Sara slammed the phone down angrily. "Damn him," she muttered under her breath.
"What's wrong?" Nick asked.
"That was my dad," Sara said, "They're not going to make it for the rehearsal."
Nick put his arms on his fiancée's shoulders. "Sara, it's not that big of a deal. We can just go over his part tomorrow morning."
Sara shook her head. "That's not why I'm mad. They're not coming to the rehearsal because my dad refuses to give me away."
"What?" Nick asked in shock, "Why won't he give you away."
Sara shrugged her shoulders as tears pooled in her eyes. "Because my hippie father is so stuck in his ways and he doesn't believe in a father giving his daughter away."
Nick turned Sara so she was facing him and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
"We'll figure something out," Nick said, "Even if my dad has to give you away."
Sara laughed. "That'd be a twist. I've never even met your father."
"He'll love you, don't worry," Nick said with a smile, "And Lexi."
Suddenly Sara pulled away. "Did you tell your family about…you know, Lexi?"
"You mean that I'm not her father?" Sara nodded. "Not yet."
"But you will, right?" Sara insisted, "Nick, you have to tell them."
"I know."
Both Nick and Sara's family knew about Lexi, and couldn't wait to meet her. Nick's mother always called to ask about 'her little granddaughter' and to see how Carrie was. Nick hadn't had the heart to tell them the truth yet.
"Nick?" Sara said, a smile spreading across her face.
"Yeah?"
"I think I know who can give me away."
~*~*~
Sara stood in the master bedroom of the house as Catherine fluttered about, making sure everything was perfect.
"Girls, don't do that. You'll mess up your dresses and your hair," Catherine called to Lexi and Lindsey, who were trying to balance as they walked along the edge of the tub in the master bathroom.
Both girls hopped down and walked towards Sara.
"Hold still, Sara," Catherine advised, "One of the buttons isn't done." When she finished buttoning it she began applying a last minute coat of lipstick on the younger woman.
"Catherine, you really need to calm down. I'm the one getting married here," Sara said with a smile.
Catherine sighed. "Sorry. Just trying to make sure everything's perfect. I can't believe how calm you are."
"What do I have to be nervous about?" Sara asked, smoothing the flowing skirt of her dress, "I've been waiting for this day my entire life."
Catherine wrapped her arms around her friend's shoulders. "I'm so happy for you."
They were interrupted by the soft knocking on the doorframe. "Are you ladies set? They're ready to begin," Grissom said as he walked into the room. His eyes glistened over when he saw Sara in her wedding gown. "Sara, you look beautiful."
"Thanks, Grissom," Sara said sincerely, "For everything. For giving me away."
Grissom smiled and gently kissed her cheek. "You're welcome. Are you positive your father doesn't want to give you away?"
Sara nodded. "He's going to do the father-daughter dance, but he doesn't believe in giving me away," she said before pausing. "But I can't think of anyone I'd rather walk me down the aisle."
Catherine walked towards the two with Lexi and Lindsey close behind her. "We should probably go before poor Nicky thinks you stood him up," she teased.
Sara laughed. "Okay. Do you two know what to do?" she asked, turning to the two little girls who clutched their small white baskets containing rose petals that matched the color of their dresses.
Both girls nodded. "We just walk down the stairs and throw the petals. Then we go stand on the other side of Uncle Nick and Uncle Warrick and Uncle Greg," Lindsey said.
"Who stands closer to Daddy?" Lexi asked, "Me or Lindsey?"
"You," Sara answered with a smile, "Are you ready, chickies?"
The girls smiled and nodded.
"Then let's get married." The five walked into the hallway and arranged themselves in order. As the music began to play, Lexi and Lindsey headed down the stairs, sprinkling rose petals on the cream colored carpet that had been especially laid out for the occasion. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Catherine followed, shooting Sara a reassuring smile before she went.
The music changed and Sara linked her arm through Grissom's, taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart. The nervousness was finally setting in.
"You ready?" Grissom asked as they neared the stairs.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Sara said with a smile as they began the descent of the stairs.
Sara walked down the long, wide stairway and was amazed. Her close friends and family were all gathered in the large formal living room, which had been filled with white folding chairs adorned with flowers, and the house was decorated beautifully. She turned down the corner on the stairway and her heart leaped when she saw Nick waiting for her.
His chocolate brown eyes were filled with love and adoration, and she smiled softly at him. When they finally reached the altar Grissom let go of Sara's arm and put her hand in Nick's.
"Who gives this woman to wed this man?" the minister asked.
