(Shattered...) Dreams Fulfilled

Unexpected Wedding Customs

"Meredith...Derek..." Mrs. Shepherd said softly as she continued to embrace them, "you have no idea how very much it means to me to be here with you."

"Mom..." he said, "I think I do...because it means everything to me," and pulled back from her embrace and kissed her cheek, then turned to Meredith and kissed her lips lightly, "to have the two most important women in my life...here...at this moment."

"Well, dear," she said hugging him, "I can guarantee there will be more moments like this... you are going to see a lot more of me...and...you, both of you I hope will start thinking about visiting me as well."

Meredith remained quiet, taking a step back and placing a small distance between them, observing and marveling at the evident closeness between Derek and his mom. But, she felt a tinge of sadness for all the time they had spent apart, while it also warmed her heart and gave her hope, that maybe...just maybe, she too would get a chance to experience the unbreakable bonds of family.

"Meredith," he said, immediately noticing her retreat, and drew her close as he put his arm around her waist, and whispered in her ear, "you're too quiet, you ok?"

She nodded smiling, recognizing she was deeply affected and knew her emotions could very well get the best of her.

"I think," Mrs. Shepherd said as she reached for Meredith's hand, "we should find a comfortable place to sit and talk a bit, and you're going to find, I'm not nearly as horrible as my children make me out to be," she teased, and kissed Meredith's cheek, "truly, I'm a wonderful mother in law."

"Mom..."

"Yes, dear, you're not going to pretend you and your sisters have not been bad mouthing me for years."

"No, I won't pretend," he joked, "you certainly earned your Mother Superior reputation," and was glad to finally get a response from Meredith.

"Derek," she said, "that is not a nice thing to say."

"It's ok, Meredith, I can certainly hold my own," Mrs. Shepherd said as she sat down on one of the couches set among the marble Venetian gothic columns, leaving no choice for either of them to follow her lead, and winked at her and placed her hand on top of hers once she sat next to her.

"How was your flight," Meredith asked.

"It was delightful, it was a wonderful opportunity to get to know Lexie and Cristina, they care a great deal about you."

"You...you got to know them...and they talked, I mean...they said things..."

"Oh, no," she smiled, "Cristina didn't speak all that much, but it's what she didn't say, she's not a very big fan of Derek. But Lexie, she told me she was convinced he was going to be her brother in law," she smiled indulgently.

"Oh my God," Meredith mumbled, looking at Derek, "I'm sorry, she...Cristina she shouldn't have..."

"It's ok Meredith, I understood...she's looking out for her friend."

"Mom, there were reasons she feels that way...but we've called truce."

"That's good dear, and it was very nice you included her."

"Mrs. Shepherd..."

"Meredith," she said gently squeezing her hand, "what happened to Mrs. S?"

"I...just...well, that was easy...on email, but now...you're Derek's mom, and I just met you...and they talked...talked about me...and I'm not very good at this... I told you, not good with emotional intimacy, but I'm trying...really...and family, not...just...not " she trailed off, feeling an overwhelming desire to feel his arms around her and began fidgeting first with her watch, then her ring.

Derek recognized the nervous habit, and placed his arm over her shoulder bringing her close to him, "I love you," he whispered and heard her soft and quick intake of breath.

"I'm...it's...she's here," she said as she turned to meet his gaze.

"Yes...she is," he smiled, "she wanted to be."

"She..." Mrs. Shepherd interrupted gently, "is right here, listening."

"Oh...I'm sorry...that was rude, I just...Mrs. S..."

"How about Ailene?"

"Ailene..." she questioned.

"I take it my son never shared my name with you...as I'm only known as Mom...or too often relegated as take that back..." she joked.

"He...he's never said that, about...well, he did mention Nancy said that, and you did...but he...only said...you were Maloney."

"It figures doesn't it..."

"Mrs. Shep..."

"Meredith dear, call me Ailene...please, until you feel you want to call me Mom."

"You...you really know how to bring out the sentimental in me...and...I'm really good at not doing that."

"It's part of my job..." she smiled and squeezed her hand, "it comes with almost fifty years of mothering..."

"You're... really really good at it," Meredith smiled softly.

"Oh...you bet I am...and, I'm counting on having a lot of years still ahead of me...probably until you too will want to stop answering my emails," she laughed.

