Chapter 38 – Something outstanding

Meredith moved the last box off the bed and, sweated, wiped her forehead. "How could so many things fit in a trailer?"

Derek's chuckled came from the kitchen area. "This says a lot about the real size of it."

Meredith couldn't help but roll her eyes, but also smile. "It's still small," she felt like she needed to disagree with him, at least one last time over their soon-to-be old house.

Derek went outside, carrying a box from the kitchen to his car. In the meantime, being alone, Meredith gave a look at the place where she had lived for the last 4 months and a half, and sighed with regret. She could not believe how hard it was for her to say goodbye to this place now. Though she had talked to Derek about keeping the trailer, Meredith still felt like part of the magic she and Derek had lived so far was disappearing. It felt to her like they were doing a bigger step- the biggest so far- in their relationship. They've been serious about their marriage for a while now, but it felt even more serious now.

Meredith stirred, snapping out of the trance when a loud engine sound seemed to be approaching their land and Doc soon started barking.

Derek walked in just then, coming to pick the last box. "The constructor is here," he announced, panting, as he was hurrying to take everything outside.

Meredith sighed and sudden sadness filled her heart. She composed herself and didn't want Derek to see her tearing eyes. As Derek walked outside, she wiped her eyes, ran her fingers through her hair, brushing it with a long sigh and slowly followed Derek. She stopped in the doorway and gave one last look inside. Maybe she should have asked Derek not to rush with the building of the house, but she also knew that this moment would have come at some point anyway and it wouldn't have been easier.

As walked outside the trailer, Meredith was surprised to see how crowded the place was. There was an excavator and two trucks, also a few small cars and lots of people.

"You must be Mrs. Shepherd," one of the men approached Meredith with a genuine smile, taking his hat off.

Meredith was staring at him, feeling the need to giggle. She wasn't used being called 'Mrs. Shepherd'. At work and for the rest of the people she knew, she was Meredith or Dr. Grey.

Derek chuckled as he stopped beside her, reading her thoughts easily.

Meredith shook the thoughts quickly and looked at the man with gray hair. "Mr. David?" She guessed he was the constructor, the one who helped Derek make the plan for their house.

Mr. David nodded and shook Meredith's hand. "We're going to be messy, but we promise we'll clean up."

"Do you think you can finish it before Christmas?" Derek asked him.

"It's mid October, so it depends on the weather. I'll bring more people but I don't want to give you an assurance," Mr. David told.

"Yes," Derek sighed. "It was a sudden plan, but don't worry. Take your time. Just do it right."

"Of course," Mr. David smiled. "You said you wanted to keep the trailer," he said, looking at it.

"Yes. You can move it somewhere in the back, not to be in your way," Derek said.

"Just be careful with it," Meredith warned him.

Mr. David smiled as if he understood Meredith's regret, "I promise. You chose a very beautiful place here," he stated, watching with admiration the landscape around them. "We've been asked to start building a new house, not very far from here. This place is getting popular."

"It is?" Derek asked, surprised and looked questioningly at Meredith maybe she heard something about their new neighbors. Meredith shrugged, as clueless as him.

"The price for the land nearby has increased twice from what I heard," Mr. David nodded. "We have to get started now."

"Ok. We'll keep in touch by phone," Derek shook his head.

"Goodbye, Mrs. Shepherd," Mr. David smiled politely at Meredith and left to gather his team.

A new fear started filling Meredith's thoughts; what if her relationship was going to change now that they were no longer going to live in their trailer? That was a stupid thought, she answered herself. The trailer wasn't what kept their relationship going.

"Doc," Derek started calling for the dog, which was running from one worker to another, smelling, growling or just checking the people from his land. At his master's call, Doc hesitated a little like he didn't trust or like those people, but as Derek and Meredith were heading to the car Doc understood they were leaving somewhere.

Meredith buckled herself on her seat and waited for Derek to get Doc inside, refusing to look back at their land and watch the trailer being picked up.

When Derek got in, he noticed something changed at Meredith, but didn't suspect the reason for it. He decided not to ask her and let her confess if she wanted.

"We shouldn't be disappointed if we don't have the house ready by Christmas," Derek said. He tried to get something out from Meredith as they were driving for a while now and Meredith hadn't said a word.

