Chuck had gotten out of work later than he wanted, a minor glitch had come up regarding the distribution of their latest educational game and he and Morgan had needed to stay and deal with the distributers. Alex had already told them that she would get Morgan's luggage loaded up in the car and would meet them at Chuck's once they were finished. Chuck had called and let Sarah know he was going to be late and was assured that she already had their bags packed and that Ellie would be home soon with the girls, so they were good for the time being.
As soon as they'd wrapped up the video conference, Chuck and Morgan jumped in Chuck's car and headed back to Echo park. Arriving they'd found Devon and Ellie loading up the minivan while Emma and Alex played with the girls. Morgan split off to join them while Chuck continued on to his condo.
"Sorry we're late," Chuck apologized, coming through the door.
"It's okay," Sarah assured him, greeting him with a kiss, "You're only behind an hour or so, and we don't have to do anything but get there tonight. Go up and change, I already have our bags in the car. Ellie has the suits and dresses in the van since there was room enough in there to lay them flat."
"Alright," Chuck nodded and bounded up the stairs. He returned a few minutes later wearing a comfortable pair of jeans, and an olive green button-down he'd rolled up to his forearms. Joining the rest of the family in the courtyard, it appeared that Alex had also brought Morgan a change of clothes as the shorter man had exchanged his business suit for a pair of jeans and a zip-up hoodie over a t-shirt. The gang soon was loading up in their respective vehicles to caravan down to San Diego.
The two-hour drive down was thankfully uneventful being that they were leaving the city just as rush hour was starting meaning they were able to clear LA before the I-5, I-405, and I-10 became veritable parking lots. They arrived at the Hotel Coronado just after 6pm and after checking into their rooms and dropping off their luggage, they met back down in the lobby to get some dinner and enjoy watching the sunset on the beach.
"Mama, why did we have to come all the way to Diego?" Clara had inquired of her mother as they enjoyed their pizza.
"Why don't you ask Uncle Chuck and Aunti Sarah?" Ellie gave her daughter a warm smile before turning to her brother and sister-in-law with an expectant look.
"Remember how we told you that Aunti Sarah and I knew each other a long time ago?" Chuck prompted the little girl who nodded her head, "Well this beach is where we had our second first meeting. We went to different high schools, and we met when our bands were both playing at Sarah's high school."
"I lived in San Diego when I was about 15," Sarah added, "My high school is only a few miles from here. I saw your Uncle Chuck at my school just after his band had played because he forgot his music and had to go back for it. I thought he was cute."
"I saw here then too, waiting to come on stage to play," Chuck continued, "I thought she was beautiful, but didn't get a chance to talk to her after that. ComiCon was happening that same weekend so your Uncle Morgan and I wanted to check it out. I didn't have a lot of money so after looking around for a little bit, I thought I'd go check out the beach. As I walked down the beach, I heard someone playing the violin nearby and I stopped to listen. She was amazing, and when she turned around, I saw the beautiful girl from the day before."
"I noticed he was carrying a guitar case and offered to let him pay with me," Sarah smiled at her fiancé, "Despite never playing together before, he caught on pretty quickly, and we sounded really good together. After we were done playing, he invited me to take a walk with him and after a while we wound up sitting on the beach and talking."
"I knew even then she was something special," Chuck gave Sara a loving look, "We spent the rest of the weekend together when we weren't performing and even would talk on the phone after I went back home."
"A few months later, my dad got into a lot of trouble and I had to go live with your Granny," Sarah continued, "I lost Chuck's number when I moved and it happened so fast, I didn't get a chance to warn him it was happening."
"I was really sad for a while after that," Chuck nodded.
"Me too," Sarah reached over to squeeze his hand. "I'm just glad that I was able to find a job in California and move home." She turned back to Molly, "And you know the rest from there, I ran into your uncle on the beach just before school started."
"But why Diego?" Clara repeated.
