Chapter 13 - Wedding Bells

You are invited to the wedding of Meredith Grey & Derek Shepherd
An informal ceremony to be held outside (pending Seattle's capricious weather) at the Shepherd residence.

Come and celebrate their joyous union and stay for the good food and drinks to follow!
No gifts...just your presence is required...

Enjoy

It was late in the afternoon on her wedding day, and Meredith stood at their bedroom window overlooking the spacious gardens behind the house. It had been a gorgeous day, with just a hint of clouds beginning to gather at the horizon. With any luck, the showers would hold off until after the ceremony. She could hear the bustle of the incoming guests, their laughter floating up to her on the light breeze. They had planned for this outdoor ceremony, realizing showers could be a problem as always in Seattle, but taking their chances anyway. The white canopy was erected against a backdrop of mature oak trees, and pots of pale pink roses and orchids were in place around the perimeter. The caterers were setting up their tables, along with a small band for entertainment. It wasn't anything over the top extravagant, just enough to keep everyone entertained for awhile after the ceremony.

She and Izzie had spent time in the morning, winding white ribbons through greenery, and Mark and Cristina had set up chairs. They wanted to keep things fairly laid back, and even Addison and Callie were on hand, doing any of the last minute errands that were required. Derek had offered to help, but Izzie had banished him from the premises the night before, saying it would be bad luck.

"But it's my house…I mean, our house…" Derek pointed out last evening, as they all shared a late drink. Mark was sitting on the lounge chair on the patio, with Izzie stretched out, her feet in his lap. Cristina was sitting at the edge of the pool, sipping her beer, while Addison and Callie were leaning against cushions on the flagstone patio. Derek had Meredith snuggled next to him in the redwood glider, and they exchanged an amused look after Izzie's remark.

"Yes, but you have to stay away until the ceremony starts. It's tradition…" Izzie added, gesturing with her drink. "Right, Mer?"

"Well…"

"One night, Meredith…you can do without McDreamy for one night, can't you?"

Derek rolled his eyes at the nickname, before nuzzling Meredith's neck, and whispering softly to her. She giggled, kissing him quickly. "One night, I suppose we'll survive. Girls night, right?"

"Yep…pedicures and manicures, and all that stuff you men don't need to know about," Izzie smirked.

"So that leaves you and me, Derek," Mark observed. "You want to do anything wild and crazy on your last night of bachelorhood?" He raised one eyebrow at Derek. "You know, as best man and all…maybe I should have planned something in advance."

"Oh no…there won't be any 'Hangover' type escapades…" Meredith warned both men.

"C'mon, Mer…don't you trust us?" Mark lamented.

"I trust Derek…not you…"

"Hey…!" Izzie protested. "He's reformed now."

"Don't worry, honey…there will be no drunken incidents. I don't want to face you with a hangover tomorrow," Derek assured her.

"Well, that's boring as hell…" Cristina smirked.

"One last drink before you leave then…" Addison suggested, holding up her martini glass. "I could use another one…I'm not getting married in the morning."

"A shot of tequila, then…" Meredith said, getting to her feet. "Be right back…don't move…"

She hurried back with the bottle and shot glasses, passing them around. When they all had a glass in hand, she raised hers up. "To a happy day tomorrow…"

"…and good weather…"

"…and good friends…"

"…and hot guys…" Cristina offered, shrugging. "What? I need a hot guy…"

Meredith giggled. "…and hot women then…"

"…and happily ever after…"

"Are you ready for this, Mer?" Izzie asked, bringing Meredith back to the moment as she entered the bedroom.

"Yes…no…I mean, it's suddenly so real," Meredith confessed, checking her reflection again in the mirror. The dress fit her perfectly, and her hair was swept up into soft curls, with a small comb studded with pearls tucked into the tresses. "I think I need another drink to calm my nerves…"

"Are you sure about that? You don't want to be tipsy for the ceremony," Izzie laughed. She stood up, smoothing the soft fabric of her own gown into place.

"Tipsy might be good," Meredith observed, looking for the bottle of champagne they had opened earlier. "C'mon…just one more glass?"

