more than anything

cold feet

"Shit Mark" Derek paced back and forth, "why are you so uptight man, loosen up, this is your wedding day" Mark was confused as to why his best friend seemed nervous beyond normal.

They were both dressed and ready, the ceremony started in less than an hour. He wasn't sure why but he picked up his phone and dialled a number.
"Hello this is Meredith Grey" she answered.
"Meredith, hi it's Derek, from last night at the bar" he spoke
"right, Derek... aren't you supposed to be exchanging vows right now?" she questioned
"uhh soon, Mer can i ask a favour?" he asked
"sure? what is it?" she replied
"meet me here, 5214 Ballard Ave"
"i think they're gonna need the groom at the venue" she laughed
"please just come, as soon as possible" he practically begged
"Derek are you... are you ditching your own wedding?" she asked alarmed
"yeah, i know i'm an asshole, i just can't do this, please meet me at the gate, i'll come find you" he told her
"i'm driving the getaway car? jesus" she was nervous
"i'll see you soon" he said
"bye" she hung up.

Was he really doing this? "Mark i need you to tell Addie i'm coming, and to make sure we can talk in private" he said sternly, mark looked confused but nodded.

When he got to the room she was getting ready, he knocked on the door, "Addison i need to talk to you" he spoke, "we can't see each other before the wedding" she told him, still on the other side of the door. "Addison let me in please i need to talk to you" he asked her, the door swung open and he walked through and sat on an armchair in the corner. He saw her in her dress, he knew he was supposed to be blown away by her, his eyes were supposed to fill with tears as the adoration of his wife to be stood in-front of him. But he didn't feel anything like that. She was the bride but he wasn't the groom, she deserved someone who really loved her.

"Addison i am so sorry, i cant do this" he sighed, "no... no, no, no Derek, please no we're- we're about to get married!" she raised her voice. "Addie i love you, and i cant say sorry enough but i love you like a beat friend, i'm not in love with you, you deserve someone who is truly in love with you" he spoke. "Did he tell you, is that why? Der i'm sorry but it really meant nothing, we were both drunk, it was a mistake, i love you!" she panicked, "you cheated?" he asked, feeling nothing but betrayed, "you... you didn't know?" tears ran down her face. "Who was it?" he demanded, she stayed silent, consumed by guilt.

"Mark" she finally whispered. And with that he stood up and walked out, he was supposed to be the person he could trust, his best friend.

He finally made his way outside to Meredith's car, he opened the passenger door and sat. "You really want to do this?" she asked him, "yes" he nodded as she started to drive.

"Where are we going?" she asked, "uhh, i don't know" he didn't feel like he had a 'home' to go to, "can you just drop me at some hotel please" he asked politely, "do you want to talk about it?" she questioned, "she slept with Mark" he blurted, "Mark fucking sloan, i cant believe him, i will kick his ass!" she shouted, "i'm pissed too, but it's not only them in the wrong, i was leaving the wedding anyways, that just makes me a coward" he admitted, "no, absolutely not, you had balls today Der, it would have been easier just to stick around but you were brave enough to say no, i mean it's kind of an asshole move to leave her on the actual day, but it's better for both of you than staying in a marriage you didn't want" she told him. "Thank you Mer, and thank you for driving the getaway car" he smiled, "let's go back to my place, i left work for the day anyway, you can stay with me" she offered, "Meredith no please, it's fine any hotel is okay, you've done more than enough already" he said, "no arguing with me Derek, i have a big house and it's only me and bubbles" she told him, "who is bubbles?" he asked confused, "bubbles is my fish, he's the only pet i can keep alive and happy, the only living creature i haven't yet managed to disappoint" she explained, "how could you disappoint anyone, your smart, funny, beautiful and you are one of the nicest people i've met" he said, "Der you've known me for what? 24 hours?" she shook her head, "that's true, but people will show you who they are when you first meet" he shrugged, "is that right?" she smiled, "apparently so" he replied as they pulled up into her driveway.