A/N: Thanks for your patience... My overnight trip went a bit longer and was loads of fun… I had limited computer access so I could read a bit, but not post…this is not beta'd, I just wanted to get it posted…I will go in and fix mistakes later…This chapter ends the countdown days…only six more days until the wedding…and Nick arrives tomorrow…there will be a posting for each of Sara and Gil's next six days…then, the wedding...hope to post in a day or two…thanks for all your great reviews and for those who support by reading (and sometimes re-reading)… : ) …Hope this pleases….you are absolutely terrific!...-Kathy
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Countdown: Day 1 ( 9 a.m.)
Sofia had left the main door to the guest room flung wide open, while she lounged in the hot tub.
The scented bubble bath liquid she had added while the jets worked to fill the tub had created a fragrant oasis which she had more than once this morning dreamed of sharing with Grissom – hence her ploy of leaving this bathroom's door wide open as well.
But she was clearly disappointed when she did not hear the opening of the door belonging to the only other occupant of this wing of the ranchhouse.
Sighing, she was about to exit the bubbled bliss when she thought she heard a doorknob quietly close.
Smirking widely, Sofia used the swivel sprayer to remove the bubbles that clung to her perfect body.
Wrapping a silken sarong around her still moist curves, she tiptoed towards Grissom's door.
Manicured nails were reaching for the doorknob when it was thrust open to the sound of echoed shrieks.
Immediately, Sofia's eyes were blazing towards a stunned Emma Anne, who was clearly not expecting to find another person on the outside of Gil's room.
She was so taken aback, the maid almost dropped the small laundry basket from her capable hands.
Sofia barged right past Emma Anne, not really expecting to find Grissom in there with the maid, but curious nonetheless to collect some visual evidence to slow her rapidly beating heart.
"What are you doing in here?" Sofia eyed the other woman suspiciously.
Emma Anne noticed the drops of bath water slipping onto the hardwood floor.
Taking another second to give Sofia the once over, she replied coolly, "I could ask you the same thing, ma'am."
Ignoring the entitlement usually reserved for the elderly, Sofia was not to be daunted.
"Where is Grissom?"
Looking at his bed which should no sign of use last night, Sofia whipped her blonde hair heatedly at Emma Anne, who showed no reaction to the inference of the question.
"Dr. Grissom always rises early. As a matter of fact, he has been up and out for quite a while now."
Knowing Grissom's work ethic, Sofia seemed at peace with this new information.
Internally, Emma Anne grimaced as she actually had a good idea where he ACTUALLY was at the moment.
She closed her eyes for an extra moment, trying to dismiss the picture of what he was actually DOING at the moment.
When she reopened them, she was relieved to note that Sofia's gaze had not been fixed on her.
Instead, she was looking for any evidence that Sara had been in this room.
Sofia was unaware that each morning, Emma Anne thoroughly cleaned and straightened this room with just that search in mind, knowing how suspicious Lillian was about Gil.
She chuckled inwardly, for if this "great CSI" before her was really worth her salt, she would see that the small basket in Emma Anne's hands contained the complete change of clothing which she had thought to gather so Grissom could shower in Sara's bath to avoid a suspicious encounter on his way back to his own room.
Emma Anne worried that this last day would be more difficult as Sofia would obviously join Lillian in sneaking around to spy on Gil and Sara.
The maid had secretly been hoping those lovebirds would find a way to be together in the end.
But just this morning, Jeremy had to console her when she shed one tear that these two people, whom she had come to adore, were finding themselves facing their last day before Nick returned.
Sofia had obviously not found what she wanted and stormed out of the room past a relieved maid.
Once the blonde had slammed her door shut, Emma Anne made a hasty retreat towards Sara's room using the servant's corridor.
--
Meanwhile, the sun was shining through the open French doors as the two lovers slept wrapped around each other.
Last night, Sara had consoled Gil after her outburst, assuring him that she would be fine.
He had not replied, only scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed.
They had spent the hours of their magic time creating the magic that can only be experience by those deeply in love.
Despite his earlier attempt to watch over her at dawn, Sara's steady breathing and close proximity lulled Gil into a dreamless sleep next to her.
When Emma Anne appeared in the doorway off the hidden corridor, she hesitated briefly before knocking loudly, whispering, "Sara!"
