Summary: From their first date until they got married Elizabeth and Derek had the love story people wished that they had. From the moment that they met they fell in love; this is their story.
A/N: So, this is my first Grey's Anatomy fanfic and it's adding an OC that replaces Addison and Meredith as Derek's love interests. I know that not everyone is going to like this since its replacing Meredith as Derek's love interest and I love Merder but have had ideas for a bunch of OCs and wanted to write this so I am. This story is going to show moments of there relationship and this takes place before the series.
Moments In Time
Chapter 1
"Morning Beth."
"Morning Olivia. Working the morning shift again?"
Olivia nodded at Elizabeth and replied, "Finally, it feels like forever since I've been working the morning shift."
Elizabeth laughed, "It's been two weeks."
"Same difference Beth. Your usual order?"
Nodding Elizabeth replied, "Yeah a large americano with almond milk and a splash of vanilla."
"Coming right up. You have a trip to Louisiana coming up soon, don't you?"
Pulling out her wallet from her purse Elizabeth riffled through her cash and got the corrected amount as she replied, "Yeah, it always fells good to go back to Louisiana for a while and I miss it but New York is home now."
Elizabeth handed the money over to Olivia who stated, "I don't know how a girl from Abita Springs becomes a city girl who lives in a brownstone apartment in Manhattan."
"It was actually easier than you would think. I spent a lot of time in New Orleans growing up and I went to Penn State for college which made me more outgoing. But that could be the Louisiana girl in me. My other always says that I'm exactly the type of girl that comes out of Louisiana bold with a bit of spice."
Olivia laughed and handed Elizabeth her coffee and said, "Sounds like something my Mom would say over me being born and raised in New York. Working on some new photos today?"
"Yeah, I took a bunch of new ones of the New York skyline this morning at sunrise and want to edit them. Who knows my next big photo might be in the batch that I took? I better go edit them Liv."
Olivia replied, "Bye Beth."
Elizabeth walked away from the counter over to a table just so she could send a message to her mother confirming the details for when she went to Louisiana it was one of the reasons that she had stopped in her favorite coffee shop. It wasn't on the same league as Starbucks but Elizabeth preferred this to any kind of major chain, it gave her a more personal experience when it came to ordering her coffee and it was something that she loved.
Her purse was hanging low on her right arm as she texted her mother, even though she was twenty-eight and had been living by herself for a while her mother was the kind of person that worried about her all the time. Elizabeth knew that it had to do with her being a mother and that would probably never fade away and Elizabeth wasn't sure she ever wanted that to fade away.
Putting her black Razr into her purse Elizabeth pulled her car keys out for 1996 Jeep Cherokee and started to walk towards the door but hadn't been paying the best attention to what she was doing her mind on the photos she was going to go edit and it her haste walked right into something or someone. Her mind flashed back to the surface to the man in front of her whose white shirt was dripping with both his and her coffee.
"I am so sorry I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing."
The guy replied, "It's fine I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing either. But a part of me is glad I wasn't so I got the chance to meet you."
Running over to table closet to her Elizabeth grabbed a handful of napkins and tried to get some of the coffee off of him to try and prevent him from being burned from the hot coffee while profusely apologizing. The guy said, "It's alright I'm Derek Shepherd by the way."
"Elizabeth but most people just call me Beth. I can't believe I did this is you, at least let me pay for you to have dry cleaning done and get you another cup of coffee at least. I owe you one."
Derek looked at Elizabeth and saw the concern in her dark blue eyes that looked almost indigo and saw the determination mixed with the concern to be able to do something for him after walking into him. There was a southern accent to her as she spoke as though she was from Alabama or Louisiana somewhere along those lines seemed right. Derek then said, "Coffee would be great but I'm not going to let you pay for dry cleaning when I never liked this shirt."
Getting back in line to get Derek a new cup of coffee Elizabeth couldn't help the wave of guilt that washed over her from knocking into Derek sending his coffee to the ground. But a part of her was glad that happened because he was cuter than other guys that she had been on dates with, especially her ex-boyfriend Oliver Prescott. He had been controlling and stalkerish and made Elizabeth glad that she had ended that relationship with him.
Derek was the complete opposite of him though standing at what seemed to be 5'10 with curly dark hair and light blue eyes that had such a kind look to them and seemed to go on forever it was hard for Elizabeth not to stare at them. But knew that if she did that, he would probably be weirded out by her. But Elizabeth always felt like you could tell a lot about a person by looking into their eyes.
"You didn't get any coffee on you, did you?"
Elizabeth looked over at Derek and replied, "No it didn't hit me at all. It seems to all be attracted to you and your white shirt."
"Well, my ex-wife got me this shirt so there's no major loss there."
Even though she was glad to here that he wasn't married a part of her wondered if he was in a relationship with someone because most of the guys that looked like him were in a relationship or were a man whore. Elizabeth said, "Yikes, didn't end very well?"
"We were just to different people. We were only married a year before we got divorced but it was better for the both of us. She wanted a lifestyle that was charity events and the Hamptons while I prefer to live in an apartment close to my family and go camping and fishing any chance that I get."
