A/N: Here's the last chapter for this story. Hope everyone enjoys the "different" view we put on this chapter!
Being Here Chapter 25
During prenatal growth, a baby learns about everything around him or her—almost from the beginning. And right before birth, an angel presses a delicate finger on a baby's lips to seal all the knowledge absorbed during the previous nine months. That's how humans get the philtral dimple. Sometimes, the angel forgets or admires the baby too long or lets the finger slip just a bit, and the baby is born with intelligence that far exceeds that of others! So it happened in the case of the new Grissom baby; the angel was in such awe of the perfection of the infant, his finger slipped—not quite erasing that knowledge and causing a small cleft in the chin. Quickly, the birth angel looked around, realized delivery was swiftly approaching, recognized this baby's father also had the same kind of chin dimple and knew everything would be fine…
Day One: I got here! One would think it had taken me years and years on a slow ship from outer space by all the uproar and hullabaloo going on around me! I was peacefully enjoying my mom's warm chest when my dad jumped up and started punching his phone. He said a few bad words because he had forgotten to call anyone about my arrival but his forgetfulness was quickly forgiven when he talked to his friends.
It is surprising how much I already know from just a few months of growing in the nice warm fluid-filled sea inside my mom. I heard voices and followed conversations, smelled food, even tasted some of it, and learned lots of words and understood some actions. So by the time my birth day came, like most babies, I had collected lots of information and developed a growing intelligence that would surprise most people. As I grow I will forget a lot of what I learned in the first nine months as my brain and body gets so busy growing, seeing new things, hearing new sounds, learning to crawl, tasting food, playing with toys, remembering names and learning to talk. It is a tremendous amount of work for one little person to accomplish!
In the past few months, I've listened to everything around me so I'll recognize voices as well as know some people from the way my mom reacts to them. I know Sara is my mother; I know her voice, her smell, her laugh, and I'm learning how to look at her. I know she provides me with warmth and food and all I have to do is make a tiny sound and she has me cuddled against her chest. So far this is a good life, even if it's a little bright out here.
My dad is around us constantly—I knew him the instant my eyes were wiped. His voice was easy to recognize because he has stayed so close to us while I was inside Mom. He's a pretty funny guy, I think. He is always kissing Mom. He will start to speak, stop, and kiss her. And he kisses me almost as much! He even changed my wet, poopy diaper and laughed about it. He bragged about my "equipment" when he changed me, whatever that means, but he sounded very proud. His smell is different from Mom's—his hands feel different too but I am very secure as he carries me—it is something I know. But right now I prefer Mom. And he has this scratchy stubble on his chin that tickles when he holds me near his face. Mom doesn't have that—she's all smooth and soft and milky. They are both funny—I'm not quite ready to make a smiley face at them but when I do, I know I'll see smiles and hear them brag about how cute I am. When Dad unwrapped my blanket, my mom had to wipe tears from her eyes because I am so perfect—her words, not mine! And she loves my hair—her soft slim finger lifts a curl and she smiles again. And she was singing to me earlier when Betty came in.
Betty is my grandmother and I can't hear her because she doesn't talk. I have felt her hands on mommy's tummy before I was born and today she got to hold me while Mom rested. I went to sleep on Betty—my dad said I should call her Nana. She seemed to be pretty happy I've arrived from how much she was smiling and how her hands touched me and she can make noises—she babbled funny little sounds when she held me.
This has been an exciting day and I'm tired. So is Mommy—she wants to sleep now. I want to sleep too, and someone—Dad—keeps moving me to the hard little bed when I want to stay right next to Mom so I can wiggle my mouth a bit and find her. I think I'll make some noise and get back to her. Yep, that worked just as I thought—back to Mom and snuggling against her mounds of milk—I can sleep now.
Day Two: I thought my first day was noisy and busy but it was nothing compared to today! First, this machine came in and a strange woman put some wires on me. Testing my hearing, she said, and Mom and Dad were so concerned. I can hear just fine, thank you. Even hear my dad snoring—I've heard that sound for months now. Everyone was pleased about my ability to hear. I know a secret—my good hearing comes from my mother, not my dad, but they won't figure that out for several years.
Then a crowd descended on us! First it was Catherine and Jim—I am so happy to put faces with voices—they brought the softest blue blanket for me and flowers for Mom. The blanket has little bumblebees all over it and everyone thought it was perfect for me. My mom and Catherine were making so many nonsense noises over me that Dad finally came to my rescue, so I decided to smile! That really brought on more commotion—Catherine said it was gas. One day I'm going to tell her it was not gas. Jim and Dad carried on another conversation near the window and I know Dad was bragging about equipment again. I've got to figure that one out—it's not that hard little bed, but something about me!
After Catherine and Jim left, Greg and Nick came in. I'd know them anywhere. I have heard them laughing and telling Mom what we are going to do—lots of fun from what I gather. They are going to be my godfathers—that means they take me places and we play together. Nick held me right away—he said he had lots of practice and I could tell. He held my head in his palm and let my legs dangle, even changed my diaper and did a real Texan yell when the diaper came off. My dad was standing by, hands in his pockets, his chest swelled, a big grin on his face. And then I knew—equipment meant my little penis! Even Greg came to look and the three men grinned like they had discovered sunshine! Now, they had a whispered conversation about something and I did not recognize all the words, but Mom very clearly said "He will look like his daddy" which caused them to throw back their heads and laugh a lot.
