Disclaimer: I don't own Grey's Anatomy, et al.
Author's Note: This part is for Sue, thanks for the PM! You made my day … to the hundreds of people who read this story and don't comment; see what a little communication can buy you? Thanks very much to those who take the time to leave a note. Enjoy!
Chapter 12 – Eyes Wider than Before – Part 4 of 4
"Gonna drive you away from the trampling of bustling feet."
Hours later Meredith and Derek closed the door to their suite behind them, the day quickly coming to a close now … the adrenaline they had both been running on nearly depleted – each secretly dreaming about sleep, sleep and more sleep – and preferably wrapped around one another.
The suite had been turned down for the night, dim lights illuminating the space in all the right places – light jazz music flowed through the rooms – Derek turned to Meredith and smiled. He walked to the bar-kitchen and placed their shopping bags on the counter, chuckling now at Peter's insistence to show them around their neighborhood farmers' market and then again at Meredith's eagerness to try almost everything in sight. Meredith smiled now, wordlessly slipping her flip flops off and walking by him down to the bedroom. He watched her go and then turned to put their purchases away.
They had all eaten a light meal together at the market, the weather as damn near perfect as the company in Derek's view and what a stunning view it was, for Meredith displayed her pure happiness and relief for all to see now. Over their meal, they discussed Meredith's pregnancy in great detail – everything from her low pregnancy hormone levels to her appendectomy to her spotting – and they all agreed this baby was a fighter, destined for greatness.
Derek smiled and sighed at how drastically different today had been compared to what he was expecting, which was to meet Meredith and all but beg her for another chance – for he had already realized he wasn't really living, if without her – only to arrive here and live the day as his fate or destiny dictated he would … with yet again another dramatic change of direction, steered of course by his unbreakable connection with Meredith Grey.
He put the last of the water, chocolate and fruits away before he walked over to the side table and grabbed one of those ripe mangos – realizing now she must have an insane craving for the island fruit – a fact he secretly loved, especially if it made her smell the way she did. On that thought, he took a small cutting board and a knife and got to work, first peeling the outer layer of skin from the fleshy fruit – the skin, the color of a ruby now – a beautiful sunset with just a hint of its bright green and golden orange and yellow hues remaining. Derek began to slice the fruit with the precision of the brain surgeon he was through and through. He put the fruit into a glass bowl, clicked the light off and turned toward the bedroom to find Meredith.
He entered the master suite but hung back for a moment and watched as Meredith busied herself – removing book after book after book – from a canvas bag situated on one of the lounge chairs in the corner of the room near the sliding glass doors. She had her cell phone pressed to her ear, her brow furrowed as she listened, but then something made her smile brightly. Derek smiled too, taking in the aura of her – the tug on his heart, her pull, her energy – all-consuming now with their proximity. The heavy curtains were drawn shut; the only source of light in the room came from a reading lamp that stood near her. The dim light softened the already softer side of her that had been revealed to him over and over again since he first laid his eyes upon her in the garden hours ago.
"Your eyes are wider than before."
Derek could tell Meredith was deep in thought now, having just snapped her cell phone shut. She lay it down on the table and removed a full stack of books from a canvas bag. He slipped his shoes off and crossed the room to stand next to her. He placed the bowl of mango slices down on the table in front of them – she turned into him, shaking her head and eying the fruit, his hands found her shoulders – she smiled and so did he. She set the last book down, Derek glanced at the title – 'Bountiful, Beautiful, Blissful: Experience the Natural Power of Pregnancy and Birth with Kundalini Yoga and Meditation' – and all he could do was smile. Meredith giggled – partly from Derek's expression and partly from her station … their station – her laughter filled the quiet all around them now. It was music to Derek's ears.
"I thought you might like some mango," he said softly, pulling her closer, feeling his tug and ache for her physically move him now.
His realization: that the small part of him had been conditioned to miss her – and since this afternoon the need to quell that ache had only intensified with each passing moment they spent together.
"I swear it, I can't get enough," she laughed at herself, peeking up for his reaction. But he only smiled and pressed his lips together. "So, the big bowl of them gave me away?" she asked, her smile brighter than ever.
He shook his head, 'no' and smiled, breathing her in, his ache for her intensifying as he did. "It's the smell of your skin," he whispered as he ducked his head down, pressing his nose behind her ear, his hands at her hips. "Right here," he said; his voice thick now, caught in his throat as he pressed tiny kisses to her skin there, all the while breathing her in.
"How does it make you feel …," Meredith choked out, gasping for air as his lips left tiny wet impressions all along her skin – she was swimming, already floating in a shimmering deep blue sea of bliss; hanging onto her buoy now, her hands on top of his – nothing else mattered.
"Calm and full of peace," he whispered, moving their hands low around her abdomen. "It's you," he whispered into her dewy flesh. "Only sweeter," he clarified softly … their hearts went nuts.
"What does it make you want to do?" Meredith asked boldly, leaning back and into his heat – her skin on fire as his warm hands moved around her abdomen – his lips still planted along her neck.