"I love camping, it brings you so much closer to nature and everything that came before you."
Derek looked at her at though he was amazed that someone that was dressed like she was, was into camping and said, "Exactly, do you camp?"
"Whenever I get the chance or need to get inspiration for some new photos, I go to my favorite camping spot and I leave my electronics behind except my camera and spent a few days trying to get some good nature shots."
Nodding Derek thought she gave him a bit of information about herself without meaning to like she was so used to saying that to people it didn't even cause her to say what she did. Derek asked, "Are you a photographer?"
"Yeah I am. I've got my card somewhere. What about you?"
Elizabeth dug in her purse until she dug out a slightly bent card and handed it to Derek. They were the next people up for ordering as Derek looked at the card and saw the name Elizabeth R. Russell Photography. It also had three numbers on it one of which was a fax number and the other was her cellphone number and the other had to be her house number. The card also had her email address for inquires about hiring her to shoot events and a website. Derek pocked the card and replied, "Impressive. But I think you said you should try and guess what I do."
"So, I tell you exactly what I do and you want me to guess your career? That doesn't seem to be even but I can try."
Elizabeth took an inquisitive look at him as they stepped up to the counter and she said, "Hey Liv, had a bit of a coffee accident thanks to my klutziness. I'll have the same as I always get and whatever Derek normally gets."
"Sure, thing Beth."
Digging her wallet out of her purse Elizabeth pulled out her credit card and swiped it to pay the amount that the register was showing and as they were being made Elizabeth turned and looked at Derek again saying, "Judging by the way you were dressed before the coffee stain happened, I would say either surgeon or lawyer but you seem to laid back to be a lawyer. So, I'm going with a surgeon but not in a hospital or clinic I would say private practice."
Derek raised his eyebrows looking at her shocked before saying, "That was impressive and you got it right without a clue. I'm a board-certified neurosurgeon that just opened a private practice with my best friend Mark. Are you sure you aren't a physic?"
"Not a physic but I do have some voodoo blood in me thanks to my great-great-great grandmother. I'm from Louisiana."
As Olivia handed them their coffees she winked at Elizabeth as though she knew that her and Derek were getting along better than any of the guys that she had been set up with before and that there was a definite spark between her and Derek. Rolling her eyes at Olivia as Derek said, "That explains the accent. When did you move to New York?"
Walking towards the door Elizabeth replied, "When I was 22 right after I graduated from Penn State. I always felt drawn to the city and I have never regretted moving here."
"I was born in New York so I'm genetically engineered to hate anywhere that isn't Manhattan."
Elizabeth laughed and said, "Well I parked over this way. Nice to meet you Dr. Shepherd."
"Nice to meet you, Elizabeth."
Starting to walk towards her car Elizabeth was shocked when she heard Derek call after her, "Would you mind if I called you sometime Elizabeth?"
"I'd like that, Derek."
XxXMomentsInTimeXxX
Elizabeth walked into the bedroom that she used as her office coffee in hand that was halfway done by the time she got home, her camera bag for her Canon EOS D30 on her left shoulder. Her 6-year-old Australian Shepherd that was blue merle in color and named Ringo was dancing at her heels, Ringo had been her best friend since Elizabeth had got him and couldn't imagine not having him in her life.
His butt wiggles never failed to make her laugh or smile. Putting her coffee on her desk Elizabeth booted up her computer and put her camera case on the desk as well. She then walked over to her CD player and put on one of her Garth Brooks CD's while she edited her photos.
Elizabeth loved country music a part of her wondered if it was because she loved country music or if she was from the south. Normally she listened to lighter music when she listened but heavier music made it easier for her to focus on her work. It made her more motivated to get things done.
Walking to her desk clicker for her CD player in hand Elizabeth sat down in her in her plush black chair and pressed play letting the music flow all around her. Elizabeth logged onto her desktop and once it was all loaded brought up photoshop.
Scratching Ringo behind the ears Elizabeth loved the face of pure joy that he had one, stopping Elizabeth took her camera out of the case and plugged it into her computer, moving her aqua blue Aztec themed strap out of the way.
As her photos downloaded onto her computer Ringo dropped his favorite toy into Elizabeth's lap, he had his moose for years and it was still in perfect condition and he loved it. When Elizabeth didn't make a move to throw it for him, he nudged it closer to her right hand, Elizabeth picked it up and threw it for him and Ringo went chasing after it.
His nails clicked on the hardwood floor as his chased after it, Elizabeth took the opportunity to throw her brown hair into a ponytail. Her photos were just about done uploading as Ringo came running back toy in his mouth and dropped it for Elizabeth to throw again.
Continuing to throw it until all her photos were uploaded it made her glad that she had such an easy-going dog, Ringo was so easy going that it was cute. As she turned back to her computer, she looked through the photo's that she had taken that morning and decided to start with the first one that she had taken.
She had gone to the pier near the Brooklyn Bridge just as the sun was starting was to rise, the photo was filled with oranges, purples, pinks, and reds you could even see the sun in the background as it started to rise. The only editing that the photo really need was getting rid of the shadows that were in the photo to make it look perfect and be able to put new prints up on her website and maybe sent an email to her clients that enjoyed the photos that she took of sunrise and sunset.
