Acts of Love

Chapter 20: The Bathtub

The warm water was soft with soap bubbles. Derek shook the wet black curls out of his face. His wet shoulders and arms gleamed in the beautiful light of over twenty pillar candles, all burning at different heights on the uneven shelving between the old-fashioned claw-footed bathtub and the wall. Meredith sat deep in the tub, with her back against his chest breathing in the flowery air. She rolled her head against his shoulder to smile up at him.

"You're going to smell like flowers," she commented idly to her lover in her soft musical voice, as she mounded soap bubbles in front of her. Her dark honey hair was piled to the back of her head with long tendrils escaping to curl in the hot humidity against her face and throat.

"Mm, yeah I am," he languidly kissed the line of her glowing alabaster shoulder all the way up her steamy neck to her ear lobe. He teased it erotically with his tongue. Hot shivers danced over her sensitive skin. Meredith loved Derek in this intense lover mode. She knew he was focused solely on her and nothing else. It made her feel loved and very, very feminine to have all his hot masculine attention. She moaned softly as he nibbled her ears and swirled his velvet tongue in the whorls of her ears.

Derek lathered her breasts, cupping them in his hands, lifting their weight and gently squeezing. He lightly rubbed his thumbs over her dark pink nipples. His view over her shoulder was breathtaking. Meredith covered his hands with her own, arching into them. He hugged her to him, loving the feel of her slick soapy back against his chest and her soft sexy breasts under his hands. He smiled as her nipples played peekaboo with him through the suds.

He surrounded her, his shoulders and chest dwarfing hers. He'd been weight lifting and his muscles were heavy and well defined. Derek's arms were also cut with muscle. He wrapped one arm up across her chest, holding her at the best angle to nuzzle her neck. The other dropped and he caressed her tummy, playing with her belly ring and tickling his fingers into her dark feminine vee, finding her most sensitive spot.

His legs were long and hard surrounding hers. She rubbed her foot up and down his hair roughened leg stimulating her sensitive arch and tickling her toes. She held his arm across her chest with both hands and tilted her head to give him better access to her neck. The feel of his muscular body enveloping hers from her face to her feet was a powerful aphrodisiac. Meredith's eyes closed as she gave into temptation and let Derek support her full weight. She was engulfed in rising sensation.

Her thighs parted and she rested her knees against the sides of the tub, open to his touch. Derek slid one hand fully into her feminine notch while catching her panting mouth in a hot, luscious kiss. Derek stroked slowly and surely between her thighs with seductive fingers. Her upper body twisted back so she could plunge her tongue more deeply against his. Her mouth tasted so hot and sweet, he couldn't get enough. He drove his tongue into the hot honey of her mouth over and over revving both of them to a breathless fever pitch. His fingers stroked in time with his tongue. Finally, Meredith reluctantly turned her head away to catch her breath. And then lost it again, caught between two points of ecstasy as he caressed her turgid nipple and clitoris with the same motion, arms wrapped around her, mouth pressed to her temple.

Derek kissed her soft cheek and then dipped his head to kiss up the side of her neck, pausing to blow hot kisses into her sweet ear and then nibble his way around it's rim. Meredith shivered and moaned deep in her throat, caught midway between heat and ticklish giggles. His belly tightened and rippled in anticipation at the sound. She pressed her head back and writhed against him, panting. His body was hard and ready, throbbing with need.

"Meredith... mm... Mer...," he switched to nibble and kiss her other ear, again sending hot chills through her system, "I want to make love to you here, now."

"Mm yes, make love to me, Derek," Meredith was already lost in a wonderland of sensation. She trailed her fingernails up and down his thighs adding more fuel to his hot inner fire.

"You're going to have to raise up pretty girl, so I can use a condom." His voice was lower than it's normal timbre, almost harsh with need. He helped lift her up.

"Okay," Meredith knelt on her knees gripping the rolled edge of the deep tub. Derek put on a condom and handed Meredith a folded towel to cushion the edge. He knelt behind her and gripped her small hips, pulling her back as he pushed forward. His velvet tip just entered her exquisite heat. He paused, erotically tormenting them both.

