Okay, I admit, I hadn't been planning an epilogue...I felt a little burnt out, needing a break, and yet after reading all of your wonderful, enthusiastic reviews, I felt inspired again. So here is the epilogue, it's nothing dramatic, but with the usual MerDer moments you all enjoy.
Epilogue
One year later...
Rain pattered along the big windows, marked by intermittent lightning and thunder. Derek woke up from a fitful sleep, roused by a particularly loud crack. He squinted at the bedside clock – only 2:00 a.m. With a small sigh, he rolled over and pulled Meredith against him. She mumbled sleepily, curving in against his body, hers soft and sleep warmed. His hands played along her skin, knowing she wasn't fully awake, but ready to tease her just a little just the same. Even after a year of being married, he couldn't keep from thinking he was so lucky to have her in his life. He cupped her breast, as he kissed her shoulder, resisting the urge to do more. As if they hadn't already made loud, enthusiastic love after coming home from having dinner and drinks at the end of a busy week...his body still craved hers all over again.
The year had been filled with enough different cases to keep them busy, from the moment they returned from their honeymoon. Nothing as convoluted as the Blue Moon murders, nothing personal, but that was the way he liked it. They managed to work the same shift, but he was well aware of the pitfalls of being married to a cop. They tried not to talk about their cases at home, tried to keep some of the personal aspect out of the job, and managed to get away for a long weekend now and then to recharge.
He stroked Meredith's hip slowly, feeling the gentle rise and fall of her ribcage as she slept. The rain was easing, the storm dissipating. He closed his eyes, the drowsiness returning as he held Meredith. She had a calming effect on him, no matter what else was happening. "Sleep well..." he murmured, before sleep claimed him again.
Before the alarm went off in the morning, Meredith stirred and opened her eyes. She could see that the rain from last night had disappeared, leaving a blue sky. Then the alarm beeped, and she swatted at it to quiet the noise, and glanced over at the body beside her in the big bed. His dark hair was a mass of rumpled curls, head buried in the pillow, the rest of his body intimately tangled around hers.
"Why did I let you talk me into going out for a drink last night?" she asked, yanking the covers away from him so that he rolled over, blinking at her in the morning light of the bedroom. Revealing the toned muscles of his upper body, he stretched lazily, before chuckling softly at her question.
With an unrepentant grin, he propped himself up on one elbow, and reached over to grab her hand. "Because it was a crappy week, and I wanted to get you to relax..."
"...wanted to get me drunk and take advantage of me, more like it," Meredith giggled, letting him pull her down to him for a moment. His blue eyes twinkled devilishly at her.
"Am I that shallow?" he asked, kissing the nape of her neck. "Hmm....? I think I have more skills than getting you inebriated to lure you into bed, honey..."
"Your skills have never been in question," Meredith teased, trailing her hand along his chest. His mouth slid along her skin, seeking more sensitive spots, and she surrendered briefly, feeling the little tingle along her spine. Then her eyes caught a glimpse of the clock again, and she wiggled away.
"Mer..." he protested, trying to catch her hand again to bring her back into kissing range.
"Sweetie, you do remember we have to meet our mothers for early breakfast today?" Meredith reminded him. She eluded his talented hands and jumped out of bed, standing naked, hands on her hips, a teasing look on her face. "Mom said they have something to tell us…she was rather mysterious."
"You're really cute like that you know..." he grinned at her, wrapping his arms around the pillow, his eyes warm on her. His body was tanned lightly, contrasting against the mauve bedding, and she resolutely turned away from the temptation. He watched her grab her robe from one of the club chairs next to the window, and belt it around her slender frame. The sheer fabric did little to hide her body, especially in the shaft of sunlight coming through the chink in the curtains.
"You're just biased," she called out over her shoulder, flipping her sleep tousled blonde hair down her back. She pushed the curtains open wider, letting the sun flood the room with warmth, and looked outside for a moment. The pots of late geraniums and petunias on the balcony looked fresh and vibrant after the night's rain. She could see the activity out in the bay, with sailboats bobbing along the water's edge. It was one of those beautiful Seattle days that just made her feel invigorated.
