CHAPTER FIVE
Catherine and Sara fussed over Iris like little girls playing with their Barbie dolls. Her wedding gown was a lovely lilac color and Iris breathed a sigh of relief when it fit like a second skin. Her hard work at the gym or extra fencing practices had paid off. As Sara worked on curling her hair, Catherine was expertly applying make-up as Iris meekly followed every command. Ellie was on hand for any last-minute gophering.
In keeping with the saying of "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue", Iris wore her grandmother's cameo brooch for something old, Catherine had given her a necklace of amethyst-colored crystals for something new, Sara had loaned her pearl earrings for something borrowed, and Iris wore a blue garter to complete the requirements of the tradition.
"Now, about your wedding night, here's some advice…anything goes," smirked Catherine with a wink. "And I have no doubt that spending the first of many nights with Brass will be anything but boring. But this isn't your first time, you've been married before, so you know what to expect."
Iris nodded, taking in what Cat said, but if they only knew…
It was Sara's turn to give her friend advice. "Jim couldn't have found a better person to be with. You're exactly what our Brass man needs…someone who will cherish him…and give him non-stop lovin'…" Sara cracked up at that point, breaking into helpless giggles.
"Sara, m'girl, I will take those words to heart, truly," Iris said with a wry smile.
Ellie was still amazed she was included in the wedding. Her relationship with her father continued to improve, and much of that had to with Iris she thought. She had been elated when Jim called with news of having proposed to Iris and that a wedding was soon to follow. When Iris had personally called her to ask her to be a bridesmaid as she was family, Ellie had marveled at how she was made to feel wanted and connected.
Meanwhile in the groom's room…
Grissom helped Brass finish with the final points of his tux, including the tie that Brass found himself to be all fingers with. "It's been a while since I had one of these get-ups on," Brass growled, pulling at the collar.
"Jim, it's incumbent upon me to give you advice regarding the wedding night to come but you've been down this road already," Grissom smiled at his best friend.
Brass looked at Grissom. "I'm a lucky son of a…"
Grissom put up his hand. "I don't subscribe to the concept of luck. You know my credo is to follow the evidence to its conclusion. So that's why I know you and Iris are in it for the duration, the evidence is overwhelming."
The two men stared at each other for a moment, silently acknowledging the deep friendship they shared.
Brass then slapped Grissom on the back at that. "Think it's time to do the deed then."