Chapter 90: Family Dinner Catastrophe

June

"Ouch!"

Derek tried to loosen his collar in a gesture that betrayed his complete nervousness, but his hand was instantly slapped by Heather.

"Don't touch that!" she berated him like a little boy and rushed to readjust his tie. "You've got to look presentable at your own wedding!"

"You're such a bridezilla!" whispered Amelia dramatically to her sister.

As soon as Heather let go of him, he stuck his hands in his pockets and started to pace up and down in front of the place where he and Meredith were supposed to get married. It was a beautiful spot, shaded by the trees but giving a magnificent view over Seattle at the same time. The reverend was already there, everyone else was already there, except his bride. She wasn't technically late yet but the sooner the time of their wedding was, the more anxious Derek became.

"Man, stop with the pacing," frowned Mark. "You're making me nervous and I'm even not the one who's getting hitched."

He was surely suffering from Meredith withdrawal; he didn't see his future wife since the previous morning. His wicked sister scrupulously made sure that they didn't meet before the wedding. He spent a first non-Meredith day for months, worse still, he slept alone, and he found that unnerving. Meredith once told him she wasn't a runaway bride, but the last few days were simply overwhelming. God, he just wanted to have her before his eyes again and get done with the wedding…

An unexpected sound of a car engine broke him out of his musings. Was someone late? His eyes swept over the gathering of their family, friends and colleagues, it didn't look like it. On the other hand, he was so nervous he couldn't be sure.

Suddenly, his eyes opened wide in surprise as the newcomers turned out to be no other than Ellis Grey and Richard Webber. At first, Derek was rooted to the spot. Meredith's mother made no contact at all since she left Seattle after the memorable family evening. And now she was here… Desperation slipping into his veins, he quickly crossed the lawn disregarding curious pairs of eyes and heads that were turning back after him.

"What are you doing here?" he addressed Ellis more harshly than he intended.

"Excuse me?" she snorted, her eyebrow riding high.

"I think it's time that you accept that Meredith and I are getting married. It's our wedding day and there's nothing-"

"You call yourself a brain surgeon?" she snorted in reply. "You think I came out like this only to persuade my daughter not to get married?"

Derek closed his mouth embarrassedly as only now did he realize Ellis was wearing an elegant dress while Richard was in a tuxedo.

"Besides," Ellis took out an envelope from her purse. "I've got an invitation."

"Right," he nodded thickly. He sent it himself.

"I intended to make an entrance during the speak or hold your peace part but apparently, it hasn't even started yet. Where's Meredith?"

"She's… still in the house… getting ready…"

"In the house?" Ellis quirked her eyebrow.

"Well, yeah, only the ground floor is finished… we were hurrying to make it for the wedding-"

"I'm going to see my daughter. Hopefully the roof won't fall down on me."

"But-"

"Derek, relax," Richard patted him on the shoulder and dragged him back to where everyone was waiting. "Ellis is no threat to your happiness. She had a lot of time to think about everything and she revised her opinions."

"Did she?" asked Derek uncertainly.

Richard laughed at his uneasiness. "Let's give them five minutes, and then we'll get you married."

"Now, perfect," beamed Addison as she smoothed the back of Meredith's dress for the last time and put a bunch of flowers into her somewhat cold hands.

"Yeah?" breathed out the bride.

"Yes," nodded Carolyn gazing at her with emotion. "You're the most beautiful bride I've seen in my life and I'm so happy my son is the groom."

"Let's go, Mer," hurried her Addie. "I'm sure everybody's waiting impatiently."

"Can we just… can you give me a moment here… alone…" stammered Meredith. "I… I need to breathe."

"Mer, it's almost the time," reminded her the red head. "You don't want to be late for your own wedding."

"We've still got a moment," nodded Carolyn knowingly. "Catch your breath, dear. Calm yourself down and meet us outside," she smiled giving her hand an encouraging squeeze and ushered Addison out of the room.

Catch your breath? thought Meredith as she exhaled deeply, her eyes wandering erratically around. She had the impression she was suffocating. The window was closed. Why was the window closed in the middle of June? She opened it hastily and threw herself in the chair nearby, not really caring if the gown creased.

She couldn't fathom why she was feeling like this. She was wearing a gorgeous wedding dress that hid the underwear that would make Derek drool. She loved him more than life itself, she yearned to marry him. And yet, the prospect of going out there and vowing her eternal love to him was paralyzing. Suddenly, the window and a small path leading around the house seemed very appealing. No, she shook her head desperately. She couldn't run, Derek would be crushed.

"There are two possible courses of action." Meredith's head shot up and her body stilled as she heard the clear voice behind her. "You just need to make a choice and cut."

