Mine

Chapter 31

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Longer chapter
(Happy chapter)

Derek's POV:
I watch her turn and grab her hand. She looks back at me and I let my hands cup her cheeks. I push my lips into hers one last time before she walks out. I follow her and as we walk backstage, reporters bombard us with questions. Sensing that she is stressed, I interlock my fingers with hers and squeeze tightly. She looks at me and time stops. There are no more flashes of a camera but everything is suspended in motion. I take in how her eyes calm my soul, and communicate lengths. My heart pounding loudly in my chest, I pull her into her dressing room as time resumes again. She quickly shuts the door and we breathe deeply as we hear security push off the press.

"I have to go out there. They want me to speak." She says, her hand running down my arm.
"Did Finn give you a call at all?" I ask.
"He texted that he is in the crowd." She replies.
"Meredith-" I start.
"I have to go." She says avoiding the elephant.

I move to hold her hand and she hugs me. I sigh contently and wrap my arms around her small figure. The smell of her hair makes my lungs want more air and I smile.

"I'm scared." She whispers.
"I will make it a priority to kill anyone who hurts you. I promise. You'll be fine." I say softly into her ear.
Her arms tighten their grip around my neck and I lift her feet off the ground. Before I can do anything- she pulls out of my grip and leaves the room. Cameras flash again and security helps her. My mind is completely off of her now and directed to finding Finn.

I walk out to the corner of the stage and see Finn and Addison laughing. I jump down and walk towards him. My head hurts with the number of thoughts running through it so my body takes control. I grab his arm and pull him outside. He tried to pry my fingers from his arm but they refused to move. I walk outside, my fist clenched and I push him against a wall.

"Why did you do it?" I say deadly.
"Do what?" He asks.
"You cheated on Meredith," I say holding him to the cold bricks in the alley outside.
"With my wife," I say harshly.
"I would think that you would be angrier about me being with your wife rather than me cheating on Meredith." He chuckles and I freeze.
My hands fall and he turns.
"What you mean... being with my wife?" I ask.
"She didn't tell you?" He asks.
"Tell me what?" I breathe deeply and hear my heart pounding against my ribs.
"She's been cheating. With me. She was scared to leave you. She didn't want our whole family to degrade her for being with me." He says.
I fall back against the cold wall and sink to the ground. Pulling my legs to my chest, I rest my head against my knees.
"How long has this been going on?" I ask.
"Since January last year." He says softly.
I get up immediately and tears run down my face.

He watches me as I walk into the auditorium and see Meredith dancing slowly with Jackson Avery. Her eyes meet mine and I see the selfless expression that I love. She says something and he walks away. I walk towards her and everyone watches as her hand rests on my chest. I hold her hand on my chest and wrap my other arm around her waist. She rests the tip of her head against my chin and I pull her close. Tears flow freely down my face as rub my nose against her ear.

"What's wrong?" I hear her voice in my ear.
"Nothing," I reply, continuing to pleasure the nerves in my nose and taking in the smoothness of her skin.
"Your jaw is clenched. Your jaw is always clenched when you don't want to talk about something that hurts." She says softly as I take in the scent of her hair.
"Nothing is wrong," I say softly, trying not to cry.
Her fingers slip out from my chest and she steps back. I turn away from her and try to hide my face. I feel the back of her hand run over my jaw and involuntarily tightens.
"If you really do..." She pauses.
I look into her eyes and she wipes my tears.
"If you really do love me-" She says softly.
"I do. Meredith, I do love you." I chuckle and feeling tingling in my chest, saying the words.
"Then tell me what is wrong." She says smiling.
I take a deep breath and sigh.
"Finn's been cheating. Since January when I found them together." I say sadly.
I should feel sad but I feel sick. Sick that Meredith won't take me back. Her hands fall from my face and I see her tears.
"Oh. I am so sorry. I forgot you two-" I start.
"I'm going to go home." She says, pulling away.
"Wait- let me fly with you," I ask, bringing her back into my grip.
"We shouldn't do this Derek. You're still married and it's wrong." She says, pushing on my chest.
"Please Meredith. I love-" I start.
"Don't. Please don't say that." She says before walking away.