Finding Memories: Chapter 12
"Don't cry, Mom." She wiped her own eyes.
Grissom found the two women sitting quietly watching the ocean. With one look, he knew something had passed and words spoken between mother and daughter. He pulled a chair near them, found Sara's hand and took it in his own.
"You've got a wonderful daughter, Laura." And he talked about the coast, the undeveloped natural area they were in, and dinner. His ease brought smiles to both women and soon they joined him in talking about 'things'—not a father, not a husband, not a broken home, nor a lost childhood.
In their room that night, Sara tried not to cry as she related her mother's story to Grissom. "It was so hard for her, Gil. I didn't want to see her that way. She almost seems to be frightened of me."
He held her in an intimate embrace, one that provided comfort and security. From months of being her lover and companion, he knew that she craved his touch as an important part of their relationship. Working with her on a daily basis he had seen her avoid contact when others demanded it; he had seen her provide comfort with no one else thought it necessary.
When they finally slept, he wrapped her in a cocoon of arms and blankets whispering to her soothing words of comfort and encouragement. Dreams did not wake her and early morning got her up and along a path to the ocean. She left a note for Grissom.
Returning, she found Grissom and her mother eating breakfast, heads together in conversation and a map between them. Her concerns of the night had diminished and the early morning walk had put color in her face and lifted her spirits. The two at the table had plotted the trip. Grissom pointed out several places of interest, letting the women decide where to stop, what to see.
Sara ate, showing a degree of happiness that had been gone for weeks. By noon they turned away from the coastline and took a route underneath the towering redwoods. They drove in silence as shadows of trees formed a cathedral over their heads, finding a place to walk among ferns and enjoy the stillness of this place.
Making a quick decision to spend the night among these giant trees, they retraced their path to a small roadside motel with rooms and cabins set in a forest of century old redwoods. Grissom unloaded bags while the women went in search for food, returning with pizza, finding him sitting on a swing on the porch.
That night, the three shared a cabin with two pristine bedrooms with brass beds and thick white duvets and old furniture polished with a patina of age. High windows covered with thin white curtains opened to the sounds of wind in the tall trees and rushing water from a nearby river.
Quietly and unhurried, Grissom made love to the only woman who had ever captured his heart and secured his soul. He would say he was not the romantic lover of novels and movies, but Sara knew—with his quiet words, his gentle touch, and his yearning look, he would be her only lover for as long as she lived.
His last thought before sleep was of her. She had refused to believe he could not love or be loved. He knew she would win this battle with her past. The woman he loved had no limits to her determination. He smiled as he held her against his chest as he felt her warm sleeping breath.
The next morning, they wanted to stay at this quiet oasis among trees that blocked the sky, but knew their destination was north. Grissom stopped often, roadside markets, scenic overlooks, a path across dunes. By late afternoon, they were two small towns away from the town they sought.
"Stop or continue?" he asked.
"Stop," they both answered.
They found a small ocean side hotel for the night and walked along the shore as the sun set. Laura and Grissom watched as Sara rolled up pants and waded into the surf, leaving them sitting on rocks on the beach.
"She's a good person," her mother stated.
Grissom softly chuckled. "She is better than good, Laura. She is the most compassionate person I've ever known. She's the only person I've ever loved."
"How long have you known each other?"
"Nine years—almost ten." He watched as Sara jumped low waves and bent to retrieve something in the water. Moonlight picked up the white capped waves, her white shirt, and made her skin glow in soft muted cream colors. To say he loved her seemed too simple for what he wanted to say to her mother.
"I have loved her almost as long as I've known her. She is usually so optimistic, her energy is boundless." He laughed, quietly, again. Her dedication to him was almost embarrassing, and at times exasperating. Her mother did not need to hear that. "Sara needs…she needs a history. We have a future together, but she is trying to find…" He stopped and watched the subject of his words as she backed away from incoming waves.
"She needs to hear about her father."
"Yeah. She does." He looked at Laura. "And she needs to know her mother…know her as family."
Laura smiled at him. "She will." Her eyes moved to Sara. "I know something happened to her. Maria found it in the paper—a short article about a Las Vegas investigator kidnapped. It gave her name. She hasn't said anything."
They stood as Sara ran back to them. Grissom waved and said, "I'll tell her you know about it. Might make it easier for her—it was my fault it happened." And their conversation closed as Sara pulled smooth rocks and a few shells from her pockets exclaiming that her feet were cold.
Conversation at dinner was easy with Laura telling decades-old stories about the coast, her high school days, how remote the area had been, and the wet winters. As they spent time together, she found it easier to talk. Mother and daughter looked alike; the same hair, the same eyes, the same walk; Sara was several inches taller, but appeared much taller. Grissom observed the two during dinner, his eyes staying on Sara most of the time. She would glance at him and smile, turn back to her mother and continue talking. The three, he decided, made good companions.
That night, he noticed a small red spot on the back of his leg; some small insect bite, no doubt, and he gave it no other thought as he and Sara went to bed.
A/N: We are away from the computer until Sunday--so be kind and leave a short review for us to find!! And the ending is one you will love! Not typical, but we think its lovely!