"Believe me Mom, it won't take that many years," Derek joked.

"Derek," Meredith scolded him, swatting his arm.

"Don't mind him, I don't pay any attention to them...and you already know some of my secrets," she told Meredith.

Meredith had rested her head against his shoulder, beginning to feel more at ease.

"I didn't say anything...I mean about you knowing if they're online...or that they..."

"I know you haven't...so we'll continue to keep it between us, unless this big mouth here."

"Mom..." Derek protested.

"For heaven's sake Derek, you know it's true, you can't keep a secret, your dad and I never could keep you quiet, Meredith he would not shut up."

"Thanks Mom," he said in mock offense.

"You're welcome dear, it's only fair she knows."

"Mrs..."

"Meredith...please...no formalities..."

"Ailene," she said, and her mother in law saw and felt her emotions, "I'm happy you're here."

"I would not have given up this moment for anything, being here with the two of you as you begin your life together."

"Thank you...I know...you don't know me...but...we're...I'm ...this is...soon..."

"I know..." she said, reaching for her hand, "it's something really big, getting married..."

"Oh no, I meant meeting you," she blurted out.

She laughed, "I felt very similar when I first met Derek's grandmother."

"You did?"

"I did...I was petrified of the tiny Irish lady...who by the way beat me as Mother Superior, but she was the most wonderful mother in law, though I never called her anything but Mom."

"Uhmm..." Meredith said, and thought back to Derek's comment that he did not have grandparents.

"We have all the time in the world," Mrs. Shepherd smiled.

Derek's phone vibrated, "not quite," he said as he answered.

"Yes, Mark."

"Shep, get your ass over here, we didn't fly half way around the world to have you and Grey sequestered..."

"We're with Mom."

"I didn't expect you to leave her behind, now get over here and join us, we're at
Caffe Florian, right around the corner facing St. Mark's."

"We'll be there shortly," he said smiling as he disconnected.

"Derek," his mother said, as sitting next to Derek she could hear Mark's booming voice, "he does not change."

"Always a big, irresponsible kid."

"Something like that," his mother agreed, "now dear, why don't you get your coats so we can join them, I really would like something to eat."

"Sure...Meredith, do you need anything from upstairs," he said, extending his hand to her offering her a few minutes of privacy between them, but she surprised him and declined.

"Just my coat and my purse."

"Ok..." he said hesitantly.

"Derek, go on, she will be fine, I don't bite."

"I'll be right back," he said and walked away, one last quick glance at the two women before going up the stairs.

"He's very protective," Mrs. Shepherd observed.

"He's...he hovers a lot...and yes, he's been very protective lately."

"Meredith...you promised me nothing was wrong with either of you, health wise, nothing was wrong."

"There isn't... I told you...just...we can talk later...please, I'm not ready for this."

"You are sure...there is nothing wrong?"

"Not anymore...we're together and it's...it hasn't been easy...but, I think he agrees with me...getting here...today...we're getting married, it's what we both want."

"He loves you," she stated, "I have no doubts about that."

"I love him," she responded, "he is...he's that brightness in my life," she admitted, "after far too much darkness, and it scares me that maybe...I don't deserve him...but he's convinced me and I'm not going to give up on being happy."

"Oh sweetheart," she said reaching for her hand, "I know my son, and the way he looks at you, the way he speaks about you...he feels he doesn't deserve you in many ways...but now, you're making a commitment, you're getting married...for a lifetime, and I can see that you both feel the same way about each other."

"I love him more than I ever thought possible, I didn't grow up with that...he did, he had you and your family...he wants all of that, and I need... I want to try to give that to him, to build that with him...and he knows...it's not easy...but I'm trying..."

"Meredith, you are more than trying...you're making it happen," she assured her, and leaned close to her and kissed her cheek, and their eyes connected and reflected was the love they both felt for the same man. A mother's unconditional and deep rooted love and concern for her only son, and a woman's wonder that this man loved her, loved her in spite of all her issues, and her love for him amidst her doubts made her vulnerable and for once in her life fearless, secure that their love would conquer all.

"I am...we are going to make it happen. Ailene," she said as her eyes watered, "I love him...and I will do all I can so I never hurt him again...together, and our dreams... we're going to make our dreams come true."

