One Year

Chapter 9


Look at that, I'm not dead. Sorry, there still isn't much action, but there will be. I think you will all be excited. School is almost over for me, so that means I will be uploading more often. Sorry this one took so long.


There was no way. It wasn't possible. Cassie couldn't have been a year already. Absolutely not. One minute she was completely dependent on them for everything, the next she was on her feet exploring the world, going wherever she pleased. Within reason of course, but it wasn't fair. Why did their parents have to be right? She was growing up right before their eyes and he couldn't stop it.

Nick watched his wife move around the dining room, making sure everything was ready for Cassie's "birthday party". He wasn't sure why she was calling it a birthday party to begin with though. It was more of a get together with some presents and a cake thrown in. Neither of their parents were able make it out to Las Vegas which was somewhat of a shame because Nick knew how much they wanted to be there, seeing their granddaughter celebrate turning one. In return, they wanted pictures and videos of all the things Cassie big which pretty much meant they wanted to see her and the cake and opening presents. They sent presents though. Of course they did, thankfully only one from each set of grandparents, were on the table in the living room ready to be opened. His eyes lowered to the two, tiny fists clenching at the neckline of his shirt. She was completely dead to the world at the moment.

She had a busy morning. They all did. Earlier, the three of them took a walk down to the park to have a nice, easy start to the day. Nick and Danika watched Maddie chase Cassie around the playground. He would run after her and bring her back every now and then when she would wander far enough away from them. He couldn't get her laugh out of his head as he joined them in the chase after a while, her little legs running as quickly as possible, trying to get away from him. But it was no use. Nick grabbed Cassie, tossing her high into the sky and then back to his chest, embracing her tightly. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of his wife, giving them a teary smile.

"Nick, are you all right?" Danika called from the kitchen. "It's awfully quiet over there."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. We're fine," he turned, joining her in the kitchen, watching as she put the finishing touches on the tiny birthday cake. "Do you think she'll smash her face in it, or poke at it for a while?"

"As much fun as Cassie's face covered in cake would be, I'm sure she'll poke at it," she answered, spinning the cake around, making sure that it was perfect from every angle. "What do you think? Too much? Not enough?"

"Perfect," Nick answered simply. "She'll just mess it up anyway. But the real question is where's the cake for us?"

"You make a good point there, Stokes," she covered the cake back up, finding an empty space in the refrigerator for it. "Although, are you sure you want cake? You're getting a little soft in the middle," she poked him in the stomach. "Maybe you should have something else. You're like the Pillsbury Doughboy."

"You calling me fat?" he asked.

"I never said fat," she countered playfully. "I'm going to shower because I, unlike some people, had to work all morning."

"I am not fat!" Nick exclaimed. "And you didn't work all morning, you liar."

"Most of it," she replied, heading upstairs.

Danika couldn't believe it either. Her daughter was a year old already. Time really did fly. She didn't want to think about it, but it wouldn't be long until Cassie would be all grown up. Was she ready for that? No, how could she be? She let the warm water clear her mind. She needed a clear mind to get through the day especially. Most of the CSI gang would be joining them within the next hour, so she needed to stop thinking about the future and finish getting ready.

Fifteen minutes later, Danika finished her shower, dressed herself in a pair of shorts and tank top, and made her way back downstairs to come to one of the cutest scenes she had seen yet. Her husband now joined Cassie in a snooze fest. Nick took up the entire couch with one arm flopped behind him while the other held the birthday girl tightly to his chest so she wouldn't fall off, her fists still holding onto his shirt for dear life.

Danika smiled but knew she had to wake him up. Which was a shame really. She knew that Nick was having trouble sleeping. He had been trying so hard to figure out who her stalker was. With that on top of his normal work, it was amazing that he could still function whatsoever.

"Nick," she whispered, running her fingers through his hair, receiving a groan in response. "Tex, wake up," she laughed. "People are going to be here soon."

"But I was having such a nice dream," he replied, eyes still closed. "And it was about to get to the good part."

"I'm sorry, but I don't think you'll like it very much if everyone gets here and Hodges does something to you while you were sleeping."

"You don't know how scary that thought is," Nick yawned loudly. "That idea might give me nightmares for a month. Thank you so very much."

"You're very welcome," she grinned, noticing Cassie's eyes begin to flutter open. "Good morning, birthday girl."

It wasn't that much later until the gang began arriving. Greg and Sara. Ray and Catherine. Then Wendy and Hodges. Danika still couldn't believe how quickly Hodges came around to Cassie. Nick though, wasn't that all surprised. Cassie could make anyone fall in love with her. It was probably the day when Danika brought Cassie into the lab and asked for "Ges." Hodges looked like he was going to pass out at first, but as soon as Cassie wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight embrace, he was gone. Greg, on the other hand, wasn't very happy about it. He felt like he was slowly becoming Cassie's least favorite.

