Enjoy! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Grey's Anatomy. Not the characters. Not the plot. Not anything. Nor do I own anything to do with the NHL. At all. But it would be pretty cool if I did.

Meredith had got home that day and had indeed found an invitation for a wedding for someone she didn't actually know. In fairness, it had been sent to Derek, but he had left it open on the table.

"Hey Der?" she called through the house.

"Yeah?" he walked into the room.

"Are… Zoe and Sam nice?"

"Well I can't really say no," he laughed. "Zoe's my cousin, she'd nice, don't worry. So is Sam. He popped the question a few months ago, about time we got the invites."

He leaned over her shoulder to inspect the card again.

"Hey," he poked her.

"What?"

"Wanna be my date?" he asked with a boyish grin on his face.

"I don't know. Do I?" she said jokingly.

"Please," he gave his best innocent smile.

"How can I say no to that?" she smirked.

"I knew you couldn't resist me," he said quietly, leaning in to kiss her.

They broke apart when Derek felt a pull on one of his trouser legs. Looking down, he saw Aiden craning his neck to see his face.

"Hey bud."

"What's for tea?"

Derek couldn't help but laugh. Aiden loved food as much as his mother did so obviously had no qualms about interrupting a kiss to ask what he was going to cook later. In a way though, he was glad Aiden couldn't be bothered to complain about it anymore. When he had first moved in, the amount of 'ewwws' they had received was colossal.

"I was going to make fish fingers. Because it's the only thing left in the freezer." He really needed to go shopping.

"Okay, can you play cars with me?"

"Sure Aiden," he chuckled, "Can Mom play too?"

"Mom do you wanna play?"

"Why not. But I get the purple car."

"Deal," Aiden grinned.

xxxxx

April came around quickly, although that wasn't a surprise for Derek. He loved every minute he got with Meredith and Aiden, the new team was gelling so well, and they were near the top of their division, but the Golden Knights still couldn't be knocked from their position. So, he wasn't shocked to find that time was moving quickly for him. But now, they were outside under a white canopy, sat at an ornately decorated table and listening to the speeches. Aiden was fidgeting in his seat, 5-year olds and speeches didn't exactly mix. Meredith gave him some colouring to do and he quietened down for a bit.

After they were over, the mingling commenced. Thankfully, they were sat at a table with Amelia, Link and Nat, so it wasn't like they were with anyone that they didn't know. But Meredith was bracing herself for the onslaught of various aunts and uncles, from both sides of Derek's family. She stuck to Derek's side and never let Aiden out of her sight until inevitably he found his escape and ran off with his cousins.

"Relax Mer," he chuckled.

"I know I shouldn't be freaking out. I know. I love you; I've been dating you for seven months now, it's safe to say that your parents and sisters like me. But that doesn't mean your extended family will."

"Trust me, they'll love you. Aunt Melissa, Ma's sister, is just like Ma. She'll love you because you make her nephew happy. Dad's brothers and sisters will love you too, they have Dad's kind nature. And even if they didn't, they wouldn't say it to your face."

"Yeah, well…"

He took her chin in his hand, tilting it towards his. "Promise." He kissed her soundly, giving her a supportive smile.

"Thanks," she breathed, putting her head on his shoulder. She jerked upwards quickly when she heard someone address them.

"Derek! I haven't seen you for a while."

"Hi Uncle Roger, it's great to finally see you again," he shook his hand as he stood up, Meredith with him.

"And who is this beautiful girl you brought with you today?"

"This is Meredith. My girlfriend. Mer, this is Uncle Roger, he's one of my dad's brothers," he introduced them.

"It's nice to meet you," she said politely, trying not to turn red.

"Likewise. I hope you keep Derek here in line. Just because he plays hockey, he thinks he's invincible," the man said jokingly.

"Don't worry. I put his ego back in its box easily enough," she giggled.

Roger laughed heartily before asking, "So what do you do Meredith?"

"I'm a neurosurgeon, well, resident, at Seattle Grace."

"She's the best one," Derek interrupted, "better than the rest."

"Shut up Derek," she laughed, turning red at the compliment.

"It's true," he defended, raising his eyebrows playfully.

"Whatever," she rolled her eyes.

"You love me," he chuckled, kissing her temple.

"Well, the two of you seem very happy together, we might all be at your wedding soon enough," he laughed, excusing himself when he noted that various nibbles had been brought out (he was somewhat impartial).

The two of them stopped laughing and stared into each other's eyes. Meredith could read the truth in his startling ocean blue ones, the vulnerability he was showing. It shook her breathless, she seemed to be incapable of breathing, drowning in the depths of meaning in front of her. He scanned her eyes, looking at her endearingly.

"I love you Mer," he finally said, kissing her passionately.

"I love you too Derek."

He pulled back, releasing the tension by grinning.

"Will you do me the honour of dancing with me?" he stuck his hand out, the other behind his back.

