"Your turn Uncle Derek" yelled Ryan, as the young boy came across a small present at the bottom of the tree. Derek took the small wrapped box from his nephew and read the card which was attached; all the adults in the room had stopped unwrapping presents hoping this would be the one from Meredith. When Derek moved to sit behind Meredith on the floor, they knew it was from her.
"That was sweet" Derek whispered into her ear once he sat down "I love you to"
"Open it" she urged, kissing him lightly on the lips
He followed his instructions and with his arms around her, he began to tear away the wrapping, peering over her shoulder. Once the paper was removed he found a small black ring box, but before he opened it she put her hand over it and pulled a piece of paper out, hading it to him to read. He looked at her curiously as he took the paper, but a smile drenched his face as he read.
Derek,
Even though what we are a secret, I want you to know that I love you and that love is symbolized with this ring, a promise ring from me to you, showing the love and respect I have for you.
The triangle is for friendship, the heart for love and the circle is for eternity.
Merry Christmas and all my love,
Meredith
She then released her grip over his hand and he opened the small box, inside he found two matching rings. Lifting her lips to his he kissed her, as his family peered at them-still not knowing what was in the note or the box. When their lips parted Meredith took the larger of the two rigs out and slipped it on Derek's right hand, he then repeated the action on her, before kissing her forehead and placing her hand in his and comparing the two rings.
"Meredith gave me a friendship, love and eternity ring" Derek stated when he noticed his families' inquisitive looks. "I love it" he whispered into her ear before jumping up and running towards the stairs
"Where are you going?" his mother questioned as she saw him taking the stairs two at a time.
"I had to get Meredith's present" he replied as he descended the stairs a few seconds later "I didn't trust her and Izzie not to peek if I left it under the tree"
"Would we do that" Izzie said smiling innocently at him
"Of course you would" he replied retaking his position behind Meredith "I saw how you two went through George's room last week on a present search"
"You did what" George exclaimed, only to join in the laughter a few seconds later
"So where on earth were you hiding this" Meredith asked as Derek placed a large flat present in front of her
"Under your bed, its been there for the last week" he laughed "I knew you would never find it there" but he caught her lips in his as she went to reply.
Finally he let her go so she was able to focus on unwrapping her present. Pulling the paper away, she too found a box, however this one was large and a plain glossy white.
"You two like your boxes" Monica said sarcastically
Ignoring the comment Meredith removed the lid to find a layer of tissue paper, getting excited at the prospect of the boxes contents she pulled away the paper before standing up and pulling out its contents.
She twirled excitedly, admiring the beautiful gown she held in her hands. "Oh my god Derek its perfect" she squealed bending down to kiss him
"Go try it on" he laughed as she turned to run to her room to try on the dress, taking his hand in hers
"I'll need help with the zip" she explained as she pulled him towards the stairs
As soon as the door to her room shut Meredith ordered Derek to sit on the bed as she ran into the bathroom to change "I thought you needed help with the zip" he called out after her disappearing figure
"It doesn't have one" she replied sneaking her head around the corner
In the bathroom she pulled off the shirt she was wearing and slipped on the dress, turning to examine herself in the mirror she quickly ruffled her hair before tying it up high on her head, "Ready" she called out to him
"Ready" he replied, eagerly waiting to see what she looked like
"Wow" was all he could muster as she stepped out of the bathroom on her tippy-toes "Wow" he reiterated as she turned on the spot giving him the full view "You look amazing" he stammered as he took in her and the dress. It was a floor length, halter neck, emerald green silk gown, with thick straps, a textured bodice. The back of the dress was low and scooped together half way down her back.
"Thank you" she gushed "Nice choice" she added continuing to turn in front of him, enjoying his excited eyes on her
She bent to kiss him, to show her appreciation again, but he collapsed back onto the bed, pulling her on top of him "I prefer it from this angle" he said between playful kisses
"You don't say" she replied raising an eyebrow, before the kisses deepened. He rolled them over and started to lay light kisses down her neck and over her collar bones before retracing his steps back to her mouth.
She moaned a little as his hips pushed against hers and lightly bit his lip as her mouth curved into a smile. She rolled them over again as her fingers started to work on his shirt buttons.
"Hey" the shrill voice interrupting their bliss "I thought you were going to show us as well" continued Nakita, who had opened Meredith's door, letting in the flood of females who were all eagerly waiting to see the dress.
"Sorry we got distracted" Derek laughed as Meredith got off him and twirled for the other women.
"That seems to happen a lot to you to" Katherine laughed under her breath.
But their embarrassment at the comment was short lived as Izzie ordered everyone downstairs to help with the cooking, taking Derek by the arm and pulling him out of the room, stating that this was the only way she would see both he and Meredith in the kitchen in the next two hours.
