Meredith smoothed the material of her white silk dress in front of her, taking in her reflection in the mirror and unable to believe it was really her own reflection that she was staring at.

It was finally her wedding day, and she couldn't wait until she could finally call herself Derek's wife.

It had been three and a half years since Ethan had been born, and their baby boy was more amazing than she had ever imagined he could be. He was a little version of Derek in every way possible, and was starting to develop his own personality. He loved fishing with Derek and playing with Meredith and their new puppy, a black lab named Mikey who had joined the family a year ago after Doc had succumbed to cancer.

Today was the day. The day she finally became a Shepherd. She and Derek had been too distracted with Ethan to think about planning their wedding, but when they had gone to New York the previous Christmas to visit Derek's family, his sisters had started peppering them for details about the wedding that they had yet to think about. That had led to a late night discussion in the safety of Derek's childhood bedroom about marriage and whether it was really necessary. They had lived as a married couple for three years and they didn't think that they needed to have a wedding to prove their love for each other. But then Derek had seemed to want the celebration, to have their family and friends present to celebrate their love for each other. And when she'd thought about it, she wanted to have that too. She wanted to share their love with Ethan and show them how much it meant to be in love and respect another person the way people in marriages were supposed to. She hadn't had a good example of marriage when she was growing up, but she was determined to show Ethan that there was love in the world so he would turn into a wonderful man just like his father.

So they had decided to have a wedding and today was the day. Derek's family was mingling outside their house in the makeshift tent they'd ordered, and Ethan was bouncing back and forth between their bedroom and the downstairs guest room where she knew Derek was getting ready and most likely trying to ignore Mark as he tried to offer him alcohol.

"Mama!" the door burst open and she couldn't help but smile at the vision of her baby boy, who wasn't really a baby anymore, in his tiny tuxedo. He really was a miniature version of Derek, the only thing he had inherited from her being her nose.

"Hi sweetheart," she giggled as she leaned down to pick him up and settle him on her hip. "You're looking pretty handsome."

"Mama pwetty."

"Thank you, Ethan," she smiled as she straightened his bow tie. "Did Daddy help you get ready?"

"Yep," Ethan nodded. "Here."

Meredith raised an eyebrow as she took the long jewelry box from her son's extended hands. "Is this from Daddy?" she asked.

"No, me," Ethan said proudly, offering her the smile that he had inherited from his father, the smile that she could never resist.

"Oh, well thank you little man," she smiled. She set him back on the ground before she cracked open the box to see a small diamond resting on a white gold chain. "It's beautiful. I'll wear it right now."

"Kay," Ethan smiled.

"Meredith?" Kathleen knocked on the door and smiled as Ethan ran towards her. "We're ready if you are."

"Okay," Meredith breathed, fastening the necklace and standing to look in the mirror one last time. "I look okay, right?"

"You look amazing," Kathleen smiled as she approached, Ethan settled on her hip. "It's just the family, Mer, there's no reason to be nervous."

"I know," she sighed. "I just want him to think I look beautiful."

"He will, Mer," Kathleen smiled. "He thought you were beautiful when Ethan had the flu and you didn't sleep or shower for three days."

"That's true," Meredith giggled as she turned to her son and sister in law. "You remember what you're supposed to do buddy?"

"Yep," Ethan nodded confidently. "Go outside and let Mikey into the tent."

Meredith blinked in surprise and exchanged a glance with Kathleen. "Did your Uncle Mark tell you to do that?" she asked.

"Yeah," Ethan nodded.

"And what has Daddy told you about listening to Uncle Mark?"

"Ummmm…not to do it?"

"Exactly," Meredith nodded. "You're going to walk to Daddy and hand him the rings."

Ethan let out a dejected sigh. "Fine," he said.

"Good boy," Meredith smiled, pressing a kiss to his forehead before she smiled at Kathleen. "I'll see you out there."

"You'll do fine, Mer," Kathleen promised.

Meredith nodded as she looked into the mirror one last time before reaching for the bouquet of lilies that sat in a vase on her dresser. She made her way carefully down the stairs before she stepped out the backdoor into what was fortunately an unusually sunny day. She smiled as she saw Ethan skipping towards Derek, handing him the rings and trying to talk enthusiastically. Derek smiled down at their son, but then pointed towards the house, presumably telling him to pay attention.

With a deep breath she began walking towards Derek, her eyes locked on his and ignoring the rest of the people in their yard. His eyes were somewhat misty, and she could see him swallow hard as she reached him.

"Hi," she whispered softly, her hand finding his easily.

"Hi," he replied. "You look…amazing."

"Thanks," she smiled, taking in his dress pants and light blue button down, collar open. "You don't look half bad yourself."