"Why Mr. Shepherd I would be delighted." She curtsied and took his hand, which was then led onto the dance floor. They swayed together contentedly, and Derek kept her body pressed against his. Meredith rested her head in the crook of his neck, smelling the scent that was only Derek's, it comforted her, and she almost felt separate from the outside world. Everything else just fell away when she was with him. Her mind wondered back to the conversation they had just had. The comment about marriage still whirling around in her head. She really shouldn't be thinking it, but if Derek asked, she would say yes. In was insane, no one got married after basically half a year. That really was crazy! But it felt right, it made her smile to think about being Mrs. Shepherd, or maybe Grey-Shepherd. Maybe in the future. But in the far, far future. Derek wasn't going to ask any time soon. Which really, she was thankful, she would probably freak if he asked right now.

So she kept swaying silently, his heartbeat beating onto her chest, and his warm breath nuzzling her hair. It was nice, she loved it. She loved him.

xxxxx

After the song ended, they detached from each other and sat back down, finding a rosy-cheeked Aiden gulping down a glass of water.

"Hey Aiden," Meredith startled him.

"Mom! Derek!"

"Hey bud, what are you up to?"

"Me, Lucas and Elliot are playing pirates and we have to rescue Ashley from the enemy, Jack. But she doesn't know he's the enemy, she thinks he's nice. But we know better, we're gonna save her," he grinned, racing off to the battle.

Derek chuckled as he sat down.

"Who's Jack?"

"He's Ashley's boyfriend, she'd gonna be pissed at them," he laughed.

"Poor girl," Meredith giggled.

"At least no one's trying to break us up eh?"

"Thankfully. But it wouldn't work."

"I know," he smiled.

"Cocky."

"Hey, I was being serious, I know it wouldn't work."

"Oh, and why's that?" she played along.

"Because, Meredith Grey, you are the love of my life."

She smiled lovingly at him, "And you, Derek Shepherd, are the love of mine."

xxxxx

Aiden was asleep in the backseat, dead to the passing streetlights and the road under the wheels. They got back home at about 11:00, luckily it wasn't a school day tomorrow! Parking neatly in the driveway, Derek let Meredith unlock the door and he retrieved Aiden from the backseat. The boy only shifted enough to wrap his arms around his neck and settle his face in his neck.

They reached the door and Aiden groaned slightly, seeking Derek's warmth, as well at the house's. Outside was cold.

"Come on bud, I'll tuck you in," he whispered.

"I'm tired Dad," he mumbled.

Derek whirled round to face Meredith. Had he heard that right? Did Aiden just call him dad? From the look on her face, he had heard correctly. His shocked face turned into a grin, as did hers when she pulled him in for a long, drugging kiss. He pulled back with shining eyes, suddenly the energy he had lost from the day had been restored.

"I know bud," he finally replied to the little boy. He gave Meredith another kiss and trod carefully up the stairs towards Aiden's room. He pushed open the door with his foot and laid him down, wrapping him up in the comfy duvet.

"Night Aiden, love you," he whispered, kissing his forehead.

"Love you too," he sighed, half under sleep's influence.

Derek watched the boy sleep for a few minutes, the beautiful innocence on his face was something that he could watch forever. He crept silently out of the room and collapsed against the wall. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't thought about Aiden calling him dad before, it always gave him a small flutter in his stomach. But the actual occurrence was so much more heart-warming. It was like he had never heard something more right in his life. He bumped into Meredith on his way downstairs due to the daze he was in. She kept him on balance and hugged him tightly around his torso, placing her head under his chin.

"Mer," he choked out, the real emotion getting to him, tears of joy filling his eyes.

"I know," she whispered, though he could hear her sniffling onto his jumper.

"He called me dad," he said, almost trying to believe it was true.

"He called you dad," she leant up to kiss his jaw. "You've been a dad to him for months Derek. I'm just glad he realises that's what you are to him now. Even if he did say it when he was half asleep."

"I… yeah." He was still incapable of saying much.

"I love you Derek," she murmured into his neck.

"I love you too Mer." He put down his head, leaning into her soft scent. They stayed like that for a while, still revelling from Aiden's sleepy confession.

xxxxx

The weeks went on, and slowly but surely, Aiden started to phase out calling Derek by his name and start saying dad. It was tentative at first, as if he'd get yelled at if he did. But with some reassurance and the little boy's confidence, it soon became the only term he used to refer to Derek.

Right now, it was the middle of May, and the Shepherds had all gathered at their parents' house, as they always did, to enjoy their Sunday dinner. As it was sunny out, they had decided to set the table up outside, so while all of the kids were running wild, the adults were relaxing with drinks before the dinner was ready. They were all basking in the spring sun when Aiden ran up to them.

"Dad!" Aiden called. Derek could feel the countless sets of eyes on him while he just smiled. They hadn't heard Aiden call him that before, and apparently, he was gaining confidence because he had just said it in front of his entire family.

