"I can do this. I can do this. I can do this," Cristina said, over and over.

"Cristina, calm down. This is nothing too big. You can do it. This is nothing. Just a simple ceremony," Meredith said, trying her best to settle Cristina down.

"You're right. I'm just getting married today. Holy shit!" Cristina said.

"What?"

"I'm getting married today. Meredith, I'm getting married today!"

"Yes, Cristina. You are. You're getting married. You're getting married, you're going to walk down that aisle, and you are going to get married. You're going to do this to prove that people like us really can have a happy ending," Meredith said.

"So, I'm not getting married for me, I'm getting married for you," Cristina said.

"In a sense, yes."

-------------------------------------------

Burke stood at the front of the aisle, facing the doorway, looking at the crowd. The Chief, Alex, and George were to his left. His mother wasn't there, but his father was. Only about half of his family was there. He had to compromise and cut the guest list in half; one of the many things he had to agree to in order to marry her.

FLASHBACK

"I don't see why we can't have all of these people at our wedding," Burke said.

"Why? So if I get left at the altar again everyone can witness it AGAIN? I don't want to go through that again, Preston."

"You never call me Preston," Burke said. "I just want everyone to see us start our life together. That's all. I don't understand why you won't allow me to invite people."

"If you love me, and really want to marry me, then how many people are there to see us get married shouldn't matter," Cristina said to him.

That was the time that Burke realized that loving her would mean he would have to compromise. He had hurt her once before, and he didn't want to lose her again. He could shorten the guest list as long as she would agree to marry him. He could choose the wedding cake himself if it meant she would agree to marry him. He will do whatever he can to get her to trust him again so he could love her for the rest of their lives.

END OF FLASHBACK

The piano started playing the wedding march as Callie walked through the door. Next came Izzie. Following Izzie was Meredith. All three women were wearing navy blue halter dresses that hugged their curves just right. As soon as Meredith reached the altar, everyone turned to see Cristina come through the doors. She was wearing a white, strapless gown. The top was corset style, and as soon as it reached her hips, it flowed outwards all the way to the ground. Meredith gasped as she saw her. There were rhinestones on the chest, and the tiara that connected to her veil. This was so un-Cristina like. Burke looked at her in amazement. She looked absolutely stunning.

…..

"Do you, Cristina, take Preston Xavier Burke, as your lawfully wedded husband?" the Priest asked.

"I do," Cristina said, looking Burke in the eye.

"With the power invested in me, by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Burke looked at Cristina and kissed her passionately as everyone stood up and clapped. Everyone was so engrossed by the scene that no one seemed to take notice of Thatcher lurking in the back. Burke and Cristina separated and turned to face the crowd. He saw Thatcher, and then he saw the gun. He grabbed Cristina and turned her so he was shielding her. Suddenly there was a BANG, blood splatter, and a thud on the ground.

------------------------------------------

"He's dead," the Chief said to the EMT's as he was standing over the body. The cops and ambulance were called upon the gun shot.

"Who shot him?" the policeman asked.

"I did," Alex said.

"You did?" Burke asked, turning to him.

"I figured Thatcher would show up here, and he killed Rebecca. I wasn't going to let him kill anyone else."

"Meredith, I'm so sorry about your dad," Burke said to her.

"Don't be," Meredith said. "Who's ready to party?"

-------------------------------------------

"Cristina, what's the deal with the dress?" Meredith asked her at the reception. It was surprising how everyone was able to forget about the shooting in the church.

"What do you mean?"

"It's not like you," Meredith said.

"Yeah, well I figured that it was a dress Burke would want me to wear."

"What?" Izzie asked, walking up to them. "You wore it because it's a dress Burke would like?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Yeah, so, what?" Burke said, walking up to Cristina and putting his arms around her waist.

"Do you like her dress?" Izzie asked, just as Meredith elbowed her.

"Yes, I do. It is absolutely gorgeous. Not what I was expecting but I like it," Burke said.

"Ask her why she wore it," Izzie said, walking away before Meredith could elbow her again.

"Bitch," Meredith muttered.

"Why did you choose this dress?"

"Because I figured it would be something you would want me to wear. Plus I can actually breathe in this one."

"Because it would be something that I would want?" Burke asked, confused.

"You gave up so much for me because you love me, and I thought I would do this one little thing to compromise on my part. I love you, Burke," Cristina said.

"TOAST TIME!" the Chief hollered, interrupting Burke and Cristina's moment.

"I'm going to show you just how much I love you tonight," Burke said.

"Standing right here," Meredith said.

"Sorry."

"Now I know that I wasn't the first pick to be the Best Man, but since the original pick is unable to be here, you all have to settle for me. I've known Preston for years now. He's my head of cardio. But to me, he's more than just a surgeon. He's a friend. His specialty is the heart, and he proved that fact today. I could go on for hours, but no one really wants to hear me. Congrats you two. I'll now pass the mic over to the Maid of Honor," the Chief said.

"Well," Meredith began. "How do I describe Cristina? Competitive. Ruthless. Stubborn. Crazy. All of those have been used to describe her, but the truth is, there is no one else I would rather have as a best friend. She is loyal. There was an incident between her and Burke, a secret if you will, and she kept that said secret until it had to be told. She has been there for me since day one. She's my person. She's just like me, and the fact that she got married today has given me hope. She proved that messed up people like us can have a happy ending. I love the two of you will all of my heart, and I hope you all the best," Meredith said, lifting her glass of water up and toasting.

--------------------------------------

TWO MONTHS LATER

"Derek," Meredith said one day after work. "You have to wake up, okay? I need you to wake up." Meredith started crying. "I avoided coming to see you because I was scared of what I was going to see. I was scared of what would happen, but now I can't avoid it any longer. Well, Cristina got married. Yeah, I wasn't sure it was going to happen either. But she's proven that people like her and I can have a happy ending. It almost didn't happen though. My dad showed up. But Alex came to the rescue and shot him. My dad's dead now. Oh well, I suppose. But, I'm finally ready, Derek. I'm finally ready to give us a chance; to make that leap. I just need you to wake up. I can't do this on my own," Meredith said, her sobs taking her over.

"Meredith?" Cristina asked, walking into the room. "It's going to be okay."

"No, it's not, Cristina," Meredith said as Cristina walked over to her.

"Why?" Cristina asked, pulling her into a hug, sensing it's what was needed.

"Because I'm pregnant," Meredith sobbed.