Meredith grabs Derek's hand as they walk through the sliding glass doors of Seattle Grace Hospital. He looks down at her and smiles proudly as he feels that he is displaying his family to the world for the first time, ever. He plans on walking these halls with them often and he can't help but allow the excitement to produce a huge, goofy grin on his face.
Meredith: You look happy.
Derek sighs happily.
Derek: I am. I am very happy. I didn't think it was possible to be this happy.
Meredith giggles as she leans into Derek's body as they wait for the elevator. He inhales deeply, breathing in her intoxicating lavender scent. Her scent. His favorite scent. He could say with certainty that Heaven smells like lavender, if he even believes in Heaven. He falters on the religion front quite a bit. Derek chuckles as the elevator doors open and they walk in, receiving many glances from the other occupants.
Meredith: What?
Derek: This is our first elevator ride as a family.
Meredith smiles happily to herself.
Meredith (sighing): Yeah, it is.
Derek leans in, his mouth dangerously close to her ear.
Derek: You know, I have a thing for elevators.
Meredith giggles as his warm breath sends chills down her spine.
Meredith: Do you now? I thought you had a thing for ferries?
Derek: Oh, I do. But this thing I have for elevators, well, the love of my life started that one.
Meredith decides to play along with him.
Meredith: And how did she do that?
Derek: Well, one day I was standing in one, minding my own business, when she pushed me up against the wall and begin to ravish me with her mouth.
Meredith: Oh really?
Derek chuckles.
Derek: Yeah, one minute she was talking about drawing lines and the next...well...let's just say ever since then I have had a thing for elevators.
Meredith: And this thing...is it intense?
Derek: Like you wouldn't believe.
Suddenly a voice from the back of the elevator interrupts their playful banter.
Cristina: Seriously, you guys are making me want to McVomit.
Meredith giggles as she turns around and meets the amused eyes of her person.
Meredith: I didn't even know you were in here.
Cristina: Well, you wouldn't would you? You two are too wrapped up in each other you probably wouldn't even notice if the elevator shut down.
Meredith just shrugs. The doors open and Derek and Meredith step off of the elevator and onto the surgical floor. They step out of the elevator, Derek beaming proudly, his chest sticking out slightly, and his hand gripped firmly in Meredith's. She honestly doesn't know what people will think. She doesn't know how they will feel about her letting him back in so quickly, but honestly, she doesn't give a damn. It is her life, her happiness, her family. They all saw how broken she was. How broken she was without him. She needs him and if they are too blind to see that, then whatever. She needs him. She loves him. A shrill voice cuts into her thoughts.
Voice: Oh my, they are sooo cute!!
Meredith rolls her eyes.
Meredith: Izzie, you just saw them not too long ago.
Izzie: I know, but still, they are just adorable.
Derek couldn't contain himself.
Derek: They are, aren't they? Probably the best looking babies this hospital has ever seen.
Meredith giggles at Derek's excitement and Izzie smiles warmly at him. It was nice to have him back. She knows that Meredith needs him, even if George didn't see it that way.
Izzie: I would have to agree with you, Dr. Shepherd.
Derek: It's Derek. I'm not here as a doctor right now, I'm here as a father.
Derek felt his heart soar as he finished his sentence. Father. Him. Derek Shepherd. It feels so good. Izzie bends down over the twins and begins to talk baby talk. Meredith wraps her arm around Derek's waist and pulls herself closer to his body, leaning in as they both gaze down at their children.
Chief: Well, if it isn't the Shepherd Clan...or well...you know...Grey and Shepherd and their children...
Meredith giggles at the Chief's rambling.
Meredith: Shepherd Clan is fine Chief.
Derek looks down at Meredith and kisses her on her hair, the smile seeming to be permanently fixed to his face now. Meredith looks up at him and their eyes lock. Their gaze so full of love and desire and passion that everyone around them can see it.
Meredith (whispering): Should we tell them?
