December 31
Snow is falling lightly as Meredith and JoJo Shepherd approach Cristina and Owen's house. Cristina flings open the front door.
"Happy New Year!" Meredith says, holding up a bottle.
"Happy New Year!" Cristina grabs the bottle and ushers her guests in. "Ah good. I just discovered that we had no rum." She raises an eyebrow as JoJo removes her coat, revealing a skimpy aqua dress.
"What?" JoJo brushes her tangled blonde hair out of her eyes.
"I hate to sound like a mom, but you're going to get cold wearing that," Cristina smirks. "Chloe is upstairs, trying to decide what to wear."
"Then I'll go rescue her," JoJo smoothly replies, walking towards the stairs.
The older women share an amused look. "Owen got paged by your husband," Cristina informs Meredith. "So it's just the two of us getting drunk."
"More rum for the both of us," Meredith laughs. "Where is Diego?"
"Sleeping over at his friend's house, so we can crank up the music and pass out on the couch."
"Excellent." Meredith smiles knowingly at Cristina. "So ….?"
"So we're going to be in-laws," Cristina notes, leading the way to the kitchen. "How about that?"
"How do we feel about that?"
"I am totally fine with your son marrying my daughter," Cristina says, pulling out glasses. "Owen is, too. We like Rob. How do you feel?"
"You know that we adore Mallory," her friend smiles. "She's like you, only charming."
"Thanks."
Meredith laughs. "Best of all is the news that she's persuaded Rob to go to medical school. Tomorrow, I'm going to start looking at scholarships and schools. We don't have a lot of time to get Rob into someplace good. Want to help?'
"I'd love to."
Cristina hands her a drink, and holds up her own glass in a toast. "Here's to our kids getting hitched, and Rob getting into the best medical school."
"Here, here." They clink glasses and drink.
Upstairs, JoJo sighs with exasperation as Chloe holds up two different outfits. "That one is boring, and that one is virginal."
Chloe raises her eyebrows. "Fine. You pick something out."
JoJo paws through Chloe's closet. "Do you seriously not have anything to wear to a club?"
"I have some things in my dorm room," Chloe says defensively. "I just didn't think to bring them home for the holidays."
"We're raiding Mallory's closet," the blonde girl declares, leaving the room.
Chloe follows her. "Mallory is shorter and thinner than me. She's not going to have anything I can wear."
"Correction – she's not going to have anything you want to wear. Because she doesn't dress like a librarian. Which is why you need to wear something of hers. Who is this guy we're meeting up with, again?"
"Mickey Dupuis from high school," Chloe reminds her. "He's a senior at the U of W. Engineering major."
"Sounds boring." JoJo deftly searches through Mallory's closet. She pulls out a red halter top and shoves it at Chloe. "Try this on. It's stretchy and it will go with your black skirt."
Chloe looks at it doubtfully.
"Do you want to look hot tonight, or do you want to look like a nun?" JoJo asks.
"Hot, I guess." Chloe says. She closes the door to Mallory's room and pulls off her t-shirt. "So … Rob and Mallory, huh?"
JoJo smirks. "Mallory is so pregnant. Why else would they get engaged so quickly?"
"JoJo!" Chloe frowns. "They've only been dating since Christmas."
"Then it's not Rob's." JoJo laughs at Chloe's shocked expression. "Oh come on. Like you didn't think that."
"I didn't," Chloe insists, pulling on the top. "My sister would never do that to Rob."
"Well, there must be some reason why they'd get engaged so fast," JoJo mutters, helping Chloe adjust the shirt. "And usually a baby is the reason why."
"Maybe they just fell in love really quickly," Chloe retorts. "Mallory has had a crush on Rob for ages."
"She has?"
"Uh huh. You never noticed?"
JoJo snorts. "No offense, but I don't pay much attention to Mallory. She's such a drama queen, she always wants to be the centre of attention."
Chloe shrugs and looks at herself in a mirror. "Don't you think this is …?"
"Sexy," JoJo enthuses. "You know, you have a nice body under your nerd wear. Give me ten minutes, I'll do your hair and your make-up. This Mikey guy won't be able to take his eyes off of you."
"Mickey."
"Whatever."
