(Shattered...) Dreams Fulfilled

Joyous Wedding Celebration

Meredith lay quietly in his arms, her face pressed against his naked chest when he felt her tremble slightly and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"Talk to me," he whispered as he kissed the top of her head.

"Just hold me," she answered softly.

"Won't you share it with me," he coaxed gently, "what's made you sad?"

"You know," she said, after interminable silence, so quietly he could almost pretend he didn't hear. But no words were necessary for him to understand the longing of her soul, a longing that matched his own, "you already know..."

"Meredith," he kissed her temple, "I'm sorry...so sorry..."

"Me too..." she whispered, and both recalled the recent drive home and how the flirtatious frisky mood had suddenly turned melancholy.

Their day had begun before the break of dawn with sexy, happy moments between them, and now the minutes ticked silently away till dusk would soon enfold, and it too enfolded the would be parents, momentarily giving in to emotions carefully kept at bay, both desperately trying to be supportive of the other.

Derek turned on his side, without releasing his hold on her, and rested his forehead on hers. "We don't have to go tonight, if you want, we can stay home."

Her eyes met his, his words quickly snapping her back to the present. "No," she said softly, and tenderly cupped his face, "it's our wedding celebration," she brought her lips to his, "with our friends...I want to be there."

"Mer..."

"No...I want to be there..." she assured him, kissing his doubts away. "I love you, and I don't want to wait another moment to celebrate our wedding...with all our friends..." she smiled, "and gossip mongers, and let everyone know that you are my husband."

Following her lead, he smiled, "you mean to mark your territory."

"Damn right..." she smiled back, "and hands off to everyone."

"To everyone," he teased her, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

"Everyone," she said smiling, kissing him, "except ...me."

"My beautiful...sexy...teasing...enticing...bossy...nagging..."

"Derek..."

"Enchanting...wife..."

"Well...after all that," she said flirtatiously, "maybe...I can share...with Dr. Grey," she spoke against his lips.

"I only have need of you...only you..."

"Derek," she said, becoming more serious, "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Making you sad...rehashing those feelings...they just happened...I'm sorry I ruined the mood..."

"Hey...nothing was ruined, we barely got through the door before you jumped me..."

"Derek..." she giggled, "I did not..."

"That's not how I remember it..." he teased her.

"Maybe," she said, and looked at him mischievously, "I was just a little impatient."

"A little," he chuckled.

"Are you complaining?"

"Never...ever..." he said, and she smiled as she caressed his face. "I love you Meredith."

"I love you too."

"Mer..." he began, and paused, unsure how she would react, "please don't get mad, but I have to say something."

"You better stop then, because that tells me..."

"Hear me out...please..."

"Derek..."

"I think, maybe it would be better if you don't see Kelly for a while," he said it and heard her immediate and deep intake of breath.

"Why?"

"Seeing her today...I know how it affected you...and I don't want you to be sad."

"But," she said softly, "you have to see her...and it makes you sad too..."

"I don't want you to go through all those emotions...I know it's not over, that you're still getting over this."

She placed her index finger on his lips, "she was ours..." she said, tears glistening, "she was yours too...and I want to be there...when you see her and remember...I want to be there for you too."

Their gazes remained locked, "it helps," he admitted, "being together...it helps."

"I know..." she told him, "and from now on...we're in this...whatever life brings, we're in this together."

"Together," he said, in a low throaty tone.

"Derek..."

"Yes..."

"It will get better...but it won't ever be over," she said, more a question than a statement, "we're not going to forget," and looked to him for comfort, silently hoping his answer would be the same.

"We're not going to forget...our first baby...we'll never forget her."

"Derek, seeing Kelly...it's not really sad...it is wonderful...and healing...she gives me hope Derek"

"She's very precocious...and adorable..."

"She's absolutely precious...and I'm glad she's in our lives."

"She's in our lives for a bit...while she's my patient..." he said, trying to discourage Meredith from getting attached to her, as he could see it was already happening.

"You're wrong..."

