Three

Derek smiled as he stepped out of his rental car. A smile on his face as he looked at his childhood home. His mother had already strung up clear and red lights around the shingles, and around the columns. The door held their childhood reef he chuckled he was about to ring the doorbell when Meredith took his hand.

"You ready?" He questioned her.

"As ready as I'll ever be." She gave him a brave smile and Derek raised his hand to knock but the door was already opening.

Revealing a woman of average height and weight in her late thirties. Her shoulder black hair falls down her shoulders in curly ringlets. Her dark eyes sparking with flames of happiness. Her pretty face revealing a large happy smile.

"Big brother!" The woman exclaimed throwing her arms around him. "Oh Derek I have missed you so much!" She said kissing his cheek.

"I missed you to Mandy." He said to see his sister who had pulled away and was already turning to Meredith.

"And your Meredith. It's so great to finally to meet you." She said holding out her hand. Meredith grasped it and shook,

"It's great to meet you to Amanda."

"I promise were not at all crazy as Derek probably told you." She said taking Meredith's hand and leading her into the house. Derek followed behind with a shake of his head. "Mom their here!" Amanda exclaimed when the got into the foyer.

The inside of the house was strewn with it's own set of lights. Meredith inwardly smiled knowing exactly were Derek got his love of Christmas from.

"I can hear them perfectly well Amanda!" Carolyn Shepherd exclaimed as she walked down the stairs of her house. Her dark hair with shades of grey was falling down her back; she had a smile on her kind face. Her dark eyes thoughtful as she looked at them. "Derek!" She exclaimed once she reached them wrapping her arms around him. "Oh I have missed you." She said tears in her eyes, "You look much to skinny." She admonished to which Derek couldn't help but laugh loudly.

"I've missed you to Mom." He said kissing her cheeks.

"Good." She said breaking away looking at Meredith who was standing beside him nervously.

"Mom I like to meet my girlfriend Meredith Grey. Meredith my mom Carolyn Shepherd."

"It's nice to finally meet you Mrs. Shepherd." Meredith said holding out her hand. Carolyn shakes her head and instead embraced the other woman.

"Call me Carolyn." She told her kissing her cheek. "I'm so happy to have you in my home."

"It's a beautiful house Carolyn." Meredith said as the braking away from her.

"Thank you dear. Come inside I prepared a little something I don't know if you two are hungry. Cole and the kids will be back from a little Christmas shopping."

"Thanks mom." Derek said putting a reassuring arm around her wife shoulder.

"It's no problem sweetheart." She said as they walked toward the kitchen.

-- --

Meredith had never been to a family dinner before. Especially not a family dinner as loud and boisterous as the Shepherd family. She was half afraid of what it would like when the whole family was in attendance.

"Meredith?" She looked up surprised over at Amanda.

"Sorry yes."

"Derek says you're a second year residence."

"Yes that's right."

"Have you decided what field?"

"My mom was a general surgeon, but I'm more into Neuro."

"I'm sure you have a good teacher." Cole teased them.

"Actually." Derek broke in, "On her first day Meredith saved my patients life. She was the one to think of the case study."

"I'm sure your very good dear." Carolyn broke in.

"Thank you. It's a lot of sleepless night."

"I certainly don't miss that part." Amanda said, "I'm glad that I went into private practice. I just don't know how you do it every day on call."

"It's exciting." Derek said shrugging, "I get to help a lot more people and I enjoy teaching."

"Uncle Derek!" Piped in eight-year old Nora, "Do you really live in the forest?"

" I did." Derek tells, "But now I live with Meredith, and her revolving door of roommates."

"I do not have that many roommates." Meredith told him, "Besides you're the one that invited Lexie."

"Lexie?"

"She's my half sister."

"I didn't realize you had any siblings." Carolyn told her to which Meredith shifted uncomfortable in her chair.

"I have a sister Molly as well my father was remarried."

"Was?" Amanda asked.

