A/N: Hey y'all! Here's chappy 13! Enjoy! I think maybe after this chapter I might skip ahead to the wedding...maybe.
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Alex and Grissom arrived home in time for dinner that night. Catherine decided to make them a special dinner since she had the extra time and she knew Grissom wouldn't be around to distract her. Shortly after they had arrived home, Catherine had the table set for dinner. Alex loved their family meals. It made her feel as though she belonged. It was the time everyone talked about anything and everything.
"How was the flight in?" Catherine asked once they were all settled.
"It was good. It seemed so long though. I just wanted to get home." Grissom said placing a hand on hers. "So, how did things go with the realtor?"
"Well I gave him what we had. He said he would take it for now, but it's less than he is comfortable taking. He said we have a week to give him at least another part of the down payment or he might have to give it to someone else." Catherine said leaning in to him to whisper. "I don't know if we can do it. I think tomorrow I'll call him to get the money back so he can give it to someone else; someone who can afford it."
Grissom wiped his mouth and smiled, glancing at Alex.
"We don't have to worry about that anymore."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well- Alex received a substantial amount since her grandmother's death. A portion of it was put into an account to pay for college but the rest is hers for anything." Grissom said looking at Catherine's expression. She couldn't believe it.
"But Alex that's your money."
"To do with as I please." Alex said smiling. "I know how much this place means to you and my dad. I just want to help in anyway I can. There isn't anything else I need it for since there is already a lot separated for school. I just want to help." Alex said as tears came to Catherine's eyes. She got up and hugged Alex.
"Thank you so much sweetheart." She said unable to stop smiling as she returned to her seat.
"You're welcome." She smiled and took the last bite of her dinner. She whispered to Lindsey and after a few seconds they both rose and started to clear the table.
"Girls you don't have to do that." Catherine said from her seat next to Grissom.
"No it's okay. You and dad can have some time to yourselves. We can take care of it." Alex said winking to Lindsey.
"Alright. Thanks girls." Catherine said as she and Grissom got up and made their way to their bedroom. She helped Grissom unpack as they talked about the trip and the money they had for their new home. Alex and Lindsey finished clearing the table and washing the dishes together and they went back to Lindsey's bedroom for Alex to unpack.
"Alex, are you happy?" Lindsey asked, sitting on her bed while Alex unpacked.
"Of course mei-mei. Why do you ask?"
"Well when you first got home you seemed a little sad."
"Oh, well I guess it was just talking about my grandmother and seeing a few of her friends. I guess it just made me a little sad. But I think I'm okay now."
"Oh. I know what you mean. When my dad died, I had to see his friends too and I got sad." Lindsey said picking up a bear from the edge of her bed. Alex stopped and stared at Lindsey for a moment.
"I guess you and I have more than one thing in common, huh?" She asked as Lindsey nodded. Lindsey looked up and smiled.
"Do you wanna play a game when you're done?" Alex smiled at Lindsey.
"Sure. I'll be done in a minute."
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Once Grissom had finished packing, he and Catherine sat at the dining room table with the paperwork for the house spread out across the table.
"Gil, with the money that was added to your account, we have enough for the house and then some. I just can't believe it." Catherine said amazed. Outside of her job or a casino, she had never seen so much money before- certainly not that she could spend. "I still can't believe Alex did this."
"I know. She's one special kid, isn't she?"
"That she is." Catherine said looking at the papers again. Grissom could tell she was forming an idea in her head.
"I know that look. What are you thinking?"
"I have an idea of what we can do with some of the left over money."
"Really? What's that?"
"Well most of the house is pretty modern. But I figured the girls can use a little of it to redecorate their rooms."
"I think that's a great idea."
"It would make me feel better knowing that Alex can use a little of it for something she'd like. Plus we can even get a few new things for the house. I know Lindsey needs a new bed. She's had hers forever."
"Yeah." Grissom thought for a moment. "I'll have to talk to Alex about it, but I think there was talk of selling her grandmother's house. I mean no one is going to be there and some of the things are not only out dated but I don't think any of us will use it. I think we should put some of that into a savings account for the girls. It doesn't have to be for anything specific- but its just in case we need it."
"That's a good idea. I think anything we have left over should go into that." Catherine said smiling when she heard Lindsey and Alex laughing from around the corner in the bedroom. "Well shall we see what the verdict is?" Catherine asked smiling as Grissom nodded. "Girls! Can you come out here please?!" She was slightly saddened as the laughter stopped but her smile came back when the two girls came out smiling, ear to ear.