"Yeah bud?"

"Did you say you have a football in the car? Cuz Andrew said he'd teach us."

"I think I do. But what about hockey, you've had enough of that now?" He smiled playfully.

"No. Hockey's the best. But we can't play without ice Dad!"

"Sorry," he laughed, "how silly of me. I'll get the football."

"Thanks," the boy grinned, and ran off to tell his cousins.

He got up to get the ball and was stopped by the clamouring of the Shepherd clan, mainly the sisters. He caught Meredith smiling gently when they gave each other look as he sat back down, with an innocent expression on his face.

"What?"

"What? What do you mean what? The dad thing?" Amy practically yelled.

"Yeah Derbear, how long has he been calling you dad?" Liz asked incredulously.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he smirked.

"Derek Shepherd tell us!" Mom demanded, it wasn't one of fury, more curiosity and shock. But her eyes were smiling as she said it. As were Dad's, who was grinning at him from the end of the table.

"Well," he started, glancing gleefully at Meredith, "it was after Zoe's wedding."

He waited for it to sink in.

"He was half asleep and it just slipped out of his mouth I guess."

"You mean to say, that he's been calling you dad for a month and you didn't tell us?" Kathleen asked.

"Not exactly. He said it once the next day, got halfway through the word and changed tack to call me Derek," he chuckled. "After that he said it occasionally, or quietly, until that was the only thing he called me anymore. And clearly he's comfortable with it because he's never said it in front of that many people before."

"That's cute Derek," Liz smiled.

"Thanks. I like to think so," he smiled genuinely.

"I'm glad Derek. I, personally, think it was a long time coming," Mom grinned.

"Me too," Mer whispered, wrapping an arm around him, kissing his cheek. He was about to kiss her back when Aiden tugged on his shirt.

"Are you getting the ball?"

"I am now. I was stopped by all of your crazy aunts, you can blame them," he pointed as he stood up. They all then rolled their eyes.

"Wanna come with me and get it?"

"Okay."

Aiden bounced after him. Derek smiled to himself, he always had fun with his cousins. He grabbed the football out of the car and they walked back into the house.

"Dad? Can I have the ball?"

"Here ya go," he dropped the ball into his hands, and he raced off to find Andrew.

He was about to follow suit and find Meredith when he was called into the kitchen by Mom.

"Hey Mom, what do you need?"

"Nothing dear. I just wanted to talk to you," she smiled, stirring some kind of sauce.

"That doesn't sound good," he chuckled, standing next to her.

"I wanted to give you something," she proceeded. Wiping her hands on her apron, she went out of the room and came back less than a minute later.

"I want you to have this," she pulled out a velvet box and Derek's throat went dry when he realised what it was.

"Ma…"

"Derek. Me and your father want you to have this. You love that girl out there, and her little boy. And they love you just as much."

"She's the love of my life," he whispered. "And Aiden. God, Aiden is the smartest, bravest little kid I've ever met. I love him like my own son."

"I know. Which is why he calls you what he does, and why we want you to have this."

"I can't Mom. It's your engagement ring."

"I don't need it dear. And Christopher and I always said that this ring would go to you, when you met your one true love. Which evidently, you have. I see the look in your eyes every time you look at her. They have a sparkle that the only other time I ever saw it was when you told me you had been selected to play in the NHL. You deserve this ring, and so does Meredith."

"I… I don't know what to say Mom."

"Just take it," she smiled, putting it in his hands.

"Thank you," he whispered, drawing his mom into a loving hug.

"It's not a problem dear, we wanted to. Now go and find your father. He wanted to be here for this, but he was stuck talking to John about something."

"Okay," he chuckled, "I'll tell him."

He proceeded to walk out the French doors onto the porch, and saw his dad sat at the table. John had been called over by the kids to unjam the zip on the trampoline.

"Hey dad," he greeted as he sat down next to his father.

"Derek! She gave it to you, didn't she?" he grinned.

It was all he could do to nod, his eyes sparkling with a newfound joy.

Christopher grinned in return, "I'm glad. The three of you will make a beautiful family. You already are a beautiful family, but this time it'll be official."

"Yeah," he breathed, "I just… Do you think it's too fast? Proposing after a year?"

"Do you think it's too fast?"

"No. It feels natural to me. I would propose today if we weren't here surrounded by everybody."

"Scared she'll say no?" his dad laughed.

"No," he chuckled, "I just want it to be private. Just us."

"That's understandable. But do it right son. You know your mom didn't say yes the first time because apparently I did it wrong," he laughed.

"I know," Derek laughed. He knew the story; it had been told countless times before. His dad had been nervous and decided to just get down on one knee in the middle of the street with absolutely no warning and propose. Mom had taken the ring but told him later that he had to do it again, because 'it wasn't them'.

Derek knew how he was going to propose already. The ring in his pocket just made him even more eager to do so.