Izzie checked her watch. "Okay, just one…and then we have to go. It's my duty to make sure you show up, after all..."

"I can be late…it's traditional, after all…along with the something borrowed and something blue…you were all for tradition last night!" Meredith took the flute of bubbly from Izzie, and held it up for a toast. They clinked glasses, sharing a small smile. "It's crazy, isn't it?" Meredith asked. "I never thought I would be the one getting married first…I mean, you and Mark…"

"…are not getting married yet," Izzie finished. "But seeing you so happy…makes me almost reconsider…"

"Has he asked you?"

"Not in so many words, but yeah…I know it's on his mind." Izzie picked up the bouquets and handed the larger one over to Meredith. "We'll see."

"Just think about it…I was worried it wouldn't be for me, either…yet here I am..." For a second, Meredith wished her mother were still alive to see her get married. Even though Ellis had been distant for most of Meredith's life, they had managed to become closer before Ellis succumbed to a heart attack. She probably would have liked Derek, too. He was the strong, successful kind of man that Ellis always admired.

"Thinking about your Mom?" Izzie asked softly. "I'm sorry...it must be rough on you today..."

"It's okay..." Meredith picked up the champagne flute again, and frowned to see it was empty. "She would probably yell at me for drinking before the ceremony, anyway..." she giggled.

"Hey, you two coming, or what?" Cristina shouted up the stairs, where she was waiting for them. "I can hear the music getting louder…that's your cue, Mer!"

"Let's go do this…" Izzie urged Meredith. "Derek's gonna love you in that dress!"

"He better…along with the lingerie I bought for tonight…" Meredith smirked, as they started down the stairs, until they reached Cristina.

"Wow…you look different, Meredith…" Cristina commented. "I guess it's true…brides do glow!"

"It's the champagne," Izzie pointed out.

"Wait, we need one more toast," Meredith urged them. "One last shot of tequila…before everything changes. It won't be the same, not seeing you first thing in the morning Iz, not listening to you and Mark make the headboard rattle…hogging the bathroom in the morning…or having you walk in at inopportune moments..."

"What! Meredith…!" Izzie protested, but she had to laugh. "I know…we're losing a roommate…it truly will be different."

Cristina returned from the kitchen with the bottle and three shot glasses. "Here…drink up! To Meredith!"

"Meredith!"

"And Derek!" Meredith laughed, swallowing the shot too quickly. She coughed, making a face, and Cristina thumped her on the back. Tears came to her eyes, and she blinked furiously to keep from ruining her makeup. "Oh god…don't make me cry…" She swayed slightly towards Izzie, who exchanged a worried look with Cristina.

"You're not drunk, are you?" Cristina asked. "Is it even legal to exchange vows if you're inebriated?"

"Ha! Look at all the marriages that happen in Vegas," Meredith pointed out. "Lots of alcohol involved in those."

"Good point."

"I'm totally fine," Meredith said, taking a deep breath. "I'm ready to be wedded and bedded…" Then she burst into a fit of giggles. "I mean…legally wedded…!"

"Oh, this is going to be interesting…" Cristina said, rolling her eyes.

"It won't be the usual wedding," Izzie added, as they headed outside.

Outside under the canopy, Derek waited with Mark, both of them wearing elegant dark suits, crisp white shirts and striped ties. "So, ready for the big moment?" Mark asked.

"Absolutely. Thanks again for helping out this morning." Derek looked around at the small gathering, the intimate group of friends. It felt right to do it this way, rather than a big wedding.

"No worries, man...happy to help, and thanks for asking me to stand up for you." Mark adjusted the cuffs of his suit jacket.

"With Izzie as maid of honor, it was a good idea. Besides, considering how we first met, it seems appropriate."

Mark grinned. "Yeah, no pink pillows today though!"

The music started to get louder, signaling the start of the ceremony. "Here we go, gentlemen," the justice of the peace commented.

Derek nodded, following with Mark, to where they were instructed to wait. He glanced around the assembled guests, and he grinned at seeing Addison front and center, with Callie beside her. He was an only child, and his parents had died when he was younger, so there wasn't much representation of family on either side, he realized.

