'Hey guys! XD OMG I am SOOOO sorry for the massive delay but this chapter just WOULDN'T come to me. lol
I hope you all enjoy :)
Willows Residence
Catherine Willows groaned into her pillow as the piercing screams of a demanding child assaulted her groggy senses, once again tearing her from that same bittersweet dream.
Catherine rolled onto her stomach, burying her head in her pillow, momentarily hiding from the world and it's wrongness before she threw off the comforter and stumbled out of bed.
She slipped into the bathroom and quickly brushed her teeth before grabbing her dressing gown and heading towards the room next to hers which had very recently been transformed into a makeshift nursery by her wonderful friends...who she paid with a night off.
The door creaked upon opening and Catherine cringed as it startled the distressed baby further.
"Sshh, ssshhh baby boy." She cooed gently as she lent over the crib and smiled down at him.
Eli looked up at her with wide and bleary green orbs, hot tears pooling in his eyes.
"What's with the tears huh?" Catherine asked as she scooped him into her arms and held him close.
The little boy immediately stopped crying and clung to her.
Catherine shifted him in her arms and smiled, "Good morning." She greeted with a bop on the nose.
Eli squealed quietly and giggled.
Catherine laughed, "Now that's more like it bub."
Eli smiled an almost toothless grin and then that bottom lip jutted out and began to tremble.
Catherine rolled her eyes and turned to the door, "I know, I know." She muttered then kissed his head, "Breakfast time."
~CSI~
"Morning, Mom." Lindsey greeted with a smile as she pranced down the stairs.
Catherine glanced up at her and grinned, "Morning hon. Where you off too?" she asked looking her daughter up and down.
"Mall with Kristen." Lindsey replied as she plopped down onto the stool on the other side of Eli's highchair. "Hey buddy!" she smiled brightly at him, her enthusiasm exaggerated for his benefit.
Eli paused, turning his head away from the spoon full of baby porridge to look at her and squealed, clapping his hands haphazardly, missing a couple of times.
Lindsey laughed loudly and kissed his head, "Can I?" she addressed her mother and pointed to the breakfast bowl.
Catherine, surprised as she was, hid it expertly and handed the bowl and spoon to her daughter.
She watched her daughter silently as she fed the baby and entertained him at the same time: turning the spoon into an aeroplane, noises and all then switched to telling him about her plans: talking to him like he understood every word.
Catherine laughed when they laughed, the sound infectious and Lindsey looked at her with a goofy grin, clearly enjoying herself and Catherine felt this sudden sadness as she watched her daughter. Lindsey, now sixteen years old would be going off to college in two years...her baby was growing up.
"MOM!" Lindsey yelled loudly and Catherine jumped turning to her with a puzzled expression. Lindsey raised her eyebrows, "Where'd you go?" she asked watching her mother closer.
Catherine shrugged, "Just thinking."
Lindsey nodded slowly, "Riiight...I'll come visit ya know." She informed her and Catherine blinked, "When I go to college." She supplied knowingly, "I'll come visit, I promise."
Catherine chuckled shaking her head. She slid off her stool and walked to Lindsey, "You better." She warned kissing her head and pulling her close.
Lindsey rolled her eyes and rested her head against her mother's chest, "Pinkie swear." She assured with a nod holding out her pinkie finger.
"Pinkie swear." Catherine whispered back curling her own around Lindsey's then reluctantly released her.
They both looked down at Eli to find him gazing up at them with large eyes and they laughed.
"He's all done." Lindsey informed her mom, holding out the empty bowl.
Catherine gasped, "Already!" she cried turning wide eyes on him, actions exaggerated and he giggled.
Catherine grinned and reached for him, "Alright, bath time." She announced unbuckling him and pulling him free.
Lindsey smiled hesitantly, "Can I help?" she asked and Catherine paused.
"Aren't you goin' to the mall?" she questioned and Lindsey shrugged.
"Yeah but not for another couple hours." She glanced at the clock, 0830, "It's way too early." She noted then turned on Eli with a glare, "I'm only up cause somebody decided it would be fun to wake up screaming at 7:30 in the morning."
Eli stared at her, eyes wide and thumb in the mouth and Lindsey's glare disappeared, her face softening.
"C'mere." She reached out her hands and he dived towards her, "You do that on purpose don't you?" she asked rhetorically then looked at her mom, "He does that on purpose. He knows what it does to us."