"We wanted to get married on the beach where we met," Sarah explained.
"Oh, speaking of," Chuck turned to his best friend, "Did you remember to bring it?"
"Yep," Morgan grinned, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out his wallet. Opening it he withdrew a folded piece of paper, "One proof of officiant credentials obtained online, I'm all set to get you married. I kinda wish I'd thought of this for my own wedding."
"No," Alex shook her head, "Much as I love Chuck, there's no way the Major would allow him to perform our wedding ceremony."
"Besides, buddy, my public speaking abilities are limited to toasting my best friend and his future wife and the vows I plan to recite to by bride tomorrow." Chuck gave his friend a smile, "I'm all good."
"To each their own," Morgan shrugged and took a sip of his beer.
The sun had started to set just as they finished their meal so they all made their way onto the sandy shore to watch as the sky turned a beautiful pink then purple before fading into a deep navy blue as the last remnants of yellow and orange dipped beyond the horizon line. Molly was just about to drop, so Chuck swept her up in his arms and carried her as they made their way back to the hotel. About halfway there, Clara started to drag, prompting her own father to carry her the rest of the way to their room. After a round of hugs and kisses, they broke to head to their separate rooms. Sarah was glad they'd had the foresight to set up the pack-n-play before heading to dinner as she took Molly into the bedroom of their suite to change her and put her to bed before joining Chuck on the couch in the living room.
They relaxed on the couch as Chuck flipped through the channels looking for something to watch before settling on a program the followed a team of FBI profilers. "I bet you'd be really good at that," Chuck looked down at Sarah, who was resting on his shoulder, "The profiling and getting the bad guys."
"You would be too, you'd match Penelope keystroke for keystroke, and without a doubt be a match for Spencer's analytical skills. But I wouldn't want to do anything like that, for either of us." Sarah shook her head, "If either of us had a job like that, I'd never feel safe, we wouldn't have Molly… we probably never would have found each other again. I'm happy with our life as it is; normal, safe, maybe a white house with a red door and picket fence, baby someday. This right here, relaxing on the couch Molly sleeping in the next room, this is all I need."
"I love you," Chuck spoke earnestly, his eyes meeting hers as he brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, smiling slightly at the small shiver it elicited.
"I love you too," She smiled softly up at him as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips that was swiftly growing more passionate before she pulled back slightly, "Mmm, as much as I would love to take this through to it's inevitable conclusion, we have to be up early to get ready. We probably should go to bed." She rolled her eyes at the cheeky grin on Chucks face, "To sleep, Chuck."
"I knew that," Chuck scoffed then yawned as he stood and assisted her to her feet, "And I'm not fighting the suggestion. How does it feel to know that in 16 hours you'll officially be Sarah Bartowski?"
"Great, I wish it was 16 minutes from now, 16 seconds," Sarah sighed, "In a lot of ways it feels like it already is my name."
"I feel the same way," Chuck smiled down at her, "We will rectify this oversight very soon."
"16 hours," Sarah smiled up at him as they slipped into the room.
"16 hours," He confirmed.
The next morning dawned bright and clear and was promptly followed by a rapid knocking on the door. Sarah groaned and turned over in the bed as Chuck climbed out and shuffled to the door of the suite.
"Good morning, little brother," Ellie beamed up at him, "Did I wake you?"
"Yeah, and half the hall as well, I'm sure," Chuck grumbled, stepping back to let his sister in.
"Where's your bride? We have a lot to do," Ellie cast her eyes around the room until they rested on the door to the bedroom where Sarah stood, bleary eyed, a waking Molly in her arms.
"I'm right here, Elle," Sarah gave her a sleepy smile.
"Go get dressed, you can shower in my room," Ellie ordered, smiling when her sister-in-law rolled her eyes and ducked back into the bedroom.
Sarah emerged a few minutes later, wearing low-top red chucks, jeans and a button-down shirt. Molly had also been changed, and was now wearing leggings and a long-sleeved t-shirt, a small pair of red chucks on her feet.
