A/N: Don't throw things at me...please. I know I've taken forever to update, and I know that didn't warn you all that the story was nearing its end, but I swear, it caught me just as off guard as it does all of you, I'm sure. There's a longer note at the end of this chapter, so please, read the epilogue and the endnote before you throw things, alright?
Meredith shifted nervously in the cold, plastic seat, trying to steady her breathing as she gripped the armrests until her knuckles were white.
"Final boarding call, Flight 722 to New York/JFK," a female voice rang out on the loudspeaker. "All ticketed passengers, please proceed to gate 17 for immediate boarding."
"Mer?" Derek said, gently placing a hand on her forearm, causing her to glance over at him, the panic written all over her face. "Mer, if we're going to do this, we need to go now."
"I…I don't know…" Meredith stammered. "I don't know if I can, Derek."
"It's okay if you're not ready," Derek said reassuringly. "We can rent a car, drive out if you want…we don't even have to go if you don't want to."
"No, we have to," Meredith insisted. "You've done this before, so maybe it's not important to you, but I've never had a godchild before. I have to be there for the baptism."
"Okay," Derek nodded.
"Besides," Meredith continued. "Do you know how pissed Nancy would be if we didn't show up?"
"Well, that means you have to get on the plane, Mer," Derek said. "And I don't want to rush you, but they're going to close the gate any minute now."
"Okay," Meredith nodded, squeezing Derek's hand as she slowly stood up. "Okay, let's go."
"How much longer do we have?" Meredith asked, her hands shaking as she shifted in her first class seat.
"We just took off, Mer," Derek said. "That sleeping pill Dr. Harper prescribed should be kicking in soon."
"Not soon enough," Meredith sighed. "Distract me."
"How do you want me to do that?" Derek asked.
"I don't know," Meredith said. "Tell me something."
"Okay, um, let's see…" Derek muttered, wracking his brain for something they could talk about. "Well, I heard a rumor that Richard is looking to hire externally for the new chief resident."
"It isn't like he really has a choice," Meredith pointed out.
"What do you mean?" Derek asked. "We've got some pretty good rising fifth years in the program this year."
"Richard doesn't want 'pretty good', Derek," Meredith said. "He wants excellent, and he needs someone who can be a leader. I'm sorry, but there's no one like that in the group of rising fifth years. Hiring externally isn't all that uncommon, you know that."
"I suppose," Derek said. "It would be nice if we had an idea of who he was thinking of recruiting, though."
Meredith opened her eyes long enough to glance over at him and arch an eyebrow in surprise. "Are you sure we work at the same hospital?" she asked skeptically.
"I take it I missed the important part of the rumor, then?" Derek asked in amusement. "I thought I was doing so well, too. What did I miss?"
"Rick Dalley signed his contract yesterday," Meredith said. "They haven't made the announcement yet, but he's going to be the chief resident next year."
"Rick, huh?" Derek asked. "Cristina must be thrilled."
"The only thing that thrills Cristina is surgery," Meredith said. "But yes, she's as happy as she knows how to be. He was a shoo-in for chief resident over at Mercy West, and I think she was starting to worry that if he didn't get the job at Grace, he was going to ask her to move over there. The commute's too far for them to keep working at separate hospitals now that they're going to be living together."
"Would she have done it?" Derek asked.
"I have no idea," Meredith admitted. "Two weeks ago, I would have said no. But then again, two weeks ago, I thought hell would freeze over before Cristina even thought about getting married…"
"Grey, get your ass out of bed!"
Meredith groaned as she rolled over and squinted in the morning light to find Cristina standing in the doorway of the bedroom.
"I thought we left her behind when you moved in," Derek sighed, tossing an arm over Meredith to prevent Cristina from pulling her out of bed.
Meredith laughed slightly and playfully smacked Derek on the arm. "What are you doing here, Cristina?" she asked.
