COLLIDE
Sandle fic. Only one more chapter of this...I'll be sad to see it go… all that's left is the epilogue. All other stories are still on hold until this is finished. Enjoy! Sorry this took so long to get up but I worked out all the details and everything… I'd like to thank my friend Jamie, my cousin Brian, and my brother for helping me with this too.
You finally find
You and I Collide
Sara woke to a gentle poking in her side. "Mmm... Sleepin'," she mumbled into her pillow, after glancing quickly at Leigh who was still asleep in the Lindsey's old crib a few feet away.
"Wake up!" The poking continued. "We have a DB...looks like this..." Catherine held a morbidly obscure photo in front of Saras face in an attempt to wake her.
Sara jumped, falling out of bed with a soft 'Oof.'. "What was that for?" she asked, picking Leigh up from the crib to her right.
"I had to wake you," she said, glancing once again at the picture.
"And there was no other possible way of doing it than with that?" she shot a glare in the general direction of the picture. "What is that anyway?"
Catherine shrugged. "Some Japanese Band that came to America in March. I was curious so I looked 'em up. You know, so Lindsey wouldn't get into it. They're some death metal, blood spurting, vomiting...screaming till a lung becomes a projectile object... I think they're a band anyway..."
Sara blinked, absorbing that information. "Okay, back on topic... What all do we have to do?"
"Ah, well...it is your wedding day. So, GO TAKE A SHOWR YOU SLOB."
She handed the infant to Catherine, raised her hand to her forehead in a mock salute and bowed. "Ma'am, yes, ma'am!" she laughed, turning toward the bathroom.
"Of course...Your momma couldn't even change you before she gave you to me...Thanks, Sara!" Catherine called, causing Sara to turn around.
"Hey! You shoved that picture in front of my face! It's called 'revenge!'" Sara replied, once more starting for the bathroom. This time Lindsey stopped her.
Catherine watched as Lindsey walked into the room. "Linds?"
Lindsey retrieved the picture. " Mooooooooooom...I told you to leave my Dir En Grey alone! Kyo may be evil, but I love him nonetheless."
"Okay, then," Sara said, blinking several times to try and see what was loveable about that picture.
They watched as Lindsey skipped out of the room. "Why must I put up with this...?" Sara cringed as Dir En Grey's "Child Prey" started to blast from the adjacent room.
"Who's dying?" Sara asked.
"Heh...Lindsay likes that death metal band I scared you with...that's their music!" She yelled over the intense bass line. "Lindsey, turn it down!"
"PAYBACK" was Lindsey's reply.
"LEIGH!" Sara reminded the teenager.
The music was turned down to a semi-normal level.
Sara breathed a sigh of relief. "That's much better…Oh, and Linds?" Sara said, walking past her room toward the bathroom. "Keep this music away from Greg... He might actually like it..."
Catherine laughed. "Arent you supposed to be in the shower?"
"Yeah, yeah... I'm going..." She actually made it to the bathroom this time and took a quick shower, emerging several minutes later in jeans and one of Greg's sweatshirts. She moved to Catherine to retrieve Leigh from her Godmother.
"We'll have breakfast then head over to get our hair done. Lindsey isnt too thrilled about it..." she said.
Sara laughed. "Neither am I."
She shot Sara a questioning look. "Your not thrilled about marrying Greg?"
"Oh, that part I'm more than thrilled about. It's the hair, dress and make-up part I'm not looking forward to..." Sara replied.
"But you'll look pretty."
Sara laughed in response.
"It'd be intresting to find a DB that looked like that guy...Kee---yoooo..." Catherine said randomly.
Lindsey yelled from the other room. "KYO, MOM. ITS KYO!"
"Okay..." Sara sighed. "I need coffee."
Catherine grinned. "Coffee...sounds lovely."
"Meh..." she looked around the kitchen. "I forgot to bring some Blue Hawaiian."
"You're now addicted to it too...?"
"I dare you to drink a cup of Blue Hawaiian and then drink a cup of coffee from the lab..."
"...Oh?" sh cocked an eyebrow. "Will do. Free Blue Hawaiian!"
Sara rolled her eyes. "So… Food?"
"Yes...breakfast...let's go down." Catherine agreed, heading downstairs. Sara followed, noticing the music got steadily louder as they went. "She really likes to blast that shit..."
"Look on the bright side... It's not Manson..." Sara pointed out.
"Very good point. But Manson doesn't do fountains of blood...does he?" Catherine repled.
Sara pondered that thought for a moment. "I wouldn't be surprised..."
Catherine shuddered. "I dont know how she can listen to that stuff though..." she said and continued on with making scrambled eggs.
