The rehearsal went smoothly, of course, with Meredith using the annoying beribboned hat and bouquet, made by Izzie at the bridal shower she insisted she register for, and show up to, to aid in the silly festivities of the wedding eve. There seemed to be hundreds of people at the house, when in reality it was simply Derek, Meredith, his nieces, nephews, sisters, brother-in-laws, mother, Addison, Mark, Izzie, Alex, George, Callie, Cristina, Thatcher, Lexie, and Mollie. Having long since reconciled with her father, Thatcher was ready and willing to give his oldest daughter away. The night had been spent sharing stories, drinking wine and champagne, and generally being happy and content with life at the present time.

The next morning, however…

"Ugh," Meredith moaned, sitting up in bed and pressing her fingertips to her temple. Sunlight was flooding in through the tall windows of her bedroom, and she knew it was her wedding day. As far as she was concerned at the moment however, she wanted to curl back up in bed and die. Her head was pounding against her skull, and her stomach had never felt worse – not even the night Addison had first showed up could surpass how she felt at the moment. She moaned in agony, her stomach seemingly ripping her apart from the inside. In the next moment, however, she sprung from the bed with a hand clapped over her mouth, stumbling across discarded heels in the bedroom. Once in the bathroom, she couldn't even shut the door. Kneeling on the floor, she leaned over the pristinely white toilet, puking up everything that she had seemingly eaten in the past week. After the first attack, she leaned back with her head on the Jacuzzi bathtub, closing her eyes as the cool porcelain soothed her. She still felt sick, but perhaps it was just nerves. She really did not have much to drink the night before, and anything she did have was not tequila. The source of her illness was boggling to her, seeing as how this was not the first time she had felt this way – it was the first time, however, that she actually threw up.

A disheveled figure appeared in the doorway – it was Cristina, who had fallen asleep in the bed with Meredith the night before. Mere looked up at her, feeling cold and clammy despite the sweat trickling down the back of her neck. Cristina simply raised an eyebrow at her, as if asking for an explanation.

"Cris...I feel like crap. I threw up, and I still feel sick. Oh my god, what if it's nerves? Am I really that nervous about all of this!?" She would forever be a nervous rambler, although Derek tended to list it among her redeeming qualities.

Cristina pursed her lips, biting back the words and thoughts that ran through her mind.

"Um, I'm sure you just ate something bad, Mere, or you're nervous. Seriously, you're okay. Now get up, wash your face, and put clothes on before Addison barges in here, yelling about holding up the hair lady."

Meredith stood up and inhaled deeply, slowly letting out the breath before doing as Cristina instructed her to. She was getting married today, no matter what.

Once again, Meredith found herself standing in front of her mirror. This time, however, she was surrounded by her bridal party, and she knew Derek would not, and could not, sneak up behind her and calm her frazzled nerves. The bedroom buzzed with activity of the five bridesmaids – Nancy, Addison, Izzie, Lexie, and her maid of honor, Cristina. Nancy's little girl, Gemma, resembled a six year old princess, with her brown hair arranged in perfect, glossy curls piled on her head, a crystal comb pushed into the underside of it. Her cascading gown was accented with a silken sash of lavender, the exact shade of the bridesmaids gowns. Meredith always felt a stab of motherly instinct towards Gemma, and couldn't wait until she and Derek had children of their own to spoil and groom. All too soon, however, Addison approached her, startling her from her reverie.

"Meredith…it's time."

Mere nodded in response, turning to the group and taking her flowers off the chaise, where she had placed the bouquet of white roses and gardenias. She smiled at her bridal party, feeling a flutter in her stomach of excitement and nerves.

"Well, what are you people waiting for!?" She exclaimed, her eyes flashing with laughter, "I want to go get married!"

The group made their way down the stairs, where Meredith's father waited for her. Everyone else was already outside, out of sight so that they could not see her until she walked down the aisle, which was a stone pathway that ultimately ended at the dock of their lake, where the wedding arch stood. The bridesmaids and little Gemma assumed their positions, as Meredith and her father linked arms and stood at the end of the line. As the music started to play, and the bridal party started the journey down the aisle, she could feel tears welling up in her eyes. She was doing it, she was getting married! Married to Derek Shepherd, the love of her life. Finally, it was her turn. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the house, turning the corner of the path with her father, and feeling the eyes of every single guest lock onto her, their collective gasps sounding in the otherwise quiet of the land. She forced herself to look up, to look at Derek, and she regretted doing so. He was crying, with silent tears falling down his cheeks as he watched his perfect bride get closer and closer to him…until finally, her father was lifting the veil, kissing her cheek, and placing her hand in Derek's. She barely heard the words of the reverend, and automatically recited what was directed towards her. The ceremony was a complete blur, and the next thing she knew, she had a ring on her finger, and Derek was pulling her closer and closer to him, as their lips finally met in their first kiss as a married couple.

"I now present to you, for the first time ever, Mr. and Mrs. Derek Shepherd!" As the golden couple waltzed through the opening in the pavilion, the sound of catcalls, clapping, whistles, and cheers echoed throughout their land and up to the gloriously setting sun, which was slowly and gradually disappearing behind the lake. When they reached the center of the dance floor, he spun her around slightly and took her hands in his, pulling her close as the lights dimmed and the romantic sounds of their wedding song flowed through the speakers.

One... two...

Steal my heart... and hold my tongue

I feel my time... my time has come

Let me in... unlock the door

I never felt this way before…

The hem of her dress grazed the floor, as she lovingly looked into his eyes, seeing herself reflected in the deep ocean of sapphire blue that mesmerized her.

And the wheels just keep on turning

The drummer begins to drum

I don't know which way I'm going

I don't know which way I've come

His hands wrapped around her petite, delicate body, as he inhaled the familiar lavender scent of her hair. She was his. Finally, after nearly two years of the thrill of the chase, she was his.

Hold my head... inside your hands

I need someone... who understands

I need someone... someone who hears

For you I've waited all these years

"I love you so much," she whispered to him, tears springing to her eyes for the second time that day. She was lost in his gaze, and in the moment – she forgot they were being watched by nearly one hundred people.

For you I'd wait... 'Til kingdom come

Until my day... my day is done

and say you'll come... and set me free

just say you'll wait... you'll wait for me

He pressed a tender, light kiss to her forehead, giving her hand a tight squeeze as he caught the eye of his mother, who was crying, naturally.

In your tears... and in your blood

In your fire... and in your flood

I hear you laugh... I heard you sing

I wouldn't change a single thing

She quietly, teasingly, sang along with the song to him, a smile of pure happiness and exhilaration never leaving her lips.

For you I'd wait... 'Til kingdom come

Until my days... my days are done

Say you'll come... and set me free

Just say you'll wait... you'll wait for me

As the song ended, Derek drew Meredith into a kiss that took her breath away, and the guests around them erupted into cheers. He lifted her into his arms and dipped her slightly, placing yet another kiss on her lips. When her feet touched the floor again, she breathed again, sneaking another kiss. They thought life could not get any more perfect at that moment.

Just say you'll wait...you'll wait for me...

A/N: I had a lot of fun writing this story for you guys - it was my first, and it certainly won't be my last! Thank you for all the positive feedback and encouragement I've received from you guys, you've been absolutely amazing. There is an epilogue after this chapter, but this is basically the end! Song is Till Kingdom Come by Coldplay, which was my sisters wedding song, and where I got the inspiration and idea to use it!