Fanfiction - One Big Happy Family finale part Two of Two

[angelamermaid.livejournal.com]

Title: One Big Happy Family
Chapter: 10/10 part 2/2
Author: angelamermaid
Pairing: Cristina/Owen, Meredith/Derek, a bit of Callie/Arizona
Rating: Teen
Summary: What happens when the Shepherd and Hunt families become united by marriage?
Disclaimer: These characters are property of Shonda Rhimes/ABC and Grey's Anatomy. They do not belong to me. Reimbursement is not received for fictitious works.

This chapter ended up being too long for LiveJournal so I'm going to post it in two parts. The previous chapters can be read here.

Part one here


Chloe flags down a waiter with a tray and snags a glass of wine.

"Look at you!" Arizona slides up alongside her, followed by Callie. "You've barely sat down!"

"Everyone keeps asking me to dance!" Chloe takes a sip. "I'm definitely keeping this haircut."

Laughing, Callie embraces her. "They're looking beyond the hair, at a beautiful young woman. You're glowing tonight."

"Two of them are residents that are trying to get me to put in a good word with my parents so they can observe one of their surgeries or even scrub in," Chloe snorts. "They see me as a golden ticket to surgery."

"Not all of them." Maternally, Callie adjusts the straps of Chloe's gown. "I'd say 99% see a beautiful young woman, just like I do."

Bashfully, Chloe starts to duck her head. Arizona grabs the young woman's chin and forces eye contact.

"This is your time to shine," Arizona tells her. "Stop looking for things to be negative about and enjoy yourself."

Chloe lowers her eyes shyly, as her dimples appear.

"Hey moms." Rodrigo steps in front of them, a teenager with Mark Sloan's smile. "Hello, Chloe. Long time no see."

"Hi," she smiles politely.

Callie watches her son check out Chloe and shakes her head. "Rodrigo, where's your girlfriend?"

"Dancing with Dad," he replies absently, his eyes on Chloe's curves. "So I thought I'd dance with the prettiest girl here. Chloe?"

Amused, she puts her glass down and allows Rodrigo to lead her to the dance floor.

"Just like his dad," Callie chuckles.

"He looks like he's about to grab her ass," Arizona sighs. "Just like his dad."

oOoOo

"Am I drunk?" Cristina asks Mallory, as the cake is brought out. "I see gorillas."

"It's amazing," Diego breathes. "You can't cut into it."

Mallory sighs. "There was a mix-up, this is the cake we're going with."

"I'm serious, it's too awesome to eat," her brother protests.

"I'll give the name of the bakery to Mom and Dad," Mallory says. "So you can order something like this for your birthday, and you'll probably get a beautiful and fancy wedding cake instead."

Diego looks mournfully at the cake. "Can I have a piece with the warthog then?"

oOoOo

While looking for a table, Lexie almost runs into Mark. She smiles awkwardly at him. "Great party, huh?"

"Yes," he smiles back.

"So, um ..." Lexie takes in the sight of him, speechless at how handsome Mark looks in his tuxedo.

"Dr Sloan!" Three nurses descend on Mark, diverting his attention. He smiles apologetically at Lexie as they drag him away.

"Damn it," she mutters.

OooOo

"Hello JoJo." Jason slides up to her as she leaves the main tent. "I haven't seen you dancing much tonight."

"I don't feel like it," she smiles and shrugs.

"Remember that trip to Cancun on Spring Break?" He looks her over, head to toe. "We had some good times on and off the dance floor."

"We did," JoJo acknowledges, flashing back to a week of drinking and sex.

He signals a waiter. "Why don't you and me grab a couple of drinks and … 'catch up'?"

She pauses, before shaking her head. "I'm not drinking tonight."

"What?" He snags two glasses from the waiter's tray. "Come on."

"No thanks." JoJo abruptly turns and walks away, ignoring Jason as he calls after her. She keeps walking, stopping only when she spots her grandmother.

"I can not get over how beautiful you are," Carolyn says, taking JoJo's hands. "And your speech was darling. I sort of thought Mallory was pregnant too."

