A/N:The day is approaching. Chuck and Sarah's wedding is on the horizon. Are you as excited as I am?
Disclaimer: Don't own Chuck
Chapter 20
"We're just down to the finish work now. A last little bit of trim to install, some touch up paint here and there. Another week and a half and we should be read for final inspection, Mr. Carmichael." Chuck stood in the grand banquet hall with the project manager that was overseeing the renovations of the building. Chuck hadn't been to the site most of last week, between the bachelor party and helping out at the diner, he'd been swamped. With Sarah gone, he felt duty bound to help out at the diner, even though they typically had things well in hand.
Chuck had only talked with Sarah a few times while she was off on her getaway with the girls. They did, however, exchange a number of texts. An 'I love you' here or an emoji there, just little things to let the other know they were thinking about them. It was now Monday and she would be coming home this afternoon, and Chuck was more than a little excited. He missed her terribly. Things with the diner were running smoothly and the new office building would soon be ready for furnishing. What was lacking was the woman he loved. He missed her smile, the smell of her hair and the feel of her skin. He knew he was hopelessly lost without her and he wasn't ashamed to admit it.
After a thorough walk-through of the building to survey the progress, he made his way back to the diner. Since Sarah wasn't there, he felt he should carry the torch and play the part of 'host'. He walked around the diner, greeting all the customers, by now knowing many of them by name. He carried on conversations, asked about their families or businesses. It was normally out of his comfort zone, an introvert by nature, but watching Sarah and the way these people seemed so loving and accepting, gave him the courage to put himself out there. Many of them commented on how great the building renovations were going down the street, appreciative that he was restoring the old building, giving it new life. They also passed along their congratulations on the upcoming wedding, it seemed the whole town knew by now.
He was washing dishes in the diner kitchen later that afternoon when he felt arms lace themselves around his stomach. He could immediately smell her, the blend of vanilla and the unique scent that was simply 'Sarah'. He found it completely intoxicating, especially having missed her over the past several days. As her front pressed against his back he couldn't keep the moan from escaping his lips as he sighed in contentment. He turned around in her arms to see her bright smile beaming up at him. That smile was infectious, causing Chuck to give her the same in return.
"I missed you," they spoke simultaneously. The two chuckled at themselves before Chuck bent his head down to kiss her, wrapping her in his arms. The kiss lasted for what felt like forever and yet not nearly long enough. When they parted for air, they slowly opened their eyes to see the goofy grin they both shared.
"I love you. Did you have a good time?" He leaned back against the sink, pulling her to lean against him.
"Oh, God, Chuck. It was so amazing. The Plaza was just incredible. They treated us like royalty. The eating and shopping, we all had so much fun. And Megan? She's fantastic. I made her come along with us and enjoy the weekend. I invited her and her family to the wedding. I hope you don't mind?" Sarah looked up at him with a wincing smile.
"Mind? No! Of course not. I think she's great. To be honest, I hoped you would include her in the festivities of your weekend. She deserves to have some fun for all the hard work she does. I'm glad you had a good time. I sure am glad to see you home though. We all missed you." Chuck planted another firm kiss on her lips, the two moaning contentedly together.
"I missed this." She gave him a big squeeze, laying her head against his chest. She pulled back a little to look up at him. "How did things go with you? The whole bachelor party thing. Pick up lots of strippers?" She gave him a smirk, knowing full well that was not the case.
"Oh, yeah. You know me. I've had trouble getting over PDA with the woman I love. How do you think that would work out with a woman I don't even know?" He snorted, the prospect was beyond unthinkable to him. "Besides, none of them could ever hope to compare with you. So what's the point?" She shook her head and rolled her eyes good naturedly.
"Good answer. But you still didn't address my original question. How did it go?" She asked, poking him in the chest playfully.
"It was good. No... it was great. I had a great time. We went paintballing, then we ate waaaay too much barbecue and followed that up with some bowling. I couldn't ask for a better bachelor party." He gave her his winning smile but she gave him a raised eyebrow in return. 'What?"
"You seemed to leave out a small detail. A little birdie mentioned something about a benefit? Some little boy and his family?" Chuck just gave her a sheepish smile and shrugged.
"There may have been a … thing…" he trailed off, unable to hold her gaze.
"You're a good man Charles Irving Bartowski. If ever there was anyone that deserved to have deep pockets, it's you. Kinda like the Harry Potter kid and that stone." Chuck couldn't help but smirk at her reference. He had convinced her to watch the Harry Potter movies with him, and while he had the best of intentions, there was more making out on the couch than there was watching of movies.
"And here I thought you weren't paying attention when I had you watch those movies with me." Sarah just gave him a wry smile and bounced her eyebrows at him. He couldn't help but snort at her attempt.
"And which one was this 'little birdie' that was ratting me out? Let me guess… Ian?" It was Chuck's turn to give her the look, his eyebrow raised, waiting for her response. She didn't even acknowledge his guess, just went right into her explanation.
"He was very impressed with you. Said you didn't go in there waving your checkbook around, looking for attention. He saw you give the parents your business card and then wrote the alley owner a check. Keeping it all on the D.L." She smirked at him, enjoying the blush that was blossoming on his cheeks. She let out a chuck before raising up and kissing him on the nose.
"I was going to go pick up Molly from school and surprise her. You wanna come with me?" Sarah asked, smoothing down some imaginary wrinkles on his shirt. Any excuse she could come up with to run her hands over him she'd take it, even if she had to make them up.