Cristina and Meredith look up as JoJo comes downstairs, fluffing her blonde hair. "Come on, Chloe," she calls over her shoulder.
"Coming." Chloe sheepishly follows her, wearing Mallory's red halter top and a short black skirt. Her black hair frames her face in curly waves, and her brown eyes have been lined with smoky make-up.
"Oh my." Meredith puts down her glass. "Chloe, you are stunning."
"That's my work," JoJo smirks.
"You look amazing," Cristina tells her daughter.
"I feel naked," Chloe blushes, tugging at the straps of her top.
"Okay, your dad is at the hospital, so I'm going to be him," Cristina informs Chloe. She coughs and rubs a pretend beard. "Who is the designated driver?"
"I am," JoJo says. "Since it is Chloe's birthday at midnight."
"Do you have your cell phone in case you need a ride and is it charged?" Cristina continues.
"I do and it is." Chloe holds up her small purse. "And I have my ID and money for a cab."
Cristina looks thoughtful. "What am I forgetting?"
"Never accept a drink from a stranger and always keep an eye on my drink so that nobody puts anything in it," Chloe grins. "Don't get so drunk that I forget my self-defence training. Don't go home with a stranger."
"Study hard and don't get knocked up," JoJo says snidely. "Keys?"
Meredith hands her keys to her daughter and kisses her cheek. "Have fun, girls. And don't get knocked up."
"Your date had better be here," JoJo mutters as they approach the club. "We don't want to wait outside too long, before the club fills up."
"He just texted me," Chloe says, looking at her phone. "And I see him." They walk towards the brown-haired man waiting for them.
Mickey stares at Chloe in open admiration. "You did not look like that yesterday."
"Let me guess, her hair was in a ponytail and she didn't have make-up on?" JoJo grins, as Chloe blushes.
"Yeah," Mickey says. "And she was wearing sweatpants."
"Okay, okay," Chloe laughs. "Mickey, this is JoJo. JoJo, this is Mickey. He was in my graduation class in high school."
"Only because Brainiac here skipped a grade," JoJo smirks, shaking Mickey's hand.
"I remember you," he says to JoJo. "We were in detention a couple of times together."
"Ha!" JoJo laughs. "Well, I'm glad you appreciate my handiwork," she says, pointing to Chloe. "I practically had to sit on her to put some make-up on her tonight."
"Good job," he smiles, his eyes going back to Chloe. "Let's go in, before the club fills up."
With one smile from JoJo, the bouncer lets them into the club ahead of the people waiting in line.
"JoJo!" Two blonde men immediately flank her as they leave the coat check area.
"See you!" She smiles sweetly, before letting the men lead her to the bar.
"Isn't she your ride?" Mickey asks.
Chloe shrugs. "I have money for a cab. She does this all the time."
"Okay." He looks Chloe up and down again. "So I can buy you a drink?"
"You can," she smiles.
January 1
Owen pulls into the driveway as Meredith stumbles out of his house, blinking at the daylight.
"Happy New Year," he grins. "Need a ride home?"
She shakes her head. "I called a cab … and there it is."
"Okay." Owen enters the house and pulls off his coat.
"Have some compassion for the hungover," comes a tired voice from the living room. "Keep the noise down."
"And Happy New Year to you too," he chuckles, walking over to greet the woman stretched out on the couch. "Good night?"
"Yes. You?"
"Long night, lots of organ donors," he sighs, before kissing her.
"Good morning," Chloe chirps, coming downstairs, dressed for a jog.
"Happy Birthday," Cristina moans.
"Happy Birthday!" Owen turns and kisses her on the cheek. "Did you find your card?"
"I did, thanks. How's the head, Mom?"
"Ugh." Cristina opens her eyes and stares up at her daughter, who is smiling knowingly. "Why aren't you hungover?"
"I didn't drink much," Chloe replies. "I wanted to be sober enough to catch a cab home last night."
Cristina frowns. "Wasn't JoJo the designated driver?"
"As soon as we walked into the bar, two guys she knew were buying her drinks and she 'couldn't refuse'," Chloe shrugs.
Cristina sighs. "Chloe, you're 22 now. Live a little."
Owen regards his daughter thoughtfully. "What about the pizza guy?"
