Chapter One

I stood at the front of the church next to Horatio, butterflies erupting in my stomach as we stepped towards the open doorway. The white silk dress glided across the floor as we moved. I looked down at myself for a second. The strapless bodice made my curves look more defined. I took a deep breath before accepting Horatio’s outstretched arm, and resting my hand on it. He was walking me down the aisle today, Horatio Caine, the most predominant father figure in my life was dressed in a black tuxedo, he did elegance well.

“Nervous?” he asked softly, giving me a genuine warm smile. I looked down at the ground for a second watching my shoes peek out the bottom of my dress as we suddenly appeared in the archway, waiting for the music.

“It shows?” I asked with an anxious smile.

“A little.” The rest of his words were cut off by the sound of organ music.

“You ready?” I nodded as we each took matching step forward. With each step I felt my nerves grow, with each pew I passed, each thought popped into my mind.

He wasn’t going to be there.

My eyes alert, I was instantly drawn to the front. First off my eyes fell on Danny Messer. His eyes were on me with a small smile. As one of Tim’s closest friends he deserved to be standing on that spot. When I first met Messer, I’d been taken back by his bluntness and sarcastic humour. The more I got to know him, the more I began to like him, until he’d become a kid of Uncle to the kids, just like Eric. Next to Danny, Delko was standing there, his face wide with a boyish grin. I returned his smile, feeling my heart leap as my gaze fell on my husband to be. His dark head bowed, his hands clasped in front of him. I my eyes lingered on him, he chose that second to glance up. For one simple second our eyes met, and I knew I was making the right decision. I watched Tim’s face turn into a surprised grin. I could tell what he was thinking. Also thinking about later on tonight I felt a wicked grin cross my face. He didn’t know what I was wearing underneath this dress. As we reached the alter Horatio leant over and kissed me affectionately on the cheek. Standing to my left Abbey, Calleigh and Alexx stood in dark red off the shoulder bridesmaid dresses. Somewhere on the front row I was also aware that Kate Speedle, Tim’s mother had her eighteen month old grandchild on her lap.

I took a step onto the alter and faced Tim, whose eyes glittered.

“You look gorgeous.” He said quietly. I looked down at his tuxedo, and felt heat rise up in me.

“So do you.” I replied, censoring my real thoughts.

The priest cleared his throat to speak, both of us silenced the service began.

If I give up on you

I give up on me

If we found what’s true will we ever be

Even God himself and the faith I knew

Shouldn’t hold me back shouldn’t keep me from you.

The song played as Tim twirled me around the dance floor, bring me up close to meet him.

“You learned how to dance.” I remarked quietly, as we swayed to the music.

“What do you think Alexx over at ours place while you and Calleigh went to self defence class?” he teased me. His mouth was close to my ear, I closed my eyes relishing the sound of his voice.

Tease me by holding out your hand

And leave me or take me as I am

And live our lives stigmatized

“I’m glad we waited a year.” I said softly as he kissed my forehead.

“Your Mom and Dad can look after the kids while we’re on our one night honeymoon, it’s perfect.”

Tim kissed my neck gently, causing heat to run through me at a feverish pace. Hs hands were on my hips pulling me to him.

“Can you at least wait until we get into the room?” I said humorously as I swiped the key card through the slot of the door slowly.

“If you don’t hurry up, we may have an audience.” He said pointedly nodding at the old couple at the end of the corridor starring at us.

I pushed the door open as Tim chose that moment to sweep me off my feet, and carried me over the threshold.

I can feel the blood rushing through your veins

And I hear your voice driving me insane

Hour after hour day after day.

I lay there drenched in sweat, finding myself unable to move for a few moments. The only sound I could here was the sweet sound of Tim’s deep breathing next to me. He rolled on to his side, his mouth going to my ear.

“Not bad Mrs Speedle. The question is can you go again though?” he asked nipping at my ear gently. I felt his lean body pressing against me insistently.

“I wonder if you can keep up.” I teased as he propped himself up with his arm, and ran his finger over the curves of my face. I closed my eyes his fingertip traced the edge of my nose and then onto my lips.

“Your truly beautiful.” He murmured moving into a deep kiss.

We live our lives on different sides

But we keep together you and I

Just live ort lives stigmatized

Miami at night looked beautiful from the hotel balcony. I leaned over wrapped only in a sheet feeling the cool breeze brush my skin. My hair was loose now, moving gently in the wind. I felt Tim’s presence behind me; I turned my head to see him holding out a glass of champagne. I took it from him, watching as he stood next to me starring at the view, sipping from his own glass, dressed only in a white robe.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked leaning on the railing and gazing at the tiny lights ahead of us.

“You.” I answered honestly, my eyes on him.

“My fantastic skills in the bedroom?” he smirked. I rolled my eyes.

“Among other things.” I remarked sipping from my glass.

“No really what were you thinking?” He asked serious now.

“Just how everything in my life’s been since I met you. I just can’t believe we’re standing here, married. I expected something to go wrong, with all the things that have happened in the last year, and more.” I confessed. Tim nodded.

“I didn’t think you’d walk down the aisle.” I tilted my head towards him, he looked down at his glass. I frowned perplexed.

“I thought you’d realize what mistake you’d be making.” he said taking another sip of out of the glass.

“I just think that this is too good to be true, you, the girls, and the team. I just expect to wake up one morning and it all is a dream.” He admitted.

“Instead I’m waking up next to you, with two gorgeous little girls to come home to.” I smiled, taking his free hands, our eyes met.

“You deserve every single minute of bliss.”

We’ll live our lives we’ll take the punches every day.

We’ll live our lives I know we’re gonna find our way.

“I’m not coming out of this shower.” I growled at Tim around the corner of the door. The feel of the boiling hot water on my skin was the best feeling I’d ever experienced. Well one of them.

“I’ll have to come in there and get you then.” I shrieked with laughter as a naked Tim Speedle threw himself into the huge spacious shower space. He grabbed me in his arms preparing to drag me out of the hot spray and then stopped and reached for the shower gel.

“Actually…”

I believe in you

Even if no one understands

Yea I believe in you.

And I don’t really give a damn.

I cast a sly glance at Tim as we left the hotel room only dressed in towels. I left the door a jar.

“Are you sure about this?” Tim asked suspicious, his eyes going to the closed faces of all the other rooms and then the elevator.

“You only live once.” I reminded him, his face started to go red.

“Or in our case streak down a hotel corridor.” I took his hand as we reached the other side of the corridor. He turned to look pointedly at me.

“After you.” He commented. I removed my towel, and began to run down the corridor towards the room. I heard Tim’s footsteps closely behind me, I glanced behind me to catch a glimpse at him, towel flapping behind him form his hand. I let out a laugh as I dived into the room, him two seconds behind me. We slammed the door behind us giggling.

“I can not believe we just did that.” He wheezed between laughing. I leant over and kissed his lips. I felt Tim respond as his hands moved up my legs. There were some advantages of being already naked.

Stigmatized – The Calling