A/N- This is my attempt at trying to repair some of the wounds left by Thursday's episode. I'm completely crushed at the outcome and the damage that I'm sure shonda will inflict in the final episodes of this season. Whereas I'll be watching to see if Meredith will ever get a break, I feel that huge mistakes have been made in Shonda's decision to kill Mcdreamy and with him, MerDer. I had considered abandoning both of my live stories, and a third that I have yet to publish, but for now at least, I feel I owe it to Derek's memory to continue as I felt the show should have. With him dying in Meredith's arms at 110 years old. Much of this chapter was unwritten before Thursday, so it isn't in any way perfectly polished, but it is happy, and most importantly, Derek is still Mcdreamy. A huge hug to all of the MerDer fandom, particularly the fanfic writers amongst you. May he live on within all of our stories. With that rant over, may I present part two of my OTP's big day.
Meredith couldn't hold it in any longer. The second she and Derek walked through the doors to sign the papers, Meredith kissed him again, hard.
"We're married." she squealed, jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist, mindful that the action pushed bee straight into her bladder. She wouldn't normally have jumped him that way in front of people she barely knew but the idea that she was finally married to the love of her life made her need to pinch herself just to prove it was all real.
"We're married." Derek confirmed, returning the kiss and squeezing her as tight as he could with bee between them. "Now we just have to make it official." He knew exactly how she was feeling. He could barely believe that any of this was real either. He had dreamed about that moment for months and not even his fantasies matched up to how amazing he felt right then. The officiator placed the paperwork in front of them along with two pens, both quickly signing before sharing another kiss, their hands once again finding each other. Derek looked at Meredith, utterly in awe of his wife. He had honestly believed that there wasn't any way that she could ever look more beautiful to him than she had every day since they met, yet somehow, with his ring on her finger and their child in her belly, she looked more perfect than she ever had before. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing her ring finger, now complete with two platinum bands. She giggled softly, the sound making his heart soar. Her elated smile choking him up. He let the tears fall as the officiator opened the doors, the owners, who had served as witnesses, beginning the applause that rang out as they ascended the shallow steps back to the altar.
The sound of their guests cheering as they emerged was completely overwhelming for the two of them, to be in love with each other was one miracle, but to be loved by so many was another on its own. Confetti rained down on both of them as they kissed again for the cameras, the petals still falling long after they had made it back to the beginning of the aisle.
Meredith was so high that the photographer was a complete blur to her. She was glad that Derek had convinced her that they needed a list of all the pictures they wanted to take because she could barely string together a coherent sentence let alone remember that she wanted a picture of Carolyn with her children and grandchildren or a picture of just her and Lexie in addition to the more traditional pictures. Derek was in her sight the entire time, their eyes leaving each other only long enough to look at the camera, the space between them feeling like too far at times. Meredith had never understood the term 'other half' but standing with Derek as they immortalised their wedding day, any other term seemed wrong. He truly was half of her now.
Derek was relieved when the photographer announced he had completed his list, Meredith had started doing her pee dance a little after halfway through, which meant they were about to head into an emergency situation. Meredith spotted the bathroom sign in time though and jogged towards it as best she could, Kathleen noticing the predicament and quickly following her to help with the dress.
They had intentionally chosen a caterer that suited both their tastes and Meredith's list of pregnancy safe foods. It meant one less thing to worry about on their big day and it meant that Meredith would definitely be getting a good meal that would give her the energy she'd need to get through the rest of the day. The line was getting long by the time she had finished in the bathroom, but she had no qualms about pushing into the queue to grab one of everything. Their guests merely smiled at the sight of tiny pregnant Meredith with two quite large plates to herself. Pre pregnancy, Meredith could eat a lot, but now she had an excuse to eat as much as she wanted to.
Meredith looked around the room as she sat down taking in all the people that had joined them for their special day. Even after all of the awful things that almost kept them apart, this many people still had faith in their relationship. The room was full and it overwhelmed her more than just a little. She knew that this was not everyone, some guests having to work to allow others the time to share their big day, sending good wishes and congratulations in the days before. It seemed that true love beat down any rumour that had been spread about them over the years and now everyone that knew them was celebrating the next stage of their lives. Despite the term having been used often over the months that she had been back in Seattle, Meredith looked out at the crowds of people, finally certain that she knew what family truly meant and it was a very beautiful thing.
