Tainted Obligation Epilogue
The energised buzz in Seattle Grace Hospital was slowly winding down after visiting hours and the late staff was already setting everything up for the night when Derek walked back to his office and rapidly divested himself of his dark blue scrub shirt. As he pulled the drawstring of his scrub pants, he tossed a towel over his shoulder and retreated to the shower, pulling the curtain tight. He brushed his teeth and shaved before starting the water and stepping beneath the spray. The shower felt good…cleansing and refreshing but Derek took no time to enjoy it. He quickly washed and dried off. By the time he stepped back into his office, his cell was ringing and he raced to his desk to answer it.
"Shepherd!"
….
"Sure…tell her I'll be right there." Derek closed his cell and changed, putting on a sweatshirt and a pair of jeans and sneakers before leaving his office and hurrying to the surgical wing.
….
Derek stood outside Meredith's room glancing through the window. He silently watched her slightly pale form lying on the large hospital bed, wires and machines attached to her. Her eyes were still closed as he entered and slowly laid himself onto the large bed next to her.
"Is Lexie gone?" Meredith's voice sounded softly.
"She's with your dad," Derek whispered in return. He propped up on one elbow and gazed down upon the woman he called his wife now. Her face, always so beautiful was now slightly pale. He smiled tenderly before pressing a kiss on her forehead and running a hand through her curly, blonde hair. That was what he'd fallen in love with first…five years ago. That long, curly blonde hair that smelled like flowers; emerald, she had called it.
"Are you in a lot of pain?" Derek asked worried as Meredith opened her eyes to look at him.
"I…I think it hurts more…to know that I'm in pain…because of something…so…so…," Meredith put her face in her hands. Without thinking, Derek put an arm around her shoulder, trying to ease her trembling frame.
"Hey…you saved your father's life tonight…and that's great," Derek soothed her. Meredith made a funny sound like a muffled laugh. "Yeah…but now I probably will be cut from the program because of the…merger." By now Meredith was definitely on the verge of tears.
"Mer…Richard won't cut you. You're an excellent surgeon. He would be stupid to let you go." Despite her mood and pain, Meredith's heart soared by his words. She leaned over and hugged him, "thank you," she whispered.
Her hair smelled like lavender and Derek smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.
"Ouch."
"Oh…I'm sorry," Derek said as he pulled away.
"It's OK…I guess I simply forgot I've donated half my liver," Meredith smiled at him.
"You know what I will miss most," Derek pouted, "…holding you in my arms during the night." Meredith sighed and a single tear glistened in the corner of her eye as she nodded, "Me too," she whispered.
Derek swallowed hard but then leaned forward to press a soft kiss to Meredith's forehead, "I'm sure doctor Bailey won't mind if I stay here during your first night," Derek smiled. Meredith nodded and Derek gently took her in his arms, careful not to hurt her stomach. Meredith shifted in his arms, trying to find the best fit. When she had found her most comfortable position, she closed her eyes with a satisfying sigh. Derek smiled and after a while, Meredith's even breaths indicated she was deep asleep.
….
Derek gently lifted Meredith's right arm carefully removing it away from his body. Holding his breath, he slid to the edge of the bed before getting off it with a soft thud. He froze and glanced back at Meredith but she was still sleeping soundly. When he sat down in the chair next to Meredith's bed, to give her more comfort, the door to her room opened. Miranda Bailey stepped inside quietly closing the door behind her, grimacing, "Why do I not find it strange finding you in here," she whispered.
Derek shrugged while a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, "she is my wife," he simply stated.
Bailey chuckled, "Do you think you'll ever marry her for real?" Derek sighed, before glancing back at Meredith then looking up at Miranda, "It feels real to us…and that's all that matters!" The expression on Derek's face was so tender, so caring, Miranda suddenly understood what he meant; Meredith Grey truly was the love of his life.
"You're a good guy, Derek," Miranda smiled down at Derek as she took Meredith's chart and made some notes in it.
When she saw his sombre expression, she leaned forward and wrapped his hand in both of her small ones, "Why the gloomy face," she asked.
Derek sighed, "I'm tired…that's all," he replied, favouring Bailey with a crooked smile.
"You can't fool me, Derek Shepherd. What's going on with you?"
Derek was silent for a long moment; his head down and his face tilted away, leaving Bailey unable to read the expression on his face.
"I'm so worried about her," Derek said softly, "not because of the surgery. You did a wonderful job…but the thing with her dad. She has changed so much…I don't want him to hurt her anymore than he's already done."
Miranda didn't reply merely squeezed Derek's hand slightly, trying to impart some kind of reassurance. After a long moment of mutual silence, filled by the various electronics of hospital machinery, Miranda softly said, "You're right. Meredith has changed. She's strong with you by her side and I don't think you will let anyone hurt her anymore. And what goes for her dad? Maybe this will change his life around…and he and Meredith have a chance at a real father-daughter relationship!"
Derek still looking away from Bailey just nodded his head, "I hope you're right Miranda. I hope you're right." Derek dropped his eyes down, focusing intently on the blankets. After a moment, he whispered, "…I love her so much."
"I know." All business again, Bailey grabbed the clipboard from the side of Meredith's bed and headed out the door. Derek sat beside Meredith, trying not to think of anything at all, staring blankly at the walls around him. So much had happened on this day.
After a moment, he felt a hand on his and he caught a whiff of a familiar flowery scent. Turning around, he saw Meredith looking at him, her eyes so peaceful; it was as if all his worries disappeared like snow in the sun.
"Hey," he softly whispered, "Have we woken you?"
A slight blush crossed Meredith's pale cheeks as she lifted Derek's hand and pressed a soft, tender kiss on it.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," she began, "…but I heard everything you said."
"Oh," Derek coughed nervously.
Meredith smiled, holding Derek's hand in her lap, "You're so sweet," she whispered. "You don't have to be afraid that my dad will hurt me. I won't let him…and I'm sure Lexie will give him hell if he pulls some of that drinking crap again."
Derek grinned, 'I'm sure she will."
"Derek?"
"Hmmm?"
"Will you kiss me?"
His eyes narrowed but then he dipped his head closer to Meredith. His lips hovered over hers, but he didn't kiss her. Meredith smiled.
"Are you sure you're up to it," he asked amusingly, "you've just had major surgery!|
Meredith nodded her head, "Yes!"
Derek brushed his cheek lightly against Meredith's and she closed her eyes momentarily. Derek smelled so clean, so fresh…so good. Meredith lifted her head the slightest bit, yet it was enough to touch her mouth fully to his.
Derek's mouth claimed her, tender yet possessive. Meredith closed her eyes and surrendered completely.
Love was definitely the best medicine!
More in the next episode...
