CHAPTER TWELVE
The next day the entire CSI team had assembled for disbursal of new assignments and/or updates on current cases. Iris sat at the end of the table flanked by Sara and a chair over sat Nick. Her mood was subdued as she reread her notes over the double homicide she'd worked with Grissom. In her mind's eye, she envisioned Brass walking in to announce Annie joining the LVPD as a fellow detective with rank of captain. It would make perfect sense. They had known each much longer, were comfortable with each other, and had shared the most intimate experience a man and woman could. She steeled herself for whatever might come, knowing she would get through it and survive it.
As if on cue, Brass walked into the break room but it was his night off Iris thought and why is he coming to a CSI assignment meeting. This never happens. He probably had the very announcement to make that Iris had imagined. Swallowing hard, she looked directly ahead with as neutral a gaze and facial expression as possible. Never stopping Jim walked past the rest of the team to stand beside Iris and then take the empty seat beside her. She continued to try to simply look ahead as he placed his hands on hers. She could not act neutral any longer and shifted her gaze to his blue eyes.
"I have an announcement to make to those I consider my friends. Here's as good a place as any. Annie Kramer went back to LA earlier today. The guy she was looking for here has changed some since they last saw one another. We parted on good terms. However, I'm here to ask Iris an important question." Brass finished as he opened his hands to place a small burgundy velvet box in her now trembling hands.
Iris opened the box to find the most beautiful engagement ring she'd ever seen. It was a simple but elegant emerald-cut diamond solitaire set in platinum that was engraved with fleur-de-lis irises. She gave a sharp intake of breath and lowered her head as she fought to keep her composure. When she raised her eyes again, Jim had kneeled beside her.
"I'm doing this the old-fashioned way. I'm not one for flowery romantic speeches, so here's my best pitch. Marry me, grow old with me, the best is yet to be." He said simply and firmly. No doubt colored his tone. He held her left hand as he slipped the ring onto the third finger, noting that it fit near perfectly. "By the way, I happen to love Wheaties, you know, the breakfast of champions. Remember you did propose first, so what's your answer, Iris?" Brass winked at her as he finished.
Iris was still struggling to keep from breaking totally into tears and could only manage to say shakily, "As you wish," while Brass raised her to her feet to hold her in a bear hug so that she could scarcely breathe and soundly kissing her at the same time.
The break room suddenly erupted then as the rest of the team encircled them to extend congratulations. Brass found himself getting slapped on the back and being told about time by Nick and Warrick. Grissom was all smiles as he shook Jim's hand and hit him on the shoulder, telling Brass that he knew all along he would come through. Greg just simply shook the police captain's hand and told him way to go. Iris herself was embraced first by Sara and then Catherine as they simultaneously begin to speak of plans needing to be made and they would help with all the details. They went on to Jim to give him hugs. Nick gave Iris an especially long hug, asking if he could give the happy news to Breanne. Greg spun her around as he resoundingly kissed her on the cheek. Warrick gave her his sly smile followed by a hug and as he said in her ear that her chicken noodle soup brought him back from the brink. She finally found herself getting embraced by Grissom who looked down at her with an enigmatic smile. He stood back to raise both of her hands to give a gentlemanly kiss of congratulation. "Right out of the movies, Griss, very classy," Iris grinned at him as he flashed a wink her way. Brass then warned Grissom to watch himself with his woman, causing a fresh outbreak of laughter from the entire team. Holding Iris close, Jim whispered to her, "So when's the happy day my bashert?"
THE END
PLEASE REVIEW! I WELCOME ALL INPUT AND TRY TO ANSWER ALL REVIEWS. THE NEXT UPCOMING BRASS/IRIS STORY IS "TO HAVE AND TO HOLD" WHICH WILL BE COMING VERY SOON.
MY HUMBLE THANKS,
LADYKESTREL
