I hold no rights to anything CSI except to look upon them lovingly each Thursday night.
I have to give thanks to Peggy who keeps my writing on the up and up. She's my proofreader, my editor, and my friend.
A/N OK, this is my slightly twisted idea of how to get myself on the show. Yes, sadly, I'm an actor as well as a writer but a dreamer most of all. I would play Gwen. Please, R&R!
Family, Like It or Not
Chapter 10
After getting everyone settled in, Gwen went in search of her husband who had strangely disappeared shortly after Sammy woke up. She found him reclining somberly on their bed.
"Jimmy?" She almost always called him that when they were alone. "Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I guess. Where's Sammy?"
"Gil and Sara took him for a ride on the boat. Before you ask, yes he's wearing his lifejacket." She sat down next to him as she spoke. "I know this isn't the weekend you had in mind. But, these people are our friends. Hell, they're family, and we have been leaving them out lately."
"I know. But, with Sammy in here with us…" Jim just didn't know how to tastefully finish that sentence. "Never mind. Now, I feel like a pig."
"I don't think you're a pig for wanting to be alone with your wife of barely a month. I also know that with the baby coming, time alone will be more and more difficult. I'm guessing that not even Sara and Gil have realized that this weekend will be one month since we got married. After all, Sara and Gil were still in Hawaii for their one month anniversary."
"I just don't want to let any milestones pass without proper celebration."
I know, Jimmy, and it's very sweet. That's one of the things that makes you so attractive. You have a romantic streak that you only let out for me… It's very sexy." Gwen wiggled her eyebrows at him and smiled. Jim knew that smile. But, he was also painfully aware he had a house full of people just waiting to interrupt what that smile usually brings.
"We'd better go see what everyone is getting into."
"Everyone is fine." Gwen rose from the bed and locked their bedroom door. "If they need anything they can just wait," she said as she returned to her husband who would no longer have to wait.
While Nick and Catherine went inside to replenish their drinks, Warrick and Greg sat out on the deck and had a few beers.
"Man, did you guys see Gwen's…"
"Greg, don't even finish that thought, man. If Brass heard you talking about his lady like that, he'd kill you with his bare hands." Warrick warned him.
"And, none of us would stop him," Catherine finished as she came from the kitchen, out onto the deck, with a drink in her hand.
"I don't know what YOU two are thinking, but I was talking about cookies. Gwen made these humongous chocolate chip cookies; they're as big as a plate." Greg scolded as he held up his hands to demonstrate. "And they are good!"
"What's good?" Nick asked as he brought out three more beers.
"Gwen's cookies, according to our resident cookie expert here," Warrick said in explanation.
"You know, my momma makes the best chocolate chip cookies in Texas. She's won the blue ribbon at the state fair so many times they retired the event," Nick said as he gave Warrick and Greg another beer.
"Isn't your mom a public defender?" Cath asked with her eyebrow quirked.
"That doesn't mean she can't cook," Nick replied.
"My grams made some mean chocolate chip cookies when I was a kid. On Sunday kids from all over the neighborhood would come to my house 'cause they knew Grams always made cookies for after church."
"Well, these chocolate chip cookies are better than my Gramma Olaf's, and nobody made cookies like Gramma Olaf." They all looked to Catherine for her cookie story.
"Be serious guys, you know how I grew up. My mom didn't do cookies, unless you're talking about the Albertson's variety. But, when Sam would come over, he used to bring great cookies, casino cookies. I don't know who made them or how, but they were some good cookies." Just then, Gwen and Brass made their entrance.
"Where have you guys been?" Greg asked to the shock of his companions. "We're half way to Margaritaville. I know. Decomp duty. Sorry. Brass, how are you not putting on weight with those cookies around all the time?"
"I limit myself to one."
"Yeah, one an hour," Gwen Said. "But, he's been getting a lot more exercise, lately."
"Too much information Gwen." Nicky said laughing.
Warrick said, "Yeah, that's not an image I want in my head, no offense."
"None taken, Rick." Then Brass asked, "So, what were you all talking about when we came out?"
"Gwen's…giant…cookies!" Greg said pausing between each word for effect. "I was telling these guys how absolutely fantastic they are. Then we all shared cookie stories."
"You guys never had one of Gwen's jumbo chocolate chip cookies?" Brass said to everyone but Greg. "Hang on, I'll be right back." Brass went into the house, retrieved some cookies and returned. "Who's first?"
"I've had my fill," Greg put up his hands in protest.
"Hook me up, Brass."
"Me, too."
"Just a little piece for me Jim; gotta watch the figure."
"Ok, a tiny piece for Cath, and an equal share for Rick, Nicky and me," Brass said as he cut the giant cookie with a pizza cutter and handed out the pieces.
"I don't get any?" Gwen asked Jim, indignantly.
"Would I forget you, Honey? I brought one just for you and junior here." He said lovingly rubbing her baby bulge.
