Complicated Love

Chapter 22.

Meredith.

Derek and I are just about done cooking. We're laughing about something when I notice Aaron walks into the kitchen.

"Mommy?" He says as he rubs the sleep out of his eyes. "Good morning baby, are you hungry?" I say.

"Mhmm," he hums, sitting at the table in his pyjamas. "Do you think he'll think anything of me being here?" Derek whispers.

"No, he's three years old, he knows I like you and he knows you like me but that's all. He's too oblivious to think any more than that," I say making Aaron's food ready.

"Okay," he says. I take the plate and take it over to Aaron. "Why is he here?" He whispers quiet enough for Derek not to hear.

"He came over to talk for a bit since Avery and Christopher are at their grandmother's," I whisper. He nods. I kiss his head before going back over to Derek.

_____

After breakfast Derek and I are sitting on the couch watching a movie with Aaron on the floor.

I think he wanted to sit by me but felt like he couldn't because Derek's sitting next to me. I didn't say anything though.

"Aaron, why don't you come sit with me for a bit?" I say. "Why?" He asks. "Just for fun," I say.

He stands up and walks over to me. I lift him up and place him in my lap with my around around his waist.

"I love you," I whisper in his ear and kiss his cheek. "I love you too," he smiles.

I lean into Derek's chest slightly as his arms around my waist. "You're a good mother," he whispers kissing my temple.

"Thank you," I say. I briefly turn back to press my lips against his. After a few kisses, I pull away and turn back to the TV.

Crap. I didn't even think about it when I kissed Derek.

Now Aaron knows for sure that there's something between us. I was going to wait a bit longer before telling him about our relationship.

"Do you think that was too soon?" I whisper as Aaron's busy watching the movie.

"What, the kiss?" He says. "Yes, I didn't even think about it until after," I say. "Aaron has never seen you kiss someone before?" He says.

"Has Avery or Christopher seen you kiss someone before?" I say. "Yeah, an old photo with their mother," he says.

"That's not real, that's a photo," I say. "It's a real photo," he says. "Still, it's a big change," I say.

"He's young, if he gets used to it now he won't care in the future. My kids are older so it's a bit different," he says.

"I don't want to rush him into anything. I don't want it to make him uncomfortable," I say. "He won't, he's fine. You said last night that you want Avery to come over more so he'll see Avery and me more so he won't be uncomfortable," he says.

"I- I don't know, I don't know how to do the whole dating thing. Maybe there's no point," I sigh.

"No, no, no. You're just not used to it. You'll get used to it, it'll get easier. I promise," he says. "And if it doesn't?" I say. "It will," he says.

___________

Derek.

I left Meredith's place ten minutes ago and I'm on my way out of town to get the kids from my mothers.

I've already called her to let her know I'm on my way. She said both kids were good and she got to talking to Christopher and now she wants to have a talk with me.