So I almost didn't post this chapter because I deleted it thinking it was just a repeat of another chapter, oops. So, if you get two e-mails about this chapter, sorry! This chapter, one tomorrow, and an epilogue and we're done! Shocking, really. Your comments blow me away, thank you so very much!
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Derek turned her face up to meet his, knowing that she heard the exact same announcement he had heard. He smiled sadly, his fingers trailing across her cheek and down her neck, cupping it softly beneath her hair. He could feel each silky strand between his fingers, a sigh passing between his slightly parted lips. Meredith couldn't tear her eyes from Derek's as she gripped his forearms between her slim fingers. He pulled her closely, his lips finding hers in a searing kiss, parting his lips to taste her. Meredith's body erupted in goose bumps as his tongue trailed over hers, making a groan resonate in her throat.
The announcement rang out once again through the terminal, making Meredith pull back slightly from Derek, her eyes glassed over. "I have to go."
"You do." He agreed, loosening his grip on her body.
Meredith turned to Forrester and George, who both had pushed from the wall and were walking towards her. Derek picked her bag up from the floor as Meredith walked over to the two men that had befriended her so quickly upon meeting her. They had become lifelong friends in just moments. Meredith whimpered as Forrester first wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He sighed as his chin rested on her shoulder, gripping her back tightly. Meredith tried not to cry, but the moment was heavy on her heart, reminding her of what she really was leaving behind. They both pulled back, Meredith reached forward and wiped away a stray tear on Forrester's face.
"I'm going to miss you." Meredith whispered. "Thank you so much, for everything."
Forrester kissed each of her cheeks, both twice, and pulled away again. "I'm going to miss you, too, and you're welcome. You never need to thank me." He smiled.
Meredith squeezed his hands, turning to George, who was already crying. She tried to hold back her own emotion, but it began to flow freely as George practically ran into her open arms. Meredith cried softly on George's shoulder, holding his shaking body closely. "I miss you already." He whispered, and Meredith returned the sentiment. George pulled back and wiped the tears from Meredith's cheeks and leaned in to kiss each one. "I love you." He said with a smile. "You can always come back here, and I expect to see you soon."
She smiled and giggled. "I love you, too, and I will come back, I promise you that."
Derek reached out, taking her hand softly. Meredith turned away from her friends and to the waiting eyes of the man she loved. "You have to get going." He pointed to his watch.
Meredith turned and smiled once more to both George and Forrester, who were both retreating to give them a minute alone. She turned back to Derek, who now held both of her hands in his, his thumb trailing along her butter soft skin. Their eyes met, and Derek smiled, trying to lighten the moment.
"So…" he began. "Call me when you get in, even if it's late for me, I want to make sure you're safe." She nodded. "And call me everyday, even if I already called you, I will want to talk to you again." She nodded again, biting at her bottom lip. "And…" He began, his voice now heavy with emotion. "Send me a copy of that book." He laughed. "I want to read all the horrible things you said about me."
A single tear slid down her cheek. She giggled. "Who said you are even in it?"
He laughed. "That is true; I might not be in it."
"You're in it." She whispered.
Derek smiled. "I am?" He asked, gazing down at her.
The boarding announcement for her flight sounded, making both Meredith and Derek slouch ever-so-slightly, knowing that this was goodbye for weeks.
"I should…"
"…Yeah, you should."
Meredith reached up, pushing her lips tightly to Derek's. He pulled her close, running his hands down along her back, loving the feeling of her body so close to his. She whimpered against his lips, her body melting into his. Derek pulled back and kissed along her face, tasting the salty tears on his tongue. She couldn't stop the tears as they fell quickly.
"I love you." She whispered.
Derek cupped her face between his hands, his own eyes tearing up. "I love you, too."
"I have to go." She took her bag from his arm, turning quickly and walking away.
He watched as she walked away, his mind unable to process what this all meant, but fear bubbled up in Derek. "Meredith!" He called loudly, jogging to her side. He leaned down and kissed her deeply for a moment before pulling away. "Thank you."
"For what?" she asked gently.
"For loving me."
Meredith's face scrunched up in tears and she nodded, leaning forward. "Thank you for loving me, too." She whispered, squeezing his hand. She turned and walked through the line of security, to the actual metal detector. Derek watched her every move as she passed through security, and picked up her bag from the belt. She turned, lifting her hand. Derek lifted his own hand, mouthing 'I love you', which she returned. And then she was gone.
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"Miss Grey! Miss Grey! Just one more question!"
"Meredith would love to answer more of your questions, but she has to start signing your books now. If you would like to ask her a question when she signs your copy, she would be glad to answer you. Now, if you have yet to purchase her latest novel, you may do that now at the front checkout. If you already have a copy, please line up in front of the signing table and we can begin." Carly yelled across the rather large crowd.
Borders Books & Music on Broadway in New York City was one of the largest of the branch in the world, and it was the perfect spot to kick off Meredith Grey's book tour for her newest novel. The bookstore had been temporarily cleared, a large table on display and another small one to the side, where Meredith sat to begin the process of signing her name three hundred times. The Question and Answer session had gone over well, most questions about her time in Paris, and where she found her inspiration. Meredith just so happened to leave out the parts that included Derek. The last thing she wanted was her love affair to be put on display.
The first guest walked up to the table, a younger woman, the book clutched tightly in her hands. The smile on her face was tale enough that the woman was excited and honored to be meeting Meredith. "Hi," she said softly.
Meredith put on her best smile and motioned the girl forward. "Hi, what's your name?" She asked while taking the book, opening to the front cover.
"Michelle."
"Okay, Michelle." She smiled again.
