Keep Holding On

Chapter 3

Meredith was tired, but still buzzed from her surgical high. The operation had been amazing, and it had been nice spending time with Cristina and Burke, even if it had been over an open heart. She giggled thinking about how much her two friends had bickered during the operation. Even though they argued and fought, their love for one another always prevailed through their eyes.

Meredith smiled, knowing that she and Derek were going to make it, just like those two had. The butterflies in Meredith's stomach went into action at the thought of Derek. She had pushed from her mind the fact that he was waiting at home for her and she couldn't help but feel a little nervous as she pulled her old jeep in the drive way next to Derek's parked car.

Her nervousness came from the fact that it had been over four years since she'd been intimate with a man. Her rendezvous with Derek in the exam room all those years ago had been the last time, and she couldn't help but wonder if Derek would still find her exciting and satisfying.

She shook her head of her anxious feelings, and made the short walk from the driveway to the front porch. She found the door unlocked and stepped inside the dark house. Meredith looked around in awe, as she dropped her bag to the floor and tossed her keys on the small table in the foyer.

The room glowed, and shadows danced on the wall from the small votive candles that had been placed around the room and led up the stairs. Red and white rose pedals were carefully strewn on the floor, also making a path up to the second floor. She heard soft music coming from the small stereo system that sat in the living room. It felt like a scene out of a movie.

Meredith smiled and quickly locked the door behind her before hurrying up the stairs, following the path of the flickering candles and soft pedals that let out their faint scent. Meredith stopped quickly in front of Hanna's room to peak in on her sleeping daughter.

Satisfied, she made her way to her own room and silently turned the knob and pushed the solid wooden door open. She paused a minute at the doorway, and took in the scene that met her. On the dresser, the neck of a bottle of champagne stuck out of a medal bucket that was filled with ice. The covers of her queen sized bed had been turned down and Derek sat with his back against the large head board, studying something on his lap top. He was shirtless, wearing only jeans, showing a hint of his white boxers that rested underneath.

Derek looked up and smiled. Meredith returned the smile, the butterflies returning yet again.

"Hey."

"Hey." She echoed.

Derek closed the small computer and set it on the nightstand that stood beside the bed. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and crossed the room towards Meredith. He stopped two feet in front of her and they both stared at one another, unsure of what to say.

After a moment of awkward silence, Meredith started giggling and Derek quickly followed, chuckling at how foolish they were behaving.

"You would think we've never done this before." Derek tilted his head, wanting to touch Meredith but seeing the uncertainty in her eyes.

"I know. I'm sorry....I guess I am a little nervous." Meredith looked down at her hands, avoiding Derek's intense stare.

"You don't have to be nervous Mer. We can go as slow as you need." Derek crossed the remaining space that separated them and pulled her into his arms. He lowered his face and kissed her softly, showing Meredith that he would be as patient as she needed him to be.

At the touch of Derek's lips on hers, her nervousness was forgotten and she leaned in to his body, deepening the kiss. Derek's hands moved to her face and then slowly down to her body, pulling her closer and turning to lead her to the bed. They took a few steps before Meredith suddenly pulled away, placing her hands on Derek's chest to push him back a little.