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Meredith had emerged freshly showered and dressed half an hour later to find Derek sitting on her bed. "I thought you had been banned from being up here"
"I'm on a time limit" he said, getting up and moving to the shower "Izzie has said everyone has to be in the kitchen in twenty…two minutes, otherwise they are not invited to dinner" he said looking at his watch
"We better not keep her waiting then" Meredith replied, knowing Izzie was doing her a big favor by adding so many extras to the guest list "I'm going to go down and get started cleaning up" she said kissing him lightly
"Ok" he sighed, his plans for the other twenty minutes he did not need to dress ruined as she headed out the door.
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The rest of the day was spent cooking and eating the huge Christmas dinner, Izzie was in her element running the team of chiefs like clock work. Even Dr Burke joined in when he arrived with Christina about eleven o'clock, while Meredith and Christina made sure everyone was right for drinks as they set the two huge tables.
"So you are really getting into this whole family thing" Christina commented as Meredith tied tinsel in a couple of the girls hair, to match her own
"Hmm" Meredith replied "It's kind of overbearing sometimes…I'm really not use to the whole big family thing. Especially one who actually likes spending time together" she said honestly
"At least you didn't have to go to mid-night mass" Christina retorted "I was there until 1am! So bored I nearly fell asleep"
"You did" interjected Burke as he came in to the room behind Christina
"I said I was sorry didn't I" she replied turning to him and giving him a cheeky smile
Meredith laughed, she couldn't help it, she had never seen Christina let down her guard and apologize; she watched the happy couple walk out and sit on the front steps, sharing a joke as they Burke sat and pulled Christina onto his lap.
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After clearing up all the dishes from the meal Meredith watched as the rest of the group sat as small conversations broke out between them, she then quietly snuck upstairs and closed the door to her bedroom collapsing onto the bed and staring at the ceiling.
It was a few minutes later that Derek excused himself and followed her up, he hadn't spoke to her much all day as Izzie had kept them busy with cooking orders and then his mother and eldest sister had taken the seats either side of her at lunch. Upon reaching the room he found her lying curled up around a pillow staring at the dress which was hnging on the bathroom door.
"Hey" he whispered, closing the door silently behind him
"Hey she smiled turning to look at him "sorry I just needed a break; I'll be back down in a minute" she said as he curled his body around hers.
"That's ok" he smiled, taking her hand and twisting the ring that matched his
"I'm just not use to so many people being around, I kind of feel like I'm on a never ending parade"
"I know, sorry about my mum and Nakita at lunch, they kind of ambushed you"
"That's ok" she replied "They only wanted to know about every minute of my life up-until now in detail"
"At least you know they like you" he said smiling into the back of her head while his arms gave her a little squeeze
"Yeh" she replied lightly, then in a more serious tone she continued "Nikki doesn't though"
"Yes she does" he replied "It's just that she is the most protective, she really liked Addison so with everything that happened she felt a little betrayed as well. Now she just doesn't want to get too attached to you incase something like that happens again"
"You know I would never hurt you" she said turning in his arms and staring him directly in the eye
"I know" he replied simply, holding her hand in his.
They lay silent for a few minutes until they heard laughter downstairs "Oh no" he said "That will be mum playing twister, she does it every year"
"Go down and play, I'll be there in a sec" she said
He was about to get up when he replied "What do you usually do on Christmas? We have done all of my Christmas traditions but none of yours" he said sitting up on the bed
"I don't really have any" she replied
"You must have one" he said, urging her to go on
"I haven't had a family Christmas since I was little" she replied rolling onto her back and looking at him before continuing "I either spent it at college or with friends, so I don't have any"
"Ok so think back to the last Christmas you spent with your mum and dad; what is the best thing you remember about that day?"
After thinking for a few seconds she replied "We went for a long walk after dinner, together, just the three of us, mum wasn't aloud to bring her pager…it was the last time I saw them hold hands before they got divorced" she said turning away from him
"In that case" he said leaping over her on the bed and standing up to face her "We are going for a walk"
"Derek we can't do that" she argued "What about your family, we can't just leave"
"They will survive" he said pulling her up "Come on now dress warm, its cold out" he answered while handing her her coat.
When they got downstairs he popped his head around the corner and announced "We will be back in a bit" to the rest of the group, before taking her hand and heading out the door. However, instead of going down the street he ushered her into the car and got in himself, ignoring her questioning looks as he turned on the ignition.
Finally she asked "Derek I thought we were going for a walk, not back to your house"
"Wait, you will see"
"Derek!" she sighed
"Just wait" he said glancing at her "There is something I want to show you"
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"This is beautiful" she exclaimed an hour or so later. He had driven them to his place and he had taken her hand directing her towards a piece of his land they had never walked around before, finally arriving on top of a hill which overlooked all the fields surrounding his trailer. They had been standing, his arms around her, her hands on his, for a long while before she finally spoke.
"I found it a while ago, I just haven't had a chance to show you yet" he said squeezing her tighter "This is our inaugural Christmas tradition. Just you and me, taking a walk, standing here" he whispered into her ear
"Thank you" she replied, resting her head back against his shoulder
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"You're soaked!" she exclaimed as he set her down on his decking
"It's not that bad" he said unlocking the door. He had piggy-backed her all the way home after she fell over and got her clothes wet in the snow.
