Chapter 9
Catherine knew that Gil and Sara were outdoor people so she had decided on a garden wedding, and she had the perfect place. The ECLIPSE had a breathtaking beautiful rose garden, in the center of the garden was a white gazebo. It would be a perfect place for the bride and groom to stand while they exchanged vows.
"I have found the perfect place," Catherine told Sara over lunch, "I want to take you and Grissom there tonight. Warrick and I want to take you both to dinner then I'll show you the place."
Sara called Gil and told him of Catherine's plans.
"I just hope she doesn't go overboard," Gil said, "I mean - well we have some money saved but …."
Sara cut him off, "Catherine told me that the wedding and reception was going to be her wedding gift to us, she is paying for everything."
Gil chuckled.
Later that evening Catherine took them to the ECLIPSE and showed them the rose garden.
Warrick looked at Grissom, "What do you think?"
"Not bad," he said.
"NO BAD!" Sara said, standing in the middle of the gazebo, "It's perfect."
The next day Catherine, Sophia, Annie and Sara went dress shopping.
Sophia, who was now in her sixth month, was looking at a dress. "It's a good thing that GOODYEAR makes lovely slipcovers for their blimps," she said laughing.
"You still look great," Annie said.
Each of the ladies picked their dress.
Sara had decided to dress casual. She chose a strapless sheath gown in a light fabric, it had a powder blue sash around the waist. She knew that Gil was going to wear his dark blue suit and a white shirt, she bought him a tie that match the sash.
Two days before the wedding Catherine knocked on Sara and Gil's door.
"I have to show you this," Catherine said, handing them the final plans.
There would be roses - roses of all shades - to decorate the walk way and the gazebo. There would be several large round tables for the guests to eat at, each with a large outdoor umbrella in a pastel color to shade the table.
"I'm going to have the tables covered with a white cloth and over each there will be a pastel colored plastic cover. All the chairs will have white slipcovers with a colored sash that matches the umbrella," Catherine said, simply bubbling with enthusiasm, "All the china will be an off-white with a floral motif."
"It sounds so lovely," Sara said.
"And I found a simply sweet idea for centerpieces on line," Catherine said, showing Sara a picture of a large straw hat that had been turned over and filled with colorful fruits - apples, oranges, pomegranate, mangos and even lemons.
"I love it," Sara said.
Catherine went on to say that she had decided on tea sandwiches, fruit salads, pasta salads, a veggie tray, breads and cheeses. The drinks would consisted of lemonade, fruit punch, wine spritzers, tea and coffee.
"What do you think of this?" Sara asked, "I was looking into garden weddings and instead of a traditional wedding cake I found a cake racks in the shape a pyramid, It is full of frosted cupcakes. There is a single layer on the top for the bride and groom."
"Perfect," Catherine said, "Now all I need to know is what kind of music you and Gil like? I want to have a band there for dancing."
"Honey, what do you think?" Sara asked.
She got no response, Sara turned to see Gil reading a book.
"Gilbert Grissom," Catherine said, "Have you heard one word we said."
"What?" Gil said, looking up from the book.
"We are talking about your wedding," Catherine said, "It would be nice if we had some of your input too."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Gil said, "It all sounds nice."
"What sounds nice?" Catherine asked, trying to trap him, "The swamp or the bullfrogs?"
Gil laughed, "No, the roses, the way you want to decorate the tables, I like the idea of the eatable centerpieces, the food sounds good and I think cupcakes instead of a traditional wedding cake is fantastic. As far as my input into music - anything slow so I can dance with my beautiful bride."
Sara laughed, she knew all to well that Gil was capable of doing several things at the same time and keeping up with all of them even if it looked like he wasn't.
Catherine looked from Sara to Grissom and back to Sara again, "I think I have been politely put in my place."
Gil smiled, picked up his book and said, "It all sounds perfect."
Sara said, "Don't forget that we are having a rehearsal tomorrow and then Gil and I will be taking everyone to dinner."
"Fantastic," Catherine said, "We will see you then."
The wedding party would consist of Jim and Annie acting as Mother and Father of the Bride: Sophia and Catherine as bridesmaids and Warrick and Nick as groomsmen. Gil and Sara's very good friends, Brian and Jennifer would be best man and matron of honor. Their two little ones, Sharon and Patrick would serve as flower girl and ring bearer.
Two days later the ladies were in one room and the gentlemen in the other dressing. The talk centered - of course - around the wedding, the honeymoon plans and future plans.
"Any plans for little ones?" Catherine asked.
Sara smiled - she and Gil had decided not to tell anyone about the baby yet. "We've talked about them," was all she said.
"You'll make great parents," Annie said.
Sara just smiled.
There was a knock at the men's door.
"Everything's ready," Greg called.
Gil and Brian walked down the isle and took their places.
The judge nodded to the pianist, as she started playing first Sophia - escorted by Nick, then Catherine - escorted by Warrick walked down the isle and to their places. Little Sharon and Patrick came next followed by Jennifer.
The wedding march started, everyone stood and turned to the back. Slowly Sara, on Jim's arm, walked toward Gil.
Gil released a slow sigh. "She is beautiful," he whispered to Brian.
Gil and Sara spoke the vows they had written and Judge Morgan did the legal end of it, when all was done Morgan said, "Ladies and Gentleman - Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Grissom."
The guests were directed to the large tables where the food and drinks waited. Everyone ate and drank as the band played.
"I'll be right back," Gil said to Sara as he stood and walked away.
"Where's he off to?" Jim asked.
Sara shrugged her shoulders.
A short time later a member of the band announced, "At the request of the groom, will everyone please clear the floor."
Gil walked over to Sara, as the band started playing the same song that they first danced to Gil took Sara's hand, "Dance with me."
Sara smiled and followed him to the floor.
Gil pulled her into his arms as they floated around the floor. Gil's hand rested on the small of Sara's back, his thumb tracing a small circle.
"I love you, Mrs. Grissom," he said tenderly kissing her.
"I love you, Mr. Grissom," she said returning his kiss.
Gil let his hand drop to her stomach, "I love you too, little bug."