"Getting your lazy ass out of bed, that's what," Cristina said. "Now hurry up and get dressed. We've got places to go, people to see, all that crap."
"It's too early," Meredith whined, covering her head with a pillow and sinking back into the bed.
"Seriously, you've been back at work almost six months," Cristina said. "You'd think you'd be used to functioning on no sleep again. You're getting soft, Grey, it's already eleven in the morning."
"No, seriously, Cristina, go away," Meredith repeated. "Derek and I didn't even leave the hospital until six in the morning."
"No," Cristina said, walking over and ripping the comforter off of Derek and Meredith's bed while Derek silently thanked his lucky stars that he'd put boxers on before falling asleep. "I'm serious, Grey, ass out of bed. Now!"
"It's our day off," Derek said, still a bit thrown by Cristina's presence in their bedroom.
"Yeah, well, Meredith's got plans," Cristina said. "And if you don't step on it, we're going to be late."
"Where are we going?" Derek asked.
"Not you, McDreamy," Cristina shook her head, her distaste at the idea of Derek accompanying them obvious. "Just Meredith. And I'm not leaving without her, so don't even think about trying any funny business to get her out of this."
An hour later, having finally dragged a reluctant Meredith out of her bed and convinced her to get dressed, Cristina was eerily silent as she maneuvered her car through the streets of Seattle, Meredith impatiently tapping her fingers on the armrest in the front passenger's seat.
"Are you ever going to tell me where we're going?" Meredith asked.
"No," Cristina said simply.
"You know, I'm pretty sure that in some states this could be considered kidnapping," Meredith pouted.
"You got in the car of your own free will, so stop your whining," Cristina said. "Trust me, you'd have been pissed if I hadn't invited you today."
"Why? What's going on?" Meredith asked. "Is this about some cool surgery? Because as much as I do love those, there is more to life than surgery, Cristina."
"Okay, first of all, stop it with that blasphemy, Mer," Cristina said. "And second, no, this is not about a surgery. In fact, it has nothing to do with work. It's personal."
"So tell me what it is," Meredith insisted.
"You wouldn't believe me if I did," Cristina said, smirking slightly as she glanced over at the look of confusion on Meredith's face.
"Try me," Meredith retorted.
"We're going to meet Rick and his brother at City Hall so that I can get married and live happily ever after," Cristina said, smirking as she did so. "Happy now?"
"That's really very unnecessary, you know," Meredith said. "If you don't want to tell me, fine. No need to go making up stories."
Cristina just shook her head and continued driving. Another few minutes passed before she turned the car into a nearby parking lot. Turning to face Meredith, she couldn't hold back a smile as she saw the disbelief on Meredith's face.
"Cristina, we're at City Hall," Meredith gasped, turning to face her friend. "Oh my God, you weren't joking, were you? You're really getting married?"
"Well, I'm still not sure about the happily ever after part," Cristina said. "But I figured I might as well give the married thing a shot."
"You're serious?" Meredith asked. "You and Rick are getting married? Now?"
"We filed for the license last week," Cristina said. "Now hurry up, we're going to be late."
"It's not as though they can start without you," Meredith pointed out. "I want details before we do this, Cristina. When did he propose? Did he give you a ring? Why the hell didn't you say anything earlier?"
"It's not a big deal," Cristina insisted. "It's just a piece of paper with our names on it and now if he dies, I get all his stuff. That's it. I didn't want anyone fussing over it."
"It is a big deal, Cristina," Meredith countered. "It's a huge freaking deal."
"If you're trying to freak me out, it's not going to work," Cristina said. "This whole thing was my idea this time around."
"What do you mean?" Meredith asked.
"Rick didn't propose," Cristina said. "I did."
"Seriously?" Meredith asked in shock. "I mean…seriously?"
"Yeah, seriously," Cristina said. "Rick's great like that, he's a go-with-flow guy. I control the flow, and he just goes with it. It's just how we work."
