Chapter 32: A Glorious Wedding
Derek falls back against the pillows, with Meredith's sated body sprawled over top of him. In the narrow bed, they are twined together, still joined, still throbbing for more. She shakes her head at him, watching the gold flare along his eyes again. "Insatiable vampire," she teases, feeling him stir inside of her.
"I'm not the only one here who is insatiable," he murmurs, stroking her back gently. "You were very much in charge of this encounter…"
"Hmm...very true." Meredith kisses his chest, before looking back up at him. "Cristina says Alexei kissed her..."
Derek's eyebrow quirks. "That's it?"
"Derek! Cristina isn't sure what she wants – don't laugh!"
"I'm sorry, love. You can't make it happen, if neither of them wants it. They're both too strong-willed."
"I know…I just want them both to be happy. There is something between them, I know it." Meredith shifts, moving over him, making him well aware of their own connection. He kisses her, flexing his hips beneath her, leaving no doubt he has no interest in discussing the matter any further.
Let it be…all I want now is you…
The next evening as soon as the sun sinks below the horizon, Meredith is awake. Derek had slipped away before dawn, leaving with lingering kisses and promises of their wedding night.
There is a soft tap at the door, before Cristina pushes it open. "Good, you're awake. You sleep okay, or is that a silly question?" Nothing the still tangled sheets, pillows tossed haphazardly across it, she shakes her head. "Never mind..."
"I'll shower quick," Meredith promises, grabbing the robe from the floor where Derek had tossed it.
"Hurry...we don't have a lot of time."
"The bride can be late..." Meredith giggles, dashing to the bathroom. As the water splashes over the tiles, she hurries through the process, still feeling the glow of Derek's enthusiastic ardor. Then she picks up the sound of Cristina pacing, and she sighs. But Derek is probably correct - they can't be matchmakers in this case.
"Mer?"
"What?" She can hear Cristina plainly over the spray of water.
"What's it like? Being with someone like Derek?"
Meredith peeks around the shower curtain, shampoo dripping down her neck. Cristina is perched on the edge of the counter, holding the bath towel. "You mean...in bed? Or just in general?"
"Both, I guess..."
"Amazing - how's that?" Meredith disappears again, to rinse the shampoo away, and apply conditioner before looking at Cristina again.
"I could stand amazing, I guess. Does it ever seem strange, thinking he's from an entirely different century...that he..."
"Cris, it never seems to be an issue for me. I love Derek for the man he is, now with me, not what he was before. Love is love, nothing else matters."
"I'm not talking about being in love...oh crap, listen to me whine like a baby." Cristina hops off the counter and hands over the towel to Meredith.
"Just give him a chance, but if it's not meant to be with Alexei, you can go your separate ways, and that's that."
"Sure, I don't even know why I'm talking about this." Cristina marches out to the bedroom, handing over the blow dryer. "C'mon girl, time to get you ready. Your vampire prince will be waiting, and not patiently, from what I've seen of him."
The cool air of the Oceanside Chapel is hushed, the scent of candles mingling with the fresh scent of the ocean filtering in the open doors. The myriads of candles flicker on the altar, along the walls and the pews. The small congregation that is watching is a mixture of those from Meredith's previous life, with some doctors who remember Ellis, along with the companions of Derek's, and vampires from England and France who have come on behalf of their friendship with Thatcher.
Derek waits, hands clasped behind his back, feeling an uncharacteristic flare of nerves. After all the experiences of his existence, waiting for his bride-to-be to appear shouldn't affect him like a nervous youth.
You're nervous? Mark's amused thought catches off guard. She's not going to leave you at the altar, old friend.
No, she is here. I can sense her essence. He knows she is there, waiting with Thatcher and the two women who flutter around her, their mortal pulses dancing as they make sure her gown is in order. Despite the surroundings, he can't help but think of their last moments together in bed. Of her lithe, limber body wrapped around him so sensually.
Dirty thoughts Derek... This time it's Meredith's amusement coming to him, picking up his wandering mind.
Sorry, love... Though not all that repentant, Derek firmly closes his mind to the erotic images, focusing on the swell of the music then, signaling the start of the ceremony. He adjusts his cuffs, the white shirt pristine under the elegant Versace tux. Even in this setting, with his unruly black hair trimmed, and his habitual stubble shaved, he still exudes sensual appeal. Along with Mark and Alexei in similar attire, the trio looks almost too decadent for this religious, albeit strange, gathering. Their physique impeccable, their eyes bright and knowing, their allure keeps mortals from guessing their true nature. Even though several of the women are buzzing softly together, unable to keep from marveling at the handsome man that Meredith is marrying. Veronique smiles to herself in the front pew, well aware of the thoughts that buzz around her. She adjusts her wide-brimmed hat, tilting it to shield her flashing eyes.
