A Visit to Las Vegas Chapter 8

The air moved around them, and Grissom knew without looking that Catherine had arrived. He did not attempt to stand as she swept into the room, talking on her phone, clipping words, passing orders to someone, until she was inside the office and saw who was waiting for her. Her words stopped and the phone dropped from her ear.

"Gil," she whispered as she knelt on one knee, "you have Eli." She, too, had kept up with Warrick's child, but always at a distance.

"I do."

"Hey, Sweetie." She touched the child's face. "You are one cute guy! How in the world did this happen? Tina has always been so—so uncooperative." Catherine pulled a chair next to them. The boy looked up at Catherine and smiled. Her hand went to her mouth. "Oh, Gil, he looks so much like Warrick."

Eli handed one of the cars to her.

Grissom said, "He's going back with me, Catherine. That's what the meeting was about—Tina has married a guy who is going to Asia—China—for six months. They don't want to take Eli." He shrugged. "What was I supposed to do?"

"She's left him with you, just like that?"

"Yes."

"Does Sara know?"

Grissom chuckled. "Yes, she knows. You know Sara—she's already in major prep mode." His hand raked through the little boy's hair. "I don't think Tina is coming back for him."

"No, that can't be true—how could she leave him like that?"

"I saw it in her eyes. Today, when she left, she never looked back—how many parents can do that? She left a big duffle bag, a small suitcase, and a car seat. I think that's everything he has."

Catherine's eyes filled with tears. "How can a mother do that? To a child? It's abandonment, Gil."

"Not for six months. She signed temporary guardianship papers, and the attorney is adding Sara's name to the paperwork. I'll be the first one surprised if she returns. She's planning a new start with a new man and doesn't want the reminder." He nodded to Eli.

The two old friends talked of the past, remembering the father of the child who had nestled against Grissom's chest and dosed.

…His flight was on time; Sara waited at curbside with Bizzy in the back seat. Grissom appeared in a crowd looking like dozens of other parents overloaded with baggage, a sleeping child on one hip, and pushing a luggage cart.

"You made it."

"We did. He went to sleep as we landed—before that, he talked a mile-a-minute. Do you think all three year olds do that?"

Sara shrugged and smiled. "I don't know!" She had the car seat off the cart and into the car. She flipped it upside down and read installation instructions and quickly hooked the seat belt into slots, adjusted the seat, and stepped back. Bizzy babbled, watching her mother with curious eyes, seeing her father and squealing with delight, arms outstretched.

The adults talked to each other, to the baby, to the sleepy boy, both capable of multitasking. Grissom unbuckled his daughter and brought her out of the car into his arms.

"I've missed you, Bizzy Bee!" He said as little hands touched his face. He held her as he shifted bags into the back of the car. Sara was busy with Eli, quietly talking to him, asking if he was hungry or thirsty. Grissom reached for her, hugging her with his free arm. "I've missed you too. How are you? Everyone sends their love. Are you okay?"

She took the baby from him, saying, "I'm fine, really fine." She laughed. "I still can't believe all of this; one day at a time—I'm breathing!" She returned the baby to the car seat and dangled keys to him. "Drive, please."

Within minutes, both children were sleeping as they left the city and the couple talked quietly, hands intertwined. Occasionally, Grissom would bring her hand to his lips and attempt an apology for his absence.

After his third try, Sara stopped him. "I'm fine, Gil. Really. The doctor wants to run more tests, an amniocentesis in a few weeks, but so far, everything looks good." She nodded toward the rear seat. "I think we have someone else to worry about now. I have a bed—one of those blow up camping beds—it will work until we decide what to do."

"Where did you put it?"

"Bizzy's room. I wanted him close to us."

He nodded. "I didn't get much out of Tina—and he hasn't asked about his mother, not once. Is that normal?"

Sara gave a sarcastic grunt, "I'm not sure what is 'normal' when leaving your child for six months, Gil. He looks like a miniature Warrick."

"Wait until he wakes up and starts talking. I took him by the lab—all the women cried, even Catherine."

A/N: One more chapter to this one. Enjoy! We have a short follow-up to this story to follow. Thanks for reading--enjoy!