Jump Then Fall

38.

Derek was nervous. He couldn't help but be nervous that Meredith was coming to stay with him. He knew there would be questions from Trevor and Leighton about how she was and how long she would be staying and he was ready to deal with it and ready to help Meredith get better. The only thing he had to do before he could bring her home was get the kids off to school and get the guest room ready. But the morning hadn't gone as planned when his little girl had overslept and Mark had come over to drop a few things off and had volunteered to drive Trevor to school. Now he had to get her ready and get her to school as soon as possible and then get back to the hospital.

"I wanna sleep more." Leighton whined from her bed, refusing to put on her dress for school. Her face was the cutest as her eyes narrowed like someone else Derek knew.

"I know you do...but it's time for school."

"You put me back in my bed when I fell asleep." Leighton pouted, her bottom lip sticking out and Derek couldn't help but laugh. Her arms were crossed tightly around her chest.

"I know." Derek chuckled, kissing her cheek. "Time to get up."

"It's cold!"

"Put your dress and your tights on and you won't be cold."

"No Daddy!"

"Leigh, you have to go to school. And Daddy has to go to the hospital."

"Cause you gotta go get Meredith?" She jumped on her bed.

"Yes."

"I wanna see Meredith." Leighton jumped.

"You can see her this afternoon when you get home from school."

"I'm excited Daddy." Leighton jumped.

"Me too. The sooner you get to school, the sooner you can get home and see her. I'll make you all a big snack. How does that sound?"

"Daddy..."

"Yeah?" Derek asked, lifting her pajama top off of her.

"I been thinkin'..." Leighton giggled, trying to jump out of his arms.

"What have you been thinking about?" He laughed, pulling the pink dress over her head.

"About my Mommy."

"Oh."

"And I think Mommy's are people who cuddle you and snuggle you and bake lots of cookies and play and are pretty like princesses and they are Mommy's!" Leighton beamed proudly.

"That is what Mommy's do."

"I know who my Mommy is!" She smiled, as she jumped in the middle of the bed.

"I...Leigh...you know Mommy's not here." Derek breathed, bracing himself for what was coming next.

"Cause she's coming home today!" His four year old stopped jumping and grinned wide. "Meredith is Mommy!"

"Leighton..." He sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Mommy's coming home!" Leighton giggled.

"Leigh, Meredith isn't your Mommy."

"Yeah huh...I thought about it for a very long time last night!"

"Leigh...Mommy is...."

"I know who Mommy is." Leighton danced on the bed and Derek knew he was about to break her small heart. He hated the idea of this moment, but was time. It was time to tell her now before she figured it out on her own and hated everything including him forever.