A/N: At last! It has arrived. 137 chapters, over 500,000 words, almost 6 years in the making, countless hours of research (I kid you not!) and it's time :) Sara is about to walk down that aisle. Are we excited? Hehehehe. Will everything go as planned or do we feel Evil hat may make an appearance? I hope not. I can feel the nerves for them, let's hope they get to the wedding night in one piece!
This is a longer than normal chapter, so I hope you like it. I didn't feel I should cut it so I just let it flow…
My gracious and humble thanks to calim for her great beta and amazing input on this chapter. Your help and time in more than appreciated. And thank you to all the readers who take their time to send me a review. I sincerely hope you keep them coming.
So, let the ceremony begin…
Chapter 137
Sara stood in front of the wall mirror as her mother fastened the final button of her dress, butterflies flurrying in her stomach as she stared at her reflection.
"There we are…" Laura said, running her hand gently down the back of the dress before stepping to the side, "…all done."
Taking a deep breath, Sara swallowed hard. "Thank you, mother," she answered, skimming her hands down the sides of the silky material.
Moving in front of her daughter, Laura tugged at the left sleeve, pulling it down a tiny bit so it was exactly symmetrical with the right. "Happy?" she asked, looking Sara over from top to bottom.
Inhaling another breath, Sara nodded. "I just hope Gil likes it as much as I do."
Smiling, Laura reached for her hands and clasped them tightly. "He would be happy if you wore a potato sack, Sara."
"Mother!" Sara exclaimed but then she laughed. "Can you imagine the reaction if that's what I arrived in?"
Laura tried so hard to keep a straight face but she couldn't do it and laughed out loud. "Oh, that would be a sight that's for sure," she giggled but then sighed deeply, her eyes drifting to the clock. "I should get ready," she said. "Let's get your veil on and then I'll be back in about half an hour for the final touches.
Sara stiffened. "I don't want the veil, mother," she said quietly.
Laura stepped back in surprise. "I don't understand. Why not? It's…part of the occasion..."
Glancing down at the floor, Sara bit her lip before plucking up the courage to look back to her mother. "Veils are a symbol of virginity and purity for when a bride is given to her mate, mother. It would be a lie in the eye of God and to Gil if I wore it."
"Sara..." Laura was stunned at what her daughter was saying.
"Please..." Sara swallowed. "I know this will probably cause a fuss and whispers will, no doubt, ensue but I want to be true to both myself and to Gil in every aspect of this wedding. I don't want to hide anymore."
Moving to the dresser, Laura picked up the flower that sat there and held it up. "This is why you picked this single orchid," she concluded, slowly moving back to her daughter. "I wondered what it was for."
"Yes," Sara admitted quietly. "A sign of true love is better than a falsehood."
Laura sighed, placing the flower back down. "Have you mentioned this to Gil?"
Sara shook her head. "I haven't, but I'm hoping if his brain works like mine as much as I think it does, he'll understand my reasons.
"I'm not going to argue with you," Laura returned. "But are you really sure about this?"
"I am."
"All right…" Laura moved back to her daughter, "…your day is what you want it to be. Can I get you anything before I go?"
"I think all I need right now are a few moments alone so I can…" She swallowed again, "…you know…"
Managing a smile, Laura carefully leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. "I know," she whispered. "And try not to worry. You look beautiful..."
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Exiting the bedroom, Laura spied Rana heading towards her and called out. "How's the groom doing?" she asked as she neared.
"He's fine, ma'am," Rana answered with a smile. "I know his nerves are pinching and he tries to hide it but he'll be all right. He's in his room and waiting for you when you are ready to go down."
Laura gave a nod. "Good." She looked behind her and towards the stairs. "Have you seen Thomas?"
"Yes, ma'am. He's just gone to change and left your nephews organizing the guests."
The lady of the house did a double take, blinking at the older woman. "I'm…sorry? Thomas has made the boys ushers?"
Rana nodded but then she smiled. "Trust them, ma'am. They be fine. They love Miss Sara and want to do their best."
