Post-Butterflied
Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to CSI blah blah blah. Don't sue me!
Chapter 29
The very next morning, a brilliant idea struck Sara. She was with Grissom and the rest of the team enjoying breakfast. She put down her fork and waited for her chance to speak.
"Hey guys, I just had a really good idea. Grissom brought up last night that there's no one to walk me down the aisle because my dad died when I was a kid. So I've been thinking all night about what I should do. Then it hit me, since Nick isn't doing anything in the wedding, I should have him walk me down the aisle," Sara explained.
Everyone turned to Nick who was frozen with his fork midway to his mouth, "Wow, Sara. I'd love to do that for you."
"Good. You're like a brother to me. And I thought you'd be the perfect man for the job," Sara said.
A smile spread across Nick's face as he had more time to process the idea.
"That's actually a really good idea, Sara," Grissom told her.
"Good for you, maybe. Now who's the only one not in the wedding party?" Greg crossed his arms.
"I don't know, maybe if we wanted to get everyone involved in the wedding, we could make Brass an usher and Greggo there could be your other bridesmaid," Warrick suggested laughing.
The look that Greg gave Warrick at the moment was priceless. If looks could kill, Warrick would have been dead on the spot. Of course this only made everyone else at the table laugh harder. Greg slammed his fork down on the table and continued to glare at everyone.
"Come on Greg, I thought you were the one around here with a sense of humor," Sara snickered.
"Now that was funny," Nick agreed, "come on man, you know you want to laugh."
"Very funny," Greg shook his head, but could no longer hide his laughter, "suddenly, I'm glad I am not involved in the wedding party."
"I thought you said you didn't mind not being involved," Catherine reminded him.
"I don't," Greg said, "I was just teasing you guys."
"Good, because there was really no way to include everyone," Grissom said, "as much as we want to."
"You made an effort to get Nick involved," Greg smirked.
"It was a last minute idea," Sara told him.
"I know, I know, just giving you a hard time," Greg laughed.
"Well, maybe the rest of us will have conveniently forgot our wallets," Warrick said.
"Whoa, now," Greg put up his hands, "you can't just run out on the bill here."
Eventually Grissom, Sara and Nick were the last three people left at the table.
"I'm really glad you picked me to walk you down the aisle, Sara. It's quite an honor," Nick thanked her.
"Well, you know I thought it wasn't right for you to be left out. I know Gris had a hard time picking a best man and I've been hoping for a way to include you all along. Then when he reminded me that I didn't have someone walking me down the aisle, I knew I had the perfect job for you," Sara told him.
"Thanks for thinking of me. I should probably get going, I need to catch up on some sleep," Nick stood and hugged Sara.
The night before the wedding was the rehearsal dinner. Grissom, Sara, Catherine, Warrick, Nick, Brass, Greg, Lindsey and Mrs. Grissom were all present. They only wanted a small ceremony with their closest friends. They did a quick run-through of the ceremony, with Greg standing in for the minister and then had their dinner.
"Am I the only one who thinks it's great that Ecklie's team gets to work a double?" Catherine asked as they ate.
"No, I think it's just what Ecklie deserves," Nick chuckled, "for all those times he was an ass to Grissom or any of us."
"You know they'd be laughing if it was us that had to work for them," Greg said.
"I take it you don't like these people much?" Mrs. Grissom asked, "I'm only catching bits of your conversation."
"No, Conrad Ecklie is the dayshift supervisor and he's not a very nice person," Grissom explained.
"Well, let's stop worrying about that and celebrate that you're getting married!" she told her son.
"Yes, congratulations you guys," Warrick smiled.
"We're all happy for you," Nick added.
"Never thought we'd see the day," Brass teased.
"He's right," Catherine agreed, "for the longest time no one thought you guys would ever end up together, let alone getting married."
"Weren't you guys taking bets?" Sara asked.
"No," Greg said a little too quickly.
"Who won that pool?" Grissom asked.
"Brass did, by default. We were all pretty off," Warrick shook his head.
"I could have won that," Mrs. Grissom added quietly.
"What?" Grissom turned wide-eyed to his mother.
"I meant if I lived closer to you, I know you very well, Gil," she smiled.
Everyone laughed at this comment, as it had been very unexpected. They spent the rest of the evening chatting and finally headed home to get rest before the big day. Mrs. Grissom was staying with her son and Sara. She went to bed early, leaving the couple to talk.
"Well, tomorrow's the big day," Sara said.
"Are you ready for it?" Grissom asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be. I'm still sort of nervous," Sara told him, "but it's more of being afraid I'll forget the lines I'm supposed to be repeating or something stupid like that."
Grissom laughed, "That's exactly what I'm afraid of doing!"
"Or just being so worried, I don't even hear them," Sara smiled.
"I have the feeling we'll both be fine," Grissom said seriously.
"Yeah," Sara agreed.
Both fell silent, just enjoying one another's company. Sara leaned on Grissom's shoulder and he gently stroked her hair. Sara was nearly asleep when Grissom gently kissed the top of her head.
"We should get to bed," he said softly.
"We have to get up early tomorrow," Sara moaned, following him to their bedroom.
"Yes we do," Grissom yawned, "which is why we're going to bed."
"Oh man, Orion's in the middle of the bed," Sara gestured toward their cat.
Grissom gently picked up the sleeping cat and moved him to the desk chair, "Problem solved dear."
"You make it seem so easy," Sara smiled and kissed him.
"Good night, love," Grissom said.
"Good night," Sara slipped under the covers, knowing she may not be able to sleep very well.
A/N: Well, today's blizzard gave me plenty of incentive to stay inside and write another chapter to the story. It's not snowing now, but it's still really windy. I have my fingers crossed that classes will get canceled tomorrow…I've got my eyes glued to the TV screen hoping to see Colorado State University scroll across with the rest of the closures, but something tells me I'll be going to classes tomorrow. :P