"I hope those are happy tears." Derek smiled warmly as he joined her, pulling her close and pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"Definitely happy tears." She smiled back. "I just can't believe this is my family. When I moved back here it was just me, and now…" she sucked in a breath causing Derek to hold her even tighter. "I just never imagined I could have this many people that care, or any people really."
"And you deserve every last one." Derek promised her. "I know you don't think that sometimes, but that's why I'm here; to remind you of how loved and admired you really are. And clearly I'm not the only one who thinks that, or you would not have this many people here to wish you well."
"We're very lucky." She agreed looking straight into the blue eyes she knew were looking right at her.
"I have to say I'm luckier though." He boasted, a playful look in his eye.
"Why? Because you have so many sisters, that's an unfair advantage, and anyway, I had half…" Derek stopped her with a kiss before she launched into a full ramble.
"I'm luckier because I got you." He said so sincerely it made Meredith want to cry.
"But you gave me a family. You made me feel wanted for the first time in my life." She protested.
"You are my life." He told her. "You and bee. I don't think you can top that one. It still blows me away that you could have had any guy in the world but you picked me to have all of this with."
"I'd always pick you." She said instinctively, knowing it was true. "No one else ever came close. I had a lot of good sex before I had great sex with you, but the moment after, when you hold me tight like there's no one else in the world. That is what made me fall in love with you in the first place."
"I'll always be here to hold you Meredith. Always."
The rest of the afternoon was filled with many congratulations from their guests, who one by one drifted away from the ferry boat with the promise to join them later at the hotel for the reception. Even Izzie was heading home for a couple of hours, taking Lexie and Cristina with her. Those that could be spared all day from the hospital had been, but others were forced to go in and work for just a few hours, or felt obligated to go check in on patients, George and Alex amongst them. By the time they left for the hotel, there were only a few guests around, which Derek was grateful for, because he knew Meredith definitely needed a nap before the rest of the night. He knew she had stayed awake for far longer during her internship and this first year of residency, but with bee growing like a weed and the stress and excitement of the day she had to be exhausted already. She yawned, subconsciously proving his point that she could do with an hour or two just to rest.
He was silently grateful that he had thought to ensure they could get into their room before the reception or he might've had to take Meredith all the way back to the house for the rest she was in dire need of. He'd happily have done so, but Meredith could get far more sleep here than she would in the car. They both had to admit that the removal of the wedding dress was intended to be much more sensual and sexy but somehow Meredith's shrugging out of the fabric before diving into the bed had a very sexy quality of its own.
Meredith was asleep almost immediately after her dress was off, managing to look elegant even in just the under layer of her gown. Derek hung the dress on a spare hanger from the wardrobe and draped it over the small table that stood to the left of the bed. He pulled out a brown box emblazoned with the converse logo and placed it on the chair next to the dress, so that Meredith would see it when she woke up. With everything else being taken care of by his mother and the hotel staff, he saw no better thing to do than to curl up with his bride, and capture a little sleep of his own. He set an alarm and settled down behind her, his arms naturally fitting around her, her arms subconsciously lifting to allow his own to wrap around her.
Meredith woke before he did, sliding out of his arms and heading to the bathroom to freshen up before she put her dress back on. Bee was turning lazily, sated after their nap. Surprisingly, neither her hair nor her make up seemed to realise she'd just slept for close to three hours, not so much as a smudge or a hair out of place much to her relief. Derek really did have great taste in beauticians. She scanned the room to see where she'd left her dress, spying it draped over the table with yet more shoes beside it. She knew she should probably wait for Derek to wake up before she peeked under the lid, but she couldn't help herself. She practically squealed when she opened the box to find what were dubbed by the magazines as 'wedding converse' complete with rhinestones and ribbons. She sat gently on the bed before slipping them on, her feet breathing a sigh of relief after a morning in stilettos. She lifted both feet to admire them, falling in love with her husband just a little bit more for rescuing her from what could have been a night of heel induced agony.
"So you like them?" Derek asked snaking an arm around her waist as he joined her on the edge of the bed.
"I love them." She grinned rewarding him with a kiss. "They're perfect, and you're perfect."
