The Man Next Door

Chapter 3

The next day while Meredith was continuing to un pack boxes she couldn't help but sneak peeks at her neighbor's house, well, not the house, the man that lived in the house, who Meredith swore she recognized him from somewhere. Every now and again she would stand at the window in her bedroom upstairs and look down into Derek's back yard. He had a beautiful pool situated nearly directly underneath her window. Shimmers of light bounced off the surface of the clear water as Derek's daughter created small waves as she swam around the pool on her boogie board. The pool was surround by sandstone tiles with pool chairs, a table and pot plants surrounding it. Derek lay across one of the chairs, his delicious muscular chest and abs on display above his green board shorts. He was laughing and joking around with his daughter and Meredith couldn't help but wish she could join them. She had never been one to want children, never thought about names when growing up and just never imagined herself as a mother. But lately, she begun to think that it was something that she would regret if she didn't have a baby. She hadn't discussed it with Finn yet but for some reason, the thought of having a child with him turned her off the idea. She did like him a lot, but, ever since moving to LA she continued to find herself questioning him and their relationship. It was only two days in and already he was beginning to focus more on the job instead of her. Sighing she continued to look out the window only to quickly turn away when she noticed him looking up at her…

Derek loved his daughter. Tallulah was a beautiful girl, she was adorable and always listen to what he had to say. She was a daddy's girl. He was having the time of his life sitting by the pool, just watching her swim around on her boogie board, pretending to be a surfer. He shook his head, thinking about how Rose was missing out on their child's life. She worked at a make up and Beauty Company and she had recently been asked to create her own make up line. For weeks now she had been going to work early and coming home late doing whatever it was that she did. Derek didn't really pay too much attention when she explained what she was doing. He didn't particularly like it when women wore too much make up and were too absorbed in their looks. That was probably why he was so hung up on his neighbor. She had a natural beauty that was really refreshing and he just couldn't seen to get her out of his mind. Looking up towards her house he saw her there, standing at the window watching them. His heart skipped a beat, she had a 'longing look', like she wanted to be down here with them. 'No, impossible' he thought. They had only met twice. Their eyes locked for almost a second when she noticed him looking at her. He couldn't get over their beauty. Even from this distance he could see the flicker of green in them and then, she was gone. He laughed, he probably wasn't supposed to catch her looking at him.

It was nearly 6pm and Meredith realized they had never organized a time to meet for dinner. Finn was still not home from work yet and she was really hungry. Actually, she was starving. Ever since Derek had caught her staring out the window she had worked non stop unpacking boxes to get her mind off how embarrassed she felt, essentially forgetting to eat. Looking into her kitchen she realized she still had his lasagna plate from last night. 'Great' she thought. 'Now I'm gonna be like one of those characters in Desperate Housewives that uses cooking items as an excuse to talk to someone'. But, she was actually finding herself eager to see him again. So, shrugging it off she took the plate and headed over to the house next door.

It was nearly 6pm when Derek decided to begin cooking dinner. He had no idea when Meredith was going to come, realizing he had forgotten to specify a time.

"Daddy, Daddy, what are you making for dinner?" Tallulah asked with excitement running up towards him.

"Your favourite meal for my favourite girl" he responded with a smile, picking her up and twirling her around in the air

"ha ha, yay! Mac and Cheese! Ha ha ha" she giggled and he carried her. He loved hearing his daughter's laugh. It was his favourite sound in the world. Although, there was another sound that was fast becoming another favourite, Meredith's laugh. He had only heard it a little the day before when he had found himself flirting with her, but it was enough to stick in his mind.

"Put me down daddy and start dinner" Tallulah ordered "I'm hungry"

"Ok, ok. But make sure you behave at dinner ok? Our new neighbors are coming over"

"Yay! New people to play with!" Tallulah exclaimed in joy.

"Honey, I don't think they're your age" Derek sighed. He was always worried that Tallulah didn't know enough children her age and they had discussed having another child but Patrick wanted to get his career back on track again. He had peaked too early, as his agent said, having had landed a the main role in the 1987 movie Can't Buy Me Love only to have his career slow a few years after. That was when he met his wife Rose at her hair salon. He had taken an immediate interest in her and at the time, he thought it was love. But now he was questioning his feelings. She was a different person now and he couldn't help but start to notice other women. In particular, his new neighbor.

'Ding Dong' the doorbell chimed.

"They're here Daddy, they're here!" Tallulah screamed with excitement as she ran towards the front door, Derek quickly following while his heart began to slightly race faster.

"Hi," he smiled as he opened the door to see Meredith, there, alone.

"Hey. Sorry if I'm a bit early, I wasn't sure when to come and I thought you may need your plate tonight so, yeah…oh and it's looking like Finn won't make it, they asked him to stay back at work." She said with a hint of a smile she was trying to hide.

To Derek's surprise he rejoiced at this news! She was so adorable, standing there in front of him. She was petite and her face had both a soft yet fiery quality. Gesturing for her to come inside he said, "I actually just started dinner so if you're alright to wait a couple of minutes it should be ready soon. And thanks for bringing back the plate."

"Daddy" Tallulah said while pulling at his shirt

"Ha ha" he laughed as he picked her up. "Meredith this is my daughter Tallulah, Tallulah, this is Meredith, our new neighbor"

"It's nice to meet you Tallulah," Meredith said with a smile. "I like your dress, it's very pretty" she added and Tallulah blushed. She as wearing a pink polka dot dress Derek had bought for her on one of their 'father daughter bonding' days and it was her favourite.

"Did you hear that Daddy? The pretty lady next door likes my dress!" she exclaimed happily to Derek.

They both laughed at her comment as he led them into the dining room. It was a big open space with a high ceiling and a glass wall looking over to the pool area in the backyard.

"Oh your house is amazing!" Meredith exclaimed.

"It was all my wife, she went crazy decorating it when we moved in. Didn't even let me get a word in edgewise."

"Well she has good taste I'll give her that" Meredith commented as Derek put Tallulah down from his arms.

"Meredith, Meredith come see my room! It's even cooler than this one. It's pink!" she exclaimed excitement evident in her voice as she pulled her hand leading her up stairs.

"Oh" she exclaimed surprised looking over at Derek. He laughed and gestured for her to follow Tallulah while he finished with dinner. He had never seen her take such a liking to an adult before, apart from him. Ever since Rose had been working so much she had grown apart from Tallulah so she never really got to interact with other girls. Smiling he went back to cooking. He wasn't one to normally let strangers be with his kids alone but Meredith was different. He just seemed to have complete and utter faith in her.