A/N: Last chapter!

This is the end (there's still an epilogue, but still, the end!), and it's such a thrilling and sad time that I don't know what to feel. It's like watching your baby take their first steps by themselves and knowing than in a blink they're off to college. Or well, what I suppose it feels like, because I don't have kids LOL

Anyhow, my baby is almost grown, just one smidge left.

Song for this title is Dark Side of the Gym, and I can't believe I managed to use titles from a single artist throughout this story. I do hope at least one line piqued your interest and you actually listened to one of these songs. If not, you still have time, especially since most of you are stuck at home!

But before I ramble too long, go on ahead and read. Enjoy this last chapter, and Happy Easter to all of you who celebrate!


Chapter 28 -I'm Gonna Keep You in Love With Me For a While


Meredith clasps the familiar necklace over her spine, touching the chain around her neck to reach the simple star as it falls between her clavicles. The memories of Derek's birthday gift when they celebrated together in Italy make her take deep breaths. She remembers the smell of the sea at the Elba's beach, the sound of the waves, the way Derek smiled at her.

And now she's about to marry him.

She stares at her reflection in the mirror, the white dress sparkling in the early afternoon light, teasing her to go outside. It is an amazing spring day for Seattle, an unbelievable blue sky that looks almost fake, a bright light that wraps her in warmth, a gentle breeze cooling down the air.

"You ready?" Cristina says from behind her, and Meredith sees her reflection in the mirror. Cristina is wearing a deep burgundy dress, holding out her bouquet, made of fresh flowers she doesn't know the name of.

Meredith has never been too obsessed with the wedding plans, pitching in for ideas but also allowing the professionals to do their thing. The florist suggested this combination, and she agreed, this is beautiful. Also, whatever she could decide with Derek, they picked together, and it is probably the best decision of her life.

They exit what will be their bedroom, forever, in the brand new house that Derek decided to build on his land, in record time nonetheless.

He put house plans down one weekend, a rare one they both had off, and by the time she had finished her coffee, she could already see this house in her mind. Yet, the reality is even better, because it's their home. Their forever home.

All the puzzle pieces seem to fall into place as she follows Cristina outside, in her backyard, their backyard, now littered with a canopy and flowers and white chairs with chiffon drapes.

She never cared for the details, but they look gorgeous.

Meredith takes a deep breath and lifts her eyes to the altar, where the minister is standing. Or is it a priest? She can't remember. Maybe it is a priest.

She sees her boys, both in tuxedos and polished shoes that make them look much older than eight, and Logan waves at her. Derek picked them as their groomsmen, Mark the best man, his brand new wedding ring sparkling in the light.

Annabel is her flower girl and she's walking ahead of her, charming everyone with smiles and flower petals. Cristina and Amelia are standing next to her, her bridesmaids, and it all looks so perfect, so amazing.

When her eyes meet Derek's though, all the people, the ceremony, the fuss, and objects fall away, because he's there. Derek is standing at the altar in his tuxedo, looking gorgeous and in love and hers.

Derek will be hers.

Her husband.

Til' death do us part.

She chokes. She tries not to cry to avoid messing up her makeup, but she knows she won't last long. She's walking slowly, savoring each step that brings her closer to him, until she's holding out her hand and he grabs it, gently, stroking her knuckles with his thumb and she can't believe they're standing here, under a canopy of flowers, just about to touch their forever.

The priest's words are a hum, a background noise to Derek's insistent gaze, to the clarity of his eyes, the beauty of his features. She can't understand a word until it's Derek's turn to speak.

"Meredith," he says, clearing his throat, a nervous laugh bubbling out of him. "I'm not sure how we got here, how is it possible that we are standing here, after so many years, so many obstacles, but I am so grateful that from this day onwards, I get to call you my wife." Derek sighs, his eyes misty, then glances quickly at the priest, before his eyes are back into hers. She can drown in all that blue. "I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

There's a chorus of "Amen" from behind her, but it barely registers.

She memorized the vows and the prayer, for him, for his family and his traditions, because the words sounded so beautiful, and she wanted this too, but now her mind is blank, her palms sweaty…

"Derek," she begins, trying to find the words, to remember what she wrote. When she meets his eyes, clarity returns. "Thank you for showing me what love is all about. Even when it means pain and regrets and heartache. Thank you for loving me, always, forever, and for making me believe in love. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

Derek grins, and he's crying, too. Not openly, their eyes are just misty, but he looks very blurry all of a sudden.