Clicking on the tool to get rid of the shadows Elizabeth started blending them out when her housephone rang. She didn't even bother looking at who was calling before pressing the answer button and saying, "Elizabeth Russell photographer. How can I help you?'
"That's how you answer of call from your mother Lizzie?"
Elizabeth smiled at her mother's voice and paused her music and as she was finishing the photo she replied, "Well I'm busy editing photos to put on my website and email some of my better clients. So, I didn't even look at how was calling Ma. And you know that I prefer to be called Beth."
"I'll let it slide then. How are you doing Lizzie? How's the city treating you? How's the photography business treating you?"
Saving the work that she had done under Brooklyn Bridge at Sunrise she then pulled up her next photo which was Brooklyn Bridge Park at the rocks looking into the city and starting editing it while saying, "I'm doing good Mom, been pretty busy with taking photos these last few weeks but I have enough to cover my site while I'm in Louisiana next week and won't have to take photos for the site. Manhattan is treating me really good I've got a great bunch of friends that I do stuff with and understand my career and will tell me good locations for taking photos. There are no guys in my life at the moment except for Ringo. And my photography business is great I've been selling more photo's than ever before and I got featured in a photography magazine a few weeks ago showing up some of the abandoned building photos that I've taken. Plus, Chelsea knows how to run the site for me."
"And to think that I used to think that the photography business would never be successful but you proved me wrong Lizzie. As for the guy think I'm sure that you are going to find someone soon. According to Mom and her fortune telling cards you will be meeting the person that you are meant to be with soon."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes her mother and grandmother put to much faith in fortune telling when Elizabeth never even believed in that stuff despite having voodoo blood in her. She always thought it was a bunch of nonsense and no one was going to prove otherwise to her. She replied, "Alright Mom. How are you and Dad doing? What about Lucas and Matthew?"
"Your father and I are doing great can't wait for you to come visiting us next week. Lucas just entered the fire academy and is loving every moment of it and Matthew is loving the business that he is working for. Thinks that it's the best thing that ever happened to him and won't stop talking about it. Which you would know if you lived in Louisiana."
She knew that was coming her family would never stop trying to convince her to move back to Louisiana. Elizabeth stated, "I'm happy in New York really happy. I've got great friends and great places to take photos this is where I'm meant to be."
Her mother sighed on the other end of the phone knowing that Elizabeth wouldn't be moving back anytime soon she was stubborn that way. She then stated, "Alright Lizzie. We'll I'll let you get back to work. Call me later."
"I will Ma. Bye."
Elizabeth put the phone back on the hook and turned her music back on and went back to work. As soon as the music turned on, she heard her neighbor Jake and his girlfriend Alana yell, "Ah yeah. Talk about good music."
It was the reason she used this room as her office instead of her bedroom, she could hear them going at it all night long.
Hours later it had reached 6 in the evening and Elizabeth had just come home from taking Ringo for a walk and getting her dinner for the night. She didn't order in much but she had been wanting sushi from her favorite place for a while and decided to get it to have while she sent emails to her clients. It normally didn't take her this long to edit photos but she was in a slow mode today.
Taking Ringo's harness off of him Elizabeth hung it on the hook she had for it before walking into her office and opened her email and clicked the first in her list of major buyers for her photographers. Typing out an email while eating her sushi was the kind of night she enjoyed before she got free time and watched a movie.
Her house phone started to ring again and Elizabeth let out a groan she loved her business but she really wanted to finish her emails and eat her dinner. Swallowing the piece of the spicy tuna roll that she had in her mouth she answered the phone and said, "Elizabeth Russell Photography, how can I help you?"
"Hey Elizabeth is this a bad time?"
Elizabeth nearly choked it was Derek, she hadn't expected him to call so soon after they had just met today but it made her heart nearly stop beating when she heard his voice. There was something about him that made her want to know him. She said, "No it's not a bad time I just was finishing up my emails and eating but I can multitask."
Derek laughed, "What are you eating?"
"Sushi from my favorite place in Manhattan. I always get the spicy tuna roll and the spicy salmon. I blame being from Louisiana the fact that I need to have a little spice in the food that I eat. Anyway, how was your day?"
"It was good pretty slow. Makes me miss working in a hospital though. How was your day?"
Pressing send for the email she had just finished she clicked the next name and said, "And to think I thrive of slow things around the city. My day wasn't bad I finished editing the photos and updated my website so it has all the prints up for people to be able to buy."
"You run your own business?"
"Yeah, with my best friend since childhood Chelsea. She runs the business end of it and I deal with the photography section. We've been running it together for a few years now."
Derek laughed again and Elizabeth loved the sound that he made, "Well Mark and I will come to you two if we need any help with the business end Elizabeth."
"Not sure we would be much help with a medical business Derek. And I'm going to insist that you call me Beth."
Elizabeth could almost hear the smile on his voice as he stated, "Alright Beth. What else did you get up to today?"