Viewing Single Post From: I DO

Viewing Single Post From: I DO - Part 2
oncetherewasaway	Dec 27 2007, 01:43 PM
McEditor Posts: 1,625 Group: .Grey Girls. Member #23 Joined: October 25, 2006	Disclaimer: The writers are going on strike because they want to see the money from DVD and internet sales. We get that and respect it. We're all for a strike. We even contemplated striking ourselves. Of course that was just for more Paddy. Derek whistled as he headed up the stairs. He had been feeling like whistling since the night before. The night had been completely perfect. He had been desperate to make up with her, desperate to fix the mess they had beenb becoming and then she had sat down beside him and blurted out her own apology. And after that everything had gone entirely perfectly. Their night hadn’t been awkward at all. They had cuddled on the couch while watching some crappy movie, or at least pretending to watch it as they giggled with each other, kissing and touching. It had been incredible. Even when Hannah had come home entirely exhausted and immediately ready for bed, they’re night had just been amazing. And it had ended in two rounds of amazing sex. He had wanted them to make up and get back to being them, but it was ever so much better than what he had expected. The cuddling, the giggling, the kissing, the sex. Most importantly the things she had said. He hadn't been pushing, he had been terrified to ask her for any more. And then she had been telling him that he was it, that she was done, that she was Hannah's mom. It had been amazing. He hadn’t expected her to say any of those things. He thought it would take time, he thought she’d admit to those things months down the line, possibly years. But instead, she had said everything he had been waiting to hear after a fight. He wasn’t sure what had prompted it, he wasn’t even sure why she had felt she needed to say it. He was just incredibly happy she had said any of it. And then they had woken up this morning and still been entirely giggly, even though it had been 5:30 in the morning and he didn't even need to be up. He had woken up anyway when Meredith had pulled out of his arms and he had just wanted to keep her there. So there had been giggling and kissing and he had actually gotten up and made her breakfast. He couldn't believe how good this felt. Now she was at work and he had the day off. He missed her, which sounded incredibly ridiculous. He missed her already, he wanted her home so he could cuddle with her again. Of course, he had the rest of their lives to cuddle with her. They were done. They were it for each other. He had every day of the rest of their lives. Or at least they would. Soon. Which meant he had a tiny little girl to wake up and try to get her to give an inch when it came to Meredith. He got that Hannah was mad, he got that Meredith had hurt her. Except Meredith had tried to apologize and Hannah wasn't will to talk to her. Something had to change. Because he had something much bigger to talk to his daughter about. "Hannah?" he asked quietly, as he opened her door. “Hmmm?” Hannah groaned, burrowing further underneath her blankets. He couldn’t help but grin at the very Meredith-like behavior. "Han...it's time to get up," Derek sighed. “School time?” Hannah mumbled. "Actually...not today," Derek smiled. “No school?” "Not today," Derek grinned. "I have the day off so I was thinking we could take a Daddy and Hannah day." “Really?” Hannah popped out from underneath the blanket, suddenly wide awake. "Really," he laughed. “Are we gonna go fishing?” "Well...we can," he nodded. "If that's what you want." “And ice cream?” "Whatever you want, Hannah Banana." “Can we go ride ponies?” "Well...we can go fishing or we can go to ride the ponies but we won't have time for both." “Why not?” Hannah asked, scrambling out of bed. "Days only have so many hours," he laughed. "And I have some stuff we need to do this afternoon." “What kinda stuff?” "How about you get up and I tell you about it after we get going?" “Okay,” Hannah grinned widely, hugging him tightly. "Someone's happy," he sighed. “We haven’t had a Daddy and Hannah day in ages,” she stressed. "I know we haven't," he nodded. "Sorry." “In ages and ages and ages.” "I know. But we have one today." “And I don’t have to go to school?” she asked, looking up at him. "No school today," he shook his head. "But this isn't a normal thing, it's a special treat because we have some big things to do." “Okay,” she grinned, pulling away and running to her dresser to grab clothes. "I'll be downstairs when you're ready," he smiled. “Okay, Daddy,” she nodded excitedly. "Be quick," Derek laughed softly as he left the room. “Really, really quick!” he heard her call as he made his way downstairs, chuckling