"What are you thinking about Mer?"
Meredith turned and saw Derek standing beside her. "I was just thinking about how we got here."
"How we got where?"
"Here, in this moment. We are going to be doctor's in a few days. I honestly didn't think it was possible."
Derek smiled as he sat next to me. We were in the living room. Graduation was in three days and we had decided to spend the days with our family.
"We've had some tough years haven't we? I'm glad we made it and we all did it together."
"It's amazing. I'm so glad that we all are going to Seattle Grace for our internship. Do you really think dad will be able to handle us?"
A laugh was heard behind them as they turned around and saw the source of the laugh.
"I don't think you need to worry about me handling you all. Derek mom wants you in the kitchen." Michael said as he took a seat next to Meredith.
Derek gave Meredith a kiss before he left the room.
"I'm proud of you honey." Michael said as he put his arm around her.
Meredith smiled. "Thanks. I can't believe where I am. For so long all I was looking forward to was graduating high school. I knew I wanted to be a doctor but deep down I had a feeling it wouldn't happen because graduating high school meant I was free and I hadn't thought to far ahead after that. After coming to live with you all I started thinking about the future past high school."
"I'm glad you came into our lives Meredith."
"You guys saved me and gave me a future but most importantly you gave me a family. I don't know what I did to deserve you all but I'm glad I got you"
"It's us who are happy that we got you Meredith, especially Derek I assume." Michael said with a smile and wink.
Footsteps were heard and both occupants turned and saw Cindy come into the room. Meredith and Michael both smiled at her.
"Even after all these years you still can't take a compliment." Cindy said as she saw Meredith blush and look down to the book she had. "What's that if you don't mind me asking?"
"It's my journal."
"I didn't know you kept a journal dear."
"That's because I hid it well mom. I started after I came back sophomore year in high school."
"I think all our girls have kept diaries."
"Yes they have Cindy and if my memory serves me right Derek, Mark, and Alex have found each one over the years."
Cindy and Michael shared a smile at the memories of the girls getting upset that the boys had read their diaries.
"I wonder why they never found yours."
"Mmmm" Meredith replied. "Well really you all know everything that I have written in it so I suppose they didn't need to look for it. Either that or they didn't know I kept one."
Michael and Cindy both understood and didn't need to reply as others came into the room.
"Hey Meredith, mom, and dad. Hope you don't mind that we are early."
"Of course not Kathleen. Where are the kids?"
"In the play room. Nancy's and Amelia's kids are there as well."
"So what are you all doing here this early?"
"Well Meredith we thought it would be nice to spend some time with you all before you start your internship and we never see you again."
"Very funny." Meredith rolled her eyes as Derek and the others came into the room. She also noticed that Mark, Alex, and Izzie have all come as well. "Okay, why are you all here?"
"Well you see…"
"The truth Mark."
Derek saw Mark about to respond and decided that it would be better for him to respond. "Mer." Derek said and then stopped not quite sure how to continue.
"Yes Der."
Derek looked into Meredith's eyes and was at a loss for words.
"Nice start baby brother."
Derek's eyes snapped to Kathleen who had a smirk on her face.
"Okay now I know something is going on and it seems like you all know so let me in on the secret."
Derek took a few steps forward and sat on the end table in front of Meredith and grabbed her hand.
"Derek you are scaring me."
"Mer I love you."
"I love you too, now what is going on?"
"Okay this is hard enough as it is so can you not say anything for about 60 seconds?" Derek asked and then waited for Meredith to nod before he continued. "What I was saying is I love you. More than I ever thought was possible. When you came into our lives I know you needed us but the truth is I needed you just as much. You make it easy to be me, you are bossy, and you keep me in line. You have been there for me through all the good times and bad over the last 10 years. And I know you are already part of our family however I want to make it official. Meredith Grey will you marry me and really be a Shepherd?"
Meredith sat wide eyed looking at Derek. She saw he was finished but she didn't respond.
"Mer…Meredith will you marry me?"
Michael elbowed her softly. "Mer honey you should answer him."
Meredith shook her head and looked to Michael with a smile however she lowered her voice just a little. "Has it been 60 seconds yet?"
One hearing her question the entire room broke into laughter except for Derek.
Meredith saw the look on his face and quickly stood pulling on Derek's hand to join her. As she stood the entire room grew quiet again. Meredith looked Derek in the eyes and spoke. "Meredith Elizabeth Shepherd. I think I like the sound of that." She said and then paused.
Derek looked deep in her eyes and asked…"Mer?"
"Yes Derek Christopher Shepherd, I will marry you."
Derek immediately wrapped his arms around her and gave her a kiss while the others in the room cheered.
Graduation came and it was a wonderful day. The entire family was there to celebrate for everyone and they all went out to dinner.
It was two days after when Meredith received a letter. She opened it and started reading however she couldn't finish. She went into the kitchen where she found mom and dad talking. They turned and saw her and immediately knew something was wrong. She sat at the table and told them she needed them to get Derek.
Michael immediately called him and they only needed to wait 10 minutes before he walked through the door and went to Meredith who had tears in her eyes.
After he pulled her into a hug he asked, "What happened?"
"She came in with that letter. We don't know anything else." Cindy answered.
Derek then looked to Meredith. "Mer, what's in the letter?"
In between sniffles she answered. "It's from Ellis. I couldn't finish it by myself."
"Is it okay if I read it?"
Meredith nodded and Derek grabbed the letter and started to read.
It was from Ellis. She started the letter by saying how proud she was of Meredith for graduating college and becoming a doctor. She then went on to say that she was sick. She had early onset Alziemers and she wanted Meredith to know. She also said that she was going to be coming back to Seattle and would be in an assisted living facility. She then stated that Meredith did not need to do anything because everything was already taken care of. She just wanted her to know.