Meredith shrugged her shoulders, staring out her window.

"It was nice of your parents to let us stay in their old house until ours is ready," Derek said then.

Meredith nodded her head, slowly.

Derek sighed, confused with Meredith's state. "Meredith?"

Meredith looked at him, thoughtful for a while. Then she asked, "Wouldn't have been better if we started the work for the new house next spring? Or after Christmas?"

Derek still didn't understand the reason for her depression. "I don't think your parents will change their minds and kick us out of the house for the second time."

"Yes. We'll see," Meredith grumbled, glaring out the window now.

Derek gave up. She had woken up in a good mood that morning, but since they started packing, her mood became crankier. As he thought about that, Derek understood. Meredith was feeling sorry for leaving the trailer. He tried to hide his amusement, not to piss her off even more. He had had some suspicions that she had become fond of the trailer, but to have it proved was making him happy. She seemed to be his type of woman indeed.

From Meredith's parents' house, where they dropped the last boxes and let Doc get familiar with the house, Derek took them to the hospital.

Meredith managed to arrive in time, just when Dr. Bailey walked into the residents' locker. "Cristina, you're with Dr. Shepherd today and Meredith, you're covering Cristina down in the clinic."

"What?" Meredith heard that. "I am assigned to his service for the rest of the week," she protested.

Dr. Bailey shrugged and answered simply before she walked out, "His request."

Meredith looked questioningly at Cristina, but Cristina ignored her and walked past her, going to find Derek. It had been over a week already since Meredith and Cristina stopped talking with each other. Meredith stopped from changing her clothes and tried to think of the reasons why Derek chose Cristina to be in his service that day. Maybe her depression regarding the moving made him feel she was pissed about something. She shouldn't have been depressed, she scolded herself.

In the meantime, Derek was waiting for Cristina into a conference room.

"You didn't change your clothes," Cristina noticed his street clothes.

Derek replied with his best genuine smile, which made Cristina roll her eyes each time. "Take a seat," he motioned to a chair beside him.

Cristina frowned, not sensing something good. "I am good here. Let's hear what is about so I can start working right away."

"Sit down and let me present you the case. It's something special. Out of ordinary, actually," Derek answered.

Cristina looked at him with more susceptibility now. "Why didn't you choose Meredith? She is supposed to be under your service."

Derek kept smiling and motioned for her one more time to take a seat. "Let me explain you why."

Cristina finally gave up and decided to listen. She pulled the chair and sat down.

Derek smiled and leaned over the table. He wanted to take Cristina's hand, but she pulled it back quickly as if his touch had burned her.

Derek insisted and grabbed her hand, but having just a second to study it before Cristina pulled it back and hid it under the desk. He chuckled at her reaction. "I am not going to ask you to marry me. I wouldn't do it even I were drunk."

Cristina pushed the chair back and stood up, angry and ready to leave.

"I am sorry," Derek stood up quickly also and stopped her. "Just sit down. I am going to tell you right away what is about."

Cristina still looked doubtfully at him. She folded her arms across her chest and stayed up, but listening.

"I want to propose Meredith and you seem to have similar fingers with hers," Derek started explaining and hurried to add when Cristina looked like she was about to protest. "I know this is unusual and I promise I will make it up to you for the time you will lose today from work. You won't even miss long. Please!"

"I am a doctor, not a model."

"I know and as I said, I will make it up to you. You name the surgery and you have it," Derek offered. "Besides, you're Meredith's best friend. Or you used to be."

"That's none of your business," Cristina retorted. "How come you want to propose her? You're already married."

"First of all," Derek answered calmly, "Meredith doesn't have an engagement ring. Secondly, it is my business because Meredith is my wife and I can see that she's not ok with the fight you two have. Just take a seat and listen." He insisted, but Cristina was too stubborn to give in and stayed on her feet. Derek gave up at that too. "I don't care much what's going on with you, but I want to help if I can because you're Meredith's friend and she cares about you. I know you didn't mean what you told her about us, because I know you don't believe it either. You don't have to go and say you're sorry. Just do something to tell her that you're sorry. Come with me and help me buy her a ring. I will tell her you helped."

Cristina didn't say anything and that was a good sign. At least she had stopped protesting.

