A New Addition
Pairing: Nick and Sara
Grissom and Catherine get married. Nick is Grissom's best man while Sara is Catherine's matron of honor. Sam Braun gives Catherine away.
Disclaimer: I don't own Nick, Sara or any other CSI character. I do own Nick and Sara's families and any other non-CSI character.
The Wedding
"Catherine, are you nervous?" Sara asked as she zipped up Catherine's wedding dress.
"It's my second marriage," Catherine said. "I know the drill, but I am even more nervous than I was when I married Eddie."
"Mom, you'll be fine," Lindsey tried to calm her stressed out mother.
"Grissom loves you," Sara smiled. "He has been waiting for this moment and so have you!"
"Sara, help me with the veil," Catherine said.
Before Sara could respond, there was a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Sara shouted hoping it wasn't Grissom.
"Sara, it's Nick," the familiar Texas drawl said. "Can I come in?"
"Wait a moment!" Sara shouted.
"Sara, let the poor guy in!" Catherine said.
Sara ran to open the door to let Nick in. When he saw her, his mouth dropped open when he saw Sara in a wine colored dress with spaghetti straps.
"Wow, you look wonderful, Sara," Nick said.
"You don't look bad yourself, Cowboy," Sara winked. "Why did you come here?"
"I can't compliment my own wife," Nick said with a hint of being wounded in his voice. "Or is that a new Nevadan law I didn't know about?"
"Of course you can, silly man," Sara said. "However, this is Catherine and Grissom's day. I don't want to upstage the bride."
"Nick, you did come here for something besides admiring your wife's beautiful dress," Catherine said.
"Yes, Grissom had just sent me to give this to you," Nick said giving Catherine a small box. "By the way, you are a beautiful bride."
"Thanks, Nicky," Catherine said handing Nick a different small box. "Give this to Grissom."
"I shall do that," Nick smiled and left to rejoin the groom's party.
"Aunt Sara, where's Abigail?" Lindsey asked.
"She in the sanctuary with Nick's cousin from Massachusetts," Sara said. "Don't worry, you'll see her after the ceremony. Nick and I picked out a cute little dress for her."
There was another knock on the door. Catherine immediately went to open it. Sara was surprised to see it was Sam Braun, Catherine's biological father and the most corrupt hotel owner in Vegas.
"Catherine, you look beautiful," Sam said. "My granddaughter also looks beautiful and so does Mrs. Stokes. Are you ladies ready to go?"
"Yes, we are," they said.
"Catherine, are you crazy?" Sara hissed. "How could allow him to give you away? Does Grissom know about this?"
"Sara, Sam Braun is my biological father," Catherine tried to reason with her matron of honor. "I know that he isn't one of the most decent human beings on the planet, but he is my family. Yes, Grissom knows about it and he isn't thrilled about it, but he does put up a brave face and tolerates it for today."
Sara and Lindsey were the first ones to leave the changing room. Catherine and Sam followed a few moments later.
The Sanctuary
Grissom was standing at the altar feeling a little nervous. Nick was standing close by, picked up on the vibe.
"Grissom, are you nervous?" Nick asked.
"I am getting married," Grissom said. "Of course, I am nervous!"
"You'll be fine," Nick tried to reassure his boss. "You're marrying Catherine and Lindsey will be your stepdaughter."
"Nick, were you nervous when you got married?" Grissom asked.
"Are you kidding me?" Nick asked. "I was extremely nervous, but it dissipated when I saw Sara in her wedding gown and veil, carrying a bouquet of flowers and being walked down the aisle by her father. Believe me Grissom, you're going to be fine. Just take a few deep breaths and relax a little."
Grissom smiled as he saw Lindsey walking down the aisle followed by Sara as the matron of honor, Mia and some friends of Catherine and Grissom's as the bridesmaids. The flower girls and ring bearer were the children of Catherine's neighbor. When Nick saw Sara walk down the aisle, he briefly saw her in her wedding down. Grissom looked at him and gave him a 'stop daydreaming' glare and Nick snapped out of his reverie. The Wedding March started to play as Catherine walked down the aisle with one arm looped around Sam Braun's. Grissom looked at his bride and a happy tear slid down his face, but his jaw clenched when he saw Sam. As much as Gil hated him, he had to put on a happy face for one day. The congregation stood up and sat down few moments later.
The vows and rings were exchanged. Catherine had a hard time controlling her tears of happiness and it ruined her makeup. Grissom didn't seem to notice it, he only saw the woman he was marrying.
"By the power vested in me and the state of Nevada," the priest said. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
Grissom pulled Catherine into an embrace and they kissed.
"It brings me great pleasure to introduce to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Grissom," the priest said.
