Thanks for all the reviews! Extra long!
Derek opened his eyes the next morning to see and feel Meredith clinging to his shirt sound asleep. He smiled sadly as he stroked her blonde waves. She was a strong independent woman, Meredith. She definitely didn't cry very often. But when forced to relive or remember her horrid childhood she could crumble. Derek didn't blame her, nobody as sweet or as kind as Meredith deserved parents and a childhood like that. He felt her shift on his chest as show slowly awoke. She looked up and smiled sleepily as she stretched in his arms.
"You're still here." said Meredith
"I'm still here." said Derek as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You okay?" asked Derek." Because we could just tell my mom you weren't…." started Derek before Meredith put a finger to his lips.
"We are going to your mother's for Christmas Eve dinner tonight. I am fine." said Meredith. "And today we are going to explore the city." said Meredith as she sat up pulling him with her.
"Alright, alright." said Derek as he laughed at her. "I do have two things for you to see and do today, but otherwise we can go wherever you like."
Meredith nodded her head as she stood up pulling clothes from her suitcase on the floor. "I think I have a few ideas."
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"Are you sure you want to do this?" asked Derek as they rode the subway.
Meredith nodded her hand as she fixed the bundle of flowers in her hands. "Yeah, it's something I promise myself I'd do, if I ever came to New York."
There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning some dark and cold
There is a spirit, who brings the fire
Ignites a candle, and makes his own
Meredith smiled at him as they got off the subway and started walking towards Ground Zero. "Derek?" asked Meredith.
"Yeah." said Derek as he the candle out of her hand to keep an arm free.
"Where were you when it happened?" asked Meredith solemnly.
Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, go light your world
Take your candle, go light your world.
Derek sighed as he started. "I had the practice at the time, but I was checking on patients at the hospital when it happened." he ran his fingers through his hair. "In those 48 hours after, saving and operating on people… I lost twenty lives. Twenty lives the deserved to live."
Meredith squeezed his hand gently. "I was in class; I remember we learning about the respiratory system and how it worked and we were going over common illnesses involving it. And the dean rushed in mumbled something and then we were told that's there had been a terrorist attack in New York." Meredith shook her head. "It was a sad day."
We are a family, who's hearts are blazing.
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times.
Meredith and Derek reached the sight. She immediately laid the scattered rose petals over the dirt.
Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle and go light your world
Carry your candle, run to the darkness,
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle go light your world
Take your candle go light your world
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Later that day Meredith and Derek walked up and down the streets, casually stopping for a cup of coffee and some souvenirs for Meredith. She smiled at him they sat in a local coffee shop.
"Who knew New York could be so exhausting?" joked Meredith as she sipped her coffee. He cracked a smile as he watched the action outside the windows.
"Well it is the city that never sleeps. You'll have to learn to never sleep." said Derek with a goofy grin.
Meredith started laughing at his corny little joke. "What time do we have to be at your mom's tonight?" asked Meredith as she they finished their coffees, both standing to throw it away.
"About seven, but there's one more thing we need to do before we head back to the hotel." said Derek with a mysterious grin.
"Where are we going?" asked Meredith as he led her out the door and they started walking down one of the blocks.
"You'll have to wait and see." said Derek teasingly as they continued to walk for the next five minutes. When they reached their destination, he heard Meredith inhale sharp breathe in awe.
"Derek." she breathed as she looked at the sight in front of her.
Standing in front of them was a horse drawn carriage, just like Meredith had mentioned to Derek, she had always wanted to do. Her heart swelled as she realized that he was actually listening when she talked. Not that she ever doubted that, but even Meredith wouldn't want to here "oh woe is me." all the time.
"Surprised?" asked Derek as he watched her eyes observe all the details and features of the carriage.
"Astonished… Derek... I don't know… I don't know what… how?" stuttered Meredith still in complete shock.
"Sh." said Derek as he placed a finger in her lips, like she had done earlier this morning. "Don't question anything, just get in." said Derek as the driver held his hand out to Meredith as she stepped in. Derek quickly climbed in after as the horses began to trot.
"You're amazing, you know that." said Meredith as she pulled the wool blanket, lying on the seat over her and Derek's legs.
"So, I've been told." said Derek.
Meredith swatted his arm. "Large ego much." said Meredith.
For the next hour or so, they enjoyed the scenery around them and the company of just being with each other. Meredith pondered as they rode on how we could do all these perfect things at the right time. Maybe he really was her knight in shining….whatever.
