By @sunset543 on fanfiction.net! Meredith is in her 4th year of residency including the intern year, so she had Aiden about a year before starting at Seattle Grace.
Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Grey's Anatomy. Not the characters. Not the plot. Not anything. Nor do I own anything to do with the NHL. At all. But it would be pretty cool if I did.
It was Saturday morning and Derek had to go for one last session at Northgate before playing the Capitals but not until the afternoon. He had 4 hours to work up the courage to ask for a date, and he wanted, needed, to do it as soon as possible. He was offered a shower and he took it gladly, though he didn't have any other clothes, he realised. He came back down the stairs, dripping wet in just a towel.
"Mer?" he padded into the kitchen.
"Yeah, what do yo-" she stopped mid-sentence, just staring at him. She visibly swallowed and he smirked, knowing that she was checking him out.
"You wouldn't happen to have any other clothes, do you?"
"Oh...yeah... yeah I do. There's some old stuff of George and Alex's upstairs from when they used to live here." She walked past him quickly, her head down, and went quickly up the stairs. She pulled some clothes out of some drawers and handed them to him, meeting his eyes.
"Thank you," his husky voice sent shivers up her spine.
"You're welcome," she breathed.
"I'll, uh, get changed," he said, just as breathlessly, and went back into the bathroom.
Meredith let her body fall against the wall, this was bad, she had nearly kissed him again, when her son was in the house, they weren't even together! And his eyes were so expressive, she could get lost in them for hours. She straightened up and got dressed quickly after having a short shower of her own and came back down the stairs in search of Aiden, he would probably want to do something today. Instead of finding him though, she ran straight into Derek and he grabbed her arms to stop her from falling.
"Can I talk to you?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered critically, her eyebrow quirked.
"Don't worry, it's good. Or at least I hope you think it's good."
He dragged her back into the kitchen and sat down across from her.
"I've um, I've been wanting to ask this for a while, and there's no pressure, you can say no... But, um. Will you go out with me Meredith Grey?"
For a second, she just had to let it sink in, Derek Shepherd wanted to date her. He wanted datey, romancy things. And she wanted them too, but she wasn't sure how he would react to all the dark and twisty, but that was answered for her:
"I want to know everything about you. I know so much already but I want to know you inside and out Mer. All of the 'dark and twisty' as you call it, I want to know. And I want to be there for Aiden, he's amazing, and so are you."
She looked into his eyes and saw the tenderness but also the fear of rejection behind them. "Yes," she grinned, "Yes, I'll go out with you."
Derek smiled brightly, jumped off the stool and brought her into a bearhug.
"Thank you, I promise I won't disappoint," he grinned.
"You better not," she smirked, "You can't just be all McDreamy up until now then just let it drop."
"Mc what?" he asked, his brow furrowed.
"It doesn't matter," she dismissed it with a wave of the hand, "But Derek, I don't want to tell Aiden right away, he's the most important thing in my life and that isn't suddenly going to change."
"I know," Derek nodded, "I want this to be on your terms, we can go at your pace. You do have a son after all, and I care about him so much, and I..." he stopped. "I want to always be in his life, even if we don't work out, which I don't thing is gonna happen, can you promise me I can always see him."
Meredith smiled; she knew Derek was a great guy, but she hadn't expected that. They really hadn't known each other that long, and she found it cute how the two of them were already so attached to each other. He might not realise it, but he loved Aiden almost as much as she did already. "Of course, Der," she ran her fingers through his hair.
"Thank you," he sighed, "and I will be taking you out on Tuesday, so be ready."
"Oh, you already have it planned?"
"Well, no," he revealed, "But it's the earliest I can take you out without seeming over eager."
She smirked, "And how eager is over eager?"
"Well correct me if I'm wrong, but you might freak if I asked you out tonight, and I have the game tomorrow, so, Tuesday."
"I guess you have a point, but for the record, I will be thinking about this date for the next few days."
"Oh I know you will, because so will I," he whispered in her ear, kissing her earlobe.
"Hmmm. Derek, Aiden."
"I know, I'll stop. But I can't promise I'll be so restrictive on the date, I might have to show you off," he laughed.
"Oh, so I'm like a trophy date to you," she teased.
"No, of course you're not," he reassured her, concern washing over his eyes.
"I'm joking Derek, I know I'm not, I know you care about me," she whispered, "I care about you too."
"Oh," Derek breathed, "I do care about you. And I want to be the best person I can for you."
She smiled lovingly at the man who was so concerned about her, who cared about her. She stole a glance behind her to make sure the coast was clear, then wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him tenderly. He kissed her back with the same force, keeping her close with his arms around her waist. They drew back breathless, resting their foreheads against each other.
"Is there something you want to do today? Before I have to go. Or Aiden?"
