Meredith was in a total panic. She didn't want to tell anyone. It wasn't that she didn't want to marry Derek. She was just worried, about everything. The ceremony was in a few hours. Everyone was starting to get ready, and she was in the bathroom puking her guts out.
Addison: Meredith, are you okay?
Meredith: I'm good... (She vomits again.)
Addison: I'm coming in...(She walks in.) Oh Mer. (She hold her hair back.)
Meredith: It's okay. I'm nervous.
Addison: This is right. This is how it is supposed to go. You two were meant for each-other.
Meredith: I'm not worried about me. Is this really what he wants?
Addison: I can say without a shadow of a doubt...yes. Definitely.
Meredith: (Smiles.) Really?
Addison: Quit worrying, and wondering. Just take it on faith. Now lets get you dressed. You are getting married!
Meredith: I am getting married.
Cristina came in an helped Meredith get dressed. Meredith loved her mother, but she wanted Cristina. Meredith looked breathtaking. The strapless ivory colored Vera Wang gown had Chantilly and lace appliques, a pleat-trimmed skirt and apron tulle overlay. It complimented her body perfectly. She stood in front the mirror, Ellis comes in. Cristina leaves.
Ellis: You look beautiful!
Meredith: Thank you.
Ellis: I need to say something, and I need you to just listen.
Meredith: Okay.
Ellis: I know I was a terrible mother. I was never around. I loved you, I did. It wasn't that I didn't think you were smart enough to go to medical school, because you were. I didn't know you. I didn't know what your dreams or aspirations were. I just thought you were following me. If it isn't what you want, you will never make it. That is why I didn't think you could. I never knew what you wanted. When you were with John, I thought it was a good thing. He loved you, he was bound to be successful. I thought it was perfect. That way if you didn't make it, he would take care of you. So now, standing here in front of you, I realize now that this is what you want. I can't change the past. I wish I hadn't pushed you into something you didn't want. I'm sorry. (Ellis and Meredith both have tears running down.) But now I know that you will be with someone who will cherish you for the rest of your life. I love you Meredith. (She hugs her.)
Meredith: I love you too, Mom. (Ellis leaves, and Lynn comes in.)
Lynn: I am so happy for you. I have never seen a more beautiful bride in my life. Thank you for making my son so happy. (She hugs her. Everyone else comes in.)
Izzie: We have to do your hair and makeup!
Meredith: I'm ready.
When they are done, they all look at each other. The bridesmaids were all wearing deep-garnet colored long strapless gowns. Everyone had their hair in an up-do. Meredith's hair was up and had tiny white roses throughout the bun. She looked unbelievable. They all made their way to the terrace.
Derek is in his room, standing in an Armani suit. He had never felt so comfortable, so sure of anything in his life. For once, his life was perfect, just the way he wanted to be. Richard walks in.
Richard: Nervous?
Derek: Not at all. I have never been so sure of anything in my life.
Richard: That's great. It doesn't always happen that way. I loved Adele, but Ellis was always in my heart. You two, you have it. You always will.
Derek makes his way to the terrace. It is completely lit up with candles. The sun is just getting ready to set. The warm yellow and orange tones were reflecting off of the sea. Derek looks over at Mark, who winks. Everyone that has ever seen them together knows that this is perfect. They are meant to be. He looks up and sees Izzie walk down the 'aisle'. Followed by Callie, Addison and Cristina. Then she appears with Richard on her arm. He had never seen anyone so beautiful, so perfect in his life. She is carrying a bouquet of ivory calla lilies and french tulips. She looks like and angel. Her eyes look onto his. It didn't matter who else was there. It was only them. Richard kisses her on the cheek. Meredith places her hands in Derek's. The officiate starts to speak.
Officiate:
Good evening, and welcome to the ceremony that will unite Derek and Meredith in marriage. We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honor their commitment to not just gazing at one another, but to looking outward together in the same direction. Today Derek and Meredith proclaim their love to the world, and we rejoice with and for them.
In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. But even as that gift is shared by two people who are in love, it also touches the friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship. All of you are Derek and Meredith's community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment. This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of a wedding ceremony. Because Derek and Meredith are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way.
When you love someone, you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way, from moment to moment. It is an impossibility. It is even a lie to pretend to. And yet this is exactly what most of us demand. We have so little faith in the ebb and flow of life, of love, of relationships. We leap at the flow of the tide and resist in terror its ebb. We are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanency, on duration, on continuity; when the only continuity possible, in life as in love, is in growth, in fluidity - in freedom, in the sense that the dancers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in the same pattern.
