Chapter 17

''Exuse me? I must've heard you wrong. Your mother's office?'' – Derek stumbled upon every word he said. He truly couldn't understand what was Alison implying.

''Aham. Just like you heard.'' – Alison smiled teasingly. It was so funny watching Derek lost and trying to understand. That look on his face was something she would pay to see again. But Amelia, on the other hand, wasn't having as much fun watching Derek figure out what was going on as Alison did. For more then two months she was trying to think of the best way how to tell him and the situation in which they were at the moment wasn't something she could've imagined. Maybe it was better this way, she thought, no time to overthink everything.

''I'm really not getting the joke here.'' – he said incredulously. ''Amy?''

Amelia knew that the hardest part of telling the truth was explaining it. It made it even harder that it was Derek in front of her. Keeping it a secret for more than eighteen years was hard, but this part made all that effort look very easy. But what was done was done, there was no turning back. This was on her and if Alison was finally able to accept her and actually acknowledge her as her mother Amelia was definetely ready to take all the responsibility for her choice.

''There is no joke here, Derek.'' – Amelia swallowed and looked him straight in the eyes, not flinching even for a second while saying – '' Alison is my daughter.''

Derek's mouth fell open. He was utterly and completely in shock. His brain tried very heard to make sense of what was going on and what was just said to him, but in his mind Alison being Amelia's daughter made no sense at all. That idea seemed so impossible to him and actually very hilarious. Before he could even try to control himself, Derek started laughing out loud.

''Come on, Amy. Stop messing with me.'' – he rambled while laughing.

Alison's eyes were wide open, looking at Derek like he was a crazy person. It was amusing watching 'the god of all neurosurgeons', as he loved to be called, being lost, but watching him in crazy laughter over something so serious was a bit scary. After a minute Amelia lost it and couldn't listen to him acting crazy anymore.

''Derek.'' – she started slowly – ''Would you stop with that and just listen to me?''

''You're funny, you know that.'' – he said to Alison, ignoring Amelia pleading him to stop laughing – ''I'm not sure if that was the best or the worst excuse I've ever heard, but it was definetely the funniest. I have to admit it, you got some nerve. I like it.''

Alison didn't know what to say, but a chuckle escaped her mouth. These last five minutes were bizzare. Scenes like that happened only in the movies, not in real life. At least that was what she thought before.
Amelia was losing the little patience she had.

''That day, when I crashed your car'' – Amelia started talking, hoping that Derek would listen – ''You saved me and then the paramedics took me to the hospital.'' Derek's laughter was gone in a second, just like it came.

When Amelia saw he was listening and following she continued – ''If you came to see me after...you...you would've known. You haven't talked to me in three years, Derek. Didn't even ask how I was doing. Even our sisters called, but you never did.''- she frowned with tears forming in her eyes – '' That day...I found out I was pregnant. Mom and Addie were there. I got clean in rehab and nine months later I gave birth to a little girl. My life was a complete mess and there was no chance in hell I would drag my innocent little girl down with me, so I gave her away. I was alone and heartbroken and you never even called...'' Her last sentence was barely louder than a whisper, pain so visable on her tear stained face.

Amelia never told that part of the story to anyone. The part in which she felt so abandoned by her brother when she needed him the most. He was always her person in the world. The two of them were so much alike and so close while growing up, almost like they were twins. Derek was always her protector and hero. And he was just gone in the moments when she was breaking apart and needing him to help her pick up the pieces. He was angry at first and Amelia understood that. She really messed up and if she could she would've changed it, but it was done. And when she took her first breath after those long three minutes they cried together. He was holding her in his arms tightly and she was begging him for forgivness. She understood his anger at first, but a year or two after...

Derek couldn't believe what he just heard. He was speechless, looking at her with so much sadness and regret. He was reminded again of the day when he failed for the first time in his life. He failed hard. At least that was what he thought. He always blamed himself. But between all the sadness and regret Amelia recognized the hurt.

