Chapter 26: Let's Get Married

"Derek," Meredith says excitedly as she bursts back into their hotel room later that afternoon. "Are you awake?"

"If I wasn't, I am now," he answers with a laugh.

"Did you have a good nap?"

"It would've been better if you'd been here, but you were to antsy to sleep. You had to go for a walk on the beach. You…"

"Let's get married," she interrupts with a giggle as she throws herself into his arms.

Derek's breath whooshes out of him and he wraps his arms around his beautiful fiancée. He holds her tight and laughs when he can. Then says, "I think our ensuing wedding was established this morning when you accepted that rock on your finger."

"True," she giggles, "What I mean is now. Maybe not right this minute but while we're here in Maui. Let's turn this vacation into our honeymoon."

After a few moments of shocked silence, Derek asks, "Are you serious?"

"Yes," she answers with conviction and kisses him firmly. "If you really hate the idea, I'll let it go, but I really love the idea."

"Really? What about the planning? The guests, a reception, a cake and all of whatever goes along with a wedding? Don't you want all that?"

"It's not that I don't want any of it - I just don't want all of it. What do you want, Derek? This is our wedding, not just mine."

"I want you to be my wife and I want you to be happy. I don't really care what kind of wedding we have as long as we have one and you're pleased with it."

"Okay," Meredith says with a giggle and kisses him again. "I want to get married here. I can't imagine planning a wedding during my Fellowship and I don't really want to plan one anyway. I also don't want to wait to be married to you. I checked, and we can apply for a marriage license at the courthouse. Also, they perform weddings here in the resort."

"You've been busy," he laughs.

"I have," she answers. "My only concern is our family and friends. Do you think they'll be pissed if we do this?"

"Maybe," he answers with a nod. "We'll make a bunch of phone calls to let people know what we want to do. Tell them if they want to - and if they can - to come next weekend for our wedding."

"Then we'll have eight days for our honeymoon." Meredith giggles.

"Yeah," he laughs.

They both grab their cell phones and start making phone calls. Everyone is completely thrilled about their engagement. And surprisingly, no one bitches about them wanting to get married while in Maui. Molly and Lexie - who Meredith had a three-way call with - want to give them a reception when they get back. Meredith and Derek accept and suggest that Kathleen will want to help them plan it. Naturally, she does. Mark tells Derek there's no way he'd miss the wedding. Everyone else either knows they can't make it or has to check and get back to them.

"We're getting married next week," Derek announces proudly at the end of his last phone call.

"We are," laughs Meredith as she jumps on Derek and kisses him loud and enthusiastically.


"Hello Dr. Bailey."

"What do you want?" she snaps as she slams a chart shut and turns to the man beside her.

"I - umm… well," the tall man sputters.

"Spit it out, Sloan."

"Jesus, I'm trying. You are scary at times. Do you know that?"

"I'm scary all the time," she retorts. "Unless you get to the point - I'm walking away now."

"Are you going to be able to make it to Maui for Derek and Meredith's wedding?"

Mark was looking directly at Bailey and still couldn't believe the transformation before him. Everything about her relaxes, her eyes go soft and she gives him a real, huge and genuine smile.

"You have such a soft spot for Shep," Mark states with a smile of his own.

"I do," Bailey agrees. "He's the older brother I never had."

"Yeah," Mark agrees. "I'm glad he and Meredith found one another."

"Me too. And yes, I'm going to Maui. I had to pitch a royal fit with the Chief, but he finally relented and gave me three days. I don't know if Tucker and the kids will go, though. It might just be a mini-vacation for Mama."

"Well Mama," Mark says with a huge charming grin, "I'll be happy to be your escort for the wedding."

"I'll take you up on that if my husband doesn't go," Bailey answers and turns to walk away. She turns back and calls, "Sloan?"

"Yes?"

"Don't ever call me 'Mama' again."

"Yes Dr. Bailey," Mark grins and turns to walk down the hall.

Bailey shakes her head but smiles and walks in the other direction.