Disclaimer: I own no one from CSI: NY. If I did, I would be rich.

Author's note: Bridge to the wedding. A bit boring, your thoughts are welcome and sought after.

Chapter 22

Lindsay was just putting her earrings on when she heard a knock at the door.

"They're early," she muttered to herself, running to the door. But she couldn't contain a smile when she opened the door to her Aunt Andrea and Uncle Carl. "Hey!"

The three exchanged hugs and kisses and came inside.

"Lindsay, sweetheart, you look beautiful," Andrea smiled, eyes sparkling. Now in her mid-50s, laugh lines only seemed to enhance her gentle beauty. She and Lindsay both had warm brown eyes and gently curling hair - traits they shared with Lindsay's late mother, Andrea's sister.

"I second that. I've missed you." Carl, a large ruddy-faced man, smiled warmly at her.

Lindsay felt tears form. "I'm so glad you're here. Danny's coming to pick us up. He wanted to meet you before the rehearsal dinner."

As if on cue, there was another knock on the door. "Hey you," Danny said softly, giving Lindsay a gentle kiss on her cheek. "You look beautiful." And she did, with her hair flowing gently to her shoulders.

"Well, it looks like we already agree on something. It's nice to meet you face-to-face, Danny." Carl reached out and grabbed Danny's hand in a hearty handshake.

Danny turned to shake Andrea's hand but she hugged him instead. "We're so glad Lindsay found someone who makes her so happy. You should know that you have Beth's enthusiastic stamp of approval."

He grinned. "Ah, Montana number two. Gotta love 'er."

After some small talk, they proceeded to Nucio's, which had remained Danny and Lindsay's special place after their first date. Andrea smiled to herself. Danny couldn't keep his eyes off Lindsay, who looked so lovely in her simple hunter green velvet sheathe. He was wearing a dark gray suit, burgundy shirt and tie. And he's not so bad either, the woman in her couldn't help thinking.

When they arrived, they were greeted by Flack, Mac, Stella, Hawkes and Hammerbeck. The latter two both had dates - Hawkes a lovely attorney he met testifying in his last court appearance, and Hammerbeck a classy looking blonde in her 40s. The other three were single for the evening, or so it seemed.

"Lindsay! Uncle Carl! Aunt Andrea!" Beth the human tornado came flying into the room, covering her family with hugs and kisses.

"Oh, Beth, I'm so glad you could make it, even with your exams," Lindsay said. Beth was completing her final semester - one term early - for her degree in physical therapy. "But hey, didn't you have a date? Where is he? I want to meet this guy."

Suddenly Beth became a bit shy. "Well, ummm …."

"He's right here, and you've already met him." Flack came up behind Beth, sliding his arm around her waist and giving her a kiss.

"What? Omigod! Danny, did you know about this?"

"No! Hey Flack! Why didn't you tell me?"

Carl and Andrea exchanged smiles. "They wanted to surprise you," Andrea said.

Lindsay and Danny both told the couple how happy they were, and were even more thrilled when Beth announced she had a position at long-term care facility for stroke patients in Queens.

"It will be easier for me to help you make better wardrobe choices Linds, although you did okay tonight." Beth earned a playful smack from her sister.

Further discussion on the topic ceased with the arrival of Danny's parents and grandmother. Introductions, hugs and kisses were exchanged until Anna Maria pushed them all to the table. "Come, eat! This old woman ishungry." Soon, dinner arrived, and everyone dug into the delicious manicotti, garlic bread, salad and, appropriately, Italian wedding soup. Flack - the best man - stood to make a toast.

"Consider this the warm-up to tomorrow," he said. "Now I've known Messer here for a number of years. He was a player, let me tell you." Flack ignored Danny's groan. "Danny acted like he didn't want more, but I knew better. He wanted someone special, someone that could put up with his bullshit" - everyone laughed - "and help him become a better man. Within a short time it became obvious that woman was Lindsay."

Everyone at the table clapped. Flack continued. "These two people went through a lotta crap to get here, and no one is happier for them than I am. I love both of you. Raise your glasses folks. Here's to you guys. Cheers."

"Cheers!" came the chorus of voices.

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Later that evening, Beth and her aunt and uncle returned to Lindsay's apartment. The family stayed up talking until well past midnight, then they all went to bed. Lindsay, however, tossed and turned for over an hour before finally giving up. She was sitting at her kitchen table pondering the next day's events when she heard a voice behind her. "Penny for your thoughts?"

She turned and smiled at Carl, who joined her. "Danny is beginning to think that's a Montana expression." Lindsay waved a hand at his confused expression. "Never mind. I was just thinking about tomorrow."

"Nervous?"

"You know, I'm not, not about the wedding anyway, not about becoming Danny's wife. I guess I'm almost nervous because I'm not nervous. Does that make sense."

Carl smiled gently. He was so pleased to see that the scared, closed off teenager he and Andrea took in after her parents death become a confident woman with an open heart. "It makes perfect sense. If it makes you feel any better, I haven't been nervous about Danny. Anyone with eyes can see he loves you, and he convinced Beth - no small feat."

"I guess I always worried no one would want me." Carl reached out and touched your cheek. "You've always been wanted, and loved, Lindsay."

Lindsay squeezed his hand and stood."Well, I guess all there is to do now is get some sleep. Then you can walk me down the aisle tomorrow and I marry the man I love."

Carl returned her grin, but tears glittered in his eyes. "I can't tell you how honored I am that you want me to do that. I wasn't sure …"

Lindsay stopped him, placing her hand on his mouth. "I wouldn't have it any other way," she said huskily. "You took me in with all my anger and past, and loved me like your own. You helped heal me, you and Aunt Andrea. No one else deserves to walk me down the aisle, because in my heart, you are my father."

Carl pulled her into an embrace, and the two held each other close. Tears slipped down her cheeks. "I'm happy, Uncle Carl. Who would have thought?"

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Across town, Danny and Flack had spent the evening packing. Danny would be moving into Lindsay's apartment. It was bigger and closer to work. For him, it was an easy decision; his apartment held too many memories of other women, the pain of his past, his former life. He was ready to move on with Lindsay in every sense of the word.

Before heading off to bed, he and Flack enjoyed a beer on his balcony. "You ready man?"

Danny grinned. "You know what? I am. I never thought I would feel, ya know, this ready."

"Yeah, well Lindsay's pretty special. And she loves you."

"I just hope she knows what she's gettin' into."

Flack rolled his eyes. "No more of this self-pitying bullshit, Danny. Lindsay knows exactly what she's 'getting into.' She's ready because she loves you."

Danny nodded. "Yeah." Then he laughed. "Who would have thunk it, huh? Me and a girl from Montana."

"Who would have thought she could tame the wild Messer libido?"

"Aw man, tamed? That girl is crazy, Flack! Did I ever tell you about the time …"

And the two continued swapping stories, as men have done for centuries, into the night.

TBC

Next up: You are cordially invited to the wedding of Danny Messer and Lindsay Monroe. Then only two more chapters, and I won't bug you anymore.