"Amanda." Derek warned sensing that Meredith was getting upset.

"No it's okay." Meredith gave him a brave smile, "My step-mother died last year as well."

"Oh dear." Carolyn said sympathetic, "I'm so sorry."

"Thank you." Meredith said feeling the sympathy and not hating it. She relaxed a little feeling better about being here.

-- --

"You survived?" Derek told her as they walked into his childhood bedroom. It had changed over the years from his early years of racecars.

"I survived." She breathed a sigh of relief, "So this is the room were the great Derek Shepherd grew up? Became a man?" She asked him smiling as he wrapped his arms around her body.

"It has that certain smile of greatness."

"God you are so full of yourself." Meredith told him turning around in his grasp and kissing him gentle.

"I can't help it."

"Hmm I'm sure." She said as he lifted her up her legs wrapping themselves around his waist, "Derek we can't."

She told him as he laid her down on the bed.

"Come on what do you say we de-virginized this bed?"

"Oh I'm sure." She laughed.

"Honestly I have never had another woman in this bed."

"Okay." She said smiling again. "I completely believe you."

"I'm completely trustful."

"Just kiss me."

He smiled leaning in to kiss her and they were quite for long time.

-- --

Meredith sighed as she heard her cellphone vibrating on the end table by the bed. She reached for it seeing that it was Izzie she slipped out of the bed. Derek grumbling at the lose of her body heat.

"Hold on a sec Iz." She told her friend putting on her robe and tying it as she walked downstairs to the kitchen. "Hi Izzie."

"Hey Mer just calling to make sure you got in okay."

"Yeah every things fine."

"No body is bitchy yet."

"Not everyone is here yet." She told her, "I just met his sister Amanda and her husband Cole and their kids."

"So your okay."

"Yes I'm perfect." Meredith said, "Is my house still standing."

"Alex is on call so I'm here by myself. I'm making some muffins."

"Oh I wish I was there." Meredith thought of the muffins.

"I'll save you guys a patch." Izzie told her, "Tell Derek I said hi."

"Okay bye Izzie." Meredith said hanging up.

"I thought I heard a noise." Meredith jumped in surprise at Carolyn's voice, "I scared you I'm sorry dear."

"It's fine. I should know better then to sneak downstairs at night."

"No I want you to feel comfortable here. You are after all apart of Derek's life."

"Yes." Meredith said in want of anything else to say.

"I have to tell you when I first heard about you I was upset."

"I'm sorry."

"No I understand now that Derek nor Addison was happy in their marriage." She sighed, "Derek hasn't been this happy in years."

"I love your son Carolyn."

"Oh I know you do." Carolyn nodded, "Derek out of all my kids always believed in happily ever after. I think his finally found it in you."

Meredith found her eyes prickling with tears.

"Thank you." Meredith told her as the woman reached over to hug her.

-- --

The next morning Meredith woke up staring up at the wall. So far everything had been okay. His mother or his sister hadn't bought her to tears. There kids had been very cute and the whole family wasn't as bad as she had imagined they would be. She was for the moment happy to have decided to come here.

"Mer?" Derek asked coming out of the bathroom. A towel wrapped around his waist and his towel over his head. "I thought you were getting up."

"I am." Meredith said seating up, "What's on the agenda for today?"

"Mom wants to go find a tree." He said going to his suitcase. "How do you like it here so far?"

"It's fine." She told him "I really like your mom. You take after her but I think you must look like your dad."

"I do." He sighed, "Later ask mom to take out the photo album."

"I'll have to remember that." She told him getting out of bed with a stretch.

"Good. How about before the rest of my sisters arrive I take you for a walk around my town?"

"I'd love that." Meredith told him smiling as she grabbed some clothes. "I won't be long." She promised walking into the bathroom.

Derek waited to hear the shower turn on before he hurried to put on his clothes. He opened the door and quickly walked downstairs. His mother was standing in the kitchen making pancakes.

