Looking at you side ways

95

Derek was on the phone with his mother in the kitchen when Mark walked in. He listened for a few moments and then Derek hung up.

"Whoa. Did I hear you correctly? You are going to ask Meredith to marry you?"

Derek smiled as he poured himself some coffee and sat down. "I'm ready to fire."

Mark poured himself coffee and sat down. "Are you sure about this?"

"One hundred and ten percent. That's not the problem. She's the problem."

Mark raised his eyebrows.

Derek said, "She spooks easy. I have to fire at the right time, the right way. Otherwise she'll panic and bolt."

Mark chuckled, "So you are going to do it on vacation, on an island where she can't run?"

Derek raked his hair and said unsure, "She's not ready. Do you think she's ready?"

"I don't know. More importantly, you shouldn't do anything until you do know."

"I know. One of the reasons I wanted to stop at mom's is to get the ring."

"Your mom's ring?"

"Yes. She told me years ago that dad wanted me to have it. For the right girl."

"So you get it from mom and wait. Wait until the time is right."

Derek taped his fingers on the table.

"You know what it looks like. Do you think Mer will like it? Should I get the setting changed to something more modern?"

Mark scoffed, "What do I look like? A fucking girl? How the hell would I know? The sisters are going to freak out!"

Derek warned, "Say nothing to no one! The only people that know are mom and now you!"

Mark said, "My lips are sealed."

They heard Meredith coming into the kitchen and quickly changed the subject.

Meredith said, "Good morning Mark." She poured coffee into her to go cup.

Mark smirked at her and said, "Good morning little one."

Meredith looked between them and said, "What are you two up to? You both look like you just got caught with you hand in the cookie jar?"

Derek frowned and said, "Hey.You know one of the joys of cohabitation is having breakfast together."

She bent down to kiss him and said, "I told you last night I was having breakfast with Cris today. I've been a little neglectful of her recently."[i] Meredith knew Cris needed her as a sounding board about Owen. And she was freaking out a little herself.[/i]

Derek grumbled, "I know sweetie. I'll see you at work."

Mark coughed and tapped his cheek and said, "What about me?"

Meredith giggled and gave Mark a chaste peck on the cheek.

"Bye boys." She went into the garage.

Derek gave Mark a scowl.

Mark laughed and said, "Future sister-in-law. Kissing is okay."

Derek said, "I do have a favor to ask of you."

"Shoot."

"You are going to be back before us. Do you think you could check in on Ellis? I know Meredith is a little concerned about being gone so long. It would make Meredith feel better if she knew someone was checking on her."

"Sure. I can go see momma Grey. I hope she doesn't try to jump my bones."

"Mark! That is so disturbing on so many levels."