Disclaimer: I do not own Grey's Anatomy... if I did, things would be different.

Author's Note: I'm sorry to anyone who is still hoping for a TINTE update, but I've sort of hit a brick wall with that story for now, but I really felt the need to write something and this is what came to mind; a glimpse into the happy MerDer that no longer exists on the show. I'm hoping that I'll eventually be able to close out TINTE, because there is at least one more chapter in store for that story, but until then, I hope you'll enojy this snippet. This is a two-shot, the second half with be uploaded sometime tomorrow.

Thanks for reading I hope you enjoy and possibly review! I love positive feedback and constructive criticism!

Six months after my accident, Thanksgiving has rolled around.

There is a lot to be thankful for this year and it brought tears to my eyes thinking about all that I had nearly missed out on. The past few months have been challenging, but we've been through worse and we're hanging in there. Meredith hasn't wavered; sticking by my side through the countless bad days, therapy sessions, and doctor's appointments all while working at the hospital (though she cut down to part time) and taking care of Zola and Bailey. Dealing with the aftermath of my accident was not easy… but it only made us stronger and I'm happy and beyond proud to say that we are in a better place today than we had been weeks before it happened.

When I married Meredith, I didn't think I could love her any more than I did in that moment. Today, I know that my love for her has no restrictions, it has no boundaries and has continued to grow. Our rough times have only proven to magnify my feelings toward her and I'm confident that she'd say the same. She's my best friend, my rock, my lover, my wife, and sometimes my worst enemy. There's no one else I'd rather share my life and raise my kids with and though I've always known that to some degree, this most recent near-death experience has set that in stone. In the time we've spent together, I've had the most amazing opportunity to simply look on as she did her job, and took care of her family.

Zola and Bailey love her immensely. Zola is captivated by everything she does; she follows her around the house practically interrogating her about every little thing– in the cutest way possible – and adores what has become their weekly 'dates' for ice-cream and groceries. Bailey lives for her imaginative night time stories and snuggles in 'the big bed'… he's been protective of her as of late and it makes my heart melt. I'm thankful for my family, I'm thankful that it's growing, and I'm thankful that I'm here to experience it happen.

We stayed up way too late last night after the kids went to sleep because Meredith was adamant that the house be spotless by the time my mother and sisters arrived in the morning. I tried everything in my power to encourage her to just stop and go to bed; that the kids and my sisters' would simply make a mess of everything again. That… of course… earned me a glare, an eye-roll, and a witty response to either help or shut-up and go to bed.

Glancing toward the clock, I was surprised to find that it was nearly 8 am and there were no little feet in my face today. Meredith lay half on top of me, her arm wrapped tightly around my waist, her head on my chest, her leg resting across both of my own, and her growing stomach propped against mine. Placing a soft kiss on her forehead and rubbing my hand up and down her arm gently, I slipped out from under her, swiftly replacing my body with a pillow and limping out of the room quietly.

Knowing the stampede wouldn't arrive until about 11, I made my way toward the kitchen to brew a fresh pot and whip up some of the chocolate-chip waffles Meredith had been craving lately.

Just as the coffee pot began to sizzle and I had gathered nearly all of the ingredients, I heard the soft padding of socked feet emerge from a room down the hall followed by a tired voice, "Mornin' Daddy," Zola's sweet voice spoke up as she walked up to me, wrapping one arm around me and rubbing her eyes with the opposite hand, "Watcha doin'?" she asked as she peered over the counter top.

"Making waffles for Mommy," I replied, running my hand across her hair and stroking her back, "Wanna help?"

"Mmhmm," she nodded, her braids bouncy along, "but Dad, I gotta have some juice first. It's a rough morning," she sighed dramatically causing me to chuckle to myself.

"Oh really? Well why don't you hop up on a stool real quick and I'll hook you up?" I said, throwing a wink her way and leaning down to kiss her little head. "So, why is it a rough morning today?" I asked, reaching into the dishwasher for her special pink cup with 'Zola' printed neatly on it.

"I'm jus' afraid that's all," she responded, resting her chin in her hands and she propped herself on the counter with her elbows.

"Apple or orange?" I asked, opening the fridge to fill her cup.

"Orange," she stated, grabbing a couple crayons and a piece of paper from further down on the counter.

"Afraid of what?" I asked skeptically, fully expecting an exaggerated story of a most recent bad dream.

"'cause what if you like the new baby more than me?" she continued innocently drawing circles on her paper with a purple (her favorite color) crayon, "I don't look like you and Mommy, but she will."

