The First Time

25.

Derek and Meredith spent the day blissfully together. After their late, relaxed and drawn out brunch Derek had suggested that they actually leave the confines of the apartment and go for a drive. He knew that if they stayed where they were that they would end up back in bed and he was concerned that he didn't want Meredith to over do it ... if she hadn't already.

They had ended up beside the river and had spent a leisurely hour or so walking hand in hand along the water's edge, talking about all sorts of unrelated topics, from their favorite foods to who they thought would win the next presidential election and why.

Derek couldn't ever remember feeling closer to another human being.

Meredith felt like she'd died and gone to heaven. Everything about him ... everything ... was perfect.

When the sun started its descent and Meredith shivered slightly, Derek wrapped his arm around her pulling her close and turned around to head back to the car.

Once inside he asked her "What would you like to do tonight? We could go out to dinner or I'm happy to cook for you again."

"I'd like to go home." Meredith replied and for a moment Derek panicked as he imagined that she didn't want to stay with him any longer.

Noticing the fear in his eyes, Meredith realized the ambiguity of her words. "To your home." she explained. "I'm sorry." She said noticing the color returning to his face. "Where ever you are ... that feels like home." she admitted shyly.

Derek's face broke into a huge smile. He took her in his arms and held her close. Words weren't necessary as they made their silent commitment to one another. He pulled back and started the car. "Then home it is."

GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA

When they were nearing his apartment Meredith asked. "So what's for dinner?"
Derek laughed. "For someone your size you have a very good appetite."

"I can't help it. You've had me exercising more than I usually do." Meredith replied "and I intend to be doing more tonight as well. So I need to keep my energy levels up."

"Yes you do." He agreed. "Let's see. I have steaks at home and salad makings or I could do tacos or ..." he started but was cut off.

"Tacos! Definitely. They're yummy plus they are messy to eat. If we have them then I could feed you and you could feed me and then we can clean each other up?" she suggested, the sparkle in her eyes not lost on him.

Derek laughed. "Sounds like they should be in your 'Rude Food' book?" he said as they pulled up back at his apartment.

"Maybe they are. I'll have to check." Meredith said as they got out of the car.
As they entered the apartment again Derek moved into the kitchen to begin the dinner preparations and Meredith stopped him. "Uh uh. You can't do that."

Derek frowned. "What?" he said hesitating as he pulled the lettuce and tomatoes out of the fridge.

"Walk around dressed like that." Meredith pointed out. "You need to get back into your towel." She instructed him.

Derek smiled. "How about I give you another of your gifts and maybe we can put it to good use?"

"Surely I've had them all?" Meredith asked.

"Nearly. But not quite. And I get to share in this one." He said as he opened a cupboard and pulled out another gift box.

Meredith hesitated. She felt like she already had everything that she could possibly want.

"Go on. Open it." Derek urged.

She unwrapped the parcel and inside was a pair of matching aprons. One was black with 'HIS' boldly emblazoned on it and the other, a white apron with 'HERS' upon it. She turned and smiled at Derek.