"I'm making you favorite." She told him looking up with a smile. Derek kissed his mother cheek coming behind her.

"It smiles good. I knew coming home was a good idea." He told her going to the fridge.

"Perhaps I'll give Meredith the recipe?"

"No." Derek laughed a little, "Mer's idea of breakfast is cold pizzas."

"And what about you are you still eating Muesli?"

"It's healthy." Derek defended himself.

"It makes you too skinny." She sighed, "Well you're here I'll make sure you eat."

Derek poured himself a glass of Orange Juice and sighed. It would be useless to argue with his mother about this.

"I look forward to it." He said instead seating down, "So what do you think of Meredith?" He questioned her.

"She loves you." Carolyn said flipping over the pancakes with quick deft movements. "I can tell you love her. I look forward to spending more time with her."

"It's crazy you know…" He told her, "I never thought I would fall in love again after Addison. We've been though so much but I know it's all be worth it."

"All I want is for you to happy." She told him, "I just want a promise that you'll be bringing my grandkids back here some time." At his pale look she groaned, "Please tell me I will be getting grandkids from the two of you?"

"Will discuss it when it's time."

Derek promised her as she placed his pancakes on a plate and handed them over. Derek took the cut into the pancakes and smiled as he bit into them.

Yes it was very good to be home.

-- --

It started to snow as Meredith took his hand as they walked though the tree farm.

"I've never been to a tree farm before." She confessed, "My mother as you can guess wasn't into holiday's."

"Oh sweetheart." He put his arm around her "Will get you into the holidays."

Before Meredith could replay Carolyn appeared.

"I think I found a tree!" Carolyn said happily.

"Were coming mom." Derek said a smile on his face as he pulled Meredith toward the trees.

"You really love this don't you?" Meredith questioned him.

"Christmas makes you want to be with the people you love." He said

"I'm glad to be here." Meredith told him smiling, "I love you Derek."

"I love you too baby." Derek told her as they stopped in front of a large tree.

"It's perfect huh?" Carolyn questioned him.

"It's kind of big mom."

"We have a big family Derek." She turned to Meredith, "What do you think?"

"I think it's a perfect tree."

"Good. It's two to one Der. I'll go get Matthew." She said hurrying away.

"Your mother is on a first name bases with the tree guy?"

"We've been coming here for as long as I can remember."

"It must be nice to have such strong roots."

Meredith told Derek just as a tall older man came into their line of vision.

"Derek!" The man exclaimed happy holding out his hand, "It's good to have you back home son."

Derek gave the man a smile as he shook his hand.

"It's great to be home Matt." Derek replied, "How is everything?"

"Good I can't complain." He said, "How's things going in Seattle?"

"Excellent." Derek told him looking over at Meredith, "Let me introduce you to my girlfriend Meredith Grey. Meredith this is Matt Burnes he owns the tree farm."

"Nice to meet you." Meredith told him with a small smile.

"Nice to meet you to Meredith." He said and sighed looking at the tree, "Your mother always picks the biggest tree. I hope you have help to get it into the house."

"I'll drag the in-laws to help." Derek promised him with a smile.

They left the tree on top of the car. Carolyn sent them happily on their way though out the small town. Derek took her hand as they walked down main-street.

"So is there someplace of historical reference I should be on the look out for? The sight of your first kiss?"

"Hmm my first kiss." Derek clicked his tongue, "The Walgreen's parking lot." Derek told her smiling.

"A parking lot?" She questioned, "So is that were you got your love of dirty from?" Meredith asked him with a raised brow.

"As I recall you were the one that approached me…"

"Derek Shepherd!" A smiling little raven-haired beauty walked faster toward them with her arms raised up.

"Mindy Watts." Derek said flatly as she enfolded her with hug.

Meredith watched them with an amused look on her face. Derek was not amused she liked to see him not at ease. It wasn't something she got to see much of.

"I just can't believe you're here! Carolyn told me you were coming but I just did not believe it! How long has it been?"
It was a hard fought effort to keep Meredith from laughing. She had to keep her lips tightly snapped. But her body was shaking in laughter.

