Grissom picked up the paperwork from his desk, walked out of the lab and headed to his car. The jewelry store robbery from last week had been solved. He had volunteered to take the paperwork to the owner so that the evidence could be returned to him. This was tedious work that he normally delegated to his subordinates. But it had been a slow shift giving him too much time to think about Sara�s reaction yesterday to his marriage proposal. He got into the Denali, his thoughts teeming as they had been all evening, and began driving.
Rationally, he understood Sara�s fear of legal commitment. Her childhood was one of a classically dysfunctional family. The violence was enough to scar anyone. Her parents were married and Sara had somehow linked that to her concept of a turbulent childhood - and the act which finally ripped the family apart. Her fears had deep roots.
Rationally, she was right that they didn�t need a legal bond or formal declaration to validate their feelings for or commitment to each other. The love and commitment existed whether a piece of paper was present or not.
Irrationally, he wanted that piece of paper. He wanted that legal declaration. He wanted a highly visible symbol to the rest of the world that he loved Sara and was committed to loving her and preserving her well-being for the rest of his life.
But at this moment in time, her well-being depended upon him not asking something of her she that she couldn�t yet give him. He wouldn�t bring the subject of marriage up again until she showed some sign that her fears were abating. He wanted to help alleviate those fears. The only thing that he could think of to provide was overwhelming evidence that marriage did not equate violence. Eventually, he hoped the evidence would overcome her damaged past.
Patience. It had served him well in his work. It would serve him just as well in his personal quest. But he needed a plan.
The most serious drawback to his goal was the secrecy to which they had agreed at the beginning of their relationship. As long as their relationship was secret, he could never openly show Sara how rewarding a legal union could be. Sara had shown that she could use the secrecy as an excuse to maintain the status quo. But they both knew that couldn�t continue. If they were truly committed to a life together, they could not continue the charade. Marriage or no, they would have to risk the exposure.
But revealing their relationship would not be easy. If they simply went to Ecklie, he could insist that they had been fraudulent in concealing their relationship. They could lose their jobs � if the lab didn�t need trained criminalists so desperately. More likely, one or the other of them would have to change shifts to avoid the impropriety of Grissom evaluating Sara in his capacity as supervisor. It was also possible that Catherine could do Sara�s evaluation. In that case, they could continue with no real change at work. In most scenarios, they should both be able to continue working at the lab. But tongues would wag. They would be the subject of much gossip. Grissom had never cared about what others thought of him. But the rumors and scandal the revelation would create might be difficult for Sara. So he was reluctant to go the open revelation route. He had yet to come up with another plan.
Once he found a way to overcome that obstacle, the focus would shift to demonstrating how marriage could enhance their lives. Grissom would suggest they buy a house. Selecting and decorating a house is the first big step in creating a home together. That would lead to consolidation of their financial assets. He would insist that they secure their future with wise financial investments. All of these natural steps in a committed relationship pose some obstacles for those not legally bound by marriage. Sara would recognize that.
In their line of work, there were many opportunities to see marriage in all its flaws. They often saw domestic abuse, which reinforced Sara�s perception of marriage linked to violence and unhappiness. There were also distraught spouses whose lives had been shattered by the loss of their husband or wife. The person whose husband or wife was found to be a criminal was also a sad example.
But married couples were not always the victim or perpetrator in a crime. Most of the time, they were parents or other loved ones. They provided comfort and a shared sense of grief to each other in a way no one else could. There were often instances where the lack of a legal marriage created serious obstacles for victims. Picking up the personal effects of someone you love with no documentation that you were entitled to them was the most common example. Grissom would make sure Sara was aware of the evidence when marriage was an integral element of the process, whether good or bad.
Grissom had long noticed old married couples. He used to puzzle over their contentment. Now he understood - and envied them. Did Sara notice them as well? As perfect as their lives seemed now, these couples demonstrated how much more enriched their future could be.
The rule of his life would guide him - let the facts speak for themselves. In time, she would recognize the advantages of a legal commitment. And when she did, he would be ready. This was the plan upon which he had decided after his long night of pondering.
Grissom pulled the Denali into a recently vacated spot directly in front of the jewelry store. It was the first time since he had initially been called to the crime scene that he had been so lucky. The sun reflected into his eyes off the store windows as he climbed from the vehicle and Grissom took it as an omen that his prospects were bright. The owner of the store, Brady Randal, met him at the door.
�Mr. Grissom. Has something else come up in regards to the robbery last week? Mr. Brown said that everything was settled after that thief admitted to the crime.� His voice was filled with concern.
�No, Mr. Randal. Everything is fine. Harry Stanton pleaded guilty to burglary yesterday and will be a guest of the State of Nevada for the next several years. The paperwork will be processed to return your merchandise as soon as I get your signature. You should have it within the week.�
The men walked into the store. Randal laid the paperwork on the display case to provide a firm surface to sign the appropriate papers. Grissom was mesmerized by the sun reflecting off the jewelry in the case as Randal leafed through and signed all the paperwork. He handed them back to Grissom, bringing him out of his reverie. The papers were placed into the file folder Grissom held. Brady Randal and Grissom stood looking at each other.
�Is there something else, Mr. Grissom?�
Looking into the case again, Grissom asked, �While I�m here, can I look at your engagement and wedding rings?