"It's wedding day, its wedding day" Meredith with her eyes closed, feeling the sunlight peeking through the curtains and hearing the familiar voice smiled to herself as Ally ran into the bedroom and jumped onto the bed with a face resembling a child receiving a puppy on Christmas morning before she put both hands on Meredith's exposed shoulder, "Meredith its wedding day."
Meredith turned on her back as Ally climbed onto to her stomach, "you look very excited."
Ally quickly nodded, "today's the day Meredith."
Meredith's hand rubbed Ally's back "and what are we doing today?"
Ally looked up with a expression of surprise that quickly evolved into amusement when she saw the look on Meredith's face, "you are getting married silly."
"Hmmm and who am I marrying?"
"My daddy" Ally smirked, "you haven't forgotten have you."
"No sweetheart" Meredith said as she pushed herself up and kissed Ally's forehead before she lied back down, "i'm just being a silly billy."
"You're getting a um" Ally put a finger to her mouth, "what's it called again?"
"A husband."
"Yep and Noah is getting a daddy, who is also my daddy."
"And what is Ally going to get?"
"Ally is, oh yeah I'm Ally. Ally has gotten daddy married so her debt is repaid."
Meredith chuckled, "come here little miss debt" Meredith lifted Ally onto her lap and tickled Ally's belly as Ally laughed and kicked her legs in the air. Meredith stopped the torment of tickling and kissed her cheek, "well I think Ally should get something else. If Noah is getting a daddy then I think Ally should get a mommy."
"A mommy?" Ally turned around slowly and titled her head in thought, "am I getting a mommy?"
"You can get a mommy."
"Really, hmmm a mommy, never had one before who would it be I wonder?"
"I'll give you a hint, she's marrying your daddy today."
Ally thought to herself and her face lit up like the rising sun on a cold winter's morning, "it's you, you can be my mommy?"
Meredith feeling what she knew would be the first of many overwhelming happy feelings that she would feel today said, "I would love to be your mommy, as long as that's ok with you."
Ally nodded quickly, "that is super duper ok."
Meredith smiled warmly and brushed Ally's cheek with her fingers, "I love you so much Ally."
"Love you to the moon and back, future mommy."
"You don't have to wait until the wedding to call me mommy honey."
"So I call you mommy now?"
"You can sweetheart" Meredith whispered, Ally grinned from ear to ear and gave Meredith the biggest cuddle her little arms could muster while saying mommy over and over softly in Meredith's ear. Meredith felt her joy growing if possible even stronger, memories of her hugging Amber years ago and Amber calling Meredith mommy flashed through her mind and she tried her best not to cry.
After a while Ally said, "mommy I'm wondering."
"What are you wondering about sweetheart?"
"Hmmm" Ally drew back, put a finger to her mouth and gave Meredith a sly smirk, "are mommies as good at tickle wrestling as daddies are?"
"Well" Meredith let out a small chuckle, "there's only one way to find out."
Ally wriggled her fingers and tried to cover her ticklish spots with her arms and Meredith did the same laughing with Ally as their fingers tried to find openings to tickle each other. Meredith saw a gap opening to Ally's armpit and exploited it while Ally rolled around giggling before she climbed on Meredith's shoulders to tickle her neck. Meredith chuckled and lifting up her hands sent a laughing Ally tumbling upside down before her hands went to work on Ally's stomach. Meredith smiled down at Ally rolling in her lap she bent down to kiss her forehead before she leaned forward and planted a raspberry on Ally's bellybutton as Ally let out a loud giggle. Meredith leaned back and grinned at Ally who grinned and giggled before she got up and leapt onto her new mom. Meredith rolled with Ally on the bed until Ally was on her back and Meredith leaning over her stomach lifted up her pyjama top to blow more raspberries into her bellybutton while Ally squealed and laughed. Meredith smiled as she continued to blow and then she heard a loud rahhh and yelped and screamed with laughter herself as she felt forearms wrapping around her ankles and nails on her own feet. "Mia" Meredith cried out as she laughed as Mia chuckled, "just joining in on the mother daughter tickle war."
"Mia stop, stop."
"Are you saying Ally is allowed to tickle you and i'm not, that's favouritism not cool dude."