to himself. He was hoping that her mood stayed that way. Today was going to be big. It was actually going to be entirely huge and he wasn't sure how she was going to deal with it. Hannah still hadn't forgiven Meredith for missing the ballet practice so he was already a few steps behind where he should be. But Hannah loved Meredith. Hannah adored her and he just needed her to remember that. He would talk to her first. He had planned on Meredith being here for this talk, but it would be easier for her if it was just him and Hannah. Things were going perfectly right now, and he knew this talk with Hannah wasn’t going to be the easiest. And Mer would come home tonight entirely exhausted, so the talk being done would be the easiest for everyone right now. And before Meredith got home, before the last part of their day was an entirely different talk. One that was a lot bigger than he wanted to think of. He hadn't thought they'd be here quite yet, he had been trying to put it off. But since last night and everything that had happened he had felt the urge to do this. It was time. It was right and it was the next logical step. “Ready!” Hannah exclaimed as she ran down the stairs in jeans and a pink sweater. "That was fast," Derek grinned. “I’m really ‘cited,” she grinned widely. “Daddy?” "Yep, Han?" “Can we go get pancakes?” "Pancakes sound like a good idea," he nodded. “But at a restaurant, Daddy,” she nodded. “Not here.” "We can do that," Derek nodded. "The place near the hospital?" “Yeah!” Hannah exclaimed. “That’s my favorite! They have the bestest pancakes!” "I thought I made the bestest pancakes," Derek frowned. “You make the second bestest.” "Well then," he rolled his eyes. "All ready to go?" “Yep,” she nodded, biting her lip as she finished tying her shoes. “Got it, Daddy.” "Good job," Derek grinned. “So we’re gonna get pancakes and sausage, right?” she asked as he helped her with her coat. "We can," he nodded. "And orange juice." “And orange juice,” she nodded seriously. "Good," he nodded. "Come on." “Okay,” she grinned, running out to the car and climbing in as he followed closely behind her, shaking his head in amusement. He wasn’t entirely sure how she managed to have that much energy this early in the morning, but he figured it would be helpful for later. If she kept up the energy. If she stayed in the good mood. If she didn’t, he wasn’t sure how he would handle this. Part of him, a very tiny part, wanted to skip the second part of this talk. He didn't need her permission, he didn't need her to tell him it was okay to do what he was planning. He was the parent and whatever she said didn't have to have any affect on what he was about to do. But she was his daughter. For so long it had been just the two of them and things were changing again. He needed to talk to her. She needed to feel like she had some sort of control over this. She needed to be involved in every step of what was going to happen next. The temper tantrums were just starting to slow down, and he didn’t think he could bear it if they picked back up again. And he was one hundred percent sure Meredith would freak out. So he needed to talk to her. He needed to included her in this. She had to be okay about this before he took any further steps. She would be. His daughter adored Meredith. She was mad right now and maybe a little confused about what had been happened the other night but Hannah loved Meredith. Hannah adored Meredith being around and she was even starting to adapt to Meredith being more than just a friend. It would be fine. “Daddy, I’m not in trouble, right?” Hannah sighed from the back. "Why do you think you're in trouble?" “Cause you’re real quiet and I don’t have to go to school and we haven’t had a Daddy and Hannah day in ages and ages.” "No, Hannah, you're not in trouble," he shook his head. "There is something I need to talk to you about but it's good things we'll talk about over pancakes. But definitely not in trouble." “Okay,” she sighed. “Cause I’ve been really, really good.” "You have been," Derek nodded. “Super good,” she nodded from the backseat. “I didn’t sneaked out of daycare or nothing.” "Hannah, did you sneak out of daycare?" “Nope.” "Are you sure?" “Maybe.” "Hannah..." “Okay,” she sighed dramatically. “But it was a real good reason. I had to go see Uncle Monkey. I had to. Cause he didn’t have a snack or nothing.” "Uncle Monkey didn't have a snack?" “Nope.” "And you need to go see him because...." “To give him a snack.” "Okay," Derek nodded slowly. "Well...you followed all the rules, right?" “Yep,” Hannah nodded. “No going to the busy ER place, no going to see surgeries, no going in sick people’s rooms.” "Good," he nodded. "Than you're not in trouble." “Good,” she grinned. “And it wasn’t for very long. I