"Okay, don't interpret this as me making any comment on your decision, because I'm happy if you're happy, and I think Rick's a great guy," Meredith said. "But are you sure about this, Cristina?"
"I am," Cristina said sincerely. "I know what happened with Burke sucked, but I really think this one's different. Before, with Burke, it was all about him – no one even bothered to ask me if it was what I wanted. Everything was about what he needed from the relationship, when he needed it. With Rick, he asks…he just sort of gets me, you know? And I'm going to stop now, because I'm starting to sound like a sappy little girl. Can we please just go get me married?"
"Let's go," Meredith said, smiling as she followed Cristina into City Hall.
"Alright, well, since you seem to be the hospital know-it-all, you tell me something," Derek suggested.
"I don't know what it is you don't know," Meredith said. "I mean, I assume you know about George and Callie?"
"About the baby?" Derek asked. "Yeah, I heard that she was pregnant. How far along is she?"
"Eight weeks," Meredith said, yawning slightly as she shifted so that her head was resting on Derek's shoulder. "I think she and George were starting to worry that something was wrong – they've been trying since Christmas with no luck."
"Well, sometimes these things take a while," Derek said.
"Yeah," Meredith muttered, her eyelids slowly beginning to close.
"Mer?" Derek asked softly, smiling when he didn't get a response. Kissing her forehead gently, he spread the thin airplane blanket over them and settled back in his seat for the rest of the flight.
"Meredith," Derek whispered, nudging her gently. "Mer, we're here, you need to wake up."
"Mmm…" Meredith muttered, slowly stretching her arms out as she sat up. "Did I sleep through the whole thing?"
"Yup," Derek confirmed. "We're in New York now."
"Good," Meredith nodded. "I guess that could have been a lot worse, right?"
"You did great, Mer," Derek assured her. "I mean it, really great."
"Well then, maybe it's time we start talking about that Christmas gift you promised me," Meredith said, smiling slightly as Derek grabbed their carry-on bag from the overhead compartment.
"Paris?" Derek asked.
"Maybe in the spring," Meredith said. "I hear it's beautiful in the springtime."
"We could do that," Derek agreed. "But first we need to get off of this airplane. Do you need a hand getting up?"
"Yeah," Meredith nodded reluctantly. "I think that was a bit too long to be sitting in one position, even if it was first class."
Derek slipped an arm around her waist, slowly easing her to her feet and allowing her to lean heavily on him as she took her first few shaky steps.
"I think I've got it," Meredith assured him as they made their way down the ramp and into the terminal.
"Okay," Derek said, carefully releasing his grip on her, having long ago quickly learned that when Meredith wanted to do something on her own, it was best for him to just step back and not argue the point.
As they slowly worked their way through the mass of travelers and into the baggage claim area, Derek's eyes scanned the crowd anxiously.
"Do you see anyone yet?" Meredith asked as they stepped onto the escalator.
"Not yet," Derek said. "I'm sure they're here somewhere, though."
"There," Meredith declared, pointing across the room.
Following her finger, Derek smiled as his gaze came to rest on his two younger sisters standing near one of the baggage carousels. As soon as Abby saw them, she nudged Beth and the two of them began eagerly waving as Derek and Meredith made their way through the crowd to meet them.
"Oh my God, it's about time!" Beth exclaimed as she hugged Derek and Abby embraced Meredith. "We've missed you guys."
"Well, we missed you too," Derek assured her as his sisters traded places, Beth now hugging Meredith and Abby hugging Derek. "How's Nancy doing?"
"I think she forgot how much work a newborn is," Abby laughed. "But I have to tell you, that little girl is quite possibly the cutest baby the Shepherds have ever produced – and I say that as someone who's produced my fair share of really cute kids."
"She's right," Beth said. "I don't know what it is, but that baby is downright gorgeous. I think Nick's already adding deadbolts to all the doors to keep the boys out when she gets older. She's already got both of her brothers wrapped around her little finger."
"What did you expect?" Derek asked. "All my godchildren are perfect."
