Who Would Have Thought

Chapter 17

"There's my favourite sister," Derek smiled to Sophie as he walked up behind her.

"Derek!" Sophie grinned, turning to wrap her arms around him, her pregnant belly preventing her from getting close to him. "It's about time you came home!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know," he rolled his eyes, his hands falling to her stomach. "Someone looks like they're ready to come."

"Oh god, I hope so," Sophie groaned, a smile playing at her lips. "I swear she's trying to kill me."

"She's already my favourite."

"You're an ass," Sophie smacked his arm and then frowned as a group of kids ran by. "Brandon Michael Thompson, I thought Daddy told you to slow down!"

"Sorry Mommy!" Brandon shouted as he continued to run.

"Of course he's sorry," she rolled her eyes. "I bet Brian didn't even tell him to slow down. They're partners in crime."

"And you love it," Derek laughed.

"I do," she echoed his laugh, rubbing her stomach. "He's convinced she is actually a he and the doctors were wrong. Apparently, he's all about breaking the Shepherd curse of tons of girls."

"No," he shook his head. "You definitely need a little princess."

"Why? So you can spoil her and send her tons of gifts?"

"Basically."

"Just for that, I hope she is a boy," Sophie rolled her eyes. "Or maybe a girl. Maybe you'll come to New York more if it's another girl."

"Hey, I have a busy job, I come as much as I can," Derek protested. "And maybe you could come to Seattle sometime."

"Can I point out that I have been very pregnant?" she defended. "And Brandon is terrified of flying. You try taking a three year old on a plane."

"Have you explained Uncle Derek's on the other end?"

"Yes. He actually was more willing when I mentioned Uncle Mark was on the other end.

"That hurts."

"That's what you get for sending him the wrong Power Ranger for his birthday," she shrugged.

"I said I'll make it up to him," Derek rolled his eyes. "Maybe this summer I'll kidnap him and take him to Disney World."

"You would actually be my favorite brother if you did that," she laughed, her hand rubbing her back.

"I'll see what I can do," he nodded, rubbing her stomach. "He'll need some attention with the little one here."

"And you'll spoil him to no end," she shook her head. "Mind if we sit? I swear she's going to kill me before she actually gets here."

"God, of course," Derek nodded, leading her over to the chair. "Sorry that I didn't even think of it."

"Mark thought of it earlier," she teased him. "You're just a terrible brother."

"Mark isn't even your brother."

"Try telling him that. And Mom."

"Yeah yeah," he groaned. "Have you talked to Addie about him?"

"You mean about the fact that he's a complete chickenshit?"

"That would be a yes."

"I plan on torturing him about it," she smiled. "He can't yell at me. I'm pregnant. He could send me into labor. Not that I would actually mind that."

"Maybe you'll get it out of him. Mer and I have tried."

"Oh really?" Sophie raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "You're calling her Mer again."

"Yeah," he nodded slowly. "I am."

"And I know she's calling you Der," Sophie nodded. "Since she calls more than you do."

"She's calling you a lot?" Derek smiled.

"Not a lot," she shrugged. "Just more than you."

"Well...I have no defense for that."

"Just that you're a bad big brother," she laughed, rubbing her stomach. "So...spill."

"Spill?"

"About you and...She Who Must Not be Named," Sophie lowered her voice as Nancy walked by the kitchen.

"Oh," Derek's smiled widened. "We're going on a date."

"You're...seriously?" Sophie grinned.

"Yeah, I can't believe I convinced her to do it," he laughed.

"I am too," she grinned, reaching to squeeze his hand. "When I talked to her Monday, she was denying there was anything going on."

"Of course she was."

"But now you're...how did that happen?"

"The date part or the even wanting to date part?"

"The even wanting to date part," Sophie sighed. "Six months ago you were ready to kill her."

"I know," he nodded. "We talked, Soph. When we found out she was staying we decided to talk so we could settle everything and actually work together without screaming and things just...happened. There's still something there which kind of feels like a miracle."

"You mean after twelve years of calling her the wicked bitch of the east?"

"Yeah, even after everything...I still feel..."

"You're still in love with her?"

"Yeah," Derek admitted quietly.

"Oh, Der," Sophie squeezed his hand tightly.

"And I think we're going to actually give this a second chance," he sighed. "It's insane, right?"

