"Do you know what day it is today?" asked Derek. They had been staying at the hotel in New York for two weeks, just enjoying being happy and together. Meredith was reading the newspaper in bed, wearing one of Derek's shirts. Derek was standing at the foot of the bed, having just come back from jogging.
"Tuesday," said Meredith barely glancing up.
"It's Thursday actually," said Derek pulling the newspaper from her hands.
"Hey give it back," she protested reaching out for the newspaper.
"You didn't answer my question, what is today?"
"Thursday."
"It's our deadline," said Derek irritated that she hadn't remembered.
"Is it?" said Meredith adding up the dates. "So it is."
"Is that it?"
"What?"
"We made it!" said Derek pulling Meredith onto her knees so that they were face to face. "A whole year!"
"I know," said Meredith not knowing what the big deal was.
"Why aren't you more excited?"
"Derek, we threw the deadline out after you chased me through the airport," giggled Meredith.
"I didn't chase you," said Derek.
"Maybe you should have," she said. "It would have been so much more dramatic."
"Next time I'll run."
"Next time?"
"There won't be a next time," Derek quickly reassured her. "If you think I'll even let you get as far as the check in…"
"Oh what you gonna do?" Meredith teased as she pulled her arms round Derek's neck.
"This," said Derek kissing her softly, then again. "As many times as it takes."
"Hmmmmm," said Meredith. "I could definitely get used to that."
"Good," said Derek, thinking about the diamond ring currently in his pocket.
"Your mother called again," said Meredith. Derek hadn't spoke to his family in two weeks, they called him and he ignored them. "Reception called up again."
"Okay," said Derek pulling away from her.
"Will you please just talk to her?" said Meredith knowing that Derek was due to clam up again.
"No," he said calmly.
"Derek they are your family," she said. "We're going home in two days, you need to see them."
"You're my family," said Derek stubbornly.
"So are they," said Meredith getting to her feet and standing behind him as he stood looking out the window over the city. "I spoke to Mark when you were jogging. Just let them apologise…especially your mother she didn't do anything…"
"She could have…"
"Derek, your mother was worried sick about when you were in hospital…she didn't care who saw you as long as you got better," said Meredith resting her head on his shoulder.
"The way they treated you…"
"They love you. They thought they were protecting you," said Meredith lacing her fingers with him. "I can understand that."
"I'll call her," said Derek. "Come on I'm taking you for lunch to celebrate our deadline."
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"How do you even know about this place?" Derek asked Meredith later on that day.
"Mark told me that Macy's had a bar in it, I had to see if it was true," said Meredith. "Tequila and shopping, it's amazing."
"Alright," laughed Derek. "Come on then I'll buy you a shot." He turned to towards the bar and turned back to Meredith. "What the hell are they doing here?"
Sitting at the table in front of the bar were Derek's four sisters and his mother.
"I'm sorry," said Meredith grabbing Derek's hand so he couldn't walk away. "I had to do something, I can't be the reason you won't speak to your family."
"You're not, they are. They are the reason," he said seriously.
"Please talk to them, just listen to what they have to say," she pleaded. "Please."
"No this isn't fair," said Derek a little less certainly.
"You're breaking your mother's heart," said Meredith quietly. "Mark's worried, she's going to make herself ill. Talk to them please, for me."
Derek lifted their hands and pressed a kiss to Meredith's hand. "Okay, I'll listen to them."
"Thank you," smiled Meredith relieved. "I'll leave you to it, and see you back at the hotel, okay?"
"Okay," said Derek immediately understanding why she didn't want to talk to them herself, even though she had set the whole thing up. "I love you."
"I love you too."
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"You're not thinking about running off again, are you?" said Derek. He and Meredith had just checked in, they were going back to Seattle. He had found Meredith standing in front of the ferry painting in JFK. He was still carrying the engagement ring in his pocket, waiting for the right time to ask her.
"Nice try. You don't get rid of me that easily," smiled Meredith.
"I hope not," said Derek wrapping his arms round her. "What are you doing?"
"Just thinking."
"About?"
"Nothing important," she said. "Did you talk to your mother?"
"Yes," sighed Derek. "I called her, told her we would come back for Christmas."
"Good," said Meredith pulling Derek's arms tighter round her.
"You really didn't have to make me talk to them."
"I know."
"I'm glad you did though," said Derek.
"I love you," said Meredith. "I don't want you to lose your family over me."
"I know you don't," he said, turning her round to face him, he kissed her softly on the lips. "Marry me?
"What?"
"Marry me?" he repeated, as he pulled the velvet box from his pocket. He dropped down on one knee and took Meredith's hand in his. "I love you. I always have and I always will love you. You make me happier than I ever knew it was possible to be, and if you let me I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make you even half as happy you so make me. So Meredith will you marry?"
"Yes."