I Love You In a Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me Kind of Way

Grocery Stores & A Broken Past

"Good morning my dear," Derek said rolling over to see Meredith awake. "Good morning love," Meredith said pressing a kiss to his lips. "Why are you awake so early," Derek said groggily. "It's almost 11:00, I wouldn't call that early," Meredith said laughing. "Oh," Derek said checking the clock. "We can go out for lunch though," he continued. "That sounds perfect," Meredith said kissing him again and then getting out of bed. They both got dressed and got in the car and headed for the nearby cafe.

"Do you wanna split one of their sandwiches?" Derek asked looking at the menu. "Yeah, I'm not starving so that will be fine," Meredith replied. They ordered their food and chatted while they were waiting. "Do you wanna get married?" Derek asked. "Um-what?" Meredith said practically spitting out her food. "Not now, but eventually, do you see a future with me in it?" Derek asked taking her hand in his. "I do actually," Meredith said with a smile. "I picture us in a huge house with kids running around all over the place," he said smiling at her. "Oh, you do?" Mer asked. "I do," he said taking a huge bite of his sandwich. They talked some more about their possible future over their sandwiches and headed for the grocery store. "Molly needs food or she's gonna think I forgot about her," Meredith said walking down the pet aisle. "I think I have actual food in my house now that you are there all the time," Meredith said giggling a bit as they picked out some vegetables. "I was worried you would starve to death," Derek said laughing. "You have a point, sometimes those microwave meals just don't cut it or leftover pizza for breakfast," Meredith said bluntly. "Leftover pizza? For breakfast?" Derek asked now thinking his girlfriend was a bit crazy. "You have never in your life ate leftover pizza for breakfast?" Meredith asked. "Nope," he answered. "You poor thing," she said. "I think that should be the other way around," he said kissing her cheek and continuing down the aisle.

They got all their groceries and drove back home. Once everything was put away they plopped down on the couch, "So Thanksgiving is in a few weeks, you still going with me to my mom's place?" Derek asked brushing his thumb over Meredith's hand. "I'm planning on it," she said looking down at their hands. How do I tell him how much I love him? Do I just say it, Meredith you need to tell him. Tell him now. Like right now, he needs to know. "Okay, I don't really know how to say this. I love you Derek. I really really love you and I want to make it work even with Kathleen and Morgan. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I know it's been only a month and a half with you but it's been the best month and half of my life. I've never felt this way about anyone, ever. I just want to make this work, and I can't stop thinking about it. I can't sleep knowing that I might lose you because Morgan is my student, but I'll only have her till May and-" Derek cut Meredith off by putting his finger over her lips. "And I love you and your rambling, and your imperfections. I want to spend the rest of my life with you too but before I can do that we have to tell Kathleen," Derek said with his dreamy smile. "I can't wait a few weeks though," Meredith said putting her face in her hands. "What if I talk to my mom and we have dinner on Tuesday night for my family to meet my mystery girlfriend whom I am very serious about," Derek said. "Really?" Meredith asked. "I would do anything for you," he said kissing her hand. "That makes me love you even more," Meredith said pressing a kiss onto his lips.

That evening Derek called his mom and they set everything up, luckily everyone would be able to be there. While Meredith was laying in bed she was thinking about the dinner on Tuesday. "You okay?" Derek asked running a towel through his hair. "Yeah, I'm fine," Meredith was able to deny her feelings pretty well, she'd had practice. "Are you sure? You can talk to me, you know that right?" Derek said concerned. "Yeah-yeah I know, it's just that what if your family doesn't like me? I've never been very good when it comes to family," Meredith said. "Why do you say that?" Derek asked sitting down on the bed. Meredith sat up because she knew she was going to have to tell him about her broken past, "My dad left my mom when I was 3, and it was my mom's fault I mean she cheated on him. That's not the bad part though, my mom never wanted a child so I practically raised myself. She chose her job over me, I was basically raised by the nurses at the hospital and a few nannies. When I was 16 I took matters into my own hands and raised myself. After high school I found an apartment and went to college. All I know is that my mom is living in Boston now, I decided to become a teacher because I definitely wasn't cut out to be a surgeon but I also wanted to be able to help kids like me know that they have a future, they have something to look forward to," about halfway through Meredith was shedding a few tears but now she was sobbing. "Meredith, I-I don't know what to say, but I'm here and my mom already loves you. You are the strongest woman I know and I love you," Derek said wrapping her in a tight hug as a few tears fell from his eyes. Meredith continued to cry as Derek held her in his arms. "Thank you, I love you too," Meredith said pulling away. Derek kissed her tear covered face and covered her up, he laid down in the bed next to her and wrapped his arm around her waist as she snuggled up close to his chest.