"Meredith, this looks wonderful," Meredith heard her mother say as she poured the spaghetti sauce over the noodles in the pot. This was really the only thing she knew how to cook, and she wanted to make it for her mom so they could have some semblance of a normal evening together. Her talk with Derek that afternoon had left her inspired to do something meaningful for her mom, and she hoped this would work.

"Thanks," she said softly as she put the plate onto the table. "I, um, I know you're busy, but I was thinking that we could at least eat dinner together."

"I'd like that," Ellis said as she sat down. They ate in silence for a few minutes before Ellis said, "Tell me about college."

"It's really good," Meredith said with a nod as she reached for another piece of garlic bread. "I'm doing well in all my classes and I really like them. I love neurology."

Ellis nodded. "I'm proud of you, Meredith," she said. "I know I haven't been the best mother, but you have turned into a wonderful young woman despite of that."

"Thanks, Mom," Meredith said, blushing slightly.

"I have something for you," Ellis said suddenly, putting her fork down and disappearing out of the kitchen for a moment. Meredith sat awkwardly at the table for a few moments before Ellis returned with a large box in her hands. "I know I missed a lot in your life, Meredith," she started. "And I do regret that. But I hope this lets you know how much you mean to me, and even if I wasn't there, I did pay attention to your life. And I kept everything, here in this box."

"Mom," Meredith breathed as she opened the box and smiled softly. On top was her graduation announcement, and as she kept digging she found more treasures representing her life; her college acceptance letters, her certificate proving her passing the driver's test, various awards and certificates, everything all the way back to self portraits in kindergarten. "Thank you," she whispered.

"You're welcome," Ellis offered a rare smile. "Meredith…things are going to get difficult for you soon."

Meredith nodded, trying to fight back the tears that were threatening to fall. "I know," she replied.

"I want you to know that you don't have to worry about anything," Ellis continued. "I'm going to be moving into a retirement home, where they can take care of me. I've also spoken to my attorney, and he's going to make sure that your tuition is paid on time for college and med school. And the rest of my money is going to be put into accounts you'll be able to access when you're twenty one."

"Mom, I can't," Meredith started, but Ellis stopped her, leaning forward to rest her hand on his.

"Meredith, this is important," she said. "Consider this me taking care of you for the first time in a very long time. You need to be prepared for what's going to happen."

"Okay," Meredith whispered, tears in her eyes.

"I know the time we have left won't make up for anything, but I was thinking that maybe we could spend the evening catching up, watching movies?" Ellis suggested meekly.

Meredith was surprised for a moment, but quickly agreed. Her mother had never been one to sit still and socialize, let alone watch a movie, but she was going to take it. Ellis was certainly acting better, and she had to cherish the time they had together.

XXXXX

Derek woke up the next morning and immediately frowned as he realized that his arms were empty. After a moment, he remembered that he wasn't in his dorm and that Meredith wasn't with him. He sighed as he flopped onto his back, staring up at the ceiling. It had taken him forever to fall asleep the night before without his girlfriend in his arms, and now he was awake after only five hours of sleep because somehow that girl had managed to completely ruin him and not let him sleep by himself anymore.

There was a knock on the door and he grunted a response as he sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Morning, Derek," Michael said as he walked into the room. "Are you up for some fishing?"

"Definitely," Derek nodded as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. "Let me get dressed."

"I'll be downstairs," Michael smiled. "Your mother made waffles, so you better get down there before they're gone."

"I'll hurry," Derek laughed. "Thanks, Dad."

Michael closed the door behind him and Derek quickly changed into jeans and a flannel shirt, grabbing his fishing vest out of the closet before heading downstairs.

"Good morning, dear," Emma said as she pressed a kiss on the top of his head and placed a plate of waffles down in front of him. "You really are your father's son."

"What's wrong with that?" Michael frowned around a mouthful of waffles.

"Nothing," Emma rolled her eyes. "None of the girls would be caught awake this early on a Saturday. Derek's always been an early riser."

"He's just excited to spend time with his old man," Michael said, reaching out to pat Derek's shoulder. "Eat up, son, we want to get out there sooner rather than later."

"I'm eating," Derek nodded. "Breakfast is delicious, Mom, thank you."

"You're welcome," Emma said as she sat down across from him with a steaming cup of coffee in her hands. "And you're spending the day with your father, but I fully expect some time with you as well."

Derek laughed. "I'll help you with dinner," he said. "How's that sound?"

"Perfect," Emma nodded.

"Alright," Michael said, picking up his plate and walking over to the sink. "You ready, Derek?"

"Yeah," he said as he shoved his last bite in his mouth and followed his father's actions.

Michael walked over to the table and planted a kiss to the top of Emma's head. "Bye, Em," he said. "We'll be back in a couple hours."

"You better bring us some dinner," Emma said with a smile as she leaned up to press her lips against Michael's quickly.

"We will," Michael assured her before moving to open the back door.

"Bye, Mom," Derek said, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek before following his dad out the door.

"Be careful!" Emma called after them as the door closed, causing Michael to shake his head and smile as they opened the shed and began taking out their fishing gear.

"Your mother is one special woman," he said. "She keeps me in line, that much is sure."

Derek laughed. "Mer's like that too," he said. "She's not afraid to call me an idiot and roll her eyes when she thinks I'm annoying."

Michael smiled as he started his truck. "She sounds like one special girl," he commented.

"She is," Derek nodded. "And Dad, the things she's been through are just terrible, but… somehow she's still managed to be this incredible girl that I can't imagine my life without anymore."

Michael offered his son a large smile. "Don't let her go," he said. "I want to meet this girl, so you better not scare her away before you bring her home with me."

Derek smiled. "She'll come home with me sooner or later," he said. "I'm pretty sure she's the one."

Michael shook his head. "I can't believe you're old enough to be talking about this," he sighed. "But I'm happy for you."

"Thanks," Derek sighed, leaning back against the seat as he allowed himself to get ready for a day with his dad that was long overdue.

XXXXX

"You're just mad because I caught more fish," Derek laughed as he and Michael entered the house. "You know Mom always asks, and you always win. Now she'll be more proud of me."

Michael frowned. "That is not true," he said. "And since when is it okay to talk to your father like that?"

Derek laughed and called into the house, "Mom! We're back!"

Emma appeared in the hallway from the kitchen, a serious expression on her face. "Derek, dear," she started. "Um…"

The laughter faded off of both Derek and Michael's faces as they took in Emma's troubled expression.

"Mom?" Derek asked, stepping forward. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"There's someone here to see you," Emma replied, her eyes sparkling even through her concerned gaze.

Derek pushed past his mother to walk into the kitchen, blinking quickly when he saw Meredith sitting at the kitchen table, cradling a cup of warm apple cider in her hands.

"Mer?" he asked, rushing forward to pull her to her feet and into his arms. "Are you okay? What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry," she whispered into his shoulder, clinging tightly to him. "I know you're here to spend time with your family, but I just…I needed you."

"It's okay, Mer," he whispered, pressing his lips against the top of her head. For the first time, he noticed Mark and Addison standing together in the corner of the kitchen and although he wasn't sure why Meredith had felt the need to come to him, he was glad they both had wonderful friends who would take care of them. Now all he had to do was take care of Meredith.