"I'd have to agree with you there. I am pretty perfect."
"And modest too." she giggled. "Do we have to go to this party now, or can we stay here in the room all night?"
"I think that given we're the bride and groom, it might be frowned upon if we stay here, even if the sex is mind-blowing. And you have to show off those shoes." He tilted his head and flashed her his Mcdreamy smile, making her want to mount him even more. She snapped herself out of it and motioned for him to help her with her dress.
"Fine, but when this thing is over, it is on Shepherd." She said as though she were the coach of a football team.
"Whatever you say dear."
The hotel had gone all out when it came to decorating for the reception, and even with the dinner tables, the room looked big enough to really celebrate in. Most of the guests were there when the band announced their arrival so the party was already buzzing as they walked in, met again with a round of applause. Despite their insistence that wedding gifts were not necessary, a pile of presents adorned one of the large tables at the side of the room. Lavender sprays adorned the tables, interspersed with lilies and white roses, and the low lighting gave the room a real heir of romance.
The band they had chosen played a gentle tune that facilitated the mingling of the guests as they waited to congratulate the happy couple. Slowly, after yet more congratulations, each guest made their way to their seats to await dinner. The hotel was not the most illustrious they had looked at or steeped in as much tradition as some of the others, but neither Meredith nor Derek could fault the service of the staff as they presented each dish, made to the requirements of every single guest, completing a flawless yet friendly service for the entire party in a little over ten minutes.
"God this is good." Meredith moaned as she put another full forkful into her mouth. Derek grinned, still amazed at how much his tiny bride could eat. "You chose well."
"I didn't choose actually. You did." Derek said cryptically, meeting a confused look on Meredith's face. "Do you really not remember?"
"Does it look like I remember?" she giggled, making sure to grab some of the side salad Derek had insisted upon having on the table.
"Our first date, I was trying to impress you by ordering in Italian. You ordered the chicken parmigiana and you told me I was boring for picking the croutons out of my salad."
"Oh my god." Meredith gasped. "I remember that. Why didn't you tell me before now?"
"I honestly thought you'd remember before now. Especially since we ended up sharing dessert because you said you couldn't stand me watching you eat alone." Meredith giggled
"I remember being way more interested in a different dessert that night. It was my favourite dessert too." she teased.
"For now you'll just have to stick with the chocolate raspberry mousse cake that you insisted upon because 'raspberries made it count as healthy'." He teased. "I'm still in shock about how much you ate that night."
"Well, now I have an excuse to stuff my face, bee needs to experience all of these foods before he or she pops out and has you pushing the healthy stuff." She reached for her fork and plunged it into the dish that had just been served to her. "I'm so glad we didn't wait til he or she was here." She said quietly. "I kind of like that this day is just ours."
"Me too." Derek grinned. "I couldn't stand not being your husband for a minute longer."
"And now we have forever to do everything else." Meredith grinned.
"Forever and ever."
Dinner soon began to wind down, and the last few plates were being collected when Richard began to tap the side of his glass lightly, hushing the room, and causing them to look up at him. He took a brief look at the happy couple before pulling several prompts from his pocket, clearing his throat and accepting the microphone he had been handed. "When Meredith asked me to walk her down the aisle," he began. "I believed that as chief, i was the next best thing to an actual relative. I held a position of responsibility to her wellbeing as a doctor, and i made sure she was safe and happy within the walls of my hospital. Then i looked at her other possible choices, Karev, O'Malley, maybe even Sloan might have fit the bill. I even considered the fact that maybe i was simply the only one that was old enough to remember changing her diapers and watching her run around the OR floor with that awful ugly doll she carried around." Meredith rolled her eyes, and shook her head at the comment, nonetheless, grinning at the memory. I thought about it again and again and i began to realise that it had to be me, not because I'm old or because she favours me in any way above her friends but because she is every inch my little girl. Many of you are aware that I did my residency with Meredith's mother, and even Ellis Grey doesn't hide the fact that she has a beautiful daughter at home. I was fortunate enough to spend a great deal of time with Meredith during her early years, i got to see her triumphs and watch her grow into a beautiful young girl. When she came to Seattle Grace as an intern, i could have