AN: Thanks for the reviews. Here is the next chapter.

Chapter 10: A connection in the making?

July 4, 2008

The next day

After shift the next day, the CSI team took their naps, then they all packed up some food, drinks, chairs and other various things for their all day trip to the park.

The Grissom's and Lewis's, including Grissom's mother and Hank got there first and claimed the best place available, then started setting up.

As they were finishing, the next family showed up, which was Nick, Catherine and Lindsey.

When they got to the spot that was set up, Catherine smiled at the Lewis's and said. "Hey guys, look who is finally showing up to a gathering. You remember Lindsey right?"

Lindsey had tuned 16 in February and her blond hair had darken to a brown, showing that she took after her father's hair color after all. Her attitude that she had after her father died had gotten a little better, she was doing better in school, and she's been taking a great interest in Drama class.

The last time the Lewis's saw Lindsey was that night that they went over to Catherine's house before going to the bar to celebrate Greg's promotion, so it's been a few years.

Lauren and Vince said hi to her, then after she said hi back, she looked to Vince's right and saw Vincent.

Vincent smiled and said. "It's been awhile."

Lindsey smiled and replied. "Yes it has."

They shook hands as Alexis rolled her eyes and went to a spot in the shade to text on her phone.

After they release hands Lindsey said hi to the other two girls, which they wanted to go swinging with her. She nodded in acceptance and followed them to the swing set as Vincent watched them walk away.

As the girls were walking away, Grissom heard Sara voice. "Who is with Greg?"

Grissom, and the rest of them followed her line of sight and saw that Greg was walking with a Caucasian woman with shoulder length, brown hair, her build was about average, she was a little shorter than Sara by a few inches and as they got closer the group could see that she had hazel eyes.

Greg and the mystery woman smiled at everybody, then Greg cleared his throat and made the introductions. "Everybody this is Amanda, Amanda this is everybody."

As Amanda was shaking their hands and getting their names, Sara took Greg by the arm and moved him away from everybody, then asked. "When did this happen?"

Greg watches his girlfriend getting acquainted with the team, then looked at Sara and replied. "Officially a few weeks ago, but I met her at the bar we went to after Warrick's funeral."

Sara tired to think back to that night, then shook her head and replied. "But I don't remember you talking to any women."

He shook his head. "I didn't. I had left my phone on the table, so I went back and got it before shift. She saw me walk in, so she walked up and started talking to me. I was reluctant to get involved at first and she must have sensed that because she just gave me her number and told me to call when I was up to it, then a few weeks later I did." He sighed before continue. "After Warrick died I started to really think about my life and I realized I don't want to continue to go after different women every time I feel lonely. I want to find that 'one', you know."

"And do you know if you've had?"

Greg smiled. "There is this strong connection between her and I, and we've been having a good time, so yeah...I think so."

Sara smiled back and gives him a hug. "I am so happy for you, I hope it works out for you."

Sara thought it was about time for Greg to get off that single wagon, and although she wasn't physically attracted to him and never has been, he was a good-looking guy and any woman would be lucky to have him. She just hopes this one will treat him right, or Amanda would be answering to her.

He gives her a hug back. "Thank you and me too."

They pull back, then go back to the group, where they proceeded to have a good time.

An hour and a half later Ron showed up, which Grissom was nothing but nice to him because like he told Sara yesterday, she picked him and those other men should be the ones that were jealous. Yes she had a past with him, but he also had a past with other women, so if she could get over that then so could he, he just might be a little slower at it.

Then after all the introductions were over they went into little groups and started talking and laughing.

As it became later in the day, Sara was getting a water bottle from the cooler when she heard Ron's voice behind her. "It was Grissom wasn't it?" She jumped a little at the sudden voice, then turned around and he commented. "Sorry."

She cleared her throat before replying. "It's ok, and why does it matter?"

He sighed. "Because wondering who I lost you to has been driving me crazy for almost 10 years."

Sara took pity on him and replied. "Yes it was Grissom, it's still Grissom, and it always will be Grissom."

He puts his hands up in surrender. "I get it."

"Good." She leans toward him and whispered. "Because if you came here to do more than your job then I suggest you get the next plane out of here, I don't need the trouble."

