Author's Note: Thanks for the ride...and there is a sequel in process...once I get my word processor working again... LOL

She’s Wearing White 5/5
By Jaclyn Parker

The elevator ride down was a quiet one, as they just held hands and reveled in each other’s presence. Then the elevator doors opened and the newlyweds stepped into the lobby. Following the faint sounds of music they walked hand and hand to the smaller ballroom. They had only invited their closest friends and their dates to the reception, Gil and Catherine both believing that the most important part was the ceremony. Those who really cared understood that this was a time for them to celebrate not entertain a gazillion people. The list had finally come to 25, not including them which suited the happy couple just fine. For Gil it was small enough that he didn’t panic and for Catherine there were just enough people for her to dance around with. Upon reaching the door, Gil let go of Catherine’s hand and opened it for her. She arched her eyebrow at his gentlemanly gesture and he grinned at her. Light and music poured from the room and she saw everyone had arrived and were already dancing to the DJ they had hired. She laughed loudly at the sight of Warrick out on the floor with his date, Julie, trying to teach Greg and his date, Mandy, an intricate step. Apparently she wasn’t the only one who found this amusing because on the edge of the dance floor stood Nick, Sara, Jacqui and her husband Tony, and Mia and her date Walker. All of them were nearly doubled over in laughter at the sight. Catherine nudged Gil to show him but was interrupted by a gleeful shout.

“Mom!” Lindsey’s cry came from off to the left. Catherine whirled around just in time to see her excited daughter fly at her. Bending slightly she caught the girl up in a big hug, but had to release her almost as quickly as the child bounced directly to Gil.

Everyone had time to change as well; they had deliberately made sure of that because of Lindsey. She had so wisely pointed out that while she “totally psyched” about her bridesmaid’s dress it was not going be much fun to dance in. So they had all agreed that an hour would be plenty time for everyone to change in their respective rooms and prepare to party. Lindsey now wore an aqua blue lace dress that came down to just above her knees. It had a wide satin sash along the waist but what Lindsey loved the most was the slightly padded bust above the sash. It had come strapless, but Catherine’s compromise was that they would make a halter strap out of the same satin material as the sash. Lindsey had started to protest but in the end loved her unique dress all the more. Lindsey’s hair was loose now too, just like Catherine’s so when she pulled away from Gil her gentle curls bounced on her shoulders, seemingly to echo the young teen’s excitement.

Grinning at her new stepfather she made a motion next to her and said, “I want you to meet someone. This is my best friend, Katie.”

As Lindsey turned slightly, Gil noticed for the first time that a pretty young Asian girl in a red, satin trimmed, knee length dress. She stood next to Lindsey, smiling shyly and tucking her long jet black hair behind her ears nervously.

“Hi, Katie, I am very glad you could come tonight.” Gil said, shaking the girl’s hand and holding back a smile when she giggled slightly.

“Thank you for inviting me.” Katie said and turned to Catherine. “Congratulations, Ms. Will...I mean, Mrs. Grissom.”

Catherine’s smile grew even wider as she gave the girl a small hug. “Thanks Katie. Lindsey, did you introduce Katie to your cousin Jeremy and his friend Robbie?”

“Not yet, Mom. Come on Katie. Since I could invite you, Jeremy was allowed to bring his friend Robbie. He’s a little quiet, but really hot.” Lindsey said and grabbed Katie’s hand. With a quick wave over their shoulders, the girls were gone as fast as they appeared.

Catherine looked over at Gil, whose face had gone slightly ashen. Frowning she turned to him. “Gil, what’s the matter?”

“Did she just say hot? Is she supposed to be saying things like that already?” Gil asked, his voice bordering on the edge of panic and fierce protectiveness. Catherine just laughed and gently patted her husband’s cheek. If he thought that was bad, just wait until he got wind of Lindsey’s first real, night time, boy-girl dance that was coming up in another month and a half. Catherine only hoped she could get Lindsey out of the house in something other than overalls and a winter sweater.

Lindsey’s cry had alerted the rest of the room that they were there and Kyle McIntyre, the DJ, turned the spotlight on them.

“It’s time for their first dance, folks! Let’s give it up for our beautiful newlyweds, Dr. and Mrs. Gil Grissom” Kyle’s voice boomed out, followed by huge clap of applause. Gil winced slightly at the idea of dancing under a spotlight but Catherine just chuckled as she gently tugged him out onto the dance floor that was now clear of any bodies.

