Start Falling Each Day

"I don't know what it is tonight
Your smile, Your eyes
Even in the candlelight
You shine so bright"

I lean in and take the drink Joe holds out for me. My lips brush her ear and my breath causes her hair to flutter. Speaking softly, I whisper words so low that only her and Cristina can hear, and most probably Joe even as he pretends to ignore us.

"I pick you. I choose you. I love you." I take the words she said to me earlier this evening and turn them back on her. My whispered promise.

"And you are so beautiful
More beautiful than you've ever been
I catch my breath
And Fall in love again"

She turns on the stool and her hazel eyes stare at me with a sheen of tears.

"I know" I start, finding the words harder to say than I thought. "I know that I have to prove it to you. And I have to wait, I don't expect you to forgive me overnight. I didn't lie, but I didn't tell you everything. When.. When you need to know everything.. When I can tell you everything.. I will. When you are ready. And I know that is not right now."

"I can't imagine where I'd be
Without you with me
I need you more everyday
More than words can say"

"Right now you are going to get pissed with Cristina and bitch about me. I know. And that's how you should be. I mucked up. Badly. But I promise you now. I'll do whatever it takes to work this out. Because I'm in. I mean I'm really really in this Meredith. And I know you are to. I can't live without you. I need you."

I watch tears fall down her face, and I feel my own eyes rimmed with them too, but I hold them back.

"I want you in my life for all of my life
This night will never end
You take my hand
And I fall in love again"

I take her hand in mine, never losing eye contact for a second. "I'm telling you now. This is forever. I'm in this for the forever. And I'll work on this every day to make sure you don't regret a moment of us."

"Nothing short of a miracle
Could have brought you here to me
When I'm with you
Heavens all I see
All I see"

"Because I love you."

"I love you too Derek. But.. we need time." she says. I feel my heart clench but know to accept her words. I can't push her away. It'll take time.

"I know baby. We need space. We'll take space. But I'll be here. I'll be waiting."

"Caught up in every touch
I feel the rush
Of this moment that we're in
Each time we kiss
I fall in love again"

I lean in and kiss her. Before saying one last time "I love you". I down the rest of my drink and turn and leave, not looking back knowing if I do I wouldn't be able to leave or give her the space she needs.

"I can't resist
I fall in love again"

She's my everything. And all I have to do is prove it. And I can do that. Because I am not leaving. I need her by my side. I need her everyday so I can fall in love with her more and more. I want her to one day become my wife.

Time.

I hate time.

A/N: Lyrics from this chapter are Fall in Love - Nick Lachey