The Substitute Parent — Year 2009
"Tell me about Mommy."
Nick regarded the 6-year-old girl sitting on his lap with a serious expression. "What do you want to know?"
The little girl fingered the soft cotton sleeve of Nick's t-shirt before looking up at him with expressive blue eyes. "I can't remember her. What was she like?"
Nick took a deep breath. This subject was never easy for him, but he knew it was vitally important to the child he was raising. "Your mommy was the most wonderful person I ever knew," he answered honestly. "Beautiful and sweet. And smart."
He swallowed back the tears that threatened to come forth. He smiled and playfully ruffled the little girl's dark brown hair. "So smart. And she loved you so very much."
April was silent for a moment, and Nick found his thoughts wandering.
One of the last times he'd seen Sara, she had brought 3-year-old April to the CSI lab to show her off for the thousandth time. She was such a proud mother, with such a beautiful little daughter. April was loved by everyone at the Crime Lab.
"What about Daddy?" The sweet little voice broke into his thoughts.
Nick reached a hand up and smoothed her hair, then cuddled her just a little bit closer to his heart. "Your daddy was so much like your mommy. Kind and gentle. Smartest man I ever knew. I learned a lot from him."
Suddenly another memory came to Nick's mind. The vision of Grissom swinging his blue-eyed little girl in the air, then wrapping an arm around a smiling Sara.
"He loved you and your mommy more than life itself."
Nick hadn't even realized he was teary-eyed until April's small hand reached up and wiped gently at his face.
"Tell me how I came to live with you," the child requested in a soft voice.
"You know that part already," Nick answered gently with an affectionate smile.
"Tell me again."
He took another deep breath. "I had to fight to get you. The courts wanted to put you in foster care after the accident. But I just couldn't let them do that. You were just too special for that."
Nick caressed the little girl's cheek with a slightly trembling finger. "I fought those judges for a long time. Mommy's brother, your Uncle Jerry, helped me. We fought so hard for you. Then finally, one day, my wish came true. They said I could adopt you."
"And now I'm here," April concluded with a cute little gap-toothed grin.
Nick returned her smile. "And now you're here," he agreed. Glancing at the clock, he added, "And it's bedtime."
April immediately pouted. "I don't wanna go to bed — I wanna stay up!"
Nick held back a chuckle at her adorable pout, and tried to be stern. "April Marie Grissom, you have been up much too late already. Even if you don't sleep, you still need to go to bed."
April rolled her eyes in true Sidle fashion. "Oh-kay."
She squealed in glee as Nick stood and swooped her in the air like an airplane.
As they approached the stairs that led to April's bedroom, Nick's eyes lingered on two large framed photos hanging side by side on his wall. His favorite pictures.
The one on the left showed Warrick, Catherine, Sara, Grissom and himself, all lounging in the CSI break room. It was a candid photo taken by Jim Brass, and it captured the warm atmosphere of their makeshift family.
The portrait on the right was much fancier. A professional family portrait of Sara, Grissom, and baby April. Nick had never known a happier little family.
Nick straightened the frame of the portrait on the right just slightly, and resumed his trip up the stairs.
April wrapped her small arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I love you, Uncle Nicky."
"I love you too, sweetheart."