"You know I do. Let me tell Casey I'm takin' off." Chuck gave her a quick kiss before pushing away from the sink he was leaning against. Casey gave his typical grunt and a dismissive wave without even breaking his concentration on the flat-top griddle. Gerty swatted Chuck with a towel, trying to usher him out of the kitchen as she was making her way to see Casey after their long weekend away. As he and Sarah left through the swinging door and out into the dining area, they could hear a loud snap from behind them, followed by a surprising high pitched yelp.
"Woman!" Casey called out. Gerty's hearty laughter was quickly silenced as Chuck and Sarah made their way to the exit, sharing a knowing smile.
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It was now just a matter of days before the wedding and tensions were high as the preparation was going into full swing. Chuck pulled Sarah away from the diner to give her a moment decompress. He took her on a short walk but after a few minutes, Chuck had made her close her eyes and cover them. Normally she didn't like surprises but she had become accustomed to Chuck's propensity for wanting to give her little gifts or impromptu candlelit dinners at home. So she indulged him, especially when she could see the enthusiasm written all over his face. She closed her eyes and allowed Chuck to lead her into a building nearby.
"Alright. We're almost there. Just a few more steps." Chuck was guiding Sarah with both hands as he walked backwards in front of her. When he was satisfied that they were in the right spot, he stopped them and released her hands. He quickly moved around behind her, placing his hands on her hips, bending toward her ear. "OK. Open 'em."
Sarah's eyes fluttered open as they adjusted to the lighting. What she saw nearly took her breath away. They were standing in the new grand banquet hall of the Orion Building. They kept with the original architecture of the surrounding buildings, giving it a classic, historic feel. The twelve foot ceilings, complete with painted tin panels and crown moulding, met the large, intricately carved square columns that were spaced along the walls. Period style chandeliers and wall sconces reflected in the polished hardwood floors throughout.
"Oh, Chuck. It's absolutely breathtaking. It's… it's like this is how this place was originally meant to look, but even better. I can't believe it. You're amazing." Sarah grabbed his face and kissed him soundly. Sliding her hands around the back of his neck, deepening the kiss until they needed to come up for air.
"Wow! Um… I'm glad I waited until after that kiss to tell you that I didn't have much to do with this," Chuck uttered, still recovering from the kiss. She giggled and smacked him on the shoulder.
"I know you weren't here hanging lights and laying down flooring, but this was your vision, your brainchild. You orchestrated all of this and brought it to life. If you hadn't come along, this building would have been demolished and lost to time. If you hadn't come along… I wouldn't get to spend our wedding reception in this beautiful place with the most amazing man I've ever known." She snaked her arms around his waist, pulling her body to his as she looked up into his deep chocolate eyes. "I love you. Ya know it?" Her smile became infectious, causing one to grow across Chuck's face as well.
"I may have heard rumors," Chuck replied with his wry smile, wrapping his arms around her. "What d'you say we go back to your place and … give 'em something to talk about?" His eyebrows danced, causing Sarah to bury her head in his chest as she laughed. Eventually, she pulled away, shaking her head.
"Shouldn't we be helping with decorating or something?" she questioned, looking around the large room.
"Absolutely not. We're not paying Rebeccah the wedding planner an obscene amount of money so that we can decorate for our own wedding. No. In fact, I want it all to be a surprise, so no peeking. Not here or at the wedding location. Promise me that you'll relax and just focus on you. Let the people we hired to take care of these things, actually do their job. I know it's hard for you to relinquish control, but do this for me. Please?" He gazed down at her with a sad, puppy-dog face, hamming it up to add emphasis. She couldn't help but cave. Not only was he right, the wedding planner and the staff she hired would be able to take care of everything, but she could really use the time to relax and decompress. She didn't want to go into her wedding day stressing about all this.
"Fiiiiine. I promise. But only if you keep an eye on things. Just make sure things are on track and going smoothly. Deal?" She gave him a pointed look, waiting for him to agree. He simply leaned down and kissed her gently.
"Deal. And thank you for trusting me. I know it's hard to let go of that control, but I think you'll feel better for it. I love you." He placed a chaste kiss to her lips before nodding to the exit and leading her out.
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It was a beautiful day in early May, the morning dew retreating with the rising Sun. Everything was in place, down to the last detail. Chuck and Sarah had discussed at length what they did and didn't want for their wedding. Neither had any great love for the pomp and circumstance of a grand church wedding. They wanted simple, elegant, but not pretentious. The wedding planner, the one that Megan had helped them find, had promised to help them 'realize their vision'. Though they were apprehensive at first, Chuck had to admit that she had done all she promised and more.
Chuck stood on the boardwalk pathway staring in awe at the countless shafts of sunlight that seemed to rain down through the forest canopy. The area was teaming with green foliage, tiny white and lavender flowers carpeting the forest floor. He closed his eyes and lifted his face skyward, bathed in the shaft of sunlight in which he stood.
All of his senses seemed alive. The warmth on his face from the sunlight, the soft caress on his cheek from the breeze that weaved its way through the trees. The sweet smell of wildflowers wafted through the air. He could hear the sounds of birds singing, the chatter of squirrels and the rustling of the trees in the light breeze. In the distance, the babbling of the stream running through the ravine ahead added to the soothing feeling of the place. This would be the soundtrack for their perfect day.
He opened his eyes and continued his stroll down the boardwalk to the large deck that overlooked the ravine. This was where he would say his vows, professing his unending love and commitment to the most amazing woman he had ever known. Reason dictated that he should feel nervous in the face of such a monumental undertaking. Instead, he felt calm, a stillness within him, a warmth filling him. There was no second guessing, no question in his choice. This was the easiest decision he had ever made. His only concern was that this day would mean as much to Sarah as it did to him. He wanted this day to live on in their memories as the genesis of a lifetime of love and happiness. A day to be celebrated for decades to come with their children, then grand and great grandchildren, if he was lucky.