"What do I do?" Meredith asked as she looked from Cindy and Michael to Derek.
"You don't have to worry about anything Meredith."
"I know she said that but…"
"I mean that we are here for you and Ellis. Neither of you are going to have to deal with this alone." Cindy said.
Meredith looked at the two adults.
"Your mother is right honey. We are here for you and Ellis. I'm glad you shared this news with us."
"You are my family…who else would I share it with?"
Each of them got up and gave her a hug. Once Meredith pulled herself together they all talked about what they were going to do. Once they were finished Derek took Meredith out for dinner. Later they came home and Cindy had made desert that everyone enjoyed together.
This is it…the final chapter in this story. The day Derek asked me to marry him was the second happiest day of my life. Why the second…well the first was the day I let the Shepherds into my life and realized they were my family.
Our graduation from medical school was great. It was amazing having all our family there and being able to do it with all our friends together made it even more special.
Receiving the letter from Ellis was unexpected. I thought she had forgotten about me. She told me she was proud of me. I needed to share that with my family and after everything that I had been through it was the easiest thing for me to do.
I guess looking back now I can say that for me, growing up fast wasn't a bad thing. And when it comes down to it yeah I didn't have the best of childhoods but the Shepherds made sure that I had some through high school so it could have been a lot worse.
The wedding is being planned as we speak. I asked Michael to walk me down the aisle and he said yes. And of course all the sisters will be bridesmaids along with Izzie. I never thought I would want a big wedding or maybe it was that I never thought I would have a wedding. Either way now that it is officially being planned I am so excited and for once I don't feel like the other shoe is going to drop.
No wait maybe it's that I don't care if the other shoe drops because I know that my family will be there with me no matter what happens. And besides, now I have a thing for flip flops which aren't that heavy anyway.
"Wow."
"Yeah wow."
"I'm sorry."
"What?"
"I never knew everything that I had put you through and I'm sorry. Really sorry."
"You couldn't know because I never told you. I couldn't tell you and besides I didn't think you would believe me."
"I guess you are right. I'm glad you have the Shepherds Meredith. It makes this all so much easier knowing that when I leave you, you won't be alone."
Meredith smiled and gave Ellis a hug. "You helped with that you know. When Ray died you let me stay with them. I didn't realize at the time how much I needed them."
"I'm glad I did one thing right by you Meredith."
"You did others. I remember before Thatcher left, there were good times."
Ellis smiled. "Yes I suppose there were. I just wish there had been more. Maybe then you wouldn't have had to keep that journal."
"All girls keep a journal."
"I guess you are right."
Meredith looked at the clock. "I need to go. My shift starts in 30 minutes and I need to stop at home quickly and pick up Derek."
"Alright. Take care and I'll see you later." Ellis stood and gave Meredith a hug before she watched her walk out.
"Hey Derek lets go so we aren't late."
Derek looked up from the couch as he saw his fiancé walk in and smiled. "Okay I'm coming. Just let me grab my coat." Derek said as he got up and grabbed his coat before following her back out of the apartment.
Once they got in the car he turned to her and asked. "How did the visit go?"
"It went good. I let her read my journal and she apologized for everything."
"Wow. Are you alright?"
Meredith took a breath before answering. "Yes I am. I'm glad she told me and that she is letting us see her. I know it's going to get harder but I'm glad that I get this time with her before it gets worse."
"I would guess that it makes it easier to forgive."
"Honestly Derek there isn't anything to forgive. I went through what I did and it brought me to where I am now. If I hadn't I don't know if we would be here now and I know with all my heart I wouldn't change a thing." Meredith finished with a smile as Derek parked the car.
He leaned over and gave her a kiss. "You are amazing. And I wouldn't change anything either." When he finished he got out and opened the door for her.
They started to the hospital and met their friends in the locker room. It was their first day and after getting changed they were given their assignments.
As they made their way out of the locker room Derek leaned over to Mer. "By the way…the answer to your question is no."
Meredith stopped and looked at him. "What question?"
"The one you asked about if anyone would feel the same way."
"Derek Shepherd what are you talking about?"
Mark and Alex rolled their eyes as Mark answered her. "The one at the beginning of your journal."
Then Alex added. "The girl you overheard talking…there is no way she would feel the same way knowing that she would have to go through what you went through, no one else is as strong as you."
Once Alex finished him and Mark looked at each other with a smile before turning back to see the shocked look on Meredith's face.
Meredith took in what they had said and she turned to Derek and then looked at Mark and Alex again. It didn't take much longer for her to realize what that meant. "You all read my journal?"
All three men shook their heads and started walking towards their resident.
"Derek Shepherd, Mark Sloan, and Alex Karev you are all in so much trouble." She quickly said catching up to them.
Izzie looked at the four as they came to stand beside her. "So you finally told her that you read her journal."
Meredith turned her head to Izzie. "You knew?"
Izzie smiled. "Of course I did. Mark can't keep a secret to save his life."
"Hey I didn't tell her."
"That's because you told me."
"Well I didn't tell her about the proposal."
"Okay so you are getting better at keeping them."
Before anyone could reply they heard their names being called. "Grey, Shepherd, Sloan, Karev, and Stephens."
All five took off down the hall as Meredith said under her breath. "I am so calling mom and dad when we get off."
As they were running down the hall they all laughed at her comment and started their first official day as interns and the first chapter of their next story.
Note: That's it…the end. I can't believe I finally finished posting this story and I can't believe it was the first story I wrote after I fell in love with Grey's. Thank-you all who have continued to read and a special thank-you to those that reviewed.