"He wanted to drink too," Chloe replies. "You know that I don't like to get drunk, it's okay."
"That's not my point," he sighs. "You were excited that you were going out, JoJo bailed on being the driver and your date didn't offer to be the driver on the night before your birthday?"
"I didn't tell him it was going to be my birthday on a first date," Chloe says, looking down. Owen and Cristina exchange a look. She sighs. "So hey, Mallory's engaged!"
"Are you okay with it?" Owen asks Chloe. "Mallory getting married first, I mean … I know you were never into Rob despite Derek's constant nagging."
"Of course, Dad. I've got Harvard medical school next fall - why would I want to be married now?"
Cristina nods approvingly. "That's our future surgical genius."
"And what does the World's Most Protective Father think of this?" Chloe looks at her father.
"I'm surprised, but okay," Owen chuckles. "I've always liked Rob. He needs someone to guide him along and he certainly will get that. I just wish someone had told me that Mallory had a crush on him."
"Chloe and I were sworn to secrecy years ago," Cristina says. "I'm not surprised at all that Mallory wants to marry Rob so quickly."
Chloe starts stretching. "I can understand them getting engaged quickly, but I don't understand why they want to get married this summer. She's only 20. She isn't a Culinary Goddess yet."
Cristina shrugs. "She's an adult. We raised all of you to go after what you want. And what Mallory wants is Rob. Being married isn't going to stop our Hurricane from her career."
"What if what she wants is to have a baby right away?" Chloe grins. "Mallory loves children. You could be grandparents in a couple of years."
Cristina stares at her. "I did not think of that. You are an evil, evil child." She turns to Owen, who is laughing. "This isn't funny."
"Yes it is," he snorts. "Come on. Don't you want some grandchildren? Another generation of surgical geniuses?"
"In ten years," Cristina scowls. "Wait … fifteen. We need to talk to Mallory about this. She's too young to become a mother. I am too young to be a grandmother."
"But she's an adult now, remember?" Chloe smirks.
Cristina moans and rubs her forehead. "Chloe, I am too hungover for this. Stop being so damn clever."
"I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm not," Chloe laughs. She looks at her father. "Seriously, Dad. I thought you would have been flying off to Paris as soon as you heard they were living together."
Owen stares at her, mouth falling open in shock. Chloe feels a sudden sense of dread. She blushes as she begins to stammer. "I mean … she did tell you that … right?"
"Since when?" Owen demands.
"Since when what?" Chloe manages, before looking at her watch. "I'm going to go for my run now …"
"Chloe Hunt," Owen says firmly, holding up a hand. "How long has your sister been living with Rob?"
Cristina grins as Chloe winces. "Dad … I didn't know that you didn't know …"
He looks directly at her. "I repeat. How long has your sister been living with Rob?"
Chloe tries to look away from her father's glare, but fails. She sighs. "Since December 26th."
"And where are they living?" Owen probes.
"In her apartment," Chloe admits.
Owen frowns. "He is living in the apartment that I am paying for and he doesn't have a job?"
Meredith walks into her house, intent on finding some pain relief. She raises her eyebrows at the clothing strewn in the living room.
"Stupid strays," she mutters, following the clothing. "Oh wait." She kicks at a black lace bra outside of JoJo's room. She knocks on the door.
"What?" JoJo murmurs from inside of her room.
Meredith opens the bedroom door … and shakes her head in disbelief. JoJo is lying face down on her bed, wrapped up in a blanket.
"Good morning, JoJo," Meredith says loudly. "How are we feeling?"
"Mom!" Her daughter flips over, covering her eyes with a hand. "Do you mind?"
"I mind!" Meredith sighs, looking around her. "I mind coming home and finding your clothes out in the hall. Especially your bra and panties."
"Sorry," her daughter mutters, running her fingers through her tangled hair.
"Pick up your clothes," Meredith says curtly. "And where is my car?"
"Probably still downtown," JoJo yawns, sitting up, clutching the blanket to her. "I didn't drive it home, too drunk."
"Weren't you the designated driver?"
"These guys I knew were at the club," JoJo explains. "They insisted on buying me drinks. Chloe had cab money like she always does."
"It was her birthday!"
