Upon arriving home, Aiden found the house a complete wreck, clothes around the house, baking galore in the kitchen, with every light in the house on. Hearing a loud thunk, he made his way upstairs to Meredith's room. Opening the door only a crack, he saw Meredith's back; she was bending down, searching through her closet, throwing numerous things behind her and onto the bed, or surrounding area. "Mere?"
Quicky shooting up, she turned around glancing at her confused boyfriend, "Aiden! Your home so early!"
Cocking his head, he took a few steps into the room, "Yeah, is that a bad thing?"
She suddenly realized that it sounded as though she didn't want him home, "Oh, no no no!" She smiled, walking over to him and placing her arms around his neck, kissing him lightly on the lips.
"And. . .what exactly are you doing?" He asked, kissing her on the nose.
"Cleaning!"
Looking around, he sawbags of who knows what lined against the wall, the bed was a mess, the floor was filled with clothes and pictures; he even saw her panties hanging on the light, ". . .Cleaning?"
"Well, yeah! See, I have to clean out everything I have, and throw it away."
"Ok, Mere, your confusing me," He said, smiling.
Taking a deep sigh in, she began, "I am letting go."
"Letting go?"
"Yes, letting go."
". . .Of?"
"Derek."
"Derek?"
"Yes. Derek."
"Ah, I see," his smile grew wider.
"Everything I have reminds me of him, so I am giving it all to good will! Except for the pictures. . ." she went into thought, "I don't think they would want the pictures, but the fireplace might!"
"You want to burn all of your pictures of Derek?" He said.
"Yes! I do, it will help. A lot."
"Alright, alright, whatever you say, babe. I just think you might regret it."
"Regret it??? How could I. I am simply letting go of my past, and moving onto my future!" She said placing her arms on her hips as she cocked her head.
"Ok, ok. I trust you Mere, don't worry. I'll do whatever you want."
"Well then, pick up those three bags, and bring them downstairs. It's cold anyways." She said as she sweeped past him to head downstairs.
"You want to do it now?" He questioned, turning to meet her.
"The sooner the better!" She continued as she walked down the stairs.
When Aiden arrived downstairs, he saw that Meredith had already started the fire. She was prodding the wood in the fireplace, causing the flames to grow at her. He placed the three bags down loudly, trying to make sure that she knew he was there. "Alright." She said softly to the fire. She sttod up straight putting the poker in its rightful place and turning to Aiden.
"Are you sure you want to do this? Memories are not a bad thig to have Mere, you can still move on with memories."
"No, no, no. This is what is best, Aiden baby, just. . .trust me, I know what I need to do."
"Alright, I do."
She pulled one of the bags to the couch where she ripped it open, causing some pictures to scatter across the floor. She picked up one of the pictures of her and Derek. It was the time that he took her to Paris for a suprise twentieth birthday gift. They were standing in fron of the Eifel Tower; it was a cold day and the two were bundled up together with coats and scarfs. He was standidn behind her with his arms around her waist, his head resting on her shoulder. She smiled, remembering the great time they had, "Maybe. . .maybe I'll just keep this one."
He nodded in agreement and understanding, "Ok." He said softly, "I think that thats a good idea," came his sincere thought.
"Yeah, ok." She said, setting it on the table.
"What about this one?" He asked holding one up. It was the time that they had traveled together to Egypt, the great pyramids. Meredith had always been fascinated by them, and so, on their second year together, he took her to Egypt for Christmas. The picture held the both of them, riding on separate camels in the desert, but leaning in between to share a quick kiss. She smiled again, "Maybe just this one too." She said, putting it on the table with the other. Going through the others in the bag quickly, she let herself collapse on the couch, tears in her eyes.
"Mere, Mere its ok," he tried soothing her before she got too far; but he was too late, Meredith broke out into sobs as he took her into his arms.
"I ju- I just , I just can't!" She choked out inbetween tears.
"Mere, It's ok baby. Sometimes it's hard to let go, and you just need to take your time ok? Sometimes old feelings come up, and you just need to face them. You just need time, thats all. When your ready to make a decision, you'll know, and right now, right now, your just not. Your not ready to let him go, and thats ok. You just need to take your time." He said, kissing her sweetly on the top of her head. Her cries died down as they both stared into the large fire, where they stayed all night.