Seattle, 7:45 p.m.
Carolyn smiled as she observed the newly married couple with their daughter and their friends. Chrissy was sitting in her daddy's lap and laughing, with Meredith sitting beside them, her right hand on Derek's arm. The whole day had been wonderful, from breakfast with Derek until now. Carolyn thought of her own wedding. Her parents hadn't had much money, so she and Michael had gotten married in their local parish church with a small group, maybe fifty total, present, and then they all went across the street to an Irish pub for the reception. Her parents had sponsored the wedding, and Michael's parents had bought a few rounds at the bar and had given them some money for their honeymoon, a week in the Catskills. They had been able to invite a handful of friends in addition to having their immediate family, their parents, some aunts and uncles, and a few cousins. Their wedding had been pure joy. She had been so thrilled to marry Michael that she wanted to get married as soon as possible. And, having lost him tragically after almost twenty years of marriage, she was grateful that they married when they did. The small, modest wedding was everything she had wanted.
She didn't understand why Addie and Nancy wanted year-long engagements to plan big fancy, expensive weddings. She knew they felt less urgency to get married than she had because they could live with their fiancés. Times had changed, and it was probably better that young people could live together before getting married. That was how Kathy had learned that Greg would be a disaster as a husband. Carolyn had been pleased that Lizzie and Kathy had been perfectly happy with a six-month engagement and weddings that fit Carolyn's budget. Both had been married in the parish church and had nice but not extravagant receptions; in contrast, Addie and Nancy both got married in four star hotels. Nancy had been lucky that her prospective in-laws had been delighted to sponsor the wedding of her dreams while Carolyn contributed what she could.
She found all the weddings wonderful, even Derek's wedding to Addie. All her children were in love on their wedding days, and watching her children marry the people they loved brought her great joy even though she missed Michael intensely at the same time. He would have loved to walk his daughters down the aisle and see his son get married. He would also have loved to meet his grandchildren. But Carolyn had faith that Michael was with them, even if he could not be present physically. She wished that Derek and Meredith shared her faith; it would make the next months so much easier if they could trust in God and know that, no matter what happened, Chrissy would be well, whether here on earth or in heaven with her grandfather.
This wedding today was the first family wedding that was not attended by the all her children, any spouses, and any grandchildren old enough to behave properly at a wedding. Carolyn hoped and prayed that the whole family could be together for future weddings. But then she remembered that Mark was getting married soon, before Chrissy would be able to go to public gatherings. Maybe Derek and Meredith would be willing to go to that wedding while she stayed home with Chrissy.
Carolyn was glad that the webcam had given her daughters and their families the opportunity to observe the wedding; she knew that her daughters were disappointed that they couldn't be here for their brother's wedding. Kathy, Lizzie, and Amy had all called her to see if she could beg Derek to make an exception for them, but she had refused to bring the subject up with either Derek or Meredith. She told them that they were doctors and should know the importance of infection control for Chrissy. They whined that Meredith's friends would be there, but she told them that Chrissy's doctors wouldn't want her exposed to any new people, and that Chrissy lived with Meredith's roommates. She didn't want to put Derek to have to spend his scarce time dealing with his whining sisters. She had noticed that Nancy didn't call. Somehow Nancy was still upset that Derek and Addison were divorced even if Addison was perfectly happy with her new husband. Carolyn had been shocked that Addie had joined the Shepherd gang to watch the wedding, but she was glad that Addie and Derek were friends again.
Memories of Derek walking Kathy, Nancy, and Lizzie down the aisle swirled in her mind. No doubt Amelia expected him to walk her down the aisle when she married. The four girls had been at his first wedding, splendid in their matching burgundy dresses. She would have loved to have them here for this wedding, but it was not possible, and Carolyn was very much a realist. She was thrilled that Derek and Meredith had decided to get married now rather than wait. She thought that being married – knowing that they had each other no matter what for the rest of their lives - would make the next few months easier.