picked her out of any crowd. Not because she bears such a striking resemblance to her mother, but because i could see my little girl, all grown up, and already incredibly successful. What was overwhelming was the great sense of pride that i felt as she began her surgical career. I've watched her become an outstanding doctor, and a truly extraordinary person and for that I will always be grateful. Now Meredith, she's not a person that's had a lot of happiness in her life, and she has scars that many of us couldn't handle, but when i see young Meredith Grey in the arms of one Dr. Shepherd, i see the happiness that Meredith deserved her entire life." He turned to look at Meredith, the slight blush in her cheeks telling him that his words meant a lot to her. "Your smile is beautiful Meredith, and I'm sure many a young man has been captivated by your laugh, a laugh that made my heart soar even after 25 years. I've never known anyone who brings out that unbridled joy at being alive quite as much as Derek. I've known Derek a long time, he's an incredibly gifted surgeon, and I'm sure his sisters will agree often a man who is very difficult to get along with. Many thought they had seen Derek happy, content with life, but that changed the moment they heard him talk about Meredith. Derek himself didn't know what he was missing until he came to Seattle and found the other half of him, until he found his soulmate. Apart they are both wonderful people, with much to offer, and many skills that they possess, but nothing is quite as astounding as the two of them when they're together. They truly bring out the best in each other, pushing each other and loving each other despite the obstacles that get in the way. Many think they have known true love, but until you have seen Derek and Meredith, we really don't know what true love is. So please raise a glass to the young woman who is and will forever be my little girl, and to her soulmate. May you live happily ever after, and forever continue to show the rest of the world that true love can exist in real life too. You are extraordinary Meredith, your mother would be incredibly proud. To Meredith and Derek." Meredith was sobbing by the end of the speech, her head on Derek's shoulder as he rubbed her back, tears in his eyes at their boss's kind words. Meredith stood and hugged the chief, lingering in his arms the way a daughter might her father's. "Thank you," she whispered, totally unable to say anything more. She really did have a father, one that would be there forever, his name was Richard Webber, and blood relative or not he was the only one she ever wanted to call dad.
Once Richard was back in his seat, Mark stood to deliver his own speech, giving Derek a look that he hadn't seen in several years.
"I apologise in advance for anything he says." Derek whispered in Meredith's ear. She giggled, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"I can take him," she boasted. "The belly freaks him out a little, so he'd pretty much do anything I say."
"Derek Shepherd is by far my best friend." Mark began, and Derek nodded in appreciation that his friend hadn't immediately proceeded with anything sordid. "Which means that I probably know every dirty little secret he's had since he was in diapers. I'm sure Carolyn will agree with me when I say, seven was a little too old to still be wearing them." The room laughed, Carolyn trying to hide it, and failing. "Seriously though, I have been fortunate enough to see Derek through some of his greatest moments. Every single exam in college, first day as interns, hell I was even in the next room cheering him on as he FINALLY lost his virginity. I was by his side when he had to become the man of the house, and I'm the reason he moved to Seattle. And as awful as that was for him. I think everyone here would agree that he got the most amazing fresh start because of it. I saw Derek evolve and change over the years. I celebrated when he ditched the afro and figured out that I was right when I told him to use hair products. I saw him when he carried the weight of his family's grief on his shoulders. I saw him grow into an amazing man, a gifted surgeon, and lose pieces of himself along the way. And when he left New York, it didn't take very long for me to realise that I needed him as much as he needed to move on. I arrived in Seattle in the pouring rain, looking like a harassed rat, decided to hit on the most beautiful doctor I saw and ended up quite quickly on the floor with half my cheek missing. I could have been pissed, maybe I should have been a little pissed that he'd waste that many years of surgical training on defending his girlfriend. But instead, I saw the guy that I used to wrestle with in the back yard. The guy I used to have sleepovers with in a tent in the spare bedroom. I saw a guy that I hadn't seen so much as a glimpse of since I was fifteen years old. It didn't take me very long to realise exactly why, after twenty years my best friend was back. Every iota of happiness in that guy is completely attributable to the absolutely stunning woman sat next to him. Ryan stop smiling, I don't mean you.
