Chapter Seven

He sat on the carpet of the apartment hallway. Her neighbor Mrs. Holmes told him that she would be home soon. He could have spent this time going over his new duties, looking for a place to stay, but instead he was sitting in a empty hallway twitching like a seventeen year old band geek. It was completely and totally insane.

"Derek," He turned and a smile of pure joy crossed his face. As he looked at Meredith for the first time in months. She was wearing a lavender sweater, and pair of tight fitting jeans. She looked adorable sexy in a way that made his heart skip a beat.

"Meredith." He whispered as she came closer.

"It's good to see you." She told him, "You look very well." She said as his arms wrapped easily around her body. His hand moving up her side and cupping her face in his hands. A tiny gasped escaped her lips as his hands messaged her lower lip.

"I want to see your apartment." He told her taking her keys out of her hand, "It's a very nice." He said looking around the living room. The light colors and the large couch looked so much like her.

"Thank you." She said with a giggle, "Would you like a drink?" She questioned him. Going into her kitchen taking a few quick breaths.

She was nervous. And she hardly ever got nervous especially not over a guy. A guy she'd been talking to for the better part of half a year. She could do this of course she could.

"Thanks." Derek said taking the white wine glass.

"Your welcoming." She said, "What should we toast to?" She questioned him.

"A happy and long friendship?" He asked.

"Friendship?" She questioned confused, "Only friendship?"

"All good relationship should start with a good friendship." He told her taking her hand in his and sipping the drink. His fingers rubbing her knuckles gently.

"Do you want a relationship with me Derek?" She questioned him softly.

"Of course I do Meredith." He told her cupping her face in his hands. Leaning forward to kiss her softly.

Meredith watched Derek's easy breathing as he slept. A smile she couldn't try to hide even if she wanted. She was already falling for him. That was something she didn't do easily, and it made her a bit uneasy to think about that. She never really imagined herself with a husband or a family. She didn't spend enough time looking for a boyfriend.

"You should be asleep." Derek told her tightening his hold around her waist.

"I can't seem to sleep." She told his softly.

"Why not?" Derek questioned him.

"I'm happy." She sighed, "I didn't think this would happen for a long time." She told him settling herself onto her back.

"You're a wonderfully person Meredith." He said to her, "You deserve all the happiness in the world." He promised her strongly.

"Thank you Derek." She answered putting her hand on top of his. She closed her eyes and in seconds was fast asleep.

¥

"You look happy." Cristina told her the next morning in the locker room.

"I am." Meredith answered, "Derek starts to work today."

"Don't tell me your going to be one of those cutie feely couples?" Cristina begged.

"I'll try." Meredith promised with a giggle, "I haven't you ever felt like you where walking on air?" Meredith questioned her.

"Sure." Cristina nodded, "First time I held a human heart."

"I meant something that didn't have to do with surgery."

"What's better then surgery?" Cristina demanded.

"If you put it that way." Meredith shrugged tying her shoes, "I have a surgery to scrub in on."

She told her before getting up to leave the locker room.

"Hey Mer." Cristina called after her, "I'm glad you're happy."

"Thank you Cristina." Meredith told her before turning to leave.

She walked up behind Derek.

"I thought you'd be scrubbing in already." She told him.

"I had a meeting with your mother." He told her, "Come on Dr. Grey I want to see what you can do.

The room gallery was packed. That suited her needs. She stood off in the back her arms crossed around her body. It was obvious for anyone with eyes to know that something was going on between the two. Not that she couldn't blame he was good-looking and successful. She was after-all her mother's daughter.

"He'll make her happy." Ellis told her husband quietly.

"His not good enough." Richard asked with passion, "Besides what is she looking to settle down for anyway?" He questioned her.

"No one is good enough for her in your eyes Richard. They fit somehow." She told him.

"She hasn't even said anything about dating Shep." Richard stated, "Before you go off planning at least let her tell us."

"Fine." Ellis said turning around, "I'm rarely ever wrong about these things." She finishes as she walked out of gallery.

¥

Six Months Later…

Meredith and Derek stood outside of her childhood home. It was her parent's retirement celebration dinner. It was going to be odd not having Ellis easily leading the surgical wing of Seattle Grace. But know it was Derek's time. There had been grumbles about his age and seniority at the hospital. He would be able to lead them. Meredith was now an attending and she would start in a few days. She was looking forward to really starting her career.

"We don't have to do this." Meredith told him quietly, "I mean I'm sure mom and dad wouldn't mind it if you skipped tonight." She told him in a rush.

"I don't want to skip out." Derek told her squeezing her hand and ringing the doorbell, "Besides your parents love me."

"There obviously crazy." Meredith joked with a giggle.

"Meredith, Shep." Richard greeted going to hug his daughter, and shaking hands with his friend. I think your mother is scaring Mrs. Taines." He told her referring to their long time housekeeper.

"I better stop that before we don't have anything to eat." Meredith said walking off.

"So Shep seat down. Would you like a scotch?" Richard questioned.

"No thank you I have an early day. A coke will be great though."

"You and Meredith have been together for awhile." Richard stated as he handed him his glass.

"Meredith is a wonderful person."

"Yes. She may not be mine biologically, but she's mine anyway." Richard told him, "It's hard to share her."

"I can understand that. Meredith is crazy about you, and it's obviously she loyal to the people that she cares about."

"Yes she is." Richard told him, "She's a gentle soul Derek. Don't screw it up."

"I won't screw it up." Derek promised him honestly. Before they either one could say another word the women walked in.

¥

Meredith looked over at the drivers seat. There dinner had been lively and energetic. Her parent's eager to share their travel plans and to hear of what exactly Derek was planning to do to the surgical wing. All in all it was a good evening.

"Where are we going?" Meredith questioned when they pulled into an unknown street.

"It's a surprise." Derek told her.

"You're not going to kill me our you?" She asked him.

"I'm not going to kill you Mer." Derek told her taking her hand to kiss it, "It's a good surprise I promise."

"Okay." Meredith sighed, as they got deeper into the woods. She gasped as she saw the silver trailer with a lamppost beside it. Derek stopped the cry and shot off before getting out of it himself and jogging around to let her out, "What is this place?" She asked him.

"This is 40 acres of the best land in Seattle." He told her taking her hand, "I just bought it."

"You bought it!" Meredith exclaimed.

"I bought it because I want to build a life with you Mer. After the divorce I never thought I would find someone else I would want to be with. I love you Meredith Grey."

"I love you too Derek Shepherd." Meredith told him as he kissed her, "All this land is your?" She questioned him.

"Ours." He countered, "I want to build are dream house here."

"Our dream house." She whispered, "I think I'll like that."

She told him as he took her hand and walked her into the trailer.

¥

Authors Note: This is not the end. I have at least three more chapters left. In this chapter Derek and Meredith are reunited. Ellis is really nice. Richard doesn't want to let go. We skipped sixth months ahead and Derek has bought his land.

In the next few chapters:

Derek is going to be shaking up the hospital. Adding several new attending.

Meredith is meeting Derek's family.

Someone's going to be pregnant.

So this is important. My birthday is on Sunday, and you know the very best gift is to Review!