A Definite Bet
Chapter 2
A/N: Thanks again for the reviews. And due to the sugar content in this chapter, please have insulin when you read this. Lots and lots of insulin
Jim Brass, the best man, smirked from his position next to Grissom, as he watched Greg escort the beautiful bride. The young criminalist stood straight and proud with his chin out, but his eyes glued to the podium, and the justice of the peace. He carefully placed one foot in front of the other; it seemed as if the kid recited "right foot, left foot" to himself.
The woman next to Greg was one Brass had only caught glimpses of in the past. The homicide captain mostly saw Sara at work, and she always wore a serious expression while she concentrated on her job. Now she had an ear-to-ear grin as she focused on the man standing to the right of him.
When the pair reached the front, she took Grissom's hand, but not before Greg kissed her on the forehead. Grissom and Sara turned to the justice of the peace, and the man began the ceremony.
"Friends and family, we have been invited here tonight to share with Gil and Sara a very important moment in their lives. In the time they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured; now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife. If any person can show just cause why they may not be married—let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
Brass watched several heads turn discreetly, and some not so discreetly to the back of the left row. If Ecklie noticed the many eyes on him, he didn't show it. The man in question remained expressionless. It shocked Brass to see Ecklie among the crowd. He had no idea why the assistant lab director was at the wedding, but feared there would be serious trouble he objected. Luckily, Ecklie didn't say anything, and there seemed to be a collective sigh of relief.
The justice of the peace went on read a selection of literature from an author Brass didn't recognize. Obviously it came from Grissom's extensive book collection. The official talked about the seriousness of the vows, and then allowed the bride and groom to recite their words. In a quiet voice, Grissom began:
"I, Gilbert, take you, Sara, to be my wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner, and my love from this day forward. In the presence of our friends and family, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow…"
As Grissom finished his short vows, Brass leaned over to Warrick and said under his breath, "This is the same man who watched bugs arrive on a dead pig carcass for five days." The tall man chuckled.
Sara started to speak with her eyes filled with tears. "Gilbert, I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. I promise to encourage and inspire you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to you love you when life is easy and when it is hard..."
"And here is the girl," Brass heard Warrick whisper, "who will sift through stomach and intestinal contents for two hours and then go for pizza."
No doubt it was unusual to hear the two most introverted people in the police department be romantic. In front of people. Many people at that. But judging from the way they looked at each other, Grissom and Sara forgot there were others present.
Two years ago the current situation seemed improbable. After listening to him in the interrogation room, Brass thought Grissom would forever lead a life of solitude. Part of him understood why the entomologist was so reluctant to have a relationship; the risk to the career and the heart. But a larger part him couldn't grasp the idea of denying feelings for someone who so obviously wanted Grissom to be a part of her life. Now Grissom stood before a small group of individuals professing his love for Sara.
The couple exchanged rings, which put many people in tears, including Brass. Never had he heard such honesty and sincerity. And he had vast experience listening to lies and half-truths. Somehow, the notion of forever didn't sound so outrageous.
The justice finished out the ceremony with another reading, this time from Robert Frost. Brass felt proud of himself for at least being familiar with the author. Then came the infamous words, "By the power vested in me by the State of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Now Brass wondered if the two would kiss in front of everyone. They weren't known for public displays of affection; he'd only seen them hold hands at the annual department dinner. It wouldn't surprise him in the least if they chose not to share something so private. But Grissom tilted his head and leaned closer to Sara. His newly banded left hand moved to her face, while her fingers clutched his elbow. Brass heard him, just barely, breathe "I love you" before their lips met in a long, sweet kiss. They broke apart laughing happily. "Ladies and gentleman, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Grissom." The room erupted in applause, and Jim Brass probably clapped the loudest. He watched as his good friend walk away with his new wife.
This couldn't be real; there was no way. The last forty minutes had to be a wonderful, vivid dream. Any moment she would wake up alone in her apartment. But the warm, gold ring she wore reminded Sara the ceremony actually happened. Not only was she married, but she was married to Gil Grissom. She felt as if she received the greatest gift she could ever hope for. She had been given a new life; one full of soft kisses, gentle hugs, and tender words of affection.
They stood with their foreheads pressed together in the small room outside the atrium, simply reveling in their deeper bond. The silence was broken when Grissom murmured, "I have something for you."
Sara pulled her head back a little to see his remarkably blue eyes. "You didn't have to get me anything."
"I know." He reached into his jacket pocket and removed a long, thin black velvet box.
Her breath caught in her throat as she opened the case. Inside was a gleaming sterling silver watch, with a lilac colored face. "This is beautiful. Thank you," she whispered.
"There's an engraving on the back." She took the watch out and flipped it over. Their wedding date was written across the middle. Below it were the words From your husband.
Tears filled her eyes as she wrapped him in her arms. I get to spend the rest of my life with him, she realized. The thought flowed from her head all the way to her toes, making her skin tingle with delight. She pressed her lips to the corner of his jaw, then his eyelids, and finally the tip of his nose, causing them both to smile.
After holding each other for another long moment, she let go to place the watch in the box. "I thought we weren't going to spend any more money because of the wedding. How did you get this?"
He gave her one of his enigmatic expressions. "Do you know the odds of getting a royal flush are 1 in 649,750?"
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TBC
The vows came from weddings(dot)about(dot)com.