Meant to Be

chapter 3

Eric swung the Hummer in the parking lot of the cleaners just as he saw the proprietor close and lock the door. He jumped out and sprinted to the door to catch him before he got into his car.

" Excuse me , sir," Eric called loudly.

" I don't have anything," the elderly man said as he continued to look at the ground.

" No sir, I need to get a tux out of there," Eric replied looking into the darkened building.

" I'm sorry young man, but we're closed. See it says it right here, Saturdays eight to one thirty. It's one thirty nine."

" I really need to get in there. A friend of mine is getting married today and he needs his tux," Eric tried.

"Well he had all day to get it. I'm off the clock, going to enjoy the rest of the day at the club," the elderly man said as he started to walk away. " have a good day, young man."

" Come on, please. This is a matter of life and death."

The elderly man chuckled to himself as he stopped and turned to face the young Hispanic. He then noticed the badge that was clipped on his belt. " You a cop?"

Eric glanced down at his badge and gestured to it half heartedly, " A CSI actually."

"CSI?"

" Yeah, I investigate crime scenes."

" Really? Like they do on tv?" the elderly man said ,intrigued.

" Not quite," Eric replied as he smirked a little. It always amused him how people reacted when he told them what he did for a living. " It would really help if I could get that tux."

The elderly man grinned from ear to ear and fumbled for the keys. They wouldn't believe this at the club. " Well, I think I can help you out , this time. But next time, tell your friend to prioritize."

Eric smiled as the door was opened and he walked through, " I keep trying to tell him that."

Eric then paid the elderly man and watched him as he locked up the building once more, " Thank you sir. You have just saved a life today."

" Glad I could help," the man returned as he got into his car and left. Eric walked to the Hummer with the tux in hand and got in. Before he pulled off, he noted the time, 1:45. It would take him almost fifteen minutes to get back across town to the lab. He just hoped and prayed that Speed would be there waiting.

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Calleigh opened the door to the spacious dressing room in the rear of the church. She took the dress out of the plastic and hung it neatly from the door, hoping to get any last minute wrinkles out. She then turned to Alexx and Maxine as they hung their dresses up as well. After all of the planning and the headaches, her day had finally arrived. She heard her cell phone as it rang from her pocket and she flipped it open, knowing who it was already.

" Daddy," Calleigh said calmly.

" How's my lambchop doing? Are you ready for the big day?"

" Yes, daddy. Are you in town?"

" I am indeed. I brought your brother along with me."

" Thomas? I thought that he was busy at school," Calleigh said with surprise in her heart. She had not seen her youngest brother in almost ten years.

" I told him that he was coming to his sister's wedding or I was going to stop paying his tuition," Kenwall Duquense drawled.

"Daddy, you didn't have to threaten him .I would've understood. I mean , I'm dealing with the fact that mom isn't coming."

" I'm sorry about that , Calleigh. I know it must be hard on you..."

"Oh no, I'm okay with it really. It's her lost." Calleigh retorted. " When are you coming to the church?"

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes, darlin'," Kenwall said with heavy emotion. His daughter was getting married.

" Daddy are you crying?"

" I'm just so happy for you, Lambchop."

" Thank you daddy. I'll see you here," Calleigh said as she flipped the phone down. She glanced at her friends as they were putting on their jewelry. " Daddy, is so sweet."

Alexx smiled and motioned her over to the huge mirror, " Calleigh, it's a tradition. You give something borrowed, something blue, something old and something new. I got you these," Alexx said as she produced the antique diamond drop earrings. " This is the something borrowed, so that means I get these back."

Calleigh laughed out loud then went to hug her. She really couldn't ask for better friends. Maxine stepped up with a slender box in her hand.

" I was in charge of getting you something new. So here it is..."

" Maxie, I don't know if I want to open it. I know how you are," Calleigh said as she took the box from her hand.

" Cal, I'm hurt," Maxine said feigning a disappointing tone. " Just open it."

Calleigh pulled open the ribbon and opened the box and tears quickly rose into her eyes as she lifted up the antique diamond necklace. " Oh Maxine, you shouldn't have. It's beautiful. Thank you."

" You are so welcome. There's more. Look under the wrapping," Maxine said with a chuckle.

Calleigh looked then dropped the paper and glanced to Maxine. It was a baby blue garter.

" I knew you couldn't keep it clean," Calleigh said with a smile.

" Well, that leaves something old and something new," Alexx said as she helped Calleigh put on the necklace.

" I've got that covered," Calleigh said turning around. She walked over to her bag and produced an old lace handkerchief. " It was my great grandmama's. Daddy gave it to me the day I told him that Tim had proposed."

Alexx and Maxine both fought the tears as Calleigh held the handkerchief in her hands. After the silence for a moment, Alexx wiped the tears from her eyes and gestured to the white dress.

" I think it's time that you put on something new."

Maxine met Alexx at the dress and helped her take it off the rack. Then they both helped Calleigh as she slipped the dress over her head and smoothed it down. When Alexx had finished buttoning the last button, she pulled the train out and laid it gently behind her. The room was filled with a hush as Calleigh stood there, staring at herself. She was gorgeous.

" My God, Timmy's really going to have a coronary when he sees you in this dress," Alexx said as she stood off to the side. Calleigh glanced at her and smiled lightly. This was really happening.

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Speed hurried into the trace lab and deposited the evidence on to the tables. Not so soon after he arrived, Belmontes burst through the doors and quickly put on his lab coat. He glanced at the clock on the wall behind Tim and pushed him out of the way.

" You've got less than an hour, my friend ,to get to the church. Go, I have this."

" Thanks, Sam. I'll save you some cake," Tim said as he backed up and walked out of the trace lab. When he got into the corridor, he saw Horatio as he stepped out of his office, dressed in his tux.

" What are you still doing here, Speed?" Horatio said as he walked down the stairs while buttoning his cufflinks.

" I'm leaving right now. Have you seen Delko?" Tim answered as he glanced out to the parking lot.

" No. Did he make it to the cleaners on time?"

" I don't know , H," Tim responded as he heard his cell phone chirp to life. " Speedle."

" Speed, get your ass out here. You've got thirty minutes to get to the church," Eric said as he pulled into the parking lot.

" You got the tux?"

" You got your shoes?" Ericshot back.

" They're in my locker," Tim said as he raced down the hall and into the stairwell. It took him less than two minutes to reach the locker room.

" What the hell are they doing in your locker?" Eric asked as he heard Tim open his locker. " Hurry up. Speed."

" I'm coming ," Tim said as he flipped the phone down. He made the two flights easily and huffed as he passed Horatio . " See you at the church , H."

Horatio nodded at the form as he pushed the door open and jumped in the Hummer. He then straightened his tie and walked to his own Hummer and proceeded to the church. This was going to work out after all.

TBC...