Headliner
Chapter 27
"I said 'I love you.'" Nick said slowly.
Sara regained the use of her brain as the words sunk in. "I know; I heard you the first time."
"That's good. Do you have anything to say to me?"
Her mind was reeling. She knew that Catherine was right; she did love Nick. And now that she knew he loved her too she should have no problem telling him the truth. "Nick, I think I. No, I know that I love you too."
"I was hoping you'd say that. Now I've got to go call our daughter and bring her home. She and I've got to have a little chat about that boy of hers."
"Nick."
"Don't worry; I'm not going to bring the gun."
Life went on and Nick became more accustomed to the idea of Lexi dating. He had to be, of course, because whenever he met the young men, Sara sat right by his side with a firm grasp on his arm to keep him from lunging at them.
Together they crossed two major bridges. They sold Nick's house and bought one in both their names. Sara grinned wildly as Nick signed the papers and legally became Lexi's father. They celebrated the event with a fancy dinner. At seventeen, Lexi was becoming a young woman and it scared them both to death.
She was putting the leftovers into the fridge while Nick whispered into Sara's ear. "Do you believe that she has one more year with us and then she's off to college?"
"Don't remind me," Sara said, "Our baby's just about grown up. That reminds me, are you going to her show next week? We've got our very own Juliet."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
A year of pages ripped off the calendar fast and soon Lexi found herself standing in front of her mirror dressed in a blue cap and gown. Sara zipped up the back of the gown and stared into the glass at her daughter. Both found themselves with tears in their eyes. "You look good," Sara said wiping a drop away from her nose.
"I look like the other six hundred students are going to look."
"No, you look better. Plus, you're the valedictorian so you're more special."
"Mom, there are twenty-seven valedictorians."
"Yes, but out of those twenty-seven how many get to speak?"
"Just one."
"Exactly."
They saw a flash and turned to see Nick in the doorway with a camera. "I cannot believe that you are only a high schooler for two more hours."
"Me neither. These past three days without school have been so different. I really do have to get going though. They want us there early."
"Are you sure we can't hear your speech right now?" Sara asked.
"Hey, you'll hear it at graduation. I wouldn't want to ruin the fun."
"I bet your mom cries. Then she'd miss it."
"Tell you what," she said to Nick, "if she misses it, I'll tell you again later. Or I'll just let you read it."
Sara squeezed her daughter tight and Nick joined in. "We love you," she said against her hair.
"I love you both too, but I really, really have to go!"
They released her and she climbed into her truck and drove away. "Come on, Sara. We better head out too."
"Why? They don't even open the place for another hour."
"I know, but we've got to get more tissues."
"I've got a package in my purse."
"Yeah, for you. I'll need one of my own."
Nick and Sara climbed down the stairs and through the rows until they reached a section full of people dressed as cowboys. Nick raised his eyebrows at them. "You guys planned this didn't you?" he asked.
Darren stood up and slapped him on the back. "Hey, we all had to come for your kid's graduation. She knows she's a Texan at heart and we have to give her the proper greeting. Feel free to 'yeehaw' with us when they call her name."
"Oh, guys, no. That'll just embarrass her."
"I bet she can't hear down there anyway. Besides, she's eighteen. Nothing embarrasses her," Bill Stokes yelled.
"We'll see about that," Nick whispered to Sara and took his seat. A few moments later they were joined by Warrick, Catherine, Lindsey, Greg, and Grissom.
"You came!" Sara gushed.
"It was our number one priority," Warrick stated matter-of-factly.
The group chatted for awhile until the principal gave the signal that the ceremony was about to begin. As the arena quieted, he listed the people associated with the school. He then gave a quick greeting to the students and introduced the valedictorian, Alexis Nicole Sidle.
She walked gracefully to the podium and adjusted the microphone. She thanked the principal for allowing her to speak and started her speech.