"Come back here and I'll show you how biased..." he beckoned her.
"Oh no…I'm not falling for that...we need to get going. I'm having my shower..."
She headed for the bathroom, and for a moment, he watched her walk away, admiring the curves he was so familiar with. Shaking his head, amused, he got up and quickly followed her. Capturing her as she stepped under the hot spray of water in the luxurious shower, the myriad of jets pulsing from several directions.
"Maybe I am biased..." he whispered, quickly coating frothy soap along her breasts so that she gasped in pleasure. "But you love me anyway..." Giving her no doubt of his own love, and arousal, his slick body fitting snugly behind her.
"I do love you, Derek..." she sighed, "now wash my back please, and don't even think about trying any-" Her voice trailed away, as his hands began to do just what he had been thinking about. His mouth covered hers, swallowing any protest she had been about to give, as the water cascaded around them.
"Oh you're way too persuasive," she sighed, giving in to the sensual feel of his hands along her body, skimming everywhere.
"Part of my detective skills, honey," he murmured, as she turned in his arms to face him. "I think we can be a little late, what d'you think?"
Meredith looked up at him, smiling at his suggestion, and he kissed her softly, loving the feel of her sleek, wet body nestled against his perfectly. She kissed him back, her mouth opening under his, with a little moan of surrender. His hands moved into her hair, pulling the wet strands through his fingers. Her breasts were cushioned against his chest, his skin hot and wet under her roaming hands.
He kissed her face, his tongue tracing the beads of water that tracked down her cheek, and along her jaw, before returning to her mouth. The water surrounded them in delicious, soothing ribbons as she responded to his kiss, their tongues meeting and dancing with familiar seduction. By now, they knew the rhythm of their responses, and yet it still felt as exciting as ever. His cock bumped against her, demanding attention and her hand reached down between them, circling him, stroking lightly, as she arched her body closer to him.
Falling back against the warm tiles of the wall, they lost track of everything but the moment and each other. Derek pulled one of her legs up around his hip, rubbing himself against her, seeking the entrance to her tight warmth. His lips trailed to her throat, and he sucked at her skin, hands supporting her easily. Meredith was suffused with the heat of their passion, a low throaty moan escaping her as their skin slid together.
"Wait…" he muttered, his voice low. He pulled her down to the low bench along the wall of the shower. "Much better…" he approved, as she settled into his lap. "I'd hate to explain an injury in the shower if we fell over."
Meredith giggled softly. "You'd think we should have this perfected by now…"
"Always gets the best of me," he admitted, spreading her legs ti fit around him, her tantalizing soft wet folds grazing his cock. "No more talking…"
"No…" she sighed, winding herself around him, enticing him with every movement of her hips. Her eyes met his then, as he slid up into where he wanted to be, giving them both the thrill of satisfaction. Holding her hips, as she undulated up and down, water sluicing down around them warmly, Derek could feel her tighten around him, imperceptibly and arousingly. He kissed her again, getting lost in the feel of her around him, pure and simple, just the two of them in perfect harmony. Every thrust upwards made her cry out a little more, welcoming him deeper and more completely. Rocking back and forth, as she rose up, breasts slick against him, and her hands grasping his shoulders. Their mouths met and parted with each stroke, tantalizing each other to go faster and harder.
Meredith began to shudder, deep in her core, enjoying the tingle of sexual desire in her clit. "You feel so good…yes, right there…oh…yes…just what I needed…" she moaned, pulsing around him, pulling him along in the vortex of the climax. His strong arms supported her, as she fell backwards, lost in the pure, sweet pleasure. Derek held her tightly, enjoying the look of satisfaction as she came, squeezing around him. His own release fired through him at the same time, and he pulled her back up against him, taking her mouth in a hard, possessive kiss that left them shaking and breathless.
"Oh my god…" Meredith sighed, as they came back to reality. "You were right…"
"About?"
