For my wedding, I will dress in black
And never again will I look back

Gil Grissom woke in unfamiliar surroundings. As realization dawned on him as to why he was there, the wings of anticipation fluttered in his stomach, making him anxious to start the day. He climbed out of bed, a broad smile of contentment covering his face. He decided to forgo breakfast, now the day had actually arrived he wanted to ensure he savoured every moment of it.

As he made his way to the en suite, he paused for a moment before the tuxedo that was hung on the outside of the wardrobe. He ran his fingers over the material, briefly closing his eyes and imagining what Catherine would look like in a few brief hours. He had no doubt she'd be beautiful, she was the only woman who could appear covered in decomp, yet still appear beautiful to him. He had the sudden urge to call her, to hear her voice to steady his growing nerves, but resisted that impulse for now, instead opting for a shower and shave.

Half an hour later he stood in front of the mirror, in boxers and a white dress shirt. His nerves if anything had increased, the queasy feeling in his stomach forbidding him from partaking of any form of refreshment. He buttoned the shirt leaving the top button undone, and then slowly pulled on the black pants, carefully tucking the shirttails in. He retrieved the dress shoes he'd ordered specially, sitting on the edge of the bed, he paused for a moment, running his fingers across the top of each shoe before putting them on and lacing them. Finally he stood, took the black jacket from the hanger and shrugged it on.

Dressed, and to a casual observer, ready for the ceremony ahead, he stood before the mirror. Staring at the image reflected back and not really recognizing it. He reached out with his right hand so his fingertips could meet their reflection. "What's the matter with you?" He gently chastised himself. "You have wanted this, waited for this. You know she wants this too. There is no need to dwell on the past, hers or yours. This is a new start, a good thing, you are going to build a great life together." He smiled at his words. "That's right, a time to rejoice not descend into a pit of sorrow. Let's go and get married."

Without a second glance at his reflection, he left the room quickly, and then collected the ring boxes and the licence, before leaving his townhouse for the last time as a single man.

Ah, my dark angels we must part
For I've made a sanctuary of my heart

He got into the Denali, thankful of his decision to drive himself to the ceremony, knowing that Warrick, Nick or Greg could return the car to the lab after the service. He needed today of all days to work on his own schedule and not be tempered or interrupted by others until he was certain he was holding her hands at the altar, then he could relax.

He'd doubted the joy that love could bring for so long. Denying the possibility of finding contentment with another, knowing all to well that love could bring pain, a deep hurt that nothing could cure. He'd watched his mother change from a confident happy woman, to a shy person who trusted few and for a few years became a virtual prisoner in her home through her insecurities.

Then there was his Catherine. He'd watched, supported and cared for her through the myriad of trials and emotions that loving Eddie brought to her door. No, he'd not trusted in the promise of love, or so he told himself, not until he knew she held his heart.

Now was a time to abandon those fears. For the fear itself would only spell failure for them. He was better than that. She deserved better than that and he was determined to prove now to her and himself that love held an important and valued place in his life.

To want what I have
To take what I'm given with grace
For this I pray
On my wedding day

He pulled the Denali into the small parking lot behind the church and checked his watch. He had half an hour to himself before people would start arriving. He switched the engine off and let his head fall back the headrest supporting it. He closed his eyes taking stock of all that had happened and was about to happen.

He was about to change his life, and there was nothing he wanted more right then. He was not a man to seek out untold riches, always wanting the newest, the fastest, the best of everything. He was very much set in his ways, content with the hand the fates had dealt him, willing to make the best of whatever life put in his way. His greatest fear, on making such a change as he was about to, was that now he had what he'd desired so long, would that desire be replaced by another seemingly unobtainable craving.

He shook his head, this was foolishness. She had no intention of changing him, of that he was certain, so why should his whole ideology, his character change so significantly becoming an unrecognizable shell of the person he was, all because she now shared his name. He knew in his heart that would not happen, silently he sent a prayer of thanks for the happiness he'd been given in the arms of Catherine.

