CHAPTER SEVEN

Addison met Derek in the parking lot later that night. She handed him the signed divorce decree.

"Well," said Addison.

"It's over."

"Yeah."

As they look at each other Addison started to cry. "Look Derek, I just want you to know…"

"Don't Addie. Leave it. We both did things we're not proud of. Now we can move on. This is it."

Addison wiped her tears away and nodded her head.

"So when are you leaving for New York?" asked Derek.

"Well, I'm-we're not. That's what I wanted to tell you this morning. Derek we're staying in Seattle. At least until my contract is up."

Derek turned away and began walking to his car. He told himself that he didn't care. It didn't matter where Addison or Mark were. He had a chance to start over with Meredith. That's all that mattered.

Meredith's cell phone had three messages on it when she checked it later that night before going home.

"Hey Meredith its Finn. I just wanted to see if you were OK. Call me when you can."

"Meredith, it's Finn again. Haven't heard from you. OK, Bye."

"Well I guess this is my answer. Sorry"

Wow. Finn sounded progressively more irritated. I guess I can't blame him. Meredith knew after what happened at prom it wouldn't be fair to subject Finn to her life at this point. She knew that until she was over Derek it was not right to drag someone else into their mess. She called Finn from her car in the parking lot. He answered on the first ring.

"Hi."

"Hi Meredith. How are you doing?"

"Not so great. Look I know I owe you a huge explanation, but I don't want-"

"It's OK. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. I know you've needed to be there for Izzie. How is she?"

Seriously, how could someone be this nice? "Izzie is, well, not so good. But Alex has really helped her more than anyone. Denny's funeral is on Friday."

"Is there anything I can do? I've been through it. I might be able to help her."

This was going to be a lot harder than she thought. Meredith knew how to deal with anger, jealousy, and heartache. Not how to deal with someone who was so well, nice. "Finn look. There are too many things going on for me right now. It's just, well, not good timing. I need some time. A LOT of time to figure things out."

"You mean Derek."

Meredith heaved a sigh. She should have known Finn would see. "Yes I do. And myself. And I need to be there for Izzie and Cristina. It's just too much and it's not fair to you. I'm not asking you to wait on me; I just don't want to lead you on. I am in love with Derek. I never stopped being in love with Derek."

There was dead silence on the other end.

"Finn?"

"You deserve so much more than him. You deserve more Meredith and I just wish you would let me show you that."

"Finn…"

"No, take whatever time you need. I hope you figure that out before he hurts you again. Good bye Meredith."

"Good bye Finn." Meredith whispered to the dial tone.

Derek Shepherd was making plans. Everything was in place for tomorrow. He realized that he was going to have to do more than just make up to Meredith. He was going to have to prove that she could trust him again. And that was going to be an uphill battle. But he was determined. As Derek lay back looking up at the stars a smile spread across his handsome face. He was hopeful and looking forward to the future for the first time in many years.