"Eighteen years ago I was just a few weeks old. I couldn't do much except cry, but the possibilities for my future were endless. I lived in Massachusetts, the land of opportunity. At least, that's what students at Harvard will tell you. Fourteen years ago I was getting ready to start kindergarten in California. The chances for my life were still expansive, but my mother was pretty sure I wasn't going to be a dog whisperer. She turned out to be right. Eight years ago I moved to the state of Las Vegas with my mother. As a fifth grader I had goals. I wanted to be an astronaut and a lawyer and a surgeon. I had my whole life planned out. I knew that I was going to finish school, go to college, get married, have two point five kids and live in a house with a white picket fence. The fact that I couldn't really have half a kid didn't cross my mind. It was my plan and I was going to do it.
"Two years ago I was sixteen and still had amazing goals. I no longer wanted to be the astronaut or the lawyer or even the surgeon. I wasn't sure of my exact dream occupation, but I knew I wanted to be the best at whatever it was. I had my mother behind me, telling me I could do whatever I wanted. She never doubted me. Two years ago I got someone else. My father came into the picture and he too showered me with thoughts of my potential.
"One year ago I was ready to begin my senior year. I was ready to rule the school. I was ready to be the top dog. No one could get in my way. Last week I was ready to leave school. I knew I had accomplished the first thing in my series of goals. I had done my best in school and it paid off. I was proud of myself, as were my parents. Two hours ago I stood in front of a mirror in my bedroom, terrified of the future and yet looking forward to every minute.
"My eighteen years has taught me a lot of things. I learned perseverance. I learned to stick things out even when the going got tough. I learned how to be compassionate. I learned how to put my whole heart into whatever I was doing. I gained strength, both mentally and physically. I learned how to stick up for myself and be the person I truly wanted to be. These skills will stick with me for the rest of my life.
"All of us have learned a lot over these last thirteen years of school and four years of high school. We've learned how to love and how to lose gracefully. We've learned how to show pride to the utmost extent. We've learned how to avoid procrastination, some of us the hard way. These will all stay with us. As we look to the future, we can see that the world is wide open. There are signs everywhere just for us. There will be people pushing us along, hoping for the best, just like my parents did for me. As we continue on with our lives and move to accomplish great things we will stare straight to the future, but we will not forget the past. The past has taught us so much and will continue to do so. Friends, family, thank you for being there for us. We are eternally grateful. With few last words, I address my classmates directly. Go for it. You can do anything you set your mind to. It has been an amazing journey and it's only beginning. Trust your heart and your mind. Thank you. I love you Mom. I love you Dad."
Clapping ensued as she took the few steps to the ground and sat with the rest of her class. In the stands boxes of Kleenex were passed around as none, not even Grissom, still held a dry eye. A few representatives from the administration spoke and it was then time to present the graduating class. The valedictorians were called first in alphabetical order.
"Scott Michael Allen. Paige Michelle Andrews. Todd Aaron Baker."
Sara, the Stokes family, and the lab folks stared down into the crowd to see if they could pick out Lexi amongst the valedictorians.
"Katrinne Elizabeth Davis. Ryan Matthew Enders. Lauren Nichole Grapner."
One of Nick's nieces spotted her and they all pulled out binoculars to get a closer look.
"Courtney Ann Huxley. Hailey Rochelle Johnson. Rachel Marie Lewis."
At last it was her turn.
"Catherine Sue Richardson. Alexis Nicole Sidle." Loud cheers and yeehaws could be heard from the section of the bleachers that held her family, but to Lexi there was nothing. Cameras went off as they tried to capture a digital image of her receiving the piece of paper that was meant to signify her diploma. The principal finished with the valedictorians and moved onto the rest of the class.
Over forty people stood on a patch of grass waiting for her to get her real diploma and come greet them. The crowd was immense and uncles stood on tiptoes trying to pick her out. A few of the cousins had panned out in search of her. Finally, Katie and Linley Hutchins, who had just graduated in Texas themselves, came to the group pulling Lexi by the arm. More cheers and yeehaws followed. Sara and Nick pushed through to see their daughter.
"You did it, baby. You did it," Sara said and held Lexi tight.
"Thanks Mom. For everything." Both began to get teary and parted before anyone else noticed.
"Dad, it's been the best two years of my life," she said and held out her hand.