"I just wanted to tell you that I think your writing is really amazing and so passionate. And I really wish I could have what Nicole has in the book. It's so fresh and romantic, and-"
"Okay, that's enough." Carly said, while taking her place next to Meredith. "There are other people waiting to meet Meredith." She said with an arrogant smile.
Michelle nodded, ducking her head.
Meredith handed back the book with another warming smile. "Thank you for coming today Michelle, and thank you for what you said. I am glad you enjoyed the last book and hope you also enjoy this one." The girl smiled once and turned, walking quickly to a group of older women who were waiting for her. Meredith turned to Carly. "I can handle this, thanks."
"Just don't have conversations. We have a lot to do and not a lot of time."
Meredith smiled to the next person as she walked up. "You said they could ask questions. Hi…" She turned her attention from Carly. "What's your name?"
"Sign the books, and move on, okay?"
"Fine." Meredith rolled her eyes, smiling at the women, Veronica, in front of her.
After nearly an hour and a half, which made them late for their business dinner with the publishers, Meredith leaned back in her chair, her hand cramping. She had signed hundreds of books, and hadn't stopped smiling in that time. She had learned everyone's names, not that she remembered them now, and heard story upon story from them. Meredith was glad to be done, but one final woman walked up to her, both of Meredith's novels in her hands.
"I know that you finished a few minutes ago, I was just wondering if you could sign both of these for my daughter Julie."
"Of course." Meredith nodded. Carly glared at her from across the room, but Meredith simply ignored her and turned back to the books.
"Can I ask you a question?" The woman asked.
Meredith glanced up. "Of course."
"Well I read both of your books – I got the second one two days ago and couldn't put it down – and the first one was wonderful, but after reading the second, I can't help but feel that the second showed true love. Was the second based off of real love? Are you Nicole?"
She couldn't help but smile, sliding both of the freshly signed novels across the table. "Nicole is anyone that has ever been in love. And yes, this novel was based on true love."
"So you met someone in Paris?"
Meredith blushed, motioning for the woman to move closer, as if it was a secret. "I didn't just meet someone, I met the one."
"So what the hell are you still doing here?" She asked.
She laughed softly and leaned back in her chair. "That is the best question that anyone has asked me all day. Thank you for coming. I hope Julie enjoys the books."
"Thank you Meredith." She smiled and turned, leaving the bookstore.
Carly excused herself from the various members of staff that she was chatting with at the main desk and made her way to Meredith, who was still sitting back in her chair. "Well, that went very well. It would have been better if people didn't talk so damn much, but all in all, it all went by without a hitch."
Meredith laughed bitterly and pushed herself away from the table. "Oh yes, if everyone just stood quietly, it would have been so much better." She said sarcastically.
"Exactly what I was saying."
Meredith shook her head and collected her things.
"Okay, so I have clothes for you in the car; you can change on the way. Then-"
"No." Meredith said simply.
Carly glanced at her. "No?"
"I am going back to my hotel and going to bed. I am tired, my book has been published, why the hell do I need to have dinner with the publishers?" She asked rhetorically, not really caring what the answer was.
"We need to discuss your next book."
Meredith shook her head. "You know what? No, we don't."
"What?"
"I will do this book tour because it's for my fans, but that's it. I am not discussing my next book with you, or the publishers for the matter, and I am sure as hell not writing on your terms. I have a fan base, I have the talent apparently, and if you want to push me even more, I can find another publisher."
"Meredith…" Carly said loudly as Meredith began to walk away.
She turned. "I will be at the breakfast tomorrow at nine, and then we will get in the car and go to Boston, when there, I will go to Barnes & Noble, I will talk and be pleasant, and then that's it."
Carly stood next to the display, a pile of books still waiting to be purchased. She held her hand on her hip, calling a few more times after Meredith before she walked out the front door and disappeared. Carly lifted her purse from the table and also walked out the front door, grumbling the entire time about disloyalty.
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Meredith walked into her quiet apartment, a smile on her face. She tossed her purse onto the couch, grabbing her cell phone out of it first. Meredith plopped down on the couch, still smiling, searching her contacts for the number. After hitting 'Send', and three rings, he picked up, sounding tired.
"Hey." He said softly into the phone.
"Hi," Meredith whispered back, tugging at the hem of her shirt. "Where are you?"
"The gallery."
"Oh god, I forgot. Tomorrow is your show or, tonight rather. It's midnight for you."
"Yeah, I'm just doing some final touches." She could tell that he was smiling, just by the tone in his voice. "What about you? How was your day?"
Meredith lay back, finding a more comfortable spot. "It was fine. I went to Borders and signed books. Oh, and I told Carly off." She giggled, remembering it once again.
"You did?" He asked with amusement in his voice.
"Yup, she wanted me to go to some dinner with the publishers."
"But the book is already published."
Meredith sighed. "Believe me, I know. So I told her I would do the book tour, but that was it. And I said I would write on my own terms, not hers."
"I am so proud of you."
"Thank you." Meredith smiled. "Enough about me, are you ready for tonight?"
Derek sighed and she could tell he was stressed. "Eh, I hope so."
"You are I know it. Are George and Forrester coming?"
"Yeah, they said they would be here. George wants to rent the space next door for his own gallery, and then we would open it together and have them connected."
Meredith smiled. "Really? That would be amazing."
"It will be."
"I miss you." Meredith said.
Derek sighed. "I miss you, too."
"I should let you go. You're busy and have a big day."
"I like talking to you though."
Meredith nodded. "I like talking to you, too, but I should get going. I haven't eaten all day."
"Okay, I love you. And I still expect a copy of that book."
"You will get it. I love you, too. Good luck tomorrow. Call me afterwards."
"I will. Goodnight, Meredith."
"Night Derek."