Catherine nodded somberly, "Yes, I'm afraid he does." She confirmed and Lindsey sighed dramatically then grinned.
Catherine laughed, "Come on, before he decides that bath time is unwelcome too."
~CSI~
"LINDSEY CAN YOU GET THAT?" Catherine yelled down to her daughter from her bedroom upstairs.
"GOT IT!" Lindsey yelled back running from the downstairs bathroom to the front door.
She gripped the handle and swung it open, "Uncle Nicky!" she grinned at the smiling Texan man on the other side.
Nick laughed, "Hey Linds." He greeted pulling the teen into a crushing hug, kicking the door closed behind him.
"NICK?" Catherine voice questioned from somewhere upstairs, "I'LL BE RIGHT DOWN!"
Nick nodded silently then looked the young girl up and down, "Goin' somewhere?" he asked, eyebrow raised.
Lindsey blushed slightly and nodded, "Yeah, the mall with friends."
"You look nice, Lindsey." Nick complimented
Lindsey twirled for him with a grin, "Thank you."
Nick rolled his eyes as he walked to the kitchen, "You guys eaten yet?" he asked casually.
Lindsey shrugged, "I've had a cereal but..." she looked at him seriously, hands on her hips, "Taking care of a baby is hard." She informed him with tired eyes and Nick chuckled.
"Oh yeah." He agreed with a nod and a sympathetic grin, "My nieces and nephews are hell in the morning. Adults can't eat till the kids have so..I'm guessing your Mom hasn't had anything yet?"
Lindsey shook her head slowly, "Nope."
Nick nodded once, "Alright then. CATHERINE?" he yelled, projecting his voice towards the stairs.
"YES?" came her far away reply.
"WHAT YOU WANTIN' FOR BREAKY?" he asked her as he pulled some pots and pans from her cabinets and placed them on the stove.
"UH...WHY?" Catherine's suspicious voice questioned and Nick could picture the frown on her face.
He looked to Lindsey, the young girl a carbon copy of her mother, and asked, "You're both fans of the good ole' fry up right?" Nick asked her and the teen nodded eagerly.
"God yes!" she cried, flopping down onto a stool with a smile.
Nick shot her his Texan-grin, "Alright then." and started on his masterpiece.
~CSI~
"Oh my god!" Catherine cried happily as she descended the stairs with Eli in her arms, "What is that heavenly smell?" she demanded smiling at Nick.
"Breakfast!" Lindsey chirped throwing another piece of bacon into her mouth.
Catherine's smile widened, "There you go." She whispered to Eli as she placed him in his play pen tracing his cheek lightly before walking over to the kitchen counter. "I am starving." She announced plopping down on the stool next to her daughter, gratefully accepting the proffered plate of food from her friend. "Thanks Nicky."
The handsome Texan grinned, "My pleasure." He replied tucking into his own eagerly.
Eli squealed loudly from the play pen and Nick turned to him with a grin, "Mornin' buddy." He greeted and the baby gurgled happily.
"He doesn't like to be ignored." Catherine shared popping some sausage into her mouth.
"I got that." Nick chuckled, his eyes still on the baby, "He really looks so much like Warrick." He whispered sadly and Catherine turned slowly.
"Yeah..." she breathed, "He really does."
Nick nodded slowly then tore his eyes from the baby and turned back around, "How's Tina?" he asked concerned and Catherine sighed.
"Still the same." She answered deflated, "I know it's only been a few days but...I'm worried."
"Yeah...you goin' to see her?" Nick questioned slowly.
"Yeah." Catherine nodded, "Figured I'd take Eli, give her a little boost cause apparently she can hear us."
Nick glanced at her quickly, "Want some company?" he offered gently and Catherine turned to him with a smile.
"That would be great Nicky, thank you."
~CSI~
Desert Palm Hospital
"You got him?" Catherine asked uncertainly as she watched Nick, expertly detach the car seat from its in car strapping and pull it free. "Huh..." Catherine smirked, hands on her hips, "Very impressive Nicky." She praised nodding her head slowly.
Nick sent her a goofy grin as he closed the car door, "All a part of my charm, Cath."
"Hmmm...I bet." Catherine agreed, running her eyes up and down his frame flirtatiously.
Nick shook his head at her, laughing when she winked before sauntering off in front of him, swaying her hips.
"You're a dangerous woman Catherine Willows." He commented in all seriousness as they made their way through the white hospital halls.
Catherine smirked to herself and chuckled, placing one hand on his arm, "Oh, Nicky...you have no idea."
