It was noon and she was beyond exhausted. Who would of thought taking care of a 22 year old would be a lot of work. Meredith was more then happy that she had today day off. She spent the majority of the night being there for Mia. It was hard to explain but the girl who was finally sleeping upstairs was her family. She felt the need to protect and defend her. Which for Meredith Grey was extremely weird. Pulling her from her thoughts there was a gentle knock at the door.
"What now?" she groaned to her self, reaching for the doorknob.
"Mer." Derek smiled.
"Derek… what… why are you here? Why aren't you at work?" she questioned.
"I took the day off to visit you and check on Mia." He shrugged
"Visit m… me?"
"Yea" he said with the McDreamy smile. "Where's Mia?"
"Upstairs, she finally fell asleep about a half hour ago." Meredith sighed.
"She just fell asleep?" he frowned.
"We had a rough night."
"Rough night?"
"Ok Derek you're doing that thing when you get nervous you repeat everything I say in a form of a question." She pointed out.
"I don't do that." He frowned.
"You do" she smiled. "Cristina called and told me you were slow. As soon as she said that I knew what she meant."
"I'm glad that I entertain you and Cristina." He said rolling his eyes.
"We might just even have to keep you around." She giggled leaning forward a bit.
"You might." he breathed leaning in.
"Do you want to go sit in the living room or something since Mia is sleeping?" she said while stepping back.
"Sure." He smiled.
Meredith sat on the couch next to Derek. She leaned into him a little bit and put her feet on the coffee table. She was well aware of flirting with Derek. For the past few days she had hope that maybe her and Derek weren't over. Derek had his arm around her as it rested on the couch. Meredith didn't realize the TV had been turned on. She was just so content with him being close to her.
"So how has your day off been so far?"
"Well it's barely lunch and I'm exhausted." She sighed
"Sorry"
"For what?" she said looking up.
"If it wasn't for Mia you would have had slept." He sighed.
"No Derek she is no problem and never will be." She said firmly.
"That's good to know." He smiled. "Why was she having trouble sleeping?"
"That is for her to tell you when she's ready."
"Okay I can deal with that answer." He nodded.
"So how's things with you?" she asked casually.
"Is it how's things or Rose?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Derek…" she started and was cut off.
"Mer, I'm not seeing Rose. Especially after what she did to Mia."
"So you know?"
"Yes I know and I'm beyond pissed. That girl upstairs is like my daughter and no one should ever treat her that way. I am grateful she had you there watching out for her." Derek smiled.
"It wasn't a problem Der." She murmured moving closer.
"I know… God you're amazing." He said hovering in front of her lips
"Um… I need to go get the laundry." Meredith said while pulling back and rushing to the laundry room.
Seriously? Laundry? That had to be the lamest excuse ever to use as an escape, but they almost kissed. She needed to take a time out. Yes she was trying to fight for Derek, but she needed to know exactly what they needed to be. Meredith loved that man with all of her heart. She just couldn't let him know he did actually own her heart. As she grabbed the load out of the dryer then looked up to see him leaning in the doorway smirking at her.
"Seriously? Laundry?" he said reading her thoughts.
"I needed to get it." She insisted.
"Right this very second?" he questioned.
"Yes I couldn't just let it sit in here. What if everyone came home and then wanted to change and go out? And when they went to change they had no clean clothes? Then Izzie, Alex, George, and Lexie would have to be naked until all the clean clothes were delivered back to there drawers and closets. Do you want me to be responsible for them to being naked Derek until they got clean clothes?" she rambled quickly.
"As much as I loved your rambled point, I'm sure they all have some clean clothes in their rooms Mer." He laughed.
"Whatever." She pouted.
"I love that pout." He whispered. His lips crashing into hers.
"Der" she breathed.
With that Derek picked her up and sat her on top of the washer. Hands started roaming while clothing was being discarded on the floor. They weren't moving urgently. This wasn't something cheap or anything like sex & mockery. It was something of love. Derek leaned his head against hers and looked into her eyes and whispered, "I love you Mer." And to his surprise with out hesitation she whispered, "I love you so much Derek." With that they became one. Meredith and Derek didn't know it yet, but in this moment their lives would be changing.
