Chapter Twenty One:
A Plan in Motion
She was eager to talk with him when he returned home.
"I met a woman…two doors down," she began. "She used to babysit the child that lived here."
"You mean the child that put crayons in the vents?" he questioned.
She frowned. "Anyway…she offered to keep Caleb…when I start my job next week."
"Job?" he asked.
"I got a phone call from a Professor Williams. He's looking for someone to cover his classes for three weeks…maybe four."
He opened the peanut butter jar and started to stick his finger into it but she pulled the jar away, handing him a spoon.
He took it.
He licked the peanut butter off the spoon and attempted to dip it back into the jar but she quickly took it from his hand.
He frowned but she handed him a clean one.
"Germs," she announced.
He grinned.
This was the Sara Sidle he'd known all these years.
"I know what you're thinking…just a few weeks but…it could lead to other offers…and it's in forensics."
He was glad she was excited.
She had not seemed very excited about the new house and wondered if she worried about their finances.
Lizzie never worried about such details leaving it to him while she overspent, making his budgeting hell.
He'd seen the way she scanned the want ads.
He meant to talk with her about the budget but didn't think she was bothered.
Now, he wasn't so sure.
There was excitement along with desperation in her voice.
He knew she wanted his approval.
It wasn't like he could force her not to take the job.
In fact, he liked that she was discussing it with him.
"This woman," he began.
"Brass did a back ground check…clean," she added. "I checked with three other references including some of the neighbors."
He grinned. "You've been busy."
"So you think…I should take the job?" she asked.
"I think you'll do great," he reassured her, glad that she seemed relieved.
"You could…return to the lab…we're settled," she added.
They were settled.
There was no reason to remain at home except he liked spending time with them.
He surprised everyone when he walked into the lab the next night, picking up assignments.
"Are you back?" asked Ecklie.
"Yes, I am."
"How is…Sara? We heard…she's living with you."
Grissom knew he was fishing for information.
"She's well. Has Catherine completed the reports already?" he asked.
"Yes," he answered. "Congratulations…on your son."
"His name is Caleb. Sara and I are very proud of him."
"And I hear you're expecting another child?" he asked.
"Sara is pregnant."
He was glad when Catherine called for him.
He hurried down the hall.
"You looked like you needed rescuing," she whispered.
"Thanks," he murmured.
"So….you're back," she chirped.
"Yes…I heard you finished the reports for this month and thought it was a good time to return."
She hit him and he chuckled.
He couldn't wait to get home the next morning, slipping into Caleb's room to watch him sleep.
Sara caught sight of him standing in the doorway.
"How was shift?" she whispered.
"Not bad," he smiled. "He…looks so angelic…sleeping."
"He asked for you last night," she said. "He kept asking for dada."
Grissom smiled.
Caleb woke. "Dada!"
Grissom chuckled.
"See…he missed you."
She left the men alone as she went downstairs to prepare breakfast.
She was nervous on the first day of lecture.
She had changed clothes several times, attempting to find something that did not appear too tight.
Already her abdomen was getting larger and she worried it would hinder her ability to be a convincing professor.
She was running late as she hurried to the podium.
"I'm sorry but I'm learning I like to sleep late…perhaps it's from listening to Professor William's lecture tapes."
There were a few chuckles.
She opened her notes and began.
She did not notice the door open and Grissom stepped into the lecture hall, taking a seat at the top.
Just as she finished she caught sight of him.
He waited while students filed by her, making a comment here and there.
She picked up her things, throwing them into her briefcase.
He took the briefcase from her hand. "May I?"
He followed her as she stepped out of the lecture hall.
"You…came."
"I never got to hear your lecture in San Francisco."
A look of grief crossed her features briefly. "I had a great class."
"How is this one?" he asked.
"Too soon to see…but then I'm only going to be covering for three weeks…maybe four."
He was impressed with her lecture, watching as she drew the students into discussions.
He didn't like the way some of the males scurried around her, attempting to get her attention.
Some were not that much younger than Sara.
In fact, Sara was closer to their age than his.
He'd never been jealous in his life but he found himself, angry over the spectacle.
He had no claim over her.
They were merely sharing a house and raising their son.
There had been no declaration of love from him.
Still, he glared at the others, boldly standing by her side and escorting her to lunch.
He clearly staked his claim, letting the other men know Sara Sidle was very much taken.
As soon as they sat down in the small booth at the campus coffee shop, his eyes caught sight of the wedding ring.
