First of all...a big THANK YOU for the reviews after the last chapter! I realize you all out there are busy with 3D life, as am I, but it was very reaffirming to read your reviews and that you are still enjoying the tale of Lord Derek and Lady Meredith. To be honest, I was wondering it was time to end the fic, and I need to rethink that idea if there is still so much interest.

For now, on to the Christmas gathering...enjoy...

Chapter 27
A Grand Gesture

There was a steady stream of guests to greet, with many of the village gentry anxious to speak with His Grace, Lord Shepherd, his lovely wife and the Dowager Duchess Eleanor. That they were also able to meet Her Grace's father was an added bonus. Many of the elder folk remembered Eleanor, and her gracious manner and generosity from the past. The guests ranged in age from the elderly to the young, with everyone excited about the evening.

One of the last guests to greet them was Dr. Wilding, with a young woman on his arm. "Good evening, may I present my fiancée, Sarah Blake," he greeted them, with a bow.

"Good evening, and welcome to both of you," Derek said.

"How is your leg, Your Grace? You seem to be recovered."

"Much better, thank you."

"Good, good..." His eyes met Meredith's, before he bowed over her hand. "And you look wonderful, my lady."

"Thank you, Dr. Wilding. I feel wonderful. No need for your services this evening, I hope. You can relax and enjoy the evening."

It had taken some time to work through the line, and the manor was now humming with conversation and laughter. "Derek, I believe this is the last..." Meredith said, as Winston finally closed the foyer doors.

"Indeed." He held his arm out to her, and she slipped her hand through the crook. "Now, let's join them and you should likely rest for awhile."

"Yes, I would like to sit for awhile," she smiled.

They entered the Great Room, where many of the guests were gathered. The musicians were playing softly in the small ballroom, in preparation for Derek and Meredith to lead the first waltz. There was time enough to take a few moments to catch their breath.

"Let me get you a cup of cider," he told her, as she settled onto a chaise in front of the large fir tree. "Mother, can I fetch you anything as well?"

"A glass of wine would be lovely, dear," Eleanor said, smiling at her son as well as Lord John. Kate, Lisbeth and Izzie all joined them, happily discussing the wonderful turnout. Making room on the chaise for Izzie, Meredith checked her friend's face for any sign of discomfort.

"You are feeling all right?" she asked.

"Just fine. And do not worry, Marcus does that quite enough for everyone," Izzie sighed. In her gown of bronze watered silk, she looked lovely and beaming despite the advanced pregnancy. "We will not be dancing much this evening, I'm afraid."

"You aren't expecting to give birth at any point soon, are you?" Eleanor inquired.

"Oh, no. I am sure the babe is due to arrive after the new year."

"You are quite welcome to extend your stay if you need to," Meredith offered. "No need to travel at this time of year in your condition."

"It might be wise," Eleanor smiled, just as Derek and John returned with refreshments, followed by Marcus, Alex and Lucien with glasses for their own spouses.

"What would be wise?" Derek asked.

"For the Sloans to stay until the baby is born," Eleanor replied.

"You aren't having the child yet, are you?"

"Not yet, Derek..." Izzie assured him.

"Not until after Christmas sometime," Marcus added, resting his hand on his wife's shoulder.

"Our home is yours as long as you need, Izzie," Derek assured both her and Marcus.

"Thank you, Shep," Marcus nodded. "I would prefer not to be on the road somewhere if the time came unexpectedly."

"Settled then," Meredith said happily. The musicians were beginning to play a little more loudly, indicating the time was near to commence the first waltz. The buzz of conversation was flowing as everyone mingled and admired the sumptuous decorations. Servants began to circulate with trays of drinks, and a group of older children had been gathered together by one of the footmen dressed in a jester's outfit. Meredith had arranged for Meggie and Rose, along with the younger footmen, to keep the children occupied with games and a visit from Father Christmas before the evening was done. And by the end of the night, all of the servants would be able to join in the revelry if they so desired.

"Shall we dance, my lady?" Derek asked, bowing over Meredith's hand. "Are you recovered enough?"

"I feel wonderful," she smiled, as he drew her up to her feet. "Lead the way, my lord." As she tucked her hand into the crook of his arm once more, he covered her fingers with his, and gave her that charming smile that never failed to make her feel like there was no one else in the world besides the two of them. The smile that still made her thank the circumstances that brought them together.

