Ever
To say the gathering of faces was unexpected was more than an understatement. If Addison and Christina hadn't been behind her, Meredith was sure she would have fallen back from shock. She stumbled a little, hand over her chest, for just a moment. The overhead light brought focus to the culprits. She kept her gaze on the duo as they smirked, one particularly eager to be fed her response to the situation. A grin began to creep about her features, not quite able to make its full presence known as she was bombarded with hugs and wishes.
Once the preliminary people were out of the way, her family stepped forward.
"Wow," Alex said, handing her a beer, "you really didn't know about the party."
She shook her head and smiled as a pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind. "No," she replied, looking at Derek, then to Christina and Addison, "I didn't know. The day was a little odd now that I think about it, but you guys did well." She turned to Derek, "So, where's my present?"
He scoffed, "Seriously?" He gestured to their surroundings. "Look around; you're throwing a freak'n party in my house. That's a present that should last for a couple of years."
The friends laughed as he continued, "Plus, it wasn't my idea." He pointed to Mark. "I was going to take credit if you liked it, and then blame it on him if you didn't. But, judging on how nervous he was and…"
"I was not nervous," Mark cut in.
George scoffed, "Right."
Mark gave all the men a death glare while the women continued aware but indifferent.
"So Meredith," Izzie began, "You like chocolate, right?"
Meredith nodded, "Uh, yeah. You've been living with me for a couple of years now."
Izzie shook her head, "I know, just checking. I'll be back." She headed to the kitchen.
"What's up with her?" she asked, turning to Mark.
"I don't know," he grinned. "She's your friend."
Christina stopped the scene that was beginning to unfold. "Don't you dare start making out. It was hard getting her here; the least you can do is let us talk to her for a few more moments before you have one of yours."
Addison snickered as she held on to Alex's arm and gave him a kiss.
Meredith turned to face them. "I thought you guys were fighting?"
Alex looked confused as Addison grinned.
"Oh," Meredith caught on. "Right. Part of the plan."
Christina shook her head. "Yeah. And why were you so perceptive today?"
"What do you mean?" Meredith feigned offended. "I'm always perceptive. I'm a surgeon."
Christina brushed her response aside. "You're usually dense." She then addressed Addison. "And she seems to think that she is the only one you would call if you and Alex had a fight."
Addison chuckled, "Really?"
Meredith blushed a little, "No! I just found it odd that you would call Christina."
"Why?" Christina dared.
"Because you're…" Meredith stammered, "Christina!"
A half-hour later Meredith had chatted with the guests for a bit and found Mark talking to another surgeon. She made eye-contact and gestured for him to go out on the porch. She led the way as he followed, excusing himself from the conversation.
He smiled when he saw her swinging, he legs touching the ground every now and then and her hair blowing lightly. He took a seat next to her as she leaned into him.
"Thanks."
She chuckled. "Shouldn't I be saying that to you?"
He grinned as he felt his chest move from the vibration of her words. "I meant for getting me out of that conversation. I don't know why everyone thinks I'm always interested in talking about surgeries. I'm still a man too."
She hugged him a little tighter. "That you are." She leaned back and stared at him. "But really, thank you." He watched as she got a small far-away look in her eyes. "I've never had a surprise party before."
"Never?"
She shook her head. "No. And I wasn't sure I'd like one either."
"Do you," he asked pensively.
She smiled in affirmation. "Yes, I do."
He took her back in his arms. "Good."
"But…" she started.
"But what?"
"I still get to celebrate tomorrow though too, right?"
He chuckled. "Yeah, you do. It'll be just the two of us."
She nodded into his chest. "Sounds good to me."
"Okay everyone, could we have your attention please?" Izzie yelled over the buzz of the crowd as George fumbled with some wires.
The room gave their attention to the TV where the two were standing. The gang was behind Meredith as she was ushered to sit with Mark in the front. Everyone was excited to show her the communal present. Even Christina had her own version of a smile showing for all to see.
Meredith, anxious and nervous about what was happening and being the center of attention, grabbed Mark's hand. He smiled and returned the squeeze lightly. He loved her hand in his. Heck, he just loved anything that had to do with Meredith. Any contact drove him crazy.
George finally got everything together and stood up. He looked at the crowd, particularly at Meredith as he spoke. "Well, since we're all surgeons and we've bought gifts for each other for a couple of years now, we decided to give a gift that was creative and something that we could all pitch in on, that didn't involve money."
