Chapter 78: Epilogue

"Michael William, will you please go ask your father to do your hair so we can get up to your Grammy's?" Meredith instructed her son who would be four in two days. Carolyn decided that she wanted to relocate back to Rachel, it just felt like home to her, reminding her when she met Derek's father. She was now Derek and Meredith's neighbor. Anyways, the family were celebrating Michael's birthday today, since it was Saturday. Plus, everyone within driving distance in the town of Rachel wanted to see the newest addition in the Shepherd family, Dalanie Sky. She was born just 2 weeks before. Michael's first comment when seeing his baby sister was, 'I don't have to share my birthday with you. I don't know if I could share my birthday, but I would have still loved you because momma and daddy told me I would love you.' Meredith and Derek had no idea what to say to their son, but knew he was too smart for his own good. They were amazed at how intelligent he seemed to be. Carolyn said that Derek was almost exactly the same way.

Meredith looked down at the baby with the most beautiful eyes. She knew that all babies were born with the same color eyes, but Dalanie's had already turned a shade of blue that was unmistakably a trademark for being a child of Meredith and Derek's. Michael had eyes that made everyone melt. At times, both Meredith and Derek had to be careful not to give in to the 'look' that he gave when he really wanted something.

"Lainie, what are we going to do with those boys?" Meredith lightly tickled her daughter as she snapped her onesie before putting on the rest of her outfit, something warm for the cold day outside. Winter was getting close.

"Meredith, where is the gel?" Derek said as he walked in their bedroom, straight to the bathroom to start searching. They would never forget the day they walked in their newly renovated house for the first time…

Flashback

"Come on Derek, hurry!" Meredith said as she got out of the car, with the biggest smile on her face and a belly that was poking out slightly from being 5 months pregnant.

"I am coming." Derek shook his head laughing.

"Can't keep up with a fat pregnant woman?" Meredith said more excited than ever.

"A beautiful pregnant woman and yes, I can keep up." Derek caught up with her and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck quickly before taking her hand, interlacing her fingers with his.

They walked to the door, both stopping. This was their dream home. It was built on the other side of the fishing pond, with their bedroom opening to a part of the deck that overlooked the lake. After much discussion, looking at floor plans, and figuring out what they really wanted, they knew they were going to have their perfect home, which incorporated features of William's home. They had decided on an open floor plan for the living, dining, and kitchen areas. Their bedroom and master bathroom was also on the ground floor with a room off their bedroom for an office or for a baby room. Above the three-car garage was a great room that was the family room with all the toys and entertainment. The back wall was comprised of mostly windows that faced the lake and the mountains. There were 4 bedrooms upstairs that all opened up to a big room at the top of the stairs. There was a bathroom that was shared between each pair of bedrooms with a door from each bedroom into the bathroom. They had no idea if all of them would ever be filled with kids, but they wanted that option. They also justified it, knowing Carolyn's house wasn't big enough for the entire family.

"This is it; this is our house." Derek said more excited than he ever imagined. He also had a huge surprise for Meredith.

He opened the door slowly, walked in with Meredith, watching her expression the entire time.

Meredith opened her mouth but couldn't speak when taking in the sight. Everything was in place. Every bit of the furniture, decorations, the dishes, etc. was put into place. Immediately tears started falling. "Derek. How? When?" Meredith knew they had picked out everything, but she had assumed they would be moving in over the next few weeks and would still be sleeping at the hotel. She had thought Derek was crazy when he suggested they go to New York the weekend before their house was supposed to be ready and it dawned on her. "This is why we have been in New York?"

"Maybe." Derek smirked a little bit, knowing he had planned it out perfectly. He also knew it was the last time Meredith should travel that far before the baby, so it was their last opportunity to go down and enjoy New York.

"I can't believe it." Meredith walked around the open room, seeing a combination of some of the stuff they already had as well as many new things they had already picked out from various places. They had gotten quite a bit of their dishes and china, crystal, flatware, and other kitchen supplies from their wedding.

