Author's Note: Sorry for the wait! I'm seriously overdone with school and some friend issues that I can't really talk about. Why is life so filled with drama? Anyway… Valentine's fic should be up soon. There is not much left to write for this one… but anyway I have a question for you guys at the bottom again… make sure to enjoy this chapter and review okay? You all are seriously cool and awesome!

Previously on Three Loves:

"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.

Now to the upcoming chapter:

Meredith restrained herself from throwing her arms around her petite daughter and scream I'm sorry. I love you. Please…please forgive me. But for once, Meredith was at a loss for what was going through her head. It was a maternal instinct for a mother to know what her daughter was thinking or feeling most of the time yet there was always an exception. Madison looked at her mother and then at her father, tears forming as rapidly as they fall. The room was silent and there was nothing but the soft sobs of Madison slicing through the confession-filled air. This killed Meredith. Hell it was killing her.

"Maddie? Please say something Maddie!" Meredith felt her own eyes filled with tears as her daughter turned to face her. Meredith looked at Derek hoping for some reassurance… something that would make her know that everything would be alright.

After what seemed like an eternity, Madison looked at Derek and managed to form a few words with her small voice, "Daddy?" At first it began as a question in something close to a whisper but a nod from Derek reassured her, "Daddy."

Derek smiled at the girl and cautiously opened his arms inviting her into a hug. Right now, all he was scared of was the rejection of his own child. Madison looked at him and shook her head, No. Derek instantaneously closed his arms together and felt the weight of guilt and rejection fill and sink his heart. Madison sharply turned her head to Meredith.

"Mommy… you lied to me."

Meredith was taken aback by the words that she heard from her daughter. A child only 5 years old… her own flesh and blood.

"Madison…"

"No Mommy… sorry won't make me feel better."

Meredith sat up and leaned back on the couch and focused her gaze on Derek. They seemed to be sharing the same thought.

She is one mature five year old.

Derek saw that Meredith was near the point of no return. She was about to cry until her eyes fall out.

"Madison… Maddie… your mommy told me everything. She just wanted to protect you. I moved away before you were born and I hurt her really really bad…"

"You don't understand Daddy."

"Please let me finish… I hurt your mommy really bad. I love your mommy a lot. I love you a lot. She loves you a lot. We both love you Madison. Your mommy just didn't want you to get hurt the way that she got hurt…"

"But I asked her if you were my daddy and she didn't tell me the truth. I remember that she didn't say anything at all…"

Derek looked at Meredith, "You have done well raising her. She is talking like an adult."

As if something in her mind clicked, Madison's tears subsided as she looked at her mother and father, "Does this mean that you two are going to live together like a mommy and daddy should?"

The dark atmosphere of the room lifted and Madison smiled allowing washes and tides of relief hit Meredith and Derek. Finally, the weight the question dawned on them. The parents exchanged nervous glances and Derek gently took hold of Meredith's hand. Meredith smiled and looked at her daughter, "We haven't decided yet… are you hungry?"

"Uh huh!"

Meredith drew in another breath of relief. She looked at the ceiling in gratitude for five year olds and their ability to change from one subject to another with ease.

"I made your favorite. Shrimp pasta with Aunt Izzy's cake."

"Yay! Can I get things ready? Like in a real restaurant!"

"Okay."

Madison bounded off into the dining room leaving Meredith and Derek to talk for a moment. They shifted on the couch and faced each other.

"Well that went well… she took it better than I expected."

"Meredith… she is an amazing child. You have done so well… better than I would ever do."

"Somehow I doubt that. But about living together… I mean I love Madison but do you really want to-"

Meredith was cut off when Derek kissed her. It was a soft, chaste kiss filled with love, emotion and the pent up passion that was hiding deep in their hearts for the past half-decade.

For the first time in five years, everything felt right.

Pain is like a shadow, it can make you feel hot or cold.

Man… this, my friends is an example of bad writing. I just wish I had more time. I feel so bad for making you guys weight but most of these days I feel like I have a Torture Me stamp on my forehead and the whole freaking world sees it. Oh and you might be confused about this but Madison was crying because Meredith wasn't telling her that Derek was her father. Just thought that I might clarify that for anyone that was confused. Anyway I will have more of an author's note after the question you must answer:

This story might come to an end in the next chapter. Do you want that to happen?

Let me know if you want me to end the story… I don't know if there is much to write and I have a couple ideas I could work on and make it a new story. If you like to know one or two of the ideas, go ahead and email or private message me. I'll reply and answer and such. If you review you will be in the Awesomely Rad section of my heart. : )

--Ahhh look at all the lonely people

Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles (all time classics : ) )