A/N: I have only just realized that I suck at updating. In realization of this, I'm hoping to wrap up this fic in the next few chapters so I don't feel so bad whenever I forget to update.
Chapter 10: Achievements and Doubts
Meredith and Derek were sitting in the lounge room, watching their son play in his playpen. It was a rare occasion on which both Matthew's parents were off from work.
Carolyn had flown back to New York the day before and the whole family had been there to send her off.
* * *
Flashback
"All passengers boarding flight 7645 to New York please make your way to the boarding gate," The voice-over lady announced cheerfully.
"Well, I guess that's me," Carolyn told her son and future daughter in law.
"Tell the girls I say hello," Derek reminded his mother as always.
"Yes, I'm sure they'll all want to come down and meet the newest additions to the Shepherd clan," Carolyn replied.
Meredith grinned. She was considered a part of his family, not just known as the dirty mistress as she had expected.
"Last boarding call for flight 7645 to New York," The voice-over announced once more.
With a wave, Carolyn made her way to the flight.
* * *
"Meredith?" Her fiance's voice broke her daydream.
She looked over at him questioningly.
"You okay? You looked a little spaced out, as if you were in your own little world," Derek commented.
"I'm fine," Meredith replied, "Just thinking,"
"About what?" Derek asked, curious to be let in.
Meredith pondered for a moment, "Family," She answered.
The happy couple sat together on the couch, Meredith curled up in Derek's lap as the watched their son crawl across the floor. They watched as he pulled himself up on the bars of his playpen, something he did often, mostly when he wanted to be let out.
But today, Matthew let go of the bar and made a wobbly step in the other direction before plodding to the floor with a soft thud, his nappy cushioning his fall.
Meredith let out a gasp while Derek stared at his son with a shocked expression on his face.
"Well done little buddy, mommy and daddy are very proud of you," Meredith praised when Matthew crawled back and stood up again.
"Ma..Ma. Da..Da," Matthew babbled.
"Two big achievements in one day, well done bud," Derek complimented, lifting his son out of the playpen when he started whimpering.
Meredith's motherly instincts told her that her son needed a feed. With this in mind, she headed to the kitchen, leaving Derek with their squealing son.
Before long, Matthew was peacefully sleeping, giving his parents some.. alone time...
* * *
The next day, Meredith and Derek left Matthew at the hospital daycare as usual and walked hand-in-hand to the surgical floor.
After a long and exhausting day, the family headed home.
* * *
4 Months Later
With the help of the Shepherd sisters, Izzie, Carolyn and eventually even Cristina agreed to help, the wedding was coming along smoothly.
"Mer, come on, we want to see the dress!!" The oldest of the Shepherd sisters, Kathleen, called from outside the dressing room of the bridal boutique.
"Uh... Cristina, can I talk with you for a second??" Mer's worried voice came from behind the doors.
Sensing the hesitation in her best friend's voice, Cristina lifted herself from the couch with a groan and made her way over to the dressing room.
"Mer? What's up?" Cristina asked.
"I.. I'm just having some doubts," Mer answered.
"About what?" Cristina queried.
"Well, things have gone so well since Matthew came along, I can't help but wonder when the other shoe is going to drop," Mer explained.
"Hey! When you first met me, did I look like the type to get married and have a kid?" Cristina asked. Mer shook her head, "No. But I did it. You sure as hell deserve your happy ending with McDreamy. He loves you and everybody knows you two are meant to be, so just embrace it!" Cristina explained.
"Thanks, Cris, I feel a lot better now," Mer said sincerely.
A Few Weeks Later...
Meredith and Derek were married in a moonlit ceremony on a Ferryboat. In true Meredith and Derek style, they abandoned their own reception for a little newlywed action.
Meredith wore a just-below-knee-length white gown, with a flowing hemline and lace sleeves. Her hair fell in soft curls around her shoulders and the outfit finished with a pair of simple white heels.
Izzie and Carolyn took over wedding preparations, which would explain why even Matthew wore his own little tux.
Cristina, the maid of honor, wore a spaghetti-strapped long burgundy silk gown paired with matching shoes and a half-up-half-down straightened hair do.
Izzie followed wearing a deep plum dress with thick straps which came down to her thighs, also with matching shoes. Her hair was pulled back with bobby pins in twists on either side of her head.
Vows were read and tears were shed and the wedding party proceeded to the reception.
Now, it was a week later and Meredith and Derek sat on the bed of their hotel room in Paris finishing off the remains of the chocolate croissants they'd purchased for brunch.
"Derek, can I ask you a question?" Mer asked.
"Of course you can, Mer, you know you can ask me anything," Derek replied.
"Do you want anymore kids?" She asked nervously.
Derek didn't hesitate before answering; "Sure. I loved having a big family growing up and I'd only want the same for my kids. Only if you want it though, I'm not going to pressure you," He explained.
Mer smiled. "I want it too," she confirmed.
Derek kissed her and she returned the kiss with equal force. Before long, the kiss deepened and all else was forgotten.