"Derek! Please!" Meredith rocked back against him almost wailing his name in need. Her hands clutched and kneaded the edge. It was slightly awkward at first finding the best position, but since both were trembling with desire they managed. Derek moved very gently back and forth easing his way in through her tight muscles. He groaned with pleasure when he was finally sheathed to the hilt. He paused again, savoring the wet, hot, tight feel of her. Meredith cried his name impatiently again. He answered her by slowly stroking in and out of her, deep and hard. The sensations rocketing through his body made him sweat and clench with heat. Water sloshed around their thighs, but the tub was so deep it didn't matter. It just added another layer to the depth of their mutual pleasure.

Meredith was supported by Derek's hands on her hips, framing her and holding her steady for his hard body. Her union with Derek made her feel happy and bubbly and light. Feelings that weren't easily there for her in the past. He filled her and rocked back and filled her again in a slow, steady rhythm. Her world, not just her body was filled with him. Meredith's body felt racked with pleasure, yet her peak was elusive. He kept her balanced just below the summit simmering in ecstatic joy. She gave soft cries with his every thrust. She needed more.

Please, more. Derek!

He let his own pleasure stretch out until he expanded out of body. He felt at one with universal energies that danced behind his eyelids in joyous colors. The hair stood up on his arms and legs and the nape of his neck. And he could not possibly be harder or thicker than he was at this moment. He knew he had to stop and switch positions for her, but just this once, it was tough to be a gentleman. He indulged himself for another minute by rhythmically stroking her internally, while he caressed his hands over her beautiful candlelit body from her shoulders to her hips and back again. His palms soothed down her sides and then around her belly and up over her breasts, glorying in her smooth feminine softness, his hips never faltering his fervid rhythm.

"Derek...," Meredith gasped in ecstatic pleading.

"Okay, baby, easy now, easy." He slowed and then eased out of her trembling body over her moaned protests. Both of them were almost desperate for their physical culmination. He stepped out of the tub onto thick cotton mats and towels. His body shuddered with need. Meredith couldn't stand or climb out. She hugged her shivering hot body and rocked back and forth on her knees. "Come on, sweet girl," Derek lifted his lover out of the tub and onto the mats.

She collapsed bonelessly onto the floor and held her arms up to him, silently pleading. Her lips were stung raspberry red and her cheeks flushed deep pink. Her eyes were mysterious, liquid pools of blue-green flecked with a true green. Her body was wet and steamy warm from the bath and his attentions. He followed her down, covering her and uniting them again as her arms amorously wrapped around his back and head. She hungrily kissed him aching for more, more, more of him. He spread his knees a little and raised up on his elbows to give himself purchase to plunge hotly, over and over into her tight depths. He angled up her body so that she had friction and pressure exactly where she needed them for maximum pleasure.

Meredith skyrocketed with delight. She fisted her hands into his mane of silky wet curls holding him close. She couldn't imagine ever letting him go again. The hard strength of his body and the width of his shoulders dominated her. She cradled him with her utterly receptive body, cherishing him.

"I love you, Derek," she whispered into his mouth as he kissed her again, "I love you." She needed to say the words. She was overwhelmed with love for him. Tears leaked out of the corners of her eyes. The words mattered.

"Meredith, I love you too, sweet girl," Derek whispered back to her, kissing her perfumed throat and tasting salt tears. He licked the tears from her skin and gently kissed her eyes. At his words she tipped over into erogenous release. Her body clamped down on his as every muscle tensed in ecstasy. That was it for Derek. His liquid fire poured into her as he covered her mouth with his, muffling her scream. His body convulsed and was spent. Meredith gradually relaxed and slipped into limp unconsciousness.

Time stood still again for them. Meredith wasn't sure if she'd fainted or slept. Either way she felt completely crumpled into the floor. His weight, so sweet during their lovemaking, had grown too much and was crushing her even though he was lying partially off of her.

"Derek," she whispered against his jaw, kissing him gently, "Derek."

"Hm mm?" he semi-answered her. He linked his fingers with hers and cuddled closer. She never would have guessed he was a cuddler and a snuggler when she first met him.

