Chapter 32: Perfect

The winter snow melted, giving way to a beautiful spring. Green now sat where white once dwelled, and flowers that survived the frost began to bloom. At school, things had reverted back to normal. And though Derek could no longer return as frequently as he once could, he and Meredith still made it a point to meet as frequent as possible. The weather was frequently wet, but it was so unpredictable that Derek couldn't risk it. One Saturday afternoon, it was raining quite heavily. Thatcher was off doing his duties, leaving Meredith alone in the house. It was a perfect time for Derek to sneak over for a visit. Though he normally came to her window at night, it was nice for him to come when Thatcher wasn't home. It made them a lot less nervous if they were the only ones in the house. It also allowed them to do things they weren't able to do with a third-party present. That afternoon, they had decided to lay along the couch and play with one another's tonsils. Something they didn't dare attempt when Thatcher was around for obvious reasons. Meredith laid beneath the vampire as their tongues intermingled, her arms locked around his neck. Though his body was quite cold to the touch, his hot mouth made her cheeks flush crimson. It was an odd yet proper balance of temperature for him, making her head whirl. Finally, she broke apart to catch her breath, her heart pounding in her neck. He smiled down at her, his eyes twinkling and his fangs resting against his lips.

"Tired?" he asked. His breath was barely labored.

Meredith laughed and pushed a pillow to his face. He took it away and snuck another kiss before laying along her body, his forehead resting at the crux of her neck. She laced her fingers through his hair, closing her eyes. They rested like this for some time, Meredith's mind lost in thought. Though the horrors of that winter were now nothing more but memory, she still dwelled on their adventure now and again. Sometimes – though she would never admit this to Derek – she had nightmares. Nightmares of her being led into graves by fierce, red eyes. Nightmares of James, devouring her slowly and painfully. The thought of her dreams made her knit her brows together. The story of Lenore drifted in and out of her thoughts constantly. She was still frowning when Derek kissed her cheek.

"Something wrong?" he asked softly.

"Mm." Meredith shifted beneath him and then let her head rest a bit higher on the arm of the couch. "Derek... have you ever heard of Lenore?"

"Lenore?" Derek propped himself on his elbows, thinking. "It... sort of rings a bell... Why?"

Meredith paused, looking at him. What use would it be to worry him with an old ghost story? If he wasn't aware of it, why should she bring it up? It was pointless and would only make him fret over probably nothing. She put on a smile and shook her head. "Nothing," she told him, stroking his icy cheek. "Oh!" A thought came to her. One that would distract him from asking any questions about the previous topic. "You know that summer photo class? I signed up for it. If I get to go, I'll be able to go by myself to Seattle for a summer."

"That's awesome," he said brightly. "I sure hope you get to go."

"I do too," Meredith said. "The program's a little expensive, but I get an apartment to live in that's right next to the photo center."

"Well if you need money," Derek began. But Meredith stopped him.

"It's all settled. I have some money I've been storing away for a while, and Dad said that he'd be happy to help, too. Really." She gave him a reassuring kiss and smiled. He chuckled and they were about to kiss again, when a knock came to the door. Meredith stared curiously at the frame. "That's weird... Hold on." She got to her feet and walked to the door, opening it. The person who stood on her porch stunned her. For a moment, she couldn't speak. "F...Finn...?"

"Ta-da!" he said weakly, putting his umbrella away. He looked the same as ever, accept he was now in a large parka, and soaked like a drowned rat. He flashed her a bright smile and shoved his hands in his pockets. There was a very awkward pause. "So, um... Spring vacation started." Meredith remembered now that her school started vacation earlier then Forks. "Thought I'd... you know... come up and visit? And... And I want to say that I'm sorry. I was a real asshole, Meredith." He unbuttoned his jacket and pulled out a small bouquet of flowers. "And I want to make it up to you... So... let's start over, yeah?"

Meredith stared at him. She didn't know what to say. What could she say? She eyed the flowers, but never took them. "I... Finn..." She couldn't speak any longer, however, because she suddenly felt Derek's strong arms link around her from behind. He stared at the boy with fear in his eyes. It seemed that Derek's mere presence caused him to be weary. Meredith forgot that he had that effect on people.

"Who's the stray?" he asked easily, his voice sly. Meredith felt herself switch back on and she turned to Finn.

"Um... Finn, this is my boyfriend... Derek. Derek, my ex, Finn."

"Ah," he said smoothly. "So, this is the guy who broke your heart." Meredith could watch him swallow uneasily. Derek let out a faint chuckle. "Measly looking, isn't he?"

Meredith rolled her eyes, realizing that he was now just trying to intimidate him for sport. "Finn... I appreciate the visit. I do, but... I've moved on. I'm sorry."

Finn took his flowers back, his eyes lowering in embarrassment. "Oh... Well I guess I can't say I don't deserve this..." Meredith could tell that he truly resented his actions. She slipped out of Derek's grasp and put her hands on his shoulders. He glanced at her, and she smiled kindly. She felt no more anger. She knew that what he did was stupid, as did he. Now, there was no reason why they shouldn't be friends.

"Why don't you come in?" she invited. "You'll catch a cold otherwise." He smiled weakly and shook his head, stepping back.

"No," he said. "It's fine. I need to go regroup with my mom anyway. It was... nice seeing you again, Meredith. Drop by if you're ever in Boston." She said she would. With a wave and a goodbye, she shut the door. Turning, she spotted Derek back on the couch. He laid there, hands behind his head and staring at the ceiling. She walked over to him and sat on his lap, straddling him. He glanced at her and then stared back up. Leaning forward, she kissed him gently. He paused before returning it. She laughed a bit.

"Are you jealous, Mr. Shepherd?" A tiny smile tickled the corners of his mouth.

"Perhaps, Miss Grey," he said playfully. "Perhaps."

"Well there's no need." Meredith laid along him, kissing him again. "Really... I meant it when I said that I've moved on."

"I know." He sat up, placing her on his thighs. "I believe you, Meredith." After kissing a bit more, she turned and sat up against him, mindlessly watching the blank TV screen. "Hey." She looked up to him. "Do you think we'll last?" She shifted to see him better. "The two of us, I mean."

She gave it some thought. Would they last? She aged much faster then he did. Would they be able to last? She shrugged then and put herself in her rightful place against him.

"Maybe we will," she began, "maybe we will. Who knows? But... let's just see where life takes us. How does that sound?"

There was a silence. He moved his hand up and gently touched her chin, turning her head around. He smiled, staring deeply into her eyes.

"That sounds perfect."


Well, there's the end of Book One. Stay tune for Book Two!

~ Charlie xoxo