Meredith walked into Joe's and looked around. It was 8:30 and she was late. She had an emergency surgery to perform back at the hospital that couldn't wait. Finally after a few minutes of frantic searching she found Derek and walked towards him
"I though you stood me up," he said when he finally saw her
"Sorry, some guy came in, needing a bullet removed from his leg. Of course, I get to perform the surgery. I just got out," Meredith ordered her usual and sat down next to Derek.
"Well, that's the life of a surgeon," Derek said smiling, "So, how's the interns?"
Meredith just gave him a 'don't-even-ask-look'
"That bad?"
Meredith just turned back towards her drink,
"Well, I got something planned for tonight. Follow me,"
Meredith rolled her eyes and got up. Even though she wasn't in the mood for surprises, she gave in. Derek led her to his car, and opened the door for her
"Derek, I got-"
"I know, this won't take long. I'll have you home by 11, I promise," Derek smiled and got into the car. Meredith was anxious. She didn't know where Derek was taking her. After a few minutes of driving, Meredith recognized the route.
"Derek, why are we going to the ferryboats?"
"You'll see,"
He pulled into a parking lot, and parked. He got out and opened the door for Meredith. Reluctantly she got out and followed him. He led her to a nearby ferryboat and they climbed aboard. They both climbed several flights of stairs to the captain's deck,
"Derek, where-"
"We're here,"
Derek opened the door to a candle lit room. Inside there was a table for 2, a candle, 2 classes, and a bottle of wine.
"Derek, what the hell is this?"
"Well, Meredith, we. Never really got a chance to be alone and there is something I wanna run by you, but that's for later. Now c'mon, let's eat. I'm starving," Meredith gave him a look and gave in. She sat down, only to have Burke come in.
"Good evening, I'm Preston, I'll be your waiter tonight. What can I get you Miss. Grey?"
"Dr. Burke? What are you doing here?"
"Like I said, I'm your waiter. Now may I recommend the steak? It's absolutely divine,"
Meredith gave Derek a 'what-the-hell-is-going-on?' look. He just smiled
"That would be great Preston. Thanks,"
Burke left the room. Meredith turned towards Derek again
"Derek Shepherd if you don't tell me what's going on, I'm going to kill you!"
"Alright. Meredith look, from the first night I met you, I've loved you. I look forward to everyday at the hospital, because I get to see you. When you grieve, I grieve. 5 months ago, when you tried to kill yourself; I didn't know what to do. I wanted to kill myself. Seeing you hopeless there, I felt hopeless. I realized that I never loved Addison as much as I love you. I made a mistake not signing those papers, before. I was stupid. Now I know, that signing them was the best thing that I could have done. So tonight, Meredith Grey, I ask you," Derek got out of his chair and got down on one knee. He pulled out a small box from his coat; "Will you marry me?"
Meredith looked down at Derek and started to cry. She didn't know what to say,
"Derek, I…." Meredith sighed, "This is all too much and we're going so fast. But I love you too Derek. I've never loved a man as much as you. When you chose Addison, I thought I never would love again. I was heart broken. That night, when we slept together during the prom, I understood that I still loved you and not Finn. I knew that you loved me too, not Addison. So yes Derek Shepherd, I will marry you." Tears started to stream down her face. Derek slipped the ring onto Meredith's finger. Then they kissed like they never kissed before,
"But," said Meredith pulling away "You're not moving in just yet,"
Derek just laughed as he started to kiss his fiancé again.
-----------
"He asked you to marry him and you said yes? WHAT THE HELL MEREDITH!" Christina was in rage, when Meredith got back to her house
"Well, I think it's about time," said Izzy, examining Meredith's ring, "Wow, that's some rock!"
"I agree with Christina Mer. One night you love him, the next you call him a jackass. How do we know that's not what it's going to be like when you to get married?" said George as he put his 2 cents in.
"Well thanks for the support guys! I thought you would be happy for me. Look's like only Izzy here is the only one that is!" Meredith got up from the kitchen table and headed towards her room. Christina got up and followed her.
"GO AWAY!"
"Meredith, I'm not going away. I'm just mad okay. Okay, no I'm jealous. There I said it, I'm jealous!"
Meredith spun around and looked at her best friend
"What did you say?"
"I'm jealous. I guess that, I'm so pissed that McDreamy asked you before Burke asked me. I mean, look, I had 2 miscarriages! You haven't even come close to become pregnet, and McDreamy still pops the question, and I'm here still waiting for Burke to do it!" Christina turned so her back was facing Meredith
"Oh Christina. The time will come," Meredith went over to her friend and hugged her. "He's just one of those people who is a work alcoholic. He'll realize sometime that he loves you more than work. I mean look; you've been staying at my house for the last 3 days. You'd think that he'd get the hint sometime" Both girls erupted in laughter.
"Now c'mon. We got to go to work tomorrow. At least you won't be the one who everyone is going to talk about," Christina left the room feeling better. Meredith pulled on her favorite Dourmont (sorry I don't know how to spell it) T-shirt and slipped into bed. The only problem was that she wasn't tired. Meredith pulled her left hand out from under the covers and examined her ring.
I can't believe I said yes. Am I the dumbass now? Without knowing it, Meredith fell asleep with her head busy with thoughts.
-------
Meredith walked into the locker room the next morning. Her mind was still buys, but she was trying to hide that. Izzy was already ready to go. She passed by Meredith and gave her a quick smile and left. Christina was still a little mad over last night, but she was getting over it.
"Hey," said Meredith as she walked over to her best friend
"Hi," Christina didn't even look up from her shoe that she was tying.
"Christina look at me!" Christina didn't move. Finally she rose up and looked at Meredith. Obviously she had been crying.