JoJo smiles a little. "Thanks."

oOoOo

Chloe puts down her plate and wipes her mouth. "Great cake, Mal. With a very unusual theme."

"Ha ha." The bride smirks and points to the dance floor. "Who is that dancing with Diego? With the hair?"

"That is Jazz Avery and she's 14 and thinks everyone else here is 'old'."

"Oh my."

They both look up as Ned and Kyle approach.

"Hey Chloe," Ned smiles, as Kyle steps close.

"Wanna dance?" Kyle grins.

"I was here first," Ned protests. The men begin to argue as Chloe steps back, confused.

"I believe it's my turn," Owen says, neatly stepping in and taking her arm. "I haven't had a chance to dance with Chloe all night."

Mallory smiles, watching Owen lead Chloe to the dance floor. "You two will always lose out to Dad," she informs the disappointed men.

"I know you were handling the situation," Owen grins. "I just wanted a dance with my daughter."

Chloe smiles ruefully. "I didn't know what to do, honestly. Two guys arguing over who dances with me?"

"You'd better learn." Owen squeezes her. "I was the first man to call you beautiful, and I won't be the last."

oOoOo

JoJo slides up to Lexie and hands her another Shirley Temple. "Mom said I'm supposed to stop you from watching Mark dance."

"I don't care who he dances with," Lexie says, pointedly looking away as Mark twirls Annick on the dance floor.

"She has a boyfriend, who is dancing with Chloe at the moment." JoJo sips from her glass. "Hey, have you kissed a woman?"

"What?" Lexie shakes her head. "When I said I thought with my vagina, I wasn't thinking of another …"

"Sofia flirted with me and I liked it but I blew it," the younger woman confides. "I'm thinking of switching teams."

Lexie stares at her. "Are you serious? Women are much more complicated than men."

JoJo laughs. "Good point."

"It sounds like you’ve been dating the wrong guys."

"And now maybe I’ll date the wrong girls," JoJo teases. "I could use a change."

Diego approaches them, Jazz following him. "Hey, Mallory is about to throw the bouquet. She sent me to find you."

JoJo makes a face. "Do I have to be there?"

"Yes. Bridezilla’s orders."

"Let’s go," Lexie chuckles. They make their way over to the dance floor, where the single women are congregating. JoJo stands beside Lexie, shrinking and making herself small. She glances at Chloe, who is laughing with Annick, and hopes the bouquet goes her way.

Mallory takes the mike from Jason. "Good, everybody is here. Okay ladies. Flex your arms, warm up your muscles, and try not to get knocked over by any of your opponents. Yes, the party is full of surgeons, but they’ve all had a drink or two and you don’t want them to stitch you up."

As the audience erupts with laughter and cheers, Mallory hands the microphone back. Playfully, she turns her back to the crowd and yells, "Are you ready?"

The women shout and holler, as the emcee counts down. Grinning, Mallory flings the bouquet over her shoulder.

Seeing the bouquet flying in her direction, JoJo steps back. Sofia’s arm shoots out and snags it. Laughing, she holds up the flowers and steps forward.

"Yay!" Grinning, Mallory rushes over and hugs her. "Use it wisely."

"I'll try," Sofia winks.

"Well done." Rob grins at Sofia, before taking Mallory's hand. "My turn. Try to behave yourself, Hurricane."

"Never." She grins as a waiter places a chair in the middle of the dance floor. Coyly, she sits on it, Rob crouching in front of her. Her eyes sparkle as she slowly lifts the hem of her dress, stretching her right leg out.

Rob smiles patiently, as many men and a few women roar their appreciation. Laughing, Owen stands on the sidelines, while Cristina proudly cheers. Ever so slowly, Mallory exposes her leg, until she reveals the blue satin garter on her thigh.

Fixing her with a sultry look, Rob slides his fingers up her leg. His hand lightly caresses her thigh, promising much more later. With one deft move, he grabs the garter and slides it off, to much applause. Then he kisses Mallory before helping her to stand. Smirking, she lifts the garter to her lips and bestows a kiss on it, before sauntering off the dance floor.