"Mia" Meredith stammered as Mia smiled wickedly, "it's time to play." Meredith cried out as she felt Mia's mouth on her soles, "eat the feet" Mia sang. Meredith tried to move but she couldn't she just kept screaming with laughing as Mia nibbled on her soles. Mia gave her a brief reprieve and Meredith taking a massive gulp of air said as firm as she could muster, "stop nibbling my feet Mia."
"But I'm hungry" Mia replied.
"Mia" Meredith scrambled to get away as Mia gnashed her lips together, "isn't it technically a mother's duty to make sure her children are fed?"
"Let go of me right now or I aaahh" Meredith yelped, "I will gahhh, i'll ground you for…. geez… a month."
"You know" Mia smiled widely, "that I really enjoy it when you go into full on mom mode like this."
Meredith laughed again and gasped for air as Mia gave her another reprieve as she moved her knees closer to Meredith's ankles, "ready for round 2 mom?"
"Oh i'll give you round 2 miss Mia" Meredith turned around on her back and started to wrestle with Mia who laughed in response and quickly mounted Meredith's waist before tickling her armpits. Meredith issuing wild manic laughter tried and failed to get away as Mia moved her knees up until they were pinning Meredith's arms. Mia reached down into her pyjama pants pocket and grabbed something long as Meredith squinted her eyes and felt a cold dread feeling in her spine, "Mia what is that in your hand?"
"Just my old electric toothbrush" Mia casually responded, "you know to clean my teeth, its hygienical plus it serves other purposes to."
"Mia" Meredith said in her sternest voice, Mia sniggered with all her teeth showing before reaching her hand back and making a clicking noise with her teeth. Meredith screamed and thrashed her waist as she felt Mia's electric toothbrush entering a gap in her pyjama buttons and reaching her bellybutton. Mia turned off the toothbrush and laughed, "wow this is like the rodeo, ready woooo" Mia turned on the button again as Meredith thrashed and laughed, Mia repeated the process saying "wooo" every time she turned on the button until Meredith red as a beetroot laid on the bed panting, sweating and gasping as Mia removed the toothbrush and chuckled, "i've really missed this." Meredith twisted her lips and looking at Mia chuckling above her, "ready for the big day mum."
"I will if I can breath" Meredith muttered as she clutched her chest taking deep breaths waiting for her heartbeat to soften. Ally climbed up the bed and snuggled in Meredith's arms, "i'm glad you're the one who is marrying my daddy."
"I'm glad to sweetheart." Meredith whispered back as Mia joined in to snuggle with her on the other side, "oh so the torture has stopped and now you're wanting to snuggle again."
"Yeah how about that" Mia shrugged, "I was wrong, I do want to snuggle with you again, maybe just one more time."
"My girls" Meredith whispered warmly kissing each of their foreheads as her hands rubbed each of their backs, "hey mum."
"Yes Mia?"
"Are you happy to have daughters again?"
"What do you mean Mia?" Ally asked.
"Um" Mia muttered, "uh well ah Amber" Mia looking very awkward stopped talking and Meredith nodded, "I know what you mean, do you remember Ally when I told you about my daughter Amber."
"She's in heaven."
"That's right and Mia Amber will always be my daughter but now I have two more daughters."
"Yeah yeah of course" Mia said quickly with a apologetic face, "i'm sorry for what I said, I didn't mean um…"
"It's ok" Meredith gave Mia a little squeeze, "I know what you mean and I feel very happy."
"That's awesome."
Meredith turned her head to look at the clock, "we should think about getting breakfast."
"Yeah well ok since you suggested it" Mia said with a smirk as she climbed down the bed and reached out her hands for Meredith's ankles, "oh no you don't" Meredith said as she got on to her knees, pulled the back of Mia's legs and pinned her on the bed. "Since you gave my bellybutton special attention this morning I think its only fair that I do the same with a few raspberries." Mia laughed and squealed as Meredith let out an evil cackle, "mum, mum." Meredith with a chuckle and a grin pushed her forehead on Mia's stomach to pull up her shirt before she blew raspberries on Mia's bellybutton as Mia cackled and screamed, "ok ahhh, please ahhh mum ahhhh."
"Yes honey" Meredith said with a sweet smile as she blew a massive raspberry into Mia's bellybutton, as Mia laughed her head off, "sorry sorry sorry."
"Are we done with the tickling?"
"What" Mia said with a your kidding look, "forever no."
"Well do you remember what I said before" Meredith said ominously, "if you tickle me anything that happens to me happens to you."