"Yes it is" she replied pulling off her boots "Your pants are wet all the way to your knees"
"Well maybe you should help me take them off" he said, pulling her lips to his
"And I'd have to help you get warm as well I suppose" she laughed as he stepped out of his pants and she hung them up to dry.
"Sounds like a good idea to me" he replied flicking the lights in his trailer off and the heating on, he then proceeded to help her remove her jumper and shirt before picking her up and carrying her the few steps to the bed.
"Hmmm me too" she said between kisses, as they slowly began to undress each other
He moved to sit on top of her hips, kissing his way down her neck towards her breasts, lavishing each nipple as he passed them.
"I think I'm going to like this part of the tradition" she gasped as he slipped inside her
"Me to" he grinned into her mouth, before moving to lightly bite her lower lip
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Meanwhile back at the house…
"Where have they gone?" Derek's mother asked
"They will be back eventually" replied George "They always return eventually"
"But where did they go"
"Who knows…coffee shop, the pier, a fairy boat, the bar…his place" he stated "They have a lot of places they go together, just the two of them. I think because they can't be a couple at work they find other places just to be themselves, you know just hang out"
"Oh" Mrs. Sheppard replied grinning "I guess because Derek has been with us most nights this week, they are at his place…just hanging out as you say"
A look of pure shock covered George's face as he stammered for a reply "No…No… I'm sure they have gone on a fairy boat ride or something"
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"We should get back" Meredith said rolling onto her stomach and looking at Derek
"No I think we need to practice our tradition one more time" he grinned, crawling up her out stretched body
"Derek" she said in a knowing tone
"Hmm" he replied letting his hands slide between the mattress and her breasts, his fingers finding her breasts
"Dere…" but she was unable to finish his name as hit lightly bit her back
"They won't notice a little longer"
"We have been gone all evening" she replied, her body deceiving her as her hips lifted to let his hand slipped lower down her body
"So" he said, as she rolled over and he replaced his hand between her legs, lightly caressing her folds as his lips made their way to hers
"Hmmm" was all she could manage
"Hmmm?" she replied, loving that she had given into him again
"Hmm" she ground out, as she wrapped her arms around him pulling him onto her.
His hands continued their work as she ran her hands along the insides of his thighs
"Hmmm" he breathed as she clutched him in her hands, letting nimble fingers work on his growing member.
"Now" she whispered into his ear, spreading her legs and guiding him towards her
"Hmm" he laughed as he slid into her depths, tracing the edges of her nipples with his tongue before flicking them as she nestled her body around his. He started to more after she pulled his lips to hers and started a rhythm with her hips.
His fingernails dug into her back as he came, they were sitting up, chests together him holding her on his knees, and she moaned in delight as the second wave of her orgasm took hold over her body. They lay in silence next to each other, regaining their composure "Hi" she said turning her head towards him
"Hi" he replied, smiling at the lack of words they required to express their needs. "We have to go back" he continued "You ready"
"Yeah" she sighed "Let's go"
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It was about ten o'clock when they finally returned back to her house, only to find various people stretched out, snoozing on the couch. They found his sister Nikki and his mother talking in the kitchen.
"Meredith can you put the dress on again" Nikki said when she saw them come in "I want to check the hem is the correct length"
"You made it?" Meredith questioned
"Oops did I forget to mention that" Derek winced, scratching his head
"Yes" all three women replied
"Sorry" he said, looking at Nikki "Hey Meredith, you know I asked Nikki make the dress for you"
"Doesn't count" smiled Nikki as he gave her an apologetic hug
Meredith joined in the hug, expressing her thanks and admiring her design skills.
"Ok ok I know I'm fantastic now go and try it on" Nikki laughed brushing them aside "But you stay here Derek" she said in a knowing tone, as he turned to follow Meredith, "it'll be quicker that way" she added with an evil grin.
A few minutes later Meredith returned high heels on so that Nikki could fix the hem for her. Derek watched as his mother and younger sister interacted with his girlfriend who was standing on a chair in the middle of the kitchen. It was not until Meredith turned so that the back of the dress could be hemmed that Mrs. Sheppard exclaimed "Oh dear Meredith, what happened to your back?"
"They look like...teeth and fingernail marks" Nikki stated, examining her back "Oh" she added, catching the look on Derek's face before doubling over with laughter "Sorry" she said honestly to Meredith whose face was stained a brilliant red
"I think I'm going to leave this to you now dear" Mrs. Sheppard stated in a serious tone before adding "I think my question to George was just answered…I guess you went to the trailer" she laughed as she walked out the door
Meanwhile the remaining three had composed themselves enough for Derek to help Meredith down from the chair and Nikki to tell her she would finish the hem in the morning. As the three of them headed up the stairs to bed Nikki pulled Derek aside "I like her" she told him
"I'm glad" he replied honestly, pulling her into a hug "I don't know what I would have done if you didn't"
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Well Merry Christmas Everyone! Hope you liked the long chapter-consider it my Christmas present to you!
Have a good one and I should have another chapter up before the end of the year.
I wish you all a happy and safe holliday.
Mwa