Post prom

"Chapter 16- Real love Always Happens the Second time "

Meredith walked into Joe's and looked around. It was 8:30 and she was late. She had an emergency surgery to perform back at the hospital that couldn't wait. Finally after a few minutes of frantic searching she found Derek and walked towards him

"I though you stood me up," he said when he finally saw her

"Sorry, some guy came in, needing a bullet removed from his leg. Of course, I get to perform the surgery. I just got out," Meredith ordered her usual and sat down next to Derek.

"Well, that's the life of a surgeon," Derek said smiling, "So, how's the interns?"

Meredith just gave him a 'don't-even-ask-look'

"That bad?"

Meredith just turned back towards her drink,

"Well, I got something planned for tonight. Follow me,"

Meredith rolled her eyes and got up. Even though she wasn't in the mood for surprises, she gave in. Derek led her to his car, and opened the door for her

"Derek, I got-"

"I know, this won't take long. I'll have you home by 11, I promise," Derek smiled and got into the car. Meredith was anxious. She didn't know where Derek was taking her. After a few minutes of driving, Meredith recognized the route.

"Derek, why are we going to the ferryboats?"

"You'll see,"

He pulled into a parking lot, and parked. He got out and opened the door for Meredith. Reluctantly she got out and followed him. He led her to a nearby ferryboat and they climbed aboard. They both climbed several flights of stairs to the captain's deck,

"Derek, where-"

"We're here,"

Derek opened the door to a candle lit room. Inside there was a table for 2, a candle, 2 classes, and a bottle of wine.

"Derek, what the hell is this?"

"Well, Meredith, we. Never really got a chance to be alone and there is something I wanna run by you, but that's for later. Now c'mon, let's eat. I'm starving," Meredith gave him a look and gave in. She sat down, only to have Burke come in.

"Good evening, I'm Preston, I'll be your waiter tonight. What can I get you Miss. Grey?"

"Dr. Burke? What are you doing here?"

"Like I said, I'm your waiter. Now may I recommend the steak? It's absolutely divine,"

Meredith gave Derek a 'what-the-hell-is-going-on?' look. He just smiled

"That would be great Preston. Thanks,"

Burke left the room. Meredith turned towards Derek again

"Derek Shepherd if you don't tell me what's going on, I'm going to kill you!"

"Alright. Meredith look, from the first night I met you, I've loved you. I look forward to everyday at the hospital, because I get to see you. When you grieve, I grieve. 5 months ago, when you tried to kill yourself; I didn't know what to do. I wanted to kill myself. Seeing you hopeless there, I felt hopeless. I realized that I never loved Addison as much as I love you. I made a mistake not signing those papers, before. I was stupid. Now I know, that signing them was the best thing that I could have done. So tonight, Meredith Grey, I ask you," Derek got out of his chair and got down on one knee. He pulled out a small box from his coat; "Will you marry me?"

Meredith looked down at Derek and started to cry. She didn't know what to say,

"Derek, I...." Meredith sighed, "This is all too much and we're going so fast. But I love you too Derek. I've never loved a man as much as you. When you chose Addison, I thought I never would love again. I was heart broken. That night, when we slept together during the prom, I understood that I still loved you and not Finn. I knew that you loved me too, not Addison. So yes Derek Shepherd, I will marry you." Tears started to stream down her face. Derek slipped the ring onto Meredith's finger. Then they kissed like they never kissed before,