"Save some of that for the actual wedding," came Casey's gruff voice from his right. Chuck turned, giving him a quizzical look. "That big, stupid grin you've got plastered all over your face," he added, waving his hand in a circle as he gestured toward Chuck's face. "You still got a couple hours before the guests start showin' up."
"Yeah... I know. I just wanted to come here and check it out beforehand. Take it all in, ya know?" Chuck looked over all the decorations that had been added to the large deck area. A grapevine arch had been placed along the edge of the deck as part of the backdrop for their vows. Strung between the trees above the deck were strands of lights with Edison style bulbs, giving it a rustic feel. Interspersed were large glass bulbs with LED votive candles inside, suspended from the trees. It looked truly magical. Along with the benches already there, an additional thirty folding chairs were added, which was as much as the deck area could support. Any additional guests would have to stand, lining the boardwalk leading to the overlook deck. A firm hand rested on his shoulder causing Chuck to turn.
"Come on. It's time to get ready," Casey urged, offering a faint smile. Chuck nodded and the two made their way to the parking area to head back to Gerty's house, where the guys were getting ready.
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"How can you be so calm?! I'm a goddamn train wreck, and it's not even my wedding!" Ellie exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air as she frantically searched for her earrings. "Aren't you nervous? You're supposed to be nervous, right?"
"I dunno. I guess? I've never gotten married before," Sarah replied, giving a shrug as Meredith attempted to apply her mascara. Meredith owned the salon in town and offered to come to Sarah's house to do the girl's hair and makeup. The older, red-haired woman gave Sarah a flat look from the shrugging she'd done, nearly causing her to smudge her makeup. Sarah winced, mouthing a 'sorry' as the woman smirked and got back to work.
"I mean, Chuck and I already live together. We've shared so many experiences." With that, Gerty started choking on her bottle of water, coughing and laughing at the same time, as she pounded on her chest.
"God, Gerty! That is NOT what I meant at all and you know it," Sarah protested. Soon, a devilish grin spread across her face. "Although, the experiences were-"
"Oh God, NOOOO! LA LA LA LA LA LA. I'M NOT LISTENING!" Ellie bellowed as she covered her ears. The entire room burst into laughter, helping to ease some of the tension and anticipation of the day. As the women settled down and got back to the tasks at hand, Sarah continued.
"Well, as I was saying… with Chuck, I know what I'm getting. I have zero doubts about his love for me or my love for him. He's an amazing man, not just toward me, but toward Molly. Toward everyone he meets, really. Annnnnnd, I'll be gaining an awesome sister," Sarah confessed as she beamed at Ellie, who had stopped to listen with rapt attention. The brunette woman smiled warmly with a tear in her eye. "I have absolutely no doubts about getting married to Chuck. So, No. I'm not nervous at all. Excited? Yes! I'm dying to see how all the decorating turned out, but you guys wouldn't let me," Sarah grumped with a mock pout.
"It's a surprise," Megan chimed in. "Trust us. We all want this to be the greatest day of your life. We wouldn't let you down." Sarah gave a tight smile, her eyes starting to get glassy. She began to fan her face with her hands, trying to keep the tears at bay.
"You guys… you're gonna make me cry," Sarah barked out, a chuckle mixed with a sniffle. "Then Meredith is gonna be pissed if she has to re-do my eyeliner." Everyone got a good chuckle out of that, even Meredith.
"Alright, Girlie," Meredith declared as she wiped her hands together. "You're all done. Time to get that dress on." The bride and bridesmaids looked to each other with grins of excitement.
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"How do I look? Is my tie straight? I ain't much for monkey suits," Casey grumbled as he adjusted the neck of his shirt.
"That suit right there will serve you well for years to come. Great for all sorts of occasions," Ian interjected. He stepped up and adjusted the collar and tie. Then, after a cursory look up and down the large man, he adjusted Casey's belt slightly. "Perfect."
"Yeah, Casey. Lookin' sharp, my man. Maybe you could wear it again when… well… you know," Devon winked and nudged him with an elbow. Casey stiffened at the insinuation and they swore they could see him blush.
"Yeah, well. I'll be givin' it back as soon as the weddin' is over," he grumbled.
'Giving what back?" Chuck asked as he walked into the living room of Gerty's house, buttoning the cuff on his dress shirt.
"The suit. I assume you need to return them when the weddin' is over." Casey shrugged as he fidgeted with the tie.
"Return? Guys, you remember when we went to Bobbly Macc's and spent all that time with the measurements and then again when we did the final fittings? These are custom bespoke tailored suits. One does not 'return' them. No, these are yours now. Consider it my… groomsman gift to you." Brian and Ian were the first to gasp, Devon likewise seemed taken aback, while Casey just seemed confused.
"Chuck. These are like… what… five-thousand dollar suits?" Ian questioned, sounding a bit exasperated. Chuck just gave him a look like he was waiting for him to get to the point. Chuckling to himself, Ian shook his head. "You're just giving us these tailored suits? Just like that?"
"Well, yeah. Why not? I mean, you needed suits for the wedding. And how often do you have the opportunity to get a nice, tailored suit? You guys deserve them. Hell, I imagine Sarah spent way more than that on her and the girl's dresses… and shoes… and jewelry. Oh, and I'm sure handbags or whatever." The men snorted at that and Chuck just shrugged with a 'what can ya do' look on his face. He put on his suit jacket, buttoning the topmost of the two buttons and shifted a bit to adjust the feel of the suit. He stood in front of his friends and held out his arms.
