Epilogue

"I take you, Nicholas Parker Stokes to be my husband."

When they originally chose the option to write their own vows to one another, Greg realised that he had no idea what to say to the man he adored out loud in front of a room full of people, most of whom were his friends and family who had never even heard him say the word 'love' before. He was starting to wish that he had gone first rather than Nick, but it was too late now and he didn't have any notes to keep it brief and to the point in front of all of these people.

"I take you... Nick... as my friend... my family... and love of my life. I open my heart to you. I vow to bring you happiness... be your loyal companion... and support you throughout our life together. I will always be honest with you... care for you, be patient, kind and forgiving. I promise to support your dreams... offer you strength and courage throughout your endeavours. I promise to love you... keep you safe for as long as we both shall live. But most of all... I promise to always be your friend. Your partner in parenthood, your ally in conflict and your life long companion."

Looking into the man's eyes, Greg struggled to keep his lower lip from quivering as he saw the love he had for him in his expression. He wasn't one to cry over sappy movies or romantic happy endings, but the idea of being hitched to the man he loved for the rest of his life still felt a little surreal to him.

"With this ring, I give you my heart." He steadied the ring on the end of Nick's finger, trying to concentrate on not dropping it and not screwing up his vows at the same time. He tried not to look in the direction of their guests, but he already caught a glimpse of his parents, his Nana Olaf, Grissom and Nick's father all staring at him, waiting to hear what he had to say. "With this ring, I give you my promise that I will always be there for you. In good times and bad. You are my light at the end of the tunnel, Nick and you've shown me more love than I've ever known."

Greg replaced the ring to his partner's finger, smiling as it actually meant something now they had exchanged their vows. He didn't even wait for the woman beside him to pronounce them as life partner's as he leant forwards to seal a kiss to the older man's lips.

The woman simply smiled, giving them a moment, before she pronounced, "By the powers vested in me by the State of Nevada, it is my honour and delight to pronounce you life partners. I am pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr and Mr Sanders!"

"I'm so glad my Mama isn't here to hear that." Nick whispered softly, capturing his lips for another quick kiss. He didn't even care that his father had full view of their first kiss as newlyweds. He had always been so worried about how he would react, especially after the first time, but he seemed more on board then ever all of sudden, making him a little curious at what could possibly change his mind about him. "Any regrets?"

"Maybe the seating plan." Greg confessed, looking at the front row as their guests started to applaud them. "My old boss didn't need to see me kiss his star CSI so up close and personal." He grinned back at him, taking the older man's hand into his own. "Ready for the hard part?"

"I thought we already did that. My legs feel like jell-o." Nick slowly followed his lead, nervously smiling as they made their way through their cheering friends and family members. He could already see that Greg's mother was in tears, but he was surprised to see both Catherine and Sara grabbing for the tissues too. He was almost too nervous to see the look on his father's face, but to his surprise, the man was still smiling.

He assumed that there must have been something wrong with him. He hadn't seen the man in years, but he was getting on in years, so maybe a life threatening illness had suddenly made him change his mind.

Nick clung to Greg's hand through the flying confetti, letting him take the lead towards their car. He crashed against the back seat with him once they escaped, grinning ear to ear as they waved off their friends and family. He tilted his head to the side to look at the man beside him, feeling as though he was going to burst if he smiled any wider.

"I wish I could go away with you now."

"Me too." The younger man weaved his fingers through Nick's, matching his smile. He gazed into his eyes for the rest of the drive, before they finally arrived at their venue for the night. "Wow." Greg climbed out of the car first, keeping hold of his husband's hand the whole time. He headed straight inside, taking a moment to explore the casino styled layout of the tables, before they wandered towards the dance floor. "First dance, my dear husband?" He offered his other hand to his husband, pulling him a little closer.

"You know, we don't have to dance in public. Not if you don't want to." Nick spoke softly, gently moving the younger man's hips with his own.

"I'm not worried, just as long as you're not looking for that romantic first dance experience in front of everyone. I think I'd freeze up if it was just us with all of them staring at us. I had my first dance lesson about four or five hours ago." He smirked, taking the lead. He lifted his husband's arm over his head, grinning widely as he twirled him around. "You're so beautiful, Nick."