"I know you will...and I also know, he will do all he can to never hurt you again," she said and embraced her, and in that hug the foundation of a relationship recently began through modern means of communication with email messages, was now cemented in the age old ritual of two vulnerable people reaching out for the other and in a heartwarming and emotional embrace transmitted and unspoken commitment of trust and new found affection. One woman used to mothering and nurturing, the other offering a silent thank you, at first, for the just discovered hope of them being part of her life.

"Thank you...for being here, I needed you."

"I needed you too Meredith."

Derek watched the exchange before joining them, and cleared his throat before speaking past the lump in his throat.

"Mom...Meredith...is...everything ok?"

"Yes...dear," Ailene Shepherd answered, visibly emotional, "I've a new daughter."

"Meredith..."

"She...she's a great Mom..." she said and wiped away a tear.

"So...you're both ok...but there's tears..."

"Derek," his mom smiled, now composed, "I've never believed what your sisters say about you, but..."

"Brainless," Meredith quipped while she smiled at him and his mom.

"Very fitting it seems," his mom said as she reached for his hand and pulled gently for him to sit down.

"Speaking of my sisters, did you tell them that we're getting married?"

"Of course, do you think it's possible at Sunday dinner to keep that kind of news quiet?"

"Well, they haven't said anything, that surprised me...usually they'd bombard with questions," he said surprised and maybe even a little hurt that they had not acknowledged the news.

"Very simple reason dear, they were warned by Kat and me they were to leave you alone, and if they did not, we would not send any wedding pictures or details."

"You did what?" he asked incredulously.

"Derek, did you really want all three of your sisters trying to contact you? They would drive you batty dear, they did me, during Sunday's dinner."

"You blackmailed them," he laughed.

"I would not say that, necessarily."

"Really," he asked, as Meredith looked on amused by their banter, "what would you call it?"

"A mother's prerogative," she said simply, and all three of them laughed.

"Mom..."he said, "thank you, for being here."

"I told you already, there's no place I'd rather be," and squeezed both their hands, revealing a gold bracelet.

"Mom, you still wear that," he said referring to a charm bracelet he loved to ask questions about as a child.

"Always Derek, at special occasions."

"I remember," he said a tinge of melancholy in his voice, "Mer, Dad gave her that, and I'd always ask her questions and him about each of the charms, and there was always a story."

"He never tired of hearing the same stories," she said, "though my husband would every so often change them and Derek, of all the kids would be the one to question him about it."

"It's beautiful," Meredith said, as she looked at it closer.

"He gave it to me for our first wedding anniversary, with these two charms," she pointed, one of them a gold outline of a baby girl's face. "Kathleen was already born so it has her birth date, and then kept adding one for each baby...and then this was the last one...our anniversary," she said sadness in her voice, "but then, with the first grandbaby, Kathleen she added one, told me she knew her Dad would have done so...to celebrate our first grandchild, and she said there would surely be many more grandchildren so there'd be one girl and one boy, and you see," she said, "each of the grandchildren's face has two dates...the first girl and the last girl born, same with the boys...so as soon as Jenna has her baby that date will replace the last one..."

Derek breathed in deeply, as he saw the sadness in Meredith's face.

"That's...that's a beautiful tradition," Meredith spoke softly.

"It is...and one day...your ..." she smiled, but Derek stopped her before she finished her sentence, leaving his Mom surprised at how quickly he changed the subject, especially since the last time they spoke he had said they hoped to have children one day.

"Mom, Meredith, we really should go, they're waiting for us."

"Yes, we should, but first," she said looking at them both, "Meredith...Derek...I know...from what you've said, that you've been through a difficult time, but, now...I have to say, when I look at you...how the two of you look at one another...and it truly warms my heart to see how much love there is between you. Thank you...for wanting to share this very special day with me."

"I love you Mom, and Meredith...I wanted her to have family...her family here on our wedding day."

"Ailene..." Meredith spoke, "you being here, all of you...Derek...thank you."

"I told you...the rest of our lives...I want you to be happy," he said forgetting his Mom and kissing Meredith.

"I am...you...just you... make me happy, but...this, this surprise for our wedding, thank you," she murmured against his lips and briefly deepened their kiss.

"Children..." she smiled indulgently, "I'm an old lady...behave."

