Meredith Meets the Shepherds!
Meredith was fidgeting- badly. It didn't matter how many re-assuring glances Derek sent her way, she had never met a guy she was seeing's family before and definitely not under these circumstances. She knew that each hour that passed they were getting closer and closer & she could tell by Derek's smile that they were very likely about to stumble upon his childhood home any moment now.
"They're going to love you" Derek told her as he pulled his truck into a driveway already filled with several vehicles.
Meredith let out a sigh. Derek turned to her placing a hand on her knee "I promise Mer, this will be good. Okay?"
She leaned up and met his lips gently kissing him over his truck's console to relieve her nerves. She just couldn't help it. He returned the kiss and she could feel him smiling against her.
"I probably won't get to do that all weekend." Meredith said with a light laugh
"I think we could sneak a few here and there." He told her leaning in to kiss her again. She returned the kiss placing her hands in his hair as their kiss deepened.
His hands found their way to her ass as he began pulling her on top of him right in his truck sitting in his parent's driveway. She was still easy to pick up, but he was careful considering that she was carrying the most precious of cargo inside of her.
He pushed her hair out of her face cupping her cheeks as he kissed her even harder. He was really taking a risk, but he couldn't help it- Meredith just did something to him that he couldn't explain. They were full-blown making out and he felt himself getting hard, but he just couldn't stop when he heard a knock on the driver's side of his window.
He immediately froze to see his sister Amelia with her arms crossed and an amused look on her face.
He rolled down the window with a sheepish grin "Amy! Hi." He told his sister as Meredith's face blushed and she scrambled to get off of him.
"Hi." She told him with an eye roll "You two better get inside before you end up like me." She told them pointing down to her round stomach.
If only she knew.
"Right. Well, stand back so I can open the door." Derek told his sister and climbed out of the truck giving her a big hug.
"Mom was watching you two all hot and heavy." Amy told them with a smirk
Meredith groaned.
"She was not." Derek told his sister laughing
"You're right, but me and Kathleen were." Amy said laughing
"That I believe."
Amelia rolled her eyes
"You must be Meredith. I'm the sister you probably heard about. I'm Der Bears favorite and my parent's least favorite."
"That's not true on either count." Derek told her
She punched his arm "Ouch" he yelled
"Mer- ignore my sister. She has… problems" Derek said whispering the last part to tease Amelia
"Whatever. My family is kind of insane so good luck." Amelia told Meredith
Meredith looked at Derek like a deer in headlights "She's kidding." He told her
"I am kidding. Don't worry my parents will love you and if not, I'm 16 and knocked up so they have bigger worries right now."
Meredith laughed lightly thinking about their own news that they needed to share. Derek squeezed her hand as they made their way to the Shepherd's front door.
Meredith took in the beautiful home that Derek must have grown up in. It was a medium sized white house with black shutters. There was a giant oak tree in their front yard and the door was painted a bright fire-truck red. The house looked older- almost historical. She could see a few plants that must have died when the winter rolled in, but the house was still beautiful none-the-less. It felt homey from the outside. This was definitely the home where she could see a younger Derek growing up.
Amelia swung open the door and announced loudly that 'Der Bear is home'. A slew of sisters met them in the foyer. Meredith noticed how loud they were. In an instant the sisters were wrapping her in a hug, touching her hair, asking her questions and she could barely process what was happening.
"Let me see my son." Came his mom's voice with his dad right behind her holding a spatula and wearing a green apron.
Derek's sisters groaned and Meredith could hear them mumbling something along the lines of 'mama's boy'.
"Mom" Derek said happily throwing his arms around Carolyn
She cupped his cheek "Don't you look happy my beautiful boy." She told him taking him in
Derek grinned and felt his dad's arm on his back "Hey dad" Derek said reaching to shake his hand. His dad shook it back firmly and then pulled Derek in for a hug.
"We missed you during fall break." His dad told him
"I know. I missed you both too." Derek admitted sheepishly
"You're here now. That's all that matters." Carolyn told him looking expectantly at Meredith
Derek caught the cue that his mom wanted to be introduced and looked over at Meredith, a huge grin plastering his face. "Mom, Dad, I want you to meet Meredith."
"Meredith" his mom exclaimed moving to give her a hug
"We're so happy to have you join us for Thanksgiving." His dad told her placing a hand on her shoulder
"Thanks for having me." Meredith replied politely.
"Oh, anytime sweet heart. You're always welcome." Carolyn told her reassuringly.
"Absolutely" Derek's dad Christopher chimed in
"Looks like somebody missed their Uncle Der Bear." His sister Nancy announced as she saw her youngest pull at his pant legs
"Well hi there" Derek said scooping up the little girl
The little girl laughed and touched his hair.
"That's my daughter Grace. She's 2 and loves her Uncle." Nancy said turning to Meredith
"She's cute." Meredith replied
"Gracie, this is Meredith." Derek told her. The little girl looked at Meredith without blinking
"Can you say Meredith?" Derek asked sweetly
"Dith" Grace replied and reached her arms out for Meredith to hold her.