The footwear did not escape Ellie's notice, "I see you've brainwashed them into thinking converse al-stars are required footwear in this family," She snarked at her brother who shrugged and handed Molly's diaper bag to Sarah.
"I'll see you down there," Sarah smiled at him, pressing a kiss to his lips.
"I'll be waiting," He smiled down at her and opened the door to let the ladies leave before shuffling of to bed to get a little more sleep, only be interrupted by another knock. Opening the door revealed Devon and Morgan, "Hey guys, come to keep me company?"
"Pretty much," Devon shrugged, "Figured we'd take you out for breakfast, maybe find a place to shoot some pool before we have to get dressed."
"I suggested a marathon Call of Duty session but seeing as Alex conveniently 'forgot' my console at home, my idea is out." Morgan rolled his eyes.
"Probably for the best, little buddy, you wouldn't be able to connect to the internet here, anyhow," Chuck gave him a small smile. "Make yourselves comfortable, I'm just gonna hop in the shower and get dressed real quick."
Devon and Morgan nodded their agreement and settled onto the couch. Devon turned on the TV and after a little channel surfing, settled on a local news program since there wasn't much else on that time of day.
True to his word, Chuck returned 15 minutes later, his damp curls making funny shapes despite his attempts to tame them in the bathroom. Seeing his return, Devon turned off the channel and the men made their way down to a local diner for breakfast.
The women had enjoyed their morning of pampering, starting with breakfast in the hotel's dining room before heading to the on-site spa for mani-pedis. Clara was thrilled to find that they even had a little girl sized pedicure station in the spa and took great joy in picking out the sparkly purple polish that now adorned her fingers and toes. Since her treatment didn't take as long as the grownups who were getting a special nail polish that used a black light to set, the manicurist even let her hold Molly while her little fingers were painted the same color as her older cousin's.
The next stop was an early lunch then on to the salon where their hair was done. While Sarah, Ellie, and Alex had their hair done, Clara played with Molly in the corner where a small kids area had been set up by the owners. Eventually Alex came over to play with Molly while Clara got her hair done as well, getting her dirty blonde hair pulled up in a half-updo with the lower half curled in ringlets down her back.
When the ladies got back to the hotel, they gathered in Ellie and Devon's suite where all the dresses were, Alex and Ellie got dressed first before helping Clara and Molly to get ready, including fastening small white and purple floral wreathes to the girls' heads. Finally, it was Sarah's turn, Ellie suggested they have Sarah step into the dress so as to not muss her hairdo. Sarah stood in front of the full-length mirror in her white foundation wear and garter, practically shaking from the excited butterflies that fluttered low in her belly as Ellie and Alex shimmied her dress up her legs and body before Ellie made quick work of the buttons on the dress. A knock came at the door a moment later and Clara went to answer.
"Who is it?" She called.
"It's Granny, darling," Emma called back, smiling as Clara opened the door for her. "Well don't you just look precious!" She cooed, bending down to kiss Clara's cheek.
"I got my fingers and toes painted like mom, Aunti Sarah, and Aunti Alex," Clara beamed, holding out her hand so that her granny could see the sparkly color.
"I love it!" The older woman smiled, "Where's your Aunt Sarah?"
"In Mom's room," Clara pointed to the open door.
"I'll be right back," Emma promised and made her way into the bedroom. Her breath caught in her chest at the sight of her daughter, "Oh Sarah, sweetheart, you look absolutely lovely!"
"Thanks, Mom," Sarah blushed, running her hands over the skirt of her dress as she made her way across the room to accept the older woman's hug and kiss.