Then he looked towards the patio, where he could see Izzie helping Meredith get ready to walk down the aisle. Then he narrowed his eyes, wondering why Meredith seemed to be giggling, hiding her face against the bouquet of roses. "Oh, my god…" he said to himself, and Mark glanced at him, one eyebrow raised.

"Something wrong?"

"Oh, nothing…but I believe the girls have been into the tequila again..."

"Seriously?"

By that time, Izzie had given up on helping Meredith, and she started down the walkway, a tiny smile tugging at her lips. She managed to walk with measured steps, catching sight of Mark as she approached them. He gave her one of those sexy, melt your heart smiles, his blue eyes fixed on her alone.

Meredith watched Izzie and she took a deep breath, suddenly wishing she hadn't had that last shot of tequila. "Get a grip, Grey…you can do this…" she told herself. She gripped the bouquet tightly, and moved forward, hoping she didn't catch her foot along the way, or otherwise embarrass herself. Then she hiccuped, and her eyes went wide, trying to stifle another one, and continue walking at the same time. Along the aisle, she caught glimpses of Dr. Bailey, George and Alex, along with other friends of Derek's. She could see Addison giving her a big smile, her hand laced with Callie's, as they watched her make her way forward.

Then she met Derek's eyes, and something seemed to steady her. That little grin that told her just exactly what he was thinking, that knowing twinkle in his eyes, made her hold her head up higher. He was the man who made her laugh, who was always there for her, and who had captured her heart and soul. There was no going back; this was exactly where she wanted to be. She reached the spot beside him, and he took her hand, squeezing her fingers tightly.

His own emotions were surging, as she took his hand. This tiny woman had captured his heart, and he would do everything in his power to be there for her always.

"You look very beautiful…" he whispered. "But were you having a last shot of tequila?"

"Um…just a couple shots…" she whispered back.

"I could tell..."

"Is there a problem?" The JP regarded them carefully, watching their exchange. "Or shall we start?"

"No problems," Derek smiled, as Meredith nodded at him. "Let's have a wedding."

"Good. It warms my heart to see a couple so much in love and ready to commit to each other for the rest of their lives." He beamed at them, spreading his hands wide. "We are gathered here to join this man and this woman in matrimony…"

Meredith lost track of what else he was saying, she was so wrapped up in looking into Derek's eyes, and she had to blink when the JP tapped her on the arm to get her attention. "Now, I believe you have prepared your vows in your own words…"

"I'm ready," she whispered.

"Alright, do we have the rings?"

Mark stepped forward and gave her the ring for Derek, and she only fumbled a little bit with it, as she handed her bouquet over to Izzie. Then she turned back to look at Derek. "Derek Michael Shepherd, you are my true love, my soul mate, my rock. You are the constant presence in my life that I am so thankful for - you showed me it was possible to fall in love and not lose myself in the process. I give you this ring as a constant reminder of our commitment to each other and our enduring love. I am so lucky to have you in my life, now and forever, as my husband." She slipped the ring onto his finger, and squeezed his hand tightly. Her eyes were a little misty when she finished, meeting his warm gaze.

He took her ring from Mark then. "Meredith Elena Grey, you are the light of my life, my soul mate, my happiness. You bring sunshine and laughter into my world, and you make sure I never take myself too seriously anymore. From the moment we met, you turned my life upside down, and I thank God every day that you are with me. You hold my heart in your talented surgeon's hands, and I give you this ring as a sign of our commitment and our love. I take you as my wife, now and forever." He put the ring onto her finger and raised her hand to kiss her palm.

The JP raised his hands. "Now, as Derek and Meredith have professed their commitment to each other, by the authority given to me in the State of Washington, I am happy to pronounce them man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Derek took her face in his hands, their eyes still locked on each other, and softly pressed his lips to hers in a warm, tender kiss. Then as she slipped her arms around his neck, he deepened the kiss, molding her body to his, and winding his hands in her hair. His tongue delved into her mouth as she sighed involuntarily. It was only after several moments, and a discreet cough from the minister that they broke apart. Meredith rested her cheek against Derek's chest, as he kept her tightly in his embrace.

