Disclaimer: I've dreamed I owned Grey's Anatomy, but in real life, I don't.
Happy New Year's Eve everybody! I have absolutely nothing to do tonight except dinner with my family because none of my friends live close to me. So here I am! Oh and I realize the timeline of this is going to be a little messed up and I apologize. I'll try to make a note at the end of the chapter if it's significant so you don't get too confused.
Meredith had been seeing Gabe for about 3 weeks. He was great and he was a real gentleman. He wasn't controlling and let her have her life at the hospital without complaining about the long hours. They went out to dinner, watched movies on the couch, hung out at home with Izzie and George and he had even spent the night a few times. But there had been no sex. Meredith had told him at the beginning that she wanted to wait. She wanted to do things differently this time. Every relationship she was in had always begun with or been based around sex and she figured it was time for a change. And that was the last thing on her mind with Cristina and Burke's wedding the next day.
"You have to go," Meredith jumped up.
"What? Why?" Gabe asked confused.
"Because I have to go over to Cristina's first thing in the morning. Last minute stuff to do…I'll see you at the rehearsal dinner."
"Okay," he laughed at her panicking.
Meredith couldn't believe that Cristina had made it through the engagement with all of Burke's pestering about the color scheme, the church and the cake. Somehow, she had survived it. Meredith had listened to her complain about the endless meetings with the wedding planner, the dress searching and the taste testing that Burke dragged to her. And now the day was almost here. But before they could get to the wedding, they would have to get through the rehearsal dinner.
"I can't believe Burke is doing the whole rehearsal dinner thing. It's so…happy." Cristina complained.
"I can't believe Derek's the best man," Meredith said.
"Me either," Cristina agreed, "They were walking around the hospital like they were marking their territory and now Shepherd's the best man. I wonder what he's going to say in his speech."
"Crap."
Meredith had forgotten all about the speech. Burke had told her weeks ago that she and Derek were supposed to give a short speech at the rehearsal dinner. But with her relationship with Gabe and the news about Addison's pregnancy, the speech was the last thing on her mind. And now she found herself with a half hour to think of something to say.
"I have to go find Gabe," Meredith said, "I'll see you in there."
"Can't wait," Cristina groaned.
Meredith settled herself down at a table with a pad of paper and a pen, trying to think of something clever to say. It was about to come to her when she got interrupted.
"I've been looking for you all over," Gabe kissed her on the cheek.
"I was with Cristina," she responded.
"What are you writing?" he asked.
"Speech. Apparently the maid of honor has to give a speech."
"You didn't know that?"
"No. I hate weddings."
"Really? I love weddings."
That was strike one. When she and Derek had been together, they had talked about it. The hadn't ever actually talked about them getting married having been together for such a short time but they both talked about how much they hated weddings. Everybody always acted happy but you could see right through to how they really felt. Jealous that the bride and groom were happy and they weren't the ones in wedded bliss. Or in this case, wishing that they were with somebody else.
Gabe sat there for a few minutes with her before getting up, "Okay. I'll see you at our table," he kissed her on the cheek and went to get a drink.
The rehearsal was actually a lot better than either Meredith or Cristina had expected. They had only run through the ceremony once, thanks to Cristina pleading with Burke not to do it again and dinner had actually been pretty good. Of course, the rehearsal wasn't the part of the night Meredith was dreading. It was the speeches. She was about to get up and get it over with when she heard the clanging of a class, and looked over to see Derek standing up, ready to go.
"Preston, it's an honor to be your best man. Honestly, I was shocked when you asked me to do it. We've only worked together for a couple of months, but, I'm proud to say that you're my friend. After all, we've have been through quite a lot together. You're a great guy. I just hope that Preston and Cristina are as happy as Addison and I are after 11 years. And I have to say this has been the best time I've had being a best man, because the maid of honor has been wonderful to work with," he smiled at Meredith, "Congratulations."
Derek kept his eyes on Meredith as he sat down. He had to mention her. He knew exactly the effect that he had on her and now she was flustered and had to go up and give a speech that she wasn't at all prepared for. Everything she wanted to say sounded like crap compared to what Derek had just said.
"Those of you who know me know I don't do the whole speech thing and Derek…Can't really do much better than that but… I…um…Cristina's my person. We've pretty much been friends since day one of our internship. She's the one who if I killed somebody I'd call to help me drag the corpse across the living room floor. I'm just happy that she found somebody that makes her happy. She's getting her happy ending. We need that. Take care of her Dr. Burke," she finished.
Meredith sat back down, feeling Derek's eyes on her the whole time as Gabe told her how wonderful she did and Izzie told her that it was very sweet and heartfelt. As they finished their dessert, Meredith went to talk to Cristina but was stopped before she could get all the way there.
"Nice speech. Except the whole corpse thing kind of put a damper on the good mood." Derek said coming up from behind her.
"Very funny." She turned around to face him.
"It was good, Mer."
"Yeah. Yours was better" she replied quietly.
"Hey. You okay?" he asked, lifting her chin with his finger.
"It's just. You know…Weddings."
"I know."
"What are you talking about?" Addison interrupted, putting her arm around Derek's waist.
"Just wedding stuff." They said in unison.
"Okay," Addison said curiously, "You ready to go?" she asked Derek.
"Yeah. So I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" Derek asked turning to Meredith.
"Yeah. Tomorrow."
"Goodnight. Get some rest," he said before leaving.
"You too," she whispered.
He had mentioned how happy he and Addison were in their speech and then he mentioned Meredith. Just hearing him say her name still made her heart skip a beat and he had been staring at her through the entire speech. Now she was going to be forced to spend the whole day with him, doing wedding things, wishing that she was the one getting married, and wishing she was with somebody else. She hated weddings.
All of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right
I'm tripping on words
You've got my head spinning
I don't know where to go from here
Okay! So, next chapter is what you've all been waiting for. I might have it up tonight. If not, definitely tomorrow. I hate New Year's because I never have anything to do and the past couple of New Year's Eve/New Year's Day have sucked for me. Anyways, you can make today better by giving me reviews!!
I had tried to put a link to a picture of Gabe here but it's not working!!! Anybody know how to do that?