"Oh um okay" Meredith replied reaching out to grab the little girl.
Meredith held her and she placed her head on Meredith's shoulder
The whole family thought it was the cutest thing they'd ever seen but no one thought it was cuter than Derek. He looked at Meredith, his eyes full of love.
They could do this.
"Are you sleepy?" Meredith asked the little girl
"Sleep" she responded sticking her thumb in her mouth as she lay her head on Meredith's shoulder.
"I can take her." Nancy offered
"Actually, it's okay. She's very cute." Meredith told Nancy.
Nancy smiled and Derek beamed. The interaction wasn't unseen by Carolyn who took extra notice at how happy her son seemed to be and how smitten he was with Meredith.
"Let's all sit down." Carolyn said ushering everyone to the living room.
The family all took their seats at what seemed to be their usual spots. Christopher in the only recliner with who Meredith assumed was Nancy's other child sitting on top of Christopher's lap. Nancy, Nancy's husband, & Kathleen on the couch, Amelia sitting on a cushion on the floor, Derek's mom sitting in a seat that she assumed she brought in from the dining room, leaving Derek and Meredith on the love seat with Meredith holding Grace still.
"That little girl seems to like you." Carolyn pointed out to Meredith
"She does." Meredith replied with a smile
"You must be very good with children. She warmed up to you right away." Christopher stated
Meredith blushed "I don't know. I haven't really been around a lot of children before."
"Oh. Do you not have any siblings?" Nancy asked her
"Well I do have a half sister… but I only recently met her." Meredith said feeling uncomfortable with all the attention on her
"How fascinating. Was it one of those matches?" Kathleen piped up
"Um no… it wasn't like that." Meredith told her
"What was it like?" Nancy asked
Meredith shifted uncomfortably
"Lay off vultures." Derek told his sisters
"We're just trying to learn more about your new friend. That's all." Nancy said pouring wine into her glass and seeming to refill Kathleen's as well.
"My dad moved away when I was five and remarried and started a new life. We just recently got back into contact and that's when I met my sister….half sister." Meredith explained.
Derek put his arm around Meredith giving her a reassuring smile which she returned.
"Girls why don't you come help me finish prepping for tomorrow and give your brother and Meredith a little break." Carolyn suggested
"Uhhh do we have to?" Amelia asked
"You can stay. Nancy and Kathleen I could use your help." Carolyn stated.
The two women rolled their eyes and followed their mom into the kitchen.
"They're giving me a break. I've been cooking all day." Christopher said motioning to the apron he was still wearing. He was trying to lighten the mood and Meredith appreciated it.
She gave him a warm smile "So you do most of the cooking?" Meredith asked him
"Well Carolyn and I cook together most of the time but since retiring I've really been doing most of the work." Christopher told her
"That's nice you guys do that." Meredith stated
"It is. Has my son ever cooked for you? He's not bad. He get's that from me." Christopher said with a wink and Meredith learned where Derek got his charm from.
"Not yet but I will." Derek said smiling at Meredith
Grace stirred "Mommy?" she asked opening her eyes
"Come here baby" Nancy's husband said reaching for the little girl. She reached her arms out for him and Meredith was slightly grateful for the break.
"Derek you should show Meredith around. You know his room is the same as before he left for college. Hasn't changed a bit in four years." Christopher laughed.
"Now?" Derek asked
"Yeah, I'm going to go help the girls for a bit and Grace here needs to take a proper nap."
"I'll give you the tour" Derek told her standing up.
Derek took Meredith around his neighborhood. They met a few of his neighbors that he'd known his whole life. They were welcoming to Meredith & seemed genuinely happy to meet her. He took her to his favorite spot- a small neighborhood stable with a few horses.
"This one's name is Lucky. She belongs to the Cansen's that you just met. She's my favorite." Derek told her petting the white horse
"Wow. She's beautiful." Meredith said looking at the horse in awe
"Sweet too. She's about 6 years old now. Back in high school, I used to come visit her almost everyday."
"Do you miss it?" Meredith asked biting her lip
"I do. I really do. It's hard being away from my family so much." Derek told her honestly
"I can't relate. "Meredith told him
"Maybe one-day you will be able to."
"What do you mean?" Meredith asked scrunching her face in confusion
"It's my goal to give you a family that you don't have such a complicated relationship with." Derek told her sincerely
Meredith blushed "That would be really nice" she said her hand automatically going to her stomach.
Derek moved closer to her looking down at her stomach and then placing his hand on top of it before pulling her in for a hug
"It's getting cold out here huh?" he asked
"Yeah, it is." She admitted and he grabbed her hand leading her back to his parents' place.
"Bye Lucky" Derek called over his shoulder
"Bye Lucky" Meredith echoed.
"Oh good, you two are back. I just placed an order for pizza. Should be here in about 15." Christopher said when the two of them made it back
"Where did you take Meredith Der Bear?" Amelia asked
Derek ruffled her hair "Just around the neighborhoods and the stables."
"Derek's obsessed with those horses" Amelia told Meredith rolling her eyes
"They're pretty horses." Meredith admitted
"That they are sweetheart." Carolyn told her coming into the room.
