A/N: The original summary of the last part of the story is below. As I rewrote this story, I was reminded why I fell in love with these characters; because they give the "hopeful romantic" in me food for thought, and I fell in love with them all over again. Anyway, I won't bore you anymore. Here ya go!
Summary: This is the LAST part of the Home Series. I may write a sequel if I can find the inspiration, but it was always going to be 13 chapters. I hope you've enjoyed this story, and let me know through feedback if you would be interested in a sequel. (No blackmail intended, but feedback does feed the creative juices.) Thanks you for reading and without further ado, Loving Home of the Home Series.
Loving Home
bahocean
Six Months Later...
Sara Sidle stood at the baggage claim area, pacing mentally. She wanted the people she was waiting for to get here, and get here now. A hand rested on her arm.
"Love, their plane landed five minutes ago. Just a little longer," Gil Grissom said softly into her ear. She melted at the sound of his loving tone, as she'd always done. She knew he was right, but that didn't make the waiting easier.
It had been six months since that amazing night in Rome when they had declared their love for each other. They had taken it slow, repairing their wounded friendship along with building their romantic relationship.
It hadn't been the EASIEST six months of either's life. Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle were two of the most stubborn people on the planet. There had been several arguments, and a week where both of them had thought it was over. But each of them at the same time had decided to corner the other and talk it out until they could fix the problem.
It had taken sixteen hours. And a pizza.
Their relationship was solid and strong now, and they were secure enough in each other's love for jealousy not to be a huge problem. Each of them thanked God for the other every day, and made a point of speaking of their love on a regular basis.
The rest of their group had groaned at their announcement. Greg and Doc Robbins had won a substantial amount of money from the others in the lab for picking "the first time both of them are gone at the same time". They had treated Gil and Sara to a nice dinner... every day for a week.
They had decided to keep separate apartments for the time being. Although they loved each other, both valued their time apart. They'd decided that since they were headed toward marriage anyway, Gil and Sara's wedding day was soon enough. Even if, maybe especially because, that wedding day was soon.
Just then, Sara spotted the visitors they were waiting for. She let out a squeal. "BUFFY!"
Buffy Summers turned at the voice to see... "SARA!"
The two women hugged and squealed, leaving the men with them to roll their eyes.
"Rupert."
"Gil."
They shook hands and did the manly hug thing. By that time, the women had separated. "Hey, Rupert, can I hug the beautiful blonde?"
Buffy smiled, and Rupert Giles did also. "Only if I can hug the gorgeous brunette."
Sara grinned and hugged him, giving leave for Buffy to do the same.
The two couples walked toward the doors of McCarran airport, chatting.
"How was the flight?"
"Long," Buffy said, holding Giles' hand. "But fun!"
Giles blushed.
Sara saw. "Do I NEED to ask?"
Giles and Grissom answered. "Nope!"
Buffy looked at her man. He was laughing with Gil about the comment they'd just made.
Rupert looked back at her, smiling.
They, too, had come a long way since that night in Rome. It hadn't been easy deciding what to do. Buffy had ties to Rome, as Rupert did to England. Eventually it was decided the easiest thing to do would be for Buffy to move, as the Watcher's Council was stationed there. Dawn remained in Rome to finish the semester, and joined them there herself.
If there were two people more stubborn than Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle, those two were Buffy Summers and Rupert Giles. Of course, there was a difference. Buffy and Giles had been compromising for a lot longer than their counterparts. Their fights had also involved demons and vampires.
Buffy and Giles had been living together for three months, and their friends had been thrilled for them. Xander had even been heard to say that if it had taken them any longer to figure it out, he was planning to lock them in a dark room together until they had worked it out.
Both of them thought that sounded like fun.
They had reached Grissom's car and by mutual decision, drove Buffy and Giles to Grissom's place. Sara was also staying at Gil's place for the visit. (They figured that even though the couples would probably split their time between the two residences anyway, this was the easiest. Besides, Sara's apartment would be used for the female wedding preparations.)
None of them were tired, so after dropping the bags off at the apartment, they went for dinner, which is when squealing began again.
It started when Buffy spotted Sara's engagement ring.
CSIs have to wear gloves a lot, so after extensive searching, Gil had found a ring that was antique looking and had the stones embedded in the gold band, so they wouldn't snag. There was a diamond, a sapphire, and an emerald, making the ring as unique as the woman who accepted it with pride and who wore it proudly. Buffy lifted the CSI's hand to examine the ring, and Sara caught a glimpse of the engagement ring on Buffy's hand.
Giles had Buffy's custom made, embedding as many protection spells for his Slayer as he could think of in it. It had three diamonds and two emeralds also embedded in the platinum surface, as Slayers are in fights almost constantly.