Sara followed her, while holding Leigh in her arms. "I think I'm becoming immune to it..."
" Good for you... I'm almost addicted to aspirin. That stuff induces headache's better than Ecklie."
She laughed. "You'll get used to it..."
There was a loud random outburst of Kyo screaming. Catherine sent a glare in Sara's direction.
"Maybe?"
The song got louder and Kyo's screams of "child prey" could be clearly heard downstairs now.
Sara blinked several times. "Okay... maybe not, all I know is if Greg hears it..." she shuddered. "I will never hear the end of it either."
"Well, are you excited?" Catherine asked changing the subject whilst thinking of a way for Greg to hear it. The suddenly heard a loud screech. "LINDSEY!"
A reply of "KYO HAS BIG FEET!" Echoed down the stairs.
"Okay..." Sara laughed, trying to stop laughing. "THANKS FOR SHARING THAT PIECE OF INFORMATION, LINDS!" And after managing to get their laughter under control she replied to Catherine's previous question. "Of course I'm excited!"
"I can't believe my 14 year old daughter just said that..."
"Neither can I..." Sara agreed, shaking her head.
Upon realizing that they'd burned breakfast in their fit of laughter they decided Dunkin' Donuts would be a nice substitute, collected Lindsey and the stuff they'd need for the day and headed out.
"SANDERS!" a loud yell pulled him from his sleep.
He threw a pillow in the general direction of the voice. "Leave me alone!'
Warrick and Nick, who stood at the end of the bed, grinned, each grabbing one of Greg's leg's and pulling him out of the bed. He landed on the floor with a loud 'thud'.
"Greg! Come on, get your ass to the wedding or I'll marry her!" Nick yelled, as Greg layed on the floor with no intention of getting up.
Greg sat up, glaring at him. "You wouldn't dare."
"He would. He was telling me all about the honeymoon on the way here." Warrick said, getting his friend in more hot water.
"I already got the honeymoon part," he stuck his tongue out them. "That's where Leigh and Emily come in."
"Trust me. Mine was better." Nick replied, not nowing when to shut up, though he was just teasing.
Warrick laughed. "He was probably reliving that memory just now."
"That would explain the sleeping in." Nick added.
Greg glared at them. "Tell me, do you value your lives?"
"I do. Can't say the same for Nicky…"
Greg looked over at Nick. "I somehow managed to restrain myself from hitting Hank. I won't offer you the same courtesy."
Nick smiled innocentley. "Just caffinate yourself and let's roll..."
"Keep your shoes on and watch Emily for me for a few minutes." He told them and disappeared into the bathroom to shower.
Nick took the infant from Greg rocking her in his arms. Not three minutes passed before he froze. "You have got to be kididng me..."
"What?" Rick asked.
"I hope Greg's gonna change her..." he replied.
Warrick just laughed. "This is coming from the man with nine nieces and nephews. You're her godfather…"
"Doesnt mean I have to change her..." he sighed.
Greg returned a few moments later. "What's wrong with you?"
"We've sprung a leak." Nick replied.
Greg rolled his eyes "Some help you are..." he said, retrieving Emily and going to change her.
"Hey! Diaper changing wans't in the godfatherhood contract." He whined.
Greg laughed. "Even Lindsay's managed the diaper changing... Coward…"
Warrick grinned. "Outdone by a child? Ouch." He teased.
Nick just glared.
Greg laughed "Okay... next on the list. Coffee. Lots and lots of coffee…"
"Blue Hawaiian?" Nick asked.
Greg nodded. "Yeah. But, after your comment earlier I might not share with you..."
Nick pouted. "Come on! I need it! I'll pretend only half of the honeymoon happened!" He now regretted his teasing.
Greg went downstairs, ignoring Nick's whining. "You want some Rick?" he asked.
"No thanks." Warrick replied, Nick still begging for the good coffee.
Greg grinned. "Okay then." They both waited, not-so-patiently on Nick's part. Greg gave in, and with a heavy sign, gave Nick a cup of coffee.
Warrick watched in amusement as both Greg and Nick downed their coffee's Greg filling his up and inhaling that as well and pouring some more into a mug to take with him.
"Okay! I'm ready!" Greg announced, starting on a coffee high.
"Okay, then..." Rick said walking to the car. Nick and Greg following.
Greg paused. "Wait a minute…"
They both stopped. "What?"
Greg ran back inside, returning with Emily and her diaper bag. Nick shook his head laughing and Warrick rolled his eyes.
"What? It's your fault!" Greg replied, holding Emily to his chest and apologizing for what he'd just done, though she couldn't understand him.
Nick turned to look at him in the backseat. "Wait. Wait. Wait. It's my fault that you left your daughter inside?"
