The memory of their wedding hit him right in the face. So many images flooded Derek's mind…Addison in her wedding dress, how nervous he had been, how stupid he thought he looked in his tux. He remembered Mark, the best man, standing next to him proudly at the front of the church. Derek was eagerly anticipating Addison. As soon as she walked out, his heart skipped a beat. All of his fear and anticipation vanished. There were no words to describe how Addison looked; they all seemed too mild. The ones that instantly came to Derek's mind were radiant, gorgeous, and breathtakingly beautiful. But those didn't cut it; she was far too striking at the moment to describe. The dress was snowy white, and probably cost Addie a fortune to rent. Derek could see the dress was studded with tiny glittering diamonds. The sheer veil also had diamonds, and hid her face well, so the only thing he could see was Addie's cool and confident smile. It seemed like she took an eternity to walk down the aisle, but Derek didn't care; he was willing to wait that long for her if that was what it took. At that moment, at the front of the church, Derek couldn't believe it. This gorgeous, poised, confident, and charming woman was all his. When Addison arrived at the front next to Derek, he lifted the veil. Addie's grey-green eyes, done up with soft makeup, were brimming with tears, yet she still had her trademark little smile on her face. Derek smiled back at her, and felt his eyes begin to well up. Shit, he thought to himself. Don't cry. Not now. Not in front of her. Be a man for her. She's all that matters now; her, her, her.
"We are all gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Derek Christopher Shepherd and Addison Adrienne Forbes Montgomery," the priest interrupted Derek's thoughts. "If anyone has a valid reason why these two should not be married…"
Then it came time for the vows to be exchanged. Derek had been nervously anticipating this most of all. "Do you, Derek Christopher Shepherd, take thee, Addison Adrienne Forbes Montgomery, as your beloved wife? In sickness and in health, till death do you part?"
Derek looked Addison in her teary eyes, and declared, "I do." in a firm and steady voice that was not at all what he was feeling.
The priest turned to Addison and asked the same of her. Addison had looked at Derek, and at that moment, he knew that his eyes were full of tears too. "I do," Addison confirmed, in an unwavering voice filled with confidence.
"You may now kiss the bride."
Derek couldn't take it any longer. He let the tears flow freely, and he knew Addison was doing the same. He grabbed her waist and pulled her toward him, and they kissed. Derek could feel the tears on the corner of her mouth, could taste the salty bitterness. He knew, at that moment, he would always remember this kiss that they shared. He never knew how long they kissed; all he knew was that he was totally and completely in love with Addison Shepherd.