"You're too heavy, Derek. You have to move," she tapped his shoulder.

"No...," he groaned, even as he rolled off her, "don't wanna."

"Baby," she teased lightly, after taking a deep breath into her squashed chest, "little whiner boy."

"You're full of sass for someone who just fainted from my sexual prowess," he bragged, still halfway out of it.

"I didn't faint, I was resting my eyes. Besides, you weren't the only one involved in our lovemaking as I recall, Mister," she proclaimed haughtily. He thought she did a very good job of it, especially for someone lying naked on the bathroom floor.

He turned on his side and propped his head on his hand and bent elbow, "Admit it," he taunted her sexily, "you love me and think I'm great." He tickled her gently in a mock threat. He wouldn't let her squirm away from him.

"No, you're arrogant and you like to brag... aah! Derek!" he tickled her for real in punishment.

"You know what to do. Adore me, go ahead!" he grinned at her, teasing her, silly with love.

"Okay, okay, you're great, fabulous, fantastic," he kissed her sweet face after every word she added, so she kept looking for more, "wonderful, remarkable, sensational, far out," she laughed softly, encouraging him, "you're overwhelming, stupendous, superb, mm, kingly, top dog, mm, megawatt, over the top, mm, out of sight, terrific, mm..." she lost her thoughts as his kisses found their way to her mouth. Derek leisurely showed her how much he adored her with every perfect, loving kiss.

"I love you, my beautiful girl." Derek sat up and pulled her into his lap hugging his precious love to him. He was overwhelmed now with heartfelt gratitude for his second chance with her.

"Derek, I do adore you," Meredith said with her heart in her eyes, all teasing set aside as she hugged him back. She realized that she was truly happy. When she was with him everything was worth it.

ooo

Derek and Meredith shared the couch in front of the television. He'd thrown on a pair of soft, comfortable sweat pants and a dark blue short-sleeved thermal cotton Henley. Meredith curled contentedly against her lover in soft stretch work-out capris and a dark green thermal shirt similar to his. The house was chilly so they snuggled together under a beautiful old log cabin quilt, hand stitched by Meredith's great grandmother. They watched a DVD of a romantic comedy called "Something New" which actually was both romantic and funny, a rarity.

Derek cuddled his girl close and rested his face against her soft, flower scented hair. He felt completely sated, body, heart and spirit. The last time they'd made love was days ago in his trailer when they'd been interrupted by his family. Meredith had been a little embarrassed and gun shy since then. Derek actually had to persuade her into the tub tonight when usually she was as eager as he. His family flew out tomorrow and part of her wanted to wait until they were gone from Seattle before she chanced making love to him again. She seemed to think his mom and sisters would know if she did anything with Derek and burst in on them again. Like his mom had x-ray vision or something... come to think of it, his mom did have x-ray vision or something. When he was a kid he never got away with anything.

He'd spent the day with the girls. They'd actually had a great time touring and shopping in Seattle. They appreciated the museum of local native art and culture and the modern music culture on the streets. Most of all they got to spend time with him. Something he had refused them petulantly, he admitted now, for a year. He was special to all of them, youngest, and the only boy in a bevy of girls. Plus he was the spitting image of their beloved father. Derek was their link to their dad. He left them at their hotel in time to pick Meredith up at the hospital when her shift ended at five.

Stevens and O'Malley were in the kitchen sharing a pizza. They'd finished later than Mer. Meredith and Derek could hear them softly wrangling over their day. The sound didn't bother them. It had become the sound of home.

Meredith started when the phone rang. She was surprised again when it was Mr. Sandage calling to request permission to stop by for an hour with Derek's mom and Siobhan and Claire. She hesitated, looking at Derek.

"Let me let you talk directly to Derek, Mr. Sandage," she said.

"My dear, we don't want to visit Derek, although he is welcome to join us, we want to visit you," Mr. Sandage said calmly.

"Well...," Meredith had no idea what to say.

"Please don't worry, Dr. Grey, it will be fine, I promise," Mr. Sandage assured her.