gave Uncle Monkey a pudding and we talked and then he took me back to daycare.” "That's okay," Derek smiled. “Daddy?” "Yeah?" “What’s vows?” "Vows? Where did you hear that word?" “Uncle Monkey said he’s gotta write vows and he doesn’t know how.” "Oh," Derek grinned. "It's kind of a speech you say at your wedding, to promise the person you're marrying that you'll love them forever." “Oh,” Hannah nodded. “So Uncle Monkey’s gotta tell Addie he’s gonna love her forever and ever?” "Basically," Derek nodded. “Then how’s come he doesn’t know how?” "Because he wants to make sure that he says it the best way. It's words that stay with you forever and ever. They're very big words." “Oh, okay,” Hannah sighed. “Daddy, can I have Mickey Mouse pancakes?” "Of course you can," Derek nodded as they pulled up to the restaurant. “With extra whip cream?” "With extra whip cream." “Cool!” she exclaimed as he helped her out of the car, holding her hand tightly. "But only because it's a special Daddy and Hannah day." “Very special Daddy and Hannah day,” Hannah nodded solemnly, her eyes sparkling. "We should do this more," Derek sighed. “What?” she asked as the waitress led them to their seats. "We should have more Derek and Hannah days." “Lots more,” she nodded seriously. “Cause we haven’t had Daddy and Hannah days in years.” "Years? Really?" “Years.” "That's a really long time." “I know,” she nodded. “Years and years.” "Hannah, you do know you're seven." “Yep,” she grinned as she colored the kid’s menu. "You haven't been alive for years and years." “Yeah I have. Seven years and years.” "Oh okay," Derek laughed. "But we can have more." “Good,” she grinned. “Lots more. We gotta go fishing and take Eskimo for walks and go ride ponies and everything.” "Definitely," Derek nodded. “Just us,” she sighed, picking up a red crayon. "Yep," Derek nodded slowly, fighting the urge to hide under the table. "Sometimes it can be just us. And sometimes we can have Daddy, Hannah and Meredith days." “I don’t wanna have Daddy and Hannah and Meredith days,” she frowned. "You're still pretty mad at Meredith, aren't you?" “Yeah,” Hannah nodded. “I’m real mad. Nana says I can’t be no more. She said I gotta be nice. But Meredith was mean first.” "She was," Derek nodded. "Meredith made a mistake. Did she apologize?" “I guess so,” Hannah sighed. "You have to forgive her, Han." “Why? She didn’t come to my family night and she promised.” "I know she did. And she really feels bad about it. She made a really big mistake and she's sorry." “But she promised. She promised she’d go and she didn’t.” "I know, Han. What she did was wrong and she knows that." “You’re mad too.” "Nope, I'm not. Meredith and I made up last night." “Oh,” Hannah frowned, biting her lip. He assumed this was another habit of Meredith’s his daughter had managed to pick up over the past year or so. “But she’s apposed to be my bestest friend and she didn’t go.” "She made a mistake. Sometimes grown ups make mistakes." “Uncle Monkey came. And Nana came. And Addie even came and she’s not my bestest friend.” "I know. And Meredith feels really really bad. She thinks you hate her now." “She’s the meanest Meredith in the whole world,” Hannah sighed dramatically. "Really? Was she the meanest Meredith last week when she took you out for pizza before dance class?" “Well....no. But now she’s the meanest Meredith in the whole world.” "What about that morning when you cuddled in bed with her?" “No. But now, Daddy.” "She's not. And you know that." “Huh uh.” "Hannah, do you love Meredith?" “Not now cause she’s the meanest Meredith in the whole world.’ "Hannah, she made a mistake. People make mistakes. You can't stop loving them because they make mistakes." “But she promised. You said when I make a promise I gotta keep it.” "You do," he nodded. "And what Meredith did was wrong and you're allowed to be mad. But when someone apologizes and feels really bad you have to forgive them." “But she was mean.” "She was. And she's sorry." “Fine,” Hannah pouted, grabbing her crayon to color again. "Hannah...that didn't sound like a real fine." “Did too.” "It didn't," Derek shook his head. "You have to forgive her, Hannah. You need to let this go." “But she was...” "Mean. I know. She said sorry...you have to accept that." Hannah looked down at her paper for a few seconds, drawing stars across the bottom of the kid’s menu, her tongue sticking out the side of her mouth. He wasn’t sure what else to say to her. She had to learn forgiveness. She had to forgive Mer. Forgiving Mer would make the next part much easier. “Okay,” she whispered. "Okay? Really okay?" he asked gently. “Yeah,” she nodded. “But she can’t be mean ever again. And she’s gotta play with me lots and lots.” "I'm sure she'll be good with that," Derek