A/N 1: OK, this is the final Chapter. There will be an epilogue to put a bow on it.
It's about a month after Thanksgiving, and I think we have the kids in a good place. I hope you find it satisfying. It's been a long road.
A/N 2: Don't own Chuck. Yadda, yadda, yadda.
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December 27th
Sarah looks out over the green expanse of Griffith Park, perfectly paired with the cerulean sky, and lets the tranquility of the scene suffuse her body.
"Who would have thought, when we all left, that we would be back here in L.A., all together again?" Casey asks, as he stands by her side.
"So much has changed since then. I've changed so much since then." Sarah reflects.
"I like the change. You seem so alive. Same for me. I've changed too, I think for the better. We learned we don't have to be dead inside to be effective. Who would've thunk?" Casey said with a cocked eyebrow and a chuckle.
Sarah joins him in laughter. "Who. Would've. Thunk. So eloquent. But it's true. I never imagined this was a possibility for me. And, so much has happened this past month, ever since Thanksgiving. I am being thrown back into the real world at Warp speed."
Casey raises an eyebrow and snickers, "Warp Speed? Am I seeing the nerdification of Sarah Walker?"
Sarah bumps him with her shoulder. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
Casey holds up his hands in surrender. "I'm not saying any of it is a bad thing. Who am I to talk? I know I like having Carina in my life."
"I hope it isn't going to be too traumatic for you to leave her bed, when you move in with us?" Sarah teases.
"Hey, I thought I was getting my own place? You know with my own door and no curfew." He asks feigning indignation.
"Yeah, yeah. You're getting your own little bachelor pad. Or Carina pad, so to speak." Sarah adds a gentle elbow in his side, to her comment.
He grunts, " I'm not denying it. Expect to see her every weekend and more." Casey taunts back with his own shoulder bump.
Sarah grins back at him. "Hey, I like seeing my sis'. And, you are far enough away that I don't have to hear you. So, we are pretty much getting what I designed. The main house is a white, two story colonial, with the redwood double doors that I wanted. You have a two bedroom apartment above the garages and workshops, for your toys. And I even got a little cottage out back for my Mom. All brand new and with the highest security. And since our 5 acres is at the end of the cul-de-sac, they are going to harden the roundabout, so we can land helicopters as needed."
That news elicits a Casey grunt of approval.
Saran notices her Mom approaching. "Hey Mom, I was just telling Casey about our estate. I am sure you are going to love the little cottage we're setting up for you."
Emma smiles, her eyes sparkling, enjoying her daughter's happiness. "I am sure I will. But, before you get moved, let's get you married."
"I am so, so ready for this." She turns to Casey and takes a moment to straighten the pale blue tie on his tux. "Thanks for being here for us."
Casey grunts and grins. "No place else in the world I would rather be. Someone has to make sure the Moron doesn't screw this up. Or faint, or something."
Sarah laughs and slaps his arm. "Go take your place Casey, and make sure you don't trip or anything."
Sarah turns to her Mom, her smile stretching from ear to ear. "Ready to walk me down the aisle, Mom?"
"There is definitely not anything that I could want more." Emma takes Sarah's arm, and they step to their place, prompting the organist to start The Wedding March.
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Sarah's Monique Lhuiller bridal gown is a long sleeved, white Maxi dress with a lace bodice and sleeves. The bridesmaids' dresses are a pale, pastel blue, as are the groomsmens' ties and cumberbunds. Emma squeezes her hand, and she looks over at Emma and Molly, both dressed in their finery. Molly is rocking back and forth, spilling a few flowers from her basket. Emma asks, "Ready to start your new life?"
Sarah nods and looks into her Mom's eyes. "Our new lives." With matching smiles and glistening eyes, they start their walk, Molly leading the way.
Sarah had no interest in a long engagement, and when Chuck had inquired about wedding planning, Sarah's only request was for an outdoor wedding, in a Gazebo, surrounded by greenery. When she was little, she had a picture book that had a couple getting married in a Gazebo. It stuck in her head that it represented a real wedding.
They kept the ceremony small, just family and the closest of friends. Emma walked her down the aisle, while Molly was the flower girl. Carina was her Maid of Honor, and Ellie was her Bridesmaid. Devon was Chuck's Best Man, and Casey was his Groomsman. Morgan officiated, while his girlfriend and her mother, and Stephen and Mary Bartowski looked on.