Before they turned to face everyone again, Meredith began to giggle, fueled by a combination of relief that the ceremony was over, and by pure happiness. And she giggled harder, unable to stop, making Derek chuckle as well. Izzie and Mark exchanged amused glances, before joining in, not sure what was so funny, but it was contagious. Meredith bit her lip in an attempt to be serious but it was too late. Before she knew it, she was bent over, laughing until her eyes watered, and soon everyone else followed, caught up in the moment. Derek wiped his eyes, shaking his head again at just how unconventional his life was proving to be with Meredith.

"This is the most fun I've had at a wedding ceremony ever..." Callie whispered to Addison.

Addison smirked in response. "My old friend has found a great woman...thank god he didn't mess it up..."

Later on, after the photographer left, having taken mostly candid shots of the wedding party mugging for the camera under the arched canopy, Derek and Meredith circulated among the small group eating and drinking. The rain had held off, even though the evening sky was beginning to darken with ominous clouds. Eventually they were pulled in different directions, exchanging glances as they chatted with everyone.

He found her again beside the bar, and he pulled her close and kissed her temple. "I love you – you look so beautiful today. This dress is just so you." She had set aside the little bolero jacket, and his eyes were warm on the soft skin above the bodice of the dress.

"I love you, too. You're not looking bad yourself," she replied, smoothing the lapel of his Armani jacket, and straightening his tie. "But I can't wait to get you out of this suit later," she teased him.

He raised his eyebrows at her, "Maybe we'll just sneak upstairs right now, and nobody will notice."

She kissed him again, laughing. "You'll just have to wait. I think people would notice if we weren't here."

"Tease," he said, kissing her again. Soft music was filtering through the air, provided by a small string quartet. "Dance with me…?" He tugged her towards the small cleared space, as the guests fell quiet. Meredith lost herself in his eyes, as he moved expertly around the floor, holding her like she was the most cherished woman in the world. At that moment, she felt incredibly loved and she loved him in return. As the music faded away, he claimed her mouth again, molding her close to him as applause broke out around them.

"Time for a toast!" Mark called out, walking over to them, with Izzie at his side. He turned to look at Derek and Meredith, their arms around each other, and her head on his shoulder.

"I'm happy to be part of your marriage celebration today, along with all of your friends and family that could be here. Even though we haven't known each other that long, I was honored to be your best man at the wedding ceremony. I have to say, our first meeting was much less well dressed than this, but I'm not going to divulge all of your secrets right now!" He winked at Derek.

"But seriously, I have to say that you two are the happiest when you are together. And you make us all believe in happily ever after." He raised his champagne flute, as everyone else followed suit. "To Derek and Meredith Shepherd – may you have the best life can offer, and always share it with each other. Congratulations!"

More cheers and applause broke out; along with calls for "Kiss the bride!"

Derek turned to Meredith with a seductive smile, and pulled her close, kissing her softly for a moment. She reached up to put her arms around his neck, and kissed him back, feeling the arc of desire heat up again in her, her breath catching in her throat. He breathed her in, and teased her, rubbing his lips over the corner of her mouth very gently, and whispering her name. With a little sigh, her lips parted, and he slid his tongue inside, into warm, wet heat, into the sensual seduction of her mouth.

"Hey, you can finish that later," Mark finally said, tapping Derek on the shoulder.

Meredith giggled, and Derek kept her close, to whisper in her ear. "I love kissing you, and everything else about you. I adore you."

"I love you so much," she whispered back, intent on looking into his eyes, not caring anymore about anyone else in the room. Their world was reduced to each other, and nothing else mattered.

I realize this was Ch. 13 but it wasn't an unlucky number for their wedding hopefully! I hope you enjoyed their more laid-back wedding ceremony; I know Shonda keeps insisting that Meredith wouldn't do a big wedding, hence the Post-it marriage...however I think there are a lot of other ways to go about getting married! Let me know what you thought...and stay tuned for the wedding night in the next chapter!

And also...not to worry, just because they are married it doesn't signal the end of the story! Lots more to come!