Where the Grass is Greener

Chapter Sixteen

Their wedding day had finally come, and Sara was so nervous that she thought she was going to be sick. Catherine was trying to calm her nerves with herbal tea rather than coffee.

"Catherine," Sara whined. "I don't know if I can do this. I mean once I say 'I do' I'm married for life."

"Sara, I want you to take a deep breath and focus," Catherine said.

"Focus." Sara repeated, exhaling her breath.

"Breath out the stress." Catherine instructed.

Sara rubbed her temples. "I'm breathing out the stress.and breathing it back in. Dammit, Cath."

Sara just paced back and forth in her wedding dress. All the other bridesmaids were sitting in the chairs available watching Sara have the biggest freak out of her life. It was really embarrassing to her, but she couldn't help it.

"What if Warrick decides that he doesn't want to marry me? Then what?" Sara asked in a panic.

Catherine grabbed her shoulders firmly. "Sara calm down!"

***

Warrick was standing at the altar. Nick, Greg, and Grissom were at his side.

"Five more minutes," Warrick sighed.

"Don't worry," Nick said.

"I'm not worried," Warrick argued. "You see me worrying?"

"Remember, when you kiss her, tilt her back," Greg advised. "It adds to the moment."

Warrick, Nick and Grissom glared at him.

"I don't even know what her dress looks like," Warrick noted. "And don't let me look like an idiot staring at her. Clear your throat or something."

Nick just shook his head at how nervous Warrick was.

"You got the rings?" Warrick asked Greg.

Greg felt around his pockets. "Nope.oh wait."

"Greg!" Warrick and Grissom said in unison.

He put his hands up in surrender and showed the velvet box.

"I'm tired of you," Warrick growled under his breath.

The church was filling up, and Warrick only grew more nervous as the time approached for him to see his bride.

"Ready man?" Nick asked.

"Yeah, I think," Warrick answered.

Just then, the music started playing and everyone straightened up and stood up for the procession.

Warrick felt his heart racing, and he grew more anxious as the bridesmaids marched in. Catherine winked at him as she approached the altar and then he caught what looked like a sultry pucker of the lips directed at Grissom. He looked back at Grissom who had a smirk on his face, then it quickly faded to look like he was blissfully unaware.

After the last bridesmaid made it to the altar, he saw Sara enter through the doors with her father. She looked beautiful. Her dress was strapless and simple. It hugged her body in all the right places, and it seemed to scream "SARA!". She had the brightest smile on her face and she was glowing.

She made it to the altar, and her father pulled the veil up to give her a kiss on the cheek. Sara smiled and then hugged her father before coming up to Warrick and facing him.

"You look beautiful," he whispered to her.

"Thanks," Sara whispered with a smile. "Ready?"

"Yeah," Warrick said.

The Bishop of the church stepped forward to marry the couple.

"Dearly beloved," he started. "We are gathered here to day to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Marriage is not an oath to be taken lightly. I want all you young people out there to hear me: these two adults have decided as one to vow their lives to each other. They have been through trials and tribulations, and they understand that there are more to come as their relationship grows, but they have one thing in common today; love. Love has brought them here, and love will keep them together."

Warrick grinned at Sara and she grinned back.

"Warrick, are you prepared to say your vows?" The Bishop asked.

"Yes sir," Warrick said pulling out a parchment. "Sara Elena this is my vow to you," he started. "With you as my wife, I vow to put you on the highest pedestal, cherishing you above anything else that this earth has to offer me. You are my life, my love, and my queen, and I will protect you, love you, hold you, and see you through times of need. Sara Elena, this is my vow to you. I love you."

They heard the audience 'aw' at his vows.

"Sara, are you prepared to say your vows?" The Bishop repeated.

"Yes sir," she said nervously. "Warrick this is my vow to you," she started tearfully. "With you as my husband, I vow to obey your every whim, and every word. I vow to put you before anything else, and I will love you until my dying day. I vow to be as loving a wife as I can be and I will always be there to lend a loving, and compassionate hand in your time of need. Warrick, this is my vow to you. I love you."

Catherine handed Sara a tissue. She chuckled as she dabbed at her eyes.

"Ring bearer, do you have the rings?"

Greg nodded and stepped forward with the ring box.

"Warrick Brown," the Bishop started. "Do you take this woman, Sara Elena Sidle, to be your lawfully wedded wife for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health until death do you part?"

"I do," Warrick said, then he put the ring on her finger.

"And do you, Sara Elena Sidle take this man, Warrick Brown, to be your lawfully wedded husband for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health until death do you part?"

"I do," Sara said with the brightest smile as she put the ring on his finger.

"If there's anyone in this congregation that thinks that this man and woman should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

Sara and Warrick looked around nervously, then relaxed.

"Then by the power vested in me by the Lord God and the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Warrick, you may kiss the bride."

Warrick gently pulled Sara to him and they kissed sweetly as the crescendo played.

***

"Oh my God!" Sara exclaimed as they entered the reception hall. "I can't believe we did it!"

Warrick laughed and kissed her cheek.

There were cheers and claps from people in the reception hall.

"Please welcome Mr. And Mrs. Brown!" The DJ announced.

They were immediately seated at the head table.

People were served dinner and there was light music playing from the stereos.

"So, Mrs. Brown," Warrick started. "Would you like to join me for a dance?"

"I would love to Mr. Brown," she said with a smile.

Everyone stepped aside for their first dance. Sara leaned up and kissed Warrick. She was in her bridal flip flops and she was more comfortable that way.

"So, who do you think we can convince to go down the aisle next?" Sara asked.

"I'm thinking the not-so-secretive Catherine Willows and Gil Grissom," Warrick quipped.

"No way!" Sara exclaimed.

"Way," he said. "I saw Catherine blow Gris a kiss on the way up the altar."

Sara raised an eyebrow. "They're good for each other. I knew for along time that he had a thing for her."

"Well, I'll always have a thing for you girl," Warrick said as he twirled her.

"You better," Sara laughed. "I love you."

"I love you too," Warrick said. They kissed again.

They were both anticipating their future together. It had been a long and winding road to get to where they were at the moment, but it was worth every struggle.