I'm losing it! The whole drive we've spoken not one word. That's what I like about Derek. He doesn't push he doesn't try to get me to talk about what I don't want too. He will just let me sit in silence until I'm ready. We've been driving for over an hour. Finally I'm curious.
"Where are we going?" I ask.
"You'll see. We will be there in about a half hour."
Derek brushes my cheek with his fingertips. "You don't know how beautiful you are do you?"
I don't say anything I just blush and he reaches for hand raising it to his mouth to kiss the back of my hand and I smile.
"There it is."
"There's what?" I ask.
"Your smile babe." He says grinning. "I was hoping I'd get to see it sometime today."
"I'm sorry. Everything is falling apart, Derek." Tears start to escape from my eyes.
"Baby please don't cry. I'm here, let me help put your pieces back together. You've been through so much lately and it's time you have a break from it all."
He's right. I have been through so much. Probably more than anyone should ever have to deal with. I allow his hand on mine to comfort me and I gaze out the window.
It's a beautiful day for being the end of January. The sun is shinning and it makes you feel warm. The snow that has fallen is melting, leaving tiny little streams down the sides of the road.
"Derek....Ivan woke up." I suddenly burst.
"Oh...um well I guess that's a good thing. No?"
"I was there when he did. I ran from him. I ran to you!"
"Ella I'm not going to lie, I'm happy you did."
"But that's what you don't get Derek. I want to be with you, I really do."
"Uh oh. You're breaking up with me aren't you? I mean who could blame you to run to the guy who had just come out of a coma who you had..."
I interrupt. "Derek no. One I didn't know we were "together" and two I'm not running to him, I'm here with you."
"Yes you are, your body maybe but not your mind. Ella.." He sighs. "I know what I want and that's you, but I need to know what you want."
"I'm here Derek, with you, together and I want to be an us."
The minute those words came out of my mouth, suddenly my heart felt lighter, like it was saying it's about time. I can't help but smile and I think Derek knows.
"Well we are here." He says smiling.
"Oh Derek what is this place?" I ask.
"This my dear Ella is my grandparents winery. Come on I want you to meet them."
I climb out of his car and quickly run to his side. He turns and lifts my chin kissing me ever so gently and my legs almost go weak. My fingers tangle around his scarf so I can return his beautiful kiss.
"Come on. I want them to meet my beautiful girlfriend." He smiles taking my hand.
We make our way to the front door and he takes my hand tightly, knocking on the solid dark wood door. A small woman with gray hair pulled on top of her head in a perfect little bun with the softest grey eyes there ever was. Her smile is wide, her cheeks raise and her face just lights up.
"My sweet boy! Come here and give me a hug." Derek hugs her gently and tightly at the same time. "What a surprise!"
"Hi Mama." He places a kiss on her cheek. "I'd like you to meet my girlfriend Ella."
