Unexpected Love

Chapter 21

Two days before Christmas, Meredith and her sisters, Maddy and Lexie, boarded a plane together, Seattle-bound and buzzing with excitement. Their plan is to surprise their parents with a holiday visit and bring all the family joy of a proper Christmas at home. Meredith had carefully packed dozens of gifts in her luggage, each one chosen with care. Though Derek offered to come along, Meredith reminded him how much his family treasured Christmas together, and he reluctantly agreed, especially since Crystal would be with Addison until Christmas Eve.

When Christmas morning arrived, Meredith and her siblings gathered with their spouses and children, each carrying wrapped presents and bags of holiday cheer as they stepped into the familiar warmth of Ellis and Thatcher's home. The entire Grey house seemed to radiate with the spirit of the season. As gifts were placed around the glittering Christmas tree, everyone exchanged hugs, laughs, and heartfelt greetings. They gathered around, tearing into gifts and sharing laughter, the room filled with joy and warmth. Lexie, who had celebrated Christmas with the Greys since her parents' passing, found her place once again with them, her eyes bright as she watched the kids unwrap their presents with glee.

As the day turned to evening, the younger children grew sleepy, and most of the family members started heading back to their hotels. Maddy, Lexie, and Meredith stayed behind with Ellis and Thatcher, settling into the cozy living room for a quieter family moment. Just as they were about to call it a night, there was a soft knock at the front door. Meredith, slightly puzzled, went to open it, her breath catching when she saw Derek and Crystal standing on the doorstep, lightly dusted with snow.

"Oh my gosh!" Meredith's eyes sparkled with surprise as she pulled Crystal into a warm hug, then turned to Derek. "What are you two doing here?"

Derek grinned, leaning in to kiss her softly. "I couldn't imagine spending our first Christmas apart," he said. "And, well, we missed you." His eyes held hers, the warmth between them more than she could have hoped for on Christmas.

Meredith guided them into the living room, where she introduced Derek and Crystal to her parents. Ellis and Thatcher welcomed them with open arms, the holiday spirit extending to their unexpected guests. Everyone settled in by the fire, sipping hot cocoa and sharing stories, laughter flowing easily.

As the night wound down and the others headed to bed, Meredith, Derek, and Crystal exchanged their own gifts in the quiet glow of the tree lights. Meredith handed Derek a box, and he carefully unwrapped it to find a sleek new watch engraved with the words Forever Yours - MG. His smile was full of gratitude, and he pulled her close for a kiss.

She then unwrapped her own gift to find a delicate necklace—a small heart with tiny diamonds glimmering within it. Her eyes misted as she looked at Derek, her fingers brushing over the beautiful piece.

Finally, Meredith handed Crystal a little box, and Crystal's eyes widened as she opened it to find a silver charm bracelet. Each charm was chosen for her: a tiny bear, a stethoscope, a heart, and a miniature snowflake. Crystal's face lit up, and she threw her arms around Meredith, making her laugh.

"I love it, Meri! Thank you!" Crystal said, beaming.

After tucking Crystal into the guest room, Meredith and Derek found their way to her childhood bedroom. They quietly closed the door, the weight of the day settling around them. Derek wrapped his arms around Meredith, his eyes meeting hers with a quiet intensity. In the stillness, he gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, their gazes locking in the soft glow of the bedside lamp.

As they moved closer, the warmth between them deepened, and they found themselves lost in each other, sharing a closeness that was both new and familiar. In this place, surrounded by her past but grounded in their present, they shared a tender, loving night, each touch is a reminder of the journey they'd taken to reach each other.

In the quiet aftermath, they lay together, hands intertwined, feeling as if no words were needed. The sounds of the snowy Christmas night outside filled the silence, and for Meredith, this moment felt like home in every way that mattered.

The memories of growing up in the house washed over her, but with Derek there beside her, everything felt new. In the quiet of the night, surrounded by the familiarity of home, they shared a moment that was intimate and meaningful, a promise of the Christmases they'd share together in the years to come.