This Is Not Goodbye

Disclaimer: The standard blah blah about not owning CSI etc.

Thanks to all my reviewers, you are all equally loved and appreciated.

Now for the part you have all been waiting for (sorry no smut in this story as I wanted to keep it K rated)

Chapter 11

The church was adorned with flowers and there was little available space left for onlookers inside, it was a 'sellout' crowd inside. When the white limousine pulled up out the front Gil began to fidget, he wished he'd had a whisky before the ceremony. Sara looked gorgeous, and Jim looked very handsome as well, and everyone walked up the aisle to take their allotted places.

The priest began to speak and Gil and Sara listened for their spots to jump in, the vows almost getting in the way of a good kissing session.

"Gil Grissom, do you take Sara Sidle to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to protect her against all evils, to love only her, cherish her, and above all give yourself only unto her until death do you part?"

"I do."

"Do you Sara Sidle, take this man Gil Grissom, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to protect and love, cherish him and give yourself only unto him until death do you part?"

"I do."

"The rings please."

"I Gil Grissom, give my pledge to you Sara Sidle, that forever more we shall live in harmony, sharing our lives in good and bad times, and always listening to each other. Grow old with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which, the first is made. For I love you and no one else."

"I Sara Sidle, give you my solemn pledge Gil Grissom, to live together in harmony, sharing the good and bad, talking when times get rough. Know that you are my one and only. I love you with every beat of my heart, I love you… I always will."

"With the power invested in me by God and the state of Nevada, I declare you man and wife, you may kiss your bride."

Gil and Sara kissed as the church bells started ringing and everyone was applauding, but Sara noticed a tear in Gil's eye.

"What's wrong honey? Something I said?"

"Yes and no, just those words, they were in your letter to me originally, to think I could have lost you forever, I was so stupid."

"Yes you were Gil Grissom but now we have time to make up for that. I loved that Robert Browning quote too."

"Indeed Sara Sidle-Grissom. Your 'Sara' quote was rather good seen in the right context too." He grinned.

Rice and confetti rained down upon them as the were ushered into the white Limousine and everyone was driven back into Vegas to the reception. The bride and groom's car took the scenic route allowing all the guests to arrive first and be seated. Sam Braun had spared no expense on this function, his top chefs had done him proud, he'd even brought in a Master Vegetarian chef. The food was endless, and a great range too, even Sara was astonished at the vegetarian marvels like roasted eggplant stuffed with mushrooms, broccoli and cauliflower, surrounded by potatoes au gratin. Everyone ate heartily and then came the announcements from the best man.

"I have here a telegram from a few people who couldn't get here today, Horatio and Calleigh wishing you all the best and next time you are in Miami, they want to see the rings, and the happy couple.

Another here from Mac and Stella, and I'll quote this 'About time that bugman decided to make an honest woman out of her, no more hiding you two, come visit us some time' unquote. Guess you are required in New York as well Griss, I mean Mr and Mrs Griss."

"One more here from someone in California, says he knows you both from Berkeley. I'm sure you'll know who I mean when I read this out.

"No sooner met but they looked;
No sooner looked but they loved;
No sooner loved but they sighed;
No sooner sighed but they asked one another the reason;
No sooner knew the reason but they sought the remedy;
And in these degrees have they made a pair of stairs to marriage..." Shakespeare

Sara and Gil grinned knowingly at one another, it was from an English Professor friend of theirs, both knew him back in Sara's pre CSI days.

"There is a strange one here that I can't identify, but it says 'way to go Sara, bout time too, sorry couldn't be there, see you in the next life dearie' and it's signed Stacy. Any idea who that is Sara?"

"OMG, Stacy, I never got to see her, umm, excuse me a minute people, I'll be right back."

Sara dashed out of the room and grabbed her purse and cell, quickly dialed a number she knew by heart. A man's voice answered.

"Tom is that you? It's Sara."

"Thank God you called Sara, are you coming out?"

"I'm in the middle of my wedding reception Tom, how is Stacy?"

"Not good, I'll put her on."

"Sara? You said you were coming out, now I hear you are married?"

"Yeah I had a few problems crop up, then the shit hit the fan big time, I'm sorry Stacy, what did the doctors say?"

"Bah what do doctors know, I can tell you myself, it's hard to breathe, I can't think clearly, my heart rate is all over the place and my vitals are unstable, to be blunt, I won't see another sunrise."

"Apart from seeing my ugly face, what do you want most in the world right now?"

"I'd like to sit on the beach and die right there in Tom's arms, not in some stinking hospital bed."

"It shall be done, hold on a sec." Sara called out to Catherine. "Cath I have a big favour to ask your father, a friend of mine is dying in hospital, she won't see another sunrise, her last wish is to die in her husband's arms on the beach, watching the Pacific Ocean, can he help?"

"He'd better, or else, give me a moment to find out."

Catherine went out and spoke to Sam then came back. "All done, just give me the details."

"Stacy what room are you in, and what hospital, a white knight is arriving, sorry it can't be me, but tell Tom to pack a picnic."

"SF General, room 404, why? What's all this about a white knight?"

"Just do it Stacy, and remember I was always there for you in one way or another, as I am now. And Stacy, I'll miss you but I'll always light a candle for you on your birthday, love you."

Tom took over the phone. "Ummm Sara a chauffeur just rocked up in a limousine for us, I'll call you later, and thanks."

"Bye Tom, look after her."

Sara went back to the reception with tears in her eyes, and sent a silent nod of thanks to Sam, she would thank him personally later.

"I'll tell you later Gil, now on with the party everyone, sorry I was interrupted by a close friend."

The reception lasted until the small hours of the morning, with everyone chauffeur driven home, or staying in Sam's casino. Betty Grissom had met Laura Sidle and had reserved judgement at first, then finally decided that she liked her, both becoming firm friends and learning from each other about different aspects of life. Both had suffered on different levels, but that's what they had in common, and their offspring were now married to each other so they were technically related.

Sara had gone over to Sam Braun, clasped his hands in hers and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you Sam, for everything, and for helping Stacy fulfill her dying wish. I wish I knew how to repay you."

"You just did Sara, a kiss from the bride is all the thanks I need. It's nice to be a good guy sometimes."

A/N Never a dull moment with the Grissoms, hope you approved of the wedding vows. I also simply wanted to paint Sam Braun as a good guy for a change.

TBC

I hope you are enjoying this story, reviews are appreciated.