As she was pulling back he speaks with a smirk. "I see you still got that feistiness."

"I'm just telling you that my family isn't to be played with, especially when it concerns the well-being of my husband."

Just as he was nodding, Grissom walks up to them and puts his arms around her waist. "Is everything ok?"

They nodded as Ron speaks. "Sara was just setting the ground rules." Grissom nodded as Ron cleared his, then said. "I'll talk to you guys later."

Grissom watched him for a second before looking at his wife with a smile. "Where you pulling your claws out?"

She smiles back, uses her free hand to cup his cheek as she replied. "Just protecting our family."

"Good to hear."

Then they lean toward each other and kiss softly.

When they pulled back Grissom looked over by one of the big trees, where Vince and Lauren was sitting, they looked like they were smiling and enjoying themselves away from the kids around them, and that gave him an idea, so he looked back at Sara and asked. "Sara, can I ask you something?"

Her eyes showed tenderness as she replied. "Of course, what is it?" He smiled, leaned to her ear and whispered, when he pulled back he noticed she was thinking about it, then she smiled. "That sounds like a wonderful idea, we'll talk to them later about it."

He nodded, then after one more kiss they go back to mingle with the group.

As it got past mid-day Catherine and Nick were talking quietly at first, then she nodded, he nodded back with a smile, looked at the group and said. "Can I have everybody's attention please." They all looked their way, then Nick continued. "Catherine and I are proud to announce that 9 months from now there will be a new addition to the family...Catherine's pregnant."

They gasped, smiled and cheered, even Mrs. Grissom clapped and smiled when Grissom translated to her what was being said. Beth clapped too, but she only did because everybody else was, plus it may had to do with the fact that she could feel the excitement coming from the group.

Once the cheering calmed down a little Vincent watched Lindsey walk to the swing set, so he took a breath and started walking in that direction too.

As he got closer to the swing that was next to her, he smiled and said. "A new brother or sister, how do you feel about it?"

She watches him sit down in the swing next to her, and replied. "I'll admit it's a little weird. Here I am starting college in two years and by then I'll have a two-year old sibling."

He chuckled a little. "I see your point."

She smiled back. "But on the other hand I think it's nice for both of them. I think Nick has always wanted a child of his own and now he's getting one. I know that Nick loves me as if I was his own, but it's just different when the child is actually your own, you know what I mean." Vincent nodded in understanding, not that he fully understood the feeling, considering him and all of his siblings have the same parents, but he got the concept.

Then he cleared his throat before asking. "Is it weird seeing your mom with some one else other than your father? Because I got tell you even thinking about my parents with other people is a little weird."

Before Lindsey answered she asked. "Why do you want to know all of this?"

She wasn't trying to be snotty about it, she was just being curious, not a lot of people knew who she really was or wanted to take the time to.

He smiled softly and replied. "Because I want to get to know you, I have a feeling not a lot of people do."

"You're right they don't, that's very perceptive of you."

"Thanks, I think I inherited that from my father."

They chuckled, then she replied. "And I see that's no the only thing." She eyes his red hair, which made him look down.

He never really liked being a redhead, not that there was anything wrong with it, but it just seemed like the girls in his school were more partial to the blonde's and brunette's.

His thoughts came back to the present and he looked at her again when she continued softly. "I like it though." He smiled, while trying to keep his blush at bay so he wouldn't embarrass himself.

They look into each other's eyes in silence for a few seconds, then she clears her throat and talked to him like she hadn't talked to anybody else before and he hung on to every word.

As it was getting darker the group all gathered around in one place and grabbed their chairs, the kids sat on the ground, and in Sara's case she was sitting in Grissom's lap, then they started watching the fireworks.

During that time as the wind started to pick up a little, so Vincent took his jacket off and wrapped around Lindsey's shoulders. She smiled her appreciation as Grissom and Sara smiled when they saw that, knowing a connection had started.

When the fireworks were done they started packing up everything and took them to the vehicle, then everybody congratulated the couple again, said bye and went to their vehicles to drive home.

After Grissom dropped off his mother at her apartment, the Grissom's met the Lewis's at their place. Then after tucking Beth in, Sara, Grissom, Vince and Lauren walked out on the deck to talk.