"So, how do I look?" He winced a bit, seeming a bit unsure of his appearance. The bright navy blue, two-button, tailored Armani suit fit him perfectly. His hair was trimmed up, keeping the sides short and the top just long enough that the curl was more of a manageable wave; no animal shapes. Ian and Brian shared a smile and both nodded.
"You're ready," Ian offered, giving Chuck a smile and a pat on the arm. "Let's go, get you hitched."
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Chuck stood before a small gathering of friends and towns folk, people he had gotten to know well over his time here. They had all accepted him into their community with open arms and made him feel like he truly belonged. The setting was perfect, from the enchanting decorations to the beauty of Nature in this place. On top of that, the weather had cooperated with not a cloud in the sky and a gentle breeze to make it quite enjoyable, even in a suit. Chuck was accompanied by the mayor of Grady, Tom Miracle, who was performing the service. He had known Sarah for most of her life and had been a good friend to her mother. Naturally, he welcomed the opportunity to be part of their special day. Tom gave him some words of encouragement, but they were unnecessary. Chuck waited patiently as the final guests were seated or lead to stand along the boardwalk path. While not nervous, Chuck was excited, and the anticipation of seeing Sarah in her dress was causing his heart to race.
A few moments later, Chuck saw the signal from the wedding planner, and the photographers began taking pictures of him. Another set were stationed at the boardwalk entrance. The music began to play, seemingly from the forest itself. Clair de Lune, the hauntingly beautiful song filled the air as, two-by-two, his friends, the people that meant most to him, began to process down the boardwalk to join him. First Brian and Alex, then Ian and Megan followed by Devon and Gerty. Lastly was Sarah's maid of honor, Ellie, and Chuck's best man, Casey. Once the four sets of bridesmaids and groomsmen completed their journey, Molly, dressed in white and looking so elegant, began to walk the path, sprinkling white gardenia petals in her wake. As she reached her destination, the song tapered off into silence. Chuck's heart was in his throat, the anticipation had reached such a crescendo he could hardly bear it.
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Sarah bent down and placed a kiss on the top of Molly's head. Fixing a stray hair behind the little girl's ear, she met her gaze.
"You look beautiful Mommy. Like a princess," the little girl beamed up at Sarah.
"Aww. Thank you, Peanut. You look so pretty in your dress. Are you ready? You remember what to do?" Molly nodded emphatically, raising her basket of petals as proof. "Ok, Sweetie. When Rebeccah gives you the signal, you start walking, just like we practiced, and I'll see you when it's over. Alright?"
"Alright. Love you." She gave Sarah a quick hug and them got into position.
"Well, Darlin'... you sure you're ready for this?" Jack stepped up beside his daughter, in his own custom tailored suit and offered her his arm. Sarah took took it gladly, brandishing a smile that lit up her entire face.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life." Jack considered her for a moment then nodded, giving her a warm smile.
"She's right. You do look like a princess. You're gonna break the Schnook when he sees you. You know that right?" They both chuckled, Sarah leaning into her father briefly.
"That's the plan," she confessed with a wry smile.
She watched Molly begin her procession down the walkway, causing the butterflies in her stomach to flutter. She had been anticipating this day for so long now. She was excited to see the friends that had come to celebrate with them, the decorations she promised not to peek at and, most of all, she wanted to see her Chuck. She wanted to see that look on his face when he first saw her in her dress. With the loving way he looked at her when she wore something as ordinary as jeans and a t-shirt, she couldn't fathom how he would take it.
The music faded away and then the nod was given, signaling for her procession to begin. It was then that the next song began to play, Marry Me by Train, and she chuckled to herself, fighting to keep her emotions in check. Her and her father began their walk.
"Forever can never be long enough for me
To feel like I've had long enough with you
Forget the world now we won't let them see
But there's one thing left to do"
They were just about to come around the bend in the path that would reveal her wedding to her and her to it. The lyrics to the song resonated with her as she walked, her emotions swirling inside.
"Now that the weight has lifted
Love has surely shifted my way"
Finally, her wedding came into view and she could see the magical tableau before her. The tendrils of sunlight shining through the trees, the strings of lights and candles suspended in the air truly made this feel like something out of a fairytale. As she continued, she could see many friends, people she had known all her life, lining the boardwalk and smiling back at her. Their path straightened and finally she could see the altar, of sorts, and her true heart's desire.
"Marry me
Today and every day"
When their eyes met she was so overwhelmed with emotions that she nearly stumbled, had it not been for her father's firm hold. She watched as Chuck's hand covered his mouth and his knees buckle ever so slightly.
"Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say
Hello in this cafe
Say you will
Mm-hmm
Say you will
Mm-hmm"
When she reached the large overlook deck, she was finally close enough to see the tears trailing down his cheeks. Whatever hold she thought she had on her emotions broke as she barked out a small sob, the reservoir of tears letting loose.
"Together can never be close enough for me
To feel like I am close enough to you
You wear white and I'll wear out the words I love you
And you're beautiful
Now that the wait is over
And love and has finally shown her my way"
She maintained eye contact with Chuck as she continued her journey to him. The chorus played and she mused at how the song seemed purpose written just for them. The parallels to their own romance were not lost on her, nor Chuck, when they chose it. Still, now, with him standing there with that look of pure love and adoration, that smile he saved just for her, she found it hard to fathom how she found herself in this moment.