Grissom and Catherine walk out of the church as a married couple. They were followed by the bridal and groom's parties. When the main door opened the crowd looking at them threw birdseed at them. The photographer took pictures of the wedding party. Those in the congregation who were invited to the reception were on their way to the ballroom at the Bellagio. The newlyweds went to the Venetian to spend some alone time as a married couple.
Ballroom
"I'm Carl and this is my fiancée Arielle," the man speaking to Nick and Sara. "We are Catherine's next door neighbors. Who are you and how do you know Catherine and Gil?"
"My name is Nick and this is my wife Sara," Nick said. "We work with Gil and Catherine at the Las Vegas Crime Lab. We're crime scene investigators or CSIs."
"So you investigate crimes in the Vegas area?" Arielle asked. "What was the weirdest one you have investigated?"
"There was a body in an alien suit found outside of Area 51 that my husband and I were investigating," Sara said. "It led us to a chapel that had an intergalactic theme to it. Don't worry, we didn't get married at those weird places. Nick's parents would have killed us if we did."
"We were married in Dallas where I am originally from," Nick said. "Our second anniversary is coming soon and we have a beautiful six and a half month old daughter."
"Congratulations on your pending anniversary," Carl said.
"Thanks," Nick and Sara said.
Greg and his latest girlfriend approached them. Nick could tell he was abusing the open bar.
"Greggo, the newlyweds haven't shown up and you're already trashed!" Nick was almost livid. "What do you want?"
"Where are the seating assignments?" Greg asked.
"You are part of the wedding party," Nick replied attempting to control his temper. "There is a long table that has our assigned seats. You and your date will sit next to Grissom. By the way, give the bar a rest!"
"Who was that guy?" Arielle asked.
"That's Greg," Sara shrugged. "He also works with us. Used to be one of our lab techs, but now he's a CSI just like Gil, Catherine, Warrick, Nick and me. Also, he's a regular party animal."
"I could tell," Arielle smiled.
There were people looking for their seats gave the two couples the cue to find theirs. Nick was relieved that he and Sara would sit next to Catherine so he didn't have to deal the human party – Greg.
Fifteen minutes later, Catherine and Grissom showed up at the ballroom all grinning. The DJ stopped playing music to announce the couple's arrival.
"Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Grissom have just arrived," he announced. "If you could just take your seats and allow the newlyweds to have their first dance as a married couple."
The DJ played the song 'Always' by Atlantic Starr. The guests watched as Grissom and Catherine danced to that song. Little did the guests know was the Grissoms' second dance, they had their first at the Venetian. After that song was over, the DJ played Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and Catherine danced with Sam Braun and Grissom danced with his mother. The older Mrs. Grissom, even though she was deaf, danced gracefully with her only child thanks to the vibrations the loud music gave. They communicated their happiness in sign language. They were joined by everyone else. At one point, Catherine danced with Nick and Grissom danced with Sara.
Catherine and Nick
"Congratulations, Catherine!" Nick said. "Sara and I are really happy for you and Grissom."
"Thanks, Nicky!" Catherine smiled.
"So, where are you and Grissom going for the honeymoon?" Nick asked. "I hope not at some bug infested place."
"No, we are going to Spain and Portugal," Catherine said. "Grissom may be into bugs, but he can romantic with or without the bugs."
Grissom and Sara
"Well Grissom, you are a married man," Sara smiled. "How do you feel?"
"I feel like this is a dream," Grissom said. "I am so happy!"
"Catherine is a lucky woman to be married to you," Sara said. "I am very happy for the two of you!"
"Thanks, Sara," Grissom beamed.
A few minutes later, they were all seated for the first course of the dinner. It was mushrooms stuffed with feta cheese, basil and breadcrumbs. The mushrooms were sitting on top of a tomato coulis and topped with some chopped parsley. That course was followed by a salad with raspberry vinaigrette and slices of mandarin orange. When everyone was finished with the salad course, the DJ started playing music. There was more dancing. Nick and Sara took a break from dancing to call home to check on Abigail. Janine left with her some time after Sara fed Abigail and before Nick and Sara entered the ballroom.
Outside the Ballroom
"Janine, this is Cousin Nick," Nick said after he dialed the home number and Janine picked up the phone.
"Hi Nick, how's the reception going?" Janine asked. "Are you and Sara having fun?"
"The reception is wonderful," Nick replied. "We are having a great time. We can't wait to give our speeches. How's Abigail?"
"She's fine and sleeping like a little angel," Janine said. "I know that you wanted to check on her. So, I'll let you and Sara go and enjoy yourselves. Good luck with your speeches."
"Thanks, we'll be home in about four hours," Nick said. "We'll see you later!"
"Bye!" she said and they hung up.
"How's our baby girl?" Sara asked.
"She's doing great and asleep," Nick smiled. "Let's get back to the ballroom before Brass has to organize a search party for two of his own."