Chuckling, Rob goes and stands beside the emcee, while the single men gather. Eyes sparkling, Mallory grabs Mark’s arm and insists he join them. Similarly, Meredith and Cristina push Alex to join the men.

"Hey Dad." Rodrigo steps up beside Mark. "You should make sure the garter comes with a pre-nup."

"Ha ha." Mark straightens his tie. "If it comes anywhere near us, I’m ducking." He looks at some of the familiar faces joining him – Alex, Jonah, and a very self-conscious Diego – and sighs. "This is a young man’s game."

"You’re not old," his son assures him.

"Is it wrong that I don't want my son to catch the garter?" Lexie whispers to Meredith, watching Jonah wave at his girlfriend.

"Ready?" Rob closes his eyes and holds the garter out as a slingshot. Grinning, he lets go and it flies out of his hands, crossing the room and hitting Alex in the face. He catches it and then raises it above his head, putting on a show of being a good sport. Almost against his will, his eyes go to JoJo, who is smiling and applauding his prize.

"Let's get some fresh air," Owen whispers to Cristina, before guiding her behind one of the tents. Grinning, he pulls her close before kissing her.

"Mmmmm." Cristina smiles blissfully. "What was that for?"

"I've got to keep the spark alive, we haven't finished the first forty years yet." Owen kisses her again. "And I keep thinking about that Jacuzzi in our suite that we'll enjoy later …"

"Indeed we will ..."

The moment is spoiled by Callie and Arizona, coming around the corner, laughing and grabbing each other.

"Oh we don't need to see that," Cristina says loudly, grabbing Owen's hand.

"Sorry," Callie laughs.

oOoOo

"No, we're not going away on a honeymoon," Mallory patiently explains, not for the first time that night. "We'll be moving to Los Angeles soon, so we just want to spend as much time with our families until then. I mean, after the wedding night." She winks.

"I understand," Bailey smiles. "You two are a cute couple, I wish you the best."

"Aw thanks." Mallory spontaneously hugs Bailey. "Thank you for delivering me."

Then she waves at Jonah as he walks by. "Hey you!"

"Hey!" He walks over, his girlfriend trailing behind. "How're you doing?"

"I'm good." She reaches out and squeezes his arm, before turning to the French girl. "How are you enjoying the party, Jeanne-Marie?"

"It is very nice." She smirks. "We certainly don't have cakes like that at French weddings."

Mallory forces a smile. "It-was-a-mistake."

oOoOo

JoJo sees Alex sitting by himself at a table, nursing a bottle of beer. The garter lies on the table in front of him. She quietly approaches him. "May I join you?"

He shrugs and pulls out a chair for her. "If you want."

"I would like that." She sits down and smooths her dress. "You look lonely."

"You don't have to keep me company."

She smiles slightly. "I want you to keep me company, to be honest."

Alex puts down his beer. "Why?"

"Well … you are still my friend, right?" She glances at him. "I haven't screwed that up too?"

"We're good." He checks her for signs of distress or drunkenness. "Where have you been?"

She smirks. "I escorted my grandmother to her room, and we had a cup of tea before she kicked me out."

"Tea with your granny?"

JoJo pokes him. "My grandmother is cool." Then she shrugs. "I meant it when I said I didn’t want to bring any drama to the wedding. So I’m not getting drunk and stupid tonight. I'm sitting with you because I know you won't pressure me to have a few drinks and join everyone else on the dance floor."

Surprised, Alex regards JoJo for a few moments, before nodding.

oOoOo

Lexie nods to April, as she exits the dance floor. "Hi April!"

"Hi!" April smooths her dress. "How are you?"

"I'm enjoying myself."

"Me too, this is a great party."

"Yes, you looked like you were having fun." Lexie sips some water.

April does a double-take. "Are you mad that I was dancing with Mark?"

Lexie shakes her head.

"I did it because he asked my daughter to dance," April confides. "Jessica is only 14!"

"April!" Meredith smiles as she joins them. "I'm so glad you could make it!"

"Me too. Jackson sends his regrets."

Meredith tilts her head. "Where is he, by the way? How dare he miss my son's wedding?"

