CHAPTER NINE

The band playing at the wedding reception was made up of members of the LVPD. After pictures had been taken and they had done the traditional mutual eating of a piece of wedding cake, Jim and Iris had changed out of their wedding clothes to be more casual, their logic being they wanted to fully enjoy the evening without being in formal attire. In fact, the rest of groomsmen and bridesmaids had opted to do the same.

Jim had picked the song he wanted to hear for the bride's dance, that being "You're My First, My Last, My Everything" by Barry White. He ushered Iris out to the middle of the dance floor as the music started, dipping her suddenly as they being began to slow dance. She laid her head against his cheek as Brass lead, as they listened to Barry sing:

"My first, my last, my everything.
And the answer to all my dreams.
You're my sun, my moon, my guiding star.
My kind of wonderful, that's what you are

I know there's only, only one like you.
There's no way, they could have made two.
You're all I'm living for,
Your love I'll keep for evermore,

You're the first, you're the last, my everything.
And with you I've found so many things
A love so new only you could bring
Can't you see if you,
You'll make me feel this way.
You're like a first morning dew on a brand new day.

I see so many ways that I can love you,
Till the day I die.
You're my reality, yet I'm lost in a dream.
You're the first, the last, my everything

I know there's only, only one like you.
There's no way they could have made two.
Girl you're my reality
But I'm lost in a dream

You're the first, you're the last, my everything."

"Ya know, that song makes me think of you," Brass said in a low gravelly voice, doing his best Barry impersonation.

"So sing to me, Master Brass," Iris challenged with raised eyebrows twice quickly in a suggestive manner.

Jim obliged her and began to sing low into her ear, his voice proving to be a rich tenor to alto. She grinned up at him with a look of delight.

As the song concluded, Grissom had been dancing with Sara and maneuvered themselves beside the happy couple.

"Jim, could I have this next dance with your lovely bride?" asked Grissom. Sara echoed the request to dance with Brass.

However, the next song had been a special request by Iris to be her favorite Keith Urban song "Somebody Like You" and she got Grissom into doing the Texas two-step. Brass followed close behind with Sara as they moved swiftly about the floor. The rest of the wedding guests were hard-pressed to keep up, the exception being Warrick with Catherine and Kacee with Nick. Grissom admired how quick Iris was on her feet, with Iris smiling her encouragement as they twirled and looped. Brass was kidding with Sara as they moved along, as he expertly dipped her and whirled her. For fun, Iris then suddenly switched to dance with Nick as Kacee slid over to partner with Grissom. Nick, being from Dallas, knew the two-step best and eagerly went with it.

As the next song started, Jim, though, wanted his bride back and quickly switched Sara to Nick. Brass initiated some dirty dancing type moves as he held Iris tightly to him, thoroughly enjoying the feel of having Iris held so close to him and that she moved as one with him. Brass gave his friends a wicked grin as he heard the catcalls coming from Grissom and the rest of the guys. Iris smiled slyly in return and arched against him suggestively for the moment, Jim delighted at her move by the Cheshire-cat smirk on his face. That fun would have to wait for a little while he told her as her face flushed a bit in response.

Iris took it upon herself to seek out Warrick to invite him to "slide-n-glide" with her, which was new type of couple western dancing. She told him to just follow along. To his amazement this was a combination of the Texas two-step with dirty dancing type moves and while he was moving easily with Iris, he found himself impressed by how his diminutive partner was in sync with him and how deceptively limber she proved to be. He was going to have to tell Brass that the honeymoon ahead should prove to be very interesting. Warrick grinned at Iris as they were getting a lot of hoots and catcalls from the wedding party, some comments directed at Jim to take out extra life insurance. Iris gave Warrick a coquettish look in reply as well as a wink. Brass was proving to be extra observant with an enigmatic expression on his face as watched them. Iris continued to be full of surprises.

When the time came for Iris to toss her bouquet, it was pandemonium as the women all clamored to grab the flowers. As if Iris had eyes in the back of her head when she threw them, they landed squarely in Sara's hands as she snuck a look at Grissom, who smiled secretively in return. Iris was delighted the bouquet found the mark she had hoped for, as she caught the looks exchanged between Grissom and Sara.

It was much the same when Brass went to remove the blue garter from Iris's thigh. She shivered at the contact of his hands upon her. Jim sensed this and looked up at her with a sly smirk and arched eyebrow. He expertly slipped off the garter and sent it flying through the air. The male guests were scrambling to catch it, no one more surprised than Grissom when it landed on the top of his curly graying head. Iris had never seen Grissom blush before but it was worth seeing him go from pink to crimson in mere moments.

The next few hours passed along happily. Jim had even danced once with Annie as Iris watched fondly. She had no qualms in her heart for she trusted Jim implicitly. No specter of a prior lover would cloud their wedding night. Brass now held a sleepy Heidi who had begged to dance with Mithter Jim as she called him. She yawned as rested her head on his shoulder as she clung to him. Janice, Heidi's mother, came over to relieve Brass of his passenger. He smiled as he returned Heidi to her mother's arms.

Ellie was standing with Iris as he walked to them. "Jim, dance with your daughter," Iris said, just before her hand was claimed by Greg for the next song. She flashed Brass a wink, as she was lead away for another go on the dance floor.

As Jim slow danced with his daughter, he remembered years ago dancing with Ellie as a little girl held in his arms much like now. She had been a true daddy's girl then and perhaps was becoming one again at least for now. Iris seemed to know intuitively when to encourage them.

At the end of the song, Jim reluctantly parted from Ellie. He gave her a long hug and told her how happy he was she was there to be part of this special day. Brass then went to join his new bride. "It's time to go," he said simply. "We've got a honeymoon to get underway." Iris nodded in agreement. He'd already told Grissom who was organizing the guests to send them on their way.

Iris found herself flanked by Catherine and Sara as they each hugged her and each told her not to forget their advice. She saw Kacee making her way over.

"I hope you're blessed with every happiness," Kacee said shyly to Iris as they embraced each other.

Nick along with Warrick and Greg came to extend their good wishes to the couple. Iris surprised each of them with a gentle quick kiss on the lips. They shook hands and slapped Jim on the back and told him to go "take care of business." Brass, looking smug, assured them to have no concerns there.

Ellie met her dad. "Umm, Dad, I know things are still kind of out there between us, but I really mean it when I say I'm happy for you and Iris. She's great and I know you'll be together for always." Brass' eyes were moist as he hugged his daughter tightly; he breathed a silent prayer that Ellie was finally headed back to a straighter path in life.

Iris came over to them and was overwhelmed when Ellie in turn embraced her tightly as she said, "Thanks for making my dad happy again."

"Oh, honey, you have a lot to do with that, you know!" replied Iris as she held Ellie close and then put her hand on Ellie's cheek. Jim could see the fondness Iris held for Ellie as never before.

Grissom shook Jim's hand and gave Iris a quick peck on the cheek in farewell. "We'll see you back in three weeks, Master and Mistress Brass."

"Babe, it's time," Jim said to her, putting his arm around her to walk them toward the well wishers lined up on either side.