Gil was immediately awake. He started when he heard the voice, for a moment kicking himself for not taking Sara into the safety of his guest room with its double locks.
Sara was awake now also, but she seemed much more relaxed about the fact that Gil was still in her bed at this hour.
Emma Anne entered, moving first to lock Sara's door.
"I brought you these, Dr. Grissom. I thought you might like to change for the day without having to return to your room," she said, suddenly shy, hoping she had not overstepped her bounds.
Gil smiled his thanks, making this wonderful friend blush slightly.
"Oh, and Sara, perhaps you should make an appearance at breakfast soon," Emma said hastily.
"Lillian and the Viper are an evil mix to be sure, especially if you leave them alone too long," she finished, speaking conspiratorially and looking over her shoulder.
"Viper?" Gil smirked, throwing an amused gaze at Sara.
Emma Anne was thunderstruck.
PLEASE tell me I did not just say that out loud!
Seeing her friend's discomfort, Sara sat up a bit straighter and said, "It's fine, Emma Anne. It's actually a pretty descriptive label for that blonde snake in the grass!"
Her comment seemed to diffuse the tension in the room.
The maid excused herself to give these two a few more minutes of privacy before their day in the limelight needed to begin.
"Mornin'" Gil said softly, leaning in for a kiss.
"Good morning, Gil," Sara responded verbally, then physically as she deepened their kiss.
Knowing he needed to be strong for them, Gil pulled away to laugh softly at her pouting lips.
"Behave, Miss Sidle. I'm going for a quick shower then I'll be down. You should dress and get yourself to breakfast before Lillian comes looking for you."
He hated to push her away. It was their last day and night together before Nick came.
Gil had plans for today. But he needed some time away from Sara to make them work.
--
Appearing at breakfast a short time later, Gil moved towards the coffee cart before Sofia's hand on his arm caused him to stop abruptly.
She smelled wonderful and her almost buttoned silk shirt accented her assets in just the right places.
If his mind had not been on Sara's surprise, as a man he would by nature have been aroused.
But Gil's mind had been on Sara's surprise.
Sofia noticed her efforts were not yielding the results she had become accustomed to.
Turning up the charm a bit, Sofia sidled up closer and said quietly in a suggestive tone, "You go sit down, Gil. I know what you want."
She licked her lips as her eyes glinted dangerously, and then she turned sweetly and poured him a coffee.
Leaning in a bit farther than necessary as she set down his aromatic brew, she kept her hand on the back of his chair as she twisted and inquired, "Lillian, can I get you a refill?"
Overjoyed that she was the center of someone's attention, Lillian smiled sweetly and nodded.
She glanced at Sara as if to say you could learn something from this wonderful girl.
Sara, however, was not paying attention to Lillian's body language as she was staring a hole through Grissom's proximity to Sofia.
Those feelings of abandonment were overshadowing her again.
Gulping back the desire to burst into tears, Sara reminded herself that she was stronger than this.
I hate feeling so weak. I have kept my emotions in check my whole life. I don't want to feel this upset anymore.
Lost in those thoughts, Sara could not tear her eyes from Grissom's space being invaded by that blonde hussy.
She was so shaken that she let out a small shriek when she felt the weight of a kiss on her cheek.
Recoiling noticeably, she turned to stare at the person hovering worriedly over her.
Logan smiled unsurely and straightened a bit before speaking softly, "Sorry if I startled you, darlin'"
A speck of hurt was displayed in his eyes and Sara immediately took steps to correct her impression of his overture.
Standing, she leaned into him and hugged him before turning a wide smile upwards.
There. That's the happy smile I want to see dancing in this darling man's eyes, Sara said to herself.
Still smiling, she rose to peck him on the cheek and tease, "You should know not to sneak up on a girl before she's had her first cup of coffee for the day!"
Logan grinned helped her back into her seat before moving to retrieve his own cup of coffee.
In a moment he would leave for his last day of work until after the wedding.
In his heart, he had never tried to stall the beginning of vacation time as he did for this event.
He remained standing close to Sara's chair as he asked Gil about his plans for the day.
"Oh, I thought I'd like to spend a good part of the day down at the stables," Gil replied without looking at Sara.
