Affliction

7pm.

The atmosphere in the reception hall was buzzing. The day had been amazing. The weather had stayed perfect and allowed the happy couple to have glorious photographs taken in the beautifully manicured hotel gardens. Dinner had gone off without a glitch and was exquisite. Brass and Nick had managed not to embarrass themselves during their respective speeches but had injected enough sentimentality in their words to make both Grissom and Sara blush. Now with most of the formalities out of the way it was time to get the party started....after the first dance.

Grissom took Sara's hand and led her to the centre of the floor. All eyes were upon them as they took their position in the middle of the parquet dance floor. Their gazes locked as he pulled her close to him. Grissom’s arms slithered around her waist as Sara’s interlocked around his neck. The music started...
"Tonight it's very clear
As we're both lying here
There's so many things I want to say
I will always love you
I would never leave you alone"
Grissom took the lead and Sara followed as he softly swayed them around the floor.

"Sometimes I just forget
Say things I might regret
It breaks my heart to see you crying
I don't wanna lose you
I could never make it alone"

"You are so beautiful Sara", Grissom whispered as they danced. "I’m just sorry this is first time that I've actually said it today".
Sara smiled and leaned in slightly to brush her lips softly over his. "Thank you."
"You make me complete you know that..."
Now Sara blushed as she played with the greying curls at the back of his neck.

"I am a man who will fight for your honour
I'll be the hero you're dreaming of
We'll live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love "

"I love you, Gil Grissom, do you know that?"
Grissom beamed as he spoke. "You do?"
Sara grinned. "Don’t you believe me?"


"You'll keep me standing tall
You'll help me through it all
I'm always strong when you're beside me
I have always needed you
I could never make it alone”

"After everything we have been through Sara....now and forever....I will always believe you, I will always trust you, I will always protect you and....I will always love you".

"I am a man who will fight for your honour
I'll be the hero you've been dreaming of
We'll live forever
Knowing together that we
Did it all for the glory of love"

Sara pulled his head towards hers and kissed him softly. "I know..."

"Just like a knight in shining armour
From a long time ago
Just in time I will save the day
Take you to my castle far away"

"I always will."

The song disappeared as they got lost in each other’s gaze and danced to their own music. They were joined on the dance floor by several of their guests who danced around them.
The song finished and they embraced tightly.

"Well...” Grissom began. "Shall we go and mingle."
"Why not", Sara looped her arm through his.
"Mommy!"
Sara turned to see Michael heading towards them, with Claire. Sara bent down and took him into her arms. "Hello young man, are you having a good time?"
Michael nodded. "Fun!"
"Yeah?"
"Yes."
"Good. Claire why don't you go and relax for a little while, we'll take him." Sara suggested.
"Are you sure?"
Sara looked at Grissom who smiled. "Yes I'm sure. Take a break ok?"
Claire smiled. "Thanks, just give me a shout if you need me to take him."
Sara nodded and Claire headed off into the crowd.
"Daddy?" Michael asked closely eyeing up Grissom face.
"Yes Mike."
Michael held out his arms wanting to go to his father. Grissom took him from Sara. Michael sat in his arms doing a thorough examination of Grissom's face with his stare.
"Daddy, where is airy? Why you not airy no more?"
Grissom grinned as Michael reached up and tapped his smooth chin. He looked over at Sara who was chuckling softly at her sons banter.
"You see, I’m not the only one who was a little surprised."
"Do you like it Mike? It was a surprise for you and for Mommy."
Michael tilted his head contemplating. He looked at Sara and then back at Grissom. Finally he turned his glance back to Sara, who struggled to restrain from laughing while Michael made a decision.
"Mommy like no airy Daddy?" He asked still unsure.
Sara grinned. "Oooh, I think I'll grow to like no hairy Daddy."
Michael turned back to Grissom with a smile and nodded. "Michael like Daddy not airy."
Grissom bounced Michael in his arms with a laugh. "I'm so glad."
"So Mike, who shall we go see?"
Michael placed a finger on his bottom lip while he thought. He looked around the room. There were quite a few people to choose from; he avoided the ones he didn't know. His eyes came upon Brass leaning against the bar.
"Jim! Unkie Jim."
Grissom grinned at Sara and they headed across the floor to talk to Brass.
He looked up to see them approaching.
“Hey you guys, hey Mikey”.
“Unkie Jim, hug.” Michael held his arms out to Brass.
“Sure thing kiddo”, Brass took Michael from Grissom. “So...you guys doing ok?”
Grissom and Sara looked at each other.
“Oh better than okay”, Sara said looping her arm back through Grissom’s, even though she was beginning to feel a little flushed from the sudden heat in the room.
“How about you Mike, you ok?”