The lights dimmed and the spotlight lit up their space on the floor. Diana Ross’s “When You Tell Me That You Love”, the song they had designated as theirs, came on and Catherine felt Gil pull her close.

She put her left hand on his chest and the right in his left. His right hand came to rest on the spot on her back she now considered his. They began to sway to the soft music and she soon became totally relaxed, letting herself go completely. Gil tugged her closer still and she laid her head down on his chest. He soon brought their hands to rest on his chest next to her cheek. His chin rested on top of her head and he brought her hand, still clasped in his, up to his lips and brushed a kiss atop her knuckles. Catherine let out a small sigh and closed her eyes, letting him take control of the dance. The song ended way too soon for either of them and she felt him pull back slightly. Catherine opened her eyes and looked up into Gil’s face. Her breath caught in her throat at the obvious look of desire turning his normally blue colored eyes into dark pools. Applause sounded again, but Catherine barely noticed. All she could think about was that look that Gil had just given her. With shaking legs she let him lead her off the dance floor over to where her mother, Gil’s mother, and Brass stood.

“Hey, Cath, are you okay? You look a little pale.” Gil asked, placing a hand on her forehead. Catherine shook his hand off and gave him a small glare. With the others around she just quickly said it was nothing, just the heat in the room. Sara, now in a deep coral colored dress, and Mia, in a slinky black and white number, had wandered over as well. The two women had also noticed their friend’s flushed face but instead of being concerned like the two mothers and Brass, they smiled brilliantly. They caught each other’s eye and winked, before giggling. Catherine turned her glare on them and they coughed behind their hands, each giving her a wide-eyed innocent stare.

“Come on, Cath! Let’s show these guys how to really dance!” Mia exclaimed and with a laugh they all entered the dance floor again. That’s where they stayed for three hours straight, only stopping to eat and cut the cake. Finally came the ending moment of the night; tossing the bouquet and the removal of the garter.

“All single women out on the dance floor please!” Kyle said loudly, grinning at the crowd. This was definitely in the top 5 of his favorite parties that he had ever had the privilege to deejay.

Mandy, Julie, Mia, Sara, and even Lily went out onto the floor. Gil caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and turned.

“Oh no, you don’t!” He said, grabbing Lindsey and putting her into a light football hold before she reached the dance floor edge. He half walked, half carried her back over to the head table and set her down. “What are you trying to do? Give me a stroke?”

Lindsey mock glared at him and then burst into laughter. “I was kidding, Dad. Geez...lighten up!”

Gil stood in shock at the name she called him and he shot a look at his wife, who had come up to them before going out onto the floor. Catherine just gave him a look that read ‘I’m as surprised as you’. Lindsey watched their faces and smiled before shrugging as if it was no big deal.

“I figured you earned it. There’s just one thing...I don’t want to change my last name.” Lindsey said and then bit her bottom lip. “So if you don’t want me to call you dad now, I understand.”

Gil swallowed hard before he spoke. “Lindsey, there is nothing better I would like in the world. You don’t have to change your last name for me to feel that you are my daughter. Your dad loved you every much and I could never take that away from you.”

“Thanks...Dad.” She hugged him quickly and then pulled back. Glancing to where Jeremy and Robbie stood chatting by the dance floor she asked, “Uh...you’re not gonna get all weird on me, are you?”

Gil just shook his head and she breathed a sigh of relief. Katie was standing nearby and Lindsey rolled her eyes at her best friend before they made their way to the floor again, this time just to watch. Gil felt Catherine’s hand slide into his and he squeezed hard, not trusting himself to look at her yet. As the DJ called Catherine up to the floor again, he gathered himself together and walked his bride to the front of the dance floor. After a short countdown she gently tossed her smaller bride’s bouquet, the real one already in a freezer waiting to be professionally dried. The rest of the women seemed to part and the flowers seemed to land in Sara’s arms as if Catherine had sent it to her on purpose. But that wasn’t so...or was it?

Sara looked up from the bouquet to Catherine, her eyebrow raised. Catherine just smiled and gave a small wink, causing Sara to blush and hide a grin in the sweet smelling flowers. Kyle had Sara move to stand next to him as he put a chair out for Catherine to sit on.