My heart sunk deep within my chest cavity as these words fell from my baby girl's mouth. When Bailey was born and even when Meredith was pregnant with him we made sure Zola knew how important she was and how little it mattered to us that she didn't look the same… it was a non-issue. However, this time with my recovery on top of everything else, Meredith and I had somehow forgotten to touch upon it with her, it simply hadn't crossed our minds because we never think of her as anyone other than our daughter and we've always loved her in the exact same way we love Bailey – unconditionally, "Zola," I whispered sadly, walking over to her and setting her juice on the counter in front of her, "Come here," I said, reaching my arms out to her.

She looked up at me, her little brown eyes shining with tears, "No, you have… owies," she said stubbornly, wiping at her nose.

"I'm better now, you know that," I whispered, moving closer and picking her up from her chair to press her against my chest. As soon as she was flat against me, her legs wrapped around my waist, she pressed her face into my neck, and threw her arms around me, "No one is ever going to be able to replace you, Zola," I whispered into her ear, rubbing my hand up and down her back and swaying (as well as I could) methodically, "Mommy and I love you very much. You were our first baby and we chose you from all of the other babies in the world, because we're supposed to be together, we're supposed to be your family."

"Kin'na like Lilo and Stitch?"

"Yeah, kind of like that," I chuckled, kissing the side of her head, "You're perfect just the way you are and even though you don't look like your Mommy… I see her in you every day. You scrunch your nose like Mommy. You're stubborn just like her," I tickled her side, "And you have the same exact giggle." I smiled.

"So," Zola began seriously, looking me in the eye, "you'll love baby sister just like me and Bailey?" she questioned.

"Yes," I said simply, smiling softly, "We'll love all of you to the moon and back."

Her eyes got wide, she put her hands on my cheeks, and her mouth formed an 'o', "That's real far, Daddy!" she shrieked, "Guess what?" she whispered next, "Imma tell you a secwet. Ok?"

"OK," I chuckled tenderly.

With her hands still on my cheeks she patted out, "I love you," and then finished with a giggle, "Tuh duh moon!"

And with that, we were back at it. Making chocolate-chip waffles together and stealing way too many chocolate chips for ourselves.

Fifteen minutes later, the counter was cluttered with at least a dozen pancakes along with syrup, fruit, bacon, coffee, and juice. Zola and I had kept the mess to a minimum, making for a quick cleanup and a smiling princess, "Ok, Zo. I'm gonna go see if Mommy and Bailey are awake, I'll be back," I announced, placing one last dish into the dishwasher and tossing my towel on the counter. Zola, with her tongue stuck out and in a coloring trance simply nodded her head as I walked past and into the hall.

The door to the master bedroom clicked open and I was met with the sight of Meredith in nearly the same place, save for the small space she had made on her pillow for little Bailey to crawl underneath her arm, his back flush against her chest and his butt resting on her stomach. As I made my way to Meredith's side of the bed, climbing in to spoon her, he tilted his head to meet my gaze. A thumb in his mouth and his other hand playing with Meredith's fingers as he smiled at me sleepily and giggled, "Hi, Dada"

"Hey, Monkey," I whispered, poking his nose from across Meredith, causing him to scrunch it up much like she does, "What are you doing in here stinker?"

"Snuggle Mama," he mumbled out, turning back over, "I not 'tinky," he said defiantly.

My fingers danced across his ribs in response, causing him to groan and wiggle: not a morning person. I shifted my gaze to Meredith as my hand trailed lightly up and down her side, then over her stomach.

"Morning," she grumbled in response.

Chuckling slightly, I kissed her shoulder, then her neck, then the side of her face, causing her to smile and sigh happily, "I made breakfast," I whispered.

She hummed happily, "Waffles? I can smell them," she said, rubbing Bailey's stomach, "Morning, Bails," she continued, kissing the top of his dirty-blonde hair, then moving her hand to meet mine as the baby kicked.

"Chocolate-chip," I stated simply.

"Are you trying to butter me up to apologize for your family?" she asked, turning the upper half of her body slightly toward me, her left hand coming to rest on my thigh as she blinked at the ceiling tiredly

"Maybe," I smirked, brushing her hair out of her face and kissing her tenderly, then stroking her cheek.

She grunted, half in laughter, half in exasperation (most-likely at the family part), before looking at me, "Doesn't that hurt your pelvis?" she asked.

I smiled back at her, "A little, but I'm doing ok."

"Mama," Bailey groaned at Meredith.

"You should get up then, don't hurt yourself, Derek," she told me, "What sweetie?" she asked, looking toward Bailey.

"Baby tickin' me," he growled with a glare, causing Meredith and I to laugh.

Suddenly, we heard the padding of fast little feet down the hallway and looked toward the door to see Zola run through and launch herself onto the bed, bouncing on her knees at the edge, "What's takin' so long guys?!" she demanded, "I want waffles!"

