Jump Then Fall

21.

Since Derek had Leighton and Trevor, he rarely went to bars. There were guys nights here and there with Mark but staying home with his children took priority. But tonight he was on the way to the bar. His flight had finally left Portland and he was back home in Seattle. He had intended to pick up his kids from Mark and Lexie's before taking them home to tuck them in and then getting to bed himself

Except when he had gotten there, they had been in the middle of an intense game of CandyLand and neither Leighton or Trevor wanted to come home. After some negotiations and a little bit of conversation, they were staying with their Uncle and Derek was going to the bar to see Meredith after speaking briefly with Lexie. The parking lot of the bar was more crowded than usual since it was a Friday night but Derek knew he'd have no trouble spotting Meredith. It only took him a moment until he noticed her at the corner of the bar, her coat still on and a drink in her hand. "Surprise." Derek breathed, walking up behind her and whispering in her ear.

"Sur...what?" Meredith heard his voice.

"Surprise." He repeated, taking a seat on the stool next to her.

"Oh." She said dryly before sipping at her drink.

"I know I didn't call. I'm sorry." Derek got right to the point.

"That guy in the booth back there...he bought me this drink."

"Yeah?" He turned around to look at the guy with the beard and dirty clothes.

"Yep." She bit at the straw before Derek pulled the drink from her hand. "Hey!"

"I'm sorry."

"Really? Did you learn that in Portland?"

"I forgot about this trip. I got home and checked my calendar and....I meant to call."

"Okay."

"Meredith..."

"What?" She asked, looking back at the guy in the booth.

"Let me make it up to you."

"Oh really? How?" Meredith asked, turning to face him. He found her pissed off face kind of adorably but he knew better than to say something right now. "Are you going to reward me with five more minutes?"

"I want to take you home." Derek breathed, reaching for her hand only to have her pull it away.

"No."

"That's it? Just...no?"

"Nope." She said, before frowning. "Or yes...or no just...damn it."

"Come home with me."

"I said no."

"Why not?" Derek smirked. She wasn't drunk, but he knew she had enough to drink to not give him a good reason.

"Because I'm an idiot."

"Hmm...not good enough."

"Because I'm an idiot who likes you when I don't usually want a guy to call me but I waited like a stupid person for you to call when you didn't and I like your kids. Trevor drives me nuts but I like him and I adore your kids. I adore Trevor and Leighton...I cuddled with your daughter while she had a cold and all I thought of last night was how I was cold and you and Leighton would have been the best cuddler to keep me warm and how I wanted to sleep in your arms again and I'm...that makes me stupid."

"No it doesn't." Derek smiled, taking her hand again.

"And I find myself missing your four year old and that's....it's bad."