"No," Sophie shrugged. "I figured this would happen if you ever saw her again. Don't get me wrong, I fully plan on calling her tonight and telling her not to hurt you again. But you and Mer...I mean, things just ended badly. You were still in love with her, she was still in love with you...god I was seventeen and I could see that, Der."

"I know," he nodded slowly. "The way we loved each other, I don't think that's supposed to come more than once."

"I don't think so either," Sophie smiled softly. "And you and Mer loved each other more than the average people."

"We really did," he smiled. "It was so hard and so fast for us."

"Maybe you guys should just take it slow this time. One date at a time."

"That's the plan."

"Good," she nodded. "And I'm guessing we're not telling Mom about this?"

"Oh please don't. I don't need that lecture quite yet."

"How much did you pay Markie to keep quiet?" Sophie laughed.

"I didn't have to actually," he sighed. "Which should probably worry me."

"Probably," she frowned slightly. "He may blurt it out if Mom tortures him and Addie."

"That would be really really bad."

"I'll torture him first," Sophie offered. "Maybe he'll say it and then he and Addie can tell Mom they're planning on getting married soon. Which would make Mom's life."

"It really would," Derek nodded. "Of course she would than get on me about the whole unmarried thing and that just leads back to..."

"You being madly and completely in love with Mer."

"Exactly," he nodded. "Not that...okay, maybe."

"You know, it might not be that bad," Sophie sighed. "I mean...it's been twelve years. She can't possibly still hate her."

"I have no idea. I haven't mentioned Mer's name in her presence in years. She doesn't even know Mer is in Seattle."

"You could always hide it until you and Mer are married," Sophie laughed. "Have a couple kids. She can't get mad when there are babies involved."

"That might be a good idea."

"Trust me, Brian and I told her we were moving to Chicago and she didn't even..."

"You're what?"

"Pregnant, Derek. Pregnant with cute baby girl," Sophie reminded him as she shrugged. "We're moving to Chicago."

"Why are you moving to Chicago?"

"Brian's firm is sending him there," Sophie sighed. "And I already got the clearance to transfer to a hospital there."

"So when I come to visit everyone you won't even be here?"

"Der, you only come for holidays," Sophie rolled her eyes. "We'll be here for holidays."

"True," he laughed. "And at least I can take Mer to see you."

"That's true," Sophie grinned widely. "You can come and visit us in Chicago. And if you don't bring Mer...I'm disowning you."

"It might be a bit before I can convince her to travel with me, but when I can, she'll come."

"Or maybe I'll just invite her without you."

"That's just mean."

"You'll get over it," she laughed, rubbing her stomach.

"Not if you take her away from me for a weekend."

"God, you're cheesy," Sophie rolled her eyes.

"It's Mer's fault."

"Of course it is."

"I'm not this cheesy about other women."

"You've never been like this over other women," she sighed. "Not even...god, what was that bitch's name?"

"That bitch?"

"The one you brought home a couple years ago."

"Oh...Becky."

"Yeah...Becky," Sophie groaned. "God I hated her."

"Sophie, you've hated them all. Except for Meredith."

"Meredith was amazing."

"Even more amazing now."

"She seems like it," she smiled, squeezing his hand. "Derek, you know I'm happy for you. I mean, I was the one who wanted to kill you when you called her names but..."

"You always saw it. Even over the last twelve years when I thought I was over her."

"I did," Sophie smiled. "She was perfect for you. And now she's still perfect for you. But, Derek, be careful. I'm going to tell her the same thing because you can still be a total ass sometimes but...be careful."

"I will be," he nodded. "She better at the talking thing now but I know. We're taking this thing slow."

"And if you screw this up, I'm going to kill you."

"I won't. Not this time."

"And I'm definitely giving her the same speech when I call her tonight."

"Speaking of"

"What?"

"She had this really cool once in a lifetime surgery today."

"And you want to call her."

"I told her I would."

"And you want me to cover for you."

"Could you?"

"I guess," Sophie sighed dramatically. "What do I get out of it?"

"I'm taking your busy son to Disney in the summer."

"Hmmm...very true," she nodded. "Okay, here's the plan."

"Plan?"

"We have to have a plan," Sophie rolled her eyes. "I'll tell them you had a work phone call, if Mark says anything about Mer, I'll act like I'm in labor."

"You'll act like you're in labour to save my ass?"

"Of course," she nodded. "It will be like the time I acted like there was someone breaking in through the front door when you and Mark came in drunk through the back."

