A/N: The quote that comes to Grissom's mind at some point in the chapter is from Elizabeth Stone, professor of English at Fordham University.

This is it, the last chapter to this little story. It could easily have been two chapters it's so long. I hope you enjoy it.

And before some of you ask: yes, I am going to work on the epilogue for Ships. ;-)


Sara was in bed, lying on her side under the sheet, looking down at the baby lying next to her with eyes as soft as her smile. She'd taken to motherhood so well, so quickly and so naturally that already it was hard to imagine her without a baby, that it was hard to imagine their life without their son in it. A son. A smile formed as he remembered the exact moment the doctor had dropped that bombshell. Sara was so certain they were expecting a daughter that she never thought to ask. Her face on hearing the news had been a picture to behold, but as with everything else she's been quick to take it in her stride.

A son, he mused and shook his head, secretly pleased. Not even a day old yet and everything had changed. They'd named him Samuel. Samuel Grissom, it had a nice ring to it. Sara's eyes drifted shut again, only to snap open when she shook herself awake, fighting sleep.

A nurse had come a few hours after birth and shown Sara how to nurse. It had proven tricky at first, and painful, the baby not latching on as well as she'd like, but with the nurse's gentle encouragements and words of advice they'd persevered and Samuel had taken his first feed. Afterwards, they'd been shown how to bathe and care for him, and they'd been quick to learn. Grissom had changed his first diaper while Sara had dressed Samuel in the yellow velour sleeper they'd bought from USA Baby all these weeks ago.

"I don't think I'll ever tire of watching him," she said, drawing Grissom out of his thoughts, and looked up to him with a soft smile.

And again he couldn't help count his blessings. "Me neither," he said, his heart full to the brim of love and contentment. He reached for her hand protectively draped over their sleeping son's chest, and gave it a squeeze. Her eyes closed again, seemingly of their own accord, her head lolling forward. The smile lingered on her lips. "Don't fight it, Sara," he said. "Take five minutes."

"What if he wakes up?"

He smiled at her. "Then you'll be the first person to know." His smile turned mischievous. "Unless, of course, you don't trust me with our son."

"Oh, I trust you," she said tiredly, "You know I do."

He cupped her face gently. "We'll stay right here."

She gave a nod. Her eyes drifted shut once again, and she finally allowed herself a well-deserved rest. Grissom watched her sleep for a long while – watched them sleep side by side for a long while – committing the moment to memory. He was about to move the baby back to his bassinet when he thought better of it, and instead pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket, snapping another shot.

Then, he gently lifted the baby from the bed, taking care to scoop his hand under the head and neck to support them. He looked at the bassinet, quirked a brow, and then instead of lowering Samuel in it sat down on the armchair by the bed. Carefully, he laid his son on his lap, facing him, and gazed at him to his heart's content.

"It's just you and me now, buddy," he said after a while. He stole a look at Sara, still soundly sleeping, a wistful smile forming as he thought of how brave she'd been through it all, and refocused on his son. "Your mommy is fast asleep – tired out she is. But it was worth it, wasn't it?"

He reached down, brushing lightly over Samuel's eyes and wondered who they would take after. His fingers trailed down his rounded cheek to his perfectly formed ear and then to the light covering of fine dark hair on his head. He picked up a tight fist and slowly unfurled the fingers, marvelling again at how long and sharp the nails were. The smile of wonderment never left his lips.

He never thought one could love so unconditionally, so absolutely and so fast. A parent's love knows no bounds, he realised then for the first time. Making the decision to have a child - it is momentous, he'd read in one of his book. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. God, how apropos were these words. Grissom smiled and shook his head and watched his heart beat on his lap.

All through his musings, little Samuel never once stirred and Grissom hoped it was a sign of things to come. He was drifting off when a soft knock on the door roused him with a start. The door opened quietly and Nick popped his head round. His eyes found Sara asleep in the bed and then Grissom a little to the side in the armchair. He smiled.

"Hey," he said in a hushed whisper, his smile widening, "Is this a good time, or do you want us to come by later?"

Nick opened the door wider and Grissom caught sight of Greg behind him. "Come in," he replied, glancing toward Sara still fast asleep. His gaze settled back onto his infant son. He picked him up and cautiously settled him in the crook of his arm. "Come and meet little Samuel."

Nick and Greg exchanged glances, then quietly stepped inside the room with wide smiles. They were holding a present each, which they placed at the foot of the bed. "Brass said to say he's sorry he can't be there," Nick said. "He'll try to come by tomorrow after shift, if they allow."