"Okay... I guess, it's okay," she finally consented, and then she nearly panicked when he said they'd be there in fifteen minutes. How was she supposed to change and put makeup on in fifteen minutes? Plus she had to clean the house. Her house mates had probably made a mess in the kitchen. Derek's mother already had such a poor opinion of her, Meredith didn't want to compound it with a messy house. She ran into the kitchen to order Izzie and George to clean up. Both of them looked around the immaculate kitchen and then stared at her in surprise.

"Uh, Mer, did you hit your head or something?" asked George.

"What's up, Mer?" Izzie asked.

"Derek's mother and Siobhan and Claire will be here in fifteen, no fourteen minutes! Help me clean the house! I look terrible. Why do I always look terrible in front of her!" Meredith wailed to them and wrung her hands, "I'm going upstairs to change!" She whirled around and banged into a solid embrace.

"No, pretty girl, you're not going anywhere. Come back to the couch with me. I missed you when you jumped away like that," Derek spoke softly to her.

"Derek, I have to...," Meredith tried to explain.

"No, Meredith. You're beautiful always. No matter what. Come here with me," he drew her back to their nest on the couch, leaving Izzie and George to clear away the remains of their dinner.

"Derek...," she tugged against his grip.

"Meredith, sit down," He pulled her down next to him again and spread the quilt over them.

"I have a few pet names for you. Have you noticed?" he continued when she shyly nodded, "I call you my pretty girl and my beautiful girl because that is exactly what you are and you don't know it. You think Addison is beautiful and perfect and you're not. Your low self-image in this area doesn't let you see the truth about your delicate, refined beauty."

Derek took a deep breath and hugged her close, "I don't think you've been praised enough in your life. It seems like someone was always there to criticize you rather than compliment you. You are my faerie queen when you dress in couture gowns and dance along the floor so lightly when you walk. You are my sweet girl when I'm overwhelmed with happiness that I'm with you. You understand and acknowledge the dark side of your character all the time, but you can barely see how sweet and loving and gentle you are. The light side of your being is worth recognizing, Meredith. It is partially why you became a doctor."

"So, no, Meredith, I won't let you panic like this. You are absolutely beautiful, just as you are. You don't need to change one thing! Not for my mother, not for me. Not one, I mean it." his face had grown stern, and his dark blue eyes had deepened to indigo with intensity.

"Derek, I...," Meredith's heart was melting. He held her under his protective arm again and smiled into her lovely sea green eyes.

"Meredith," Izzie said softly from the armchair she'd chosen after wiping down the kitchen table, "You should look in the mirror sometime. Alex is right. You have beautiful genie eyes that don't need enhancement. Your complexion is like fine porcelain. You have a cute, delicate figure. You can wear whatever you want. And right now, after you've been with Derek, you are glowing with happiness, which has to be the best beautifier ever."

"Can you tell? Can you tell that Derek and I...," horrified, Meredith forgot everything else they'd said to her when she thought Mrs. Shepherd could tell she'd made love to Derek again.

"Sh, sweetie, she means when you and I have obviously spent time together here on the couch," he glared significantly at Izzie.

"Of course that's what I meant, silly," she affirmed smiling. "Besides, Siobhan and Claire were nice and I think they like you. So don't worry, okay?" she went to answer the door when the bell rang.

Derek held Meredith still beside him until the people at the door saw them nestled comfortably together. Then he stood and greeted everyone. Meredith jumped to her feet and clasped her hands together, uncertain what to do. Drinks! Maybe she could waste fifteen minutes getting the drinks! Izzie offered that hospitality before she could open her mouth.

"Please, everyone, be seated," she waved a hand at the furniture. Maybe she'd breath easier if she sat. Then she was mortified that Derek took their jackets when she forgot.

Mr. Sandage smiled reassuringly at her. He could tell she was on tenterhooks. So he decided to gently ease the conversational door open while Izzie served drinks.

"Dr. Grey, Mrs. Shepherd specifically wanted me to bring her to see you one last time before she leaves. The girls thought it was a good idea too." Siobhan and Claire, both in their forties, grinned at being called girls by a man old enough to mean it.

