Title: She's Wearing White 3/5
Author: Jaclyn Parker (Jacsie)
Email: jaclynparker...
Rating: M
Summary: Recollections on a very important day for our duo.
Spoilers: Weeping Willows, Grave Danger
Disclaimer: Not mine, never gonna be mine...and if they were...OOOOOH BOY!
She's Wearing White 3/5
By Jaclyn Parker
Gil found himself trying to create saliva in his mouth, for it had gone completely dry at the sight of his bride. As she floated down the aisle towards his, she reminded him of an angel or a goddess from long ago. Her dress was slim cut out of a light weight chiffon material. It was a halter top, with an empire waistline made up of a delicate red silk ribbon that wound around and met just above the small of the back with a beautiful red silk flower. The back of the dress opened up into a train and the ribbon followed down the sides of the dress til it hit the floor. She carried a bouquet of white gardenias and red roses, but the detail that he couldn't help smiling over was that the ribbon that tied them together was white satin with small ladybugs on it.
As for Catherine, she didn't remember walking down the aisle, but somehow she found herself in front of Gil. He looked dashing in a black tuxedo with black satin lapels and a crisp white tuxedo shirt underneath with a black vest overtop. A white gardenia was delicately pinned on to his left lapel, where a more traditional person would have a rosebud. His hair was freshly cut and his beard was nicely trimmed. His eyes caught and held hers as Reverend Moore's words drifted over them.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God. It is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, and discreetly. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace."
The congregation chuckled slightly as Lindsey turned a full force glare on the audience as if daring anyone to speak up. Fully satisfied that no one was going to be stupid and say anything, she turned back to the reverend. He raised an eyebrow at her and chuckled.
"Is it ok now?"
Lindsey nodded proudly and he smiled at her, before addressing the church again, "Catherine and Gil have written their own vows and anyone who knows them shouldn't be surprised. They do tend to do things their own way."
The congregation laughed softly and waited as Catherine and Gil turned to each other. Catherine's turn was first.
"There is a rather famous Greek myth that I have always loved. Once a long, long time ago, all people had four legs and two heads and one soul. They did something to offend the great god Zeus so that he threw down a thunderbolt and split everyone into two. Humans now had two legs and one head. As a result of the split, our souls also were torn in half. As a punishment, we were condemned to our lives searching for the other half of their soul. The day I met you twenty years ago, I found my other half. And while it took me some time to recognize it and accept it, you were there for me, waiting patiently as if you knew this day would come. You have always been my rock and protector. My best friend and the one man I would give up anything for. Yet you are the one man who has never asked me to give up anything and has accepted me for just me. It is for that, that I love you and always will."
Gil found his throat was hard to work and he had to swallow several times before he could speak through his tears.
"Catherine, you know I am not good at words unless I am reciting them. I know of a poem that describes my love for you over these years. Forgive me if they are not the original words, for the poem has been handed down for a long time. 'Extinguish my eyes and I will see you. Collapse my legs and I will find you. Sever my arms and I will still hold you. Arrest my heart, let fire consume my soul, and still the flowing of my blood will carry you. To love, is to endure.' For twenty years I have been leaving work to go to a house. I love you and Lindsey with everything I have for finally allowing me to come back to a home."
Reverend Moore allowed silence to descend on the church for a few moments, allowing the love in each of their vows to settle on the congregation before turning to Warrick, who stood up for Gil as best man.
"Do you have the rings?" he asked looking at Warrick. The handsome man shook his head and motioned for Lindsey to step forward. She untied the satin ribbon as if it were made of china and placed the rings onto the Bible the reverend held out. "The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. A love that is evident here in every way. Please repeat these words. With this ring, I thee wed."
"With this ring, I thee wed." Catherine said softly, sliding the ring onto Gil's finger. Her fingers caressed his and at the end they gave his a soft squeeze. One step closer.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Gil repeated and then nodded to the reverend.
"Gil asked me earlier to deviate at this point so that he could say a few words." Reverend Moore said to the congregation and Gil smiled at him.
"Thank you." Gil let go of Catherine's hands and turned to Lindsey. "Linds, could you come here please?"
The young teen looked at her mother curiously before slowly walking to stand in front of Gil.
