Ceremony

Ivy stands in the bridal dressing room, smoothing down her dress as April, Meredith, and Cristina move around her. Fixing the dress and her hair and makeup and making sure she's okay. She smiles at herself in the mirror.

"I can't believe I'm about to get married! I'm so happy," Ivy gives them all a teary smile.

"Hey, we all knew this would happen. I mean, we made bets on when you and Pretty Boy would get together. I'm still mad I lost," Cristina complains.

"You bet on Jackson and I?" Ivy turns to them.

The bridesmaids all share looks, "Um, no? Maybe."

April laughs, "Yes we did, and I won!"

Ivys jaw drops, "You betted on my relationship? Even you, April?"

Said girl nod, "Yeah, sorry. Oh, well, let's get some finishing touches done and you married."

"Fine, I'll ignore the bet. I just need to relax and hope nothing goes wrong," Ivy takes a breath.

"Everything will be fine! I mean, Derek is here to walk you down the aisle, Jacksons head over heels in love with you, and your family is here. Where is your mom and sisters?" Meredith asks.

At that moment, the Shepherd women walk into the dressing room with Catherine following behind them, "Oh, Ivy, my dear! You look absolutely amazing. Oh, my son will just faint when he sees you."

Kathleen tilts her head to the side, "Ives, didn't you want a sleeveless dress? We always talked about how a sleeveless dress is classic and it will help with the baby fat."

Ivy sinks into herself, "Um, I used to but with the burn on my arm, a sleeveless dress just...it's right for me."

Nancy shrugs, "I guess, but Kathleen's right. The waist of your dress is a little tight and maybe the lace on the arms reveals the burns a little to much if you're trying to hide it."

"Oh, um, I-I-I guess you're right," Ivy looks down at the dress, feeling self conscious.

"No, none of that is true! Ivy is a beautiful woman with nothing wrong with her. The fact that you all, her own family, are bringing her down on her wedding day! It's disgusting!" Catherine shouts at them.

"Who are you to tell me how to talk to my daughter? You have no right to come in here and control how we speak to our family!" Carolyn yells right back.

Ivy calls out, "Okay, enough! Catherine, thank you for sticking up for but you don't need to. Can you and the girls give me a moment with my mother and sisters?"

They nod before leaving Ivy alone with her family, "What is wrong with you three? The only people in this family who have shown me none stop support since I was born are Amy and Derek! Mom, I shouldn't even call you that because you left Derek, a 12 year old, to raise me because you gave up on me. Kathleen and Nancy, stop with the little degrading comments! I realize I still have some baby fat but I just gave birth to twins a month ago. Liz, you have to choose a side and stick with it. Not jump back and forth when it suits you. You all have treated me like crap my entire life! I get it, I was unplanned and probably unwanted. But you didn't need to make me feel like it or try and ruin my wedding day! Do you know how hard I worked to be seen as something other than Derek's shadow in this family! I-I-I-I became a double board certified surgeon, a-a mother, I'm literally about to become a wife, I'm a hospital owner. I've been shot, in a coma, in a plane crash, and saw my best friend get shot but did any of you check on me? No! Only after you heard Derek may lose his hand did you care if I was okay. If this is how you're going to be all day, then I don't want you here. So choose. Either treat me like a person, like you want me as a family member. Or leave. And never contact me again cause I am done feeling like crap whenever I talk to you."

As Ivy fights to control the tears, Amelia smiles at her sister. They have always talked about some day cutting off their family for how they've treated them. She always thought that she would lose it on them before Ivy, but she is so glad that Ivy is speaking up for herself.

Carolyn sighs before picking up her purse and leaving. Nancy, Kathleen, and Liz following after her. As soon as the door closes, Ivy falls to the ground, crying. Amelia quickly moves to comfort her as Ivys bridesmaids come back and hug her as well.

"I-I-I-I ca-can't believ-believe that they actually lef-left!" Ivy cries.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. We've got you, you're okay. Do you want me to get Jackson?" April asks, bringing Ivys head to her chest.

Ivy shakes her head, "No, I'm in my wedding dress and it's bad luck for him to see me. Let's fix me and then get me married and tonight I will cry to Jackson about this."

They get up, wiping Ivys face and redoing her makeup.

○○○○*Meanwhile: Catherine's POV*

I walk towards Jacksons changing room, grumbling about the Shepherd family. How Ivy turned out as great as she did is a testament to how good Derek is at raising kids. I knock on the door before being let in by Jackson.

"Hey, mom. What's going on? You look angry," he hugs me.