Behind them, Eleanor and John followed, with her daughters following on the arms of their husbands. Quiet rippled through the guests, as they made their way towards the cleared space in the ballroom. Derek nodded towards the musicians, and as they began to play, he took Meredith into his arms. The elegant music filled the room, and everyone watched as he began to move her gracefully across the floor, so that Meredith's gown flowed and swirled with every turn. Well matched and tuned to one anothers movements after the years together, more than one person admired the effortless way they danced together.

"So beautiful, are they not?" Sarah Blake sighed happily, tapping her foot in time with the music. "This is so wonderful, to be here. They seem so gracious."

Dr. Wilding nodded. "Very generous and warm-hearted people."

Beside them, the elderly couple that ran the local inn were nodding in time to the music as well. "Brings back wonderful memories of parties held by the old Duke. Good to see the tradition revived."

"Is it scandalous of how obviously His Grace is in love with his wife?" another one whispered.

"I think it is quite lovely. He adores the ground she walks on, you can see the way he holds her..."

By then, the waltz segued into a more sprightly song, and more couples took the cue to join them on the dance floor. Soon the country squires and their wives were mingled with the baker and the innkeeper and even the pastor and his wife as they all enjoyed the music together. And by the time the country dance began, everyone was happily doing the intricate steps, meeting and exchanging partners in the formations.

Meredith found herself partnered with Alex briefly, and then Lucien, before her father claimed her at the last chorus. She could see Derek and Lisbeth laughing together, their dark heads bent together, so alike. Alex squired Eleanor gallantly, while Kate and Lucien moved together fluidly as well.

"It is a wonderful success, my dear," John smiled at her. "You have done a good thing with this party."

"I am glad it has turned out well, and you could all be here."

"With the Christmas season, I love seeing the children and their enjoyment of it. I always feel badly I missed out on so much with you. But your mother was very determined that I stay away." As the music ended the last round, John escorted her towards a chair close to Izzie's. "I need to sit for awhile, my dear."

"I believe I can rest for a moment as well." Meredith patted his arm as they sat side by side. "No need to relive the past and what could have been, Father. You are part of my life now, and you spoil the grandchildren quite enough to make up for what I may have missed."

"You and Derek have created a wonderful family here. You should both be proud of your accomplishments."

"We are."

At that point, there was a slight commotion at the front of the ballroom, and they looked up to see Derek standing at the dais. Meredith was surprised to see him there; she knew he was going to speak this evening, but not so soon. It wasn't time for the late supper, and she exchanged a look with Izzie who smiled a little mysteriously.

"I beg your indulgence for a few minutes," Derek spoke up, and the conversation slowly quieted as everyone turned towards him. "I thank you for the pleasure of your company here at Gracewood, and I would like to take this opportunity to share something with you." His eyes found Meredith's, and he held his hand out to her, beckoning her to join him.

"Go on," Izzie urged.

"What in the world...?" Meredith laughed softly, before gathering her skirts to make her way through the guests. She took his hand, and smiled at him as he drew her closer to him. "What are you are doing?" she whispered.

"Wait and see..." he replied, winking at her before facing the guests again. "As some of you may be aware, I recently had a small riding accident. While not as serious as it could have been, it still caused some uncertainty and fears for Lady Meredith. Fears that I have done my best to allay, but this evening gave me the opportunity to tell her that marrying her has given me the greatest joy. Perhaps most men would not be willing to speak so openly of loving their wives, but I want all of you to know how I feel. She is the light of my life, a loving wife and devoted mother to our children..."

He paused for a moment, and nodded towards someone waiting off to the side. Meredith looked over to see Rose pushing Michael forward, his hands full with a bouquet of white roses. Hannah and Ella followed, with smaller bouquets, their beaming expressions making Meredith's eyes sting with sudden tears. James was too small to walk yet, and Rose carried him in, her smile just as wide as the twins'. A small ripple of happy sighs went through the assembled guests at the sight.

"Oh my goodness...where on earth did you get all these wonderful flowers?" Meredith knelt down as the children joined her, handing over the bouquets. She kissed them all, and then took James from Rose's arms. "And what do you have?"

In his chubby fist, he clutched a small velvet box that Derek extricated for her. "Thank you Jamie."

"The gardener has been tending some indoor roses very carefully, and was quite honored to have them as part of this evening," Derek explained, kissing her cheek. "And this is the other part of my grand gesture..." He opened the box, where a ring nestled in the satin folds. An amethyst and diamond ring, similar in setting to her engagement ring, but with two smaller hearts twined together. He dropped to one knee.