"This is why you're my favourite sister," he smiled, kissing her cheek quickly.

"That and I'm amazing," she laughed. "And anyway, I'm hoping to trick her into coming now."

"Okay but if she does, you're allowed to call my cell to interupt."

"Awww, thanks, Derbear."

"Mer will understand," he laughed.

"Of course she will. Now go. Call her."

"Going," he nodded before standing up. "Love you, Soph."

"Love you too, Der."

"I won't be gone long."

"Take your time. The longer you're gone, the more likely Mark will say something and I can trick my daughter into coming now."

"Good luck," Derek laughed.

"Thanks, Der," Sophie laughed, pulling herself out of the chair and walking out of the kitchen.

Derek smiled as he slipped out of the front door. It might be easier to just tell his family the truth. Except it would take him years to get them to calm down about it and he was pretty sure his mom or Nancy would kill him if they knew he was slipping to call the girl that had broken him. He was pretty sure he was beyond lucky that he even had Sophie on his side.

She had always been on his side. Also Meredith's side. She had been weirdly mature about all of this when they had broken up, trying to point out to everyone that two people caused a break up, not just one. It had pissed him off at first, but now he was actually appreciating Sophie's complete loyalty to him and Mer's relationship. He pulled out his cell phone and quickly dialed Meredith's number. "Hello?" she answered, a giggle to her voice.

"Hey Mer," he smiled into the phone.

"Hey!" she giggled.

"Are you drunk?"

"Not yet."

"Yet being a key word," he laughed.

"We're going out to celebrate soonish."

"So it went well?"

"Completely. It was amazing. We don't actually know if she can smile yet...but completely amazing and...it was the best, Der."

"And you're completely high."

"You're not around your family are you?" she laughed. "Because they might be worried if they think you're talking to a high person."

"I'm taking a walk," Derek laughed. "And if anyone asks, Sophie is telling them I had a work call."

"How is she?"

"Very pregnant and ready for her to get out."

"Yeah, she was complaining when I talked to her Monday."

"You two talk a lot. I didn't know that."

"Just...every once in a while."

"That's good, Mer. I felt bad about ripping that friendship apart," Derek sighed. "She always saw your side."

"You didn't rip it apart, Der."

"I had a part of it."

"I'm not having this talk right now," Meredith giggled. "I'm...I'm too busy giggling."

"Tell me about it. Tell me everything."

"It was just..." Meredith breathed. "Roberts did an amazing job, Derek. With the nerve and the...it was just beyond amazing."

"Did he let you do anything?" Derek asked. "Please tell me he did."

"I did a lot," she giggled. "He was really...we basically did the whole surgery together. And then he asked me out."

"He what?"

"He asked me out," Meredith said quickly. "But before that...I mean giving a child facial nerves..."

"He asked you out?"

"Der..."

"What did you say?"

"I am going out for celebratory drinks," she said, a hint of a giggle.

"One second...the celebratory drinks are a date with Roberts?"

"And the rest of the team."

"But is it a date with Roberts?"

"Derek"

"Yes or no?"

"Seriously?" she sighed. "Derek...it's not a date with Roberts."

"Good."

"I can't believe you thought I'd say yes to Roberts."

"Well you aren't actually attached to me."

"He's....Roberts."

"Still."

"Still what?"

"He asked you out."

"He did."

"I give him my surgery and he tries to take you too."

"He doesn't actually know we're...going on a date or whatever."

"Mer, everyone in that hospital thinks we're sleeping together."

"He actually asked me if we were."

"Before or after he asked you out?"

"I can't believe you're getting this jealous over Roberts," Meredith giggled.

"I'm not jealous."

"You're completely jealous, Der."

"I don't get jealous."

"You're totally getting jealous. Over Roberts."

"Why would I get jealous?"

"I don't know. You're the one freaking out."

"I'm not freaking out."

"You're completely freaking out," she giggled.

"I'm not."

"You are."

"Shut up."

"It's Roberts, Der."

"And?"

"And...it's Roberts."

"Does he have a disease I should know about?"

"No but...he's separated from his wife."

"That doesn't always stop people."

"It stops me."

"Good."

"I just...seriously?"

"What?"

"He's...and we're...we're going on a date."

"We are," he smiled.

"And I kinda have a thing for you or whatever."

"Oh you do?"

