One of those times where the song doesn't necessarily coordinate with the update. I'm a sucker for acoustic versions (and comments! ) Song Inspiration: Stolen - Dashboard Confessional
Christmas Eve had come and gone faster than the four of them could have ever imagined. As soon as Addison arrived home on the twenty-first, things fell in to full Christmas preparation mode. More cookies (and cakes and pies, too) were made, all in preparation for Derek's mother's, and his youngest sisters, Jamie's, visit to the Seattle house. As Christopher had explained to Meredith, it was the first official Christmas in the new house, and everything had to be perfect.
Meredith tried as best she could to be helpful – by helping keep Christopher entertained, or by wrapping the lavish gifts Derek had purchased for his many nieces and nephews (that needed to be shipped to their respective homes in three different states), or by measuring out ingredients for various recipes, or by, perhaps most importantly, keeping her snarky remarks to herself. She let Addison's tiny displays of jealousy slide, and she hid her own waves of jealousy when Derek and Addison exchanged a kiss. She simply didn't react; she was numb.
Carolyn and Jamie Shepherd had arrived early on Christmas Eve morning, dozens and dozens of wrapped packages accompanying the women and their luggage. They arrived earlier than scheduled, catching everyone off guard. Meredith had answered the door, still in her pajamas and borrowed bathrobe. "Merry Christmas," Carolyn chirped cheerfully. Derek and Christopher thundered down the stairs as Meredith returned the sentiment. Meredith reached out to Carolyn, grabbing several of the packages from her arms. "Mom!" Derek said, grabbing some of the luggage from the porch. "You're early; I sent a car…" "And we took a cab, big brother," Jamie said, stepping into the foyer and setting the packages down on the wooden floor. "Now where is my nephew?" she added, her smile identical to her brother's as she placed her hands on her hips. "Aunt Jamie!" the little boy squealed, leaping into the air as she scooped him up. "I've missed you!" he exclaimed, snuggling closer to her as she hugged him. He hugged his grandmother with equal enthusiasm. "This must be Meredith," Derek's mother smiled, reaching out to pull Meredith into a hug. Meredith stuttered a bit before responding. "Ah, yes, I'm Meredith. Meredith Grey. It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Shepherd." "Carolyn," Addison cooed as she floated down the stairs, perfectly dressed, made up and coiffed. "It's very nice to see you again. Merry Christmas," she said brightly. "Jamie," she added, nodding in the direction of Derek's sister. "Hello, Addison," Jamie responded, her tone of voice cool and flat. She scooped her nephew back up as she rolled her eyes, the look unnoticed by everyone but Meredith. Carolyn clipped her words. "Merry Christmas, Addy." "Well," Derek said, filling the semi-uncomfortable silence that filled the entrance of the house. "Let's get you two settled in, and then we can sit down by the fire, and catch up?" "Sounds like a plan, daddio!" Christopher replied for the group as his aunt set him back down after several more hugs and kisses. They situated the gifts beneath the enormous Christmas tree, and the luggage was shipped off to the other spare bedroom. Meredith dressed quickly in her room, brushing her hair, and wiping some concealer-powder on her wind-burned cheeks. She swished some mouthwash through her mouth for the second time that morning. She sighed as she stared into the mirror, thinking to herself, "I'm not as pretty as Addison." As Meredith walked down the stairs, she couldn't help but feel as if she were intruding on a private family get-together. Christopher talked excitedly to his aunt; he talked about his Matchbox collection, his school, and fishing, while Derek, Addison and Carolyn discussed the wedding (that will be taking place in March). Carolyn was tense; not in her words, but in her actions. It was barely noticeable, but Meredith was particularly adept at reading people. She paused briefly as she reached the bottom of the staircase. "Hi," she said in a near whisper as she entered the living room. She saw Addison's stature fall slightly at the same time that Christopher's cherubic face lit up. "Does anyone need anything to drink?" she asked politely. "Or eat?" "I'll help