It was a month later and the day Nick and Greg had decided to get married on. The location they decided on was a golf course that had a beautiful outdoor venue with the mountains in the background. There was the indoor venue for the reception or backup if needed, but the weather was perfect outside for a nice October day.
Nick walked into the dressing room and saw Greg still in a t-shirt and jeans. He was sitting down, with his hands in between his legs and his eyes closed. He knew Greg was having a lot of anxiety about the whole wedding thing as it got closer. He tried to talk Nick into just eloping but Nick would not have it. Special people had been invited that Greg still did not know about and he was bound not to disappoint them by having no wedding.
He called out Greg's name and saw him open his eyes. "God, I didn't even hear you come in I am such a nervous wreck," he said as he stood up.
"Have you taken your pills?" Nick asked him, seeing the worry on his loved one's face. "Yeah, I just took the Xanax too. I hope that kicks in soon. I didn't want to be too drugged up but apparently I need to be."
Nick came up to him and took his trembling hands in his. "Look, it's going to be okay. It's only my family and some friends, most of whom you know." Greg nodded. "I know, I know but it's just I have not seen most of them in years, including most of your family. I mean luckily we hung out with your parents yesterday, so I know they are okay with me but what about everyone else? I mean are they really all happy you are marrying me?"
Nick frowned. "Come on, don't do this to yourself now. They have always liked you and they know you make me happy, so they will be happy for the both of us. You are letting your fears get the best of you."
Greg pulled his hands out of Nick's and turned his back to him, running his hands through his hair. "I know. I know what I'm doing." He heard him take a few deep breaths, knowing he was trying to calm himself down.
"Dr. Muller is already here, do you want to talk to him maybe?" Nick suggested. They were getting married in less than an hour and both had to change clothes still. He did not need Greg freaking out and possibly backing out at the last minute.
Greg turned around, looking exasperated. "Fuck! Fine send him in."
Nick smiled, knowing he would get through this. "I'll send him in and I expect the next time I see you will be walking behind me down the aisle." Greg looked at his confidence and the love that was in his eyes for him and knew he could do it.
"Yes, you will see me then. I love you," Greg told him. Nick smiled. "I know." Greg rolled his eyes as he left. A minute later Dr. Muller stepped in.
"You're not dressed yet? Don't you think you should be getting dressed soon?" His doctor asked him. Greg glared at him. "I'm having a bit of a panic attack here and that's what you say to me?"
Dr. Muller stepped closer to Greg and stared him down. "Greg, you love Nick, don't you?"
"Yes."
"And you want marry him still?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you freaking out? Because that is all that should matter. Don't worry about who else is going to be there. This is truly about you and Nick, is it not?" He saw Greg's shoulders slump.
"Yes," he sighed.
"Okay, then stop freaking out and get dressed to get married. Your fears don't matter more than your love for Nick, do they?"
Greg suddenly realized what he was saying. "No, you are right. Nothing is more important than marrying Nick today."
"Good, then I will let you be to get dressed and see you outside." Greg watched him as he left. "Hey Dr. Muller. Thanks for setting me on the right path all the times you have. I really do appreciate it and you being here today."
Dr. Muller turned around and had a warm smile on his face. "You are a good person, Greg. Don't tell anyone else this, but you are probably my favorite client. I like seeing you happy. You deserve it."
Greg smiled and felt a slight lump in his throat. "Thanks for being there when I had no one else. It really means a lot." Dr. Muller came closer to him and rested his hands on his shoulders. "You are very welcome, son. Now get ready to be married." Greg nodded and watched the good doctor leave. He stood still a moment, taking in what the doctor said to him. He felt confident now that he could do this.
"Time to get dressed," he told himself.
A half hour later, Nick texted Greg. Are you ready? I'm outside at the doorway. Once you say you are ready, I am going to start my walk down, expecting you shortly after. Greg texted back. I'm ready. I will be there. Nick straightened out his bowtie and walked up to the door way. The music began and he started his slow walk down the aisle. As he made his way down, he saw the smiling faces of his family and his friends, especially those that came from afar. He smiled at them as he made his way to stand at the foot of the archway they were getting married under.
He turned around and saw Greg come to the doorway that led outside. He smiled widely when he saw how handsome he was in his tuxedo. They had decided to go all out and wear tuxedos. He watched as Greg started down the aisle. He seemed to keep all of his focus on Nick, not even looking to see who else was there. It was not until he was nearly at the end of the aisle when he saw Greg falter slightly.