"I needed that…"
His hands slid along her back, intimate and sure. "I think we're both becoming insatiable, honey…it's never enough, is it?"
She tipped her face up to him, loving the confident smile on his mouth, and the knowledge that they were able to have this kind of intense intimacy. Sometimes she was still caught off guard at how damn good looking he was, and how much they loved each other. It just didn't seem real sometimes, but she savored each and every moment with him.
"It's always perfect," she whispered, before kissing him, soft and gentle, letting him know with her mouth just how good it was.
"Well, it's about time you two showed up," Linda commented dryly, looking at her watch as Derek and Meredith hurried out onto the patio at Ellis's house. The table was set for breakfast, where the two older women were already seated and drinking coffee under the brightly patterned umbrella. "I think we could almost call this 'brunch' now, don't you agree, Ellis?"
"Almost..." Ellis smiled.
"Sorry, Mom…traffic…" Meredith murmured, dropping a kiss on her mother's cheek, and then Linda's, before scooting in one of the high backed patio chairs. She was flushed, wearing a delicate white sundress that showed off her tanned arms, her hair loose around her face.
"Really backed up…" Derek added, kissing both of them as well, taking a seat beside Meredith. Dressed in faded jeans and blue oxford shirt, he was just as flushed as his wife. They exchanged a guilty look, as Ellis gave them an amused smile.
"I'm sure it was awful at this time of the morning…" she murmured, "what with all the weekend commuters…" She held up the coffee pot, and poured them both a cup. "Your hair is still damp, Meredith, and you've got that satisfied look…"
"And you've got a little bruise there on your neck…" Linda observed, her blue eyes not missing a thing as she took a sip of coffee.
"Okay, it wasn't traffic," Derek sighed, running a hand through his own still damp hair. "But I'm not going to elaborate any further, Mom."
"Oh, we just love to tease you," Ellis laughed. "Actually, I thought you'd be much later. I put things in the oven to keep warm, just as a precaution!"
Meredith giggled. "It was all his fault…"
"Oh, honey…don't blame it all on me…" Derek corrected her, squeezing her hand. "After all…"
"Wait…you're quite right, you don't need to elaborate," Linda said, holding up her hand. "Let's eat, and then we have something to share with you."
Derek gave her a puzzled look. "What's up?"
"Food first…" Ellis got up and headed inside, and Meredith jumped up to follow her. They retrieved the plates of biscuits and eggs and bacon from the oven, as Meredith tried to extract the information from her. "I'm hungry, dear, let's eat, okay?"
"Sure, but…" Meredith fussed with the bowls of fruit to take outside as well, giving Ellis a speculative look. "You're not sick, are you?"
"Fit as a fiddle," Ellis replied, looking over her glasses at her daughter. "Now scoot…outside!"
The meal passed quickly, as they filled their parents in on some cases they had worked recently, and Ellis talked about goings on at SGH. Linda regaled them with tales of some of the customers at the little jewellery store where she worked part time, until the food was done and they sat back with their coffee again.
"Okay, now you two…what's up?" Derek asked, sliding his arm along the back of Meredith's chair. His fingers toyed with strands of her hair that fell over her shoulder, as she leaned into him.
"You were very mysterious," Meredith added.
"Well…we have some news…" Linda said brightly, exchanging a look with Ellis. "You tell them…"
"All right, well…you know, last year was a little traumatic, with my heart attack, and then that whole situation with Elise…the hostage taking…" Ellis began.
"Yes…thank god things have been back to normal since then."
"Exactly, and while I've been enjoying that, and being back to work and all, it did make me realize that I need to take some time and just relax. After all, if things had turned out differently…"
"Mom, don't think that." Meredith shuddered a little, recalling the scene with Elise waving a gun in their faces in the OR.
"Still, it gives a person a new perspective. I realize, as does Linda, that in your line of work you face that sort of thing more regularly, but it was a life altering moment for me. I want to do some things yet before I die – like travelling, for instance."