Grissom gave an absent nod and Nick strode up to him, holding out his arms for the baby. Grissom did a double take in surprise, his hold instinctively tightening around his newborn baby.

"Don't worry," Nick soothed. "I know what I'm doing. I won't drop him. You forget I got three older sisters and plenty of experience."

Grissom pulled a grudging face, but nevertheless pushed to his feet and carefully relinquished his hold of the baby to Nick. "Just mind his head," he said softly.

Nick's face lit up as he gazed at the baby. "Hello, little man," he said, and grinned up at Grissom. "I forget how light they are when they're first born."

"Seven pounds fourteen," Grissom announced proudly. "Neither too small nor too big. Just perfect."

"I'll bet," Nick said in a chuckle. "Evelyn's oldest –Tanya, she's twelve now, or is it thirteen?" Nick frowned then gave his head a shake. "Anyway, she was nine pounds two – nineteen hour labour! She said, never again, but there's been two more since."

Grissom pulled a pained face at what Nick's sister must have endured. "Samuel scored a ten on the Apgar scale," he said, needing to change the topic.

"Did he, now?" Nick remarked wryly.

Greg was looking on at the baby with a wide smile on his face, and reassured to see that Nick indeed seemed to know what he was doing he felt it safe to stand back a little. "Do you want to sit down maybe?"

"No, I'm good," Nick said, lightly rocking the baby. "Congratulation, man, you did good there."

"Yeah," Greg echoed. "He's a good looking little fellow."

Grissom gave a chuckle of embarrassment, but secretly relished all the praise. "Sara did all the work."

"Don't you think he looks just like her?" Greg remarked wistfully. "He's not all red and wrinkly like I was expecting." Grissom fixed the younger man with a baffled stare and Greg lifted a sheepish shoulder. "I haven't come across many newborn babies before."

"How's Sara doing?" Nick asked.

All three men turned toward Sara who stirred just at that moment. No one spoke for a minute, expectantly watching whether she would wake up or not, and when it was clear she wouldn't, Grissom finally answered Nick's question. "She's…doing good," he said, his gaze fond and tender, still a little surprised himself at how quickly she had recovered after the birth. "Tired and sore, but…she was great." Greg turned toward him, surprise evident in his gaze at the candour of his old boss's words, but Grissom wasn't paying attention, so intent he was on watching his wife sleep.

"Anyway," Greg said, breaking the silence, "I went to fetch Hank from your place." He fished inside his coat pocket and pulled out Grissom's house keys, which he held out to him. "I took his bowl and the bag of food as instructed, and walked him round the block a couple of times."

Grissom gave a grateful nod. "Thank you, Greg. Our sitter's on vacation and we don't know how long it's going to be until we get back to a routine."

"It's okay. I don't mind."

"Greg," Nick said after a pause, "you want to have a hold?"

"Oh, I don't know," Greg said quickly. "You forget I'm an only child. I haven't held a baby before."

Grissom smiled. "Neither had I, really, until eight hours ago."

Greg looked at Samuel and nodded his head. "Okay, but I think I'll sit down. Just in case."

Greg sat down and Nick adeptly transferred the baby over, all the while making sure that the head was well supported. After a few minutes Samuel began to cry and a look of panic filled Greg's face. Immediately, Sara stirred. Greg stood up, then unceremoniously returned the baby to Grissom and sauntered over to Sara, while Grissom began pacing the room, trying to soothe the baby into going back to sleep.

"Is it time for a feed already?" she asked groggily, and with a wince pushed herself up in a sitting position.

"I don't know," Grissom replied, feeling a little hot under the collar while Nick tried to suppress a smile.

Greg reached over to help her up, pulling pillows up behind her back, making her comfortable. Then, he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. "Congratulations," he said, "Told you the hot food, hot bath and―" Sara narrowed her eyes at him and shook her head briskly, cutting his words short.

But Grissom wasn't paying attention. "Do you think he needs changing?" he asked Sara, as the baby still whimpered in his arms.

"I think he wants his mommy," Nick said.

Grissom paused, then stared at him before staring at Sara for confirmation. She opened her arms out to the baby and Grissom gently lowered him to her in the crook of her arm. Samuel stopped fussing right away.

"He's a mommy's boy," Nick remarked gravely, causing Grissom's mouth to purse in slight irritation.