"Old lady," he laughed, "more like a sly old fox."

"Thank you dear, I'm glad you've noticed, just don't forget it," she chuckled. "You know, it's a good thing it's not tourist season and we've had this entire lobby practically to ourselves."

"Let's go," he said, just as his phone vibrated again, "we've got wedding guests to entertain," he said to Meredith.

"More like your immature brother to entertain," Ailene Shepherd corrected.

"Mom...you've got kids, just a bunch of kids waiting for us to arrive."

"That is true dear, I got a glimpse of that on the way here...when do you all grow up?"

Derek helped both women rise from the sofa, first helping his mother then Meredith with their coats, and walked out of the lobby, heading to one of the city's oldest symbols and very likely Italy's oldest café at St. Mark's Square.

Derek reached for Meredith's hand once they walked out the doors, and smiled as his mother on the other side of Meredith, linked her arm through hers, and he was delighted Meredith offered not resistance, but rather smiled at his mother, as they continued the short walk to meet their family.

"It was about time," they heard Mark's voice, as they neared the group who'd chosen to sit outside, and had a wide array of drinks in front of them, "you've made us wait long enough Shep," he laughed, when they were standing near added, "but not nearly as long as Meredith has," and immediately felt the repercussions as Kathleen and Lexie reached out and smacked him.

"Hey, that hurt," he complained.

"It's going to hurt even more," Mrs. Shepherd said as she went and sat next to him, "if you don't behave and watch what you say."

"She knows I love her, right Grey..."

"Try loving her a little less," she reprimanded, gently touching his arm, "and don't speak about her private business."

Cristina and Lexie were astonished as they'd seen Meredith arm linked with Mrs. Shepherd as they walked towards them, Cristina much more so, evident by a slight frown, while Lexie smiled.

"Hi Ailene," Lexie said, "did you get a bit of rest?"

"Lexie," Meredith chimed in, "that's not very respectful."

"Mer, we spent hours talking, she asked me to call her that."

"Yes, dear I did, and we're family now, no need for such formality. Mark, order me a drink please."

"Tequila, scotch, bourbon, what's your preference," he joked.

"One of each," she teased back.

"Mom," Kathleen laughed, "you shouldn't be so obvious about your vices."

"I'm getting old dear, you know your old senile mother."

"Oh yeah...the old wily fox..." Kevin laughed, "with a secret admirer."

"Kevin," Kathleen scolded, "you're not supposed to talk about that," she said as she tried to keep from smiling at the look on her brother's face and then the others when her mother played along.

"It's fine Kathleen, they have to know I have a, what is it you call it dear, a what buddy?"

"Mom," Derek spat out in shock, "you...you can't be serious...what's happened to you, this is not...Kathleen are you crazy, to let her talk this way..."

"What way dear," his mom interrupted, "I have a travel buddy."

"You have a what?"

"A travel buddy," she said concealing her laughter, "he's joining me for a couple of weeks in Italy."

"You have a travel buddy, a man, a buddy that is joining you here, in Italy..."

"Derek," Meredith said somewhat, but not entirely amused as she wasn't quite sure if they were all putting him on, and placed her arm on top of his, and quietly told him, "let her talk."

"Let her talk," he repeated in a monotone voice.

"Yes...Derek," Kathleen said while the three East coast guests laughed.

"That," he said in a serious tone, "is not funny."

"Lighten up dear," his Mom said, "I'm used to their teasing...and Derek, I do know about sex...just a little bit," alluding to the buddy reference.

The group cracked up at her comment, all except Derek.

"You know Mom," Kevin said winking at her and Kathleen, "I've actually always wondered about that...I mean you had five kids...how much did you really know?"

"Kevin, don't be an ass," Derek told him.

"You know what Kevin, I don't think we figured it out...till after Jenna was born," she laughed.

"How can you ...you never let them tease you this way before," Derek said.

"I've had to keep up with the times...keep up with the grandchildren, so I have to know all the terms out there...and your older nieces and nephews, thanks to these two, started teasing about grandma having a buddy."

"And you let them...Mother Superior with all of us, lets them tease her with sexual innuendos."

"Better they talk to their grandmother, than not...just you wait, Derek Christopher...just you wait till you have kids, you'll know what I'm talking about, " she said and while immediately noticing the silence that settled among the group, though Meredith was the first to speak.