"She never wants to get drunk," JoJo counters. "She doesn't have a problem with taking a cab, so why do you have a problem with it?"
"I … am concerned about you," Meredith says gently. "You've been partying all Christmas break."
Her daughter sighs. "Here we go. The alcohol awareness speech. Again. When you're looking hungover too."
"My clothes are in my room!" Meredith points out. "And I didn't bail on being the designated driver."
JoJo rolls her eyes. "Bet you wish Chloe was your daughter, huh?"
"What?" Meredith frowns. "Why would you say that?"
"Because she doesn't leave her underwear on the floor," JoJo explains. "She puts her dirty laundry in the hamper like a good girl should."
Meredith sits down next to her daughter, watching her closely. "What happened last night?"
"We went to the club, she hung out with this boring guy, and I had fun," JoJo replies, blinking slowly.
"What is going on with you and Chloe?" Meredith persists.
JoJo shrugs. "I really don't have a lot in common with her anymore, okay? We go to different schools. We have different ideas of what having fun is. She likes to study, I like to interact with living breathing human beings. She's an honors student, I'm barely getting by."
"That is not Chloe's fault," Meredith chides. "You could learn from her-"
"There it is," JoJo says, snapping her fingers. "You want me to be Chloe, not me."
"I do not!"
"Do too," JoJo scowls. She stands up. "I'll get dressed and find a ride and I'll go find your car, okay?"
Meredith stands, placing a hand on her daughter's arm. "I'm sorry, JoJo. I don't mean to compare the two of you and I didn't realize that it bothers you."
Her daughter grins. "At least I didn't get engaged after six days of dating."
"And I thank you for that," Meredith laughs. "I don't think we can take too many more surprises."
The front door bangs open and they hear Derek's greeting. "Happy New Year!" He strides into the room and his smiles fades when he sees the scene before him.
"Yeah yeah, she already disapproved," JoJo mutters, as she haughtily tightens the blanket around her.
"We'll just give her some privacy," Meredith says, hustling Derek out of the bedroom and closing the door.
"Well!" Derek smiles at Meredith. "The new year is off to a great start!"
"Indeed." Meredith smiles back, before kissing him. "What do you say we have some brunch and then start looking up scholarships? Our son is ready to be a doctor!"
"I take it you don't want to help arrange the wedding?"
Meredith snorts. "The kids can arrange it. Cristina and I have worked it out. They will pay the bulk of the wedding costs, since we're going to be helping with tuition and housing costs."
"Ah, good." Derek pulls out his phone as it starts to ring. "Hey Owen." He blinks. "Wait … what?"
January 2
"Hey," Mallory grins, as Rob walks in the door. "I missed you!" She runs over to him and kisses him. "You were gone for five whole hours!"
"I missed you too," he smiles. "But I got a job. Tending bar at this really cool club. A lot of tourists go there and I know enough French to get by."
She pauses. "You're not going to be working nights, are you?"
"What's wrong with that?"
"I'm in school during the day," she protests. "When are we going to see each other?"
He shrugs. "It's just for a few months."
Mallory steps back and folds her arms, her lower lip sticking out.
"Let me earn some money there and improve my French, then I'll find another job," he sighs. "I don't know the language well enough to get hired anywhere I want."
"Okay," she smiles. "What shall we do to celebrate your new job?"
"I know what I want to do," he grins, pulling her close. "I want to try counting your freckles again. I only got as far as thirty-five this morning …"
She giggles as he starts nuzzling her cleavage. "I'm telling you, I have too many to count."
"Don't interrupt!" He undoes a button on her blouse. "There's one freckle, there's two, three, four …"
She sighs happily as Rob bends her over, until she's lying on the kitchen table. He slides one hand up her right thigh, under her skirt, as his tongue starts flicking between her breasts.
Someone pounds on the apartment door, startling them.
"Who is it?" Mallory calls out.
"Your parents," Owen loudly announces.
"All four of us!" Meredith shouts through the door.
Mallory and Rob stare at each other in a panic. She hastily sits up, knocking her forehead against his. "Ow!"
"Hello!" Derek cheerfully calls out.
Rob helps Mallory slide off of the table. He pulls down her skirt while she rebuttons her blouse. She beams brightly and opens the door. "Dad! Mom!"
