April 22, 2007- Seattle Washington
Derek stood at the alter. Beside him were, George, Preston, and Anna's husband Joshua: all his groomsmen. On the opposite side of him stood the Priest. Then there were Meredith's bridesmaids, Cristina, Izzie, and Anna. Derek was trying to stand still and be calm, but his palms were sweating. He couldn't believe that this day was finally here. After all the things that had happened, they were finally getting married.
As the music begins and the guests all rise, Derek's eyes find their way to Meredith's. Derek's father, Alley, had his arm locked with Meredith's as he led her down the aisle in between all of their friends and family. Derek felt relief as Meredith looked into his eyes. Everything was going to be okay. Everything was going to be okay. At least that was what he kept telling himself as she inched further.
Finally the music stopped and Meredith did as well. She was still a few feet behind Derek as everyone sat down and turned their attention to the Priest, "We are gathered here today in the sight of God and angels, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the words which shall unite Derek Shepherd and Meredith Grey in holy matrimony."
"Marriage is a most honorable estate, created and Instituted by God, signifying unto us the mystical union, which also exists between Christ and the Church; so too may this marriage be adorned by true and abiding love. Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace."
Everyone looked around the silent room. No one said a word. Derek couldn't help but smile. Everything really was going to be okay. Meredith and Alley took a step forward so that they were aligned with Derek. "Who is it that brings this woman to this man?" the Priest asks.
"I do," Alley answers, "On behalf of her friends and family." Alley looks at Derek and smiles before placing Meredith's hand in his. Derek takes hold of it and smiles at Meredith who he could already tell had tears welding up in her eyes.
As the Priest began to speak again, they never took their eyes off each other, "Derek and Meredith, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is give to us by our family and friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of life's greatest challenges and is the shared goal of a married life."
Tears were slowly falling down Meredith's cheeks, despite the fact that she was smiling. She couldn't believe that this was finally happening. Everything was finally coming together and going to be okay. "But a husband and wife should not confuse love of worldly measures for even if worldly success is found, only love will maintain a marriage. Mankind did not create love; love is created by God. The measure of true love is a love both freely given and freely accepted, just as God's love of us is unconditional and free."
"Today truly is a glorious day the Lord hath made - as today both of you are blessed with God's greatest of all gifts - the gift of abiding love and devotion between a man and a woman. All present here today - and those here in heart - wish both of you all the joy, happiness and success and the world has to offer."
"As you travel through life together, I caution you to remember that the true measure of success, the true avenue to joy and peace, is to be found within the love you hold in your hearts. I would ask that you hold the key to your heart very tightly."
Derek looked over at Meredith and saw the tears gently streaming down her face. He'd never been so happy at the sight of tears. He could tell by the smile on her face that she was as happy and amazed as he was. This was finally their day. "Within the Bible, nothing is of more importance that love. We are told the crystalline and beautiful truth: "God is Love". We are assured that "Love conquers all". It is love, which brings you here today, the union of two hearts and two spirits. As your lives continue to interweave as one pattern, remember that it was love that brought you here today, it is love that will make this a glorious union, and it is love, which will cause this union to endure," the Priest took a moments rest and then spoke again, "Would you please face each other and join hands?"
Derek and Meredith slowly turned so that they were facing each other and interlocked both hands, resting between them. Derek smiled and Meredith's tears slowed. "Derek Shepherd do you take Meredith Grey to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only to her forevermore?"
Derek smiled again at Meredith and squeezed her hands. He never took his eyes off of her as he said the words that would change everything, "I do."
The Priest turned towards Meredith, "Meredith Grey do you take Derek Shepherd to be your Husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only to him forevermore?"
Meredith smiled at Derek. This was their day. Their moment and she couldn't be more ecstatic, "I do."
Suddenly they both relaxed and relief flew over them once again. They were almost there. Almost husband and wife. "A marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments, but also is a declaration of love. I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter to the Corinthians a long time ago. I believe this is a true model of love, and it is a model of love I would hope you both would pursue in your marriage:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always preserves."
"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears."
"When I was a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these are love."
Those words resonated throughout Meredith's mind. She'd been lucky enough to experience the greatest thing the world has to offer: love. And not only that, but she'd been able to keep it and she didn't plan on ever letting it or Derek go. "You may now say your vows."
Derek opened his mouth and spoke the traditional vows, "I, Derek Shepherd, take thee Meredith Grey to be my wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore." At that moment he was happy they had decided to do the traditional ones. He wasn't sure that he could have fathomed up any original words to describe his feelings at this moment. The feeling he got when he looked into Meredith's eyes was just indescribable.
"I, Meredith Grey, take thee Derek Shepherd to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore," Meredith said, her smile growing the entire time. She held tightly on to Derek. She wasn't sure if she'd still be able to stand up without his touch in this moment. Their moment.
"Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace, signifying to all the uniting of this man and this woman in marriage," the Priest said as Alley handed a gorgeous ring to Derek.
Derek took the ring and turned back to Meredith, "With this ring, I thee wed. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen," Derek said as he slowly slipped the ring onto Meredith's thin finger.
Meredith then turned to Cristina who handed her Derek's simple band. Meredith looked up back into Derek's eyes: the eyes that Meredith loved. "With this ring, I thee wed. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen," she recited as she slipped the ring on to his strong finger.
Everyone's eyes were on Meredith and Derek. They could feel it, but they didn't care. They were too lost in each other to even hear the Priest speaking again, "Derek and Meredith, as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect."
"Dear heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with great happiness on Derek and Meredith's wedding day, as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may be ever true and loving, living together is such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding, rid them of all pretense of jealousy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may the home they are creating today, truly be a place of love and harmony, where your spirit is ever present. Bless this union we pray, and walk beside them throughout all their lives together. We ask these things in Jesus name, amen," the Priest said.
Derek smiled and squeezed Meredith's hand again, feeling the ring on her finger and knowing what came next in the ceremony. They were almost there. "Derek and Meredith, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the giving of these rings and the joining of your hands, I now declare you to be husband and wife," the Priest said, "Congratulations, you may kiss the bride."
Derek didn't even realize he'd been holding his breath. He quickly wrapped his arms around Meredith's body and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss despite the fact that two hundred people were all watching them. They didn't care. They'd finally done it. They'd finally made it. When they pulled away, everyone else came back into focus. Everyone was standing up and cheering. Even Cristina had a smile on her face. "I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Derek Shepherd," the Priest proudly said before Meredith and Derek retreated down the aisle. They'd finally done it. They were finally husband and wife.