"It's to do with smell," Sara replied, placating, "and the sound of my heartbeat. After all this time we got used to one another, haven't we?"

Greg picked up one of the two gift-wrapped presents from the foot of the bed and held it out to Sara. "Is it a good time for presents?" he asked with a giddy smile.

"Sure," Sara said, and taking the proffered gift tried opening it, one-handed. Grissom stepped forward to help. It was clear by the shape that the present was a book and Grissom was touched by the gesture. It wasn't just any book. It was a collection of illustrated children stories that Greg had put together. Grissom opened the book to the first page and read the dedication.

"Most stories are adaptations from Norwegian folktales," Greg explained, "but I've added a little…twist to them." He gave them a shy smile. "I didn't do the art work, the computer did."

Speechless, Grissom looked at Sara. She had tears in her eyes. "I don't know what to say, Greg, it's… beautiful." He refocused on the younger man. "Thank you. We shall treasure it."

Greg smiled and nodded his head, seemingly pleased with their reaction to the gift.

"My present is less…more…well, it's…" Nick shrugged. "We don't all have Greg's talent for storytelling." He sighed, then held out a gift-wrapped box to Grissom. "It's for the two of you."

Grissom pursed his mouth, then turned the package in his hands and slid his fingers in the opening. He discarded the wrapping paper and opened the box. "What is it?" he asked, pulling out a garment made of fabric.

Sara began to giggle. "It's a baby carrier," she told her husband. "One you strap on your chest."

Grissom turned the offending article in his hands and studied it with interest. He heard Sara thank Nick for the gift and he looked up, echoing her words. Nick reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and took out two envelopes.

"This one's from Catherine," he said, "Lily came by CSI as soon as the word was out." His shoulder lifted as he turned the first envelope in his hand before holding it out to Sara. "Catherine had asked that we called her as soon as the baby was born, so…we did. She says she wants pictures, lots of them and she wishes she could be here."

With a nod, Sara took the envelope and Grissom helped her open it. He pulled out a card. "Congratulations on the birth of your little one," he read, and opened it. His face lit up and he gave a chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief.

"What is it?" Sara asked with puzzlement.

"It's a day's pass at the Bellagio spa. With unlimited treatments and massages."

Sara's eyes widened at the prospect.

"Wow," Greg said, echoing her thoughts, "maybe I could come too."

Sara's chuckle was warm and sincere. "I was thinking more along the lines that you could babysit while Grissom and I indulge."

Grissom's lips pinched, supressing his smile as Greg's face fell. Nick laughed, then clapped Greg on the shoulder and held out the second envelope. "And this one's for Samuel," he said. "It's from all of us at the lab, even management chipped in, and a few more at PD."

Sara and Grissom exchanged looks of surprise. Nick was grinning when shrugging he held out the envelope to Grissom. With a frown, Grissom slid his finger in the opening and pulled out a cheque for two hundred dollars made payable to Samuel Grissom. Grissom's brow rose. "Wow," he said, looking up, "I don't know what to say. Thank you."

"What is it?" Sara asked, craning her neck to see.

"We had a whip-round," Nick explained, while Grissom lowered the cheque to her eye line. "We thought you might want to open a savings account, or something. You know, for when he's older."

"Thank you," Sara said, her gratitude heartfelt and sincere.

Nick and Greg stayed another half-hour before making their retreat. Grissom and Sara could hardly believe how lucky they were to have such thoughtful friends in their lives. Samuel woke up soon after that and while Sara fed him Grissom went in search of a hot drink and nourishment and stretched his legs. He thought it strange that no one had come with cigars and a bottle of scotch, and then remembered Brass hadn't been yet. He returned when Sara had finished feeding. She was holding Samuel to her shoulder, gently rubbing at his back, burping him. The sight warmed his heart. Afterwards, once changed, Grissom returned the baby in the bassinet and helped Sara to the bathroom. He suggested a bath to ease the ever-present soreness, but she was all bathed out.

Maybe now was the time to give her his present, he thought. He helped her back into bed and was about to open the top drawer in the bedside table where he'd stashed his gift earlier when there was another knock on the door and DB Russell showed his face, grinning and carrying a big bunch of flowers in his arms. "I'm on my way to the lab," he said in a quiet whisper, "So I won't stay long. I know you must be tired and all visited-out by now, but… I couldn't resist taking a peek." He paused hesitantly, and Sara waved him in enthusiastically.

