AN: Ok just wanted to give some definitions of somethings in this chapter (I'm not sure if everyone is into wedding as much as I am) stark white is as white as white can get, semi-cathedral (chapel) length train is a train that extends approximately 5 ft from the waist and ruched means tightly gathered material which creates pleats in the fabric. It's a really pretty effect!! Hope you like please review!!
Disclaimer: Don't own any of it!! The song belongs to Rascal Flatts.
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Chapter 4
True love surpasses everyone's understandings. It expresses loyalty and dreams only the highest dreams. True love hurts but learns how to mend; it cries but washes away the pain. True love turns ignorant boys into mature men and softens the hearts of young women. True love offers forgiveness and never lies. It loves a person through everything, even the white hair. And most of all…true love is love that lasts until the end of time.
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It felt so surreal, so magnificent, so perfect. There she stood staring at herself in the mirror. The reflection of a woman in a floor length stark white gown with a semi-cathedral length train was looking back at her. The necklace that Derek's mom had given her earlier in the day made the dress even more elegant. Her hair and makeup were perfect, just the way she had imagined. She had always dreamed of this but had never expected it to actually happen. When she was younger she believed in Prince Charming coming to rescue the princess from the evil mother, but that had soon faded. Her evil mother made sure that those thoughts were trampled. From the time she started dating she believed her mom, there was no such thing as a good man, they were all out for one thing. So she got to the point of where her career was her life, just like her mother. But then Derek came along and made her once again believe in Prince Charming, and he had rescued her from so many things including her evil mother.
"Mer, you are absolutely gorgeous, Derek is going to fall in love with you all over again."
Meredith turned around to see Izzie walking into her bedroom. She smiled as she noticed Izzie's dress. She remembered back to the day that she, Izzie and Christina had gone dress shopping. Color had never been an issue, she decided right away that she wanted some shade of indigo, for two reasons, it was Derek's favorite color and it matched his eyes. However, style was a whole different ball game. Her bridesmaids all had different body types and there hadn't been a style that looked good on all of them, so she decided to let them get whatever style they wanted. Christina, being the matron of honor, decided on a satin spaghetti strap mermaid style dress with a ruched bust. Izzie, Lexie and Callie all decided on satin strapless a-line dresses with a ruched bust as well.
"You look great Iz and I love that color on you."
"Are you nervous at all?"
"Not at all…a little overwhelmed maybe…in thirty minutes I am going to be Dr. Mrs. Derek Shepherd. I never thought this day would come."
"But it did…I am so happy for you, you deserve all of this."
Izzie walked up to Meredith pulling her into a hug.
"Thanks Iz…for everything."
"Are you ready to…oh my God Mer, you are…I can't even find words…stunning doesn't even begin to describe you. You are going to give my brother a heart attack the moment he sees you." Kathleen said.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous…but thank you." Meredith blushed a little at the compliment.
"Are you ready, if we don't get you down there, my brother is going to kill me."
"Yea…let's go."
Kathleen and Izzie helped Meredith downstairs to the rest of the women where she was welcomed by an overwhelming number of compliments. After getting her coat on, she made her way over to the front door taking one last look around before she left. When she returned she would be Mrs. Shepherd, just the thought of that brought a smile to her face. She opened the door and was amazed by what she saw, it was now 6:10 and was nearly dark and the falling snow was gorgeous.
"It's perfect weather." She said aloud, smiling to herself.
"Mer, its freaking snowing and you are having your wedding outside. How can this be perfect weather?" Christina asked.
"This is just how we planned it; we were hoping it would snow. And the wedding is not outside, I mean technically yes, but we are in an insulated tent…quit your bitchin."
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Derek stood at the front of the room watching all their family and friends be seated; there must have been nearly one hundred and fifty people. He was ready, he had been ready, he couldn't remember a time in the last four years where he hadn't wanted to spend the rest of his life with Meredith. And now they were making it official in front of everyone who loved them.
Mark made his way to the front of the room.
"Ten minutes man…you ready?"
"I've been ready."
