"Good morning beautiful!"
"Good morning to you too!" Meredith smiles sleepily at one of Derek's famous 'mcdreamy' smiles.
The couple share a loving kiss- soft, tender, with all emotions poured into this one kiss. Today is a special day. Not only is it Valentine's Day, but is their anniversary- they have been together as boyfriend and girlfriend for the past three years.
"Happy Valentine's Day!" They both murmur to each other's loving gaze.
"And Happy Anniversary sweetheart!" They are lost in each other's eyes.
The two share another magical kiss, one that Meredith nicknames in her head- the McDreamy kiss.
"Mmm…Do we have to work today Derek? Because I just want to stay here and cuddle with you in bed today."
"I know Meredith. Believe me, there is nothing more I would rather do. But, we are both surgeons that have the responsibility of saving lives. But look on the bright side- because it's Valentine's Day, we both have to stay at the hospital only until five in the evening, today."
"Yeah, that's true. Well, I guess we should better get up then," Meredith replies regretfully as she tries to swing her legs over the bed. But before he could, Derek gently tugs her back onto him. She stares expectantly at him.
"There's no reason why we can't laze around in bed for another ten minutes."
Meredith smiles one of her gorgeous smiles at him. "Ok. So, what are we going to do today, seeing as it is a very special day for us?"
"Well," Derek replies with a very mischievous glint in his eyes, "I was thinking we could do something tonight?"
"Yeah? What did you have in mind?"
"Oh no you are getting nothing out of me. It's a surprise."
"Derek!" Meredith whines and gives one of her sad-puppy-dog faces. "Tell me! Please.."
"Meredith! You are just going to have to wait until tonight. But, I will tell you one thing. Dress in something fabulously gorgeous, not that that is a hard thing for you to do"
"Fine!" Meredith gruffly responds with a cute pout. "Just because you won't tell me, I am not going to give you my present."
"You got me something?" Derek barely speaks as he is so touched by Meredith's gesture.
"Yes I did, but I'm not so sure that you deserve it now."
"Ok then, but I guess you won't get your surprise then, will you?"
"How rude! I didn't know you blackmailed people."
"Of course not. But you are my darling and so are special."
"Oh, you are something, you know that?"
"Yes I am, and you love me for it!" Derek cheekily replies
"Yeah, I do," Meredith responds in a softer tone.
"So, do I get my present or not?"
"Ok, ok. You've won me over. Here." Meredith reaches over to the nightstand and opens the top drawer. Inside is a simple box, wrapped in a shimmering red-gold paper, with a golden bow tied on top.
No words are exchanged as Derek opens the box. Inside, wrapped in red tissue paper, is an antique, gold, pocket watch. Meredith doesn't realize how nervous she is until she bites down on her lips and tastes the warm, salty blood. She ignores that and looks hopefully up at Derek, hoping with all her heart that he likes it. Truth be told, she had spent almost two months thinking about what to get him. She actually got the idea of the watch from her mother, which seemed absurd at the time, but Meredith gradually warmed to the idea.
"Well…what do you think?"
"Meredith….I'm speechless…I literally don't know what to say." Derek paused for two seconds from his literal whisper. "This must have been so expensive."
"Well, you're worth it Derek. So you like it?"
"Like it? I absolutely love it. You are the most beautiful, loving, thoughtful, intelligent woman I have ever known and loved. And I am so lucky to have you."
Tears well up in Meredith's eyes. One teardrop comes loose and slowly runs down her cheek. Derek notices this and gently wipes her tears away with the pad of his thumb.
"Derek, I had hoped you would like it but I wasn't expecting this much from you. But I love you all the more for it. You are my life and soul."
"I love you too Meredith. So much, it sometimes scares me. You are my air, my everything."
For what is like the infinite plus one time, the two share a delicious kiss, and gently break apart after a few sunlit moments.
"Well I hate to break this wonderful morning, but we are going to be late, Derek, if we do not get ready now."
"You're right. But don't forget tonight, ok? I will pick you up five after five near the locker room."
"That sounds great."
"So….do you want to take a shower together?"
Meredith giggling replies back, "Obviously. You know I wouldn't have it any other way."
The lovers share a laugh and head to the bathroom, where they share ten blissful minutes together, not having a care in the world. Their minds do not have any other thought than each other and the love they have for each other.
"Mer! Mer? Hello?"
"Yeah! Hello, I'm here. Why are you yelling?"
"Why am I yelling? Oh, I don't Mer. Maybe it's because you have been staring off into space for the past ten minutes. We have a lot of freaking patients to attend to."
