Delicate Hearts

Fourteen

Relief. That was what she felt as he wrapped his arms around her. As he explained. Her inner demons always made her believe the worst. But with him she didn't want that. He made her happy, he left a smile on her face.

He had booked the same Italian place he had for the date that was supposed to be their first. A table on the terrace overlooking the lake, with lights intwined within the railings.

Meredith had paced and paced that evening when he left trying to find an outfit, she normally preferred atleast two days notice, but for Derek she would make the small exception. 

She picked an outfit she loved in the end, she hung on her rail along with the shoes she would pair it with.

Although she felt at ease with Derek she was more than nervous about their date. She hadn't been on a date for a very long time.

Once she awoke the next morning she shaved, everywhere. Plucked the loose hairs around her eyebrows, washed her hair with her lavender scented shampoo and applied her cocoa butter to her skin to smoother her after her shave.

She spent the entire day pacing, drinking water and panicking that she wasn't enough for Derek.  Addison spent countless minutes comforting her, reminding her how truly beautiful she is.

Amelia had come round since her and Addison were going clubbing that night, she and Addison watched as Meredith perfected everything about how she looked down to how her earrings sat. 

She couldn't believe the beauty her brother had landed, Meredith was absolutely gorgeous with one of the warmest hearts. 

Meredith stood, fully dressed staring at her reflection in the mirror.

"Are you sure I don't look fat?"She asked. Addison sighed softly.

"Meredith Grey. You are already a size 6. You don't need to be any smaller. You look stunning. Derek will honestly be speechless" Addison looked at Meredith who truly looked stunning. She wore a lauriell black wrap front crepe midi dress with strappy black heels paired with a black clutch. 

"My brother is punching, now he will be here in what 5 minutes"Amelia asked. Meredith nodded.

"He messaged 20 minutes ago to say be 25 so yeah"She could feel her nerves sitting at the pit of her stomach. She walked into the main area of her home, she jumped lightly as she heard the tyres run across her gravelled driveway. She lightly stroked Poppy as she waited for him.

Shortly after she heard the tyres a small knock came to her door, in that moment nothing could calm her nerves, she walked to the door and opened it slowly. 

Derek felt his mouth open, she looked completely and utterly divine. He hadn't ever laid eyes on anything or anyone so beauitful.

"Hey"Meredith looked down shyly as Derek handed a large bouquet of red roses. 

"I Will take these, off you go"Addison practically snatched the flowers from Meredith's grip and pushed her out of the door into Derek who was as Addison suspected, speechless.

"You look so beautiful."He stated, she giggled lightly. 

"You look handsome, I like this colour on you"She toyed with the collar of his burgundy shirt.  "It is your personal car tonight" Her smile was wide.

"Of course, you are the first lady to sit up front, except my ma and sisters"Derek opened the door for her, like a gentleman.

"Thank you, for the flowers and for this"She kissed his cheek before taking her seat. The seats were a black leather, the coolness sent shivers down her spine.

"Let me get the heating on beautiful, I can't have you all cold can I " Derek turned the heating on, he noticed how she relaxed lightly. "You okay, you seem tense?" He began the drive as she looked at him, studying his features.

"I'm okay now I am with you.I panicked before."She admitted, she had always tried to be honest with him. Derek nodded and placed his hand upon her leg that happened to be bare. He felt as the goosebumps instantly covered the surface of her skin.

"I have that effect on you?"He questioned, Meredith slowly nodded.

"You do, you are my safety net Derek"She half whispered but he heard.

He held her close as they walked through the evening into the small Italian restaurant.

"Derek Shepherd" He spoke to the man who simply smiled with a nod. He led them up the small staircase to the private terrace. It was beautiful. Derek smiled as she looked around, he could see she was mesmerised by it all.  "My Lady"He pulled out a chair for her. He tucked it in once she had sat down before taking his own seat.

He had been nervous for the date, to actually connect somewhere else other than her house or in a car. They were finally able to talk openly and be eachother, get to know the other.

"Mer, you do look out of this world. You are amazing"He took her in, as the evening the week before the moon beamed down onto her skin, highlighting her natural glow. 

"You look highly personable, in other words you are so hot"She looked into his eyes, allowing a moment of silence to just admire him, his features.

"Meredith Grey are you hitting on me?"He joked, Meredith nodded as her cheeks flushed red. "You look adorable when you get all flustered" He reached across the table to stroke her hand. 

He ordered a bacon and pesto carbonara with sparkling water where as Meredith went with the chicken risotto with orange juice, of course a jug of ice water on the side.

As he devoured his meal he noticed how she ate slowly, it was as if he could see her working out calories within her head.

"Mer, you are so perfect. Please eat, I can see you thinking about it all but trust me, this won't change anything."He offered his hand as she looked up with a smile.

"I don't want you to hate how I look"She gulped he shook his head rapidly.

"Meredith how could I? You are simply out of my league whether you are a size 6 or a size 14. I don't care. Look at me I eat healthy and have a little belly"He pointed to his own stomach which made her laugh.

"But you have abs and look hot" She gently rolled her eyes.

"And you look lavishing.  Your body is beautiful. You are beautiful inside and out. Now eat" With his reassurance she finished her meal, the plate was empty.  She even said yes when Derek suggested a desert.

They both decided on the chocolate and orange panna cota. Derek could see her becoming more comfortable with each passing moment. 

She insisted she paid half of the bill, which he frowned upon.

"No. It is simple"Meredith rolled her eyes at him for the fourth time which only caused him to laugh. "You are too good for me Mer. Look at you"He paid for the meal as he spoke. 

Once they left the building she stopped him by standing infront of him.

"Derek. Stop saying I am too good for you.  If anything you are too good for me. Look at you. You are so handsome, 25 years old, Commander of his own team and you are so soft, kind and gentle." He could see her clearly shivering. 

"You drive me insane already Mer, it's cold take my jacket"He removed his soft black jacket and helped her into it. 

"You change the topic so quickly, thank you for the jacket. You kept it warm for me"Meredith snuggled into his side as he wrapped his arm around her.

In that moment they both only had one thing on their minds, eachother.