"I think you're absolutely right, and it's wonderful you can tease and joke with them and all of us," she said, and Mrs. Shepherd who was sitting next to her, patted her hand.

"Thank you dear, now Derek...stop being so serious."

"Mom...you're talking about traveling for two weeks in Italy with a man..."

"It's your uncle..."

"My uncle...an uncle is your travel buddy and secret admirer," he raised his voice.

"Shep, we're putting you on man, she doesn't have a secret admirer. It's not a secret, we all know about it."

"You what?" Derek raised his voice and got up from the chair and Meredith grabbed his hand and pulled him down.

"Sit down Derek, my travel buddy is indeed your uncle...as your aunt hates to travel, but that is just in terms of we do all our travel planning together and your aunt just comes along and plays tourist, they are in fact flying directly to Rome, where I am meeting them
on Sunday."

"You all knew about this," Derek asked the group.

He heard a chorus of affirmations, "well, we knew she's staying for two weeks with your aunt and uncle, but not about the admirer," Mark answered.

"I thought you said..." Derek started, but was interrupted.

"Oh...that, is just an old friend that takes me out to dinner every couple of weeks."

"Mom..."

"Derek...you are not a child and neither am I."

"You mean..." he turned to Kathleen, "you're ok with this...Mom's dating."

Ailene Shepherd laughed out loud, "oh dear, no, I am not dating, we are just very good friends, his wife passed away about two years ago, and he was part of the church group for bereavement, you know I have helped with that for many years."

"Hhmm..." Derek pouted.

"Toughen up, Shep," Mark said.

"Shut up, this is none ..."

"Derek," Meredith interrupted, "don't...please," she said as she leaned over and kissed him, "we're here, with our family...celebrating our engagement..."

"Our wedding," he said, softening his voice.

"That's right...let's...enjoy this."

He kissed her back, "sorry...just not used to thinking of Mom..."

"I know...but, she's wonderful Derek...let's enjoy this."

"Sorry guys," he said, and had most of them surprised at his apology, "Mom, I'm sorry...I seem to have lost my sense of humor."

"It's all right dear, we were not very nice in stringing you along," she said and got up and kissed his cheek. "Now, Mark, are you going to get me that drink?"

"We already ordered you one of each," he laughed, "and this," he said as he handed her one of three newly delivered flutes with champagne, "so we can toast."

"Meredith, Shep..." Mark started as he got up and walked to stand beside them, "I am humbled and honored, and yes, no snickering," he said shooting a glare to Cristina, "that you chose me as your best man and that Meredith...has allowed me to be her...knight..." he smiled as he reached over for her hand and kissed it lightly, "these last several weeks...I've been," he paused and cleared his throat, "privileged to be called your friend, your brother again and you can count on me for whatever you need. But, today...right now...we make a toast, to two people...I believe have been meant to be together since the day they met...and we are lucky to be here to share the day you will pledge your commitment to each other...we wish you a lifetime of love and happiness."

"Cheers..." was echoed by all present, and in an age old custom of many cultures touched their glasses and heard the sound of crystal ensuring good luck and good fortune.

The waiter informed them their table inside was ready, and the group after another glass of champagne was escorted to a table set for eight in one of the famous salons that through its almost three hundred year history had been privy to matters of State as well as local and frivolous gossip. Now, the same walls would be witness to yet another major accomplishment, the first family gathering of a new legendary couple.

"Mom," Kathleen spoke tauntingly, "isn't it amazing our very own Mark...shares the name of the square and cathedral."

"Kat," she replied, "don't be sacrilegious...and even suggest he's..." she said, but before she continued started to laugh, "I'm sorry, Mark...she just set that up in such a way, I could not resist, you know, we love you."

"I'm beginning to wonder," he said, pretending to pout, and Lexie sitting across from came to his defense.

"Mark, you know they're kidding," Lexie smiled, and reached across the table and placed her hand on his arm, and winked at him, "we love you in spite of your ...you know..."

"You being an ass," Cristina finished for her, and had Kathleen and Kevin laughing.

"Lexie, Cristina," Meredith scolded, "what is wrong with you two...Derek's mom is here."

"Mer we are kidding, he's been pretty amazing the last twenty four hours," Cristina admitted.