"You think I'm beautiful? You're much prettier than me." Nick smoothed his hands down the front of the handsome man's suit, adoring the vintage suit on his slender figure. "I love this suit. I can't wait to take it off you though." He brushed his fingers across the waistcoat he was wearing, wishing this moment could last forever.

"Are you alright with your Dad being here?"

"I'm not embarrassed to be with you in public anymore. I'm not ashamed to be seen with you. I don't feel guilty and I'm not afraid to tell anyone that I love you, because yours is the only opinion that matters to me now. And I know that no matter what, I'll always have your love." He brushed his thumb across the ring on Greg's finger, realising it meant so much more now.

"Oh yeah, so you won't mind if we do this in front of your father?" Greg playfully tripped his partner up, catching him for a Hollywood kiss over his arm.

"Not if you do it like that." He struggled to straighten up, placing his hand on his back. "You coulda thrown out my back, G."

"You wuss." The younger man giggled softly, placing his hands on his partner's hips. "Was our wedding how you pictured?"

"Not exactly. You didn't stick around to marry me in my fantasy." He admitted, putting his arms around the younger man's shoulders. "It turned out much better than any fantasy. Your Mom actually behaved herself. So far. And the kids sat quietly. My father didn't drag me away kickin' and screamin' to a mental institution and he actually smiled at me. Now we just have this dinner to get through, then you're all mine for the next week."

"You mean you're all mine." Greg smiled back at him, possessively holding him close. "From this day forth, you're all mine, Tex. Are you nervous?"

"No." Nick shook his head, turning his attention towards the doors behind them as they opened. He pulled back from Greg slightly, watching the caterers and his mother in law filing into the room. She had the seating chart in her hands, checking the layout of the room with her chart, before she started instructing them on how and where to serve first. "I'm still scared of your mother though."

"You have nothing to be afraid of. She adores you." He took hold of Nick's hand again, leading him towards their table. "Just like my Dad adores you and my Nana adores you. You've got the easy side of things, because everyone from my side completely adores you. How do I know that your father's not packing?" He joked, pulling his chair out for him like a perfect gentleman. He wrapped his arms tightly around Nick's shoulders as the man took his seat, pressing a kiss to the side of his head as he whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too." Nick tilted his head back, smiling widely as he looked into the man's eyes. "You're my hero, G. You saved me the moment you kissed me and you continue to save me every day that you're with me."

"You should have added that to your vows."

Nick smiled. "True, but I didn't want Grissom to know that our first kiss was in the locker room. Think of the paper work."

"Congratulations, you two." Jean excitedly hurried over to them, hugging her son tightly for at least a minute, before she threw her arms around Nick's shoulders. "I'm so proud of you both." She pressed a kiss to the man's forehead, pulling back to hug her son once again. "Before you sit down, Greg, we're going to do the photos. The photographers waiting out front with your father and the kids. I'll be there in a moment, I've just got to get the vegetarian meals sorted. The caterers didn't read your last message about the revised total of vegetarian meals."

"Okay, c'mon gorgeous." Greg pulled his husband to his feet, taking him by the hand.

"You've been married five minutes and he's already bossing you around." Jean snickered softly.

"Thirty eight minutes." Nick corrected her, smiling at the beautiful man in front of him. "And he always bosses me about. It's part of what got me in the first place."

"Not that you mind." Greg gently tugged him closer, sealing a kiss to his lips. "Thirty eight minutes exactly?"

"About thirty nine minutes now. Give or take." He shrugged his shoulders together, realising he hadn't actually put his watch on this morning during his haste to get himself and the kids dressed. "I plan to spend a lifetime with you, so every minute counts."

"Aww, he's adorable isn't he?" Jean cooed, quickly ushering them away. "Chop chop, the photographers waiting. Not so much teeth honey and try to keep them PG."

"Thanks, Mom." Greg called back to her, breathing in the delicious smells coming from the kitchen as they made their way towards the entrance again. He shielded his eyes from the sudden burst of confetti from his Nana's hand, catching her for a hug, before she managed to grab another handful. "I said no confetti. It messes up my hair. You have no idea how long perfection like this takes." He swept his fingers through his hair, picking out the bits of coloured paper from Nick's hair beside him.