"He probably has some mad idea, hang on."
She walked back towards the stairs, calling his name, but he appeared behind her asking what the problem was. Derek couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hey sweetie, what do you want to do today? Derek has to train for the game later, so he doesn't have much time."
Aiden's face immediately dropped, looking at Derek, "Do you have to go Derek?"
"I'm sorry bud, I have to," Derek replied sadly.
Aiden sighed, "Okay. Can we go bowling then, that's fast?"
"Sure sweetie, go and get your shoes and we can go, we're all ready."
xxxxx
They got ready quickly and left for the bowling alley. Meredith marvelled at how bad a paid athlete could be at bowling, but he claimed he was having an off day. She could tell that Aiden was having a great time and looked at Derek more often than not with a certain twinkle in his eye, the same look in Derek's when he looked at her son. Aiden ended up winning through a skill set that she didn't know he possessed. After several rounds of Aiden wiping the floor with them, Derek said he had to go, and Aiden looked completely crestfallen. "Look bud, why don't you come to training with me, you could be my mascot?"
"Really Derek?"
"Sure, as long as Mom doesn't mind," he gave an apologetic look to Meredith. He probably thought he should have asked first, but Meredith was just happy that he thought so much about her son's happiness.
"'Course Aiden, as long as you don't get in the player's way. I can get some paperwork done," she whispered to Derek.
He chuckled, relieved, and lifted Aiden onto his hip and they all walked out of the door into the parking lot. "We can take a cab Mer, it's less hassle for you."
"It's fine Derek, you have to take all of your kit, it's going to awkward in the back of a cab with you and Aiden."
"Thanks. Aiden can you get in the car? I've just got to speak to your mom for a second."
"Kay," he got in quickly in the front seat.
"Thank you, Meredith, I'm sorry I didn't ask you first."
"It's okay Derek, I'm just glad you care about him so much.'"
"I do, I really do," he sighed, kissing her quickly on the lips. "I'll bring him back as soon as possible, there will probably be a quick team meeting afterward but the proper one will be tomorrow morning. We should get back around, say, 5:30."
"That's great, I'll see you later," she kissed him again. She moved around him and knocked on the door of the car. Aiden opened it quickly. "Hi sweetie, I'll see you later, be good for Derek ok?"
"Yes Mom, I'll be good."
"Good, have fun," she kissed his head and backed away, Aiden slamming the door shut again. Derek jumped in and did his seatbelt and backed out of his spot in a rush to get there on time. He waved to Meredith and sled off towards the rink. It wasn't actually that far but AV liked people to be early and he was pushing it slightly, but he just couldn't say no to the boy sat next to him when he begged for another round.
He parked his car expertly, threw open the back door and lugged his kit out. Aiden had already got out seeing that he was in a rush and ran with him to the centre. Derek got changed quickly, Aiden inspecting the lockers around him.
"Let's go bud," he called once he was ready, "You can go and sit in the stands for a bit, I'll come and find you when there's a break, I'll see if you can do something, like collect the pucks, I don't think that AV will want you joining to training session," he laughed.
"Kay, I wanna watch anyway, I wanna see what professionals do!"
"Well that's good then, I'll see you in a bit," he said, hugged him quickly, and found the rest of his teammates getting ready to go onto the ice. Sure enough, Aiden wasn't allowed into the practice. He was way too small, and Derek didn't want him to get crushed anyway, but he was asked to collect the pucks, good thing he had left his skates in his car! Derek only hoped that he hadn't been bored this entire time, especially when he had to listen to AV talk for nearly half an hour.
They got back in the car and headed home, Derek was aching a bit but that was normal, it wore off by the time he got home, or wherever he was staying.
"That was awesome!" Aiden said gleefully.
"Really? You liked that?"
"Yeah, the training was cool to watch, cuz you all knew what everyone was going to do, and I got to touch pucks that Flyers players have touched! And the team talk was cool too, you all listened to the coach so much, it was like you absorbed what he said," he explained. It amazed Derek that Aiden could be so perceptive, but he had Meredith as a mother after all!
"I'm glad you had a good time bud," he smiled.
"Can you stay for dinner tonight?"
"If you're mom says so then I would love to, but if she's tired from work you can't force it ok bud?"
"Ok, but she'll say yes, I know she will."
Derek smiled again; he knew she'd say yes too. Sure enough, Meredith was glad to have Derek stay, though Derek insisted on cooking for them. But she had said over the phone that if he wanted that to happen then he would have to shop for the ingredients. He laughed, unperturbed and turned to Aiden, "Mind if we stop and get some groceries?"
"Nope, as long as you make something good."
"What do you want?"
"Uhhhh, chicken, rice and cheese sauce, Uncle George makes it really well but Mom can't do it."
"I can handle cheese sauce," Derek laughed.