Nick smirked back at her then shook his head, "Have you taken Eli to see her before?" he asked switching subjects.
Catherine's smirk fell and she shook her head, "No, I didn't wanna traumatize the poor boy but I figured...Tina needs her son right now so..."
Nick looked down at the baby in the carrier and smiled at his innocent face, "I think he'll do her the world of good."
Catherine followed his gaze and smiled sadly, "Yeah..I hope so."
All too quickly, they had reached Tina's room and Catherine paused at the door, hand clasping the handle tightly before she took a breath and pushed it open.
Tina was in a bad way: her left leg was in a cast, elevated off the bed, her right shoulder was in a sling, her left wrist also in a cast and she had multiple scrapes and cuts to her face, neck chest, from the shattered glass. There was also heavy bruising on her face, her head was wrapped in a bandage.
Fortunately she was no longer attached to a ventilator, her collapsed lung haven healed enough to have her breathing on her own.
"Whoa." Nick breathed quietly from beside her, keeping the baby facing away from his mother, "She looks...bad."
Catherine nodded slowly, "Yeah...and this is her doing better." She commented wryly, "At least she's breathing on her own I guess."
Nick seat the carrier on the ground and un-fastened the baby, lifting him into his arms, "Hey buddy." He smiled at the boy who patted his nose with his tiny hand then giggled. "You think that's funny?" Nick asked him reaching up to tweak the boy's nose, "How bout that, huh?" he did it again and Eli squealed happily.
Catherine laughed at the two, amazed by how quickly Eli had warmed to them all, minus Hodges much to his dismay.
Nick caught Catherine's eye and sighed, shifting the baby in his arms, "Look Eli." He pointed towards Tine with a reassuring smile, "There's your mama."
Eli turned his head at that word, his big wide emerald orbs falling on his mother's battered frame and the tiny human frowned, his bottom lip jutting out in fear.
Catherine's heart constricted at the face and she reached out to him, stroking his head, "It's okay baby. Mommy's just sleeping." She tried to assure him but knew it was futile, Eli wasn't old enough to understand what was happening. He was just scared.
Eli whimpered, his eyes filling with big fat tears and his bottom lip wobbled before he burst into tears, wailing.
"Oh." Catherine leaned up and kissed the boy's head, swiping away his tears gently as Nick turned him away, blocking his view as he snuggled him close.
"It's okay buddy." He assured the frightened boy, both adults glancing towards the door as Tina's doctor slipped in.
He greeted them both with a nod and Nick turned to his friend, "I'm gonna take him outside." He informed Catherine, "Calm him down."
"There's a play area on the children's ward." Dr. Avery suggested, "Colours, patterns, stuffed animals. It might cheer him up."
Nick nodded once, "That's where I'll be then."
Catherine smiled her thanks at her friend as he slipped from the room, then turned her eyes to the doctor before her, "How is she."
Dr. Avery smiled, "A lot better than she looks. Her lung is healing nicely, the chest tube should be removed soon enough and the brain swelling, I am pleased to inform you, has reduced itself significantly." He told her optimistically.
"She won't need brain surgery?"Catherine questioned hopefully.
The doctor shook his head, "She won't need brain surgery."
Catherine released a relieved gush of air and smiled, "Thank god." She chuckled, her eyes on Tina, "How long till she wakes up?"
Dr. Avery pressed his lips together, "It's hard to say. Every head injury is different so I can't predict that. It's up to Miss Garrett."
Catherine sighed, sick and tired of hearing that but nodded nonetheless, "Thank you." She said politely, shaking the doctor's hand before he left. Catherine looked back to Tina and sighed, "Alright Garrett. That's enough, time to wake up." She ordered sternly, "You have a son that needs you, a young, excitable little boy that's full of a near endless supply of energy." She chuckled at the thought of the bouncing baby, "You don't got time for beauty sleep hon."
Tina remained still, her eyes closed as the machines around her beeped loudly in the silence.
Catherine sighed, closing her eyes briefly, then hesitantly reached out and took Tina's hand, clasping it in both of hers, "Come on, Tina. That boy's already lost one parent in his short life, he can't lose you too, you gotta wake up for him." she pleaded, squeezing the other woman's hand tightly, "And if you don't, then that boy will go to your parents, and I know you don't want that." She chuckled, "So wake up and save him from that, please." Catherine quipped with a smirk which quickly fell, "I don't know them very well, Tina, but I know they're type and they won't take him. He won't fit into their way of life so they'll reject him and Eli will end up in the system."