Cassie had no idea why so many people were invading the house, but the moment she saw the familiar faces, she knew everything was going to be okay and the day was going to be a lot of fun because all of her favorite people were there. Especially when it was time to open all of those boxes that were on the table.

She sat in the middle of the floor surrounded by four large packages. Her eyes landed on all of those who were watching her. She stretched out her arm and started babbling again, making her way over to the blue box. She poked at it, waiting to see if anything would happen, if something was going to pop out, but nothing did. Danika, seeing that Cassie was about to cry, joined her on the floor and ripped off some of the paper, drawing the birthday girl back to the present. It must have been a funny sound because Cassie giggled and clapped her hands when Danika did it again. When all of the presents were unwrapped, Cassie had a new book that made many sounds, a bunch of new blocks to stack, and her own plushie puppy. Nick had to thank his parents for that one. He could tell that she was going to have that toy with her all the time.

"When are we going to have cake?" Greg asked. "I was told you make the best cakes, Lovebug."

"She does," Nick announced. "And it's really good."

"I knew you were going to sneak a slice," Danika lifted Cassie up off the floor. "What do you think, birthday girl? Are you ready for some cake? Make sure the cameras are running. My mother will have a fit if I don't send what happens to her."

"Already ahead of you," Nick pulled out his phone. "I hope you're ready for some cake because there's a lot of it."

"I like the sound of that," Greg exclaimed, following everyone into the kitchen, two cakes looking delicious as they waited to be devoured. One small, for Cassie, and a larger one for them. "That looks really good."

"Thank you, Greg," Danika smiled, taking Cassie's little party dress off, switching it to a simple shirt that could be washed later. "We agreed on poking right?"

"You know, I think I'm going to change my mind. Face full of cake," Nick said. "This is going to be great."

"If you say so," Danika took the small cake from the counter and placed it in front of Cassie. "What is that, Cassie?"

Cassie stared at the plate that her mother put in front of her. What was that thing? It was pretty big and was covered in some color that looked good enough to eat. Like before, she looked at everyone circling the table. They were waiting for her to do something again, but what were they expecting her to do? The thing didn't move, so it wasn't scary. It wasn't going to jump out at her. Slowly, she reached her pointer finger out and touched it. The color stuck to her finger. That was strange. Cassie looked at it for a moment, and then stuck her finger into her mouth. The colored stuff tasted so good! She needed to have more. This time she took her whole hand and ran it across the yummy-tasting colored stuff and ate it, smearing most of it on her face. She laughed and looked at her mommy and daddy.

"Is that good, princess?" Nick asked with a grin. She giggled again, scooping up more of the icing, sticking her finger up in front of him. "That's okay, Cassie, you eat it," Cassie didn't move her arm. A little pout formed on her face. "Not the face. Anything but the face."

"Okay, I'm starving," Danika couldn't wait any longer. "Who wants a piece?"

Everyone was enjoying their cake, Greg especially, when a random knock on the door broke them from their conversation. No moved at first, why would they? Danika and Nick looked at one another. They weren't expecting anyone to come by.

"You expecting anyone?" Greg asked a mouth full of cake.

"No," Danika answered, slowly making her way to the front door. "Nick?"

"No," he shook his head. "Maybe it was those damn teenagers again."

"Teenagers?" Hodges asked.

"There are these teenagers who think they are hot shit and roam around the neighborhood messing with people's stuff," Nick answered, pausing when he noticed his wife not moving from the front door. "Danni, what's wrong?"

"Um, Nick, can you come here for a second," her voice shook slightly. "You need to take a look at this."

With a confused look, Nick made his way over to the front door and stood by his wife. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

"What's wrong I don't-" Danika grabbed the back of his neck and forced it downward. There, lying on the stoop was a large, wrapped box with a tag that had Cassie's name written on it. The handwriting oddly familiar. "Oh."

"What should we do?" she asked.

What were they going to do? Moving it could be risky. What if there was a bomb ready to go off the moment it was moved? What if it would blow up if they didn't move it?

"Well," Nick thought aloud. "Should we try it? Moving it I mean?"

"What if it's a trap?"

"We could just leave it here," she said. "You can take it to work with you tomorrow."

"Yeah, that's probably the best idea," Nick agreed.

"And Nick, whatever is inside it, throw it away," she told him. "I don't want it, and God knows I don't want Cassie to have it."

It was late when Danika and Nick finally made it to bed. Cassie fell asleep as soon as Hodges was finished reading her new book to her. Yes, that's right, Hodges read to her.

"I feel like I could sleep for a week," Danika moaned once she collapsed onto her pillow, crawling under the covers.

"At least a week," Nick agreed falling beside her, rolling onto his side. "I can't feel my legs."

"You're getting old, Tex," she laughed, rolling to face him. "I'd think we had a successful day though. Don't you think? All things considered that is."

