I am sad to say, this is the last chapter of this story.

I am so grateful for those who travelled the journey with me and for your amazing reviews, I love you all and I hope you enjoy this last chapter.

Meredith stood at the gravestone, her arms crossed over her chest as if she was subconsciously protecting herself. The others were in the background leaving her to do this alone, Derek as close as he could possibly be, showing Meredith he was giving her the space she deserved but was there for her nonetheless. Meredith's eyes scanned over the gravestone, the words bitter lies.

Here lies Finn Dandridge

Beloved friend and lover

Will be missed terribly by all

She knew his mother was dead and not long into their relationship his father had also passed, so he had nobody. No family to cry over his grave. She almost felt sorry for him. Almost. As she stood at his grave memories flooded her mind, traumatising memories of his hands on her, the bruises, the abuse, the rape. None of their sex was consensual, and she had come to terms with the fact he had raped her, but it never made things easier. Because of his abuse, it took months for her to fully give herself to Derek like she wanted, took her months to look at herself in the mirror without wanting to cringe or feel disgusted. He had ruined her for so long, but she wasn't going to let him to it anymore. He was dead, he couldn't come back and haunt her, or anyone for that matter. He was dead and he was not going to ruin another woman the way he had done anymore. She knew he didn't deserve the time and the effort that went into his burial, but somewhere deep inside she knew it wouldn't have been right to let him rot like that. Much to everyone's disagreement, she had proceeded to bury him and let him rest in peace as everyone should have the right to do so. She knew it was the best thing to do and that is what mattered. After what felt like only minutes but was almost 45 minutes, she felt Derek's soft hand on her shoulder and turned to look at him, his sympathetic smile causing her heart to flutter. She hadn't realised she had been crying, falling into his arms, allowing him to wrap them around her comfortingly.

"You did good Meredith" He whispered, feeling her faint nod against his chest, sighing heavily as his eyes travelled down to look at the mans grave. He felt his blood boil at the sight of his name. He had put Meredith through so much and he hated it so much. He wished Meredith had been stubborn and let him rot, wished she hadn't have been so effected by his death, but it was who she was, it was the kind of person she was, and he loved her even more so for it. He knew it would be easy for her to move on now that he was dead, but it wasn't something that someone could move on fully, and despite this, he would be there for her through everything. Through the nightmares, the bad days, the insecurity, everything.

"Let's go home" Derek nodded, turning to everyone who nodded collectively, all heading to their selected vehicles to head back to Meredith's house. Meredith had decided she wanted to move back there and, despite the fact it was cramped and full of people, she felt like it's what she needed at this moment in time. Maybe her and Derek would get their own house, but for now, her old house was the best thing for her. Once home, everyone was sitting around her living space; Alex, George, Cristina, Bailey, Richard, Chief, Izzie and Denny. Her family. She stood in the doorway watching everyone, Derek coming up to her, wrapping his arms around her belly, Meredith leaning back her head in content. Today had been a roller-coaster but, she was happy where she was and wouldn't have it any other way.

"Are you okay?" She turned to him, keeping herself pressed against him, his hands not resting on the ball of her back.

"I am. Thank you, for being there for me. I don't think I could have done it without you, without all of you" He kissed her forehead, resting his own atop of hers, a smile on his face.

"I love you Meredith Grey" He slipped on hand into his pocket and pulled out a ring, holding it between his and Meredith's faces, her eyes glowing suddenly.

"Derek?" She leaned back slightly, looking between the ring and his eyes confused.

"The way I acted the other week was wrong of me, and I promise to make you feel like that again. I love you so much, and I want to be your husband, only if, you want to my wife in return" She paused for a moment, a tear rolling down her cheek before she nodded, letting out a shaky breath, allowing Derek to place the ring on her finger.

"I love you too" She placed a passionate kiss on his lips, Derek picking her up and spinning around playfully, them breaking the kiss when the others cheered happily. Meredith eyed up Addison who looked like she was going to explode, rolling her eyes slightly.

"Now can you tell him?" She shouted eagerly, Meredith blushing, turning back into her now fiance's arms, leaning up to his ear, whispering,

"I'm pregnant Derek" His eyes bulged out of his head, pushing Meredith out at arms length, the biggest grin spreading across his face.

"I'm going to be a dad?" Everyone gasped happily when Meredith nodded, Derek falling to his knees, resting his head on her stomach, tears brimming in his eyes when he lifted her top slightly to kiss her belly button, a laugh full of pure emotion escaping Meredith's lips. The past few years had been a mess, to put it lightly, and she was a changed woman, but she knew in that moment, everything would be okay. She had her family and it was growing, and that was all she ever needed. She was beaten, and she was broken, but felt herself slowly coming together once again.

The End!