you." Jamie stood up quickly before anyone answered. "My baby said he made me Christmas cookies; I'd like to see them for myself," she winked at her nephew, correcting her tone of voice, her voice softer now as she approached Meredith. "Will you bring me a cup of tea, Jamie, please?" Carolyn asked. "I think I have some muffins…" "In the tin," Jamie finished. "We'll just bring a bunch of stuff back with us," she added as she linked her arm through Meredith's, leading her into the kitchen. "I designed this house," she said once they were out of earshot of the family members that remained in the living room. She traced her finger over the cool marble countertop. "Bow windows, flanked on either side of the French doors in the dining room; perfect for storage and benches on the windowsills, offering a perfect view of this magnificent property," Jamie stated matter-of-factly, gesturing toward the dining room. "Marble countertops in the kitchen and all four of the bathrooms. Solid wood floors throughout the house. Real oak doors. I'm an architect," she added, turning to face Meredith. Meredith nodded and reached into the cabinet for some mugs as Jamie turned the kettle on. "You're probably wondering why I'm telling you all of this," she said softly, scanning Meredith's eyes with her own. Meredith noticed how much Jamie and her brother looked alike as she nodded her head. "I build things, Meredith. I'm a good judge of things; I can visualize how well they fit together – I've always been good at puzzles," Jamie said proudly as she grabbed several of the cookies from their Tupperware home. She placed them on the designated Christmas platter. Meredith nodded again as she grabbed the carton of orange juice out of the refrigerator for Christopher. "When my brother was with Kimberly," she smiled sadly, "he was always happy. His eyes always sparkled. You could see how in love he was. That little boy – my sweet baby nephew – completed my brother's life. When Kimberly – Kimmy, he always called her Kimmy – died when Chris was one, he completely fell apart," Jamie paused a she turned the kettle off. "Hand me those teabags, please," she said politely. "Four and a half years ago, when he came back from his Las Vegas trip," Jamie nodded as Meredith's cheeks burned. "That sparkle was back, Meredith. He smiled a real smile. He looked for you everywhere; he tried to find you for months. Your mother," she said, narrowing her eyes at Meredith, "requested that he not continue trying." "He didn't tell me that," came Meredith's weak argument. "With her… with Addison," Jamie whispered, "he's dead inside. His smile is forced, his eyes are dull. If I know anyone in this world, Meredith, it's my brother. I can read him like a book. He doesn't…" "He said he wants me to sign the papers." "Derek wants a mother for his little boy," his sister defended. "Any good father would want that. But Chris is his father's son, through and through, and he doesn't care for Addison. My mother doesn't, either, but I'm sure you caught that; she's easy to read as well, nearly transparent." "I don't understand," Meredith fumbled. "Meredith," Jamie said incredulously, her eyes widening as she picked the serving tray up. "Do not… please, as a favor to me… I like you, I do, and I remember how he was about you. And as a favor to my nephew, and even to my brother," she sighed heavily. "Please do not sign those god damned divorce papers," Jamie said as she left Meredith standing in the kitchen alone, stuttering as she picked the glasses filled with orange juice up, Jamie's words echoing in her head.
XXX
Stolen - Dashboard Confessional We watch the season pull up its own stakes You have stolen my heart Invitation only You have stolen my heart And from the ball room floor you have stolen I watch you spin around you have stolen my
And catch the last weekend
Of the last week
Before the gold and the glimmer have been replaced
Another sun soaked season fades away
You have stolen my heart
Grand Farewells
Crash the best one
Of the best ones
Clear liquor and cloudy eyed
Too early to say goodnight
You have stolen my heart
We are in celebration
One good stretch before our hibernation
Our dreams assured and we all
Will sleep well
Sleep Well
Sleep Well
Sleep Well
you have stolen
you have stolen my heart
In your highest heels
You are the best one
Of the best ones
We
All
Look
Like
We
Feel
you have stolen my
you have stolen my heart