''I wasn't the only one who never called.'' – Derek said bitterly – '' And I was broken too, Amy. You were dead in my arms for three minutes.'' – he exclaimed desperately. ''And I don't understand...Why? Why didn't you call me? You trusted Addison more than you trusted me.''

''That didn't have anything to do with trust...'' – Amelia responded weakly.

He just shook his head in disbelief and turned his attention to Alison. That was the first time he really looked at her. And he could finally see it. Her features were so familiar. Those big expresive blue eyes, dark slightly wavy hair, few small freckles on her cheeks. Derek saw so much of Amelia in her and in the same time so much of himself. The resemblence was undeniable.

''So...Alison...'' – he reached to take her hand to shake like they were just meeting – ''I'm Derek. I guess I'm your uncle.'' With his hand he offered a smile, too.

Alison chuckled at how awkward it was. He was yelling at her minutes ago and now he wanted to shake hands and he introduced himself as her uncle. How crazy the universe was. Everything changes in a heartbeat.

''I see you can be nice, too'' – Alison joked trying to light the mood in the room.

Both Derek and Amelia laughed at her comment and started speaking at the same time.

''He can, but don't get used to it.'' – Amelia smirked at Derek.

''I am nice 99% of the time.'' – Derek finished his sentence right after Amelia did hers.

It was Alison's turn to laugh at them.

''Let's see... You look like Amy's 'mini me'. You're 18 and already an intern, so you must be highly intelligent. You're funny and you have those famous 'charming dimples'. You are most definetely a Shepherd. I think I like you already.'' – Derek grinned pleased with his summary.

Amelia laughed and added – ''Don't fall for his charm, Ali. He's sucking up now, because he feels bad he yelled at you before.''

''Well maybe I can take you both to a ferry boat ride this evening? I'd like to start this right and get to know you. I won't bombard you now with the questions. I know you came to talk to Amy...'' – Derek said to Alison.

Alison grinned imediately and looked at Amelia with pleading eyes. She didn't know everything what happened three days ago after that mess in the ER and what Derek did to Amelia. But she really wanted to go on a ferry boat ride.
Amelia saw Alison's hopeful and excited face and could not reject the offer, even if she was still angry at her brother.

''Amy?'' – Derek inquired.

Then Alison figured that maybe Amelia still wasn't okay after everyone found out about her past, so maybe that's why she wasn't comfortable with the idea. A second later she said to Amelia – ''Are you okay? We don't have to go if you're not up for it...''

Again, that warm feeling in her chest started spreading. Amelia figured it was love. And when she saw how worried Alison was for her, there was no way she could say no. She felt the urge to do anything in her power to calm Ali and to make her stop worrying. And in that moment something in the air surrounding them changed. In a good way.

''Derek, how did you know she wanted to go?'' – Amelia smiled – '' We can go if you want, Ali.''

''Really? You like ferry boats, too?'' – Derek asked Alison. He was so excited that maybe someone could share his passion for ferry boats.

''I don't know. They seem cool.''- Alison shrugged her shoulders and then walked to Amelia – ''I know you're not a fan, but maybe it could be fun to go?''

''Then we'll go.'' – Amelia answered her daughter softly.

''It's a deal. Be ready around 6:30, is that okay?'' – he asked and then sighed – '' Ohh, I just remembered I have to pick up Zola and Bailey from daycare around that time. Meredith is on-call.''

''They can come too. I'd like to meet them.'' – Alison suggested.

''Great idea, Little Shepherd.'' – Derek agreed – '' I'll see you two later then.''

''Little Shepherd, ha? – Alison smirked.

''I think it suits you really well.'' – he winked.

''I agree. But Derek...please... don't tell anyone yet.'' – Amelia pleaded.

Derek just nodded and left Amelia and Alison alone in the office.

A/N: This one's a bit shorter, but I wanted to update sooner. I hope I didn't dissappoint with Derek's first reaction. There will be more in the next chapter. Please tell me what you think, your comments really help. Thank you for reading. I appreciate all of you kind people making time to read my story. Bless you!