"Yes, I thought Greg was going to cry when Cassie wanted Hodges to read the book to her before she passed out," Nick chuckled.

"It must have broken his heart," she said. "Now what are you thinking about? You've had that look on your face the moment everyone left."

"I'm not thinking about anything."

"Liar!" Danika replied. "Come on, tell me!"

"I still can't get over how old Cassie is. That year went by so fast," he explained.

"It did, didn't it?" she said. "I feel like there's a but coming."

"It's not a but really, it's just thoughts running around in my mind," he yawned loudly, covering his eyes with one of his arms.

"What about?"

"You're not going to give up are you?" Nick asked without moving.

"You know me," she had some idea where this conversation was going, but she wanted him to bring it up. "You look stressed, Tex."

"When am I not stressed?" he asked, rolling onto his stomach, hugging the pillow tightly. "You should ease my stress for me, sweetheart."

"So demanding," Danika sighed, moving out from under the nice, warm covers, straddling him right above his waist. "Where?"

"Everywhere," he answered eyes closed. "Work your magic, babe."

"Only if you tell me what you're thinking about," Danika replied, starting on the knots in his shoulders. "Deal?"

"Deal," he answered happily. "If I can focus that is."

"Then you can forget this," Danika leaned back, removing her hands from his tight muscles.

"But-"

"No buts," she said. "Tell me or suffer the consequences."

"Doesn't sound like much of a threat," Nick joked.

"Suit yourself then," Danika made the move to get off of him, but Nick grabbed her hips stopping her from escaping. "Someone's being difficult."

"You drive a hard bargain, but I'll be good. I'll listen."

"That's more like it," she took her place right above his hips. "Damn, you're tight tonight, Nick. You need to relax."

"What do you think I'm trying to do?" he groaned when her fingers dug into a rather large knot. "I feel like I'm going to die."

"You big baby," she moved her fingers up to the base of his neck. One of those secret spots of his, laughing silently to herself when she noticed his grip tightening on the pillow, goose bumps erupting on his skin. "You all right there, husband?"

"Yeah," he answered. "I'm fine."

"Good, I'm glad," she smiled, digging her nails through the back of his head. "You've been thinking about Cassie haven't you?"

"Mm-hmm."

"And that she's growing up way too fast."

"Mm-hmm."

"And that she's not going to be a little girl forever."

"Yeah."

"I am so smart," she chuckled, leaning forward, pressing kisses along his shoulder blades. "What else has those gears running, Tex?"

"I want another one," Nick answered, turning his head to the side, meeting her eyes. "I know we haven't really talked about it much, but Cassie is a year old already, and I know we said we wanted to wait a while before we had another baby, but I was thinking about it-" he trailed off.

There is was. He said it. Danika slid off Nick's back as he rolled onto his back. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything to her just yet. It could have been too soon. He knew he couldn't, but he would wait as long as he needed to, and that's what seemed was going to happen due to the look that was on her face.

"Sweetheart? Did I say something wrong? I didn't mean to-"

"You said nothing wrong. Tex," she said. "And to be honest, I've had the thought cross my mind every now and then too, but I don't know. Do you think we can?"

"You know the answer to that, Danni," Nick said, taking her hands in his. "If you don't want to I understand completely."

But she did! She absolutely did! She was ready to have another baby, but with both of them working, Cassie still being very young, and now that there was a stalker around, would it be a good idea for them to add onto their family with everything going on? If they were going to, she needed it to be safe.

"That's the thing Nick, I do want to, but I don't know if it's a good time right now," she answered truthfully. "What if something happens?"

"This is about the freak that we can't find isn't it?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her. "If he hasn't tried anything by now, I don't think he will, and how many times do I have to tell you? I don't think that the box will be anything too severe. I think that he just wants us to know that he's still watching. As much as I hate to admit it, but I will protect you no matter what. You, Cassie, and if we do have another child. You know I will. Nothing will stop me from protecting my family."

She knew he was right. Nick was always right, not that she would ever tell him that. If the person scaring her didn't try anything by now then maybe he wasn't going to do anything at all. She could live with things being sent to her. She prayed that it would stop, who wouldn't? Meeting his eyes, she knew he what he wanted, what they both wanted. What was the point of fighting it?

"Okay."

Nick's head shot up. Did she just say yes? Was he dreaming? A smile formed on her face; no he wasn't dreaming. "Are you sure?"

"You want me to change my mind?"

"Absolutely not," he said.

"That's what I thought," she answered, snuggling into Nick's side. "We're really going to do this? Just making sure."

"Yeah, we're gonna do this," Nick asked. "I mean-"

"What?" she asked.

"I thought this conversation was going to take a lot longer than that," Nick answered truthfully. "But I'm glad it didn't."

"What, you thought that I would have put up a fight?" she teased.

"Something like that," he answered.