Of course, both women had called the other when their men had gotten down on one knee for the proposal. It just so happened that, as with everything else that matched up in their lives, it had been the same day (well, relatively speaking, with England eight hours ahead, but we'll just say the same day).
They just hadn't seen the rings.
So, with the men tolerantly smiling and rolling their eyes, and discussing the newest article in the forensic journals, Sara and Buffy held the other's left hand with their right so they could examine the jewelry.
After the rings had been examined and approved of, the discussion fell to wedding plans. Buffy and Giles had almost no input in their wedding, as the few women Watchers and the wives of the males had ganged up on them. After all, as Head Watcher, and Senior Slayer, they had an image to maintain, and a lot of people who would want to attend. (At least that was the Council's thinking. Giles just wanted to marry Buffy.) Giles had let them. Both Gil and Sara saw the expression, quickly hidden, on Buffy's face. They glanced at each other and with the telepathy they displayed so well at crime scenes, agreed that would talk to the other couple, man to woman.
At least this time theywere okay.
Buffy asked about their wedding plans. Gil and Sara told them about the plans. They had decided on an afternoon wedding at the classiest chapel in Las Vegas, with the night shift in attendance.
Looking at Buffy, Sara said softly, "We both seem to want a simple wedding with little fuss." She looked at Gil, anxious suddenly, but he reassured her with a loving look. They'd had this discussion before. He remembered the day...
It had been a month ago, the day after their engagement. They were lying on the couch in Grissom's townhouse, his back against the back of the couch, her head on his shoulder. Silence reigned peacefully, with simple touches and caresses. They were simply enjoying being together, when Sara brought up the subject. "Do you want a big wedding?"
He looked down at her. He couldn't believe how much he loved her. The question finally registered. "Do you?"
Sara looked up at him, and huffed exasperatedly. "I know men usually don't care about the wedding plans, but I at least want to know if you want something elaborate."
She knew once she said it what he would prefer. This was, after all, the epitome of the loner she was engaged to. But she had to give him the choice.
He hugged her closer to him, kissing the tip of her nose. "Sara, I don't care HOW big the wedding is or who's there, as long as YOU'RE there. If you want a big wedding, so do I. But..." he said, kissing her luscious mouth, "make it soon. I want to start our honeymoon."
So they had decided, and the reason for Buffy and Rupert's attendance was that the wedding was in three days. Everything was set. All their stuff had been moved to the house they had chosen and paid for, with the exception of the things needed now. The tickets to Hawaii had been bought, the arrangements all set. All that was left was the wedding itself.
And, obviously, talking to the other engaged couple at the table.
Sara had invited Rupert out to look at a bookstore she and Gil had located in their forays through the city. She had to purchase Gil's wedding present and wanted his opinion, being that the two men had become good friends.
Buffy was to do the same for Gil. At least that was the reason given for the split.
Grissom looked at the young woman with the heart of gold, who stood between the world and the evil that threatened it. "Buffy, when we were talking about the wedding plans last night, you didn't look happy. Why not?"
Buffy was reaching for a butterfly statue she had been attracted to. After examining it, she responded. "When I was younger, I wanted a huge wedding, with everyone I knew there. The whole nine yards. Then, I lost my mother, my home, almost lost my life...again. Now, I find myself wanting a wedding with the people I love around me. Just them, not a horse and carriage, and a three thousand people reception."
They started walking to where they were meeting their loves. At a predestined spot, Gil stopped.
Sara and Giles were walking toward their meeting spot when she broached the subject. "Rupert, do YOU want a big wedding?"
Rupert grimaced. "No, I don't. But Buffy always wanted one and when the Council women heard of it...well the Head Watcher and the Senior Slayer's wedding is IMPORTANT."
He made it sound like it was the plague. Sara bit back a smile, and saw Gil. Taking his cue, he spoke a little louder. "What if Rupert doesn't want a big wedding either?"
Buffy looked so unhappy at that comment. "He's never said anything. And every time I try to tone it down, the planners veto my opinion. Giles just nods and says whatever I want."
At, this point, Rupert was close enough to hear what his fiancé said, and his heart clenched. He had no idea that the Council women were bullying her so badly. "Buffy."
Her head jerked up, her eyes wide. "Why haven't you said anything to me?"
"I thought you didn't care. You said..."
He hugged her, kissed her gently on the head, and spoke. "That's because as long as YOU'RE there, I don't care WHAT else is there. We could get married right now for all I care."
Gil and Sara had wrapped their arms around each other, and Grissom kissed HIS fiancé on the side of the head. "Actually, we have an idea." Grissom said.
Earlier that morning, Sara had called Catherine. She would put the blonde CSI Swing shift supervisor up against an army of determined Watchers. In a matter of hours, Ms. Willows had put in an order for double the wedding plans...seating, food, and decorations, adding a substantial tip for the inconvenience.
