Disclaimer: I don't own these characters

Author's Note: This takes place six months after the last chapter. There's one more after this.

CHAPTER 18

Lindsay Monroe

Shortly after 10 a.m. I gaze at Danny slumbering in my bed – our bed since he moved in with me last month. My apartment's bigger, and closer to the lab. I smile. In sleep, he has a little boy lost look, eyebrows slightly crinkled, a slight frown. I lean over and gently kiss his lips.

The eyebrows relax, and the corners of his mouth turn up into a smile. "Mmmmmm …" One eye opens. "Now that's a sight I love to wake up to."

I roll my eyes. I have no makeup on and my hair's pulled back in a ponytail – I'm headed to the hair salon where I will be primped for the big day. I'm still shocked Nicole asked me to be in their wedding party, especially since Sheldon had been honest with her about our connection.

"Nicole, I'm sure Sheldon doesn't expect you to ask me, really," I told her the day we met for lunch. She reached out and touched my hand.

"I'm not asking for Sheldon, I'm asking for me. He explained everything about you two, and I have no concerns. You know, he credits you with opening his heart to hope, Lindsay. Without that, he wouldn't have been open to me, so I owe you. Besides, I like you and consider you my friend. So hush and help me pick out the dresses or I'll have you in fluffy pink taffeta with a huge bow on your butt."

A short time later I arrive at La Dolce Vita, the salon where the magic will happen. And it does – an hour later, myself and my fellow bridesmaids – there's four total – are looking pretty darn good. Rather than some tacky 80s relic, she has chosen soft, classic dresses in navy blue that flow gently down from an empire waist. They're lovely, just like the woman who selected him. I smile. Good for you, Sheldon.

Sheldon Hawkes

I keep fussing with my tie.

"Jesus, Doc, let me help." Danny comes over and adjusts. "There, now don't touch it."

Danny may seem an odd choice for one of my groomsmen, but he really is a friend, and has treated Lindsay wonderfully since they reunited. He will stand up along with Mac, Flack and Dante Reynolds, whom I attended residence with. He is my best man.

I considered asking Hammerbeck, but he told me he was too old to be in a wedding party. He also said he would be free to scope out the "hot chicks" at the reception. Nicole and I briefly considered sending a warning to all single females attending.

I suppose I should be nervous, but instead I'm just impatient to begin. I smile. Mom and my future in-laws are the only ones beyond Nicole and I that knows she's expecting – she found out last week, so this is no shotgun wedding. She's only about six weeks along.

Danny sits down next to me. "Got a minute?"

"Sure, Danny, what's up?"

"Just wanted to get your opinion …" He pulls a black velvet box out of his pocket and hands it to me. Inside is a delicate three-diamond engagement ring in a platinum setting. I grin and slap Danny on the back. "You're really going to do it, huh?"

He laughs. "Well, I gotta Doc, before she comes to her senses and changes her mind 'bout me. Whattdya think? Will she like the ring?"

"She'll love it, Danny. Delicate, not too showy. It's perfect." Danny goes on to assure me that he won't ask until after our wedding – he doesn't want to take away from our day, he says. As if anyone could.

Lindsay Monroe

We've just seen Sheldon and Nicole off. Early tomorrow, after a romantic evening at the Waldorf, they will be flying to Paris for a two-week honeymoon. None of us at the lab mind covering his shifts – we all love him. Even Danny, isn't that the whip?

Speaking of the devil – he suddenly appears beside me. "Hey, beautiful."

"You can't be referring to me," I say, rolling my eyes. My hair is coming out of its lovely up do, and I'm sure my makeup is long gone – an evening of dancing will do that to you.

"There's no one else." Something in his eyes makes my heart flutter.

"So … should we head home?" Alone time with Danny suddenly seems like a VERY good idea.

"Well, since you've got your walkin' shoes, whattdya say to a jaunt in the park?"

I smile, taking his proffered arm. The dress is actually comfortable, and my favorite tennies are hiding underneath. We take Danny's car and are soon enjoying the gentle late night breeze in the park. It's odd, he keeps checking his watch.

"Almost the witching hour," I tease, poking him. He smiles absently, seemingly looking for something up in the distance. After a few minutes, I see what it is.

A white tablecloth has been laid out on the grass near a fountain I've loved since I first arrived in New York. A couple battery-powered lanterns have been placed nearby for overall light, and two tapers in silver candlesticks sit in the middle of the cloth, waiting to be lit for gentle ambiance. There's a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket, and two glasses.

"Since you missed the champagne at the weddin', I thought you'd like to share some with me." Danny is shyly looking down at his shoes. Nicole's Dad is a recovering alcoholic, and in his honor, no alcohol was served at the wedding, including champagne.

"This is beautiful." I grin like a silly schoolgirl, prancing over to the lovely scene Danny set. "How did you arrange this?"

"Friend of mine, on the grounds crew. Owes me some favors." He smiles proudly, joining me. He lights the candles and pours the champagne. "To you, Montana." We clink glasses.

I lay against Danny's chest, his arms around me, enjoying the balmy evening and the thousands of stars above us. "Look at them – it feels like I could reach up and grab one."

I feel him move behind me. "Would you settle for this?" His hand appears in front of me, holding a black velvet box. My heart leaps into my throat. I grab the box, turning around to face him. "Danny …"

"Don't get excited 'til ya open it," he says. I do, and inside, nestled folds of satin, is the most beautiful diamond ring I've ever seen – not overdone, just simple and lovely. Tears form and I look at Danny through the blur.

"You're not supposed to start cryin' yet. I gotta do this, first." He rises up, pulling me with him, and kneels down in front of me.

"Lindsay Monroe, I don't know why God has seen fit to bless me with you, but I'm not gonna argue. I love you more than anything. Please, marry me. Say yes, and I'll dedicate my life to makin' you happy. Well, I guess I'd do it even if you said no, cuz I love you so much, but I'd really like you to say yes, cuz I'd love to see you in a pretty white dress, and …"

"Danny!" I interrupt. "Don't you want to hear my answer?"

"Well … sure!" He says, chuckling at himself. I kneel down to his level, and the laughter dying in his throat.

"Yes, Danny, I will marry you."

His face breaks into a wide grin. "You mean it?"

"I mean it." He pulls my face forward, kissing me thoroughly. Pulling back, he smiles. "Oh, you can cry now."

And beneath the stars, we both shed tears of joy.

TBC

One more, folks!