'Nora!' Meredith exuberantly said upon seeing her daughter for the first time in a week.

'Mommy!' Nora shrieked. She ran, flailing her arms and her pink bear, into her mother's arms. Thatcher and Susan Grey, Meredith's father and stepmother, followed the giddy child into the foyer. 'How's work, mommy? Are you saving people?'

'Work is good, sweetie. But I have to wake up so early in the morning and work long hours, so you'll still be staying here for another week. Is that alright?' Her daughter's grin dropped. 'A week isn't a very long time. Then I'll get you settled into the house and start taking you to daycare with all the other kids. Doesn't that sound fun?'

Nora nodded. 'Grandma made me cookies. She gave one to me and to Snuggles.' She motioned to her bear. 'But he wasn't very hungry so I ate them both!' she said excitedly.

'I need to talk to Grandma and Grandpa for a second. Can you go play with Snuggles upstairs?'

'Yes, Mommy.'

Meredith hugged her parents and walked into the kitchen.

'I got a call from Richard today,' Thatcher mentioned. 'He said that you are dating someone?'

'That's what I wanted to talk about. I am. His name is Derek Shepard. He's a neurosurgeon at the hospital.'

'You haven't been here long, Mer. Is it too soon?' Susan questioned.

'I think I might love him. Or I will love him.' She was so enraptured in her own amorous feelings, she missed the skeptical glances her parents gave each other. 'I told him about Nora, and he seemed very excited. He was married once and never had kids, but he always wanted them. I want them to meet.'

'Now?' They both interjected.

'Dear, you've just moved. Nora's still adjusting. Perhaps you should give her some time,' Susan offered.

'I know, but I think they would really get along. And Derek has been dying to meet her. We have Saturday afternoon off and I thought we could take her to the park.'

'If that's what you think is best. Just be careful. You don't know Derek very well. I just don't want to see either of you hurt,' Thatcher cautioned.

'Don't worry, Dad. Derek wouldn't hurt us. It'll all be fine.'

Meredith reluctantly left her daughter again. She was set to meet Derek in an hour. She missed not having Nora around. The lack of childish clutter in the house dismayed her. So Meredith spent her time, filling the void, with Derek. And he was more than acceptable company. They spent hours talking, watching movies cuddled together on the couch.

Meredith couldn't remember a time when she had ever been happier. Well, besides him. He had always had the unfortunate ability of making her bright and shiny. She could have had a family now. A real family. Mom, dad, daughter. No matter how much Meredith may have wished it, Derek could never be Nora's real father. He could act the part wonderfully, but it would always be occupied by someone else. Sometimes Meredith would wonder what could have happened if they had stayed together. Would they have been happy?; would the fighting have stopped? But when she couldn't wonder, she would always remember.

She sat on a couch, in a house she didn't know, at a party filled with people she didn't know. She was dancing with a couple of new acquaintances. She couldn't remember their names anymore. She wasn't drinking, but the entire event had seemed so hazy. During college, she had been a partier. She would get way too drunk and sleep with way too many inappropriate men. They said it was her thing; and it was charming. But she couldn't find that mentality tonight. The noise itself was overbearing. She ran a hand through her hair and attempted to slip unnoticed out of the house. A drunken guy slammed into her shoulder, causing her to turn around.

And that's when she saw him. It was from across the room, but their eyes met. The loud music faded, leaving only the sounds of her breathing as they watched each other. He walked over towards her. They introduced themselves. He put his hand to the small of her back, as they walked together from the chaos of the party.

She hadn't noticed before, from the distractions, what a beautiful night it was. The moon hung fully in the sky, casting its protective glow on the grounds below. His features were illuminated, strong and masculine. They sat together in a park near campus. The natural beauty of trees and flowers encompassed the beauty of their newfound affection. They talked for hours. They had the same goals and values in life.

She hadn't intended to fall in love that night, he neither; but it happened, amidst the drunken clatter. She thought she had found her forever. But things never seem to turn out as we plan.

As Meredith pulled into her driveway, she found Derek sitting on the porch. She grinned despite herself. She liked how natural he seemed, being there for her. She stepped out of her Jeep, as he stood up to greet her.

'Hey Mer.' He kissed her lightly. 'Where've you been?'

'I was…uhm…running errands,' she covered. Why was she lying? He already knew about Nora; she had nothing she needed to hide.

'What kind of errands? Shopping errands.' Meredith nodded, smiling uncomfortably. 'You don't have any bags.'

'I…uhm…I…Crap! Derek, I'm freaking out here. I told you I had a child and you were happy. You weren't supposed to be happy. You were supposed to succumb to your freaking anti-baby testosterone, or whatever, and leave me. It's happened before. But I can't handle this. I don't know how. My family thinks I'm making a mistake, that this is all too soon. And maybe it is. It feels right. I haven't been this happy in a while. If ever, maybe. But I don't know. I just started my internship and I have a four year old. And now I have a boyfriend? I was fine on my own. I don't know how to add more people in. And I'm freaking out.' Somewhere in the middle of her rambling, tears began to drip down her cheeks. When she gave up, they fell harder and she collapsed into Derek's chest in a fit of sobs.

Their first date. It was so perfect; cliché, but perfect. They returned to the park where they had their first meeting. He brought a romantic picnic, complete with candles and wine. They lay together under the starry sky, cuddled under a blanket. He wore jeans and a button-down shirt. He didn't try to impress her; he didn't need to. They understood each other, an understanding coming immediately. As they sat, cuddled in each others' arms, they dreamed of their futures. Futures that were intertwined. They both had big career plans. They wanted to become surgeons. They spoke of the tomorrows to come, with them working side by side in a hospital, saving lives. He would, of course, be the superior, being three years her senior. It didn't take long before they were considered the 'old, married couple' of the campus. They were so similar and so profusely happy. It was only a matter of time, it seemed, before they would be actually married and starting a family. But that was all before.

I hope you like it! This is a two part update. Next part: Derek's response and the rest of the story with Nora's father. Two chapter's from now, we get to meet the father. I hope you think that's something to look forward too! Review, as always, if you please!

HollyGolightly