Chapter 6

Sara stood before the long mirror in the dressing room. Her dress was a true white. The bodice was haphazardly studded with dainty pearls.

The tiny straps were embossed with transparent hand sewn sequins. She'd bought the dress a decade ago convinced that she had found her soul mate. She sighed. She had been wrong.

The back dipped dangerously low to reveal a small tattoo above her right hip. He once told Sara that she reminded him of ladybug

"Ladybugs beat there wings 85 times in a second. Your mind probably works at the speed."

She had dazzled him with her gap toothed smile.

He had pushed a loose curl behind her ear. "If you squeeze a lady bug to hard it will bite but it won't hurt and probably won't leave a mark. It's just trying to tell you to back off.

He leaned closer to her. She had felt his breath on her face. "They do things in there own time, in their own way. They don't make concessions to the environment or to Mother Nature. They are who they are."

He had kissed her on that crisp fall night in Boston. She had expected more but it never happened. She had to continued to wait, believing that would eventually make their way to one another. It was time to let go of that dream. She stood and moved toward the door.

Nick met the others as they got out of the car. "Okay so what's the plan?"

They all turned to look at Grissom. Catherine was pleased to see look of resolved determination set in his handsome features. was set in his handsome features. This was the Grissom she knew so well.

"Take me to Sara."

Nick ushered them to a dark lobby. They were about to turn down a long hallway when Alan appeared. Grissom studied the man. He was a bit taller than Grissom. He had hair the color of black shoe polish. "Probably dyes it. How could Sara fall for a man that dyes his hair?" He wore a well cut black suit and a monochromatic silver blue tie. His intelligent eyes narrowed at the sight of Grissom. "Who are you?"

Grissom peeled off his sun glasses and regarded the other man.

"I'm Gil Grissom"

"I see and why are you here Dr. Grissom. It is my understanding that you and Sara don't have anything else to talk about."

"Your understanding is wrong."

"I won't allow you to upset my wife to be on our wedding day."

"Well see that's where you are wrong, No one allows Sara to do anything."

They all turned as they heard a door open to the right of the group. It was followed by the delicate click clack of heels on the polished floor. As Sara came into view, she first spotted Catherine and her face broke into a warm smile. "Thank God you are here. I need your help with..."

As Grissom stepped into view, Sara's mouth opened to speak but no words came out.

For a nanosecond she was transported to the first time he had called her by her first name ten years ago.

Ms. Siddle may I see you for a second?

Yes Dr. Grissom.

I know you had a number of questions that didn't get answered. I would like to set aside some time to answer them for you?

"I will on one condition."

She marveled at the blue of his eyes. She'd never seen anyone quite as shy as he seemed to be.

"Yes?"

He wondered how her dark hair would feel to the touch. He'd never seen anyone as beautiful as she was. Did she know how beautiful she was?

"Only if you call me Sara."

"Sara it is."

"Sara" His voice held a primitive pleading.

"I can't believe you." Sara looked at her friends. Her eyes had narrowed to slits. "How can you bring him here? Grissom I know that is not a big deal for you but this is my wedding day and I don't want you here. Do you hear me Grissom I don't want you here. Leave."

She spat the last word and disappeared down the hall where she had emerged from