Russell stepped inside the room, quietly closing the door after him. Striding to the bed, he craned his neck to look inside the bassinet across Sara before leaning down to buss her on the cheek. He reached over the bed, extending his free hand at Grissom which the latter shook warmly. "Congratulations to both of you," he said. "Although in my experience I find us men get the longest end of the straw."

Grissom gave a half-smile, nodding.

Russell looked at the flowers in his arms, then thrust them at Sara. "These are for you," he said.

"Thank you," Sara said, glancing toward Grissom, "They're lovely."

"I'll see if the nurses can find a vase to put them in," Grissom said, taking the flowers from the supervisor and setting them down on one of the side cupboards.

"And this is from Barbara," Russell added, holding out a well-worn pocket book to Sara. "She said you'd appreciate it." He gave a wince. "I'm not so sure."

Sara's frown slowly formed into a smile as she read the title of the book; Coping with exhaustion: a guide for new moms. "It looks well-thumbed," she remarked.

"Oh, it is. Was," he amended softly. "Since Barbara won't be needing it anymore she thought…" He shrugged the rest of his sentence off.

"Thank you," Sara said. "What about your daughter, though? Won't she mind me having it?"

Russell's smile was wide when he shook his head. "No, she won't. She's got her mother."

Sara's eyes averted back to the book and she nodded her head.

"That was very thoughtful of her," Grissom said.

Russell's eyes lowered to Samuel and he strode round the bed to the bassinet. "Isn't he a sweetie," he cooed, and stole a glance at Sara, "Just like his mother." Sara gave a small chuckle of disbelief, but her grin was wide and pleasurable. He met her gaze, then Grissom's, before refocusing a wistful look on the baby.

Grissom smiled, taking the hint. "Would you like to hold him?"

"Oh, I don't know," Russell replied, "I wouldn't want to unsettle him. He looks so peaceful, so…" his words trailed off and he looked up. "Can I?"

Smiling, Grissom gently picked up Samuel from the bassinet, placing him in DB's awaiting arms.

"It's not been that long since I last indulged," he said, "but…it never gets old, does it?"

Watching his son proudly, Grissom shook his head. "No, it doesn't," he said.

Russell looked right in his element with a child in his arms, and Grissom hoped that somehow he did too. He glanced at Sara who was watching Russell and her baby with a fond smile. Sensing his gaze on her she looked over to him and her smile broadened. "This is our child," her proud smile told him, "Our child." Grissom reached out his hand to her and taking it she gave it a gentle squeeze. At that moment, the baby seemed to wake. He began to squirm a little and then opening his little mouth wide let out a shrill little cry.

"I think that's my cue," Russell said, laughing as he carefully returned Samuel to Grissom.

Grissom took the baby and tried to settle him while Russell and Sara quietly caught up with each other. Samuel was once again peacefully sleeping in his father's arms when another visitor popped their head round the door. Grissom's face lit up on seeing his mother, standing there, hesitant to come in. Russell and Sara stopped talking, and he noticed Russell turn toward the door.

"Mom!" Grissom exclaimed when Betty looked his way. A very wide and proud smile on his face he lifted the baby slightly up in the air, apologising for not being able to sign.

She batted a hand at him, dismissing his apology, and strode into the room, letting the door shut by itself. "I thought this day would never come, Gilbert," she signed, her eyes shining with happiness.

Grissom lifted a self-conscious shoulder while Sara burst in a quiet chuckle. "You and me both," she signed and said concurrently.

Laughing Betty made a bee line for Sara, leaning down to take her in her arms. Pulling back with a smile she lifted her right hand flat to her chin, then moved it out as she signed, "Thank you. Thank you for giving me a grandson. You made an old woman very happy." She met her son's gaze before continuing, "And I know if he was here, your father would be delighted too."

Grissom's smile faded slightly and he acknowledged his mother's words with a nod. She walked round the bed and gazed at her grandson intently before brushing a trembling finger to the baby's dimpled chin. When she looked up at her son she had tears in her eyes, and he knew how special and long-awaited this moment was for her.

Russell discreetly cleared his throat and Grissom refocused. "DB, I'm sorry. This is my mother," he said, and then looking at his mother, said very clearly, "DB is Sara's boss at CSI."

Betty stared at her son's lips while he spoke. Her brow rose in interest at his words and then she turned toward DB, dipping her head in a nod as she smiled.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs Grissom," Russell said, smiling and looking at Betty in the eye as he spoke.

