86. Chapter 86

The sound of hurrying footsteps, and then the sound of the kitchen door swinging open, interrupted the surprisingly comfortable conversation going on at the table.

"Uncle Derek!" Exclaimed the small boy who ran into the kitchen. "You're here!"

Derek barely had enough time to move his chair back from the table in order to catch his very excited nephew.

"Mommy told me you would be here!" He continued as Derek scooped him onto his lap. "I missed you so much, Uncle Derek," he added as he hugged his small arms tightly around Derek's neck.

"I missed you too, buddy," Derek returned with a smile, hugging his nephew.

"Nice to see you too, Jake," Jane prodded, laughing at how her grandson had completely ignored her, his grandmother, as well as his grandfather, aunt, uncle and Meredith.

"I missed you too, grandma," Jake responded, flashing a happy smile towards his grandmother, his arm still around Derek's neck, "But Uncle Derek has been gone for ever and ever!"

Derek smiled and turned the boy so he was sitting sideways in his lap. "Jake, there's someone very important I want you to meet. This is Meredith."

Meredith felt her heart melt just a bit as the young boy, who looked so much like his uncle, offered her a bright, toothless smile. "Hi!"

Her heart melted just a bit at the sight of Derek and his nephew together, not that she'd ever admit that out loud. Jake, with his blue eyes and unruly, dark brown hair, was exactly what she would have pictured Derek as looking like when he was a kid; Jake was what she had pictured her and Derek's son looking like. Not that she would have admitted she had pictured what any theoretical future children she and Derek had together would look like.

"And Meredith, this is Jake."

"Hi, Jake," Meredith responded, laughing as the little boy stuck out his hand. She shook it.

"My whole name is Jacob Derek Shepherd-Walsh, but everyone calls me Jake," Jake informed her. "And I'm seven."

"Are you named after your uncle?"

He nodded emphatically. "Uh-huh. Because when I was born I looked just like him."

Meredith smiled. "You still look like him."

Jake smiled and leaned into Derek. "Are you Uncle Derek's girlfriend?"

She nodded, flashing her eyes hesitantly to Derek and then back to Jake.

Derek smiled warmly. "She's not just my girlfriend, Jake. She's my fiancée; do you know what that means?"

Jake shook his head.

"It means we're going to get married."

Jake stared at her for a long moment, his face scrunched as he thought about what Derek had said to him. "Does that mean you're going to be my aunt?"

This time she really did hesitate. This was all new to her. And she was hyper aware that Jane and Brian were watching the exchange. "I, uh..." Her eyes flickered to Derek's. He offered her a warm smile and a nod. She took a breath and turned her attention back to the young boy. "That's exactly what it means."

Jake smiled. "That's so cool. I'm a really great nephew."

She smiled at his exuberance. "That's good. I...I've never been an aunt before."

Derek whispered something she couldn't hear in Jake's ear, and then the young boy jumped off his lap and onto Meredith's, wrapping his arms around her neck in a tight hug; just like he had done to Derek.

After a moment of delay, Meredith very cautiously returned the hug, ignoring the uncomfortable feeling of the boy's boney knees digging into her thighs as he knelt on her lap.

"I'm glad you're going to be my aunt," Jake said. "You're going to be a super, duper aunt."

"Jake! What did I say about running off like that?"

Jake released Meredith and jumped onto his feet to face his mother, who was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, her arms crossed. "But I wanted to see Uncle Derek."

Nancy shook her head. "No; you knew you had to help bring your bag in from the car."

"But mom-"

"Go help your father unload the car."

He huffed and stood his ground.

"Jacob. Go."

"Fine," he mumbled, taking off at a run.

Nancy smiled and shook his head. "I swear; that kid never stops."

Derek stood to greet his sister. "Don't be too hard on him. He has a tough life."

Nancy rolled her eyes. "He does not."

"Trust me, he does," Derek insisted, hugging Nancy. "The only boy, with four sisters... Not easy."

"You have to get over it, Derek. We were good sisters."

