Delicate Hearts

Twenty Four

She had spent so much of her life living within a chaos, her first years, her first relationship, her entire college experience. This was the first time since being back from college she felt entire, complete and happy again, she felt as though she was living her own life.

Derek gave her that feeling of freedom he made her happy, he made her feel safe, when she was within his arms she felt as though nothing in the world could hurt her. 

Facing her biological father with him by her side followed by facing her ex with him by her side had given her a satisfactory feeling she hadn't known she had needed. 

She knew she and Derek had something strong, something that many envied, a connection that formed the second their skin brushed for the first time.  

They continued their journey once again not long after they had eaten, Meredith's car sounded as if it was karaoke night, Kathleen and Lizzy's cars both sounded like a disney soundtrack, Derek's however had been filled with conversation, mainly Derek boasting about the woman he had fallen for. 

As they drove up to the long stoned driveway the family villa came into sight, Meredith sensed the excitement within her car almost immediately, She parked beside Derek, Carolyn and Charles had even built it with five parking spaces, they had thought of everything. 

Ruby bounded from the car and peed instantly as if she had been holding it for ages, Derek simply stroked behind her ear, he opened the car door for Meredith and pulled her into his arms. 

"You are amazing"He whispered placing a soft kiss to her hair. He didn't offer to take her bags he simply walked to the back of her car where Amelia and Addison stood, they had already  taken their things which left Meredith's heard shell suitcase and small travel bag. 

"I could have gotten those babe" Meredith smiled as he walked past with his bag and Ruby's on one shoulder, her bed in one hand, Meredith's bag on the other shoulder and her suitcase handle in his other hand.

"No way, come on beautiful"He winked at her, they walked behind the excited kids that ran in, Carolyn unlocked the door, a smile plastered on her face as the kids ran the stairs to their rooms.

"Babe follow these stairs straight up, then you'll see the next set go up those, then you will see a black door open that up that case then its our room"Derek instructed, Meredith nodded and followed his instructions, she walked up them all until the black door, thats when she awaited him. 

"I wanted you to go first"She smiled lightly, Derek chuckled and placed a kiss to her lips. She opened the door for him before following him up the case, once at the top you were met with a small hallway which had a sofa and large window. Derek placed Meredith's case down and pulled out a key.  Once unlocked and the door was open a burst of light hit them, the room was gorgeos, seeing he was on the fourth floor you could see the sea from his windows, the bed was a large four poster bed, the walls were a dark grey, all of the furtniture black, including the desk, sofa and arm chair. 

Derek went to the bathroom for a longer toilet leaving Meredith alone in the room, of course she unpacked, she packed more than needed for three nights, from nice evening outfits to day outfits, to swimwear, beach wear, lingerie, a couple of pyjamas sets, underwear, shoes, makeup, hair things. Derek of course was a man, but he packed well, four pairs of shorts, four t shirts, swimming trunks, extra long shirts, his shorts were smart yet comfy of course, he also packed a pair of smarter trouses. He packed one each of everything including his trunks.

When he came out of the bathroom his jaw seemed to drop, Meredith's hair now sat in a messy bun and she now wore a mid thigh length floral dress which had a v neck line which of course exposed her chest lightly.

"You look so gorgeous, as always baby"He wrapped his arms around her from behind, placing gentle kisses to the soft skin of her neck. She turned in his arms to place a kiss to his lips.

"Thank you for inviting me here, so what was it we were doing"Meredith asked stroking his cheek. 

"Ice cream and the beach today, water park is a definite for tomorrow"Meredith nodded. 

"Mer what you wearing to the beach"Addison asked walking in without knocking, she wore just cotton shorts and a bikini top.

"This, mine is underneath and I have a towel in my bag" Meredith always preferred to be covered up when she could, she had always been conscious when it came to her body. She had always been degraded, made to feel worthless, made to hate her own skin. Yes she had small scars, scars she tried to hide from Derek, scars she didn't want anyone to see. Ellis always said to her that they were her battle scars. 

"Okay, well Liz and Kath are just getting the kids ready"Addison smiled before walking out leaving the couple alone once again. 

"That is why we have a lock my girl, keep out the Addison's and Amelia's"Derek rolled his eyes before clasping her hand and grabbing the bag she had packed for them both. 

He hadn't ever felt this happy, his family had never seen him this happy. She bought out every ounce of good in him, she bought out feelings he wasn't sure he had, feelings he had never expressed. 

They made it out of the back patio doors where Carolyn stood waiting, Kathleen, Lizzy, Caleb, Laurence and the kids had already begun walking, Charles was shortly behind them with Ruby's leash.

Mark, Addison and Amelia had waited with Carolyn. Mark smiled as he watched the smile creep on Derek's face at something Meredith had said, it was seeing them like that, so happy that helped him slolwy get over the small crush he had developed on her. 

"Come Meri"Addison gripped her hand and snatched her away from Derek. 

"Happiness looks good on you son, I am so proud"Carolyn pinched his cheeks, the small brick stairs led to the paved path to the beach. Derek could hear Meredith and Addison laughing at something Amelia had said. 

"She is good for me, she just, ma I have fell for her."He admitted. Carolyn hadn't smiled as wide since Lacey had been born.

"Is she the one?"Carolyn asked, Mark listening too.

"If she feels the same then yeah, she is" Carolyn looked down the path then back to Derek.

"Just look at her Derek, you can tell she feels it. She is on a family vacation with you, the way she is with Lacey too. Lizzy says Lacey has never warmed up like that with anyone." He could see it more and more as Carolyn pointed out the little factors. 

She was the one for him.