"Promise me
You'll always be
Happy by my side
I promise to
Sing to you
When all the music dies
And marry me
Today and everyday
Marry me
If I ever get the nerve to say hello in this cafe
Say you will
Mm-hmm
Say you will
Mm-hmm
Marry me
Mm-hmm..."
The music faded out just as her father handed her off to Chuck and found his seat. As the fabric of her flowing white gown came to rest, she took his hand, and, just like every time they touched, she could feel that same spark, that same electric energy that seemed to course in and between them. Still holding each other's gaze, they stood silent for a moment, the world around obscured, only seeing one another. Chuck visibly swallowed and made an effort to speak.
"Hi," he whispered. Sarah chuckled to herself, beaming at this wonderfully handsome man standing in front of her.
"Hi," she replied in a whisper of her own. Pulling them from their own little world, the mayor cleared his throat and began to address those that had congregated here for their wedding.
"Welcome. As you all know, we are here to celebrate the union of Miss Sarah Lisa Walker and Mister Charles Irving Bartowski. We've all watched Sarah grow from the cute little girl sitting at the counter of Emma's Diner, to the beautiful and brilliant young woman we see here today. We have seen her grapple with the trials that life has thrown at her and watched her flourish with poise and dignity. She has come to embody the spirit of what makes Grady such a wonderful place to call home."
"Although Chuck is a relative newcomer to our community, we have all watched him over the past months. I think we can all agree that he has proven himself to be a kind and caring man, time and again. It's easy to see what they see in one another. When we see them together, not unlike today, the love they share for each other is plain to see. So, when they asked me to be part of their celebration, I was overjoyed. The privilege of helping unite these two amazing people is truly an honor."
"Sarah and Chuck have each prepared a few words that they would like to exchange. Sarah, if you will." He gestured to Sarah, who smiled and nodded. Taking a cleansing breath, she held Chuck's gaze and spoke.
"Chuck, you're a gift. You're a gift I never dreamed I could want or need, and every day I will show you that you're a gift that I deserve. You make me the best person I could ever hope to be, and I want to spend and learn and love the rest of my life with you." The words and her conviction were overwhelming, leaving him momentarily speechless. She chuckled to herself at his reaction, his expression warming her heart.
'Chuck?" the mayor asked, pulling Chuck from his daze.
"Oh, right. Right." He nodded and cleared his throat. He, too, blew out a breath to calm himself.
"Sarah, I began to fall in love with you from the first moment I saw you. Since then, you have awakened me to a world of happiness that I never knew possible. Everything I have, everything I am, I give to you. I vow to be there in times of joy, to share in your laughter. In times of sorrow, I'll be your strength, as you have been mine. I've struggled to find the words that could express how deeply I love you, but they escape me. So instead, every day, for the rest of our lives, I'll just have to show you." Chuck choked on the final words, his emotions getting the better of him. Sarah bit her lower lip as tears pooled at the corners of her eyes.
"Do you have the rings?" Chuck turned to Casey, who placed them in his hand as they shared a nod.
"The relationship you enter into today must be grounded in the strength of your love and faith in one another. For a relationship to succeed it will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want what's best for one another, and to learn and grow together. It takes faith in each other to weather the road ahead without knowing what the future may bring. If you have both come here today, freely, and understand the hard work and responsibility involved in making your relationship last, and are committed not just to each other … but to your family," he said, gesturing to the friends surrounding them on each side, "then place the ring on the other's finger and reply 'I do'." Sarah slid the ring on Chuck's finger and proclaimed, "I do", returning her gaze to meet his. Chuck placed the band on Sarah's finger to accompany the engagement ring. He lifted his gaze, meeting hers and professed, "I do".
"Then, by the power vested in me by the city of Grady, it is my great privilege to pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bri-" Before the mayor could complete the word, Chuck took Sarah's face in his hands and kissed her soundly. Cheers and applause erupted from the people gathered. When they finally broke the kiss, their foreheads pressed together, they exchanged, "I love you's". They turned, hand in hand to face their friends and waved.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Chuck and Sarah Bartowski!" Casey bellowed, easily heard over the din of the people talking. That elicited more applause along with a few hoots and hollers. They waved as the gathering of people blew bubbles at them, creating an even more magical ethereal feeling as they walked arm in arm down the boardwalk.
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"So, Mrs. Bartowski, shall we meet your adoring fans?" Chuck and Sarah stood arm-in-arm outside the main entrance to the banquet hall of the Orion Building. They had stayed behind at the Nature Preserve, with the rest of the wedding party, for a lot more pictures. All their guests had gone ahead of them to partake in snacks, drinks and music while they waited. Sarah looked up at her husband, a moniker she was thrilled to be able to use now.
"Yes, Mr. Bartowski. I believe we shall." The two chuckled, exchanging a quick kiss before approaching the doors. The staff that covered the door asked them to wait for just a minute so that their arrival could be announced. Moments later they heard the music quiet and a man's voice came over the speaker system.
"Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, the moment you've all been waiting for. Please welcome, Chuck and Sarah Bartowski!" With that, the large double doors opened and the applause and cheers erupted from the room as the newlyweds made their way into the grand banquet hall. They both waved to the gathering of people, but Sarah was so taken aback by the decorations of the place that she stopped in her tracks. The same theme as the wedding had been duplicated within this vast space. Strands of lights with Edison style bulbs crisscrossing the room, coupled with the dimmed antique lighting of the room, bathed everything in a warm, amber glow. The highly polished wood floors reflected the lighting from above, giving it an ethereal effect, making it seem truly magical. Glass votives and decorative globes containing LED candles placed on all the tables only added to the beauty of the place. To mirror the natural theme of the wedding, accents of grapevine garlands and greenery, coupled with white wildflowers, provided the most beautiful atmosphere she could have asked for. Pulling herself closer to Chuck, leaning her head on his shoulder, she allowed a few happy tears to escape.