He kissed her cheek and released her. "It's good to see you, Nancy."

"You too, Derek," she responded as he released her.

Nancy smiled at Meredith, and then furrowed her brow. "Nice to see you again, Meredith. But I thought you weren't supposed to make it? Something about your friend?"

"Uh, change of plans," Meredith said.

Nancy smiled. "Good. I'm glad you could make it."

"Me too."

The door opened again, and a tall, light haired man walked in. "The girls are out back with the other kids and Jake is very unhappily taking his bag downstairs."

Nancy laughed and ushered her husband closer. "Meredith, this is my husband, Shane. Shane, this is Meredith."

"It's nice to meet you," Meredith offered, shaking his hand.

"You too," Shane responded. "I heard a lot after Nancy went to visit you two in Seattle." He turned his attention to Derek and offered a hand. "Something about you owning a trailer?"

Derek shook his hand as he rolled his eyes good naturedly. "It was temporary. And it came with the land."

"Temporary is a weekend, Derek," Nancy said dryly. "Maybe even a week. How long did you live in that thing?"

"That is none of your business."

Nancy smirked. "I rest my case."

Derek rolled his eyes good naturedly as he sat back down.

Meredith sat beside him, and couldn't help but smile at the exchange.

"So, little brother," Nancy began, as she joined them at the table, Shane sitting beside her. "What's new on the west coast? Do you have running water and electricity yet?"

Derek huffed. "Just because I don't live in New York anymore doesn't mean Seattle is in any way inferior."

"But it's not New York," Nancy prompted him, half serious and half kidding with her brother.

"That's a plus," Derek retorted.

Nancy surveyed him for a long moment before making a face. "I can't believe you actually sound like you believe that..."

Derek retorted again, which led to another response from Nancy.

Meredith smiled as she watched the exchange. It hadn't been like this the last time she had met Nancy; the last time she had seen her and Derek interact. Derek had been stressed before, caught unprepared, and struggled to balance his new life with his old. But had it been the surprise or the timing? Derek had still been struggling with who he was at the time. His demeanour had evened out over the past few months. He seemed more comfortable in his own skin; more confident with who he was, instead of who he thought everyone else wanted him to be. Meredith wondered now what he would be like should any of his family ever visit them in Seattle again.

A moment later she was struck with the realization that the thought didn't make her panic like she would have expected. It was almost...normal. She had made it to New York, and she was sitting at the table with her fiancée, in his mother's kitchen, getting to know his family. It seemed only natural that they would one day be sitting together at a Seattle table together.

Nancy huffed, pulling her from her own thoughts. "Meredith, how do you put up with him?"

Meredith hesitated, not having heard the last parts of their 'argument.' "Uh..."

Jane smiled at her daughter, and spoke before Meredith could. "I think she's quite happy to 'put up with him.'"

Nancy furrowed her brow as she glanced at her mother, Meredith, and then her brother. She was suspicious, having heard something in her mother's tone.

Derek reached for Meredith's hand, and turned to smile at his sister. "I convinced her to marry me."

Meredith felt a laughing breath escaped her lungs, because, really, she hadn't needed any convincing. She would have said yes that day in the basement, when they were both tired and tense and wearing dirty scrubs.

Nancy's expression turned quickly from curiosity to excitement. She hopped up from her seat and hurried around the table to hug her brother. "Derek, I'm so happy for you."

Derek managed to stand and return the hug. "Thanks, Nance."

She patted him on the back before releasing him. "This is so exciting." She turned to Meredith and hugged her as well. "Meredith, welcome to the family."

Surprised to feel her eyes sting at the comment, Meredith could only nod. Derek's arm snaked around her waist as they were congratulated by Shane. Her lips were curled upwards into a smile she didn't seem able to suppress. Derek's enthusiasm for telling his family was contagious.

After Shane had offered his congratulations, Nancy stepped back in and reached for her hand, taking a long look at the ring. And then she lifted her eyes to her brother's, a smirk on her lips, "I guess you couldn't afford anything bigger, what with working at your inferior, west coast hospital."