"So, we got to talking," Linda picked up the thread of the conversation. "And I've been itching to get away too…much as I love Seattle, there are places I would love to see, and with your father gone and all…"
"I know…" Derek murmured.
"I'm taking a sabbatical leave from SGH, and we've decided to take a tour of Europe. We start with Egypt," Ellis finished up, smiling across the table at them. "The pyramids have always fascinated me..."
"Ohmygod…" Meredith grinned, looking at Derek in surprise, and then at Ellis. "Are you sure you're okay with that?"
"Health wise? Of course, Cristina has cleared me to go, and we have our passports ready, and we leave next month!"
"For how long?"
"Oh, it's three weeks in Egypt, but overall I think we'll be gone for six months…" Linda replied.
"Six months?" Derek asked, one eyebrow going up. "What about your house, Ellis?"
"Well, it turns out that Alex and Izzie have been looking for a new place to live, so they volunteered to house sit until I return. After all, you and Meredith have your own place – I don't expect you to look after both."
"And my condo will be fine without me," Linda assured them, her eyes sparkling. "I'm sorry to spring this on you, but we wanted to surprise you."
"And you did..." Meredith murmured.
"Life is just too short. I hope you realize that too," Ellis said softly, taking Meredith's hand across the table. "Would it be too predictable of us to wonder when you'll be making us grandmothers? You can't wait for the right moment, after all."
Linda nodded in agreement. "We just want a grandbaby to spoil horribly..."
"Mom...you know it's hard for us right now," Derek commented, squeezing Meredith's shoulder. They had discussed having a baby, several times in fact, but at the moment they felt it wasn't right, chasing criminals down didn't exactly allow for having children. But still, they both felt the pull of parenthood, and they exchanged a small smile. "It's not too predictable, you've both actually restrained yourselves quite well!"
"If we promise to discuss it again, will you just go and enjoy your sabbatical...we'll take care of things here. But we expect lots of emails and photos..." Meredith told them. "You do have that digital camera, right?"
"Yes, and Callie promised to give me pointers on how to use it," Ellis reminded her. "Don't worry, dear...we'll be in touch just as much as if we'd be right here in Seattle."
"Oh we're not worried...but Europe may never be the same again!" Derek laughed, winking at them.
Later that evening, Meredith leant on the balcony railing, watching the sun sink along the horizon, tinting the sky with with glorious colors. The rest of the day had been spent relaxing, wandering along the waterfront, finally having dinner at their favorite seafood restaurant. "So, what are you thinking, honey?" Derek asked, coming up behind her, and putting his arms around her. He kissed her temple, as she fell back against him.
"Hmm...would you believe me if I said babies?"
"After this morning, yes," he replied. "Maybe we should talk about it again..."
"With everything we see with our profession, sometimes I wonder if it's crazy to contemplate bringing a child into this, and how would we handle both work and baby?"
"We have two very loving and involved parents who would be thrilled to baby-sit, you know that as well as I do." Derek chuckled softly.
"True." Meredith turned to him, tipping her face up, her lips parted softly. "You think we should try for this?"
"Only if you're ready to try, honey. But I have to admit, the thought of you having our child makes me very happy too." He tightened his embrace, his warm gaze melting her bones. "I love you, Meredith, with all my heart."
"I love you, Derek." She paused, then gave him a small smile. "So, you want to practice the baby making now?"
He grinned back her before sweeping her up into his arms, and heading for the bedroom. "What are we waiting for?"
"You know it's gonna take time for me to get pregnant," Meredith giggled.
"So, we can practice lots," he smiled at her. "That's even more fun."
He set her down carefully beside the bed, looking at her bathed in the light of the setting sun. Their lips met, and their hands moved quickly to undress each other, suddenly hungry for each other all over again. Moving onto the bed, Derek dropped down beside her. He snagged some of the pillows, lifting her hips up and sliding them under her butt. Meredith lay back, looking at him as he traced the skin on the inside of her thighs, sending little shivers along her spine. Derek dropped a soft kiss at her knee, giving her his best intense look. He moved up, resting his body between her legs, covering her with his body. "If it doesn't happen, that's okay too...there's always other options..."