"I am not judging you; Meredith didn't tell me much about what happened between you and Preston and Preston keeps it quiet also," Derek continued. "Do whatever you feel like it is right for you; just don't push your friends away because it always comes a time when you need them the most."

"So you want to help me buy her a ring," Cristina didn't let him continue.

"That's right."

"Ok," Cristina agreed.

Derek stood up smiling gratefully. He would have shaken hands with her at least, but he knew that such gesture was too much for Cristina. "Thank you."

"The surgery better be something outstanding," she warned him.

Derek smiled reassuringly. "I am waiting for you in the lobby."

"Ok," Cristina answered and left the room.

Derek smiled, impressed with his success. He hoped that was what Meredith and Cristina needed to be friends again. Content with the results so far, Derek had to think about a way to give Meredith the ring. That he wanted to be outstanding.

As he walked out of the room also, Derek ran into an unhappy Meredith. He wanted to say something, but Meredith pushed him back inside and closed the door.

"I am sorry," Meredith started explaining herself. "I am in a bad mood. I had a bad sleep last night, but it doesn't mean that you have to take me off your service. We all have bad days."

"Meredith," Derek chuckled, trying to reassure her that he had nothing against her bad mood; especially not after he suspected the reason for it.

"No. I am sorry, but what you're doing is unprofessional."

"It is," Derek admitted. "It is very unprofessional and I am sorry for it, but I don't see other way to solve it."

"Solve what? The fact that I am in a bad mood is so bad to you?"

Derek smiled genuinely and pulled her into his arms. "I love all your mood swings. I can't get enough of them."

"Derek," Meredith giggled at his tease.

"No. I am honest," he kissed her. "After you finish in the clinic, you can come and help Cristina. You know more about my patients than her."

"I can't join her later, because I will have to leave for a while at lunch."

"You do? Why?" Derek asked, confused.

Meredith took an envelope out of her pocket and waved it a Derek, smiling smugly.

"What's that? Don't tell me you won at lottery again?" he laughed.

"Not really," she giggled. "But my luggage is back. Lexie received the letter."

"It is? That's a miracle!"

"You can say that again. After nearly five months, I didn't expect to have my things back." She admitted. She wanted to say more, but she stopped as she noticed something at Derek. "You haven't changed your clothes yet."

"I will do it as soon as you let me out of here," he laughed.

"Ok. Then I will see you around," she said and headed to the door. She opened it, but closed it back then. "Oh and you owe me for whatever you took me off your service."

"Don't worry," Derek smirked.

"Sex is not included. Consider a surgery. Something outstanding."

"Hmm," Derek chuckled, already suffering at the thought of his debts. "I will see what I can do."

Meredith smiled and waved 'bye' going to her duties.

"Expensive women," Derek sighed and shook his head. Despite this, he was still content with the way his plans were going. Meredith would soon have a ring and her best friend back.

He was about to leave the room again, when the Chief ran into him. "Shepherd!" he exclaimed, pleased to see him. "I was looking for you."

"Ok. You found me."

The Chief handed him a letter. "I think you got your lost luggage back. Adele received it yesterday."

Derek stared at the envelope, surprised. "Meredith got hers back also."

The Chief shrugged, not really interested. "Celebrate it at home."

"We will," Derek laughed.

As the chief was out of the room, Derek hurried to leave as he didn't have time for another interruption. He put the envelope into his pocket and went to meet Cristina down in the main lobby.

On their way back from the jewelry store, Derek was thoughtful, while Cristina was with her own thoughts.

"She won't like it," Derek concluded, defeated.

"I know," Cristina smiled.

Derek sighed, shaking his head. "Big rock. Why did you make me buy a big rock?"

"You know the answer," she shrugged.

"Cristina," Derek groaned. "She's your friend."

"You don't know the answer," Cristina concluded. "I chose that one because you can afford it."

"But Meredith won't like it. I shouldn't have let you convince me."

"I know Meredith better than you," Cristina wanted to reassure him. "Besides that, you didn't buy the Everest Mountain. It's just a diamond."

Derek frowned, not liking Cristina's help. He could have done a better choice without anyone's help. He had doubts now if he should give Meredith this ring or wait longer until he would change it with another one.