I groaned as her bouncing sent pain radiating from hip to hip, "Zo, stop bouncing please."

"Sorry, Daddy, I jus' really want waffles and I wanna see you guys," she said, halting the bouncing and pouting a little.

"Seriously, Derek, turn on to your back," Meredith said, sending a pleading look my way as she hoisted herself into a sitting position, taking Bailey with her.

"It's ok, Zo," I huffed, rolling on to my back for a second before getting off the bed, "Who's ready for waffles?" I exclaimed excitedly, moving around the bed to grab a cheering Bailey from Meredith as Zola snuggled into her and they said good morning, "Come on, Monkey," I smiled, hoisting him into my arms swiftly with a slight wince.

"Derek…" Meredith said in that tone that told me she was worried and slightly dismayed.

"Meredith," I reassured her, "I'm ok, being sore is normal. I'll take the kids and we'll meet you in the kitchen," I finished firmly, bending over slightly to kiss her head as she repeated her worried expression, then reaching for Zola's hand, "Come on Princess, let's go show Bailey those yummy waffles we made," helping her jump off the bed before sending Meredith a wink and walking out the door with our two pajama-clad kids.

Derek has been doing better and better each day, but my heart still palpitates every time he winces. In reality I know that he's doing so much better and he shouldn't have any problems from here on out. In the back of my mind, however, I still worry that I'll look away and a wince won't just be a straining muscle. There isn't anything in the world that could prepare me for losing him and I don't think I'll be able to handle almost losing him one more time. I've been a little too hover-y lately. I know it, he knows it, hell even the kids know it. I remember his hovering driving me insane anytime something was wrong with me or I was pregnant, but it hasn't stopped me from feeling the need to. I just don't know what I would do if something happened to him and I'm having a hard time believing he's out of the woods because if there's one thing I've learned, the carousal never stops turning and the odds aren't usually in our favor.

"Mere, they're here," Derek's voice carried through the house, "Batten down the hatches!" he continued; his and Zola's giggling following suit from her room nearby.

"Ok," I responded before looking over at Bailey who happened to be in nothing but a diaper and playing with his cars on the race-track rug in the middle of his room while I pilfered through his drawers to find him an outfit, "Looks like it's show-time," I told him wearily as I lowered myself to the floor, outfit in hand and crossed my legs.

"O-time?" he glanced toward me quizzically, 'vrooming' his way over with his cars.

"Yup, show-time," I smiled, tickling his tummy as he sat in front of me. His gray socks were first to be slid on, then I shimmied his little legs in to some dark-wash jeans with a stretchy waist. As I was reaching for his red and black plaid shirt, he dropped his car, reached his arms out, and patted my round stomach.

"Hi Baby," he said in his still baby-like voice as he reached down to kiss the spot his new little sister lay.

A smile erupted across my face as I rubbed his soft blonde head, "You're gonna be such a good brother," I cooed as I heard Zola scream 'Hi, Nana!" followed by an uproar of voices.

"Bruddor," Bailey nodded against me, before his head shot up and a look of apprehension crossed his face at the noise outside his room.

"It'll be Ok, Bails. We can stick together for as long as you want," I told the boy, stroking the cute little chin he got from his daddy. I was quick to put his shirt on and pull his arms through his gray sweater as he babbled to me about the new car he wanted for Christmas, before pulling him to his feet, hauling myself to my own, and picking him up once he reached his arms toward me.

We made our way down the hall and into the living room that was now full of people. Derek's eyes met mine across the room, I raised my eyebrows toward him and he winked in reply, "Meredith, there you are," came a voice from my right.

"Nana!" Bailey giggled excitedly, bouncing up and down.

I turned my head and smiled as I met the kind gaze of Carolyn Shepherd, "Mom, Hi,' I said with a relieved sigh, shifting Bailey into her arms as he lunged toward her.

"My goodness, look how big you are, little Bailey," she cooed, hugging the boy close, "I swear he's grown at least 3 inches since September," Mom shook her head in disbelief.

"He sure is growing like a weed," I smiled, crossing my arms over my chest lightly, "He barely looks like a baby anymore," I whispered, tilting my head and scrunching my nose at him as he played with her hair.

"Oh, I remember the feeling all too well," Mom spoke, rubbing her hand up and down my arm lightly, "You'll have another little one to snuggle soon, dear."

I hummed with a smile, nodding in response, moving my hands to rest on top of my stomach.

"So," she began tentatively after setting Bailey down to run off with his cousins, "How has he been doing?" she asked as we walked toward the kitchen.