I could go on for days about Derek's many misdemeanours over the years, or how I still ache from holding him up at our high school graduation, so no one would think he was as hungover as he was but instead I'd like to raise a toast to the newest Dr. Shepherd. Thanks for bringing him back to us. To the happy couple."
"The happy couple," the guests echoed, their glasses clinking. Meredith wiped her eyes again, and then Derek's as he composed himself for his own speech. He'd agonised over it almost as much as he had done his vows, until one evening Meredith had told him to simply speak from the heart. He gave her hand one quick squeeze before he stood up and addressed the full room.
"Guess it's my turn now then." He breathed. "I'd like to start by thanking you, on behalf of my absolutely beautiful bride and I, for coming to join us today, it means a great deal that so many people took time out of their lives to celebrate with us, and for sending so many words of encouragement in the last two years, and especially in the last five months as we've tried to plan a wedding and a baby. I'd like to thank all eight members of the wedding party, without you all, so much of this wouldn't be possible. Like Mark said, I wouldn't be here, and I'd still be waiting to meet the love of my life and the beautiful baby that will join us in a few months. I of course want to thank my mom, and the girls, and the guys, and the not so little guys and girls who let me go so I could find her. But we all know that there is one person that none of us would be here without, and that's Meredith. If you hadn't taken advantage that first night, then forced me to chase you until you agreed to go out with me then who knows where I would have been today! You make the world make sense to me, you complete my life just by being there, and I'm grateful every day that you could bend enough to build a life with me, and take a chance on the happily ever after. Thank you for making me the man I am, the man I wanted to be, and loving me while I figured out who that was. The journey to forever starts today, beautiful. I'm so glad I get to spend it with you. Mom, girls, you don't have to worry about me anymore. I finally found my place in the world. By Meredith's side. Forever and always"
There was another round of teary-eyed applause as he went to sit down, instead being pulled into Meredith's arms and rewarded with a wet-eyes kiss.
"I love you." She stammered out. "So much."
"I love you too mer. More than you can possibly know."
With dinner finished, and the speeches done, many of the younger Shepherds were starting to get a little restless, so the band started to play a few slightly more up tempo tracks for them to dance around to, which gave Meredith and Derek a chance to slip off and take some photos on the grounds of the hotel in the dusky light. As they snuck back in, the band slowed down again, the lights dimming as they reintroduced the couple.
"Now, I'd like to invite the happy couple onto the dance floor for their first dance to a very beautiful song performed by our very own Rita Simon." Derek led his wife onto the dance floor, quickly taking her in his arms, swaying before the words began to echo around the room.
"Something in your eyes, makes me want to lose myself
Makes me want to lose myself, in your arms
There's something in your voice, makes my heart beat fast
Hope this feeling lasts, the rest of my life.
If you knew how lonely my life has been
And how long I've been so alone
And if you knew how I wanted someone to come along
And change my life the way you've done."
Meredith had her eyes shut as they danced, and Derek knew she was as overwhelmed as she had been when they chose the song. It'd been her that suggested it, and they'd searched their cd collections to find it, with no luck. In the end Meredith had sung it down the phone to the singer, who was able to find it in plenty of time for the band to pick it up. The lyrics had resonated with both of them, so Derek wasn't surprised to feel the moisture in his eyes, or Meredith's shaking shoulders as she fought her own sobs.
"It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong."
All eyes were on the pair of them, only the odd flash bulb interrupting the bubble they danced together in. Meredith shifted in Derek's arms, resting her head on his shoulder, and gripping him tighter. He rested his head on top of hers, breathing in the scent of her shampoo, mixed with the hair products that her hair stylist had used that morning. He let out a sob, completely overwhelmed with just how much he loved Meredith, knowing that his father had felt the same way over forty five years ago, not even able to process how much it must've hurt his mother to lose him so suddenly. He held Meredith as tightly as he could, never wanting to let her go.
"A window breaks, down a long, dark street
And a siren wails in the night
But I'm alright, 'cause I have you here with me
And I can almost see, through the dark there is light."
As if on cue, bee started to nudge at Meredith's stomach, each movement being felt by Derek as well. He let one hand travel from Meredith's waist round to the side of her stomach, rubbing a pattern of tiny circles that silently told his unborn child that he would never leave him or her either. He wouldn't dare miss a moment of family life, not for anything in the world.