Greg tried to keep his focus on Nick, but out of the corner of his eyes he saw two faces smiling brightly at him and he could not believe it. He stopped a brief second to catch his breath and then acknowledged them. He had to shift his focus back to Nick or he might lose the control he was holding onto with his emotions right there. He could not believe Sara and Grissom where actually there. They were sitting on the side that was to be Greg's family, which he no longer had any of but apparently all of his former friends and co-workers were there with Dr. Muller on his side. Nick's side had his family and others he did not recognize, except for D.B. Russell.
When he got to the archway, he focused on Nick and how his smile just melted his heart. It was actually going to happen. He was actually going to marry Nick Stokes.
Nick took his hands in his and turned to the pastor. Greg did the same but all that kept running through his head was that this was actually happening. He went through the motions until it came to saying their vows. Nick had squeezed his hands and turned to face him. Nick never looked more gorgeous than he did at that moment. Greg could not believe he was so lucky.
The time came for Nick to say his vows. "I know I prayed one day we would be here like this and here we are. I can't imagine my life without you. The time you were away from me was some of the hardest years of my life but I know it was nowhere near as hard as it was for you. But through it all you came back to me and you accepted my love. I take you to be my partner for life, I promise above all else to live in truth with you, and to communicate fully and fearlessly. I give you my hand and my heart, as a sanctuary of warmth and peace. And I pledge my love, devotion, faith and honor as I join my life to yours." His eyes were brimmed with tears as he finished his vows to Greg.
Greg did not think it was possible with all the drugs he had in him to be emotional at this time but yet his own eyes were already filling with tears. "I've told you this. I never thought this day would come to be after…after all I went through. Those were the hopes of a fool and a weak person. I had to force myself to give up on those dreams and focus on reality. When I did that, I shut you out of my life completely. I never thought I would see you there to pick me up, to take me in, to love me again but here we are, getting married," he chuckled through the emotions. "I love you so much, I think that is what hurts sometimes. I just never thought my heart would be capable of it after everything I went through but you made me love again. Here I stand before, still messed up but pushing through because I know you love me and I love you. I take you to be my partner for eternity. I promise to be honest with you with all my feelings and fears. I give you all that I can and then some because you complete me. I pledge my love, my devotion, my honor, and my faith as I join my life to yours." He wiped at his own tears that had fallen down his cheek.
They both looked at each other with so much love in their eyes. The pastor asked for the rings and then handed them out to each of them. Nick started by placing the ring on Greg's finger. "I give you this ring that you may wear it, as a symbol of the vows we have made this day. I pledge you my love and respect, my laughter and my tears. With all that I am, I honor you." Greg did the same and said the same with his placement of the ring on Nick's finger.
"By the power invested in me, I pronounce you married and partners in life. You may now exchange your affection upon each other." Nick and Greg both smiled and chuckled a little at the last phrase but ended up kissing each other on the lips.
They turned out to face their family and friends and saw everyone clapping and cheering. Some had tears in their own eyes. Nick saw his family, looking all proud and happy for him.
Greg looked over and saw Dr. Muller looking genuinely happy for him. He saw next to him sat Sara and Grissom. Sara had tears in her eyes but they were happy ones. She smiled brightly at him. Grissom also seemed very proud. Behind them sat most of his former co-workers from the lab. They all smiled and cheered.
They continued walking down the aisle. Greg looked at his husband. He could not believe that less than a year ago he was still in prison, with no hope of this ever happening. Now he was officially married to the love of his life.
They reached the end of the aisle and Nick looked at Greg, who had been gazing at him with what seemed to be wonder. "What is it?" Nick asked him. Greg just stared into his dark brown eyes.
"We're actually married. I didn't think it was possible," Greg said to him. Nick smiled back, bringing his hand up to his face and brushing his thumb on his cheek. "It's true. We are married."
"I love you so much," Greg said to him. "I love you too," Nick said before planting his lips on his love's lips.
They both looked back at their adoring family and friends and waved. "We'll see you all in the reception hall soon," Nick told them. He then turned back to Greg. "Let's give them a chance to gather and then we can come out to see everyone." Greg nodded and followed him to his dressing room.
Once there, Greg grabbed Nick's hands. "Thank you for this. For inviting those which I never thought would care again."
Nick knew he was referring to Sara and Grissom. "They have always cared. Everyone has always cared. I have told you that time and time again. You did nothing wrong in our eyes. You did the best you could in a horrible situation and you paid for it greatly. You still pay for it on a daily basis and you know it. Yes, it hurt everyone that you cut us off but we did understand for the most part. Sara was thrilled to hear we were getting married. The date was planned around them, if I am being honest. Most others could get off that time but since they are overseas it is trickier. But they flew all the way in from Paris to be here for us. They plan to stay for a week."
