Alright, this is my first Grey's fic. Just a one shot. Hope you like. R&R please :)
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the places or anything of the sort. Just the idea.
"Pick me. Choose me. Love me."
Those were the words that Meredith had said to Derek that night, all those months ago. Those words he still remembered. He'd loved her that night, and every night after. They'd kept in touch after he'd left Seattle, returning to New York for awhile. He'd had to escape with Addison for awhile. Meredith's presence was all consuming, and he couldn't control himself with her around. There was no chance that he could make his marriage work, seeing her gorgeous face every day.
So now, one hundred and seven days later, he was waiting to land at the Seattle Airport. He tightened his hand around the letter he'd received days ago from Richard, requesting his return. Addison back with Mark, he was more than happy to oblige.
One hundred and seven days. One hundred and seven days of never really loving Addison despite their efforts. One hundred and seven days of brief emails and IM messages; of continually deciphering the hidden meaning behind Meredith's words. One hundred and seven days of loving Meredith more and more. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.
She didn't know he was coming home. He didn't tell her. He nodded to the flight attendant as he walked slowly down the steps of the aircraft and into the arrivals terminal. There were no familiar faces: he hadn't expected any. Hailing a taxi cab, he swung his small suitcase into the backseat and gave him an address.
It was dark by the time he arrived at the big house. A light was on in the kitchen, and one upstairs. He paid the cab driver and began the long walk to the door. He hesitated, his fist poised to knock. Finally he tapped on the door; lightly at first and then more persistently. The door opened slowly to reveal Meredith Grey, still in her scrubs with a small carton of strawberry ice cream in her hand.
"Hi," she said blandly. A look of comprehension suddenly crossed her face, and forgetting herself, forgetting he was married, and forgetting the past. One hundred and seven days melted away as she threw herself into his arms. The ice cream, also forgotten, dripped a creamy pink puddle onto the hardwood flooring.
Derek inhaled her scent, burying his hands and face in her hair. She smelled of a hospital, but also of the sweetness of a fruity shampoo. "I'm picking you, choosing you… loving you," he whispered in her ear.
She never bothered saying that it was better late than never.
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Timeworn expressions describing love are often brushed off as clichés with no real value in them. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder," or the famous "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back it's yours and always will be. If it does not return, it never was and never will be yours." But contrary to popular belief, there is more value in them than one might think. One hundred and seven days is not long to wait for love. Believe: someone will pick you, choose you… love you.
Maybelline