Derek huffed and jokingly shoved his sister in the shoulder, knowing she was only prodding him. "It's bigger than yours."

"I think you should get this," Derek said, almost two hours later, holding up a hideous green and yellow sundress.

Meredith rolled her eyes. "You're so not being helpful." After finishing breakfast (even though it was lunch time) and meeting Kathleen, her husband Tim, and a host of kids Meredith couldn't count, let alone name, she and Derek had left the house to do some shopping. He had driven them to a department store, and had been annoyingly unhelpful since they had arrived in the women's clothing department, choosing to find the ugliest clothes he could.

"I'm super helpful. What would you be doing right now without me?"

She smirked. "I wouldn't be in New York, and wouldn't have to be shopping right now."

He made a face as he returned the dress to the rack. "Okay, you may have a point, but I have to say that I am infinitely happy you're here."

"Me too."

He stepped forward and snaked his arms around her middle. "There's nowhere else I would rather be right now."

She hooked her arms behind his neck. "I can't say I feel the same way."

His eyes narrowed. "You're saying you would rather not be with me right now?"

"Being with you, all snugly, or whatever, is perfect. It's the whole shopping thing I would rather not be doing. I hate shopping." And it was true. She didn't mind quick runs to the grocery store, because that was kind of essential if you wanted to eat. What she hated was clothes shopping. Unfortunately, right now it was essential too. With her very limited packing, she needed more clothes to get through the rest of the week. She didn't need the Shepherds to think she was crazy by wearing the same outfit all week.

"We don't have to get you more clothes," he replied, and by the look on his face, Meredith knew exactly what he was going to say next. "You could just spend the next two weeks naked..."

"I'm sure your family would think that was highly appropriate," she retorted, sarcasm heavy in her tone.

"I could just keep you locked in my bedroom the whole time."

She leaned close and whispered, "That sounds very porny."

He pecked her lips. "What's wrong with that?"

Meredith leaned back in his arms, trusting him to hold her. "I thought the purpose of this trip was to get to know your family?"

He shrugged. "Priorities change."

She snorted and leaned forward, kissing him quickly, before stepping out of his arms. "Stop trying to distract me. It's just going to take longer to get this over with."

"Yeah, because it's me distracting you," he mumbled.

She sent him a joking glare. "Glad we got that straight."

"I still think you should get that dress..."

With a laugh, she shook her head. "Why don't you go have a look at the men's department while I do this? I think it may speed up the process..."

With a dramatic sigh, he pecked her cheek and headed for the other end of the store.

She smiled after him for a long moment. When she had shown up in New York, she had expected him to be happy to see her, but she had never expected them to get back to normal so quickly. They had talked things through, had make-up sex, and had moved on. It was all so...grown up. And he was so happy now that it was infectious. This was what he had wanted for so long; to included her with his family.

Once he had disappeared from her sight, she turned back to the task at hand. She needed...everything. The suitcase she had taken to Hawaii, that she had packed with tears in her eyes, had been not even half way filled with some toiletries, a pair of sandals, some socks and underwear, her one bathing suit, and a small amount of clothes, mainly designed for very warm weather.

With a sigh, Meredith began navigating the many sales racks more seriously, pulling off the items she liked.

It was close to an hour later that she exited the dressing room to find Derek waiting on the bench beside the door. He smirked at the overflowing basket she carried. "Found a few things, did you? You definitely don't look like you hate shopping."

"I do," she insisted, "Which is why when I have to do it, I might as well get a lot, so I don't have to do it again for a long time."

He smiled at her and stood. It was then she spotted the neatly folded items beside him.

She raised an eyebrow. "And I see I'm not the only one who found some things..."

Derek shrugged. "Don't people come from far and wide to shop in New York?"

Meredith laughed, but was interrupted before she could respond.

"Oh, you're done," said the salesgirl, who had been extremely helpful and patient with Meredith, and had brought several items to her attention that were now in her basket. "We're just unloading a new shipment and I found a few more things I thought you might like." There was close to a dozen pieces of clothing in her arms.

