A/N: Okay, so I'm updating now, and not again tonight. But definitely tomorrow afternoon, because I need something to do while I wait for the show to come on. I have a half-day so I have like 8 hours to fill up. I've already planned my day a little so that it doesn't go by too slow. Anybody have any other ideas of how to waste my time? I was thinking of watching the finale right before the premiere. I'M SO EXCITED! Anyways, on with the story…
Chapter 16: I Love You
Derek was a little worried about what Meredith had to tell him so after he spoke to her he went out to his car and hurried home. He had no idea whether something was wrong or if she just wanted to talk. When he got pulled up in front of her, he noticed that Jason and Melissa's car was gone and figured that they probably had to get Kyle to bed. He was a really good little kid, and he understood why Meredith spoke so fondly of him. He was excited to have met them. It was at that moment, on the drive home, thinking about how welcome he had felt with her family, that he realized that he was in love with her. It frightened him a little because of the fact that they hadn't been together that long. He had really loved Addison but hadn't felt this way about her after being with her for a much longer time, and even then the feeling wasn't this strong. He knew that there was something special about Meredith, and didn't want to ever let that go.
Derek got out of his car and walked into the house to see Meredith curled up on the couch in her PJs watching a movie. Meredith heard him come in, turned off the TV and got up and went and gave him a hug, "Thank you for putting up with my family. I'm really sorry that they gave you the third degree." "No need to apologize baby," he said, returning the hug, "So, what did you want to tell me?" All of a sudden, Meredith tensed up, and Derek noticed. "Mer? What's wrong?" She took a deep breath, "Nothing. I just…let me talk okay?" He nodded his head, a little worried, and she continued to speak.
"Derek, that night that I met you at Christina and Burke's wedding, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. When we were dancing, I was so happy, happier than I had been in a long time. When I went to the brunch the next day and you weren't there, I was so disappointed, and then, when I didn't hear from you that day, I figured you probably wouldn't call, because you just wanted someone to be with, because it was a wedding and people get lonely at weddings. I thought I was just a stand-in. But then, I got to school the next day and I saw the flowers, and I didn't even have to read the card to know you they were from. And I called you, and just hearing your voice made my heart jump. The date we went on, it was the best first date that I have ever had. And then, you came back and kissed me…"
Derek started to laugh a little bit. "Derek! Stop laughing," she whined. He stopped, "I'm sorry honey, but you're rambling." She smiled, knowing that she was doing it, "Okay, I'm sorry, I'll get to the point."
"Tonight, when my brother was here I was so afraid that he would drive you way. I was afraid that you would think that things were going too fast and would break things off. When you left, my brother took me into the living room and asked me what I was doing, which is when I realized…I love you Derek. I know we've been together for less then a month, but that's how I feel, and you need to know. I love you."
Derek just smiled, and took her head in his hands and kissed her deeply. "I love you too, Meredith," he whispered in her ear after they had pulled away from the kiss. "My turn now okay?" he asked. She nodded and he started to talk.
"First of all, you definitely were not a stand-in. When I saw you at the wedding, I thought you were not only the most beautiful woman there, but also the most beautiful woman I have ever seen." Derek saw that a tear was running down Meredith's cheek and he brushed it away with his thumb and then kissed where the tear had been and continued to speak. "Meredith, nobody could ever scare me away from you. Even you're overprotective brother, who reminds me a lot of myself protecting my little sister. You are definitely worth the protecting, and you are definitely worth the interrogation. Even with that, I felt more comfortable with your family than anyone else who introduced me to their family. As I was driving home, I was thinking about that, and I want to be a part of that. I love you too Meredith."
Meredith smiled and just hugged Derek, "Thank goodness," she said under her breath. "What?" he asked. "I was so worried that I would freak you out. Derek, I've never felt this way about anyone before, even if I was with them for a much longer time. I was afraid that you didn't feel the same way." Derek smiled, "I know the feeling, sweetheart." He kissed her passionately and picked her up and carried her upstairs to her bedroom.
A/N: So I love this chapter too. But, where are my reviews? Only like 3 in the past day? What's up with that? I'm having fun writing this and I hope you all are enjoying reading it.