lxvi. walking her down the isle
5.22 + 5.23

Atlas felt proud. His younger brother had given up his wedding so Izzie could have a wedding with Alex.

"Atlas?" Alex asked as he moved towards Atlas who was dressed in a tux.

"Yeah? You okay? Oh gosh, I don't need to drive the getaway car right?" Atlas questioned rapidly.

Alex shook his head, "No, uh, Izzie won't ask you this. But I think maybe you should offer to walk her down the isle. I don't want her to fall either and —"

"I'd love too." Atlas said, cutting off Alex's rambling.

Atlas didn't know Izzie as well as he knew some of the other interns, but that wouldn't change the fact that he cared about her. When she was having her first surgery, Atlas and Bailey were the only two who had visited her then.

He cared, and if walking her down the isle was both something Alex and Izzie might want, then he was happy to do it.

"Really? Thank you!" Alex cheered lightly and left Atlas to walk towards the the back where Izzie and everyone else was.

Atlas took a deep breath before he walked into the room where Izzie, Christina and Meredith where in.

"Atlas? What are you doing here?" Izzie asked looking away from Christina and to Atlas.

"I'm here to walk you down the isle, if you would like of course." Atlas grinned.

Izzie smiled, it looked like she was about to cry. "Really? Thank you so much." Christina helped Izzie from her chair so she could hug Atlas.

A few minutes later, everyone was where they needed to be. Alex was at the front of the church with the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

"You ready?" Atlas asked once more as Izzie looped her arm with his. "Because I can drive the get away car."

"No, no. I'm ready. I got this." Izzie nodded and shuffled on her feet.

"Okay, let's do this." Atlas smiled and opened the door, Izzie standing beside him.

Music stared to play and the guests started to stand up.

Izzie held her flowers and she and Atlas walked down the isle slowly. Izzie stumbled but Atlas wrapped his arm around her and she leaned on him. Atlas walked Izzie up to where Alex was standing. He handed Izzie off to Alex with a fond smile.

Atlas sat done beside Bailey in the second row.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the wedding of Alexander Michael Karev and Isobel Catherine Stevens. This is a sacred rite, an ancient rite." The man officiating the wedding spoke. "As Isobel and Alex prepare to join their lives, It is important to understand that everyone present has played a part in shaping their lives. And will continue to play a vital role in their continuing future."

Atlas caught his younger brothers eye from where he was standing at the front by Alex. He gave his brother a nod.

"And thus, we are here not only to witness their vows to each other, but to bestow upon them our blessing." The man paused before he continued, "And now the couple will read their vows."

"Uh, we didn't write anything." Izzie looked to the man who was talking.

"No, wait." Alex spoke suddenly, "I have something I want to say... Today's the day my life begins. All my life, I've been just me — just a smart-mouth kid. Today I become a man. Today I become a husband. Today I become accountable to someone other than myself. Today I become accountable to you, to our future. To all the possibilities that our marriage has to offer. Together, no matter what happens, I'll be ready — for anything — for everything. To take on life, to take on love, to take on possibility and responsibility. Today, Izzie Stevens, our life together begins. And I, for one, can't wait."

"I love you." Izzie cried and moved forward and kissed Alex.

"Not yet." The man stopped them.

"Hurry up." Alex demanded quietly.

"By the power vested in me by God and the State of Washington, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

"Now?"

"Now."

╚═ ☆ ═╝

Atlas was someone you could go to even if you didn't know him. You could tell them all about your feelings even if Atlas was busy, because he would make time for you. There was so much Atlas would do for anyone — it's what made him so special.

George O'Malley was like Atlas in a way — a special way. George had a huge heart and wanted what was best for anyone and everyone. George would welcome anyone with open arms, always saying kind words: something like 'have a great day!' or some joke that would make the grinch laugh. George O'Malley was special, he wanted to change the world and make his family proud. He wanted to be someone that everyone could look up towards. He wanted to become a family man with a husband or wife, and three kids.

Most importantly, George O'Malley wanted to join the army and make some kind of difference being there.

"Hey doctor Lee-Sunny." George was formal like that, he often called Atlas by his last name in a way of showing respect.

"O'Malley, how can I help you? I have a surgery in a few, if you'd like to scrub in." Atlas pointed behind him towards the OR rooms where his patient was going to be wheeled in soon.

George nodded, "Sure, that would be great."

His last surgery, but no one knew yet.

"Sounds great, let's go." Atlas grinned. The older man loved having George around, he loved the kindness the younger man showed.

Both Atlas and George successfully preformed a cardio surgery, Atlas even let George do some of the procedure by himself.

They hadn't talked about George then, they hadn't really talked at all — besides the teaching.

"I enrolled in the army." George spoke suddenly as him and Atlas were scrubbing out. He was sweating, he didn't know why he was so nervous to tell Atlas.

Atlas stopped scrubbing to look at the resident. "You joined the army?"

George nodded slightly, his gaze staying at his hands. "Yeah, I did. And I figured telling you first would be best."

Atlas smiled, George was too good for the world. "Are you happy? Is this gonna make you happy?"

"I want to make a difference, I want to help. Doing that makes me happy."

"Then I'm happy for you. I support your choice." Atlas watched as George looked up with teary eyes.

"Thank you." George croaked out. "You've been a great teacher. And uh, I look up to you." He admitted.

"You have been a great learner. I'm very glad I got to teach you, O'Malley." Atlas opened his arms so George could hug him.

George did. "Thank you."