Chapter 38 - Today is today

Alicia slowly started opening her eyes, adjusting them to the dim light of the dawn. She rubbed the back of her hands against her eyes and let out a yawn before she stood up.

Doughnut, sleeping beside her in bed, lifted its head and looked at Alicia.

"It's today now," Alicia told him with a smile.

She rubbed her eyes again and looked out the window. As she was waking more, the smile was growing bigger on her face. Alicia crawled out of the quilt to the edge of the bed, muttering, "It's today now."

Landing on the floor, she swiftly slipped her feet in her slippers and ran out of the room with Doughnut on her tail. She crossed the hall and stopped in front of her parents' bedroom door. She smiled and grabbed the doorknob with her hands, twisting it quietly and entering the room. From there, Alicia ran to the big bed, grabbed two full hands of the blanket and crawled up in bed.

Her presence was immediately noticed by her father, who rolled onto his back, moaning. "Go to sleep, Al."

Alicia smiled and made herself room between Mark and Meredith, patting her father's stomach. "It's today."

"Hmm," Mark sighed sleepily. "What's today?"

"Today. Today is today," Alicia answered casually.

"Ok, but what's today?" Mark groaned, irritated with the disturbance at that early hour.

"Today is today," Meredith replied crankily as Alicia and Mark's odd chat woke her up.

Mark rolled over, facing Alicia, and grabbed her by a leg as he pulled her down beside him. "Go back to sleep. You're dreaming."

Alicia giggled and rolled over to face her father too. She grabbed his nose and laughed. "I am not dreaming. I am not sleeping."

"Yes you are," Mark protested and grabbed her hand off his face.

"No," she laughed, more amused now. "You're sleeping. I am not."

"Then go back to sleep," he groaned.

"We have to go. Today is today."

Meredith groaned too and turned her face away from them. "Make her go away," she grumbled.

"Go away, Al," replied sleepily, still holding his eyes closed.

"Today is today…" Alicia stopped briefly as Meredith groaned again at that expression. "When we go shopping for dress. That's what you said yesterday," she remembered him the conversation they had had on the bathroom floor two days before.

Mark opened one eye and looked up to see outside the window. He let his head fall back on pillow. "It's not even light outside. There's no sun on the sky."

Alicia struggled to sit up and looked out the window as well. She turned and looked down at her Daddy then, saying, "It always rains. It's never sun. But it's today, Daddy."

Mark opened his eyes and gave a stern look to his daughter. "As you can see, Meredith and I are still sleepy. Please go and do something in your room or stay here and go back to sleep."

Alicia stared at him for a moment as she considered her options. She crawled over Mark and then off the bed, saying, "I am going to do something… in my room," she hopped down and motioned for the dog to follow her outside.

Pleased with the result, Mark scooted closer to Meredith and brought her into his arms.

"Thanks," Meredith moaned sleepily.

Mark placed a kiss on her cheek and rested his forehead against her cheek as he drifted back to sleep.

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With no alarm set, Mark was lucky he had the day off from work. The sun was shining brightly on the sky, sinking the room into a blindly light as well. He rubbed his eyes and rolled over, checking the time. It was half past 9 already. Closing his eyes back, his thoughts drifted to Alicia immediately. She must have been by herself for at least 3 hours already. Then he knew he had to wake up too. Besides, today was today- as Alicia had repetitively told him earlier- and he had a lot of things to do.

Meredith felt the mattress shifting and heard Mark's panting as he stood up. She moaned sleepily and opened her eyes, to see him sitting at the edge of the bed, rubbing his eyes and banishing the sleep.

"I thought you said you have the day off today," she whimpered.

Mark looked back, smirking at her. "Do I have to remind you the plan we made?"

Meredith giggled and shook her head.

Mark leaned to her and kissed her softly on the lips. "You can stay in bed the whole morning. I am taking Ally for dress shopping. Would you prefer a certain design?"

"No. Besides, if you take Ally, I have faith she will choose a pretty and expensive dress," she answered with a giggle.

"I have no doubt," Mark chuckled.

"Feed her before you leave."

Mark dramatically rolled his eyes. "When did I starve her? And since when are you telling me what to do with my daughter?" he replied, trying to sound as sharp as months ago when they first met.

Meredith smiled at him. "Since the day you met me."

Mark chuckled and leaned down for a kiss. He stood up from the bed and trailed into the bathroom.

