December: New Years Eve
From the day of the Christmas party until the morning of the 31st no one talked about anything but the upcoming party.
This year would be the grand opening of the Eclipse, everyone knew that Lilly had an interest in it but no one knew just how much. Catherine even admitted that she didn't know. Catherine did find out that she had a small piece of it and so did Lindsey.
Everyone knew that Nick had asked Sophia and Jim had asked Annie. Hodges had talked Wendy into coming back for the party and Greg asked Brandie, his newest love interest. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins along with Mr. and Mrs. Phillips were invited too.
"Who is Grissom bringing?" Greg asked Catherine.
"He wont say," Catherine told him, "But I heard he asked Sara."
"Sara?" Greg said, "Makes since. Neither of then have anyone special in their lives."
Later that evening Catherine ran into Sara.
"I have a friend if you need a date for the New Years Eve Party. He's a real sweet guy."
Sara smiled, "No thanks. Grissom asked me and I told him I would go."
"You two should go out more often," Catherine said, "I think you would make a cute couple."
Sara just grinned, it only Catherine knew.
The morning of the 31st all the girls decided to spend it shopping. There was dresses and accessories to buy and each lady wanted to make sure that there dates accessories would match theirs.
Sara decided to go with blue - she loved the way that color set off Gil's eyes. Sara was looking at a tie that she wanted to get Gil to go with his dark blue suit. As she looked at it she was picturing his eyes.
"There beautiful," she said, just a little louder then she should.
"What's beautiful?" Annie asked.
"Nothing," Sara said.
Annie laughed. She knew just what Sara was thinking, after all she and Jim had stood with them when they were married.
"I think you're right," Annie whispered, "His eyes are dreamy."
"Who's eyes?" Catherine asked.
"Grissom's," Sara said.
"Oh I know," Sophia said, "I think they are his best feature."
Everyone agreed and Sara quickly changed the subject.
At the house as they were getting ready Sara started to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Gil asked.
"That everyone thinks that I'll be in my own room tonight," she said.
"Sara," Gil said, taking her hand and sitting on the bed, "I want to tell then - tonight."
Sara looked at him, "I thought….."
"I know," he told her, "But I love the feel of your body close to mine as we dance and the taste of your lips as we kiss."
Sara stroked his face.
"I think it's time," Gil told her.
"Yes," she said, "I agree. It is getting harder and harder at work too. I keep catching my self wanting to say something."
Gil smiled and touched Sara's stomach, "Anyway, we can't keep this little lady a secret much longer."
Sara looked at him and grinned, "Nick did tell me the other day that he thought I was gaining a little weight."
Sara had found out about the pregnancy 18 weeks ago on her regular check up. She was just into her 5th month and was told by her doctor that she had to be out of the field by the end of her 27th week.
"They are going to flip out," Sara said, unable to hold back the giggles.
Gil had to laugh too, "I know. They don't even know we are a couple and tonight they will find out that we are married and pregnant."
Gil tenderly kissed her then he smiled, "I have never been happier."
Sara finished dressing and stood in front of a full length mirror, running her hand down over her stomach. She was not showing yet but had decided on a gown that flared at her waistline.
"You know it will not be much longer and I'll look like a beached whale," Sara said.
Gil put his arms around her and kissed the back of her neck, "But you will always be beautiful to me."
All the couples had been given a special invitation that was to be handed to the doorman upon arrival. The couple would be escorted to the top floor. Bellhops would be available to take any luggage to their room.
Gil and Sara arrived last, he gave the bellhop his room key and asked to have his and Mrs. Grissom's bags put in their room. Sara smiled.
"What?" Gil asked.
"I like the sound of that. Mrs. Grissom," she said, laying her head on his arm, "And after tonight I will be using it."
Gil kissed her forehead, they had decided that it was her decision as to what last name she wanted to use. He had to admit that he was proud of the fact that she wanted his name.
At the main ballroom a doorman opened the door for them.
"I thought you were going to chicken out," Nick said, walking over to them, "Sara you look beautiful."
Gil smiled, "She does."
There were tables filled with food, an open bar - completely stocked, and an orchestra.
"Grissom, Sara," a voice called.
Gil turned to see Lilly, "Nice to see you."
Sara excepted her hug, reluctantly so did Gil.
"Help yourself to the bar and the food," she said, "The music will start shortly."
Sara and Gil filled a plate, Sara took a glass of tea and Gil a glass of wine.
"Over here," a voice called.
Gil nodded and they headed to the table where Jim and Annie were sitting.
"Tea?" Jim said, "I thought I was the only one not drinking."
Sara just smiled.
"Hon," Annie said, "A lady in Sara's condition can't drink."
Jim looked at Sara, "You are?"
"Yes. 18 weeks," she said.
"Then I think it is time you let the cat out of the bag," Jim said.
"We plan on it," Gil said.
As it got closer to midnight Gil went to the middle of the dance floor with a microphone.
"I was thinking that it would be nice for each of us to reflect on the past year and maybe tell about our plans for next year. That is of course if you want to," Gil said.
One by one each of the team walked to the center of the floor and said a few words. Sara walked up next to Gil and smiled.
"I think we are the last ones," Gil said, "I have decided to take this opportunity to make an announcement." Gil slipped his arm around Sara's waist, "8 months ago this beautiful woman became my wife."
Gil kissed her. "And someplace around the middle of April we will be adding a new member to the Grissom family."
You could say the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, but to be honest it was more like you could hear a feather drop.