"Hmmm…" Laura's face crumpled with concern. This wasn't part of the plan although she didn't expect all her main gentlemen to be upstairs at the same time.
"Don't worry," Rana urged. "I and others will be watching and Mr. William is helping while your niece gets ready with the children."
Holding a hand to her heart, Laura felt some of her worry disappear. William was a great organizer and very capable of keeping her nephews in line and the guests happy. "He has the seating plan?" she asked.
Slipping a hand into her pocket, Rana pulled out a piece of folded paper. "I'm going down there now, ma'am. Please trust me and stop worrying so. Everything will be fine. I will be straight back up to help you change once I have given the seating arrangements to Mr. William."
Taking a deep breath Laura nodded and reached a hand to Rana's arm. "Whatever would I do without you?"
The housekeeper gave a proud smile. "I don't think you will ever need to find that out, ma'am…"
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Grissom stood by the window, hands firmly clasped behind his back, staring deeply into the snow below. It was almost time. He still couldn't quite believe it.
"You holding up?" Brass asked from across the room.
Turning his attention to the sheriff, Grissom gave a false smile. "I'm fine," he replied half believably.
Puckering his lips, Brass glanced at the clock on the mantel to his right before approaching his friend. "Did you want to give me the ring now or wait a little longer?"
Reaching to his cravat, Grissom's fingers fiddled nervously with the material. Taking a breath, he nodded. "Yeah…I guess I should…" He reached into his pocket and pulled out the jewelry box which contained Sara's ring, staring at it for a few seconds before looking back to Brass. "Please don't lose this," he said, holding out the box.
"Do you actually think I would?" the sheriff questioned taking the box.
Sighing, Grissom shook his head. "Sorry…I'm just…"
"It's fine," Brass cut him off, holding up his right hand to place it on the rancher's shoulder. "I understand."
"Thanks."
Brass gave a nod. "Can I get you anything? Another drink maybe?"
Grissom shook his head. "No. I'm good. I just want to get started now…" He looked at the clock. Tick…tock… Not long to go…
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Half an hour later, Laura sat at her dressing table, making the final adjustments to her hair. The captain came up behind her and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.
"You look delightful," he said sincerely and she snorted.
"Thank you," she replied. "But I need to hurry up because we're running very short on time."
Smiling, he took a step back and allowed her to finish brushing. Looking over his shoulder he glanced at the door. "I'm going to have a quick word with Gil then I'll meet you at Sara's room, all right?"
Laura paused, lowered the brush and turned to face him. "Why?" she asked with a frown.
"Because I want to make sure he's ready for this," he replied. "After all, he is about to take full responsibility for our daughter…"
Her lips pursed. "I doubt you will ever stop being her father, Thomas."
"No but…" He rolled his eyes, "…well exactly. This is a father thing."
Snorting, she turned back to the mirror. "Fine. Go and pass your torch. I'll see you in a few minutes…"
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Grissom was now pacing around when he heard a knock at the door. He glanced to Brass who quickly moved across the room to answer it. Anyone knocking at the door now made his nerves jump and he was a little surprised to see Captain Sidle when the door was pulled open.
"Is everything all right?" Grissom asked swiftly.
The captain smiled, stepping into the room. "Everything's fine," he answered, closing the door. "Relax."
"I wish I could," the rancher answered truthfully, approaching the captain. "Did you need something?"
"Just a few words," the older man answered looking to Brass. "Would you mind collecting my mother, Jim? She's three rooms down on the right…"
Brass gave a smile. "I'd be delighted," he replied heading for the door. "It's been a while since I had a date…"
Grissom managed a bright smile as the captain scoffed.
"Don't tell her that, Jim, she'll never leave you alone," the captain jested and Brass laughed as he left the room.
But then the air turned thick as the captain looked Grissom in the eye, deep and serious. "Are you ready?" he asked sternly.
"Yes, sir," Grissom replied even if a little shakily. "I'm ready."
"No second thoughts?"