Catherine shook her head, disgusted at the thought of her best friends son growing up in foster care when he has a whole family who loves him, "The team and I, we've got no claim on him Tina. We're not what the court would class as his family because there's no blood relation and there's no legal document that states otherwise."
Catherine closed her eyes and lowered her head, "The system's not as good as it should be and I...I don't want Eli falling through the cracks Tina please, you gotta wake up. Wake up for that boy, wake up for your son."
~CSI~
Nick returned a half hour later with a sleeping Eli in his arms and found Catherine dozing in the chair beside Tina's bed, still clasping the other woman's hand. He bent down quietly and placed the snoozing baby in his carrier, strapping him in as quietly as possible.
Nick reached for the spare blanket at the bottom of the bed and draped it over Catherine, smiling sadly down at her.
His sad eyes moved to Tina and he winced, still thrown by the sight of her and his heart ached for the poor baby who was facing life without his father and his mother now.
Tina's hand twitched and Nick's eyes widened, Catherine jolted from her slumber as she felt the movement.
"Tina?" she questioned, throwing off the blanket and scooting closer to the bed, "Tina?" she called again and the younger woman's eyes fluttered, striking hope in their hearts, but remained closed.
Catherine sighed, dropping her head in disappointment, "Damn it." She cursed quietly.
Nick placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed "It'll happen." He assured her, ever the optimist, and smiled widely, "I know it."
Catherine forced one back then switched her tired eyes to Eli's sleeping form, "How's he doin'?"
Nick shrugged, "He's worn out. Seeing Tina shook him up I think and then he wore himself out upstairs, waddling about like a headless chicken." He chuckled, "I think he played with every toy there."
Catherine smile, "Yeah, I bet." She agreed.
"I could take him back to your place if you wanna stay here." Nick offered with a one shouldered shrug.
Catherine cut her eyes to his, "Really? You wouldn't mind?"
Nick shook his head, "Are you kiddin' me? That little dude is awesome."
Catherine smiled widely, "Alright then." She nodded, "I'm gonna stay a while longer."
Nick nodded, "Stay as long as you want." He told her picking up the carrier, "I got this little guy." Nick bent down and placed a chaste kiss to his friends cheek, "Get some rest while you're here huh?"
Catherine nodded, "I'll try. Thanks Nicky." She watched him go quietly waiting until the door closed before turning back to the patient and watching her silently for a moment.
Catherine shook her head and sighed before situating herself back into the chair and pulling the blanket around her tightly, drifting off in a light sleep almost instantly, her hand clasping Tina's once again.
~CSI~
When Catherine blinked her bleary eyes open slowly she frowned not recognizing her surroundings for a moment before her eyes fell to the body in the bed. She rubbed her eyes tiredly, squinting in the florescent light as she lifted the hand with her watch and blinked at the time, cursing lightly: 3:45, she's slept for almost three hours.
"So much for a short nap." She commented irately, shaking her head at herself as she snatched up her purse and slipped from the room retuning five minutes later with a horrible cup of hospital coffee.
Catherine sipped at the bitter liquid and grimaced, "Urgh! That is vile. I hate hospital coffee." She informed the unconscious woman beside her, glancing quickly at Tina and freezing, her eyes snapping back as she saw her hand twitch again. "Tina?" Catherine called sternly, placing her rotten coffee down and taking the woman's hand again.
"Tina? It's Catherine, can you hear me?" she questioned watching her face intently, "If you can, squeeze my hand." She instructed, straining to keep her voice calm, "Squeeze my hand." She whispered again and Tina did. Catherine's eyes bulged, "Good girl." She praised with a smile, her heart leaping to her throat, "Now, open your eyes." She ordered, "Open your eyes Tina, that's it." She encouraged when the eyelids fluttered, "That's it, c'mon."
Catherine waited with baited breath as the eyelids blinked open and a groggy and confused Tina glanced around the bright room, squinting against the light and Catherine's heart lurched.
Tina's dark eyes found Catherine's blue ones and her frown deepened, "Ca-therine?"
Catherine smiled, "Hi." She said somewhat awkwardly, "Do you, do you remember what happened?"
Tina shook her head, hissing at the pain that shot through her skull, "Ow, no what—where am I?"
Catherine placed her hand over Tina's to calm her, "It's okay. You're in the hospital, you were in a car accident."