He came outside a few minutes later, freshly showered. He was surprised to find Meredith still awake, rolled onto her side and watching down her baby bump.

"He's kicking like crazy this morning," she said, circling the bump with her hand. "I don't even know what position to lie on to satisfy him."

Mark walked over to her and lay down beside her. He put his hand on her belly and started caressing it gently before he put his ear down and listened. "There. He's calm down," he looked up at Meredith, grinning.

"You're good at about anything, huh?" Meredith giggled.

"Hmm," Mark pretended to think, "No."

Meredith laughed and answered, "You're damn honest."

"Always," he grinned against her lips and kissed her. "I am going to check on Ally."

"Ok," she nodded and looked a little confused as Mark picked up one of the pillows and looked like he was going to leave the room with it. "What are you doing with the pillow?"

"I am going to buy an 8 month pregnant wedding dress," Mark answered, stepping out of the room.

After he had Alicia ready, Mark buckled her in the backseat of his car, placing the pillow beside her, and drove to pick up Cristina.

Cristina and Mark didn't have much to talk about; or they did have, but Mark never looked willing to talk about medicine with residents, unless the resident was Meredith; therefore, there was not even the slightest sign of friendship between her and Mark. She stood quiet at his right as he drove to the bridal store, hoping that everything would be over soon.

"Are always this unfriendly?" Mark asked.

"Excuse me?"

"You're not very sociable," he pointed out.

Cristina laughed sarcastically. "What's your definition for sociable? You're definitely not suitable for an example."

Mark kept looking ahead, paying attention to road, but smiled to himself. "Can I make you a confession?"

That had Cristina's interest. Mark Sloan confessing to someone else besides Meredith and Alicia was something unimaginable. "As long as you're not going to confess a murder," Cristina replied with a shrug.

"You're very straight with people. You always voice the cruel truth," Mark confessed. "Just like Meredith. Actually, not exactly like Meredith because she doesn't sound as bitter as you."

Cristina smiled at him, having a slight idea of what his confession was about. "You're saying that if you hadn't met Meredith before me, you'd have had a chance with me?"

"What? No," Mark denied firmly. "Besides, you'd have had a chance with me and not me with you. Now don't make any illusions because I am not planning on having you as mistress," he replied sharply.

Cristina shrugged her shoulders. "That's what you let me know with your confession."

"Then you're not as smart as I thought you were," he rolled his eyes. "What I was trying to confess was how much I appreciate sincerity to a person. I can't say anything to you because apparently you have a secret crush on me."

As Mark sounded very convinced of his own words, Cristina was staring at him in disbelief. "I do not. Do you want to know why I don't like you?"

"Not really."

But Cristina continued anyway, "Because you like yourself too much."

"Liking your own person is the base of self-confidence," Mark pointed out.

Cristina agreed with him, partially, and from there the conversation continued on the same theme, ending with the conclusion that they could like each other and they could be friends.

Once arrived at a bridal store that Cristina knew, she had the surprise to find out why Mark had taken a pillow with him.

"I need to buy dress for an 8 month pregnant," he pointed out.

Then it clicked to Cristina. "There's no way I am going to put a pillow under the dress and look pregnant."

"There is a way," Alicia cut in, very helpful. "I'll show you," she nodded at Cristina.

"See?" Mark chuckled. "Even a 5 year old can figure out how to do it."

Cristina was standing the middle of the parking lot, looking at them in disbelief. "But…" she wanted to protest.

Mark stopped and looked back at her. "Are you going to help Meredith or not?"

Cristina let out a resigned sigh and trailed after them, entering the store. In there, Mark and Cristina felt lost. Alicia, on the other hand, felt like she was living a dream with all those beautiful princess dresses.

Mark took a look at a few dresses but he could not make a choice as everything looked the same to him without a model. He started picking dresses randomly and made Cristina try each of them.

Alicia had a blast as she watched Cristina modeling. She laughed each time a dress looked funny on Cristina and gasped excitedly when she liked one. Mark tried to guide himself in choosing a dress with Alicia's opinion, but each time Alicia gasped at the sight of a dress and Mark asked her if they should buy that one, Alicia shook her head, saying no. Only after Cristina tried fifteen dresses, they understood why Alicia wasn't choosing one. She wanted to see as many dresses as possible.

Cristina put her foot down when she had enough. She pulled the pillow out and threw it down. "Did you bring me here to model for you or help you find a dress?" she spat at Mark.