"I ah, I don't remember you saying that" Mia said nervously.
"Well I did say that and I meant it" Meredith said as she grabbed one of Mia's ankles in both of her hands and opened her mouth wide.
"Oh wait wait" Mia struggled as Meredith's teeth moved closer, "please please you can't do, do."
"Can't do what sweetheart?"
"You can't, you can't bite my feet."
"And why not" Meredith said sweetly.
"Because, because its" Mia stammered, "it's what you call um, its cannibalism."
"Oh this is cannibalism is it honey?" Meredith moved her mouth closer to Mia's toes as Mia screamed with laughter, "you are laughing already."
"Your breath tickles."
"Does it" Meredith chuckled as she breathed out and Mia cackled widely and gasped, "wait wait."
"You might actually enjoy having someone play eat the feet with you for a change."
"No no no" Mia yelped, "it's going to tickle like fuck."
"Mia" Meredith frowned.
"Hey I won't swear" Mia muttered, "if you won't tickle."
"You won't swear or you won't be allowed to go to the mall with your friends."
"Ok ok" Mia said with a grin, "I even missed this to."
Meredith smiled and released Mia's ankles, "i'm glad you did Mia Shepherd."
"Shepherd?"
"That's going to be your new surname."
Mia let out a loud groan, "I told Derek to go with Grey when she married you, Shepherd's dorky. Why aren't you going with Shepherd, I mean Grey?"
"Shepherd not a bad surname, it kind of has a nice ring to it."
"Yeah, if you're a farmer" Mia muttered as she rolled off the bed and got to her feet, "you know what I think I want to reconsider getting adopted. Rose makes for a nicer surname any day of the week than Shepherd."
"Well it's up to you sweetheart."
Mia stared and Meredith stared back with a sly grin until Mia threw her hands up in the air, "okay okay I'll be Shepherd."
"I thought you might change your mind, I need to jump in the shower could you make some breakfast for you and your sister."
"You to" Mia said.
"That's nice of you to offer."
"Hey it's the least I can do after everything you've done for me" Mia jumped on the bed and gave Meredith a quick cuddle and kiss on the cheek which made Meredith smile before she jumped off the bed.
"Mia wait for me" Ally hopped off the bed.
Mia squatted down, "you want a piggy back ride."
"Yeah" Ally said happily hopping on Meredith's shoulders.
"Girls" Meredith called out, "not down the stairs."
"Why not" Mia smirked.
"Mia please, its dangerous."
"Only if you trip" Mia chuckled seeing Meredith's scowl, "bumblebee we'll wait till we get down the stairs."
Meredith let out a tired chuckle to herself before she flopped back on the bed. Then she started to daydream of wedding music and she quickly got to her feet.
Meanwhile in a hotel Derek feeling nerves and excitement pouring through his body tried to get his mind off marrying the love of his life by performing push ups. He did several while breathing in deeply hoping that that the adrenaline of exercise combined with focused breathing would help calm his nerves that he felt a giggling weight on his back and smirking to himself he did another few push ups with Noah riding on top of him laughing. Derek turned around on his back and looked up at Noah sitting on his chest with a happy expression on his face, "it's today."
"It sure is."
"Are you ready to marry my mommy?"
"I sure am little buddy."
Noah nodded as his little hand pointed at Derek's nipples, "dad am I going to get a hairy chest like you someday."
Derek chuckled, "I reckon you will."
"And a beard."
"That to."
Noah's hands clapped Derek's skin, "can you do more push ups."
"Ok a few more couldn't hurt" Derek said as he turned around and Noah with a big grin got onto his dad's back again, "one, two" he counted slowly.
Meredith showered with two things in mind one was paying as much attention as she could to her appearance, she wanted to look as good as she possibly could today for Derek. The other was she was worried about the bridesmaids knocking on the door any minute. Meredith got out and hearing the doorbell ring let out a panicked noise as she quickly wrapped a towel around her body and ran to the bedroom, "yo doc the guests are here."
"I know I heard the doorbell" Meredith said as she poked her head out, "can you let them in please."
"Hey you're the bride that's your job."
"Mia I'm not dressed."
Mia came into sight and sniggered, "hey you don't need to get dressed if you want to knock Derek's socks off."
"Mia" Meredith flushed red, "can you just answer the door."
"I have forgotten where the door is, I haven't been here for a while."