"Come on. Why don't we go check out the rest of it…" Derek was busting at the seams for Meredith to see the biggest surprise of all.

"Okay." Meredith didn't even bother to wipe the tears. She realized how much more emotional things seemed to be since she had been pregnant.

He opened the door to their bedroom, and she looked around before realizing exactly what had been set up in the room they had decided to build off of their bedroom, what was once going to be like an office or comfortable place for them to relax had been turned into the baby's room. The tears immediately fell much heavier as she walked towards the most beautiful site.

"I know we had looked at a few different designs for the baby. If you don't like the monkey's, we can go with something else, it is all returnable. This is a gender-neutral pattern and one of the final patterns we had looked at."

Meredith continued into the room and started touching and feeling things. She didn't notice the nervousness that was planted on Derek's face. She finally spoke up. "Derek, this is perfect. Our baby, our little boy or girl will love this."

Derek was finally able to breathe again and walked slowly over to her. "Yes, I think so. I am glad you like it."

"I love it. I can't believe you did all of this. I can't even begin to imagine…"

"Well, this was the hardest thing to keep from you. I knew I had a small window of time. I had a lot of help also." Derek hugged her tightly.

"This is simply amazing. I can't believe this. This is our dream, starting our family together in the most perfect house. that is the best anyone could ever ask for." Meredith turned around in Derek's arms to look at him.

"You are the best wife and will be the best mother anyone could ask for. I love you." Derek leaned into kiss her softly.

"I love you so much." Meredith whispered.

End of Flashback

"Sorry we are running late." Meredith said when she walked into Carolyn's with Dalanie cradled in the sling. She was always known for finding the most conventional ways, something Derek's sisters envied in a good way. They always called Meredith when they wanted her input on an idea or something they couldn't decide. She always had a solution without directly telling them her opinion.

"Grammy! My party!" Michael ran in past Meredith and Lainie with Derek bringing up the rear, smiling the entire time.

Carolyn knelt and opened her arms anticipating the arrival of her grandson, the one to carry on the Shepherd name. She knew he would do it proudly; he was clearly a Shepherd from a very young age. "It is your party and most of your cousins and friends are here to party with you."

"Are they here now?" Michael came out of the hug to his grandma with excitement all over his face.

"They are. You don't hear them?" Carolyn smiled and watched Michael immediately run into the big room where they were all gathered.

She stood back up slowly, Derek walking over to help her. "Mom, you are getting older you know."

"Yes, but until I can't kneel down anymore, I will continue to hug my grandchildren at their level." Carolyn continued to smile as Derek kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly.

She immediately pulled herself from the hug. "I want to see that newest grandbaby of mine."

Meredith was pulling Dalanie out of the sling, knowing Carolyn would want to take her. Meredith was looking forward to today actually, she knew all the sisters and guests would want to dote over the cutest little girl Meredith had ever seen.

"Finally, I get to meet the niece I keep hearing so much about." Amelia, the youngest of the Shepherd children spoke up. She is the only one who had not settled down quite yet although everyone was waiting for her and her boyfriend of almost 5 years now to announce their engagement. Carolyn was happy when she called almost a year ago to say she had found a job in Vegas and had decided to move closer to home, bringing her boyfriend with her.

"Wait your turn." Carolyn said as both women gave Dalanie all the attention.

Everyone heard the door open to a little girl crying and through the tears saying, "But, my dress is messed up for Michael's party."

"Princess, it is most beautiful, and Michael will be fine." Mark consoled his oldest child, who was a few months older than Michael. He and Addison had a small surprise during their engagement and decided to move up the wedding a few months. It wasn't easy for them to come to some agreement to where they would live, but once the town of Rachel decided to build a hospital, Mark knew he could work out of the hospital and go to Vegas for consults or bigger cases. They stayed in New York until Ella graduated high school, and then moved down to Rachel. Addison stopped working once they had their first child and didn't regret that decision at all.

"The Sloans must be here." Derek came in the kitchen and stopped when Addison and the twins weren't with them. "Where is Addie?"