"Place looks great, even though I still don't understand the candles, I mean with all the lights in here you don't even really know they are there, what's the point?"
"I can't tell you, you will have to wait and see like everyone else."
The next few minutes felt like an eternity to both Derek and Meredith. Within minutes they both heard the music start playing for the mothers to be seated. Derek smiled as he saw his mother walking down the aisle to her seat; she caught his eye and smiled back at him, blowing him a kiss before she sat. The music continued to play even after Trish had been seated. Meredith had wanted it that way; even though her mother was no longer with her she liked to believe that her mother would have been here.
After a moment of silence another song began to play and Callie began to walk down the aisle, followed by Lexie then Izzie. Christina began to walk down once Izzie was half way down the aisle, but not before turning around to give Meredith one last smile.
This was it, Derek marveled in the idea that he and Meredith were just moments away from being husband and wife. Once the bridal party made their way to their spots the music continued playing for a minute.
"Would everyone please stand for the bride." The preacher announced.
Everyone stood and turned to the back of the room.
When
you light those candles,
Up there on that mantel setting the mood
Well, I just lie there starring silently preparing to love on you
Well I can feel the heat from across the room
Ain't it
wild what a little flame can make you want to do
Suddenly all the lights turned off and nothing was left, but the glow of all the candles. Everyone looked around in surprise, but Derek smiled as his eyes landed on Meredith beginning her walk down the aisle, she was truly breathtaking.
I
melt
Every time you look at me that way
It never fails any
time any place
This burn in me is the coolest thing that I've
ever felt
I melt
Her eyes locked with his immediately as a smile spread across her face. Everything had worked perfectly; they had decided a while ago that they wanted to get married by candle light, at night, in the middle of winter, hoping that it would snow. It seemed as if fate was on their side because all of it was happening.
Don't
know how you do it
I love the way I lose it every time
What's
even better is knowing that forever your all mine
The closer you
get the more my body aches
One little stare from you is all it
takes
I melt
Every time you look at me that way
It
never fails any time any place
This burn in me is the coolest
thing that I've ever felt
I melt
I
melt
Every time you look at me that way
It never fails any
time any place
This burn in me is the coolest thing that I've
ever felt
I melt
As Meredith made her way to the altar she never once took her eyes off of Derek. Once she reached only inches away from him he took her hand and mouthed the word beautiful.
Every
time you look at me that way
I melt, I melt
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to share with Derek and Meredith a very important moment in their lives. In the year's they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife. Derek and Meredith, we are here not only to witness your commitment to each other, but to wish you happiness in your future life together. Marriage is founded on sincerity and understanding which leads to tolerance, confidence and trust. We believe that those qualities which have attracted you both to each other can be best developed during a life spent together. A happy marriage will enable you to establish a home with love and stability where your family and friends will always be welcome."
The room fell silent as Izzie made her way to the microphone. Before speaking she looked to Derek and Meredith and smiled.
"Derek and Meredith, if you could please take each other's hands,"
Meredith smiled up to Derek before grabbing his hands. He willingly grabbed them rubbing his thumb over her knuckles while Izzie spoke.
"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch."
Izzie walked back to her spot as the preacher spoke again.
"Marriage is the essence of human relationships. It challenges us to be of one accord without abandoning the truth of our individuality. It challenges us to recognize ourselves in one another, and to admire and respect each other while walking side-by-side, heading in the same direction.
Do not just be married or in love, but let your marriage be an active
process of loving each other.
Let your love be an inspiration to
others to reach for what is good within all of us. May your love be
so abundant that you have plenty to share with the rest of us as
well.
Derek and Meredith, it is your love that has brought us together here today. December 16, will always have special meaning for you as the day you vowed to love each other in all ways, always.
Each year when you come upon your anniversary, I encourage you to rededicate yourselves to the vows you make here today. Take stock of where you are in your marriage and how you are doing as partners. Express your gratitude to each other for the ways you have loved and supported one another, and forgive yourselves and each other for any disagreements that have come between you.