"I'm wrong..."

"You are wrong many times you know," she joked, "you don't have to sound as thought that's such an anomaly."

"Critical," he teased, "add that to the list of wifely..."

"Don't push it," she said, as she jabbed his chest with one finger, and then reached for his hand, entwining their fingers.

"Finish your thoughts..."

"I believe Kelly...the Mulligan's really, were...are meant to be in our lives...for a long time to come."

"I don't want you getting too attached," he spoke softly, his hand running through her hair. "We don't know that she will be anything more than one of my patients."

"You...Derek Shepherd, are lying."

"What? You are now calling me a liar."

"Derek...you know...those feelings you get...I get them too...and I know Kelly will be in our lives...she was meant to be, and stop trying to protect me."

"Mer...there's reasons we don't get attached to patients," he knew it was a losing battle, because she was right...he had that feeling too. Kelly was meant to be in their lives.

"We're never going to live this down, you know," she said, changing the subject she knew in their hearts had already been settled.

"What," he said following her gaze to the red digital numbers reflecting the time, "that everyone's going to know we were doing the nasty nasty," he laughed.

"Oh no," she laughed, "they of course know that...but not that we were going to be almost an hour late," and his laughter joined hers as the ever changing colors of the horizon could be seen through the sheer gauzy curtains, on an evening that would end as the journey of lovers, not so long ago estranged, continued on the path reserved for the very few, for soul mates whose love was destined for legends, heart warming and beyond eternity.

"They've probably," he joked, "already taken bets as to how late we'd be."

"You're probably right," she agreed.

"Cristina will be the first one..."

"Or Alex...and Mark..."

"Unlike Xena," he smiled, "or George."

"I love you Derek," she said, stopping him quick a kiss, "I love you so much."

"So do I Meredith, don't ever forget it."

"How can I possibly forget..." she smiled, "when my husband ravishes me as soon as we walk in the door," and though she was trying to be lighthearted, he glimpsed into her soul and knew the emotions behind her words, "and then..."

"Your brainless husband ...who adores you...said something to make you sad..." he said, referring to the comment he'd made when they went to their bedroom to continue their lovemaking and he said something about the baby gift she'd bought for Lisette.

"And then," she silenced him with a kiss, unwilling to allow him to brood "my husband made love to me...as though I was..."

"My cherished wife...my priceless treasure..." he said, and kissed her tenderly.

"And again made my sadness fade and restored hope in my soul," she whispered as their lips met and mutual healing touches and tender words were joyful music to their hearts.

"Uhmmm..."

"Don't say it..." she smiled.

"What...we can add mind reader now too," he teased her, lovingly caressing her face.

"Wanna bet I can?" she raised her eyebrow.

"What's at stake?"

"If I guess right," she paused, "we leave early and you make love to me again tonight."

"And if you're wrong," he said, bringing their naked bodies closer, and kissing her.

"I don't think I'm wrong," she pressed closer into him, "but...if I am..."

"Uhmmm..." he moaned.

"We stay till the end and then you take advantage of me downstairs," she laughed.

"So, if you're wrong," he joked, "I'm really the loser."

"You think," she squinted, "there's a loser here?"

"Sure there is," he told her, and she smiled as she felt his renewed desire against her, "if you're wrong, I have to wait longer to take care of this...again."

"Then," she said in a low raspy voice, "let's make damn sure, I'm not wrong."

"Whatever you say..."

"You were thinking...I was being all mushy and sentimental," she smiled, and knew, as she had known she would be, that she was right as he smiled into her eyes.

"I love that side of you...vulnerable and beautiful."

"So..." she said, "my mushy and sentimental husband, we both win."

"We both win," he said and kissed her one last time before accepting they really did have to leave the house and meet up with their friends.

They took the steps down to Joe's holding hands, and before walking through the doors he turned to her, "where it all began," he smiled.

"The beginning," she smiled, "of our dark and twisty and all...fairy tale..."

"Our once upon a time..." he said, "all of it ... lead us to today."