The stables. Our special place. Sara mused, smiling secretly to herself.
He wants to spend our final afternoon alone in our special place.
While these thoughts raced through her mind, imagine how shocked Sara was to hear the next statement coming from Grissom.
"Actually," he leaned forward a bit and took hold of Sofia's hand.
"I was hoping Sofia might want to come and help out as well."
Turning to the blonde, he smiled and continued, "There's no place to rival it."
Sofia grinned smugly as she agreed.
Logan, still stunned by the pronouncement, turned towards Sara to ask about her plans.
The pain hidden in that controlled countenance caused him to rethink that behavior.
Instead, he turned to Lillian and asked.
And, as expected, the verbal litany of odds and ends to finish was unrelenting.
Logan couldn't help but smile. Lillian did enjoy her martyr complex…
Before Sara could input into the conversation, Gil was standing and looking towards Sofia.
"Shall we say 15 minutes?" he asked smoothly, watching as Sofia poured herself out of her seat.
Agreeing to meet by the front door, Sofia moved towards the stairs as Gil diverged from that path and headed towards the kitchen.
Logan glanced concernedly at Sara, who had replaced the indifference mask over her truthful one.
She stood, but Lillian halted her retreat.
"Now, Sara dear, remember we need to head off into town soon…there is an incredible amount of details that need our attention!"
Sara attempted to respond but suddenly felt her hand and arm quake slightly at her side.
Worried, Sara decided she would take that prescription medication after all, despite her earlier protests to Gil that she was fine and didn't need it.
Sara replied she would be join Lil in a short time, leaving the room before Logan had a chance to give her a proper goodbye which heightened his worry that something was wrong with her.
--
Gil had taken the Jeep to the stables, allowing Sofia to sit up front. Emma Anne had sat in the back seat, having come along ostensibly to confer with Billy before returning the Jeep to the covered patio.
Gil was talking animatedly about the horses, and Sofia had maintained a full, sexy grin at his ramblings – until she saw the stable door open fully.
Inside, Billy had been stoking a fire and was brandishing a hot poker in her direction.
"Wha-What is that?" Sofia asked shakily.
"Oh, this little thing?" Billy thundered, chuckling.
"It's shoe-ing time, honey!" he said, returning the poker to the open-faced anvil as he began pounding the heated iron into the nail holes of the horseshoes.
"SHOE-ing?" asked Sofia, softly.
"Sure!" beemed Grissom, handing a folded apron towards Sofia.
"Probably will take more of the day, but hey, we haven't anything better to do!"
Sofia was already shaking her head, backing up.
"Perhaps you may not, but I didn't come here a day early to sit around smelling like wet horses!" she protested.
Smoothly, Gil looked down before nailing her with his eyes, 'Then…why did you come here a day earlier that planned?"
Sofia sputtered for a moment before gaining control.
"Billy," she said without looking at Gil, "thanks for the invitation. Perhaps later you might give me some pointers at riding one of these characters."
"See ya 'round, then!" Billy said, knowing she would never have the insight into taming these beauties to the degree that Sara had.
Gil stood and watched as Sofia strode up the hill towards the ranchhouse, pausing to chuckle at Billy who also stood enjoying the view, her backside sashaying softly once she reached the top.
"Everything set, Billy?" Gil responded as he placed Billy's cowboy hat on his.
"All set. Take the stallion out the back and meander around the stable trail that leads towards the corral. It meets up with the main trail just past the grassy knoll.
"Thanks for everything, Billy."
"Take care of yourself – and take care of my favorite girl!" he was shouting as Gil donned the hat to hide his identity if someone was watching.
Someone was watching.
Due to her medication, Sara missed Sofia's retreat. She mistakenly thought Sofia was still down there enjoying Gil's company.
Seeing a person Sara was convinced had been a cowhand leaving the corral area, the scene was more disturbing that Sara expected it to be.
Willing her shaking to stop, Sara laid on her bed for a moment, not at all concerned that Lillian was waiting for her.
And Lillian was very impatiently waiting for Sara.
That is how she came to be standing inside the door as Sofia returned to the ranchhouse.
"Oh," Sofia said, genuinely surprised to see Lillian still at home. "I thought you'd be gone by now."