For a moment, I paused then answered honestly, "He's… doing well, I think. You know it's always a little difficult to tell with him, he tries to hide when he's in pain because he doesn't want me to worry, but I can tell he has absolutely improved in the past few weeks. He only really limps when he first wakes up or after he has been on his feet for a while and he only has headaches a couple times a week now."

"That's good to hear, it's definitely an improvement from when I left" she smiled as we reached the kitchen where Lizzie and Kath had already begun cooking (with some direction from Derek) and arguing, "What is going on in here?" Mom laughed, "You've been here all of 10 minutes."

"Kath is adamant that we Brine the turkey. She thinks it 'enhances' the flavor, but I'm telling you, it makes the skin soggy!" she argued, chuckling slightly as she finished chopping carrots.

"It does not make it soggy!" Kath argued, "The salt draws out the flavor and it makes it oh-so juicy."

"I'm sure either way you go, the turkey will taste delicious," Mom commended, "However, I do believe that the turkey tastes perfectly fine every year without it," she finished.

"Now that that's settled," Lizzie digressed as she wiped her hands and made her way toward me, "Thank you for letting us all invade your house, Mere," she said, engulfing me in a short hug.

"I'm glad we could have you, Derek wouldn't have had it any other way. He needs this," I told her softly, "He misses you guys. Even though he's definitely too stubborn to admit it," I laughed.

"I'm not surprised, he didn't even admit to it when he was drugged up in the hospital," Kath added as she me toward me as well, eliciting laughs from every one of us.

"You look amazing," Kath said after hugging me, "Have you even gained weight? Seriously, you're all baby."

"She's jealous," Lizzie interjected, "She gained about a million pounds with each of her pregnancies," she finished causing Kath to glare at her, "How far along are you now? You're getting close aren't you?"

Nodding with a smile, I responded, "7 months last week."

"Did you guys name her yet?" Lizzie's daughter, Carly asked excitedly, her dark brown, tight spirals bouncing along with her.

"Not yet," I laughed, "Your uncle and I have yet to agree on a single one," I said from my place leaning against the counter.

"Oh my gosh," Rachel, another on of Lizzie's daughters added, "We have a million ideas." She looks a lot like her mom; at 16, she is about the same height, has straight brown hair, a pointed chin, and the piercing Shepherd-blue eyes. Th

"She's not joking," Carly said, stealing a carrot, "Between us, Marissa, and Andy, she could have a name by the end of the weekend."

"Well, we are open to suggestions," I told the girls, "Bailey didn't have a name until he was 5 hours old," I laughed.

Rachel's nose scrunched, "You chose an awesome name though, so you're good."

"Thanks," I giggled.

"What are we open to suggestions about?" came a voice from behind as a pair of arms snaked around my waist, cupping my stomach and pulling me flat against their hard chest.

"Baby names," I said with a smile, turning my head to look at Derek quickly before glancing at the girls seated at our counter, "They say they're full of ideas."

"They're full of somethin' alright," he muttered, chuckling as he shoved his nose into my hair, "How's it going in here, ladies? Need any help yet?" he asked two of his sister and his mother.

"We're all set, dear," his mother smiled at us as Derek rocked us back and forth, "You two relax, we have plenty of young hands to help us," she said, sending a look toward Carly and Rachel.

"Plus we know how dangerous it is to have Meredith in a kitchen with so much going on," Kath joked earning a glare from me.

"I love you dearly, dear," Derek teased, "but Kath is very right."

"Did Derek just agree with you?" Lizzie asked Kath.

Who returned her quizzical look, "I think he did.'

Lizzie stifled a laugh, "Damn… and I didn't have my phone out."

I laughed as I felt Derek's body jerk with laughter and could nearly sense him rolling his eyes, "What are the kids doing?" I asked.

"Zola is playing a very intense game of house with Michelle and Claire and Bailey is showing Gavin his car collection in his room," He whispered into my ear.

"Good," I sighed.

"The guys and I are gonna get the football game started to give the older kids something to do," he continued.

"Derek," I said, worry and dismay lacing my voice at the thought of him playing a contact sport only 6 months after a major car accident. My heart leapt into my throat and all I could picture was him lying on the ground outside, writhing in pain.

"Meredith, I'm the ref. don't worry, they know that I can't play this year. They're bummed they lost such a valuable player, but they're confident they'll still win," he smirked, but I was still on the fence. Refs get in the middle of games. What if he got knocked over… even on accident? I opened my mouth to respond, but Derek beat me to it, "I promise you that I will not do anything stupid."

"That's reassuring," I replied sarcastically, his only response that time was a small sigh as he ran his hand up my arms and squeezed my shoulders, pressing a kiss into the side of my head.

There's the first half for ya! I hope you enjoyed it. Pease let me know what you liked if you did and if you didn't... let me know why!

Thank you! :)