"Chuck, it's so beautiful. It's absolutely perfect." She pulled away and reached up, sharing a kiss with her husband, much to the delight of the party goers. The cheers and clinking of silverware tapping on glasses filled the room as the couple slowly pulled away, blushing just a bit. They made their way to their seats at the head table, saying 'Hello' and shaking hands as they went. Once they were finally seated, Jack stood, took a microphone from the DJ and took his place on the temporary stage.
"Good afternoon everybody. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Jack, Sarah's father. I'm so honored to be able to share this day with Sarah and Chuck, along with all their friends and family. We want to thank you for coming to celebrate with us. There'll be plenty of good music, strong drinks and tons of food. We're gonna let the wedding party get something to eat first, then the servers will be by your tables to help you along. Please enjoy!" With that, Jack handed the mic back and returned to his seat.
The reception was catered by The Pit, an amazing barbecue place out of Raleigh. Chuck first discovered it when he was taken there for his bachelor party. He and the guys fell in love with it, and when Chuck brought Sarah there a few weeks later, they were sold. The buffet style setup was a barbecue lover's fantasy. There was pulled pork, baby back ribs, Carolina ribs, beef brisket, and barbecue chicken. Naturally, it wouldn't be complete without the essential sides. Mac and cheese, green beans, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, hush puppies and all the rolls you could ever want for sopping up extra sauce. Of course, both Eastern and Western North Carolina style sauces were available, just to prevent any fights from breaking out. Everyone talked and laughed while they ate, quiet music playing in the background. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, especially the wedding party. When the clanking of silverware on glasses began to fill the room, typically instigated by Ellie, Chuck and Sarah happily obliged and stopped eating to share a kiss. After the third time, Sarah took Ellie's silverware away, which only gave them a brief respite.
As people were finishing eating, the DJ brought the mic over to Sarah who stood up, shooting Chuck a brilliant smile before turning to face the guests.
"Hey everybody. I just wanted to take a minute to say 'Thank you' to all of you for coming. I've come to know almost all of you, whether as that little girl sitting at the counter or the woman that now refills your coffee. This town has always been like family to me, and it means the world that you could share today with us. I hope you enjoy yourselves. We have plenty of stuff coming up." Sarah waved at everyone as they applauded and whistled. She handed the mic to Chuck, who stood and accepted it, giving his wife a quick kiss before she sat down. Clearing his throat, he adjusted his jacket, fidgeting out of nervousness.
"Wow. It's so great to see all of you here. How about that barbecue, huh?" Chuck pointed toward the buffet and clapped. "I've got a little bit of the meat sweats over here. I'm a California boy, born and raised, but I tell ya, no place has ever felt more like home than Grady. From my first day here, everyone I've met has been so welcoming. Especially a certain diner owner we all know." Chuck sent a pointed look at Sarah, dancing his eyebrows at her. A number of people let out 'awwws' at that before he continued. "You've been so kind and always made me feel like I belonged, and I can't tell you how much that's meant to me. I just hope that I can give back to this community as much as you've given me. Thanks for coming out to share this day with us." Chuck waved at the guests, a round of applause erupting from the room. Chuck sat down and handed the mic to Casey, who reluctantly stood, looking very nervous. Gerty was sitting on his other side and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, which seemed to bolster his courage. Clearing his throat, he tapped on the mic, checking to see if it was live.
"Hell-hello. I'm John Casey, or just Casey ta those that know me. Chuck, here, chose me to be his best man, and while I'm honored, I can't fer the life of me figure out why." That earned a chuckle from the room, helping him feel a little more at ease. "I'm not a man of many words, but I wanted to use a few of 'em to toast my good friends, Chuck … and Sarah," he said gesturing to each in turn. "When I first met Sarah, naturally it was at Emma's Diner. I was… down on my luck, lookin' for some kind of honest work. Sarah had plenty of reasons to turn me away, but instead… she offered me a job. A good job, working with good people." Casey paused and grinned as he looked at his friends surrounding him, including Gerty, the woman he had grown to care for more than any other. He cleared his throat again and turned to look back at the guests.
"When I first met Chuck, I made the mistake of confusing his kindness for weakness. In fact, I soon learned that his kindness and generosity, even in the face of anger and hatred, were his greatest strengths. He showed me not only what it was to be a good man, but to be the better man. A lesson that I'll be forever grateful for."
"These two accepted me into their little makeshift family. Something I haven't been a party to in … in quite some time. I told them once, that love was not being able to live with someone, but rather, not being able to live without them. After seeing these two together, I can't picture one without the other. So, to Chuck and Sarah," Casey paused, raising his glass, "I wish you every happiness and look forward to watching our family grow." With that he gave them a wink as the entire room offered their cheers. The room then burst into applause as Chuck stood and gave his friend a quick hug and a pat on the back, deeply moved by his words. Likewise, Sarah rose to her feet to hug him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. As a light blush colored Casey's cheeks, they all found their seats again. They passed the mic down to Ellie who stood and smoothed down her dress.
