Chapter 12

I could make you happy, make your dreams come true.
Nothing that I wouldn't do.
Go to the ends of the Earth for you,
to make you feel my love.

Boston, Massachusetts

Derek spent his whole day worrying about Meredith.

He had been so stupid. So incredibly stupid. Ellis had caught them in Meredith's room first thing in the morning and then he had even kissed her goodbye calling her baby. For someone who has graduated at Columbia on top of his class, he was an idiot.

The day at work had been terrible, he had spent his six hours shift in the pit. And, cherry on top of the cake, when he had pulled his phone out of his locket at the end of the day to text Meredith and ask her to hang out, he had found a short text from her: Can't come out tonight. I've been grounded (!). Sorry to keep Summer from you (she misses you, though).

He replied immediately: Can I call you? And thankfully Meredith texted him back quickly: Wait 10 mins. She's going out with Richard.

Ok, let me go home first. Xxx

He got home and took his time to shower and collapsing on his bed before texting her again: Is now a good time? We can even FaceTime.

She didn't reply, she just FaceTimed him immediately. As soon as he hit "Accept" her beautiful face filled the screen. She was make-up free, her hair up in a bun and she was wearing a comfy sweatshirt. To him, she was more beautiful than ever.

"Hey there, pretty girl!" he smirked.

"Hey yourself, handsome man," she flirted back, her face lightening up in a sweet smile.

"Tell me about your mom. I'm so sorry about this morning, I'm a moron."

"It wasn't your fault, I should have put an alarm or something. Anyway, she was livid because she guessed you slept here. She told me to stay home tonight and then she ignored me all day."

"Oh God," he sighed, rubbing his hair. "I guess I'm lucky she wasn't working, today. Did she ask anything about… you know, about…". He blushed and Meredith giggled: "No, thank God she didn't. She just muttered she didn't want to know and I think it's for the best."

Despite everything, they laughed off the tension of the moment.

"I'm sorry, Mer," he told her sincerely a few seconds later, sobering up.

"Not your fault," she replied, smiling. "I just wish you could come over."

"Is it just Summer missing me or anyone else does?" he asked.

She laughed his question off: "You already know the answer, mister!"

"Hey, Mer?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want to go out to dinner, tomorrow? It could be our official first date."

Happiness was written all over her face.

"Really? I would like that."

"Perfect," he grinned. "What are you up to, right now? You know, since we can't keep each other company and everything…"

"Summer and I are curling up in bed together doing some reading. I've started Anna Karenina again and I'm enjoying every line like the first time."

"I love that book as well."

"And you? Any program?"

"Nothing, I'll watch some TV and then sleep, I think."

She blushed and didn't reply.

"Why are you so quiet?" Derek asked. "You can tell me what you're thinking."

"I'm gonna miss sleeping with you," she murmured, biting on her bottom lip.

"I wish I could kiss you right now," he confessed, looking straight into her eyes through the iPhone screen.

"Tomorrow," she murmured.

"Richard? Are you listening?" Ellis hissed.

"Yes honey, I'm listening," Richard replied, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he grabbed Ellis' hand across the table of the small Italian restaurant. "I just don't find it so terrible," he stated, and as soon as he said it, he realized his mistake.

"What?!" Ellis yelled. "He was in my daughter's room at nine in the morning! He probably had been in her bed a few minutes before! You should have seen his muffled hair and his satisfied face, and-"

"Ellis," Richard interrupted her, stressing her name. Ellis was a strong woman, no one in the hospital could even dream to talk when she was talking. But Richard could. Richard's was the only voice she listened to when she was upset.

"Ellis, love," and this time he stressed the pet name. "I know she's your daughter and I know this must be terrible for you, but beside being a mother, you are a rational and modern woman as well, even if you're acting like we're currently living in 1952. Meredith is twenty years old and Derek is twenty-eight. It's normal. Honestly, I'd exclude that Meredith could possibly still be… That she could… Well, that she could still be a virgin and even if she was, Derek is a good guy. Your daughter is in love with him and you know it, like you know that he cares for her as well. We were working and he spent the night. I find it extremely normal."

"You don't have kids," Ellis muttered, pouting.

Ellis Grey pouted just with Richard Webber.

"You know I consider Meredith the daughter I've never had."

"I hate when you're right," Ellis sighed.