At that moment, Derek hears the soft footsteps at the back of the chapel, and Izzie starts the procession, followed by Cristina. But his gaze is fixed solely on Meredith - she is an ethereal vision in the pure white gown, walking in with Thatcher. The little diamonds adorning the bodice glitter in the candlelight, and she invades all of his senses at once. Her lustrous hair is arranged in soft waves, crowned by a sheer veil that cascades down her back. Next to Thatcher, she appears even tinier than ever, her small hand tucked in the crook of his elbow. Thatcher himself, holding himself so tall and distinguished, also in a black tux with a silver cummerbund with lilac splashes, appears handsome and so proud of his daughter. There is another little ripple of gasps as they make their way forward, just at the magical image they seem to project. While some of the doctors were aware of the gossip surrounding Meredith's father, they had no idea he was going to be here. As Meredith scans the guests, her expression is luminous, her happiness shines like a beacon, and everyone feels touched to be part of this experience. Derek himself feels a swell of love, and unaccustomed moisture stinging his eyes, realizing their bond is going to be strengthened even more in the next few moments.
As the women take their places opposite Alexei and Mark, Thatcher hands Meredith to Derek. Take good care of her...
Always and forever, sir...
Meredith places her small hand in Derek's, feeling the heat flare as usual between them. Meeting his eyes, a little smile plays along her lips. Her thoughts suddenly turn to their first meeting, and how he took her hand then. How she felt so safe with him at that exact moment, without knowing why.
Derek shares that thought with her, his fangs sharply aching at the memory. In this moment, with this woman, nothing else matters. No lingering reminders of his past life to interfere, only the love between them. His fingers lace with hers, keeping her secure. The pastor clears his throat, before they tear their gaze apart, and face him.
"Shall we begin?"
Meredith can barely focus on the words, so wrapped in the cocoon of Derek's love. The warm tones of the pastor flow as he reads the familiar passages, until he reaches the part for the vows. "Do you have vows prepared?"
Derek nods then, squeezing her hand, and she looks up at him, turning slightly towards him. "Meredith, this is the moment our lives become entwined forever. Where we become one, in body and soul. You are the one I have waited for, to bring me happiness and a love beyond anything I imagined. You are my heart and always will be." The low, sensual sound of his voice is almost too low for the mortals to hear, but to Meredith it's pure emotion. Derek slips the ring onto her finger. "My love, my life...forever..."
She takes a calming breath, before speaking herself, blinking away the little moisture that is threatening to spill. "Derek, you have changed my life in ways I never expected. Your strength, your love, everything about you is all I need. Our lives are entwined, our hearts and our souls will be together forever." She slips a matching band on Derek's finger. "My love, my life...forever..."
Without conscious thought, they place their hands together, palm to palm, their hearts beating in time. Leaning imperceptibly closer, so close to touching as they can be without other physical contact. The pastor raises his own hand, sensing something different about this couple, but unable to discern exactly what.
"By vowing your love, Meredith Elèna Grey, do you take Derek Gaylen Shepherd to be your husband, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"And do you, Derek Gaylen Shepherd, take Meredith Elèna Grey, to be your wife, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." Though his voice is sure and steady, his eyes gleam in secret amusement of just how long that will truly be.
"If no one here can say why these two should not be joined..." The pastor pauses, looking over his glasses at the congregation. For a moment, Meredith bites her lip, strangely worried there could be someone objecting. Something she picked up from Thatcher earlier that he brushed off, an unsettling thought. Out of the corner of her eye, she spots a flash of red hair in the vestibule. Dr. Montgomery...? But then it's gone, just as quickly, and she shakes her head. There is no sound then, no objections, and the pastor smiles happily.
"Then, I am happy to pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride..." His voice trails away, as she has already melted into Derek's embrace, eager for his kiss, molding against him as he pulls her even closer. Meeting his eyes, as he takes her face in his hands, and she almost whimpers at the desire that arcs between them. He takes her mouth with slow, deliberate passion, as she opens to him in sweet anticipation. His tongue teases her bottom lip, fangs grazing swiftly. She meets his tongue then, every luscious stroke igniting a powerful response and ripples of delight along her spine. He lifts her off her feet, crushing the delicate silk beneath his hands, surrounding her in his passionate embrace, oblivious to their surroundings for the moment.
