Diamond ring, wear it on your hand
It's gonna tell the world, I'm your only man
Diamond ring, diamond ring
Baby, you're my everything, diamond ring

Gil shuffled nervously in his seat. The Picasso restaurant had more than lived up to his expectations. He'd booked a table on the patio, so the dancing fountains could entertain them while they ate. Not that he needed them; just having Catherine with him was enough of a distraction.

The onus of what he was about to do also weighed heavily on him. He'd spent the previous week perfecting the arrangements for the evening, but now, as he sat waiting for the signal from the maître d' that his plan was about to reach fruition he cursed his timing.

He'd made every effort to plan the perfect evening. His reputation with the various casino and restaurant managers within the city had enabled him to secure what he considered to be the perfect table at the restaurant.

The smile that lit her eyes as they were guided to their table was enough of a reward for his efforts. He could not help smiling in reply.

"I take it you like my choice of date?"

She giggled. "Hmmm, I think I may let you make the arrangements again." She reached for his left hand as he sat, bringing it to her lips; she kissed each of his fingers. "Thank you. You make me feel so loved."

"That's because you are." He watched her smile widen as he brought her fingers to his lips mimicking her action of a few brief seconds ago.

"You say the nicest things Mr Grissom."

He'd winked at her in reply, delighting in her answering peal of laughter.

But that now all seemed a lifetime ago. It wasn't the restaurant's fault; the food had been exquisite, going beyond their expectations. It wasn't Catherine's fault, she had, as always, delighted him with her conversation and simple enjoyment of spending what she called quality time with him. No, the fault lay with him and his lack of consideration for timing.

He knew Catherine loved him, knew he loved her. That should have been enough, but it wasn't, he wanted more. Not having previously considered himself to be a romantic, these new feelings had been overwhelming. But having considered his options and the possible course of actions that could be taken, he'd decided on the traditional act of requesting that she become his wife.

Having decided that this was the path he would take, he'd revelled in ensuring the proposal was as perfect as he could make it. He'd thought of everything, well everything except the nervousness such an act would cause him to feel. He'd not enjoyed the meal as a result, his focus on his actions at the end.

He looked nervously to the open French window, waiting for the maître d' to nod towards him, giving him the cue to begin the proposal to change their lives. He saw the older man smile and nod at him, a signal they'd agreed on as it would not attract Catherine's suspicions should she catch sight of it.

Gil took his right hand and placed it in his jacket, he grasped hold of the small turquoise box, fingering it and making a wish that all he was about to say would flow naturally, and not be garbled by nerves.

"Catherine?"

"Hmmm." Her eyes immediately locked with his, as she took note of the change of tone in his voice.

"Catherine, I love you. You have brought me more happiness than I thought possible. I want to show the world we are together. I want to move forward with you, give the rest of my life to you, become one with you. So would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" As he finished, he brought the box from its hiding place, placing it in her hand and keeping hold of her hands.

Catherine opened then closed her mouth no sound being emitted. Tears welled in her eyes. She looked into his eyes and saw love reflecting back at her. She lowered her eyes, for a moment drinking in the sight of their hands joined. Then looked up at him, half whispering, "Yes."

As he leant over to kiss her, the strains of Louis Armstrong singing about a wonderful world, gently filled the night air, as the fountains began to dance to its slow rhythm.

As Gil pulled back, still keeping a grasp on Catherine's hands, they gazed at the fountains.

"You?" She asked.

He smirked in reply. "I thought it would be romantic."

"It is. Thank you." She leant across, rewarding him with a chaste peck to his cheek. Then added. "What if I'd said no?"

"I know you too well. That wasn't an option."

She smiled at his reply. "Good answer." Squeezing his hand, they sat spellbound as the fountains completed their intricate aquatic ballet.

Their hands remained grasped together as Louis finished with a final 'oh yeah'. Catherine's eyes returned to them, and the box encased within them.

"Go on." He encouraged.

She smiled, her eyes lighting in excitement, the quality or expense of the ring held little importance to her. It was the fact that he'd brought her this symbol of their union that had the real value.

As she opened the box she gasped. There nestled in the velvet was a Tiffany solitaire diamond ring on a platinum band. "Gil?"

"Here, let me put it on." He stopped her protests. He knew when he'd bought it she'd think it too extravagant. But the cost was of no importance to him. He wanted the world to know she was valued, as they couldn't see his heart, soul or mind then a Tiffany ring was the perfect substitute.

Taking hold of her hand, he gently slid the ring onto her ring finger. It was a perfect fit, as he knew it would be. He'd used an old ring of hers to size it. He'd seen her occasionally wear it on that finger when she'd been going out and just wanted to be alone, not facing harassment from men who thought they could whisk her to their beds.

Her eyes lit in wonder as she admired the ring, the way the diamond captured the light, sparkling. Gil grinned as he watched her delight.

"Thank you." Although the phase was so simple, the emotion behind it was not. It held within it a lifetime of love and caring, a promise of love and gratitude for the pledge to share her life. She cupped his chin, then leant across the table and joined their lips in a sweet kiss.

He held her left hand as she withdrew, gently lifting it to his lips and kissing the ring. "You mean the world to me, you are…everything. Thank you for accepting my proposal."

