Chapter 13

Derek Shepherd could not believe what was happening, as the chief introduced the new chief of general surgery he had his suspicions about who he was talking about but he wished it was not her as he could not face her. He still felt the guilt and shame on how he cheated on her and let his sister's words cloud his judgment which originally led him to believe she had cheated on him but at the same time he remembered his mother's words when he told her that he was in Seattle after he caught Addison and Mark.

FLASHBACK

3 YEARS AGO

"Derek why did you choose Seattle?" His mom asked in atone laced with worry.

"Richard offered me the job of head of neurosurgery with a possible chance of making chief."He replied.

"Derek I get that what happened was not right and you felt the need to change your life but I think instead of moving forward you are moving backward." She said.

"Mom what do you want to say?"He asked as he felt his mother wanted to say something that she knew he didn't want to hear.

"I believed you went to Seattle and joined Seattle Grace of all places because of Meredith because you still think what could have been and you are holding on to a little bit of her by going to Seattle."She said in a motherly tone.

"Mom she is in Boston not Seattle and this has nothing to do with her."He lied.

"That's what you are telling yourself but it is not true and you know that. Seattle and Seattle Grace are close to her and you think it brings you closer to her and him or her."His mother said but Derek could not reply as he knew and she knew it was true."

"Derek you need to let go of her if you want to be happy and learn from your past mistakes and maybe give Addie the chance you never gave to Mer."His mother had to remind him of that he thought to himself.

"How do you think the child would be?"Derek finally asked the question that had been on his mind forever but he could not ask it to anyone as most didn't know of this and he couldn't ask it to his mother because she also felt the pain of not meeting his first and only child because of his mistake.

"I don't think I know that the child would be so happy that his happiness could not be contained and he would spread happiness in the world. He would be the apple of his mother's eyes and he would never be neglected like her and she would never let him feel sadness and pain that she ever felt."His mother replied in a voice that was cracking.

"You mean the pain and sadness that I made her feel."

End of flashback

Derek's thoughts were interrupted as her name was announced by the chief and she walked on to the stage as beautiful as ever and as unaware of it as ever but she had changed as she wasn't that college student with low self confidence in her, she was now a confident woman who knew she was special and didn't bother to deny that with the confidence she displayed. His eyes followed her every movement as she began her speech.

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As Jackson observed the reaction of the crowd to the introduction of the woman he considered as a sister he wasn't surprised because wherever Meredith Grey went she had a similar reaction.

All of this made him remember the first time he met Meredith Grey and he had a totally different reaction.

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FLASHBACK

8 YEARS AGO

BOSTON, MASSACHUESETS

"I hate you."Jackson said to the beautiful petite woman with blonde hair and bluish green eyes standing in front of him introduced to him by his mother who went on tend to some other guests at the Christmas party organized at the Avery Residence which was attended by the Boston elite. Jackson didn't want to be here but his mother insisted firmly so he was here but he surely didn't want to meet this woman who was a third year resident at Mass Gen and his mother's favorite.

"Excuse me." the woman said shocked.

"I hate you."Jackson replied.

"And why is that?"She asked.

"Well because I am tired of hearing my mother talk about Meredith Grey this, Meredith Grey that, how I should take Meredith Grey as an example for what to do with my life and learn from Meredith Grey how to be a surgeon and how Meredith Grey is a future Harper Avery winner, her favorite how she wished I could be more like Meredith Grey."Jackson ranted on about how his mother always praised Meredith Grey as the woman standing in front of him to whom the name belonged kept on smiling and finally let out a chuckle so he said frustrated" Off course you would find that funny."

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One of the statements in that rant which was her being a future Harper Avery winner was proved correct by her in the next year while she was a fourth year resident. Jackson thought before being lost in his memories again.

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"I think you do not hate me but hate the idea of me."

"What's the difference?"Jackson asked.

"The difference is that I have not done anything to make you hate me except exist which cannot be undone so have a chance to know me and if you do not start liking me have a real reason to hate me."The logic in the woman's statement left Jackson thunderstruck.

"Why would someone hate you Mommy?" suddenly a cute little child with blonde hair holding hands with a black haired athletic looking guy said.

"No reason honey, are you enjoying the party?"Meredith replied in a sweet caring voice.

"Yes I love it especially the giant Christmas tree, Uncle Alex gave me candies and Mrs. Avery gave me lots of cookies." the child said.

The woman looked at the man and said "Alex I told you not too many sweets otherwise he will have a sugar rush then he will be hard to control."

The man replied"It is hard to deny him of anything when he makes a pouty face and whines like you do. As hard it is to deny you it is much harder to do so with him. By the way who is he and why does he need a reason to hate you?"The man called Alex glared at Jackson.

"Oh he is Dr. Avery's son. Jackson Avery meet Dr. Alex Karev. "Meredith introduced the two guys who shook hands.

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What happened later was something Jackson could have never predicted especially the fact that he regrets that he ever said that he hated Meredith Grey.

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A/N-The story continues.

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