"They are coming. Princess here had to hurry and jump out of the car but ended up falling. So, I went ahead and brought her in." Mark gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek and some reassuring words before letting her down to go play with the other kids.

"Mark Sloan, who would have ever thought… big family man with 4 kids." Derek shook his head in disbelief.

"Only three I am responsible for, thank goodness. Ella has found a man to take her." Mark said jokingly. Ella was Addison's daughter from a previous relationship; Mark took her in as his own.

"Thanks Mark." Ella rolled her eyes, walking in with one of the twins, her boyfriend holding the other with Addison following behind.

"When did you guys get here?" Mark asked, smiling. He wasn't so sure at first about adopting Ella and taking the role of a father figure to her, but he couldn't be any prouder of her than the rest of the family.

"Long enough to hear your wise ass comments." Addison rolled her eyes.

"Language Addie, we have kids around." Mark laughed, knowing they all watched their language around the kids, they picked up everything the adults said.

Carolyn walked over to the twins, "I heard you two were walking everywhere now." She tickled both boys.

"They are and starting to get into everything." Addison said looking very worn out.

"Looks like mom needs a break." Carolyn suggested and looked at Mark.

"Yes. She does." Mark was in the process of planning a getaway for the two of them. They had not had any time for themselves since the twins were born a year and a half ago.

"We should plan something. Our anniversary is coming up. I was thinking a weekend getaway would be nice, well, after another month." Derek looked to Meredith who immediately smiled and slightly blushed.

"What? Just saying." Derek walked over to his wife, gave her a kiss, one more sensual then was expected.

"With that, I am going to excuse myself to the birthday boy and make sure everything is set up in the game room." Carolyn suggested and had Ella and her boyfriend go with her to help.

"I would leave too with these two, you never know." Mark commented.

"We are not like that." Meredith retorted quickly.

"So, your wedding day. What exactly would you call that?" Mark reminded Meredith.

"Mark Sloan." Addison stepped in quickly.

"Well, when you can't find the groom 30 minutes before the ceremony, only to find out the bride is also missing 30 minutes before, what do you expect?" Mark laughed.

All four of them started laughing and Meredith and Derek couldn't help but remember the seemingly perfect day.

Flashback

"Derek. You aren't supposed to be here." Meredith giggled when she woke up in the arms of her fiancé.

"Yes, I am. In less than 12 hours I am going to be your husband, I can be here if I want." Derek nudged his lips in the nape of her neck.

"You know your sisters are supposed to be coming to get me at 10 for what they call pampering and what will they do if they see your vehicle?" Meredith started to wash over with the feeling she always got when Derek's lips started to move around her body.

"What time is it?" Derek asked in a fog, continuing his pursuit.

After Derek got the words out of his mouth, they heard pounding on the front door. "Shit." Derek knew the answer to his question and knew he was going to be in some trouble with his sisters.

Meredith moved to get up and get some clothes on. Derek put his boxers on and ran downstairs to open the door. "If I open this door, you have to promise not to do anything of violence. Meredith would be upset if the pictures come back with a black eye."

"Fine. But after the pictures…" He knew that voice came from the sister he was the closest to, Liz.

"But, the honeymoon, you don't want me hurt for the honeymoon." Derek pleaded, knowing he wasn't getting out of this one easy.

"Just open the damn door so we can get going. We have a full day. And yes, we have continued to respect what Meredith wants, nothing huge or extravagant today, but good thing we had this planned, I am not sure either of you would have made it to your own wedding." Nancy said clearly.

Derek hesitantly opened the door to all four of his sisters and his mom. Derek grumbled a little bit when he heard his mom say, "You could have at least put on more than boxers. They show entirely too much."

Derek didn't even realize the small tent still in his boxers. He held his head in slight shame. "She is upstairs getting dressed."

"Don't forget Meredith, a button up shirt." Kathleen yelled up.

"Oh shit. Thanks for reminding me." Meredith yelled down in a muffled voice, brushing her teeth.

