I'm glad you all enjoyed the wedding...I know, I'm a sucker for a good MerDer wedding myself, obviously! The next couple of chapters are both just seriously sweet and romantic, dealing with the reception and the wedding night.

I wish I could say this story would go on much longer, but I feel have told the tale I wanted to, and I believe it will be a good place to end it. As always, I will have an epilogue as well. As far as new projects go, I have been working on the next one already...and it's AU of course, and totally different once again. If things go well, hopefully I can start posting that one in February. I also have a short McStizzie story planned, so those of you who enjoy that pairing, stay tuned for it as well.

Chapter Thirty-one

Sharing the Sweet Moments

The sun was just sinking, painting the sky with glorious pink and gold as the photographer prepared to take a few last wedding pictures. A soft breeze curled around them, lifting the stray tendrils of Meredith's hair, as she faced Derek. All of her emotions were heightened, and she felt overwhelmed with the rush of love between them. His hands cupped her face, his thumb running along her bottom lip. "Have I told you yet how amazing you look in this dress?" he asked softly. The rest of the world had fallen away, and they were lost in their own little cocoon. The look in his eyes was warm and sensual, and she felt like she was the luckiest woman in the world.

"No, I don't think you did..."

"Well, you do. More amazing than ever," he smiled, before leaning in to kiss her lips.

The photographer was just as entranced as the rest of the wedding party, unwilling to intrude on such an intimate moment…and yet; it was that intimacy that he wanted to capture for eternity. He had seen a great deal of newly married couples, and none of them had this intensity burning between them. Easing the shutter as quietly as possible, he recorded their images, knowing it was the perfect shot. The light, the look on Derek's face…it would be one of his best, and they would love it.

"Okay, you two…enough of that…" Alex finally called out, breaking the moment, holding up a bottle of champagne. "Time to party!"

Meredith rested her head against Derek's chest, giggling a little. "Alex always knows how to cut through everything, doesn't he?"

"Yes, I have to agree with you there," he sighed, taking her hand, and leading her to join the rest of them waiting by the limo. The photographer shook his hand on the way by, promising to meet them back at the house for a few candid shots as well.

"Wedded bliss later you two…" Eric smirked, handing over a flute of champagne as they settled into the limo. Alex winked at him. "We know it's only a matter of time before you skip out of your own party…"

"Guilty as charged," Derek agreed, clasping Meredith's hand tightly. "We know you can carry on without us quite well."

"Who us?" Mark asked innocently, his hand resting possessively at Izzie's lower back. Her gown dipped low there, and she shivered at the touch of his fingers on her bare skin. They exchanged a slow smile as well.

"Yes I'm talking to you…though I think you'll be leaving not long after we do," Derek winked at his friend.

"Then let's have a quick toast now…while we're all together…" Alex proposed, raising his glass. "To Meredith and Derek…may you always be as happy as you are right now…"

"…and to good friends…" Meredith added.

"…and to good sex…" Mark grinned. "May it never get boring for you…"

"…that won't be a problem…" Derek said with a wink at Meredith, before capturing her mouth again. Everyone else dissolved into laughter, drinking their toast and kissing their own partner.

The reception was going to be just as relaxed and intimate as the wedding, though a few paparazzi managed to intrude as they exited the limo outside their house. Laughing, they obliged by posing for a few shots, exchanging a kiss before begging off to head inside. Meredith squeezed Derek's hand tightly. "You are definitely getting noticed again, honey," she whispered, as they ducked inside, followed by Alex and Eric, with Mark and Izzie.

"So long as you're with me, that's all that matters," he replied, kissing her temple. "Now we have a party to enjoy before we can leave and I can ravish you."

In the house, the windows displayed the lights glittering in the darkness beyond. Soft music played in the background, enough to set an intimate mood. Meredith had managed to get one of her clients, a well-known caterer, to help with the reception. Luckily, the woman was a sucker for romance, and had agreed to work on short notice. The living room was lit with tiny white lights and myriads of votive candles flickered softly. The lights reflected in the darkened glass, and also led the way outside onto the terrace. White ribbons mingled with lavender ones amongst the pots of greenery along the edges of the stone walk. There was a buffet waiting under a canopy, and a DJ was playing soft music in the background. The buffet was filled with cold cracked crab, coconut shrimp, sesame chicken bites, and crab and Brie stuffed mushrooms, along with enough salad and grilled vegetables to keep everyone's palate happy.

"Mrs. Shepherd…?" The caterer approached, and for a split second, Meredith looked puzzled. Then she giggled.

"Oh…that's me! Sorry, Miranda."

"Takes awhile to adjust."

"You've done an amazing job here. Thank you," Meredith smiled. "Just what we wanted!"

"Excellent. Well I have to check on the kitchen, so have a good time. And can I say, you look extremely happy? Congratulations. He's a good man." Then she bustled away before Meredith could say anything else.

"Here." Derek handed her a flute of champagne. "To us, always…"

"Always," she replied, exchanging a smile of promise for later. He linked his arm through hers, and they strolled outside, where they were surrounded by everyone. Michelle and the others from the salon were buzzing around them, along with several others.

Meredith lost track of time, nibbling on the delicious food and sharing heated looks with Derek. Alex and Eric took turns in whisking her onto the small dance floor, while Izzie and Michelle managed to pull Derek along with each of them. She couldn't remember being so happy, and when Mark claimed her for a big hug, and kissed her soundly, she couldn't help giggling.

