Disclaimer: Don't own any of it
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Chapter 2
Growing up sucks. Not all kisses are magic, and most boys never live up to your expectations, but there are those times when everything…love, romance, relationships, when they all fall together perfectly and life becomes incredible. People can spend their entire lives looking for the right time for everything to fall into place, but…unfortunately, it rarely happens. And to those few who do get to experience it…well, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity.
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After watching Meredith leave Joe's, Derek got in his car and made his way to Mark's apartment. The night proved to be pretty uneventful, just some beer and lots of stories. He had awakened this morning with a smile on his face. This was the day that he had dreamed of for years now. He was marrying the woman of his dreams. He knew the very first time that he saw her that he wanted a lifetime with her. She had been exactly what he needed, a breath of fresh air, as he had put it nearly three years ago.
Derek was brought out of his thoughts by the buzzing of his cell phone; he smiled when he looked at the caller id.
"Good morning Mom."
"Good morning honey, how are you feeling?"
"Wonderful."
"That's great honey. I was just calling to let you know that our little plan went off without a hitch."
"That's great; she didn't wake up or anything?"
"Didn't even budge; she was so exhausted last night, I think she fell asleep the second I put her to bed." Trish giggled.
"You put her to bed?"
"Yea, she came downstairs around eleven and I happened to be in here. We had some tea and talked for a little bit and then I insisted she go to sleep."
"That doesn't sound like Mer, she never has problems going to sleep." He replied with a hint of concern.
"She does when you're not here. She loves you, it is so obvious. You found a great girl Derek, I am so proud of you."
"Thanks Mom, I'm proud of myself too. So how is everything going there? Did everything get there ok?"
"Everything is perfect. The tents got here on time and they have been setting them up, I think they are actually almost done with that. The tables and chairs are supposed to arrive in half an hour, and the florist is supposed to get here around four I think. Your sisters are down there now taking care of things and I am going down with Meredith around eleven to see how things are going."
"Sounds perfect; I can't wait to see it all put together."
"It really is a fabulous idea I don't know how the two of you came up with it?"
"You'll have to ask Mer about that one."
"I'll do that, well honey I will let you go. I love you."
"I love you too Mom, I'll see you in a few hours."
"Ok darling, bye."
"Bye."
After hanging up with his mom, Derek immediately dialed Meredith's cell phone. After a few rings there was an answer.
"Hello?" she answered sleepily.
"Good morning beautiful. Did I wake you?"
"Mmm, good morning and yes you did, but its ok I need to get up anyways."
"And why do you need to get up, you are supposed to be relaxing."
"I need to get up because it's…" she stopped turning to look at the clock.
"Mer…"
"Uh…it's nine o'clock, why the hell is it so…" she stopped again.
"Mer…"
"Oh my God, Derek…"
She sat up in bed looking around the room. The drapes were pulled closed to make the room dark, but the room was full of candles which set off a romantic glow. She looked down to notice that the bed was covered in red rose petals and to her left was a vase which had two dozen red roses in it.
"Do you like it?" his deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Oh my God…its…its perfect, how did you do this?"
"A little help from my mom, but listen I am going to let you continue to explore our room and I have a few errands to run before I get there." After a moment of silence, he spoke up, "Mer, you still there?"
"Yea, I'm still here…it's just…this, it's so amazing…you are so amazing."
"I'm glad you like it. I'll see you in a few hours alright?"
"I can't wait."
"Me either."
They sat in silence for only a few seconds reveling in the fact that in less than nine hours they would be husband and wife.
"Der…"
"Yea baby?"
"I love you so much and thank you for this."
"You are very welcome. I love you too, bye sweetheart."
"Bye."
After hanging up with Derek, she sat in bed just a little longer taking in all that he had done for her. This was amazing, never had she dreamed of someone doing something like this for her. She smiled leaning over to the night stand to smell the beautiful flowers which sat next to her. Next to the flowers was an envelope with her name written on it. She opened it not expecting to find what she did.
Meredith,
I never thought it was possible to love someone as much as I love you. I thought that feelings like these only existed in fairy tales. But they do truly exist and I have been so incredibly blessed to find them with you. For the first time in my life I have a purpose, a reason to live.
My life changed forever that night at Joe's. For the first time in a long time I found somebody who has allowed me to be me. You have helped me to open up my heart and trust again, and to smile and be happier than I ever thought possible.