grinned. “Okay,” she sighed. "Are you going to talk to her when she gets home?" “I guess so.” "She loves you lots, Hannah." “I know, she told me,” Hannah nodded. "She didn't mean to make you mad or hurt your feelings. I can promise you that." “But she did. She made me real sad cause she promised and she missed my big dance all by myself.” "I know," he sighed. "You should talk to her about this." “Maybe,” Hannah shrugged. "It would help you both feel better." “I’ll think about it,” she said, a small smile on her lips. "Good," he nodded. "I like when you two get along." “Me too,” Hannah grinned. “When she’s my bestest friend and not mean Meredith.” "That's good, Han," Derek nodded, taking a deep breath. "She's not going anywhere." “Cause she lives with us,” the seven year old nodded. "Yes but....I love Meredith a lot. You know that." “Yep. You love her lots and lots.” "I do. And I am going to love her forever." “Forever and ever?” "Forever and ever." “Like Uncle Monkey and Addie?” "Exactly like Uncle Monkey and Addie," Derek nodded quickly. “Are you gonna get married?” "Actually...that's what I want to talk to you about." “Bout getting married?” "Yep," Derek nodded. "It's a big decision for our family and I wanted to make sure you're included." “Maybe,” Hannah shrugged. "It would help you both feel better." “I’ll think about it,” she said, a small smile on her lips. "Good," he nodded. "I like when you two get along." “Me too,” Hannah grinned. “When she’s my bestest friend and not mean Meredith.” "That's good, Han," Derek nodded, taking a deep breath. "She's not going anywhere." “Cause she lives with us,” the seven year old nodded. "Yes but....I love Meredith a lot. You know that." “Yep. You love her lots and lots.” "I do. And I am going to love her forever." “Forever and ever?” "Forever and ever." “Like Uncle Monkey and Addie?” "Exactly like Uncle Monkey and Addie," Derek nodded quickly. “Are you gonna get married?” "Actually...that's what I want to talk to you about." “Bout getting married?” "Yep," Derek nodded. "It's a big decision for our family and I wanted to make sure you're included." “You’re gonna get married?” Hannah looked up from her coloring. "I want to. I want to marry Meredith." “Oh,” Hannah sighed, biting her lip. "What do you think of that?" “I...am I gonna be the flower girl like with Uncle Monkey and Addie?” "Well...that's something we'll have to figure out with Meredith." “Okay,” Hannah nodded slowly. "Are you okay with Meredith and me getting married?" “I...when Jenny’s daddy got married, she got a new mommy and her daddy moved away.” "Oh," Derek nodded. "Meredith and I wouldn't go anywhere. It will still be the three of us in the house." “Will...will Meredith be my mommy?” "Well...that's...we have to talk to Meredith about that." “But what if my real mommy ‘cides to come back?” "Oh...that's...if it happens we'll deal with it then. But I don't think she is, Han." “You sure?” Hannah sighed. "I'm sure," he nodded slowly. “So Meredith will be my new mommy?” "Do you want her to be?" “I don’t know,” Hannah whispered. "Maybe." "That is something we can figure out with Meredith." "Okay," Hannah nodded. "But...this is okay?" "Will she still be my bestest friend?" "She'll always be your bestest friend, Han.” "Okay," Hannah nodded. "It's okay." "Really?" He had expected a temper tantrum. Or a fight. Or something other than this. "I think so," she whispered. "It's okay if you're not okay." "You're still gonna love me, right? You're gonna love me the mostest? Cause Jenny's daddy doesn't even see her no more." "Of course I'm still going to love you. You're my Hannah Banana. Nothing is going to change except for Meredith will be my wife instead of my girlfriend," Derek sighed, trying to ignore the way his heart had decided to skip a beat on the word wife. "Okay," Hannah nodded. "Okay?" "Okay." "So...there's something else I need to ask you. I need you to help me do something." "What?" Hannah looked up as the waitress set her plate of Mickey Mouse pancakes in front of her. "You know the really pretty ring Addison has?" "Yeah," Hannah smiled. "She lets me wear it sometimes when I'm real good." "Meredith needs one." "She needs a ring?" "She does. When a guy wants to marry someone he has to give her a ring when he asks." "Why?" "It's...just what people do. It's part of promising forever." "So you gotta find Meredith a really pretty ring?" "We've got to find Meredith a pretty ring." "Me too?" Hannah grinned. "Definitely," Derek smiled. "Me and you are a packaged deal. The ring has to be from both of us." "It's gotta be a really, really, really pretty ring, Daddy." "It does," he agreed. "But not like Addie's. Addie's ring is pretty but Meredith's ring has gotta be lots prettier." "Of course," Derek laughed