Chapter Eight: The Truth
Derek sighed as he looked across at Meredith; she was sitting across from at his outdoor setting outside the trailer. They hadn't ended up having their much needed talk the previous night at the bar. Derek had realised that Meredith had had too much to drink and was in no shape to drive let alone talk so he had resolved in just driving her home. His mine went back to the previous night.
"Meredith…Mer…are you okay?" he asked watching her sway on the stool.
"I think I have had a bit to drink" she giggled lightly.
He gave her a small smile as he watched her giggle. He couldn't help but smile at her giggle, it was his favourite sound.
"You wanted to talk" she realised suddenly. "So talk" she commanded.
"Mer I don't think talking is a good idea right now, you aren't in the right frame of mind. Come on I will take you home" he offered his hand so she could steady herself on the ground.
"Okay" she muttered slurring her words.
The drive to Meredith's house wasn't a long one but by the time they had reached her drive way she had fallen asleep or passed out, Derek wasn't quite sure which it was.
He shook her lightly trying to wake her. "Mer, Meredith, wake up we are here" he spoke to her softly.
After a few minutes he realised the only way he was going to get her inside the house was to take her in himself, so he walked around to her side of the car and lifted her gently into his arms. He let a little smile tug at the corner of his mouth as he breathed in her lavender scent.
Meredith let out a small sigh and snuggled into Derek's chest as she let herself fall back into sleep.
Derek managed to get her upstairs and into bed without interrupting any of her housemates. He placed her in the bed and pulled her covers around her.
"Please stay" she murmured to him rolling over snuggling into her pillow.
Derek used every ounce of self control he had to walk out of the room. He couldn't stay there with her not until he knew the truth.
"I'm sorry" Meredith said breaking Derek from his thoughts. "I know sorry doesn't explain anything but I guess it's a good start.
"So you're married?" Derek asked uncertain of where this conversation was going to go.
"Technically yes, but we have been separated the last 2 months" she said her usually sparkling green eyes now dull and full of pain.
"But still you didn't think to tell me that you had a husband, I fell for you Meredith in a big way and now I find out you are married because his fist met with my face" he said trying to keep from yelling but it was becoming difficult.
"Firstly, I didn't expect Mark to show up here, I didn't even know he knew where I was, I just up and left after I found out" she replied tears now escaping her eyes.
"Why did you leave?" Derek asked softly knowing by the look on her face this was a touchy subject.
"I had been working late; I worked just in a restaurant waitressing and bartending for the summer while I made my decision on where I wanted to do my internship. I worked late one night and came home to our townhouse. It was quiet, too quiet I knew Mark wasn't at the hospital coz his car was there" she stopped and looked at Derek who was listening to her intently.
"I walked up the stairs, noticing an expensive looking pair of shoes, they definitely weren't mine but I had seen them before. As I got to the top of the stairs I heard giggles and sounds coming from our bedroom, I knew what I was going to find but I opened the door anyway" Meredith continued, taking a deep breath before she told the next part of her story.
"Mark was in bed with my best friend, Addison. The second he saw me he ran down the stairs trying to explain. I didn't want to listen to his excuses so I left the house and went and stayed with another friend. I went back the next day and got some of my stuff and that's when I moved here" by the time she was finished she was sobbing softly.
Derek moved around to her wrapping his arms around her pulling her closely to his body trying to comfort. He was hurt by her not telling him the truth but at the same time it killed him to see her so upset.
"Shh it's okay Mer" he comforted. "I'm here, and although I'm mad you didn't tell me if it is really over between you two then I am here, not going anywhere" he told her as he pushed strands of her hair away from her face and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.