"About six years Mindy."

"Yes that's right." She said a long finger tapping her chin, "Since our last high school reunion. You were with Addison then and I told Mother that I was certain that the two of you would."

"Yes well…" Derek said with an awkward cough that had Meredith feeling the tiniest bit of remorse for his circumstance.

"Hi I'm Meredith Grey." Meredith broke in holding out her hand, "I'm Derek's girlfriend."

"Oh right." She said with wide eyes, "How are you liking are little town?"

"It's beautiful here." Meredith told her, "I can see why Derek likes it so much."

"Yes it is lovely. I'm sure Derek and I have the fondest memories here."

"It was nice to see you Mindy." Derek told her, "Meredith and I were just going to pick up some stuff for my mom."

"Oh right." She said smiling, "Well I'll see you at the Christmas Parade?"

"Yeah sure." Derek said taking Meredith's hand and walking quickly away.

"So what fond memories do you and Mindy have?" Meredith teased laughing a little.

"She was my first girlfriend." Derek sighed.

"Really?" Meredith told him, "So you went for the bubbly type. I'm amazed it didn't work out with Sydney."

"Meredith..." Derek warned her Meredith stopped him taking his face between her hands and kissed him.

"I'm glad to see your taste has change." She said as she took his hand again.

-- --

Meredith let out a breath as they walked though the front door. She took off her coat happy to be in the warmth of the house. And happy to be smiling something cooking.

"Oh good your back." Carolyn said as she cleaned her hands on a towel. "Meredith you come help me with the chicken."

"I don't cook…" Meredith told her, "My roommate Izzie doesn't even let me stir."

"Will fix that." Carolyn replied, "Derek you can go bring down the Christmas boxes." She ordered her son.

"Yes mom." He said living the two women alone and going upstairs.

"The grandkids like to help make the cookies so I already got the stuff. But I have to prepare dinner for 25 people so I like to start early."

"I understand." Meredith nodded even though she was slightly amazed.

"Did you like are town?"

"Yes it's very nice."

"Were did you grow up?"

"We leaved in Boston and New York. My mom worked at the UN."

"That's right. I guess you got to go to so many places growing up?"

"Not really. My mom worked better when I wasn't around."

"Oh dear I'm sorry."

"No it's fine." Meredith said shaking her head "Is there something I can help with?" She asked trying to change the subject.

Carolyn nodded understanding what she needed to do.

"You can stir the potatoes."

"Okay." Meredith said grabbing it, "I don't know why I can't cook. It's just like when I tried to knit. You'd think with all the sciences classes I took that I would be able to learn how to cook."

"You're doing just fine dear. And I'm sure when you have kids that you'll get even better."

"Kids." Meredith looked up pale.

"I'm sorry sometimes I speak to soon." Carolyn said, "I meant in the future not now. I understand how hard your residences is."

"I know Derek wants kid. I mean he's so good with them and he'll be a great father and I…"

"Will be a great mother." Carolyn told her, "I have six sense about these things."

"Were you nervous about being a mom?"

"Of course I was." She laughed, "Anyone who says they weren't is lying. It's a heady thing to have to take of this tiny baby. At one point I didn't think Andrew would ever learn how to put a diaper on a baby."

"You must have loved him very much."

"Oh I do." She answered smiling, "The first time I met him I thought he had such a big ego, but later I understood that he had ever right to act the way he did. Derek takes after his father in more then just looks he has that ego."

"That explains a lot."

"Later will go though the albums. Maybe you'd like to take some pictures back with you."

"Thank you."

-- --

Derek watched Meredith moved around their bedroom nervously. Her dress zipped down and several pairs of shoes scattered on the floor. As she nervously bitten her bottom lips.

"It's going to be fine Meredith." Derek promised her, "If Nancy gets out of hand I'll deal with her."