"Meredith, this may not be our wedding anniversary, but please do me the honor of renewing our vows here and now, in front of the assembled guests..." he said quietly, his expressive eyes fixed on hers. "Now and forever, I will always be here for you."

"Oh, I...how did you plan...?" For a moment, she was nearly speechless, her tears spilling over. "You are the most wonderful man..." she managed to say, as he stood up and slipped the ring onto her finger where it fit neatly with her other rings. Applause began to break out, as he pulled her closer, and kissed her gently.

"I had a little assistance," he admitted. "My mother and Kate, specifically...but the pastor agreed, and we have our original wedding attendants here, so it seemed like a good idea. Have I completely taken you by surprise?"

"Very much so."

The musicians began to play again, very quietly, a familiar wedding theme. The pastor made his way towards them, along with Marcus and Izzie, and then Alex and Kate. They all took their places, and the children stood between Derek and Meredith, James still in Meredith's arms.

Once the whispers and comments in the crowd died down again, Pastor Charles smiled happily. "We are gathered here, to renew the wedding vows of Derek Michael Galen Shepherd and Meredith Ella Genevieve Shepherd. In front of their witnesses, and family, and all of you, they wish to strengthen their commitment to each other. When you first joined hands and hearts on your wedding day, you did not know where life would take you. You promised to love, honor and cherish one another through all things, and life has surely brought you both wonderful blessings as well as some tribulations. You have come through all of this as you promised each other then, and you can reflect on this as you reaffirm the vows now. Repeat after me..."

Meredith took a moment to hand James to Kate, and then took Derek's hands. Her legs were somewhat trembly but she felt the strength of his grip and she smiled happily at him as they repeated the vows that bound them together now as on the day of their wedding.

"Now, Derek and Meredith, the rings you exchanged on your wedding day are outward symbols of your commitment to each other. The never-ending circle of your rings symbolizes your never-ending love for each other."

With their hands entwined, they touched the rings, silently confirming that love between them. At the moment, she wasn't sure if she could form any words, but her eyes spoke to Derek just as surely.

"Meredith, my little love, I am not always the most eloquent, so if I may quote a bit of poetry to express my feelings for you..." he said quietly, still gripping her hands. "The world, for me, and all the world can hold is circled in your arms,for me there lies within the lights and shadows of your eyes the only beauty that is never old."

Gathering her scattered wits, Meredith could only say, "You are mine, my love, and I am yours, as meant to be from the beginning of time. All that we have, our love and our life is blessed and priceless, for eternity."

Pastor Charles touched their joined hands. "Now, once again, I pronounce you husband and wife. May you be as joyful and blessed for the rest of your lives together. Lord Shepherd, you may kiss your bride."

"You are my life," Derek whispered to her. "I love you."

Meredith was lost all over again in his warm blue eyes, seeing all the love and the passion there. "I love you Derek, always." She lifted up to meet his kiss, with all the love and desire and trust that she felt for him. A soft whimper escaped her as the kiss deepened and her mouth welcomed his. Resisting the urge to lift her off her feet and sweep her away to their bed, Derek slowly eased his lips from hers.

A small hand tugged at his trousers and he looked down at Michael. "May we kiss Mama too?" he asked, with Hannah and Ella smiling happily behind him.

"Of course you may..." Derek laughed, and Meredith joined in, hugging the children and exchanging kisses, while the rest of the guests clapped their hands in a joyous chorus. It was more than anyone had anticipated for the evening, but they were all pleased to have been included in the reaffirmation of the love between their Duke and his Duchess.

"Was that too much of a surprise?" Derek asked, once they were able to speak quietly for a moment.

"I admit, you had me completely surprised, but in a good way," she smiled, touching the new ring that sparkled on her finger. "But how did you know to have this ring? Were you planning this since we were in London?"

"Not exactly. It was meant as a gift for Christmas, but as I thought about doing this, the ring seemed to have been destined for this purpose." He kissed her fingers gently.

"It is perfect, along with the roses...you do know just how to make a woman happy, my love."

Derek's smile at her words was sinful. "And I plan on making my woman very happy in the most sensual sense of the word...when we celebrate our re-wedding night later..."

*Derek's quote by James Weldon Johnson (a poet from after the time of this fic, but I came across it during my search for wedding vow renewals, and thought it was a beautiful quote to use!).