"You know I do, Der." He could swear he could hear her rolling her eyes.

"It's the first time you've really admitted it."

"That's not true."

"When else have you said it?"

"At the trailer. When we first had the...I said something was there."

"You did," he nodded. "But having a thing for me is kind of different."

"Oh it is?"

"Yeah," he murmured. "It seems more...now."

"Now?"

"Yeah," he nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "Saying something was there, that could have just been left over feelings. But having a thing for me...it's now."

"Oh," she breathed. "Are you...I mean, do you..."

"I have a thing for you too."

"Oh," she giggled.

"I did ask you on a date."

"You did."

"That generally screams that I have a thing for you."

"I guess," she laughed.

"Sophie is apparently calling you tonight to tell you not to hurt me."

"I had a feeling," she sighed. "I may be drunk."

"I'll warn her. I already got the lecture."

"About being careful of the horrible terrible Meredith?"

"No. About how she's going to kick my ass if I hurt the amazing Meredith again."

"Seriously?"

"Of course."

"Well at least the entire Shepherd family doesn't hate me," Meredith sighed and then laughed as there was a crash over the phone. "Ow, crap."

"What was that?"

"Tripped over a box."

"How?"

"I'm getting ready to go to the bar. I was trying to put on my jeans and...I tripped."

"Of course you did," he laughed at the image in his head.

"I can't believe you're laughing at me. I could be bleeding."

"Are you?"

"I could be."

"Are you?"

"Maybe."

"Meredith, are you bleeding?"

"No."

"That's what I thought."

"My toe hurts though."

"Oh god, maybe it's broken."

"You're making fun of me."

"I would never do that."

"Of course not."

"Seriously, you're okay, right?"

"I'm fine, Der."

"Good."

"Good," she sighed. "Now I just need a shirt."

"Oh well this completely changes the visual I have going on."

"Derek!"

"Sorry."

"Don't you have a family to be getting back to?"

"Might be a good idea," he sighed.

"Probably. Before Mark blurts out the truth."

"Which would be really bad."

"Very."

"And you have to go meet your boyfriend for drinks."

"I do."

"Don't want to make you late for that."

"Make sure you don't call tonight. I might be busy with my boyfriend."

"You won't hear a word from me," he laughed. "Although you may want to warn your boyfriend that in a couple of months he won't have a job."

"Oh that's mean, Der."

"Just saying."

"I'll tell him that...sometime between drinks and making you completely jealous."

"I'm not jealous."

"You're jealous."

"Do you want me to be?"

"I thought you weren't jealous."

"I'm not. But do you want me to be?"

"That's a ridiculous question, Der," she said, her voice muffled for a second.

"Answer it."

"I'm not trying to make you jealous."

"But if I was...would you like it?"

"You have a family, Der."

"And I'm nearly back to them but I need you to answer the question."

"Why?"

"Because."

"That's not an answer."

"Sounded like one to me."

"If you're four."

"Mer, I'm about to go back in. And may be stuck having a conversation with Nancy."

"Just talk to Soph."

"Nancy might make me talk to her. An answer from you would help."

"I don't...maybe. I don't know."

"You don't know."

"I don't know."

"Okay," he murmured. "It's okay you don't."

"You're not...Derek, I'm sorry I don't know."

"Mer, it's completely okay," he sighed. "Neither of us know everything quite yet."

"But you want me to know."

"No," he shook his head. "Right now I just want to get home so we can go on that date."

"I want you to come home too," she murmured quietly.

"Oh," he breathed. "I wish I was there tonight. To be there for this."

"I wish...yeah," she whispered.

"Don't have too much fun without me tonight."

"I won't. Don't kill Nancy without me."

"I would never take that dream away from you."

"Thanks, Der," she giggled.

"I miss you," he whispered.

"I miss you too."

"So I should say goodbye now."

"You probably should."

"Probably."

"Yeah," she breathed.

"Yeah," he echoed.

"Bye, Derek," she whispered.

"Bye Meredith," he murmured. "Try not to drunk dial me tonight."

"I'll try," she giggled and then hung up.

Derek smiled as he hung up his own phone, trying to wipe the stupid smile off his face. He missed her. He hadn't really even thought about missing her until he had heard her voice again. He missed her and she missed him. Which she had admitted without any hesitation. She wanted him home, she wanted him back in Seattle with her. She wanted him.