"No Der it's fine." Meredith took a deep breath, "I'm not Addison what if they don't like me?"

"No Meredith your not Addison." He told her, "I'll let you in on a secret they didn't like Addie at first either."

Meredith smiled down at him.

"That does make me feel better." Meredith replied smiling down at him.

"Meredith you know that I love you and nothing my sisters can say will change that." He told her putting his arms around her waist. Meredith allowed her fingers to run though his thick dark hair.

"Okay." Meredith said taking deep breath and turned around for Derek to zip her up.

-- --

The sound of cars arriving surprised Meredith. Amanda's husband Cole had only just said he had picked everyone up at the airport. She felt better and happy as she could see Derek's excitement.

She heard the doorbell ring and felt the renewing of her nerves.

Carolyn opened the door and in seconds the house was filled loud voices all talking at once. Derek was surrounded with hugs and kisses. And he gave back as much as he received.

She felt a pull on her dress. She looked down to see a tiny little girl with big blue eyes and a curly mass of dark hair.

"Hi." She said smiling revealing that she was missing two front teeth, "I'm Ashley Shepherd-Halls." She said holding her little hand, "Are you Meredith?"

"Yes I am." Meredith went into her memory bank to remember whom Ashley belonged to. Then she remembered that she was Abby's daughter.

"It's nice to meet you." She told her but when a little boy with red hair pulled at her hair Ashley was off like a shot a determined gleam in her eyes.

"Hello Meredith." Meredith looked up to Nancy in front of her, "It's nice to see you again."

"It's nice to see you too." She replied giving her hesitant smile.

"How's everything in Seattle?"

"It's going well. I'm busy with my residence."

"Yes of course." The older woman reply's "Let me introduce you to the rest of the family."

Meredith could say little and in that moment she could understand how a lamb being taking to slaughter felt.

-- --

If Meredith had felt that the dinner the night before was loud then this one was deafening. The children at their own table and Meredith half wished that she had was with them. There was a lot of talking over each other, of laughter, and inside family jokes. Under it all she could feel the warmth and the togetherness that she never had.

And for the first time she understood what being with Derek was like. You got his whole family rather you wanted it or not. It was a heady combination.

"So Meredith how old our you?"

Kathy questioned her suddenly breaking Meredith at her own thoughts. She was a tall, board shouldered blonde. Her features while not classical beautiful would be considered pretty. Her thick blonde hair is cut at chin length, allowing for her green eyes, which are filled with laughter, to shine

"Kathy!" Derek and Abby both exclaimed. Abby shook her head at her elder sister. In her mid thirties Abby is a classic beauty. Her dark auburn hair is cut in a bob. Her emerald green eyes are gentle and kind.

"No it's fine." Meredith told her, "I'm thirty." Meredith says cutting her meat.

"So you started your residency late?" Kathy's husband Doug broke in.

"Yes I did. I took some time off to decide what I wanted to do with my life. I even went to Europe."

"Didn't you just love it there?" Abby questioned, "I backpacked though Europe after my high school graduation. It was so liberating."

"Yes and it gave me quite a few sleepless nights." Carolyn quips causing everyone to laugh at the table.

"It was worth it. That's were I met Tim." Abby says kissing her husband on the lips.

"Oh I didn't know that you two meet in Europe."

"Yes we met at the Louvre." Timothy said, "We met at the Nike of Samothrace."

She had a romantic look in her emerald eyes.

"It was love at first sight." Abby told Meredith with a smile.

"So Derek have you decided what you're going to do with your land?" Nancy asked her brother bringing the conversation back to Derek.

For Meredith's part it was one of the most interesting meals she had ever been to.

-- --

Author Note: This chapter is very long! Consider it a Christmas Eve Present! Now on with the story:

I hope the Carolyn/Meredith conversation was convincing and interesting. And for some reason I always imagined Derek's first girlfriend to be a bubbly person which is way we got Mindy.

Thanks for all the great reviews they've been really amazing.

As always.

Review!