"I have something for you," Emma smiled, pull a small cloth wrapped item from her purse, "I know you didn't want to wear a veil, but this was your grandmother's, from her wedding day." She unwrapped the cloth to reveal a silver hair comb decorated with a floral design accented with pearls. "I figured you could use it as your 'something old' and as for your borrowed," She pulled out a thin black velvet box with a clamshell hinge. She opened it and withdrew a strand of pearls, "My parents gave me this the day I married your father, I hope it brings you more luck than it did me. You're already marring a better man than your father ever was, so you already have a leg up on me."
Sarah's eyes watered, "Thank you," She whispered then gestured toward her hair and neck, "Would you mind?"
"I would love to," Emma smiled, stepping behind her daughter and securing the pearls around her neck first before sliding the comb into her daughter's hair just above the intricate updo that had been pinned and hair sprayed into place by the hairstylist.
A short time later Devon opened the main door to the suite and ducked his head in, hand covering his eyes, "Everybody decent?" He called.
"Yes, Daddy," He could practically hear his daughter's eye roll.
Opening his eyes, he took in the three generations of women in their dresses, "You ladies all look awesome!" He enthused. "It's time to get going, Morgan and Chuck are already down there."
Since the adults wanted to make good time getting out of the hotel and out to the beach where the wedding was going to be held, Alex scooped up Molly and carried her, while Devon did the same for Clara. They deliberately had Sarah and Emma taking up the rear so that Chuck wouldn't accidentally see her too soon. Luckily Morgan saw Devon and told Chuck to turn around. He made Chuck wait until Ellie and Devon took their places, Devon beside Chuck and Ellie beside where Sarah would eventually be, Alex was a few steps away, Molly on her hip and Clara standing beside her. Finally, with a grin he told Chuck to turn around.
The sight that met Chucks eyes was one of the most beautiful things he'd seen in his entire life to that point. Sarah was on her mother's arm, free hand holding a small white, blue, and purple bouquet made up of hydrangeas, carnations, hyacinths, and chrysanthemums. Her dress had a lace bodice with pearl accents a pale blue sash around the waist, and a long, flowing tulle skirt that rippled in the breeze. As did the entire wedding party, she'd kicked off her sandals in the small tent that had been reserved for their group to stash their personal items during the ceremony. He couldn't help the broad smile that graced his face when he saw her, nor did he attempt to stop the tears of joy that glimmered in his eyes and flowed down his cheeks.
Sarah's breath was nearly taken away at how good Chuck looked in his grey suit and pale blue shirt, barefoot in the sand, joy and love radiating from his face as he watched her approach. The smile on her face and tears misting in her eyes were a near mirror image of her groom's. When they finally arrived at their destination, Emma kissed Sarah's cheek and Chuck's before stepping aside as Sarah handed her bouquet to Ellie and turned to join hands with Chuck.
Morgan gave the couple a warm smile before he began, "Dearly beloved, we have gathered her today to join Charles Irving Bartowski and Sarah Lisa Walker in the sacred bonds of matrimony. Their journey here was long, from the moment the met on this beach to the day they returned to each other on the shores of Santa Monica, yet they never stopped loving one another. Some of us were blessed enough to witness the love they shared in their early days, and all of us bore witness to the love that has bloomed ten-fold between them in the months since they reunited. Now we are honored to share this day with them as they pledged their lives to one another, starting with their vows. Sarah?"
Sarah gave the bearded man a soft smile before turning to meet Chuck's eyes. "Chuck, the day I met you nearly a decade ago, you changed my life. I'd had a hard life and more hard days to come, but your overwhelming peace and joy despite the difficult times you and your sister had to go through, gave me hope for my own future. I can't completely say I regret the years that passed between then and the day I found you again, because we wouldn't have had Molly. You are an amazing man, the love you give freely to those around you is inspiring. You saw past an awkward teenager to see the heart she had long since buried behind years of emotional scars and struggle and taught her how to love and be loved. You accepted my daughter into your life without question and took her into your heart as your daughter, loving her as you would if she had been your flesh and blood. You are a gift, one I thought I'd lost forever until the day you found me again. I love you and can't wait to see what our future holds. I pledge my heart to you, now into tomorrow and all the tomorrows after that."
