Chapter 48: Relaxing Together

"Good morning." Derek said to Meredith when he felt her hand start moving through his chest hairs.

"Good morning." She said happily, not moving her head out of the crook of his shoulder.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked trying not to get overly excited about waking up for the second morning in a row with her in his arms... tangled up in each other.

"Wonderful... never better. And you?" She was smiling; she didn't know she could be this happy. Making love to him was like nothing else she has ever experienced.

"I slept perfectly." He ran his hands through her hair taking in the perfect scent. She showered right before going to bed last night and he couldn't believe the aroma that radiated off her, some flowery smell. He couldn't seem to get enough of it as they fell asleep in each other's arms after a few more rounds of... making love.

"What time is it?" Meredith wondered.

"Time to lay here and cuddle with you."

"I love cuddling."

"Good, I hope you like it because there will be more cuddling, lots of cuddling I say."

"Oh yeah?" She asked slyly.

"Definitely."

"Derek, we really need to know what time it is. The appointment for you and Mark to see the condo is early. I thought I would try to hit the slopes when the first lifts open, you got an edge on me skiing last night." The first few runs were always rusty at the start of a new season, and she wanted to be prepared. She was competitive and had to show Derek that she was good.

"You are going with me to see the condo, aren't you?" He never considered her not going with him.

"Oh, I assumed you and Mark would go."

"Mer, I want you there with me, to look at it. I mean, if you want to go." Derek was a little nervous thinking maybe she didn't want to go with him.

She thought for a second, she wanted to go, but wasn't sure if he wanted her to; he was making it clear to her he did, "Well, I was going to try to at least get a few runs in to try and not let you have the advantage from skiing last night, but I would like to go with you, then, kick your ass on the slopes even with you having an advantage." She smirked.

"You really think you can out ski me?"

"I know I can, but there is only one way to know for sure. You will be eating my snow. I am very good on the board. I will do just as well on skis which is what I am using today." She started skiing in middle school when they took school trips up to Sugarloaf USA in Maine a few times a year. When she and her friends started driving, they took off most weekends to ski. Pink hair was not uncommon on the slopes especially on a snow board.

At that second, they heard in a scream, "OH IZZIE, DON'T STOP, I AM CUMMING."

They both giggled, "I think they are pretty happy together." Meredith said.

"Yeah, Mark... he is a manwhore, or was one. I really think, Izzie is something special to him."

"I know I haven't known Izzie for long, but she did seem happy this week the two times I saw her and, on the way, here, she couldn't shut up about him."

"Yes, since Hannah, I am not sure she has really opened herself up and it is good to see her... happy."

"Hannah is a great kid. She has really done a great job with her." Meredith was constantly shocked at how good Hannah was.

"She is amazing with her." He loved lying here, talking softly about things with Meredith in his arms with hers wrapped around his body.

"We should get up and start getting ready." She suggested, knowing it was time for them to start moving around.

"Good idea. It sounds like Mark and Izzie have already been up and going this morning." Derek said laughing.

Meredith sat up a little, looked at him, and breathily said, "I think tonight, we might need to give them... a dose of their own medicine."

"I like the way you think."

They got out of bed and got dressed. He watched Meredith get ready as he did the same and was amazed more and more by her every second. She could get ready in just a few minutes by brushing her hair and putting it up in a ponytail. She looked perfect and simple, not many women could look so beautiful in just a few minutes.

She had decided to ski today instead of board since that was what the group was doing. She enjoys both, and knew there would be plenty of time for her to board during the season. Izzie even seemed interested in learning. While Meredith and Izzie played Scrabble last night and the boys got in a few hours of night skiing, she expressed interest in learning how to board. Izzie did say she knew how to ski and could hold her own.

"Shep, are you guys ready to go? We need to go in a few minutes." Mark knocked on the door.

"Yes, I am surprised you are considering just 10 minutes ago you were screaming in bed." Derek picked at him a little, opening the door.

"Hey man, I can't help it if that woman is that good." Mark said smiling at his best friend when he opened the door.

"Well, tonight... we will be showing you... just what it is like." Meredith said quickly walking between them, to head out to see Izzie.

Mark just watched her in her ski clothes and looked at Derek shaking his head, "I bet you are a happy man... maybe not as much as me, but I am sure it is good for you."

"You have no idea."

"I actually do have an idea. I never thought, I mean, Izzie could be it for me and that thought, doesn't actually scare me."

Derek looked at him, shaking his head a little, "There will be many women sad to hear that the great, Mark Sloan is off the market."

"God, I am." He said in a revelation to himself.

"We better get going soon. I want to get in to see the condo and get out skiing. Apparently, Mer thinks she can beat me, but she just doesn't know. I am good."

"God, you haven't changed when it comes to skiing. Not everyone has skied their entire life."

"Well, Meredith says she has been skiing a long time, but she boards as well. She is going to ski today. She will board next time we come, hopefully staying in the condo." Derek smiled thinking about the trips he would be taking with Mer.

"I can't believe I am going to say this, but I have missed you and I am glad we are going to look at this condo."

"Ah, Markie, you really miss me?" Derek laughed.

"Shut up Shep, but skiing, we do love to ski." Mark said.

"Yes, speaking of which, let's get going. I am sure the girls are ready downstairs." Derek said.

"Let's go."