"Hi!" Owen grins. He reaches out and pulls Mallory into a big hug, while Meredith hugs Rob.
"This is a great surprise," Mallory smiles as her mother hugs her. "Come on in!"
All four parents enter the apartment, Meredith and Derek looking around with interest.
"Don't worry, we're staying at a hotel," Derek tells Rob. "They said this was a small apartment."
"You!" Owen points at Rob. "We need to talk."
"Yes sir," Rob says, standing very straight. "Okay, I know I should have –"
"Are you really living here?" Owen asks quietly.
"It was my idea-" Mallory starts. Her mother shushes her.
"I got a job today," Rob stammers. "So I can help out with expenses. And I've been doing all of the laundry and cleaning, I make the bed and I wash the dishes so all she has to do is cook because she hates to clean. Which you know. Sir."
Owen folds his arms across his chest and regards Rob solemnly.
The younger man swallows. "I promise to always treat her like a queen and I will never break her heart and I know I should have asked permission to date her first before I even kissed her, but she is Hurricane Mallory and I didn't exactly have time …"
"It's my fault," Mallory meekly admits. "I ruthlessly … wined and dined Rob at Christmas and confessed that I've had a crush on him for eight years and kissed him before he had a chance to call you, Dad."
"I knew it," Meredith says coolly, eyeing Mallory. "I knew that my son wouldn't hit on the daughter of his parents' best friends without being given some encouragement."
"I'm sorry?" Mallory winces.
Owen arches a menacing eyebrow and Rob feels his blood turn cold.
Derek laughs. "Owen! Stop scaring him!"
Owen grins widely and holds out his right hand to Rob. "Okay then."
"Huh?" Rob looks to his parents, who are laughing along with Cristina.
"Don't let Owen psych you out," Derek tells Rob. "He's not really mad, he's already looking forward to grandchildren. FYI, he wants at least one with black hair."
"You can marry her," Owen informs Rob with a grin, hand still extended.
A relieved Rob shakes his hand.
"Take your time on the grandchildren," Cristina says.
Mallory looks at Meredith, uncertain. "Er…."
"I can overlook you derailing my son from his career path as a bartender," Meredith says with a wink. "You make sure he becomes a doctor, okay?"
"Okay," Mallory grins.
Owen turns at Mallory. "All right, kiddo. Let's see the ring."
She obediently holds out her left hand. The parents quickly step forward to examine it, looking impressed.
"Do I want to know how you could afford this?" Derek asks.
"Oh, Mark gave me the money," Rob says. "He said it was our first wedding present …" His voice trails off as all four parents stare at him, while Mallory vigorously shakes her head, eyes wide.
"Mark Sloan?" Derek asks in a low voice. "Mark knew that you were getting married before we did?"
"Okay first he only knew that we were dating …" Rob says helplessly.
"Start from the beginning," Meredith says coolly.
"Okay!" Rob smiles sheepishly. "He called to invite me to Monaco at the end of January and I said that I wasn't sure if I could, you know, I had to check with Mallory first."
Mallory beams as Cristina and Owen nod approvingly.
"And I told him that it was serious between us and Mallory is The One, and I wanted to propose and he said I needed a ring," Rob explains. "So when Mallory said I had to propose with a ring, he gave me the money for a ring."
"It is a nice ring," Meredith says, holding up Mallory's hand for a better look.
Rob turns to his father. "I'm sorry that Mark knew before you. I didn't plan it that way."
Derek smiles and shakes his head. "Hey, Mark turned out to be good for something. Who knew?"
"Now what?" Mallory looks at everyone cautiously. "Did you really fly over here just to scare Rob and to see the ring?"
"Now, we eat," Cristina declares. "Show us to a restaurant where we can get something better than airline food."
"I flew over so we can talk about what schools you're going to apply to," Meredith advises her son. "We've come up with a list that we want to discuss with you."
"That's it?" Rob asks.
Owen grins and grips Rob's shoulder. "That's it. Just keep your vow to treat her like a queen and I won't kick your ass."
Rob smiles weakly. "Okay."
"Supper is on me!" Derek announces. "Let's go, I'm starving."
