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

'Mint' To Be

Meredith had been kicking herself the rest of the day, she loved Derek and she had never had these kinds of feelings for anyone. Ever. She wasn't even for sure if she'd ever even really truly loved a guy, but Derek, Derek was different. He took care of her, he loved her, he reminded her everyday just how much he loved her and she felt just the same way about him. As she lay there in his arms all she could think about was the future, a future with him. The big house, the wedding, the kids. She wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with him as cheesy as it may sound.

"I think we need to talk to a social worker about Isabelle," Derek said breaking the silence. "Yeah," she replied. "I think it would be best if you explained why Isabelle shouldn't go with him," he said tracing her hand with his finger. "You mean, like talk to them about-about what happened to me? Derek, you're the only one who knows besides Alex." she retorted. "Mer, I want to put all this behind us and make sure Isabelle ends up in a safe home. I know you want the same thing," he said. "Derek, I want that but I just-I can't just talk about it, it's not something that is easy to talk about. You know that, you know how hard it was for me to tell you." she said on the verge of tears. "Mer, I don't want to pressure you but they need to know. I'll be right beside you every step of the way okay." he said sitting on the edge of the bed. "I know, I just, Derek I don't know if I can," Meredith said hobbling to the chair across from him. "You can, Meredith. I know you can. Meredith, you are the strongest woman I know, you handled all of this almost all on your own almost all these years and now I just want to help you. Meredith, I want to be there for you." Derek said walking over to her and using his thumb to lift her chin so she was looking into his eyes. "Derek," she said a tear slipping from her eye, "I'm gonna miss Isabelle," she finished. "I'm gonna miss her too." he said pulling her against him. Meredith wrapped her arms around his waist and closed her eyes as she listened to his heartbeat.

Derek called the officer they had been working with later that day and then connected with social services to set up an appointment. He was stressed and worried, worried about Meredith most of all. Meredith also called the school and said she would have to take leave for the rest of school, thank god it was only a few weeks. She also returned all her missed calls from Alex and Izzie and they were planning to come visit within the next few days. This was my first year teaching and I blew it. The most repetitive thought in her mind these last few days. She was frustrated at the fact that all this had to happen right now at this point in her life but still believed that everything happened for a reason.

"Meredith," Derek hollered from the kitchen as he hung up the phone. "What? Everything okay?" she asked as she sat down. "They found Jill and Finn," he said quickly. "They what?" she asked. "Apparently they were on the other side of the city staying in some hotel, they had stolen about a thousand dollars worth of things from a couple different stores and were caught," he said leaning forward on the counter. Tears stung Meredith's eyes, she knew she was probably going to have to see him and Isabelle would be home soon, how would they tell her? "Meredith, I'm so sorry," Derek said embracing her. "I don't want to give her up Derek, but we have to," she sobbed. "I know honey, I don't want to either, but it's for the best okay?" he said reassuringly. "Mark will be here soon," she said pulling away. "He'll want to know too Meredith, but if you don't want to tell him we don't have to," Derek said rubbing his hand over her back. "Why don't we wait?" she asked wiping her tear stained face. "We can do that," he said reaching up and putting his hand over hers. Meredith cracked a small smile and Derek smiled back.

Mark stopped by dropping off Isabelle and making some small talk with Meredith and Derek to lighten the mood. Derek was going to be going to work for half days for a while so Mark wasn't completely alone in the shop. "If there's ever anything you need call me, okay?" Mark reminded them putting his hand on Derek's shoulder. "Thank you," Derek said. "Thanks for watching her today Mark," Meredith said with a half smile as she looked back at Isabelle sitting on the couch watching cartoons. "We had fun, it was a good day." he replied. "Okay, I better head home you two," he said hugging Meredith and patting Derek's shoulder. "Goodnight Mark, thanks again, we owe you one," Derek hollered as he walked down the porch steps. "I guess we should cook dinner," Meredith said sitting on the couch. "I think by we you mean me," Derek laughed. "Dewek can we have mac and cheese pretty please," Isabelle asked. "Definitely," Derek replied walking into the kitchen. Isabelle scooted over to Meredith and curled up next to her on the couch. It broke Meredith's heart knowing that she would have to give this up so soon.