Maeve looked around Meredith's well appointed home. She wasn't blind to the way the two of them had been cuddled together on the sofa when she came in. Her son was still making a point to her and possibly to his sisters. She was slower, now, she thought, but she was finally getting the picture. Meredith and Derek were a bona fide couple and they were going to stay that way. Maeve watched her son stroke his girlfriend's hair away from her face in a gentle caress, then cover her hands with his. He'd always been charming and kind, but he had never been as tender as he was to Meredith. She found herself liking this aspect of her son. Meredith appeared to bring out the best in him.

"Meredith, we're going home in the morning, so this is the last chance we have for me to speak with you in person. I want you to know that I still don't agree with divorce ever, and I still don't fully understand my son's choices, maybe I never will, but I also know none of that has anything to do with you. Nor is it my right to be so judgmental. I forgot that. I was so sure I was right, I forgot that."

Maeve sighed and looked older than her years. She looked uncertainly at Meredith. Mer sat frozen. She didn't know where to look. She was extremely uncomfortable and for some reason, sad. Meredith had no idea what she was supposed to say or do. She clasped Derek's hand in both of hers and glanced at him. He winked at her and smiled gently.

"I'm sorry for walking in on you that first day and for all the horrible things I said. We were all wrong. Mr. Sandage and Derek have made me see that I'd terribly prejudged you," Maeve paused to gather her thoughts.

"We're glad my brother has you, Meredith," said Claire, "He seemed happier today than I've seen him in years. He says it is because of you and the wilderness out here. Oh, and Kathleen would have come too, but she felt she needed to stay with Nancy, since she's in bed with a very bad headache – all the crying, I guess."

"Claire and I want to stay in touch with you, Meredith. Maybe gradually get to know each other through texts and emails and phone calls. We'd love to have you join Derek at our homes any time he would like to bring you on holiday," Siobhan smiled Derek's day is dawning smile and Meredith couldn't help but love Siobhan a tiny bit for her resemblance to Derek. She had his charm. A cold place inside of her began to thaw.

"Meredith, Derek loves you," Maeve said rather humbly, "Actually, Mr. Sandage does too. I can't help but want to love you because they love you. I'd like another chance with you. Please consider it. I know it is a little too soon now, but maybe later, alright?"

Meredith had instinctively gotten very still when Maeve spoke. She looked for the hidden traps her own mother would have strewn around, but couldn't find any. She checked for the snooty sarcasm that was typically Addison's and found none. She did recognize the rigid order of her old school mistresses, however they would never speak with the humility in Maeve's voice. Everyone in the room waited with almost bated breath for Meredith's decision. And it was her decision. Derek had already chosen her over his family if that was how it had to be.

"Alright," Meredith said slowly, a mixture of emotions twisting her gut.

"Thank you, dear," Derek's mom breathed, "We'll be going now."

She stood and put her hands out to her son, "I love you. Be good to her. Promise me," tears came to her eyes when he wrapped his arms around her in a big hug and said he loved her too.

"Of course I'll take care of Meredith. She's my light," he said, "Call me when you get home, Mom, okay?" Derek kissed his sisters and helped them find their jackets and the door. Derek shook Mr. Sandage's hand, knowing full well that he'd been instrumental in changing Derek's mother's attitude.

Mr. Sandage nodded to him and to Meredith, who had stayed frozen by the sofa, "I'll see you at Grace, Dr. Grey."

Meredith silently waved to him and then collapsed on the couch when the door shut behind them. Derek laughed gently at her expression.

"You are my beautiful girl and I love you," he drew her to her feet for a full body hug and kiss.

Please review.

I went ahead and made what would have been "Acts" Chapter 21, Chapter 1 of a new story called "Dreams of Love". I am uploading it as I upload this. It is in Season 3 following directly after the last sub-story in "Acts". "Dreams" is basically "Acts" Part 2. I didn't want "Acts" to end up endlessly long and since I'm starting a new sub-story I thought this would be a good time to switch to a new story. Its genre is romance/angst rather than romance/drama.

I still am writing a Merek friendly third season based within the real third season. Readers don't have to read Acts first to read "Dreams" even though it follows "Acts" exactly. All the sub-stories can stand alone.