Chapter 70: Returning to Maui (Part 2)
Derek and Meredith were walking hand in hand down the beach - at sunset, of course. He squeezed her hand in his and laughed.
"What?" Meredith asked.
"I was just remembering Mark hassling me last year about how I was going to ask you to marry me. I didn't know, I didn't have anything planned as to how. I only knew I wanted to ask you while were here on vacation."
"Your proposal was perfect, Derek," she sighed softly.
"Thank you," he grinned, squeezing her hand in his again. "Anyway, Mark was convinced that I was going to ask you like this," he gestured around them. "On the beach, at sunset, kinda cheesy."
Meredith giggled and then said, "Yeah that would've been cheesy, but still perfect."
"You think?"
"Has it ever occurred to you that things are considered cliché and cheesy because they actually work? Because of the sentimentality attached? We have ultrasound pictures of Ian - just like thousands of other proud parents-to-be. Who gives a crap if it's cheesy? People really need to mind their own damn business."
"Okay," Derek said calmly and bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at his wife's rant. He didn't think she'd appreciate it at the moment, and he didn't want her aggravation turned toward him.
They walked along in silence for a few more minutes. Then Meredith said, "Derek, about my rings -"
"Yes?" He asked when she stayed silent. "Do you want to upgrade them already?"
"What?" She asked, her voice rising a little in pitch. She stopped and turned to look at him. "No, I love my rings. You gave them to me, they're beautiful and -"
Derek sighed and caught her lips with his. When all else failed - kissing her always worked. "I was kidding."
"I really need to be normal again," she sighed and grabbed his hand in hers again. "I'm looking forward to having normal hormone levels almost as much as I'm looking forward to holding Ian."
"Your rings, Mer?"
"Oh yeah," she giggled. "They are getting tight on my finger."
"They are?" He asked and pulled her hand to check for himself. "Meredith, this isn't good. Why are you still wearing them?"
She looked at him with a smile and said, "Because they're my wedding rings."
"Mer -"
"Hold on," she said, putting up a hand to ward off a scolding. She laughed and continued, "I saw a woman at my last OB appointment wearing her wedding rings on a chain - as a necklace. I thought it was a good idea. I don't want to be without my rings - so I'm going to do that. Put them on a chain and wear them. Okay?"
Derek turned Meredith so that her back was to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her belly. "Mer, I love you," he said softly. "If you want to leave your rings at home until Ian's born - fine. If you want to wear them as a necklace - fine. I just want you to be happy and comfortable."
"All right," she said with a nod and put hands over his on her belly. "I want to wear them as a necklace."
He kissed her temple and they watched the rest of the sunset before finishing their walk on the beach. Then they went to have dinner and get a platinum chain for Meredith's rings. Back at the hotel, Derek helped Meredith remove her rings and put them on the chain. He fastened it around her neck and then rubbed her tender finger until she was giggling and wrapping her arms around him for a kiss.