"Nice to meet you too," she said with her hands, which Grissom immediately interpreted.

Russell turned toward Sara. "I'm going to go now. Leave you to share this moment with your family." He hugged Sara goodbye, quietly saying as he pulled back, "Congratulations, Sara. You have a lovely family."

Betty tapped her son on the shoulder, then quickly signed to him words he again interpreted. "DB, you don't have to leave on my mother's account," he said. "She says she'll be quite content holding the baby while we talk."

Russell lifted his hand conciliatorily. "Oh, no, it's perfectly okay," he replied easily, "I was on my way anyway." He turned toward Sara. "And you, don't overdo it, all right? I'll see you soon."

No sooner had the door shut on Russell than Betty's face softened and she held out her arms for the baby before signing quickly, "Can a grandmother have a hold of her precious grandson?"

Grissom looked at the bundle sound asleep in his arms with longing, loathed to hand him over again even to his mother. "Careful with his head," he said clearly, catching her eye so she could read his lips, and held out his son to her.

Betty laughed. "You never forget," she signed, and Grissom gently lowered Samuel in his mother's awaiting arms.

After a moment Betty looked up at them, then lifted one hand to her ear. Sara stared at Grissom inquisitively and he shrugged. "She wants to know if we had the hearing screening test done." It was a blanket test they did to every newborn infant where a miniature earphone and microphone are placed in the ear. Sounds are then played and a response measured. If the baby hears normally an echo is reflected in the ear canal and recorded by the microphone. Even a positive reading wouldn't offer any reassurances about otosclerosis, but he knew this was a very serious concern of his mother's.

"They haven't done the test yet," he said and signed. He looked at Sara. "Let's not worry about all that now, huh?"

Betty nodded then returned her attention to gazing at her grandson. It was only an hour later when visiting hours were over, Betty gone and Samuel asleep in the bassinet that Grissom finally took out his gift from the bedside table, placing it on Sara's lap. Fed up with being cooped up in bed, she was sitting on the armchair.

"It's for you," he said, his smile a little diffident when she looked up at him with puzzlement.

"I don't understand."

His shoulder lifted. "It's from me and Samuel." He met her gaze and smiled. "A small token of our love and gratitude. Open it."

Sara's eyes lowered to the gift bag and she reached inside uncertainly, pulling out a gift-wrapped rectangular box. One eyebrow rose, and she looked up with surprise.

"Open it," he tried again.

Sara stared at him for a moment before delicately pulling the ribbon off. He had spent a long time deciding on the gift and in the end had chosen one that would last the test of time. He had wanted his gift to be a keepsake, a memory of their happy day so that every time she wore it she was reminded of how much she was loved – by him and their son. He watched intently as shaky fingers slowly undid the wrapping and opened the box. He heard a soft gasp, and she looked at him, her eyes shining with tears, her lips pinched together. The smile he gave her was tentative, somewhat expectant.

"Oh, Gil," she said in a murmur, and looked at the gift, "it's beautiful. It's…" she shook her head, clearly at a loss for words.

Gently, Grissom eased the silver charm bracelet out of the box and attached it to her wrist. Two charms dangled from it and Sara reached her free hand to them. "The heart is from me," he explained, "a little cliché, I know, but true love has indeed found you." A tear spilled out of the corner of her eyes and she blew out a breath. His trembling smile widened. "The key is from Samuel."

Sara fingered the charm in the shape of a key. "And the key," she asked in a tremulous voice, "What does it mean?"

"It means that you will have a happy home." His shoulder lifted. "I thought we could add to them every mother's day."

Sara brought her hand to her mouth. Her tears spilled. "Oh, Gil, this is the most…the most considerate, beautiful gift you could have given me."

"So…you don't want to take it back then," he said in a smile. "I kept the receipt just in case."

"No," she said quickly. "No, I love it." She reached out her hand and cupped his face. "I love the thought behind it. I—I love…you. And Samuel."

She reached up toward him and smiling he leaned down and met her lips.

"I'm glad I could give you a son," she said when they pulled apart. Grissom's expression must have registered a look of surprise for she gave him a smile and a shrug as she explained, "I know how much a son means to you. I could see how much it meant to your mother too."

"Sara, a daughter would have made me just as happy."

She was about to reply when she paused and stroked his cheek. A smile formed, pulling at the corners of her mouth. "Next time, huh?"

His smile widening he leaned in for another kiss. "Yes, next time."


The end.