CHAPTER ONE

"Attention all passengers. In the final preparations for landing, please return your seat back to the full upright position, put up your tray tables, and place all carry on luggage under the seat in front of you. Electronic devices must also be turned off at this time. Flight attendants will be walking through the cabin to pick up any remaining service items. We will be arriving at our destination soon. We hope you enjoyed your flight and thank you for using American Airlines."

The intercom beeped off and everyone proceeded to put all their devices and luggage away before fastening their seat belts. Flight attendants paced through the aisles back and forth making sure everything was prepared for landing.

Meredith latched her hands on to the two arm rest beside her. Taking a deep breath in, she took a moment to remember all the events that had taken place in her life, in the past four years.

California was a way different scenery than Seattle. It was sunny and warm most of the time, while Seattle tended to be rainy and cool.

In the sunny state of California, everyone wore their swimwear underneath their tank tops and shorts, along with carrying a surfboard under their arm. It was not unlikely to come across a few beach bums during the day, and spotting a celebrity here and there was not too rare either. If you stayed in the sun long enough it would give you a Sunkist tan and the city of angels would scream your name from the Hollywood sign.

Back in Seattle, wearing water resistant clothing and carrying an umbrella with you at all times was normal. It was not sunny all the time, therefore you were blessed if you were a shade darker than a piece of copy paper. People did not really care about celebrities, but they did visit the Space Needle here and there.

Meredith discovered that she liked California, and would not mind returning in the future. It had been a good home to her for the time being, and the people treated her with nothing but kindness. She would miss them dearly, but it was time to return back to her old home. Seattle.

The UCSF Medical Hospital had been kind enough to welcome Meredith with open arms and let her reside their for the next four years in order for her to finish her residency. Her knowledge intake had grown tremendously since she arrived there, and she felt even more prepared to begin her fellowship. Working side by side with Thomas Cole had helped her improve her neuro skills. Although she worshipped the one on one time with him, UCSF was not where she wanted to do her fellowship. Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital was the lead runner.

When she received her packet from SGMW, she took it as a sign and realized it was time to come home. Picking up her phone, she called Richard to inform him that she would be accepting his offer to return to SGMW. Welcoming her once again, she hung up the phone and rushed to contact Cristina.

Cristina had constantly been in touch with Meredith since the day she had gotten on the plane to depart. She needed her person, whether she be in the same facility as her or not. Meredith made it one of her main priorities to keep in contact with Izzie, George, and Alex as well, and also communicating with her half sister, Lexie.

In the four years on her own, Meredith manage to seek help for her trust and abandonment issues. She finally dealt with the passing of her mother, and deemed forgiveness to her father. She learned to take better care of herself, and not always run to her old friend, Jose. Meredith could finally say she had found herself, and knew just what she wanted in life. With the acceptance of Derek Shepherd of course.

She could not forget the man who stole her heart and soul those many years ago. Meredith would be lying to herself if she said that she did not still have dreams about him. Although a part of her still longed to feel his touch, another part of her resented him for kissing Rose. He said he would wait for her, but went against his promise. "Actions speak louder than words." Meredith said to herself in her head.

Derek was a piece of the puzzle left unsolved. She did not know where he stood in her life. He had taught her that love really did exist, but he had also made her aware of what heartbreak felt like.

Looking down at her hand, her eyes rested upon her engagement ring. Derek would always have a place in her heart, and she would always love him. Luke was a great guy and came into her life at what felt like the right time. She knew the she loved him, no doubt in her mind. She did at times, have doubts if she was in love with him.

Meredith's thoughts were interrupted by the intercom, and she did not even realize the plane had already landed. She began to unfasten her seat belt and turn on her phone to alert Cristina that she had arrived safetly.

Exiting the gate, she kept a good pace walking to get her luggage. Being back in Seattle, she wanted to take much of it in as she could. Of course there was a light drizzle outside, and the sun was no where to be found.

Coming upon the escalator, she stepped on. Looking off in the distance, she could see Cristina waiting rather impatiently for Meredith to arrive. Meredith lifted her hand to give her a wave, and Cristina waved back quickly.

"I know we don't do hugs, but L.A. has worn off on me some." Meredith giggled, giving her person a hug.

"A little?" Cristina smirked. "You're more tan than when I last saw you and there is no way in hell I could have gotten you in a skirt back when you lived here."

Meredith looked down at herself. She was wearing a nice blouse with a basic black pencil skirt. She tried to look more professional these days. Or tried to pay the part to say the least. "I have a meeting with Richard today, and didn't want to worry about having to change once I landed here."

Meredith and Cristina had managed to get her luggage and get in Cristina's car before the rain began to set in.

"When is Luke coming in?"

"Within the next week. He was finishing up some last minute details, but told me to go ahead and come." Meredith sighed.

Cristina looked over at Meredith. She was different. Not in a bad way, but still very different. She had left damaged, and returned repaired. Cristina got that Luke was a great guy and treated Meredith with all the respect in the world, but she knew that once he stepped foot in Seattle he didn't stand a chance.

"Need space?" Cristina laughed, but then realized Meredith's reaction was the total opposite.

"I love Luke." Meredith assured her.

"You just don't know if you're in love with him."

Meredith shrugged her shoulders, as if saying 'I guess'.

"There had to have been some reason you said yes to his proposal."

"He's good to me and has never once left my side in the three years I've known him," Meredith told Cristina. "so I owe him this."

"First off, you don't owe Luke anything. Marriage is a big commitment Mer, and if you aren't ready or feel that Luke is that person for you, you need to be honest with him. And yourself for that matter."

Meredith nodded her head in agreement. "I get that but,"

"You still have unfinished business left to tend to with a certain someone as well. If I were you," Cristina said, turning to look at Meredith. "I would get that taken care of before Luke gets in town."

They had almost reached the hospital and she was ready to get through this meeting and get home. She had a lot to do before her first day and a lot to do before Luke arrived.

Please review and tell me what you think. I have had this idea in my head for awhile, and finally decided to sit down and write it out. I will try to update in the next couple of days, depending on the reviews I get. I am new to this, so please take it easy on me. Thanks for reading!