"Come here, you," he shouted over the roars of the crowd and embraced her.
When she was released, she walked around through all of her various family members and showed off her diploma. She gave out hugs and kisses and when she thought she couldn't stand it any more, her eyes fell on the group from the Las Vegas Crime Lab. She ran over and gave Greg a big hug. "I can't believe you came!"
"Oh come on. Did you honestly think I'd miss this?"
She shook her head and hugged him once more before continuing on to Catherine, Warrick, and Lindsey. She thanked each of them for coming and turned at last to Grissom. She put on a serious face and stared him in the eye. "Grissom, you've been good to me and to my parents. Thanks for everything, and try to keep an eye on them when I can't be there."
"No problem," he said and gave her his hand. She shook it and he pulled her in for a quick hug.
"Speech! Speech! Speech!" they shouted. Lexi jumped onto the table in the party room of a local pizza joint and raised her hands.
"Okay, okay, I'll talk." Her family silenced except for a few kids who were scolded by their mothers and shushed soon after. "First off, I would like to say that this gown is really hot. And I don't mean in the way that blue is a good color. I'm roasting." Sara helped her unzip it and Lexi shifted back towards her family. "Thanks so much, all of you. My entire being is made up of little parts of each of you. You are all inspirations and I will carry the memories of our times together with me forever. Don't think I'm going away forever, of course. I still expect you to have a couch available for me when I run out of money." Laughter bubbled up from the onlookers and she got down just in time for dinner to be served.
Partway through the meal Nick took hold of Sara's hand and dragged her out into the hallway. He smiled and a look of confusion sprouted on her face. He smiled even brighter. "Sara, our kid is going to college. We've had a great two years with her and I'm sure she'll be a wonderful woman. She's going to make us proud. You've spent eighteen years, and I've spent the last two, living for her twenty-four/seven. I think it's time to do a little something for us." She raised her eyebrow and he got down on one knee and pulled a small box out of the pocket of his jeans. "Sara Sidle, I love you so much. You've made the past eight years a joy and I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner." He snapped open the box to reveal a diamond ring. "Will you do me the honor of marrying me?"
Tears flowed down her cheeks as she nodded. He placed the ring on her finger and she giggled through the moisture. "Yes, Nick, I would love to marry you." He wiped the tears from her face and kissed her.
"Come on Sar, let's go tell them."
"Now?"
"When else are my entire family plus everyone we care about from the lab going to be in the same room?"
"Probably never."
"Exactly. Let's go." They strolled back into the party room as carefree as possible. He called for attention, but no one seemed to hear. Sara got an idea remembering Lexi's speech. She took his hand and pulled him on a table.
"Okay, now yell."
"I hate to take away from Lexi, but I have an announcement to make. Sara and I," he paused to make sure he had everyone's eyes staring straight at him. He found Lexi and grinned. "We're getting married."
People clapped and cheered, but probably the most enthusiastic response came from Lexi. As soon as Nick had Sara off the table they were hit full-on by an eighteen-year-old girl. She jumped up and down and squeezed them tight. "This is the best graduation present anyone could have ever given me! Thank you! How long have you been planning this?"
Nick checked his watch. "Oh, about two minutes ago."
She squealed and hugged them again.
All around the room Nick's family spoke of the engagement. "I can't believe Nicky actually got the girl!" some said. Others chose "Hey, now everyone will really believe Lexi is his kid." Nick's father said, "It should've happened a long time ago, but I'm glad they've finally gotten things straightened out."
Catherine congratulated them with a promise to help out with the wedding and Lindsey promised to keep her from going overboard. Warrick promised a bachelor party and Greg piped in saying how now his chance with Sara was nonexistent. He promised to stop flirting with her, which Nick made him swear to appreciatively. Grissom didn't let his turn slide by and he promised each of them a good vacation when it came time for the honeymoon.
Greg had run off to find a CD player and it soon became obvious that he was successful. Music began blasting through the room. "I'm told this is how Lexi likes to listen to her tunes," he received a mock glare and smiled, "Let's party!"
A/N: There you are. They've finally got it figured out. Tell me your thoughts.