"Oh, he's been amazing even longer than that," Lexie added, "he is afterall, Mer's knight."

"Lexie," Meredith looked at her seriously, the older sister in full force, "you are still flirting with him...what did I tell you about that?"

"Oh, dear, they've been doing that since we've been traveling," Ailene added.

"They've what..." Meredith repeated, "Mark...Lexie..."

"It's ok Meredith, I've already told him he's way too old for her."

"Ailene, Mark knows no limits...and he is too old for her."

"At least my age is not showing," he roared.

"What...are you talking about?"

"Nothing Mer...just ruffling some blue ...feathers."

"Mark..." Derek warned.

"Don't worry old man..." Mark laughed, "blue's the magic word."

"Oh my God..." Cristina laughed, "Sloan, you are truly an ass," she said laughing again, "blue indeed, I'd never have guessed."

"What are you guys laughing about," Meredith asked.

"Ignore him," Derek said, "he is an ass," he said and kissed her softly, "and we know better," he said caressing her thigh.

Meredith instantly understood the blue connotation, and reached out and smacked Mark across the back of the head, "you are lucky you're already here...or you would not be his bestman," and both she and Derek started laughing, "you ...jerk."

"Children, we're at the dinner table, behave," Mrs. Shepherd told them, "and let's eat, this looks absolutely delicious, whoever made these choices...they look wonderful."

"Thanks Mom," Kathleen stated, "now, we need to get down to business, time's running out."

"Whatever for Kathleen, I think Derek and Meredith have taken care of most things."

"Not really, I spent forty minutes talking to the wedding planner earlier."

"You spoke to Lucia," Meredith asked, "when, why?"

"Well, Derek left me a note to call her and we talked about the reception."

"Reception..." Meredith said in surprise.

"I spoke to her this morning," Derek said quietly, "I thought we needed that...for us to celebrate and I told her Kathleen would call her, so you wouldn't worry about it."

Meredith's eyes watered and she turned to Derek, "you did this...them coming...a reception...for me..." and they were the only two people that existed, while their family looked on and each and everyone understood the depth of the love shared between them.

"I'd do anything for you...you have no idea...you are everything to me," he finished quietly as his vision blurred with the tears in his eyes, before she leaned in to kiss him.

"I love you Derek...that night..." she said, and he brought her close to him, "that night...Brianna...and now...never have I loved you more."

"I love you too Meredith...you have no idea how much."

"I do...I do know...because you've done all you've promised...your heart...your words...your touch...I love you just as much."

Kevin reached for Kathleen's hand, as he too understood the significance of their words, and kissed his wife softly.

Cristina tried to hold on to the memories of Derek's past mistakes, but couldn't, not after being witness to these moments between them, at least temporarily she thought.

Mark and Lexie resorted to humor, "I told you Xena."

"I knew first, that he'd be my brother in law," she said wiping away a tear, "while you were making bets about twenty –three days."

Ailene Shepherd dabbed at her eyes and didn't attempt to hide her tears, and thought, "I was right Irish...it's their turn now...and I expect to feel your presence by my side tomorrow."

"Let me fill you in," Kathleen said, "Meredith, you're going to love the place that Lucia suggested...absolutely beautiful, I can show you later, but it's truly beautiful, and she said Derek liked it."

"You...saw it," Meredith asked.

"She told me about it, and it sounded nice, so I let her tell Kathleen about."

"We can go see it Meredith, we really do need to talk through everything for tomorrow, " she began and with it a whirlwind of conversations where everyone had their say, and the banter amongst all of them continued.

"Ok, Mer...let's make sure we have everything, all the legalities are taken care of, right Derek," Lexie asked as she made notes, and he agreed, "and we need to be there by ten fifteen...and oh my God, you need a dress...we brought ours, but you...Meredith, you need to have a dress, and then we can't forget traditions...it's good luck, something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue."

"Lexie, how do you know these things," Meredith laughed.

"Mer, everyone knows these things, every little girl knows this..." she said, and stopped realizing she did not have a normal life with Ellis, "I'm sorry...I meant...well..."

"It's ok Lex, you can tell me about it..."

"I remember..." Cristina said, "and we need a shower...I was forced to have one...so you need a bridal shower and drinking."