Gil’s ears grew red as he knelt down by the chair. His bride crossed her legs and leaned back in the chair, as if to say “I’m ready when you are.” He should have known she wouldn’t make this easy on him and he frowned. Then an idea formed in his mind and he made his face go impassive. Her eyes narrowed at this and he just gave her a smile then nodded to the Kyle. The DJ grinned and hit the play button. Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” sounded out through the room, making a lot of them laugh outright. The four young pre-teens made faces and the echo of the word “gross” was heard.

Grissom let his fingers gently stroke up Catherine’s pants leg, his touch light as feather and loving. He got a hold of the baby blue lace garter and tugged it down until just under her knee cap. Here his fingers took a slight detour to the soft skin behind her knee where he knew was her most ticklish spot. He gently, but firmly, pressed his index finger into the dead center and Catherine promptly burst in a peal of laughter. Everyone’s eyes shot wide until they realized what he had done and then they all laughed too. Grissom pulled the garter off and twirled it on his finger, winking at his blushing bride. She mock glared at him, before leaning forward and kissing him. Grissom helped her stand and then turned to where Kyle had gathered the single men in the room. Warrick and Nick shuffled embarrassedly; Brass was frowning gently, but resigned; Mia’s date, Walker, looked decidedly uncomfortable, tugging on his suit collar while glancing at Mia every other second. Jeremy and Robbie had tried to go out onto the floor, but had immediately retreated when given the mother’s “eye of death” from Nancy. Greg seemed to be the only single male who was bouncing in excitement, which could be the reason that when Grissom flung the garter over his shoulder that the youngest CSI on the team caught it easily.

He whooped in delight and waggled his eyebrows at Sara, who sat in the same chair that Catherine had sat in a few moments ago. She in return rolled her eyes and they all held back laughs as he eagerly knelt by the chair to slide the garter up her leg. When it was done Greg’s hand stayed on Sara’s thigh a moment too long and over his shoulder Greg heard a deep cough of annoyance. He turned his head to find Nick with a deep frown on his face. Even in his handsome pin-striped suit, Nick’s toned arms were defined as they crossed over his chest and he raised an eyebrow. Greg gulped and yanked his hand from Sara’s leg like it was on fire.

“Uh, Nick, just going along with tradition, man. No harm meant, really. I know she’s your girl now. Really I do...” Greg rambled glancing at Nick’s muscular build before closing his eyes tight. “Please don’t hurt me.”

Nick suddenly just burst out laughing and clapped Greg on the back, granted a little harder than normal, but still no real intent to harm him. Nick then held his hand out to Sara and pulled her up so she was by his side and he could wrap his arm around her. She grinned at Greg while leaning her head on Nick’s chest. Catherine caught her eye and winked causing Sara to grin wider before ducking her head deeper into Nick’s chest. He bent his head and dropped a kiss on her softly waved brown hair, hugging her tight before motioning towards the table for their champagne.

Everyone knew that Sara and Nick were going on a cruise to St. Thomas the week after Grissom and Catherine got back from honeymooning in Hawaii. What everyone, except Catherine and Grissom, didn’t know was that it was to be a honeymoon cruise. Sara and Nick had gotten married in a small chapel off the strip with Gil and Catherine there to witness only last week. Neither Nick nor Sara had wanted a huge wedding and they especially didn’t want to take the limelight off of Gil and Catherine’s big event. While Catherine and Gil had protested, nothing they could do or say had changed the other couple’s mind and finally had just accepted that it was what they really wanted. The one thing that Catherine had been able to get them to promise her was that she would be the one to break the news to the others when Sara and Nick where on their cruise. Especially Ecklie. She had a special camera with his name on it all ready for the event.

“Okay, folks, it’s time for the last dance. We’re going to let Catherine and Gil start it off and then grab your sweethearts and join in. I hope you all had fun, I know I did! Have a wonderful night and the best of wishes to the bride and groom!” Kyle’s voice boomed out and Gil led Catherine out onto the floor.

The soft strains of “When I See You Smile” by Uncle Sam filled the room and Gil pulled her close to him. In what had always been a perfect fit, Catherine tucked her head under his chin and he rested his cheek on the top of her hair. The wedding, in itself, had been perfect and yet they both knew that it was only the beginning. They would have ups and downs like every other couple, but they would be together Ad at the end of the day, neither could think of anything more perfect than that.