"That family is horrendous! Seriously, you are getting the good one out of that batch. Where do those women get off at shaming Ivy like that? Ivy is basically perfect and they are finding everything they think is wrong with her," I start ranting, pacing in front of him and Karev.

"Mom, mom, mom. Slow down, what are you talking about?" Jackson questions me.

I sigh, "That woman and her eldest daughters have not found a single compliment to give to Ivy without adding an insult. I could physically see Ivy shrink into herself and doubt herself. So I called them out and Ivy asked for a moment alone with her family."

Jackson nods, "Okay, I'm going to go check on her. See what's going on."

○○○○*Jackson's POV*

I knock on the door to Ivys changing room. April opens the door before closing it so the only thing shown is April's face, "Jackson, what are you doing here? You can't see her."

"I just wanna talk to her. As privately as I can so can she come to the door?" I ask.

"Fine. But if you see her, I will hunt you down and hurt you," she threatens.

"Okay, I get it."

She shuts the door then I hear Ivys voice through the door, "Jackson?"

I lean back against the door, "Hey, love. My mom told me a little about what happened with your family. How are you doing? What's going on?"

It took a couple of seconds before she explains, "I told them to either be supportive of my and treat me like family or leave. And they left. I'll-I'll cry about it later but right now, you need to go wait at the alter so we can get married."

I laugh, "Alright. I'm here for you, I love you and I'll see you at the alter."

"I'll be the one in the white."

"I'll be the one that passes out at the sight of you."

○○○○*Original POV*

Ivy takes a breath, standing in front of the doors. Derek walks up to her, smiling, "You look beautiful, my baby sister."

She laughs, "Thank you. D-did you talk to mom or any of our sisters besides Amy?"

He nods, "Yeah, I heard. Are you okay?"

"Theres not much difference for me. Remember, you're the favorite child. I'm just excited to be Ivy Shepherd-Avery," Ivy giggles.

"Well, there's the music. Are you ready?"

Cristina and Meredith turn to Ivy, "Okay, last chance. Do you need to make a run for it? We can be the get away drivers."

Ivy shakes her head, "No, this is what I'm sure of. Go, it's your cue."

Cristina enters first, then Meredith, and then April. Derek and Ivy hug before he starts escorting her down the aisle. Ivy keeps her eyes on her feet, making sure to not trip before looking up and spotting Jackson. She sees tears in his eyes as he watches her walk towards him. Ivy feels a teary smile make its way to her face.

Ivy and Derek arrive at the alter as Webber stands there to officiate their wedding, "Who gives this woman to this man?"

"I do," Derek smiles, kissing Ivys cheek before going to sit down.

Webber smiles at them, "Welcome. Ivy and Jackson have had the romance that we all wish we could. From coworkers, to best friends, to lovers. Now we see them grow together as parents and now as bride and groom. Their love is something that we have seen flourish in that last few years, facing challenges that no one should have to face. And they've survived. Because they had each other. Now, Jackson and Ivy have chosen to say their own vows. Jackson?"

Jackson takes a breath, "Ivy, we may not have started out as two people in love but as friends. I think that is what makes us so strong together. You... you are so amazing and I know that I'm lucky to have you. You are smart, beautiful, trustworthy, understanding and so many other things that I can't even begin to describe. I love you with my entire being. I will spend the rest of my life making sure you're happy."

Ivy smiles at him, gently wiping under her eyes, "Ivy?" Webber nods.

"Jackson, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I never expected to find love and happiness of this kind at work but I'm so glad I did. You complete me in ways that I-I didn't know I needed. You've proven to me countless times that you'll do anything for your family. I love you and I promise to spend the rest of my life making you as happy as you make me," Ivy tells him, squeezing his hands.

He squeezes back, winking at her causing her to let out a little giggle. Webber smiles at them, "Okay, take these rings. Do you, Jackson Avery, take Ivy Shepherd to be your lawfully wedded wife. To love and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

Jackson nods, "I do."

Webber turns to Ivy, "Do you, Ivy Shepherd, take Jackson Avery to be your lawfully wedded husband. To love and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do," Ivy nods.

They slip the rings on each others fingers as Webber clears his throat, "I now pronounce him husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!"

Jackson whispers to Ivy, "Finally," before he wraps his arms around his waist and kisses her. She wraps hers around his neck.

Everyone cheers as the now husband and wife turn to the audience, Webber announcing, "I present to you, Dr. Jackson Avery and Dr. Ivy Shepherd-Avery!"

○○○○

AN: it's finally happened!! They're married!

I felt bad for Ivy when her family just left her, but of course Derek and Amelia would never abandon Ivy.

QoC: what is one thing you can't wait for them as a married couple?

Thank you for all the reads and votes and comments!!