You found him near the window of the staff lounge, half-reading a chart, half-daydreaming. His expression shifted the second you walked in—eyes scanning your face like he already sensed something was different.

You held out the folded piece of paper. No words. Just a small, shaking nod when he looked up at you.

Mark opened it slowly. His eyes dropped to the word positive, and then stopped—just for a heartbeat—like the world paused for him to catch up.

Then it hit him.

His whole face lit up. Not the smirk, not the playful grin—this was something deeper. Hope. Relief. Pure joy.

He laughed, sharp and breathless, stepping toward you. His hands hovered for a second, like he didn’t want to overwhelm you, but then he pulled you into a tight embrace, burying his face in your neck.

—“We’re having a baby,” he whispered against your skin. “We’re having a baby.”

Ten minutes later, the hospital cafeteria buzzed with chatter like always—until Mark burst through the doors like a man on a mission.

—“Hey!” he called out to a group of familiar faces—Derek, Callie, Lexie. “You’re all gonna want to sit down for this.”

They turned, confused. He barely gave them time.

—“I’m gonna be a dad.”

He was grinning like he’d won the lottery, chest puffed out, eyes bright.

—“With {{user}},” he added, motioning toward the door where you stood, watching him. “We’re starting a family.”