"That was beautiful," Morgan wiped a tear from his eye and turned to his best friend, "Chuck?"
"Sarah, nearly 10 years ago, I saw an angel in the wings of a theatre only find her bringing joy on a beach to complete strangers the next day. I knew you were 'it' for me from that very first moment, and not a day goes by that I don't wish we could get back the time we lost, but in the same breath I am thankful for it. Our time apart allowed us to pursue and achieve our dreams, bring us Molly, and eventually we were led back to find each other on a beach once more. Call it fate, call it divine providence, or just dumb luck, but what we have right here, right now, this is real, this is true. I love you with every depth of my being and can't wait to see what the future has in store for us. I promise you that I will be with you, beside you, through joy and sorrow, for the rest of our lives." Chuck gave her hands a light squeeze, "I want to be the best father I can be for Molly and any other little ones we might have along the way. You are and always have been my 'it' girl, my end game, the other half of my soul and I will spend every last breath in my body proving my love for you and our family."
"Devon, do you have the rings?" Morgan asked, turning to the tall doctor who handed the rings to him. "These rings may be light, but they carry with them the weight of the promises you shared with each other today. Wear them with the pride, joy, and integrity that has been the center of your relationship since that first day and will be until time eternal." He handed the larger of the rings to Sarah and instructed her to place the ring on Chuck's left ring finger, "Sarah, do you take this man into your heart as your lawfully wedded husband; through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for so long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Sarah smiled up at her husband, sliding the ring over his long finger until it nestled itself against the base of the digit before giving his hand a light squeeze.
Morgan then handed the smaller ring to Chuck, "Charles, do you take this woman into your heart; through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for so long as you both shall live?"
"I do," Chuck confirmed, voice low and matching the intensity and love that shown in his eyes as he slid her engagement ring off her finger and placing the wedding ring to go on first, slid them both into place on her left hand before lifting her hand to press a soft kiss to the knuckle against which her rings now sat.
"Before we finish there is one more thing," Morgan smiled at the newly weds and nodded toward an older Latino man in a dark pinstriped suit who approached with a leather folio in his hands, a younger, familiar looking Latino man beside him. "Since the whole point of this day is to unify, we might as well make this compete. To that end, I invited the honorable judged Juan Diego Arnoldo, and of course Clavo to join us."
"Good afternoon," The older man smiled at the couple. He had a slight accent and dark hair that was starting to go grey, "And congratulations on your happy day." He looked beyond the couple to where Alex stood with the girls, "Would you mind bringing Molly over?"
Alex nodded and approached, handing Molly over to Chuck before returning to her spot next to Clara.
"It is my understanding you wish to adopt young Molly?" Judge Arnaldo inquired and smiled as Chuck nodded his affirmation, "Wonderful! Charles Irving Bartowski, do you take Molly into your heart and your home as your daughter, to love and raise her as her father and protector?"
"I do," Chuck nodded solemnly.
Judge Arnoldo smiled warmly up at the tall young man, "Then, by the power vested in my by the county of Los Angeles and the State of California, it is my honor and privilege to approve your petition of adoption."
"Thank you," Chuck smiled and shook the judge's hand then Clavo's before Sarah hugged each man and thanked them as well.
Judge smiled and stepped aside, conceding the floor to Morgan once more. Morgan nodded his thanks before turning back to the family gathered before him. "Let's make this officially official, then," He smiled at his best friend and his best friend's wife, "By the power vested in me by the state of California and the International Federation of Planets, I am proud to proclaim you man and wife, you may kiss our bride."
Their family and friends cheered and clapped as Chuck buried his free hand into the hair at the nape of his wife's neck an angled her head to press a warm kiss to her lips. He then pulled her into a group hug consisting of the newlywed couple and their daughter who was still being held by her newly declared father."