"And...knowing you, did make me love you...fall hopelessly and forever in love in with you."

"I love you Meredith Grey, that night...I didn't know it, but you saved me..."

"We didn't know," she said poignantly before wrapping her arms around his neck, "we would save each other," and smiling waited for his kiss as they stood outside the double French doors.

"Finally," the familiar clanking sound of the bells over the door followed by Cristina's voice made them break away from their kiss, "we thought we were going to have to send search and rescue..."

"Finally," Mark's booming voice echoed, as he held the door, "can't you two keep your hands off each other long enough to..."

"Mark," Lexie stopped him, "they are newlyweds..."

"Don't I know it...I got to experience it first hand, roaring special effects and all..." he smirked earning a scowl from Derek. "What...it's true."

"You," Meredith told him laughing, "are just jealous."

"Jea...jealous..." Mark sputtered, "Grey...I'll have you know..."

"It's Mrs. Shepherd to you," she taunted him, and while still holding on to Derek's hand he pulled her inside to the cheering sounds of congratulations.

Meredith was taken aback completely, and stood motionless as she glanced around the Emerald City Bar, finding it hard to believe how much effort had been put into their wedding celebration and how many had joined them. Derek squeezed her hand, "you ok?"

"Yes," she smiled without breaking contact from his gaze, warming his heart that she was happy, and then turned to her friends. "When, did you have time...we only found out this morning."

"Mer," Lexie said, "I told you...Mark and Cristina were talking about doing something like this since Venice."

"Meredith," Joe was suddenly in front of her and surprised her by lifting her feet briefly off the ground in a bear hug, "I knew it...from the first day you met..."

"You did not," she laughed, that melodic sound Derek loved. "But, that works, especially," she said turning to reach for Derek's hand, "when we tell our kids how we met."

"It was love at first sight," Joe grinned. "I'll vouch for that."

"Dude," Alex joked, "lust maybe..."

"Alex," Meredith turned to him, and said low enough for only those closest to hear, "did Derek already talk to you about moving out?"

"Ouch," Cristina said, and looked over to Izzie raising an eyebrow. "Mer...you can't just turn all wifely, it's freaky."

"I'm a wife Cristina," Meredith grinned, "a very happy wife," she said and brushed Derek's lips as they heard multiple cheers of encouragement.

"Mer," Izzie teased, "you guys were an hour late. Does that mean we'll get some sleep...ear plug free tonight?"

Without missing a beat, Derek said, "are you planning on sleeping at home tonight?"

"Yes...where else..."

"Then, no," he grinned, "use your earplugs."

"Oh God," Cristina snorted. "You two really are like rabbits."

"Yang," Mark laughed, "you've got the wrong set of wild beasts..."

"Rabbits aren't beasts," Lexie teased.

"Believe me," Mark laughed, "I know, and these two," he smiled at Meredith, "we're talking serious beasts...lions...needing lion tamers..."

"Oh shut up," Meredith laughed, and playfully smacked his arm.

"Shep, control your wife, please."

"Hey...you deserved that," Derek commented.

"Whipped, totally," Mark murmured and walked away with a grin on his face.

"Ok," Joe said loudly, "everybody, it's only right that this is the first official public appearance and celebration of the newlyweds in Seattle, at the place where they first met..." he smiled, "and fell in love," he said, "and I guess...for tonight," he winked at Meredith, already aware she was using Dr. Grey, "Mr. and Mrs. Derek Shepherd," and the entire bar began clapping enthusiastically.

Meredith and Derek were overwhelmed by the merrymaking, and responded with equal enthusiasm to the chants of kiss the bride as their lips met, a smile upon them; happy, ecstatically so, to openly and joyously celebrate being husband and wife.

"Joe, you had to get them going," Cristina smirked, "now, they'll be out of here...on their way to..."

"We're right here," Derek said, Meredith's arms still looped around his neck, and he leaned in toward Cristina, as their closest friends were gathered closely around them, "already got a head start," he grinned, "on the nasty nasty..."