"I do," Grissom said, his eyes quickly darting to the front row, where Sara's parents were seated, before turning back to Sara. He kissed her cheek and sat down in his designated chair.
"You're beautiful," Nick whispered, squeezing her hand.
"So are you," she whispered back.
The ceremony went by beautifully, and finally it was time to recite their vows.
"I, Nicholas Robert Stokes, take you, Sara Caroline Sidle, to be my wife. I promise you my love without any limits. To accept the things you believe in and to always try to understand you. To be near you whenever you need my presence. To trust in your love for me and pray that it grows stronger every day. To watch our love grow together through the years. I promise to soothe your mind and body. To plan with you, dream with you. To do my best to show you how much I love you. For you have become my world, my heart, my life," Nick said, reciting the vows they had written together.
Sara smiled as the tears glistened in her eyes. "I, Sara Caroline Sidle, take you, Nicholas Robert Stokes, to be my husband. I promise you my love without any limits. To accept the things you believe in and to always try to understand you. To be near you whenever you need my presence. To trust in your love for me and pray that it grows stronger every day. To watch our love grow together through the years. I promise to soothe your mind and body. To plan with you, dream with you. To do my best to show you how much I love you. For you have become my world, my heart, my life."
Warrick handed Nick the ring, and he slipped the gold band on Sara's slender finger. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you," she whispered back as Catherine handed her the ring and she slipped it on Nick's finger.
"I now pronounce you man and wife," the minister said with a smile, "You may kiss the bride."
Nick grinned and pulled Sara to him in a kiss, showing her just how much he loved her. He pulled away and saw Sara beaming as she laced her fingers through his.
"Ladies and Gentleman, may I introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Stokes. Go in the name of the Lord."
Nick and Sara walked down the aisle and led the procession upstairs, where they would get ready for the reception while the guests made their way to the backyard, where tables and a dance floor had been set up.
When they reached the top of the stairs Nick wrapped his arms around Sara's waist and kissed her. "I love you."
"I love you," Sara said, putting her arms around his neck and kissing him back.
"Congrats, guys," Warrick said, "I'm really happy for you both."
"Thanks, Warrick," Sara said with a grin, "I just need to change my shoes and we can join the party."
"Change your shoes?" Nick questioned, "Why do you need to change your shoes."
Sara gave him a flirtatious smile and walked into the bedroom, coming back with a pair of white flip-flops with sequins across the straps.
Greg stared at her incredulously. "You're wearing flip flops?"
Sara shrugged her shoulders. "You didn't expect me to wear these uncomfortable things all night, did you?" she asked, pulling off one of the shoes and handing it to Nick, "The flip flops were Cath's idea."
The entire wedding party turned to Catherine. "What? I changed into flip flops at my wedding." At their blank stares she continued, "Hey, you want to wear shoes like that all night, be my guest."
"We get to wear flip flops, too, Daddy!" Lexi chimed in.
"Yeah. Ours have roses on them," Lindsey added, holding up one of her shoes.
Nick laughed. "Okay. Well are you two ready?" Both young girls nodded. "And how about you, Mrs. Stokes? Are you ready to go to our wedding reception?" he asked, offering Sara his elbow.
"I'd love to, Mr. Stokes."
They walked down the stairs and through the house until they reached the French doors that led to the backyard.
"Daddy, can we go out now? I want to eat wedding cake," Lexi said.
"We have to wait until they call us, sweetie," Nick said, "But you can't have cake now anyway. You have to eat dinner first."
The DJ glanced in the direction of the house and saw that they were ready.
"And if I could have your attention, ladies and gentleman, I would like to introduce our wedding party," he boomed into the microphone, "First we have our Maid of Honor, Ms. Catherine Willows, escorted by our Best Man, Mr. Warrick Brown."
Warrick and Catherine walked through the doors and into the backyard as the guests applauded. They took their seats and the DJ continued.
"And next we have our two beautiful flower girls, Miss Alexandra Barnes and Miss Lindsey Willows, escorted by Groomsman Greg Sanders," he continued to boom, and Greg led the giggling girls out, one on each arm.
"And now, if everyone will please stand," he said, pausing while everyone rose from their seats, "I'd like to introduce your Bride and Groom. Ladies and gentleman, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Nick and Sara Stokes."
Nick and Sara walked through the doors and into the party while everyone applauded.
"And now, ladies and gentleman," the DJ said, his voice softening, "It's time for the bride and groom to share their first dance."
The soft music filled the air and Nick took Sara in his arms as they began to gently sway to the music.
