A/N: It's been a long day. SAT's this morning and then work this evening but writing makes me happy. This chapter is going to have a song too…

Chapter 46: Take It Slow

Meredith didn't know what she wanted to do about Derek. She knew that she loved him and that she wanted to be with him but didn't know if that's what she wanted right away. Derek had ended things with Tiffany and Meredith had done the same with Finn.

After a few days of thinking Meredith decided what she was going to do. Derek had told her that he would be there waiting when she made her decision, not matter what that decision was. She decided that she was going to tell Derek that she wanted to be with him but it was going to be different and they were going to take things slow.

She decided to call Derek and ask him to come over that night so she could tell him what she had chosen to do. Jason, Melissa and their kids were going to be there for dinner so Meredith would have some moral support.

"Hello?"

"Hey Derek. It's me."

"I'd know that voice anywhere. What's going on McBeautiful?"

Meredith laughed, "Nothing. I just, have a certain something to tell you so would you like to come over tonight?"

"And would that certain something have to do with a certain someone who you happen to be talking to right now?"

"Good job detective. Are you coming?"

"Of course. What time?"

"How about 8?"

"I'll be at the hospital until 8 so I'll get there as soon as I can."

"Okay."

"I can't wait."

"I bet you can't," Meredith said laughing, "Bye Derek."

"Bye Meredith."

That day was Meredith's last day off from work that she had asked for since her mother's accident and she was going to take full advantage of it. Meredith called Cristina, who had the day off from work to go shopping with her. They went to the mall, had some lunch and then started their shopping. Their first store was Victoria's Secret. They weren't looking for anything in particular, just browsing, when Cristina picked up a black satin bustier with matching lacy panties.

"Hey Mer. Check this out."

Meredith turned around and saw Cristina holding the set of bright pink lingerie.

"Real nice, Cris."

"I bet Derek would like it. I mean you two are getting back together."

"I told you that we're not going to have sex."

Cristina gave Meredith her 'Oh Please' look.

Meredith sighed, "Fine, you're right. That's never gonna happen. But you know, he's so…Derek…and…the sex is just…"

"Okay, I really don't want to hear about your sexcapades with Dr. McDreamy. Just buy the damn thing so you can finally get laid tonight. I mean you haven't gotten any since you two broke up."

"Thanks for reminding me."

"No problem."

Meredith didn't buy want Cristina had picked out, but she did buy a little something special for Derek. She got a new bra and panties set, similar to the one she had bought for New Year's when she went shopping with Jen, Derek's oldest sister. Derek had really enjoyed that so she had no doubt that he would like this as well.

She also bought a few new pairs of jeans, and 2 pairs of shoes. Meredith had been through a lot the past week and she figured she deserved to splurge and to spoil herself despite the fact that she didn't make that much as a teacher.

Meredith drove Cristina home and then went back to her house to get ready for dinner with Jason and Melissa. She made lasagna, which Derek had taught her how to make, and bought some nice bread. She also made up a salad and bought a chocolate mousse cake for dessert.

At about 6, Jason and Melissa showed up with Tyler and Lexie. Meredith couldn't believe that Lexie was already 7 months old. It seemed like just yesterday that she had gotten the call from her brother that Melissa had given birth to a baby girl. And Tyler had grown up so much. In September, he would be starting kindergarten.

They all ate dinner and enjoyed it very much. Everybody was surprised that Meredith had actually cooked. She had Derek to thank for that. He had taught her to make so many things that she never would have known or wanted to know how to make if she hadn't met him.

Melissa and Jason were reading a story to Kyle and Meredith was holding and rocking Lexie, when the doorbell rang.

"Who's that?" Melissa asked.

"It's Derek."

"Derek as in, neurosurgeon Derek?" Jason asked, completely unaware of what was going on.

Melissa knew because of what had happened at the hospital that day and since then, they had been keeping in touch. Aside from Cristina and Izzie, Mel was one of the first people who Meredith told about what she was going to do.

"Yes. That Derek. It's complicated. I'll tell you later okay?"

This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

Meredith got up, still with the baby in her arms and opened the door. Derek was standing outside and holding a big bouquet of white roses.

