The stars were blinking on one by one as the moon rose over the Pacific Ocean. Nick and Sara strolled hand in hand down the beach, enjoying the silence and each other's company. They stopped a short distance down the beach from the hotel and Nick pulled her into his embrace. "I've been wanting to be alone with you all day." He breathed in the scent of her hair.

"Mmn. I've been wanting to be with you too." Sara let out a deep sigh and relaxed against him as her arms went around his waist under the jacket of his tux.

"Do you think they'll notice that we're gone?" Nick queried.

"Probably, but it is our wedding." Sara giggled.

"Can I tell you something?" Nick kissed her cheek.

"Anything, baby." Sara inhaled the scent that was uniquely Nick.

"You are the most beautiful bride I've ever seen." Nick let out a sigh.

"Well, you're the most handsome groom I've ever seen." Sara whispered in response.

"I can't wait for tonight." Nick murmured against her ear.

Sara's voice was husky. "I'm glad we waited."

Nick chuckled. "Even if it wasn't on purpose."

"Yeah, but it'll just be that much sweeter." Sara leaned back in his embrace and looked up into his eyes. "Let's make sure that we tell Grissom he'd better schedule our nights off together, that's the biggest reason we've waited this long in the first place. I don't want to miss out on the joys of marital bliss with you because we're working."

Nick reached up and cupped her face, caressing her cheek with his thumb. "Let's not talk about work. We just got married."

Sara giggled. "Yes, we did. And I've got something to model for you later. I hope you like it."

Nick chuckled. "I'm sure I will. I just hope you don't mind that I don't plan on letting you wear it very long."

Sara laughed a deep throaty laugh. "I think that's the point of lingerie in the first place, Nick."

Nick leaned down and kissed Sara deeply. They stood there exchanging soft deep kisses for a while before pulling apart.

Nick grinned. "We should get back so we can make a proper exit." He took her hand in his and they began to walk back towards the hotel.

Sara giggled. "I wonder how Kelly and Greg are making out."

Nick laughed. "They're probably doing just that. Making out."

Sara smirked. "That's not what I meant, but you may just be right."

As they neared the hotel, they noticed a couple engaged in a passionate kiss in the semi-darkness of the beach. As they got closer, the profiles were distinctly recognizable and seemed to be oblivious to anything but each other.

Nick and Sara continued back to the reception, trying to contain their amusement at what they'd witnessed. As they rejoined their guests, they were greeted by Greg and Kelly. Kelly as usual was gushing. "Everyone's been looking for you."

Nick grinned at Sara. "We just took a little walk."

Greg laughed. "Well, you're going to have mutiny on your hands if you don't cut the cake soon."

Nick glanced around the dance floor and noticed his nieces and nephews chasing each other through the crowd of couples dancing. He glance at Sara and grinned. "Shall we, Mrs. Stokes?" He offered her his arm.

She giggled and leaned up to kiss him.

Nick led Sara toward the cake and as he stood next to her he addressed the crowd. "Sorry we made you all wait. I just wanted to take a walk on the beach in the moonlight with my wife." The grin on his face was priceless.

A ripple of laughter spread through the crowd.

"I want cake, Uncle Nick!" Nick's niece Emma started to shout and before long all of his nieces and nephews were chanting. "Cake! Cake! Cake!"

Sara couldn't help but giggle. "No wonder Greg said there was going to be mutiny."

Nick grinned at her. "Just you wait until we have our own kids."

Sara tilted her head coyly. "Well since they'll have the best dad in the world, I'm sure they'll be perfect little angels."

Nick leaned over and kissed Sara. "You are amazing. You're wrong about kids being perfect little angels, but you're amazing."

"Would you two stop talking and cut the cake?" Nick's brother Mike looked thoroughly amused. He gestured toward all the kids. "My kids are out of control enough and Michelle's kids are right behind them, so cut me a little a slack here little brother, I'm sure you two would really like to get out of here anyway."

Nick grinned and there was a faint blush in Sara's cheeks, but she was grinning just as wide. They carefully cut the cake and Sara raised an eyebrow in warning toward Nick as he lifted the cake to her lips.

The crowd kept yelling for Nick to smash the cake in her face.

He chuckled. "The last thing I want to do, darlin', is piss you off on our wedding day." Sara just grinned as she ate the bite of cake he offered her.

She lifted a piece up to his mouth and a mischievous grin flickered across her face. She let him get the cake about halfway in before smearing it across his lips.

The crowd cheered, and laughter erupted.

Nick raised his eyebrows in surprise and amusement and pulled Sara against him so he could kiss her. She giggled against his lips as she tasted the frosting. They shared several sticky kisses until almost all the frosting had disappeared from Nick's lips. As they pulled apart, Nick grinned at her. "You did that on purpose."

She nodded with a coy smile. "Uh, huh. I just wanted to kiss you." She reached up and wiped a tiny bit of frosting from his lips that they'd missed.

Nick laughed softly. "You don't need an excuse you know. This is our wedding. Everyone expects us to be kissing." He leaned down and kissed her again.

As they broke apart, Mike cleared his throat. "Not that I want to interrupt you, but it's sort of traditional for the best man and the matron of honor to give a toast." He gestured toward Chloe who stood next to him with Ben.

Nick grinned at Sara as he answered his brother. "I was a little distracted here by my new wife."

She giggled as she pulled away and looked up into his eyes. "We should probably let them make the toast because they're also expecting us to leave at some point."

Mike chuckled and handed Nick and Sara each a glass of champagne. "Excuse me everyone. I'd like to make a toast to my little brother and his bride."

The crowd turned their attention to Mike.

Mike held up a glass of champagne. "To Nick and Sara. Nicky, you've been in love with Sara longer than you were willing to admit to anyone, but you talked about her like you talked about no other women, so we all knew that it was a matter of time."