"Nancy & Kathleen left. It'll be just us tonight." Carolyn let them know much to Meredith's relief.
"When's your brother coming in again?" Christopher asked Derek
"Mark will be in later tonight. He said he needed to finish up a paper." Carolyn announced
"Yeah, he procrastinated until the last minute." Derek filled them in
"Meredith have you met my other son Mark?" Carolyn asked
"I have." Meredith told her
Carolyn smiled "My boys are so different from eachother but they're both good…real good at heart."
"I believe you." Meredith told her with a smile
Carolyn returned the smile.
"You know I've been thinking, why don't we have a little girl time before the pizza arrives. Ever since Derek mentioned you coming out for Thanksgiving, I've been dying to get to know you." Carolyn told Meredith
"Oh uh" Meredith started giving Derek a pleading look
"Come on. I don't bite." Carolyn said already walking to the kitchen expecting Meredith to follow.
Derek chuckled and Meredith followed tightly behind her giving Derek one last helpless look.
"Sit wherever you'd like honey." Carolyn told Meredith beginning to boil some tea. She moved around the kitchen adding water to the pot and turning on the gas stove before setting the kettle on top of it. She opened a cupboard pulling out a rack of tea's likely for Meredith's choosing.
Meredith took a seat at the island on a sage color bar stool with a cozy backing.
"So. Can I confess something to you?" Carolyn asked with a smile as she leaned her arms on the counter top resting her hands on her chin.
Meredith gulped "Sure." She stated politely
"I don't think I've ever seen my son so happy."
Meredith smiled
"You're not a talker huh?" Carolyn asked
"Not so much when I'm nervous." Meredith told her honestly.
Carolyn beamed and scratched her head momentarily before resting it back on her chin.
"Why are you nervous?" Carolyn asked
"I haven't ever done this before." Meredith stated
Carolyn raised her eyebrows signaling that she wanted Meredith to continue.
"The whole you know meeting a boy you're dating's parents and Thanksgiving. My family… My mother… the Grey's aren't big on Holidays."
"What are you big on?" Carolyn asked
"Well in my mothers case, work. I don't really know much about my father."
Carolyn gave her a re-assuring smile "Well, I think my son is pretty big on you."
Meredith blushed "Derek's….great. He's really really great." Meredith told her
"I know" Carolyn told her smiling. "Looks like the water is ready. What kind of tea do you like?" Carolyn asked
"Derek says un-caffeniated tea is the only thing I should be drinking right now." Meredith blurted before she thought through.
"And why's that?" Carolyn asked with a smirk
"Oh um… I've been having trouble sleeping lately." Meredith told her. Carolyn could tell she was lying but she'd let it go for now.
"I think decaf peppermint tea is best for that." Carolyn told her with a pointed look
"You're probably right" Meredith replied shifting uncomfortably in her seat
"Un-caffeinated black tea it is." Carolyn said passing her the hot water is a colorful mug with the tea bag.
"Thank you" Meredith told her playing with the tea bags. Carolyn looked at her amused
"So. Do you have any siblings?"
"No. Well kind of. I have a half-sister named Lexie. I just met her recently."
"It's nice having siblings. I'm grateful that my kids have each other."
Meredith played more with the tea bag.
"My youngest Amelia is pregnant. 5 months. She's in highschool. Highschool. You know she's the closest to Derek out of all my kids."
"Yeah, he's mentioned her a few times to me. He seems pretty protective."
"He is. He's always looked out for her. Now that she's having this baby, she's going to need him more than ever."
Meredith shifted "I'm sure he'll be there for her as much as he can."
"I'm sure you're right honey. Did you ever meet Addison?"
"Addison?" Meredith asked confused
"His last girlfriend. I'll take your confusion as a no." Carolyn chuckled
"I don't mean to bring her up. She just put a bit of a wedge between all of us. She wanted Derek all to herself." Carolyn continued.
Meredith didn't know what to say. She didn't want to think about Derek being with anyone else and she didn't want the reminder that Derek cheated on his girlfriend with her.
"With Amelia pregnant… we just need a bit more of Derek than what she allowed."
"With all due respect Carolyn, what does this have to do with me?" Meredith asked politely but firmly
Carolyn looked a bit taken aback but pleased at the same time "I want to be right about my hunch. My hunch that you're good for my son and good for this family. I don't mean to put pressure on you. I just.. I have a feeling Meredith and I know that maybe you haven't had the best track record with family in the past, but you have a second chance here with us. And I hope you'll be open to love we have to give."
"Thank you." Meredith said quietly not knowing what to say. She felt tears coming to her eyes which she immediately contributed to the raging hormones.
"Everything okay?" Derek asked coming into the kitchen with a few boxes of pizza.
"Yeah. Everything's good." Meredith told him with a smile. He forgot where he was for a second and brought her into a hug. One that took her a second to ease into.
His family looked on smiling at the couple.
"Well, I'm starved!" Amelia exclaimed
"Let's eat!" Christopher exclaimed and the family dug in.
Next episode is Thanksgiving!