A well-deserved Grey/Hayes story about love, healing and the importance of family. Set three months after s16 finale. English is my third language, so I apologize for any grammar or spelling mistakes! Enjoy!

"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed" – Carl Jung

Set 3 months after s16 finale.

Deluca goes away for treatment for three months, having little, almost none, contact with Meredith.

Meanwhile, Meredith and the ultimate gift, Dr. Cormac Hayes, Chief of Pediatric Surgery, have been dating and things are getting serious between them.

Other than Cristina, Amelia, Link, Maggie, Alex and Jackson, nobody knows they've been seeing each other.

They both wanted to take this relationship slow. Step by step. They are both mature adults, who have gone through inexplicable losses while young and have their children to worry about now.

Last night, after taking his boys to the airport for their trip to California to visit their aunt, he texted Meredith.

CH: Hey you. What are you up to?

Mer: Babe. Hi. Nothing much. The boys left?

CH: Yes. Just saw them off.

Mer: Were they excited?

CH: Yes. Very. They hadn't left yet and were asking if they could extend their stay. As if they live with a monster

Mer: Hahaha they're gonna have a blast. Their aunt sounds very cool I have to say.

CH: Zoe is all fun and games no question about it.

Mer: Are you going home?

CH: Unless you wanna go out with me.

Mer: You're crazy. It's almost 10pm. Out where?

CH: For drinks. Come on. Just for a bit.

Mer: OK. Give me 10 min.

CH: Aye.

She loved going out with him. There never was a dull moment. It all felt very natural. As if they knew each other all their lives. Tonight, was no exception. There was no drama with Hayes. "So this is what a mature relationship feels like" thought Meredith on their first date. He was everything she didn't know she was looking for, and boy, was she glad she'd found him! They went to a new bar in the City Center and the atmosphere was perfect. Quiet, relaxing and comfortable, just as their conversation. She was so comfortable with him that even silences were welcomed and enjoyed, and that was a first for her.

The sat in a corner table, dimly lit, listening to the jazz band while drinking his whiskey of preference. He loved that she wasn't just a girl he met and was currently dating; she was an equal and currently his best friend. They talked about absolutely everything. He felt like if she knew his soul. His modus operandi when he was around her was full transparency. There was no lying to her or deceiving her. His favorite thing about her: she was game for whatever he came up with. Dinner and a movie? Done. Morning run when overwhelmed with work? Done. Staying on the phone in complete silence on the anniversary of Abigail's death? Not a problem for her. Getting hammered with tequila shots at Joe's after an intense week at the hospital? Blackout. Mid afternoon coffee break in her office? Almost daily. Whiskey in his after a long day of work? Their favorite time of day. Going to the batting cages and drinking beer after he lost one of his patients? Her idea and greatly appreciated by him. Spontaneous night out for drinks and some live music? On it.

His thoughts are interrupted when she reaches out and caresses his arm. "You OK?" she asks smiling slightly and looking into his eyes.

"Aye, just thinking" he says as he puts his other hand on top of hers.

"You know, Andrew is coming back to work tomorrow" as she moves her hand to the spot between his shoulder and his neck.

He nods, "I'm glad he's doing better, he's a nice lad", he looks at her with soft and loving eyes and she smiles with that spark that makes his heart warm, "He is, I care about him and wish him well" she says softly, as he angles his head to kiss the hand that she has in his shoulder.

"Jackson said there's a party for him tomorrow at the hospital" he tells her.

"Yeah, a welcome back party. The nurses organized it. Will I see you there?" she asks, interlacing their fingers. "Sure, I'll drop by" he answers looking at her lovingly.

They sit there enjoying themselves and each other's company. He's concentrated on the band's performance when he hears her voice, "Babe" she says looking at him with tired eyes, "are you gonna finish your drink? It's getting late".

He smiles at her and kisses her forehead, "Nope. Let's go love" He says as he stands up and takes out his wallet to leave a tip, then offers his hand to help her stand up. They walk out of the bar side by side, he rests his hand on the small of her back guiding her to the car.

They get into his black Range Rover Velar and he starts the car while looking at her, "thanks for coming with me, I know it was last minute" he says. She smiles at him and nods, raising her eyebrows she says "last minute and past my bedtime mister".

He backs out of the parking laughing, "So I was thinking" he starts, not taking his eyes off the road for a second, "the boys are gonna be away for a while and um...", he swallows hard, "I have the house to myself and...".

He's looking straight at the road ahead but she's looking straight at him, resting her head on the back of her seat, with love in her eyes. "And?" she repeats after him, the smile on her voice evident, making him smile and blush in return, "And I was wondering if maybe you would like to spend the night. At my place. Not tonight though, the lads left a huge mess while packing" he chuckles, nervously, glancing at her when he slows down on red light. She reaches for his free hand and sights, "I would love to. Tomorrow night?" she asks softly, "Yeah" he smiles back, squeezing her hand. She feels so content in the moment and gets the same exact vibe from him. She can't believe they haven't said I love you yet. Everything is crystal clear with him, there's no confusion. She knows how she feels and has known for a while. She knows she loves him already and she's ready to tell him, but she has to be patient with him and wait till he's ready. This is his first relationship after he lost his wife. She knows exactly how that feels, so she's letting him take all the time he needs.

They reach her house, and he parks in the driveway behind her car. He looks at her and reaches for her head, running his hand through her hair, "you look exhausted" he says. She smiles tiredly and reaches for his shoulders, squeezing them and advances her hands to the nape of his neck "your fault Hayes, I was ready for bed when you texted" she says as she pulls him into a tender kiss. The break apart and he cups her face with his hands pulling her in for another kiss. They break apart once more, he rests his head on the back of his seat while facing her, he reaches sideways to touch her face and says, "Meredith", "Mmm" she mutters still looking at him. "I love you" he says, adding, "do you know that?". She feels herself blush and her heart seems to be exploding with every emotion she hasn't let herself feel for a while, "I do" she answers back, her voice breaking a little, "I love you too" she adds, reaching for another kiss, this one less tender and more passionate, before he kisses her on the side of her head and embraces her in a tight hug for a few minutes.

They pull apart and she asks "are you gonna walk me to the door? Otherwise I'm falling asleep right here". He laughs quietly and replies "of course I am, let's go" getting out of the car and walking around her side to open her door, offering his hand. They walk hand in hand to her front door before she fishes her keys out of her coat and gives him a quick kiss, "Thank you for tonight I'm glad you texted" she whispers to him while he smiles and rests his hands on her hips. She turns so she can open her door and adds, "See you tomorrow. Please text me and let me know you got home safe", as she walks inside turning to see him off when he replies, "I will. Have a good night love" as he walks back to his car and she watches as he drives away.

As she's about to fall asleep her phone chimes with a new message.

CH: Mer. I'm home. Everything OK. Goodnight baby love you.

(She smiles, loving how thoughtful he is, and replies before falling asleep with a smile on her face)

Mer: OK honey. Love you good night.