As Derek continues to hold onto Meredith so tightly it almost seems as if they are fused together, Cristina lets her gaze slide over to Alexei. She had avoided making any eye contact at all during the ceremony, but at that same moment, he turns his head. With a little lift of her chin, she manages to meet those cool blue eyes of his, even though her bouquet of flowers gives away a little tremble, and her heart skips over like it needs a shock from the paddles.
Alexei picks up the sudden flare of her pulse, and his body responds without his conscious thought. The slide of his fangs at the realization that he wants her makes him stiffen. Since the night he had kissed her, he's done his damnedest to put it out of his mind. But the feel of her is imprinted on his body, the soft masses of her hair that he longs to bury his hands into is tempting him. Being this close is testing his naturally short patience and meeting her slightly defiant stare only makes it worse. Damnit to hell, why does she affect him like this, he sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. Time to get out of here.
Mark gives him a puzzled look, before swinging his eyes to Cristina. He grins slightly, but before Alexei can conjure up any kind of scathing thought, Derek has released Meredith to face everyone again. There is a soft murmur of voices then, and everyone is on their feet, as the radiant couple begins to descend the few steps to the polished oak hardwood of the aisle. Adele beams proudly, wiping her eyes in unabashed happiness, as Richard nods happily at the sight. While Thatcher had the honor of walking in with Meredith, it was only after Richard insisted. He was content to watch, knowing that he and Adele had done their best to raise her, and she will always be a part of them both.
Ready, Mrs. Shepherd?
Always, Mr. Shepherd.
Darling, officially it's still Lord Shepherd, fourth Earl of Wyndhaven...
As he escorts her along the aisle, followed by the other two couples, she gives him a little smirk. My lord, then...
My lady...
There is a small reception at the house Thatcher is renting. The warm night is inviting, and many guests are mingling along the patio, and spilling outside. Meredith stands with Derek's arm wrapped securely around her waist. She can see Veronique chatting with Adele and Richard; Izzie, Cristina and George with Thatcher, and Dr. Bailey in an animated conversation with Victor and Nikolai. Several women are gathered around Mark - his easy sensual manner charms them all, as he engages them in conversation.
"Mark's in his element, isn't he?" she murmurs.
"If there are women, definitely," Derek replies, placing his mouth along her neck, the slight touch of his fangs sending hot need along her spine. She leans into his embrace, the sure strength of him behind her. "Can we leave now?" he asks, his hand at her hip, possessively, sliding over the silk. His hips move against her, insinuating a lazy touch that makes her gasp slightly.
"I would like that...but...perhaps not just yet..." she sighs.
"I really need to get you alone."
"Not much longer, and then..." Her voice is interrupted by another group of well-wishers joining them, and she can only giggle at his frustrated expression.
Soon, love, we will be wrapped together...
Alexei is slouched against the patio door, his jacket open, tie discarded. Hands shoved in his pockets; he radiates a level of detached interest. In a few more moments, he is going to escape, find some willing female to feed from, and forget everything else. Forget about a certain pair of knowing dark eyes, and masses of black hair that he wants to feel draped across his body...damnit to hell...
"I think your friend over there wants to leave," Izzie murmurs to Cristina as they move to the bar. Cristina rolls her eyes, taking a glass of champagne.
"And I care, why?"
"Oh, come on, you want to jump his bones. Go for it."
"Since when did I say you could lecture me on my sex life?" One eyebrow raised; Cristina looks over the crystal flute. "Do I ask about you and Bambi? TMI..."
"Don't call him that."
"Well, better go rescue him - he looks like roadkill over there..." Nodding at George, now caught between Veronique and Adele, his eyes darting around the room.
"Poor guy." Izzie grabs another glass of champagne and hurries to rescue him, leaving Cristina smirking at diverting the attention from herself. She turns around quickly, only to find herself against a solid male body, and she jerks back, spilling ice cold champagne along her arm.
"Shit! Where the hell did yo-" Then her eyes meet Alexei's cool blue ones again. "You, of course you're able to move without making any noise, sneaking up behind me."
"Here, let me help..." Alexei snags a towel from the bartender, taking her hand to dry it off. Holding her carefully, he gently dries away the moisture, his touch both stimulating and yet impersonal. Cristina sucks in her breath, as he turns her palm up, tracing a line with his forefinger. "Your pulse is very rapid," he observes softly. "Are you okay?"