"You told him," Cristina accused.

"No," Meredith said, "we ..."

"Stop," Cristina said, "don't say another word," and Derek and Meredith burst out laughing.

"Enough of the private talk," Joe said, "we need to make a toast, the first toast, and that is indeed on the house, and for that we have reserved the place of honor," he said and guided them toward the bar, the exact bar stools where they had been sitting the night they met and at their place were two shots of tequila and single malt scotch.

"Mer," George said as he came to stand beside her, "Dr...Derek," take your seats."

"Seriously," Meredith smiled, as she looked around, and the banners that had adorned their kitchen were now displayed on one of the walls, but in front of them at the bar, was another sign...McDreamy's Return.

"Would you agree," Derek leaned in to whisper in her ear, "has he redeemed himself?"

"Completely," she smiled and locked gazes with him,"remember...it didn't take him long..."

"Nine days," he said, and they both understood the depth of those words.

Derek and Meredith took their seats facing their friends and Joe handed them each a drink, "we already know folks, that we have with us a legend...and since this is where it all began, I get to talk first," he said as Meredith rested her head against Derek's shoulder, his hand securely wrapped around her waist. "There isn't a single person here that at some point or another, hasn't heard or mentioned...or maybe even bet," he said and everybody's laughter was heard, "on the legend of Meredith and Derek, and it is my pleasure to be the first to make this toast...to a couple that fate has obviously meant should be together, and to wish them a lifetime of all it is they want from each other," he finished, and the echoes of cheers spread throughout the room.

Richard surprisingly came to stand near Joe and spoke, "I can't say much about those bets I keep hearing about, it seems there are some things about my hospital I'm not made aware of," he said and the crowd laughed, knowing there were far too many things to count, "but I do know Meredith and Derek were meant to be together, and I'm glad I had at least a little to do with that."

"You what?" Derek and Meredith blurted out simultaneously.

"I did," Richard told them, "I'm the one that convinced him to come work with me."

"And," Meredith said in a low voice, not necessarily meant to be quiet, "you called the wicked witch."

"The wicked witch," Richard said, "who..."

"Addison," someone in unexpectedly close in proximity to them called out.

"Oh crap," Meredith said and looked over at Derek, and bit her lip, "shouldn't have said that."

"Too late now," Derek said, and smiled, "but we'd agreed, she's part of the story."

"What did I miss," Richard said, as Miranda had already made her way next to him.

"Don't mind them, Chief, they're just a bunch of adolescents, and believe me, you don't want to know everything that goes on in that hospital."

"Right," he joked with her, "it's only Dr. Bailey that knows EVERYTHING," he taunted.

"Damn right," Miranda looked at him, and then around those closest to her, "and don't forget it," she said and grinned.

"Ok," Izzie said, "it's time to get this party rolling, and on with the roast."

"The roast," Meredith looked at her, and then at Derek, "a roast?"

"Mer...I know you're not great with some very typical quotes...but a roast is..."

"Derek," she rolled her eyes, "I know what a roast is...just, why Izzie...are we being roasted, at our ...wedding celebration?"

"It's you Mer...you'd never go for a traditional wedding..."

"I did..." she smiled, "in Venice."

"Partially Mer...you didn't go for the whole wedding gown and church and hundreds of guests..."

"It looks like there are hundreds of guests here now," she laughed as she scanned the room, and then surprised saw Colleen and John.

"Listen up people," Alex said, "we've already made enough toasts the night they came home, so now, we're going to ..."

"Karev," Mark said, "you're not master of ceremonies."

"Neither are you," he smirked, the familiar half lip raised in a bit of mockery.

"But," Mark said, "I'm the bestman."

"Fine, you are paying for this."

"And I'm the maid of honor," Cristina said.

"You are not," Izzie said, "she wasn't...was she Mer?"

"No, Iz, she wasn't. There was no maid of honor, or bridesmaids...you would have been missing."

"Barbie," Cristina said, "you are so gullible."

"And you are so...bitchy."

