Chapter 89: Family Dinner Catastrophe

Meredith took a quick glance at Carolyn who was bustling around the stove with her back to the room, and hissed at Derek, "You don't have to sit here and guard me." Against all reason, Meredith's, Addison's and Derek's advice, Carolyn insisted that her future daughter in law help her prepare the family dinner on the last day of Shepherd women's visit to Seattle. While Derek, Derek insisted he wanted to lend a hand and didn't budge since they came back from the hospital.

He didn't even look up from the vegetables he was chopping and muttered in an equally quiet voice, "I'm not."

"Yes, you are!" she argued, her hand moving decisively cutting meat to thinner and thinner particles with skill and precision of the great surgeon she was. "You don't have to worry; she's not going to reduce me to a puddle of tears this time!"

Derek sighed at the recollection of how Ellis's visit last year ended, with broken Meredith in his arms, telling him her darkest secret.

"You're lucky it's not a patient's brain," he quipped casting a pointed look at her chopping board, deflecting her accusations.

"I can take care of yours in a minute," she bit back. "Seriously, Derek, go away. I don't want overbearing questions or anyone's pity-"

"It's not pity," he started to explain patiently, but was interrupted by his mother clearing her throat meaningfully; she was now facing them with concern mingled with curiosity.

"Is everything all right, Dear?" she addressed Meredith.

Was everything all right? Far from it. Ellis Grey was back in town sowing doom and destruction on her way. She would probably bend backwards to stop her from marrying Derek and now Susan, Thatcher and Lexie were coming to dinner too, as she didn't have the occasion to explain to her half-sister her words weren't really an invitation. Carolyn on the other hand, was thrilled at the prospect of meeting her father.

"Everything is perfect," answered Meredith with a tightlipped smile.

"Bullshit," Derek snorted under his breath.

"Derek, language," berated him his mother.

"Yeah, can you make him go to his room?" Meredith squinted at him. "Maybe he'll listen to you."

"You don't listen to anyone for sure," he threw the ball back.

"I don't-"

"Meredith, Derek!" silenced them, Carolyn. "What is going on? Can you explain me why you're acting like a pair of five-year-olds?"

"I don't know," shrugged Meredith. "I think Derek's just PMSing."

"Smartass," he muttered giving her a stormy look. Normally, after a jibe like that, he would sweep her off her feet and take her roughly on the kitchen table. Unfortunately, this time there was an obstacle in the form of his mother.

"Honestly," Carolyn shook her head, "I don't know how you've managed so far not to kill each other behaving like this."

"We do talk," replied Derek.

"Make-up sex," said Meredith at the same time, deadpanned.

"Oh, and you were angry at me for what I said to Finn," reproached her Derek and turned back to Carolyn. "Meredith's mother is in Seattle."

"You ass!" shrieked Meredith and threw a piece of meat at him which he missed in the last moment. "I hope you enjoy the couch tonight!"

"Enough of this!" commanded firmly Carolyn. "Derek, clean that up. Meredith, is your mom really in town? Is she joining us tonight?"

"No!" snorted Meredith. "Of course not!"

"If she's in Seattle," argued rationally Derek's mother. "I think it's a great opportunity-"

"Look, I wasn't joking when I said she wasn't coming to the wedding," Meredith explained trying to remain calm. "She's got no business here."

"Meredith and Ellis… don't really get along," sighed Derek moving to stand behind Meredith and put his hand on her back soothingly.

"That's the understatement of the century," she snorted but made no move to brush him off. However, they argued and snapped at each other, their bond was too strong.

"So, what is she doing in Seattle?" asked gently Carolyn.

"Trying to ruin my life," muttered Meredith.

"It's hard to believe," smiled Carolyn good-naturedly. "A mother never wants to hurt her child."

"You'd be surprised," commented Meredith avoiding her eyes. "Just trust me, you wouldn't survive me and my mother at the same table."