She nods, unable to think of a suitable answer.
He quirks one eyebrow. "No sharp comment? I'm touched..."
Her hand is still caught in his. "I'm working on it, vamp boy. Don't flatter yourself."
"Uh-huh...well, I just wanted to say..." he pauses, "you look lovely tonight. " Actually, he hadn't even had anything in mind to say, he just found himself unable to stop from getting closer to her. "And it was a nice wedding, if you like that sort of thing."
"Yeah, exactly..." Cristina is mesmerized by his voice, despite knowing what he is, and trying to resist seems to make it worse. "Hey, you know, I need to get out of here. Maybe you could walk me to my car..."
"...get some night air?" he adds, with a wink.
"Sure...but keep your fangs to yourself..." Cristina says warningly, as he takes her elbow to steer a path towards the patio doors again.
"Alexei just took Cristina outside," Derek murmurs to his new wife. "And I believe we can escape as well. Nobody will notice, and I don't care much if they do."
"Derek..." Meredith smiles as she turns to him, catching the undisguised desire in his eyes. Smoky gold is beginning to glow, and she puts her fingers to his lips. "Yes, we better get out of here now, before some of the mortals see that your eyes are no longer the same color. Just let me say good-bye to Father and Richard." She winks. "And I didn't miss seeing Cristina either..." Eluding his grasp quickly, with a soft giggle and a rustle of silk.
Derek watches her walk away, admiring her again, proud of her in so many ways. The veil has been tucked away, along with her bouquet, for safekeeping, and her glorious hair tumbles down her back. Images of wrapping his hands in her hair, and sliding over her luscious body, makes his own body tight.
"Admiring your new wife?" Mark observes. "You are damn fortunate. I think the temperature in this room just went up with your lustful thoughts. I assume you're leaving now..."
"As soon as she finishes talking with Thatcher." He keeps an eye on her, hearing the delicate laughter easily, as she takes leave of her father.
"Look, I meant to mention something earlier. At the chapel, I picked up a trace of something out of place. Did you..?"
Derek looks at him sharply then. "No, but then I wasn't exactly on guard."
"Maybe it's nothing, just a bad feeling." Mark shrugs, dismissing the notion.
"Wait, Thatcher mentioned the Russian element has been grumbling lately about Meredith's heritage. Nathalia is involved."
Mark's eyebrows go up. "She wouldn't actually be here? Not even that conniving bitch would be that bold."
"Don't count her out. You know her as well as I do. Be careful."
"Got your back, old friend. Enjoy your wedding night." He slaps Derek on the back, just as Meredith joins them.
"What are you two discussing so seriously?" She looks from one to the other, not picking up anything from either of them, just taking in their expressions.
"Not a thing, love."
"Best wishes, Meredith," Mark grins, leaning in to kiss her cheek. Derek makes a low sound of possessiveness, unable to keep his jealous nature from exerting itself. "We'll talk later, Derek."
Mark disappears silently, leaving them alone. "You're not going to tell me?"
Derek captures her hands, pulling her away from the crowded room. "Much much later...after we are too tired and sated to do anything but talk."
"Meredith! Toss the bouquet!" Izzie yells, waving her champagne glass.
Derek makes a sharp vile curse under his breath at the delay, as Meredith turns towards Izzie again. "Just let me do this, baby," she murmurs, remembering the little extra bouquet sitting along the mantel. A little group of women gathers expectantly, after Izzie's shout. Meredith spins quickly, tossing the flowers upwards in a graceful arc that glides through the air, landing in the hands of Veronique. The elder vampire raises it towards Meredith, with a little wink.
"Merci, ma petite...sleep well..."
In the darkened bedroom at her old house, Meredith moves softly around the familiar contours, lighting candles along the window and the dresser. Rather than staying with Thatcher, they elected to escape here, as a complete retreat from the rest of the group. "Come here, love..." Derek tells her, compelling her to return to the bed where he is waiting.
He reaches to pull her closer, as she joins him, grasping her hips to slide her towards him. Moving easily, until her hips are touching the inside of his thighs, as he sits facing her. "Closer..." he urges, until she is snug against him, her legs around his back, as his are around hers. He rests his forehead against hers, as he kisses her gently. The tips of her breasts touch his naked chest, as he continues to taste and tease her mouth. His hands are at her waist, smoothing the soft skin, just as hers trail along his back. Slow, long, and sensual, he draws the kiss out, unable to get enough of her. The ache in his fangs for her blood intensifies, feeling her heartbeat against his.