April's face softens. "He's in China, filling in for a sick colleague. He's repairing cleft palates pro bono so that orphans can be adopted. Keeping the Avery name relevant."

"That's no excuse," Meredith jokes. "Today is a momentous occasion. The Grey and Shepherd and Yang and Hunt dynasties collided. I am going to have very brilliant and beautiful grandchildren."

oOoOo

Rob works his way around the room, greeting friends and family, happily accepting congratulations. During a break, he spots a drunken guest complaining to a bartender, who looks trapped in a bad conversation.

Turning, Rob looks around the area until he spots Mallory speaking with Annick and Bernard. Quickly, he rushes over and grabs his bride, kissing her quite fervently. The other couple quickly depart, amused.

"Wow," Mallory gasps, when they break apart for air. "What was that for?"

"I'm not a bartender," Rob says. "Thank you."

"I know you're not a bartender," she replies, puzzled. "Not any more."

"Because of you!" Rob kisses her again. "I – I just got reminded, all over again, how you turned my life upside down and things changed for the better. Because you know what, being a bartender is not always fun and I would've been miserable if that's all I ever did with my life. Now I'm going to be a doctor. Thank you."

"You're welcome!" Mallory's brown eyes sparkle. "Remember this feeling when we can finally leave the reception and go to our suite."

"And you get to have sex 'for the first time'," he teases. "Loud sex."

"Loud, first time as a married woman sex," Mallory sighs happily, before kissing him. "Okay, here come all of your Shepherd aunts."

"Robbie! Mallory!" The women converge, brandishing cameras and hugs. "We want pictures with you!"

oOoOo

Off to the side, Alex and JoJo quietly converse while watching the action.

"Nice speech by the way," he says, making her chuckle.

"Thanks." JoJo looks at him, noting the abundance of grey in his close-cropped hair, the weariness in his eyes. "Are you happy?"

"What?" Alex frowns. "Why are you asking?"

"You seem distracted."

"I’m okay. You need more water or anything?" He signals a waiter.

"I'm drinking Shirley Temples tonight." JoJo tilts her head. "How come you’re here alone? At the wedding?"

"I do better by myself," he snorts, before turning to the waiter. "Can you bring over a Shirley Temple and an Arnold Palmer over for the lady and myself?"

JoJo raises her eyebrows. "What's an Arnold Palmer?"

"Non-alcoholic drink. I'm going to not drink booze with you."

"You don't have to." She pauses. "Do you … want me to leave? You said you do better by yourself ..."

Alex pauses. "It's okay. You’re good company. And I didn’t bring a date to the wedding because I didn’t feel like it."

"How so?"

He rubs his head. "Why start a relationship just so I ask someone to an out of state wedding? Besides, I attract crazy women. They always want more of me than I can give. Except my wife. She didn’t want what I was offering."

JoJo nods. "I forgot that you were married once. My parents told me how they gave you their wedding. Your wife was really sick."

"Uh huh." Alex pauses while the waiter brings them their drinks. "Izzie was a fellow resident. I started with her and your mom and Cristina. And George."

"I’ve heard of George," she says. "Mom and Owen have talked about him, they really liked him."

"Good guy. Died a hero."

She leans forward. "Tell me about Izzie."

"I don’t want to bring my drama today either," he says. "Just – don’t ever marry someone because you think they’re dying."

"Okay ..."

"Yeah." Alex takes another drink. "Long story short - I don’t need a woman who runs at the first sign of trouble."

"Who does?" JoJo pauses. "Didn’t … she die?"

He nods. "The cancer returned. She died not long after Mallory was born. I remember that, I flew in for the funeral and that’s when I met Mallory, she was in the NICU. Cristina made me examine her and go over her treatment plan to make sure she was getting the best care."

"Aw. And now you’re at her wedding. And you caught her garter."

Alex smirks. "You know, the first time we met, you peed on me."

She laughs. "No way."

"Yeah, you were just a baby." He looks at her. Relaxed and lit by the candle on the table, JoJo has never looked more beautiful to him. "I know you’re not feeling so great about yourself but you’re not a horrible person. You've made mistakes. What you are is young and not that worldly."

