I Will Follow You Into the Dark

CHAPTER 53

This one's mostly happy--enjoy it. Relish it. OK?

When the guys returned to the hotel room that evening, Meredith was struck by the fact that Derek was grinning. He was grinning his "I'm happy and I don't care who knows it" grin he used to wear and flaunt after he and Meredith made love. Now he was beaming about his day with Trent. Her heart melted and broke all at the same time seeing that grin.

Derek and Trent had said goodbye and Trent had walked into the hotel room. Meredith walked out into the hallway to talk to Derek.

"He's the best thing ever," Derek said, still grinning.

"Good. He looks happy," Meredith said.

"Good," Derek echoed cheerfully.

"You look happy, too, Derek," Meredith said softly.

"I am. I haven't been this happy in....." The look in his eyes let her know that he remembered the last time he'd been this happy and that she had been the cause, "in forever," he said, his eyes twinkling a bit at her as he finished.

Meredith smiled at him. She really was glad that he was happy.

"Mer? Since it's almost the weekend and he wouldn't be missing any more school, could Trent stay........for the weekend? I could fly home with him on Sunday. We could hang out. I want to take him fishing. I want to spend some more time with him. If he wants to......that is."

Meredith swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She already knew that Trent would jump at the chance. "Want to go ask him yourself?" she asked.

"Yeah," Derek said, his grin lighting up another notch.

Meredith stood there in the hallway, leaning against the wall. She waited for Derek's return. It didn't take long.

"He said he'll stay," Derek said, beaming like only a proud father could.

"Good," Meredith said.

"I'll pick him up when you leave for the airport. What time?" he asked.

"Eleven in the morning," Meredith said softly.

"I'll come a little early," Derek said as he reached over and hugged her tightly, "Thanks so much," he whispered in her ear before turning to leave.


**********


The next morning after they wished Meredith safe travels, Derek took Trent to his apartment to unload his stuff. Then they drove across town to the docks to go fishing. Trent seemed really excited. This was his first fishing trip, and he was thrilled to be going. Despite Trent's enthusiasm, Derek could tell that Trent was a "city boy." He watched him carefully as they tackled each new part of the outing. He was surprised how well the kid adapted to the new things being thrown at him and he grinned inwardly that he must have gotten his adaptability from him.

Derek had made sure to loan Trent a hat and to make him put on sunscreen and insect repellent. He even made him wear a life vest—something that did not make Trent happy.

"Hey, I can't let you drown the first time you stay with me," Derek said, trying to ease his son's frustration.

"I can swim," Trent grumbled.

"Hey, what would your mom want?"

Trent glared a bit and stared off at the water.

"Thought so," Derek said quietly.

They got set up and cast their lines and sat back to wait for a bite. Derek could tell that Trent was no longer openly pouting, so he struck up a conversation.

"So....I know you have a whole family in Chicago, but I was wondering what I can do for you. Is there anything you need? I'm going to send your mom money and offer to pay for your college. I know that I live too far away to help drive you places or do that kind of stuff, but I'd like to visit and to do what you need....what you want........if I can."

Trent considered this offer carefully for a moment. Trying to be nonchalant, he said quietly, "I......I could use a cell phone."

"A cell phone, huh?" Derek said, trying to hide the smile that threatened to erupt. He knew when he was being played.

"Yeah. You know, nothing fancy. Just something I could use to call you and to call Mom to ask her to pick me up and stuff."

"Sorry. Can't do that," Derek said, purposefully looking out across the water.

"But you said......," Trent began.

"Look. I know I'm new to this dad stuff. And while I'd love to spoil you rotten, I have to respect your mom and Steve and the decisions they've made."

"But....."

Derek looked at him, and Trent paused a moment before continuing. "Or an iPod," he said hopefully.

"Hmmm," was Derek's only response.

Trent tried not to let Derek know how hopeful he was that he'd get these long waited for items. It was hard for him to sit there acting as if this were no big deal. He'd been begging for a phone and an iPod for months. And his mom was adamant that she wasn't giving in. This was his only chance.

"So you're gonna milk this, huh?" Derek said flatly.

"What?!!"

"You've known me two days and you're already trying to get stuff out of me?"
Derek asked with a smile on his face.

"Well, my friends with divorced parents get double the stuff. I figured now I would, too."

"But your mother and I are not divorced, Trent."

"But you're not together."

Derek's heart skipped a beat as the truth of that statement hit home. "No, we're not. But I respect your mom too much to undermine her authority. Steve's, too."

"But I could call you on a cell phone."

"Call me collect any time. I'll pay."

"But that's expensive.......Mom says......"

"Trent, why don't you have a cell phone?"

Trent grimaced and then muttered, "Mom won't buy me one."

"Why not?"

"She says I'm not old enough. She doesn't think I'm ready for that responsibility. But I am!"

Derek looked over at his pouting son and grinned. Maybe this Dad thing would be easier than he expected. "Tell you what. When your mom says that you're old enough, I'll buy you a cell phone. An iPod, too."

"Really?" Trent asked, his grin wide and happy.

"Really."

Trent sat and thought for a moment. "So, no double stuff, huh?"

"No," Derek said, grinning at him, "You having second thoughts about spending time with me now?"

"No. I'm.....um........sorry. I just had to try."

"You are more like me than you know," Derek said grinning. "I milked my mom and everyone else for gifts when my dad died. I was spoiled rotten."

The father and son shared a grin and a moment of true happiness. It wasn't long until Derek laughed as he noticed his son was now grinning in an effort to try to charm him. "Don't even go there. That grin won't work on me. I'm immune."

There was a moment of silence before they both spoke at the same time, "Works on your mom." "Works on mom." They both laughed.

Throughout the weekend, they found out that they loved many of the same foods and that they both shared an intense love of baseball. They played catch and went to the batting cages. They both relaxed a bit as they got to know each other better and felt more comfortable. Both Derek and Trent enjoyed spending quality father-son time together.