"I don't want to appear insensitive or to pry," assured Carolyn. "I'm just concerned, both for you and Derek."

Meredith looked up at her with a sigh. "Well, I am concerned for Derek and that's why I want her to stay away."

"She's against your marriage, isn't she?" remarked shrewdly Carolyn.

"She's against everything that I find worthwhile in my life."

"You won't change her mind by avoiding her."

"I don't care for changing her mind," insisted Meredith.

"Mer-"

"Really, all I care about is having this dinner behind me." Derek discreetly shook his head over her shoulder and Carolyn gave up.

The dinner didn't begin bad. Thatcher, Susan and Lexie did arrive but except for some singular awkward moments that were bound to happen, their presence didn't bother Meredith at all. Nancy, however, Nancy was a whole different story altogether. Derek's eldest and most bitchy sister that somehow persuaded herself Meredith was her personal enemy seemed to save her pièce de résistance for the last evening and was spreading her venom with unparalleled skill. Meredith suspected it was a bad case of hurt pride as Derek completely ignored her and her vicious remarks most of the time, and her sisters and mother treated Meredith like a part of the family already. Apparently, Nancy felt obliged to double and triple her efforts in nastiness; nothing that Meredith couldn't handle though.

"So, I've seen the project of your dress, Meredith," she spoke up during the second course, making all of her sisters, Derek, Mark and Addison roll their eyes. Another match was looming on. "I can hardly see it appropriate."

"I can suggest a great ophto here at Grace, Nancy," replied Meredith with an equally polite voice. "But about the dress, I think it's appropriate and I'm sure it will be appropriate in Derek's opinion and truly, that's all I care about."

"I still think the gown is too bold for the church," Nancy went on relentlessly.

"Who told you we're getting married in a church?" asked airily Meredith, her harsh conversation with Derek's sister sending waves of perplexed silence over the table.

"I hope it's only a joke in a really bad taste," Nancy shook her head impatiently. "I can't even imagine a ceremony in the city hall."

"It won't take place in the city hall. We're getting married on our land," Meredith dropped the bomb. That was the first time she spoke about the location and she hoped Derek's family would be okay with their decision.

Nancy obviously wasn't. She looked at Derek instantly and when he confirmed Meredith's words with a nod of his head, she gasped, "You cannot be serious! How can you even consider getting married in the middle of nowhere! There's literally nothing else than that horrid trailer!"

"For me and Derek, there's everything," hissed Meredith, stung by Nancy's attempts to degrade her sacred place. "And we are the ones who are getting married."

"Isn't it time for dessert?" gently interrupted Susan.

"Right, there's everything," snorted Nancy. "I forgot my thoughtless brother signed over everything he had to you. Convenient, eh?"

"Nancy!" barked Carolyn. "That's quite enough!"

"What are you insinuating that I'm with Derek for his money?" laughed Meredith whole-heartedly. "Well, then, let me remind you I'm his boss and I earn more than him!"

Derek only sighed with resignation at her side while Mark sent him a sympathetic look.

"Exactly!" huffed Nancy. "Why don't you find yourself an equal whose name you won't be ashamed to assume."

"Finally, you've been gossiping with an informed nurse, Nancy!" jeered Meredith.

"That's enough!" Carolyn shouted over them again and struck an empty soup vase against the table to strengthen the impression, making everyone flinch.

"I don't wish to witness anything like that again," she stated firmly. "Nancy, the decision where your brother is going to get married or if Meredith prefers to stay with her maiden name does not belong to you, is that clear? We are a family now which means we don't jump at each other's throats." Awkward silence ensued until she spoke up again in a much calmer voice, "Susan, I do think it's time for dessert."

It was not meant to be the end of the fireworks for the day though. Just as the atmosphere calmed down to normal, they were surprised by the ringing of the doorbell.

"Were we expecting someone?" asked Carolyn curiously looking around.

"Not that I know of…" frowned Meredith blanching visibly.

