Author's Note: So here we are...the end. Hard to believe, I guess. And to be honest, I'm a little disappointed in myself. But it's New Year's Day..and I've had people asking for an update.

Up to speed..okay-six months later. Burke and Cristina's wedding. They worked everything out (and Cristina's keeping her last name in the hospital, or atleast she says she is). Izzie and Alex are figuring things out, but he's keeping true to his promise. George is...well, he's George. MerDer-Okay..so yeah, this IS a MerDer fic, so it's centric around them and everything. WIthout spoiling anymore, I hope you enjoy...Review, please-and let me know...epilogue?

"Stop fussing, Cristina...you look fine."Meredith insisted.

"No. It's not that. It's everything. I'm getting married, Mer. Married."Cristina said, clearly nervous. "I love Burke. He's-He's my fiancee'...my almost husband."

Meredith nodded. "Yeah, he is. And Burke loves you. You two got everything worked out...but to be honest, I didn't expect you to write your own vows."

Cristina shot her a glance. "Why?"

"Well-you just...you know what? This is your day. Okay?"She said as Izzie opened the door.

"Hey...so yeah-I talked to Derek in the hallway. The ceremony is about to start. They need the rings."She said, reaching into her purse.

"Um, Iz-"Cristina said, watching her. "You brought crackers to my wedding?"

"Yeah..."She said, nibbling a little.

Laughing, Meredith gave Cristina's shoulder a squeeze. "It's okay, Cris."She said. "I'll get the rings for you."

Izzie went to deliver thr rings, but came back quickly. "Okay. So this is it..your big day. Are you nervous?"

"There's half of the hospital, his mother, my mother out there..what do you think?"Cristina asked, jokingly. "But everything's fine. Um...should we go?"

Meredith caught Derek's eyes, smiling from across the altar. Meredith had been one of Cristina's bridesmaids, and Derek one of the best men-Chief Webber being the other. As the ceremony began, Meredith found herself staring at them-and how happy they were. For once, Burke actually rambled-going on and on about how much he truly loved her, and the qualities that she had that made them so similar. It wasn't until they were exchanging rings did she realize Derek was staring at her. It wasn't an intense gaze, or one of those sappy "that could be us" looks (to her, anyway). But it was still a look. Their look.

She thought how muc everything had changed, how she kept coming back to the same people. Their family kept getting bigger-Burke was a part of it now, and soon Izzie's baby would be, too. And then there was Derek...an "honorary" member.

After Burke and Cristina kissed, everyone clapped, offering words of encouragement and congratulations. It wasn't long before the crowd began to disperse, and she saw Derek heading towards her. "Hey."

"Hey."

She smiled, giving him a kiss.

"Beautiful ceremony."He said, glancing over at Izzie. "I'm sorry. I'm not...interrupting "important bridesmaid business" am I?"

"No. Not at all."She insisted.

"Okay. Well then...I guess we should get to the reception?"He asked, grabbing Meredith's hand. "You okay?"

Meredith nodded as they walked. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm okay."

"Good. Good."He said, somewhat enjoying the lull. It wasn't everyday that everyone dressed up..and a wedding was a special occurence as well.

At the reception, Derek amd Meredith split up to go different ways-Meredith to speak with Cristina and Izzie before the dancing started. And Derek-to help Cheif rehearse his speech.

"So how does it feel to be a married woman?"Izzie asked.

"It's great, Iz. But see..Preston and I-"

"Preston, huh?...Since when?"Meredith asked, joking.

"Anyway...we won't have much of a honeymoon. But still, he won't tell me where we're going. The element of surprise."Cristina said, watching Burke walk over.

Alex walked towards Izzie, offering his arm. "So did you-"

"Alex..not now."Izzie insisted.

Meredith looked over, sensing something was going on. "Not now, what?"

"I was going to keep it a secret. It's Cristina and Burke's day...I don't want to overshadow it."

"Well if you have any news, feel free to share."Burke insisted. "I don't mind."

Izzie drew a breath, looking over at Alex. "I was going to tell you later. But I guess any time is as good as now. I know I said I didn't want to know what the baby was...that Alex and I agreed that until he or she was born, we wouldn't know. But when I went to my appointment yesterday-"

"Just spill it, Iz-Inquiring minds want to know."Cristina said, Burke's arm around her.

"I'm having a boy."

"Oh..that's great. Isn't it?"George asked.

"What's great?"Derek asked, hearing them talk.

"Izzie's having a boy."Meredith said.

Derek nodded, impressed. "Fantastic. Uh, Mer can we talk for a second..."

"Not at the moment, Shepherd."Burke said, apoligizing for interrupting them. "But I believe it's time My wife and I danced. If she wants to, of course."

