A/N: Here is the final chapter. I actually had a hard time writing it. Now I have only attended two weddings in my lifetime that I actually remember what happened. So I used that and what I have seen on TV shows to write the ceremony. I hope you like it. Thank you to all of you who have read and reviewed this story. Just so you know I am planning on writing a sequel to this story after I write my version of what I think the second part of the finale would be. Please enjoy this final chapter and remember to send me a review:)
Epilogue- The Wedding
Just as it was agreed upon three weeks later the BAU family, including Garcia met at a small church near the secret headquarters. Since it was a quick decision Beth and Sam decided to keep it a casual ceremony with just their close friends who were practically family.
Standing up at the altar, dressed in a nice button down shirt and dress pants, Sam continued to battle yet another set of nerves. You would think that with everything that Sam Cooper has done at the BAU, getting married would be a nervous-free ordeal, but it seems the pre-wedding jitters can affect just about anyone. Standing next to Sam, in the same style clothes he always wore, as recently appointed best man, Mick placed a calming hand on Sam's nervous shoulder and said,
"Relax mate; it won't be much longer before the preacher will be tellin' you to kiss Beth. Bloody hell I don't think I have ever seen you this nervous over anything before."
Making his way over to his teammates, and 'brothers', Prophet smirked as he said,
"Just wait till it's you standing in Coop's shoes. No one has ever experienced nerves until they are about to get married."
Mick stared at Prophet questioningly, "And you would be an expert on this?"
Knowing exactly where Mick was heading with this Prophet shook his head no, "No way man, I am not falling for that."
Listening to his two friends bicker back and forth Sam couldn't help but smile and laugh. Hearing his laughter Mick and Prophet joined him. Walking into the main room of the church, Garcia, with Sarah in her arms, made her way over to the three laughing men. Coming to a stop in front of them, Garcia, grinning while shaking her head, said,
"You know I have never heard of laughter being used to help against pre-wedding jitters. So I'd have to say that something hilarious happened for the three of you to be busting at the seams."
Their laughter having ceases Sam smiled at Garcia and said,
"Everything is good Garcia. I was just laughing at these two children's bickering."
At the sound of Sam's voice Sarah started to wiggle around in Garcia's arms. Seeing Sarah's reaction to his voice Sam's smile widened as Garcia transferred the baby into his extended arms. Upon being placed in her father's arms Sarah immediately calmed down. Rocking her gently back and forth Sam continued to smile at his daughter who was already dressed in the pretty pale pink dress that Beth had picked out for her. Sarah may have been only three weeks old but Sam was already handling her like a pro.
While watching Sam interact with his daughter Garcia couldn't help but smile as she said,
"Beth asked me to come out here to check that you guys were set. She said that the music would be starting in a couple of minutes. So in order for you three to get ready I am going to take Sarah and sit over there."
With a final kiss to her forehead Sam handed Sarah back to Garcia. While Prophet and Mick got into their places Sam watched as Gina stuck her head through the semi open door and exchange nods with Garcia. The nod must have been the signal because a second later the doors were fully opened and the music began.
From the doorway wearing a simple pale blue sun dress walked Gina as Beth's maid of honor. Just as Gina took her place at the altar the music changed once again. Everyone there stood and watched as Beth entered the church, and slowly made her way down the aisle. Even though she wore a simple knee length white spaghetti strap dress Sam thought that Beth was beautiful. As she made her way to the altar Beth returned Sam's loving smile.
When she reached the altar Beth handed Gina her small bouquet as she grasped Sam's hands in her own. Before them the preacher began the ceremony,
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy machermony."
The preacher looked to both Sam and Beth before turning to Sam,
"Samuel Cooper, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love, and to cherish from this day forward, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
Sam's smile grew even bigger as he continued to look into Beth's eyes and replied,
"I do."
With a nod of his head the preacher continued,
"Then repeat after me…"
Over the next few minutes Sam repeated the vows word for word, and his smile steadily grew even bigger. With Sam's vows completed the preacher turned to Beth,
"Bethany Griffith, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, and to cherish from this day forward, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
Without looking away from Sam's face Beth smiled as she replied,
"I do."
Nodding once again the preacher continued,
"Then repeat after me…"
As Beth repeated her vows word for word time seemed to not exist. By the time she completed her vows Beth had tears streaming down her cheeks. Looking to Mick and Gina the preacher asked,
"Do we have the rings?"
Both Mick and Gina nodded their heads as they handed Beth and Sam the appropriate rings. Like before the preacher turned to Sam and said,
"Sam, place the ring on Beth's finger as you say these words, 'with this ring I thee wed.'"
Looking into Beth's eyes Sam slowly slid the ring onto her finger as he repeated,
"With this ring I thee wed."
Turning to Beth the preacher said,
"Beth, place the ring on Sam's finger as you say these words, 'with this ring I thee wed.'"
With slightly shaky fingers Beth slid the ring onto Sam's finger as she repeated,
"With this ring I thee wed."
With the rings in place the preacher looked around at the small group that was there and said,
"If there is anyone here who feels that this man and woman should not be married, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Hearing nothing but silence the preacher continued,
"Then with the power vested in me I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
At those words Sam pulled Beth closer to him and captured her lips in a passionate kiss. As they separated a few minutes later the preacher announced,
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Cooper."
Applause erupted around them at these words as Beth and Sam smiled at their family. As if reading her mind Garcia walked over to Beth and placed Sarah in her arms. Instead of interlocking their arms Sam wrapped his arm around Beth's waist. Before they started down the aisle Sam turned back to their family and said,
"Alright guys the reception party is going to be at our apartment so we'll see you guys there."
After receiving the affirmative responses from their friends Sam and Beth headed down the aisle. Outside the church waiting for them was a black SUV covered in flowers and streamers along with the giant 'Just Married' sign on the back. After placing Sarah in her car seat Sam and Beth climbed into the car. Before they buckled up or started the car Beth and Sam leaned forward and shared another passionate kiss.
As they separated Beth couldn't help but smile once again as she said,
"I can't believe that we are actually married. It seems like a dream."
Interlocking their hands Sam smiled as he kissed her hand and said,
"I can't believe it either, and if it is a dream then I hope it never ends."
Keeping their hands intertwined Sam started the car and they headed to their apartment. Not long after they arrived at the apartment the rest of the team joined them. Instead of just celebrating Sam and Beth's wedding, they celebrated Sarah becoming a member of the BAU family team. That was the biggest celebration of them all.
The End