A/N Well the story is finally finshed. After many long nights I finally got the last couple of chapters written. Thank you so much everyone for the wonderful reviews. It means more than I can say. It helped when I hit the road blocks. The two songs in this I don't own. " From this Moment On " is by Shania Twain. There is also the lyrics to " Live Now " by Paul Brandt, which was the inspiration for this story. I don't own either song. As always I don't own the characters other than the ones I created. Jerry Bruckheimer, Anthony E. Zuiker and CBS do.

Epilogue

Chapter 25

Warrick stood at the top of the aisle beside the minister with Nick by his side.

" You getting nervous. There is a back door to this place. " Nick said quietly

" I've been waiting for this moment for my whole life. "

Warrick looks around at their friends. The Miami and New York crews had come as well to be at their wedding. Lily sat beside Sam. Althea Brown sat beside them. She was so happy for her grandson and the new great grand baby. He had done good for himself. Althea had puttered around Catherine like a mother hen when she found out about the baby. Warrick had gone with Catherine to tell her the news. Althea was shocked and then bust into a huge smile. Catherine was taken over by the warmth of the older woman. Althea and Lindsey hit it off right away. Althea and Lindsey were puttering around the kitchen when Warrick showed Catherine a picture of his mother Ava. She had been a beautiful woman who had been cut down too short in her life by cancer. Catherine had remarked that she was a beautiful woman.

Warrick looked up. The beautiful woman was standing in front of him at the end of the aisle. Warrick looked down and saw Catherine standing there. A string quartet hired by Sam began playing Pachebel's canon in D. First came Sofia then Sara and finally Lindsey who looked so proud. Then started the bridal march. Catherine walked down on Gil's arm. She looked so beautiful in the candlelight. They had chosen an evening ceremony and had placed white candles around the room. There were huge bouquets of white roses, freesia, and green ivy in large vases on tables. The room had been done in ivory and burgundy.

Catherine walked up and stood in front of Warrick. Gil handed Catherine's hand to Warrick.

" Be happy both of you. "

They stood in front of the minister. The music stopped.

" We are here to celebrate the marriage of Catherine Ann Willows and Warrick Josiah Brown. Who gives this woman to be married. "

" We do. " said Sam and Lily in unison.

" Who gives this man ?"

" I do. " said Althea.

" Marriage is a sacred bond that should not be entered to lightly. Do either of you have reservations ? "

Warrick and Catherine both look at each other and smile. " No "

" I understand that the daughter of the bride and groom wants to read a poem before the wedding. "

" I do. "

Catherine and Warrick both look at Lindsey.

Love is patient; love is kind
and envies no one.
Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude;
never selfish, not quick to take offence.
There is nothing love cannot face;
there is no limit to its faith,
its hope, and endurance.
In a word, there are three things
that last forever: faith, hope, and love;
but the greatest of them all is love.
1 Corinthians 13

" Now I understand that Catherine and Warrick both have their own vows that they would like to say. "

Catherine looks at Warrick.

" Cath I've loved you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. You have such strength and confidence that I'm in awe of it. You knew what you want and go for it. I hope our daughter is half the woman that you have raised Lindsey to be. It still doesn't seem real that we are here. I wanted to tell you so many times how much I loved you but it was never the right moment. Some things happen in life to put it all in perspective. It made me realize that life is to damn short not to live every moment to the fullest. You've got to forget about the past and look forward to the future. We are all living on borrowed time and whatever time I have I want it with you. I'm not going to have one regret. Two very wise men told me that. "

Warrick looks over at Mac and Gil. Mac and Gil both smiles.

" I have always loved you Cath and I always will. I am going to make sure that every day I tell you how much you mean to me and how much I love you. "

Catherine looked at Warrick with tears in her face.

" Warrick, I always thought it was just a fantasy that I would never get the good guy. I've been burned a couple times in my life. As a result I've been cautious when it came to my feelings. I had to for my daughter. But like you said some things happen in life to put it all in perspective. I can't imagine a day without you in my life. I watch you with my...our daughter and I can't help but smile. I know she will grow into a strong and confident young woman because you are her father. I know her sister will as well. "

Catherine touches her stomach. Warrick places his hand on top of hers.