"It's a tradition." The woman smiled, tossing the second handful of confetti over her son in law as he brought her great grandchildren up the steps.

"Thank you." Daniel remarked, shaking his head to get rid of the extra confetti.

"Daddy!" Sadie slipped her hand out of Grandpa Daniel's, hurrying towards him. She threw her little arms around his shoulders as he knelt down to her level, clutching him tightly as she missed him so much during the past few hours away from them.

"Hey, sweetie." Nick swept her up, hugging her tightly against his chest. "Was it good?"

Sadie nodded her head, reaching her hand out for Greg's beside her. She wrapped her little fingers tightly around his ring finger, admiring the ring he had to wear in secret over the last few years. "Can you tell da story again, Papa?"

"We're kinda busy today, monkey." He knew how much she loved the story of how they became a family or the fantasy version that they told her anyway. He didn't think she needed to know all the details about his abduction, Nick's reluctance to be with him or the mother who couldn't even remember her name, so he blurred the details a little to make it sound a little more advertising to a four year old.

"Can you tell me at night time?" She sweetly requested.

"We're goin' away on our honeymoon tonight, baby girl. We told you all about it the other day." Nick reminded her.

"Why you have to go?" Sadie pouted her lip out at them. For a four year old, she certainly knew how to manipulate her parents already.

"On our honeymoon? Because it's Daddy and mines first break from you little monsters." Greg playfully tickled the little girl beside him, before he lifted his son from his father's arms. "We'll only be gone for a week. You'll have your Nana and Granddad wrapped around your little finger by that time." He smiled at her, picking the confetti out of the hair gel in his son's hair. He looked completely adorable in his little suit, even with the drool running down his chin.

"Nana maybe." Daniel corrected him.

"I see you've already given them candy." Greg noticed the chocolate smear around his son's face. "Did Grandpa give you candy before you're supposed to eat a big wedding meal?"

"Objection, leading the witness." Daniel grinned at his son.

"I didn't have any." Sadie protested, giving her father a cheeky smile, as she buried her head against his shoulder.

"Your mother gave it to them while we were waiting for you to arrive. I think the photographer is getting impatient. Do you want me to take the kids?"

"He's supposed to be here to photograph your wedding day." Nana Olaf had a pop at him from a distance. "He can wait as long as it takes or he's not gonna see a pay check at the end of it."

"It's okay." Greg hoisted his son higher against his chest, missing the days when he fit so perfectly in his arms. He was growing up so fast. "We'll take the kids with us. You better go in and pry Mom away from her leadership role. Be careful though, I don't think she'll give it up without a fight." He instructed his father, leading the way towards the photographer.

He originally wanted their wedding photos of them in the night time scenery of Las Vegas, but they couldn't have their baby's with them if the ceremony was at night. He wanted his whole family around him on the most important day of his life.

"Pancho." A familiar voice stopped them, giving him a smile as the four of them turned to face him. "When you have a minute, Nick..." His father anxiously shifted from one foot to the other, looking at his long lost son as though he was seeing him for the first time. "I'd really like to catch up. Not now, obviously. You need to be with your family." The man cast his eyes towards the children in their arms, seeing a lot of his young son in their little features.

"Dad, this is Greg." Nick quickly introduced him, realising that he was in fact real and not a mirage.

"Greg." His father smiled, moving his hand forwards to greet him.

"Hello, sir." Greg anxiously shook his hand.

In Nick's dreams, his father was always holding a knife or a gun when he met, Greg for the first time. He never just shook his hand like he was now.

"This is Sadie and Arthur." He introduced him to his children next, seeing some recognition in his eyes.

"I've seen some pictures of the two of you." The man confessed, smiling at them both. "I didn't think you would be so big already. How old are they now?"

"Four and two, almost three." Nick motioned towards his son, still a little weary of the man's intentions. "We have to go, the photographer's waitin'."

"Of course." The man took a step back from them. "I'm sorry I couldn't get your mother to come with me, Nicholas. She's kept every photo you've ever sent her of the children. I think she just needs some more time."

