Jump Then Fall

24.

"Leigh, you have to sit still." Derek laughed as his little girl fidgeted in her car seat on the way to Meredith's house. As promised, Derek was taking his daughter to the Princesses on Ice show after he had taken Trevor to a football game the night before. It was the perfect family weekend, the perfect way to spend a few days off.

"I need to take my jacket off cause it is making my princess dress not look very nice Daddy." Leighton wiggled in her car seat.

"You look beautiful already, Leigh."

"I don't need a coat."

"It's chilly outside and I don't know how far away we're going to have a park." Derek replied.

"Because I spent too long cuddling Daddy?"

"Yeah." He laughed, looking at her in the rear view mirror. "That's okay though."

"I had a cricket in my throat this morning."

"How did it get in there?!"

"Daddy that just means my throat was scratchy." Leighton rolled her eyes as he pulled into Meredith's driveway. "It was a joke...a funny."

"Oh okay." Derek laughed, shaking his head as he turned off the car. "I'm going to make sure Meredith is ready and then we'll leave, okay?"

"I'm gonna go get her."

"What?"

"Unbuckle my seat cause I want to go get her."

"Please..."

"Please hurry Daddy."

"Yes Leighton." He chuckled, getting out of the car and opening her door, unbuckling her from the car seat and lifting her out of the car. "Just knock once and be patient."

"She's gotta hurry or I can't see the princess's on ice!" Leighton shouted, running up the driveway and onto Meredith's front porch. She then stood on her tip toes to press the door bell numerous times until The door opened.

"Hey Leighton." Meredith stood in the doorway with her jacket and purse. She smiled when she looked down at the little girl in a pink tutu, a ballerina bun, blue tights and a tiara.

"Hi Meredith!" Leighton grinned, wrapping her arms as much as around Meredith as she could.

"You ready?"

"Yeah...Look at my outfit. Daddy let me dress up so I would match!"

"Very pretty." Meredith looked down as Leighton held her hands up in the air, looking up at Meredith. "What?"

"Pick me up."

"Oh." Meredith nodded, looking up at Derek who was waiting by the back seat door and smiling. She rolled her eyes before looking down and picking Leighton up.

"Are you ready to go?" Leighton asked, running her hands through Meredith's long hair. "I want long hair."

"Yeah." Meredith giggled as she locked her front door and walked down the steps with Leighton on her hip. "And your hair will get longer."

"I'm so excited!"

"Yeah?" Meredith breathed, as she got to the car.

"Are you ready to go, ladies?" Derek stood next to the drivers side door, a smile on his face.

"I think she needs buckled in." Meredith said immediately, their eyes meeting. "Hi."

"Hi." Derek breathed, walking around and opening the door for her.