"I'll get the door," offered Thatcher rising from his chair.

"She wouldn't…" Meredith breathed out to Derek who studied her face with concern.

"Thatcher, long time no see," Ellis's crisp voice reverberated from the hallway.

"She would…"

Seconds later she entered the dining room impetuously followed by Thatcher who looked as if he had just seen a ghost. Fortunately, Richard didn't make an appearance.

"Mother, I don't think you were invited," said dryly Meredith, challenging her with her regard.

"You're being silly," Ellis replied lightly. "I'm in my own house."

"Actually, it's my house. Since I was 18."

"Well, well, I think I'm a bit late," Ellis remarked disregarding her words.

"Not at all, we were just getting to desserts," smiled Carolyn warmly. "You're Meredith's mother I presume? It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Hmm," was Ellis's only response as her eyes shrewdly swept over the gathering.

"Derek, bring out a chair from the kitchen for our guest," asked Carolyn, unfazed by her counterpart's lack of hospitality.

"Derek, don't," hissed Meredith grabbing his wrist as he got to his feet.

"Mer, it's for the better," he nodded and passing a quick kiss onto her temple went to fulfill his mother's request.

"And you're… what's his name… Derek's mother?" Ellis finally acknowledged her existence.

"That's what logic would suggest, Mother," hissed Meredith.

"And you," Ellis pierced Susan with her eyes, "must be Thatcher's new wife."

"Actually, not so new," she replied with reservation. "One of 25 years."

"So, Derek," began Ellis as they all sat down, "you're in neuro, aren't you?"

"What the hell are you doing?" spat at her Meredith. "I told you-"

"Not to talk to my future son-in-law?" Ellis gave out a short laugh. "Don't be childish, Meredith."

"What game are you playing, Mother?"

"This is no game, Meredith," Ellis dropped her act. "This is your life you're willing to waste so foolishly for him."

"Is it just me or we've already heard that talk from Nancy, only the other way around?" muttered Amelia to Heather.

"I think Nancy has been kidnapped from the cradle and left at our doorstep," replied her sister. "There's just too much likeness."

"Well, I'm very happy for Meredith," Thatcher spoke up clearing his throat and for the first time, Meredith felt a rush of gratitude towards him. "Derek is a good man-"

"A good man?" scoffed Ellis. "I see you continue to live in a world of illusion, Thatch. He's an obstacle for her career. He's going to ruin her and everything she's worked for!"

"I beg your pardon?" exclaimed Carolyn who was beginning to fully understand Meredith's reluctance towards her mother. "It is my son you're talking about!"

"It's my daughter's future that is at stake here," bit back Ellis.

"You know what, Mom?" interrupted Meredith. "You're saying Derek's this and that but I'm going to tell you what he's not. He's not an adulterer like your boyfriend. Oh, wait! You wouldn't mind that at all! It probably gave you kicks too!"

"This is unthinkable!" Nancy assumed it was time to get back to the conversation. "Derek, you want to associate yourself with a sick family like that? Obviously, the apple didn't fall very far from the tree so you might reconsider that engagement before your bride does a number on you too!"

To butt in headfirst into the discussion of the enraged women was the last thing Derek desired. However, upon his eldest sister's stinging remark he felt his blood pressure rising dangerously. The insinuation was making him sick and angry at the same time. He would undoubtedly get himself in a screaming match with Nancy hadn't Ellis beat him to it.

"Who are you?" she asked her shrilly.

"That's beside-"

"Who are you and how dare you speak about my daughter like that under her own roof?"

"I'm Derek's sister and I have a right-"

"You're not talking when I'm talking," Ellis crushed her with one of her masterful cold glares. "You could be the queen of England for all I care. You have no right to talk to Meredith like that, clearly you're not half the woman she is! Now listen to me, your brother here has got incredible luck for a woman like Meredith, who is talented, driven and beautiful, to even notice him and you are going to treat her with the proper respect." After that little monologue that left everyone, and Meredith in particular, completely stunned, Ellis stood up gathering her coat. "I cannot fathom why you're forcing yourself to endure this," she sighed, her voice strained, avoiding her daughter's regard.