"Hi everyone. I'm sure most of you don't know me, but I'm Ellie, Chuck's sister. Well, officially I'm Sarah's sister now too, as well as her maid of honor. And I can't tell you what an honor that is. For much of my little brother's life, he's been a lost soul. People came in and out of his life, but they always seemed to leave an empty spot. Then he decided to leave LA and take a road trip across the country. On the other side of the country, he wandered into a little diner in a small town called Grady. It was in that little diner that he discovered what it was that had been missing in his life. That was Sarah Walker." She gave a glassy eyed smile to Sarah, placing a hand on her shoulder. Sarah returned a teary smile, placing her hand on Ellie's, the two sharing a look of love and admiration. Sniffling a little, Ellie tried to collect herself before continuing. "When I talked with Chuck after that, I could tell… I could tell that something had changed in him. When I came to visit and saw the two of them together, saw him with little Molly, I could see that he had finally found what he'd been searching for: a home. Sarah, that's what you are to him. No matter where life takes you, as long as you're together, that's home. Thank you, Sarah. Not only has my brother found his other half, but I've gotten the best sister anyone could ever hope for. I love you both. Congratulations," Ellie choked out as she raised her glass in toast. The new sisters, and a great many people in the room, were in tears as they all toasted the newlyweds. Sarah and Ellie shared a long hug, followed quickly by Ellie wrapping Chuck in a bear hug. He returned the hug, lifting her off the ground. After the tearful congratulations were concluded, Sarah's father, Jack, collected the microphone and stood behind his daughter.
"Wow. That's a tough act to follow," Jack began, eliciting chuckles from the room. "For much of Sarah's life, I wasn't involved as much as I could have been… should have been. Regardless, it's every parent's wish for their children to fare better than themselves. It's every father's wish that their little daughter find a good partner in life. Someone that will love and respect them. A partner that will stick beside them through all the laughter and all the tears that life brings them. Sarah, you've grown to be a strong, brilliant and passionate woman, just like your mother. I know she's here with you today and she's just as proud as I am of the woman you've become." Jack had a small hitch in his voice, the emotions of the moment welling up inside. In taking a moment to collect himself, he felt a hand take his, squeezing it tightly. His daughter was looking up at him, giving him a reassuring smile, even as tears streamed down her face. He gave her a tight smile, squeezing her hand in return before turning back to the guests.
"Regrettably, many men find those characteristics in a woman to be … threatening. Thankfully, she found Chuck. A good man that not only appreciates those qualities, but embraces them, encourages them. In turn, I can see how much she challenges and encourages him. I know that they will be there for each other, to love and support one another for the rest of their lives. What more could I ask for? So, 'Thank you', Chuck, for being the man that Sarah deserves. To the happy couple!" Jack raised a glass in toast and the room followed suit. Sarah gave Jack a hug, thanking him for the speech and for being there. Chuck extended a hand to his father-in-law, and while Jack took it, he used it to pull him into a quick hug, Chuck returning it in kind.
They all sat down, giving the mic back to the DJ. When he returned to the DJ booth, he announced that the bride and groom would be taking the dance floor for their first dance. Chuck stood, offering his hand to Sarah, who gladly accepted, standing to join him. The made their way to the dance floor as the music began to play. The photographers and videographers were circling but keeping a respectable distance, not wanting to take away from their moment. The orchestral introduction began as they stood in the spotlight, stepping into each other's embrace. As they settled into the dance the, staring loving into the other's eyes, the singer began.
"At last
My love has come along
My lonely days are over
And life is like a song
Oh yeah yeah
At last
The skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up in clover
The night I looked at you"
"I love you, Mrs. Bartowski. I'm sorry if that's starting to get annoying. The 'Mrs. Bartowski' thing. I just can't get over the fact that you actually married me. It still feels like a dream." Chuck shook his head as he sighed, chuckling at himself.
"Well, you'd better believe it, Mr. Bartowski. I've got the ring and the papers to prove it. Plus, I have a room full of people who witnessed everything. They can all vouch for me. And Baby, you can call me 'Mrs. Bartowski' anytime you want." She reached up, giving him a soft kiss, her azure eyes aglow. "I love you."
"I found a dream, that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill that I have never known
Oh yeah yeah
You smiled, you smiled
Oh and then the spell was cast
And here we are in heaven
For you are mine...
At Last"
The song drew to a close and, without warning, Chuck dipped Sarah to the side, kissing her soundly. She had let out a small shriek in surprise but it was quickly silenced with his lips on hers. The room filled with applause and whistles as all the guests cheered. Finally pulling her upright again, she playfully smacked him on the chest, giggling at his antics. Chuck lead Sarah to Jack, who was nearby, for the Father-Daughter dance. He gave his new son-in-law a chuck on the shoulder before taking his daughter's hand. The DJ announced the dance and he escorted her back to the floor.
Father and daughter danced to Edwin McCain's 'Walk With You', Sarah's head on her dad's shoulder. They danced without saying a word for a couple of minutes, just enjoying the closeness she had missed out on so much with her father.
"You did good, kid. Real good," Jack offered, surprising Sarah. She turned her gaze to him and smiled. "He's a good man. A schnook, for sure, but good. I have no doubt he'll be a good husband to you." Sarah nodded, her smile growing brighter. "And unlike me, he'll be a good father. Hell, he's already a great dad to Molly." Sarah nodded, but her brow furrowed slightly.