softly, feeling himself beginning to relax. Hannah really was okay. These are the moments I'll remember all my life I found all I've waited for And I could not ask for more Disclaimer: According to Paddy they only have enough episodes to get us through Christmas. Paddy would know. And we trust Paddy. Which actually means the people that own Grey's Anatomy are really really slow. If we owned it we would be a lot faster. "Is this it? Are we here?" Hannah chirped excitedly from the backseat as Derek parked the car in front of the jewelry store. She had been talking about the ring non stop since breakfast and had absolutely turned down all pony ride offers so that they could go find Meredith the "bestest ring in the whole wide universe". He couldn't help but grin at her excitement. It was the exact opposite of what he had expected. "We're here," he laughed softly as he jumped out of the car to go open her door. He had expected shouts and protests and a lot more of a fight. He was going to ask Meredith to marry him. He was going to ask Meredith to love him forever and be only with him. And Hannah hadn't taken it so well when Mark had asked Addison that. But apparently she was more than okay with Meredith being his wife. He wasn't entirely sure she understood what that meant, how big it actually was. But she was entirely happy with Meredith living with them forever and apparently she maybe wanted Meredith to be her new mommy. He wasn't even sure where the happiness had come from. But apparently, when Hannah forgave a person, she really forgave them. "Remember, Daddy, it's gotta be the prettiest ring ever!" "I know," he nodded, smiling widely at her. "Meredith definitely gets the prettiest ring ever." "Prettier than Addie's," Hannah nodded, taking his hand tightly and pulling him towards the door. "Lots prettier than Addie's." "We'll see what we can find. Meredith's has to be perfect," Derek sighed. "Yep," she grinned as he opened the door for her and she ran in. "Wow." "Slow down, Han," Derek laughed, following close behind her. "You have to stay with me." "Daddy, look at that," she exclaimed, standing on her tip toes to look into a display case, staring at a diamond necklace. "Wow." "Very wow," he nodded. "But we need a ring." "And look at that bracelet!" she shouted, running to a diamond and emerald bracelet. "It's gorgeous. But ring, Han. And you really have to stay with me if you want to help." "Can I get that one, Daddy?" Hannah asked, pointing to a gold locket. "Hannah, that's pretty big for you," Derek sighed. "But it's really pretty," she grinned, staring at it through the glass. "It's really pretty," Derek agreed, looking at it carefully. "Maybe for Christmas this year Meredith and I can get you a locket." "Really?" "Really," he nodded. "If Meredith agrees." "Okay," she grinned widely, staring at the locket a little longer. "But we gotta find Meredith the bestest ring in the universe, Daddy." "We do," he laughed, grabbing her hand. "Come on." She grabbed his hand and led him to a woman behind the counter. "'Scuse me," she smiled. "Well hello," the woman smiled at Hannah. "Me and my daddy gotta find the bestest ring in the universe for Meredith," Hannah stated seriously. "You do?" the woman's smile widened. "Yep," Hannah nodded. "Prettier than Addie's." "Hannah," Derek laughed before smiling at the woman. "We're looking for an engagement ring for my girlfriend." "Cause they're gonna get married," Hannah smiled. "Well that is very exciting," the woman smiled at Hannah before turning to Derek. "I'm sure we can find you that prettiest ring in the universe." "Thanks," Derek grinned as he watched Hannah stand on her tip toes to stare at the rings in the display case. "Do you have any ideas in mind?" the woman asked. "Oh...well, simple," Derek nodded. "Definitely simple." "But really really pretty," Hannah grinned. "But really really pretty," Derek laughed, leaning down to kiss the top of Hannah's head. "We should be able to do that. Is there a price range you're looking in?" "Not especially," Derek shook his head. "Nothing too lavish." "Okay," the woman nodded slowly. "Have you had any discussions with her about what she wants?" "Oh," he winced slightly. This was definitely not a conversation he had ever had with Meredith. She would probably kill him if he even brought it up. Which might be a sign. "Not really, no." "Okay. Well we'll see what we have," the woman nodded, looking down at the display case. "How many stones are you thinking?" "Probably just a solitaire," he nodded. "Like I said, simple." "But pretty. The prettiest," Hannah cut in. "The absolute prettiest," he laughed, pulling Hannah close to him. "Simple and pretty," the woman grinned, pulling out a tray of rings. "We have quite a few