Meredith sat hunched in her seat, stirring the clear straw around in her glass of water. She eyed the distance from the large round table she sat at, to the nearest exit, and wondered: If I stood and ran, could I beat Izzie to the door before she caught me and dragged me back?
She let out a quiet sigh as she resolved to stay seated, guessing it wouldn't be the best idea to cause a scene. The tight black dress that her friends had convinced her to wear wasn't the best attire for sprinting anyhow.
She sat at one of the fancy decorated tables to the front. All her friends had come to support her. Cristina was on her left followed by Burke, then George and Callie. Izzie sat to her right along with Alex. Even Dr. Bailey was there along with the Chief and Addison and Mark. Meredith shifted uncomfortably. She felt bad that everyone had wasted a rare night off on her.
The large room was filling quickly as hundreds of people found their seats. Meredith kept her gaze straight ahead on the large flower arrangement that sat in the middle of the table. She noticed that no expense had been spared, from the thick ivory table cloth to the neatly arranged sterling silver utensils.
Meredith repeated over and over in her head that she could do this. She was fine. She would accept her award gracefully then the evening would be over and she'd return to the hospital to crawl into bed with Derek. Then this whole hero thing would fade away and she and Derek could go on with their lives. She'd focus on helping him with his physical therapy and finishing her last few months of her internship. Everything would be fine. She could do this.
The lights flickered overhead, signaling it was time to begin, and the several conversations around the room died down as everyone found their seats. Meredith took a deep breath and plastered a convincing smile on her face before turning to the front in time to see the mayor take the podium.
Dinner was served as the various speakers took turns talking about the diverse community of Seattle and how each person in the city contributed to making it what it was today. They spoke on the many aspects that made up their society. Educators, policemen, medical personnel, even bankers were mentioned. By the time dinner was finished and desert was being served, the first award was finally announced.
A young boy scout had performed CPR on his grandma when she experienced a heart attack unexpectedly one evening. The twelve year old had saved a life and was being awarded an honorable mention. The crowd clapped politely as the young man accepted his award in his starched boy scout uniform that was a tad too big for him.
The next few awards went on and Meredith was surprised to recognize a few of the men from the night of the accident. They were the ones who had come back in to the dangerous building to help her take out Derek. She hadn't realized they were receiving awards that night as well, and tears sprung to her eyes as the gratitude for the mens' bravery swelled inside her.
Meredith watched as the men took their seats, and noticed a familiar small blond girl sitting at their table. She was the young girl from that night Meredith had moved to safety. Meredith's heart skipped a little, seeing her sit there, alive and unharmed, smiling broadly at one the men. Meredith immediately noticed their similarities and assumed him to be the little girl's father. The girl turned and caught Meredith's stare and waved excitedly. Meredith smiled warmly and waved back, before turning her attention again to the front.
The presenter was still talking about the night of the accident, describing the horrible turn of events. He then told the audience that the final award would be presented after a brief special film put together by Channel 7 news.
The lights dimmed and Meredith glanced at Cristina who only shrugged. A large white screen lowered from the ceiling near the stage and seconds later the film started. Meredith held her breath as pictures of the destroyed restaurant and tipped semi flashed on the screen. Mariah Carey's song, Hero, played softly in the back ground as clips from several of the city's news stations took turns describing the ongoing tragedy. Still pictures and live clips intertwined playing out the story of that dreadful evening.
A picture of the collected crowd of observers showed the fear and anxiety as one by one, the survivors were helped to safety. Meredith hadn't realized how many people had witnessed the accident and it gave her goose bumps as the camera skimmed along the long line of fire trucks and ambulances, waiting helplessly in the distance.
Meredith's heart froze in her chest as a distant shot was shown of four men carrying out a lifeless body. The group hurried to a waiting stretcher and Meredith knew that she was the small figure in the lead taking control and working frantically over the body. Meredith desperately squeezed her eyes shut and fought to control the fear and pain that was creeping back inside her soul. She felt a soft hand grip hers comfortingly under the table and opened her eyes to see Izzie share a reassuring smile.
Meredith took another breath and returned her attention to the large screen. Her face grew warm with embarrassment when a large image of herself flashed on the screen, and she recognized it from one of the times a news reporter had tried interviewing her. All she had said was she had only did what any other person in her shoes would have. The reporter dubbed it as extreme modesty, but Meredith believed her statement to be the truth.