" Someone once said that I need to take a chance and say how I fell. I can't assume that you know. I love you Warrick. I have for a very long time. I am going to spend the rest of my life loving you and my children and not being afraid to do so. I'm not scared now of what will happen because I know that I'm not alone. "

" Warrick Josiah Brown do you take Catherine Ann Willows to be your lawful wedded wife to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish for all the rest of your days ? "

Warrick looked at Catherine's beautiful blue eyes.

" You bet I do. "

Everyone laughed.

" Catherine Ann Willows do you take Warrick Josiah Brown to be your lawful wedded husband to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish for the rest of your days ? "

" I do. " Catherine brushes away a tear.

The minister looks at Nick.

" Do you have the rings ? "

" I do. "

Nick hands the rings to the minister. They were simple platinum bands with the engraving " I will love you forever. "

" Warrick take this ring and place it on Catherine's ring finger and repeat after me. "

Warrick places the ring on Catherine's finger.

" With this ring I thee wed. "

" Catherine I now ask you to do the same thing. "

Catherine place the ring on Warrick's finger.

" With this ring I thee wed. "

" Now that Catherine and Warrick have exchanged rings does anyone have any objections as to why they shouldn't be married ? "

No response from the crowd.

" Well by the power invested in me by the State of Nevada I now pronounce you husband wife and daughters. You may now kiss your bride. "

" Finally. "

Catherine laughed through her tears. Warrick kissed her deeply and passionately on the mouth.

" Everyone I have the honour of introducing you to Mr. and Mrs. Brown. "

Catherine took Lindsey's hand in one hand and Warrick's in the other. They walked down the aisle with everyone cheering.

A bit later everyone was laughing and cheering saying how it was a beautiful ceremony. Catherine was now in a simple pale burgundy georgette gown with empire waist. Warrick had his hand around her waist. They were talking with Gil and Sara.

" So when do you plan to leave for Washington ? "

" At the end of the month. We just need to train our replacements and finish all the paperwork. "

" I'm gonna miss you. "

" We'll come down and visit you in Miami like I promised. Be happy Cathy. You and Warrick both deserve it. "

Catherine smiled and gave Gil a hug.

Just then the crackling of the microphone. Nick was standing there holding a glass of champagne.

" Well everyone. It's good to finally see that they did it. Catherine and Warrick have been dancing around this for 5 years. I do believe that it is time for your first dance Mr. and Mrs. Brown. "

The soft notes of Shania Twain's " From This Moment On " begin playing.

(I do swear that I'll always be there.
I'd give anything and everything and I will always care.
Through weakness and strength, happiness and sorrow,
for better or worse, I will love you with
every beat of my heart.)
From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on

From this moment I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love I'd give my last breath
From this moment on

I give my hand to you with all my heart
Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on

You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
From this moment
I will love you as long as I live
From this moment on

Warrick looks at his wife. He smiles. He was going to love Catherine for the rest of his life. Catherine looks at him with pale blue eyes and smiles. Warrick kisses Catherine and holds her close. He pulls back and looks at Lindsey. He hugs his family close. He wasn't going to let them go ever again. This was his future. This is what he was going to focus on. Life was too damn short to focus on things that you can't control. Almost shorter than we want to believe. There was no point living in the past with Novak and trying to wrap his head around with what happened with Tina. It was too short to deal with miscommunications and not saying how you felt. It had taken him five long years to finally say what he had felt in his heart the first time he had seen Catherine. He loved her. He was going to tell her for the rest of her life how much he loved her. It was important to live now and look forward to his future.

LIVE NOW ( The inspiration for this story )

Artist : Paul Brandt

CD : This Time Around

Copyright : 2004

Written by : Paul Brandt

I heard it from a new born baby

Loud and clear in that first breath of life

I heard it when grandpa was dying

It was faintly there

Live Now

I guess it really is quite simple

Sometimes it's easier said than done

But all the cool rain does is fall down

And all the river does is run

(all we really have to do is)

Live Now

We're not promised tomorrow

Like vapour, this these days here are fading away

Baby, this time I'm holding you is borrowed

But every second by God's grace, I'm gonna

Live Now

I've learned I can't control the future

I've learned I must forgive the past somehow

Cause we are here only a moment

And life's too short not to live now.