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Meredith pretended to smile as much as she could, while sitting in the living room later with Derek's family. Nancy hadn't said much since she had gotten there, Meredith wasn't sure to take that as a good thing or bad.
"Alright, I need pairs of hands to help make the dessert. You're going to be two to a baked good, like every year. Okay so, Amy and Kathleen you're making the fruit tart. Grace and I will make the ginger-bread cookies and Meredith and Nancy will make the spice cake." finished Kate as she walked back into the kitchen all of them trotting behind her.
"She's going to murder me with an egg beater or something." Meredith whispered as she walked by Derek, who lightly chuckled and then mouthed a good luck.
Meredith walked into the kitchen and stood next to Nancy on at the counter in the middle of the large kitchen; where all the ingredients were placed. She figured this wouldn't be the best time to mention she couldn't cook, let alone bake. Meredith carefully read the instructions and got to work on cracking the eggs and measuring the milk. They worked in awkward silence for about ten minutes until Nancy started to talk to her.
"You make him happy." said Nancy as she continued to mix the ingredients in her bowl. Meredith nodded her head letting the woman continue. "It doesn't mean I like you, but you make him happy. He smiles the way he used to smile before our dad died." said Nancy as she stopped and then continued working. They didn't talk for the rest of the time, but for Meredith and Nancy all that needed to be said, was said.
"I can't bake, I'm a horrible baker." admitted Meredith suddenly. "I can't cook either."
Nancy looked at her with question written in her expression, and then laughed as she smiled a small, but noticeable smile. "To be honest neither do I, I just do the holiday cooking stuff to keep my mom happy." said Nancy as they started to mix all the ingredients together.
"So we're agreed if it tastes like crap, it isn't our faults." said Meredith as the gently poured the batter into a plastic ramekin to bake. They then carried it over to the preheated oven.
"If it tastes like crappy spice cake, so be it."
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Meredith sat down next to Derek on the couch, after dessert later that night. Her stomach was full to an unimaginable limit. They were now passing out gifts to be opened. Meredith sat back enjoying watching them, when suddenly one of Derek's nephews handing out the gifts called her name.
"Me?" questioned Meredith as she took the small neatly wrapped box. She gently slid her hand across the wrapping paper, almost debating to open it.
"It's from me Meredith." said Kathleen. "It's a thank you for watching our girls and a Christmas present.
Meredith nodded appreciatively as she undid the wrapping paper and opened it to reveal a bunch of lavender body products. She smiled. "Thanks guys." she said smiling at Kathleen and her husband.
"Well, Ava came home and said "Aunt Meredith always smells so nice." said Kathleen's she laughed. " So I asked Derek your favorite fragrance.
"Well then I guess have to thank you too." said as she tickled Ava, who was sitting in Derek's lap. "And you too." said Meredith tickling Leah's foot who was currently in a baby bouncer nearby her feet.
They then spent the rest of the night laughing and enjoying the company of one another. Meredith wouldn't admit but maybe holidays weren't completely dreadful. Neither was family. After about two hours of unwrapping, they started to clean up the wrapping paper. Meredith helped by picking up the bits and pieces and carrying them into the kitchen, to discard of them. She saw Derek's mother scrubbing pots and pans. She turned when she heard someone walk into the room.
"Oh, Meredith I'm glad I got you alone, sit down there's something we need talk about." said Jane as she sat down at the chairs near the island in the center of the room.
All the good feeling Meredith had been feeling, suddenly rushed out of her at the speed of light. Was she going to antagonize her? Question how much she really loved Derek? Tell she was a whore for breaking up an eleven year marriage? That she didn't want her as a daughter- in law? Meredith cautiously sat down.
"Don't worry nothing bad." reassured Jane as she patted Meredith hand, sensing the young woman's panic. "I just wanted to say that I know why Derek loves you so much. You're a smart, independent woman, with a great head on her shoulders. From what I hear you're a fabulous doctor and you're going to make a great mom; when the time is right." she cleared her throat before continuing." My husband Michael loved Derek to pieces. Of course he loved his daughters…. but he and Derek had this special bond that nobody else had with him. He always told Derek to give the love of his life, his grandmother's necklace." Jane said with a kind smile, tears filling her eyes as she talked about her deceased husband. "From strange reason, he never gave it to Addison. Maybe he knew that she wasn't the one… I don't know, but what I do know is that my husband would have loved you, because Derek loved you." said Jane as tear slipped from her big brown eyes and she gently wiped it away, she then handed Meredith a velvet necklace box.