Tina's eyes widened at the information, her gaze searching the room wildly.
"Eli's fine." Catherine assured her knowingly, "He was with you in the car but he wasn't injured. He's at my house with Nick." Catherine's eyes narrowed, "Do you remember Nick? Nick Stokes?"
Tina nodded hesitantly, "Uh...Warrick's best friend." She answered, voice hoarse from lack of use and she cringed when she swallowed.
Catherine turned to the small table to her right, pouring water into the plastic cup with a straw, "Here." She held the cup out to her, placing the straw to her lips.
Tina smile tightly and sipped, coughing as the cold liquid soothed her dry throat, "Thank you."
Catherine smiled, "I'm gonna get your doctor." She told her heading for the door, turning back when Tina called her name.
"How...how long have I been out for?" Tina questioned fearfully.
Catherine smiled gently at her, "Only a few days."
~CSI~
"Well, well." Dr. Avery smiled at his patient when he entered her room, "Miss Garrett, I'm Dr. Avery." He introduced himself holding out his hand to her, "I've been in charge of your care. It's nice to finally meet you." He smiled warmly at her and Tina felt the need to return it.
"You too." She agreed quietly, "What's, what's wrong with me?" she questioned timidly, glancing quickly at Catherine.
"What do you remember about your accident?" Dr. Avery asked her kindly, as he simultaneously checked her vitals.
Tina blinked repeatedly as she tried to pull the memory from some dark crevice of her mind but shook her head when it failed, "I—nothing."
"That's okay." Dr. Avery assured her with a reassuring smile, "You were hit by a drunk driver. He crashed into your side of the car." The doctor informed her gently and Tina's eyes widened. "You have a broken leg, a dislocated shoulder and a broken wrist." He continued, meeting her eyes, "They'll all heal nicely but you will need some physical therapy to get your strength back, especially in your leg."
Tina glanced at Catherine again, who smiled encouragingly, and she nodded slowly, "Okay uh...what else?"
"You had some internal bleeding." He informed her, "Quite serious bleeding which we managed to repair. You also have several bruised and broken ribs, one punctured your lung which is why you have a chest tube inserted."
Tina frowned, knowing from her nursing that broken ribs—even bruised ribs were very uncomfortable, "I don't feel any discomfort."
Dr. Avery smiled, "You've been heavily sedated. You'll feel it all eventually."
Tina smiled wryly, "Great." She quipped sarcastically and Catherine smirked. "What else?" Tina asked meeting her doctors gaze knowingly.
"You suffered some serious head trauma." The doctor informed her, "There was swelling in your brain which was cause for concern for a while but it corrected itself fairly quickly." He smiled at her, "I do want to order some follow up CT scans, just to make sure there's nothing going on in there that we don't know about. Do you understand?"
Tina nodded, "Yeah um...do whatever you have to do."
"Alright." Dr. Avery closed her chart and headed for the door, "I'll be back shortly."
Tina exhaled deeply as soon as the door was closed, tipping her head back and closing her eyes.
"You okay?" Catherine asked carefully, "That was a lot to take in."
Tina scoffed, "Yeah." She agreed bitterly forcing her eyes back open to look at the blond at her side.
Catherine smiled, "What?" she inquired at the other woman's staring.
Tina shrugged and chuckled, "Nothing I—I just...I never pictured this." She admitted, "You being the one there when I wake up after something like this. I mean, we didn't really get off to the best start and we're not exactly friends."
Shrugging her shoulders indifferently, Catherine replied, "Well...sometimes you find friends in unlikely people." She commented, thinking of herself and Sara, when they weren't at each others throats, of course. "And us single mother's gotta stick together." She added with a wink, "It's a tough world out there."
Tina smirked, "That it is." She met the older woman's eyes and held her gaze, "Thank you." She said sincerely, meaning every word.
Catherine shrugged, "It's cool." She dismissed casually, "Now, I bet you're just dying to see your son, huh?"
Tina's face lit up, "God yes!" she cried desperately.
Catherine smiled at her, "Okay, I'll go get him." she picked up her purse and turned to leave but Tina called out to her, unable to physically stop her.
"Catherine wait!"
"Yeah?" Catherine questioned, turning back to the brunette with questioning eyes.
"He stayed with you didn't he." Tina stated, although it was meant as a question, "Eli. You took him in."
