The Man Next Door

Chapter 4

Meredith woke up the next day feeling completely and totally relaxed and happy. She hadn't felt this way in a long time. It was as if she was back in high school when she spoke to the guy she had a crush on for the first time. But it was weird. She didn't have a crush on Derek, did she? Her mind was telling her no, yet heart was telling her go…

Derek had set the table with tall white candles in the middle of the rectangular space covered by a beautiful, intricate lace tablecloth. He had even folded the napkins into cute flower shapes. The man was perfection. If Tallulah hadn't been there, it would have been the setting for a perfect date.

"So, I just got a call from my wife. Turns out they've asked her to stay back late at work today. Something to do with allergic reactions or something" he stated casually as he put the Mac and Cheese down in front of Meredith and his daughter.

"Oh no! that's terrible! What does she do? Is she a doctor or whatever?"

"Ha! I wish. No, she's a makeup artist and they've asked her to create her own make up line." Derek said, rolling his eyes.

"haha, you don't approve of her job?" Meredith chuckled

"You have no idea…but lets not talk about her, tell me about yourself" he said, trying to change the subject. She was such a mystery to him and he found himself wanting to know everything about her. She had a hypnotizing quality and Derek just couldn't resist.

"Well, you were right the other day, I am from Boston, born and raised," she said proudly.

"I knew it! As soon as I heard your accent it's like I went back home. It was so refreshing, I miss it"

"Where are you from?"

"I grew up in Maine. I love it there, the country side is so much more relaxing. When I retire, I'm moving back and this little one can take care of the animals on the farm like she's always wanted to" he said, playfully messing Tallulah's hear up on the top of her head.

"Yes! I can't wait daddy retire now! Retire now!" she shouted, jumping up and down in her seat.

"Not yet precious, daddy needs to make a lot more money so we can live" he chuckled, happy with his daughter's enthusiasm about the topic. He sighed slightly thinking about Rose. She was such a city women, and tried every chance she got to talk him out of this idea. "My, my young lady! Where did all your dinner go?"

"I ate it daddy! More?" Tallulah asked, giving him big blue puppy dog eyes, just like his.

"I think you've had enough little lady. Now go get ready for bed" he said, gently kissing her on the forehead before she headed upstairs.

"She's adorable Derek" Meredith commented when Tallulah was out of sight.

"Isn't she? She's the one thing I did right in my life. I've made a lot of mistakes that I regret terribly but Tallulah, I wouldn't ever regret."

"Ohhh getting all into the deep dark feelings are we" Meredith commented, trying to make light of the conversation that had suddenly changed tone.

"haha, shut up" he chuckled while elbowing her in the arm playfully. Again. That simple touch sent shivers down her spine. They both paused for a second, looking into each others eyes as the sexual tension between them began to inflame. His beautiful blue eyes hypnotized her again and she forgot where she was, hell she forgot who she was. There was just him. She didn't even realize they had began to lean into each other until his lips were just and inch from hers…

"Daddy! I'm going to bed now" Tallulah screamed as she thumped down the stairs to say goodnight to Derek.

It was enough to shock both of them out of their revere. They both quickly pulled away from each other and Derek walked over to Tallulah, giving her a big bear hug. Meredith watched in awe, the dynamic between Derek and his daughter was fast changing her mind about the thought of kids, and a family.

"Goodnight Meredith" Tallulah exclaimed while running over to her for a hug. Surprised at the gesture by the small child she gasped but hugged her back, smiling. When she left the room once again she turned back to Derek, and the talked. About nothing in particular, they didn't learn much about each others lives just their likes, dislikes and views on the world…it was the most interesting conversation Meredith had had in a long time and she just wanted it to go on forever.

'BEEP, BEEP. BEEP' Her alarm clock snapped her away from her memories of the night before, bringing her back to reality. Today was the day she was going to audition for the role of Ellen Pompeo a surgical intern working at a hospital in Seattle. It had been a while since her last acting role but she was confident. She was impressed with the writing and liked the sound of her character. Looking to the other side of the bed she noticed Finn had left the house already. She sighed. Ever since the move she had only gotten glimpses of him late at night when he got home from work. Shrugging it off she got ready and headed to her car…

As Derek drove out of his house the next morning he found himself driving behind his new neighbor whom had left at the same time as him. As he drove, he thought about the previous night smiling to himself. It was the first interesting conversation he had had with a woman in a long time. His wife was normally never home and when she was, she was sleeping or they fought over Tallulah. Rose was adamant on making Tallulah into a protégé of her, trying to get her to do girly things. But, she always preferred to go to the park or ride her bike with Derek. Sighing he turned into the driveway of Prospect Studios noticing that Meredith was parking inside too. Was she auditioning for a TV show too?