"Devour you," he answered, turning her around, he began kissing her without abandon, having waited too long to taste her flesh – Meredith was like clay in his hands instantly, molding herself to his body – her hands flanking his head … she hummed in his mouth as he swept his tongue across hers.
And as they kissed, the passage of time disappeared – and so did they, deep into that sea of bliss they cherished so much – they floated along now, swaying together, their roaming hands feeling each other's flesh and muscles as they lost themselves within each other like so many times before.
Derek pressed one hand to Meredith's back, holding her there, the other hand at her neck, while she held on for dear life, pumping her swollen lips over his again and again and again – there would never be enough – she was convinced, there would never enough of him to satisfy her – as he took her breath away and that passionate haze came and devoured her just like he promised he would.
He felt her weightless body floating in his arms, his own legs weak, his heart even weaker as Meredith swayed in his arms having already given herself to him completely. He pulled back and moved his mouth down to her neck, breathing her sweetness in – attacking her neck with his lips, nipping at her earlobe with his teeth – all the while never opening his eyes for fear it was just a dream. He kissed her once more, covering her mouth with his, darting his tongue inside her caverns, just a taste, it was all he really needed. He pulled back, daring himself to open his eyes this time.
"From you I draw no doubts deep inside."
Bending down, he pressed his dewy forehead against hers; their collective raspy breathing was all he could hear over the thunder of his heartbeat. "I missed you," he whispered, his eyes locked on hers. She smiled.
"And I missed you," she breathed. "So much," she whispered.
"I want you," he said, his eyes shining, holding her hostage for a beat as his heart simmered down. "But if I don't sleep soon, neither one of us will be satisfied," he laughed and she chuckled at his joke. Meredith reached up and kissed him once more, her mouth a perfect fit over his.
"I know," she sighed, kissing his neck, her heart raging, her mind still floating. "We have forever," she mused, catching his eyes with hers, holding him there for a beat. Breathing deeply she forced her own heart rate to slow down.
"We do, we do," he replied with a smile. "Can I run a bath for you?" he asked after a minute, his tone hushed.
"Nope," she shook her head. "No … no baths," she sighed, before moving his hand down to her belly.
"Hmm, shower," he said, gently turning her toward the bathroom.
They entered the bathroom, the marble floor cold to the touch against her warm feet, a shiver ripped up and down Meredith's spine. She sat down on the simple teak bench in the corner; her eyes following Derek around the pristine space as he headed to turn the water on, the shower came to life. He crossed the small room and sat down next to her. Meredith turned to him, moving his hair from his brow, she smiled and her heart melted. "Shower with me," she said softly, a sparkle in her green eyes as she stood up.
Derek looked up and smiled, her sweet essence hung in the thick, humid air all around them now as Meredith came to stand in between his legs. She pulled the tie to her dress at the side and it fell open. Before she could blink – Derek's hands were on her bare belly, just his fingertips – barely there as he ran them lightly all around her navel. Meredith shrugged the dress off and the slinky fabric pooled at her feet, she stepped closer still.
Derek peeked up, his eyes moving over the endless curves of her darker skin as he found Meredith's eyes glued on him, her face flushed, her hair hanging down around her face, already damp and heavier from the humidity. She smiled – he bent down and brushed his lips against her bare skin, ducking his head he pressed kisses to her abdomen, just above her panties – feeling lost within her, he pushed her panties down an inch, her hands found his skull and she held him there as he breathed her in – his heart almost giving out – his chest clenching at the mere thought of their miracle housed deep within her womb.
He remained lost, but hopelessly found as he hooked his fingers in her panties and moved them down over her tush and to the ground, all the while breathing her in, quite certain now that he couldn't live without her. Never, ever.
His fingers nestled low into her vee now, he held her there, her sex wafting up and into the air, suffocating him, intoxicating him.
He stood and moved his hands up – brushing his fingers along the indentations of her perfectly angled ribs – holding her there, he ducked down and took her lips as his own once more, claiming her, loving her, sexing her.
Meredith felt dizzy, completely dizzy as she breathed in his familiar scent; for once relishing in his proximity, finally letting him devour her after so many months of avoidance.
She held on tight and was overcome by all of the sacred, secret wants and desires she held captive in her heart for so long now:
The sheer magnitude of her love for this man.
Her longing for him.
Her wish for a cherished moment such as this.
The idea of forever with him.
It was all around her, there was no escaping her desire for him … and for once, she didn't have to.
She felt Derek move his hands up, he unclasped her bra and her tender breasts fell free as he removed the lacy undergarment, letting it slip from his fingers and fall to the ground. Derek pulled back, holding her there – his beautifully happy eyes scanning hers – she smiled, basking in his love and adoration.
"You're overdressed," she whispered, one hand tugging gently on the waistband of his jeans, her heart banging away against her chest cavity now.
"I'm getting there," he said softly with a chuckle, his voice catching, his hands cupping her ass now.
"Don't be long," she whispered as she turned out of his arms and sashayed to the shower.
