chuckle.

"Alright tough guy, I was only trying to help you prepare for fatherhood." She said as she raised her hands in a defensive motion. All she wanted out of this was to make sure Alex was prepared for one of the most important roles a man took in his life. She found parenthood to be her favourite thing in the world, something she wouldn't trade for any other feeling. "You might even thank me one day, when you're finished being grumpy."

Alex very much doubted that fact, but he gave her a small smile regardless, knowing she was only trying to be sincere towards him.

amily:"Ti7&)