"He is great with her, and when we have children of our own, he'll be a great dad to them too. You? You're comin' around. I think there's hope for you yet," Sarah winked at her father with a wry smile. "I think Grandpa Jack is doing a pretty good job so far." They shared a chuckle but she could tell by the smile on his face that he liked the idea of being a grandpa. If she had her way, before too long, he'd have another grandchild to spoil rotten. As the song came to a close, Sarah gave her father a kiss on the check and big hug as the onlookers applauded. They returned to their seats to make way for Chuck. The mother-son dance was the last "official" dance of the night. While Chuck no longer had a mother, it was not a tough decision to pick Ellie to fill that role. After all, she had been like a mother to him for many years. If anyone on this planet had earned the right to be considered his mother, it was Ellie.
Chuck stood and walked around Sarah's chair, holding his hand out to his sister, "May I have this dance?" Ellie beamed up at him, her brilliant smile and glassy eyes belying her emotions. She accepted his hand, stood and followed him to the dance floor. The room clapped as the DJ announced the "Brother-Sister" dance, as the siblings made it to the center of the floor. The lone guitar began to play and the crowd was peppered with cheers.
"You did it baby brother. I'm so proud of you," she confessed, looking up at her brother with adoration. He nodded, his smile broadening.
"Mama told me when I was young
"Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day."
"You know, throughout high school and then after Jill, especially after Jill, you were always there to be my shoulder to cry on, both literally and figuratively. When my self-esteem was at its lowest, you always told me 'Just you wait Charles Irving Bartowski. There's a woman out there who'll see through your shy, nerdy shell and fall in love with the sweet, kind man inside. It may not be today or tomorrow, but she's out there.'" His impersonation of his sister, while he felt was spot on, she just balked at, smacking him on the chest.
"I don't sound like that," she protested, giving a faux pout. He just chuckled, shaking his head.
"Well, you were right. I finally found her. She truly loves me for me. It took a long time, but boy it was so worth it." Ellie gave a wet laugh, her tears of pride and joy streaking down her cheeks. She laid her head on his shoulder as they danced.
"Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman and you'll find love
And don't forget, son, there is someone up above"
"And be a simple kind of man
Be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can."
They continued to dance, listening to the lyrics that seemed so fitting for their relationship. Throughout his life, she had always been his compass, encouraging him to be a good, upstanding person. Even throughout the painful, trying times when he felt like sinking, she was there to lift him up. When Chuck had come into money, his companies taking off, Ellie was there to keep him humble, never letting the money go to his head. True, she rarely had to actually lecture him on the subject because her voice was always there in his mind, guiding him.
"Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied"
"And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can."
Oh, yes, I will"
"I'm so happy that you found a home here," Ellie shared as she lifted her head to look up at him. "I'm so glad you found Sarah and Molly. I don't know what force it was that brought you to Grady, but I like to think your heart just knew. It sounds silly, I know. Some sort of Hallmark Channel movie plot. I don't care, I still think the heart just finds a way." She shrugged, not really having any other evidence beyond her own belief.
"Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied."
"And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can?"
"Well, you seem to have found something here in Grady too. When are you and Devon going to … take the plunge?" Chuck smirked at Ellie, loving that the teasing shoe was on the other foot for once. She rolled her eyes, conceding Chuck's small victory.
"I dunno. I mean, we haven't really talked about it. Well… not… not exactly." Her guilty expression only added fuel to the fire, as Chuck's eyes widened.
"Alright. Spill!" he demanded, stopping in their tracks. She gave him an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes, but finally relented.
"We're moving in together." Chuck's expression changed from shock to excitement in a flash. He wrapped his arms around her, giving her a bear hug aa he lifted her off the ground.
"That's so awesome! I'm so happy for you guys. This is so huge. Why didn't you tell me?" Chuck set her back down, looking at her questioningly. The song had come to an end and the crowd was cheering and clapping. The two waved at the guests, then started back to their seats. Once off the dance floor, Chuck took her arm, gently turning her toward him. He gave her a look, still waiting for a response.
"I...I didn't want to bring it up until after the wedding. This is supposed to be your and Sarah's day. I don't want to detract from that. It's not that big of a deal." Ellie just shrugged, looking a little sheepish.
"Not that big of a…" Chuck exclaimed. He took her hand and began to drag her toward the main table. "Come with me…" Ellie reluctantly stumbled behind, trying to keep up with him in her heels. They stopped behind Sarah's chair, where the bride was yelling comments down the table to Gerty and Alex. When she noticed Chuck's presence, she turned to look up at him, wearing her infectious smile. Chuck pointed to his sister beside him in an accusatory manner.
"She and Devon are moving in together. She failed to share this little nugget because she didn't want to 'detract from our day'," he explained, using air quotes for emphasis.
"What?! You're moving in together? That's so wonderful!" Sarah jumped from her seat, wrapping her new sister in a hug, practically bouncing. "You should've told us! That just made my day even better. I'm so excited for you guys. Hey… you know what this means?" Sarah gave Ellie an obvious wink and a nudge with her elbow. Ellie's mouth dropped open but before she could protest, Devon came to the rescue.
"Before you guys get me into more trouble, how about we go dance?" He took Ellie's hand and began to lead her to the dance floor. The look of relief that washed over her was rather comical, Chuck and Sarah bursting into laughter as they took their seats. Once their laughter settled down and Chuck finished the last swallow of his champagne, he cleared his throat and stood again.
"Wife of mine, could I have the pleasure of this dance?" Sarah giggled at his antics, the champagne beginning to affect her slightly.
"You could indeed, husband of mine," she replied, taking his hand. Sarah lead the way, dragging him behind her. She shouted a "Woohoo!" as they made it to the dance floor, joining all their family and friends as they began to dance the night away.
A/N: There's an open bar and plenty more music. Enjoy yourselves. See you in the next installment.
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