Chapter 11: The Aftermath
Back at the wedding rehearsal
Mark: Meredith, Mer wait up!
Meredith: Just go away Mark
Mark: Mer, talk to me
Meredith: Talk to you, I feel so humiliated
Mark: Mer, what's wrong?
Meredith: You were right Mark, you were right
Mark: Right about what?
Meredith: You were right about Alex. Alex is an ass
Mark: What did Alex do now? I'll kick his ass for you if you want me to
Meredith: He slept with Addie
Mark: What? He slept with your sister
Meredith: Step-sister. She is not my sister
Mark: Mer, you know that's not true. She is your sister
Meredith: Was my sister, she was my sister until I found out that she slept with my ex fiancé. It's just that I don't know what to do Mark. You were right
Mark: Shhh, Mer everything is going to be alright. You are going to get through this. I'll help you through your pain as much as I can. I want to be there for you. Please tell me the story
Meredith: When I went back to get more wine Alex came to help. Then Alex was telling me about how he had something to get off his chest and that he needed to apologize to me. I told him not to worry about it and that I forgive him for hurting me and that the past doesn't matter. Then I told Alex I had a confession to make also. I told him that I brought you with me to torture him and that's when he told me. He told me that he slept with Addie and that he loved her and that was why we didn't get married. I just feel like such an idiot.
Mark: Mer, you are not an idiot. You are a wonderful person with a beautiful heart.
Meredith: I just wish that I was enough Mark
Mark: You are enough Mer, you're enough for me
Meredith: Mark?
Mark: Yes, Mer
Meredith: Will you please hold me?
Mark: Of course I will
Meredith and Mark lay by the water and watch the ferry boats as Mer starts to calm down after hearing the shocking revelation of Alex and Addie.
Mark's thoughts
It feels so good to have Meredith in my arms right now. I can't believe Alex cheated on her with Addie. He broke her heart again and I want nothing more than to kill him. Meredith is a good person she doesn't deserve to be put in this pain
Meredith's thoughts
Why did I think Alex and I were going to get back together? I can't believe Addie would do something like that to me. I just wish I wasn't so stupid. I feel like an idiot. I just don't know what to do anymore. I feel so lost and broken again. What am I going to do?
Back at the Party
Ellis: What just happened between Alex and Meredith, Addie?
James: Why did she run away?
Addie: Dad, Ellis and Derek I have something to tell you guys
Derek: What is it Addie?
Addie: Do you remember when Meredith and Alex were going to get married?
Ellis, James and Derek: Yes
Addie: Derek you and I were on a break at that time because we were fighting so much. The night you said you wanted a break a week before their wedding. You hurt me by saying that you needed time away from me so; I went out to Joe's and got really drunk. Alex was at Joe's that night also because he and Meredith got into a fight. Well, Alex was drunk and I was drunk and one thing led to another. We ended up sleeping together.
Derek: You slept with Alex
Addie: Yes, I am so sorry but at that time in my life I was hurt by you Derek. You said that you didn't know if you loved me. I knew that I loved you then and I still love you Derek. I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt anyone. I didn't even know that Meredith would take off after Alex broke it off.
Ellis: The reason why my daughter left me was because you slept with her ex fiancé
Addie: Yes, I'm so sorry Ellis. I know it hurt you when Meredith left. It was never suppose to happen
Ellis: Addie, I love you like one of my own daughters. I know that you didn't do it on purpose. I think Meredith needed to get away after Alex broke it off so, she can start her own life and do something for herself
James: Addie, when Alex and Mer were together. Alex was always trying to have Mer be something that she wasn't. Maybe her running away was the best thing that happened to her. Now, Meredith is happy and she has Mark.
Ellis: Mark and Meredith make a great couple and I'm glad that Meredith got away. I'm just sad she had her heartbroken.
Addie: If I could do anything to take it back I would. I never meant for it to happen. I just wish she would listen to me.
Ellis: James and I are going to try and find Meredith to see if she's alright
Addie and Derek are now the only ones left in the gazebo at the park
Derek: Addie, I don't know if I can marry you now
Addie: What do you mean?
Derek: I know that you never meant to hurt Meredith by sleeping with Alex but, Alex is my best friend. How could you sleep with my best friend? I know you said that I hurt you back then by telling you that I wasn't sure if I loved you. Even if you were drunk you should have known better.
Addie: Derek, please don't break off the wedding. I love you so much Derek. You are the love of my life. Alex was a mistake
Derek: Addie, I need some time to clear my head right now. I don't know if I can look at you right now. I'll let you know about the wedding later after my mind is clear.
