Disclaimer: I don't own CSI. I am just a humble fan and writer.
A/N: So we last left of (in my "what if" scenario) with Sara returning to Vegas after two years of absence. When she returned she brought a little something with her; Nick's child. Now that she's mustered up the courage to tell Nick what will he say? Read the thrilling conclusion.
Ficlet 34 (ch.2): Meeting Emily
Nick couldn't drive fast enough, almost running by a few red lights. Luckily there was barely any traffic so he managed to get to Sara's hotel in fifteen minutes.
When he heard her voice over the phone his heart seemed to stop. She was gone for two years and just like that, she came back into his life. He had a million questions, most of them regarding why she left and why she didn't bother to tell the lab. Perhaps now he would finally get his answers.
Before he could get to the elevator, the man at the desk stopped him. He told the inquiring receptionist that he was there to see someone very important, and Nick was quickly sent on his way.
Inside the elevator the shocked CSI pondered what Sara told him over the phone.
"Our daughter."
They had a daughter. It was mind boggling. He was almost positive he heard her right, but he wasn't sure how it could've happened.
He finally found her room and knocked swiftly before she opened the door.
"Hey."
"Yeah, hey."
"Come in," she opened the door and allowed him inside.
The room was dim, save for one lamp lit by the bed. The tiny sleeping form that lay on the bed blew him away. His curiosity finally got to him.
"Sara, what-?"
"Her name is Emily. She's two years old and she's my daughter. Our daughter."
He stood there, still not fully grasping the news he had received. He was just staring at the toddler on the bed, a single word finally escaping him.
"How?"
She let her eyes stray, "I figured you wouldn't remember. The big mayoral case in Vegas two and a half years ago? You invited me to your place and we…"
Nick finally realized it. The memories tumbling forth from some deep part of his mind. He slapped his forehead in astonishment.
"Oh my God. Sara, I'm so sorry. Why didn't you tell me?"
She shrugged sadly, "I was confused and I thought it didn't mean anything to you."
"Didn't mean anything? Sara, you left before I woke up. I actually thought you didn't care about it."
He walked over to her and took his hand, "When you left, I was heart broken. I thought I was a one night stand to you. Sara, you mean the world to me, and I wished you would've told me about her."
She suppressed a sob and flung her arms around him.
"You don't know what it was like to go through this alone! Feeling the way I felt."
"You didn't have to go it alone. I would've helped, if you let me," he whispered.
"I'm an idiot."
He shook his head and stroked her hair, "Don't say that. You were just scared and confused. I felt that way when you left me. But you don't have to feel that way anymore. I'm here for you, and I'm not letting you do this alone."
"You don't know how much this means to me, Nick," She paused before finally admitting, "I love you."
"I love you too, sweetheart."
She smiled at his little term of endearment, and they stood there for a while just holding each other in the dark, shadowy room. A small sound caught their attention. Little Emily was awake and she was staring at the two with wide eyes.
"Emily, did we wake you? I'm sorry," Sara gave her a watery smile.
"Mommy, who's that?"
Nick looked over at her, feeling briefly nervous. Even in the low light, he saw how beautiful the young girl looked. She had many of Sara's dark features as well as his.
Sara grabbed his hand and led her to the bed.
"Emily, I'd like you to meet someone very important. This is your daddy."
She looked up at him, leaving him to wonder if it would be too forward to hug her. Maybe Nick would be better off giving her a friendly pat on the head.
"Daddy!"
She jumped into his lap, surprising the two adults. He relaxed and wrapped his arms around her small frame.
"Hey there kiddo. I'm sorry I was absent in the first two years of your life but I promise to make it up to you. We are going to spend so much time together."
The little girl giggled as he picked her up and slowly twirled her around.
As she watched the two laugh and play around, Sara found herself crying quietly. It was not an unusual thing; after all, over the last two years she cried more times than she cared to remember. Sad tears, angry tears, bitter tears; but this time she finally let herself shed tears of joy.
Things went so much better than Sara planned. She finally had the two most important people in her life, and she promised to never let them go.
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Say it with me: "Awww..." So thus ends my venture into soapish drama. But the good kind of soapish drama. I hope you all liked the ending and please let me know by leaving a review. Thank you for reading.