"I love the way you feel against me..." he finally murmurs, drawing away enough to look at her. His hands move to wrap into her hair, as he had been thinking of doing all evening, claiming her mouth again with his. They didn't care that the bed was small, it was only the two of them in that moment, his masculine scent melding with hers, wafting along the air between them.
As if they had been parted for weeks, not hours, she hungers for him. As if his eyes hadn't caressed her enough during the wedding ceremony and reception, igniting the obvious desire in her.
Derek touches the delicate pulse at her throat, tracing the line of the veins along her arms to her fingertips. Lacing his fingers briefly with hers before swiftly releasing them to graze his knuckles over her breasts. Stroking gently, then covering her erect nipples with his palms in a loving caress.
Meredith is caught in the web of his touch, each one sending more heat to her core, making her melt for him. Her own fangs throb for him, as she leans closer instinctively. "I love your touch on me," she sighs, as he continues to explore her skin. Giving every inch of her body the same sweet attention, as if for the first time.
"Oh, I know," Derek acknowledges wickedly, before catching her mouth again. This time in a sensual melding of mouths and tongues, leaving no doubt of their bond – both physical and mental. Still keeping her kiss, he moves her ever closer, riding against the hardness of his cock. Meredith makes a slight hiss of delight, at the sweet sensation. "And you belong here, with me, like this for eternity…" he whispers, his words against her ear. "All I want is to be wrapped up in your sweet body, and I crave to be drowning in your heat."
Meredith tilts her hips, craving that very sensation herself, as his mouth slides over her earlobe and against her throat. The tips of his fangs pierce her ever so gently, just enough to send a wash of pure desire along her spine. The stroke of his tongue then, his gentle breath over the dampness is almost too erotic to bear, and she moans, squirming in his lap.
"Impatient, my love…?"
"As much as you are," she counters, rising against him, trailing her fingertips along the muscles in his back. Derek makes a low, masculine sound of need, feeling her dampness so exquisitely open to him. So ready and tempting.
"You know me too well now," he growls hotly, taking her mouth, just as he pulls her onto him. Rocking upwards, savoring the moment of their joining in a shuddering heartbeat that seems to pulse even stronger between them. "Bite me now, Meredith…take the first drink."
She pulls back for a moment, desire burning fiercely for him, drawing her lips back before piercing the skin along his throat. The tiny red bead of blood wells instantly, trickling along his chest, before she laps it away with her tongue. Sealing her lips over the wound, her agile mouth sucking softly at him, so that Derek feels the rolling pleasure add to his already aroused senses. Her body rocks over him, as she drinks him in, the intensity of it almost too much to bear. As always, the bold and potent taste of him is erotic and pleasurable beyond compare. Derek cups her closer, helping her slide up and down over him, until she is dizzy with the sensation. Letting him go, stroking the wound closed, as the orgasm begins to take hold of her in an exquisite rush.
In that moment, Derek finds her shoulder against his mouth, and gives in to his own need. Despite hunting prior to the ceremony, his teeth sink into her now, absorbing her sex, her lavender and sweet essence, as she squeezes around him. You are everything…
I love you…
Her climax escalates even further, each thrust of him, making her writhe in his hands. It's all he can do to hang onto her, as her strength and fierce passion takes them both to the brink of losing control. And he gives up willingly, meeting her mouth again, twisting their bodies together so he is over top of her. Making the small bed shake from the force of their movements, until he is drowning in the heat where he belongs.
I love you, my wife, my heart, my bonded mate…
Too spent to speak, Meredith holds him tightly, welcoming the weight of his body over top of her, his cock still throbbing inside of her.
I love you, my husband, my soul, my bonded mate…
He smoothes his palm along her cheek, looking into her eyes that have gone back to her normal soft green. "You are everything to me, Meredith. I thought I had my life in order, that I didn't need anyone else again, until I saw you. Now I can't imagine being alone again."
"We're together in this, sweetheart. I never want to be alone again either…"
Good…and this wedding night is just beginning…
Amused seduction tinges his thoughts, as she giggles softly beneath him. You did say vampires have amazing recovery…
That goes for you as well, my dear.
I feel much better already… Her hips lift against his, and she clenches around him again, making him raise his eyebrows suggestively.
You have indeed…
I know there was just a bit with Cristina and Alexei; however, I really did my best to keep the focus on Meredith and Derek, and their wedding.