8. Nerves
Meredith heard the phone ringing inside the house as she searched for her keys in her purse. When she'd finally managed to open the door she ran into the kitchen, throwing the grocery bags onto the floor as she picked up the phone.
"Yeah, hello," she said, breathing heavily.
"Meredith? Hi... hello, it's um... it's Addison... Montgomery," said a familiar voice on the other end of the line.
"Oh yeah... hi," Meredith said hesitantly, surprised by this unexpected phone call.
"I'm sorry I'm calling your house, it's just... I'm selling the brownstone and there's some stuff of Derek's that's still there and I couldn't reach him at his cell or at the hospital."
"No, it's fine. He actually went into surgery a couple of hours ago, should be here soon. If you want, I'll tell him to call you back."
"Thank you,"
"No, problem. So how's L.A.?" she said, finding it surprisingly easy to talk to her boyfriend's ex wife.
"It's different. I think it's exactly what I needed. A change. Sometimes you need to get away from everything to get perspective of things. But I miss Seattle a little but," she laughed a little and then continued; "just like I used to miss New York, before."
"Speaking of which; Derek's dragging me to New York meet the family this weekend..." her voice trailed off, not quite sure if it was an appropriate subject. Thankfully Addison didn't seem to mind.
"Don't be nervous, they'll love you."
"Well you left large footsteps to fill," Meredith answered. "I'm not sure the slutty intern thing will go over too well."
Addison laughed a little. "Don't let Nancy get to you. She had a loyalty towards me 'cause she introduced us... besides, as long as you don't go and sleep with Mark you'll be fine," she laughed, surprised at how easy it was talking about things that had caused the both of them a lot of heart ache. "Anyway..." her voice trailed off.
"I'll tell Derek you called," Meredith said with a warm voice.
"Okay, goodbye Meredith."
"Addison!"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"And... I'm sorry... about everything."
"Yeah, me too."
"Goodbye, Addison"
"Goodbye."
Just as she hung up the phone she heard Derek burst into kitchen.
"Hey, babe. Who was it?"
"Addison. She wants to talk to you about some stuff you left at the brownstone. "
"Okay, I'll call her later." He placed a kiss on her cheek before continuing. "So, have you packed yet?"
"No... I have absolutely no idea what kind of clothes people wear in New York!"
He laughed at her newfound problem. "Just wear what you like. They party is a 'dress up' event, just so you know. Oh, and mom's having a family dinner tomorrow night. You know... my sisters, brothers-in law and us."
This was not helping Meredith with her nervousness. She was a little glad though that they'd be staying at a hotel and not in a guest bedroom at one of his sister's. They were heading out tomorrow morning, spending two nights there and returning on Sunday.
"So, should I cook...or should we order inn?" Derek asked with a tired face. She smiled at him, placing her hands on his hips and pulling him closer.
"Lets order inn," she whispered before finding his lips with hers.
"You know what we can do while we wait?" he smirked.
"Derek, I have to pack!"
"Fine," he pouted.
She headed upstairs, but suddenly stopped in the middle of the stairs and turned around.
"You ok?" Derek asked.
"Yeah, it's just... You have to stay by my side. You can't leave me all alone out there with someone I don't know. I know you said they're going to be nice, and I believe you. But I can't do it unless you're there with me," she said a little nervously.
He smiled. "Meredith, I'd never leave you alone. I'll be there all the time, I promise you that."
She smiled. "I love you, you know?"
"I love you too," he replied. "Now, go pack so we can do other things after dinner..."