Meredith smiled, "Hey Derek. Come in."

"It's nice to see that smile again. And who is this beautiful little girl?"

"This is my niece, Lexie."

"Well, hello there gorgeous. How are you?"

Derek was great with kids. Meredith saw how well he did with all of his sisters' kids and she always knew that he would make a great father some day.

Melissa came into the doorway and took the baby, knowing that Meredith and Derek needed some time alone to talk. Mel went back into the living room with the baby where Jason and Kyle was and Derek and Meredith went into the kitchen. Meredith took the flowers and put them in a vase.

"So you had something to tell me?" Derek said.

"Yeah I do. I never stopped loving you Derek. Breaking up with you was probably the biggest mistake that I have ever made. I cried myself to sleep every night, thinking about whether I had made the right decision. I started dating Finn and I thought that I had moved on, but when I saw you at the hospital…all the feelings that I had for you came back. I actually don't think they ever went away. So here it is. I choose you Derek. And I hope you give me a second chance. I know I don't deserve it but I love you and you're the one I want to be with, no one else."

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

"Meredith, I never stopped loving you either. When you left me, it was like the world was coming to an end. But I don't resent for you what you did. Not one little bit. If anything, being apart from me made me appreciate what I had when I was with you. Not one day went by that I don't think of you. So I choose you too. And, yes you do deserve me. In fact you deserve someone better than me."

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

Meredith had tears streaming down her face. Derek walked over to her and wiped the tears away with his thumb.

"I'm sorry Derek. You should be with someone else," she said still crying.

"Meredith, what are you talking about? There is nobody I would rather be with than you."

"I hurt you Derek. When I left you I hurt you. If I was stronger I would have stuck it out and not have just given up."

"I don't blame you for what you did Meredith. If I was you, and somebody was neglecting me the way I was doing to you, I would have done the same thing. Let's just forget about the past, and start over. I love you Meredith, and that's all that matter."

"You promise?" Meredith said, her sobs slowing down.

"I promise."

That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

Derek wiped the tears away from Meredith's face and once she had calmed down and caught her breath, she just looked at Derek and smiled.

"There's that beautiful smile. I haven't seen that in a while."

"Thank you Derek."

"For what?" he asked, brushing her hair out of her face.

"For taking me back. For not hating me for what I did to you. And…for loving me."

"It's not hard to do, Mer."

So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

Meredith gave Derek a deep kiss and didn't noticed that her brother had just walked into the room.

"Achem…"

Meredith opened her eyes and broke apart from the kiss.

"Jason…"

"Kyle and Lexie need to get to bed so we're going to head home."

"Okay. Um, call me tomorrow alright?"

"Yea, of course."

Meredith said goodbye to Mel, Jason, Lexie and Kyle and then went back to Derek in the kitchen.

"So where were we?"

Derek laughed, "Right…about….here," he said, walking towards her and kissing her.

Derek walked them towards the living room, and onto the couch. He was about to take off her shirt when she stopped him.

"Mmm...Derek...no..." she said, putting her hands on his chest to stop him.

"No? What's wrong?"

"We can't. I mean..." Meredith sat up, "Derek, I want to take things slow.

"How slow?" he said, inching his hand up her shirt.

"Derek...stop...I'm serious..." she said in between kisses.

He finally stopped and sat up, "You're serious about this?"

"Yea. I just, I want to take things slow. Not rush into anything. We've been apart for awhile. I think we should start out like new...we should...date."

"You want to date me?" he said, laughing a little.

"Why is that funny? We should date. Get to know each other again."

"Okay...anything else?"

Meredith had a huge grin on her face.

"Oh no...what else?"

"No sex."

"No sex? You're no fun."

"Believe me Derek, it's definitely not that I don't want you. It's just what I think is right right now. And when the time is right for...other things...I'll let you know."

"Okay. In that case," Derek said, standing up, "Goodnight Meredith. I will call you tomorrow."

Derek gave Meredith a kiss on the cheek and left her sitting alone on her couch, with a huge smile on her face, happier than she had been in a while. Things had been tough for awhile but she had a gut feeling that they were turning around

A/N: This was difficult for me to write...Hope you all are happy! REVIEW!