Chapter 26: Happy New Year

The next day was New Year's Eve and Derek had planned for him and Meredith to spend the night together. It would be their first New Year's together and Derek wanted to make it special. It reminded Meredith of their first date when Derek wouldn't tell her what restaurant they were going to and ended up taking her to her favorite Italian restaurant in the city. They only thing that Derek hold told her about their New Year's date was that they were going to leave the house at 7 and she better be ready on time.

"Shouldn't you start getting ready?" Derek asked Meredith, at around 5'oclock.

"It doesn't take me that long," Meredith said as she continued to watch television.

"Yes it does. Don't you remember when we were going to the hospital Christmas party and we were an hour late because you couldn't decide what to wear?"

"That was because I was meeting the people you work with and I wanted to make a good impression and couldn't look like a completely slob."

"Oh, so, it's okay if you look like a slob when you're on a special New Year's Eve date?"

Meredith laughed and got up from her chair, "Of course not. I'll go get ready."

She gave Derek a kiss and went upstairs to take a shower. When she got out of the shower she blow dried and then curled her hair. She put on the white top, black pants and heels that she had bought the day before when she went out shopping with Jen. At 7:02 she came downstairs and Derek was standing at the bottom of the stairs in a black suit, white shirt, and a red tie.

"You look amazing," he said, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself."

They told Katherine and Billy that they were leaving and wished them a Happy New Year because they wouldn't be back until later the next morning when Derek's sisters and some other members of his family were coming over for lunch. They went outside and Derek opened the car door and helped Meredith up into the car, walked around the other side and drove away. Meredith had no clue where they were going because she had never been to be Maine before. She couldn't even make a prediction of where he was taking her, but she loved that about him because it kept some spontaneity in their relationship.

About 20 minutes later, they pulled up to a beautiful restaurant. The valet was standing outside waiting and Derek handed him the car keys. Meredith couldn't believe how beautiful the restaurant was. He always seemed to amaze her no matter what. Derek walked up to the hostess, gave her his name and she led them to a table. Derek pulled out the chair for Meredith, "M'lady."

Meredith giggled, "Thank you." Derek sat down on the other side of the table and just started at her for a moment.

"What? What are you looking at? Do I have something in my teeth or my hair? What?"

"You're so beautiful," he said reaching across the table and taking her hand.

She smiled, "Thank you."

They ordered their dinner and had a really nice meal. After dinner, the waitress came over and asked if they needed anything else. Before Meredith could say yes and ask to order dessert, he cut her off. "No thank you. Just the bill please."

"Derek! I want chocolate!"

He laughed at her, "Don't worry, we're having dessert, just not here."

"Really?" she asked raising her eyebrow, "Where are we going? Or is it another secret?"

"What do you think?"

"It's a secret?"

Derek nodded his head, "You got it."

The waitress brought the bill and Derek gave her his credit card. As soon as he got his card back and signed the receipt they left the restaurant. Derek gave the valet his card and they stood outside waiting for them to bring back his car. It was cold outside and Meredith started shivering.

"You okay?" Derek said laughing. He was used to the cold.

Meredith, however, was not. "I'm freezing! It's freezing out here!"

Derek took off his suit jacket and put it on her. He then wrapped his arms around her to keep her warm. "Better?" he asked.

"Much better."

The valet brought their car and they got in. After about another 20 minutes ride they pulled up in front of a little café that was very crowded. "Derek, I don't think we're going to be able to get in here. There are so many people here. I doubt there are any tables available."

Derek just smirked, "That's why I called ahead." Meredith should have known better. He was always prepared for these sorts of things. The fact that he was a world renowned neurosurgeon didn't hurt matters either. By the time they had driven to the other restaurant, finished dinner, paid and driven to the café it was around 11:15.

After about a five minute wait in the café they got seated in the back near a patio that was decorated with a fountain and lots of pretty lights. They sat down at the table and looked at their menu. Meredith just ooo'd and aahh'd as she read through the menu. When she had finished looking at everything they had to offer, they decided to order a plate of strawberries dipped in different kinds of chocolate.

They took turns feeding each other the strawberries and lots of kisses in between bites. At around 5 minutes of midnight, Derek got up and stuck out his hand for Meredith to take.

"Where are we going?" Meredith asked confused.

"Just take my hand, and close your eyes," he said.

"Close my eyes?"

"You trust me don't you?" Derek asked, pretending to be insulted.

"Of course I do, but…"

Before she could continue Derek said, "Okay, then close your eyes and take my hand."

Meredith did as she was told. She felt the cold on her body as Derek led her outside. She assumed that they were going out onto the patio that they could see from their table but they kept walking. Derek finally stopped, "Okay, open your eyes."

When Meredith opened her eyes, they were standing under a little waterfall with lights all around. It was one of the most beautiful things Meredith had ever seen. As Meredith, looked around, Derek looked at his watch, "Happy New Year."

Meredith smiled and turned to Derek, "Happy New Year." She gave Derek a big hug and whispered "I love you," into his ear. He pulled apart from the hug, "I love you too Meredith." He kissed her on the lips and wrapped his arms around her, as she did the same back.

A/N: I love this chapter. I think this is one the best. What do you think? Review! Hope I have a lot of reviews in my inbox when I get up in the morning!