Disclaimer: I do not own anything!

Meredith was standing in the kitchen waiting for the coffee to finish. She looked out the window towards Mark's back yard and immediately her mind started to wonder. She started to think about the last month.

Derek had started building his house and at the same time he and Meredith have grown closer. The only problem was with Kayla. It seemed no matter how much she tried Kayla had not come around to the idea of Derek and Meredith. She wasn't rude but there was just something that made Kayla keep her distance.

On the other hand Kendra was all for Meredith and Derek's relationship. Meredith smiled at the thought of Kendra. She was such a sweet little girl. Anytime Meredith was around she wanted to be right with Meredith. And on the nights that Meredith was at the house to help put the girls to bed she was the one Kendra wanted to tuck her in. That's what worried Meredith.

At night Meredith would read Kendra her night time story and before Meredith would finish Kendra would be asleep with her head on Meredith's chest. That's usually how Derek would find them and he always smiled. Derek would come in and the both of them would position Kendra in her bed and almost every time they would hear Kendra whisper mommy.

Derek always acted like he didn't hear her but Meredith knew better. He wouldn't talk about it. Meredith knew they hadn't been together long but she wondered if maybe Kendra was getting too close too soon. Everything between the two of them seemed to be going so well and even though Meredith didn't do relationships this felt right.

All the sudden her thoughts were interrupted. "Good Morning Grey."

Meredith turned around and found Mark coming into the kitchen. "Good Moring Mark. Hope you don't mind that I made coffee."

"As long as you don't burn it."

Meredith smiled. "I think I finally figured out how to use your coffee maker so we should be good."

"I didn't hear you come in this morning."

"I spent the night last night."

Mark smiled.

"I was in Kendra's room."

"All night?"

"Yes. I fell asleep during her story right after she did. I guess Derek left me there."

"He got called into the hospital early this morning. I heard him leave and he left a note in the living room. He said he would be home when the girls got up. We are supposed to go fishing today."

"I wonder why he didn't wake me."

"He didn't want to because he knew you were getting off a 48 hour shift and said you needed your rest so you are okay to spend the day with the girls." Mark paused and looked at her before continuing. "He left it in the note and reminded me that you are not supposed to try and make breakfast."

"I can make breakfast."

"Oh no you can't." Mark said right away as he made his way to the refrigerator before he started taking items out. "Do you remember last week when you tried to make eggs?"

"Nothing happened."

Mark quickly turned around. "Nothing happened? Mer, the wall behind the stove was green. It is now black. What do mean nothing happened?"

"I walked away for one minute Mark. How was I suppose to know what would happen?"

"Mer you had the burner on the highest it could go."

"Whatever. Just make breakfast before the girls get up."

Mark chuckled and started making pancakes as Meredith took her coffee and sat at the table. "So how are things going with you?"

"What does that mean?"

"Well we haven't had a chance to talk since you and Derek started seeing each other. How are things going?"

Meredith smiled. "Good I guess."

"Just good?"

"Kendra is great. She is so sweet and I adore her. I'm pretty sure she likes me too. Kayla on the other hand I don't know. She's not rude but I can tell she doesn't like me around. Then there's Derek. He's great. I never thought I would meet someone like him, I just don't know how long it will last."

Mark made a few movements and then went to sit across from Meredith. "Kendra does love you. And Kayla will come around Mer. She was older when Addie died and I think she just feels like if she lets you in she is betraying her in some way. I can tell she likes you, it will just take her some time to realize that letting you in isn't betraying Addie. And as for Derek…you have him wrapped around your fingure so you don't have anything to worry about with him."

Meredith smiled and felt Mark squeeze her hand. "Thanks Mark. When did you get so caring?"

"I guess Iz is rubbing off on me."

"I'm glad you guys are doing so well. I think you both deserve the happiness."

"Well I owe that to you."

"Why?"

"You are the one who got her to say yes. I knew once we went out everything would work out."

"I think you both are perfect for each other. You both are strong people and I think you balance each other out."

Mark smiled back before getting up and going back to the stove. "She keeps me in line, just like you keep Derek in line. It's amazing how much you women have control over us men."

Meredith was going to respond when the door came bursting open.

"Pancakes!" Kendra yelled as she came in with Kayla following.

"Morning Uncle Mark. We want pancakes." Kayla said as she took a seat at the table.

Mark turned around and picked Kendra up. She gave him a hug and kiss before he put her back down and she made her way over to Meredith who picked her up and put her on her lap. Mark watched and then caught Meredith's eyes. "See, you control us no matter how old you are. I think its part of your DNA."

Meredith chuckled. "Personally I think it's a Shepherd thing."

"What's a Shepherd thing?" Derek asked as he came into the kitchen and gave Meredith a kiss on the head along with his girls.

Mark shook his head and went back to cooking as Meredith giggled. "So what is the plan for today?"

