"I used to think that I couldn't love again; that I was so broken apart by everything from the past that I could never be whole. I used to think that miracles couldn't happen; that life itself would never truly happen for me. But when I look into your eyes, I can see that everything I want is well within my reach…as long as I am holding your hand." I smiled slightly as Meredith pressed a Kleenex into my hand from her position behind me, and I dabbed the tissue to my eyes as I continued, "I always said that if love were enough, I would be able to see the world as truly beautiful, in a way that I never could before. But until you, I never believed that love could ever be enough. I know now that it is…that you are…and that you always will be. I love you," I finished.
I love you too. Alex mouthed.
"I want you to know that I do, Alex. I do. All of it, every part of this…I do."
Alex glanced sideways at the priest, seeking unspoken permission.
The priest closed his Bible and said quietly, "You may kiss the bride."
Clutching both of my hands in his, Alex drew me forward. "You are beautiful," he murmured, before his lips locked on to mine.
"You are too," I responded in between kisses.
"Get a room, you two," I heard Meredith crack from somewhere behind us. But as Alex and I embraced, everything around us faded away until it was just he and I left in the world.
OoooooooooooooO
"Hey," I said, dropping into the chair by Izzie's bedside.
"Hey," she replied, exhaustedly. "Did you get married?"
"I did," I smiled.
"You are a rockstar."
"So are you."
"You first," she joked.
"You had a baby, Iz. That's incredible."
Her brow furrowing, she whispered, "I did, didn't I?"
"You're really something."
"Yeah…" she said, her voice trailing off.
"What's her name?"
"Savannah Rose O' Malley."
I brushed Izzie's hair away from her forehead and stood up. "I'll let you get some rest. I'll be back tomorrow."
"Okay," she nodded, her eyes closing. Before I was out the door, she added, "Your baby is going to be very lucky to have you for a mommy, Addie."
Slipping out of the room, I shut the door behind me.
Love is enough…I thought to myself, I finally know that love is enough…I always wanted just a little bit more. More trust. More life. More love. And I thought that if I just had more…just had more love…I would be okay. I think I thought about it all wrong. Love is REALLY everything. Holding a hand to my abdomen, I pushed the button for the elevator. Love makes the heart keep beating. Love keeps us strong. Love keeps us going. Love makes us wiser. Loves fills us. Love frees us.
The elevator door opened up to the waiting room, and I stepped out into Alex's open arms.
Love is everything.