Morgan had a printout of the required vows, to make sure he didn't misspeak as he led them to I Do. "The Bride and Groom have personal vows that they want to exchange," he explains then prompts Chuck and Sarah.
Chuck takes Sarah's hand and slips on the wedding band. "Sarah, Samira, My Love. We have seen that you never know what life will bring you. Yet, we have overcome it all. I am and will always be, Your Chuck. We will have good days and bad days. Through them all I promise you this, I will be there for you. Every hour of every day, I will love and support you, every way I can. I give you this ring, as a symbol of that commitment."
Teardrops are tracing their way down her cheeks and she has to clear her throat, before Sarah says the most important words she has ever spoken. "Chuck, I don't know why I got this second chance for a happy life. I am just going to embrace it. You told me that I could let go of the past, and change my future, by changing what I do today. I have let go of my past, and I want to have a future with you by my side, so what I want to do today is become your wife. I too promise, I will love and support you, every way I can, every hour of every day." Sarah takes Chuck's hand in hers to slip on his wedding band. "I give you this ring, as a symbol of that commitment."
Morgan chokes up, seeing the love manifest in his two friends' eyes. He manages to get out, "I now pronounce you husband and wife." With a slight sob, he adds, "You can do the kissy thing."
Sarah steps forward, her chest touching his, and looks up into Chuck's eyes. "My husband," she softly declares, as a smile spreads across her face.
Chuck looks down into Sarah's eyes and his smile grows even bigger, his nose wrinkling and his eyes sparkling. "My wife," he reverently whispers back.
Their kiss is passionate, but unhurried, knowing that many will follow it, over the years to come.
The cheers remind them that they have an audience, so they separate, accept the well wishes from their family. They move back down the aisle, to the picnic area they reserved for the reception. Everyone was invited to the reception, which meant mostly BuyMorians and some of Devon and Ellie's friends. It was a simple affair, hamburgers, hotdogs, and salads. The park's no alcohol policy, made it easier to reign in the activities of the green shirts and Nerd Herd.
Morgan is excitedly telling his girlfriend Alex, and her mom Kathleen, about how he got deputized for the day, so he could officiate the wedding, when he sees some friends that he hasn't seen in years. "Casey. Carina. It is so good to see you. I have somebody I want you to meet. Well, two somebodies," he corrects with a laugh.
Alex and Kathleen turn, getting a clear look at the newcomers to their group. Suddenly Kathleen's freezes, as she locks on Casey's face. Casey is likewise frozen looking at her. In a hushed tone he whispers, "Kathleen?"
Kathleen looks at him, and confused, queries, "Alex!?"
Her daughter turns, and seeing her mom's reaction, responds, "Mom?"
Kathleen looks at her daughter, and lovingly says, "Alex."
Casey, with eyes wide in shock, repeats, "Alex?"
Kathleen lovingly looks at him and, with pride confirms, "Alex."
Then, with pain and confusion, asks, "Alex?"
With a grunt, Casey deflates at the question. He takes Carina's hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. "This is going to take a while, we should take a seat." He directs them to some chairs, when Morgan zooms by him, to sit near Alex. Casey growls as the realization of that relationship sinks in.
Everyone seemed to have a good time that afternoon, as multiple families reunited and re-formed.
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"So, Mrs. Bartowski, are you ready for the rest of your life?" Chuck asks, holding her from behind, as they watch the sun set over their reception.
"Well, Mr. Bartowski, I am definitely ready for our Honeymoon." Sarah replies with a giggle. "Think about it, we will have our own little private Caribbean island." She turns her head to kiss his jaw. "Emphasis on private."
"I think you just want the chance to take your new jet out for a spin. Or, I should say Castle's new jet. You know. Technically," he teases. At their request, Carina had searched the database of confiscated items for a small jet plane. Ostensibly, his company bought the Lear 60 because he was going to have locations on both coasts. Actually, it was Sarah's favorite wedding present.
Sarah spins in his arms, lays a hand flat on his chest, and looks up into his eyes. "I can't deny, I look forward to getting our plane, and you, a mile high," she flirts with a wiggle of her eyebrows.
Chuck throws his head back in a hearty laugh, then leans down and gives her a deep kiss that holds the promise of things to come. I love my life.
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A/N 3: Yay! We got them married. I think that wraps up the story.