His mouth covered her nipples, tongue circling and teeth tugging at her, until she moaned throatily. "But for now, let's try it in my favorite way...." He shifted up to his knees, palming her breasts, applying sweet pressure against the hard nipples. His sure fingers kneaded her, traced whisper faint patterns along the dampened flesh, as she arched up to meet his touch. His hands moved along her ribcage, coming to rest on her belly, where he caressed her skin, feeling her quiver.
"This is a very good way to start…" Her voice trailed off, as he placed an open mouth kiss on her hip.
"I like to be thorough," he said, kissing along to her inner thigh. His hand rested on her wet pussy. "Especially with this…" He grinned wickedly at her, and she wiggled her hips beneath his hand.
"Am I okay?"
"Oh, let me see," he said, feeing the wetness seeping out of her, his finger dipping inside to stroke her clit. "You're very wet, that's good."
"God, you really know how to turn a girl on, honey," she moaned, as he teased her clit and used two fingers on her, then three, until she writhed and shuddered. Then his tongue stroked her, matching the rhythm of his fingers, sucking her clit as his fingers explored her tight pussy. She rocked back and forth, faster and faster, until the white-hot pleasure radiated from her core to every part of her body. "Don't stop…" she begged him, finding her breasts with her hands, thrusting up against his hand. "God, so good…oooh…" Meredith moaned as the orgasms started to rock her. Before she realized what he was doing, he pulled his fingers out of her, and had his cock positioned over her instead.
"I think you're ready for me now, honey," he said lazily, teasing her, holding himself back for a moment. "Are you?"
"Yes! I want your cock now…" she begged, a saucy little smile on her lips, and a mixture of love and lust in her eyes for him. "Show me how good you can make me feel…"
He gripped her hips, and slowly entered her all the way, feeling her tighten around him, pulling him in. The angle of her body, supported by the pillows allowed him to drive in deeper than he thought possible, her tiny body accommodating him. "You feel like heaven," he muttered, pulling out, and sliding back in, as he pulled her legs up against his chest. "So unbelievably hot. All of you so…wet… and god, so tight…" He lost his train of thought as she squeezed around him.
Meredith met his thrusts, her breathing ragged, until it was hard to tell where he began and she ended. "Please, Derek…more…" She was so close to the edge, when he slowed, and withdrew slightly, letting her legs down around his waist.
"More what, honey?" he asked, his eyes devouring her.
"You, only you…" she moaned, as he drove into her again, filling her completely, until she screamed his name over and over, as her climax exploded through her. "I love you!"
"I love you, Meredith," he said, his voice thick, as his body tightened, and then he shuddered with his own release, coming into her hotly. She pulsed and squeezed him hard, as he fell onto her, pulling her into his arms. She clung to him, feeling him deep inside of her, loving the feeling, loving him, and everything that went along with their life. Closing her eyes, she could picture it all in her mind...the two of them holding a tiny baby, with black tufts of hair and big blue eyes...so helpless and yet with an almost wise look on the little face...her breath caught at the mental image and Derek lifted his head to look at her.
"What?" he asked softly, stroking her damp hair from her forehead.
"I just had this image of us, holding a baby...and I realize how far we've come from that night when I saw you again when I came back from L.A. I was so determined to make it without you, and yet it was meant to be this way, don't you think?"
"It was, no doubt in my mind" he murmured, resting his hand on her abdomen, stroking her skin tenderly, his own thoughts filled with a little baby girl with Meredith eyes. "And god knows, I'm lucky to be with you. I'm not the most perfect guy all the time, but you see through my moods. I don't want to do anything to make you unhappy."
She turned around to look at him, and he pulled her down against him, catching her hands. "You won't," she whispered. She kissed him softly, losing herself in the kiss, in the moment of being with him, now and always....
There you have it...no baby yet, but it's always a possibility for future...and I have an idea for a possible sequel, so those of you hoping for a McBaby may get your wish! Thanks again to all of you for reading!