"Mom is with them." Derek let Meredith know about the unexpected guest.

"Shit. Oh sorry mom." Meredith yelled back down.

"If you don't mind, I am going to go and get a shower and get out to the ranch." Derek started back upstairs.

"Oh no you don't." Amelia pulled Derek back to them.

"What? I have to get ready." Derek pleaded wanting to see Meredith mostly.

"Your sister is right. Nancy, why don't you go up and get Derek's things so he can leave. The men are waiting for you. You know how this works." Carolyn said kindly, knowing there was a schedule. Meredith didn't realize that because she wasn't really a schedule kind of person. Addison and Izzie were meeting them at their first destination.

"I can't believe all of you. Meredith, they are forcing me out." He yelled up to her.

He could hear her giggle which melted his heart even more. "They are probably right. I should have kicked you out way earlier. Have fun and love you."

Derek groaned even harder. He was not getting what he wanted and knew defeat when he saw it. "Fine." He looked unhappily at his sisters which sent Nancy up to gather his things. He yelled up to Meredith. "I love you too. Don't let my evil sisters sway you into anything."

"No worries. I am all good as long as my mother doesn't decide to join us." Meredith said regretfully. She flew into Vegas late last night and was driving into town a few hours before the ceremony.

Derek gave his mom a look of concern and she whispered. "Don't worry, that is one reason why I came so that I could meet her and take her to the house when she comes."

"Good thinking." Derek breathed a sigh of relief.

"No problem son." Carolyn gave her only son a big hug as Nancy arrived back with his stuff. He regretfully put it on and headed out.

Meredith came down the stairs, ready for the day that ended in her becoming Mrs. Derek Michael Shepherd.

End of Flashback

"The sisters will never let me live that one down." Derek hung his head laughing.

"Yeah, but that is mild comparing to what happened later." Mark reminded Derek.

"I still can't believe the two of you pulled that crap. Even Mark and I weren't as bad on our wedding day." Addison chimed in, enjoying the memories with her closest friends.

Izzie and Alex had walked in with their kids who immediately ran to play. "Dude, at least Mark and I were the only ones who heard. Surprised the guests who had started arriving didn't hear."

Flashback

Derek had gone all day thinking about Meredith and their morning. He had texted her throughout the day, nothing clean about the texts they had been sending which was keeping him that much more worked up.

"Earth to Derek?" Mark yelled to him.

"What?" Derek responded back

"The bulge in your pants says you are definitely not here with us." Mark said as all of the men turned to laugh. Mark was his best man, Alex, and his three brothers-in-law were his groomsman. It was simple since Meredith wanted all four of his sisters, Addison, and Izzie standing with her. Amelia was still very much single, which was perfect for numbers in the wedding party. The wedding was small, with probably as many people standing up with them as will be sitting in chairs, but that was ok with them. There was no way Meredith could ask any one of the women she had standing with her to be the only one. Derek needed Mark, his best friend with him. So, it became an easy choice. Meredith didn't care if they all had the same dress or even same color, but Carolyn advised her to at least choose a certain color. They all wore lavender dresses, and the men wore dark suits they already owned, white shirts, and lavender ties.

"Thanks, Mark, for pointing out the obvious. I am going to get back at every one of them." Derek said looking at his brothers-in-law, reminding them about what their wives had done.

"We had the same thing happen to us." Maureen's husband spoke up.

"Wait till you see her Shep." Mark said. He had gone about ten minutes before to see how the girls were coming along and couldn't believe the dress Meredith had picked out. It was perfect for her. It was not big and fluffy, about the only resemblance to that of a wedding dress was the color. She had chosen white.

"Yeah, that is what I am afraid of." Derek sighed.

"Come on, let's head on outside." Mark suggested, but waited with Derek.

The weather outside couldn't be more perfect. Meredith and Derek decided a fall wedding was what they wanted but worried the weather could get a little cool that time of the year. Carolyn said they would get what was necessary in order for them to get married out on the land they planned to spend the rest of their lives. They had the spot picked out. It overlooked the water and the mountains that had traces of snow already on them.

