Chapter 67: The Rest Starts Here!
Derek and Meredith had been going strong since Thanksgiving. Since the night Derek told Meredith about Jill, they had heard nothing from her. Derek and Meredith decided to let it die down unless she calls back.
"I am so glad to have the cast off." Meredith said as they walked around town hand in hand, looking at all the Christmas decorations in Laramie. The entire town came together to decorate main street. Meredith hadn't seen something so amazing in her life. This was what small-town living was and she never thought she would be here at this point in her life. She was supposed to be a surgeon...a hard-core surgeon that spent every waking minute working. This was perfect.
"I am glad it is off as well. It was starting to annoy the hell out of me with you kicking me at night." Derek smiled at her.
Meredith stopped, "I did not kick you."
"Yes, you did." Derek chuckled and started them back walking again.
"You are lying."
Derek shook his head still laughing a bit, "I am not lying, but you were cute kicking me." He squeezed her hand tightly before letting it go and wrapping it around her shoulders.
Meredith naturally wrapped her hand around his waist and looked at him and smiled, "I can't believe how amazing this is."
"What?" They had stopped walking and faced each other, both warmly bundled up with hats and gloves. Derek rubbed both of Meredith's shoulders looking into her eyes.
"You...This...it is all amazing." She said looking around almost like a kid in amazement.
Derek cocked his head and smiled, "This is just the beginning."
"It is." Meredith looked back into his eyes and saw nothing but love in them.
Derek immediately got nervous knowing this was as good as a time to bring up the living arrangements. Her cast was now off, and she had mentioned a few times about going back to her house. It was in the middle of her remodeling it and she had talked about trying to finish it all soon, but she hadn't attempted to pack up anything she had at his house.
"Mer...honey. I...you know how much...I mean." He stopped and took a deep breath, smiling huge when he looked at her...watching him eagerly and curiously.
"Meredith, I have loved every second you have spent with me at my house. I know you probably want to get back to your house."
Meredith looked at him, "Yes, I have been thinking about that." She said quickly, not wanting to go back to her house alone.
"You have?" Derek questioned a little concerned now.
"Yeah, my cast is off. I can now...go back to working on my house and...living in it I suppose." Meredith said sadly and looked down between them, putting her head against his chest.
Derek smiled glad that she was sad, he hoped it would make this next part a little easier, although, the big surprise wouldn't come until Christmas morning if she seemed okay with this conversation, if not, then he would have to act fast on something else, "Mer...honey, do you really want to go back to your house...to your bed...all by yourself?"
Meredith quickly shot her head up in shock over what he just said, and it hit her like a ton of bricks. She knew this time would come, but never truly thought about leaving, "Derek." She said with tears in her eyes.
Derek cocked his head, looking into her eyes and smiling, "Move in with me permanently Mer. I want to go to sleep kissing you and telling you sweet nothings in your ear and I want to wake up and be the first to kiss you every morning." He dipped his head down and gave her a kiss on her lips.
"I...yes...no...I have a house." Meredith said stuttering, knowing she wanted this more than anything...to be with Derek. She started biting her lip quickly and looked down.
Derek just chuckled, knowing that she was thinking and pondering about this. He took his hand and put it lightly on her chin to tilt her head back up so that her eyes could see his, "Yes, you do, but after this last month, Mer… I want to have every night with you, not just the occasional nights...I want every night with you."
Meredith pondered, still biting her lip but keeping her eyes focused on his, "I want every night with you too." She said quietly, while smiling the entire time.
"I love you. Meredith Grey, I love you so damn much." He wrapped her up tightly not ever wanting to let her go. This was it...the rest of their lives started here...together. They both knew no matter what, they would always be together. Yes, times would be rough, relationships were work, but both were dedicated in doing whatever it takes to make this work.
This is end of Rancher's Paradise. There is a second book called When You Say Nothing At All. I will be posting that after I get caught up on my other stories, I promise. I hope you enjoyed the budding romance between Meredith and Derek! More to come soon!