Carolyn's birthday. Have a lovely day!

She heard Derek's signature knock at her front door and yelled down for him to come in. "I'll be down in a moment!"

"No rush!" He called back as she heard the door click behind him, "We've got plenty of time. Plus, the more time we spend here, the less awkward small talk we have to make my dozens of aunties before the alcohol sets in."

She let out a small laugh at the truth of his statement.

"How's Lexie going?" She yellow down the stairs as she tweaked her hair.

"Fine. She looked like she was going to have a nervous breakdown when I left, Mark was trying to comfort her with no avail."

"She'll be okay in the end. I won't be long!"

"No worries at all… As I said, plenty of time!"

"I was half way through a pyloplasty if you wanted to finish it while you wait!" She yelled back, adjusting her hair for the final time.

"… I'll be alright." He called, sinking into the couch, flipping open the book on the coffee table. He scanned the articles until his attention was taken by footsteps in the doorway.

"Is this dress okay?" Her head dipped nervously as she asked. Derek just sat, eyes wide, mouth open. He was speechless. "I've got another black one that might be better… But Amy threatened to walk me home and force me to change if I wore anything else…I've been waiting for an occasion since the Black Friday sales to wear it…." Derek continued to stare at her petit frame. His mouth had been open for so long it was starting to dry out. "Derek, you haven't said anything yet and your eyes have glazed over… Are you okay?"

He shook his head to try and snap himself out of the trance, "How long would it take you to get re-dressed?" He spluttered.

"I knew this wouldn't be right… I'll go with the black one. It's safer." She babbled.

"Amy was right. That dress…It's… perfect." He whispered. "So perfect that It's taking all of my will power not to rip it off you right now, which means that you'll need to get re-dressed."

She breathed a sigh of relief and stepped closer to him. "As much as I want to as well, there's so much tape on me and we're about to spend the entire night with your family … We can't."

"But…" he almost pleaded, moving in closer.

"I'm so close to caving…" She admitted, "We had better go. But tonight, walk me home, and we have the house to ourselves." She raised an eyebrow.

"You know that's all I'm going to be thinking about now ALL night?"
"Good." She grinned. "Good luck talking to all those sweet innocent grandparents with all those dirty thoughts in your head."

He looked pained. "Come on, we'd better start walking." She smiled, holding out her hand.

XOX

"Look at Derek." Amy whispered to Kathleen, pouring herself a drink at the designated table by the entrance to the kitchen, "He's undressing her with his eyes."

"You're so right!" Kathleen laughed. "Hey, Liz. Look at Derek." She subtly called her over, pointing subtly with her glass.

"He looks like he's about to jump her." She laughed. "Poor boy…"

"I think it's intervention time." Amy nodded.

"I'll get Derek, you get Nancy." Kathleen grinned. "Meet you in the den."

Kathleen strode towards where Derek and Meredith were standing with her Uncle Henry and Aunt Elise, and smiled politely, nodding along with their conversation until there was a pause long enough for her to interject.

"Excuse me, sorry everyone for interrupting, but Derek, we were wondering if we could speak to you in private."

"No." Derek denied flatly, clutching Meredith's hand.

"Derek!" Meredith replied shocked and confused.

"I know what this is about and I don't want to." He shook his head. The aunt and uncle laughed behind their glasses.

"No isn't an option, you're coming with me." She insisted, pushing him away from the group. "And Meredith, you look 50 Shades of Hot at the moment." She called back over her shoulder as she marched Derek into the house. Derek mouthed the words "Save me." as he was pushed through the door into the house, which only made Meredith smirk more.

"That was all a little strange." Meredith noted awkwardly laughing as she took a sip from her glass, turning back to the family she was chatting with.

"Those sisters have always had power over Derek, we feel a bit for him sometimes." Uncle Henry laughed. "We're glad he has Mark, though. It certainly gave him more power."

"Those two and like an unstoppable force. Much like his sisters…" Meredith replied. She looked over Uncle Tim's shoulder and caught eyes with Carolyn who smiled and looked like she was making headway to speak to Meredith. "Excuse me, I have to go wish Carolyn a happy birthday. It was nice meeting you." Meredith said before sneaking though the crowd.

"Meredith, you look stunning." Carolyn gushed, pulling her into a tight hug. "Where's Derek?"

"He was taken by his sisters inside. It seemed urgent…" Meredith shrugged.

"I'll give them 5 minutes and then I'll go save him." Carolyn laughed. "I know exactly what they are doing right now." She added knowingly.

Meredith raised her eyebrow and stared inquisitively.