"Who told you that we were living together?" Mallory asks, as Rob gets her coat from the closet.
"Chloe crumbled under Owen's interrogation yesterday," Cristina informs her. "She kept your secrets as long as she could."
"Wait." Derek holds up a hand. "Did Chloe know about you two before any of us?"
"Even before Mark!" Mallory says brightly. "I had to tell somebody, and I knew that she wouldn't hop on a plane to scare us."
"Touché," Derek laughs.
After they've ordered their meal at the restaurant, Derek holds up his glass of wine. "To becoming one big happy family." Everyone smiles and raises their glass for the toast.
"Okay, which topic do we want to start with?" Derek asks. "The wedding, medical school, grandchildren?"
Mallory shakes her head. "No grandchildren for at least 6-8 years. That is something we'll take our time on."
"Good," Cristina approves.
"Your mother is too young to be a grandmother," Owen informs his daughter. "By the way, how many children are in your master plan?"
"I don't know," she shrugs. "I don't plan out everything, Dad."
"We're going to keep going until we have a redhead," Rob smiles.
"Are you taking requests?" Derek asks. "I'd like a blonde grand-daughter with split ends."
"No requests!" Mallory protests. "We will take what fate hands us. No matter what the hair colour or gender is."
"Okay, let's talk about the wedding," Derek says. "You still want to get married in the summer?"
"Uh huh," Rob replies, taking Mallory's hand. "We want something small. But not too small. At least a two Post-It note wedding."
His parents smile.
"Two Post-It notes sounds affordable," Owen muses. "Hell, make it three."
"Four?" Mallory smiles sweetly at her father. "Please?"
"Oh oh," Cristina chortles, elbowing her husband. "We'll go as high as five. Since Chloe probably won't find time to get married until she's done her fellowships."
"Speaking of Chloe," Meredith enquires. "How did her date go?"
"Date?" Mallory perks up. "What date?"
"Chloe went out on New Year's Eve with this guy she knows from high school," Cristina explains. "Mickey Dupuis."
"Don't know him. Did he pass inspection?" Mallory asks Owen.
"I haven't met him yet," her father informs her. "But I do know that he got drunk and she had to take a cab home by herself. Strike one."
"Mom?"
Cristina shrugs. "I didn't meet him. She seems to think she had a good time."
Rob looks thoughtful. "The name sounds familiar…"
"I'll call her and get the details," Mallory promises her father. "I'll have a full report by noon tomorrow."
"Sure," he chuckles. "Since you're so good at sharing details lately. Like who you're dating. And living with."
"Six days!" Mallory protests. "We only kept things secret for six days."
"Back to business," Meredith says, pulling out sheets of paper. "Rob, we need to talk about medical school."
"And so it starts," Rob mutters to Mallory, who grins at him.
"How long are you going to be in Paris?" Rob asks his parents, as they leave the restaurant.
"We leave tomorrow evening," Derek replies. "The hospital isn't going to run itself."
"You came all this way for two days?"
"We had to see you after your big news," Meredith says, squeezing his arm. "Plus, we wanted to make sure that Owen didn't kill you."
Rob looks at Owen, walking ahead of them with Mallory and Cristina. "He's really not mad?"
"He likes you," Meredith assures him. "He was unhappy when he found out that you were living with her without a job, but you got a job before he could yell at you."
"And we're going to pay your half of the rent on the apartment," Derek informs Rob. "You need to save your money for school."
"Speaking of school, you really need to submit your applications as soon as possible," Meredith counsels. "I've already got letters of recommendation in the works."
Rob looks sideways at her. "Yeah, I'll take care of it."
"What?" She frowns at him.
"Are we too happy about you going to medical school?" Derek chuckles.
"Yes," Rob sighs. "I knew I'd go back someday, and I will. I miss medicine. But … Mallory is more important right now."
"Ah," Derek smiles, clapping his son on the back. "I forgot what it's like to be young and in love."
"And when the honeymoon glow wears off, you'll be in medical school!" Meredith laughs.
"Well? Mallory looks at her parents as they walk towards her apartment building.
"I meant it. He can marry you," Owen smiles.
"Like I'm some sort of chattel," Mallory sighs. "Dad, when are you going to knock off this protective father crap?"