"Children," George said, "behave. Joe, another round of drinks to keep them in line."

The friendly banter continued amongst their friends while more people than she ever would have imagined sporadically made their way to congratulate them, as the abundance of food and drinks was ever present during the next several hours.

"Tracy," Meredith said during the evening, as they sat in the area where several tables were set up, an unofficial bridal table of sorts, and many of their friends joined them throughout the evening. "How do you put up with him," she laughed after one of Mark's comments.

"Great sex," Tracy joked.

Everyone was quiet for a second, and then the entire table and those sitting close by, which at the moment included the fab4, the interns, Lexie and the Mulligan's erupted in laughter.

"Tracy," Stephanie laughed, "I can't believe you just said that."

"Why not," Mark drawled, "it's true."

"Always the manwhore," Cristina commented.

"One of the best," Tracy smiled.

"One of the best..." Mark looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

"Yes..."

"One of," Mark said again, "we'll have to work on that."

"Looking forward to it," Tracy told him.

"John, Colleen..." Derek said, "not the finest introduction to our friends," he joked.

"Quite the contrary," John said, "it speaks of great friendships, and how much people care about you."

"Colleen, how did you know," Meredith asked, "we didn't even know till this morning."

"Well, we started talking about your wedding and Italy and Dr. Sloan came in."

"Mark," Meredith looked at him, "you interrupted a patient's visit?"

"I didn't know, and besides, I'd met them and Kelly, so I invited them."

"We're glad we could join you," John said, "in spite of putting my foot in my mouth in front of Kelly."

"It's ok honey," Colleen said, "I'm used to it, and Meredith promised she has a remedy."

"Really," Cristina said, "must be from her experience with McDreamy's syndrome."

"Cristina," Meredith warned.

"Relax Mer, we have our truce... right Derek?"

"Yes," he smiled, "and Mer, she helped planned this...I'm willing to..."

"You helped planned this?" Meredith asked incredulously.

"She really did," Lexie answered for her, "Mark and Cristina have been planning this since we spent the last day in Venice together."

Meredith and Derek were speechless, unaware of how much time and effort had gone into all the planning for the impromptu wedding celebration.

"But..." Derek said, "you didn't say anything...not till today."

"Derek," Lexie smiled, "Meredith and Kat may be right..."

"Great..." Derek smiled at her, "now you're on their side."

"Always," Lexie said, "Derek, she is my sister."

"Xena," Mark said, "stop giving away our secrets, Yang and I, we have hard ass, hard core images to live up to."

"You can't hide the sentimental side...Mark...we both know..."

"Stop talking, now," he told her, " I am not sentimental."

Meredith reached over and placed her hand over his arm, "stop teasing him Lexie," and then quietly, only for him and Derek to hear, "my knight..."

"Amy Lynn," Derek said, "you tell us, how in the world everyone got here?"

"Well, it wasn't too difficult, the hard part was limiting it to the right people."

"I see that," George said, "really, why are Debbie and Olivia here?"

"Strategy Dr. O'Malley," Amy Lynn laughed. "Brilliant strategy."

"I know you had a list," George said, "but not that they were on it."

"We only had hours," Lisette said, "to put it all together, but we had a very good idea who your friends at the hospital were, and then we started discuss whether we should have them here, sort of making sure they saw first hand how happy you are."

"You mean," Stephanie said, "we wanted to rub in their faces how wrong they'd been."

"Yeah, well, that too," Lisette admitted and they all laughed.

"Speaking of bets," Mark said, "it's time we settle some pending matters."

"Mark," Derek joked, certain his friend would not mind, "does that include that Hahn bet?"

"That's over Dr. Shepherd," Tracy commented, "or else he's a dead man."

"Well Tracy," Derek laughed, "you're kinder than my wife."

"What, is that supposed to mean?" Meredith glared at him, knowing full well what he was talking about.

"Nothing honey," he teased.

"Honey?" Meredith laughed.

