Disclaimer: I don't own these people.

Author's note: Last chapter! Never thought I'd make it! Thank you so much, those of you who have stuck with me during this loooooonnnngggg journey. This story was painful to write in that it was a new genre for me and didn't flow as easily as others in the past. So thanks for the support. Please R&R.

CHAPTER 10

Danny sat on Father Sean Mulcahy's Spartan bed in the rectory, made even more so by the absence of sheets. The soon-to-be former priest, ever efficient, had already stripped them from the bed.

"You sure you wanna do this, man?" Danny was dubious.

"I'm sure. It's not as if the church can use more bad publicity," Sean said, sending a weak smile his way. "Besides, Father McNally will do a wonderful job leading the parish. He is a man of pure heart. Mine is anything but."

Sean had decided to leave the priesthood almost immediately after the fatal shooting of Father McPatrick. Two months of intense prayer and counsel only strengthened his resolve. When Danny had tried to dissuade Sean from making any rash decisions, Sean had been resolute.

"I hid within the church after Celeste died. I clung to the ceremony of it all, used it as my solace. I didn't stay to serve others, I stayed to help myself."

Now Sean was preparing to take a new post - director of the local Boys & Girls Club. "I can do a lot of good, there, Danny. No ulterior motives. This time my heart will truly be in what I am doing."

Danny clapped him on his back, convinced finally that Sean was making the best decision for himself. "Yeah, well, I'm here for you. May not have done the best job in the past, but I'm here now."

His friend smiled. "You've always been here, and I know you will be. How's Lindsay, by the way?"

He frowned, then smiled - a common reaction where the petite brunette was concerned. "Good. I mean ... yeah, we're good. I'm just, I don't know."

Sean perched next to Danny on the bed. "Problems?"

"Not exactly, everything's great. I just ... I don't know. Lindsay just kind of happened to me Sean. I don't know where to go from here. Am I ready? Is the old love-em-and-leave-em Messer gone?"

"Do you love her?" Sean's expression was both sad and kind.

"Yeah ... it's just ... I want to be what she needs, what she deserves."

Sean sighed. "You know, that day, all those years ago, I told Celeste I couldn't leave the church because of my devotion to it. Truth was, I also worried about not measuring up to her needs. Was she in love with me or Father Mulcahy? Was I good enough? So I turned my back on her, and there's no going back."

Danny opened his mouth to speak, failed to find the right words, and settled for laying a comforting hand on his shoulder, which Sean promptly shook off.

"I'm not looking for sympathy, Danny. I'm just warning you that in this life we rarely get second chances. If in Lindsay you have found true love - and I believe you have - grab it and don't let go."

NYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNYNY

"How is he?" Lindsay handed Danny a glass of pinot noir and settled next to him on his tiny balcony. She'd noticed his distracted mood and assumed it came from his meeting with Sean.

In this life we rarely get second chances ...

"What?" Danny was shaken out of his reverie. "Oh, as well as can be expected. I think he'll be okay, though. The job'll help. He's always loved working with kids."

She nodded. "When you weren't back by 5, I figured you guys were having some deep discussions."

"Actually, I left St. Thomas's around 3. Had to stop at the bank."

"The bank? Tomorrow's payday, Danny. Why make two trips?"

"Ummmm ... had to get something from the safety deposit box." That something, though only a few ounces, felt like several tons in his jeans pocket.

"What did you have to get in that area? The traffic sucks at 3 a.m., let alone 3 p.m."

Grab it and don't let go ...

Danny nodded to himself, sure in the knowledge that he was making the biggest - and best - decision in his life. Never one for ceremony, he slipped the faded velvet box from his pocket and held it out.

For a moment, time stood still and their gazes locked as Danny's hand remained suspended between them. Lindsay finally shook herself and took the box in trembling hands. She opened it to reveal a delicate rose gold diamond ring.

"It was my grandma's." Danny said. "Now I want it to be yours. Marry me, Lindsay."

"It's beautiful," she said softly, and it was. The antique setting was etched in tiny roses, setting off perfectly the shimmering diamond within. She pulled her eyes away, raising them to meet Danny's blue ones. "Are you sure, Danny? A lot's been going on ... you almost were ... McPatrick was going to ..."

Danny stopped her words. "This isn't some weirdo near death experience snap decision Lindsay. I just realized today that I don't want to wait any longer. Sitting with Sean, I realized how important love is, and fragile at the same time. Neglect it ... and it fades away.

"Life is short, Lindsay. It's a cliché for a reason. Every day that passes is one wasted if you let it be. I love you. Marry me."

The blue eyes before her were determined, full of love and purpose. They were the eyes of the man she loved. Never one for Hallmark moments, Lindsay didn't cry or jump for joy, she simply rested her forehead on his.

"Yes."

And it was done.

Six months later ...

Danny and Sean sat on large stone steps, gazing lazily at the stone fountain before them and enjoying two cold brews.

"You ready?" Sean asked.

"Yup. Wouldn't be here in this suit if I wasn't," Danny answered. The suit in question was a deep cream linen, with an open-collared white shirt. The two friends were in a lush courtyard, the centerpiece of an old New York apartment building, home to Stella Bonasera. "What about you, you ready?"

"I guess. I'm still not happy about not being best man. At least an usher, since Louie's able to do that."

"Yeah, but I always wanted you to perform my wedding."

"Even though I'm not a priest anymore."

"Yeah, but you are a man of the cloth, Reverend Sean Mulcahy of the Galaxy Starship Church." Danny burst into a fit of giggles.

"Hey, as I recall you begged, and were the one who suggested the whole online ordination thing. Did you have to pick out the cheesiest one of the bunch?"

"Um, yeah. The Harry Potter hat is in my car if you want it," Danny chortled, ducking from Sean's slap. The Galaxy Starship Church sent all newly-ordained officiants a colorful maroon hat with silver stars. Sean had elected not to wear it.

"I think we'll leave it there," he grumbled good-naturedly. Time was slowly healing his wounds, and he found himself able to joke again. "You know Danny, there's something I need to ask you, before we start."

"C'mon Sean, everyone's waiting."

"It's important," Sean said, brows furrowing seriously.

"Okay, what." Danny was a bit concerned.

"I need to ask you ... can you leave them behind?"

"Leave what behind."

"The collies."

Danny's jawed dropped, then he caught Sean in a hammer lock. "Dammit, Mulcahy! You are such an ass!"

NYNYNYNYNYNY

Lindsay Monroe marched down the aisle on the arm of her father, glowing in a simple ivory sheath. Danny, nerves a distant memory, waiting impatiently for his bride.

Lindsay's mouth formed the words for the vows, but they passed in a blur. She only saw his blue eyes as they bored into hers.

"I do," she murmured. Guests strained to hear.

"I do," Danny answered.

"By the power invested in me by the State of New York ... and the Galaxy Starship Church ... now pronounce you husband and wife."

The two embraced, their love felt by all around them and above. Sean smiled. Somehow he knew Celeste was watching.

THE END