solitaires shapes and styles." "Ooo, look at that one, Daddy!" Hannah exclaimed, jumping to try to reach a ring. "Oh that's very pretty," Derek grinned, picking her up and placing her on the counter. "Let me see," Hannah said, taking the ring and putting on her thumb. "I don't know..." "The stone is kind of big for Meredith," Derek nodded. "Yeah, it's not the prettiest," Hannah shook her head, reaching for another ring. "Maybe this one." "I don't think Meredith would like the heart shaped stone," Derek frowned. "Oh it is like a heart!" Hannah giggled, staring at the ring. "Can I have it, Daddy?" "Are you planning on getting married?" "Nope," Hannah shook her head. "Boys have cooties, Daddy." "Well you need a boy to give it to you," Derek pointed out. "How come you can't give it to me?" "Because I'm not marrying you, I'm marrying Meredith." "I know that, Daddy," she rolled her eyes. "And it's an engagement ring. Which means you have to marry the person who gives it to you." "Oh," Hannah nodded. "It's too big anyway." "It is," Derek smiled, taking it back from her and handing it to the sales lady. "That one's kinda pretty," Hannah nodded, taking another ring and slipping it on. "Is it Meredith-y?" Derek asked. "What's that?" Hannah asked, reaching for another ring to put on her ring finger. "I don't really know but Mer calls things Derek-y," Derek shrugged. "I think it means that it's like her." "Oh," Hannah nodded. "I don't like this one, Daddy." "So not that one," Derek grinned to the sales woman. "Not that one," Hannah shook her head. "These aren't the prettiest rings in the universe." "Are there some other ones we can see?" Derek asked the woman. "Oh, yes," the woman nodded, eyeing Hannah carefully. "Sounds hopeful," Derek grinned. "We have these solitaire rings as well," the woman nodded, pulling out another tray. "And then these as well. They have side stones, but they are small and simple." "Solitaire will probably be best," Derek nodded. "She's a surgeon so the ring will be coming off a lot." "Are you sure, they are very pretty and simple?" the woman asked, looking at Hannah as the seven year old put another ring on. "I'll look at them but I think my heart is set on the solitaire," Derek sighed. "She's simple. The only jewelry she wears is a necklace I gave her for Christmas." "Not those, Daddy," Hannah shook her head, looking at the other rings. "Those are like Addie's ring and Meredith's ring has gotta be prettier than Addie's." "So you keep saying," Derek laughed. "We don't like those," Hannah sighed to the saleswoman, reaching for another solitaire ring and slipping it on with the three others she was now wearing. "Okay," the woman nodded. "Please be careful with those, they're very expensive." "I'm always careful," Hannah giggled. "Don't worry," Derek smiled to the woman. "I'm watching her and she's good." "All right," the woman sighed, holding up a ring. "This one is one of our best sellers. A diamond encrusted band, as well as the solitaire diamond setting." "Hmmm..." Derek frowned. "What do you think, Han? Too fancy for Mer?" "Yeah," Hannah nodded, scrunching her nose. "That's a lot of stuff, Daddy." "It is," Derek nodded. "Meredith doesn't like a lot of stuff." "What about this one, Daddy?" Hannah reached for another ring, slipping it onto her right hand, her left hand already filled with diamond rings. "Let me see." "I don't know if I like it," she sighed, holding out her hand. "It's real small." "It is small," Derek nodded. "And we both have to like it." "Do you like it, Daddy?" "I do. But I don't think it's perfect." "And we gotta get Meredith a perfect ring." "Definitely," Derek nodded. "Hmmm," Hannah chewed on her lip, looking over the rings. "Daddy! Look at this one!" "Oh, that one looks amazing," Derek nodded. She reached forward and slipped it on her hand, grinning widely. "It's real pretty, Daddy." "It is," Derek nodded slowly. "And a lot prettier than Addie's." "Let me see it," Derek sighed. "See," Hannah held out her ring-covered hand, the diamonds sparkling in the light. "It's..." Derek breathed, slipping it off her finger and looking at it carefully. "Wow." "One karat princess cut," the woman informed Derek. "Nearly flawless diamond." "It's perfect," Derek nodded, blinking quickly, surprised to feel some tears prick his eyes. "It's the prettiest ring in the whole universe," Hannah grinned widely, scooting closer to Derek to look at the ring. "It's it," Derek whispered. "It's Mer's ring." "Not too small?" the woman asked. "We do have some very similar that are closer to two karats." "No," Derek shook his head. "It's the perfect size. She wouldn't want anything bigger." "Can I hold it again, please?" Hannah asked, holding out her hand for the ring. "Yep, but be really