"Good Lord, could your ego be any bigger?" Abby laughed.
"Don't tempt him," Meredith said. "Every time I think he can't get any worse, he does. I think he does it just to spite me, too."
"Derek, really," Beth scolded. "A little humility never hurt anyone."
"We've been here all of five minutes and you're all already ganging up on me?" Derek protested. "This is definitely not fair."
"Mom!" Derek called out as he and Meredith walked into the kitchen. Spinning around from her place at the stove, Maggie broke out in a large grin when she saw her son standing in the doorway.
"Derek," she said happily, hurrying over to pull him into a hug. "You look good, Derek. You look happy."
"I am happy, Mom," Derek said, smiling as she pulled away from him.
"Of course you are," Maggie nodded, turning to Meredith. "I guess I have you to thank for that, don't I? It's good to see you, Meredith."
"You too, Maggie," Meredith said as the older woman pulled her into a hug.
"I thought I heard voices in here," Nancy said, walking into the room with her month-old daughter cradled in her arms. "It's about time the two of you got here. Samantha was starting to worry her godparents had stood her up."
"Hey, you know me better than that," Derek said, smiling as he hugged his sister. "She's gorgeous, Nance…can I hold her?"
"Don't drop her," Nancy instructed as she handed the baby to Derek. "She's the only girl I've got, and I don't want her to be brain damaged because my idiot brother dropped her."
"I'm insulted," Derek said. "I will have you know that I am very good with babies."
"Sure," Nancy scoffed, turning to give Meredith a quick hug. "I don't know why you put up with him, Meredith."
"He cooks," Meredith said, shrugging her shoulders as Derek pretended to look deeply hurt. "I definitely do not cook, so I might starve if I let him go."
"The boys are really good with her," Meredith observed as she and Nancy sat off to the side of the room, watching Karl and Brian taking turns holding and playing with their baby sister.
"They are, aren't they?" Nancy agreed. "Sometimes, I can't believe that I actually have teenagers who are willing to change diapers, do laundry, feed her…I can't get them to clean their rooms, but they'll get up at three in the morning just to sit with her."
"And what about Nick?" Meredith asked.
"Nick is…well, Nick is good," Nancy said, smiling slightly. "We still have our issues, so things aren't perfect, but we're trying, and I think we're making progress. We're not going to be leaving our therapy sessions behind any time soon, but I suppose there are worse things in life than being in therapy."
"I can think of a few, yeah," Meredith agreed.
"Our therapist is a little crazy, though," Nancy said.
"Mine is too," Meredith said. "I think it might just be the nature of the job. Spend enough time around crazy people and maybe it starts to rub off on you a bit?"
"Sure explains a lot about Kathleen," Nancy said, joining Meredith as they both laughed. "And what about you and Derek?"
"What about us?" Meredith asked.
"You've been living together for what? Seven, eight months now?" Nancy asked. "Any wedding bells in your future?"
"I'm just waiting for him to ask," Meredith said. "I made sure he knew I was ready, so now it's up to him."
"How long have you been waiting?" Nancy asked.
"Three or four months," Meredith admitted. "I'm starting to wonder if maybe I wasn't clear enough about how ready I am. I think he's a little afraid of going to fast, but it's been a full year since we got back together and I am definitely ready for the next step."
"You want to marry him?" Nancy asked.
"Yeah, I do," Meredith said.
"Well, if you're interested, I know a very simple way to urge him along," Nancy said coyly.
"Oh?" Meredith asked curiously.
"You want me to give it a try?" Nancy asked.
"I guess," Meredith said cautiously.
"Hey Derek!" Nancy called out to her brother.
"Yes, Nancy?" Derek asked, turning from his conversation with his young nephew, Connor, to face Nancy.
"When are you gonna man up and put a ring on your girlfriend's finger?" Nancy asked bluntly.