Meredith grumbled, "Ally can you answer the door for me sweetie."
"She's watching the television" Mia smirked. Meredith raised a finger and Mia chuckled, "ok i'll do it." Meredith hurried to her closet.
Meredith as quickly as she could got herself changed into shorts and a tea shirt before flying down the stairs she popped her head into the living room where Ally was watching cartoons and eating a bowel of cereal, "sweetie everyone's here."
"Everyone at the wedding" Ally said, "the house is not big enough."
"Just the bridesmaids dear." Meredith came into the kitchen, "where is everyone?"
"False alarm doc" Mia shrugged. Meredith looked outside the window and saw the shadow of a person standing there, "Mia."
"I honestly did not know they were out there." Meredith grumbled loudly and opened the door with several different apologies and Amelia gave her a big hug, "hey sis."
"Hey sis" Meredith said with a chuckle, "i'm still getting a little used to calling you that."
"Hey before you know it will feel natural, hey Ally cat."
"Aunty Amelia" Ally came running into Amelia's arms. Meredith looked into the kitchen and frowned, "just a sec" before she walked into the bathroom and pulled back the drapes to the shower to find Mia huddled in a corner, "Mia what are you doing?"
"Hiding" Mia replied.
"It's alright, Amelia won't be angry at you."
"That's not the reason why i'm hiding" Mia whispered through clenched teeth. Amelia poked her face around the door and came into the bathroom with her face in a wide grin, "well well well, look who it is."
"Ah shit" Mia said looking downtrodden.
"Mia" Meredith sighed, "I hope you won't be swearing at the wedding."
"No mum I won't."
"Hey" Amelia said slowly.
"What?"
"Did you just call her mum."
Mia looked at Meredith and then at Amelia before she quickly said, "no."
"Yes you did."
"No I didn't."
"You did."
"I'm adopting her" Meredith said with a smirk.
"You are" Amelia said beaming.
"She's not" Mia said quickly.
"You know what that means."
"Don't say it" Mia saying looking mortified.
"I'm really going to be your aunt, oh my little niece" Amelia wrapped her arms around Mia's head, i'm so glad your safe, I have been so worried."
"Get off me you nutcase" Mia muffled as Amelia cooed and kissed her head.
"I'll just leave you two be" Meredith walked out of the bathroom.
"Don't leave me here with…"
Meredith closed the bathroom door with a sigh and hearing the doorbell ring again she opened the door and Arizona and Callie came in carrying a video camera, "and there is doctor Meredith on her special wedding day."
"I guess you can't crop out my hair" Meredith said as she ran a hand through it, her hair was a mess.
"You'll look like a reborn swan once we're through." The doorbell rang a third time and Chloe came in, "hey sweetheart."
"Hey Meredith, um" Chloe said wandering in with her hands behind her back, "I know you said that you didn't want presents but me and my nan made you some treats."
"That's lovely sweetheart" Meredith said with an appreciative look as she looked at the wrapped goods, "these look really good, i'll just put them in the kitchen."
"Hey Ally" Chloe lifted the little girl up into her arms, "you look really excited."
"Super excited" Ally said as she quickly nodded.
A second later Mia stumbled out of the bathroom with Amelia behind her, "will you bugger off."
Chloe looking livid put Ally down pointed a finger at Mia who stared back mortified. Chloe made a fist and started to chase Mia through the kitchen, "woah dude dude" Mia screamed, "fuck fuck shit." Mia tripped over the kitchen bin sending rubbish flying all over the floor. Chloe leaned over Mia and put her hands around Mia's neck, "girls" Meredith came running into the kitchen. "Doctor Meredith" Chloe hissed, "please excuse me while I kill her."
"Ok you are really pissed" Mia put her hands around Chole's wrists, "I get it, I know I ran away again."
"You told me you wouldn't run away again. We went to the police station and you promised you wouldn't run away. As soon as I go into the restroom you bolt from the station. Three months I have been worried if you were fucking alive."
"I know, I know" Mia said, "I am really sorry, I thought it was the right thing to do running away from everyone it wasn't and i'm a bitch." Chloe slowly released her hands from Mia's neck and she and Mia hugged each other tight as Meredith took a deep breath, "does this mean you don't want to kill Mia anymore Chloe."
"Um" Chloe went bright red, "I don't know what came over me."
Chloe got to her feet and she helped Mia up who stared back, "best buddies?"
