Jump Then Fall

22.

"Hmm..." Meredith swatted at her nose as she woke up, the sheets clinging to her body as her eyes fluttered open. She smiled as she remembered the night before. She and Derek had fooled around, rolled around in the sheets before they fell asleep. Derek was so gentle and warm and right now, she felt safe. Waking up wearing only her panties was semi familiar to Meredith, but never had she felt this warm. He made her feel safe and warm and she didn't want to move.

Meredith closed her eyes for what she thought was a minute, but when she looked at the clock it had been another hour. Another safe hour in his arms. She turned over, running her hand over his chest, then along his cheek before she leaned forward, pressing kisses along his jaw. "Derek..."

"Hmm..." Derek smiled, his eyes still shut as he ran his hands along her back.

"Derek." She giggled, her voice tired from the night before.

"Good morning..."

"Good morning." She kissed him softly before inching closer to him.

"Mmm...how'd you sleep?" Derek whispered, running his fingers through her hair.

"I slept really well."

"Me too...nobody waking me up in the middle of the night...at least not for the same reasons."

"I'm sure Leighton is cuter though."

"I...in other ways." Derek chuckled.

"You weren't complaining when I woke you up."

"I'm not complaining at all."

"Didn't think so."

"Nice to sleep in too."

"And the hospital only called you once."

"Better then the usual ten." Derek laughed, kissing her softly.

"So the mornings that you are home, I'm guessing those are a little different with the kids."

"Very different. No chance at sleeping late."

"Who is usually the first one to get your attention?"

"Leighton...Always Leighton."

"I saw her in the hall at school the other day trying to reach the water fountain." Meredith giggled.

"She came home with a bruise the other day because she banged her chin trying to reach it."

"I know when she did that I went over to help her reach it." Meredith kissed him softly, before resting her head on his chest. "You should have seen her face when she was trying not to cry. It was sad but she started dancing to make herself smile."

"She's starting ballet in a few weeks." Derek laughed, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"Trevor mentioned that...."

"Every morning, she comes into my room and says she needs to practice before she starts." He chuckled.

"That would explain her twirling in the hallway." Meredith giggled.

"My mom bought her three different color outfits for it."

"She needs them." Meredith insisted, before kissing him again. "And you should get Trevor into an activity."

"He's actually interested in one of the sports teams." Derek was proud to tell her.

"That might help...him being in a sport."