The Seventh Sense is Love

Christmas Planning and Traditions

It's twelve days until Christmas and Meredith is nervously making her way to the Chief's office. When she gets there she notices that he is alone inside - doing paperwork. The door is open and she takes a deep breath before knocking on the doorframe.

He looks up and puts his pen down. Nodding toward a chair he says, "Come in, have a seat."

Meredith sits down and asks, "How are you?"

Webber grins and answers, "I'm fine. Great even. What can I do for you?"

She takes another deep breath and asks, "May I have Christmas day off?"

He grins and then laughs when she frowns at him. Finally he asks, "Is this why you've been so nervous around me the past couple of days?"

"Yes," she answers, slightly sheepish. "I know how much you dislike special requests from Residents but," she hesitates and then shrugs her shoulders. "It's my first Christmas with Derek. Well, we were together last year but just barely. So this will be our first year celebrating together. You don't have him scheduled to teach anything that day," she adds and looks at Webber hopefully.

He studies her for a few moments. When she doesn't flinch, or say another word, he states, "You've never made special requests for time off."

"No, I haven't," she agrees.

"I even recall having to force you to take vacation a couple of time."

"Yes," she nods and smiles as she realizes he's about to agree to her request.

"And I have to admit that I'm impressed with - and appreciate - the professionalism you and Derek have shown at the hospital over the past six weeks. So, to answer your request, yes you can have Christmas off. Take the twenty-fourth, as well."

Meredith grins hugely and she has to force herself not to bounce in her seat like a fifth grader. "Thank you, Sir."

"You're welcome," the Chief answers with a grin of his own.

Meredith leaves the Chief's office and immediately calls Derek at home.

"Hi beautiful," he answers on the third ring.

"Hi," she answers with a grin and an eye roll. "I have Christmas off."

"You do?" he asks, and sounds just as excited as she feels. "That's great!"

"I have Christmas Eve off, too."

"That's excellent news. I promise you'll love Christmas this year, Mer."

"I will because I'll be spending it with you," she answers. And then groans, "Oh god."

"What?"

"I'm starting to say cheesy things. Just like you."

"So?"

"Yeah," she shrugs, "so what."

"Do you want to get a Christmas tree tonight?"

"We don't have to do that, Derek. I never get a tree."

"Never?"

"Never," she confirms.

"That's just sad and now my mind is made up," he states emphatically. "We're getting a tree."

"Okay," she relents with a giggle. "If you say so."

"I say so," he chuckles. "I love you."

"I love you, too. I'll be home in a few hours."
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Derek, are you sure about this?" Meredith asks as she parks the car in the Christmas tree lot that evening.

"Yes, I'm positive," he answers and opens his door to carefully get out.