The look on Lillian's face told the story. Sofia sighed supportively, "Sara still not ready?"
"Ugh! That girl can try the patience of a saint!" the woman fumed.
"Well," spoke Lillian determinedly, "I, for one, have no intention of waiting on her all morning. Things to do! Things to do!"
She closed her eyes briefly and switched to endearing-mode as she spoke sweetly to Sofia, "Dear, why don't you join me in running errands in town? We could stop for lunch at this delightful little bistro and you could fill me in on what's been happening with my Nicky."
Weighing the options of waiting for a muck-covered Grissom or fine dining with Nick's mom, the choice seemed obvious.
"After you, Mrs. Stokes," smiled Sofia, only to have the woman insist, "Oh, please, it's Lillian, dear."
Turning to the side closet, Lillian reached down to retrieve several handled bags filled with assorted guest name cards, token gifts, and mini picture frames – all the items that needed to be alphabetized and sorted to be displayed during the reception.
Calling haughtily for Emma Anne, Lillian began as soon as she entered the room.
"Sara will not be joining Sofia and myself in town today. Please be sure to give these to her and help her set up a work area in the family room."
"And," Lillian grabbed the maid's arm for emphasis, "don't let her out of your sight until she has completed all this work!"
"No, ma'am. I won't let these out of my sight until they are completely done," answered a calm Emma Anne.
"Well, then, my dear," Lillian cooed in her best hostess manner, "let's be off then, shall we?"
Enjoying her "preferred guest" status, Sofia smiled and followed Lillian to their waiting car.
Emma Anne also smiled as she hoisted the heavy bags of wearying work into the grasp of both hands, and headed for the kitchen where she, Jeremy, and cook would make short work of the assignment, leaving Sara to enjoy Gil's afternoon surprise.
--
After about a half hour, Sara sat up and realized she had left Lillian waiting for her to return.
She's going to be a maniac, thought Sara worriedly as she practically flew down the stairs barefooted.
Not finding any signs of life, Sara moved towards the kitchen where she had to chuckle at a well built cook covered in white curly ribbon.
"Need any help?" she smiled, and cook returned a smile warmly in her direction.
"Lillian gone?" Sara questioned Emma Anne who was finishing with the first bag of wedding guest items.
"Sorry, ma'am," the maid responded in her best stage voice. "You'll have to entertain yourself at home today."
This made Sara's shoulders sag, but she continued to smile at the trio as she rolled up her shirt cuffs and said, "Well, then, let's get started."
Sara reacted as all three of servants barked, "NO!"
"What we mean, Sara," Emma Anne spoke slowly as she approached the stunned bride-to-be, "is that we have this all under control. Besides," she added as they were now at the back door, " Billy called and asked if you could..uh..come down to check on Buttercup."
Sara grew immediately concerned, "Is she sick?"
Emma Anne forged bravely ahead, saying only that Billy said, "…as soon as possible."
Sara started out the door, but Emma Anne stopped her. Eyeing her from head to toe, she said, "Perhaps you will want to shower and change…into something nice…after all, " she added as Sara's eyes went up suspiciously, "it is a nice day for a trail ride."
That is how, a half hour later, Sara found herself showered and dressed, even having added a touch of perfume and some eye makeup.
With Sofia around, it doesn't hurt to look human at least, she thought, wondering again if Gil would be there with Sofia.
She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice the Jeep was not in its usual parking spot on the covered patio.
Once inside the stables, Sara was surprised at the quiet. Gil must have taken Sofia for a trail ride she mused sadly.
Billy's voice returned her to the present.
"What's up with Buttercup, Billy?" Sara smiled, although the horse trainer could see the worry in her eyes.
"Nothing that a good long ride won't cure," Billy said sincerely, already moving to saddle up Sara's favorite horse.
"Sounds like we have a lot in common with that today, Billy," Sara spoke softly.
"Well then, I suggest you take the trail out by the pond. It's a great place to relax on a day like today and Buttercup loves to graze on the clover there."
Helping hoist her up into the saddle, Billy patted the horse's hind quarters to set her in motion.
"Have a nice long ride! See ya before sunset!" Billy smiled to himself as he watched Sara move expertly down the trail.
