Disclaimer: I don't own these people.

Author's note: So here it is. The end. Managed to keep it under 20 chapters. Woo hoo! Thank you to everyone who has been supportive. This fic came out of me in fits and starts, and gave me some trouble, but your positive comments helped me so much. You're all the best!

CHAPTER 19

Lindsay Messer

The dress that looked so light and frothy in the store now seems to weigh about two tons, and despite the fact that I'd taken my shoes off right after dinner, my feet are killing me.

And I'm deliriously happy. Currently, I'm kicked back at one of the tables at my wedding reception, the aforementioned feet propped up on another chair. Laughter is bubbling uncontrollably through my body as I watch Mac Taylor stumble through the Macarena.

He may be a brilliant criminalist, but he can't dance. He is honorable though – he's out there because he lost some bet to Stella, who can barely complete the moves through her giggles. As I'm watching this entertaining debacle, the reason for my giddiness lifts my feet from my chair, sits down, and commences with a delicious massage.

"Aaahhhh … keep doing that and I'm going to have to marry you."

"Um, been there, done that, Montana." Danny smiles, cocking and eyebrow at me. His tie is gone, his shirt partially unbuttoned, and sweat from dancing has his hair adorably askew. He looked incredible waiting for me at the end of the aisle earlier, but I prefer this Danny – the relaxed, cocky Statten Island boy that won my heart.

"So we have, so we have. When do we get to blow this pop stand?"

He laughs, grabbing my hands, pulling me out of my chair and onto his lap. "Impatient, are we?"

"Well, you've so impressed me with your foot massage, I would like to see how you do with the rest of my body." I waggle my eyebrows, then lean forward and nip his earlobe.

I lean back in time to see his blue eyes flair before he captures my mouth hungrily.

"C'mon you two, time enough for that on your honeymoon," Stella Bonasera chuckles. A ballad begins to play. "All right, Messer, pay up. You owe me a dance."

"Duty calls," Danny murmurs, giving me one last kiss. "I love you."

"I love you." I smile as I watch them hit the floor, then decide to take a break from the hubbub. Grabbing the half-empty bottle of champagne from the table along with a flute, I head out to the balcony of the hotel ballroom.

It takes me about five minutes to fold the bulk of my dress into a chair, but I'm comfortable, pouring myself a glassful of bubbly.

"Got enough for me?" Sheldon smiles down at me.

"Always."

Sheldon Hawkes

"You're beautiful, you know that?" I tell her, and mean it. It's not the fancy hair or finery, it's the happiness that glows from her like a nimbus. As expected, she rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, I'm sweaty and trapped under a thousand pounds of tulle, lace and beadwork. How's Nicole holding up her first night away from the baby?"

I smile, immediately picturing Noelle Grace in my mind – at four months, she looks like the most exquisite doll, complete with her mother's light brown eyes, pointy chin and curly hair. "She's checking in with her sister now. Since Angela runs a day care, you'd think Nic would relax, but …"

"Can't blame her for not wanting to leave my godchild."

How things come full circle – Lindsay and I once came together in grief, and gave each other the hope to move on. I closed a door to my past, she reopened one in hers. And we're both happy.

"I love you, you know." I can't resist telling her that. Nicole is my wife, and the love I never dreamed of finding, but Lindsay Messer is my best friend.

"Right back at you, Doc."

"Yo Hawkes, you think you're gonna ride off with my beautiful bride, you got another thing comin'. Besides, I think you're wife is ready to head home and see that gorgeous girl of yours."

Don't have to ask me twice. I help Lindsay untangle herself from her chair, kissing her gently on the cheek. "Have fun."

"You, too. Give baby girl a kiss from her Aunt Lindsay."

"Will do," I say, and head home to what is now the bliss of my life.

Danny Messer

The limo is driving us to the Biltmore for the night, and my bride is nestled against my chest. Or at least, as much as she can be with that dress – who woulda thought my simple Montana girl would want enough poof to make Cinderella green with envy?

"You're not sleeping, are ya? Cuz I got plans for you."

"You better have a lot of plans, Messer. It's our wedding night. I'm expecting you to kick it up a notch."

I laugh at her tone. "Whoa there, Emeril. No worries. I'll be takin' care of you."

And I plan to, as soon as I get that dress off her. It takes about half an hour to disengage her, but it's worth it. For a moment, all I can do is stare. "Lindsay … you're beautiful," I breathe, marveling at the curves of her body in the soft candlelight.

Grandma Marinelli always told me God put angels on this earth. I never believed it until now.

Lindsay

There is nothing that turns a woman on more than a man she loves looking at her with wonder. My breath catches at the passion and love in his eyes. I step into his embrace, shivering as his lips move down the curve of my neck.

"Do you love me, Danny?"

He pulls back, his eyes smoky. "Always."

"Show me."

The End