"Because the world doesn't revolve around me, Mom," answered Meredith in a quiet voice. "You'd understand better if you decided it doesn't revolve around you too."

"Don't worry, you won't see me again. I see clearly that there's nothing I could do to change your mind, you're beyond stubborn," she went on. "I'm going back to Boston as soon as I can. Just don't come crying to me when the fairy tale goes bad."

She marched out of the room but before the front door closed behind her, Derek sprang up from his chair.

"Derek! Where are you going?" called after him Meredith, rising from the table as well.

"Shh, don't stop him," Carolyn quickly put her hand on her forearm. "Let him do what he feels he needs to do."

Meredith raked a hand through her hair in frustration, went up to the liquor cabinet and poured herself a glass of tequila. Having swallowed her shot, she deposited the bottle before Nancy who seemed to have gone catatonic.

"Told ya two Greys were too much to swallow."

Meanwhile, Derek ran up between the cars parked haphazardly in front of Meredith's house and was able to catch up with Ellis before she could start the engine.

"Dr. Grey," he breathed out opening the passenger door.

"Dr. Shepherd, please, take your hands off my car," she ordered indifferently.

"Dr. Grey, why can't you be there for her?" he asked out of breath. "Why can't you support her for once. It's not that you don't care for her. It's obvious you do after what you said. So, let's drop that act and just appreciate who she is, let her know that you're proud of her."

"I still think she's making a mistake," sighed Ellis looking at him briefly. "A big one."

"What do you have against me? I love your daughter; I care for her and I'll never let her get hurt-"

"Dr. Shepherd," Ellis stopped his confessions dryly. "It is the last time I'm asking you to let go of my car. Next time, I'll use my taser."

Derek reluctantly backed off with a shake of his head, he knew better than take her words freely.

"It's been a long day," whispered Meredith breaking the silence of the candle lit bathroom. The guests were long gone, no one was particularly tardy to call it a night after Ellis' catastrophe. Well, maybe except Nancy who was quite reluctant to part with the tequila bottle. As soon as the door closed behind them, Derek dragged Meredith upstairs and they both indulged themselves into a soothing bubble bath.

"Thankfully, it's just the two of us now," he murmured while his hands went up and down her arms sensually, making her sprawl relaxed on his chest.

"I'm sorry your family had to endure that…" Meredith bit her lip.

"Our family," he corrected her instantly. "They'll be fine. Besides, Amelia and Heather were ecstatic. They said it was like the lifetime channel, only live."

"I'm pretty sure it was a horror movies marathon," laughed Meredith.

"But it turned out better than you expected after all," he remarked kissing her right temple.

"I… I don't want to read too much into this," she shrugged, wriggling on his lap and snuggling into the crook of his neck, her fingers playing with wet hair on his chest.

"You don't have to. She loves you… in her own way..."

"In her own way," snorted Meredith. "I love you and I don't want to change you."

"That's because I'm perfect," he smirked. "Nothing to change."

"Right," she rolled her eyes slapping his arm playfully.

"Right," he nodded, "and you know why? Because you complete me."

"Cheesy," she sighed contentedly into his collarbone.

"Meredith Grey," laughed Derek, "deep inside, you love cheesy."

"Hmm," she purred glancing at him mischievously. "I love something else deep inside…" She maneuvered to straddle him in the narrow bathtub. "We got so rudely interrupted this morning…"

"We did," he breathed out hotly. "But now it's this moment again…"

"What moment?" she whispered leaning in towards him.

"The one I love," he answered cocking his head to a side. "The moment of getting lost in your eyes before a kiss."

"I can promise you…" she continues to gaze at him through her half-closed eyelids, "lots of moments like this…"

With that assurance she closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the feel of his lips.