"What's wrong," Meredith sat down next to her friend
"Nothing," Christina looked up, trying to clean herself up
"Christina, I've known you long enough that it's never nothing. Now the interns can wait. Now tell me what's wrong!"
"Fine if you have to know…. Burke asked me to marry him,"
"WOW! That's great!"
"Meredith you don't understand. I mean sure it's great, but is it?"
"Ya, I mean why wouldn't it be? You love him right? Last night you were complaining that he hadn't asked you yet. So what's the problem"
"Yes I know, but…"
"But what?"
"I'm not ready!"
"WHAT? Christina! What was that all about last night? What did you tell him?"
"I didn't. I kinda just ran out on him,"
"CHRISTINA!"
"What? Now he's avoiding me or asking me 'well….'"
"What do you expect from him? When McDreamy asked me I said 'yes,' and now I'm kinda rethinking it. I guess you're doing the right thing, but you can't leave him hanging there. Let him know how you feel, and then talk it out,"
"Who are you? Dr. Phil?"
Meredith laughed "No, but I'm an engaged resident late for rounds. See ya!" Meredith ran out of the locker room to bump right into Derek and Burke.
"Oh, sorry Derek. Hello Dr. Burke!"
"Good morning Dr. Grey. Congratulations! It was about time you and Dr. Shepherd here decided to get married! Too bad Christina doesn't feel the same way!"
"I talked to her just a minute ago sir. I'm sorry, but you know how she is. Just talk to her and try to work things out," Meredith turned and walked down the hall. A few minutes later she heard all too familiar footsteps.
"Derek, I know that's you," Meredith turned around. Sure enough Derek was standing there, but he didn't look happy
"You had no right to do that," he spat
"Excuse me?"
"How could you say that to him?"
"Christina is my best friend. Burke proposed to her and she ran out on him! He won't let her explain and she's too scared to. He needs to talk to her and understand how she's feels" Meredith turned and left
"Meredith,"
"Derek, I got rounds," Meredith continued down the hall. When she turned the corner she stopped and slid against a wall. She sat there examining her ring. Did I make the right choice?
"GREY WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? YOU GOT 5 INTERNS WAITING FOR YOU! STOP LOOKING AT YOUR RING AND GO!" Meredith shot up at the sound of Bailey's voice down the hall. She ran and turned the corner to her confused interns just in time.
"Hi sorry. I got preoccupied with something. Okay, anyway. Urza pit. Yes again, now go! Ronga, Bailey. Risca Shepherd. Davis Burke and Shultz front desk. Yes front desk. That means you won't be needing scrubs. NOW MOVE PEOPLE!" Meredith saw her interns scatter. She sighed and went to go on her own rounds, before Bailey caught her again, and put her back as an intern.
-------
Meredith sat down at Joe's Bar after her shift and gave out a long sigh.
"Long day Mer?" asked Joe as he gave her, her usual.
"Yes and no. Someone said the quiet word at lunch, so you know what that means," Joe laughed as he watched one of his favorite customers drink her drink as she told him his problems. "Joe. What do you think of this?" Meredith showed Joe her ring
"Wow! Shepherd asked you?"
Meredith nodded.
"Well Mer, I don't know. I've seen your good days and bad days. You claim that you love him a lot, but then the next day you think he's an ass. Frankly I don't know. He looks like a nice guy for you, but he's hurt you too much. All I can say is, how do you know that he won't do the same thing to you, that he did to Addison?" Joe turned and went to his other customers, leaving Meredith to ponder what he told her. Suddenly the door opened. The sound of the bell made Meredith jump out of her chair.
"Relax Mer, it's just us!" Meredith saw Izzy and George come in and sit next to her.
"Why you so jumpy?" asked George as he ordered a round of drinks
"I don't know. I guess because I was half expecting Derek to walk in the door. Sorry,"
"No it's cool," George went back to his drink but Izzy saw something wrong.
"Hey Mer are you okay?" George stopped drinking and turned his attention towards the two girls,
"Yes and no. I mean I keep asking my self did I make the right decision? Should I marry him? Should I let him go? I talked to Joe and he's right. How do I know he won't hurt me again? How do I know he won't treat me like he treated Addison? What if a new intern comes in and he goes after her and leaves me after 11 years? How do I know he won't ever hurt me again?" Meredith kept staring at her ring
"Mer, I don't know. But, you love him don't you? Sure he's hurt you, but he's McDreamy isn't he? He's swept you off your feet-"
"But he threw her back down," interrupted George. Izzy shot him a look
"ANYWAY! He swept you off your feet and carried you away. He's always been there for you, comforting you,"
"No, actually that's been me,"
"GEORGE! Mer, he's tried to repair you, but failed. But at least he tried right? Give him one more chance Mer. I think this time, he does realize he loves you," Izzy got up and carried George with her.
"HEY!"
"C'MON GEORGE!" Meredith laughed as she watched her two friends leave.
"She does have a point there you know," Meredith turned to see Derek standing behind her.
"Derek, I didn't hear you come in!"
"I just slipped in. Mer, she's right. I do love you. Addison wasn't love like this. I've never had love like this before. Every time I see you in the hall, my heart skips a beat. I'm sorry that I hurt you before. I didn't realize the love then. Addison was great, but you're wonderful! I love you Meredith Grey. If you turn me down now, I don't know what I'll do. Please, stay with me and be my wife," By this time the whole bar was staring at them.
"Derek, I-"
"Meredith," Derek came and kissed her with such passion. Meredith had never been kissed like that before. At that moment, she knew that he did love her. He loved her more than he did Addison.
"Okay," she whispered "I'll stay," Derek kissed her one last time before turning and leaving.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he called as he left. When he left Joe came over to her
"Well?"
"He really is McDreamy," sigh Meredith as she finished her drink, smiling.