"Dinner's ready!!" Derek hollered at the two watching cartoons from the kitchen. No response or running came from the living room, "Meredith," Derek said again as he walked into the other room. He stopped in his tracks and a smile spread across his face as he looked at his girlfriend and Isabelle asleep on the couch. Meredith was leaned against the arm and Isabelle was using her lap as a pillow. Derek pulled out his phone and took a picture before covering the both of them with the flannel blanket draped over the back of the couch. "I love you," he whispered into Meredith's ear before leaning down and kissing the crown of her head. "I love you too sweetheart," he said as he kissed Isabelle's head too. He smiled again before leaving the two of them to sleep.

Derek was eating dinner alone and thinking about everything that's happened to them, they hadn't even been together a full year yet and so much has happened to them and they are still together. It's crazy really, Mark had called them a power couple, whatever that means. Derek loved Meredith, he loved everything from her rambling to the way she said 'I love you' every night. He wanted to marry her, have a family with her, grow old with her, and there was nothing he was going to let keep him from that. He looked over to the picture they took together while in Branson, the one he loved so much. It was in a little yellow frame sitting on the counter next to the window. How did he ever become so lucky? He dated girls before, plenty actually, but Meredith was not just someone he dated, he saw a future with her. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a knock on the door and Molly's obnoxious barking from the living room. Meredith's eyes opened by all the commotion but somehow Isabelle was still sleeping.

"Are you Derek Shepherd?" asked the officer as Meredith made her way to join Derek at the door. "Yes, uh, can I help you?" Derek asked putting his hand on the small of Mer's back. "I'm here to take Isabelle to social services, her parents have been found and social services wants to take Isabelle into custody so it's no fuss for you two," the officer stated. "We talked to the services today and were planning to take Isabelle in in a few days," Derek said worried. "Well, we decided to handle this for you so you didn't have to worry about it," the officer responded. "We have a case too against Finn that we needed to take to court," Meredith quickly said. "Oh, we haven't heard of another one," the officer was puzzled. "Well, it hasn't been filed," Meredith continued. "I can take your statement now, if you'd like," the officer offered. Meredith took a second and looked at Derek, "No, we have an appointment set up in a few days, we can wait," Derek said. "Okay, well I need to take Isabelle and get going," the officer reprimanded. "Uh are you sure, she's sleeping right now, we can bring her in in the morning," Meredith refused. "I need to take her tonight," the officer said. "Um, okay, I'll get her stuff," Derek said as Meredith ran to the bedroom. Derek woke up Isabelle and gathered some of her stuff. "This kind man is going to be taking you okay? You're gonna go with a very nice babysitter and Meredith and I will try and see you soon, okay Isabelle?" Derek said holding back his own tears. "Where's Meredif?" she asked in her sleepy tone. "She's upstairs honey," Derek said. "I want to tell her bye bye," Isabelle cried. Derek looked at the officer and then took Izzy to Meredith, "Meredif," Izzy said looking around. Meredith walked out of the bathroom, "Hi Izzy, we are going to see you very soon okay?" she said holding Izzy's hands. Izzy nodded and wrapped her arms around Meredith's neck, "I luh you," she said. "I love you too," Meredith responded a tear falling from her eyes. "Bye bye," she waved before taking Derek's hand. Meredith didn't have the effort to say anything so Derek took her hand and they walked back downstairs together. "We have to go now," the officer said. "I love you Izzy," Derek said before picking the small child up. "I luh you too," she said before hugging him as tight as she could. Derek passed her off to the officer, said goodnight, and then they were gone.

The door shut and Meredith crumpled to the floor, tears were streaming down her face and all she could do was sob, "Meredith breathe," Derek said embracing her. "Derek, she's gone," she said between sobs. "Mer, I'm so sorry," he said trying to calm her down tears streaming down his cheeks too. "I thought we had a few more days," Meredith said. "Me too, baby, me too," Derek replied rubbing his hand up and down her back. They sat there in silence in front of the door, both crushed at what had just happened. Izabelle has become a part of their lives, she loved them as much as they loved her. She was in their lives almost two weeks and in those two weeks she showed them what it meant to have a tiny person in their lives. She showed them unconditional love and that no matter the circumstances, if two people are meant to be together then those circumstances are just steps.