"Best friends" Chloe replied who laughed with Mia in response.
Meredith sat very still in her bedroom as Arizona and Callie went to work on her makeup, it felt like hours and it probably was hours Meredith had no concept of time but she wanted to look as good as possible for Derek today and she did her best to stay still. She imagined that she was the model in a art class being instructed to stay perfectly still and everyone was drawing a portrait of her. At last Meredith got to the stage of putting on her wedding dress and when she finally emerged and wandered downstairs everyone gasped, "oh Meredith" Amelia whispered.
"You look gorgeous hon" Callie added.
"Derek's going to faint the moment he lays eyes on you" Chloe said.
Meredith smiled to herself and felt little hands tugging on her own, "you are really pretty."
"So are you miss Ally" Meredith smiled.
"Daddy's eyes are going to go" Ally did a bulging expression with her hands near her eyes which made everyone laugh.
"I still think the towel would have been better" Mia said. Meredith gave Mia a long hard look, Mia threw up her hands in embarrassment, "what you want Derek's eyes to bulge out of his head when he sees you don't you."
Meredith walked over to Amelia, "can you watch Mia for the day."
"Of course I would be very happy to." Meredith chuckled at the pained look on Mia's face, "can you girls get ready and help Ally get into her dress."
"Sure come on Ally" Chloe said taking her hand as they walked into a room, slowly after Mia followed. "Ah Meredith" Amelia said shaking a little, "listen my mum told me that she asked you to call her mum and well if it's making you uncomfortable calling me sis then…."
"It's not making me uncomfortable at all sis" Meredith as she gave Amelia a hug as they both smiled, "i'm going to check on the girls." Meredith knocked on Mia's bedroom door and came in, "you look ready to rock Ally."
Ally threw a few air punches, "i'm ready to throw flowers on everyone."
"Sweetheart just throw the flowers onto the floor ok."
"Ok."
"And you look just like a angel."
"Thank you mommy."
"You look very beautiful to honey" Meredith said as she looked at Chloe who blushed in embarrassment, "Mia why aren't you wearing your bridesmaid dress?"
"I'll get into it" Mia muttered.
"Chloe could you take Ally outside."
Chloe left with Ally and Mia let out a sigh, "your very good at picking up when something is bothering me."
"That's a mother's job" Meredith said, what's the matter?"
"Everyone can see my tattoos" Mia said pointing at her shoulders.
"Hey, what's the matter with your tattoos?"
Mia pulled down at the collar of her pyjama top showing her tattoos, "I look different to everyone else, none of the other bridesmaids have tattoos."
"That's ok, you don't have to look the same as everyone else."
Mia looked at Meredith, "you don't like these tattoos, remember when I first stayed here you wanted me to cover them up."
"Only for court and maybe that wasn't the right thing for me to say but I don't mind your tattoos."
"Really" Mia muttered loudly, "you like the bloody skull and crossbones that I have on my shoulder or the f word all b word. I wish I never got half of these stupid things, I only got them to fit into the gangs I used to ride with."
"If you really want to get some of them changed or removed we can do that but don't worry about the tattoos today."
"I guess I can't cover them up" Mia said looking down on the floor.
"Don't worry about what other people think, there are some judgemental people out there but they don't know you like your family does so don't worry about what they think."
"I should have come knocking on your door earlier and then I could have had them changed, why the hell did I spend several months sleeping near a bin."
"It's part of growing up" Meredith said as she gently rubbed Mia's shoulders with her hands before she got out her bridesmaid dress "we do silly things and then wonder later why we did them in the past first, we learn from them."
"Well" Mia said as she quickly got herself changed into her bridesmaid dress, "I did make a good choice coming to see you."
"Best choice I think you have ever made and you look as pretty as a picture."
"Mum" Mia chuckled and smiled slowly, "thanks."
Meredith kissed Mia's forehead, "let's go."
Derek stood inside a hallway taking deep breaths with Noah beside him, "daddy why are you breathing like that."
"Ah I'm just a little nervous mate."
"Why?"
"Well every man gets nervous on their wedding day, some day when you get married to a beautiful woman like your mum you'll feel like jellybeans are bouncing up and down in your stomach."
Noah's hand patted Derek's knee, "its ok dad."
"I know, I know" Derek heard conversations happening outside, "um ok ah everyone's here."
