Chapter Thirteen:
He breathed in deeply as he stepped back into the lab and tried his best to get into work mode. He stuck his hands into his pockets as he stood there and listened to Greg rattle on about evidence inconsistent with the crime scene. He didn't care. He didn't know the case. He didn't know the victim. He didn't want to at that moment. He just wanted a moment in which he could walk into his office, shut the door and then tell himself he was now a married man. Everything had changed. He felt the gold band on his finger and he found his other fingers fondling it.
He pulled out the completed paperwork and hand delivered it to personnel. As he walked away, he felt a slight grin tug at his mouth as he hurried back to the lab. He knew they would all be waiting there with the questions. He had answers now. He had lots of them but he did not want to share. They were his and his alone. He did not want anything to hinder the precious relationship that had been reestablished.
The assignments were handed out and then he was out of the room before the first question could be tossed out. They stared at one another as they watched him walk away. He stood now in an autopsy. He glanced at the body while he read the report and he noticed how the victim's left finger was discolored.
"Did the victim wear a wedding ring?" he asked to Doc.
"Yes. It's part of her effects," he said.
"Husband been notified?" he asked.
"Still trying to locate him….they were separated," he said.
He nodded slightly.
We're not separated….
We're just apart….
She's on a trip…
She's coming back…
"Gil?"
"Hmmm?"
"You okay?" asked Doc.
"Yes," he said as he turned and headed out of the morgue.
I'm fine…
I'm married and I know where she is…
She's fine…
He found himself once more listening to Nick and Greg continue their argument about the evidence.
The ring fits my finger…
It doesn't bother me like I thought it would…
It's no burden…
It's part of me…
Part of our vows…
To honor and cherish…
"Griss?"
"Hmmmm?"
"What do you think?' asked Nick.
"I think the two of you need to work this out," said Grissom as he headed out the door and to the break room.
He opened the cabinet and started to reach for a coffee cup.
Her old cup still remained.
He took it and filled it.
It warmed him.
The ring caught the lighting and it glistened.
"When were you going to tell anyone you were married?" asked Brass.
"I wasn't hiding it," he said with a grin.
"The ring looks good on your finger," Brass said as he extended his hand.
He shook it.
"I don't need to ask about Sara. The ring speaks volumes," he said.
Grissom smiled.
"Did you need something?"
"I was coming to pump you for information. The others called and said you told them nothing."
"They didn't ask," said Grissom taking a sip of coffee.
"They were afraid," said Brass.
"She's good," said Grissom.
"I'm glad," he said.
He continued to sip the coffee.
Brass stared at the ring.
He grinned. "She really is fine, isn't she?"
"She still needs some time to herself," he said.
He turned to leave but stopped.
"Dinner at the diner later to celebrate?" Brass asked.
He nodded.
Grissom said nothing as he walked in and slid into his regular spot.
He opened the menu and tried to concentrate but the others would have none of it.
"You could have told us," said Catherine.
"Your investigators," he said. "I wasn't hiding anything."
"Congratulations," said Warrick and Nick in unison.
Grissom smiled as he shook their hand.
Greg said nothing but extended his hand.
After a glance or two, Grissom spoke, "She misses everyone. She'll be in contact when she can."
They understood.
She wasn't ready.
They could wait.
He sat there on the bed with Hank by his side.
He had survived twenty four hours without her.
He sighed.
He counted the minutes on his clock and waited.
He smiled when his phone rang.
"Sleep well?" he asked.
"Better," she said.
She had.
"What are your plans for today?" he asked.
"Making sand castles," she said.
"I'm envious," he said.
"A couple is spending their vacation here for a week," she said. "Their son reminds me of you."
"Me?"
"I caught him examining a dead fish. He did a thorough autopsy. His mother didn't like it. I talked with her," she said.
"Did you explain it was normal curiosity…"
"I told her about you," said Sara with a smile.
"And she's not going to put her son in therapy?" he teased.
"He wants to make a sandcastle. I agreed to help," she said.
"Going to do the whole moat and…"
"What's a castle without a moat," she said.
He grinned.
"I wish I was there," he said.
"Me too," she said.
"Text me a picture," he said.
"I'll do that," she said.
"Had breakfast?" he asked.
"I was waiting for you," she said.
"So what is it today?" he asked as he hurried to the kitchen.
"I was going to try waffles," she said.
He fumbled through the shelves.
"Ready?" he asked.
They each cook their waffles timing it perfectly so that they sat down together hundreds of miles away to eat the same meal.
"I think I'm getting better," she said.
"Good," he whispered.
He took a bite with each bite she took.
"Done?" he asked.
"Finished," she said.
They cleared away the dishes.
"Taken your medicine?" she asked.
He reached for his blood pressure medicine and took it.
"Vitamins?" he asked.
"Done," she said.
He returned to the bedroom and lay down.
She slipped on her jacket and stepped out onto the deck.
"Sleep well," she said.
"Play fair," he said.
"Gil?"
"Yeah?"
"I dreamed about us," she said. "It was a good dream."
He swallowed the lump forming in his throat.
"I love you," he said.
"I love you too," she said.
Note from author:
I like the fluff too but I feel something in the air…Please continue with the reviews.
Take care,
Penny