Sources

Chapter 38

Nick jumped out of his car and stopped short, noticing the figures sitting on the curb. "Uh, hey. what are y'all doing out here?"

"We're afraid to go inside," Greg said matter-of-factly.

Catherine rolled her eyes. "We're not afraid. We just can't agree on who's going to knock."

"You saw what it was like last night," Warrick added, stretching out his lanky frame on the sidewalk. "I'm afraid to be in a room with those two again. Might get hit by crossfire."

"They're fine," Nick assured him, garnering everyone's attention.

"Spill it," Catherine demanded. "What do you know?"

"Mandy said they went out to the desert and had some sort of screaming match until they worked everything out. Now they're more lovey-dovey than ever." He didn't mention the reappearance of the ring on Sara's finger. That they would be able to see for themselves. "Mandy and Brass have been helping set up, so it won't be like you're the first ones there. Let's go in."

"Sure," Greg agreed. "As long as you're the one who knocks."

They climbed the stairs up to Sara's apartment with trepidation. Before Nick could ring the bell, and Sara threw open the door. In an instant, their fears dissipated. Sara was radiant with joy.

"You're here! You're-" Her eyes narrowed. "You're all here. Together."

Greg shifted nervously. "We were, uh."

"Too chicken to come up," Sara supplied, flashing a wide grin.

Grissom appeared behind her, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. "Brass and I were watching you from the window," he smirked. "He wanted to take bets on how long you'd stay out on the curb."

"Come on in, ya buncha pansies!" Brass yelled from inside the apartment.

They filed in sheepishly, noting with relief the ease with which Grissom and Sara were interacting. Planting a kiss on Mandy's cheek, Nick joined her and Brass at the breakfast bar. Warrick, Greg, and Catherine settled on the couch.

"So, Sara." Catherine said, a calculating look on her face. "You call us all down here on a moment's notice, you're serving us champagne. does this have anything to do with that huge, gorgeous ring on your finger?" Pleased with her own cleverness, she flashed a triumphant smile at Warrick. When he stared back at her evenly, her gaze shifted to Greg, then Nick. "Oh, for Christ's sake, am I the last one to know everything?"

"I didn't know," Brass grinned. "But I think everyone else did." He clapped Grissom on the back heartily. "Congratulations, old man."

Sara finished passing out glasses of champagne and slid back into Grissom's waiting arms.

"A toast!" Warrick said loudly. Everyone raised their glasses. "To Griss and Sara. it's about time."

"It's about time!" everyone repeated in unison, gulping down the champagne.

Setting her empty glass aside, Sara spoke. "There's something else we wanted to tell you, too."

"You're pregnant!" Greg yelped.

"What are you doing drinking champagne?" Catherine shrieked. "That's not good for the baby!"

Sara glared at Greg. "How many times do I have to tell you, I'm not pregnant!"

He shrank in his seat a little, embarrassed. "Then what's the other announcement?"

She glanced at Grissom. "We chose the wedding party."

Everyone sat a little straighter, trying not to wave their arms while murmuring "Pick me! Pick me!"

"Mandy, I'd like you to be my maid of honor. Catherine, if it's okay with you, I'd like you and Lindsey to be bridesmaids."

Catherine beamed. "Well, that all depends. how hideous are the dresses?"

"I figured you and Mandy could be in charge of picking them out," Sara said with a shrug. "I don't know much about fashion, and you'd know better than me what works on blondes."

Mandy and Catherine turned to each other excitedly. "I'm thinking something pink," Catherine mused.

"Totally! Spaghetti straps?"

"Love it!"

"You can work out the details later," Sara smirked. "Grissom?"

Greg glanced around surreptitiously. If Sara had three bridesmaids, that would mean Grissom would need three ushers. and there were four men in the room. He practiced his Oscar-loser expression.

"Well," Grissom began, "I'd like Jim and Greg to be my ushers-"

"YES!" Greg shrieked, jumping to his feet and pumping his fist in the air. "In your face, Jamie Foxx!"

They stared at him blankly until he sat back down, mumbling something about thanking the Academy.

"Anyway," Grissom continued, looking somewhat disturbed, "I was hoping Warrick would be my best man."

Warrick blinked in surprise, then stood and shook Grissom's hand vigorously. "I'm touched, man, honestly."

"War, you were the only thing keeping me sane when Sara was taken," Grissom said seriously. "You've always been a good friend to both of us."

As the realization simultaneously struck the group that there was an odd man out, all eyes turned to Nick. He shrugged and gave a lopsided smile. "Hey, I can be an usher understudy or something. I'll ride the bench in case one of you pulls a muscle. No worries."

"Actually, Nick, Grissom wanted to make you an usher," Sara admitted. "I talked him out of it."

"Why?"

Looking down at her feet, Sara colored slightly. "You're. you're like the brother I always wanted, Nicky. You're loyal and protective, and you've always got my back. I was sort of hoping you'd consider giving me away."

"Aww, man," Greg groaned. "Why can't Nick be an usher and I'll walk Sara down the aisle?"

"Because Nick won't try to cop a last-minute feel," Catherine shot back. Greg tried to look offended, but ended up nodding reluctantly in agreement

When Sara looked up at Nick, he was working his jaw furiously, trying to keep his emotions in check. "It'd be an honor," he said quietly, drawing her in for a gentle hug.

Brass cleared his throat. "So Gil, not to change the subject or anything, but how come you and Sara both needed replacements for your cell phones this morning?"

"Oh, well, cell phones are. you know." Grissom replied vaguely. "So who's up for poker?"

After twenty minutes, Grissom was the chip leader by a large margin. He was so intent on the game that he almost missed the ring of his new cell phone. Dashing down the hall, he grabbed it off Sara's night table and answered it. "Hello?"

"Is this Mr. Grissom?"

He knew that voice by now. "Mr. Sidle."

"I wanted to call and apologize. The last thing I meant to do last night was upset Sara."

Grissom sighed, leaning against the doorframe and watching the poker game progress. "She doesn't want to talk to you, Sander."

"I figured," Sander intoned flatly. "Are you her husband?"

"Fiancé," Grissom replied. It occurred to him how close he'd come to losing that title, and he felt a strong urge to throw this new cell phone into a canyon. Or at least out the window.

"Well. I don't want you to get in trouble for talking to me, so I'll let you go. Will you just tell me one thing, first?"

"What's that?"

"Is she happy?"

He gazed at her. She was about to place a bet, her tongue peeking out between her lips as she deliberated. Greg tried to steal a look at her cards, and Nick caught him in a violent headlock. As he wrestled Greg to the ground, they nearly knocked over the poker table. Mandy squealed and jumped out of the way, hiding behind Warrick. Brass whipped out his handcuffs menacingly, shaking them at the two men and bellowing at them to behave. Sara laughed out loud, beating Greg's head with a throw pillow. She caught Grissom's eye and winked broadly at him.

"Yeah, Sander. She's happy."