After all of the other men were outside, Mark looked to Derek, "This is it. You are marrying the love of your life."

"I am." Derek smiled.

"Enjoy this time. Before you have kids, before the chaos starts, enjoy it. Once kids come, it gets more difficult to find time for just the two of you. Enjoy it. Kids are great, but always put Meredith first. Get babysitters, go out on dates, even when you have children." Mark advised.

"I plan to. This feels so right." Derek said.

"I know the feeling. Let's get out there so you can see your gorgeous bride. She is quite beautiful." Mark led Derek down off of the deck.

"Derek."

Derek stopped, knowing exactly who was calling his name behind him. He turned slowly as Mark continued walking down to the wedding site. "Oh. My. You look… " Derek couldn't finish his sentence at seeing Meredith, the woman he was about to marry standing in front of him.

Meredith could feel herself feeling an intense surge rise up in her at seeing Derek in the black suit that he wore perfectly. "If you keep looking at me like that, we might not make it to our own wedding."

"You… with you wearing that, I am not sure I can contain myself." He moved towards Meredith trying to keep his thoughts to a minimum. The tux didn't leave much to the imagination. He had no idea how he would make it through the wedding without people noticing.

"Who left them along out here?" Amelia immediately shouted when she walked out of the house to see Derek practically undressing Meredith with his eyes. "Let's go on and take pictures."

Derek and Meredith reluctantly agreed. As they walked down to the wedding site, Amelia leaned over to her brother and whispered so no one would hear. "If you can contain yourself for pictures, just maybe I will help run interference so you can have some time with Meredith."

Derek looked at his youngest and wildest sister and smiled. "Seriously?"

Amelia gave her signature 'up to no good' grin and nodded yes.

"This is why I love you." Derek muttered to his sister hoping he could actually control his desire long enough.

End of Flashback

"I just can't believe Amelia was in on your little escapade." Mark laughed as they relived parts of that day.

"If we wouldn't have come looking for you, you two would have had people listening to the honeymoon instead of seeing the wedding." Alex remembered.

Flashback

"Where in the hell is Derek?" Mark asked Amelia who was standing about 20 yards from the tent that was for the women to gather before they were to walk out.

"You have lost the groom?" Amelia asked trying not to laugh.

"No, we haven't. He is just MIA. I told him I would help him run, but hell, I never thought he would. Surely, he didn't." Mark said.

Amelia had to control her laughter. "No, I doubt he has run off."

"I didn't find him in the house at all or in the guest house." Alex said loudly, out of breath.

"Was his car still here?" Mark asked.

"Yeah, everything was still in place."

Amelia was trying to think of a good excuse of where he could be. "Did you check the bathrooms? You know Derek, sometimes he just needs his privacy."

Mark looked to Alex and started shaking his head. "Did you happen to see Meredith anywhere?"

"Um, I don't believe."

Amelia knew Mark had figured it out and knew she was about to be questioned, so she spoke up. "I have to go finish getting ready,"

Mark grabbed her lightly. "Amelia. You know where they are."

"No." She had always been good at this stuff, but she also knew time was fast approaching for the wedding to start.

"I know where they are at." Alex said quickly, knowing the one place no one would think to look today.

"Shit." Amelia muttered when both of them started down towards the practice and immediately started calling Derek's cell.

End of Flashback

"I won't lie; I wouldn't have made it without giving everyone a show at the wedding if Amelia would not have helped us." Derek reminded everyone.

"It was a beautiful wedding though." Addison chimed in.

"It was very us." Meredith looked to Derek and snaked her arm around his waist.

"You know, we all have so much to be thankful for." Derek heard the sounds of all of the kids playing, his mom trying to be the best grandma possible, and all of the adults with all of the happiness life should bring. There were always slumps in life, but overall, they had the best life one could possibly ask for.

That was the Epilogue... It took me five hours to type off and on. I hope you enjoyed! Their son was name after Derek's father and Uncle while their daughter's middle name is their favorite place to look at!