"I take it you're Miss Dani," he said to the little girl. Dani nodded excitedly as the waiter bent down to her level and presented her with a royally embellished peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich. Dani squealed with excitement and was in awe because they had strategically placed real strawberries around the plate for her. Meredith was in shock. How did he know?
She looked up at him, questions in her eyes, Derek said to her, "Well I figured if she was anything like you, I couldnt go wrong with PB&J and fresh fruit." He blushed knowing he probably shouldnt have remembered such a detail, but when he saw the tears begin to well up in Meredith's eyes, he was sure glad he did.
Meredith and Derek were sharing small talk, Dani was excitedly playing with her strawberries, while she ate her PB&J when they were interrupted. "Excuse me, am I interrupting something?" They all looked at her. She was tall, older, but absolutely stunning. Derek's face lit up, his amazing eyes shining. He stood to greet the woman leaving Meredith and Dani staring at them wondering just who this woman was.
Derek proudly looked at Meredith & Dani, looked back at the older woman, "Mom, this is Meredith." The woman gasped, "Your Meredith? The one you were going to pro..."Derek cut her off. "Yes, mom, My Meredith." He smiled and knelt down next to Dani. "And this, is Dani girl. She's mine mom." Tears began to fill out of his eyes as he introduced his mother to her granddaughter.
Meredith stood up, not knowing how to feel but somewhat relieved that his mother was there. She extended her hand to the woman, "Hi, its nice to..." Before she could get anymore out the woman was hugging Meredith.
She took a step back and wiped her eyes beaming at the sight in front of her. Her son had a family. It may still be a broken family, but he was working on making things right. That's why she was there. "I'm sorry, dear, I've forgotten my manners. I'm Elise, Derek's mother. It's so nice to finally meet the woman who made my Derek fall head over heels in love." Derek blushed but smiled as Meredith and his mother began to chat.
About two hours passed and Elise stood up. "My dear look at the time! I've taken your entire evening away from you!" She stood to leave when Derek spoke up, "Mom, wait." She stopped, turned toward his son, waiting for him to do what he told her he was going to do. She smiled at him and watched every move he made toward Meredith.
"Mere, I know we just reunited today, I know we've missed alot, but if i know anything, I know how much we still love one another. Don't you think we've wasted enough time on our past and maybe we can work toward our future?" He held the ring up to her and said, "Meredith Grey, would you do me the honor of making me an honest man?"
Her hand went to her mouth, tears fell from her eyes. She must have been dreaming. She didn't respond, not right away. It wasn't until Dani said, "OHHHH MOMMY LOOK! PWETTY WING!!!!" Meredith looked at Elise who was beaming, then at Dani who was climbing on Derek's back, then back to Derek, into his intense blue eyes.
"Of course I will Derek, of course I will!" He placed the ring on her finger and pulled her into the most passionate kiss they had ever shared.