Derek squeezed her hand as they turned to the minister, listening to the words he was saying and taking in the moment for everything it was worth. They had declined to write their own vows, having made their own personal vows to each other a couple of nights before, the last night they had spent together before the wedding. He had promised to love her even when he hated her and to remind her who he was after she got alzheimer's, and she in turn had promised to never run and to take care of him when he was old and smelly and senile. Now all they had to do was exchange their rings and they would finally be married.

"With this ring," Derek smiled, his eyes on hers as he slid her wedding ring onto her finger. "I thee wed."

Meredith offered him a shaky smile as she took his ring from Mark and slid it onto his own finger. "With this ring, I thee wed."

"And now with the power invested by me by the state of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the minister announced. "You may kiss the bride."

Meredith giggled as Derek pulled her close, kissing her passionately as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. "I love you," she whispered in his ear.

"I love you too," he replied. "So much."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to announce for the very first time, Derek and Meredith Shepherd."

Derek grinned as he leaned into her, their hands wound tightly together. "Meredith Shepherd."

"It sounds amazing," she agreed.

"Mama!" Ethan cried, clambering out of Carolyn's arms and running to Meredith and Derek's feet. "You're married!"

"Mommy and Daddy got married," Derek agreed. "Pretty exciting, isn't it buddy?"

"I guess," Ethan shrugged. "Can we fish now?"

"We're not fishing," Derek rolled his eyes, taking him out of Meredith's arms and tossing him gently in the air. "Don't be silly."

"Daddy!" Ethan giggled loudly.

"Sorry," Carolyn sighed as she reached them. "He's very busy."

"We know," Derek smiled, watching as his mother pulled his wife into her arms, hugging her tightly. She whispered something in Meredith's ear, causing her to smile widely and lean in for another hug.

"Congratulations sweetheart," Carolyn smiled as she turned to Derek, kissing his cheek softly. "And you, my little prince, need to stay with me today."

"Sorry," Ethan sighed, his eyes suddenly lighting up as his cousins ran by. "Down, Daddy."

All it took was Derek raising his eyebrow expectantly for Ethan to add the requisite "Please" and Derek set his energetic son on the ground to chase after the cousins he had met for the first time earlier in the week.

"You two need a moment," Carolyn said, gesturing to the backdoor. "But keep in mind that there are children around."

"Thanks Mom," Derek rolled his eyes, pulling Meredith into their living room and sliding the door closed behind them. "Mer."

"We're married," she whispered, leaning up to kiss him before resting her head on his chest. "Really married."

"Forever," Derek sighed, leaning down to kiss her again. "You look so beautiful."

"Thank you," she blushed slightly.

"Ethan is so excited," Derek smiled.

"He doesn't really know what's going on," Meredith said. "But he's excited to have Grandma watching him for a couple weeks."

"He'll have fun," Derek nodded, his hands finding her sides. "But we'll have more fun."

"Hmmm," Meredith smiled, running a hand through his hair. "And where will we be having said fun?"

"Surprise," he murmured.

"Derek," she whispered, pressing her body closer to his and taking his earlobe in her mouth. "Please."

"Somewhere warm," he breathed.

"More," she requested, her breath hot against his neck.

"Mer," he sighed. "Find out…airport."

"Now," she requested, reaching between them to massage his growing erection.

"Hawaii," he sighed. "Meredith…"

"Thank you," she smiled, backing up and letting her fingers trail over the diamond necklace hanging from her neck.

"You're…evil," he frowned as he looked at her. "But beautiful. Especially in that necklace."

"Ethan did well," Meredith smirked.

"Is that what he told you?" Derek asked.

"Well, he was pretty convincing, but I figured he had a little help," she smiled, lacing their fingers together and leaning up to kiss him softly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Derek smiled, placing his hands on her hips. "God I love you."

"I love you too," she breathed. "And Derek?"

"Hmmm?"

"I have your present too."

"I don't need a present," he said softly. "You and Ethan…you're all that I need."

Meredith offered him a soft smile as she guided his hands to her stomach. "Well, this present is coming whether you want it or not," she said softly. "I'm having your baby, Derek Shepherd."

I know it's sudden, but please don't be upset with me. I could have gone into the whole adjusting to life with a baby, but that wasn't what this story was about. It was more about Meredith and Derek finding the balance they needed to be a strong healthy couple, and they got through it and are happy. Maybe someday I'll write a sequel, but for now I'm going to be starting a completely different story, which should be up in the next couple days at some point (hopefully tomorrow if all goes well). Thank you so much to everyone who has enjoyed and reviewed this story, and I hope you'll continue reading!