This chapter begins with celebrations for Mer & Der, as you will find out. But something else happens that will bring some sadness as well. And sorry, but no McStizzie in this chapter, but I will have something for you with them next time.


Chapter Twenty-eight

Celebrations & Sorrows

Derek held Meredith tightly in the dark, listening to her breathe. They had spent a very intense, very sensual evening together from the moment they'd walked into the house. Barely inside the door, tearing clothing away, hands and mouths everywhere in their need for each other. It had felt good and right to be home here, something he hadn't felt before living with Meredith. He'd missed her like crazy, everything about her, even the snoring. This as she made a soft sound in her sleep, making him smile.

She turned, half awake, finding his eyes on her. "Hey… why're you awake?"

"Watching you."

"Oh." She curled against him, her hair tickling his chest.

"Mer…"

"Hmmmm?"

"Marry me…" he whispered, tipping her face up. "I love you. I want to make you my wife."

"What? Derek…" she blinked, confused.

"Marry me, please?" he asked, surprised himself, yet knowing this was what he wanted more than anything. Not the way he imagined proposing, if at all, after his first marriage experience. But he wanted to make this official, to show the world she was his, that she was his world.

Meredith blinked again, pulling her hair back, still not entirely awake. "Am I dreaming?"

Derek smiled softly, touching her cheek. "No, honey, no dreams. Just me, proposing…do I need to get on one knee?"

Meredith giggled, catching his hand, kissing his fingers. "No, seriously, does anyone do that?"

"I have no idea. Worked in the old movies…"

"Not always."

"Still…"

"I love you, and yes…" Her mind finally processed his question, and she felt a wave of happiness. "Yes, I will."

"You will…?"

Meredith nodded, and he kissed her, wrapping himself around her. "I love you always, honey." His mouth devoured hers, tongue invading and dancing with hers. "I don't have a ring now, but my mother left me something…I never gave it to Roxanne.."

"I don't care," Meredith whispered, thinking of the huge diamond Jack had given her. "You're all I want."

Derek moved against her, sliding between her legs, wanting her all over again. Slower this time, sweeter than ever, taking his time to savor every nuance of making love to her. He kissed her, deeply, stroking his tongue with hers, as his hand brushed over her sensitive nipples. She moaned against him, needing his heat and his hardness. Then his mouth moved lower, dragging his tongue over her nipple. He closed his mouth over one hard peak, and sucked harder. Her back arched from the intense pleasure, her hips rising against him.

"God, I missed you so much, just like this," she sighed, threading her fingers in his silky, thick hair. Derek grinned at her, as he made his way to her belly, tongue teasing her navel. Then he traced the outline of her tattoo, making her shiver with the loving caress.

"I love this tattoo, Meredith – never get rid of it. It's so you."

"I won't," she panted, "god, lick me now…I want your mouth on me…just like you said on the phone…"

"You do, I can tell," he said softly, lazily stroking her damp folds, savoring the taste of her. Loving the way she responded to him, and that she was all his. Despite their already intense reunion earlier, he was hard for her all over again. "You want me right here, don't you?" he demanded, touching her clit, where the wetness gleamed.

"Yes, baby, please…."

In response, he stroked her wetly, enjoying the taste of her, the dampness of her on his tongue. He loved doing this for her, giving her the ultimate pleasure, using his fingers in tandem. Gliding in and out, while she bucked against him. Then he plunged his tongue inside deeper, and Meredith moaned at the pure seductive delight.

"More…want more," she begged. "Fuck me, now, Derek…I can't wait…"

Derek felt her orgasm, tasted her release, the tremors that raced through her body as she begged for more. The rich scent of her arousal filled his senses, and his cock throbbed for her. He let her go slowly, crawling back up over her. "Can you talk dirty for me?" he asked. "I think I'm surprised at this side of you, but I like it."

"It's all your fault," she giggled, welcoming his weight over her, his cock against her.

"Told you I'd make you go bad," he teased. "Do you want me to fuck you hard? Make you scream for my cock? Scream for more?" His voice was low and rough, as she spread her legs wider. He brushed the pad of his thumb over her swollen clit and she squirmed beneath him.

"Derek," she whispered, "give it to me, please…all of that…"

"Tell me…"

"I want your cock, fuck me, please Derek…"

"You got it, baby," he groaned, driving into her so fast and deep, she gasped. "All of me, always.." He grasped her legs, pulling her upwards, moving into her even deeper. Watching her breasts bounce with every thrust, losing himself into her tight heat. "Just like this, I wanted you every night I was gone…over and over again, I can't get enough of you."

"Me too…I want you so much," she panted, meeting every thrust, squeezing around him. Her mind spun with the delight, the intense raw urgency of this. Derek pounded into her, taking her hard, in and out with hard, urgent thrusts, her body wrapping around his. "Now, oh god, now…"

"That's my girl…" he urged, the climax building in his balls, like a wild fire. "Take all of me, yes…" He pulsed inside of her, his brain empty of everything but the way it felt to be buried deep inside of Meredith, her lips parted on a soft sigh, her eyes filled with sensual satisfaction.

Her hands pulled at the pillows, arching up to meet him. Never had it felt so hot, so raw, and she was consumed by the love between them. Her climax claimed her then, and she screamed, losing herself in the moment. Derek eased her down, taking her mouth as he exploded in an orgasm that had him forgetting his own name. Shooting deep and hot, his tongue driving into her mouth at the same time. The ultimate shared sensation, his body meshing with hers, taking their breath away.

"Wow…" Meredith sighed, when he eased them onto their sides, still joined, sweat pouring off them.

"Wow…"

"Does this just get better and better all the time, or is it just me?"

"Seems so."

"I won't survive much more." Her body flushed, as she remembered how vocal she'd been. More so than usual.