Instantly, Grissom frowned, shocked at the captain's question. "NO," he snapped sternly "Why would you even ask me that?"
The captain smirked. "Just checking." Rolling his eyes, Grissom shook his head on a huff. "I'm giving you my only child, Gil, so please understand…" He took a breath, "…I support you and…I love you but it's still not easy."
"We're really not going to go through all this again, are we?" Grissom sighed, slipping his twitching hands into his pockets in an attempt to hide his nerves from the older man. "I love Sara, you know that."
"I do," the captain confirmed softly. "This wedding would not be taking place if I just had the tiniest bit of doubt." He took a step closer and the rancher frowned. "But it's not about that. It's about a Father's love and being able to let go. Until you have children yourself you will never understand."
Grissom swallowed. "I will do my best to make you proud."
Not the captain managed a smile. "You better…"
The door came open and they both looked to see Brass with Rose. The captain moved to stand next to Grissom
"My…my…" Rose cooed, looking both men over, her eyes ultimately landing on Grissom. "Don't you just look…hmmmm…" She couldn't quite seem to finish her sentence and just stared.
Clearing his throat, Grissom shuffled his feet nervously and the captain rolled his eyes.
"Mother, don't stare."
Rose snickered and batted a hand in the air. "Oh shush, Thomas. Shouldn't you be with Sara by now?"
Brass couldn't quite hide his smirk while Grissom relaxed a bit, her teasing banter putting him at ease.
"Yes, I should," the captain sighed. He gave Grissom a quick nod before approaching his mother. "Are you coming to see Sara before you go down?" he asked.
"No," Rose answered. "I would rather see her in all her glory and with a smile on her face than the bundle of nerves I'm sure she is right now. She doesn't need lots of people fussing over her."
Nodding in agreement, the captain quickly left as Rose approached Grissom to reach for his cravat. "Have you been playing with this?"
"Um…" the rancher looked down and watched as she straightened the tie. "Maybe a little…"
"Well don't," she ordered, lowering her hands once satisfied it was straight.
Grissom bit down on his lip. "I can't help it," he grumbled.
"Try," she countered. "Laura will be here shortly to make sure all is perfect so I'm sure you'd rather it was me than her fussing over you. Wouldn't you?"
He nodded his head, blowing out a breath. "Yes, ma'am…"
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When the captain arrived at Sara's room, Laura was already there affixing the orchid to his daughter's hair. Closing the door, he quietly listened as his wife spoke.
"Now once this is in place you can't look at yourself in the mirror again, all right?"
Sara frowned, her eyes flicking to the captain suddenly nervous because of the lack of a veil. "Why?" she asked, her eyes returning to her mother. "I'm not finished yet. My corsage still has to go on and…"
Swiftly, Laura placed a gentle finger over Sara's lips. "It is bad luck to see yourself fully ready so please promise me you won't look again."
"Mother…" Sara whined under the finger.
"Humor me, Sara. I don't want anything to curse this day and whether you believe or not…I do."
"Fine…" Sara sighed and Laura lowered her finger. "I won't look."
Giving a smile, Laura stepped back happy the orchid was in the perfect spot and glanced to the clock before reaching for the corsage. Thirty minutes to go.
"That's a different corsage isn't it?" the captain asked as he moved close to the two women. "And…" He glanced to Sara's head, "…I don't recall the orchid…"
Sara's panicked stricken gaze flicked toward Laura who placed her hand gently on her arm.
"Sara can explain to you about the orchid in a moment. The corsage was a gift from Nicolas and Gregory." She looked over her shoulder. "Quite a touching gift actually."
The captain's eyes narrowed. Sara did her best to avoid them, watching as her mother carefully pinned the flower to her dress.
"There…" Laura breathed with satisfaction, "…I think we're done."
"Yeah…" Sara whispered, her stomach becoming incredibly tight. The ceremony was just minutes away now.
Laura turned to her husband. "Well…" She tapped her foot upon the floor, "…I'm sure your daughter would like your opinion…"
Looking Sara up and down from head to toe, the captain struggled for words and finally gave up.