A ripple of laughter and a spattering of comments that confirmed Mike's observation moved throughout the crowd.

"The more I see you two together, the more I know that you were meant for each other. Sara, it's obvious to all of us that Nick adores you. Welcome to the family. Cheers." Mike held up his glass and everyone toasted Nick and Sara.

Chloe stepped up and smiled over at Sara. "Sara, I was so glad that you came to my wedding, and when I saw you with Nick, I knew that the two of you were meant for each other like Ben and I. Watching Nick propose to you out on the beach during my reception was one of the most romantic things I've ever seen. I'm glad to have been part of what got you and Nick together." She lifted her champagne glass. "Congratulations and best wishes on a long life filled with love and laughter. Cheers!"

As everyone raised their glasses, one of Nick's sisters yelled out. "And lots of kids!"

Sara blushed. She knew she wanted kids someday with Nick, but not quite yet.

Nick yelled back. "Hey, we haven't even gotten to the honeymoon yet!"

Sara looked up at him with a devilish smile and whispered. "Speaking of the honeymoon, maybe we should start saying goodbye, Mr. Stokes."

Nick grinned at Sara and took her hand as they began to make their way through the crowd to say goodbye. Nick's sister Michelle seemed to want to talk all night. His sister Celia couldn't stop talking about Sara's dress. His mom kept trying to fix his bow tie. And it would have kept on going like this all night long if his brother Mike hadn't intervened. "You all remember what it was like to be a newlywed. Give Nicky and Sara a break and let them get out of here." He just grinned at Nick and Sara, giving them a wink as they finally left the circle of the Stokes clan.

Sara's family was a little bit more understanding. Her parents hugged and kissed them both and then waved them off so they could leave.

As they neared the rest of the night shift crew, they noticed an extra person among them. Kelly was very attached to Greg's arm and he didn't seem to mind one bit. They also noticed that two of their other coworkers looked slightly mussed and rumpled.

Nick and Sara exchanged an amused glanced. They were both thinking the same thing. It was about time those two stopped ignoring what was right in front of them.

Catherine stepped forward and gave Sara a hug. "You look beautiful, Sara. Nick's a lucky guy."

Nick chuckled. "Yes, I am a lucky guy." He leaned over and whispered in Sara's ear. "And I'm pretty sure we're both going to getting lucky tonight." He was quite amused with himself.

Sara just rolled her eyes and swatted at him, trying to ignore his comment. "Thanks, Catherine."

Catherine had overheard Nick's comment though and she tilted her head as she deadpanned. "Nicky, it's usually a sure thing on your wedding night."

Sara couldn't help but laugh and this time, it was Nick whose face was turning a nice shade of pink as a wide grin spread across his face.

Warrick interjected. "Well, I'm sure you two don't want to stand around all night talking to us, I'm sure you have 'other things' you'd rather be doing."

"Yes, we would." Nick couldn't contain his expression of love as he looked at Sara. "I just married the most beautiful amazing woman on the planet. You'd better believe I don't want to stand here talking to you guys all night."

Sara looked over at Nick with a conspiratorial expression on her face. "Nick, I'm sure we're not the only ones who'd rather be doing other things, are we?"

He chuckled and shook his head, knowing exactly who she was talking about. He thought he'd drop a hint that he was onto their little secret. "Hmm, you guys might all try a walk on the beach, Sara and I found it quite beautiful."

"I find that the occasional stroll on the beach can do wonders for cleansing the soul. Anyone want to join me?" Grissom glanced over at the rest of the night shift crew.

Greg chuckled. "No offense, Grissom, but Kelly and I kind of want to be alone."

Kelly gushed. "Sara you and Nick look so cute. Thanks for introducing me to Greg. He's a dream."

Sara had to giggle as she looked at Nick. They were right; Kelly and Greg could be perfect for each other.

"Yeah, Sara, I know it's tough you had to settle for Nick and all, I mean, there's only so much of me to go around. I'm glad you introduced me to Kel here." Greg was literally beaming, if not gushing himself. He and Kelly left with their arms linked together as they went out to take a walk on the beach.

Grissom turned to Warrick and Catherine with a quizzical eyebrow raised. "Catherine? Warrick? Want to join me?"

Catherine yawned. "Uh, sorry, Gil, I'm really tired, I think I'm just going to turn in." She hugged Nick and Sara again before making a quick exit.

"Yeah, Catherine's right, it's been a long day. I think I'm going to turn in too." Warrick yawned to emphasize his point, rubbing the back of his neck. He gave Sara a quick hug and patted Nick on the back before turning and heading into the hotel.

"Suit yourself." Grissom smiled a sort of half smile at Nick and Sara. "Congratulations. I'm happy for you both."

Sara went over and hugged him. "Thanks for being here, Grissom."

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world, Sara." Grissom's face had a full smile as he turned toward Nick and shook his hand. "Nicky, you're a lucky man."

Nick grinned at Sara. "I know. I'm the luckiest man in the world."

Grissom turned unceremoniously and strolled out onto the beach.

Arm in arm, Nick and Sara headed toward one of the private cottages north of the main hotel where they would be spending their honeymoon. As they walked, Sara started to laugh. "Do they really think they're fooling anyone?"

Nick chuckled. "I have a feeling that Warrick knows we're onto them, but I'm not sure about Catherine. As for Grissom, I don't think he has a clue that there's anything going on between them."

"That doesn't surprise me." Sara leaned her head against Nick's shoulder.

As they reached the door of the cottage, Nick scooped Sara up in his arms and she let out a surprised yelp. Nick looked at her with an amused expression. "I've got to carry you across the threshold." He couldn't stop grinning and neither could she.