As they were getting into the next subject Grissom asked. "When was the last time you two had any time together without the kids?"

Lauren and Vince look at each other and Vince said. "I don't know, do you remember?"

She cringed before replying. "No I don't." They look at Grissom again and Lauren asked. "Why do you ask?"

Grissom looked at Sara, and she replied. "We would like to offer the kids to stay here for the rest of the summer, so you guys can have that time together."

Before they opened their mouths Grissom continued. "I saw you guys earlier at the park and you just looked so free and we want help you out."

There was a pause, then Lauren said. "I don't have a problem with the three older ones but I don't know about Sadie. I feel she might be a little too young. I mean if it was across the street or town I think it would be ok, but we are talking practically across the country, I'll feel better if Sadie comes home with us."

Vince nodded in agreement with this wife, then smiled and asked. "But you're sure, you want to do this?"

They nodded and Grissom replied. "Yeah."

Vince and Lauren look at each other and he asked. "What do you think? We can have my parents watch Sadie and we can have a night or two to ourselves."

She smiles, took his hand and replied. "I would love it."

He smiles back, squeezed her hand and replied. "Me too, now we just need to talk to the kids." She nodded, then he releases her hand, grabs his cane from the ground and got up, then started walking to the back door.

He opens it when he got there, and shouts. "Kids can you come out here for a minute, please?"

Then he turns and walked slowly back to the table and sat down next to his wife as the back door opened and the four kids came out.

They walked to the table, and Vincent asked. "What's going on?"

The grown-ups looked amongst themselves, then Grissom looked at the kids and asked. "How would you guys like to stay here for the rest of the summer?"

Vincent and Paige smiled with a nod, Alexis shook her head 'no', and Sadie had an unsure look on her face.

Vince looked at his youngest and said. "Sorry Sweetie, your mother and I felt that you are too young to stay this far away from us, I hope that's ok. When you get older we'll see if the offer still stands, alright?"

Sadie nodded, walked up to her dad, he picks her up and sits her down on his lap and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Before Vincent and Paige could talk, Alexis speaks. "I'm not staying here for the rest of the summer."

Lauren speaks. "No one is forcing you honey, this is completely voluntary. If you want to come home with us then you can."

Before she could reply, Vincent speaks. "But for real, it's alright if we do want to stay?" They all nodded and he smiled, then continued. "Cool, it could give me a chance to look at the UNLV campus. If that is alright, Uncle Gil."

Grissom smiled and replied. "I can even give you a private tour."

He smiled bigger. "Alright, yeah I want to stay."

Alexis snickered and said. "The only reason you want to stay is because of Lindsey."

Vincent looked at her and replied. "That isn't the only reason, UNLV is on my list of colleges. Everybody here knows that."

"Yeah, but you did just admit she is a reason for staying."

The grownups chuckled as Vincent looked down.

Then they looked at the second to last child, and Paige said. "I want to stay too, and can I also stay with Mrs. Grissom a few times?"

She was really happy when she found out Mrs. Grissom was living in Vegas now, then she could visit her when she came for a visit. She loved learning more about sign language and her appreciation for art was growing too.

Grissom nodded with a reply. "I'm sure we can work something out."

"Cool, thank you."

"You're welcome."

After going over some of the details the kids went back inside, Sadie shuts the door behind her.

When they were out of sight the grown-ups looked at each other again, then Grissom said. "Well two out of three isn't that bad."

Vince nodded. "Nope it's not, I am sorry that Alexis didn't find the suggestion more appealing."

Grissom replied. "No matter how much you want to, you can't please everybody, especially your kids."

Vince smiled a little. "Well buckle up, buddy. Two more are coming your way, you ready?"

Grissom and Sara look at each other, she slips her hand into his, then they look back at him and Grissom said. "I couldn't ask for anything better."

Vince picked up his water, Lauren mirrored her husband's action and Sara and Grissom did the same, then he said. "To our loving, sometimes trouble, but totally worth it kids." They all smile as they clinked their glasses.

The Lewis's were kind of excited about having time with two less kids, not that they would miss them like crazy, but every once in a while having time to themselves was ok. And the Grissom's were happy to help their friends out.

AN: Hope you enjoyed it. Please review.