"Geez Izzie! What's wrong with you?"
"I'm fine, ok? Can we just go please?" Izzie was getting impatient while the two of them were just standing in the nurse's station, pretending to be looking at some patients' charts.
"Izzie, do you realize that today is Valentine's Day? I thought you loved these holidays, but seriously, you're acting almost like Christina."
"Yeah Mer, I do know what day it is today, but I don't see why we have to act so mushy and gooey about it."
"Iz, what's wrong? You can tell me."
"Nothing is wrong Meredith. I just want to go try to get scrubbed in some surgery today, ok?"
"It's Alex isn't it? That's why you're all dark and twisty."
Izzie did not even both try to deny what she said, because Meredith knew the truth. Valentine's was the hardest on Izzie, because this was the day when, she lost Alex. It had been two years since Alex died in a car crash, and Izzie had buried herself into work since then. No one had taken his place since and the interns had found it impossibly hard to take his place otherwise. So, Meredith just had to let it go.
"Ok, Iz. I understand. I'm sorry. I know I've been acting all lovey-dovey, and it is extremely hard on you, so let's just go find some surgery ok?"
"Ok. Thanks Mer, for not saying anything."
"Sure."
"What do you see Dr. Grey?"
"Subdural hemorrhage, with midline shift."
"We have to get her up into surgery immediately. Please book an OR for an emergency craniotomy."
"Yes, Dr. Shepherd."
"Thank you Meredith." The two share a loving smile.
"So, is Mrs. Jones going to be ok?"
"Well, I have stopped the bleeding, but we can only tell if she's completely normal when she wakes up?"
"How long do we have to wait?"
"This kind of surgery is very trying on the body, so at least several hours."
"So?"
"So what?"
"So, are you going to tell me where we are going tonight?"
"Meredith!"
"Come on Derek. Just a hint. I'll be satisfied then."
"Fine. So impatient. The place I'm taking you is somewhere on the water, ok? Satisfied now?"
"No, but it'll do."
"Good." At that moment, Meredith's pager goes off.
"Oh crap. It's a 911 for Mr. Daniels- pulmonary embolism. I have to go. I'll see you around five ok?"
"Ok. Bye!" Derek gives her a quick kiss on the cheek and watches her leave- both of them giddy with happiness and love.
"So, where is he taking you?"
"I have no idea. All he's said it's by the water and that I should dress in something gorgeous."
"Oh my god! Kill me now!"
Meredith, George, and surprisingly, Izzie all share a laugh.
"You're just jealous Christina because you are not getting any."
"Ohhh…uh-huh. You just keep running with that."
"Grey, Stevens, Yang, O'Malley. I have some news for you."
The four all look at Bailey expectantly.
"The chief has decided to cut today's work hours short, seeing as it's Valentine's and there are very few patients in today. So, you are all free to go now."
"Now?" Izzie is very distressed. "But it isn't even five yet."
"Dr. Stevens, it doesn't matter. The day's cut short. Now go home and enjoy your well-earned holiday," Bailey puts particular emphasis on the word your.
After Dr. Bailey leaves, Meredith tells the rest, "Sorry guys. I have to go find Derek. I'll see you guys tomorrow ok?"
They all mutter yes. As Meredith leaves their lunch table, she whispers to George: "Take care of Izzie, George. She needs you."
"Ok."
"Meredith will you hurry up? We're going to be late."
A distant voice calls from upstairs. "Will you wait two minutes? You were the one who told me to look gorgeous."
"Yeah, I did. But, please hur-.." Derek's words trail off as he finally looks up and sees Meredith walking slowly down the stairs.
Meredith smiles at his reaction. "Oh my god Mer. I...um…wow I'm speechless. I have never laid eyes on someone as beautiful as you in my entire life." Meredith was wearing a pale blue satin and silk, strapless gown with darker beads running down the bodice. And, when she moved, the dress, rippled and shimmered, like a waterfall. Her hair was curled and in a French twist, with curly tendrils running loose, down the side of her face.
Meredith's eyes glisten with tears. "Well, you don't look so bad yourself." Derek was wearing black trousers, with a burgundy-colored shirt and a black, leather jacket. His dark curls were perfectly sculpted and tousled. Truth be told, he looked absolutely gorgeous.
"Why, thank you. I had to look decent because I have to accompany you."
"Always a perfect gentleman. So are we ready to go?"
"Of course. Let's go." Derek replied as he gently took Meredith's hand and interlaced hers with his own.
The couple left the house hand in hand, for a very magical night ahead.