Meredith sighed as she set her hot chocolate on the table in front of her, cuddling into Derek's arms the next night. They had gotten home from church about an hour ago, another first for Meredith, and the rest of the house had retired early, preparing for the early rise they would have to face the next morning. Derek and Meredith, however, had opted to stay downstairs to enjoy the crackling of the fire and the sparkling lights of the Christmas tree a little longer.
"So what do you think of Christmas so far?" Derek murmured into her hair.
She sighed happily as she wrapped her arms tighter around him. "Not too bad," she murmured back.
Derek sighed happily as he ran his hands lazily through her hair, trying to imagine if there was anything in the world that was better than this very moment. For the life of him, he couldn't think of anything. This was perfection.
Meredith shifted closer, practically sitting in his lap by this point as she tightened his arms around her. He knew she was enjoying herself so far, and he couldn't believe the overwhelming love he felt for the tiny woman in his arms. As he felt her chest rise softly against his, he knew this was the most amazing moment of his life.
They stayed silent for a long time, cuddled together as they watched the fire burn down to ashes. Neither wanted to say anything for fear of ruining, the perfect moment, and they were both content to sit together.
After several long moments, Derek pulled back and looked at Meredith smiling softly as he brushed some hair behind her ears. "I want to show you something," he said softly. "Come here."
Meredith frowned as he tugged her to her feet and led her to the Christmas tree. "What are you doing?" she asked.
"I want to show you this," he said, moving to sit on the ground next to the tree and pulling her down with him.
Meredith sat down hesitantly, but he smiled encouragingly at her as he lay down under the tree. "Come here," he repeated. "It's one of my favorite parts of Christmas."
Meredith followed him, a smile immediately gracing her lips as she stared at the lights and the ornaments twinkling through the branches of the tree. It was almost magical to see the way the light played with the branches of the tree, and she was quickly convinced of why this was Derek's favorite parts of Christmas.
"Oh, Der," she breathed. "This is...amazing."
"Hmmm," Derek breathed, turning to look at the wonderment on her face. "It's beautiful."
Meredith could feel his eyes on her, and she turned to look at him with a smile on her face. "You're not looking at the tree," she said with a laugh in her voice.
"I know," Derek said, reaching down to thread his fingers through hers. "And you're beautiful."
She smiled softly as she shifted closer to him. "I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too," Derek replied, wrapping an arm around her.
"And I...I think I'm starting to like Christmas," she whispered.
"I'm glad. I knew you would."
They laid together under the tree for a few more minutes before Derek pressed a kiss to her forehead and whispered, "We should go upstairs soon. We'll get up early."
"How early is early?" Meredith murmured as he stood and helped her to her feet.
"Ummm...five?" Derek suggested.
"Five?" Meredith repeated. "Maybe I don't like Christmas that much."
"Yes you do," Derek rolled his eyes. "It won't be that bad."
She sighed as the started up the steps, her head falling to his shoulder. "I guess," she sighed.
Derek laughed quietly as the entered his room. "It'll be good, Mer," he promised.
"I know," she sighed as she pulled one of his T-shirts over her head and slid into a pair of his boxers. "I'm just not used to that."
They both slid into bed, and Derek didn't waste any time in pulling her close to him. "I love you, Mer," he whispered. "I'm so glad you're here."
"Me too," she nodded against his chest. "Der?"
"Hmm?"
"In case I forget to tell you tomorrow...this was the best Christmas ever."
He tightened his arms around her. "I'm glad, Mer," he replied. "I'll eventually help you to love Christmas."
Her soft breaths told him that she had drifted off to sleep, and he sighed happily as he closed his eyes as well and began to drift into sleep himself. This was definitely coming close to topping the list of his favorite Christmases ever.
XXXX
"Der. Derek. Wake up."
A voice was invading his amazing sleep, and he didn't want to listen to it. "Mmmm...go 'way," he mumbled, pulling Meredith closer and burying his face in her hair.
"Derek. Christmas. It's Christmas."
At that word, his eyes flew open and he could make out Liz's excited form leaning over his bed. "Christmas," he stated.
"Yes," she replied impatiently. "Everyone's already downstairs. Including Mark. So get your lazy girlfriend up so we can have Christmas."
"Mer," Derek whispered, brushing his lips against her temple. "Wake up."
She groaned and tightened her arms around him, but didn't wake up.
"Mer," he laughed, trying to untangle her arms from around him. "Come on, there are presents."
She sighed as he pulled away from her and moved to stand beside his sister. "It's cold," she frowned. "Come back."
He laughed as he leaned down to kiss her pouting lips. "Merry Christmas, Mer."
Her eyes remained foggy for a moment before she smiled and squeezed his hand. "Merry Christmas."
"Come on," Derek said, pulling her to her feet. "Presents."
"Presents," Meredith nodded. "Right."
"It'll be fun, Mer," Liz nodded. "Don't worry."
They reached the bottom of the steps and Meredith gasped as she took in the scene in the living room. The entire family was gathered around the sparkling tree, presents piled beneath it. Coffee and cinnamon buns were steaming from the coffee table, and Meredith couldn't help but smile as Derek dragged her into the room and settled her at his side as he sank onto the floor next to Caitlin.
"Alright," Michael said with a wide smile. "Here we go."
He began handing out presents one by one, watching as the girls squealed over new clothes and books, Derek and Mark in awe over their new tackle boxes. When he finally handed a present to Meredith, she looked at him with wide eyes. "What..." she asked, her voice trailing off as she stared at the flat, long box in her hands.
Michael laughed. "You didn't actually think we were going to give everyone else presents but not you?" he asked. When Meredith stared at him blankly, he shook his head and reached out to pat Derek on the shoulder. "You've got to get some more confidence in this girl, son."
"I know," Derek nodded. "I'm working on it. Open it, Mer."
Meredith fingered the ribbon for a moment before she gently tugged on it and tore the wrapping paper off. This was her first real Christmas present, and she wanted to cherish everything about opening it. As she slowly slid the lid off the top, she gasped as she saw a red and white stocking, with her name stitched into the top. "Oh..."
"Now you have to give it back to us," Emma said with a smile. "I have to fill it and hang it with the other stockings. We open those after breakfast. And we'll keep it here with the rest of the families, but Michael and I thought..."
"It's perfect," Meredith whispered, tears coming to her eyes. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome," Emma smiled. "I made it myself, just like everyone else's."
"Oh," Meredith breathed. "It's beautiful."
Emma smiled as she gently took the stocking and moved to another room as Derek wrapped an arm around her and brushed his lips against her forehead. "I have something for you too," he murmured, sliding the jewelry box into her hands.
"Der," she breathed, opening it to stare at the emerald necklace. "It's beautiful."
"It matches your eyes," he pointed out. "Here, let me help you put it on."
She lifted her hair as he fastened the necklace around her neck and turned her to look at her. "Beautiful," he breathed.
"I um...I have something for you too," she whispered, reaching for a box under the tree. "I hope you like it because it's kind of cheesy and...well, I hope you like it."
Derek laughed as he pulled the wrapping paper off the box. "New cologne. I love it Mer."
"Good," she nodded, leaning into him.
He smiled as he wrapped his arms around her, watching as his mother came back into the room and hung Meredith's full stocking next to his. The two stockings hung perfectly together, and he knew that that was just a representation of how well he and Meredith fit together.
•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•
What's your favorite holiday?
Mine is definitely Christmas!
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