Meredith sighed, but had to admit the salesgirl had a good eye.

Derek took the basket from her fingers. "Leave that with me. It's not like you could fit anymore in it anyway..."

Meredith giggled as she took the clothing and thanked the salesgirl.

"You're being very patient," the salesgirl praised Derek.

He chuckled. "I'm a patient guy."

Meredith rolled her eyes. "Hey, I hate shopping just as much as he does."

Derek smiled good naturedly at the salesgirl. "To be fair, this is the first time she's dragged me out shopping in a year."

The salesgirl laughed and left the area.

"I so didn't drag you. You drove!"

"You made me."

"I did not. You offered. And there's nothing keeping you here," she said dryly.

"Yes, there is."

She cocked her head. "What?"

He smiled warmly at her, stepping close, his hands reaching for her hips. "You." He pecked her lips.

Meredith reached her hands around his waist as her heart did the same melting thing it had done earlier while watching Derek and Jake together. Derek's breath was warm against her cheek as he pulled her against him in a way that was comfortable and intimate. "I like being out with you," he whispered. "I like doing things with you."

"Me too."

"I'd go shopping with you every day."

Meredith snorted and leaned back far enough to meet his eyes. "Never going to happen."

He pecked her lips again. "Even better."

She giggled. "I hate shopping."

Derek released her as he eyed the new clothing items. "How is this different than the shirt I picked out for you earlier?" He asked, running his fingers over a simple, navy blue tee shirt.

She giggled. "Because the one you picked was plaid, and had a skull and cross bones across the back."

He chuckled. "Good point."

After sifting through all of the items, Meredith pulled a dress out from the middle. It was long and simple, with a slight scoop neck. The top was white and it gradually darkened down the skirt, to the tapered bottom where it was dark, lavender purple. It was nice, but, "I probably don't need a dress."

He shrugged. "No harm in trying it on. We could go out to dinner or something this week, or next." He smirked. "Plus, you'd look good in it..."

She bit down onto her lower lip as she fought off the feelings he caused in her when he looked at her like he was doing now. "Fine; I'll try it on. But you have to stop looking at me like that, because we're in the middle of a department store."

He glanced around, before shrugging and lowering his voice. "I could just sneak into the dressing room with you. No one would ever notice..."

"There are security cameras everywhere."

"We're buying out half their store. I'm sure they wouldn't mind."

She giggled. "This is so not half the store."

"Fine; leave me out here all alone..."

"I will." She pecked his lips and then returned to the dressing room.

She tried on all of the other items first, purposely leaving the purple dress until last. It was light weight when she finally pulled it over her head, and it loosely hugged her body, the bottom falling between her feet and knees. It was nice and elegant, without being fancy. If she needed to dress up at all in the next two weeks, it was perfect. With a smile, she took it off and added it to her 'yes' pile.

When she redressed and left the change room, Derek was nowhere to be found.

She helped herself to another basket by the door of the change room, and headed down the path to the shoe department. She needed more than a pair of sneakers and a pair of sandals, especially if they did end up going out for dinner.

Shoe shopping was better than clothes shopping, mainly because there were fewer choices and it was much less effort to try anything on. A pair of black slip-ons caught her eyes, and proved to be comfortable when she tried them on. She also found a pair of purple strapy-sandals, which matched her dress, in the clearance rack.

As if knowing the timing would be perfect, Derek appeared the moment she had dropped the second pair of shoes into her basket, holding nothing but a drink in his hands.

"Where did you disappear to?"

He shrugged. "Took everything out to the car. Then discovered the cafe downstairs by the side doors."

"You paid for everything?"

"Mmm-hmm," he murmured, taking a sip of his drink.

"Derek..."

He offered her a reassuring smile. "You can pay me back in other ways."

She gave him a look.

He sighed. "You just flew here from Hawaii, Mer. That's not cheap."

"No, but it was my fault I was in Hawaii in the first place."

