A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews. You are all too kind. Just a couple chapters left. I hope I don't disappoint.

Chapter 5

Excitement hampered Grissom's sleep. He woke early and immediately went into the kitchen to put out breakfast. After setting the table, he sat and waited for Sara to wake up. He tried reading, but couldn't concentrate. He peeked in the bedroom twice to check and see if she was awake, watching her still form from the doorway. He was weary of waking her, especially since she had been sleeping so well on the trip. He hadn't yet witnessed any of the nightmares that had plagued her sleep in Las Vegas after her kidnapping. Instead, her sleep had been restful. She looked peaceful and content and it was something he did not want to disturb. He hoped that he was the cause of the smile she wore in her sleep.

Sara emerged about an hour after Grissom first woke up. He was leaning against the kitchen counter, sipping a coffee when he saw her in the entrance way. He smiled as he looked over her body. She stretched her arms above her head, exposing part of her stomach where her tank top rode up. She walked over to him and kissed him. He poured her a cup of coffee and led her over to the table. "Good sleep?"

Sara picked up her coffee and took a sip. "Yeah. I haven't slept well in months. I sleep much better with you. I guess I'm finally catching up."

"That's good, because we have a long day."

Sara smiled across the table. "Yes we do."

After a quick breakfast, Sara and Grissom drove into Stateline. Together, they secured a marriage license, and drove to a jewelry store to pick out wedding bands. They ended up picking out matching plain, half round 14 karat white gold bands. They took the other's ring and separately asked to get them engraved, choosing a sentiment for each other. Grissom paid for the rings and they left them to the engravers.

Leaving Sara with the car, Grissom went off in search of someone to officiate the wedding. Finding a certified marriage officiate proved challenging, as most ordained officiants wanted the ceremonies to take place at their chapels, while the ones willing to travel liked to have some prior notice. Grissom was able to prevail when he approached a Justice of the Peace and appealed to his sense of romance. The Justice of the Peace agreed to travel out to the cabin with the little notice and perform the ceremony. Grissom made arrangements to drive out to the cabin with the Justice of the Peace, and his wife, who would act as a witness, later that afternoon. Officiant secured, Grissom went to a men's clothing store and bought himself some tan slacks and a short sleeved, white button down shirt. He wanted to look casual, but nice for his wedding, sure that Sara had the same idea. He went back to the jewelry store and picked up Sara's ring. Next, he found a caterer who could deliver them a small meal so that they wouldn't have to worry about food. As he made his way back to the Justice of the Peace, he made one final stop at the flower shop, buying Sara a large bouquet of red and white roses. He signed the card, With Love, From Grissom.

Sara roamed the streets of Stateline, looking for a wedding dress. She stopped at three bridal shops, but found the dresses too extravagant and pricey for her tastes. Finally, she found dresses more her style at the fourth shop she entered. Sara only had to try on a couple dresses before finding a beautiful white dress that required almost no alterations. It was simple yet elegant, fitting tight to her upper body and flowing down at the waist. Small spaghetti straps ran over her shoulders accentuating her delicate features. She knew she'd be cold during the ceremony, but she decided dressing nice for Grissom would be worth it. As she waited for the alterations, Sara picked out a simple lace veil. When her alterations were finished, Sara dropped her dress off in her car, picked up Grissom's ring and went to a salon to have her hair done. The stylist pulled her hair up and put it into a large bun. She let the ends of the locks fall loose on top, allowing the curls to fall out over the bun.

It was getting late by the time Sara arrived back at the cabin. Grissom had called her, telling her he found someone to marry them and to be ready for seven o'clock. She checked her watch; she had forty-five minutes. As she entered the house, she saw two people sitting in her living room, by the fire. She walked closer and guessed the ages of the couple to be in their late sixties. "Hello."

"Hello, you must be Sara." The man smiled warmly and extended his hand to hers. "I'm here to marry you. I'm Judge Douglas Simpson, and this is my wife, Abigail." Sara smiled and shook his hand.

"Pleased to meet you." She shook the woman's hand. "Do you know where Gil is?"

"He went to Zephyr Cove. He said he'd be back shortly."

"Thank you. If you'll excuse me, I have to get ready."

"Of course. If you don't mind we'll sit here and finish our tea."

Sara smiled. "Please do." She turned to the hall and made her way to her room.

Entering the room, Sara saw the huge bouquet of flowers. She smiled as she read the card. Next to the bouquet was an envelope with her name on it. She picked up the envelope and carried it over to the bed. Sitting on the edge, she opened the envelope and pulled out a note.

Sara,

I hope the roses were a pleasant surprise. Knowing you, you already recognize the symbolism and I don't need to explain it. As you surely have noticed, I'm not at the cabin right now. I went into Zephyr Cove to allow you the house to get ready. The next time you see me, I will be waiting for you out on the patio.

