Great Outdoors 2
Chapter 1
For once, Nick Stokes's roan gelding, Mishi, didn't try to take a chunk out of his hide, as Nick leaned his forehead against the horse's neck. He had the reins clenched tightly in his hands, to keep them from shaking, at his sudden onset of nerves.
A feminine hand on his lower back, and a familiar voice saying, "Honey, are you okay?" made him jump.
Straightening, and turning towards his mother with a weak smile, he said, "You know, you really shouldn't sneak up on people like that, Mom, especially law enforcement officers."
Jillian Stokes reached up to touch her youngest child's cheek, smiling reassuringly at him. "The day I married your father, I felt this jumble of emotions, joy, fear, nerves, excitement, and overwhelming love. I can only imagine you're going through the same things right now."
Jillian's hands went to Nick's string bow tie, straightening it, even though it was already perfect. Her hands then rested on Nick's upper arms, as she gazed into his face, a wide smile on her own face. "I'm so glad you've finally found someone who makes you happy, baby! That's all I've ever wanted for my children, is for them to be happy!" Leaning up on her tip toes, Jillian kissed Nick's cheek. "I'm going to go join your father, dear. Only ten minutes, now."
Nick nodded numbly, losing himself in his thoughts. He thought back over the past year and a half. In the course of his job at the Las Vegas Crime Lab, he'd been abducted and buried alive. Shortly after the team had found him, his boss, Gil Grissom had orchestrated a camping trip during which Nick and his long-time crush, Greg Sanders, had both finally confessed their feelings for each other. A year after that, Nick had taken Greg camping again, and proposed to him.
Now it was six months after that last camping trip, and in ten minutes, Nick and Greg would be joined in the eyes of God, their families, and friends. Since same sex marriage was not recognized in the state of Nevada, the two men had opted not to have the most traditional ceremony. They weren't even having an ordained minister officiate. They had asked Grissom to preside, and Grissom had gladly agreed.
Hearing music coming from the direction of the pasture where the ceremony was being held, so there was plenty of room for all of the chairs, Nick knew it was nearly time.
Doing his best to take one last look at himself, without the use of a handy mirror, Nick dusted his black cowboy boots off with a clean rag, ran the palms of his hands down his black jeans to press them, and checked that his blue dress shirt was neatly tucked into his jeans. Picking up his gray Stetson from where it hung on a hook outside of Mishi's stall, Nick set it carefully on his head, then gathered Mishi's reins up and mounted the tall gelding.
Tapping the horse's sides with his heels, Nick felt his nerves begin to subside, as the moment finally drew near.
By the time Mishi exited the barn, they were at a full gallop, and heading quickly towards the pasture. Nick had to hold his hat on with one hand, while the other held the reins firmly.
Catching sight of Greg, on Deedra, approaching from the opposite end of the stable at a more sedate trot, a wide smile spread across Nick's face.
As they approached Grissom's position, at the front of the gathered crowd, Nick pulled back on the reins, slowing Mishi. Mishi apparently decided he'd had enough of being well behaved for the day, because when they'd finally reached a walk, he reared, front hooves pawing the air. Nick easily kept his seat, even spoke to the incorrigible beast, "Show off!"
A collective gasp went through the crowd, and Nick could see a look of alarm on all of the faces, except those of his family. They knew Nick was in no danger, as he was too skilled a horseman.
Bringing the horse back under control, Nick dismounted and handed the reins to one of the two stable hands waiting to take the horses and load them into the horse trailer, for the trip to the mystery destination they were going to on their honeymoon. Neither Nick nor Greg knew, as everyone at the lab had pitched in for it, and were keeping it a secret. The only thing they would say was that the men could take their horses.
By now, Greg had reached his position and dismounted from Deedra, who had remained calm and collected throughout Mishi's show. The other stable hand took Deedra, and Nick and Greg joined hands in front of Grissom.
Greg was dressed similarly to Nick, but he had opted for a white button down dress shirt, and no hat. His blond highlighted, dark hair stuck up in every direction, as usual.
Nick's eyes met Greg's, and he felt himself being swept away. The younger man's wide infectious grin spread to Nick's face, and nearly made him forget about the crowd of people gathered to witness the happiest day of his life. Through his own sudden sheen of tears, Nick could see that Greg was also fighting back tears of happiness. Squeezing Greg's hands gently, Nick turned to look at Grissom.
Grissom's clear voice rang out across the pasture, reaching the entire crowd, "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two souls into one." Nick still couldn't believe that most of the lab and PD had actually wanted to come and celebrate with them. As they had known would happen eventually, someone had let slip that Nick and Greg were a couple. Their main worry was how the law enforcement officers of the police department would take the knowledge that they had two gay CSIs in their midst. As it turned out, they needn't have worried. There were a few officers who expressed their displeasure. Those were told to stay clear of the two men. For the most part, the other officers either knew Nick and Greg well enough that they had already suspected there was something between the two, or didn't know the two well enough to even care.
"They will be exchanging vows that they have written, themselves, but first, I'd like to share something I told Nick, a few months ago. I'm sure everyone here knows about the ordeal he went through a little over a year and a half ago. When he got out of the hospital, I visited him at home, several times. He was falling apart, before my very eyes, and I couldn't just sit by and let that happen.
