Chapter 21: We Need to Talk

A week passed… Tonight was the night they were going to talk about everything. Meredith finally gave in and agreed to be friends. They talked almost every day about their prospective days. Meredith and Derek realized that they would always be cursed with loving each other. Meredith wasn't ready for it to turn into a relationship yet. There was so much that they needed to discuss, and the biggest thing for her was their baby. She had avoided asking Derek about his daughter with his ex. She knew that he had stayed single like her. He admitted that to her last night. Meredith would be lying if she said that it didn't make her happy that he had waited for her, but she also felt a little bit guilty. Meredith was at her apartment, having moved in only two weeks before. He had booked a cab for 8 o clock. Even though Derek had offered to pick her up, she wasn't ready for him to come into the apartment yet. She needed to tell him about Liam first, since the apartment was covered in photos of him.

Meredith went through her mail while waiting for her bath to run. She saw mainly bills, when she sees a letter from her mother that sticks out. She had wondered where her mother had gotten her address from, they didn't have a good relationship. Then, remembered that she probably had gotten it from Cris, she went to open it just as her cell rang.

"Cris, did you give my mother my address?"

"Well, hello to you too."

"Cristina?"

"No I didn't, I wouldn't do that Meredith"

"I know you wouldn't, how is the witch?"

"The same, except..."

"Except what?"

"Something is not right with her…"

"What do you mean, she is the great Ellis Grey, remember?"

"Well, I sat in surgery with her, and she had forgotten how to do a craniotomy."

"That's an easy procedure."

"I know, I just thought I would let you know."

"Thanks Cris, I will try and come out soon, okay? Just keep on eye on her for me, as much as you can."

"You want me to babysit your mother"

"I am hanging up now; speak to you in a few days"

"Dinner with Derek."

"It's nothing like that, we are friends."

"Meredith, you and Derek will never be friends. I swear the only people that don't know how much Derek loves you is you and Derek"

"Have fun, be safe." Cristina hangs up, Meredith chuckles at her last comment, knowing how untrue that is.

Meredith had just gotten out of the bath, when her cell phone rang again, and this time it was Derek.

"Hey"

"You sound breathless"

"I have just gotten out of the bath"

"That brings back some memories Mer"

"Derek" Meredith says with a warning tone in her voice.

"Sorry"

"What are you calling for?"

"I want to talk to you."

"Derek, I am coming over to your place in an hour."

"I am not at home."

"What do you mean?" There is a knock at the door.

"Derek, where are you?"

"Just open the door Mer." Meredith quickly looks around her apartment, knowing that she needs to take down those photos, but she knows that she doesn't have the time. She hung up the phone and takes a deep breath before opening the door, it's a man holding a huge bouquet of flowers.

"Meredith Grey?"

"Yep that's me"

"These are for you…" Meredith takes the flowers a little shocked and closes the door. She can smell the lavender coming from the bouquet. Meredith gave him a tip, and smelt the flowers, they were beautiful. There was no card, but she knew who sent them, she smiled to herself, not believing that he remembered that she had loved lavender for all these years. She had just put her flowers into water, when her cell went off again.

"I love them, thanks Derek."

"Good, I am glad, finding flowers with lavender in is not easy."

"Thank you."

"My pleasure, Mer. I will see you in an hour."

"Bye."

"I love you" Derek hangs up, leaving Meredith to ponder. She knows that she loves him too, but she needs to get through this evening first. Meredith walked into her bedroom and closed the door behind her.

The cab stopped and she could see Derek standing outside on his porch. Meredith paid the driver and climbed out. Derek walked over to her and pulled her in for a hug.

"You look beautiful, Mer."

"Just something comfortable."

"Meredith, you could be wearing a black bag, and you would still be incredibly gorgeous to me." Meredith blushes at his comment, he puts his arm around her shoulders and lead her into the house. He shows her around, Meredith can't believe how well that he has done for himself.

"How long have you lived here?"

"I had the place for 5 years, but only moved here permanently about two years ago."

"How come?"

"We are full of question this evening, Mer?"

"Derek, we haven't seen each other in twelve years.," Derek is standing right beside her. He caresses her cheek with this thumb.

"I love the questioning Mer, but it just seems like small talk, trying to hide from the real reason you are here." Meredith looks in squarely in the eyes, but finds herself getting lost in them. Before she knows it, his lips her on her, exploring her mouth, she wants to pull away but finds that she can't. She grabs her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss, Derek moves down to her neck to the spot that always turned her on. Meredith finds herself being swiped up in the moment. She can feel herself getting wet, and for one moment everything is blurred, until in Meredith's mind one picture flashes a picture of their son. She remembers why she is here.

"Derek."

"Mer, I love you so much." Derek says, continuing to attack her neck.

"Stop...please stop...Derek" she begs, Derek instantly stops.

"What's wrong, Mer?" Meredith slides off the stool and walk over to the windows, looking out of them.

"I can't, we really need to talk. There is something important that I need to tell you."

"Are you married?"

"No!"

"Engaged, seeing someone" Derek feels his heart sink.

"Nothing like that Derek!"

"Then, what?" Derek walks behind her wrapping his arms around her waist. Meredith looks out of the windows and closes her eyes, saying nothing for a few minutes. She can feel him, telling her that it would be okay. Meredith feels a sense of peace overcoming her that she hadn't felt in eleven years.

"Derek." Meredith turns and faces him, Derek smiles at her, sensing this is not the time to interrupt her. "I am so sorry; I kept this a secret because I didn't't want to make you choose between me and Carole. When I told you that day that you need to promise me that you would let me go at the end of summer, I already knew. I couldn't let you choose between our baby and hers.

"Mer, what..." Mer puts her finger against his lip, motioning him to be quiet.

"When you left, I was pregnant Derek." Derek pulls away from her and start pacing the kitchen. Meredith watches him, not saying anything. It continued like this for a few minutes, until Derek stopped right in front of her.