"Mom," gasped springing from the chair. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard my only daughter was supposed to get married," answered Ellis approaching her. "Figured it was the place to be."

"You came for the wedding?" asked Meredith quietly.

"No, I came for you. I thought you needed someone who understood exactly how you felt."

"You? Understanding me?" Meredith didn't even had the strength to laugh.

"Yes," nodded Ellis and went around her. "It might seem surreal to you but I am just the person who knows what's going on inside your head." She turned and faced her daughter again. "You look beautiful, stunning. Like a princess."

"Okay, are you high or something?" Meredith frowned suspiciously.

"You have the same aura about you."

"The same?"

"The same look of innocence you had when you were five and you went for that party dressed in a white sparkling dress."

"The fancy dress party in kindergarten," whispered Meredith, swallowing with difficulty. "The only one I've ever been to."

"Just before we went to Boston," nodded Ellis. "I always remembered how you looked in that dress, happy, carefree, trusting."

"I was happy," whispered Meredith, her eyes becoming glassy.

"And vulnerable."

"I was a child, Mom," she reproached her.

"Children grow quickly, Meredith. And then they become adults, often equally vulnerable and prone to being trampled over by others."

"So you thought you'd make me strong and extraordinary by not loving me?" snorted Meredith with a trembling voice.

"Meredith," sighed Ellis and lifted her chin slightly with her fingertips. "Of course I love you. You were the only thing I had after Seattle."

"Sure, the only thing besides work."

"You were the only thing I had. I didn't want to see you getting hurt like I did," explained Ellis. "I had let myself feel, I let my guards down. And I got hurt. I wanted something better for you. I didn't want anyone to have a chance to hurt you. I tried to make you stop feeling. Except… I overlooked the fact that… that you wanted to feel."

"Now, I don't know how to…" sighed Meredith.

"Of course, you do," stated firmly Ellis. "You let that man in your life as far as to agree to marry him. Now it's time to overcome these ridiculous fears and get your ass out there."

"You're giving me advice on marriage?" Meredith cocked her eyebrow and folded her arms over her chest.

"I had my nerves in shreds like that before my first procedure."

"You did?"

"Yes, but I sucked it up and kicked everyone's asses. I expect you to be out in five minutes top, Meredith; I didn't drive out here for nothing," she said crisply. Before she walked out, she halted in the doorway and smirked at her daughter, "One more thing… Richard and I are moving back to Seattle. I'm slowing down with my career but I still need a place to cut. We'll talk over my salary when you're back from the honeymoon."

She was already out when the full meaning of her statement reached Meredith.

"She is high!" she hissed, grabbed her bouquet, and marched out.

Every minute passed was making him more paranoid. Maybe it was due to the fact he was standing in the full sun or maybe Ellis Grey's dramatic unexpected arrival, but he could come with thousands of possible reasons why Meredith would like to dump his sorry ass at the altar.

"Derek, get back at your place," hissed Amelia from the first row of seats. "Do you suffer from a late ADHD onset or what?"

He obediently trudged back but was startled by a collective sigh of admiration that ran through the gathering behind his back. He turned, almost tripping at the sight at the end of the short aisle but who could blame him? Of course, she didn't abandon him. She was there, breathtaking, spectacular. Dr. Model? He chuckled inwardly. She could be mistaken for one, but she was real, so very real. Her delicate form he knew so well was hugged appreciatively by a fabulous gown, her shoulders bare, her hair clipped tightly at the back of her head. When she lifted her half-lidded eyes to meet his, he was short of fainting. The moment was there again. She allowed him to look into her soul and he acknowledged his total surrender and faithfulness.

Meredith gave him the lightest most discreet smile that left him impatient to have her at his side. Seconds later, she was offering him his hand which he took and kissed reverently.

"God…" a whisper of worship fell from his lips.

"God?" she giggled softly, her eyebrows rising.

"Uhm, he was showing off when he made you," he said to cover the slip of his tongue and was satisfied to see a delicate rosy hue developing on the porcelain skin of her cheeks and chest.

"Sweet," the roll of his eyes was evident in Mark's voice.

Derek knew his sisters would be teasing him in no time calling him a lost puppy or something else more devious, but he couldn't care less as he and the woman of his life stood side by side, professed their vows, exchanged the rings, and were pronounced husband and wife. It happened so fast, or he was that enraptured that for a moment he just stood staring at her instead of sweeping her off her feet in a heated kiss. With a sweet laugh, Meredith caught the lapel of his tuxedo and pulled him closer to her. The tender deep regard, breathlessness, safe soft familiarity of their lips. An angel's touch. Cheers and applause broke out and Derek backed his head. He wouldn't be able to control himself if he deepened the kiss. He had to behave decently through the rest of the afternoon and seeing how irresistible Meredith looked it was going to be strenuous task. He secretly craved everyone to magically disappear, leaving him and his brand-new wife to make sweet life, naked on a blanket in the bushes, just the way Meredith surprised him a year ago.