I am so in love with you, there isn't a minute that goes by that I'm not thinking about you. I love every little thing about you, your sexy smile, the sound of your laugh, the magic in your eyes. I love your gentle touch and the warmth I feel when I am around you. I love dreaming about you. I love discovering you and letting go with you. I love each and every once in a lifetime moment I have and have yet to share with you.
There is no doubt in my mind that you will be the most beautiful bride that the world has ever seen. I can't wait to be your husband and start our wonderful lives together. I love you Mrs. Shepherd. I will see you tonight.
Love Always,
Derek
She could feel the stinging of tears in the back of her eyes. Nobody had ever loved her like this and she had certainly never expected to find someone like him. Derek was…well, he was a miracle in her eyes; men like him have rarely ever existed. As Denny had so blatantly pointed out a year ago, "he still believes in true love and magic and soul mates. He's still an optimist!"
'How did I get so lucky?' she thought to herself. She folded the letter, put it back in the envelope and set it on the night stand. She got out of bed, careful not to disrupt the rose petals; smiled to herself again and left the bedroom to walk downstairs.
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As she made her way downstairs the aroma of food filled the air causing her stomach to growl out loud. It seemed as though Izzie had found her way into the kitchen and made everybody breakfast. When she entered the kitchen she was shocked by the amount of food that lay in front of her. There were pancakes and waffles, eggs, bacon and sausage, all kinds of fruit and a huge variety of beverages including juices, teas and coffee.
"Wow Iz you really went all out didn't you?" Meredith laughed as she walked over to the coffee pot to pour herself a cup.
"Mer…oh my God you're awake and it's your wedding day. Are you nervous? You want something to eat? There's plenty here." She rambled off.
"Iz, are you turning into a Grey?" she laughed "And thank you for breakfast it all looks so delicious and I am starving!" she said as she grabbed a plate.
"Oh Meredith, you're up. How did you sleep?" Trish said as she entered the kitchen.
"Wonderfully, but my wakeup call was even better, thank you."
"I don't know why you are thanking me, it was all Derek's idea, I just set it up."
"What are you guys talking about?" Izzie questioned.
"Iz you have to go look at my room."
Izzie ran out of the kitchen and upstairs. A few minutes later they heard her screaming followed by her footsteps coming back down.
"Oh my God, that is so romantic. He did that for you…why the hell can't there be more guys like him in this world?"
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After breakfast Meredith ran upstairs to take a quick shower before her and Trish were supposed to meet everyone. She had just finished getting dressed when she heard a knock at her door. She opened the door to reveal Trish standing on the other side.
"I'm almost ready to go." She said as she walked back into the bathroom.
"No rush dear I just wanted to give you something before we met up with everyone else."
Meredith walked back into the bedroom and noticed that Trish was holding a square box. She gasped as Trish opened the box to reveal a diamond necklace. She had never seen anything so gorgeous, this was the kind of necklace that only stars wore.
"I want you to have this, to wear it today. It was my grandmother's and has been in my family ever since. It's a Shepherd tradition to wear this on her wedding day."
"Oh my gosh…but, but I'm not a Shepherd yet."
"Oh Meredith you have been a Shepherd since the day my son fell in love with you." Trish replied handing the box to Meredith.
"It is so…gorgeous…Thank you, I would be honored to wear it." She said giving her future mother in law a hug.
"Now what do you say we head down there so that we can make sure everything is just the way you want it." Trish said holding her hand out to Meredith. "I understand there is a story behind this whole extravagant set up of yours."
"Yea, there is, but I'll tell you when we get down there because I know the girls will want to hear about it too."
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"What do you say we drive down there, it's a far walk and besides its cold." Meredith said grabbing the keys to her car.
She walked to the front door and gasped as she opened it.
"It's the first snow of the year." Meredith smiled.
"It's perfect for this romantic occasion."
"Yea, it is." Meredith replied as a single tear fell down her cheek. Her dream really was coming true; this day was turning out exactly how she wanted it too, down to every detail.
They got in the car and Meredith drove them to the opposite end of their land. They both smiled when they pulled up. The sight in front of them was breath taking. This is where they were getting married, this is where all their dreams were going to come true, this is where their happily ever after began.
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AN: Sorry that this took me so long to post, I hope to have more posted by tomorrow and I promise the wedding is coming!! Just bear with me it will all be worth it (I hope!) Please let me know what you think of it so far, which in other words means please please please review!!!
I hope you all liked tonight's episode…I loved it!! I feel like its getting back into the swing of things!! Oh and btw can I just say I love the sentimental Mark!!