She had also arranged for tickets for Willow Rosenberg, Xander Harris, Faith, Robin Wood, and Dawn Summers for tomorrow, as well as where they would sleep.
Anything else would be up to Grissom and Sara. Such as convincing the bride and groom.
Three Days Later...
Buffy and Sara stood at the end of the aisle, fidgeting a little. Both women were suffering from lack of their men. It didn't help that they hadn't slept until almost eight in the morning. They looked beautiful, however. Willow had brought the dress that Buffy had loved so much with her. It started as a off the shoulder gown, nipped in at the waist, and flared softly to the floor, with a slight train.
Sara's dress was even simpler, with a spaghetti strap top covered in lace, which also nipped in at the waist and fell to her feet. She wore ballet slippers, as befitted her oft-stated ban on heels, while Buffy wore heels. "The easier to kiss my Rupert with," she had giggled last night.
The men that were giving them away were in awe. Brass had been delighted to be asked to stand in for Sara's long-dead father. Xander was Buffy's choice. She couldn't think of another man she loved enough to do so. The funny thing was that Rupert and Gil had asked both men to be their best man as well!
The bridesmaids, Dawn and Lindsey, and the maids of honor, Willow and Ms. Willows (and yes, there was laughter and giggling every time anyone thought of THAT coincidence), finished their march. Now it was Sara and Buffy's turn.
It hadn't been hard to convince Rupert and Buffy to ditch the big wedding plans for a shared one with their friends. Once Giles realized Buffy wasn't happy, he'd been more than happy to 'blast the ruddy Council'. All he cared about was Buffy's pleasure. Seeing her face light up at the offer, he accepted it...and half the added cost of the double wedding came from the monies set aside for the Watcher/Slayer ceremony.
Brass kissed Sara on the cheek. "It's not too late to ditch the bugman and run off with me," the Homicide cop said, winking at her. He looked nice in his tux.
The other three laughed. "And have to investigate your murder? Not that Gil would leave evidence," Sara replied.
"You two look beautiful," Xander said. Both women blushed.
"Thanks," replied Buffy. She kissed her best friend on the cheek. "Let's get us married!"
Aside for a moment when both grooms thought they'd need oxygen at the sight of their beautiful brides, the ceremony had gone without a hitch. Now was coming the moment all four members of the wedding party considered the most important.
"By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you men and wives. You may now kiss the brides." Finishing the sentence was completely unnecessary, as Grissom and Giles had practically lunged for them. The kisses were long and passionate, and almost as if planned, the men had dipped their brides to finish them. Amid the cheers and catcalls, they brought the dazed women back to their feet. Not that they were completely steady themselves, mind you.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I now present Dr. and Mrs. Grissom and Dr. and Mrs. Giles."
The author could go on to tell you about the receptions (for the Council had INSISTED on the one originally set for them) and the honeymoons (which took place in completely different places, as the Dr's G wanted their wives to themselves) or their lives (which were like most people's should be: normal and happy and strong.) But she won't. She'll allow those stories to unfold as they will. She will show two last scenes from this day:
The reception
The two brides and grooms were sharing their first married dance...(although from the looks on the men's faces as they realized the dresses their brides were now wearing were backless, there wouldn't be a second one) Rupert looked down at Buffy, his beautiful Slayer, his love, his bride. "Better?" he asked.
Most women would have asked "What?" Buffy already knew what he was asking.
"Much better than the Council's idea of a wedding." She kissed him lightly. "Thanks."
"I would do anything for you, Buffy. Foregoing a dog-and-pony show to share a wedding day with our nearest and dearest is a small price to pay to be with you, to know you're mine, and I'm yours."
She smiled with tears in her eyes. "I love you, Mr. Giles."
"I love you, Mrs. Giles."
He kissed her harder as he finished. Across the floor, Gil and Sara were dancing and smiling at the antics of their fellow newlyweds. "You did good, Sara," he said to her, kissing her cheek.
"Hey, they helped us. Least we could do. Besides, you were willing to share our wedding with them too. You did good as well."
He gazed at her adoringly. She wasn't perfect, this woman who was almost tall as he. But she was perfect for him, and he was finally hers.
"I adore you, Mrs. Sidle-Grissom."
She smirked at him, knowing he'd do that to her. She had told him it was simply easier than having two Grissoms at the Las Vegas Crime Lab. "Mutual, Mr. Grissom."
The kiss she gave him rivaled the Gileses.
At the airport, on the way to separate honeymoons (Rupert and Buffy were staying in Vegas), the four hugged each other.
"Thanks for sharing our wedding day," Sara said to Rupert.
"It was our pleasure," Buffy said to Gil.
"Take care of each other," they said.
"With our lives," they replied.
And they did.
But that's another story.
END Loving Home...and the Home Series.
FINALLY FINISHED! Now remember, if you liked it, hated it, or want more, please email me. Heck, email me anyway!