On the other hand, it was wonderful to celebrate their love with their relatives and friends. Meredith made peace with her father's side of the family and apparently, at least a truce with her mother. His family, making up a good half of guests, was beaming at him. And they stopped to give them the barely concealed hints that the Shepherd line needed continuation after Meredith asked one of his aunts with a deadpanned voice if she wanted to join them in their bedroom.

Not for the first time in his life, Derek felt like killing Mark. Unfortunately, he didn't want to tarnish his wedding with a crime, and he was afraid he wouldn't see it as important after two glorious weeks of his honeymoon as he did now.

"So, you would think they'd stop doing it all over the hospital but I'm sure they're just going to use "we're newlyweds" line," the best man continued his highly entertaining speech, sending shockwaves of laughter around the table. "But I'm not going to bitch, I'm getting some pretty much too."

"The worst wedding speech ever," Derek groaned into Meredith's ear. "Remind me why I made him my best man; it must have been a temporary insanity."

"At least it's not boring," she grinned shivering as his breath tickled her skin. She took pity of her husband, however, and cleared her throat meaningfully.

"Uh-oh," Mark feigned a scared look. "I think my time is up as the blushing bride has just sent me one more word and I'll fire you look. No joke, people. We thought she would fire Derek at one point," he quipped evoking another round of boisterous laughter. "Without further ado, ladies, and gentlemen, raise your glasses. To Meredith and Derek who share something truly special."

"I'm never going to forget how I felt tonight." Her voice was barely a whisper on his neck, but he had no problem in picking it up. The music to which they were swaying gently was calm, and serene, perfectly summing up the wondrous day. "And I never want this night to end."

This year's love had better last
Heaven knows it's high time
I've been waiting on my own, too long
When you hold me like you do
It feels so right

"Me too, love," he murmured into her hair. "But you know what?"

Their bodies were moving softly in sync, seeking the greatest closeness, like a vine coiling around a rustic cottage. Their intertwined hands rested on Derek's chest at the level of his heart. Her other arm went around his shoulder enabling her fingers to play with the unruly curls at the base of his neck, while his embraced her slim waist, the grace of which was underlined by the style of her gown.

"What?" Everything around that wasn't Derek started to fade in the falling dusk.

If you love me got to know for sure
Cause it takes something more this time
Then sweet, sweet lies
Before I open up my arms and fall losing all control
Every dream inside my soul
When you kiss me on that midnight street
Sweep me off my feet
Singing ain't this life so sweet?
This year's love had better last

"It is never going to end."

This year's love had better last

"Mhm, promise me?" she shivered in his arms.

This year's love had better last

"Promise," he stated solemnly and traces his fingers from her back to her arm. "Are you cold?"

"No," she breathed out, nuzzling against his warmth. "I'm perfect."

This year's love had better last

"And we have a happy ending," sighed Izzie Stevens contentedly, her palm under her chin as she observed Meredith and Derek dancing with a smile.

"If I was a cheesy sap, I'm not," began Cristina who was sitting at the same table and waving a shot glass to the rhythm of the music, "I would say that's just the beginning."

"When is your beginning, Yang?" asked jokingly Alex, smirking at Cristina and Owen who held his arm around her chair.

"When's yours?" she bit back.

"Well, if either of you wants one, you should book the slot already," grinned Miranda. "Seattle Grace has turned out to be one great mating place."

"I blame Dr. Model," shrugged Cristina. "She brought out Owen, the obgyn for the manwhore, and practically made George get interested in Torres, Webber could finally chase his witch. And I wouldn't be at all surprised if she had something to do with you hooking up with Alex and with saving Bailey's ailing marriage. Quite a matchmaker, huh?"

"I doubt she'd be delighted with that title," chuckled Owen, his fingers weaving through her dark curls that cascaded down her back.

"But there's some truth in it," remarked Izzie. "Remember how we all hated her? But she deserves him."

"They deserve each other," agreed Miranda walking off with her eyes her husband that led their little son the bathroom in the house.

"They look beautiful together," commented Izzie and after a few thoughtful moments she asked Cristina, "No snide remarks?"

Her friend smiled, "I was willing to let that slide but if you insist." She cleared her throat and grunted, "Perfect people with perfect lives and perfect jobs, boo hoo."

The table erupted in laughter.

Owen took his glass and nodded, "To Meredith and Derek."

They all echoed the toast and Izzie proposed the next, "To this year's love."