"Cristina, I'm getting married tomorrow...I hardly think..."

"Of course we'll have one...that's why I said we were running out of time..." Kathleen added.

"Shep, Sloan," Kevin said, "I think we should leave the women alone, and let them take care of things, let's get out of here."

"That's an excellent idea Kevin, the three of you should leave us to plan," his mother in law told him.

"Meredith," Derek asked, "you ok..."

"Yes...I'm fine..."

"Meredith..."

"Our 'fine' Derek...really," she said and kissed him softly.

"Ok, old man, we should go," Mark told him, "do you have your dress to wear?"

"Mark, don't be an idiot," Kathleen told him, "I'm sure he has his suit."

"I do, I packed a suit, Meredith and I, we're going out tonight."

"Oh, no...you can't wear an old suit, and not if you're planning on wearing it tonight. We're in Italy Shep, finest men's fashion in the world, you have to get a new suit, hell, I'm getting a new suit," Mark told him, "and I'm not getting married."

"We're going out tonight....still..." she asked.

"Uhmmm..."

"Hold on little brother, I think Mom needs to fill you in on some Shepherd wedding traditions."

"What are you talking about Kathleen?"

"Well..."

"Derek, we don't have much time, but we'll do our best to get them all in...so, since it seems everything is taken care of for the ceremony, right Kathleen...flowers...cake?"

"Yes, Derek actually took care of the flowers..."

"You took care of the flowers," Meredith repeated, "when."

"This morning..."

"And the cake and the photographer, Mer and Derek apparently took care of together, according to Lucia, so now we just need to make plans for tonight Mom."

"It's almost four o'clock, girls we need to look for gifts for Meredith's shower, we can have that at the hotel this evening, after dinner, and yes, we don't have a rehearsal dinner, but typically out of town guests are included, and we'll have dinner together."

"Mom...I had plans... a romantic dinner for Meredith and I..."

"Derek...it's a family dinner, the night before the wedding...that's tradition, at least it's been that way for me and all your sisters...so we keep that tradition, and after that...the two of you can say goodnight, and we'll have her shower... just the girls...and of course you boys can take Derek out, but do not under any circumstances get him drunk."

"Mom...really...I don't think..."

"Derek...stop protesting...this is the way it needs to be...after tonight, then you'll have Meredith all to yourself."

"What do you mean after tonight..." he asked, not liking where the conversation was heading, "we have a special evening planned."

"Of course it will be special dear. When's dinner Kathleen around 8 o'clock?"

"That's a good time, that leaves us a bit over two hours to go out and shop and then get ready. Derek, you and Meredith have about fifteen minutes together now, so it will give us time to plan what to get for the shower."

Meredith and Derek looked at each other, their plans for their evening alone, finally their night together, seemed to be disintegrating before their eyes.

"And," they heard his mom say, "typically the bride stays at her home the night before, and the groom cannot see her after midnight, so I guess tonight Derek will have to take my room, and I can stay with Meredith, or she can stay with Lexie and Cristina."

"What..." Derek barked.

"Cheer up old man...you've got one more night to wait," Mark patted him on the back, and roared laughing, "who'd have thought...you'd have to wait for sex till your wedding night," he said for Meredith and Derek's ears only.

"You told him..." Meredith looked at Derek and scowled.

"It's a long story."

"Hey you two," Cristina said, "you three...no secrets..."

"Mark, stop teasing," Ailene told him.

"Didn't expect that, did you Shep," Kevin laughed, "she's done it to every single one of us, ask your sisters."

"Mom...I don't want to break away from your traditions...but, really...I've had something special planned for us for a while, it's important to us both," he said, reaching out to hold Meredith's hand, "I appreciate all of this, but...we can have dinner, and then the rest of the evening is ours."

"Nonsense, you're going to start off with all the Shepherd traditions...and that includes not seeing your future wife after midnight."

Meredith and Derek locked gazes, unbelieving the turn of events and as a smile spread on their lips, they both started laughing as he got up and reached for her hand lifting her out of the chair and embraced her, whispering, "once upon a time...two caged beasts...after almost thirty days of waiting..."

"Twenty seven," she said, and giggled, "but who's counting..."

"Who indeed," he laughed heartily, hugging her closer to him, "had to wait for their wedding night to unleash their extraordinary passion."