"Well, if you knew how much this moment means to me
And how long I've waited for your touch
And if you knew how happy you are making me
I never thought that I'd love anyone so much."
He could feel Meredith's mouth moving on his shoulder, and he knew without a doubt she was mouthing the words. She pulled back a little towards the end, looking into his eyes and smiling as the final chorus began. Her lips were still moving, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from hers, the green orbs looking into his very soul, completely taking his breath away.
"It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I come from
It feels like home to me, it feels like home to me
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong
It feels like I'm all the way back where I belong."
As the final chords rang out, the pair kissed once more, before breaking away, their foreheads still touching.
"I love you." Meredith whispered almost exactly at the same time as Derek, pecking his lips one more time before they broke apart to re-join their guests who were slowly heading back onto the dancefloor.
"That song was beautiful." Carolyn told the pair as she was dragged to the floor by two of her grandsons, both of whom wanted to dance with her. "Completely perfect for the two of you. I'm so proud of you." Meredith glanced at the other couples on the dancefloor, spotting the proud, tearful gazes of her pseudo parents, and three of her bridal party. For today Meredith had proven something to all of them. That however much pain and suffering a person goes through, how many traumas they have to battle with or how many obstacles they have to overcome, there is still hope. Hope that one day the traumas become fewer and less catastrophic. Hope that there might be someone in the world for every broken down person, there is someone that will accept them and their baggage and share the pain that life throws at them. And hope that maybe, despite extraordinary evidence to the contrary, that people really could have happily ever afters.
Meredith had given in to her bladder once they were off the dancefloor, Lexie volunteering to help her with her dress. Derek had gone in search of one of his groomsmen, so while Lexie grabbed a drink from the bar, Meredith headed towards Derek's sisters, the younger Shepherd's clinging to their mothers as they fought to keep their eyes open. In just a few months, she'd have her own sleepy bundle of joy that would cling to her in the same way on days like these, and her heart swelled at the thought that every one of the women next to her would love that child as part of their family too.
"So where is my big brother?" Liz asked after a few moments. "It didn't look like he ever wanted you out of his sight a little while ago."
"I don't know." Meredith frowned. "He promised he'd stay with me but I haven't seen him since…"
"Isn't she lovely?" Came a voice on the microphone, the band having quietened down a little. "Isn't she wonderful?" The chatter in the room came to a hush too as a spotlight landed on Meredith, her face flushing red.
"Isn't she precious?" A second spotlight caused Meredith to spin around spying Derek across the room, a microphone in his hand, and a grin on his face as he walked towards his bride.
"Less than one minute old." Derek reached Meredith, taking her hand and whisking her to the dancefloor.
"I never thought through love he'd be." Came Mark's voice from one side of them.
"Meeting one as lovely a she." Followed Ryan.
"But isn't she lovely made from love." The three sang, each towards different parts of the room. Meredith was certain, Kathleen and Callie were equally blown away by what was happening.
"I thought you didn't sing." Meredith quipped as they swayed to the song. "Or dance for that matter."
"For you I made an exception." Derek grinned. "I'd do anything for you."
"That's cheesy." Meredith told him. "But I love you anyway."
"Isn't she precious?" came another voice from across the room, causing Meredith to spin around to the sight of her sister taking on the next part. "Truly the angel's best."
"Boy I'm so happy, we have been heaven blessed." Followed Izzie.
"I can't believe what god has done, through us he's given life to one." Joined in Kathleen and Cristina, both of whom looked like they wanted to brutally attack Derek for making them do this.
"But isn't she lovely made from love." The four sang in a slightly out of tune harmony. Meredith looked around for the next victim in Derek's singalong. Grinning as the chief pulled out a microphone.
"Isn't she lovely, life and love are the same."
"Strength is Meredith, the meaning of her name." followed Bailey.
"Darling it could have not been done, without you that has found the one." Carolyn joined in, before chorusing with the two doctors.
"That's so very lovely made from love."
The group of them, circled around Meredith and Derek, who still had his microphone.