"Don't worry, it's all in your favour." Carolyn reassured her.

"I'll be back in a moment, Mark and Lexie are just over there if you want someone familiar to talk to."

"Thanks." Meredith smiled, relieved.

"Meredith," Carolyn whispered, moving in closer, "This Lexie, is she a nice girl?"

"Lexie? Oh, she's perfect." Meredith told her truthfully.

"I trust your opinion a lot, Meredith." Carolyn told her, as if urging her reveal any doubts she had. Meredith couldn't think of a single bad thing to say about her, though. She had led a different, more settled and stable life, but she was kind and compassionate to everybody. Meredith had never heard a bad word about her.

"No, she's honestly a great girl. Perfect for Mark." Meredith reassured her.

"Good." Carolyn smiled, "Now, I'd better go see what those girls are up to inside…"

"That's probably a good idea. Happy birthday, though. I left your present inside with the others."

"Oh, thank you, dear. You didn't need to do that." She placed her hand on Meredith's arm, and slipped back into the crowd. Meredith searched again and saw Mark standing by the wall looking relaxed and Lexie chatting to another couple. She decided it would be best if she headed in his direction for safety.

Meanwhile, Derek sat on the armchair in the den as she his sister's lined up in front of him.

"When did it happen?" Kathleen interrogated.

"When did what happen?" Derek asked, acting innocent.

"Oh, please. Don't pretend like you don't know what we're talking about." Nancy rolled her eyes.

"Can I go yet?" Derek asked, standing from the chair, only to be pushed back by Amy.

"Derek, it's you vs four girls in stilettos. It's obvious who is going to win." Amy told him. "We're your family and we want to be involved in your life. So, tell us."

"I'm not telling you anything!"

"So, it did happen." Liz commented.

"He didn't deny it!" Amy agreeded.

"I haven't said anything!" Derek tried to defend himself.

"For the record, we're happy for you." Liz told him. "She seems like a good person, and goodness knows she both hot and smart. She's good for you, Derek. We've noticed the change in you. You're happy again."

"Don't screw it up." Nancy warned him.

"I won't, I won't!" Derek defended himself.

"What's going on in here?" Carolyn asked as she burst through the door. "Girls, leave your brother alone."
"Thank you!" Derek sighed in relief, only to be pushed back into the chair by Amy once more.

"We'll be out in a moment." Amy reassured their mother, "But this is important."

Carolyn laughed and shut the door behind her, walking over to join the cue of girls. "I assume this is about Meredith?"

They all nodded. Derek flushed a bright shade of red. "Is this really necessary?"

"Yes." They all answered in unison.

"Is this a long-term thing?" Kathleen asked him directly.

"Yes."

"Do you plan on being an ass to her when you're angry?" Liz added.

"No… I'll try my hardest, okay?"

"Do you plan to fight for her?"

"Yes."

"Will you forget about us once you get married?" Amy questioned.

"Yes… Wait, no. Hold on, married?"

"We all know it'll get there." She nodded, frowning.

"No, I won't forget you, okay?"

"Good."

"And now, we want the inside gossip on Lexie." Nancy stated.

"Mark is happy, isn't that all you should be concerned about?" Derek asked, trying to get away.

"What's her GPA?" Nancy asked, eyebrow raised, "What are her co-curriculars? Is she a messy person?"

"Does this even matter?!" Derek asked, starting to get agitated.

"Yes." They all replied.

"Fine." He sighed, "Her GPA is perfect, she's immaculately tidy, and I think she plays two sports and is the captain of the softball team."

"Impressive!" Amy nodded.

"Then I think we're just about done here." Liz stated. "But, please. You and Meredith. Get a room. You look like you've got a whole lot pent up right now."

Derek sank further into the seat, more embarrassed.

"Not while everyone is here." Carolyn added.

"Oh my… Can we finish this pleaseeee?" He pleaded, wanting to get out of the room.

"One last thing." Kathleen insisted, blocking his path to the exit. "Do you love her?" She asked him directly.

"…Yes." Derek replied, slightly embarrassed by the confrontation.

"And she makes you happy?"

"More than anything."

"Then we're all good to go." Liz nodded happily. "You know if you ever need anything, you can ask us…"

"Thanks, but, uh, all I really need right now is to get out of this room."

"We're just showing that we care." Amy reminded him, as she darted towards the door. He stopped his as he was about to leave, his hand on the door frame. He turned to see them all still in single file, watching him.

"I know, and thank you." He smiled lovingly at them. As much as he hated their bossy and determined natures, they were his family and he did love them dearly.