Untouchable face

63.

Derek couldn't believe how amazing today felt. It wasn't that he hated living with his mom, that part of it had actually not been all that bad. She had given him space and with so many changes in his life, it had been nice to have her around. But it had been long enough and he wanted to go home.

When Maggie had called him to say she was officially out of the house, he had immediately called Meredith and told her they didn't need to stay at her house tonight. He was moving back in, but he wasn't sure what exactly was left in his place. It didn't matter though, he was moving back home. He was more than happy Maggie had taken her time moving out but this was really good. He didn't mind all the nights he had spent at Meredith's, which had been most of them recently but knowing he was going home seemed like a step to really getting his life back on track.

Since the accident, he had always felt like things were a little crazy. Every day, he felt like everything was just a little crazy. He lived with his mom, he couldn't drive, and he depended on everyone around him to get simple things done. But now he would live on his own and driving was coming.

He really couldn't wait for the driving. It wasn't like Meredith cared at all about it, Mark didn't either, but he just wanted that part of his independence back instead of depending on them to get around. But this was a step. This was a really good step and now he could take his girlfriend home for the night and be alone.

He couldn't wait to show her the house he had built a couple years ago, before he had met Maggie. This hadn't been his dream house, but it was close. One day, he wanted to live outside of Seattle in a house that showed the incredible views. But right now, this was a great house for him at this stage of his life. He knew she had seen it with Maggie but Maggie didn't see houses the way he did, and he very highly doubted that was something they'd discuss. So tonight he'd get to share it with her, and maybe he'd tell her about the one he really wanted to build for himself. She'd love it.

This would be another big step for them. They were coming really fast, much faster than he had planned, but it was okay. Everything felt natural with them and this was just another step he was more than ready for. He smiled as he heard her car pull into his mom's driveway, for one of the last times.

"Mer's here, Ma!" Derek called.

"Oh good," Mom came into the living room. "Did Maggie say if she had done any grocery shopping recently?"

"No, she didn't mention."

"Goodness, so you may be taking Meredith to a house without food?"

"That sounds like a bad idea," Derek frowned.

"I have some leftover lasagna in the fridge," Mom nodded. "And some brownies."

"That sounds good."

"I may have a bottle of wine that hasn't been opened."

"Really?"

"I'll take a look. Let your girlfriend in."

"I will," he nodded, limping over to the door.

"Hey," Meredith grinned at him.

"Hey," he smiled, kisssing her quickly.

"Ready to go?" she smiled, running her hand up and down his side.

"Just about," he nodded. "My mom is grabbing us some food."

"Oh good," she giggled. "I love your mom's food."

"Left over lasagna," he laughed.

"Oh even better," she grinned, leaning in to kiss him again. "How was your day?"