Sorry this chapter took me so long to write. A lot of people having been requesting a wedding chapter, so here it is! Hope you enjoy. I promise the next chapter will be up much sooner.
April 11th, 2015
Alex looked into the mirror as he straightened his tie. "Are you upset?" He asked. "This is your last time being my best man."
Meredith laughed. "Definitely not." She replied. "And that's best woman, thank you very much." She paused. "You're not doing that right – here let me." Alex let her grab his tie, and Meredith undid his messy knot and fixed it. She smoothed down his lapel, slowly and precisely, seeming deep in thought. "I'm really proud of you, you know that?"
Alex laughed. "Don't go all sentimental on me, Mer."
"Shut up," Meredith said. "It's true. You've grown up a lot since I met you." She paused, her tone getting serious. "Wilson is a very lucky girl."
"I'm the lucky one," Alex replied.
Meredith grinned. "Who's getting all sentimental now?"
"Okay, now you shut up." Alex said. Now it was his turn to be serious. "Some days I just really can't believe she's mine, you know? She picked me. No one's really picked me to be their forever before, not even…" He trailed off, not able to say his ex-wife's name.
"Let's not talk about her today," Meredith suggested. "I mean, today's going to be totally different."
Alex nodded. "You're right, it is different. Jo's different. Jo's…Jo's better, than all the other girls. I'm glad now things didn't work out before. Because now I have her and honestly, none of it matters."
Meredith smiled, feeling herself already beginning to get a little teary-eyed. "There was this thing I said to Derek one time," She said. "'Pick me, choose me, love me.' Jo picked you, Jo chose you, Jo loves you."
There were two audible gasps as Jo walked out of the bathroom stall in dress. "Oh my God," Stephanie said. "You look gorgeous." Leah nodded in agreement.
"Thanks," Jo said, walking over to look at herself in the mirror. "I hope Alex thinks so,"
"Of course he will," Leah assured her, grabbing the curling iron and doing the last final touches on Jo's hair. "Where's your veil?"
"I don't have a veil," Jo responded.
Stephanie gave her a look. "So no flowers, no bridesmaid dresses, and no veil?" She said. "I know you said you wanted simple but God Jo…this is simple."
"Flowers and bridesmaid dresses and veils don't matter." Jo said matter-of-factly. "Alex and I matter. Vows matter. Love matters."
Leah smiled. "That's so romantic," She said dreamily. "The two of you are so perfect together. You're going to be together forever."
Jo sighed. "I hope so."
"You're not having doubts, are you?" Stephanie asked, sounding worried. "We're not going to have to deal with a runaway bride moment, right?"
Jo laughed and shook her head. "No, I'm definitely not running." She assured her. "That's kind of my point."
"What do you mean?" Leah asked.
Jo shrugged. "All of my life no one's really cared about me." She explained. "Not until Alex, anyway. He's the only person who's ever loved me. And we're going to get married today, and be together, maybe get a dog or a cat or have a baby or two, grow older and greyer together and just…care, about each other. And even if for some crazy, unlikely reason this doesn't work out, after today Alex will always care about me. And that's more than most people who have been in my life can say."
Her friends took her hands and squeezed them. "You're a beautiful bride," Stephanie said.
Leah smiled. "And you're going to make an even more beautiful wife."
Meredith gave Alex a reassuring smile as the rest of the bridal party walked into the hospital's chapel. The other doctors, in not matching dresses and suits, joined them up front, there being no big processional. In the pews was an assortment of other doctors and staff, specifically ones who knew Alex and Jo on the peds ward. There were also some of their young patients, who had been eager to come see their beloved doctors get married – luckily most of them had been feeling well enough, and their nurses had brought them down. Everyone rose as the officiant announced the bride's entrance.
From her spot outside the chapel, Jo nervously looked inside. It was about time for her to go on. "Dr. Wilson," She looked up, and smiled when she saw Richard approaching her.
"Dr. Webber," She said. "I'm sorry – I'll be coming in in just a second."
"That's kind of what I wanted to talk to you about." Richard explained.
Jo immediately thought of the worst when he said that. "Is everything okay?" She asked. "Did Alex get cold feet?"
"Oh no, of course not." Richard said, and she sighed, in relief. "I was just thinking, well…" He wrung his hands, unsure of what to say. "I've known Karev for a long time, and I've taught both of you. So I was thinking, since I never had a daughter of my own, and your father isn't in the picture…I was thinking, that it would be nice if I could give you away."
Jo felt like she might cry by the end. "I would be honored to have you walk me down the aisle, sir." Richard smiled, teary-eyed, and offered her his arm. Jo smiled and took it, wrapping hers around his.
Everyone turned their full attention to the two of them as the doors opened. Alex smiled, unable to take his eyes off of Jo as she and Richard walked inside. She looked so beautiful. Her dress was simple, a strapless tulle dress with a ruched bodice, sweetheart neckline and a low back, decorated with a beaded satin sash at her waist. He was so incredibly lucky.
Alex didn't realize that he hadn't been paying attention to everything else until they were right in front of him, the officiant asking who was giving Jo away and Richard responding he was. Richard let go of Jo, and Alex extended his hand, the couple smiling at each other as she took it and stood in front of him. Richard, smiling, took a seat next to Bailey as everyone else sat back down.
"Today," The officiant said. "I would like to thank all the family and friends who are here with us, and take a moment to remember those who are unable to be." There was a silence as everyone thought about their deceased friends – George, Mark, Lexie, Brooks, all of whom would be there if they could.
"We are gathered here to celebrate one of life's greatest moments," The officiant continued. "The joining of two souls in marriage. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. Through the pain, and hurt, and sorrow that comes with being on this Earth, they found each other, and fell in love. And they are finalizing that with their wedding today." The officiant turned to them. "I understand the two of you have written vows?"
The couple turned to each other, and looked into each other's eyes. "Jo," Alex said. "You are…the strongest, most amazing woman I have ever known. Your beauty, your mind, and your heart inspire me to be the best man I can possibly be. You have stood by me, and loved and supported me when I needed you, and sometimes even when I was too stupid to realize I needed you. I want to be that for you too, because you are the best thing that has ever come into my life. I'll love you forever, if you'll let me." He finished by slipping the wedding ring onto her finger.
Jo smiled and took a deep breath, knowing it was now her turn. "Alex," She said. "You made me believe that someone could love me. When we're together, I feel safe, and loved, and everything is okay in the world. I want nothing more than I want a forever with you, the best and the worst, the laughter and the tears, the difficult and the easy. I'll love you for the rest of my life. Thank you for making me so happy." They were both on the verge of tears as she gave him his ring.
The officiant smiled and continued. "In light of this vision of life together, do you wish to take this woman as your wife, so that you may live together in the bond of marriage?"
"I do."
"In light of this vision of life together, do you wish to take this man as your husband, so that you may live together in the bond of marriage?"
"I do."
"When you commenced this wedding ceremony, you stood before all assembled here as best friends and partners. Through the poignant exchange of wedding vows, you are sealed together in bond of holy wedlock as husband and wife." The officiant said. "You may have kissed many times before, but now your kiss is a demonstration of your perpetual love and commitment to each other. Your kiss is also a promise to stand together during the happy times and during times of adversity. May you experience great love, joy and happiness as you walk through life together. May you also have the strength and perseverance to weather the storms that life may bring your way. In celebration of your love and commitment to one another, you may now kiss the bride."
Everyone applauded. Meredith and Cristina were cheering. April was in tears. Richard and Bailey were beaming with pride. But, neither Alex nor Jo noticed as they leaned in to kiss. They were too wrapped up in each other.
They were married.