"Well, thank you for not listening to me and going ahead and inviting everyone. I really appreciate it. Although I know I am already a bit nervous about talking to them," Greg said. Nick squeezed his hands, knowing they had been trembling some.
"You'll be fine." To show him, he pulled him close for a long kiss. He knew it always eased his tension some.
He pulled back and gazed at the slightly love-dazed big brown eyes of his love. "So are you ready to greet our guests?" Greg nodded.
They had it set up that they would visit everyone at the tables, since overall there were only about 30 people and five tables. They wanted to give everyone a chance to spend time with the newlyweds.
Everyone cheered as they walked in. Nick was so happy to see Greg very happy with the turnout. The first table they came to was Nick's family. They had seen them the days before, as they helped with the wedding plans. They all congratulated them and gave them big hugs.
They walked up to the next table and Greg had to do a double take. Catherine Willows was there and she stood up promptly and went up to Nick and hugged him. "I'm so sorry I was late. My damn flight was delayed. That's what I get for trying to fly in at the last minute." She turned to Greg and wanted to hug him but was unsure, as his eyes were wide saucers. "It's wonderful to see you Greg. I'm so glad the two of you finally got married. I always knew you two were meant to be," she smiled brightly at them.
Seeing her beam at them, especially at him, Greg gave in and hugged her. She held him and whispered in his ear. "I'm so happy for you. I knew you were stronger than you even thought you were." Greg pulled back and smiled back at her. "Thank you, Catherine. You look great!"
"I agree," chimed in Nick as he put his arm around Greg's waist. "You two are always so polite. Thank you! I'm really sorry I missed the ceremony but glad I am here to still see you." They spoke briefly. Catherine told them she was busy working for the FBI still in DC. She really enjoyed her job.
They moved over to the next table where Grissom and Sara and other former co-workers all sat. Nick held Greg's hand tighter as he felt the tremors in it. Sara stood with her eyes full of emotions. "I'm so happy to see the two of you together at long last. I'm especially happy to see you, Greg." Greg always had a special friendship with Sara so seeing her was probably the toughest. "I'm happy to see you too, Sara. I'm sorry about…," he was cut off by Sara telling him to stop.
"Don't. There is no need to apologize. You did nothing wrong. It's in the past, let's leave it there," she said to him. She could see he was getting emotional, so she decided to finally hug him. He held onto her tight, taking in her scent. He always remembered she was the first one on the scene to help him and was only there for him. She rubbed his back, as she felt him tremble some. She knew of his PTSD and nerve damage he suffered recently. She was not sure which was causing it now but it did not matter. She just wanted him to know she forgave him.
Nick and Grissom stood to the side and let them have their moment. They both were fully aware of their special friendship and knew it needed this healing and forgiving moment. "I'm happy you were always there for him, Nick. I felt bad not being there for him like I should have been but I've never been good with showing emotions like that," Grissom said to him.
Sara and Greg parted from their hug. Greg looked to Nick, who was smiling at Grissom. "I think we all know you have never been great in that department, Grissom. I don't think Greg held it against you." Greg looked at his former boss and someone he considered a mentor. "You were just being you, Grissom. I know now that everyone did their best but the cards were not in my favor. I also know I did not help my own case but as Sara just said, it's in the past, let it stay there. It's not easy and it is a struggle for me often but it gets easier day by day with this guy by my side," Greg said as he leaned his head against Nick's.
"Well, we wish the very best for the two of you. And when you are able to, you have an open invitation to come and stay with us in Paris," Grissom offered. Sara leaned against him. "Definitely. I would love to see you two over there with us. I really hope you can make it out some day."
Nick looked at Greg, who seemed a little skeptical. "I am sure we can do it someday. It probably won't be anytime soon though. We still got a lot to work through here. But we will remember that offer. I'm just so thankful you were able to come for our wedding."
"We would not have missed it for anything," Sara smiled. "We adore you two and just want to see you as happy as we are," she said as she looked starry-eyed at Grissom. He smiled and agreed with her.
They spent the rest of their time seeing everyone else and catching up. Nick noticed Greg seemed to be getting jitterier as they took their own seats. "Hey, are you okay?" He finally asked him as they started eating. Greg smiled at him but it was a nervous looking smile. "Yeah, I'm fine." Nick frowned, knowing he was not telling the truth as he could see his trembling getting worse.
He kept a close eye on him as they ate. When they went to cut the cake, Nick put his hand over Greg's to hide the shaking. They sliced a piece together and politely fed each other a bite. Everyone cheered and clapped. Nick was focused on Greg, who looked like he was about to have a panic attack. "Greg," he said quietly. Greg stared at him. "I need to get out of here, now."
Nick's eyes widened in surprise but then grabbed his hand. "Okay, let me handle it."
