Leo stood up hastily and cleared his throat; the party in the lab was in full swing and he knew the time had come to give his speech
"Ladies and gentlemen" he said "And Harry" the young man frowned at him but Leo continued "Unfortunately it has come to that time where I am obliged to give a speech"
There were a few groans, mainly from Harry but he was soon silenced but an elbow in the ribs from Nikki.
Leo nodded to her gratefully and continued "I don't know about you all but I am thrilled Harry and Nikki have finally gotten together" There were a few laughs from some of the lab technicians who agreed with what Leo was saying "I am so proud of them both, they are like…well they are my family and to see them both so happy together at last despite all they have been through is just wonderful. I'll keep it a short speech but I just want to wish them a lifetime of happiness and tell them to hold on to each other no matter what because it is so easy to loose the ones you love. But really all you need in this life is one person who loves you dearly, Harry and Nikki have that person, they have each other. As long as they have that then I know they will be happy"
Leo sat down to a round of applause and he turned to Nikki who had tears in her eyes "That was lovely Leo" she said pecking him on the cheek
Now it was time for Harry's speech, he stood up and cleared his throat nervously "When I first met Nikki, I knew she was something special, not only because she had bypassed the security systems and managed to gatecrash the lab but because she was different from other women. Nikki has this wonderful spark about her; she is a kind, intelligent, caring woman who always puts others before her. I knew from the moment I met her that she was the one for me. It's not been easy, we've been through a lot together and it didn't really help with relations turning up, whether they be dead or alive, and for a while I didn't think we'd ever move on from the 'close friends' stage but that all changed when we a certain someone dropped into the lab" he turned to Erin with a grin "When Erin came into our lives, she brought out the side in Nikki that people seem to forget about; Nikki showed her kind and compassionate side, she was there for Erin through the hard times and everyone could see how devoted she was to trying to solve the case. I know this is a side Nikki tires to hide because she is afraid of being hurt but she threw herself whole heartedly into it, even if Erin was a total stranger at the time. I knew from that point onwards that the feelings I tried to hide before were still there and I knew I loved Nikki more than a 'friend' should. And so thanks to the wonderful invention that is alcohol we finally got together and I can tell you, the hangover was worth it. Nikki I love you so much, more than I can say in a little speech like this. I just hope I can give you the lifetime of happiness you deserve" he sat down and gave Nikki, a brief but passionate kiss on the lips
Now it was time for Nikki to stand up "I know it's not traditional for the bride to give a speech, but since there is no one to speak on my behalf, I'll just do it myself, being the modern woman that I am" she said with a grin "When I was a little girl, I always dreamed of finding m perfect prince charming. But as I grew up and pretty much became invisible to the opposite sex I gave up on that idea. I did not think in my wildest dreams that a morgue in London would be the place I first laid eyes on my future husband. Harry and I have had our ups and downs, probably more downs than ups but you can't blame gravity for everything" Nikki giggled nervously "But he's always been there for me, even when my whole world seems to be crashing down in front of me, he's always been there to pick up the pieces. I always thought we'd just be friends but since Erin came I saw him through different eyes, he was the prince charming I'd dreamed about, despite what he looks like first thing in the morning, I realise then I cared for him in a different way. I hardly dared admit it to myself but there was always something telling me that I loved him. I'm not saying it's been easy or that it will be easy but Harry I'd rather muck things up with you than anyone else" she said leaning over and giving him a kiss
"Thanks I think" he grinned as she sat down
"Don't mention it" she said smoothing out her dress
"I am so proud of you" Leo smiled at the newly wed couple "Both of you"
"Don't you mean the three of us?" Harry said and Erin who was standing next to them looked up in shock
"Three?" she questioned and they could see her doing the calculation in her head "Nikki are you?"
"Harry!" Nikki groaned "We said we were going to wait. Please tell me no one else knows"
"Only Leo and Janet" Harry said sheepishly
Nikki groaned "You have the world's biggest mouth Mr Cunningham"
"And you married it Mrs Cunningham"
"Don't you Mrs Cunningham me!" she scolded him "We're married now and that means you no longer have a say in the arguments and you are automatically wrong"
"Yes dear" Harry said sheepishly and Leo laughed
Nikki turned to Erin "Since Harry told everyone else I am going to tell you myself" she smiled "Yes I am"
Erin looked around with a slightly unsure expression on her face "Is that a good thing?" she asked
"Yes Erin" Nikki nodded "It's a very good thing"
"Good" Erin said with a smile
Harry pulled Nikki into his arms "We're married now" he said with a grin "And we have the whole future ahead of us"
"Who knows where it's going to go" Nikki smiled
"I don't care as long as I'm with you" Harry said kissing her tenderly on the lips
Author's note: Last chapter next!
