Title: Unbreakable Love

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI:NY or CSI, Anthony Zuiker and CBS do. Canon in D Bridal Chorus and Wedding March are owned by Johann Pachelbel, Richard Wagner and Felix Mendelssohn respectively.

Beta'd by: Mahala

Genre: Romance

Rating: T

Chapter 6: Wedding


Colonel and Mrs. Johns were both overjoyed at the news and the wedding planning was underway. During the planning Russ and Stella picked the date for their big day December 18th— it was the day that they first met and fallen in love.

Although Russ had let Stella and Mrs. Johns take care of the planning Stella ensured Russ would be able to give his opinion from time to time. One of the items they worked on together was the guest list which was kept to a minimal, with no more than twenty people comprising their close friends and family members as well as Russ' boss Marshall Davis and his wife Marguerite, Colonel Johns' boss Cornelius and his wife Irene Hollister.

Following the flurry of planning, getting the dresses for Stella and bridal party which was made up of Jo, Jess, and Lindsay, with picking the location, the Interdenominational Church in Washington DC, their big day arrived.

As the members of the bridal party took their their places, Russ accompanied by his groomsmen Mac, Danny and Don stood before the altar as the final strains of the Canon in D echoed through the church. The organist majestically began to play the Bridal Chorus. The guests stood up as the doors to the church opened. When Russ saw Stella escorted by Colonel Johns walking down the aisle he felt his breath had been taken away. She was dressed in a long, slim and fitting satin gown that showed just the appropriate amount of skin. It was paired with long satin fingerless gloves and a cathedral length veil and train.

As Stella and Colonel Johns reached the altar, Russ came down the steps and after the Colonel had given Stella a kiss on the cheek, he shook hands with Russ and placed Stella's hand in to Russ'.

Stella handed her bouquet ofmauve roses, carnations, orchids, stargazer lilies to Jo and then she and Russ slowly walked up the steps and joined hands before the minister who began the service, "Dearly beloved we are gathered here today in the joining of Russ Josephson and Stella Bonasera Papakota in holy matrimony which is not to be taken lightly. If there is a just cause as to why these two should not be married, please speak now or forever hold your peace."

Following the momentary silence the minister continued the service but Russ and Stella became lost in each other as if at the moment they were the only ones in the church. As the minister continued Russ and Stella tuned out the outside side world and became lost in each other, feeling like at the moment they were the only ones in the church.

When the minister finished his homily when he said, "Now Russ and Stella both have their vows they want to recite. Russ you may go first."

Looking into his bride's eyes and with an immense smile he began, "Stella when you walked into my life I knew that it would never the same. We have been through a lot the past couple of years and it has bonded us and made us stronger as a couple. Stella together we will build our dreams together, while allowing you to grow with your dreams; to support you through times of trouble, and rejoice with you in times of happiness; to treat you with respect, love, and loyalty through all the trials and triumphs of our lives together; and to give you all the love I can give my whole life long. This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and eternally made new."

"Russ, you entered my life and ultimately became my knight in shining armor, you were there for me when I needed you the most and I will be forever thankful. Russ I love you and I look forward to being your friend, companion, wife and lover for life. Before our family and friends, I promise you Russ to respect your individuality; to stand by you and be faithful to you; to be open and honest with you; and to always work toward our mutual growth, to be with you through life's changes; and to nurture and strengthen the love between us."

By now there wasn't a single dry eye in the church. Smiling the minister continued, "Now it is time for the exchange of rings."

With a brief pause Jo and Mac stepped up with the rings and handed it to the minister who then blessed them by saying, "The rings are circular and have a beginning with no end."

Following a brief pause the minister looked at Russ and Stella and continued, "Russ Josephson will you take you Stella Bonasera Papakota to be your lawful wedded wife to have and to hold from this day forward, to love, honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, for better for worse and to forsake all others as long as you both shall live?"

Russ answered with a bright smile on his face, "I will."

The minister then turned to Stella and asked her the same question, "Stella Bonasera Papakota will you take you Russ Josephson to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, to love, honor and cherish, in sickness and in health, for better for worse and to forsake all others as long as you both shall live?"

With uncontrollable happy tears gathering in her eyes Stella replied, "I will."

The minister then faced the guests and said, "It is clear that that Russ and Stella have love for each other that is deeper than any words can describe. Now by the power vested in me in the State of Virginia I now pronounce Russ Josephson and Stella Bonasera Papakota husband and wife."

With a smile on his face the minister said to Russ, "Russ you may kiss your bride."

With the biggest smile on their faces Russ stepped closer and placed his hands on her face, leaned in and gave her a sweet kiss leading to the guests awing. Mrs. Johns could not stop crying at this point, all were happy tears, the bride and groom had come a long way and although they were not her natural born kids she loved them just the same way.

Once Russ and Stella parted lips the minister announced, "It is my honor and privilege to present to you, Mr and Mrs. Russ Josephson."

The guests along with the bridal and groomsmen all broke into cheers and clapped and after getting respective hugs from the bridal party and groomsmen and getting her bouquet from Jo, Stella and Russ began the recessional. As they did they made eye contact with the Colonel and Mrs. Johns and got a approving smile from the two of them; they knew that her parents would be so happy for them and had felt their spirits surround them.


A/N 2: Thanks for reading chapter 6! I hope you have enjoyed and as always reviews are appreciated!