Cristina took his hand, smiling. "Of course."

The song began and Derek wrapped his arms around Meredith's waist.

"They look so happy."

"They are happy."

"I know."

He kissed the top of her head and turned his attention back to Burke and Cristina. "To find something like that...where to anyone else, it doesn't make sense..but to them-it's perfect. Seems like it'd be one of those one of a kind-"

"You mean once in a lifetime?"Meredith corrected.

Derek wrinkled his nose, nudging her. "Fine. Doctor Grey."

"Doctor Shepherd."

He stared into her eyes, finding himself lost. Not even a year before, they had been in that place. That place where they didn't talk, where they practically hated each other. But then, at the wedding, everything seemed to changed. Everything was different, and he didn't think he could fall in love any further than he had. That's the thing about weddings.

"What?"

"Nothing."Derek said, smiling.

"You're giving me that look again."Meredith said, not complaining.

"What look?-Oh, I assume you mean 'our' look?"Derek asked.

Meredith nodded, leaning into him. The song had ended and Burke leaned in to kiss Cristina. A few camera flashes blinked and they walked off of the dance floor. It was then that Chief Webber took the microphone, and picked up his glass.

"Oh...the speech. This oughtta be good."Derek said.

"You helped him practice. Wouldn't you know?"Meredith asked.

"Excuse me..."Chief said, urging everyone to be quiet. "Doctor Burke..Preston..asked if I would say a few words, and I felt obliged to. Most of you here know them...most of you know either Burke or Cristina..or the both of them together. Those of you who do-count yourself lucky. I have been Chief of surgery for quite some time now..but never before have I seen two people who are more fierce, more competetive...more determined to do their personal best. Not just at work..but in their personal lives as well. Both take life on..and now that they are husband and wife...they'll be doing it together. Preston-Cristina...I wish that you both stay happy, content...together...and that you both remain as happy as you are now for the rest of your lives. I wish you the best of luck."

With that, everyone toasted (minus Izzie, who was content drinking gingerale).

After they cut the cake, everyone split up, talking and dancing. Derek approached Meredith, trying his best to act official. "Meredith-"

"Yes?"

He offered his hand, getsturing towards the dance floor. "Would you dance with me?"

She took his hand, laughing a little. "Of course."

Derek pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her. "You look beautiful, by the way."

"Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."She said, staring into his eyes.

"I love you, Meredith."

"I love you, too Derek."She said, leaning her forehead against his.

"You're happy?"

She pulled back, nodding her head. "Yeah. I am."She replied as they glided along with the music. "I have to admit though."

Derek stared at her, curious.

"I had no idea you could dance."

He shrugged, pretending to shake it off. "It's a gift. I guess. I didn't know you could dance, either."

"True."

They danced, everyone else in the room seemingly disappearing. Meredith looked into his eyes, seeing how happy he was. In truth, she was happy, too. When the song ended, Derek and Meredith remained in the same spot, neither of them moving.

"So earlier-what did you need to speak to me about?"Meredith asked.

Derek cleared his throat, leading her off of the dance floor. "Nothing in particular. I just wanted the chance to talk to my girlfriend...there are a lot of people here."

"And you were thinking I wasn't gonna talk to you? Come on..let's go outside."She said, holdoing Derek's hand as they walked out of the building.

"Why are we out here?"Derek asked.

"Because."Meredith said, coughing. "A moment alone, maybe? Either way...why do I get the feeling that there's more to what you wanted to say?"

Derek considered what she was saying, knowing that he probably could have said more. "Okay. Well there was. Sort of."

"Okay."

He thought, trying to choose his words carefully. "I love you. You know that."

"And?"

"I saw the way you were looking at me...and the ceremony. And it made me think...it made me wonder. And I just..I thought about us. One day-down the road sometime...what we'd..what we'd say, and what we'd be like. This-This thing...this dating thing. It's going good, right?"

She nodded.

"Right. Okay so...we're good. I know that. You know that. We've...got a good thing going right now, you know. I guess what I meant to say-or what i'm trying to say is that someday...I'll ask you. Whatever you say, that's up to you. But I love you."Derek looked at her, surprised at what he said himself.

Feeling tears begin to sting her eyes, Meredith smiled. "So now you have plans?"

Derek closed his eyes, nodding.

"Okay. Good."She said, kissing him. In that moment, she didn't want it to end.

"Hey guys-"George said, poking his head out the door. "They're about to open gifts. Oh...I'm-I'm sorry."

Derek pulled back, turning towards George. "It's okay. We'll be right in."

George nodded, shutting the door.

"So..."Derek said, moving towards the door. "We should go in?"

Meredith nodded. "Yep."

Derek nodded, opening the door for her. "After you."