"On your 100th birthday," he grins. "I'll give it a rest then."
"Dad!"
"It's not like I'm demanding that the Shepherds pay me a bride price of ten goats first," Owen laughs. "I just want to know that my children will be treated right. I see that Rob is taking care of you and is crazy about you and that makes me happy. There is nothing wrong with that."
"Give it up," Cristina advises her daughter. "He did pay for you to go to Paris for your education. And Owen, I think Mallory is worth at least twenty goats."
"Aw!" Mallory laughs. "Okay, what do we know about this Mickey guy?"
"He's an engineering major and he delivers pizza," Cristina reports. "Diego says he drives a beat up Honda. Chloe says he's 'nice'."
"'Nice'?"
"Nice is good," Owen says. "I prefer 'nice' to 'violated his parole'."
"I dumped that jerk after that incident," Mallory reminds Owen.
He chuckles. "Your taste in men has definitely improved."
"Heh."
January 3
The next morning, they congregate in the apartment lobby, prior to brunch.
"Did you talk with Chloe?" Owen asks Mallory.
"I did!" She replies with a mock salute. "On New Year's Eve, they danced, they talked, he had a few beers, and they kissed at midnight. No tongue."
Owen blinks as Mallory smiles impudently. "They went to a movie last night," she continues. "Diego went with them so they did not make out in the theatre. There was some kissing after Diego went to bed. She thinks they might see each other one more time before she goes back to Northwestern."
"And then?"
Mallory shrugs. "She likes him, but I don't think there is much interest in dating long-distance right now. Don't worry, they're not engaged."
"It's going to be fun having you in the family," Meredith laughs, briefly giving Mallory a squeeze. "Did Chloe say anything about JoJo?"
"Not really," Mallory informs her. "Chloe called JoJo to see if she wanted to come to the movie with them but she said she had other plans."
"Mallory sucks at keeping secrets," Cristina says to Rob, who is looking nervous. "Except, of course, the one about you two hooking up at Christmas."
"Thank you for your report," Owen salutes his daughter. "I still think you could have gone far in the Army."
"You know that I could never make my bed regulation–style," she grins.
"This is good information," Derek chuckles. "We're not losing a son, we're gaining a spy."
"And I cook too," Mallory smiles at him. "I'm totally taking over all of the Thanksgiving and Christmas suppers from now on."
"You're already my favourite daughter-in-law," he smiles back.
"I wish you could have stayed longer," Mallory says, watching her parents pack their suitcases in their hotel room after brunch.
"Give us more notice the next time you get engaged," Owen grins.
"You could come to Seattle for March break," Cristina says. "Say the word and we'll buy tickets for both of you."
"Actually I think we're going to Monaco to meet up with Mark," Mallory says. "Sorry, but it is warmer than Seattle."
Her father shakes his head, amused. "I'll have to get used to the idea that you're part of a couple now."
Mallory smiles and steps in to hug Owen. He kisses her forehead. "You done good, kiddo. I like the two of you together."
Next door, Rob listens patiently as his mother delivers one last lecture.
"Don't be shy about asking to help cover application fees," she reminds him, as she closes her suitcase.
"He gets it," Derek says, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder.
Rob smiles ruefully. "I promise that I will get everything done as soon as possible. My fiancée will make sure that happens."
"And to think you thought he would marry Chloe," Meredith reminds Derek. "When all this time, Mallory was The One who is right for him."
"I was close," he points out. "But I agree on Mallory being the better Hunt for the job." He smiles at his son. "I haven't seen you this happy in a while. It looks good on you."
Rob chuckles with a quiet pride. Meredith's hand goes to her mouth, seeing a new maturity in her son.
"I'm very happy about the engagement," she tells Rob. "I love how Mallory can't take her eyes off of you. You two are so sweet together."
"Thanks Mom," he replies, hugging her.
"Just don't forget that there is a reason we call her 'Hurricane Mallory'," his father advises with a twinkle in his eyes.
"I've been told that we are not to ever speak of that incident again," Rob says. "But I won't forget."
"All right, let's go," Meredith says, checking her watch. "And we will see you in June in Seattle. Ready for a five Post-It note wedding."
"I can't wait," Rob smiles.