Nick felt as though he needed some more time himself to get over the fact that this was the same man who seemed so cruel when he first found out about his sexuality. He knew that it was over twenty years ago now, but he would have never pictured this outcome in a million years. The fact that he used an old childhood nickname towards him only made him more weary, feeling as though he had an ulterior motive for being here.

"We have to go." Nick walked away this time, feeling his heart racing as he did.

"That's fine. It's nice to finally meet, Greg." His father called after him.

"You too, Mr Stokes." He waved to him. "Nicky, are you okay?" Greg caught up to him, sliding his hand into his own. He didn't want an emotional meltdown on their wedding day, but as he caught up to him, he saw a smile plastered across his lips. "Are you okay, baby?"

The Texan nodded his head, keeping up his grin. "I don't know if I'm angry or happy to see him, but yeah, I'm okay. That's my Dad. That's Cisco. He's really here. Never in a million years would I ever picture that man attendin' his gay son's weddin', but he's here and he doesn't have a gay bashin' mob with him."

"Maybe he's changed." Greg lowered his daughter from his arms, wrapping his arms tightly around his husband's shoulders. "Look at you and how much you've changed. He has a right to be proud of you. You're an amazing man. A wonderful father. Any father would be proud to have you as their son."

Nick pecked a kiss to his cheek, noticing his father still watching him. He didn't look disappointed or disgusted by his intimacy with Greg, proving that he really had changed. He cast his eyes towards his pseudo fathers, Grissom and Daniel, feeling as though his family was complete now. He had come a long way in the past five years.

Before Greg, his life used to be filled with loneliness. He lived alone. He didn't have friends outside of work and at times, he felt as though he didn't even have a family.

But since his first kiss with Greg, his life was full of love and family.

Grissom, Sara, Catherine, Warrick, Brass, Jean, Daniel, Nana Olaf, his brother and sisters, even his father. They were all here to support his love for Greg.

The photographer took plenty of photos of their own little family together, along with their friends from the lab, Nick's sisters, the children and finally just a few intimates of Nick and Greg together. Nick couldn't stop gazing into his partner's eyes the whole time, feeling his heart fluttering as the man looked right back at him. He never thought that a wedding or a marriage was in his future, but this really was the best day of his life.

And it was only going to get better.

The End

Author's Note:

There it is, the final chapter. I hope you've enjoyed reading this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it. If you didn't already read it, you should read the prequel to this story titled 'Secrets and Desires'.

Huge thank you to Marymel for all of your reviews. And I would like to give shout outs to GeekGirlForLife, NickGregLover, Caramelcreamcoffee, GregNickLover, 6marcella9, FanM, HeiwaAi, mizncis, vaunie5962, 01lmg, KliqzAngel, PeachyPeach, WofOZ, bookworm1012019, jajou54, janet1982, julia78, , knausebart for your follows, favourites and PM's, along with all you anonymous readers who continued to support this story.

As I've said I didn't have a beta for this story, so all mistakes are my own.

Thank you all for reading, reviewing, following and favouriting. Thank you for all your messages. I hope I didn't disappoint you with the ending, and I'm sorry but there will be no sequel to this one. I have a few one-shots in mind and I have lots more projects in the works though that I will be uploading here on Fan fiction as soon as they're ready.

I've been writing quite a few GSR fictions lately, but don't worry, I will never give up writing for Nick/Greg. I think this will be my last M-Preg fic for a while. I'm still in the process of uploading my first Supernatural fan fiction that I decided was good enough for here and I've started writing some TG stories for a site I joined called TG Storytime. A site for transgender, body swap, magical gender change... My first story is up already, titled How my Summer Went Wrong under the same author name Lolly4Holly. You can find a link on the bottom of my profile if you're interested in reading it.

How my Summer Went Wrong, Story Summary: A magical heirloom causes havoc in the household. Junior, Helen and Arty have discovered the secrets of an old family heirloom. Have you ever dreamed of becoming someone else, thought about being the opposite sex or just wanted to take a vacation from being you? Junior, Helen and Arty learn the hard way that it's not all it's cracked up to be.

Thank you! Please review.

~ Holly

Started 28th September 2015 = Finished 14th May 2016