"We're surgeons. And we're getting married. What's mine is yours." He stepped forward and hooked his free arm around her waist, kissing her. "I love you. And after everything we've been through in the last few months, please don't stress over a couple hundred dollars."

"Fine."

He smiled. "Though I have to say, I was very happy to see some of your selections..."

She fought not to blush as she remembered the lingerie she had picked out. "Yeah, well, you ruined the surprise."

"I'll act surprised tonight."

Meredith shook her head. "I'm saving it until next week."

"Even though I bought it for you?"

"Even so."

"That seems a little unfair..."

"It's your mother's house, Derek," she reminded him. "I don't want us to get carried away."

"Hmm, good point." He offered her his drink. "Thirsty?"

She took it gratefully. "What is it?"

"Iced coffee."

"It's good."

Derek took the basket from her, and captured her free hand with his as they began to walk towards the cashier. "So, does this shopping trip include any other departments? Women's handbags? Accessories? Watches? Electronics?"

She shot him a questioning look.

He smirked. "I've looped the store a few times. I could totally get a job here."

She snorted. "That would be a good step up for your career; medicine to retail."

Derek shrugged. "Maybe I could do it part time?"

"It would be quite the commute."

"I guess you're right," he said, making a show of sighing. "But seriously, is there anything else you need?"

She shook her head. "I don't think so. We can go home."

He smirked, his eyes sparkling. "Home, huh?"

"I..." She stammered, caught by surprise. "I mean, back to your mom's."

"Mmm," he murmured, saying nothing.

"Just...shut up," she mumbled back to him.

He chuckled. "I'm glad you're feeling comfortable here, Mer."

She came to a stop and turned to face him. "Me too."

"And I'm so glad you're here."

"Me too."

When they pulled into the driveway of Jane's house they did so behind a silver car.

"That must be Lauren," Derek commented as they parked alongside the car and watched as three doors opened.

"Crap," Meredith muttered, caught off guard by the last family members she needed to meet.

Derek turned his head to her, an eyebrow raised. "Crap?"

"I just...thought I'd have some warning... Why do you have to have such a freaking huge family?"

With a chuckle, he leaned across the centre consul and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "They're going to be your family soon."

As much as the thought scared her, it also created a mostly unfamiliar feeling in her gut.

Hope.

They would be her family soon. He would be her family soon. Legally and officially. For something she had never let herself want before, she wanted it more than anything now. She craved it; the consistency. The love. The safety.

A family.

"You coming?" He asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"Last one, right?"

He smiled. "Right."

She nodded. "Okay." She opened her door and stepped out of the car, watching as Derek hugged the woman who had stepped out of the passenger side of the vehicle beside theirs. Cautiously, she stepped around the front of their car and stopped, uncertain, not wanting to interrupt the siblings reuniting after a year.

When Derek pulled away from the hug, he reached a hand to Meredith, and pulled her close. "Lauren, this is Meredith. Mer, this is my sister, Lauren."

With dark, curly hair and blue eyes, Lauren looked just like her brother. She smiled at Meredith and shook her hand. "I'm his favourite sister," she offered.

Meredith smiled. "That's what I hear."

Lauren laughed. "It's nice to meet you."

"You too."

A young girl wandered around from the other side of the car, a smile on her face.

Derek beamed when he saw her. "Emily, is that you? You're getting so tall."

"She's growing like a weed," Lauren said, before turning to Meredith. "This is my daughter, Emily. Em, this is Uncle Derek's girlfriend, Meredith."

Emily hugged her uncle tightly before she leaned back against him and smiled up at Meredith. "Hi." She looked like her mother, tall and thin, with long, medium brown hair.

"Hi." Meredith smiled back, trying to remember the girl's age. She was Lauren's only child; she knew that. Eight? Nine, maybe?

"...And this is Nathan," Lauren continued, motioning for the man who had been standing by the front of the car to come closer. Meredith hadn't even noticed him before.

Clearly, Derek hadn't noticed him either. His demeanour darkened noticeably as the man approached.