Greg nodded. "You let me have coffee…"
Warrick laughed. "What would have happened if we had let you have a Manson CD? Just curious."
He slipped a CD into the cars CD player. "You'll see." He replied, reaching over Nick to turn it up. "Not Manson. Lindsey gave it to me last week. Dir En Grey. Worse than Manson." he told them as a song called 'Obscure' started playing.
Nick covered his ears. "Lucky. I have to drive…" Warrick pouted as Emily started crying.
"Just crash the car. It'll be better for all of us…" Nick suggested.
Greg pouted but agreed to let them turn the radio off for fear of having to walk, he got Emily quieted down and then proceeded to hum 'Obscure' slightly off key.
They both glared at him. "Stop it. Now, Greg."
"Aww… Why?" he whined.
Warrick stopped the car. "We're here."
Nick jumped out of the car. "THANK GOD!" he said, desperate to escape Greg's taste in music.
"Stuff it or I'll say 'harrumph' with aplomb, render you temporarily immobile, administer 99 wedgies and finish by butchering you with a butter knife!" Greg yelled.
"Dude," Nick blinked. "What the hell are you on?"
"Coffee!" he replied, grinning.
Greg stood beside his brother, Nick and Warrick watching as the girls came down the aisle. First Lindsey, followed by Katie and Mia before Catherine came out, Sara behind her a moment later, his jaw dropped as Sara, who had chosen to walk alone, appeared in the doorway. She was in a beautifully simple white dress, smiling at him as she walked towards him. The sequins – which Catherine had insisted she add- sparkled in the pale lighting.
"I have a question." The reverend called over the low music playing in the background once Sara had taken her place beside Greg. "Do all of you want this couple to get married?"
A series of loud 'YES!'s echoed through the hall, along with a chorus of applause and lots of laughing.
"Are you just saying that because of the dinner?"
That caused another bout of laughter among everyone.
"And the drinks!" someone called out.
The reverend laughed and continued. "Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join these two people together in holy matrimony." The man was still talking but Sara had gotten lost in Greg's eyes and had lost focus.
A camera flash a moment later brought her back to reality. "If anyone may show just cause that these two should not lawfully be joined together please speak now."
Greg glanced over his shoulder and was surprised to see Braden and Anna walking toward one of the tables toward the back. (They were getting married in the same place they were having the reception) He cast a worried look toward Sara but relaxed when he saw them smile and take a seat
They turned their attention back to Reverend Stevens, as he continued on with the ceremony. "Greg, will you take this woman to be your wedded wife? To live together in the holy state of matrimony? To love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live."
"I will." Greg replied, smiling.
"Sara. Will you take this man to be your wedded husband? To live together in the holy state of matrimony? To love him, comfort himr, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live"
Sara nodded. "I will."
Reverend Stevens continued. "Repeat after me: I, Greg, take thee, Sara, to be my wedded wife."
"I, Greg, take thee, Sara, to be my 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, till death us do part. According to God's holy ordinance and thereto I pledge thee my faith."
Greg repeated it, smiling at Sara as he held her hand.
"Now, Sara…"
She smiled and echoed what Greg had said as the reverend said it. "I, Sara, take thee, Greg, to be my wedded husband. To have to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part. According to God's holy ordinance and thereto I pledge thee my faith."
Nick handed Reverend Stevens the wedding bands and Greg was handed Sara's ring. "Repeat after me: As a token of pledge of the vow between us made, with this ring, I thee wed. In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit, Amen."
Greg echoed the Revered Stevens words, slipping the gold ring onto Sara's finger. And a moment later Sara was repeating those words as she slid Greg's ring onto his hand.
Again, the two of them got lost, only coming back to earth upon hearing: "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Upon hearing that Greg swept her off her feet into a passionate kiss receiving hoots and hollers from the men and aww's from the women. Sara smiled, her arms around his neck. The sound of everyone clapping and cheering erupting throughout the room.
After what felt like a million photos and such Greg and Sara took their place on the dance floor for their first dance. Greg wrapped his arms around Sara's waist as hers rested on his neck. "Oh, the irony." Greg teased as Elton John's 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' started playing, the two of them rocking to the beat "I think I like our version better though." He laughed.
She laughed as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
As the song faded out they both bowed, slowly walking off the dance floor toward his parents, Katie and Brian who were waiting with Emily and Leigh in their arms. "Mom… Dad…" Greg greeted them, still not over what had happened the night before.
"Greg." His mother sighed. "We're sorry for the way we acted last night. We were…"
"Insulting?" Greg suggesting, his hand finding Sara's again.