"That's likely the only time I'm going to get away with kissing you, Meredith," he laughed, looking over at Derek, who gave him a dirty look, before being pulled away to talk to someone else.

"You may be right," Meredith agreed.

"But you make the guy happy, and that's all that matters."

"Izzie makes you happy, doesn't she? Alex says you're smitten."

Mark nodded. "Yeah, I think my bad boy ways are being reformed slowly. She keeps me in line, I have to admit."

"I'm glad. You need someone, too." She saw Derek approaching then, a determined look on his face. "Good luck with Izzie, I like her a lot too…don't mess it up, okay, Mark?"

"You got it." Mark turned to face Derek. "Don't worry, I'm not making a move on your wife."

Derek took Meredith's arm possessively. "Good. Ready to dance with me now, honey?" he asked Meredith.

"I thought you'd never ask…" she teased him.

"Just saving the best for last, honey…" He moved her across the cleared space, as she followed him, matching his lead. Meredith lost herself in his eyes, drowning in the love there. She was dimly aware of Alex and Eric, smiling from the sidelines, standing beside Mark and Izzie.

"Is Mark really smitten?" she asked, observing the couple.

"Maybe, I have to admit I didn't think it would last, but they've been pretty exclusive for awhile now, and I've never seen him this settled, " Derek agreed.

"She's good for him – keeps his ego in line, and he loves it."

"Yes, but no more talk about our friend's love life, Mrs. Shepherd…" he murmured, kissing her as they moved around the floor. Meredith gave herself up to him, forgetting where they were, as the music swirled around them.

"This is the most relaxed wedding I've ever been to," Izzie commented, swaying to the music herself as Mark slid an arm around her waist. She was beginning to feel a little tipsy from the champagne, and she leaned in against him.

"It is, I have to agree," he nodded, feeling the heat of her body next to him. "Kind of makes me rethink the whole wedding concept…"

Izzie looked at him, her eyes soft. "Seriously?" Then she hiccupped, ruining the look she was going for, and she giggled.

"You're cut off, babe," Mark laughed.

The waltz ended, and Alex and Eric began urging the DJ to play some ABBA, ready to lead an enthusiastic round of karaoke. Soon Izzie and Mark were joining in singing 'Dancing Queen', enthusiastically if not in tune as they formed a kind of conga line. Derek rolled his eyes, as they watched the action. "Our wedding's just been hijacked," he laughed.

"Would you expect anything else?" Meredith asked, her own foot tapping in time. "But maybe we can escape without them noticing."

"Excellent idea," he replied, pulling her closer again. He managed to ease them towards the darkness, shadowed by the edge of the canopy. Heat washed through her in waves, as he kissed her, exploring the sweet taste of her soft, moist lips. Her hands snaked around his neck, into the thick curls of his hair. She met his tongue with her own in a seductive little thrust. Toying with each other, knowing full well the way it aroused the other, until they were breathless.

"Is it too early to leave?" she asked, aching for him.

Before Derek could reply, the music died away in the background, and Mark was calling for them. "Yo! Where is the happy couple?"

"Not just yet, honey," Derek groaned, taking her hand to lead her towards Mark.

"No sneaking away just yet – a toast for Derek and Meredith!" He held up his flute.

"Derek and Meredith!" Everyone else called out, holding the glasses up as well. Flashbulbs popped as they made their way across the patio. Then from the house, Stormy padded towards them, a white collar around his neck. A little ripple of 'awww' went the through the guests, and Meredith scooped him up in her arms. Derek put his arm around her waist, and they looked up at Mark.

"Now that the family is all here…I just wanted to say how glad I am you're finally together. I was getting a little tired of the lovestruck whining." Laughter erupted and Derek rolled his eyes. "But in all seriousness, you two are meant for each other. I think all of us here realize that – we've all seen it, and we're all a little envious. I admit, I'm not very eloquent at the best of times, but I just want to say you two deserve everything and I hope you have it all. Congrats..."

"Kiss the bride!"

"Kiss the groom!"

Meredith blushed a little, turning in Derek's arms, as Stormy scampered away. For a moment, he just held her gaze, and then his hands cupped her face. Silence descended around them. Meredith's breath caught, as his gaze burned into her. "For always, Mrs. Shepherd…"

"Always, Mr. Shepherd…"

Then his lips found hers, softly at first, then with a scorching intensity that took the level of intimacy to a level that sent pulses racing around the patio. The moment of passion touched everyone, making them reach impulsively for their companion.

"Time to leave now," Meredith whispered, flushed with the desire, having lost track of their surroundings once again.

"And I have a surprise for you in that regard," Derek teased her. "The limo is still waiting outside to take us to the Chateau Marmont, where the bridal suite is reserved for us."

"What? Seriously?"

Derek nodded. "Alex helped – packed a bag for you and sent it over before. So we're all set."

Meredith's eyes darted to Alex, who winked at her. "Then let's go."

"Wait! The bouquet to throw!" Alex called out.

"Here!" She picked it up from the table next to the buffet, and tossed it up in the air. It spun in the air briefly, ribbons trailing, while several hands reached up in an effort to snag it. It eluded all of them to land at Izzie's feet, and she looked shocked, before scooping it up, turning to look into Mark's eyes. He just shrugged, and kissed her temple.

"Is it a sign?" he asked, laughingly.

"Maybe…"