"For years, I'd watched as these two men danced around each other, flirting so blatantly, I thought surely they both knew how they felt about each other. After talking to Warrick, Nick's best friend, I found out that he shared the same suspicions I did. 'Rick and I came up with a plan. I sent the three of them camping, only 'Rick had to back out last minute." Grissom smiled fondly at the memory.
"After that camping trip, Nick came to me. He asked me how as a Catholic, I could knowingly push them together. I reminded him that I'm a lapsed Catholic, and told him that there were reasons I was lapsed, only the least of which is the fact that I'm a scientist. I also told him, 'I've never before seen two people who compliment and complete each other the way you and Greg do. I couldn't just sit by and let the two of you allow that to slip through your fingers.'" Several people in the crowd seemed to think that this warranted applause and cheers. Once the crowd was quiet again, Grissom nodded to Nick and Greg, and said, "You may exchange your vows."
They both turned so they were facing each other again, and Nick raised a hand to Greg's cheek. "Greg, when you need strength, I will offer mine. When you need words of encouragement, I will listen and provide support. When you need solace and comfort and the silent speech of love, I will understand. I place you in my heart today, before all others, and I pledge to work from this hour forward to make our commitment a sound and challenging one."
As Nick started to drop his hand back to Greg's, Greg's met it halfway, pulling it to rest flat on his chest, over his heart. Nick could feel the fast but steady beat of Greg's heart and reveled in it. "Nick, our lives run in parallel, side by side, yet together. With continued love, friendship, trust, and communication, I take joy today in committing my life to yours. When you need me, I will be there, and when your strength fails you, may mine always be there for you. Side by side, step by step, may our journey together begin here, from this day forward."
Grissom pulled a set of rings from his pocket, holding them up for all to see. "These rings are a symbol of Nick and Greg's commitment to each other." Focusing on the two men again, he said, "Wear them with pride and love!" He handed one of the bands to Nick.
Nick placed the ring on Greg's left ring finger, speaking as he pushed it home, "Gregory Sanders, I commit myself to you. My soul is yours. With this ring, I thee wed."
Grissom then gave the other ring to Greg.
Greg placed the ring on Nick's left ring finger, speaking as he pushed it home, "Nicholas Stokes, I commit myself to you. My soul is yours. With this ring, I thee wed."
Grissom placed his own hands over the top of Nick and Greg's, and said, "Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now you will feel no loneliness, for each of you will be companionship to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life between you. Go now to your dwelling place, to enter into the days of your life together as Life Partners." Releasing their hands, a wide smile on his face, he said, "In the eyes of God, your family and friends, you are wed. You may share your first kiss as husband and husband."
A chant of, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" went up from the crowd, making both men blush furiously. But then Nick was pulling Greg to him in a crushing hug, and their lips met, and tongues clashed. When they finally pulled back, they were both breathless. The crowd cheered, and Nick knew he had never been happier in his life.
Lacing his right hand into Greg's left hand, Nick could feel the edges of Greg's new ring pressing into his skin. It was a feeling he wasn't sure he would ever get used to, not that he would ever want to. He genuinely hoped they would still feel like newly weds in fifty years.
Turning back towards the crowd, they walked hand in hand down the aisle, towards the tables set up at the other end of the pasture for the reception. Just past the end of the aisle, they stopped, so their friends and family could congratulate them, as they headed for the buffet.
Somehow, Warrick managed to be the first to reach them. The wide smile on his face reached his green eyes, making them twinkle with happiness, and perhaps a couple of unshed tears.
Pulling Nick into a friendly hug, 'Rick said, "Man, that was beautiful!" before slapping Nick's back affectionately and releasing him to grab Greg in just as fierce a hug.
By the time they had been congratulated by the last of their friends and family, they both felt as thought their arms would fall off.
When they finally took their seats at one of the tables, everyone had a plate of food in front of them, but had waited on Nick and Greg before digging in.
With everyone looking on, Warrick stood and picked up his champagne glass. Even though they had opted not to have best men, Nick had asked that Warrick deliver the toast at the reception. The tall African-American CSI had agreed.
"Greg, ever since Nick moved to Vegas, he's been a restless soul. I never thought I'd see him settle down. Then you came along, and I watched my best friend trip and fall head over heels." Pausing a moment, 'Rick let a playful smile settle on his features, "Keep him happy, man, or you'll have me to deal with!"
Everyone laughed, and then 'Rick went on, "Nick, I still don't see what you see in that skinny kid! He listens to God awful music, has lousy taste in fashion, and doesn't know how to comb his hair." Again there were more laughs, and Nick and Greg beamed at each other. 'Rick turned serious again, "For all that, I know you love him. Take good care of him. Hey, let's eat!" He raised his champagne glass towards Nick and Greg, then took a long swallow, as the gathered crowd did the same.
When 'Rick was offered a refill on his champagne, he declined, saying with a laugh, "I'm the chauffeur. I have to deliver these two to their honeymoon in a few hours."
A/N: Okay, I lied a little bit, the lines the boys and Grissom said actually come from the following website: http :/ www (dot) unionoflove (dot) com / vows / /
As always, let me know what you think. :)