The group chuckled a bit. Mark could feel Meredith relax a little.
"So, all of us," he gestured at her family, "decided to put together a little collage to some of our favorite music. We've added a few things from when she was little, and included old," he glanced at Lexi, "and new family. So," he looked at Meredith, "Mer, this is for you."
Meredith smiled back and got comfortable as the lights went down and the TV came on. She smiled as a few shots of her with Richard appeared. Next were a few with Grace, a couple of the them in their intern days, her and Derek, more of all of them, a lot with Mark, a few with Lexi, and of course, more of the gang. It ended with a picture of Mark and Meredith at a bar-b-que. They were obviously very happy and it was evident they were in love; they weren't even looking at the camera. The words 'And Many More To Come' danced across the screen as the last song ended. The lights came back on and the oohs and ahhs turned into applause.
Meredith had a steady stream of tears falling down as Izzie handed her a box of Kleenex after she got a few for herself. She was prepared in true Izzie fashion.
Meredith got up and hugged her family. The rest of the party went on.
"Thanks guys," Meredith sniffed. "That was…yeah."
"You weren't supposed to cry; man-up," Christina grinned.
Meredith smiled, "Which is why you're holding a crumpled tissue?"
Christina hid it. "I have allergies."
Two hours later Meredith had expressed her appreciation to everyone and headed out the door. Twenty minutes after that they were at Meredith's house.
"Hey Mer."
"Mmm?"
Mark chuckled as he coaxed her from her sleep. "We're here. Want me to carry you?"
She opened her eyes and shook her head lightly. "No, I'm okay." She looked at the backseat. "But you can help me take the presents in."
After they were settled they showered and lied in the bed.
"I really had a good time tonight Mark. Thank you."
He grinned and stroked her hair. "Anything for you."
"It's good to be loved."
He chuckled as she snuggled into him. "Yes, it is. So yeah, love you and all that stuff."
She playfully hit him. "Jerk."
"Not anymore." He looked at the clock. "Mer?"
She was already ready for sleep again. "Mmhmm?"
"Happy birthday."
Two weeks later…
"It's too tight!"
Meredith looked at Christina in her gown. It was an hour until the ceremony started. "Are you sure?"
Christina moved in front of her, "Yes! I'm sure!"
Izzie came from the bathroom, already in her gown like everyone else. "Whoa, Christina, is there something you want to tell us?"
Christina looked like a deer in headlights as she followed Izzie's gaze. Addison stopped putting on her make-up. She focused on her mid-section. "Christina, are you-"
"Yes! I'm pregnant okay? What does that have to do with the dress being too tight!"
Meredith, pushing away the initial shock and smiling at the last couple of weeks of Christina's behavior, forgave her person for her current state of being freaked out. "Christina, how long have you known?"
Christina pouted as she sat down, dress unzipped. "For two weeks."
Addison, "But you look-"
Christina finished again, without malice, "Three months."
A series of oohs echoed around the room. Meredith smiled.
"What?"
"Well, this just explains Preston's sudden over-protectiveness and you pretending to still consume alcohol." She thought for a moment. "He does know, right?"
Christina shook her head, smiling briefly, "Yeah."
Meredith thought about the times she did see Christina consume alcohol. "Is the baby okay?"
"Yeah; we've been seeing Dr. Winters at Mercy." She looked at Addison. "But, since you know now, would you, I mean, you can say no, like, consider, being-"
"I'd be honored to."
Izzie clapped, "Yeah! You're pregnant and getting married!"
Christina smiled, but still mildly concerned. "Yes, Barbie, but I still can't fit into my dress."
Izzie's smile didn't falter. "No worries." She grabbed something from her bad. "I can make some adjustments." She stood in front of Christina. "Turn around please." She smirked at Addison and Meredith, holding out her hand. "Needle."
"Is it in bad taste to say you look hotter than the bride?"
Meredith smiled widely as Mark took a seat next to her. She was watching the couple do their first dance as Mr. and Mrs. Preston Burke.
"If I were the bride, than I would say yes. But, considering I do look hot and that I am the woman you are in love with, than no, it's not."
He grinned and leaned in for a kiss. "Care to dance?"
"I'd love to."
Mark and Meredith were dancing when Derek cut in. Mark excused himself for a drink as he joined Addison and Alex who were also exiting the dance floor. A song later, Meredith saw a familiar face walking toward her. Doing her best (and doing an awful job) at hiding her excitement, she decided that Derek would be more pleased and needed to interact with the approaching individual more than she did. The person tapped Derek's shoulder.