All I am, all I'll be
Everything in this world, all that I'll ever need
Is in your eyes, shining at me
When you smile I can feel all my passion unfolding
Your hand brushes mine
And a thousand sensations seduce me 'cause I
I do, cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will, love you still, from the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much, I do
In my world before you
I lived outside my emotions
Didn't know where I was going
Until that day I found you
How you opened my life to a new paradise
In a world torn by change
Still with all of my heart, until my dying day
I do, cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will, love you still, from the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much, yes I do
I've waited so long to say this to you
So, if you're asking if I love you this much, I do
Oh, I do
The song ended and another one began and Nick pulled Sara into a tender kiss. They walked towards their table and sat down, their fingers laced with each other.
Soon the meal was served, only chicken and pasta dishes at Sara's insistence, and more and more people made their way to the dance floor. Once dinner was over, the DJ took the microphone and announced the father-daughter dance. Sara's eyes found her father's and she smiled. They walked onto the middle of the dance floor and danced as the music played.
"I'm sorry I didn't give you away, Sara," he said softly as they swayed to the music, "I just—don't believe a woman is her father's property to give away."
"I know," Sara said.
"And I know that we haven't always had the best relationship," he began slowly, "But I do love you. You know that, don't you?" Sara nodded. "And you'll have a good life with this Nick guy. I can tell," he said with a soft smile, "And that little angel."
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"
I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world
"Congratulations, Sara," he said as the song ended, and gently kissed his daughter's cheek.
"Thanks, Daddy," Sara said.
Sara let go of her father as the tray that held the wedding cake was wheeled to the center of the dance floor. Nick walked up to Sara and stood beside her as the DJ grabbed the microphone.
"And now, ladies and gentleman, the bride and groom will cut their wedding cake," he said, "And while they're doing that, a friend of the lovely couple requested that I play this very special song."
Nick handed Sara the knife as the song began to blast from the speakers.
Two trailer park girls go round the outside, round the outsideNick and Sara stared at each other in shock as they heard what was playing.
"Greg!" they shouted in unison, and the lab tech grinned as he turned down the music.
"Just kidding guys, just kidding," he laughed, changing the music to a classical piece.
"You're dead, man," Nick warned, but Greg just shrugged his shoulders.
Sara took the knife and Nick placed his hand atop hers, and together they made the first slice in the cake. When they cut a piece and placed it on the plate, Nick took a fork from the table and broke off a piece. He brought the cake to Sara's face to feed her, but quickly changed his mind and stuck it on her nose.
Sara's eyes grew wide and she opened her mouth in shock and the guests laughed. "You're gonna regret that, Stokes," she said as she picked up the rest of the cake and held it warningly in front of him.
"You wouldn't," he said, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Watch me," she said as she slammed the cake in his face. The guests howled as Nick wiped the cake from his eyes.
"I think chocolate looks good on you, Nicky," Sara teased as she kissed a piece of cake from the tip of his nose. Nick took his thumb and ran it across her cheekbone, wiping cake on her cheek.
"And I think frosting looks good on you," Nick replied as he kissed her tenderly.
"Save it for the honeymoon!" Warrick called as the guests applauded, "I want some cake!"
Nick and Sara laughed as they pulled away, and Sara grabbed a white linen napkin to wipe the cake from Nick's face. A caterer came and quickly rolled the cake away to begin cutting it and distributing it to the guests.
"I'm gonna go wash this off inside, and then I promised Lexi a dance," Nick said as he placed the soiled napkin on the table.
"Okay," Sara said, "I promised one to Warrick, too."
Nick eyed her in mock suspicion, "Should I be worried?"
"Hmm, maybe," Sara teased as she turned and went in search of her friend. Nick laughed and walked through the backyard, accepting many handshakes and congratulations on the way.
When he finally made his way to the kitchen, he grabbed a dishtowel and washed the cake off his face. He looked out the window above the sink and smiled when he saw his wife dancing with Warrick.
"It was a beautiful wedding," he heard Carrie's voice say from behind, "Congratulations."
Nick turned and saw the blonde woman in the wheelchair the doctors had ordered she stay in whenever possible.
"Thank you," he said, drying his hand and tossing the towel on the counter.
"I-I was wondering if we could talk?" Carrie asked softly, "About, you know. Everything that's happened."
Nick put one hand on the counter and one on his hip. "Carrie, as much as I'm anxious to hear your excuse for all this," he began, "This is my wedding day. I really don't think this is the time or place."
"When will it be the time or place, Nick?" she demanded, "I'm running out of time. There are things that need to be said, and I have to say them before it's too late."
Nick sighed audibly. "I know that, Carrie. But today I don't want to think about my past with you," he explained, "I want to think about my future with Sara. And if you'll excuse me, there's a beautiful little girl I have to dance with."
