AN: Thanks for the reviews, here is the next chapter, enjoy!


Summary: Sara and Grissom are spending their 17th wedding anniversary away from their home and most of the family. Where are they going? And who are they spending this special occasion with?

Genre: Romance, Family
Rating: K+
Spoilers: None
Time-line: Two Years after Still Worth Fighting for
Warnings: None
Main Parings: GSR
Minor Parings: Drew/Susan Murray
Other Characters: Megan Grissom, Murray children, OC


Chapter 8: 17th Anniversary

September 23, 2022

As much as Sara and Grissom love it when the family, including the extended ones, get together on special occasions, their 17th wedding anniversary was today and they choose to celebrate it out of town; Boston, to be exact, because as great as it would have been to have the whole family together, they knew they would be missing a certain member, and it wouldn't have been the same without her, so they decided to go visit their youngest daughter since this was her first year away from home. Plus, they thought it would be a good idea to see some old friends and spend time in a city they fell in love in.

After the plane landed at their destination and it was time for the passengers to get off, Sara and Grissom waited patiently for their turn to get out of their seats and in the aisle to get their bags from the top compartments.

Once they had their carry on bags they walked with the crowd until they reached the airport building before they went off to the side so they were out of the way, then Grissom checked his phone to see if Megan got a hold of them, and after he saw the text message from her, he smiled at his wife as he relayed the message. "She has classes until 5, so she said she'll meet us at Drew and Susan's place."

"Ok, so first check in the hotel, then..."

She trials off as Grissom continued her thought with a smile. "We'll go see Drew at the station."

Sara smiled. "Thank you."

He chuckles as they started walking toward the baggage claim before heading toward the car rental area. "We have all weekend to go sight seeing and reliving the past, so it's ok."

Once they got the vehicle they wanted to use, they headed to the hotel and checked in, then after they placed their bags in their room and was back in the vehicle, Grissom drove them to Boston PD.

After parking the vehicle in the parking lot, he gets out first, and like he's been doing since they've been a couple, he helps her out before taking her hand while they walked towards and in the building.

They stopped and smiled at the young, red-haired receptionist as she asked. "Can I help you, ma'am, sir?"

Sara nodded. "Yes, we are here to see Captain Drew Murray."

"He's out of his office at the moment, but I can see when he'll be back. Is he expecting you?"

"We got an earlier flight, so we are earlier than planned."

"I got it." The younger woman smiled as she picked up the office phone and dialed a number, then a few seconds later she starts talking. "Sir, you have two visitors...Ok, you got it, no problem, bye." As she hung up, she spoke toward Sara and Grissom. "He'll be here shortly, you can wait in his office."

They smiled again with a nod as Sara replied. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, do you need directions to get there?"

After they said they knew where to go, the young woman nodded before Sara and Grissom traveled through the police station until they reached the Captain's office, and after walking in the room, Grissom sat down in the chair in front of the desk while Sara walked to Drew's desk and sat down in his office chair before smiling at a framed picture of the Murray family, and it consisted of him, his wife and seven children, which two sets were twins, their 2nd and 3rd were a boy and a girl, and the 5th and 6th were twin boys.

Sara picked up the photo and turns it around so her husband can see it. "Look at them, man have they grown."

The oldest, a son, looked to be about early 20's now, while the youngest, a daughter, was close to 13.

Grissom nodded with a smile. "They sure have, I don't think you'll see little Felicia wanting your full attention anymore."

Sara chuckled with a nod, remembering when she was staying with the Murray family during her sabbatical and it didn't take Felicia long to become attached to her the whole time she was there.

After setting the family picture down, she grabbed one that just had one child in it, and turned it around so her husband could see it. "I think you're right." It was an 18 year old Felicia in her high school graduation cap and gown.

Grissom chucked too, and as she was setting that picture down, the office door opened and they heard a voice. "Captain Murr..."

The officer trialed off as his eyes got wide when he noticed who was sitting at his boss's desk, while Sara and Grissom smiled at the young man before Grissom stood up from the seat he was sitting in and held out his hand. "Garrick Peters, wow, it's been awhile."

The young man smiled at his ex-girlfriend's father and shook his hand. "Yes it has." After shaking the older man's hand and giving Sara a hug, who had walked up to the men, he cleared his throat and asked. "I hope the family is doing good."

Sara nodded as her smile got wider. "They are."

He smiled, happy to hear that before he asked after a short pause. "And uh, Bailey, a mother by now I presume?"

They chuckled with nods as Grissom replied. "To three, two girls and a boy."

"I'm happy for her, she deserves it."

Even though he meant those word, letting her go still hurt sometimes, but he knew there was no other choice because she was in love with someone else, and they both couldn't live their lives like that. They tried to keep in touch, but being busy and other reasons kept them from accomplishing that, so it's been awhile since he's heard anything about how she was doing.

Sara and Grissom nodded before Sara asked. "What about you? Did you find anybody?"