Laura snorted, turned back to Sara and took hold of her hands. "While your father finds his voice box, I'll leave you to it, sweetheart, all right? I need to make sure Gil is ready and then we have to go downstairs. Keep taking nice deep breaths and do not look in the mirror. I promise you, you will be fine. Amelia and Anna should be in very shortly and then…" She took a breath, "…your time will be here. Keep your chin high and be proud, Sara. You deserve to be…"
Sara gave a quick, short nod and swallowed hard. "I am…"
"Good." Laura gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you very soon." Turning, she squeezed her husband's arm. "Take care of her and…remember it's her day…" She said no more and left the room, leaving the captain looking both confused at her comment and dumb struck at his daughter's appearance.
Sara nervously entwined her fingers in front of her, looking her father in the eye while she waited for him to say something.
"Do I…look okay?" she finally asked when he still failed to say anything. He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving hers and Sara felt each and every nerve ending in her body pinch.
"I can't even express how amazing you look," he replied quietly but truly. "You look more beautiful than I even imagined."
Smiling, Sara felt some weight fall from her shoulders and out came a long relieved breath. "Thank you," she whispered.
"But…" He raised his hand to run it lightly over the orchid in her hair and Sara closed her eyes for the briefest of seconds knowing she was going to have to explain. "I'm missing something about this aren't I? Your veil won't work with this here…"
"I…um…" She swallowed hard again, "…I'm not wearing the veil." The captain's right brow soared and Sara quickly raised a hand to flatten it against his chest. "Please don't be angry with me. Not today…"
His eyes narrowed. "It's tradition, Sara."
"It's also an indication of something I am not, Father. Please understand. I don't want to wear a lie. Today is the day I start my new life, everything that has wronged us disappears and I admit my mistakes. I want to start this day as who I am not as an innocent girl who should hide behind a veil."
Scratching the back of his neck, he nibbled on his bottom lip. "People are quick at coming to their own conclusions, Sara. Do you really want everyone to know that you were…" He cleared his throat, "…broken before wedlock?"
"People can think what they want," she argued. "And I'm no fool and neither are you. Everyone knows what Hank did to me whether you want to believe that or not but no one knows about my relationship with Gil. So if they do want to put two and two together, they will deduce that my reason for not wearing the veil is because of Hank."
He sighed but then to Sara's surprise, smiled. "I won't say I'm overjoyed at your decision but it's a very brave choice and I respect your wishes. It's your day, Sara. My arm will be yours whatever you decide to wear."
Quickly, she smiled back. "Thank you so much," she just about cried, throwing her arms up into the air to hug him but he quickly jumped back, holding up a finger.
"Sara…your mother will kill me if your dress gets creased…"
"Sorry…" she giggled, lowering her arms.
The door opened and Amelia stepped in clasping her daughter's hand. They were both ready in their bridesmaid dresses and Sara gave them a bright smile.
"Sara, you look gorgeous," Amelia expressed as she approached the bride to be.
"Pretty!" Anna shouted, pulling free from her mother to do a spin around the room. "I'm pretty, too."
For the first time in a while, Sara laughed joyfully as she watched the little girl spinning around. "You certainly are pretty," she agreed, picking up her dress to move closer. "Do you like your dress?"
Anna nodded furiously. "Yes!" she shouted with glee, halting her spinning. "And Mama said I get to hold some flowers, too? Do I really get flowers?"
"Yes, you do," Sara answered. "Would you like me to get them for you?"
"Yes, please."
Smiling brightly, Sara glanced to her cousin and then her father who both gave her a grin but then Amelia held up a hand stopping the bride in her tracks.
"I'll get the flowers," she said. "You need to be careful with your dress."
Sara didn't disagree and pointed across the room to the table in the corner. "They're over there next to my bouquet."
Amelia smiled and retrieved the two bouquets made up of white and yellow roses surrounded by lavender and ivy. Approaching her daughter, she held out the smaller of the two.