"I always said Jim, you are one smart man." Catherine volunteered and took a bite of her piece of the cookie. "Wow, Gwen, this is fantastic!" Cath said through chews.
"Better than Grammas' cookies." Warrick mumbled his mouth still full of cookie.
"Stokes, what do you think?"
Always the gentleman, Nick didn't answer with his mouth full. "Brass, I'm a Texas momma's boy. Therefore, I withhold my comment so it won't get back to Momma," he said with a laugh. "Hey speaking of junior, have you guys thought about any names for Baby Brass?"
"We've started kicking some around, but nothing definite. We're going to find out the sex in about six weeks. We'll really start getting to it then." Gwen said as she sat down and started eating her cookie.
"Care to bounce some suggestions off us?" Greg said hoping to get his suggestion in the mix.
Catching Jim's wink as he stood behind them, Gwen responded, "Sure, any ideas or suggestions you guys have would be great. So far I really like using both last names if it's a boy."
"You mean like a hyphenated thing?" Nicky asked. "You'd still need a first name though."
"You misunderstood, Nicky, I was thinking of Grissom James Brass."
"You're gonna name the kid after Grissom?" Warrick asked.
"Well, technically Rick," Gwen had picked up the nickname Brass gave Warrick very early in the relationship, "I was a Grissom, too." Then, quickly moving on, she said, "For a girl, I kind of like Brandy or Brittany maybe."
After a few moments of silence and obvious downcast eyes from the team Greg couldn't contain himself any longer. "Those sound like stripper names."
Everyone's jaw dropped except for Gwen who, with a weak 'excuse me', ran into the house in tears. Fake tears, but only Jim knew that.
"Nice Sanders, really bucking for those decomps aren't you?" Brass said before going after his wife. "Honey!"
"Greg, do you ever think before you let words just come out of your mouth?" Catherine asked. "I mean, what were you thinking telling a pregnant woman that her baby names sounded like stripper names?"
"I'm sorry Catherine. It just came out, but we were all thinking it. Come on, 'Brandy Brass?' Are you going to tell me you don't think that sounds like a stripper? Someone had to tell her for the sake of the kid," Greg explained.
"Well yes, to be honest, it does sound like a stripper. Still, Greg, there had to be a better way to put it."
"Yeah, man, what you did was cold. You're gonna have to apologize or you better put a lemon tree on your patio, 'cause you're gonna need a lot of lemons for all those decomps."
"War's right Greg. You better apologize, man. Make sure when we have the same conversation later with Gris and Sara, you just smile and nod."
"Uncle Pa, can we go back now?"
"Sure Kiddo, what's the matter? You getting tired?"
"No, I'm getting hungry." Gil and Sara share a glance. They love Sammy; but, that kid sure can eat.
"Ok Sammy, let's sit over here and strap in so Uncle Pa can bring us about."
"Bring us about what?"
"Bring us about means to turn us around."
"Oh."
"Hey guys, where are Brass and Gwen?" Gil said as he came up the steps with Sammy, Sara and Bruno close behind.
"Hey Gris, I didn't know you guys had Bruno here! How come we didn't see him before?" Greg asked hoping to change the subject.
Gil answered, "I had him tied up just off the water so he could keep cool. He's a little over excited from the trip and the change in scenery. I didn't want him in the house until he settled down a little. So, where are Gwen and Brass?"
"Greg managed to put his foot in his mouth," Nicky answered. "He told Gwen the names they're considering for Baby Brass are less than choice."
"Don't sugar coat it, Nicky. Greg told Gwen that the baby girl names sounded like…" Catherine paused and glanced at Sammy, who had noticed a bug and was watching it closely.
Sara said, "Sammy, take a piece of cookie and go sit with Bruno please."
"Ok, Aunt Sara."
With Sammy at a safe distance Catherine continued, "…he said they sounded like stripper names."
"Greg!" Sara practically screamed.
"Greg do you…want decomp duty? Wait…do Abigail and Kaitlyn sound like stripper names?"
"Gwen said Brandy and Brittany," Catherine corrected Gil.
"Yeah, and Grissom James if it's a boy." Nick volunteered.
After a short pause, Sara and Gil burst out into laughter. "You seriously thought that my sister and more over Captain James Brass of the LVPD would name their baby Brandy, Brittany, or even Grissom for that matter?"
"We really do need to spend more time with you guys. You have all seriously lost touch it you fell for that load of crap." Sara said through her peals of laughter.
Upon hearing the laughter, Gwen and Jim knew it was safe to return to the group. "Guess we can come back out now! Sanders you should have seen the look on your face when Gwen took off out of here. Priceless."
"Yeah, well. Wait. How did you see my face? You left right after Gwen?"
"Security cameras," Jim said pointing to the barely visible camera above them. "I'm a cop. Remember, Greg?"
Sammy, realizing now that his parents had returned, left Bruno and joined the group. "Daddy, what's for dinner? I'm hungry."
"How 'bout we have Mommy's grilled pizza?"
"Great!"