Michael nodded. “Yes, Mommy and Daddy, wid.”
Brass smiled. “They sure are who would have thought it hey…”
Grissom smirked.
“You know Mike, I can tell you a few stories about how your daddy could have screwed up…..”
“Er thanks, Jim!” Grissom said quickly stopping himself some embarrassment. “I think my son is a little young still to hear how his father was such an idiot for such a long time.”
Now Brass smirked, as Sara tried to keep a straight face.
“Grissom! Sara!” A voice called from behind them and they turned to see the team approaching. Catherine, Nick, Warrick and Greg all approached smiling happily.
“So, how is the happy couple doing?” Catherine asked.
“We’re doing great thanks Catherine”, Sara said smiling. “Although it is a little warm in here, I could use a little air.”
Grissom frowned. “Why didn’t you say something?”
Sara tilted her head slightly. “Well, you know it’s our wedding, lots to do and there are a lot of people to talk to and thank for coming and…..”
“We’re going to get some air”, interrupted Grissom, taking her hand.
“Jim, you ok to watch Mike for a few minutes?”
“No problem.”
“Thanks, we won’t be long.”
Grissom tugged on Sara’s hand and led her out of the room and into the garden, sitting her on a bench. She took a deep breath.
“Honey, are you ok?” He noted how flushed Sara looked.
Sara smiled and took his hands in hers as he stood before her, stroking them gently.
“I’m fine, just needed a little fresh air that’s all.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive; I’ll be fine, stop worrying. It’s just been a long day.”
“Maybe we should have an early night”.
Sara looked up to see Grissom grinning down at her, a sparkle now in his eyes.
“Oh yeah? An early night? - I wish….” Sara said, a glimmer of longing sparking in her eyes.
“Why not?” Gil winked at her.
Sara laughed. “Because it’s our reception Gil. We can’t just disappear and leave everyone down here wondering where we are...”
“Yeah, well, I think they will figure out where we are. Like you said, it’s ‘our’ reception we can do what ever we want. If that means we go early then we go early. I can‘t think of anything else I‘d rather do right now than to take my wife upstairs and show her….”
“Gil! Please, I’m hot enough as it is right now and you’re not helping.”
Grissom smirked. “Fine, but just a little while longer then I’m taking you upstairs with no arguments. I don’t want you over exerting yourself... yet….”
“No?” Sara smirked.
Grissom merely grinned. They enjoyed the quiet of the garden for a few more peaceful moments before he pulled her closer and asked if she was ready to go back in and rejoin their guests.
Sara nodded and took Grissom’s hand; leaning in she kissed him lightly. They headed back inside and Sara laughed as she spotted Nick holding onto Michael as they danced energetically to the pounding music.
“What’s wrong, Jim?” Sara shouted. “A little much for you?”
Brass grinned. “A lot much for me. There’s no way I can keep up with him. He’s like….the Energizer Bunny.”
“Yeah”, Nick called over, slightly out of breath. “Someone want to take over here?”
Sara looked at Grissom and prodded him in the ribs. “Go dance with your son”, she said with a smile. Grissom smiled back with such cuteness that Sara felt herself melting.
“Ok.”
He walked over to Michael and Nick.
“Thanks Griss”, Nick wheezed, heading for the nearest chair.
Grissom grabbed Michael, swung him off his feet and high up into the air.
“Hahahahaha”, Michael laughed at his father as he swung him round and round…..
2 hours later…..
Sara sat at their table. Michael’s head was resting in her lap. He was exhausted and fast asleep. She softly stroked his hair, watching Grissom as he approached.
“Hey sweetheart”, He bent and kissed her softly.
“Hi….I think this one is out for the count.” Her glance went to Michael and Grissom’s eyes followed. He smiled.
“Give him here. I’ll get Claire and I’ll take him up.”
Sara shook her head, “We’ll both take him. I think it’s past my bedtime too….if that’s ok with you?”
Grissom grinned. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”
Sara smiled lovingly at him as he bent and picked up Michaels sleeping form, resting his head softly on his shoulder, holding the back of his head securely. “Let’s go…”
They headed off to find Claire sitting with Catherine, Greg and Nick. She stood straight away.
“Bed time?” She asked smiling.
“Yeah”, Sara replied. “For all of us. We’ll take him up and get him settled. Can you take over in about ten minutes?”
Claire nodded.
“Oh Cath…” Grissom asked. “We just want to slip out quietly, can you say our goodnights? I think we’ve pretty much already thanked everyone.”
Catherine smiled. “Sure thing, enjoy your evening.”
Grissom and Sara looked at each other and tried not to grin. “Thanks. Goodnight guys”, they said together.
“Good night and congratulations….”