"Now you need to be very careful with this, Anna, and look after it, all right? We need all the nice people downstairs to see how pretty it is."
"Yes, mama," Anna replied taking the flowers. "Oooohhh…" She smiled brightly. "Pretty flowers…"
The captain smiled at the little girl's pleasure then glanced toward Sara as she looked at him. Their smiles slowly faded.
"Almost time…" Sara said quietly.
He gave a nod. "Almost time…"
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Grissom was chatting with Rose about his time in Alexandria when Laura returned. Instantly rising from his chair when the woman of the house entered the room, he couldn't help but fidget.
Laura looked Brass up and down and flicked a tiny spec of fluff from his shoulder. "You look very nice, Jim," she commended. "That suit fits you very well."
Brass stood a bit straighter at the compliment. "I do try," he retorted with a grin.
Dressed in the same attire as Grissom apart from a different color cravat, Brass tugged a bit on his white waistcoat to make sure it laid flat against his equally white pants then dusted off his blue coat, hands stopping at his lapel.
"I just need my flower."
"Yes, you do," Laura agreed looking across the room to Grissom. "And so does the groom."
She marched quickly to the rancher and reached up to his cravat but stopped before her fingers touched it. Looking Grissom in the eye she stepped to the side to glance at her mother-in-law.
"Have you been straightening him out before I had chance?"
Rose snorted and pushed herself up.
"I'm not a child," Grissom grumbled. "I can dress myself you know."
"But you are useless with ties, Gil, and don't even try to deny it."
He rolled his eyes as Rose placed her hand on her heart. "I admit it, I straightened the cravat. May the lord have mercy on my soul..."
Brass covered his mouth with his hand to prevent Laura from catching his laugh but she did smile as she shifted to the table to retrieve the small box that was brought in earlier.
"Thank you, Rose," she said. "It saves me some time."
Moving back to Grissom she popped the top from the box and he looked inside to see two button holes made from Stephanotis.
"These symbolize happiness in marriage," she said as she carefully pinned the flower onto his lapel. "Now don't let me or the flower down now, will you?" She looked into his eyes and he smiled.
"Never," he answered.
She moved to Brass and pinned his flower to his jacket. "Now, we're all ready, I think." She looked to everyone in the room, thinking as she did so. "Anything I'm missing?"
Shaking his head, Grissom looked to the clock again. "I don't think so."
"Then it's time to go."
Grissom swallowed then held out his arm. "Yes it is and...perfectly on time."
"Shall we?" Brass said holding out his arm to Rose. Smiling, she took his offering and they headed out the door.
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As Grissom slowly descended the stairs, he watched as all the staff gathered around the bottom. He had no doubt they were doing so to pay their respects to Sara who would soon be following. It already felt overwhelming but he did his best not to show his apprehension.
They headed into the hallway and Grissom spotted Ecklie who gave him a nod and a smile as he passed by.
"Are you keeping it together, Gil?" Laura asked quietly, clasping onto his hand that lay over her arm when she felt him tensing up.
"Yes, Ma'am," he breathed softly, trying to keep focused straight ahead so he didn't become distracted by everyone around him.
"Good. Just keep your mind on what you have to do and don't worry about anyone else." He gave a nod as they approached the hall. "I really hope they got the seating right," Laura continued then spotted William with Gregory outside the open doorway.
Gregory spotted his aunt and immediately straightened himself out, looking over his suit and running his hands over his jacket. Brass and Rose stopped at the entrance, Laura and Grissom right behind them.
"And how are we doing here?" Laura asked the two men.
"Good," Gregory answered with a smile. "Nicolas is inside showing a few people to their seats. We have a good system going so no one sits in the wrong place."
Narrowing her eyes, Laura poked her head inside and heard the sound of the string quartet playing mingled with light, happy chatter. Almost every seat was taken and the mood seemed cheerful.
"Well…" She took a step back. "I am impressed at your organization and it looks like we'll only have a few stragglers."
"Just a few more to come," Gregory answered.
