How Sweet It Is

33

It had been a relatively easy night. They had a great time at the zoo and by the time they got home both Stella and Adam were completely worn out. They ate dinner and fell asleep while watching a movie before Meredith took Stella up to bed and Derek took Adam. Derek made sure they were both asleep before going to get ready for bed himself, the kids not the only ones completely worn out from the days events. He finished brushing his teeth before coming into his room to see Meredith curled up in bed, already asleep.

"Are you already asleep?" Derek whispered, slowly climbing into bed.

"Yes."

"Hmm...Wake up..."

"Sleeping."

"Wake up..."

"Derek...."

"We said we'd talk later...It's later..."

"And now I'm sleeping."

"Then wake up."

"Derek..." She groaned.

"This is important." He sighed.

"So is sleep."

"You can sleep after we talk."

"You talk...I'll listen."

"You have to talk too."

"You talk first." She mumbled.

"I'm not going to talk if you're just going to fall back to sleep." He said.

"Okay."

"Mer...Come on."

"Derek." She groaned, finally turning over.

"Thank you." He laughed.

"Your welcome." She replied, her eyes beginning to fall shut.

"Do you want kids?"

"What?" She frowned.

"Do you want to have kids?" He whispered.

"Oh...." Meredith took a deep breath. Nobody had ever asked that before, not that she remembered and suddenly that question seemed huge. "I um...I think so."

"You do?"

"I think I do."

"Okay." Derek took a deep breath.

"It's...why?"

"Mark..."

"Mark wanted to know if I wanted kids?"

"He wanted to know if I knew if you wanted kids."

"Oh...I wasn't always sure that I did...and I think I really want them...I mean I know I do."

"Me too."

"You want them too."

"Yeah."

"Okay..." She whispered, her eyes narrowing as she bit her lip.

"When I got married...I thought I was going to have all of those things with Addison..." Derek breathed.

"Yeah...."

"And Mark was there and saw it all fall apart."

"He doesn't want you to get hurt again."

"And I don't think you're going to hurt me...I just...had to ask."

"You...you wanted to know if I wanted kids...of...you wanted to know." Meredith nodded.