Noah's jaw dropped as dozens of kids of different ages came through the door some staring at the decor, some fixated on their phones some staring at the flowers and the food. Noah puled on Derek's hand, "that's a lot of kids" he whispered.
"Yeah I have a lot of nieces and nephews and all of them are now your cousins."
"I got an army of cousins" Noah whispered.
"Derekster" Greg came through the doorway, he immediately ran to Derek to shake his head "and who might you be young one."
"Greg this is Noah, Noah I want you to meet my best man Greg."
"What's a best man?"
"He's got a very important job mate he gives this guy" Derek pointed at himself "away to the bride."
"He's your owner dad."
"Ah" Derek laughed with Greg, "no not quite."
"Noah" Amelia came through the doorway to give him a hug, "hey sweetheart good to see you." Noah raised his arms with a grin and Amelia picked him up.
"Did you want to practice your vowels one last time big fella before the wedding."
"Yes that would be great, Amelia can you take Noah?"
"I am more than happy to take Noah" Amelia said as she put him down, "come on nephew to be."
"I'm your nephew" Noah grinned as he trotted to keep up with Amelia.
"You sure are." Amelia saw a text on her phone, "hmmm Noah can you wait here for a second, I just need to get something."
"Um okay" Noah said nodding, Amelia went into a nearby room and Noah felt a gentile hand on his shoulder, "mom."
"Not quite little dude" Noah turned around and couldn't see anyone, "dude" a deep voice sounded Noah turned around again, "dude" Noah gasped and turned around in a circle as Mia giggled and came into Noah's sight before Noah ran into Mia's arms. Noah gripped Mia as tight as he could and Mia chuckled, "hey hey, easy with the grip mr squirrel you'll crush me with your super strength."
Noah and Mia stood quietly hugging each other for several minutes before Noah whispered, "I thought you were gone forever."
"Yeah" Mia said as she picked him up and rubbed his back "but I missed everyone a lot especially you so I came on back to your house last night."
"I'm sorry I couldn't bring you back home."
"Well your only five years old dude it ain't easy bringing back people when your five and its ok I came back home all on my own. I mean your mom did drive me a bit of the way but I mostly came back home. Hey and you want to know a secret."
"What?"
"I'm going to be your big sister."
Noah opened his mouth with excitement, "really."
"Yep" Mia said with a ghoulish grin, "because I asked your mom to adopt me and she said yes does that sound good"
Noah nodded with a huge grin, "cool how about we rock this place."
Noah looking giddy with excitement ran on ahead and Mia sighing turned around to see Amelia staring at her, "go on say it."
"You're a lovely big sister."
Mia just shrugged "and an even funnier you know what."
"Yeah yeah" Mia muttered "and you are ok I guess, for an aunt."
"First time you acknowledged me as a aunt."
"Well if its something I got to live with" Amelia chuckled and Mia followed suit until Amelia's face started to look anxious as she looked past Mia and Mia felt her heart sink into her chest and tears coming to her eyes, "Mia" Derek said.
"It's alright honey" Amelia whispered to Mia.
Mia started to cry, "I missed you slugger" Derek said softly.
Mia slowly turned around and hugged Derek as tight as she could before she buried her face in his shoulder, "i'm sorry, i'm so sorry."
"It's alright" Derek whispered with his own eyes closed, "it's alright."
"You should be screaming at me, you almost died because of me."
"No I shouldn't, I don't blame you for what happened and I never have."
"Why did you come after me you idiot I thought you were going to die."
"Well ah" Derek said feeling tongue tied, "look um the important thing is i'm glad your back."
"I guess you heard me talking to Noah."
"Yeah I did" Derek said with a nod.
Mia started to shake like a leaf, "is it ok with you?"
"I don't see why not" Derek grinned.
Mia smiled, "so I guess I can start calling you pops."
"Hey hey hey" Derek chuckled, "come on i'm to young for you to be calling me pops."
"Are you sure" Mia smirked.
"Hah cheek, this means I now have the power to send you off to boot camp."
"Boot camp" Mia muttered.
"Yeah" Derek continued, "there are some excellent programs, obstacle courses, tons of push ups every day you'll love it. We'll look at some brochures later."
Noah came running up to Derek, Mia and Amelia and Mia said to Noah, "Noah your dad wants to send me away."
"No" Noah said loudly as he came running into Derek's waist, "she's staying here."
