Mark looked over at Meredith he didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay in this bed beside her. He let out a sigh as he climbed out of bed. There was no way he could get out of the surgery that he had scheduled. He walked over and sat down next to her. She was sleeping so peacefully. He would talk to her tonight. He kissed the top of her head not wanting to wake her. "I promise that I will not let anything happen to you." he pushed the hair out of her face and kissed her once more. He pulled his pants on and turned to look at her one last time before he left.

"So you stayed last night?" Derek handed him a cup of coffee.

"Yeah I didn't want to leave her alone. Also I enjoy sleeping beside her." Mark admitted.

"You do realize that your in love with her right?" Derek said.

Mark took a deep breath he felt something but was afraid to call it love. "I don't know."

"What are you two doing up so early?" Addison walked into the kitchen.

"Early surgery. I have to get going. Although they wouldn't be able to start without me." Mark threw on his coat.

"I have to go to." Derek gave her a quick kiss.

"Tell Meredith that I will call her. She was sleeping pretty soundly. I didn't want to wake her." Mark headed out the door.


Meredith was shocked the next morning to find Mark gone. She was surprised that he didn't wake her. It shouldn't bother her but of course it did. She walked downstairs in need of a fresh cup of coffee. Addison was sitting at the table looking through the newspaper.

"Did you see Mark this morning?" she grabbed a cup of coffee and sat at the table.

"Yeah he was running late."

"Oh" she took a drink of her coffee.

"What time do you have work?" Addison looked up from the paper.

"Actually I'm off today." Meredith wanted to relax today.

"Meredith I don't think it's a good idea for you to be alone."

"Addison I will be fine. It's not like I am going anywhere."

"Promise me that you will stay home. I have a couple surgeries. I shouldn't be away all day."

"I promise I will stay home. Go to work."
"Okay well call me if you need anything." Addison grabbed her purse. She stopped before she went out the door. "Call me if Allan calls."

"I will now go to work" Meredith laughed.

Addison didn't want to leave her alone. She shook her head as she left the house.


Mark walked into his office. The whole time he was in surgery he thought of Meredith. He was ready to tell her how much he loved her. He realized it and felt like a fool for denying it for so long. If he had told her sooner then she wouldn't have to worry about Allan. He picked up the mail lying on the desk. He looked at the large envelope lying on his desk. He was about to open it when the phone started to ring. He pushed it aside.

"Hello"

"Hey"

"Good morning. Sorry that I didn't wake you." he was excited that she called.

"It's no big deal" she lied. She was upset that he didn't tell her goodbye.

"So what do you have planned today?" he asked.

"Nothing I promised Addy that I would stay put." she said.

"How about dinner with me tonight." he wanted to tell her tonight how much he loved her.

"Okay" she wanted to spend time with him.

"I'll pick you up at five."

"Okay see you then" she hung up the phone.

Meredith looked at the clock. It was already noon and she didn't have anything to wear. She couldn't impress Mark with the clothes she had in her closet. She ran upstairs and grabbed her coat.

Addison wouldn't even know she was gone. She grabbed her keys on the stand. She would have to hurry.


Addison walked into Mark's office.

"Have you talked to Meredith?" she asked.

Mark looked at the clock "A couple hours ago why?" he asked.

"I tried calling the house and there's no answer."

"Maybe she's getting ready. I am taking her out to dinner tonight. Before you say anything I am not going to hurt her. Addison I love her. I am a fool for waiting so long."

Addison looked at Mark. She knew he loved her. "It took you long enough. If you hear from her tell her to call me okay." Addison walked out of his office. She felt a little better knowing that Meredith was home getting ready. She didn't want to be paranoid but she didn't trust Allan. Although she really didn't think he would come all the way to Seattle.


"How are you feeling?" Derek walked up behind her.

He fought the urge to rub her belly.

"Mark told me he's coming clean to Meredith."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"He's going to tell her that he loves her." Addison tried to remain calm. She was happy for her baby sister. She would finally get the family that she deserved.

"It's not like we didn't know how he felt." Derek laughed.

"So how about we call it an early day." Addison wanted to go home and put her feet up.

"I have a consultation. Give me an hour?" he asked.

"Okay I'll meet you in your office at five." she said.


Mark put his mail to the side for the day. He would have a chance to go through it tomorrow.

He wanted to see Meredith. She had a habit of sneaking into his thoughts all day. She would definitely smile when he tells her that he couldn't stop thinking of her all day.

As he turned off the lights in his office and headed for the door he couldn't help but smile. Tonight he would pledge his love to the woman of his dreams.

The woman who knew him better than he ever thought possible.

Life for Mark Sloan was looking up.

Addison sat in Derek's office. She picked up the phone to once again call Meredith. She didn't want to worry when she didn't answer the phone. She knew that Meredith was probably getting ready for her big night. A night that she would remember for the rest of her life.

"Are you ready to go home?" Derek walked into his office.

"I didn't think you would ever say that." Addison laughed.

Derek held out his hand.

As they walked to the elevator Addison felt sick at her stomach. This time the nauseau wasn't from the baby growing in her belly. This was deferent it was a feeling that she couldn't describe. All she could think about was Meredith.


Allan smiled as he drove down the road. It was almost to easy. As if any minute he would wake up and realize that it was a dream.

He turned around and looked at her sleeping. In a couple hours they would be pulling into their new home. He knew that they wouldn't be able to return to New York. No they had to start over. Start fresh where no one knew who they were. A place that was away from everyone and they would have a chance to start over. He would show her how he felt. He would make her realize no one would love her the way he did.


a/n

Okay so I am so sorry for the lack of updates this week. I have been really busy. And also I couldn't get this chapter the way I wanted. It finally came together though it's still a little rough. This story is where I want it to be now and should be able to post updates a lot faster. I know that you are all going to be confused but I promise you will learn what happened in the next update.

Unfortunately it probably will not be posted until Sunday because I am going out of town. But I will work on it and try to get it up tomorrow. If not it will be up on Sunday.

Please read and review and let me know what you guys think. Thanks for all the reviews.