The only real security is not in owning or possessing, not in demanding or expecting, not in hoping, even. Security in a relationship lies neither in looking back to what was in nostalgia, nor forward to what it might be in dread or anticipation, but living in the present relationship and accepting it as it is now. Relationships must be like islands, one must accept them for what they are here and now, within their limits - islands, surrounded and interrupted by the sea, and continually visited and abandoned by the tides.
Derek and Meredith, we are here to remember and rejoice with you and to recount with one another that it is love that guides us on our path, and to celebrate as you begin this journey together It is in this spirit that you have come here to today to exchange these vows.
Derek: Meredith--the moment I saw you, all time stopped. It was just you and I. I thought you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. You were perfect. I had never believed in love at first sight, not until that day. I don't know what it is, your infectious laugh, your tiny ineffectual fists, or the way you smile when you sleep, but I cannot wait to wake up and look into your eyes each morning. You are the only one I ever want. My one true love. My penguin. (She smiles, a tear running down her cheek. He squeezes her hands.)
Meredith: Derek--when I met you, I wasn't in the position to love you. But, I couldn't help it. You made me feel differently than I had ever felt before. You made me feel like I mattered, like I was loved. Every night I wake up and look over at you. I need to make sure it's not a dream. To make sure that it has all really happened. You are the most important thing in my life. You are my heart an soul. I can not imagine my life without you. Before I met you, I was just a ship lost at sea, and now I have a course, a destination. Now, my life has begun. I love you, Derek. (His eyes well up.)
Officiate: For thousands of years lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. These simple bands are not of great value in themselves, but are made precious by our wearing of them. Your rings say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bound together. Let these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that, despite its occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness, wonder, and delight. Derek, take Meredith's ring and put it on her finger, and repeat after me:
Derek: Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal/
Just as it is made of indestructible substance/
my commitment to you will never fail/
With this ring I take you to be my trusted confidante
and partner for life.
Officiate: Meredith, put the ring on Derek's finger and repeat after me:
Meredith: Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal/
Just as it is made of indestructible substance/
my commitment to you will never fail/
With this ring I take you to be my trusted confidante and partner for life.
Officiate: In as much as you have consented together in this ceremony to live in wedlock and have sealed your vows in the presence of this assembly and by the giving of these rings, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are Husband and Wife. You may kiss your bride.
Derek: I love you. (He places his hands on her face and pulls he into a long passionate kiss.)
Officiate: May I present to you Dr. and Dr. Derek and Meredith Shepherd. (Everyone claps)
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Derek pulls Meredith to the middle of the dance floor. The candles and lights all around. The sound of the water moving and crashing against the rocks. Derek looks into her sparkling eyes. Eyes that look as if they have a thousand stars in them.
Unforgettable, thats what you are
Unforgettable though near or far
Like a song of love that clings to me
How the thought of you does things to me
Never before has someone been more
Derek: You have made me the happiest man in the world. Now I feel like my life is complete.
Meredith: It was perfect, wasn't it?
Derek: It was.
Unforgettable in every way
And forever more, thats how you'll stay
Thats why, darling, its incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too
Meredith: My life has never been like this. It has always been one disappointment after another. You are the first constant in my life. You are everything. I don't want this to end. It's all too perfect.
Derek: Everyday will be like this. We will fight, and not always get along, but at the end of the day, I will always love you.
Unforgettable in every way
And forever more, thats how you'll stay
Thats why, darling, its incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am unforgettable too
Derek and Meredith keep dancing. Derek didn't want to let go of her. Finally Richard broke in. They begin dancing.
Richard: I'm happy for you. He's a great man.
Meredith: Thanks for everything. It has been perfect. All of my friends and family here...
Richard: You are like a daughter to me. That is what parents do. (His eyes welled up.) If I had a daughter, I would want her to be just like you. (Mark cuts in.)
Mark: Congratulations, Firecracker.
Meredith: Thank you, Mark.
Mark: I have never seen him so happy. He's been my friend forever. You changed him. You ignited something in him. He's happy, he's passionate. Thank you for making my friend so happy.
The evening went on forever. Everyone was happy and had a wonderful time. It was all perfect. Nothing could have made it any better. Now Meredith and Derek could really start their lives.
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I hope I pulled it off! I also hope I get some reviews from my 'closet' readers :) I did three update in one day!!
I did actually look up a lot of the things for chapters 77 & 78. Here are some of the visuals:
Meredith's Dress was by Vera Wang. The style was "Alva" I couldn't post the site, it opens in a pop-up.
Cake: http://www.ilsanpietro.it/english.html
Bridesmaid Dresses: