AN: Thanks for the support, here is the next chapter, and I would also like to give you all a little warning, things are about to take a very sharp turn, but trust me.

Chapter 4: Just when things were becoming perfect...

When it came to their wedding vows, they recited their own while their thoughts turned back to the night that changed their relationship in more than one way.

Flashback

2 years ago

Christmas, 2030

(Paris, France)

After leaving the apartment complex, they headed back towards Bella's aunt and uncle's place that was a little ways outside of the city, and once they got there, but before they got out of the vehicle, he cleared his throat and said. "Bella, I know how much you wanted to tell your uncle about our engagement, but..."

She cuts him off while slipping the ring off her finger. "You want to tell your parents first."

"Yeah, I'm so..."

She cuts him off again as she cupped his cheek. "It's ok, I understand."

He brings her hand up and kisses it softly as he whispered. "Thank you."

"You have nothing to thank me for, but you're welcome."

After a sweet kiss on the lips, they get out of the vehicle before walking towards the door of the one story, but with a big basement, two bedroom house.

(Later that evening)

Once they had finished their Christmas festivities, they retreated to the basement, where it had been remolded into a big bedroom, plus a bathroom for when Bella and William come visit so they could have their own space, then after about an hour later, William called his parents/family.

When he finished the call, he headed back to the bed, where he saw Bella looking at the engagement ring, and she spoke with a smile after thoroughly examining it. "This is an old ring, isn't it?"

He moved to sit up on the right side of the bed and nodded while wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Yeah, is that um, is that ok?"

Bella looked at her fiancé. "You knew it would be, I rather have something that has a history behind it, then something new."

Outside of the charm bracelet she had gotten on her sixteenth birthday from William, any jewelry she did ware, which wasn't much, it was all handed down to her from someone she knew.

"I know, but if you wanted it, I could have gotten you a ring where you can start your own history, your own story."

"While you do make a good point, I would like to add to this story, honestly." When he saw the truth in her eyes, he nodded before she asked with a smile. "So, how far back are we talking here?"

William smiled as he looked at the ring that was passed down to his father, which in turn Sara gave to him awhile ago, knowing Bella was going to be his 'one' so she wanted him to be prepared for when he was ready to make that step. "My Great-Grandma."

"And what is the best story you know about it?"

He paused for a second before chuckling. "Well, I don't know if it's the best story, but it is a pretty funny one."

"Ooh, I'm intrigued. Tell me more."

"Ok, but you can't repeat this to dad, I don't think he even knows mom knows it." After Bella nodded, he continued. "My mom told me that grandma 'told' her that when dad was a little boy, he took the ring out of her jewelry box and gave it to a little girl at school because she liked bugs."

Bella chuckled before asking. "Oh no, what happened after that?"

He smiled as he continued. "You would be right if you thought my grandma would be mad and told him to get the ring back, and when he asked for it back, the little girl chucked it at him and never spoke to him again, I guess she ended up liking a boy who was into plants."

She chuckled again before saying with a hint of teasing and seriousness. "Well, I guess everything worked out in the end for him."

He nodded with another smile. "I would have to agree with you there."

There was a moments pause before she asked after clearing her throat. "And you're ok with waiting, for the wedding, I mean?"

"As much as I want us to be married, and like I said when I was proposing, I know it will take us a few years to get there. Just as long as I end up being your husband, I'm ok with taking the scenic route."

She cupped his cheek, falling in love with this man all over again. "Me too, and you know that I love you, right?"

He nodded with a smile. "I do, and I love you too."

He started to lean towards her to kiss her, but she pulls back and whispers. "Hold that thought."

She was turning her body so she could place the ring on her nightstand, but he stops her. "Wait, let me see that, please." She turned back around so she was looking at him, then he took the ring from her fingers and took her right hand before he spoke with a smile. "Even though we know this engagement is as official as it gets, why don't we let them see it's unofficial until you're ready to take the next step."

She smiled as she asked. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Ok."

After sliding the ring on her ring finger on her right hand, they started kissing, and as things started to become a little more passionate, her fingers were going to the buttons of his shirt, and while this was not the first time his shirt has came off during these moments, her movements felt more sure of what she was doing, how far she wanted to go this time, so he slowed them down and pulled back before asking with his loving eyes and comforting tone. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, and thank you for waiting these last two years, I'm sure they've felt like an eternity for you."

He cupped her cheek and ran his thumb up and down it. "You remember what we talked about on prom night?"

"You wanted our relationship to grow gradually."

"And I still mean that, I don't care how long I've waited, or much longer I have to continue to wait, I want this to be right for you."

She nodded with tears in her eyes. "And you don't know how much that means to me, how much you being patient with me without making me feel like I'm doing something wrong, means to me. But at some point our relationship does need to grow, and I'm ready for that, I'm ready for us to grow together."

After seeing the reassurance, love and desire in her eyes, he nodded with a smile. "Ok, I'm ready too, but are you sure right here, right now, we can do something a little more..."

She cuts him off as she moved to pin him down on the bed. "All I need is you."

While she looked down at him, he looked up as he said sincerely. "And you have me, all of me."

When she realized how this looked, she looked at him shyly as she eased her grip on his arms, and as she was moving to get off of him, he placed his hand on her hip to keep her there while he moved to sit up so now they were closer to one another, and she looked down as she whispered. "But as ready as I feel I am, I can't deny that I am nervous too."

He lifted her chin up and cupped her cheek again and replied with love. "Me too, but know I will do everything that I can to make you feel safe."

"I know you will, I trust you, and love you."

"I love you too, so much."

When their lips touched a moment later, they went more on their feelings and instincts, only falling in love more than they already were.

End of Flashback

The final moment of their thoughts finished just as they exchanged rings, then the preacher continued his speech. "Now with the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife, William Arthur Grissom II, you may now kiss your bride."

William smiled happily as he cupped his new wife's cheek. "Wouldn't mind if I do." Before bringing her to him so they could share their first kiss as husband and wife while friends/family started cheering.

When they finally pulled back, there was another round of cheering after the preacher finished his speech. "I would like to present you, Mr. and Mrs. Grissom."

The newlywed couples smiled before William said. "Now, a party at mom and dad's house, I expect to see you all there."

After one more round of cheering, they all walked up to the couple and personally congratulated them, and while the group was breaking up so they could go to their vehicles, Sara smiled at her husband. "I'm going to catch a ride with Catherine and Warrick."

He nodded with a smile. "Ok, I'll see you at home in a bit, I'm going to make a quick stop before getting the ice."

Knowing where he was talking about, she replied. "Can you tell them I said 'Hi'?"

"You got it."

"I love you."

"Love you too."

They kiss softly before she walked with Catherine and Warrick to their vehicle.

Grissom took a moment to watch his family walk to their vehicles before he looked at the horizon and smiled with a happy sigh, he had to admit the ceremony was beautiful, and seeing his son so happy made it even more so.

His time to himself was interrupted a second later when he felt his son's hand on his shoulder and heard his voice. "You mind if I tag along?"

He looked at his son with a raised eyebrow and smile. "What about your wife?"

Grissom watched his son's eyes get brighter than ever before at the mention of the word wife, then he shook his head. "The girl's got her."

"Ok, then shall we?"

William nodded with a smile before father and son headed for his vehicle, which before they got there, Grissom pulled the keys of his pocket and tossed them to his son. "Why don't you drive."

"Gladly."

They put their shoes on before getting in, then after William started it, they headed for the nearby flower shop before heading to the cemetery to see Grissom's parents/William's grandparents.

When they got there, they took a moment of silence, then filled with emotion, William knelt down and started speaking. "Hi Grandma, Grandpa, we'll your grandchild is a married man now." He chuckled and shook his head. "A part of me still can't believe I'm old enough to be married." He took a breath before he continued. "It was a beautiful ceremony, and the only thing that I wish was that you both were there, but I guess in a way you were, huh? I love her so much, and I hope that you would have approved of the woman I'm going to spend the rest of my life with, and that I'm making you proud." He looked at his grandpa's 'William Arthur Grissom' tombstone, and said. "That I'm worthy of your name." He took one more breath and finished. "I love you guys, and I'll talk to you soon."

As he stood up, Grissom pats him on the shoulder and whispered with emotion. "You are, son."

William just smiled as he stepped to the side so his father could take his place, and after a deep breath, Grissom knelt down, placed both flower bouquets down before he started to speak. "Hi mom, dad, the family is dong well, but you probably already know that. Sara says 'hi' and we all love and miss you. I also want to take a moment to thank you for everything you've given me. I know I say that every time that I come here, but I don't think there will ever be enough thank yous for what you've done for me, I couldn't have asked for better parents, I love you guys, always."

Grissom took one more moment before he stood up, then he looked at his son and asked. "You ready?"

William nodded, and after one more bye, father and son headed back to the vehicle so they could make one more stop before heading home.

Once they arrived back in town, William drove them to the closest convenience store/gas station to the house that they could, and after parking next to the gas pump, they both get out, and while William dealt with getting the gas, Grissom headed for the doors of the store.

He wasn't in there for more than a few seconds when William heard it, the sound that still makes him wake up in a cold sweat sometimes when he dreams about the day his mom saved his life. Before a second 'bang' was heard, William was already running towards the door, yelling "Dad!"

He was just about there when the door opened, and a young man no older than 18 came rushing out of the building with a scared look and gun in his hand, William only saw him for a split second before he took off running to the left while William rushed into the store, and seeing his father laying on the floor with a gunshot wound to his chest while he was struggling on his breathing was probably the scariest thing he's ever seen in his life, but that wasn't stopping him with what he had to do, so he took the quick steps to him, got on his knees and quickly placed his hands on his wound and spoke with emotion. "Dad?"

Grissom opened his eyes, trying to breath and speak. "S...son...you...ok?"

He sobbed/chuckled while shaking his head. "I'm not the one that got shot."

He nodded and closed his eyes for a second. "Go...ood." Then he opened them again. "Lisst..een, tell yo..ur...mom...that..."

William cuts him of with the most determined voice Grissom had ever heard from him. "No! Don't you dare say that to me! You are not going to give up now, you are going to tell her and my sisters that you love them yourself, this is not how we are saying goodbye, not today! I won't let that happen, I refuse to let that happen!"

Grissom just nodded as he closed his eyes again, his energy dwindling each second, as William used one of his hands to get his phone out of his suit jacket pocket, dials 911 before putting the phone on speaker and laying it on the floor so he could place his hand back on the wound again.

"Los Angeles police department. How can I help you today?"

"Yeah, I need an ambulance as quickly as you can get one here, my father has been shot!"

In-between soothing his father, he was relaying all the information he could about what had happened, and by the time the ambulance came, his father had lost consciousness, but he was still breathing.

When they placed him in the back of the ambulance, William wasted no time getting in the back, taking his father's hand and speaking to him once they were settled so he could feel and hear him, wanting him to know that he wasn't leaving his side for as long as he could.

(At the Hospital)

Kelly, now 46 and a mother of three, was standing at the nurses station on the main floor with a 46 year old surgeon named Travis McCoy, who had transferred here from New York about 2 months ago, whom she was already acquainted with since they met in medical school years ago. He was 6'0, had an athletic build with medium length blond hair and blue eyes.

They had just finished up a conversation about the past and was giving one another a very intense look when their moment was interrupted a second later by the paramedics with a patient on the gurney, so Travis immediately walked up to them to get what information he could, while Kelly stayed back, but the minute she saw William walk in right behind them with his dress shirt stained in red, she gasped as she rushed up to him. "William! What happ..." Then she looked down at the gurney and gasped again with tears in her eyes when she saw who it was. "Oh my god, No!"

Travis looked at her with concern after her very strong reaction, and asked. "Kelly, you know this man?" She looked at him, nodding her head with a pleading look, and he continued while placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm going to do everything I can, I promise."

"Thank you."

Travis nodded, and after squeezing her shoulder lightly, he lead the paramedics away so he could do his job and save this man's life.

When they were out of sight, Kelly looked at the distraught/shocked looking William and asked. "What happened?"

He shook his head. "I, we uh, we stopped at the store to get ice...I uh...I..." He shook his head again and looked at Kelly with a deep sadness that broke her heart. "I..I don't know how I'm going to tell mom about this, how do I tell mom about this?"

Kelly puts a comforting hand on the young man's shoulder and said softly. "I can do it, if you want me to?"

Deep down he did feel it was his responsibility to make that call, but like he said, he didn't know how he could do it.
Grissom was his father, but he knows how much his father meant to his mother, he knows the type of love they share, he has his own like theirs, and hearing this type of news would break her, it would break him, even more than he felt now, and another part of him knew he couldn't be the one to do that to her, so he nodded. "Please?"

Kelly gave him a reassuring smile with a nod before saying. "Why don't you go sit down, you look like you're about to fall over."

William nodded before he started walking towards the chairs, and Kelly watched him for a minute before walking outside, needing a little air as she was about to make the toughest call she's ever made to the Grissom family. She's use to calling them and their extended family when they were expecting a baby, not something like this.

(15 minutes later)

With her heart racing as her world was spinning like it has never spun before, Sara rushed into the hospital, Bella and Katie not far behind her, and turned her head towards the chairs, where her son was with his head down, and started speed walking up to him. "William!"

William lifted his head up at the sound of his mother's voice before standing up, giving her a chance to see the blood on his dress shirt, making her eyes get wide as she looked at him with even more concern than she was already feeling. "Physically I'm ok, it's not mine, It's..."

He trails off as mother and son get into a hug, then he holds her tighter than he's ever done before and cried like Bella had never heard before.

Sure she's seen him sad, and emotional to the point where tears came out of his eyes, but this time it was different, it was so raw and deep that she felt every bit of his heartache, even more considering what she had felt herself, because after all, through marriage, he was now her father too, the best father any 'child' could have hoped to have.

Katie took a few more seconds being away from them before she rushed to her mother and brother, where she was immediately wrapped in their arms, needing one another more than ever before.

After getting a ride to the convenience store/gas station from Bella's aunt and uncle, Isabella used the spear key to her father's vehicle that Sara had given her, and got in, then she turned her head and looked towards the entrance of the store, where it was sealed off with tape as CSI's and police officers were walking in and out, and she could just image the events that happened in there, then she looked away, closed her eyes before she started crying, letting all that emotion out now that she was alone.

This was not how today was suppose to go, they were adding to the family, not subtracting, especially her rock, the one man, outside of a few others, that she looked up to, whose opinion mattered the most to her.
He led by example on how to be honorable, showed how a real man treated the woman he loved, and that it was ok to show emotion. She just wasn't ready to say goodbye to her dad, there was still so many moments she needed to share with him, more memories she wanted to lock up in her mind that would get her through the worst times.

She shook her head a few moments later and thought. 'No! I won't think like that. We'll get those moments, he'll fight for us, he'll fight for mom.' She knew without a doubt that if there was one person in this family her dad would fight tooth and nail for, it was her mom.

She wiped her tears away, took a breath before starting the vehicle then she started to drive to the exit of the parking lot before stopping, and in that moment she felt she had two different directions to go, one, she could go left and it would lead her to the hospital, or she could go right and seek comfort from a friend.

Not a lot of people knew this, but she couldn't stand hospitals, even though personally nothing warranted her to go to them, except to see the babies that entered this family, but there was just something about them that freaked her out, and going there now, with the current situation as it was, will only freak her out/make her even more antsy than normal, so with that thought, she took a breath and turned right.

When she reached the parking lot to the apartment complex, she parked the vehicle, turned it off, got out and locked it before rushing towards the door to the building, pressed the button to the apartment she wanted and spoke. "Hey, it's me, I could really use a friend right now."

The door buzzed open a second later and she opened it before walking in, closing the door behind her.

(At the Hospital)

After several minutes had passed, Sara pulls back from her kids before cupping each of their cheeks, then she sniffled before speaking in a more determined voice than she felt, trying to reassure her kids the best she could while also trying to reassure herself, already knowing the odds of him coming back to them was. "Ok, your father, despite his age, is a strong, healthy man. There is no way he's leaving us today, this isn't his time, you got it?" Katie and William both nodded before she wiped their tears away and brings them in another hug.

A few moments later, William pulls back and looks at his mother, and she cups his cheek with a slight smile and nod, then after a few swipes of her thumb up and down, she removed her hand before he started walking towards his wife, who was looking at him with a strong, unbreakable look, but the minute he brought her in his arms, he whispered in her ear. "It's ok to cry. I got you."

And while her cry was more of a sob, he still felt her heartache, so he held her tighter.

When she was finally calmed down, they pull back and he said softly. "I'm sor..."

But she cuts him off as she cupped his cheek. "You have nothing to be sorry about. No one could have predicted this happening, and now that it did, we are exactly where we need to be."

He cupped her cheek and ran his thumb up and down it as he whispered. "I love you."

"I love you too." Her eyes started to fill up with tears again as she whispered. "I can't stop thinking if something were to happen to you too, I don't know..."

He cuts her off while bringing her back in arms for a hug. "You didn't lose me, I'm right here. I'm right here, honey, and I'm not going anywhere any time soon, our life together is just getting started."

She took a shuddering breath as she held on to him just a little tighter, hoping that the start of their married life wasn't happening without a key member of the family, there was also some moments she wanted to share with him.

AN: Now how fast do you want the next chapter? Thanks for reading, and please review.