"You're wearing it again," he murmured.
"Less questions," she breathed.
Good…
They'll see it and stop falling at her feet…
It didn't stop Lizzie…
He scowled when some of her students entered the café.
A young man waved and she smiled in his direction.
She glanced at his uneaten sandwich.
"Not hungry?" she asked.
"I lost my appetite," he grumbled.
He could not seem to help but notice the way the young men looked at her.
She talked about Dr. Williams as well as the other faculty staff, trying to draw him into the conversation but he seemed distant.
That evening, he went into the study, shutting the door.
She cooked dinner and then brought Caleb home.
He seemed happy to see Caleb, taking him into his arms.
She brushed it off, telling herself she needed to stop being paranoid.
They were getting along and his outbursts had been at a minimum.
She had thought to bring up counseling but she wasn't sure whether Grissom would be responsive to it.
She certainly wasn't but it had helped make her face some things she had long dismissed.
He insisted giving Caleb his bath and put the child to bed.
She kept to herself, trying to give him space.
She slipped downstairs to take a long bath.
While there was a full bath tub and shower upstairs, the downstairs was much bigger.
Normally she took a bath after he left for work but his behavior was puzzling and a good soak always seemed to help her think.
She grabbed her robe, stepping out of the bathroom and was startled when she found him sitting on his bed.
"I'm sorry. I thought you were still with Caleb," she said softly.
"He's already asleep," he said.
She passed him and the scent of Japanese cherry blossoms floated in the air.
His hand instinctively reached for hers, slipping into it so easily.
She stopped, not sure why he had done such a thing.
They rarely touched these days.
He pulled her to him.
Her pulse quickened as he slowly pulled her into his arms.
She stood still, not wanting to break the contact.
It had been the first contact he had initiated since they had arrived in Vegas.
His hands fumbled with the robe, loosening the ties, causing it to fall open.
She trembled, feeling rather unattractive because of the protruding abdomen.
She wasn't very large but her nakedness revealed what her clothes could easily hide.
Her hand stroked his head gently as if she were soothing him.
He loved the warmth of her hands as she continued.
His lips kissed her breasts, gently, softly but then he pulled her down on the bed, his lips urgently seeking hers.
She was lost in the feel of his hands as they glided up and down her body, caressing, feeling, investigating while his lips sought to drown her.
She gasped from the sweet pain it was causing.
Every inch of her wanted him.
Her hands tried to unbutton his shirt but he stopped them, pulling them above her head.
She panicked, scooting away but his hands caught hers, kissing the palms.
She calmed, letting him ease over her body in one swift move.
He unzipped his pants, slipping into her with ease.
She wanted to feel his skin against hers.
Her hands reached for the shirt but he plunged deeper and she was lost in the feel of him inside her.
By the position, he was able to push deeper without putting his weight on her and she wondered if he was consciously doing this because of the pregnancy.
It felt absolutely wonderful as he plunged deeper and deeper, carrying both of them over the edge.
Her muscles tightened around his shaft and he filled her.
She had barely come down when she opened her eyes to find that he was already zipping his pants and then he was gone.
She stood on wobbly legs, not sure what had just happened.
She was no declaration of love like he had done before.
He had not even bothered to undress.
She wrapped the robe tightly around her as she tried to catch her breath.
The orgasm had felt earth shattering.
She had wanted this ever since they had arrived in Vegas but now she wasn't sure whether it was a good idea.
He left just as quickly as he did that night we made Caleb…
Did he regret it?
He doesn't want to admit it but he's still in love with Lizzie…
He wants me to be her and I can't…
I'm just a substitute…
It made sense to her especially since he wanted to have sex but avoided the intimate part of it.
He won't mourn her death…
She'll always been between us…
He cursed at himself as he stood outside on the front steps of the house.
He had not meant for that to happen but he could not stop himself.
He had been crazy with need for her all day.
He couldn't stand the way the young men had gawked at her.
She could have any man she wanted….
She's so beautiful…
This is going to hurt far worse than Lizzie's deception…
I didn't really love Lizzie….
Not the way I love Sara…
He thought to go back inside but he had no idea what he would say to her.
He was so confused over his feelings for her and his fear that she would hurt him.
Clearly this partnership was much more complicated than he wanted to admit.
Note from author:
Thanks to everyone who has been reviewing regularly as well as the well wishes. My son is finally better. We made it through a night without vomit!! Yeah~
Now, I just wonder which one of us caught it from him???
Take care!