Disclaimer - I don't own CSI.
A/N: this is set about 6 year after Continuance. Ava is 10, Maddie is 8 and the twins are 6. I hope you enjoy this sequel of a sequel.
A Red Hair
"Honey, I'm home," Nick announced as he swung open the front door and closed it carefully behind him, whilst juggling bags of shopping.
"I know, I saw you coming up the path and you waved at me," I shouted from the kitchen.
"Yeah, but I've always wanted to say that," he shouted back.
"And do you feel different now you have?" I asked as I appeared at the doorway.
"No, not really," Nick smiled.
I walked over to the dinning room table and with a damp cloth, wiped it down. Nick walked into the kitchen and started unpacking the groceries he had bought on his way home.
"What took you so long?" I asked.
"Warrick, he just wouldn't shut up. You would think I hadn't seen him in years. Remind me never to agree to go to breakfast with him again," Nick said. "Then I remember we needed a few things so I went shopping."
"I could've done that later," I said as I sat down in one of the dinning chairs.
"Yes, but that's why I went. One less thing for Super Mum," he smiled.
"Thank you," I smiled back.
"The kids not here?" he asked.
"No, Greg kindly came by and invited them to Catherine's house. He was going anyway, something to do with a case, so he stopped by and took our little, well not so little, angels with him," I said.
"So we're alone?" he asked. I knew where the conversation was leading.
"Yep. There's lots we could do, tidy the living room, wash the dishes, tidy the bedrooms and loads more," I said.
"Or," Nick wiggled his eyebrows.
I stood up, took his hand and guided him to the bedroom.
Later that day:
Nick and I were laying on our bed, both completely naked and all snuggled up. He was laying on his back on his side of the bed. My head was resting on his chest and I was moving my fingers up and down his six-pack.
"You working again tonight?" I asked.
"Yeah. You're not?" Nick asked as he wrapped his arm round me and, if possible, pulled me closer to him.
"No. You're gonna be shattered," I laughed.
"Are you suggesting I call in sick?" he asked.
"No, I was just pointing out that you haven't had any sleep," I said.
"Awww, you do care," he smiled.
"Of course I do. I love you," I said.
"I know," Nick smiled.
"You do know the normal response to 'I love you' is 'I love you too,' right?" I asked with a hint of flirt in my voice.
"I know, but I don't have to tell you, I just showed you," he grinned.
"Come on now, get up or you'll be late for work," I said.
With that, Nick pulled me up on top of him and kissed me long and hard on the lips. He then started planting open mouthed kisses down my neck.
"Nicky, stop," I said. "You know I want to but we can't. Firstly, you'll be late to work and secondly, we most definitely don't what to explain this to the kids if they were to walk in on us."
Nick sighed. "Fine."
"Good, now get up," I said.
"You're the one on top of me," he said.
I laughed as I rolled off of him. "That makes a change."
Nick still didn't move. I picked up a pillow from behind my head and whacked him across his face.
"Watch it Sunshine," Nick smiled.
"Or what?" I asked.
"Or I'll kick your ass," he laughed.
"Is that a threat or a promise?" I asked.
"Both," he smiled as he sat up, picked his boxer shorts up off the floor, slipped them on and walked towards the door. He turned around for one more look and winked at me before walking away.
"What are you, five?" I shouted as I heard the shower turn on.
I sighed and prepared myself to get up and dressed to. Once I was dressed, I headed into the kitchen to make some much needed coffee. As the kettle boiled, Nick finished in the shower and got changed in record speed.
"That was quick," I said.
"I do everything quick," he smiled.
"You'll never let that go, will you?" I asked.
"No, probably not."
"Coffee?" I asked.
"Yea please," he smiled as I poured out two cups of coffee.
"When are the kids due home?" Nick asked.
"Anytime now, I should think. You're gonna miss dinner, I was planning Spaghetti Bolognese," I smiled.
"Damn it," he said sarcastically.
"Are you going to work then or what?" I asked.
"Anyone would think you were trying to get rid of me," he smiled.
"I'll take that as a yes," I said as I tipped the remainder of my coffee down the sink.
"I want a kiss first," he said pointing to his cheek.
"People who want never get," I teased.
"Please," he begged.
"Fine," I leaned in to kiss his cheek but he turned his head at the last minute and we ended up in a lip lock.
"Thank you," he said.
"Go have fun collecting evidence, solving cases and getting the bad guys," I smiled.
"I will. Love you," his voice echoed as he left me in the silence.
I turned around to face the living room. It was a pig's sty. The kids, as usual, had left their toys, books, games, teddies and anything else that had made its way from their rooms, on to the floor. I sighed as I turned back to see the huge pile of dishes that had been gathering in the sink. Which did I do first? The living room floor? Or the mountain of dishes?
I settled for the dishes. At first it seemed easier, but it most definitely wasn't. I had to stop every 5 minutes to dry what I had washed. I decided to 'subtly' mention to Nick about getting a dishwasher.
Next I tackled the toys in the living room. Who knew you could stuff 6 Barbie dolls down the back of a sofa? Maddie, clearly. For an 8 year old, she acted younger than the twins at times. Where had the kids got to? Why weren't they home yet?
After my attempt at tidying Dylan's bedroom, I didn't even bother starting in the girls' bedrooms', I did a spot of spring cleaning in our room. By 'spring cleaning' I meant finally getting a chance to throw away all of Nick's shirts I didn't like. I opened the wardrobe doors and started sifting throw the clothes. I managed to fill 3 bin bags of old clothes to go to the charity shop. Then I finally came to my favourite of Nick's shirts. It was boring, a plain pale blue t-shirt but he looked so good in it. I felt like a teenager again when I thought about him in it, but that's what being with him made me feel like; happy, young and free. I took the t-shirt out to have a better look at it, when suddenly my CSI skills kicked in. Their was a hair on the right shoulder. Not just any hair, a red hair. A women's red hair.
Thanks for reading. What could the red hair mean? Next chapter won't be long, I promise. Review please.