Laura glanced back down the corridor then turned to her mother-in-law. "Go on in, Rose. We will follow shortly."
Rose nodded and gave Brass a smile who led her into the room.
"Five more minutes and then you take your seats," Laura said to her family members. "I would hope everyone is here by then and if they aren't then they won't be getting in. I don't want anyone getting in Sara's way when she comes down and the staff are well aware of that."
"No problem," William answered. "I'll be sure to let Rana know when we come in."
"Good." She pulled Grissom a little closer to her. "Are you ready or do you need a little more time?" she asked him.
He took several deep breaths before answering. "I'm ready," he said with confidence, the fingers on his left hand slowly clenching in and out.
She smiled. "Then let's show them what you're made of…"
Grissom swallowed hard as they entered the hall and he was instantly taken aback by all the people inside. He didn't realize just how crowded it would look once everyone was seated. As they headed for the aisle heads started turning. Grissom quickly detected pointing and hushed whispers and his nerves spiked again.
"Keep calm, Gil, keep smiling and keep focused on the altar, okay?" Laura whispered, leaning into him. "These people are here to celebrate and wish you well. They are not against you."
Doing his utmost to keep a smile on his face, Grissom led Laura down the aisle, spotting Reverend Mathews waiting for them at the altar. He smiled, closing his book and holding it against his chest.
"Reverend…" Grissom greeted with nod glancing to his left to see Rose sitting in the front row with several other family members. She gave him a smile and he smiled back.
"Good to see everything is running to schedule," the Reverend said. "It makes my job a lot easier."
Looking back to him, Grissom released Laura's arm. "I think you can thank this lady for that one."
Laura grinned, taking a look behind her and giving several people a wave.
"Are you all right, Gil?" Matthews asked him. "No final questions before we get started?"
Stepping closer, Grissom leaned into the older man to whisper in his ear. "There are a lot of people here. Do I need to shout?"
"No," the reverend snorted. "Just speak naturally and slowly. Your voice will carry itself."
"Okay," Grissom sighed, stepping back.
Matthew's placed a hand on his arm. "Just relax. Everything will be fine."
Turning to face the crowd, Grissom swallowed hard. Relax? Until he was walking back down that aisle as a married man, he doubted that was going to happen.
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Taking a few moments for herself, Sara stood alone by the window in silent prayer.
The captain glanced to the clock and cleared his throat.
"Honey…are you ready? It's time…"
Turning slowly, Sara nodded then smiled over to Amelia as she held out the bride's bouquet. Taking it, she gave the red and yellow roses a sniff before clasping them tightly in her right hand.
"Thanks," she whispered. Amelia smiled then moved across the room to take her daughter's hand.
The Captain approached Sara and caressed her right cheek. "I'm very proud of you, you know?"
A small smile graced her lips and she blinked lazily, feeling the warmth of his hand. "I know," she whispered.
"Ready?"
"Ready," she confirmed on a deep breath, taking her father's left arm.
Rana, who'd been standing by the doorway, whispered to the servant beside her. "Make sure the route all the way to the hall is clear. Go now…" He gave a nod and was quickly through the door. Rana held the door open, and gave a nod to the captain.
"When you're ready," the captain called to Amelia who led a very happy child towards the door. "Go at your own pace, Sara, okay? No hurry…"
"Yes, Father," she replied before following her cousin, the train of her dress gliding perfectly across the floor behind.
Upon reaching the stairs, Sara's concentration level heightened and she paused. After all, she didn't have a free hand to grab onto the stair rail and that could be disastrous. Feeling a presence behind her, she looked over her shoulder to see Rana lifting the train of her dress.
"Best to be careful down the stairs, Miss," the housekeeper said. "Be nice and slow…"
Giving a gracious smile to her helper, Sara glanced to her father. "Here we go…" he said, tightening his grip on her arm. Should she happen to fall he would do everything possible to make sure she didn't get very far.
"Here we go…" she repeated beginning down the stairs.