"Two can play at that game" Mia sniggered.
"Well played" Derek admitted defeat, "ah don't worry Noah I won't, I should go over my vowels one more time."
Mia's face crumbled and Derek stared for a while before Mia whispered, "I love you dad."
Derek gave Mia another tight hug and whispered back, "I love you to Mia."
Derek stood at the altar waiting for the biggest moment of his life. He heard music playing and he watched Amelia, Callie, Arizona, Mia and Chloe walking down the isle. Noah came next looking very nervous yet determined coming down carrying the rings and Ally followed suit doing twirls as she threw flowers everywhere on her way down the isle before she gave her daddy a big thumbs up as Derek with butterflies in his stomach returned the gesture to his daughter. Derek looked again and was blown away as Meredith slowly walked down in her wedding dress looking beyond incredible. Derek watched Meredith's every step as she came to the alter, "hi" Derek said. "Hi" Meredith responded breathless.
Meredith and Derek kept their eyes on each others eyes and when Arizona gave Meredith her vowels Meredith took a deep breath and started to say, "Derek for a long time in my life my life was to preoccupied with work. A part of me always felt that it was wrong but then I met you and you helped me take a step back from my workaholic lifestyle and to focus more on what is more important in life, which is my family. As we have built our family we have built our relationship day by day, memory by memory. I want to continue making memories with you and with our children. From this day forward I vow to be loving, loyal, devoted and to spend the rest of my life with you."
Derek smiled widely and started to say "Meredith, I used to be alone. I didn't think I would ever have a family of my own. Then one day a funny spirited cheeky little girl came into my life and I became her father. This girl tried to play matchmaker and she encouraged me to do what I wanted to do since I first saw you and ask you out on a date. Once I plucked up the courage and asked you out and we entered into a relationship I became a better man and over time I realised that a big reason why I became a better man was because of you. Over time I felt like I could take on any mountain in the world. I vow from this day forward to be the best man, father and husband I can be and to go through life with you no matter how difficult it gets."
Derek was asked to say "I do" and he did, Meredith said softly "I do" and the crowd erupted in cheers and claps.
A half hour later Meredith was on the dance floor enjoying her first dance with Derek as husband and wife, she couldn't find any words to say to Derek. Meredith danced with Derek slowly at first looking into his eyes and then she drew her arms around him to hold him close. "I love you" Derek and Meredith whispered at the same time then they chuckled.
"Did you ever think" Meredith said softly, "the day we met that we would ever get to this moment."
"When you found me dying of thirst out in the garden" Derek replied, "it never occurred to me that we would be dating or one day getting married."
"Funny how things happen" Meredith grinned.
"Mommy daddy" Ally and Noah said.
"Yes" Derek said breaking apart for a moment to look at their children.
"We have a question" Noah raised a finger.
"Yes mate?"
"When are you going to have a baby?" Ally said.
"Ah" Derek stammered and Meredith gripped his hand, "well" Derek started as he tried to think of the right words, is three kids not enough no that's probably not the best thing to say
Meredith said, "your dad and I will talk with you about this later."
"What are you guys talking about?" Mia said coming along.
"Babies" Ally said with excitement as Mia smirked at a red faced Derek, "hmmm I was wondering that to?"
"We'll have this discussion later" Derek said.
"Well you guys are ancient so you better get cracking if you want to…."
"Please do not finish that sentence Mia" Meredith said sternly as Mia closed her mouth and grinned, "well just think about it" Mia put a finger to her forehead as she, Noah and Ally walked away.
"Well" Derek muttered, "this feels a little awkward."
"Maybe we should have had this conversation before the kids sprung it onto us."
"Well" Derek said and Meredith ran her hands down Derek's forearm trying to get him to relax, "we can talk about it sometime but I am totally supportive with whatever you want us to do."
"I would like to have a baby" Derek said.
Meredith thought to herself the idea of having a baby with her own with the man she loved and was now married to didn't seem like a bad idea, "that sounds wonderful but are you sure we can mange four kids?"
"Somehow I think we'll do well. Chances are by the time the baby is in school Mia will have left for college so it will be three kids."
"Well" Meredith chuckled, "four kids sounds good."
"Anyway where were we?"
"We were enjoying our dance my love" Meredith said before she kissed Derek's lips. Meredith and Derek continued to dance, one more day of memories and the first day being husband and wife forever and always.