Chapter 7: Dinner and Bedtime

Shortly after they had finished the tour, Derek had excused himself and Maddy with the excuse of letting Meredith get settled in. As she carefully placed her clothes in the closet, the ringing of her cell phone vibrated across the room.

Reaching across the bed and answering it, she groaned a little upon noticing it was Cris.

"Hello."

"So, your still alive…well for now we can rule out ax murderer…but we still have rapist and peeping tom…" Cristina said over the line.

"Cristina…would you stop that?" Meredith sounded slightly aggravated with her person.

"He's a nice guy who just needs some help, besides I need the money…"

"Yeah, well, you won't need money when your dead…" hearing her friend's groan on the other end, Cris figured she better stop.

"Okay, stopping now…so tell me about the house and the brat. How is she handling all this?"

"She's not a brat, she's wonderful, and so is the house, so far everything is wonderful!" sighing Meredith took a look around, it really was just beautiful.

Groaning Cristina cut her off before she could say anymore. "You sound like a freaking hallmark commercial…I'm gonna go grab some pizza, but call me if you need me. See you tomorrow Mer…good night."

"Good night, Cris" hanging up the phone, she turned as she heard her door open up.

Maddy walked in and jumped on the bed. She immediately grabbed Meredith's cosmetic bag, taking in the makeup and perfumes with such awe.

"What's this?" she asked, holding up a blush.

"That is blush and it goes on your cheeks." Meredith told her as she applied a little very lightly to Maddy cheeks.

Smiling from ear to ear, Maddy was a happy camper…this girly stuff was new to her, and she liked it.

"So, Miss Maddy what did you come up to tell me…or did you forget already?"

"Oh yeah, dinner's here, Daddy sent me to geted you."

Smiling, she jumped off the bed and ran down the hall. Meredith followed behind calling out a gentle reminder for her not to run down the stairs. See she said to herself you're getting this already.

Walking into the kitchen her, senses filled with the smell of Chinese which caused a rumbling in her tummy. Maddy hearing the small noise laughed…"Merdiff your hungry, your belly is talking."

Meredith laughed at Maddy winking as she said, "I guess I am, I didn't eat this morning I was too…." stopping midsentence she realized what she was about to say.

She was about to admit her doubt and fears. Looking up and noticing, Derek staring she was afraid of what he might think, but he just smiled, and in a way let her know he had held the same in trepidation.

As they all gathered around the round oak table. Meredith took in Maddy's strawberry shortcake placemat and matching table set. As they set to work passing containers and each grabbing their favorites, Meredith and Derek each took turns filling Maddy's plate with various chicken and vegetables.

At first dinner was quiet, neither adult really knowing what to say but soon Maddy's chatter filled the room, and they were sucked into conversations about schedules, friends, and of course Maddy's favorite, the new Disney movie she was going to see.

"Daddy, I'm all done can I watch TV." Maddy asked as she rubbed her eyes.

Derek could tell she was getting tired. Shaking his head yes, he led his daughter into the family room, turning on cartoons for her. As he walked back into the kitchen, he found Meredith cleaning up their dinner mess.

"Meredith, you don't have to do that. You're here to help with Maddy, not clean up after us." he said, trying to take the plates out of her hands.

Meredith squinted a little in astonishment, "okay, but I am going to be living here which means I can help pick up our dinner mess." she said, taking the plate back and walking over to the sink to rinse it off.

He watched her walk away, that soft lavender scent lingering behind. He fought off the urges to walk up behind her, to see what would happen if he lightly kissed her neck…she was absolutely breathtaking….

Closing his eyes in frustration, he decided it might be best to just not be around her. He would deal with his attraction later, but now he was just too tired.

"Well, if you have this, I'm going to go get Maddy settled into bed…I'll come back down after."

She turned offering a small smile, then returned to her chore of loading the dishwasher and wiping off the table.

Meredith quietly walked up the stairs sometime later, not sure where Derek had disappeared to. Knowing she had some studying to do. She figured she would just sneak up as quietly as possible and make use of some studying time.

As she passed Maddy's room her heart stopped, the sight that met her almost took her breath away. Derek was sprawled across Maddy's pink twin bed. His large frame too big to fit was hanging off the side. She walked over towards the bed taking in his untucked shirt and the bared chest that peeked out. Maddy was lying across her father's chest, his hands tangled in the soft curls that flowed across her shoulders. It was such a beautiful sight. Maddy looked so innocent in her footed jammies, so innocent, so trusting of the man holding her…Meredith couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to lay so trusting in someone's arms like that.

Leaning over she figured she should wake him, there was no way he could be comfortable. As she leaned down, she whispered "Derek…Derek you need to wake up…" She was caught off guard as his hand suddenly snaked up tangling its way into her hair, pulling her into him, face to face she quickly sucked the air out of her lungs. Being so close to him caused her to tingle…to feel things that she tried so hard to avoid. As her eyes dropped to his lips, she wondered for a moment what they would feel like under hers…

Waking fully, Derek realized what he was doing, "crap…Mer I'm sorry." His hands pulling out of her hair. He broke the contact, leaving her feeling cold.

"No, it's my fault I shouldn't have woken you like that." She stuttered, left with the aftereffects of being so close to him.

Apologizing once more Meredith turned walking out of the room. Once she reached the hall, she allowed herself to fall, her breathing still not normal…

She was attracted to him. Leaning her head back, she tried to turn her thoughts from anything but him, but it seemed Derek Shepherd had captured her and was now taunting her every thought….