The other things that happened included Gil starting to move into Catherine's house. They had decided on her place because it was bigger than his, and Greg and Lydia started to look for a house of their own to live in. They were going to pay for the house with Greg's savings, Lydia's income, and help from her parents.
Before any of them had realized it, the wedding day had arrived. The church was decorated with beautiful red and white roses, and gauzy pale colored cloths. At the front of the church Grissom stood with the minister as the seats filled with their friends and family.
Everyone that they knew was there; even Sam Braun had been invited he was going to walk Catherine up the aisle. Grissom's mother was there as well; she sat across the aisle from Catherine's family, with her own family.
In one of the back rooms, the finishing touches were being made on Catherine. Her gown was elegant and strapless; the top of the dress was halter-like so it was stiffer in appearance, while the skirt section flowed bountifully from it. The fabric was a white satiny material with sparkles throughout it. The top of Catherine's hair was twisted and clasped in the back by a clip and the bottom part of her hair which hung below that was curled so that it fell softly over her shoulders and back. A tiara with a veil on it was fastened to her hair, and it was draped over her face and back. For jewelry she was wearing her engagement ring, and a matching set of diamond earrings, a necklace, and bracelet. She looked stunning.
The bridesmaids were dressed in light blue dresses that were not overly dressy, so they could be worn again. The bridesmaids were Catherine's sister Karen, her niece Mary, then Lydia and Sara. Sara would walk with Nick, Lydia would walk with Greg, Karen would walk with Brass, and Mary would walk with Warrick.
As the women started to leave the room, Sara stopped and asked Catherine if they could talk for a moment, she agreed, and when they were alone she said, "I just wanted you to know that I'm happy for the two of you."
"Sara, I know that you loved Gil for awhile, but I also know that you've been able to let him go. He never has told me if he felt the same way for you, but I think that for a time he did."
"I know he did, but that's in the past now, somewhat, but we're friends now. I don't want that to be different now, I've moved beyond my infatuation with him, and I also realize that his personality and mine would clash very badly in a relationship, they do already. But the two of you make one another so happy which makes me glad. I'm also happy that you and I have become friends again. I like things a lot better this way."
"So do I."
Then they hugged and Sara said, "Come on, let's get you two married."
So the procession into the sanctuary was led by Lindsey who spread red, white, and pink rose petals on the ground. Then Karen and Brass walked in, followed by Mary and Warrick, and then Sara and Nick. Just before Catherine entered the maid of honor walked in with the best man, they were probably just as happy as Catherine and Grissom were; Lydia and Greg knew that their own wedding was to take place in just a few more weeks, which made them very excited. As they reached the front the Wedding March played and Catherine entered on her father's arm.
At the front of the church Grissom took her hands within his own, and her father then sat down. They looked at one another through her veil and smiled. The minister spoke shortly, and then they said their own personal vows to one another.
"Catherine, you have been a constant companion for me throughout so many years. The only times that I've truly been happy were when I've been with you, and from now on that is all that I want. I know that it may seem short, but I think that you remember what I said when I proposed my love, and I didn't want to share that with everyone else. I promise that I will always love you and be faithful to you, and that I will love and protect our children as well."
Catherine giggled slightly, as did her two daughters, and then she said her vows. "Gil, you were always there when I needed you, even when I pretended that I could make it on my own. Our daughters, because now they are both your daughters, both love you, and so do I. You have never given up on me, and you always were there when I made a mistake. You have given me strength, courage, and support through the most difficult times in my life, and I could never imagine a day without you in it from now on. You were there when I went through loosing Lydia, my divorce, finding my father and dealing with that, my boyfriends, Eddie's death, and then having Lydia return to us. You have been one of the only things I've been able to cling to through it all, I love you Gil."
As semi-traditional as they were trying to make the wedding, nothing could prevent Catherine's daughters from putting a hand gently on their mother's back; all three were starting to tear up, and so was everyone else in the room. Lydia also put her free arm around her sister's waist. Then the minister continued by having them say the traditional marriage vows of promising to love, honor, cherish, and protect through sickness and health until death, and then they kissed.
When they pulled apart from their kiss they saw the tears coming down the cheeks of all the people that were there, including themselves.