Expecting it to be another man, Derek turned slowly at first; that was until he heard the familiar voice. "May I have this dance?"
Derek, too stunned to speak anything but her name, shook his head. "Grace!"
Meredith smiled and nodded at Grace, signaling that they would get a chance to speak later. She didn't get away without noticing the earth-shattering kiss the two shared. She laughed as she walked away and joined Mark.
"Did you know she was coming?"
Meredith shook her head, "No. I don't think anyone did."
"Seriously?"
Grace nodded. "Yup. I'm official and start in two weeks."
Meredith smiled and lunged at her friend.
"Whoa tiger. I get it; you're excited."
Meredith stepped back, warily. "Grace, are you sure this is what you want?"
Grace nodded, appreciating her concern. "Yes."
Meredith looked at her friend. "You really love him."
"More than anything."
Meredith laughed.
"What?"
"I don't know," she chuckled. "It's like Derek and I broke up and found you and Mark, two people who are commitment phobes. It's pretty much priceless."
Grace grinned. "Are you happy Mer? Really happy?"
Meredith smiled, beaming. "Yes. More than I ever thought possible." She attempted to stop smiling, but it was no use. "So, where do you plan to live?"
Grace smirked, "Where do you think?"
"Well, I would say bring condoms, but since you're pretty much safe for the next couple of months…"
Christina playfully shoved Meredith. The two were sitting on the bed in the hotel room. Christina had just finished changing and was headed to the airport.
"Shut it."
The two hugged for a few moments, later abruptly pulling apart.
"Does this mean you won't be sleeping over any more?"
"Please," Christina smirked. "I'm pretty sure you'll see more of me than before."
"I'm happy for you Christina. I'm glad you finally did it."
Christina nodded, "Me too. You know, you're gonna be like, an aunt Mer."
Meredith chuckled. "I know. They'll be a little Blasian kid running around calling me aunt Mer. The look on people's faces will be priceless."
Three days later…
"So, this is where you and Derek met? How romantic!"
Mark grinned as he showed Meredith the school in New York where he and Derek met in third grade.
"You're just jealous."
She kissed him quickly on the lips. "No, just a little worried about the nature of the relationship." she quipped. "How did you guys meet again?"
He pointed to the swings. "See that spot over there?"
She nodded, "Yeah."
"He asked Cary Blanche out." They walked to the swings and both sat down on one.
She looked at him, puzzled. "And?"
"And then she clocked him; I mean, harder than I've seen any other chick, he looked at Meredith, "I mean girl, hit anybody else. Derek didn't cry or anything, but I figured that anybody who could get clocked by a girl and continue playing on the swings like nothing happened could be someone I could be friends with. Five minutes later he kissed Ava Smith and asked her to be his girlfriend, confirming my earlier assessment. She said yes."
Meredith was laughing now, her hand on her stomach. "Seriously?"
"Seriously."
"I don't think you're telling me the whole story."
'She knows me entirely too well.' He chuckled. "Okay, so maybe I left a little chunk out."
She nodded. "I knew it! Now, spit it out."
"Cary saw Ava get with Derek, so she got jealous, and then she told Derek that she wanted to get with him."
"And then what happened?"
"Derek got confused, didn't think anyone should have two girlfriends, and then said he couldn't be with Cary because he was with Ava."
"You still haven't told me how you guys actually met."
"I was getting there," he played. "Long story short, his older sister was standing next to me. I kissed her and said she had to be my girlfriend. She slapped me. I fell down because I wasn't expecting it. Derek helped me up, told me not to worry about, and that I was better off anyway. Been friends ever since."
Meredith smiled, "So, this playground means a lot to you, huh?"
He nodded. "Yup."
She kissed him, for quite sometime. They broke away.
"What was that for?"
"For sharing it with me."
He smiled as he looked down at her. He knew that this was it. This was the love of his life. She never asked anything more of him than for him to be himself and for him to share life with her. He wanted to tell her that he wanted to share his whole life with her. Meredith made him feel like he was bigger than himself, like she was the only thing he needed to be happy.
It was the little things that mattered, the tiny nuances that made him love her. It was the way she said 'I love you,' like he was the only 'you' that there could possibly be; it was the way she looked at him when he caught her and the way his name sounded when she said it. It was the way she always waited up for him, no matter how tired she was. She opened up to him and didn't shut him out. Most importantly, she loved and accepted him for who he was. She never tried to change him. He wanted to change for her. He did without realizing it. Meredith Grey was it for him.
