I'm finally done this story. Thanks guys, it's been fun. Y'all are awesome-amazing.

V. Because You're In Love With ME

"You can't get married."

"And why the hell not, Gil?" she shot back angrily, manicured hands on her wedding dress-clad hips.

Grissom's face was impassive. "Because."

"Because why?"

Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, highlighting her features. Her anger was clearly visible. "I can't? Give me one good reason why I shouldn't march down that aisle and…" she faltered when he stepped closer, "… and get…. married."

His brow furrowed, as if he found it odd that she not know what he was talking about. "Because you're in love with me," he said simply, frowning.

As tempting as it was to laugh at his adorable expression, Catherine did not smile. "What? Are you insane? I am not. What the hell has gotten into you? Since when?"

"Since always," he said obviously, pinning her with an intense blue stare. She backed up until he had trapped her against the wall.

Catherine's heart hammered in her chest. "No- no, I'm… I'm not…" she protested, her voice much less convincing than she hoped it would be. "Gil--"

She was effectively cut off by his lips covering hers, sweet and demanding, her argument stopped in its tracks. She melted against him, her defences weakening quickly. His tongue probed her lips and they parted, giving him access to thoroughly explore her mouth.

It ended as soon as it began. He pulled back and stared at her. "That's why."

Catherine sagged against the wall and slid to the floor, her head in her arms crossed over her knees. She let out a shuddering breath.

"Mom?" Lindsay appeared in the doorway of the women's only room and frowned. "Mom, what's wrong? Uncle Gil?"

Grissom was quiet.

"Nothing, honey. I'm just- nothing," Catherine finished lamely. If he's not going to fight, it's not worth it. It's not.

"Lindsay, I love your mother, and, deep down, I know she loves me too."

Catherine gaped at this, her expression completely opposite that of her daughter's.

"Finally!" the young teenager exclaimed. "I thought you two would never get it? Thank you, Uncle Gil, for knocking some sense into her, or whatever you did. Kissed, it looks like."

Catherine flushed red. "Lindsay-"

Lindsay ran and knelt by her side. "Come on, Mom. You know you do. How well do you even know Matt, anyway? Not at all compared to Grissom." She sighed heavily. "Please. Just think about it."

"Not lots of time for that," her mother replied dryly, smiling slightly at her daughter's hand on her shoulder. "What makes you such an expert all of a sudden?"

Lindsay's face grew serious. "Look at him, Mom."

Grissom was watching them, a mixture of sadness, adoration, and love in his ice-blue eyes. When Catherine finally looked up to meet his gaze, the shadows dissipated.

"That," Lindsay said gently, "is a man in love."

Catherine hugged her, tears in her eyes. "Oh, honey…" Lindsay helped her mother to her feet, and Catherine smiled one last time before disappearing from the room in a flurry of white.

GC

…3 Weeks Later…

"Who knew?"

Laughter rumbled in Grissom's chest as he glanced down at his strawberry-blonde wife sprawled in his lap. "Is that a rhetorical question?"

"Mmm," she murmured, kissing him lingeringly. "I guess so."

"Me!" Lindsay piped up, peeking in on them, darting forward, and vaulting herself onto the king-size bed, landing between her parents. "I knew all along, and don't you forget it. I'll remind you of this the rest of your very long lives, you know. You," she started, pointing to Grissom, "have loved my mom since, like, forever, and mom, deep down, has always loved you right back. She didn't recognize it most of the time, unfortunately," her pretty face contorted into a grimace, "but look where we ended up. Thank you, I'll be here all week." She grinned.

Catherine hauled her daughter in for a hug. "I love you, honey."

"I love you more," Lindsay answered immediately.

"I love you both the most," Grissom chuckled, tickling her side.

Lindsay sighed happily. "Well, you guys got your happily ever after. D'ya think I'll get mine someday?"

"Not anytime soon," Grissom and Catherine chorused, smiling at each other.