Addie's thoughts
I ruined everything by sleeping with Alex. I wish I could take it all back. I wish I didn't sleep with Alex. I just hope Derek doesn't cancel the wedding. I love Derek so much. My life wouldn't be the same without him. I also need to find Meredith and explain what happened that night.
Derek's thoughts
I can't believe Addie slept with Alex. Alex is my best friend. I know that we weren't together at the time they slept together but, still. Alex. She slept with Alex my best friend and Meredith's ex fiancé. I know that Addie loves me and wants to marry me. I know in my heart that Addie made a mistake that will never happen again. I also know that I do want to marry Addie. Addie is the love my life she always has been and always will be. I just need to blow off some steam because right now I can picture Alex and Addie and I need to get it out of my head before I can go back to Addie.
Back to Meredith and Mark by the water
Mark: Mer, I think you need to talk to Addie
Meredith: Why do I need to talk to her, she betrayed me
Mark: I know she did but you need to find out what really happened that night
Meredith: I don't want to know what happened but, I do want to know why. Why and why Alex?
Mark: Come on, I'll walk you back to the rehearsal
Meredith: Mark, before we go. I want to talk to you
Mark: Okay, shoot
Meredith: Mark, thank you for always being here for me. I have been doing some thinking during the time we've been here watching the ferry boats. I think I realized that I don't still love Alex. I was just hung up on Alex. I think I was afraid to love again after I ran from Seattle five years ago. Then you came along and you changed everything for me. I am much happier now than I've ever been and that's because of you.
Mark: Mer, what are you trying to say?
Meredith: I am trying to say that I think I am falling in love with you. You've always been there for me. You've stuck by me through thick and thin. You've always helped me out and when I don't think there is anyone around to help me. Here you are right by my side. I think I've known that I was falling in love with you. I just didn't do anything because I was scared. I was scared of having my heart broken again. I was scared that you'd leave me.
Mark: Mer, I would never leave you. From the day we met. I knew there was something about you.
Meredith: Mark I pick you, I choose you. I want to be with you
When Mark heard those words all he could do is kiss Meredith. Mark grabbed Meredith's face with his hands and kissed her slowly at first and then increased the intensity of the kiss.
Meredith: Is this your way of saying yes we'll be together for real and not pretend
Mark: Yes, we'll be together for real.
With that Mark and Meredith kiss again
Meredith: I should go find Addie
Mark: I'll walk with you
Back at the party
Meredith: Addie, I think we should talk
Addie: I was hoping you would say that Mer.
Meredith: I want you to tell me everything Addie
Addie: I'm so sorry Meredith I never meant to hurt you and I hope that you'll forgive me one day.
Meredith: You are my family Addie and I will forgive you one day. Just tell me the truth
Addie: The week before your wedding, Derek and I had a huge fight. Derek told me that he wanted a break because he didn't know if he loved me. So, that night I went to Joe's and I got really drunk and that same night Alex was there. Alex was at Joe's because you two got into a fight and he said that he needed some air. Alex ended up getting drunk also. One thing led to another after we were intoxicated and we ended up sleeping together. The next morning I woke up ashamed of what I did and I just left and that was it. After that I didn't have anything to do with Alex.
Meredith: It only happened once
Addie: Only once, I swear and it was a mistake. If I could take it back Mer, I would. I am so sorry
Meredith: It's okay Addie. If you didn't sleep with Alex then Alex and I would probably be together right now and I wouldn't be as happy as I am right now. Maybe what you and Alex did was for the best of me. It allowed me to find new love and be myself
Addie: Mer, thanks for listening and letting me tell you what happened. I wanted to tell you so badly but, I knew that it would hurt you. I'm so sorry
Meredith: Addie, it'll be okay
James: Mer, there you are
Ellis: Sweetie, how are you doing?
Meredith: Mom, James I am fine, really. I had Mark to lean on
Ellis: Meredith, I am so happy you have Mark in your life
Meredith: Thanks, Mom. I am too
Ellis: James and I are going to turn in for the night we are very tired. We have a big day tomorrow.
James: Goodnight girls
Meredith and Addie: Goodnight
Addie: I'm not sure if tomorrow is going to be a big day
Meredith: What do you mean Addie?
Addie: After you ran away, I told my dad, Ellis and Derek what happened between Alex and I that night. Derek told me that he didn't know if he could marry me because I slept with his best friend
Meredith: Addie, I'm so sorry
Addie: Derek said he'd let me know after he cleared his head and that is where he is right now clearing his head
Meredith: I'm sure you two will get married. Derek loves you and you love him
Addie: I don't know Meredith, I don't know
As Meredith and Addie talk; Mark observes from the cabin and Derek speaks to Alex
Derek: Alex, how could you sleep with Addison?