For my wedding, I don't want violins
Or sentimental songs about thick and thin
I want a moment of silence and a moment of prayer
For the love we'll need to make it in the world out there

He was alerted from his silent contemplation by a knock on his window. His eyes snapped open to the vision of Jim Brass smiling at him, the distinct figures of Warrick, Nick and Greg behind him, all beaming, he wasn't sure why nor was about to ask whether it was due to the state they'd found him in or their joy at the occasion.

He stepped out of the Denali, unable to hide the smile that lit his face. He passed the keys to Nick. "Are you going to be okay to take this back to the lab?"

Nick grinned at him. "No problem."

The five men entered the church, Gil paused to briefly introduce each of them to the priest, and then they walked to the front of the church. The peacefulness the church offered seemed to blanket Gil, his earlier nerves were calmed, and he knew this meant to be.

"So this it?"

Gil smiled at Jim's question. "Yes."

"I couldn't be happier for the two of you. You deserve this happiness."

"Thanks Jim."

Jim Brass smiled in reply.

The church slowly started to fill with the invited guests. Normally such crowds would see Gil running to hide away, but not today. He greeted each newcomer, wanting them to share in his joy.

The first chords of the organ as it started a simple rendition of Ava Maria, heralded the arrival of the bridal party. Gil stood, swallowed hard and closed his eyes, taking one more moment to give thanks for his new family, before opening his eyes and slowly turning to look down the aisle.

To want what I have
To take what I'm given with grace
For this I pray
On my wedding day
On my wedding day

His heart swelled as his eyes fell upon the beaming face of Lindsey as she walked sedately up the aisle. As she reached him, she turned and attempted to wink at him, screwing up half of her face in the process making him have to stifle a chuckle. She turned and went and stood beside Greg, who offered her his arm, a beaming smile on his face. Gil raised an eyebrow in warning at the youngest member of his team, only to be greeted with a larger smile. Before he could react further, he was aware of her presence. He turned to see her enter the church, on the arm of Sam. His eyes could not be drawn from her as she made the steady progress up the aisle.

As she reached him, Sam patted her arm twice, and then gave her hand to Gil, a smile on his face. He clenched Gil and Catherine's hands with his and softly half whispered "Take good care of her, she loves you." He took a step back, then another, until he was level with the pew where Lily was sitting, he sat next to her, clasping her hand as they watched their daughter pledge her love.

I dream, and my dreams are all glory and light
That's what I've wanted for my life
And if it hasn't always been that way
Well, I can dream and I can pray
On my wedding day

The ceremony seemed to defy the laws of time, as it felt like only seconds before he was repeating vows and slipping the gold band onto her finger. As the ring reached the base, he looked into her eyes, seeing love reflected in them, as her eyes welled with tears of happiness. He squeezed her fingers in support, knowing she was yet to complete her vows and a kiss that he craved to give her would be ill timed now.

Her vows, like his were accompanied with the exchange of rings. This was reality, no longer a dream he desired. They were finally together, married, and it was now his wish, his prayer that they would remain like this for eternity.

So what makes us any different from all the others
Who have tried and failed before us
Maybe nothing, maybe nothing at all
But I pray we're the lucky ones; I pray we never fall

The priest raised his voice as he joyfully announced them as Mr and Mrs Grissom. Gil took the opportunity to steal the kiss he'd earlier craved. They walked down the aisle hands clasped together, refusing to let go as they offered smiles of greeting to the assembled guests. They stood on the steps on the church, while the photograph recorded the occasion, like so many before them, and no doubt many after them would stand. Gil smiled, pondering for a moment the lives of those who'd stood on those steps, were they happy, still together, or torn apart by deception or death? He vowed silently to do all within his power to ensure that this marriage was one that broke the mould, one that survived the pressures of life, change and obstacles they would no doubt face. It was too valuable for him to lose, too precious for him to see shattered around him.

To want what we have
To take what we're given with grace
For these things I pray
On my wedding day
On my wedding day

As their wedding car started up to take them to their reception. Catherine turned to her husband. "Thank you. You have made my life complete."

He kissed her, and then whispered. "I promise to do all I can to make our lives together happy. You deserve happiness my love, I love you."

"I want you to be happy. We are in this together, remember that and most of all remember I love you."

Their lips joined again in a kiss.

The End.