He laughed as he watched her go, disappearing behind the curtain, just her gorgeous silhouette visible now. He quickly removed his clothing and crossed the small space. He stepped inside the shower and found her head back under the warm spray of the water. Small droplets of water ricocheted off of her and landed on Derek's flushed skin. He stepped forward into the water with her, his hands finding her shoulders, her wet hair now stuck to her back.
Meredith reached up and gently pushed his hands down to her breasts, maintaining eye contact as she did – her sensitive nipples reacting to his lithe touch – he tested their weight, feeling her new fullness and smiled before he leaned down and kissed each warm nipple, ever so slightly holding his lips around them, grazing his tongue across them as he went – she gasped at the added sensation – deciding it was somewhere between pure bliss and pure torture.
She pulled Derek's head up and held him there for a moment – water beads streamed down his face, cleansing him, his skin pink from the heat now – before she kissed him quickly only to pull back once more, still amazed at all that had happened between them … amazed by the strength of their soul connection, their bond.
She stepped closer still, one hand on his chest, his heartbeat raging under her palm … they stood toe to toe now, her other hand sweeping down, brushing along his cock, her lifeline, nestled safely between them now and everything she ever wanted and ever needed was finally, finally, finally … hers.
"Your mellow and tender soul is hard to find."
She felt a range of emotions clog her up then – her full circle moment on the horizon now – as she pulled him to her, holding on tight with her eyes and her arms.
Derek caught a glimpse of his old Meredith then, that small fleck of her sadness – the one he felt he she revealed only to him, the one that made him fall in love with her – the one he wanted to help her wash away, for it always provoked him to do so.
Her eyes were clouded with thick tears all of a sudden and having no place to go, they fell along her cheeks mixing with the water droplets flying between them.
"I surrender myself to your presence and peace of mind."
"Shh," Derek hushed. "I'm here … forever, forever … remember forever," he said, sensing the dam was about to break, her lips found his chest; she pressed them there over his heart … once, twice, breathing him in.
"Forever," she muttered. "I know," she said, so softly he barely heard her above the rushing water. He stepped closer still – moving his hand down, resting it along her belly – his fingertips along her vee near her mound, her hands found his and they held their miracle together now as they would come to do over and over and over again throughout the coming months.
"Meredith," Derek whispered, rocking her now as he held her there in the moment. "Today was my best day," he confessed. "Ever," he said; his heart as wide open as his eyes now. "And baby makes three," he whispered, his voice cracked, his heart and soul flying high … his fingertips dancing low across her belly.
Meredith found his eyes with hers and smiled – the bright smile, the wide smile, the one that told him she was alright – her new smile was back. "Baby makes three," she mused, her smile electrifying now. "And it was," she sighed. "A great day … for a new beginning," she said before she reached up and closed her mouth over his.
And as the couple stood together under the forceful pummel of the shower – they allowed all of the fear and self-loathing and insecurities they had harbored for so long to wash down the drain – bubbling and twisting and turning as they went … down, down, down … washing away all of the debris of the perfect storms they had survived both together and apart from one another to arrive right, here, right now – with their eyes wide open – and ready for the future.
"So little has changed but your eyes now see much more."
***
Hours later Meredith woke up from a sound sleep – the best she had slept since she could remember – maybe since her father left her ... and each and every time she opened her eyes she found Derek, his arm usually draped across her abdomen, his hot breath over her chest and neck, his lips pressed to her shoulder. He was literally wrapped around her as they were fiercely protected by their bubble energy, the aura of them.
She watched him sleep now – the love of her life, the 'one', the father of her unborn child – with her wide accepting eyes and smiled. His chest rose and fell, predictable and even ... dependable, like clockwork. She looked at his facial muscles, relaxed and happy. She rolled into him – burrowing deeper now – even though there was no distance between them – not one mile, not even an inch – because they were together and happy and it wasn't an alternate universe, it wasn't just the magical garden on an island in the middle of the ocean ... it was finally their universe, their life ... their destiny realized.
With the miles and inches between them gone, Meredith relaxed further into Derek, her mind rolling over Cristina's earlier voicemail, small tears sprung to her eyes, for her friend, her person called to tell her that she finally got it – that she saw what Meredith sees when she looks at Derek – that she saw his eyes, she saw his layers and his depth and his pain and his happiness. And then she did something Meredith never thought she would have: she asked if Derek made it alright, mumbling something about all the long flights ... and then she said, in the perfectly elusive way she processes things, "tell the father of your lovechild I said thanks for the eye-opener" and then she was gone.
Meredith smiled and closed her eyes with that thought in mind, relishing now in the peace and calm that had consumed her since she stepped from the shower and slipped into bed with her lover, her lifeline. And as sleep came for her once again and the world became black and warm and effortless, she found Derek's crystal clear gateways and wondered how she survived even one night without him and then she realized he was right ... survival was one thing, but living without each other was unfathomable.
"Hush, now sway and fall asleep."
Chapter 13 to follow.