"That's so very lovely made. From. Lo-Ove." The entire room went crazy, the applause cacophonous. Meredith had given up trying to hide her flaming cheeks. She had half expected something like this to happen. Derek was the corniest, most romantic person she had ever met, and being serenaded by most of her wedding party seemed apt when it came to her husband. She lost count of how many people came up to the two of them to hug them and offer more congratulations. The band started up again, playing the rest of their set, before handing over to the DJ from the hotel who had agreed to put together a set to finish up the night. Meredith and Derek were dragged in different directions by the various nieces and nephews they now shared, but Meredith loved every second of celebrating with her new family. It felt right to be surrounded by little ones, simply enjoying herself. She got close enough to Derek a few times to grab a few kisses, knowing that his eyes were on her as she twirled his nieces and nephews, his heart swelling at the thought that soon there'd be a new Shepherd to do all of this with.
By midnight, most of the Shepherd children were in bed, and many of their friends had been forced to retreat home in order to snatch a few hours of sleep before hospital shifts the next day. Izzie and Alex had reluctantly left an hour before, taking George with them, all three having sacrificed as much sleep as they could. They promised to check in after work, Izzie gushing her congratulations once again, and hugging Meredith so tightly she could barely breathe. The Shepherd sisters had one by one headed upstairs to join their partners and children, and the swaying couples on the dancefloor had become fewer and fewer until it was just Meredith and Derek, being watched by the chief and Bailey, Carolyn and Lexie. The final bars of the song rang out, before the dj too bid them goodnight, reminding them that they had until 4pm the following day to take anything they wanted from the room, the hotel happy to take care of the clearing up.
After a final congratulatory hug, both of Meredith's 'parents' took off, wishing them a relaxing two weeks off and a blissfully happy ever after. Carolyn was next to reach in for a hug with Meredith.
"Thank you making him so happy sweetheart." She smiled, the warmth in her eyes beating out the fatigue at having been awake for so long. "It's an honour to have you as part of the family. It's been a wonderful day."
"Thank you." Meredith countered "for raising such an amazing man, and everything you've done for today, it's just…"
"Hush sweetheart, you're one of my children now, and there's nothing I wouldn't do for one of my children." She planted a kiss on Meredith's forehead before reaching to do the same for her son. Lexie saw her chance and reached in to give her older sister a hug.
"Congratulations again." She smiled. "I didn't want to say anything, but mom would have loved this. I think she would have rooted for the two of you. I'm just really glad that I got to be there. I…"
"Lexie, there's no one in the world I would have rather had with me. I'm glad you were able to be here. Plus having seen you with my array of nieces and nephews, I know what an amazing aunt you'll be, so we still have lots of memories to make. You're stuck with us I'm afraid." Lexie giggled.
"I should probably head up now, but thank you Meredith, I've had a really great day. And just so I don't forget. Dad wanted to send a card. So I put it with the others, but I completely understand if…"
"Lexie, its fine. He's your dad, he made mistakes, and he's trying to fix them. Tell him thank you for the gesture, we really appreciate it." She gave her sister one last hug before turning to her maid of honour who was half leaning, half slumped against the nearest table.
"You did it Mer," she slurred slightly. "You married Mcdreamy, and now you're gonna have little Mcdreamy babies and live happily ever after in your mcmansion with lots of mcsex." She paused and looked at her friend. "I'm proud of you. All of this. You did good mer. It's good to see you so happy." she turned to walk away.
"You'll find it cristina. You will. Whether it's GI Joe, or some cardio god somewhere, I know you'll find it, and you'll get your happy surgery filled ending too. I love you cristina yang."
"I love you too mer. Now go have hot sex with your hottie husband." Meredith turned to Derek, who'd been watching her and Cristina, having sent his mother off to her room to sleep.
"Dr. Grey?" he offered her an arm. "Care to join me in the honeymoon suite, I seem to remember the promise of mind-blowing sex."
"That's Dr. Grey-Shepherd to you." She grinned, making his even wider as he pulled her close. "Now take me for a ride Derek."
A/N- I hope this helps a little with the grieving process. I'll have to ask you to bear with me while I bank a few more chapters for this. I'm so far from my original plan that it's taking a while to get back on any sort of track. I'm getting there with the plan but I don't have much written for this yet. But I am coming back soon, I promise! Comments would be lovely, even if they are purely to moan about Shonda's decision to rid the world of the couple they've been rooting for for the last decade!