As Derek arrived at Mark's house twenty minutes later, he wasn't nervous about telling the kids about Addison. He was nervous at how he would have to rearrange his life. Never in a million years did Derek ever think that he would have to raise his kids on his own.

As he rang the doorbell, he decided that it would just be easier to rip the band aid off, no anesthesia.

Mark: "Hey man come on in."

Izzie: "Hey Derek. How are you?"

Derek: " I've been better. Can I speak to you two before I see the kids? I need to tell you something."

Izzie: " Sure. The kids are busy getting ready. Lets go to the kitchen."

When they arrived at the kitchen, Izzie instructed her housekeeper Mia, to make sure the kids wouldn't come down to the kitchen until she or Mark said it was ok.

Mark: "Whats going on man? Is everything okay?"

Derek: "Addison's having an affair."

Izzie: "What? Are you sure? I mean, I can't believe that?"

Mark: "Honestly I cant say I'm surprised. I mean she was never home. She always said she was busy. I just didn't think it was an affair"

Derek: "Yeah, well. I'm sure. I walked in on them yesterday, at home. She was about to get down and dirty right on the staircase. I'm gonna call the lawyer today and get the papers drawn up as soon as possible. I also think you should know that I'm getting full custody of the kids. Which leads to my next point. I was wondering if you two could help me with the kids after I tell them. They're gonna need us. Especially you Izzie, your the only type of mother figure they have. I'm really gonna need your help."

Izzie: "Of course Derek you don't even have to ask. We're both here if you need anything. Just ask."

Mark: " Derek your my brother. I'm always gonna be here for you. Just tell us what you need."

Derek: "Thanks. I really appreciate it. I think its time I take the kids home. I have to tell them and I don't want to do it here."

Izzie: "Of course, I'll go get them."

As Derek waited for his children to come down, he knew that things would probably get worse before they got better, however there was no way he would have thought that someone whom he had already met, would be the one to get his life and family back on track.

As Meredith arrived at school that morning hoping that she wouldn't have any more encounters with Derek. He consumed every single one of her thoughts. She just wanted to not see him anymore than she had to. However she didn't realize that the one man she desperately wanted to avoid was the man that would make her happy for the rest of her life.

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Meredith's day was really uneventful; the usual classes, homework assignments and boring lectures. However as time went on, it got closer and closer for Derek's class. A part of her wanted to avoid him and not attend class, but another part of her wanted to not avoid him and just be there. The internal battle of whether or not she wanted Derek Shepherd was getting to Meredith and she just didn't know how to deal with.

She was walking toward the lecture hall where Derek class took place when she ran into George.

George: "Hey Meredith. You ok? You look a little distracted."

Meredith: "Oh..um..hey George. Um...yeah..um...I'm fine. Perfectly fine. Better than fine."

George: "You know Meredith, the more you say fine, the less believable it sounds. I know we just met but if you need anything I'm here."

Meredith: "Thanks George I appreciate it."

George: "No problem."

As they arrived at the lecture hall they noticed a sign on the door announcing that class had been canceled for the rest of the week. George took this opportunity and asked Meredith to go with him to a cafe so that they could hang out and get to know each other a little better and Meredith thought it was a good idea.


Ok....so I'm really sorry that there hasn't been any updates for a while. I've been going through some difficult times. But, I am back and that means that updates are back. So plz read and review...ur responses mean alot.

thanks for everything

Brenda