Meredith's fingers ran over the velvet before opening it. She gasped at what she saw when she opened it. She opened it to reveal a single pearl clasped onto a gold cap, with a beautiful gold chain. "It's beautiful... I don't what to say." admitted Meredith as she shook her head in amazement, as she delicately took the necklace out of the box and unclasped the hook as she put it on. It hung perfectly above her red sweater. She smiled at the older woman as Jane pulled her into a hug.
"Thank you Mrs.…Jane." said Meredith as they pulled back apart and they both sat there looking at the necklace. Jane then lifted her head to meet Meredith's gaze.
"Please… call me mom." said Jane as she patted Meredith arms and went back to scrubbing dishes.
Meredith then walked back into the living room and walked over to where Derek was sitting on the couch. He smiled at her and his eyes lit up when he saw the necklace.
"She gave it you." whispered Derek.
Meredith nodded her head smiling solemnly." She did."
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Meredith blinked as she opened her eyes the next morning, she felt Derek's arm protectively over her waist. She turned over to see him still sound asleep. She gently kissed his lips and his eyes slowly opened.
"Well why can't I be woken like that every day?" joked Derek as stretched out slightly he then kissed Meredith. "Merry Christmas Mere." said Derek as he wrapped his arms around her.
"Merry Christmas." said Meredith. She then coyly pulled away and went into her suitcase and pulled out a few wrapped presents. "Want your presents?"
Derek smiled as he too, pulled presents from his suitcase. They then on the bed, exchanging piles with each other, Meredith then tentatively picked up a present not sure if she should start. She looked up at Derek as he nodded and she continued to unwrap the heavy presents. She opened it to reveal a "Cooking for Beginners" book. She rolled her eyes laughing.
"Is this a hint saying I can't cook." said Meredith
Derek shook his head no as he opened the book to show her. "No… of course not. It's just maybe you can learn to cook things besides grilled cheese.
Meredith sighed and laughed slightly. "Maybe I'll have to try something." said Meredith as she indicated to Derek's pile indicating for him to open something.
Derek took the tiniest present and quickly unwrapped it revealing a "Clash Greatest Hits". He laughed as she smiled knowing he would torture her by making her listen to it on the way to work in the morning.
"You bought it for me even you hate my taste in music." said Derek as he leaned in pushing a piece of hair out of her face.
"I did. Remember I can hate your taste in music and still love you." she smiled patting his cheek with her hand.
They continued for an hour and a half and opened presents. The last present remaining was a medium size box for Meredith. She opened it slowly eyeing Derek to only see a smile on his face. She tore off the wrapping paper and opened the clothing box to reveal a lab coat. But unlike just any lab coat she owned this one read,
Dr. Meredith Grey Shepherd M.D
Meredith smiled nervously. "Were they having a sale and you bought one early?"
"Maybe." said Derek with a hint of playfulness in his voice. "Why don't you try it on and see if it fits.
Meredith carefully slid the lab coat on, it fit incredibly right. It didn't hang off her body like any other one she had. It actually fit. She smiled at him as walked around in it. She then put her hands in her pocket and her smile dropped to a quizzing look as she felt a small velvet box underneath her fingertips. She pulled the small box out and gasped when she opened it to reveal a princess cut diamond ring. When she took her gaze away from the beautiful ring, Derek was kneeling in front of her. She had no idea why but she felt her heart pounding in her chest.
"Meredith, I love you with all my heart. And I know this is scary for you, and if you want to wait I'll wait and I sincerely mean that. But I love you with ally my heart and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to build a house with you, start a family and die at a hundred and ten in your arms. So, Meredith Grey will you marry me?" asked Derek with a smile on his face after reciting the proposal that he had spent two weeks working on.
Meredith felt her heart flutter as she smiled a small smile and one lone tear ran down her cheek. "Yes." said Meredith.
"Yes?" repeated Derek, to make sure that she had actually said that and his mind wasn't playing tricks on him.
"Yes, Derek I will marry you."
Derek stood and helped her slide the ring onto her finger. He knew what he was about to was completely corny, but he picked her up spinning her around listening to her laugh as he twirled her around the room. They then landed on the bed, their bodies intertwining with each other.
"I love you." whispered Derek as he kissed her forehead. He gently played with her hair as she sighed contently.
"We're getting married." said Meredith with a laugh. "We're actually getting married." said Meredith in almost disbelief.
"We're actually getting married."