She noticed that Derek and Meredith hadn't made a move to leave even though both had finished the delicious chocolate cake that Izzie had baked for the wedding. She turned to her son and said, "Derek, it's time for you to get going."
"Mom, it's almost 8. We can stay and put Chrissy to bed."
"No, Derek, it's my turn to put Chrissy to bed, sweetheart," Carolyn spoke firmly. "You and Meredith need to leave. I want to be sure I get my money's worth from my gift. And you're not to come back until 1 p.m. tomorrow."
"Mom . . .," Derek started.
"I'm your mother, and I'm setting the ground rules. Besides, I want to have some grandma time with Chrissy."
" Mama Shepherd is strict," commented Cristina.
"She's my Grandma," exclaimed Chrissy. "Mommy, Daddy, you need to go. I want to spend time with my Grandma."
"I'll get going, too," announced Cristina. She gave Chrissy a hug and then gave Meredith a hug. She just nodded at Derek and the rest of the guests, and the she quickly went on her way home.
"I'm leaving, too," said Richard. He shook Derek's hand and hugged Meredith.
"I need to get going, too," Bailey chimed in.
"Thank you so much for such a wonderful ceremony," murmured Meredith.
"Yes, you were amazing. If you ever want to leave surgery, we can give you a strong recommendation for being a minister." Derek then hugged Bailey.
After ending the hug, Bailey chucked. "I did it just for you, Derek and Meredith. I'm going to go home, and tomorrow I'll be back at my day job, surgery. Saving lives. You two have a wonderful wedding night, and enjoy married life."
"We will," responded Derek.
"What's special about a wedding night?" asked Chrissy.
Meredith and Derek looked each other in the eyes. Meredith knew that Chrissy always followed adult conversation closely. That's why she had always stressed the importance of being positive in the hospital room; she could never be sure if Chrissy was sleeping or just pretending to sleep so she could listen to adult conversation. Meredith figured that she should respond. "It's just special to be with your husband or wife after getting married. Many people stay in a hotel for the first night, like Mommy and Daddy."
"And I paid for them to stay in the best hotel in Seattle," interrupted Carolyn. She wanted to get Meredith and Derek on their way. "So that's why they should leave now, so they have time to enjoy the comfy bed and some special treats coming their way."
"What special treats?" asked Meredith. "I don't like surprises."
"You'll like these surprises. And you'll just have to go there to see. So get going."
"Okay, we'll go, Mom. My stuff is in my car. Meredith, do you have a bag?"
"Sure. I'll get it. Carolyn, you can stay in my room, if you want," Meredith suggested as she started up the stairs to get her bag."
"Grandma's going to stay in the trundle bed, Mommy. She wants to stay with me."
"Bossy, just like her mother," said Derek with a smile.
"We're going to have fun," responded Carolyn.
"And we'll help, if you need us," added Izzie.
"Meredith and I really appreciate all that you all did for us today."
"Does that include me, Daddy?"
" Yes, Chrissy. Derek gave her a kiss on her forehead. "You were wonderful. And George and Alex took great pictures, and Izzie baked a wonderful cake, and they all did lots more."
"It was my first wedding."
"I know, sweetie."
"Can I go to Uncle Mark and Aunt Lexie's wedding?"
"We'll have to see, sweetheart. Right now, we're taking it one day at a time, so we're focusing on your mom and dad's wedding today," replied Carolyn.
"Okay."
Fifteen minutes later, Derek and Meredith were underway, with Derek driving. Derek felt a little nervous, being alone with Meredith for the first time today. "You knew of Chrissy's wish for us to get married? When did you learn that?"
"While she was still in the hospital."
"Is that why you agreed to get married?"
"No, silly. I love you. That's why I married you. That it makes Chrissy happy is a bonus."
"We did rush the wedding."
"Chrissy is more than three years old. I don't think anyone would think this is rushing, Derek."
"My sister Nancy does."
"No one with any sense does."
Derek chuckled. "That leaves Nancy out of it."