Where's my Cheesecake?

Meredith shifted the front of her black dress once more in the mirror. She did a once over on her hair and makeup, checked her earrings, and then made her way down the stairs. Derek had done a wonderful job on the dining area. There was a table set for 8, and he had cooked a delicious Italian pasta recipe. She really didn't know what she had to be nervous about. It was only her close friends, that were pretty much her family, but it was something about them all being in her home for a dinner party that made her nervous. She had to make sure everything was ok. She was usually the one who organized things, but Derek had planned this one all out.

She was also nervous because tonight was the first night Delia had stayed overnight with a sitter. She liked one of the teachers at the daycare she had known for a while, and she had offered to take Delia home to baby-sit. She already had a toddler and loved children. Meredith acted uneasy at first, but Derek insisted that she deserved a night with the adults.

Derek watched Meredith walk back and forth around the living room while he was putting the finishing touches on dinner. He could help but smile at her, hand writhing in her skirt, face as pale as snow…

"Meredith, what's wrong?" he asked with a laugh. He seemed to find everything she did cute. She stopped and turned to face him with deer-in-the-headlight eyes and suddenly looked as if something had dawned on her.

"Candles…. Derek. We need candles…. " She said as she ran back up the stairs only to return with two white candlesticks in holders. She set one on each end of the table and walked back into the kitchen.

"You were that worked up over candles?" He said with a smirk.

"Derek, everything has to be perfect. I just kept looking at the table, I mean, I knew I had overlooked it. I knew something was missing so I…"

"Meredith calm down! You're rambling again." He said as he walked over to her and kissed her fore head. If anything he was the one who should have been nervous.

"Honey why don't you run down to the wine cellar and grab a bottle or two for tonight." He said, giving her something to do to bide the time.

As soon as she had set them on the counter the doorbell rang. "OH, they are ten minutes early. We aren't ready Derek!" She shrieked.

"Baby go open the door or I will make you do it…" He said as he swatted her on the ass to get her moving. She giggled a bit and made her way into the foyer. She took one last look in the mirror before opening the one of the two double doors.

"George, Callie. Thank you for coming." She said with a huge smile. It had been a while since she had been able to spend a good night with friends. All thoughts of nervousness left her body as Callie and George both leaned in a hugged her.

"Thanks for inviting us Mer." George said.

"How's the baby doing?" Meredith said with a smile as she sat her hand on Callie's small bump that was just starting to surface.

"We find out what it is in two weeks. We are so excited." She said with a huge smile. Meredith made small talk as they made their way into the living room. Soon after Izzie and Cristina made it from the hospital, as did Mark, and soon after Alex. The original plan was just to have Mark over but Derek insisted on making a night out of it. Derek let Meredith know that dinner was ready and everyone made their way to the table.

After the Pasta was finished and the wine bottles nearly empty, Derek stood out of his chair and excused himself to the kitchen. His heart was racing and his palms were sweaty. He had to top the last time so this had to work out perfectly. He took a minute to compose himself and continued to the counter to grab a stack of desert plates. He cut 8 pieces of cheesecake but left one behind as he made a couple of trips to the dining area. He made his way back to the table, seeing Meredith eyeing him.

"Where's my cheesecake?" She said with the voice that sounded like a little girl. She looked at him. He knew how she was about her cheesecake.

"Oh sweetie I'm sorry, let me grab it for you." He made his way back into the kitchen and grabbed her plate and carried it back to the table. He sat it in front of her and everyone got quiet. She looked up at him and looked back down at the plate. Her plate that was cheesecake-less. In the center, was a small black velvet box. She was sitting at the end of the table, so right as she looked back at him he made his way towards her and kneeled down on one knee. He grabbed her trembling hand and looked deep into her eyes, not caring that everyone was staring straight at them.

"Meredith, I know that I've hurt you. I can never apologize enough times to make up for it, but I hope that you have seen that I have changed. I want to be a family. A real one, who spends time going to the park, and laughing with each other no matter how bad our day has been elsewhere. If you need time, I understand, but I don't want to waste another second without calling you my wife."

Meredith took a deep breath and looked around the room. Everyone had smiles upon their faces. Most of them hadn't seen Meredith that happy in months. Izzie nodded her on and Cristina rolled her eyes. She turned to look at Derek again. Time had literally stopped for her. He sat anxious, but hopeful. Meredith slowly stood up and slipped her arms behind Derek's neck.

"There is nothing more that I would love than to be your wife, Derek." She said before crashing her lips into his.

He reached forward and grabbed the box, revealing the beautiful ring he had purchased earlier on that week. He slipped it on her finger as everyone congratulated and hugged the bride to be.