Despite Rana's help, Sara had to fiercely concentrate on finding each step, not daring to look up until she was only a few steps from the bottom. And when she did, she was overcome at the sight of the entire staff for the Grove waiting in the hallway below. Her lips parted and she swallowed heavily, nearly losing her balance when her shoe slipped on the stair.
"Easy…" the captain whispered, managing to take her weight and straighten her out without anyone really noticing. "Don't get spooked, Sara," he said as they stopped for a second.
"I can't believe everyone came to see me," she said baffled, her eyes looking down at those staring up.
"Of course they have," he replied with a smile. "It's called respect and love."
Every single person below was smiling and it gave Sara such an amazing tingling in her belly. Taking a breath, she looked to her father.
"Ready to continue?" he asked.
She quickly nodded and they set off again, the workers taking a few steps back to ensure she had ample room to get through. Their chorus of 'good luck, miss' resounded through the hallway as she continued on, Rana releasing the train once satisfied her charge wouldn't trip. Sara sent her a bright smile of thanks then turned her attention to Amelia and Anna slowly walking in front of her then shifted to the closed hall doors just ahead. The two workers stationed there swiftly pulled the doors open as she approached.
Taking a breath, Sara's eyes zoned in on the doorway and she did her best to will away the jelly like feeling that had suddenly begun in her legs.
There would be no more changes…this was it…
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The second the hall door opened everyone knew the bride had arrived and instantly stood. Grissom, with Laura still by his side, turned to face the doorway, his heart beating so fast he thought it might burst. The violinist from the quartet began the wedding chorus and the hall became silent.
Amelia and Anna entered first, slowly reaching the aisle. The happiness on the little girl's face made everyone smile.
Then sounds of gasps filled the room as eyes fell upon the bride.
Sara hesitated for a moment, her heart beating at an unnatural pace. Then Reverend Matthew's words came back to her. Keep focused ahead and not on the crowd. Find the altar and the man you love and, above all else, keep walking. She sucked in a deep breath and looked dead ahead, finding the destination she sought.
***- The young lady, to whom all eyes had been turned before, and were now turned again, stood up where she had sat. Her father rose with her, and kept her hand drawn through his arm. ***
Grissom's lips parted as the bridesmaids stepped to the side when reaching him and he caught the first proper glimpse of his bride. It felt as if the world had just stopped and there was only one thing left. Sara. She was beyond beautiful. She was a goddess and he wanted to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
She felt his gaze immediately and, when she drew close, her stomach clenched at the total look of wonder upon his face.
Then his eyes narrowed a touch and she just knew he'd noticed the absence of her veil. Several comments reached her ears but she kept her eyes on him, her smile faltering slightly when she wondered if this would change things. But then he smiled at her, the brightest smile she'd ever seen, and she knew he understood.
As they came to a stop in front of him, Grissom held out his left arm. Sara's tongue quickly worked over her bottom lip before she released her father's arm to take up her fiancés. She watched his lips move and as he mouthed 'your beautiful,' she smiled. They both turned to the reverend as the captain joined Laura beside them.
The reverend lowered his hands through the air and everyone retook their seats.
Grissom reached his free hand to squeeze Sara's and the couple held a long gaze before the reverend cleared his throat and began…
*"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace..."
Both bride and groom felt each other tense but didn't take a single look behind them while they waited for any interruption that may come…
*** - "Suffer them and forbid them not. They see my Father's face. O Father, blessed words!
Thus, the rustling of an Angel's wings got blended with the other echoes, and they were not wholly of earth, but had in them that breath of Heaven. Sighs of the winds that blew over a little garden-tomb were mingled with them also, and both were audible in a hushed murmur-like the breathing of a summer sea asleep upon a sandy shore…"
*** - Extracts taken from A Tale of Two cities by Charles Dickens.
Note * – Ceremony text taken from the Anglican Common book of prayer.
A/N: I think I'm sqweeeeeeeeing, lmao. Will everyone hold their peace or is there someone out there about to spoil the occasion? The next chapter is ready as I wrote this whole thing in one big go. How badly do you want it? :D Let me know….