He's reaching for something on the altar, untangling it, and it clicks. Rings.

"Meredith, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity."

He slides the cold band on her finger, his touch soft and gentle and careful. It's simple, white gold, nothing fancy, but she feels the weight of it. It's not a chokehold, not in the least, it's a gentle reminder that she's not alone anymore, that they're in this together. He kisses her rings, sighing, and she blinks back tears.

"Derek, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity." She echoes his words, caressing his rugged hands, working hands, surgeon hands, hands that save lives. And maybe he saved her life, too.

"You can kiss the bride."

And it takes her a second to remember: she's the bride!

Then she's swept away in Derek, and his lips, and his love, the coolness of their new wedding bands tangling on their skin. She can't believe she's truly bound to him, forever, in spite of all the crap they've been through, all the crap they will have to go through.

She's done. He's it. There won't be anyone else after him, and it scares her and exhilarates her. Derek is hers. Forever. She's his. Forever.

Forever.


They eat at the buffet, dance and mingle until the fairy lights are up, their backyard is dark, and the temperature has cooled off considerably.

Derek is swaying with Meredith – his wife! – in the middle of the dancefloor, a slow tune playing, and she's flushed next to him, the fabric of her gown soft under his fingertips as he holds her.

"Derek?" she murmurs against his neck, his tie forgotten, just like his jacket. "I love you."

He hums, smiling. "I love you, too." He feels her kiss at his clavicle, her grin as her breath fans his exposed skin.

She giggles, burrowing deeper into his embrace. "We have a house. And a family."

"Yes. Yes, we do."

She giggles again, uncontainable. He loves her, so much.

"In two days we'll leave the kids for a whole week and go back to Florence," she says, her gaze meeting his, soft and full of love.

"I know."

"And Milan, Naples and all the places in Italy we didn't see."

"Indeed." He grins.

Their honeymoon was easy to plan: just start from where they left off. Finish their trip properly, even if it took them years to go back. They agreed right away, a much quicker decision than anything else. Not that their wedding became a production, they wanted simple and so far, he's happy about what they decided. An unforgettable memory for sure.

"We should take the kids to Florence at some point. Show them their true roots."

Derek laughs with abandon, burying his face into her neck as she does the same. He's happy, so unbelievably happy.

They linger in the embrace, swaying to the music, as all the other guests disappear. They've been chit-chatting and nibbling on hors d'oeuvre for what feels like hours, greeting all their guests and smiling. He's happy to have talked to all these people, shared their joy, but he's just as happy to disappear on the dancefloor with his wife in his arms.

He almost shivers when he thinks about Meredith, his wife. She might not be Mrs. Shepherd, and he's happy she decided to keep her last name, since she's not his property and she's still her own amazing person, but she's still his wife.

"Should we make more babies in Florence?" she whispers, and her eyes are serious, shimmering, when they meet his.

"In two days?" he asks, suddenly words fail him. "More babies?" He wants to sound more coherent, but he can't.

"Maybe. Maybe we want this one to be made in Seattle? Spread our roots?" She's blushing. His adorable wife – his wife! – is blushing under the fairy lights.

"How about we see how it goes? We'll take it on faith."

They never discussed adding to their family, and he's not sure if he wants to do it right away, or just enjoy their new official family for a bit more. Yet, he can't say no to her, and he knows that no matter when it happens, he'll love all the children he and Meredith will make together.

Meredith giggles. "Last time we got the two for one deal, I'm a bit scared here."

Derek laughs with her, holding her just a bit tighter. "So am I. Terrified."

"Then let's freak out together when it happens, okay?"

"It's a deal."

He seals it with a kiss, and he's floating to a distant future, dreaming of their family, now larger, living in the home behind his back, the home they built in every detail, together. Forever.

And he loves what he sees. He loves that he has it all, and it is all with Meredith.


A/N: So this is it. This is the end of BISY. There's only the epilogue left, but this is their happy ending. I know it took me ages to get here, but I'm so glad you all stuck with me, after all this time, especially if we consider when I started the first part of this. Thank you for your reviews, your favorites, your follows, and thank you for your lurking and silent reads and re-reads. I'm always blown away when I think about how many people have read my words so far.

I'll have the epilogue out soon, but this is the final chapter. And I'm so glad they got here safely.