"I did for a little bit, but we divorced a year ago, and now we share a 4 year old son."

"Congratulations on your son, but sorry it didn't work out."

Garrick nodded and cleared his throat. "It happens, don't it?" They nodded in agreement, then he continued. "Just tell the Captain I was here, I'll come back later."

Grissom nodded. "We well, it was nice seeing you again."

The young man gave him a smile and nod. "Yeah, you too." Then he turned and walked out of the office, shutting the door behind him.

As the door clicked shut, Grissom looked at Sara as he spoke. "He misses her."

Sara sighed with a nod. "I know, and as much as I love that Sam is part of the family, I really liked Garrick, he was good for our daughter."

Grissom nodded in agreement as he cupped her cheek. "During that time of her life, yes, but I think we always knew it was going to be a temporary relationship, because once your heart wants something there is no denying it, especially if you don't want to live a miserable life."

Sara's eyes sparkled as she replied with a smile. "Don't I know that sentiment very well."

His eyes sparkled back in agreement as he was leaning toward her, but just before they could kiss, the office door opened again. "17 years married and you two still have that dazed look just like when you two first met one another."

Sara and Grissom smiled and turned their heads to look at person who was speaking, then after Grissom stepped back, Sara spoke with a smirk as she walked up to her longest friend. "Yeah, and you're the one to talk, I don't think 27 years with your wife had dampened your guy's love one bit."

He chuckled as he brought his longest friend in a hug. "I can't disagree with that, and add 7 kids later, we are still going strong thank you very much."

They chuckled, then after a few minutes they pull back from the hug and she replied with a smile. "It is so nice to see you, Drew."

"You too, Sara. How long has it been?"

Even though they haven't seen one another in years, they talk on the phone as much as they could, but with busy schedules, work and personal lives, and the time difference, it does get harder to keep in regular contact.

Sara sighed as they pulled back. "Too long." Then she smirked. "At least long enough for you get some specks of grey in your hair."

He chuckled before replying. "I wish I can say the same for you, I don't think you've aged a bit since the last time we've seen one another."

Sara shyly smiled as she looked down while shaking her head, making Drew chuckle again as he walked up toward Grissom. "I see she still can't take a comment about her beauty."

Grissom smiled as he held out his hand to the other man. "I think that's because she knows the truth, she's just too modest to admit it." Sara looked at her husband with a raised eyebrow as he continued with his eyes sparkling at her. "That she's the most beautiful woman in the world, and always will be."

Sara just rolled her eyes and looked down again, but still had a smile on her face as the guys greeted one another.

"It's nice to see you, Gil."

"You too Drew, family doing ok?"

Drew nodded while he spoke in a very proud tone. "Oh very well, we just sent Felicia to Boston College, the oldest, DJ is in the police academy, following in my footsteps, James and Jamie are enjoying their time at New York University, and Travis, Carter and Samantha are still at home in high school. Thanks for asking, yours?"

Grissom also spoke with pride as he wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulders. "Well, as you know Megan is here going to Harvard."

Drew smiled as he looked at Sara. "At Sixteen no less, just like her mother. I guess the apple didn't fall from the tree with that one, did it?"

They chuckled as Grissom finished. "Arthur started at UNLV, Ethan is now a Junior in high school, and Bailey is still happily married, a mother of three and is moving up the ranks as a CSI faster than Sara or myself did, she just got promoted to level 3."

"Wow, then I said we did pretty well for ourselves."

Sara nodded as Grissom replied. "Can't argue with that statement one bit."

There was a slight pause before Drew cleared his throat and spoke. "I'm glad you guys are here, even though I know that coming was probably more for Megan's sake than mine."

Sara spoke this time with a smile. "Of course, we just look at seeing you and your family an added bonus."

Drew smiled wider with nod, then after a few more conversations, Sara spoke after clearing her throat. "Well, we'll let you get back to work, we just wanted to stop by for a quick hi."

"Ok, I'll see you guys later tonight."

"Alright."

After hugs were exchanged, Sara and Grissom started walking toward the door, then Grissom remembered something. "Oh before I forget, Garrick came in here looking for you."

"Oh, ok. I'll give him a call and let him know I'm here. Thanks for telling me."

Grissom nodded as Sara asked. "How is he really doing here?"

"One of the best officers I have, and he sure loves that son of his."


Later that night

While the three youngest Murray kids were up in their rooms, Sara and Grissom were hanging out with Drew and Susan in the living room, talking and laughing about old times, and as they were calming down there was a knock on the door, so Drew gets up and walks to the front door before opening it.

He just smiled at the guest before moving to the side, and when Sara and Grissom saw who it was, they stood up with tears in their eyes before Sara held out her arms. "Hi, honey."

"Mom."

Megan started to smile while her eyes started to tear up as she ran to her mom before they were embracing one another like it's been years, not a couple of weeks, since they've seen one another.

