The Seventh Sense is Love

Christmas Prank Gone Wrong

"I thought you loved me," Derek grumbles to his wife.

"I do love you."

"Then why are you driving in circles at the mall trying to find a parking place? Rather than coming home to see me? Your husband. Who loves and misses you," he whines.

Meredith laughs and replies, "Because, husband-of-mine, neither you or I were successful at getting our sisters to shop for us. We have a houseful of loved ones coming over on Christmas Eve and we still need gifts for said loved ones."

"I know," he sighs dramatically and makes her laugh again. "I haven't kissed you in... well, so many hours, I can't remember."

"You're playing dirty."

"I always want to play dirty with you."

"Derek."

"Meredith. Come home, we'll go do the Christmas shopping on Tuesday, during the day. The stinking mall will be less crowded and we can knock it out together."

She looks at the sea of cars and knows there will be a sea of people inside, as well. There's no question that she'd much rather be with Derek. "I'll see you soon," she tells him.

"Yes," he chortles triumphantly and makes her giggle. "Drive safely."

"I will," she answers and disconnects as she turns her car away from the mall and toward home.
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When Meredith is almost home a short while later she sees what looks like a glow coming from the direction of her house. She frowns and feels a twinge of nervousness - wondering what it could be. Once she rounds the final bend in the road she puts her foot on the brake and stares in astonishment. Her house is - for lack of a better word - glowing.

With Christmas decorations.

Tons and tons of Christmas decorations. There are mechanical Santa's, reindeer, elves and lights galore. There's fake snow, and a huge blowup thing with Santa and a snowman inside.

"Mark," she growls with certainty as she finally pulls her car into the garage and turns off the ignition.

Derek is waiting for her in the kitchen with a huge grin on his face. Unwilling to squelch his happiness - Meredith swallows the nasty comment she was going to make.

"Hi Derek," she says instead and walks into his open arms for a hug and a kiss.

"Hi Mer," he replies. He starts rubbing her back and asks, "Was traffic bad?"

"Surprisingly, no. I guess all the cars and their people are at the mall."

He gives a small chuckle and asks, "Then why are you so tense?" He applies more massaging pressure to her back and causes her to groan in pleasure.

"No reason," she murmurs and leans up to kiss him. She kisses him slowly, runs her fingers through the curls of his hair and bites his bottom lip. He pulls her to him a little tighter and runs his fingers through the ends of her hair. She pulls back slightly and asks, "Now do you remember kissing me?"

"I remember everything about us," he chuckles huskily. "I just wanted to get you home."

"And I'm glad I came home," she replies and goes back to kissing her husband.

"Wait," he says, feeling both of their bodies heating up. "Do you like the lights outside?"

She hesitates just a little too long before answering, "Of course."

"You're a horrible liar Meredith," Derek says, the slightest bit of hurt in his voice.

Meredith sighs and lays her head on his shoulder. "Derek," she starts, deciding to go with honesty, "I like the lights. It's all the other stuff Mark put out there that I," she hesitates, "umm... could do without."