Derek is happy that she wants people to know. His heart feels as if it has grown wings and is fluttering about in his chest. This day just keeps getting better. He wraps his arm around her shoulders and squeezes them gently, encouraging her to continue as he nods gently.
Derek (whispering): If you want to.
Cristina: Just spit it out already.
Neither of them had noticed the growing crowd that now surrounded their blossoming family. Meredith looks around and sees all of her friends, the Chief, Bailey, and a few nurses. She notices George standing behind the Nurses' station, still looking perturbed.
Meredith: Well, Derek and I...well...we are engaged...we are getting married!
Meredith's voice raises slightly at the end of this sentence as she almost sounds too much like Izzie. Her excitement is evident in her voice and the large smile that graces her features. Bailey's voice is the first to cut through the stunned silence that has overtaken the hallway.
Bailey: About damn time. Congrats, Grey, Shepherd.
Bailey leans over the twins and says something that is unintelligible before straightening up, shooting a brief smile at Meredith and walking away. Richard is the next one to move. He immediately envelops Meredith in a hug.
Chief: I am truly happy for the both of you. Congratulations.
Meredith: Thank you.
The Chief then shakes Derek's hand.
Chief: I expect to see you in my office shortly.
Derek: Of course, we will be there right after the twins' appointments.
Chief: Okay. See you then.
The Chief shoots them both a big smile before turning and walking away, leaving the couple to face Meredith's friends. Alex walks up and pats Meredith on the back.
Alex: Happy for you Grey.
He looks pointedly at Derek before bending down over the twins and speaking to them, much to everyone's surprise. When he leans back up he notices the looks of surprise.
Alex: What? I am Uncle Alex. It will definitely attract the ladies.
Everyone rolls their eyes.
Derek: Karev, you are not using our chilren to pick up "ladies" as you so put it. So don't even think about it.
Alex just shrugs before stalking off. Izzie smiles happily at the couple.
Izzie: I really am happy for you guys. Welcome to the family Derek.
Izzie bends down over the twins and speaks in baby talk, very characteristic of her bubbly personality. She straightens up when her pager goes off.
Izzie: See you later. Congrats, again.
Derek and Meredith: Thank you, Izzie.
Derek heart melts at Izzie's words. He is a part of their family now. The intern family. Meredith's family. The only family Meredith has really know. He is a part of her family and he can't wait for Meredith to be a part of his family, to meet them all. She is already his family, but his big family. Meredith will have so many families she won't know what hit her.
Next Cristina walks up to them.
Cristina: I don't do fluffy things, so yeah. Whatever. About time is all that I'm going to say.
She turns to Derek.
Cristina: And if you ever hurt her again like you did when you left, I swear to a freaking aortic dissection that I will kill you and make it look like an accident...and it won't be a pleasant death either...it will be slow and torturous...
Derek just nods. He doesn't plan on ever hurting Meredith again. He knows that they will fight and they will hurt each other, but never again like he hurt her when he left. He will never leave her again. Never. Even if he hadn't already promised himself that already, Cristina's words would prevent him from hurting Meredith again. Cristina is scary and he would never admit it, but she does scare him a bit.
Cristina rocks back on her feet as she looks down at the twins.
Cristina: Cute rugrats, or whatever. Look, I have surgery, so yeah...I'm maid of honor right?
Meredith: Of course.
Cristina: All right then. See you later.
Cristina walks off leaving them virtually alone. Virtually alone with the exception of a few nurses and George. George shoots her a disgusted look before walking briskly away. Derek notices the change of Meredith's expression and he pulls her closer.
Derek: Don't worry about him, Mer. He will get over it or he will just have to learn to deal with it.
Meredith just sighs.
Meredith: Yeah, you're right.
Derek: Of course I'm right. I'm always right.
Meredith: So cocky.
Derek: You love it.
Meredith just rolls her eyes as she giggles and they begin to walk back to the elevator to take the twins to their check-up, Meredith finally feeling as if she has a family of her own.