I wish I could write a thousand words to express how I feel. Since I am unable to, I leave you with a man much more adept than I:

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

- e.e. cummings

Sara held the note in her hand and took a moment to admire the myriad of roses. Standing, she tucked the note back into the envelope and placed it beside the flowers. She pulled out her dress and put in on, asking the judge's wife to help her fasten it up. She applied a little bit of make-up, fastened a string of pearls around her neck and fixed her veil to her head. Ready, she waited for the clock to read seven.

When the time finally arrived, Sara stood and peeked out the curtains to the back patio. Grissom and the judge were standing in front of the back steps, waiting. The judge's wife was sitting on a chair, off to the side. She was holding Grissom's camera and snapping photos. The gas lamps surrounding the patio were all lit up, illuminating the deck. The full moon lit the area further, reflecting off the shining lake in the distance.

Carefully, Sara pulled out a single white rose. She held it to her chest and walked out into the living room. She opened the screen door and felt a breeze pick up. She shivered. The cool night air chilled her and she hoped the ceremony would be a short one. When she looked up and saw Grissom's gaze fixed upon her, she no longer felt cold.

Grissom gasped as Sara stepped out onto the deck. His heart stopped beating when he saw how stunning she looked. When she flashed him a wide smile and walked up beside him, he stopped breathing. The minister asked them to join hands. Grissom, not hearing the judge, didn't move, still staring at Sara. Sara dropped her rose and took Grissom's hands in hers. She returned the gaze and soon found herself just as lost in him as he was in her. Neither noticed the flashing of the camera.

The judge began the ceremony, relating the sanctity of marriage to the couple. Neither heard him. When he began the vows, the do you's and the will you's, he had to often had to repeat himself after clearing his throat to gain their attention. He finally had their attention as he spoke the last part.

"Do you, Gilbert Daniel Grissom, take Sara Bethany Sidle to be your wife?"

"I do."

"And do you Sara Bethany Sidle, take Gilbert Daniel Grissom to be your husband?"

"I do."

They carefully slipped the rings on each other's finger. Grissom's hand lingered on Sara's as he placed the ring on hers. Before the minister could continue, Grissom leaned over and whispered in his ear. The judge nodded. Grissom cleared his throat and locked eyes with Sara.

"Sara, I didn't ask for us to recite our own vows because I was unsure I'd ever be able to find the words for my own. I also never wanted to you to feel pressured. I know how you feel about me, I don't need to hear it. You seem to find words easier than me. I've never really told you how I feel, but today, I did want to express myself to you and I spent all afternoon trying to come up with the words so that I could. Here it goes." Grissom took a deep breath and pulled a card from his pocket. He glanced down at it briefly before relocking his eyes with Sara's.

"Sara, when we first met, I was struck by your curiosity and your intelligence. Getting to know you, I was impressed by your drive. When you moved to Vegas, I was amazed by your passion. Watching you move beyond your past, I was proud of your strength. Comforting you, I was moved by your vulnerability, that's a good thing. Holding you each night, I fell in love with the totality of you, your curiosity, intelligence, passion, strength, vulnerability, and your unconditional acceptance of me. I love you, everything that you are."

Grissom watched as tears fell from Sara's eyes. She squeezed his hands and turned to the judge. "I'd like to say something as well." She waited for the judge to nod before continuing. "Gil, I love you. You have supported me through so much. You gave me the love I was never given, the home I never had, the life I thought didn't exist. You are patient and understanding and forgiving. You are my soul mate. I will love you forever."

The judge waited patiently after Sara finished to see if they were going to add anything else. They turned and looked at him, waiting for his pronouncement. He smiled as he pronounced them man and wife. Grissom pulled Sara in and gave her a tender kiss. Sara blushed as the judge's wife caught the kiss with Grissom's camera. The judge's wife snapped a few more photos, and they all signed the marriage certificate. After signing, the judge and his wife left the newlyweds. As they pulled out, the catering truck pulled in.

Grissom lit the fire and set out the food on the rug. He led Sara to the living room and sat on his side behind her. They quietly sipped the champagne and nibbled on the vegetarian appetizers brought by the caterer. When Sara put her plate down and pushed it away, Grissom stood up and pulled Sara up with him. He put some music on and led Sara back out onto the patio.

Grissom pulled Sara's body to his and swayed her in his arms as Neil Young's Harvest Moon came over the speakers. He held her close, dancing under the moonlight, spinning her away, drawing her closer, whispering in her ear. When he pulled her tight to his body, she rested her head on his shoulder. As the song finished, she lifted her head and he drew her in for a deep kiss. The breeze picked up off the lake, sending a shiver down Sara's spine. Grissom noticed Sara shivering and he tried lead her back inside. They were about to open the patio door when Sara shook her head. She tugged on his hand and led him out to the center of the patio. She leaned into his chest and snuggled closely. Wrapping his arms around her, he warmed her as they continued to dance.

Grissom held Sara tight, his arms securely around her, not willing to let go, as they danced song after song. As the night grew darker and more time passed, their dancing slowed. Grissom could feel Sara's steps grow heavier and breathing grow deeper. Placing a soft kiss on her lips, he lifted her into his arms and carried her inside to their bedroom.