Megan may have felt like she was ready to face the challenge of being away from home, but that didn't mean she didn't miss her family like crazy, especially her parents.

After mother and daughter pulled back from their embrace, she turned her attention to her father, and their embrace was just as strong as it was when she was hugging her mother.

"Daddy."

Grissom kissed his little girl's temple as he whispered with emotion. "Ladybug, I missed you so much."

"Me too."

By the time Father and daughter pulled back from their embrace, the three Murray kids were in the living room, so they happily greeted one another.

It wasn't very long after the greeting that they headed towards the kitchen to fix their plates for dinner, and just as they were sitting down at the dinning room table, the front door opened and another voice entered the room. "Got room for one more?"

Just like the looks of love Sara and Grissom had when their daughter came in the house, it was no different for Susan and Drew when they saw Felicia walk in, even though they got to see one another a lot more then the Grissom's had with their youngest daughter.

Drew smiled. "Of course sweetheart."

When she got into the room, Sara and Grissom was standing up before Felicia smiled brightly at Sara as they embraced. "It's so good to see you, Aunt Sara."

"Yes it is, Felicia." They pull back as Sara smiled at the young woman. "It's been awhile."

"Yes it has, a lot has happened since I was following you around."

They all chuckled before they share one more hug, then Felicia smiled at Grissom as they embraced. "It's so nice to see you too, Uncle Gil."

"You too, Felicia."

After they pulled back from one another, Felicia went into the kitchen to fix her plate before she sat at the table next to her youngest sister.

Drew then stood up with his wine glass. "To friends reuniting."

Sara then counters that toast. "How about to family reuniting?"

Drew nodded with a smile. "I like that, and to Sara and Grissom, happy 17th anniversary, may you be blessed with many more."

After everybody toasted to that, they clinked their glasses before taking a sip, then they started their meal with nothing but laughter, joy and love around the table.


A few hours later

Once dinner was done, they spent a little more time with the Murray family before the Grissom family said their goodbye's and walked out of the house.

They walked the short distance to the vehicle Megan was driving, which wasn't anything spectacular. In fact, Grissom wished he could have helped her more in getting a better car for her, but considering they just helped their oldest child get a house, they weren't exactly swimming in money, not that they were ever swimming in money before or broke now, but he will admit their savings did take a little hit. He just couldn't say no when Sam had put his ego aside and asked for help so he could make his wife's dream come true.

Megan watched her father's face as he looked at her vehicle. "Daddy, it's ok."

Grissom sighed as he looked at his daughter and gave her a little smile. "Soon, ladybug, you'll be driving in style, I promise."

She chuckled as she wrapped her arms around her father's neck. "The only thing I need right now is something that will get me from point A to point B, and that's what I have, so don't worry."

Grissom wrapped his arms around his youngest daughter and whispered. "I'll always worry, that won't ever change. I love you."

"Love you too."

As they pulled back, she asked after clearing her throat. "So, what's the plan for the rest of the weekend?"

Sara smiled at her daughter. "To spend as much time with you as possible."

"You sure?"

"Of course, why do you think we came here?"

Megan smiled as she shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know, you guys met here and it's your anniversary, so I figured you want to relive some memories. Plus, Drew and his family is here and you haven't seen them in awhile."

They nodded before Grissom cupped her cheek. "While all of that is true, and we would like to fit in some reliving memories, the main reason we decided to come here was to see and be with you."

Megan's eyes lit up with a nod. "Ok, first thing tomorrow morning we can start our day together."

The parents eyes lit up too as they nodded before Sara spoke. "Alright, we'll be looking forward to it."

"Good."

After father and daughter hugged, Megan hugged her mother.

"Love you, sweetie."

"Love you too, mom."

Once they pulled back, they kissed each other's cheeks before Megan walked to the driver's side of the vehicle, and as she opened the door, she gave her parents one more smile. "Have a good night."

They nodded before Grissom spoke. "You too, drive safety."

After one more nod, Megan gets in her vehicle, shuts the door, starts it, and waves at them before she puts her attention to driving as the parents watched until they couldn't see her anymore.

Sara and Grissom sighed as he wrapped is arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple while they walked the short distance to their vehicle.

"Thank you."

Sara smiled as they stopped at the passenger side of the vehicle. "For what?"

He cupped her cheek as he continued. "For allowing me to share this amazing life with you."

She placed her hand on top of his that was on her cheek as she replied with tears in her eyes. "I was always there in front of you, all you had to do was make a move."

"And I'm so thankful I did."

They kissed softly on each other's lips.

After a couple of moments they finally pulled back before getting into the vehicle so they could go back to the hotel, ready to enjoy tonight and the rest of weekend in the city they fell in love in, and with their youngest daughter, which it wasn't every day they got some one on one time with one of their children, so it was an extra treat for them.


AN: Hope you liked it. Next chapter soon. Please review.