"Good morning, sunshine," he whispered as he kissed her forehead. "Morning," she mumbled sleepily. Meredith didn't want to wake up in fear of the past day being a dream. He leaned into her, his mouth next to hers, she could feel him close. She pulled him in and the two of them made love three more times before they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
Derek quickly got up and got dressed to answer the door. Meredith did the same. It's a good thing because as soon as Meredith heard the door open she also heard a little two year old running toward her. "MOMMY MOMMY DANI HOME DANI HOME!" She jumped onto the bed with Meredith and smothered her in kisses.
Meredith laughed, "Hey baby, did you have fun at grammy's? Dani nodded with such exuberance Meredith laughed even harder at her daughter. "Good, now, what would you like to do today?" Dani sat there, pondering the possibilites when she suddenly lit up. "Dani go ZOO!" She squealed. Derek walked back into the room, Elise following close behind, "The zoo sounds wonderful," he said. Dani turned around and jumped off the bed into his arms. "DANI LOVE DADDY!"
Both Meredith and Elise melted at that moment. Derek was sharing a moment with his daughter that he had never experienced and it was lovely to see them so happy together.
The foursome decided to head out together, figuring Elise would be good to help out with Dani since Meredith and Derek were still craving alone time. They arrived at the zoo and Dani began jumping up and down making funny noises. Meredith knew just what her daughter was doing but Derek and Elise looked at her like she was insane. "Lookie Daddy Lookie Grammy, Dani a MONKEY! OOO AHAHA!" They broke into hysterical laughter as the little girl danced around doing her best monkey imitation.
Derek reached down and picked her up and placed her on his shoulders, "Come on daddy's little monkey, lets go to the zoo." Dani clapped her hands and bounced on his shoulders as they entered the zoo.
The foursome enjoyed their day together and were heading back to the hotel room when Elise grabbed Dani's hand. "Come on Dani girl. Let your mommy and daddy have some time alone." She winked at Meredith & Derek and they watched as the bubbly little girl skipped off with her grandmother.
Derek gently placed his arm around Meredith's waist as they walked to the entrance of the hotel. He fished in his pocket for the card key, when Meredith stopped walking. She stood, mouth wide open, staring at the sight in front of her.
Derek, still looking for his keycard, ignored Meredith's pause as he smiled to himself. She spoke, "Derek?" He turned to look at her, his blue eyes beaming. "Yes?" he replied, as if he had no idea what was going on. "What, what is ALL This?" He took a look around the room, smiling at all the familiar faces when Dani came running up to them,"MOMMY! DADDY! DANI A PRINCESS!" as she twirled around showing off her new dress.
Derek grabbed the little girl and twirled around around singing, "I love my Dani girl, daddy's little girl!" The sight brought tears to Meredith's eyes, but before she could speak Izzie and Cristina came running up to her. "OH MY GOD! CRIS? What are you doing here? I thought you were in Chicago?!" Cristina returned her embrace and hugged Meredith back for a change.
"Yea well I was, I mean, I am, but seriously? Did you think I would miss your being reunited with McDreamy? Seriously Meredith!" Meredith looked at her and hugged her again. "I've missed my person so much, but really, Mer, the hugs?"
Meredith took that as a hint and let her go. The two women ushered Meredith away from the crowd of people still not completely aware of what was going on. When she opened the door to the hotel room, she gasped.
In front of her was the most gorgeous dress she had ever laid eyes on. She walked over to it and ran her hands over the beautiful details on it. She was finally coming to understand what was going on. A tear rolled down her cheek, realizing how lucky she was to have come home, rather than to just keep running.
Izze and Cristina rushed around her, fixing her hair, finishing up her makeup and Meredith just sat there in a blur. This was going all to fast for her. She began to hyperventhilate. She needed some air.
She walked out on to the balcony, fully dressed in bridal attire. She stared out over the city thinking, "I can do this. I've always wanted this. This is what's best for Dani. But, is this what's best for me?" She was beginning to doubt the whirlwind of her newly rekindled relationship with Derek, when her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.
"It's okay you know," she began. "I felt the same way when I married Derek's father." Elise gently touched Merediths shoulder and continued to speak. "I couldn't breathe, I felt trapped, like my life was spiralling out of control and I couldn't make it stop. I tried to run, Meredith, I tried to leave my own wedding." Her voice got quieter, "On my way out the door, he stopped me. He looked deep into my eyes and said, 'Let's do this.' His eyes shined and I felt every ounce of love he had to offer. My heart melted into his at that very moment, and I've never regretted my decision." Elise smiled at Meredith before fixing an out of place strand of hair. "I think, my dear, you know where your heart belongs. Now, its time that you go make my son and granddaughter the happiest people in the world." With that Elise walked out of the room leaving Meredith to reflect on her words of wisdom.