Red, red rose brought it home to you
Blood red rose, tells me that you're true
Red, red rose, blood-red rose
Like a fire inside that grows, blood-red rose

Unbeknownst to them they were being carefully observed by the maître d' who was trying to gauge the perfect opportunity to interrupt them with the next part of Gil's plan.

It was the sparkle of the new ring, on Catherine's finger, that served as his cue. That and the obvious light coming from both their faces as they smiled. Jean Claude had been a maître d' at many of the fine dining establishments in Paris, Nice and Monaco, before coming to Las Vegas. He'd seen more proposals of marriage in his twenty years in the position, than he cared to count. He knew the signs; he knew which couples would return each year to celebrate their anniversary, which would vanish without making it to the altar. Looking at the happy couple, he had no doubt, they'd return for many years.

He was happy for them, not just because they'd found love, with every indication of staying true to the grave. He had a personal interest in them. Gil Grissom had enthused his son, when it appeared that he was going to forgo college and instead become a valet at one of the hotels. His high school had held a careers event, at which Gil had spoken; Eliot had come home a completed application in hand, to join the forensics high school intern program. The thought of the first of the Moreau family to attend college filled him with pride.

He'd met Gil on several occasions as his son attended the program and seemed to have a natural ability in the subject. Eliot was now in his third year of college, a summer internship at the lab awaited him, having managed to impress both the lab technicians and supervisors each successive year he worked there.

When Gil had visited with Jean Claude the previous week, he'd been only too happy to help this man who'd inspired his son.

He gave Gil and Catherine one last glance, and then slowly advanced towards them. He gave a slight cough, to announce his presence. "Madam, these are for you." He gently laid a small bouquet of three red, thorn-less roses, tied with a silver ribbon in her arms. "Before I go I'd like to offer my congratulations. May you have many years of happiness to look forward to."

Like the true master of his art, he slowly retreated, so his presence became a small whisper of a memory on this evening.

Catherine, raised the flowers slowly to her face so she could breathe in their scent, and smiled at her fiancé. "Thank you."

He returned her smile. "These flowers symbolize my love for you, the past, the present and the future. They signify that my love for you has and will always be true for you. I give you my heart, I love you."

When you're hungry, I will fill you up
When you're thirsty, drink out of my loving cup
When you're crying, I'll be the tears for you
There's nothing that I wouldn't do for you

Catherine's eyes welled with tears and unable to restrain them, they slowly spilled over.

Gil was at her side in an instant, kneeling beside her. He reached for her face, cupping it and gently turning it so he could lose himself in the depths of her eyes. Gently he used his thumbs to brush away her tears. "Catherine?"

She smiled at him, her eyes not leaving his. Her right hand reached for his face, gently tracing the outline of his features. She ran her thumb across his lips. "I don't deserve this. I don't deserve you."

He leant towards her, his lips joining hers, gently tugging on her bottom lip as he pulled back from her. "You deserve more. I am so lucky to have you in my life. I will do anything for you. You are my love, my life. I am so grateful you made me realize how important you are to me."

She leant in to him, their foreheads met. For a moment they stayed like that, taking comfort from that touch, sharing each other's breath, a silent conversation passing between them through their eyes.

"I love you Gil."

He smiled. Scattering sweet kisses over her face. "I love you Catherine."

You know, I bleed every night you sleep
'Cause I don't know if I'm in your dreams
I want to be your everything...

That night, he could not sleep. It was not due to the fact that he would normally be working at this time. He'd long since become used to the idea of having to grab sleep at opportune moments. No there was still a rush of adrenaline running through his veins as he contemplated the evening's events.

So he sat in their bed, his lover, who a few hours earlier had become his fiancé, lay with her head on his stomach. He idly stroked her hair, watching her eyes flicker behind her lids, wondering what secrets her dreams held.

Silently he vowed to make an eternity with her. He knew that there were no guarantees of never-ending happiness, a happily ever after that fairy tales promised. He was not naive; he knew the statistics, the chances of a second marriage working after a failed first one were not good. But instead of scaring him, this made him more determined to succeed. He wanted to give her the love, the security that had been lost in her first attempt at matrimony, as the thought of losing her was too much for him to bear. He could not contemplate a life without her sharing some part of it. She filled his heart, his soul, his very being. Life without her would be empty.

He caught sight of the ring on her finger, as she murmured, "Love you Gil." Before snuggling closer to him, her head rubbing against his chest a couple of times, before she stilled.

He leant forward, gently kissing the top of her head, trying to avoid disturbing her. "I love you Catherine. You have my heart for my lifetime. Be gentle with it. Know that in my arms you will always be safe. I want this to be our forever. Sleep well my love."

He kissed her once more, his hands resuming the gentle stroking, slowing, as his eyes grew tired, his last sight before succumbing to slumber, the ring that held a promise of a life together. A smile of contentment covered his sleep filled features.

Diamond ring, wear it on your hand
It's gonna tell the world, I'm your only man
Diamond ring, diamond ring
Baby, you're my everything, diamond ring
Darling, you're my everything, diamond ring
Now, you've got me on your string... Diamond ring

The end.