Catherine bit down on her bottom lip, suddenly worried that maybe Tina wasn't as comfortable with that as she'd assumed, "Um...yeah. Yeah, he—I just thought—I didn't wanna put him in foster care so..."
Tina sent her a watery smile, "Thank you." She whispered, sick at the thought of her baby boy being cared for by complete strangers and although she didn't know Catherine all that well, Warrick had and he trusted her with his life.
Catherine had been extremely important to him and that was part of the problem when they were married but now, Tina was extremely grateful for their closeness.
Catherine smiled in relief, "Your welcome, Tina." Then slipped from the room, leaving Tina alone with her thoughts and after what had happened, she had some serious thinking to do.
~CSI~
Willows Residence
"NICK?" Catherine called loudly through her house as she locked the door behind her, "NICK? YOU HERE?"
"Hey." The handsome Texan greeted her as he descended the stairs, "How's Tina?"
"Awake." Catherine revealed with a smile and Nick grinned.
"I told ya it would happen." He stated proudly.
Catherine rolled her eyes at his smirk, "Yeah, yeah. Where's Eli? She wants to see him."
Nick pointed behind him, "Upstairs with Lindsey and your mother."
Catherine frowned, "Lindsey? She back already?"
Nick nodded, "There was some sort of wardrobe emergency. I didn't ask any questions." He held up his hands and shook his head, "I don't speak teenage girl."
Catherine giggled at his words, highly amused by the slight fear in his eyes at the thought, "Okay...then what do you know?"
"She's goin' back out later." He answered with a nod, "Don't know where. Didn't ask that either."
Catherine shook her head, "You're so helpful." She droned and Nick smirked.
"I try."
Catherine scoffed, walking towards the stairs, "LINDSEY? MOM? CAN YOU BRING HIM DOWN PLEASE?" she asked, hands on her hips and heard a loud squeal followed by laughter and shook her head at how easily the two had fallen for that little boy.
"Hey Mom." Lindsey greeted brightly as she descended in front of her grandmother.
"Hey." Catherine smiled, kissing her daughter's head as she passed. "Where you goin' later?"
"Oh!" Lindsey chirped spinning around, "That's what I had to ask: can stay at Kristen's tonight?" she pleaded with a large smile.
Catherine pondered for a moment then nodded, "Course you can. As long as her mother doesn't mind."
"YAY!" Lindsey cheered hugging her tightly, "Thank you! I'm gonna go call her."
"Okay, but come back down when you're done." Catherine called after her daughters retreating form, "I need to talk to you!"
Lily frowned, "What's going on?" she questioned, bobbing the baby up and down on her hip.
"Tina woke up." Catherine informed her with a smile, "She's alert, she's talking, she can't remember what happened but that was expected."
"That's wonderful." Lily boosted turning her eyes to the little boy in her arms, "You here that sweet pea, your momma's awake." She grinned at the baby pumping his little fist in the air for him, "Yaayyy!"
Catherine laughed at her mother, shaking her head, "Alright Mom, enough. Tina wants her baby back so...hand him over." She ordered outstretching her arms.
Lily sighed, pouting like a child, reluctantly handing the lovable child over, "Fine." She huffed crossing her arms, "But he better come visit."
Catherine rolled her eyes, "I'm sure he will, Mom."
"Sure who will what?" Lindsey chirped coming back down the stairs, cell phone in hand.
"Tina woke up." Catherine informed her daughter with a smile but Lindsey's face fell.
"Oh." She said sadly then amended with, "I mean yay! That's great!" but her cheer was fake and her mother knew it.
"Lindsey?" Catherine prodded and the younger Willows sighed.
"It's just...this means that Eli's gonna leave." Lindsey pouted sadly, "Tina's gonna get discharged and then she's gonna take him home and I liked having him here. He's fun." Lindsey beamed at the baby, "Aren't you?" she tickled his neck and he squealed, wriggling in Catherine's arms.
Lindsey smiled sadly, "I'm gonna miss him that's all."
Catherine tucked a lock of golden blond her behind her daughters ear, "Yeah...that's what I wanted to talk to you about." She said slowly and Lindsey titled her head. "Tina has several broken bones, and a pretty serious concussion. I doubt the hospital will release her without a support system. I mean, she's gonna be confined to her bed, slower, tired and she'll be starting physical therapy soon." Catherine shrugged, "You can't do all that and take care of an infant on your own."
Lindsey's eyes widened as she jumped on her mother's train of thought, "Sooo?" she urged, excitement building.