He walked through the French doors to the patio in search of Lexi. He spotted her on the dance floor, dancing with Greg while she stood on his feet. Nick smiled and walked toward them.
"May I cut in?" he asked.
"Of course," Greg said, "But you owe me a dance later, Lex."
"I know, Uncle Greg," Lexi replied as she grabbed Nick's hands and stepped on his feet.
"How 'bout we do this instead, Lex?" Nick suggested as he scooped Lexi in his arms.
"Okay," the blonde girl said, resting her head against Nick's shoulder as the song changed.
I've got sunshine on a
cloudy day.
When it's cold outside I've got the month of May.
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl).
"I'm glad you and Sara got married, Daddy," Lexi said, her voice muffled against Nick's collar, "Today was really fun."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. You made a beautiful flower girl," Nick said, holding his daughter close to his chest.
"Thanks, Daddy. You made a handsome groom."
I've got so
much honey the bees envy me.
I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees.
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl).
My Girl
Warrick smiled as he watched Nick dancing with Lexi. The little girl's arms were wrapped around his neck, and his arms were wrapped around her back, holding her to him.
His gaze shifted across the yard to each of the tables, until finally his eyes rested on one completely empty, except for one person, watching the same scene he had.
"Hey, Linds," Warrick said, walking up to the girl sitting by herself, "What are you doing sitting over here by yourself?"
Lindsey looked up to him and sniffled, wiping her eyes with her hand, "Nothing," she said, looking down at her feet as a tear traced a path across her cheek.
"Hey, hey, c'mere," he said soothingly, taking the crying girl into his arms, "What's wrong? You can tell me."
"It's just," she began as the tears began to fall freely from her eyes, "I miss my daddy. He used to dance with me like that," she said, pointing to Nick and Lexi, "I wish he was here."
"I know, Linds," he said, rubbing her back comfortingly as she cried, "It's okay. It's okay."
"And that was the song he always played for me," she said. "I really miss him, Uncle Warrick."
"I know, sweetie. He was good to you, wasn't he?" he asked, and Lindsey nodded with a sniffle. He knew that Eddie had treated Catherine terribly, and he resented him for that, but he also knew that he had treated his daughter like an angel on earth.
He held Lindsey at arm's length and wiped her eyes with his thumbs. "You gonna be okay?" he asked, and she nodded, casting her eyes to the floor.
"Then how about you and me go show them how it's done?"
Lindsey looked up at Warrick and smiled, taking his hand as he led her to the dance floor.
I don't need
no money, fortune, or fame.
I've got all the riches, baby, one man can claim.
I guess you'd say
What can make me feel this way?
My girl (my girl, my girl)
Talkin' 'bout my girl (my girl)
I've got
sunshine on a cloudy day
with my girl.
I've even got the month of May
with my girl
The song came to an end and Warrick kissed Lindsey's cheek. "I love you, Linds."
"I know. I love you too, Uncle Warrick," Lindsey said, tightening her grip around his neck, "Thank you for dancing with me."
"Anytime," he replied, setting her on the ground. Lindsey ran across the floor to where Lexi was still dancing with Nick.
"Lexi! Do you want to go help me find Greg?" she asked excitedly.
"Yeah!" Lexi exclaimed. Turning to Nick she said, "Is it okay, Daddy?"
Nick nodded. "Sure."
Lexi wriggled free of his arms and grabbed Lindsey's hand. Together the two girls ran away in search of Greg.
"Look at them," Sara said, coming up behind him and snaking her arms around his waist, "They're having so much fun together."
"Yeah, they are," Nick agreed.
"I think the day was a success," Sara teased as Nick turned her in his arms so he was facing her.
"I couldn't agree more, Mrs. Stokes," he teased back.
"So. You ready for the honeymoon?" Sara asked. Nick's face broke into a grin and he captured her lips in a passionate kiss.
That was the only answer she needed.
~*~*~*~
A/N~ Whew! That chapter took me a long time to write, but it's finally done! And to all my fellow Snickers, I've been keeping up my "page a day" goal. So far so good. The song used for Nick and Sara's wedding song was "I Do (Cherish You)" by Mark Wills. There's also a version by 98 Degrees, but I personally like the country one better, and I figured our favorite Texan would agree with me. Thank you to everyone for your wonderful suggestions. The father-daughter dance song was "What A Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong. And the song that Nick and Lexi and Warrick and Lindsey danced to is "My Girl" by The Temptations. I think that's about it. I hope you enjoyed it. Don't forget to review!!!
~Emily