Decided not to go with Grissom's part first, I guess the interview he had recently really puts me off. I know, his interview might have taken out of context but I am not happy with it. I guess, the recent GSR breakup, had put us into two camps, Team Sara and Team Grissom. Team Sara blames Grissom and vice versa. :( I want Team GSR, despite what I write for this chapter might not be, but we shall see. Anyway, there'll be more of Doug.

This story might go beyond 10 chapters.

Serenity

[ Chapter 5 ]

Early May 2013

Sara folded the last of her clothing and stacked it neatly into her small travelling bag. She was finally going to discharge, after getting all clearance from her doctor. She was sick of this place. Hospital had never been her favorite place since young. She avoided them like plague. Hospital, in her mind, had always been associated with bad memories.

Since young, she had been a regular in the ER, the hospital. It was either her mother who was hurt or she was. Then she had to have her PEAP counseling sessions in the hospital. The last time she was in a hospital, as a victim, was because of Natalie Davis. She spent almost a month in the hospital to nurse back to health.

Grissom, then, was always there and treated her like a porcelain doll. He was afraid that she was so fragile that she would break into million pieces if he wasn't there to hold her when she needed to go to the toilet or feed her when the meal was brought in.

Despite the tightening of her heart, she realized it no longer hurt to think of Grissom anymore. The past few weeks in the hospital had given her clarity she needed. She really needed to move on from Grissom. She had to focus her attention, care and concern and her love on her unborn baby.

Her hands went to her swell of her stomach and rubbed it gently. "Little one, it might be just you and me now but I love you very much." She might not conceive her child in the most loving condition but she promised herself that she would give her baby the love of both mother and father.

"Are you ready to go?" Doug asked, with a big smile plastered on his boyish-looking face. Sara realized that Doug did not seem to grow old. He looked the same when she left San Francisco. He aged well with time.

"Yes," Sara smiled, and pointed to the few bags that was on the bed. One of the bags was filled with toys Doug bought for her unborn child and another bag was maternity clothes Doug bought.

"Wow," Doug exclaimed. "I swear that it was just a few shopping bags."

Sara rolled her eyes and laughed good-naturedly. "You bought the whole store."

Doug winked, "it's for you and the baby. The teddy bears were on sales and the train set too. You needed new clothes." Doug grabbed the bags and held his free hand out for Sara. Sara took his hand and squeezed it. "Thanks, Doug, for everything."

When they settled into Doug's rented car, Sara pushed her seat all the way back and propped both of her feet on the dashboard. "It's comfortable," Sara defended when she felt Doug's questioning gaze. "I'm pregnant."

Doug chuckled and shrugged. "Pregnant, it is a good reason for being whiny and obnoxious." His comment earned a punch on his arm.

"Sara Sidle!" He glared at her. She stuck out her tongue, "right now, I just want to go home and have a good soak in my bathtub. Go!"

Doug started the engine and reversed his way out of the parking lot. Sara sang along to the 80s music Doug played. Doug enjoying listening to Sara sings, as she had a good voice. She used to sing when they were working together. She only sang when she was engrossed in her work.

"Where're we going?" Sara asked when she realized that they were not on the route back to her place. "We're going to visit your mother." Doug said, easily.

"What? Why?" Sara shouted.

"You need your Mum." Doug answered, ignoring the stares Sara threw him.

"Doug!" Sara folded her arms across her chest, fuming. "Sara, I never know what happened in your past but I know that you need your Mum now. She will be the best support."

"But, I don't want to see her now. Not now." Sara sighed. Her mother believed that she was happily married. She did not know that she was recently separated and she was having a baby. Her mother thought she was fine and doing well. She did not want her mother to think otherwise.

"I visited her a while back," Doug swallowed slowly, "and told her about your recent events. She is worried."

Sara exploded, and could not keep her rage in check. She banged on the window and screamed. "How could you? Who're you to me to do that?"

"I'm your friend who wants the best for you," Doug whispered and sighed sadly. He wanted to help and was taken aback by Sara's out lash. He knew that Sara and her mother were never on good terms but he believed Sara wanted to change the frosty part of their relationship.

"I'm sorry," Sara apologized, closed her eyes. Her eyes stayed shut for the remaining trip. The 80s music continued to blast but they both felt the uneasy silence that had settled upon.

"If you're not up to this, we can leave now." Doug said when they were in the parking lot of the care facility. Sara took in a deep breath and shook her head. "I think you're right, this might be good."

Doug offered his arm when they walked in the care facility. He pulled her nearer when Sara took his offer. They smiled at each other. Sara wondered why Doug had a soothingly effect on her.

Sara's hands hovered in mid-air when they were outside of Laura Sidle's ward. Sara wiped her hands on her coat and quivered a little. "Go talk to her. She's worried." Doug encouraged soothingly.

Sara rasped on the door softly and cracked the door open a little. "I will be outside." Doug smiled. Receiving Doug's reassurance, Sara pushed the door open and entered the ward. She closed the door behind her and whispered, "Mum."

"Sara," Laura Sidle got off her bed immediately and made her way to Sara. She threw her arms around Sara and pulled her into a hug. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, Mum, yes." Sara broke down and cried.

"It's okay. I'm here," Laura Sidle lulled calmingly. Laura Sidle led Sara to the her bed and pulled her to the bed. She cradled Sara's head in her chest and wiped away Sara's tears.

Sara felt safe in her Mum's hands. Suddenly, she remembered how her Mum tried to protect her from her father and how she sang a lullaby to her.

"He doesn't want me anymore. He doesn't love me anymore." Sara whimpered. The floodgates she kept shut just turned on automatically. She cried, and cried like a kid who lost her favorite toy. Laura Sidle just kept rubbing Sara's back and whispered encouraging words.

"You'll be fine, Sara." Laura Sidle was certain that her daughter would be fine. She just needed time to heal. Time healed all wounds. Sara's eyes gradually closed.

"Thanks," Sara mumbled after she walked out of her Mum's room, and linked her arm with Doug's arm. Doug gave her an affectionate smile, and ruffled her hairs. "Feeling better?" he asked.

Sara nodded. After a short nap with her Mum, and updating her Mum about her recent events, she felt that a rock was lifted from her heart. She instantly felt rejuvenated. She should not have shut her Mum out of her life.

"I will be coming by next week. My Mum is going to teach me how to knit," Sara's eyes twinkled. The gloom that she had in her eyes was wiped out. The brown in her eyes began to shine again.

"I want to go home now." Sara said.

"I have a surprise for you," Doug escorted Sara out of the care facility.

When Sara stepped out of the care facility, she realized that she was on her way of healing. She had help from her Mum, her surrogate family and Doug.

I know, this is a short one. Do let me know how you feel. I am thinking that the angst part had not ended yet. More to come! :)