"It fits..." Derek joked, "you know...along with me being a dead horse's ass," he said, and both he and Meredith laughed heartily before she leaned over and kissed him.

"What is it with you two and the animals?" Cristina said.

Meredith smiled, "I just thought, we have such a large piece of land," and the six she considered family exchanged looks, she really had changed. Meredith Grey spoke of Derek's land as theirs. "We could even consider a small zoo sometime," she finished and she and Derek held each other's gaze.

"You're joking," Cristina said. "Mer, have lost your mind?"

"I bet," Mark drawled, "you'd even consider some lion cubs," and the newlyweds and their bestman roared with laughter.

"I know," Bailey said as she walked over to them, "you all are not drunk, so what's with the animal talk, I know it's not about your often immature behavior."

"Just joking around Miranda," Derek said, and got up to put an arm around her, "we'll tell you another day."

"Oh, no," Miranda said, "I get the feeling I'm better off not knowing."

"Why are you here alone," he asked as he walked away from the table, "everything ok?"

"Don't do this to me now Shepherd," she said quietly, "just doing the best I can."

"You let me know," Derek said, "whatever you need."

"I will," she said, and remained silent, touched by his thoughtfulness.

Meredith remained at the table and was delighted John and Colleen fit in perfectly with their group of friends. She felt Derek's eyes on her and returned the smile as they both made the effort to mingle with the guests before he made his way back to her side.

"Meredith, Dr. Shepherd," Joe had walked over to the table and set down their favorite menu items.

"Joe," Derek said, "no formalities tonight, just Derek."

"Derek," Joe said, "you and Meredith should eat now, before we get on with the evening."

"Thanks Joe," Derek said, "we really appreciate it all the efforts that went into this."

"Happy to do it," he smiled. "My favorite couple..."

"How many people do you say that too," Meredith joked.

"You're the only couple that's considered a legend," he said, "and he saved my life."

"Joe," Derek said, "why don't you join us?"

"Can't do that...too many things to get done...and Dr. Sloan & Yang will have my head if I don't stick to..."

"Yang," Derek said, "you mean Cristina really had something to do with this?"

"Are you kidding," he offered, "she was here earlier with Izzie and the rest of the gang decorating and blowing up balloons."

"Izzie," Meredith said, "no doubt was responsible for all the paper wedding bells."

"Oh yeah," Joe laughed, "she and Lexie did all of that."

Meredith and Derek sat down again and enjoyed their meal amongst the banter and friendly greetings and well wishes of most everyone present at the bar.

"Didn't realize we knew so many people," Meredith snuggled up to him and whispered in his ear.

"You mean," he spoke after nipping her ear playfully, "you know all these people," and had her giggling, while he teased her.

She leaned into him resting her head on his shoulder, earning smiles from everyone around them. "Derek," she said, "you're vibrating."

"Ignore it," he said, "and it's actually you, since it's your blackberry inside my coat pocket."

"Oh," she laughed, "so it is, and it's your mother."

"My mother," he said, "how do you know that?"

"Cause I set her up for three tones when she emails me."

"You gave her a special tone," he smiled.

"Just because you ignore her messages," she reached inside his coat jacket, but not before playfully inching her way up his chest.

"Mer," he teased her, "if you can't wait for us to get home..."

"I can wait," she smiled and kissed him, "if you can..."

"Twenty minutes," he smiled.

"Doubt it," she laughed, "not after all the work they put into this," and read his mother's message while allowing him to read along with her.

Meredith sweetheart, it's just after six here and imagine you are now in the middle of full celebration at Joe's. I will look forward to going there, as Kat said, where the legend began. Yes, Derek, I'm sure you're reading this and your mother knows everything now. No thanks to you, but I forgive you, since Meredith is thoughtful enough to communicate with me. Don't scowl at her for responding to quickly, I replied to her email and she let me know about tonight's get together. So, when either of you get a chance email me details. It won't be tonight, I know, LOL – don't be a prude DC, I'm not so old I forgot about being a newlywed. Meredith, stop laughing at him. I love you both, Mom.