When they returned, they danced for a while until they had to return to the seats for the main course. There was a choice of meat, chicken, fish or vegetarian. Nick had sirloin tips with a burgundy reduction that was serve with herb buttered orzo and roasted vegetables. Sara had polenta with wild mushroom topped with tomato and wine sauce and smoked mozzarella served with the same side as Nick's entrée. Some of the guests had the sirloin tips, like Nick. Some had the chicken or fish. Very few of the guests opted for the vegetarian entrée. As soon as everyone finished with their main course, there was more dancing. Greg was dancing like a drunken idiot making his girlfriend blush. Nick and Sara looked at him wondering when he'll pass out. They hoped not before the champagne toasts.
A little over half an hour of music and dancing later, they brought out the wedding cake. It was a four tiered one decorated with wine and purple fondant flowers with figurines of the bride and groom on top. Grissom and Catherine cut the cake and each had a little piece. They linked arms and fed each other the cake. The crowd cheered them on. There was more music and dancing to give the servers time to cut the cake into slices for the guests.
All the single women assemble into a group for the bouquet toss. Catherine stood a few feet away from them and had her back turned to them. She threw back the bouquet and looked to see who caught it. The lucky winner was Arielle and the photographer took a picture of her with Catherine.
After all the single women dispersed, the single men assembled. Catherine and Grissom sat on chairs facing each other. She put her right leg on his lap. He lifted up her gown and started to remove the garter. She took her leg off his lap and observed the action. Grissom had his back facing the crowd. He tossed the garter and Carl caught it. The photographer first took a picture of Carl with Grissom and then Carl posed with Arielle.
Everyone was seated for cake and the champagne toasts. The servers served the cake and poured the champagne in the glasses. Nick stood up took his glass and tapped it with the dessert fork to get everyone's attention.
"Hey everyone, I'm Nick Stokes, the best man," Nick said. "I have known Gil and Catherine ever since I arrived from Dallas to work at the Las Vegas Crime Lab almost nine years ago. They mentored me and tried to keep me out of trouble even though I occasionally manage toget myself into. I credit Gil for bringing the woman that I would marry and have a baby girl with from San Francisco. I somehow knew that Gil and Catherine would wind up together from the way they interacted with each other. The love they have for each other came full circle with an engagement and now a wedding. When I was asked to be Gil's best man, I was honored and agreed to do it. I now propose a toast to Gil and Catherine! May the two of you have many days of happiness!"
Nick lifted his champagne glass and gave everyone the cue to raise theirs.
"Have many days of happiness!" everyone shouted.
He sat back at his chair and Sara took over.
"I am Sara Sidle-Stokes, the matron of honor," Sara said. "When Catherine asked me to be her matron of honor, I was happy to be one. I have known Gil for many years and Catherine for five a half years. Gil is a great friend and boss. He does have his little quarks, but we like him anyway. Catherine is also a great friend and colleague. I remember when I first met Catherine at work, we didn't get along. Eventually, we became great friends. I consider her the big sister I never had. She is also a wonderful mom to her daughter Lindsey. She helped me when I was pregnant with my own little girl. Gil will be a loving stepfather to Lindsey and I could see that she likes him a lot. Now, here's my toast to the Grissoms! Have a joyful marriage and happy family!"
"Joyful marriage and happy family!" everyone raised their champagne flutes and shouted.
Some time after the cake was eaten and the champagne was slowly sipped, the music resumed and so did the dancing. Greg went to an out the way area of the ballroom and passed out. His girlfriend joined him. Grissom hoped those two would have a ride home. An hour and a half after the music resumed, some of the guests started to leave taking their souvenirs with them. Warrick went to wake up Greg and his girlfriend and gave them a ride home. He thought the young and crazy couple was going to have a nasty hangover in the morning. Eventually the only people left were Grissom, Sam, Catherine, Lindsey, Nick and Sara.
"Congratulations on your nuptials!" Sam said.
"Thank you," Catherine said.
"Sam, I admit that I don't like you," Grissom said. "However, you're family and I think I could tolerate you."
"Welcome to the family," Sam smiled. "I know that if I find myself in trouble with the CSIs that I can't get you or Catherine involved since you're both close. Maybe you could get Mr. Brown, Mr. Sanders or Mr. and Mrs. Stokes to investigate."
"Better yet, how about letting Conrad Ecklie and his crew deal with it," Grissom smiled.
"I love that idea even more," Sam said.
Twenty minutes later, Nick and Sara already left to go home. Lindsey was picked up by the parents of one of her friends so she could spend the next two weeks with them. Sam went back to one of his hotels. Grissom and Catherine went home to pick up their luggage and flight itinerary. The newlyweds took a cab to go to McCarran to catch their flight to Madrid for the first leg of their honeymoon.
TBC