"Yessir…a great place on a day like today, " he whistled as he happily returned to his work.
About twenty minutes later, Sara was lost in thought as she came to the crest of the hill.
She was startled at the sight before her, causing her to pull on the reins and bring the trotting horse to a standstill.
Ahead on the trail, just outside the overgrown path to the cabin, sat the Jeep parked under a shady branch.
Who can be here? Gil and Sofia were at the stables somewhere, weren't they? and the Jeep had been parked at the kitchen patio, hadn't it?
As curiosity was a Sidle trademark, Sara maneuvered Buttercup around the Jeep and headed down the path towards the cabin.
Dismounting, she left her trusty steed tied to a branch near the trickling inlet into the pond which encompassed a half-mile of the thicket which bordered the cabin.
She hesitantly climbed the three steps to the covered porch and raised her hand to knock on the door.
It swung forward instantly, as if someone had been expecting her arrival.
Confused, she tucked her head inside as she chanted in a timid voice, "Hello?"
From across the shaded distance came a familiar voice, "Hello, sweetheart."
Sara blinked. "Gil?"
Immediately, Sara's heart fluttered in her chest. If Gil was here, then – of god – he's here with Sofia!
Before she could flee, Gil had already joined her and backed into the open door, shutting it and turning to secure the large lock.
"No, Sara…Sofia's long gone…she's with Lillian…"Gil began, reaching around the still stunned Sara and pulling her into his strong embrace.
He looked amusedly into her shocked expression, before adding, "…and you're with me…"
His smile disappeared as he took her hand and placed it over his heart.
"You're always with me."
Sara still could not speak, so Gil continued hoping to help her come to terms with his little surprise.
He sat her down on the couch and walked towards the spot he was at when she entered.
"I was not quite ready for you to arrive, there are still a few candles I wanted to light," he spoke softly.
He made his way around the room to the individual tapers adorned with fresh field daisies that Gil had placed inside each of two dozen tall crystal bud vases, scattering a soft light around the room.
Sara started violently at the sound of the Jeep's engine coming to life.
Gil soothed her, saying, "Ah, that would be Jeremy come to take back the Jeep and leaving me his horse for the return trip."
Laughing at her puzzled expression, he continued his explanation.
"Well, we had to be sure you would stop here and not be wandering all over creation on our last afternoon alone!"
Sara just shook her head slightly, as if to clear it.
"But…you wanted Sofia-"
Gil strode quickly to her and knelt in front of her downcast eyes.
"Look at me, Sara," he commanded and she looked up to find herself lost in his gaze.
"I. Never. Wanted. Sofia." He let that message sit a second before continuing.
"Billy helped me work out the details of this little surprise. It was all just a ruse to get me out from under Lil's radar for the afternoon."
It was all coming together in her brain.
"And Jeremy? Emma Anne?" she asked incredulously, a small smile beginning in the corner of her lips.
"Don't forget Cook! Why, the man even delivered!"
Her eyes not adjusted to the dimmer light of the cabin, Sara brought her hands to her mouth.
There before her was a satiny king-sized quilt spread on the ground with place settings for two arranged closely together in one corner.
Propped up against a large wicker picnic basket was an ice bucket filled with heart shaped ice cubes, a bottle of chilled champagne, and two inverted champagne flutes chilling in the icy bath.
"For me?" Sara whispered, barely able to produce a sound.
"For us." Gil replied softly, smoothing his hand over her curls, and watching as she leaned into his touch.
"I love you, Sara. Let me show you how much…please?"
He looked with longing into the depth of her eyes.
Sara was so happy, she thought her heart would burst – surely no human organ could contain such happiness.
Gil leaned in and kissed her softly as he stood to his full height, taking her lips with him and willing her body to follow.
And her body did follow.
He led them to their king-sized oasis where they loved, laughed, flirted, loved, and enjoyed the afternoon that at one time they had dreaded.
But for now, it was the best of times – the best memory yet.
Even as the candles burned down to nibs, the joy of this time together made them whole, made them one.
In this final hour, words were not needed, and they did not spend much time in speaking.
Although, one robin that decided to perch on one of the cabin's silent windowsills was startled into flight as he heard a sudden cry break the stillness, sounding something like, "Oh!...Gil!"