"Worldly?" JoJo looks confused. "I travel."

"What I mean is that you’re a bit spoiled," he tells her. "Your grandmother was kind of a bitch, so your mom … maybe sheltered you more than she meant to. It’s tough, becoming an adult and discovering that the real world is hard and cold. And people can be cruel and stupid. Not everything gets handed to you on a silver platter."

"That is so true." She sighs. "I thought college would be easy. I thought I could party all the time and not have to study that much. Look at the surgeons in my family. I’m supposed to be good at medicine by birthright."

oOoOo

"There you are." Cristina approaches Owen as he walks back to the tents. "Where were you?"

"Walking my mom to her room." He kisses her. "Did you miss me?"

"I've spent like an hour listening to residents tell me how awesome I am and how much they want to scrub in with me. I need a break."

"Let's enjoy the night air." He takes her hand as they begin to stroll. "I'm so grateful that one of our parents could be here, to see Mallory get married."

"Your mom didn't get too tired, did she?"

"Nope, she just wanted to go to bed." They pause and watch the dancing from afar.

"I'm really proud of Mallory," Owen muses. "She's grown up so much in the last couple of years."

"Yet she is still our Hurricane." They smile, watching Mallory flitter around, charming guests. "And she got clear weather for her reception, just like she wanted. I tell you, she has magical weather powers."

Owen's eyes go to the dance floor, where their older daughter is laughing at something her partner has said.

"And now we need to find someone deserving of Chloe," he says.

Cristina scoffs. "This is the 21st century, there'll be nothing wrong with her if she never gets married."

"True." Owen squeezes Cristina's hand. "But her life will be richer if she does. I want all of our children to have big lives."

She smirks before pulling him in for a kiss, her hand lingering on his neck. "I don't think anyone would miss us if we were to slip away and enrich each other ..."

"There you are!" They both turn to see April storming towards them, with Jazz and Diego following her. Diego is blushing while Jazz scowls.

"Your son!" April gasps. "I found your son making out with Jessica off by the pool!"

"Wow!" Cristina says. "Jessica, you're so grown up now!"

"My name is Jazz now," the girl mutters.

Owen coughs and covers his smile with a hand. "Diego?"

His son rolls his eyes. "We were just kissing."

"That’s all we were going to do," Jazz adds. "Jeez, Mom."

"We’ll take care of this," Cristina tells April, as she firmly takes Diego by the hand. Quickly, she leads him and Owen away and down a corridor, out of earshot. Only then does she begin to laugh.

"You’re not mad?" Diego smiles in relief.

"I'm glad to know that you were just kissing," Owen chuckles, clapping him on the shoulder. "Okay, maybe you’re moving a little fast but-"

"But lots of people are making out," his son finishes. "Like you two."

Cristina cackles and pokes her husband in the ribs. "Go on, lecture him about kissing a girl he just met. I want to hear that."

Owen grins widely. "Yeah, he’s definitely a Hunt."

oOoOo

From a distance, Derek sees JoJo and Alex sitting together and he stops in his tracks. He observes that for the first time in months, JoJo looks happy and relaxed, free from whatever has been haunting her. His eyes go to Alex, who looks years younger. Alex is sitting close to his daughter, very close...

Stunned, Derek continues to watch. Something about this scene seems so natural … but the father inside of him feels that something is very wrong.

Alex swallows the remains of his drink. "Kinesiology is a form of medicine, when you think about it."

"Yeah." JoJo smiles. "I think Owen is right, I’d do well working one-on-one with people, hands on. I like it at work when I help women learn that they can work out, that it isn’t so hard to learn new things and see some progress in a short amount of time. And most of the time, I can remember that I’m capable and I have a brain. Until I remember Professor Jerkface."

"I’m sorry I told you about Professor Jerkface," he tells her. "I wouldn’t have, if I had known. But if I’d known you were seeing him, I would’ve been harassing you to break it off. I might’ve gone so far as to tell your parents."

"I know." She shrugs. "That’s why I didn’t tell anyone, not even Chloe. Especially Chloe. She would have lectured me and I knew it."