"We're really married now aren't we," she asked him in a whisper.
"I hope so," he whispered back.
Then the two of them walked down the aisle arm in arm followed by their attendants and after that the guests filed out.
At the reception, which took place that evening, about two hours after the wedding, at the biggest ballroom in the Rampart casino. As much as Grissom wanted to deny it, he was now the son-in-law of Sam Braun, and he supposed that he should get used to it so at the reception he made amends with his new father-in-law. Everyone was enjoying being at the reception and having the chance to mingle with one another.
When Catherine tossed her bouquet to the assembled single women, Sara surprisingly enough, was the one who caught it, which caused the people to wonder who she would marry, and she started to blush uncomfortably. Mercifully both Catherine and Lydia saved her from the crowd by wandering off with her.
During one of the dances Gil and Catherine stood in a corner watching their friends and family dance and mingle. They were content to just be held by each other and observe for one dance.
"I'm glad that our families get along so well; I was worried for awhile," Catherine said.
"So was I, after all neither of us were too fond of your father and your mother and he have a few issues together as well. Then there is my family who doesn't socialize along with my mother who is deaf."
"She likes being with her granddaughters and her son. Our friends are getting along with everyone very well too. Did you know who Warrick is dancing with?"
"No, do you?"
"Yes, she's one of Lydia's friends, her name is Roxie Carmichael."
"Oh, I hope that they have fun. Who is dancing with your nephew Jake?"
"Ellie Brass."
"Really?"
"Yep, I hear that she's changed."
"That's good to hear, Jim seems a lot happier now that she's clean. Sara and Nick appear to be enjoying dancing together."
"Yeah, they do, it makes me happy to know that she is fine with all this now."
"Me too."
"Who is Lindsey dancing with?"
"Al's grandson Tommy. He better be careful, I don't think he knows what he's getting himself into."
"It's just a dance."
"What if they want to date?"
"Baby, right now I want to just hold you and not care what our children do. I'm happy just the way I am."
"I'm happy too. I love you."
"I love you too."
They kissed, and as they were kissing Greg and Lydia appeared. "When are you two leaving?" Lydia asked when they stopped kissing.
"I don't know, soon I guess," Grissom responded.
"Yeah, our flight leaves at ten and it's eight now. We packed earlier, but we should get there early. Maybe we should leave in like twenty minutes," Catherine said.
"Well then we'll make an announcement that the two of you are leaving, how about that," Greg said.
"That way everyone can say goodbye," Lydia added.
"All right, let's do that," Grissom said.
Then the announcement was made and everyone said goodbye to the two; they were given many hugs, kisses, and wishes of luck, and then all of their friends and family, for the most part, filtered out of the room. Most of the guests would be at the next wedding in four weeks.
They did notice that Lindsey had been given a quick kiss by Tommy, which caused slight concern in her parents. Then Lindsey, Lydia, Greg, Sam Braun, Marianne Michaels, Vivian Grissom, Gil, and Catherine all left the casino together in one of Sam's limousines, which carried them to the airport.
The luggage that they had packed was in the limo, and they carried it out of the vehicle and put it on the sidewalk at the airport. Then they hugged their family goodbye. They were going to Hawaii for two weeks, and then two weeks after that Lydia and Greg had their wedding. During their two weeks away Lydia had the fun of watching Lindsey.
With hugs and tears and kisses Catherine and Gil managed to leave their daughters and parents or in-laws at the doors and they entered the airport to go on their honeymoon.
TBC...
I've decided to go on hiatus now... I have housework to accomplish and I'm starting to get writer's block on this story (which is the first time that I've had it on this story) So I haven't even written ch. 27 and it won't be this long (most likely) and I don't really know how to write it (I know what I want to say though...) So yes, I'm not going to post it for awhile, but I may finish and post it before August (hopefully...) But after that I promise to be updating regularly again... (though in September school may start to interfere...)
Thanks for reviews, I truely love them all and they encourage me to write lots! csifreak04, SassyandClassy, CSIFan4Life, jewelbaby, CSI Kennedy, CSIindiegurl
Thanks for the help I've been given and everything that has been said by you people who are so wonderful as to read all of my little works of bordom! Lots of Love! I shall return!
Jen