"It's nice to meet you both," he said politely, his voice calm and friendly, traits which were mirrored in his expression. He was tall and slightly heavy set, with light hair and a kind smile.

"You too," Meredith responded, shaking his hand.

Derek stared at the man for a long moment, before reaching out a hand to shake. His free hand settled on his niece's shoulder, as if he was keeping her away from the man.

"I didn't know you were seeing anyone," he said to his sister, his tone short and unhappy.

Lauren sighed. She looked anxious. Uncertain of Derek's response. "Yeah...we've been together for...over a year. And...we're getting married."

Meredith furrowed her brow as she watched the exchange. Lauren was clearly expecting a bad reaction from Derek. She tried to remember what Derek had told her about his youngest sister. Lauren was a single parent. She had stayed with Derek and Addison once or twice. She couldn't remember anything that would put that look in Derek's eyes.

"Over a year? So, before I left."

"Yes."

"And you're getting married."

"Yes."

Derek huffed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"At first, I knew how you'd react. And then you moved across the country."

"Ever heard of a phone?"

"Have you?" Lauren shot back. "Because clearly we're in the same situation."

"That is not true. I told you about Meredith."

"Yeah? And how long have you been engaged?"

Meredith winced as she realized she had forgotten she was wearing her ring.

Derek, caught by surprise for a moment, stammered. "I wanted to tell you in person."

Lauren sighed and turned to her daughter. "Sweetie, why don't you go in and say hi to Grandma?"

Emily nodded at her mother. "Okay."

When she was out of hearing range, Lauren turned back to Derek, glaring now. "I can make my own decisions, Derek."

"I know that, but-"

"There is no 'but,' Derek. Nathan and I are getting married. You don't get a say in that."

"Does mom know?"

"Yes. Everyone knows."

"Then why am I the last to know?"

"Because I wanted to tell you in person," she said, echoing Derek's words from earlier.

Derek remained silent, his expression angry, but with a hint of something else. Worry, maybe?

Lauren cautiously reached for Derek's forearm. "Its okay, Derek. I'm happy."

Derek's eyes flashed towards Nathan, who offered him an understanding smile and stepped closer to Lauren, his hand falling onto her shoulder.

Meredith felt her brow furrow as she watched the exchange. Clearly there was something she was missing.

After a long, silent moment, Nathan kissed Lauren's cheek and whispered, "I'll leave you guys to talk."

Meredith hesitated as she watched Nathan take a suitcase from the trunk. Derek and Lauren were staring at each other, waiting for something.

Waiting for privacy.

The realization washed over Meredith, creating an odd combined feeling of confusion, worry and nervousness. Because now she had a choice to make.

Either she could remain outside, be a third wheel to a conversation she was already lost in.

Or she could go into the house. Alone.

Well, not alone alone. She'd go in with Nathan. But she'd be leaving Derek outside.

She'd be leaving her security blanket outside.

And that was...well, she wasn't sure what that was.

The trunk shut was a bang.

It wasn't all that loud, but Meredith flinched anyway.

Nathan sent her a questioning look, silently asking if she was coming in with him.

Meredith hesitated.

"I... I'll go too." She stammered.

Derek turned his head, meeting her eyes. Questioning. Worried.

She offered him a brave smile, telling him it was okay. He had promised to stay with her until she was comfortable. He had promised.

And he would keep that promise, she knew.

But it wasn't the right decision right now. Clearly there was something going on between him and his sister that needed to be addressed now.

And she would be okay. She had met everyone with him beside her. No one seemed to be harbouring any hatred towards her. No one seemed likely to want her gotten rid of. No one seemed to think Derek had made a mistake in picking her.

Derek cocked his head slightly, his eyes asking if she was sure.

She nodded, silently telling him it was okay.

He offered her a terse smile, thanking her. Encouraging her. Telling her it would be okay.

She smiled back and turned to follow Nathan up the driveway to the house, trying to convince Derek she was confident about this. Trying to convince herself she was confident about this.

It was going to be okay.