"Both."

"Ok, then let me help you find the dress. I know better than anyone what kind of dress she would like." Cristina walked back in the dressing room and took the dress off, pulling a robe over her. She walked out then and went in the search for a dress. After a minute only she picked three dresses and went to try them all. They were all simple gowns that flew fluidly down the body and around the bump, and one of them had in its color a shade of light pink.

Mark and Alicia voted for the third dress, which was not different by the color only, but also by the thin lines it gave to the body though the women was 8 month pregnant.

They were leaving the store and Mark was ready to take Cristina home when his phone rang. He read Derek's number on the display and swiftly flipped the phone open.

"Are you sticking your plan still?" Derek asked cheerfully.

"I just bought a new dress. I have to call and see if they can receive us at city hall today."

"They can," Derek replied proudly. "Do you remember Dr. Taylor? The neurosurgeon from Mercy West?"

"I might. If he's also mayor at city hall and can marry us today."

"He's not, but apparently he was supposed to get married today. At the city hall."

"He was supposed to?" Mark asked, suddenly enjoying the opportunity.

"His fiancé had an appendicitis crisis this morning and they had to postpone the wedding, so there's a free spot today. I already talked to him and told him to give you their appointment."

"What hour?"

"3:30."

Mark checked his watch. It was already 12:30. "Do you have the rings?"

"I am on my way there," Derek answered.

"I am sending Cristina to bring Alicia's dress and I am picking mom."

"I also called and your marriage license is prepared."

"That's great then. See you soon."

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Crystal and Cristina were in Meredith's room, helping her put the final make up on with Alicia's assistance, while Mark was getting ready in other room with Derek.

Meredith felt extremely tired that day, mostly because the baby was fussing restlessly. When she couldn't hold on her feet any longer, she took a seat down in a chair despite Crystal's protest to keep the dress neat. Meredith wrapped both arms around her baby bump and closed her eyes as she took deep breaths.

"He's more nervous than me," she sighed.

"The whole wedding put a lot of pressure on you two, but now it's about to end and everything will calm down," Crystal reassured her.

Meredith smiled gratefully. Since the day she met her, Meredith found great support in Mark's mom.

Meredith started rambling, "I know this will sound bad and you will make a bad impression of me. I totally agree with you, because you're right, and maybe it's just a craving of mine, but…" she took a deep breath and bit her lip.

"You're hungry," Cristina concluded.

Meredith shook her head, still biting her lip guiltily. "But I think I'd like to have Izzie with me the day I get married," she confessed quietly. "George too."

Crystal and Cristina sighed in unison.

"Izzie has her dress prepared, but she and George are at hospital."

"Can't you page them?" Meredith asked her friend.

"Izzie will torture you for this, later on. She won't forget," Cristina warned her before she walked out of the room to go and see if she could track their friends down and call them at the wedding.

"I am glad you changed your mind," Crystal encouraged her. "They're like family to you."

Meredith looked up at her and nodded. "Do you think Derek's mom can be ready in less than an hour?"

Crystal chuckled and shook her head. "I'll try, but you know, you can still change your mind and have a proper wedding in the day you first established."

Meredith could see Crystal was only supportive with their rushed wedding, but not thrilled.

"You have a new wedding dress that fits you perfectly and everything else is prepared. There won't be any stress on you, I promise."

Meredith hated herself for it in that moment, but something was telling her not to change the plan again. She answered with a small smile at Crystal's insistence. "I know he's your only child and this is his first wedding, but… I don't know," Meredith sighed. "I want to be over with the formalities and go back to our life. Besides, I have this feeling… I can't explain it, but… I want to do it today."

"Meredith," Crystal kept her smile soft as walked over to her chair and took a seat next to her. "It's just a matter of hours."

Being nearby, Mark overheard the last part from their conversation and burst in, nervous. "Whatever you're trying to do, stop it now!" he demanded to his mother.

"Mark," Crystal wanted to explain.

Mark shook his head. "What we do with our wedding is our decision because it is our wedding. I know it's not what you dreamed of and maybe it's not what Meredith dreamed of either, but this is what I dreamed of; to find a worthy woman for me and for my daughter and considering how I behaved when I first met her, this is more than I ever dared to dream of. Whoever blesses the rings or makes the paper, to us it's just formality. I really hope you can respect our decisions."

