-1The next morning Meredith awoke alone. She looked into the bathroom and could see the steam still on the mirror. She groaned rolling out
After she finished her shower and was dressed she heard Derek's voice. "Girls breakfast's ready!" He called. Then she heard him walking up the steps. "Good morning beautiful." He said softly.
"How was your night?" She asked, making a joke.
"Wonderful with you by my side." He finished. She giggled quietly delicately climbing back into her bed snuggling into the pile of pillows and blankets. He laughed at her playfulness climbing in after her.
"What did you make?" She asked after a quiet moment.
"Your favorite."
"With stuff?" She asked. He nodded. Her favorite was French toast with fruit, powdered sugar, syrup, and whipped cream. She climbed back out of bed and down two flights of stairs joining the girls for breakfast.
After breakfast they packed their stuff to leave for the retreat center a few miles away. The other girls left to do a little shopping leaving Meredith and Derek to a little quiet time before they needed to be at the retreat.
Meredith went up to her room to go over her material for her family group. After about an hour she pushed it aside and picked up her phone. She sent a text to David, "m'at home. Bet if I look out my window I can see your house." They had always lived down the street from one another.
"Seriously?" He texted back.
"Yeah, home for the winter retreat."
"I'm at home for the weekend. Are you up to anything?"
"Nah. Just come in. I'm in my room." She texted him giggling as she tossed her phone over in the bed. She made up the bed and picked up her suitcase putting it in the corner of the room. Meanwhile Derek was in the backyard reading through his notes and taking some time out for that. David walked down the block from his house and let himself in the front door. He walked up two flights of steps and into Meredith's room as he often had. Meredith jumped off her bed excitedly squeezing David hello.
"So I haven't seen you in a few weeks. And I haven't heard from you since your trip with Derek. How is everything?"
"Fine." She answered not really wanted to tell him everything that had happened at the moment. Best to leave that conversation for a time when they could really talk about it all. David nodded and sat down on her bed. He kicked of his shoes and comfortably sat back against the pillows. Meredith followed suit fumbling for the remote and turning the television on.
"We didn't get together over Christmas." He pointed out.
"Yeah I know. I have your present sitting in my room at home." She said smiling.
"Let's have dinner or something soon and we can exchange them then." He offered. She agreed and the fell silent watching the tv. After a few moments David grew tired of the quiet. He propped himself on his elbow, turning his body towards her. Poking her in the side he waited for a smile. He began tickling her lightly making her giggle. She pulled just out of his reach, but he moved closer tickling her more. They play fought rolling around the bed giggling and squealing. Derek stood in the doorway unnoticed by either of them. He turned and walked back downstairs to be by himself while they were visiting.
Not too much later Meredith explained that she needed to get ready for the retreat and clean up the house before she left. She walked him down to the first floor to say goodbye.
"Don't forget about dinner." He reminded her picking up the sweatshirt he had worn.
"I won't. Don't forget about my present." She teased back.
"Never." He told her with a smile. He pulled her in for a hug, squeezing her tightly. She kissed his cheek after he released her. "See you soon Mer." He said shutting the door behind him.
Meredith walked into the kitchen, passing Derek in the den without realizing it. She found the kitchen already spotless so she wandered back into the den. He was sitting on the floor with his back against the couch working at the table that sat at the perfect height to work like that. Meredith sat down on the couch with a leg on either side of him. She ran her fingers through his hair letting her nails graze his scalp. He pulled forward, pulling his head out of her hands.
"Derek?" She asked. He turned around to look at her. "Are you okay?" He didn't answer her, just continued to stare at her. She bit her lip unsure of what was going on. He placed his hands on her knees and followed her thigh up to her waist. He picked her up off the couch and placed her gently on his lap.
"I'm sorry. I'm just being…" He softly told her. He looked into her eyes, past the deep green, seeing that he was confusing her. It made him want to comfort her. Unable to find another way he pressed his lips to hers.
A few minutes later neither heard the door open, they were too busy with each other. Finally the woman at the door cleared her throat. "Mom!" Meredith said startled. She pushed Derek away straightening her clothes and hair, standing up.
"I saw your car in the driveway." Was all Ellis said to her.
"Yeah there's a retreat this weekend that I'm helping out with."
"So you bring a boy to the house and make out with him beforehand. Really Christian." Ellis told her cynically.
"Mom this is my boyfriend Derek." She tried to explain. Ellis stepped closer taking a second look at Derek.
"It had better not be your old youth director Derek. What does David think, you cheating on him?"
"Well one he doesn't know. Two yes this is that Derek. And three I'm not dating David."
"I think you should leave." Ellis told her coldly walking to the kitchen.
Meredith looked to Derek who pulled her tight, "I'll go get our things. You just sit still." He walked up the steps and returned a few moments later.
"Goodbye Dr. Grey." Derek called as he carried their things out to Meredith's car.
Meredith walked into the kitchen, "Goodbye Mom." She offered. Ellis ignored her, continuing with her meal. Meredith turned and left the house before she could begin crying. She got into the car through the door that Derek was holding open for her. He shut the door and walked around to the other side.