"Then we'll die happy." He kissed her softly. "You are amazing, I mean it."

"Just your bad influence," she sighed. "I'm obviously going to be a naughty married woman."

"Just so long as you're my married woman," Derek said. "You don't want to change your mind?"

"Don't think you're getting out of this proposal Derek Shepherd," Meredith replied, "I want to be your wife, more than anything. I love you so much, honey." Her eyes misted with happy tears, and she blinked furiously.

"When do you want to have the wedding?"

"As soon as possible. Nothing big, nothing ostentatious – just us and our friends, maybe on the beach?"

"Where I first wanted to take you away to bed?"

"You did?" Meredith looked at him in surprise, remembering that afternoon on the beach, the connection between them already starting to be felt.

"Absolutely."

"Oh…we waited a long time to consummate that didn't we?" she giggled.

"Believe me, we won't be waiting for consummating the marriage," Derek vowed, "and we should start that right now, don't you think?"

"Insatiable, that's what you are," she sighed, sinking into his embrace again.

"A good trait to have, don't you think?"

"Very good…"

Much later, Meredith snuggled into Derek's arms again. "Oh…I had a strange phone call from Jack's lawyer today."

"What?" Derek tensed, pausing from stroking her back. "Tell me he doesn't still expect you to help – you don't owe him anything."

"No, it's just weird…suddenly Jack wants to plead guilty, sell the restaurant and give me the money. I don't want any part of that."

"So don't." Derek frowned. "You shouldn't even be talking to that lawyer, you should hire somebody yourself – let them deal with each other. And no way you're talking to Jack."

"I don't want to, believe me. Alex joked that Jack found religion, but there's no way that's possible."

"Not likely. I don't trust him, either, sadly," Derek sighed. "If there is any money coming to you, we'll find a good charity – donate it."

Meredith nodded. "I agree. Like a shelter for abused women, maybe…"

He kissed the top of her head. "That would be a great choice."

"You saved me, Derek, before it was too late. Not every woman is so fortunate to find her knight in shining armor," Meredith whispered, lifting her face to him again. "You make me so happy, Derek. I can't imagine my life without you now."

"Good, because I'm never leaving you. You're stuck with me, Meredith Grey…"

"…soon to be Meredith Shepherd," she pointed out.

Derek winked at her. "Seriously? You're willing to change your name?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"You're already established your salon and cosmetics under Meredith Grey…along with the new Avon deal. Are you sure about this?"

"So Meredith Shepherd will be just as fabulous," she giggled softly. "I want to be traditional."

"Then I'm honored." Derek kissed her again, long and deep and slow. His hand cupped her cheek, and she felt cherished and protected with him. She realized with him she could be whatever she wanted, and he would love her for her.

"Oh, and by the way…" she murmured, when he relinquished her lips for a moment.

"Hmm…?"

"Alex wants to be the maid of honor…"

"What? Did he know something I didn't even know?"

"I think so. He mentioned it a few months ago actually," Meredith smiled.

Derek started to laugh. "Well, I can't wait to tell Mark then. They'll make a lovely couple as our witnesses…"

Jack sighed, tossing the magazine onto the coffee table in Tom's office. So Derek was the up and coming star again, with Meredith at his side…somehow that didn't surprise him. He should have known that – from the moment he'd found out Derek was spending time with her, he knew in his gut that things were not working out the way he'd envisioned. All his life, Jack had been the tough one, the one who got his own way, mainly because Dad had been compensating for the loss of his first wife. He'd been so jealous when Derek was born, and he did everything he could to make Derek's life miserable. And yet, Derek had come through it all, survived it and even his career was taking off again.

He frowned, and looked over at his lawyer. "So, Tom…you talk to Meredith about the restaurant?"

"Yes, Jack, and she's not overjoyed. In fact, she's hired a lawyer – Ms. Cristina Yang – who has informed me that I have to send her all the documents now, and she will go over them before Meredith makes any decisions. She has also informed me that any further communication must be through herself. Ms. Yang is a tough attorney – no way we're going to get close to Meredith now. You might as well drop any idea of talking to her personally."

"Is there any prospect of selling yet?"

"Several. But one in particular is willing to pay the price you're asking, without haggling. I was going to call you today about it."

"Who is it?"

"He's French – goes by the name of Gilles – no last name."

"Accept the offer. I want to be done with the place."

"Jack, I still don't understand your attitude. Are you sick? Have you been hit over the head with a stupid stick?"

Jack snorted. "Maybe all of the above. I just want to sell it. I'm tired of the bullshit, tired of the fighting. I can't explain it – I just need to let it go."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Tom called and Jack merely waved his hand dismissively.

"Just send your bill to my accountant!" Jack stalked away, intent on finding his way into a bottle of Scotch. "Damn it all anyway…"

Much later, he staggered towards his car, leaving the bar where he'd found a few drinking buddies. He hummed a little offkey tune as he settled behind the steering wheel. Nothing bothered him now, not even the thought of Meredith getting cozy with Derek. The two of them probably deserved each other, after all.

He negotiated a few of the curves along Mulholland Drive, intending to stop in at Zara's house. Female company was just what he needed, and she was always willing. Then his cell phone rang, and he fumbled for it, dropping it onto the floor. "Damn it.." He reached down, trying to find it, but it eluded his fingertips. Touching the smooth metal then, he glanced down, taking his eyes off the road. The car swerved, crossing the road and hitting the barrier. "What the fu...?" he muttered, jerking his eyes back upward. For a second, nothing registered in his thoughts, before he realized what had happened. His foot jammed the brake futilely, as the Porsche sailed through the night air. Too late, it was too late…and he closed his eyes, accepting the blackness that rushed up to meet him…