He leans forward. "What is going on between you two?"

"I was a terrible friend," she tells him, candidly. "I thought she'd be my best friend for life … I took that for granted. And now I’m working on being a better friend, as much as she’ll let me. Mallory keeps telling me to be patient."

"Now you and the Hurricane, becoming friends …" Alex chuckles. "Didn’t see that one coming."

JoJo grins. "Neither did I. But I’m glad we are. I’ve really gotten to know her, and I like her, very much."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Alex smiles at her. "You're going to be okay, you know that? After everything you've been through lately … you're making some good choices tonight. You're turning into a smart woman."
She regards him, curiously. "Thanks."

"Hello!" They both look up to see Derek walking towards them. He pulls up a chair. "Alex, we really haven't had a chance to catch up."

Alex nods, immediately reading Derek's body language and his underlying paternal motives. "No time like the present."

"You really freaked Mallory out, performing surgery until the last minute," JoJo lightly chastises Derek. "There would've been a category five hurricane if you hadn't shown up."

"Alls well that ends well," Derek grins. "Now Alex, tell me about Miami."

As Alex starts talking, JoJo sits back and watches. She looks again at Alex, and reflects that if she were to date a silver fox, he'd … she shakes her head. She would always be Meredith’s daughter to him, and off-limits.

oOoOo

As the party starts to wind down, Cristina and Meredith clink glasses. "To the happy couple!" They each down a shot and grimace at the hot burning liquid.

"I'm starting to think we're getting too old for this," Meredith confesses.

"Maybe you are, but I'm not." Cristina sways a little.

"Hey Mom." JoJo walks over. "How's it going?"

"Good." Meredith pulls her in for a quick hug.

Cristina frowns. "JoJo, I've barely seen you all night. Normally you own the dance floor."

The young woman shrugs. "I was talking with Alex and then Dad. And now I'm going to the ladies room. Excuse me." She walks away.

Cristina turns and watches JoJo. "She's sober. What’s going on?"

"She had a bad day yesterday," Meredith carefully acknowledges. "She wanted today to be drama-free so I expect that's why she stayed off the dance floor. And the booze."

"You know!" Cristina quickly deduces. "You know what Mallory and Chloe know! What do you know?"

Meredith shakes her head. "What I know has nothing to do with your daughters."

"Swear to me that you don’t know something about my girls that I don’t know and should know."

Meredith takes Cristina’s hands. "I swear to you that it’s JoJo’s secret and her secret only. She promised to keep her drama from affecting Rob and Mallory’s day and she has. Back off, Mama Bear."

"Okay." Cristina nods.

"She kissed Alex," Meredith blurts out. "JoJo was looking to distract herself last night and she came on to Alex and he stopped her."

"Alex?" Cristina tilts her head. "Well, she could do worse."

"Cristina! It’s Alex. He has a terrible track record with women."

"But he stopped JoJo." Cristina points out.

oOoOo

As JoJo washes her hands, Chloe joins her at the sinks. "Hey."

"Hey." Chloe smiles at JoJo. "How are you?"

"I'm good, how about you?"

"My shoes are killing me," Chloe groans. "I did not expect to be on my feet all night."

JoJo glances at her. "Want me to massage your feet?" She shyly offers.

"Yes!" Chloe wipes her hands. "Let's go."

They find a table outside and sit down. Without hesitation, Chloe kicks off her shoes and lifts a foot. "I have missed your massages,"

JoJo smiles softly as she begins to rub Chloe’s foot. "You looked like you were having a good time tonight. I hope you were."

"Yeah." Chloe smiles. "I had a lot of fun." She glances at the other woman. "How about you? I barely saw you all night."

"I was around," JoJo replies. "Chatting with people - I had tea with my grandmother, and Shirley Temples with Alex ."

Chloe looks up. "Oh?"

"Yeah. He's a really nice guy." JoJo smiles, massaging the special spots she knows Chloe likes.

Chloe chuckles. "Mama Bear might be more open than Papa Bear, but she said Alex is #2 on the list of Men I’m Not Allowed To Date."

"Who is #1? Mark?"

"Yes!" The two women smile at each other.

