Chapter 19: Premiere Time
The limo drove around the block for several minutes before pulling up outside the Chinese Theatre, Meredith squeezed Serena's hand.
"You ready for this?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." Serena said to her, as a valet opened the door of the limo.
"Just remember to smile, Serena."
"Okay." Serena climbs out of the car. Serena grabs Meredith's hand for reassurance, Meredith says to her quietly over the noise.
"Serena, give a little wave to the fans, and then talk to ENews!, Ryan Seacrest is over there, he will interview you."
"What do I say?"
"Just calm down Serena, i faxed him yesterday with a list of question, he understands that this is the first time you've been interviewed, so it will be fine." she says to her as they walk up the red carpet.
"Serena" they hear Ryan saying, Meredith nods to her, while she waits off at the side. Just then Meredith sees Derek climbing out of a limo, followed by Addison.
Derek can feel her presence there, it had always unnerved him how he knew when she was close, he turned, and their eyes met. Derek was instantly frozen to the spot; he had never seen her looking so beautiful as she did in that moment. Derek completely forgot about Addison, and even where he was, until a reporter stopped him for an interview. He gave them a brief interview, giving Addison a chance to catch up with him. After he finishes his interview, he turns to the spot where Meredith was stood before, but she is gone. Addison links her arm through his, guiding him to the entrance of the theater.
"What was that about Derek?"
"I saw Meredith."
"Derek, you didn't. You haven't seen Meredith in twelve years." Addison says gently. Then, Derek remembered that he hadn't told Addison and Mark about Meredith being here. He would see her inside, he knew then Addison could see that she was here.
Meredith introduced Serena to a few producers, and directors that she had been in contact with for the past few months, she saw Derek walk into the lobby, with Addison. Meredith quickly made her excuse and went to the bathroom before he could spot her. She was relieved to find it empty, she stared at herself in the mirror, and she knew that she would see him here tonight. When she saw him get out of that limo, he took her breath away; he still had that effect on her. Meredith knew without a doubt that she was still in love with him, even more after twelve years. She rooted in her purse and pulled out the one thing she constantly carried on her, a picture of their son.
"Hey baby, your Daddy's here. I am so sorry you never got to meet him. I was selfish, keeping it from him, but I can't tell him. I don't want him to hate me, i couldn't bear that. I do know one thing, he would have loved you. Mommy better get back out there; I love you Liam." Meredith can feel the tears prickling her eyes, she wills them back, and pulls herself together, before heading back out there. She didn't want to leave Serena out there on her own. As she walked out, she saw Serena talking to the one person that she wanted to avoid, but she knew that she had no chance, she walked over to them.
"Nice to see you again Mr. Shepherd." Meredith says holding out her hand, Derek can tell she doesn't want her client to know about their past.
"Thanks for lunch this afternoon, Miss Grey."
"Meredith please."
"Derek." Neither of them noticed that Addison's jaw has dropped at the sight of Meredith. Serena watched them with interest, noticing the sparks between them. Derek remembers who is with them.
"Addison, I would like you to meet Meredith Grey, Serena's agent. Meredith, this is Addison Montgomery- Sloan, a friend of mine."
"Friend?" Mer says curiously, just playing along with the ruse, but knowing that they are both failing miserably.
"Addison is married to my best friend Mark, who is a plastic surgeon; she accompanies me to most of these events.
"Well, it is nice to meet you Addison."
"You too, Meredith" Addison stutters out, shaking her hand, she is still in shock. She could see that Derek wasn't shocked to see her which meant that he knew that she was here. She reminded herself to have a talk about it with him later about it. Just then an usher announced that the film was going to start in fifteen minutes and that everyone should take their seats. Meredith turns to Serena and asks her if she is ready to go in, and they say bye to Derek and Addison. Serena looks at Meredith curiously, and Meredith catches her in the corner of her.
"Serena?"
"Nothing Meredith, let's find our seats" Serena walks ahead of her, Meredith follows, Serena waves her over when she finds them. To Meredith surprise she is sat next to Derek, who flashes her his smile.
"Look like we are neighbors, Meredith."
"It certainly does." Meredith says sitting down next to him.
"Meredith, we really need to talk sometime." Derek says quietly. Meredith takes in what he just said, knowing that he is right.
"I know Derek, but it is easier said than done" Derek places his hand over hers. She felt the sparks between them. She wanted to jump him right there.
"Meredith, I love you." Meredith looks at him in shock, deep down she knows that he does, but to hear him say it for the first time in so long, is shocking. She wants to tell him that she feels the same, but she can't. Just then, the film comes on, distracting them all. Meredith is relieved, she turned her attention to the screen. During the film, she can feel Derek's hand on hers and no matter how hard she wants to pull away she finds that she can't.
Once the film has ended she makes her excuse to Derek, before following Serena out of the cinema, Derek manages to catch up with them and grab Meredith's arm.
"Derek, what the hell are you doing?"
"Meredith, come for a drink with me?"
"Derek that is not a good idea."
"Why not?"
"Because it isn't."
"That is not an excuse Meredith and you know it" Derek can feel himself getting angry, he doesn't understand why she is being so stubborn about this.
"Goodbye, Derek" Derek watches her go, frozen to the spot, they never even said goodbye, when they left each other all those years ago. Derek isn't about to say goodbye now.