"Yes mommy?" Lindsey asked slightly confused.
"I have an idea." She looked to Alex. "The money you gave for the house is a little more than we need. Your dad and I talked it over and we decided that you and Lindsey can use some of it to decorate your bedroom and the basement anyway you want."
"Really?! That's so cool!" Lindsey said jumping up and down. She grabbed Alex's hand in excitement. "Isn't that going to be fun?"
"You bet it is!" Alex said bending over so she was face to face with Lindsey. She glanced up at Catherine and smiled. They exchanged words with their eyes that only they knew. Everything was perfect. Catherine went to the counter and picked up a stack of magazines and catalogs.
"Here, these should help." Catherine said smiling. Lindsey took the whole pile and started running for her room. She dropped half of them and stopped in frustration.
"Let me get those Linds. I'll be there in a minute." Alex said smiling. She picked up the magazines and trailed behind Lindsey. Catherine came behind her and stopped her for a second.
"Hey Alex?"
"Hmmm?"
"Do you want to have lunch with me tomorrow? I can leave Lindsey with your dad for a little while. Just so we can have some time together."
"Sure." Alex smiled and Catherine nodded and made her way back to Grissom and Alex continued to Lindsey's room. Catherine cleared the papers from the table and Grissom grabbed her waist as she passed by on her way back to the table. He kissed her softly and smiled.
"What was that for?"
"You're just amazing." He said as Catherine smiled. She pulled him up by his hands and they went into the living room and sat on the couch together. Within moments Lindsey came running out followed slowly by Alex.
"Mommy look what we picked!"
"That was quick." She said smiling. Lindsey laid out two torn pages from a magazine. The first was a bedroom with dark blue wallpaper that had celestial patterns on it, mostly stars and a moon here and there. The furnature was cream colored and the bed was sleigh style. "Wow. I figured you guys would have picked the butterfly one I saw in there somewhere."
"Oh we have that one too." Lindsey said matter-of-factly handing her the other page. The wallpaper was white with various types of butterflies randomly placed in no particular pattern or order. The furniture in this setting was a light wood finish.
"Oh I like that one too." Catherine said smiling. "Now which one did you guys want to use?" She asked as Alex moved closer.
"Well we decided to use the blue one for the bedroom and the butterfly one for the basement. Instead of using the spare bedroom for our office, we decided your idea to use the basement as our own homework office was a much better idea. That and it's a bigger space if we needed to work on projects or anything. That way you and dad can either have a separate office or just another spare room." Alex said as Catherine looked at Grissom.
"That's great. I think it will look great." Catherine said smiling. She looked at her watch and saw how late it was. "Okay girls, it's time for bed." Lindsey came and kissed her mother. "Goodnight sweetheart, I love you."
"I love you mommy." Lindsey went to Grissom. "Love you uncle Grissom."
"Good night honey." He kissed her cheek as Alex came behind her. He hugged his daughter and kissed her cheek. "Sleep well. I love you."
"Night dad, love you too." Alex went to Catherine and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight Catherine."
"Good night sweetie. Sweet dreams." She said watching them go off to bed. She smiled and looked at Grissom. "Those are two wonderful girls. It almost makes you wonder how doesn't it?"
"Sometimes, yes." They sat in silence for a moment. "Hey, can you believe it? We're getting married in only two weeks?"
"Oh God. I can't believe it!"
"The sooner it get's here, the sooner everything else will fall into place, right?"
"Absolutely. I can't wait until that happens." Catherine said resting her head on his chest. She felt him let out a great yawn.
"I think we should get some sleep my dear. We have work in the morning. God I hate this daytime scheduling."
"Well at least we get to spend more time with the girls at night." Catherine said smiling. She sat up and patted his leg. "Come on you, time for bed."
"As you wish. I'll be there in a minute." He said smiling. He turned off the lights and locked the door before making his way down the hallway. He looked in on the girls for a brief moment before making his way to the end of the hallway. He was overjoyed at how well everything was working out for them. Between the house, Alex's relationship with Catherine and Lindsey, and even the wedding plans; he couldn't believe everything was working out so well. He climbed into bed and turned off the light. He knew everything was going to be fine for him and his family.
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A/N: Okay so I'm working on the endings. But I think I might just skip ahead to the wedding. I think I owe you people that much. This has been taking a long time. Anywhoo- I hope you liked it! Stay shiny y'all! Peace, Love, and CSI!!
~Sweet_Jorja