JoJo looks at Chloe. "Enough about me. Meet anyone special on the dance floor?"

"There are a lot of nice guys here," Chloe grins. "Did a bolt of lightning come down from the sky and hit someone in particular? No. But I had fun."

Chloe pauses. "You know … when you did my make-up for New Year's Eve?"

JoJo looks up. "Are we going to talk about Mickey?"

"No." Now it's Chloe's turn to be shy. "Could you show me how to do my eyes like that?"

"Of course."

They both look up as Jonah collapses in the chair next to JoJo.

"Where’s your girlfriend?" JoJo smirks at her cousin.

"Dancing with Mark Sloan," he sighs. "She's been dancing with a lot of guys who aren't me."

"Aw. Dump her, you can do better." She squeezes Jonah’s shoulder.

"Hey." Diego and Jazz join them, sitting next to Chloe. "Look at you, Miss Popular."

"I am not," Chloe insists.

"You’re sitting?" Mallory appears in front of them, hands on hips. "What is wrong with all of you?"

"It’s almost 2 am," Jonah groans.

"It is?" She smiles and pulls up a chair. "Did you have fun?"

"Yes," they assure her.

The music slows down as Rob ambles up, smiling. He places his hands on Mallory’s shoulders. "It’s getting late, hon. It's the last dance before the band calls it a night."

"Let’s go!" She jumps up and follows him. Smiling, Diego leads Jazz to join them.

"Come on, Jonah." Chloe stands up and puts her shoes back on. "Let’s go show Jeanne-Marie what she’s missing." Chuckling, he follows her to the dance floor.

JoJo sighs and sits back.

"JoJo?" She looks up to see Alex standing beside her, hand extended. "Join me?"

"I’d love to." She smiles, taking his hand.

Sighing, Lexie grabs her purse and starts walking towards the hotel, fleeing the sight of happy couples. As she turns, she steps on Mark Sloan's feet.

"I'm sorry," Lexie grimaces.

"It's okay." Mark extends a hand to her. "May I have this dance?"

"Oh, did you run out of pretty young girls?" Lexie snaps. "I know what you've been doing all night."

He smiles gently at her, hand still extended. "Lexie … I saved the best for last."

oOoOo

"Now what is the emergency?" Owen asks as Cristina leads him into the hotel.

"We're going to our suite and jumping into that hot tub, before someone else interrupts us," she smirks, heading straight for the elevators.

"Good plan."

oOoOo

On the dance floor, Meredith frowns while in Derek’s arms. "Why is Lexie dancing with Mark?"

"Why is JoJo dancing with Alex?" Derek replies. "I don’t like how close they are."

"And I thought Owen was Papa Bear."

oOoOo

After a long series of goodbyes, the newlyweds finally leave the reception. Holding hands, Rob and Mallory exit the elevator and stroll down the hallway to their honeymoon suite. Smiling, he digs out the key card, opens the door and sticks his foot in. Then he bends over and puts his arms around her, picking her up.

"My big strong husband," she giggles, throwing her arms around his neck.

"My teeny tiny bride," he chuckles, straightening up before he carries her over the threshold of the door. Purposefully, he strides over to the bed and gently places her on it. His hands caress her face. "My beautiful bride."

She pulls him down and kisses him. Without breaking contact, he manages to lie down on top of her without crushing her.

Mallory looks up at him and grins. "Is now a bad time to tell you that you can't divorce me? I won't let you."

"Bossy." He kisses her. "I got news for you. We're going to disagree and we're going to have fights, but I will never leave you. You won't be able to get rid of me."

"Good." She giggles. "Hey Robbie, I have a secret."

"What's that?"

"I've had a crush on you since I was twelve years old." Laughing, she kisses him again.

"I have a secret too," Rob whispers.

"Oh, what?"

He kisses her. "We're going to live happily ever after."

"Then let's get started."

Author's note: thank you so much for sticking with this story and my writing. The show has sometimes made it difficult to want to write, but now I'm determined to share all of the Parentverse stories I have in me. Special thanks to lovemesomeowen for the encouragement and bad ass beta reading.