Show each other that you can be trusted and counted on for comfort when facing difficult times, and celebrate abundantly the successes and joys life brings your way. Let your love lead the way and be more important than anything else. May your love grow deeper and sweeter with each passing day…we will now exchange vows.
Derek was the first to speak; he grabbed a hold of her hand and looked her directly in the eyes.
"Meredith, I've been trying to remember when I realized that I was in love with you. And I can't…because the truth is I've always been in love with you. There was a time when you wanted to know who I was, now you do, you know everything about me and you love me just the same. It takes a very extraordinary woman to do that and you, Meredith, are that woman…you are the love of my life, the candle that lights my world, the fire that heats my soul…you are my lover, my best friend, my happily ever after…so today, and all the days of our lives, I give you my heart, my whole life."
Meredith was overcome by the beautiful words; she gave herself a second before speaking.
"How am I seriously supposed to follow that?" she said giggling which caused everyone else to laugh. Taking a deep breath she continued.
"Ok, here it goes…Derek, I never believed in the words true love or happily ever after until I met you. You did something no one has ever been able to do…you turned my dark and twisty world into a bright and shiny place I used to only dream of visiting…our story is one that people spend a lifetime chasing after, one that very few get to experience. One where love is unconditional, one where the princess gets her knight in shining whatever," she giggled, "a story where we live out our happily ever after…I love you Derek, I am so in love with you…you are my saving grace, my soul mate, my dream come true. On this perfect night and every single night from now till the end of time I give you my heart, my whole life."
After she finished they both had tears streaming down their faces and they were pretty sure that everyone else did too. The preacher turned to Christina and Mark and asked for the rings; giving Derek his first.
"Meredith, I give you this ring as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your husband. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours."
The preacher then handed Meredith her ring.
"Derek, I give you this ring as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your wife. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours."
Mark made his way to the microphone.
"Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's faults, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope. It is always ready to endure whatever comes. True love does not come to an end."
"Derek and Meredith, as you live and love throughout the years, may you realize all the joy that marriage can bring, and know that all your days have been happier because you have shared them with each other." The preacher stated after Mark returned to his spot. "You have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage. You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows, and giving and receiving of two rings. By the power vested in my by the State of Washington, I know pronounce you husband and wife…you may kiss the bride."
Derek tilted his head and gave her his best McDreamy look before taking her face in his hands and kissing her passionately. To them it felt like this was the first time they had ever kissed, there was so much electricity, so much want and need, so much love. They tore apart completely breathless.
"I love you," he said before giving her another quick kiss on the lips.
"I love you too."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Derek Shepherd."
Her heart fluttered as the sound of the preacher's last statement; she was now Mrs. Derek Shepherd. They had done it, they were married and it had been even more perfect then they had expected. Before she knew it she was standing outside with her husband, her heart fluttered again, she didn't even remember walking back down the aisle.
"You are so beautiful Mrs. Shepherd…I am not going to be able to take my eyes off of you tonight."
"Good that's how it is supposed to be." She said leaning up to kiss him, "I love you."
"I love you too."
As the wedding party made their way back down the aisle the new couple received a number of congratulatory comments before deciding that they wanted to head to the trailer to get out of the cold before returning back to the tent for pictures.
"Ah…we're married." She screamed as she walked into the trailer.
"I know…amazing isn't it." He replied quickly finding her waste and pulling her closer to him.
"Yea." She said mesmerized by the deep blue of his eyes.
After a few minutes of reveling in the fact that they were now married they decided to head back to the tent for pictures. Before opening the door he gave her one quick kiss and together hand in hand they walked back to the tent, as a married couple.
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AN: So now that I finally got the wedding chapter up what did you all think?? I really hoped that you like it!!! Sorry it's so long, but it's the wedding so ya'll can deal!! And the whole Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd thing I wasn't big on Dr. and Dr. Mrs. Shepherd so that's why you got what you got. And once again I apologize for being so late in posting this, I promise I will get better once school is out!! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday yesterday…and please please please REVIEW!!! I love them!!