The pictures stopped and the music ended and the mayor's face took its place on the screen. He said a few words about what an extraordinary thing Meredith had done that night and talked about a few of the characteristics that made up a hero. As soon as his image faded, the Chief's face took its place causing Meredith to rear back a little in her chair.
"I've known Meredith Grey all her life and she has always been a caring, selfless individual. Her courage and strength reflects in the kind of doctor she is…." Dr. Webber went on speaking kind words for the young woman who was the closest thing he ever had to a daughter.
Meredith's eyes shown as she gave an appreciative smile across the table to the older man who had always been there for her. He nodded back and she could tell he was struggling to keep his emotions in check.
When his sound bite ended, he was replaced by an elderly woman Meredith immediately recognized. She had been one of Meredith's professors in med school and she and Meredith had grown close. There had been many times throughout school when she had nearly given up, and this woman had been the only one to encourage her to go on. She had told Meredith on more than one occasion that she had what it took and would go on to become an excellent surgeon. Not because of who her mother was, but because of what Meredith possessed inside.
Meredith struggled to blink back tears as her professor spoke kind words of what kind of student Meredith had been, and how she always knew she would go on to change the world. She gripped Izzie's hand for dear life, desperately trying to remain composed as she felt all the eyes of the occupants of her table on her.
She kept her gaze focused on the screen as even more sound bites were played. The men from the night of the accident, the firemen, the two young paramedics. Even the small blond girl, who was obviously extremely camera shy, whispered a sincere thank you. Meredith's heart beat rapidly and she thought her chest might explode as the screen went dark momentarily to be replaced with an image Meredith hadn't been expecting.
Meredith recognized the handsome dark haired man sitting in a hospital bed immediately. The first tear escaped slowly down her cheek as Derek smiled his dreamy smile towards the camera.
"Hi Mer." The image spoke. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there with you tonight, but I couldn't pass up this opportunity to let you know how proud I am of you. You are so brave and courageous. Not only did you save my life that night, but you saved the lives of many others. And in case I haven't said it before… Thank you."
Derek's picture faded, and Meredith wiped at a few more tears that had made their way down her face. The lights came on and the mayor made his way back to the podium. Meredith knew this was it and closed her eyes, willing herself to be strong enough to walk to the front. She made an attempt to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat before looking back to the front.
"The last award of the night is the esteemed Medal Of Honor. In the fifteen years that the city of Seattle has given out this award, it has always been presented by the mayor of the city. But tonight…." He paused as whispers spread through the room.
"…Tonight I think there is only one man who should present this award."
Speculative chatter swelled through the banquet hall and Meredith searched the faces of her close friends. They avoided her gaze and kept their eyes focused on the front when suddenly she heard a collected gasp from both Addison and Izzie.
Meredith turned her head slowly to the direction of their stare, and searched for what was causing all the commotion. Meredith's heart stopped and her tears broke free as she openly wept. A man walked carefully and slowly, a cane in his hand keeping him steady, on to the center of the stage. She couldn't believe it. Derek had come. And most shocking of all, Derek was walking.
Meredith's body trembled with emotion as his eyes found hers and they locked gazes. Derek paused at the podium and shook hands with mayor before the mayor handed over the award for Derek to present. Derek turned towards the crowd and waited a minute for the applause and whistles to die down, before speaking.
"It is with extreme honor and privilege that I was asked to come here tonight to present this award." Derek's eyes were shining and it took all his strength to maintain his composure as he turned back to Meredith to look in her eyes as he spoke again.
"Meredith, you are without a doubt, one of the most extraordinary people I have ever come across in my entire life. Your love and passion for helping others is astounding. Your zeal and enthusiasm for the human life surpasses others and leaves me speechless. I watch you each day as you throw your heart and soul into what you do at the hospital, and it never ceases to amaze me. I consider myself a lucky man to have got the chance to know and love you. Meredith Grey, in my eyes… and the eyes of every single person sitting in this room…you are far from ordinary. Please come accept this award."
Meredith wasn't sure how she got there, but by some unknown power, she had made it to the front of the room and was walking across the stage slowly to meet Derek. Her hands shook and the tears fell in a steady stream down her cheeks. Derek opened his arms to her and she fell in gratefully. He held her and stroked her hair as the room watched on, not a dry eye in the building.
