Santa, Baby

One

It was snowing.

The snow was falling heavily all around them as they walked down the busy street. People carried bags and talked on their cellphone, or listened to there iPods.

Meredith Grey however wasn't paying attention to any of it. Derek's arm was wrapped around her shoulder as they walked toward a restaurant. It was her first night off in a while and she was happy to be with Derek.

Away from the busy hospital.

Away from her crazy roommate.

Away from her fight with Cristina.

She was so happy to just give all of that up for just one night.

"I hope your hungry." Derek tells her unaware of her turbulent thoughts. She looked up at him with a nod and a smile, "Good because I hear that this place has the best steaks in Seattle."

"Yeah Jak's Grill is suppose to be real good. At least that's what I heard in passing."

"Been eavesdropping on the nurses again."

"They shouldn't speak so loudly." She said burying herself into his coat.

"Hmm I believe you." Derek laughed running his hands down her arm and placing a kiss on her hair.

"You better or I'd make you sleep at the trailer."

"That cold trailer. It's probably filled with raccoons by now." He teased, "What would happen to my pretty face?"

"Pretty face. God your so cocky Der."

"You love it." He said stopping outside the restaurant and opening the door. His hand on her lower back as he guides her though the restaurant.

"I do love you." Meredith said softly as they stood in front of the reservation desk.

"I love you too Meredith." He said kissing her softly.

-- --

It had been a nice dinner.

One of the best idea Derek had ever had.

And then Derek had said eight little words that tumbled her world.

I want you to meet my family Meredith.

Meredith fingers dance over the rim of her wine glass as she started at her boyfriend in shock and dismay. He couldn't have possible said what she thought he had said. Her hearing was just going because what Derek was saying was insane.

"Excuse me can you repeats that?" She asked him because it had to be a mistake.

"I want you to meet my family." Derek told her taking her hand in his. His thumb gently massing her knuckles, "It's been a while since my whole family has been together for Christmas. I really want you to meet them." He was serious and earnest. She had never felt quite so confused in her life.

She wasn't the type of girl you bought home mom. She didn't do families especially not a family like Derek's. A houseful of four relatives who no doubt so her as a gold digging home wrecker. She couldn't possible do this and she had to get Derek to understand that.

"Derek this is very short notice." She told him biting her lower lip. "Alex just got first solo surgery, my interns our walking around insane, and Cristina and I are fighting."

"It's the perfect time to leave." Derek told her, "You need to relax."

"And you think I can relax with your four sisters, brother-in-laws, five nephews and nine nieces, and your mother. Seriously!"

"Okay so it doesn't look so good. But Meredith I promise you everyone will love you. And the house is in the middle of nowhere and it will be relaxing." He promised her giving her his famous McDreamy smile. It wasn't the easiest thing for her to resist him and damn-it if he didn't know it.

"Can I think about it?" She asked him a few days and she could figure a way out of this.

"Okay sure." He said kissing her hand.

-- --

Derek Shepherd was an idiot.

Meredith decided as she sat at the nurse's station. Going over a charts. She didn't understand how Derek could possible think going back east was going to be relaxing.

Wouldn't it be better if they find some little quite place to have there own private Christmas.

"Meredith?" She looked up quickly at her half sister Lexie standing above her.

"Hey Lexie." Meredith gave her smile. She couldn't stay mad at Lexie over the fact that she had almost killed her friend. Because at least she had the foresight to get help when it had gotten worse. Despite what Cristina said she did take responsibility even if it wasn't the kind she had wanted.

"Are you busy because if so I can…" She trailed off nervously Meredith inwardly sighed as she pointed toward her chair.

"Go ahead and seat down." She told her kindly, "What's going on."

"Christmas is coming up. I was just wondering what you were doing?"

"Oh um Derek and I are thinking of going back east."

"Well um Molly is coming home with the baby. I just thought maybe…"

"Lexie I like you. I just don't think it's a good idea for me to be around Thatcher."

"Right." Lexie nodded, "So do you know if Mark I mean Dr. Sloane is going with you guys?"

"No I don't why?" Meredith looked at her with her head cocked to the side. "Lexie it's not a good idea to get involved with your boss." She said gently she had seen something between the two of them.

"Of course not." Lexie said shaking her head, "Another intern sleeping with an intending is crazy. It would be a really bad idea." She stood up pushing away from the nurse's station. "I'll see you later Meredith."

Meredith watched her go with a groan standing up to go looking for Derek. She had to make sure that little Grey and Sloane were staying as far away from each other.

-- --

Before she could go looking for Derek she was beeped to the pit. Three car pile up with the icy floors they hospital was bracing for more in coming traumas.

"Dr. Bailey am I here." Miranda Bailey looked up and was about to tell her about her current patient when the door to the OR opened. A tall blonde woman looking close to tears with a sleeping child her hip.

"Where's my husband!" She exclaimed not needing to be told Meredith hurried over.

"I'm sorry but I need you to come over here." Meredith said leading her away from the patients, "I just need some information Mrs.…"

"Abigail White." She answered shakingly.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"I was in another car. I watched it happened and called the police. We were going to the airport heading down south to see Carl's family." She angirly wipped away her tears. "I didn't want to go. We have a toddler who wants to go cross country with a toddler. But I decided to go we were going to drop off Carls car for repairs and then take my car to the airport. A white car ran a red light and hit on Carls side and Carls car hit the blue car." She hitched the baby up, "Are they going to be okay?"

"Were going to do everything possible Mrs. White." Meredith promised waving over the nurse that had been hovering. "Oliva has some paperwork if you could fill that out."

"Okay sure."

Meredith made her way over to Dr. Bailey.

"Dr. Grey I want you to call down to neuro and ortho for consults." Meredith hurried away to go about her task.

-- --

Meredith and Derek stared at the screen toghter. A perfectly normal brain appeared in front of them.

"Mr. White is fine. Nuerologic speak."

"They were trying to get back east."

"Really?" Derek smiled at her, "I can't promise we won't end up in a three car pile up on the way to my mothers."

"No of course you can't." She assured him, "But it makes you think if we won't be safer spending Christmas here?"

"I guess that means you have decided?"v He asked her his blue eyes searching her out.

"I'd like to meet your family Derek."

Meredith waited until after he had walked away to wonder what the hell she had just done.

-- --

Author Note: This is a mini-Christmas fic! I just think that there should be a happy Mer/Der Christmas Episode. And since Shonda is busy having Izzie sleeping with ghost then I have to do it. I hope you all like it.

It will be really only five chapters, but I will make it as bright and shinny as possible. I promise!

Review!