Perfection Chapter 16: Wedding Bells, a criminal minds fanfic

Perfection

Chapter Sixteen: Wedding Bells

By Ann Parker (Movie)

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"Do you love me because I'm beautiful,  or am I am beautiful because you love me?" – Oscar Hammerstein, II

Sarah stood in the corner of a large recreational room at the Bennington Sanitarium, watching her fiancé make his way over to his mother. It had been about a month since they had landed back in Quantico. Both wanted to get married and settled into a new house before the baby came so they hit the ground running. Hotch happened to know of a house near his in McLean that ended up being perfect. They made an offer and had signed the papers earlier in the week. They had just gotten a few weeks of vacation cleared to use for the wedding and honeymoon. The rest of the team were also given a few days off and were flying out to meet them tomorrow. They had headed out earlier to give him a chance to talk to his mom.

She smiled as he finally took the step to kneel down in front of his mom. She knew he was nervous; he hadn't seen her since that issue with the Fisher King. He had continued to write her every day, sharing details about their latest cases. She remembered his eyes twinkling when he mentioned in passing one day that he had wrote about her. She never did find out what he had said. That was partly why they had come today. He wanted her to meet his mom; he wanted her to come to the wedding. That's why they were getting married in Vegas, so she didn't have to fly.

She watched as they exchanged a few words. Diana placed a hand on top of Spencer's head, rubbing her hand down the back and pulling him into a hug. Sarah couldn't help but smile, everything was going perfectly. He had been so fidgety in the car ride over here, worried about how this would go, but she knew in her heart it would be just fine. His mom had forgiven him and he finally saw that.

"Sarah," he called her over and she quietly made her way to them, now trying to settle her own nerves. "Mom, this is Sarah Riverson," Reid introduced her as she bent down to be eye level with her future mother-in-law.

"It's so nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Reid," she greeted, trying to keep the butterflies in check. Diana touched the top of her head as well and then set a hand on Sarah's shoulder.

"She's even more beautiful than you described her, Spencer," Diana replied, smiling. Sarah and Reid both smiled.

"I just can't seem to find the right words," he added and Sarah blushed slightly.

"Thank you," she stated, embarrassed. She was still getting used to Reid complementing her and now his mother was saying the same thing.

"Just beautiful," Diana whispered and then looked back at her son. "You should marry this woman, Spencer."

"I am, Mom," Reid replied, smiling. Sarah placed her hand on Diana's, allowing her to see the ring in the process. Diana looked down at it and smiled. "That's partly why we're here, actually."

"We want you to come to the ceremony tomorrow," Sarah finished. Reid watched as his mom pulled Sarah to her, placing a kiss on her forehead, and he knew everything was going to be okay. He saw what Sarah had seen just moments ago in the corner – his mom was truly happy for him and had forgiven him. He felt like his life was finally taking a new, much brighter, turn as he smiled at the two most important women in his life.

The following morning…

"Girl, you are just too pretty," teased Garcia, placing her hands on Sarah's shoulders. Sarah was sitting in front of a small table in the back room of the little church they found just outside of Las Vegas, checking her make-up in the mirror.

"You don't look so bad yourself, Pen," Sarah grinned back. Garcia was her maid of honor; Morgan was Reid's best man. Other than Jack being the ring barrier, that was pretty much their wedding party. They were keeping it really small, just the team and Reid's mom. Garcia was wearing a simple, soft pink dress that had dark pink trim to match the flowers. Her hair was down in loose curls. "I bet Morgan won't be able to keep his eyes off you," Sarah added, laughing when Garcia almost choked on the water she had taken a drink of.

"What…what makes you say that?" she managed to sputter out. Just then a knock came at the door.

"Come in," Sarah called, saved just in time. Gideon walked in, handsome as ever in his charcoal suit.

"It's almost time," he reminded them. Sarah nodded, standing up and smoothing out her dress. It was pearl white, except for the dark pink ribbon tied around the empire waistline. It was very simple, yet incredibly elegant. Her chestnut hair was also in loose curls and framed her face. "You're stunning, my dear." Sarah smiled at the man giving her away.

"Thanks," she replied. She picked up her bouquet of stargazer lilies and Garcia did the same.

"I'll see you out there, soon-to-be Mrs. Reid," Garcia teased and headed out the door.

"You ready?" he asked, offering her his arm.

"More than I've ever been for anything," she replied, linking her arm in his. Exchanging smiles once more, he opened the door, getting them to their places.

The ceremony began with Reid walking his mother down the aisle and taking her to her seat. She kissed his forehead before he took his place up front. He slightly fidgeted with his tie, charcoal like his suit. Garcia and Morgan followed them, Morgan winking at her when they separated. Next Jack, with some assistance from Hotch, made his way down the aisle and gave Morgan the rings for safekeeping.

By the time Sarah and Gideon were getting ready to head up the aisle, Reid was slightly freaking out. He had never been so sure of something, yet terrified. He fidgeted with his tie again and Morgan took notice.

"Relax, man, here comes your girl," he whispered and Reid looked back down the aisle, locking eyes with his soon-to-be wife. Those blue orbs that saved his life several times over. He couldn't believe that he was actually going to marry this angel. Blinking a few times, he took in the rest of her appearance right before she had reached the front. For second time in his life, he was truly out of words.

Gideon kissed Sarah's cheek and left her to take his seat next to Reid's mom. Sarah took her place across from him, handing Garcia her flowers. She took a hold of his hands, smiling up at him, and any last minute jitters he had melted away. The rest of the ceremony went by in a blur for him; all he could do was stare at the woman he loved. It wasn't until the preacher said, "I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride" that his brain really began to function again.

He pulled her close, placing a hand on her cheek as he bent down and kissed her. He vaguely felt her run a hand through his hair before she pulled back a little. He almost groaned in disappointment, wrapping his arms around her waist. Completely forgetting everyone else, he rested his forehead against hers. All he saw was her.

"We're married," he whispered, getting a sweet giggle from her.

"Tell me about it, stud," she grinned back, tapping his nose. He kissed her once more, all the love they had for each other being exchanged when their lips made contact.