"Meredith?"
"Mmhmm?"
"I love you."
She chuckled. "And I love you."
"No, I mean, I really, really, really love you."
She furrowed her eyebrows, smiling as she felt his forehead. "Are you okay?"
He shook his head. "Not really."
She dropped the sarcasm and got worried. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he grinned.
"Then, what-"
"Marry me."
"Uh? I mean…what…'cause it sounded like you asked me to—"
He nodded, "Marry me." He got down on one knee and fumbled for a few moments before producing a ring.
She gasped at the moment and the engagement ring. She went to touch it, but stopped herself. "Why would you want to marry me?"
Astonished by her question, he took her hand. "Why wouldn't I? You're the most beautiful, amazing, thoughtful, sexy, lovable, loyal, and compassionate person I know. You gave me the greatest gift; your heart. I just want the chance to pay you back for the rest of our lives. I love you; I always will. I don't think I really loved anyone before; at least not in the way I love with you. So, Meredith Grey, I really, really, really love you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Meredith didn't move or bother to catch the few tears and others that threatened to fall. Once she recovered from the shock, she threw herself, literally, at Mark, causing them both to fall.
"Yes! I'll marry you," she kissed him all over. "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
He chuckled. "If I knew you'd jump me I would've asked a long time ago."
She remained on top of him. "Down boy," she grinned as the last of her tears of happiness fell.
He slipped the ring on her finger. "There." He looked into her eyes. "Now you can change your name, to a very strong, sexy, and rich name. Mrs. Sloan," he said dreamily. "Mrs. Meredith Sloan."
She giggled as she kissed him longingly and then stuck her hand out, admiring the ring. "It's…perfect."
He smiled, "Good to know you don't care about material things."
She swatted him. "Hey, this is one thing a woman can be material about. I think I'm worth it."
He chuckled. "Also good to know I'm not the only one with an ego. I think we'll be just fine."
The two stared at each other for quite some time.
"Uh, Mark?"
"Yes?"
"Maybe we should get out of the sand. People are staring."
The two laughed as they got up and brushed themselves off.
They walked hand in hand to the car.
"You know, Christina is going to kill me, again."
Mark put an arm around her. "Why?"
"Remember when she found out we were together."
He nodded.
"Think of how she'll act when she finds out I got engaged when she was on her honeymoon. Everyone will know before she will."
The two got in the car and headed to their hotel, neither of them really worried about Christina's wrath. They each had someone that wanted them; that needed them. They were in love; the kind of love that people rarely get to experience. They held hands as Meredith's ring flickered every now and again, a constant reminder of the life to come and who it would be shared with.
Mark and Meredith couldn't help but grin every time they looked at each other. They had a feeling that that grin would only dissipate on their wedding day.
In its place would sit a permanent smile.
A/N: Oh my gosh! I'm so sad that that is it! I really, really, really loved all of your reviews and enjoyed writing a MerMark fanfic. You guys rock! Thanks for all of the reviews, support, and encouragement. Hope you enjoyed the fic as much as I enjoyed hearing from all of you! Muah! LaFilmeMichelle
KB22, Aries03: Lol. I know…he's adorable! Hope you liked this one!
TVHollywoodDiva: Thanks!
Mer's4life: For you! It was popped. Lol.
Katherine Austen: Haha…glad you enjoyed the Mertina. And yup, he did it! I so would love to kiss him! But alas, I live vicariously through Mer! And I see you are wearing your other ribbon. Well earned.
Onlyone-chance8720: Hehee…you got your proposal. Maybe, if there's ever a sequel, I'll give you a wedding. Oh my gosh! I had the silliest, biggest grin on my face when I read your review. My family was like, what? Lol. It touched me beyond words. That's all I have to say. Such a compliment and ego-booster! Love you too! I'll miss your reviews!
Murgy31: Hope you enjoyed the end!
Surgery-Girl: Thanks! Yup, he did it!
Merderdreamy5: Oh, I hope your dad is doing well! I wish you all the best in school. Thank you so much for reading and appreciating my story. And, here's to you and I finding our own Mc's! (You had me roll'n when you said, 'without the man whoreness.') Great!
Rina 007: Thank you so much! Glad you found and liked the story!