careful," Derek nodded. "Okay," Hannah nodded, taking the ring and looking at it. "Wow." "Wow is right," Derek sighed. "It's it." "It's Meredith's ring," Hannah told the saleswoman. "It seems like it is," the woman nodded. "We'll buy it," Hannah nodded firmly, still looking at the ring. "We will," Derek agreed. "Cause it's the prettiest ring ever, right, Daddy?" "It's the prettiest ring ever," Derek whispered his agreement. "Yep," Hannah nodded, taking off the other rings. "We don't like these rings." "Be careful giving them back," Derek sighed. "I'm careful, Daddy," she nodded, handing them back to the lady as Derek took the ring back from her, staring at it. It really was the perfect ring. He had never fully expected he'd be buying an engagement ring for someone, not since Hannah had been born. But here he was, buying his Meredith a ring. A perfect ring. He cleared his throat as he felt tears prick the corner of his eyes. He wasn't going to cry in the store. He'd look like some kind of wimp that he didn't want to even dream of being, and Hannah definitely wouldn't understand why holding a tiny ring would make him cry. He had to hold it in and try to think of something else. Something that wasn't as big as a ring that was going to change his life. It was too big and too perfect to actually contemplate. He paid for it as quickly as possible and dragged his seven year old out of the store after she begged for almost every piece of jewelry in the place, his mind still racing. He had a ring. He had an engagement ring for his entirely perfect girlfriend, for the woman he wanted to grow old with. It was big. It was huge. And he couldn't believe it was actually happening. Or eventually happening. He didn't actually have a plan as to when he was going to do this, or how. It had just kind of occurred to him when she had been giggling earlier, giggling and saying over and over again how much she loves him. And that bit about being done. She wanted this, she was finally willing to admit to herself she wanted this. And he had needed to buy a ring. But he didn't actually have a plan. He knew tonight would be too soon. She would freak out. Completely and entirely freak out and quite possibly say no. He had no idea how or when to do this, only that one day he would. Only that one day, she would be his fiancée, and then his wife. "Daddy?" Hannah asked from the backseat. "Yeah?" "Is Meredith at work?" "She is," he nodded. "Can we go give her her ring right now?" "Oh...." Derek laughed. "No, we can't do it right now." "Why not?" "Well, asking someone to marry you is a really big deal and you can't just walk in while they're working and ask. It has to be special." "Oh," Hannah nodded slowly. "Are you gonna give her her ring when she gets home?" "Nope, I have to think of something really special." "I'll think too," Hannah nodded. "Okay," Derek nodded slowly. "But I want to ask her by myself, okay?" "Okay," Hannah sighed after a second. "But you gotta tell her I helped, okay?" "Of course I will," Derek grinned. "And we will all go out to celebrate if she says yes." "For ice cream?" "Ice cream works," he nodded. "Cool," Hannah grinned. "Very cool," Derek smiled. When he finally figured out how to propose he'd celebrate with his daughter and ice cream. It would be weird, it would be non-traditional and for them it would be entirely perfect. He just needed to come up with the plan to actually ask her. It couldn't be too fancy, it couldn't be too elaborate but it had to be perfect. He wasn't entirely sure he wanted it to be a moment alone at the house, with Hannah at his mom's or something. She would probably like it. It was simple. But he wasn't sure it was how he wanted to do it. Of course, he was half expecting her to say no so doing it in private might actually be much less humiliating. But he had time to figure this out. He had a few weeks, at least. And while he was waiting he needed to figure out where to keep the ring. Because Meredith liked wearing his clothes a little too much and had a bad habit of going through his drawers. Well adorable habit except for that he needed to hide something. He needed to keep it somewhere safe. He could leave it at his mom's, or Mark's, or somewhere else. But he wanted it at home. The kitchen was an option. She was too terrified to actually cook, or he had banned her from it. But there would probably be some night she was watching Han and needed to cook macaroni and cheese or something. And she would find it. So the kitchen was out. His office was another option, though she had taken to studying in there when she needed quiet time. He needed somewhere she definitely wouldn't be poking around. He needed something so she wouldn't know. He had weeks to kill, maybe months before he actually