Disclaimer: I have defeated the pesky hero! These characters are all mine...waitaminute. This isn't the CBS building! This is the Tribune HQ! What am I doing here? Mutant X ended, so I don't need it...Eevee! (grumbles that good minions are so hard to find these days...)
So, it turns out that for now, I still don't own them. Bummer.
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Chapter 18
Wedding music played as the bride came down the aisle, holding on to the arm of a very proud Adam Kane. His daughter looked radiant, dressed in a simple yet beautiful wedding dress, while one of Nick's many nieces held her train behind her. Derek was the ring-bearer, looking solemn as he walked along. Lindsey Willows was one of the flower girls, to Catherine's delight and pride.
Nick was trying not to fidget over by the altar, and Warrick, the best man, reached over to poke him.
"You'll be fine," he hissed. "But if you keep fidgeting, I'll kick you out of the church myself."
Swallowing, Nick nodded and stood still for about ten seconds, then he fidgeted again, causing Warrick to sigh.
Adam stepped away from Alex just then, handing her arm to Grissom, who took it rather self-consciously. The young healer gave him a smile, and he nodded and started walking. He was actually sorry when they reached the altar and he had to give Alex's hand to her husband-to-be.
The wedding service was short and simple, and when Nick was finally given permission to kiss the bride, he did so with plenty of enthusiasm, eliciting a wolf-whistle from Greg and Warrick each – with Alex's brothers joining in enthusiastically.
Grinning, the Texan surprised everyone, his new wife included, by picking up his bride and carrying her out of the church to the car waiting outside.
"They're leaving so soon?" asked Lindsey, surprised.
"Don't worry," a grinning Warrick assured her. "We'll see them at the reception lunch. Nick's just being his usual dramatic self."
"Heh," said Lindsey, amused. "Cute."
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The music swirled around her as she closed her eyes and let the notes wash over her like waves in the sea. Alex felt like purring, she was so happy.
Someone snapped her out of that bliss by snapping two fingers in front of her face.
She opened her eyes reluctantly, and smiled at her brother. "Hey, Terry."
He grinned. "I can't believe you're married now."
She laughed. "Yeah. I think I said the same thing to you at your wedding."
He turned serious. "Yeah, well, if your wedding turns out the way mine did…I'll never forgive Nick."
She looked at him. "Terry," she said, wondering if he was serious.
"I mean it," he said firmly. "If Nick hurts you, they'll never find the body."
Touched, Alex hugged her brother. "Thanks, bro."
A tap on the shoulder made her turn around, to see her husband grinning at her, offering her a hand.
"They want us to dance," Nick explained. "Shall we?"
Swallowing, Alex replied nervously, "Uh, Nick, I don't dance so good."
"She dances like a lumberjack," Jim put in helpfully, only to have Brianna swat him on the shoulder. "Ow!"
"Like a one-legged lumberjack," agreed TJ nearby.
"Like a one-legged lumberjack whose remaining leg is a tree-stump," finished Max.
"I'll take care of these clowns for you, Alex," said Brianna, grinning conspiratorially at her sister-in-law. "You go dance."
Grinning, Alex rose, taking Nick's hand. "Thanks, Bri!" she called over her shoulder.
Usually when Alex danced with someone, she'd start praying that she wouldn't step on their toes or embarrass herself. But here, with Nick, she felt…more confident somehow, as though she knew that this would be the most memorable dance of her life.
She was almost sorry when the music ended, but Nick didn't stop there. The song was a slow one, and Alex sighed happily as she leaned her head on Nick's shoulder.
"Tired?" Nick whispered in her ear.
"A little," she admitted.
"Well, this'll all be over soon, we can head off for our honeymoon and have a good long rest." Nick leaned in, giving her a kiss, and she smiled.
"I forgot to tell you," she began, only to be cut off as a voice said,
"Mind if I cut in?" Adam gave his daughter a smile, and she looked at Nick, who replied,
"Sure, go ahead."
"We'll talk later," Alex mouthed at him, before her father took her hand and led her to another place on the dance floor.
The young woman didn't get a chance to talk to Nick until they were in the air later that night, headed for their honeymoon destination in Miami.
"So," asked Nick, covering her hand with his, "What were you trying to tell me earlier?"
"Oh, yeah," Alex grinned, turning to him. "I went to the doctor a couple days ago. I thought I was having the flu, but it turns out – I'm pregnant!"
Nick choked on his drink, and Alex laughed as she patted him on the back.
When Nick finally stopped, he turned to Alex, looking…awed. That was the only word to describe his expression just then. Reaching over, he placed a hand carefully on Alex's stomach, and gave her a slow, incredulous smile.
"I'm gonna be a dad?" he asked, amazed.
"That pretty much sums it up, yes," Alex laughed. Grinning, she added in a lower voice, "Oh, and I had a premonition. You wanna know the gender?"
Her husband shrugged. "I don't really mind – either way I'll love him or her."
His wife smiled a secret smile to herself. "Okay."
She leaned against him, and yawned. "Think I'll take a nap," she said sleepily. Closing her eyes, she waited until she felt Nick relax into sleep against her before saying softly, "If it's a surprise you want, a surprise it shall be, Nicky."
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This fic is almost over, folks, and I'd like to thank everyone for sticking with me until now. There will be a final chapter, which I shall work on in between working on articles for my class magazine, and studying for my two final tests tomorrow. There you shall find out the gender of Nick and Alex's child (not what you'd think, but there are only two options, after all.), and there will be...a farewell party. In the story, unfortunately not here.
But hey, if you guys like the ending, there's always the possibility of a sequel, I suppose. (ducks as the reviwers throw rotten eggs and fruit at her) Okay, okay! I'll only do a sequel if enough of you guys want one. I promise. Scout's honour. I do have other fics to work on anyway. ;)
Right, the shout-outs(you know, if you guys don't get a shout-out, make sure you complain to me, cause I try to shout to every single one of my reviewers, just so they know I appreciate their reviews):
Kat Hawkins - How'd I get this chapter done while I was in your crystal cage? Well, you see, i have this sister named Sara (she betaed one of my chapters for me), who has the power to open the earth beneath us...anyway, she gave me a hand. If I were you, I'd make sure that crystal cage covers every possible escape route the next time. >:) Oh, and here's your Nick plushie. Sorry i forgot it the last time. (hands Nick plushie to Kat) And I thought your cow was Hatsuharu? Or do you have two rabid cows? (licks lips and grins hungrily)
And yes, you're reading that right. Alex should be over the moon, but being the terrible writer I am, I changed that bit.
gelf - Both! I want both reviews and snacks! I never saw a purple basket, though...Gator tail? I love gator tail! In fact I love any food that ain't spicy, or that isn't vegetables. :)
love N/S - Thanks, sweetie. (hugs) I didn't see those pics, but I will. Someday. As soon as I get some free time. (makes mental note of it)
SpectralLady - Only for season 3 and 4. I have s2 on VCD, and I'm looking out for s1 on DVD or VCD. And wherever you hide the plushie, make sure it's not somewhere anyone could find it, like under your bed. The 'drown in the desert' part was an in-joke for the s2 episode where Nick found a woman who drowned in the desert. :) Thanks, dear.
cenas-lil-hottie- Thanks for the review! Keep reading!
CatherineLouise - Aw, look, you made me blush. (blushes) Thanks for the compliments, dear, but do try and keep them to a minimum...my head will explode otherwise. :) (hugs) You get a Nick plushie for that. (hands one over)
Okay, guys, hang in there! The epilogue's coming soon (I hope)!
RK9/christiancsifreak
