Author's Note: Over 100 reviews. :TEAR: I love you guys! You're just so awesome to review so much. My undying gratitude for you! I love you. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Anyway enjoy this next chapter. Review and I'll be happy : )

Meredith began to hyperventilate as she set the table for this dinner. She was quickly working with her apron and the pasta she had in the oven. Panic came over her as Madison walked up to her in the kitchen. The sound of her voice pierced Meredith's heart while the love she had for Derek kept her partially sane.

"MOMMY!"

"What is it Maddie?" Meredith choked, her voice filled with tears.

"Why are we inviting this man over for dinner?"

"I can't tell you yet."

"Please Mommy?"

"No. Now go but on your dress and I'll be up in a minute to do your hair okay?"

"Okay Mommy."

Madison skipped up the stairs leaving Meredith alone to let a single tear slip. She wiped it away furiously wondering why exactly she was doing this. Why she was putting herself through the torture of being with Madison and Derek? Why was she doing this? She quickly reminded herself that despite all that she has been through, Derek was the love of her life and Madison's father and ultimately she wanted her daughter to have the best that life could offer and that did include Derek.

Checking over her appearance, Meredith thought over what has really happened. Derek was back and he wanted to be a part of Madison's life. His daughter's life. Truthfully, Meredith wanted Derek to be a part of Madison but she didn't want to get her to get hurt. Izzy knocked on the door to check on Meredith.

"Mer?"

"Hey Iz. Aren't you supposed to be out tonight?"

"On my way out but I just wanted to see how you were doing and…"

Izzy walked into Meredith's bedroom and comfortingly put her arm around her friend the instant she noticed her eyes fill up with tears.

"What's wrong Mer?"

"I want Derek to be a part of Madison's life. I really do. But I just don't want to get hurt you know? I know it sounds selfish but…"

"Hey, it's not. To be honest, I have no idea how you are feeling. But I know what it's like to be hurt. I know that you don't want to go through that again but McDreamy is a good guy. Despite what he did, he's a good guy. He'll understand if you don't want Madison to know that he is her father."

"But that's what I want."

"I don't know what to tell you. I love Madison. She's my niece. Something that cheers me up… I don't want her hurt either but this is for the better. You can't let her go her whole life without knowing that her father lives in the same city."

"I just don't know what to expect. She can be angry, sad, or happy. She's five."

"It's just something that will happen. Don't blame yourself for it. You did what you had to do."

"Thanks Iz."

"Well I gotta go. I have a date."

"Is it with that cute waiter guy?"

"I guess we'll have to find out."

"Izzy… there is a child in the house."

"Fine. If it gets that far, we're crashing at his place."

"Have fun Izzy."

"Thanks."

Izzy walked over to the door.

"And Mer?"

"Yeah?"

"You look great."

"Thanks."

Meredith heard knocking on the door at exactly six pm. She chuckled at his promptness. Madison bounded down the stairs to meet the eyes of her father.

-

Derek trembled as he reached for the doorbell. Today was the day that he had been waiting for. The day that he would tell his daughter that he was her father. Today. He was wondering what his daughter was like. What she nice? Mean? Smart? What was she? Was she like Meredith? Before he knew it the doorbell rang and he saw his daughter standing before him, just through a glass door.

-

Meredith walked up to the door, her hands shaking violently. She glanced at Madison.

"Maddie?"

"Yes Mommy?"

"What ever happens, remember that I love you more than life itself okay?"

"Okay."

Meredith opened the door and looked at Derek.

"Hi Derek."

"Meredith… you look great."

"You too."

"I'm glad your letting me do this."

"Yeahh… uhh Derek this is my daughter Madison."

Derek stooped down to Madison's level (A/N: Don't you hate it when adults to that to you?) and reached his hand out.

"Hi Madison."

"Hi." Madison avoided eye-contact with Derek shyly as she stepped aside letting him into the house.

Meredith looked at Derek and Madison noticing the uncanny resemblance between the two. She choked on her tears once more as she spoke, "Maddie, can you get some water like Mommy showed you?"

"Ok."

Madison dashed out of sight into the kitchen, leaving Meredith and Derek behind to talk.

Derek looked at Meredith trying to read the mixed expression that lay on her face.

"Derek… when do you want to tell Madison?"

"Uhh… I guess we should rip the bandage off."

"No anesthesia."

"Exactly."

"We'll tell her in the living room. Come…on…" Meredith tried to continue her sentence but stopped short. The instant she offered her hand to Derek all the self-control and composure that she had left, leaving her in tears. Derek, who also had lost his control, wrapped his arms around Meredith holding her tightly wanting to erase all the tears that he had caused. The lost composure quickly regained as Meredith pulled away from Derek leading him into the living room.

Madison came into the living room seeing her mother and the strange man sitting down. She brought the water to them and politely curtseyed. Seeing her mother's smile showed her that she was proud of Madison. The man chuckled and then cleared his throat.

"Madison…"

"Yes?"

"Your mommy and I have to tell you something."

"Really? What is it?"

Meredith couldn't take it anymore, she had to say something.

"Maddie, this man… he is your… your… daddy."

The confession thick in the air, Meredith and Derek simultaneously drew in a sharp breath. Before either of them could say a word, the little girl's eyes filled with tears.

You guys…. I'm so sorry that I'm such a bad writer. 1. I had you wait so long for the chapter. 2. The chapter was so bad. 3. I'm so sorry. Please please please forgive me.

Review please too.

--The needle on my record player has been wearing thin

Hit or Miss by New Found Glory