Even Our Emotions Have An Echo

Three Months

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

"So Mom I really miss you, a lot actually," I say as I put flowers on her gave. "I cannot believe it's been three months. I can't believe you've been gone that long. Things really have changed. I'm a resident now. It's a little better. I ate lunch with Dad and his wife yesterday. I've been spending time with my sisters. I'm an aunt. My niece is absolutely adorable. I have a real family, which is something you were never able to give to me, and I don't resent you for that, I really don't. I mean it was awkward at first, but honestly they don't treat me different. It's like I'm actually one of them. Dad is well, happy even."

I pause and sit down next to her grave.

"My other family is doing well. Remember I used to tell you about Izzie and George. Well Izzie left the program three months ago, and she decided not to come back after all. She's doing well thought. She's working a teen pregnancy health clinic. She gets to use her license and at the same time she gets to really connect and help the girls. She's happy. She and Alex are dating. He's really changed for the better. George is happy too. He moved out. Him and Callie got an apartment, Izzie's looking for a place too. I mean it makes sense. It's going to be lonely in that house. I might rent it out until I'm ready to you know fill it. Things are good. Preston is done with his physical therapy. He's going to be operating again soon. Christina is really been there for him. We've all changed for the better."

I pause again and look around the cemetery. Sitting there I realize how all of our lives have changed, and for the better. I'm happy. I can't remember the last time I've been this happy. My entire life I've been working towards this moment and now that its here and it was totally worth it. The awful teen angst years. The wild, intense college period. The late nights in med school. Then my internship at Seattle Grace. I almost died and had my heart torn to bits. For the first time in my life I'm really fine. Seriously.

I begin to talk again, "I'm in love, Mom. You met him once his name is Derek. He's the one who broke my heart, but things are different now. We're moving really slow. I haven't even slept with him. I know you don't want to hear this but that's a really big deal for me. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. Things are complicated, but I really thing we're going to make it work. Ok mom, I have to go. I'll come see you again soon. I love you. I hope you know that. I hope you found your peace."

I stand up, make the walk to my jeep, and drive home.

gagagagagagagagagaga

I enter my house. Izzie is sitting on the couch playing with her Sidekick.

"Hey Mer," Izzie says as she looks up at me. The smile doesn't looking force, but genuine. The emptiness and sadness that was present in her eyes for so long is gone. She's moved on. I don't doubt that she still misses Denny. Sometimes, at night, I hear her crying, but she has to live her life. You can only sit around and wallow for so long until you have to become proactive. I realized the same things. I took responsibility for my own life and happiness.

"Hey Izzie."

"I'm making dinner tonight. Alex, George and Callie are coming. Are you going to be around? Sorry, I'm going to dinner with Derek tonight." I can't help but smile.

"Meredith you're really happy aren't you?"

"More than you can believe."

"I've always believed in you two. You guys give me hope."

"You want to hear something wild?"

"I haven't slept with him yet, well not since, you know."

"Shut up!"

"Seriously. We're taking things slow."

"Aw Meredith…" Izzie stands up and hugs me.

"Ok I have a confession." Izzie pauses. "I've slept with Alex. Part of me feels badly, you know because of Denny, but I really think I love him."

"He loves you Iz you know that, right?"

"Yeah I do." I smile at her. "You should go get ready for dinner, and I need to start cooking."

I begin to walk up the stairs.

"Meredith." I turn around. "You know how you used to say we'd be fine." I nod. "Well I didn't believe you, but you were right. Thanks."

I don't say anything. I just smile at her. She goes back to playing on her sidekick and I go upstairs to get ready for dinner.

gagagagagagagagagaga

Derek showed up at 9 o'clock. I couldn't help but smile then I saw his car pull into my driveway. I grabbed my coat and got into his car. He kisses me on the mouth soft. I smile at him. I rest my hand on his thigh and he drives off.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"It's a surprise."

In this moment I feel complete. I'm truly all glued together. Outside and within. I am ready to begin again with Derek. I'm stronger and more experienced. I know we can do this, and finally I'm ready to try.

We ride in silence. Nothing needs to be said. The past three months have been amazing. I met his mother and two of his sisters. He went to dinner with my father and me. I can't count the fishing trips we took and just the amount of time we spent just really getting to know one another.

I eye him suspiciously as he parks his car in the driveway. "Dr. Shepard."

"Dr. Grey, calm down. I though we'd have dinner here." I look at him and laugh.

He grabs my hand and leads me down to a clearing by the lake. Doc's grave is right to the left of us. We eat and talk under the moonlight stars.

For a moment I lose my words and find myself staring into his eyes.

I love this man and I want to spend the rest of my life with him.

He reaches out and touches my face. I learn closer to him. The crisp Seattle air cools my throat. He kisses me. Full of love and passion. I give into my heart and lay back on the blanket spread on the grass. His mouth is still on top of mine. His weight is over me. He places his hand on my thigh and runs his hand up my dress.

His hands belong on my body. His mouth belongs on mine. We belong to one another.

Out by the lake with the symbol of our feigned friendship near by, we make love under the blackened sky. We are done. Our cries of passion echo out into the night.

Even Our Emotions Have An Echo.

--fin

Author's note: So that's it. You guys have been amazing. Thanks for all the feedback along the way. Seriously, it means a lot. I hope you enjoyed this. I hope this wasn't like every other post-LMR fic. I'm sure it won't be too long until I start working on another fic, so until then

--nicole