"Sooo...I was thinking, if Tina wanted to and if it was okay with you, that maybe I'd offer to let her stay with us until she was back on her feet?" Catherine inquired, lifting her shoulders as she watched for her daughter's reaction.
Lindsey grinned widely and squealed, "YAY!" she cheered scooping Eli out of Catherine's arms, "You get to stay!" she exclaimed exaggerating her voice and facial expression for Eli's sake who squealed in delight with her clapping his hands, excited by her enthusiasm.
Lindsey smirked turning to address her mother, "Eli's all for it too." She cracked and Catherine rolled her eyes.
~CSI~
Desert Palm Hospital
Catherine rapped lightly on the hospital room door, waiting for permission before she entered, with Eli on her hip.
"Hey." She greeted Tina whose face lit up at the sight of her son, her tired eyes brightening.
"Hi baby boy!" she gushed happily as Catherine brought the little boy closer, "Hey buddy. Oh I missed you."
Catherine placed Eli next to his mother, laughing when the little boy giggled, clapping his hands happily before dropping his head onto her lap.
Tina bit her lip as tears welled in her eyes, "God I'm so glad you're okay." She whispered, stroking her son's hair.
"He really is." Catherine assured her, keeping one hand on Eli's back to keep him on the bed.
Tina nodded, exhaling slowly as she blinked away her tears, "Yeah. I just—I don't know what I'd do if anything—"
"I know." Catherine nodded, thinking of her own daughter with a smile.
Tina took a deep breath and smiled, "My CT was clear." She informed her new friend brightly, "Doc said I can go home in a few days but..."
Catherine squinted at the woman, pretty sure she knew what was running through her head, "But what?" she pushed and Tina sighed.
"I can't do this on my own." Tina admitted reluctantly, hating that she was too weak to care for her own son, "I can't take care of him like this." She shook her head in frustration, "I don't know what I'm gonna do."
Eli gurgled loudly as he stuck his pacifier in his mouth, only to have it fall out again. He huffed, his bottom lip jutting out in frustration before he tried again and succeeded.
Catherine and Tina laughed at him, and the little boy smiled at them.
Tina closed her eyes with a sigh, "I'm sorry." She apologized and Catherine frowned, "I don't mean to unload my problems on you."
Catherine rolled her eyes and placed a hand on the woman's arm, "Hey, that's what friends are for." She pointed out and Tina chuckled, "Speaking of...I think I may have a solution to that problem." Catherine informed her carefully.
Tina's questioning eyes met hers, "Really?"
Catherine nodded, "Um...you could come stay with me?" she offered with a shrug.
Tina's eyes widened but she shook her head, "I can't ask you to do that."
Catherine chuckled, "You're not. I'm offering."
Tina looked at her seriously, "What about your family? Your daughter? It would disrupt your whole lives."
Catherine sighed, taking Tina's hand, "You said it yourself, Tina. You can't do this on your own, it's impossible and I already spoke to Lindsey and trust me, she's all for this." Catherine assured her confidently, "She's head over heels in love with that boy and wants him to stay."
Tina smiled, a small laugh passing her lips, "Well he is adorable." She boasted with a smirk.
Catherine nodded, "That he is." She agreed meeting the younger woman's eyes again, "Warrick was my family." She reminded her firmly, "And you're his, so that makes you mine too." Catherine explained, looking Tina in the eyes, "Let me help you Tina." Catherine begged, "For Warrick, for Eli...for me."
Tina listened to the woman's words, the woman she used to hate, despise and blame for the break-up of her marriage and heard the genuine sincerity in her voice. Despite their less than amicable past, Catherine was willing to disrupt her life and her family to make room for hers.
Tina shook her head wordlessly, unable to comprehend why and felt tears of gratitude sting her eyes. "Okay." Tina whispered quietly and Catherine smiled.
"Great." Catherine nodded then turned to Eli, "Guess what buddy?" she gushed and the little boy turned to her with wide eyes, "You get to stay with me a little while longer." She gasped holding out her hands and Tina chuckled as her son dived for Catherine, "You and your mommy are gonna come live with me and Linds for a while." She informed the garbling baby, "Would you like that?"
Tina smiled as she watched the last person on earth she would expect to come to her aid, save her with that one simply offer. Tina shook her head in bewilderment, who'd have thought she'd find such a dear friend in Catherine Willows?
~CSI~
'Well? Drop me a line and tell me what you thought :)'
Rachel xo