decided to ask her the big life changing question. So he needed somewhere good, that he could leave it for ages and she'd never find it. "Hannah...I need your help again." "Yeah?" Hannah grinned. "I need to hide Meredith's ring somewhere." "How come?" she frowned. "Because I'm not asking her right away and she can't know I have it. It has to be adorable." "When are you gonna ask her?" "I don't know," he sighed. "But it's her ring, Daddy," Hannah sighed. "You gotta give it to her." "I do," Derek laughed. "And I will. But it's like a gift...you have to give it at the right time and it has to be a surprise till then." "Oh," Hannah nodded slowly. "I know where you can hide it, Daddy!" "You do?" "Yep." "Where?" "I can't tell you." "Hannah, you have to tell me," he laughed. "If you don't tell me, how am I supposed to hide it?" "I'll hide it," she giggled. "But I need to know where it is," he sighed. "But it's my secret hiding spot." "You have a secret hiding spot?" "Yep." "But what if I need it and you're at school?" "Then you gotta wait til I get home." "But it's...I need to know where it is." "Okay," she groaned. "But you can't get mad when you go get it and you find other stuff, okay?" "Okay," he nodded seriously. "In my seat by my window," Hannah grinned widely. "Under my stuffed animals." "Hannah, that is an excellent hiding spot." "I know," she giggled. "So we can hide the ring there," he nodded. That was good. He had a hiding spot now, that was really good. Meredith would never look there. She wasn't big on the cleaning thing and when she did do it she did it fast. Which meant she would just throw more toys on top and not take any out. She would have no idea it was there and he could leave it there for however long he had to. He supposed he should be worrying about what exactly his daughter was hiding in this ultra secret hiding spot, but right now, he was more happy with the fact that he had a ring for his girlfriend. And a hiding spot for the ring until he felt she was more ready for this. It was going to be amazing, once he figured it out. Once he figured out how to propose to her, weeks from now. Or months. There would be no way that Meredith would find out about his plan, or however long it took to actually work up the courage. Because she would say yes, he knew she would say yes, he just wasn't sure if she would say it quite yet. So he needed time to figure this out. And he needed to make sure she had no idea what was going on in the mean time. Hiding was key. He would just act entirely normal around her. He wasn't going to drop any hints, not any obvious ones anyway. He was going to carry on like normal until the time was right. Until he could get the ring and get down on one knee and ask her to marry him. If he even got down on one knee. He wasn't sure she was the type of girl to appreciate that. Which is why he had to keep this from her until he figured it out. It would be easy. Completely totally easy. He just needed to make sure that he didn't say anything that might lead to the kind of conversation where something might slip. And make sure Hannah didn't say anything. Hannah, his very chatty seven year old who had the best intentions of keeping things secret and usually failed miserably. Crap. "Hannah?" "Yeah, Daddy?" "I need another favour." "Another one?" she giggled. "Another one," he laughed. "And this is a really big one." "Okay." "You can't tell Meredith." "About what?" "About the ring. Or me asking her to marry me." "What if she asks?" "She won't. And if she does...you just...you have to keep it a secret." "But that's lying, Daddy." "It's a surprise, Hannah. A good one." "But what if she asks?" "You can't tell her." "So I gotta lie?" Hannah frowned. "It's not lying, Han. It's...a secret. It's...stretching the truth." "Nana says that's lying." "It is...technically. But…this is a good lie. It's so Meredith will be surprised." "Like at Christmas?" "Exactly." "Oh," Hannah said slowly. "Okay. I won't tell." "Good," Derek nodded. "And really...you really really can't tell." "I won't." "We need to pinky swear when we get home. And you need to cross your heart and hope to die." "Okay," Hannah nodded. "Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye." "Thank you," he nodded. "This has to be really really secret." "I know, Daddy," she nodded. "Biggest secret ever. I won't tell. That's why I crossed my heart and hoped to die." "Okay," he smiled. "It's our secret for life or longer, right?" "For life or longer," she giggled. "Good," he nodded. "I won't tell no one," she promised. "It's a Daddy and Hannah secret." "It is," he grinned. "A really...amazing secret." Made my decision that it's you all right And when I take your hand I'll watch my heart set sail


I DO - Part 2 · GA FAN FICS