Alex: Derek, I wish I could tell you that it was a mistake, but to me it wasn't
Derek: What?
Alex: After Addie and I slept together I tried everything to make Addie fall in love with me but, it didn't work because she loves you.
Derek: What do you mean you tried to make Addie fall in love with you?
Alex: Derek, I love Addie
Derek punches Alex right in the face after he said this
Derek: You and I are no longer friends. We're done here. I need to find my fiancé
Back to Meredith and Addie
Meredith: Hey, here comes Derek now. I'll give you sometime with him. But, if you need me you know where to find me. Goodnight Addie
Addie: Night Mer
Derek: We need to talk Addison
Addie: Okay
Derek: Answer me this, do you love Alex?
Addie: No, Derek I only love you
Derek: Then we'll get married. I love you Addie and I'm so sorry for running off like that.
Addie: Oh Derek, I love you
Derek: I love you too, let's get married tomorrow.
Addie: really?
Derek: Yes, really. First I need to find a new best man
Addie: What happened to Alex?
Derek: Alex and I are no longer friends. He told me that he loves you, but you don't love him because you love me. He told me that he tried and tried to get you to love him but it didn't work because you love me
Addie: That's true I do love you and after that night I never even looked toward Alex.
Derek: You should get to bed. We have a big day tomorrow
Addie: Goodnight, Derek
Derek: Goodnight, future Dr. Sheppard
Addie's thoughts
I am so happy that Meredith listened to me and knows the truth now. I am so happy that Derek finally decided that we'd get married. I'm getting married tomorrow!
Mark and Meredith's cabin
Knock-Knock
Meredith: Derek, hey
Derek: Hey, Mer how are you?
Meredith: I'm doing good
Derek: Is Mark here?
Meredith: Yeah, let me get him for you
Derek: Thanks
Meredith: Mark, Derek wants to speak to you
Mark: Coming, Hey Derek
Derek: Hey, Mark
Meredith: I'll give you some time to talk. Goodnight Derek
Derek: Night, Mer
Mark: What's up?
Derek: As you know Addie and I are getting married tomorrow and I have to ask you something
Mark: Ask away
Derek: Alex is no longer my best man because he is no longer my friend and I was wondering if tomorrow at the wedding you'd stand up for me for my best man
Mark: Wow, Derek this is an honor. I don't know what to say man
Derek: Please say yes. I know that you and Mer are together and it would mean a lot to me if you'd be my best man since you mean a lot to Mer
Mark: I'd be honored Derek
Derek: I should get going, I have a wedding to attend tomorrow
Mark: Goodnight
Back at the bedroom where Meredith lay sleeping
Meredith: What was that about?
Mark: Derek asked me to be his best man
Meredith: what happened to Alex?
Mark: Derek and Alex are no longer friends since Alex betrayed him
Meredith: Oh, so what'd you say
Mark: I said yes
Meredith: You do know what this means right
Mark: What?
Meredith: You owe me a dance tomorrow night since it's tradition for the best man and maid of honor to dance together.
Mark: well, then I guess we'll have to dance together tomorrow night.
Meredith: Goodnight Mark
Mark: Goodnight Mer,
Meredith's thoughts
What a day today was. I finally realized that I was hung up on Alex and that I didn't have feelings for him. I realized that my feelings that I've been having have been for Mark all along. I really do love Mark. I know Addie made a mistake and we all make mistakes in the world so it is better to learn from mistakes that happen. I know Addie is sorry and that she is happily in love with Derek. I think me running away after Alex broke it off was for the best. I am a better person now and I have Mark to love me and I also love Mark. I better get some sleep tomorrow is a big day
Mark's thoughts
I am so happy that Meredith and I are together now. I knew that she'd open her eyes and see what was in front of her. I just can't wait till tomorrow. We get to dance together. I am also wondering what will happen between Meredith and I. I guess we'll have to take it one day at a time.
Author's Note: Thank you to those who read and reviewed my story. I appreciate it. I am almost finished with this story. I am thinking about doing a sequel to this story. In the sequel it would take place after the wedding. It'll showcase Mark and Meredith's progressing relationship and the life of Addie and Derek as they prepare for some surprises in their marriage. However, I do not have a title for it yet so if you have any suggestions please let me know.
Next Chapter: The Wedding