There was nothing left for Crystal to comment on that. She wiped the corner of her eyes and smiled as she stood up.

"I'll call Carolyn and see if she can come at the city hall," she told them. "Ally, what are you doing there?" she asked her granddaughter, which was standing in front of the mirror for several minutes already.

Alicia turned around and brought gasps of shock to the audience as she showed them her over-painted pink mouth. "I love pink. This tastes like cherry."

"We can see that," Mark muttered.

"You'd better not have any stain on your dress," Crystal scolded, grabbing her by the hand. "Let's clean this mess off your face, because you look like a clown."

"I don't," Alicia giggled.

Left alone in the room, Mark and Meredith smiled at each other. Mark could see that his previous speech had touched Meredith's eyes as well.

"I guess I don't have to ask you if you wrote your vows," Meredith giggled, wiping the corners of her eyes.

"You wrote that down I hope."

Meredith laughed and shook her head.

"Damn it," Mark grumbled.

"I am not worried," Meredith laughed and held her hand out for him. Mark took her hand and knelt down beside her chair. He took her left hand and caressed the engagement ring. "The baby is more nervous than I am," she said quietly, running her hand around the baby bump.

Mark let go of her hand and placed his hand on the bump. He could feel the baby kicking right against his hand.

"Then we should end with this as soon as possible," he smiled up at Meredith.

Meredith looked into his eyes and stated, "I can't believe I am about to marry you."

Mark narrowed his eyes, "You're saying it as if this is something hard to believe."

Meredith giggled. "And it isn't? Just look back at our relationship when you moved to Seattle. When you got lost in the hospital because you couldn't find the daycare," she added with a laugh.

"Do not exaggerate," Mark pouted. "I was just slightly disorientated because I couldn't find a capable woman to watch Ally for a few minutes."

"With the risk of not being modest… I stayed with her until you came back," Meredith pointed out.

Mark just smiled and took her hands, kissing them.

"It feels like it happened yesterday," Meredith sighed, smiling at the memories.

Mark patted her bump, "Time definitely doesn't stand still."

Alicia ran back inside, grinning. "I am ready. We're ready."

Crystal and Cristina followed her into the room.

"Izzie and George have just left home to get dressed and they will make it at city hall in time," Cristina informed them. "Prepare for Izzie's lecture."

"Carolyn will be there in time too," Crystal nodded.

"Good," Meredith sighed with relief. "Can't we leave now and drive slowly until there?" she asked them.

"Don't worry, I am not changing my mind," Mark chuckled reassuringly.

"You won't, but I might," Meredith teased him. "No, it's just that I can't stand the waiting. I am feeling very claustrophobic."

"Won't you feel claustrophobic in a car?" Cristina asked then.

"There's a park across the Seattle's City Hall," Mark suggested.

Meredith smiled, thrilled with the idea. "The baby needs some fresh air."

"But you're in a wedding gown," Cristina pointed out.

"So what?" Mark retorted. "She will have the groom with her."

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Surprisingly, standing in front of the mayor, listening to his lecture about marriage, being minutes away from becoming a married man, Mark felt calmer than ever. Everything felt natural to happen. They were having few people in the room with them, but those were the most important people in their life.

Meredith wasn't calm at all though and Mark could see that by the way she was repetitively shifting her weight from one leg to another and by the drops of sweat that started showing on her forehead.

Apparently, the baby was no longer just kicking; it was trying to come out and therefore, the kicks became contractions and they were impossible for Meredith to stand. She pinched Mark's arm and leaned to his ear, whispering breathlessly, "Can we skip straight to the 'I do's'?"

Mark looked questioningly at her.

"I am in labor," Meredith cried out.

"What?" Mark gasped. Just then he felt chills of overwhelming emotions. "You're not even in term," he muttered, panicked.

"I know," Meredith whimpered, wrapping her baby bump with one arm.

Cristina came by Meredith's side and said to the mayor, "Can we rush it?"

The mayor nodded. He read quickly whatever was left and the 'I do' came quickly as well. Once the rings were on the mayor declare them husband and wife, Meredith collapsed in Mark's arms, unable to stand the pain on her feet.

Mark scooped her up onto his arms, saying as he looked down at Alicia, "Today is today."

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N/A: I chose not to write details about the ceremony, because I don't know exactly how this goes in US and I didn't want to make confusions. I hope you enjoyed it!