Meredith pulled back a little to look into Derek's face. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "You look beautiful." Before Meredith could respond, he pulled out her award and carefully placed it over her head and positioned it around her neck.
Meredith smiled and wiped her eyes, when someone in the audience caught her attention. She turned, and noticed for the first time, Thatcher and Susan sitting at a table to the right side of the stage. They both had tears running down their faces and proud smiles etched across their expressions.
Meredith turned to Derek confused, and he leaned close to her ear again. "I invited them Mer. Don't be mad. I needed to ask your father's permission for what I'm about to say."
Meredith furrowed her brows, still confused and turned back to the audience. She saw the faces of her friends beaming and watching on expectantly. Even Cristina wore a sincere smile, and Meredith was quickly growing even more puzzled. She glanced back to the table that Thatcher sat at with his wife, and an older, dark haired woman at the table behind her fathers, caused her to step back. Derek's mother sat holding her handkerchief to her eyes, surrounded by four other dark haired woman, one being Nancy, who Meredith recognized from months before. They all smiled back, eyes shining, nodding encouragingly.
Meredith turned back to Derek. "Derek, what's going…." Her voice trailed off when she saw that he was no longer standing next to her, but had carefully lowered himself to one knee.
She looked down, her lip quivering in surprise. The applause from the room grew louder and people were cheering. Meredith had to strain to hear what Derek was saying.
"Meredith, I love you more than I ever thought it was possible to love another human being. I feel like I was sleeping my whole life until the night I met you, and now for the first time in my life, I'm awake. I feel so alive and full of passion and love when you're around. You are so bossy, and you keep me inline with your ineffectual fists."
Derek paused and tears escaped from both of his blue eyes as he struggled to keep his voice even. His chin quivered as he continued. "You would make me the happiest man in the world if you'd be my wife. Meredith Grey… will you marry me?"
Meredith's heart was beating so hard she almost couldn't hear anything but the pounding in her head. She felt weak and shaky, and was sure she would wake from this amazing dream at any moment. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Derek reached in the jacket of his tux and pulled out a small, maroon box. He opened it slowly, revealing a huge princess cut diamond sitting on a thin platinum engagement band.
Meredith nodded her head vigorously and reached out to help Derek up, pulling him to her. He wrapped his arms around her and they cried tears of complete joy together, before he pulled back.
"Say it Mer. I want to hear you say it." He whispered, unashamed of the emotion that shook his voice.
"Yes Derek… I'll marry you!" Her whisper was also shaky, but sure.
Derek thought his smile would split his face in two. He couldn't remember ever being this happy. Meredith Grey was the girl of his dreams and she had just agreed to spend the rest of her life with him. He knew he had made many mistakes in the past, but he had been given a fresh start. A second chance at life. He didn't deserve this woman who clung tightly to him and he had wrapped in his arms, but he knew he would spend every last breath, till the day he died, proving his love for her. She had been hurt more in the past than any one single person ever deserved, and he vowed from that day on, no one would ever hurt her again.
He slowly pulled away again and reached for her left hand. He removed the ring from the velvet box and stared in her teary eyes, as he gently slipped it on her slender finger.
A quiet sob escaped Meredith's mouth as she looked down at Derek's symbol of love. The diamond caught the overhead lights of the stage and sparkled on her finger. She reached up and took Derek's face in her hands and mouthed I love you, before pulling him in for a deep kiss.
This caused the excited crowd to roar in approval as the audience jumped to their feet in a standing ovation. The cheers and applause and the hundreds set of eyes that were focused on Meredith and Derek, slowly disappeared as the newly engaged couple shared a kiss of promise. A kiss that spoke of their commitment to one another, and showed that together, with the other by their side, they would make it through this life.
As Derek's strong lips covered her own, Meredith couldn't help but think her mother had been wrong. There was nothing ordinary about this love she shared with Derek. This was a timeless love that Meredith knew not everyone was fortunate to find. Standing on that stage, kissing the man she loved in front of their friends and family, Meredith knew with out a shadow of doubt, that she was indeed far from ordinary.
A/N: So you guys are just too smart. Most of you guessed what Derek was planning. I hope it was a little surprising at least. This story had been so much fun! Thanks to all of you who read and reviewed. This is the final chapter, but I will be putting up a short little epilogue sometime tomorrow. But basically it's finished. Complete, The End.
Don't forget to check out Keep Holding on, the sequel to Out of the Darkness. I love you guys!