"Well..." Meredith started and then paused. She looked to Derek and then the girls before looking back to Mark and Derek. "I thought I would take the girls for a girl's day."

Kendra right away looked up at the adults with a big smile on her face. "Yeah!"

"I don't want to go anywhere I have homework."

Derek looked to Kayla. "You can do your homework when you get home Kayla."

"Where are we going to go?" Kendra asked.

Meredith hesitated for a moment as she looked at Kayla before looking back to Kendra. "Well I thought we could go get a pedicure and then we could go to a movie. How does that sound?"

"What's a pedi…pedi...what's that?"

"It's when someone messages your feet and then you can get your nails painted."

"Can I get pink on my toes?"

"Of course you can if that's what you want. And Kayla I thought maybe you'd want to pick the movie."

Derek and Mark looked at Kayla who hadn't said anything and then looked at a hopeful Meredith before Derek spoke. "I think that sounds like a fun day and then we can meet for dinner if you'd like. Kayla don't you agree?"

"Daddy I have to finish my homework."

"Kayla I appreciate that you are so concerned with your homework but I don't think putting it off for a few hours is going to hurt. It sounds like Meredith has a fun day planned for you and your sister and I know you'll enjoy it."

"We can do it another day Derek."

"No I want pink toes daddy."

"I know you do Kendra. Kayla Mark and I have plans this afternoon so Meredith is going to take you and your sister. You can do your homework when you get home."

"But…"

"It will be good for the three of you and Mark and I will meet you for dinner."

Kayla looked her father in the eyes for a second. "Ok daddy."

"So things seem to be going well with you and Grey." Mark said as he cast his line.

Derek smiled as he replied. "Yeah."

"I haven't seen you smile like that in a long time."

"I know Mark. We've only been together now for a little over a month but she's really special."

"I know Derek. I've known that for 3 years." Mark replied and re cast his line before commenting again. "I can tell you love her Derek. Do you love her more than Addie?"

Derek quickly turned his head to Mark. "No. Why would you even say that?"

Mark sighed, "You are different than you were with Addie. It's like she completes you or something and I know it hasn't been that long but mom and dad didn't know each other for very long before they got married and look how that turned out."

"Mark I loved Addie."

"I know Derek, I'm not saying…"

Derek cut him off before he could finish. "I loved her very much. We were together for a long time and she gave me my girls." Derek paused and saw Mark was about to reply so he quickly started speaking again. "But with Meredith there is something there that I didn't feel with Addie. She gets me and she accepts everything about me. The fishing, camping, hiking, and the land. Being with Meredith just feels so different than when I was with Addie. I won't say I love her more than Addie but if feels deeper or something. Do you know what I mean?"

Mark smiled and nodded his head. "I think I know exactly what you mean. I feel it with Izzie."

Derek nodded and went to cast his line as Mark started again.

"Derek you have to talk to Kayla."

Derek quickly looked to Mark. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb, you have to see how she is treating Meredith."

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Derek she doesn't listen to her and I know she's not flat out rude but she isn't accepting Meredith."

"Mark you are crazy. They are out together today."

"Only because you told her to go. You were there she didn't even want to go. And Derek I have come home a couple nights and Meredith has been beside herself because Kayla refused to listen and threw in her face that she didn't have to because Meredith isn't her mother. Last week Meredith was really upset because Kayla overheard Kendra call Meredith mommy when she tucked her in and she yelled at Meredith."

"What, Meredith didn't say anything about that."

"That's probably because she didn't want to disappoint you."

"What?"

"Derek you know Meredith doesn't do relationships and this is huge for her. The women practically walks on eggshells because she is worried she is going to do something wrong and you will kick her to the curb." Mark watched Derek run a hand over his face and then continued. "I interrupted the yelling and had Meredith go downstairs while I spoke to Kayla. She doesn't want you and Meredith together because she is not Addie and I'm telling you it has to be addressed. When I went downstairs Meredith was fighting tears as she did the dishes and begged me not to say anything to you. She didn't want you to think less of her and dump her because she couldn't take care of Kayla."

"That's crazy."

"To you yes but for Mer who has been told she is a failure her whole life and to never have a guy around longer than one night she probably thinks one wrong thing and you will leave her."

"Relationships don't work that way."

"I know that now that I have Izzie Derek but trust me, Mer is like I was. She found someone who means a lot to her and if you leave it will break her so she doesn't understand that it's ok to mess up when you're in a relationship as long as you fix the problem. "

"You know I know I said this before but I think Izzie is the right girl for you."

"I know."

Derek sat quiet for a few minutes before he spoke up. "I think it's time for us to head home so we can be there when Mer brings the girls back."

"You told them we would go to dinner."

"I know but you are right. I need to talk to Kayla. Would you mind taking Mer and Kendra out so I can have some time alone with Kayla?"

"Of course. I'll call Izzie on the way home and see if she wants to join." Mark replied as they made their way back to the car.