Meredith blushed furiously as she glared at Nancy, who simply shrugged innocently. Turning her head, Meredith was surprised to see Derek stand up and walk over to where she was sitting.
"Right now, if she'll let me," Derek announced, instantly silencing the room as he pulled a ring box from his pocket and dropped to one knee in front of Meredith.
"Okay, so this isn't exactly how I had planned to do this," Derek admitted nervously. "But we've always been pretty good at spontaneous, so why not? Meredith, you've been it for me from the moment I first laid eyes on you three years ago. You are my soul mate, my better half, the love of my life…and probably a million other clichés, too. I don't ever want to imagine a future that doesn't include you by my side. We've been through hell and back, and I'd like to think we're a stronger couple because of it. I know things won't always be perfect, but I love you and I cannot think of anything that would make me happier than if you would agree to marry me."
Meredith felt the tears forming in her eyes as Derek opened the box to reveal an elegant, mid-sized princess cut diamond in a simple platinum setting.
"This is the part where you say something, Mer," Derek said nervously.
"I would," Meredith said, a mischievous smile growing on her face. "But you haven't actually asked me anything yet, Derek."
"Right," Derek muttered. "Meredith Grey, will you make me the happiest man in the world and be my wife?"
"Yes," Meredith said, tears glistening in her eyes as Derek slipped the simple diamond onto her finger. "Yes, yes, a thousand times, yes, Derek."
"Uncle Derek, you have to kiss her now!" Connor informed him, much to the amusement of the adults in the room.
"I do?" Derek asked in mock surprise.
"Uh huh," Connor nodded seriously. "You gotta kiss her or it's not real!"
"Well, I certainly want it to be real," Derek said, turning back to Meredith with a grin on his face. "Apparently, I have to kiss you or this isn't real."
"We wouldn't want to disappoint your nephew, now would we?" Meredith smiled, wrapping her arms around Derek's neck as he bent his head down and captured her lips with his, both of them ignoring the cheers and whistles from his family.
"You just had to find a way to make me cry, didn't you?" Meredith asked as they finally pulled apart, their foreheads resting together as Derek's hands cupped her face and his thumbs brushed her tears away.
"You know me," Derek shrugged.
"I love you," Meredith whispered.
"I love you too," Derek whispered back, kissing her gently.
Meredith couldn't help but laugh when, just a moment later, they found themselves pulled apart as his sisters descended upon them, shouting their congratulations as they jostled for time with the happy couple.
"Welcome to the chaos," Abby commented as she pushed forward and pulled Meredith into a hug. "How does it feel to almost be a Shepherd?"
"It feels good," Meredith said, her eyes locking with Derek's as he embraced his mother. "It feels like home."
A/N: So there it is. We've come a long way in the past twenty-three chapters, and again, I want to apologize for not giving you more warning that the story was about to end. I hope it doesn't seem too abrupt. I had planned to write another 4-5 chapters before posting the epilogue, but as I tried to write them, they all felt like they weren't accomplishing anything. After many nights of frustrated attempts to write, I took a step back and reread the story in its entirety, and that's when it hit me - the previous chapter was a natural end and by not stopping there, I was pushing the story past where it wanted to go. So, after giving it a lot of thought, I decided to post the epilogue now and tie up the rest of the loose ends in the upcoming sequel.
Yes, as I believe I may have mentioned to some of you in PMs, there will be another sequel. I'm actually very excited about the material that will be covered in that story, as I think it is going to be an incredible journey of discovery and acceptance for Meredith. I already have a good deal of material written for it, so give me a few weeks to make the first few chapters a bit more cohesive, and I should be able to start posting before the end of the year. So far, I'm working with a title of "Chasing A Ghost," but that is subject to change as the story develops.
Thank you to everyone who has come along for the journey that this story has been - I hope I didn't disappoint, and I hope you'll come back again when the sequel gets off the ground! In the meantime, please take a moment to leave one last review and let me know your feedback - good, bad or indifferent, I want to know what you think!