Meant To Be

Chapter 5

Tim emerged from the restroom fully dressed and shaved. Although it looked bleak , he still held out hope that he and Calleigh would be married before the end of the day. He glanced at Eric as he sat down in the chair and smiled lightly. If it hadn't been for Eric, he wouldn't have gotten this far. He had definitely come through for Tim on many occasions and he figured that this wouldn't be the last time that the cuban would save his hide. Tim approached Eric and sat down next to him and stared at the floor then back up to him.

" What?" Eric asked as he saw Tim's demeanor.

" I didn't thank you for picking up my tux," Tim said sheepishly.

" Hey, man, don't worry about it. Isn't that what best friends do for each other? You got my back , I got yours."

Tim felt the emotion fill up in his chest and gulped hard. Not since losing his best friend all those years ago, had he felt comfortable enough to show and receive true emotion. But with Eric Delko, friendship came easy.

" You're right, best man," Tim said as he offered his hand. " You still have the ring?"

Eric nodded and then reached into his pocket, coming up empty. He glanced at Tim then searched the other pocket. Tim watched him in fear as he was unable to find it.

"Please tell me that you have the ring, Delko."

Ericlaughed and pulled the tiny gray box from his jacket, " Now , would I do that to you?"

Tim let out a relieved sigh, " Now if I could just get that on Calleigh's finger."

Easier said than done at this point.

S/CS/C/S/CS/C

Alexx paced the floor in the corridor as she held the cell phone to her ear. When someone finally picked up , she stopped pacing.

" The Continental, may I be of service?" a perky voice said.

" Yes , is Casper in?"

" One moment please."

Alexx waited a minute longer and tapped her foot. Then the line clicked and she was greeted by a husky voice.

" Casper Gooden."

" Cas, it me , Alexx."

" Alexx! How are you doing?" Casper said with surprise and joy in his voice. " It's been what, three years?"

" Yeah, time seems to fly doesn't it?"

" Sure it does. I can't thank you enough for what you did for me. You saved my life. Every since the accident, I've had a new look on life, and I owe it all to you."

" Then you wouldn't mind if I asked you a favor?"

"Anything for you, Alexx. Name it."

" Is your ballroom free today?"

Horatio stood patiently by the door of the women's restroom, glancing at his watch. He felt like a heel for asking Speed to take the crime scene this morning and so he felt partly responsible for the events that were now unfolding. He didn't know if he could face Tim or Calleigh if this didn't happen for them. He sighed heavily and then looked up to see Alexx striding down the corridor, her long brown hair flowing behind her. When she reached him, she took a deep breath and smiled.

" I found another place, Horatio. I know someone at the Continental and he said that the ballroom is open tonight. We can have the wedding on the beach and the reception in the ballroom."

" That's great, Alexx."

" Yeah, now we have to get the word out. I have a feeling that the guests are getting kinda antsy, especially seeing the casket and the flowers. I'll tell Calleigh and you let the guests know, then grab Speed. I'll meet you there."

Horatio nodded and moved into action, feeling somewhat odd that he was given orders. He quickly walked into the sanctuary and stood in front of the guests that had already been seated. In the rear of the church he could see the limousines that were pulling up , filled with grieving family members. He cleared his throat and spoke calmly.

" Everybody, can I have your attention? There has been a slight misunderstanding . A scheduling problem has occurred and we are going to move the wedding to the Contiential on Collins. We hope to see you there. Thank you." Horatio waited until the guests started to get up and then walked out the side door, heading for the men's dressing room. His only mission now was to get Speed to the hotel.

" Calleigh?" Alexx called from outside the locked restroom door. " I've fixed it. Come on, we have to get going."

She heard Calleigh sniffling as she opened the door. Her eyes were starting to turn pink and she had streaks on her face from the streams of tears that she had cried. " Where?"

" The Continental. I know a friend. He said that we could use the ballroom. You could get married on the beach..."

" I'm not going, Alexx."

" What? " Alexx asked exasperated.

" I said I'm not going. Too much has happened today. All of these horrible incidents, it gives off a bad omen vibe. I don't think I can do it."

" Calleigh, you have to marry Tim. You can't let these little things frustrate you."

" Little things? Alexx ,there's a casket where I should be standing," Calleigh said as she dabbed at her eyes.

" And I made arrangements for another location, Calleigh."

"I don't know Alexx..."

Alexx knelt down to face Calleigh, which wasn't very easy considering she had on the snuggest dress ever. " Do you love him?"

Calleigh looked into Alexx's eyes as if appalled. Of course she loved Tim Speedle. She loved the way he made her feel when he looked at her. She loved his touch , his smell, and his compassion. Even with his issues, she still loved him.

" Of course, I love him, Alexx. I'll love him until the day I die."

" Then marry him, suga."

The more Calleigh thought about it, the more it made sense. This was petty stuff that she was stressing over. She had the rest of her life with him to consider and she wasn't about to miss the opportunity for happiness.

" Okay, Alexx, let's go." Calleigh said as she stood up. She looked in the mirror and gasped, seeing the mess that her tears had caused.

Alexx took the makeup pallette and began to touch up her makeup. After they were finished, they walked out of the restroom and gathered their things. They had a wedding to get to.

S/CS/C/S/CS/CS/C

Horatio burst into the dressing room as Eric was straightening his tie and Tim was slipping on his shoes. Tim looked up and saw Horatio and smiled. Something had to give at this point.

" Alexx made arrangements to have the wedding at the Continental. We need to get there fast."

" I knew she would come through," Tim said as he got up quickly. He glanced to Eric who had a pleasant look on his face.

Horatio did a double take when he saw the black eye, " Speed..."

" I got hit in the eye with a shoe. I know, it's going to make for a beautiful wedding photo." Tim said sarcastically.

" Look at it this way, Speed, you'll have a hell of a story to tell your children someday," Eric quipped.

" You are unbelievable, Delko," Tim said as he shot him a look. They then gathered their things and left the church, heading for the hotel.

TBC...

A/N: Let's see if they can get through the ceremony without anything else happening... :)