"Good, let's go," he hopped out of the car.
They went in search of everything they needed, Derek had to keep stop Aiden from picking up anything he saw that had crazy amounts of sugar in it, Meredith already knew about his health nut attitude, but Aiden had yet to really see it properly. They finally reached the checkout, and Aiden packed everything into the bags after the lady had scanned it through, as per Derek's instructions.
"That's a lovely little boy you've got there," the lady smiled.
"Yeah, he's amazing, most amazing little guy in the world."
"All fathers say that," the lady laughed, "you can tell he looks up to you and loves you."
"Oh," Derek breathed, "Thank, thank you." He thought it was better than to correct her, but clearly people thought he was Aiden's dad, and that Aiden loved him. It didn't especially surprise him, but hearing someone else say it, it made him realise that he loved Aiden too, it went both ways. He grabbed the bags and took Aiden's hand as he skipped out of the supermarket, apparently still full of energy, and Derek loved every second of it.
xxxxx
They got back to Meredith's place, where she welcomed them in and kissed Derek quickly when Aiden wasn't looking. He grinned and held up the bags, "I have food. Choices courtesy of Aiden, want to help bud?"
"Yeah! I'll help."
"Wow, I'm impressed," Meredith said, "you got him to help with cooking, that never happens."
"Well, apparently, there isn't a role model chef in the house, maybe he just appreciates good cooking," he smirked, bringing Meredith closer to him when Aiden left to wash his hands. Meredith slapped him lightly on the bicep, "Careful Derek Shepherd, I could hurt you."
"I don't doubt it," he whispered in her ear, "could be fun", he teased.
"Derek Christopher Shepherd!" She admonished, "you kiss your mother with that mouth?"
"Of course not, just you," he replied, kissing her softly again. She breathed contentedly and melted into his arms like she did every time, he smiled against her lips. "I better get cooking."
"Mmm. You should, I have to take a shower."
"Go shower," he said, released her from his grasp and went to sort out dinner and make sure Aiden hadn't already made a mess.
xxxxx
Dinner was quick and easy to make and was eaten familiarly in the dining room and then the group of three moved to the living room. Aiden sat in front of the TV, deciding what film to put on, and Derek put his arm around Meredith's shoulder, pulling her close, her head on his shoulder. Aiden made a choice and snuggled comfortably with the two adults. They watched the film quietly, completely content. Aiden fell asleep quickly and was warm in Derek's embrace. Meredith had gone to change, so he decided to put Aiden to bed. He lifted him up, and took him quietly up to bed, he laid him down, tucking him in to the Flyers sheets he had insisted on having. Derek ran a hand over his head and muttered, "I love you Aiden,' and kissed his forehead.
He was surprised when he heard a sleepy reply, "I love you too Derek."
Derek wouldn't have believed his ears if he hadn't seen the boy's lips move. He kissed Aiden again and backed slowly out of the room, a small smile on his face.
He was about to walk back down the stairs when he saw Meredith appear from her room, "What are you smiling about?" she asked.
"I was putting Aiden to bed, and I thought he was asleep, I told him I loved him, and he said it back. He said it back Mer!"
Meredith had a mix of shock and love on her face and he didn't know which one would overpower her.
"You love him Der?"
"Yeah, yeah I do. I only realised it today but yeah, I love Aiden," he grinned.
"And he loves you?" She asked, still disbelievingly.
"Yeah, he said it more in sleep, but he said it."
"Oh my god Derek," she cracked a smile, then leapt towards him and brought him into a passionate kiss. When they broke apart, they both had tears in their eyes. "Wow Derek," she uttered.
"Wow," he said.
"We haven't even gone on one date yet and my son already loves you," she laughed slightly.
"Well, I'm someone you need to get to know to love," he chuckled.
"So if I know you I'll love you?"
"Oh yes," he grinned.
"Lame Derek," she giggled.
"Your son fell under my spell, why can't you?" Before she could retaliate, he brought her in for another searing kiss, leaving her breathless.
"I should probably go," he said regretfully, "there's a team meeting early tomorrow morning and I need to be there."
"Okay," she sighed, "we'll be watching the game."
"I know, Aiden wouldn't miss it," Derek chuckled.
"Hey! I wouldn't either, I'm dating you now remember, I'm going to watch your games."
"Thank you Mer," he smiled appreciatively, "it means a lot that you want to watch."
"Of course I'll watch, I'll cheer you on!"
"Good," he kissed her one last time, "I really should go now."
"I know. I'll be ready for our date on Tuesday."
"I'll send you the details later," he smirked.
"I'll see you later Mer."
"Bye Der."
He went downstairs and let himself out of the front door, today was a good day!
A/N: So Derek loves Aiden, and Aiden loves him. We'll see how Meredith and Derek's date goes! :)