Morgan gave them a moment before raising his voice once more, "May I present for the first time in public Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bartowski and their daughter Amalia Lisa Bartowski!" Cheers and applause erupted from their friends and family again as they converged on the trio smothering them with hugs and kisses.
Once the happy family was properly congratulated and loved on, Chuck turned back to Clavo and the judge, "We're going to have dinner at the Bluewater Grill. Clavo, Judge Arnoldo, you are welcome to join us."
"I would love to accept your invitation, but you must call me Juan," The older man smiled at them warmly.
"Done, and thank you, Juan," Chuck grinned, "Clavo?"
"Of course," Clavo nodded before adding with a cheeky smile, "Just don't tell Papa Tio, he loves this place and would be jealous."
"My lips are sealed," Chuck promised and gave the lawyer a fist-bump.
Dinner had been an enjoyable time with friends and family, and now Chuck and Sarah were heading back to their room. Earlier that day, Chuck had dropped Molly's pack'n'play off at Emma's room where she would be staying for the night so that the newlyweds could enjoy their first night as a married couple uninterrupted. They strolled hand-in-hand to their suite, Chuck smiled at Sarah as he withdrew his room key from his pocket and slid it into the lock. Hearing the click, he pushed the door open and lifted his bride into his arms, causing her to squeal in surprise.
"What are you doing?" Sarah giggled.
"Carrying my bride across the threshold," Chuck stated, pressing a kiss just under her jaw as he walked through the living room and into their bedroom. "Something I intend to repeat for every new threshold we cross into a place that is our home, however temporarily."
Sarah smiled at him as he lowered her to the ground and pulled her into his arms for a passionate kiss. "Hello, Mrs. Bartowski," He murmured against her lips before tracing kisses along her jaw and throat.
"Mr. Bartowski," Sarah sighed, "Are you trying to seduce me?"
"Is it working?" Chuck met her eyes and gave her the Bartowski eyebrow dance that was guaranteed to make her weak at the knees.
"Help me out of this dress and I'll let you know," Sarah grinned up at him as she slid his suit jacket off his broad shoulders.
"As you wish," Chuck husked, running his fingers up her sides and back until he found the buttons that ran along her spine. He spun her around until her back was to him. He slowly released each button as he nipped and suckled at the juncture of her neck and shoulders, reveling at the sighs and moans each caress of his fingers, lips, tongue, teeth against her skin drew from his wife's lips. Although it wasn't intentional, he had noticed that they were turned to face the full-length mirror that hung on the wall. Meeting her eye in the reflection of the looking glass, he slowly ran his hands up the soft skin of her back and pushed the dress from her shoulders before helping her step out of the pool of fabric encircling her ankles.
He watched with great excitement the colors swirling in his wife's eyes as he began to pepper kisses along her neck and shoulders while his fingers caressed her skin. First from her wrists, where the sleeves of her dress had finally released their hold on her body, up her arms to her shoulders. He skimmed his hands along her collarbone to the notch where her clavicle met her breastbone before sliding them back, allowing his fingers to take the straps of her lacy bra with them until they fell off her shoulders. He traced his way down her back to the closure of the garment as he pressed kiss right below her left ear, smiling at the shiver that passed through her body as he released each hook and let it fall away. If it hadn't been already clear to him by her verbal reactions, he now had visual confirmation of her arousal as he glided his hands around her ribcage to caress her breasts, running the pads of his thumbs over her erect nipples.
Sarah groaned and leaned into him, finding that watching him in the mirror as he let his hands perform their systematic study of her, turned her on more than she ever had been before. Every caress of his thumb over her sensitive peaks sending heat straight to her core, pooling in anticipation of his touch. She closed her eyes to enjoy the sensations he was creating by his ministrations when she heard his voice rumble in her ear.
"Open your eyes, Baby," He husked, "I need to see your beautiful eyes."
