Tim glanced over at the table where his cell phone was ringing. He grabbed it and flipped it open.
"Hello?"
"It's me."
"Hi. How's your... party?"
Calleigh laughed softly.
"Fun. Are you okay?"
"Lonely."
"I'm sorry. I'm pretty bored here myself."
"Why? No one to... entertain you?"
"I guess I'm not one to throw myself at gorgeous guys."
"Ah..."
"Except you. Look I know we're going to be seeing each other in the morning..."
"Why aren't you coming back to the hotel?" This was news to Tim.
"Oh I didn't tell you? I'm Stephanie's maid of honor. She asked me to stay the night with her."
"Oh."
"Yeah. I'm sorry sweetie."
"It's okay."
"I know you're annoyed. I can tell. Listen, I don't want you to say anything or freak out or anything but I'm sitting here, watching these guys strip and I realized that I'd rather be with you. I want to. I want us to last."
"I want us to last too baby." 'Great a day into the relationship and you've already got names for each other.'
"And I'm sitting here and it dawned on me that, not only do I want to be with you but... here's the part where I don't want you to freak out. Tim, I... I love you."
There was silence between the new couple and Calleigh bit her lip as she leaned against the railing.
"Tim?'
"You... you love me?" he stammered.
"Yes. You—"
"Calleigh, I love you..."
"— don't have to say it back." she finished. "You love me?"
"...more than anything."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"I miss you."
"I miss you too."
"I can't wait to see you tomorrow."
"Neither can I."
"Jeez, we're acting like we're the ones getting married."
Tim laughed. Would that one day happen? He really hoped so.
"Well, I'll let you get back to your party." he said.
"I'll let you get back to your... TV. I love you."
"I love you too. I'll see you in the morning."
S/C-------
Calleigh walked over to Tim after the ceremony and he kissed her deeply.
"You look... stunning." he murmured.
"You look very handsome." Calleigh grinned, stroking his clean-shaven cheek. "You shaved."
"Yeah. You left a note in my suit to shave."
"Oh yeah. I forgot about that."
"Mhmm I'm sure you did."
"I like you all scruffy though." Calleigh winked, kissing Tim softly.
"After all the times you bug me to shave?"
"Well I have to find some way to annoy you."
"Are you two coming to the reception or staying here for the night?" Stephanie joked as she walked up to them.
"We're coming." Calleigh smiled. "Everything was beautiful Steph."
"Yeah it was. Congratulations." Tim agreed.
"So are you guys going to be the next wedding we attend?" Stephanie asked. Tim turned red and Calleigh glanced down at her shoes. "I'm kidding! Relax."
S/C------
"I like him Calleigh." Maria, Stephanie's mother said, eyeing Tim across the room. "You better hold on to him."
"I plan on it." she smiled. Tim looked over at her, their eyes met, and he smiled. She returned it and the girls around her sighed.
"He is so sweet." Stephanie smiled. Her sister, Dana, nodded in agreement.
"And cute." she giggled. "How did you guys meet?"
"We work together at CSI." Calleigh replied. "Excuse me..."
She walked over to where Tim was standing with the guys and slipped her hand into his. He glanced down at her and slipped an arm around her waist.
"Boy, I could tell you some stories about Calleigh." one of the guys, Dave, smirked.
"And I could tell you some stories about Davey." she smirked back.
"Yours are a lot worse."
"I didn't come here to chit-chat. Can I borrow him for a while boys?" Calleigh asked. They let out a few whistles and Calleigh gave them a look as she dragged Tim off to the dance floor.
"Calleigh, I don't dance." he mumbled, pulling her closer to him.
"You do too dance. Remember that night at the club?" she asked, snaking her arm around his neck.
"I'm never going drinking with you again. You just find out all of my secrets."
"Have I thanked you for coming with me?"
"Once every ten minutes." Tim smiled, making Calleigh giggle. He lifted her chin gently and stared longingly into her eyes.
"What?" she asked.
"I was just thinking about how happy I am that we're together. You're all I've wanted for a long time and so much more."
Calleigh smiled and felt Tim's fingertips on her cheek.
"You had a tear." he smirked. "I didn't mean to make you cry."
"No. You're just so sweet and I wonder what I did to deserve you."
"You're perfect. I'm wondering what I did to deserve you."
From her table, Stephanie sighed, watching the couple. She was happy for Calleigh. She had been there through all the rough times Calleigh had had growing up and she deserved some good in her life. Tim was obviously that.
"I don't think it'll be long before you're going to their wedding." her mother smiled. "Look how happy they are together."
"They are." Stephanie agreed.
