Under the Mistletoe or Whatever

1

She had no idea how to pick a toy for a five-year-old, but she knew she didn't want to. Normally Molly or Lexie would do it for her and slap her name on the box. However this year they made her go. 

"What the hell is Paw Patrol?" she muttered. 

"I have been asking myself the same exact question for years," a woman says, a smile on her face. She looked to be older. Maybe 60 years old. Her cart was full of various toys and items.

"I don't understand how you could possibly deal with so many gifts. I have a hard time getting one," Meredith chuckled.

"I always bring my daughters with me, but this year they are at home with the kids. I had to drag my son with me."

"Oh," Meredith replied, looking around for this mentioned son. 

"He's in the tools section, I thought if I was going to torture him this much, I might as well let him be manly with it," The woman chuckled once more, reaching for a Paw Patrol toy set. "Here you go."

"Thank you. I'm assuming he doesn't like shopping either?"

"Oh, I hate it," a man says coming down the aisle with yet another cart full.

"You do not," his mother shook her head, checking more people off of her list.

"I really don't. I mean, these toys will end up in a donation box in six months," he groaned.

"Well, then you make another little kid's day by giving them a well-loved toy."

He rolled his eyes but had a smile on his face. "I'm Derek," he held his hand out.

"Meredith," she copied the gesture. 

"Well, I'll leave you guys while I go to the bath and body section," his mother giggled and walked off as he frowned.

"Do you have a kid, or...?" He asked.

"Oh, no no no, I just have a little nephew. My sisters made me come shopping this year and then ditched me," she groaned. 

"Are they in the store?"

"No,I mean ditched like stayed at home," She laughed. 

"That sucks. Well, Meredith, I suppose we can suffer together," he laughed. 

"Together, huh?"

"I meant until my mom gets back...unless you thought something else?"

"Definitely not," she smiled.

"Okay then," when the woman came back he turned, "Nice to meet you, Meredith."

"Yea, you too."

-----

"Damn it," she groaned. She had tried to start her car five times now. The battery kept dying and her brother-in-law wasn't there to jump it for her. As she reached out to call him, someone familiar came up to her. 

"You seem to really hate Christmas," he chuckled.

"No, I don't, I just hate shopping. And snow...and my annoying but amazing sisters," she sighed. 

"Hmm," he nodded, "What's wrong with your car?"

"I need to jump it, unfortunately for me, however, I don't have a truck, nor do I own jumper cables."

"Fortunately for you, I do," he smiled, leaning on her car.

"I'm a stranger and you are going to jump my car?"

"For one, you aren't a stranger. I know your name, I know you have sisters, and I know you have a nephew. I know you hate shopping and you find christmkas annoying. I also know you have a brother-n-law," Derek squinted, "does that work?"

She stared at him, a smirk making her way across her face. She looked over at this man's mother, loading the truck up with toys and gifts.

"I suppose, but I need to know more about you first. I only know your name."

"You know I have a big family and a mom," he shrugged.

"Nuh-uh. I need to know more."

"LIke what?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

He chuckled, and shook his head, "No, but I could."

"What does that mean?"

"That means, will you go on a date with me?"

"If I say no, would you still jump my car?" she laughed.

"Of course. But why would you say no?"

"Hmm, cause you don't like Christmas shopping?"

"Not valid, you don't either."

"Fine," she turned and reached for a pen from her bag. She grabbed his hand and wrote down her number. 

"Good," he turned and looked at his mom and just smiled at her. "I'll go get my truck."

He walked away and went towards his mother before they both got into the truck. He drove over to Meredith's car and made her pop the lid. He attached both cables and started his car, then helped her start hers. 

Hope you enjoyed!!!!