"I know this is probably going to seem really uncool, but bear with me, ok?" Gil told her and then went down on one knee, taking her smaller hands in his. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small ring with a diamond flower in the middle of white and yellow gold bands. "Lindsey, this is what is known as a promise ring. I give this to you because today I not only make a promise to your mom, but I make one to you. I don't really know anything about being a father, but I know that it mostly takes love and that is something that I have always had for you. I promise to be there for you whenever you need me, to never make you doubt my love or think that you are not a beautiful gift in my life. This ring symbolizes those promises and much more. So with this ring, I thee promise."
As Gil slid the small ring onto her finger, Lindsey, who had tried so hard to act cool during his words, looked over at her mom. Catherine's eyes were running rivers and her happiness made her practically glow. Lindsey felt the tears flow as well and looked back at the man kneeling in front of her. There were no words to describe how accepted he had made her feel, how safe and completely loved for the first time since her dad had died. Lord knows that her mom had tried, but there had been a hole in Lindsey's heart that she had feared would never go away. And while she missed her dad still, very much, Gil had filled that hole and helped her reconnect with her mom. How could she find the words to tell him all of that? So she did the next best thing. Leaning in she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him hard, trying to convey everything she was feeling. He hugged her back with just as much and finally they let go.
Gil stood and looked out into the church where the wasn't a dry eye in the place. He shuffled uncomfortably and glanced at the reverend, who immediately took his cue.
"Ok, enough of this mushy stuff. Time to get to the good part." Reverend Moore said, making everyone laugh and causing Gil to let out a sigh of relief. He had known the moment Catherine and him had met the kind reverend that this was the man to do their ceremony. In the follow up meetings and wedding counseling, Reverend Moore had made it all a lot less stressful and a whole lot more fun.
"In as much as you have each pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love and devotion, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder. You may kiss your bride"
Surprising everyone, probably even himself, Gil took Catherine in his arms and dipped her. Her baby blue eyes widened in shock and laughter, then closed in absolute pleasure as his lips touched hers. A more beautiful and loving kiss had never been bestowed in that church and even Reverend Moore felt his eyes tear up at the wonderful union he had just helped perform. Catherine and Gil pulled apart, somewhat reluctantly and turned to realize they were not alone. The whole church seemed to be stunned into a complete silence but that didn't last more than a millisecond. Lindsey, who stood between Sara, Nancy, and Mia began literally jumping up and down, a huge grin on her face and her new ring catching the light. She let out a whoop of delight which set off everyone into clapping and shouting their congratulations.
Their exit music played and Gil grabbed Catherine's hand and laughingly led her down the aisle. The sweet smell of the roses and gardenias coursed through her body and she felt as if she were floating. Gil ushered her into the waiting limousine and grinned as the people continued to whoop and holler. As the limousine pulled out Catherine finally felt her feet hit the ground. Hard.
"Oh my God," she said out loud. "We just got married."
She glanced over at her best friend, no...husband and gasped.
"Lindsey...we forgot..." her voice was stopped by Gil's fingers against her lips.
"She is riding in the other limousine with your mother, my mother, Brass, Nancy, Michael and Jeremy and will meet us at the Renaissance Hotel in about an hour. I thought we would go there first, wash up and change into our reception outfits and then wait for everyone in the ballroom."
He stopped abruptly as if realizing something and he looked at her questioningly. "Is that okay with you?"
"Of course. In fact, I think it was a very smart idea." Catherine said, snuggling into Gil's side and began pressing tiny kisses to the side of his exposed neck. He cleared his throat uncomfortably and shifted in the seat.
"Uh Cath...we only have an hour at the hotel before the reception in the banquet room..." Gil said, his voice raspy and she chuckled lowly.
"Is that a problem, Bugman?" She huskily whispered into his ear and he pulled her away from him.
"Catherine Grissom, if you don't cut that out right now..." He started and she grinned up at him.
"Ohhh, say it again." Catherine asked breathlessly, her blue eyes shining.
He grinned back at her and kissed her softly on the lips before repeating, "Catherine Grissom."
"I love the way that sounds." Catherine murmured and began kissing him passionately until he finally pulled back and gasped in a deep breath.
"Behave woman! There is only so much a man can take!" Gil cried and though she laughed she decided to take pity on him. There would be plenty of time for that later. She snuggled into his side again and he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, holding her close. That was the way they stayed until they reached the hotel.
