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

Alone: Adj. Having No One Else Present

It took them about 3 hours to get to their destination, they laughed at each other's singing, told the stupidest of jokes, and shared the cheesiest pick up lines all the way there. They stopped at the little check in cabin grabbed their key and a few tourist brochures for their weekend trip. They then headed for the cabin. "Derek, you outdid yourself," Meredith said staring at their weekend home. "It's all for you," he said putting his arm around her and bringing her close. They walked inside and Meredith looked around while Derek brought in their bags, "Babe, look at this bedroom," Meredith said. It had a beautiful king size bed, one way windows, and gorgeous rustic decor. "It's perfect," Derek said kissing the crown of her head. "Thank you so much for this," Meredith said turning around and hugging him. "I love you," she continued. "I love you too," he said never wanting to leave their hug that was full of love.

"Why don't we go check out their restaurants, I'm starving," Meredith said finding Derek in the kitchen looking at the brochures. "That sounds perfect," Derek said looking up. They hopped in the car and headed for a restaurant in the main part of the town. "I found this one while I was booking our stay, it's Italian, your favorite," Derek said taking her hand as he opened the car door. "Derek," Meredith said not knowing how to thank him for everything. "You can thank me later," he said with a wink. "Meredith ordered lasagna, her personal favorite and Derek ordered cheese ravioli. "Tomorrow we can go to all the little shops and do the wine tastings in the evening," Meredith said taking a sip of champagne after she finished. "Yeah, we have all weekend to do what you want," Derek said with his dreamy smile. "I am so dang happy we have 48 uninterrupted hours together," Mer said smiling. "Me too," Derek said putting his hand over hers.

After dinner they drove back to the cabin so Meredith could "thank" Derek for everything.

Their entire weekend they did everything they wanted to do, visited all the little shops, a wine tasting, a little bit of hiking, bought souvenirs for family and friends, and enjoyed being with each other and having the weekend to themselves. The weekend really strengthened Meredith and Derek's relationship both intimately and emotionally.

Monday:

Meredith and Derek were woke up by the sound of the annoying alarm clock, "Do I have to go to work?" Derek rolled over asking Meredith. "You sound like a child asking if they really have to go to school and learn long division," Meredith said. "I was enjoying laying in bed with you," he said pulling her closer. "I am too but I have 3rd graders to teach and you have cars to fix," Meredith said chuckling a bit. "Okay, you go teach your 3rd graders long division and I'll bring you lunch," Derek said knowing how stubborn she could be. "I love you," Meredith said kissing his lips. Meredith and Derek got around and headed their separate ways for work.

"Aye, my brother is back from his vacation with his lover," Mark said as Derek walked through the door. "I am, and wish I was still there," Derek replied. "So, how'd it go? Was she totally surprised?" Mark asked wanting all the juicy details. "Yeah, she was extremely surprised, and she thanked me for it too," Derek said with a smirk. "I actually got you something," Derek continued grabbing the shot glass from his bag. "Thanks man," Mark said patting Derek's shoulder. "I knew you collected shot glasses so we picked you up one," Derek said. "So, you guys going to take your relationship to the next level?" Mark asked. "I'm not for sure really. She acts like she wants to but she also cares so much about Morgan and making sure she gets the best education possible, so we will probably wait till school's out," Derek said twiddling his thumbs. "I understand, but I can tell you want to do something soon, I can see it in your eyes Derek, I know you," Mark said leaning sitting down across from him. "I do, it's just, Meredith she, it's like she's afraid that something will happen and it will destroy her forever. I won't do that to her though, I love her too much to even think about doing something to her," Derek said worried. "Tell her that Derek, tell her what you just told me. She needs that reassurance, she needs to know how much you love her, you may have given her this weekend away, but she needs you to tell her that," Mark said. "When did you get so good at this stuff?" Derek asked. "Well, I may have met a girl myself this weekend," Mark said looking at the ground. "You like this girl don't you?" Derek asked realizing that his best friend may not just be sleeping with this one. "Well see ya later Derek," Mark quickly said walking out. "Mark-Mark!" Derek hollered. Hmm. Was all Derek could think about that conversation...

Meredith had a pretty normal day at school, she gave Alex and Izzie their gifts from the trip and caught them up on her and Derek's relationship. "I don't know if we should take it to the next level quite yet, I mean Morgan is my student and we've only been seeing each other since the end of August. I think we should at least wait a few more months, at least," Meredith said. "Meredith, you obviously love him enough to take it to the next level if you wanna wait and play it safe," Alex told her. "You guys are madly in love, even I'm jealous," Izzie said. Alex gave her a look, "Sorry, no offense," she said quickly defending herself. "I don't know, I just think we should wait," Mer said.

"Miss Grey, you have a call from your mother," the secretary said stepping into her classroom. My mom? Why would she be calling?

"Miss Grey this is your mom's nurse, she just had a seizure, we are taking her to hospital now.

"Okay, should I fly out there?"

"I think it would be best."

"Okay, I will be there as soon as I can, thank you"

"See you soon"

"I have to go, can you find someone to cover my classroom for a few days at least?" Meredith asked the secretary frantically. "Yes, I hope everything is alright Miss Grey, keep us updated," the secretary told her. Meredith hurried down to her room, explained to her class that she might be gone a while and told Alex what was going on, "Do I need to come with you or does Derek?" Alex asked her. "No I can handle it on my own, I will call as much as possible," Meredith told him. "Be careful Mer," Alex said hugging her. "Call me if you need me," he continued as she left.

"Derek," Meredith hollered as she walked into the shop. "He's in his office Meredith," Mark told her. "Derek, I have to fly to Boston. My mom, she had a seizure and they think it could be serious. Someone is covering me at work, I'll be back as soon as possible," Meredith rambled on. "Do you want me to come with you? You can't do something like this alone, you shouldn't have to, I can go and take off work," Derek said his hands on her shoulders. "No it's fine, I can do it. I should only be gone a few days, I'll call you as much as I can, I just need you to stay at the house with Molly," Mer told him. "Okay, if you need me to fly out there just call me," Derek said. "I have to go, I love you," Meredith said pressing a kiss to his lips. "I love you too, call me when you land," he said.

Derek sat down worried as could be about his girlfriend, She shouldn't be doing this alone.

Author's Note: (:

Sorry it took me so long to update I've been busy! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! I'm really excited to play with this part of the story with Ellis coming into the picture and Meredith and Derek possibly taking their relationship to the next level. 

xoxoxo Grace