Meredith was trying hard to hold the tears that were about to fall from her eyes as she turned into the driveway. She saw Mark's car in the driveway and was relieved and terrified at the same time. She knew for the girls it would be good for Derek to be home but she was terrified because she knew this would be the end of her and Derek.

As she parked the car Kayla immediately jumped out and ran to the house.

Meredith got out and helped Kendra out who was crying softly. She carried her to the door that was left open after Kayla had run in.

Once she got there she met Mark, Izzie, and Derek at the door who were all standing there looking at her.

Izzie stepped forward. "Mer what happened?"

Meredith stepped forward and handed Kendra to Derek before speaking softly. " I thought I could do this but I was wrong."

Meredith turned around and started walking away.

Izzie turned to Mark and Derek with worried eyes. "Derek are you going to go get her?"

Instead of answering her Derek spoke to Kendra. "Kendra honey what happened? Why are you upset?"

Kendra lifted her head from Derek's shoulder and wiped her tears. "Meri's mommy is mean. She hit me daddy."

On hearing this Derek was getting upset. "What do you mean?" He asked before yelling up the stairs. "Kayla get down here."

Kayla came down the stairs clearly upset. "What dad?"

"Tell me what happened today?"

"We were at the salon and Meredith got a phone call. We left the salon and drove to this place. It looked like a clinic of some sort when we went in there were nurses and Meredith told us to sit and wait for her. Kendra had to go to the bathroom so I walked with her when we saw Meredith with a lady. The lady was yelling at her saying some mean things and Kendra ran in. The lady got more upset and started yelling at Kendra calling her Meredith. All of the sudden she slapped her. Meredith got upset and started yelling back and some nurses came in to take the lady away. They talked to Meredith and then Meredith took us back out to the car. Kendra was so upset she wet her pants and Meredith apologized but I told her she needed to leave us alone because that lady had no right to hit Kendra and you would be upset with her."

Mark stepped in before Derek had a chance to respond. "Who is Meredith's mom?"

"The old lady. I heard one of the nurses say your mother to Meredith when they were trying to calm her down before they took her away."

Izzie knew right way what happened. "Oh no. I have to go get Mer. Mark call me later ok?"

Derek shook his head not knowing how to process all this. "Iz do you know what's going on?"

"It's Meredith's mother. She has early onset Alzheimer's. Usually one of us goes with her to help her because it's been getting pretty bad. You know Meredith and her mother never really had a relationship and Ellis is going back to when Meredith was a little girl. Basically she didn't want Meredith and she has no problem letting Meredith know. It's hard to watch and I don't know how she still puts up with it." Izzie paused and then spoke looking directly at Derek. "She is amazing Derek and I know if there was any way for her to prevent Kendra from getting hurt she would have you need to talk to her Derek, if you really love her like I think you do just talk to her." And with that Izzie left calling over her shoulder to Mark that she would call him later.

Derek took Kendra to the living room and sat down to talk to her. "Are you ok honey?"

Kendra nodded and looked up at Derek. "Why was Meri's mommy so mean?"

With that Derek spent the next few minutes explaining to Kendra about Meredith's mother. After words Kendra said she wanted to color Meri a picture to let her know she loved her and headed up to her room.

Once she was gone Derek asked Mark to give him some time and he spoke to Kayla. He knew he couldn't make her love Meredith but he knew he needed to be sure she understood that if him and Meredith remain a couple what that could possibly lead to and he didn't want Kayla to treat Meredith badly.

After their talk Derek asked Mark to watch the girls and he went to Meredith's house.

Once at Meredith's Izzie let him in and he went up to Meredith's room where he found her crying softly on the bed. His heart clenched as he crawled into bed behind her and wrapped her in his arms.

Meredith felt him and immediately froze. "What…what are you doning here?"

"I wanted to make sure you were ok."

"I'm fine Derek, I'm always fine. You need to go to your girls."

"Mer, you are one of my girls and you are not fine. Izzie told me a little about your mom and I'd like to hear a little more from you. You don't have to tell me everything but give me something."

"There's no point Der, just leave this is your out."

"I don't want an out Mer, I want you."

"She's right Derek no one wants me, I'm not worth it I don't even know anything about relationships let alone kids."

"Mer I know you haven't been in a relationship before but you need to know that part of a relationship is that I will show up. Even when things seem bad I am going to show up and right now you need me and I'm here for you so let me. Tell me what happened."

Meredith thought for a moment and then she turned around and looked Derek directly in the eyes and knew he meant what he said. At that moment she broke down and Derek held her tight.

Once her cries had slowed she started to talk. She spent the next hour talking to Derek before they both got out of bed and decided to go for dinner with Izzie, Mark, and the girls as they had originally planned.

Auther's note: I can't believe how long it has been since I updated...I'm sorry. If anyone is still interested I do plan to finish this story. I'm thinking it will be 11-12 chapters total and I plan to finish it before I start my next one. Hope everyone hat a great Christmas and will have a safe and happy New Year.