Braden shrugged. "I think I deserved that."
Anna continued. "Anyway, we just want to be included in this. It's your wedding day!"
Sara nodded to Greg and he gave in. "Okay, no insulting anyone though, deal? I mean it, if I hear one comment about anything negatively you are out of here."
They nodded and walked off.
"Thanks Greg." Katie told him, handing Emily to Greg, Brian returning Leigh to Sara.
"SARA!" two young voices yelled from a few feet away, latching onto her legs.
She looked down. "Hey, there." Her own brother Mark was walking towards them.
"Nice to meet you." Mark said, shaking hands with Greg. "This is my wife, Sam." He said, gesturing to the woman who'd also joined them. "And my son, Dillon, and daughter, Megan."
"Hey," Greg smiled kneeling down, closer to the nine and five year olds eye levels. "I would suppose that I'm Uncle Greg." Sara introduced her brother to Leigh and Emily.
The next thing they knew they were being pulled into a large circle as Eric Clapton's 'Wonderful Tonight' started playing. Greg and Sara being the first couple shoved into the center. After a moment they went back to the outside sending Warrick and Catherine in. They in turn let Nick and Katie in, Archie and Mia followed. Mark and Sam went next and Brian ended up dancing with Lindsey. The difference in height was rather amusing. Greg's parents went in and so did a few other couples before the song faded out and everyone cheered.
They finally took a seat (is it sad that I resorted to making a seating chart I was so stuck on this chapter… ?) and got something to eat as everyone congratulated them, even Ecklie and Hodges had done so.
Sara pointed to the clock sometime later. "Merry Christmas, Greggo." She smiled, noticing that it was now after midnight. (I did the math, this would be about right.)
"Merry Christmas to you, too." He smiled, leaning over to kiss her again.
Nick appeared beside them. "Can we have cake now?" he asked for the fifth time.
Greg laughed. "Alright, alright already!"
Nick grinned, going to spread that news. "Yes! CAKE EVERYONE!"
Sara rolled her eyes. "I wonder if he was dropped on his head when he was a baby. It would explain a lot…"
"I heard that!" Nick called from a few feet away. "Now, get over here." He returned, dragging them over to the large cake.
"Be nice." Catherine warned them as they stood next to each other, piece of cake in hand. Greg aimed correctly and managed to give it to Sara without causing that much of a mess; however Sara, who was grinning the entire time, was off by a mile, cake somehow ending up on Greg's forehead… "Whoops, looks like I missed." She teased.
He laughed, wiping it off his head and flicking some at her. He accentuated that immaturity by sticking his tongue out at her.
Everyone was laughing at their little show. "Who wants cake?" Greg yelled over the laughter.
After everyone had gotten their cake and sat down, Brian stood up, walking over to the DJ. "I'd ugh… like to propose a toast to my brother." He said. "There are so many thing I really wanted to say and it took me a long time to do it and I just finished it, so I'm gonna do my best. So, this is for my brother, Greg. Throughout the years we've done all the things two brothers could have possibly done from little kids playing whiffle ball in the backyard to countless hours spent you teaching me how to reel in the big one. For every journey you seem to take I silently stood by you with a great amount of pride, knowing that you're my brother and that I can do anything and you can do anything as well. Although we always knew that I was the best at whiffle ball." That earned a laugh. "We both knew I always caught the biggest fish no matter what, cause if not, I'd tell mom on you. " He looked toward Anna who laughed as did everyone else. "Once again, I'm very proud of you and must say this time you certainly have me beat. So as Sara and you enter this day as husband and wife I wish that life gives you the best it has to offer and dreams come true. So, Greg, I'll leave you with this. I'm blessed to be your brother but I'm truly honored to be your friend through all these years."
Greg smiled, walking over to his younger brother and giving him a hug. "Thanks," he said. "It means a lot."
All too soon it seemed the reception had ended, most of the people having to return to work the next day…. Well nigh t. Greg and Sara were still there, getting ready to leave, Emily and Leigh in twin baby carriers on one of the tables.
"Can I tell you a secret?" Greg asked, dancing with her again. When she nodded, he continued. They slowly rocked to John Michael Montgomery's 'Come Home To You.' "My car never actually did break down…"
Sara rested her head against his shoulder. "Why am I not entirely surprised?"
He smiled. "I made it about a block and a half before I turned around. I couldn't leave, for some reason; I just wanted to stay with you then, too."
"Greg." She grinned. "Mine didn't either…"
Okay… that took FOREVER to type. This one was twelve pages log, new record on my part. I know what's gonna happen in the last chapter so it shouldn't take as long as this one did. Wow… it's almost over… I'll be sad to see this go… Review!