That was the good part of the day—not the best part—that's when my mom holds me and I get to suck. I could do that forever, listening to her calm voice and feeling her hand on my head. A woman came in to show her how to feed me; she didn't need any teaching—we got it right the first time! Now I know why my dad likes to stay around us. He likes the same kind of cuddling!
The bad part happened when a doctor came in; not the same one who caught me when I slipped out of Mom. This one was very serious when he talked about circumcision. I had no idea—but Mom said I was to look like Dad so off we went to another room and I was unwrapped—not something I like because it makes me cool. I prefer warm. The doctor gets busy putting cream on my penis—my equipment as Dad calls it. Mom and Dad are near because I can hear them talking. Dad sounds concerned about something and Mom seems to be comforting him. I make a noise and she's right beside me, covers me up and keeps her hand on my head. The doctor returns with his face covered, mumbling words I can not understand, lifts the blanket, and quick as a flash of light, I hear Dad suck in his breath. Mom's hand stays on my head and she takes my waving hand in her warm hand. The doctor says "That's done—he'll be fine" and I'm wrapped up again. Mom picks me up—I love the way she smells, have I said that already? Before we get back to our room, I am yawning and ready to sleep and Dad says "He's a little trooper"—whatever that means.
Day Ten: Whew! We have had to do some learning! Hank and I are the only ones getting much sleep in this house. Nana stayed several nights with us and she comes every day to hold and rock me while Mom and Dad take a shower or nap. She cooks sometimes and it really smells good. But all I want to do is suck what my mom makes which really makes her tired. We had a go-round with the bed they want to put me in. First, it is hard and I much prefer fluffy and soft. Second, for months I have been curled up in this warm place and now they want me to sleep on my back. I showed them—I screamed and screamed. I can make some noise when I want to and get everyone's attention. Now, I am sleeping on top of Mom which is the perfect place—soft, warm, smells good. And anyone who says I am spoiled gets a nasty look from Mommy. One day Jim came by and he laughed when he held me and I went to sleep—he's pretty soft too. Mom says he is my granddad, but I have to figure this out—I know he's not her dad, certainly not married to Nana. And he said I could call him anything I wanted except Butthead. Everyone laughed when he said that.
Greg and Nick have visited several times. I am going to like having them around, especially now that Greg has held me and he is not quite so nervous. They talked about football and baseball and cars in a way I know I'm going to love. My dad watches baseball when he sits on the sofa, but they talked about going to a game. I kinda like the sound of that.
Today, we rode in the car to church—I know this because I saw angel statues. This was a special day it seems. Dad gave Mom a ring to wear and she cried about it. It was one that belonged to his grandmother. He said he should have given it to her a long time ago, but he decided to save it for a very special occasion. Nana was there and helped Mom dress me in yards and yards of white stuff. They made a big to-do, took a lot of photos, and Catherine came. Those women may be the death of me at a young age with all the clucking and cooing going on especially when I smile. Then the men came—I was very happy to see them and gave a big smile, did some gurgling, more smiles, and for all my enthusiasm, a stranger poured water on my head! Now, Mom has done this at home, but I was taken by surprise and let out a yelp which caused a buzz of excitement for a few minutes. More photographs were taken, everyone shook hands and hugged and I finally got back to Mommy. By this time I was hungry and let everyone know it.
That's when I realized it wasn't just Mom and Dad, Nana and Catherine, and the guys, but a lot of people crowded around us. We eventually got to a place where there was lots of food and people left me and Mom alone so I could get a long delicious snack from her. Nothing will ever taste this good, I am positive!
Six weeks: It has been a long time since I came out of my mom and we are getting along so well. I eat and sleep; I sit in a little bouncy seat and watch as Mom does things. She watches me; Dad watches us. Finally, they are letting me sleep between them. I pretend to go to sleep real quick and then wake up when one of them tries to move me to that lonely bed; after two or three trips, they let me sleep with them. I much prefer sleeping between them.
From my point of view, Mom and Dad are doing a good job as parents. They stay awake when I am awake and when I get fussy, Dad will walk me around the house. I am not very cranky; everyone says I am an easy baby—I think that's a compliment. Oh, Hank and I are going to be good friends; he will stick his wet nose on my leg and I try to laugh. I can not wait until I can be on the floor with him!
Nana comes nearly every day. She rocks and I sleep. Mom will sleep too. Nana thinks I look like Dad. That's a good thing because he looks very handsome to me. Greg and Nick look good too, but I think it is better to look like my daddy. I learned Nana is deaf—that's why she uses her hands to talk. And why everyone was so concerned about my hearing. But Nana doesn't have to talk to me. I know she is happy by the way lines form around her mouth when she holds me; she makes me happy and I will smile at her as much as I can. Only sometimes my thoughts get crossed and I frown or make a funny face; that's when Mom says I look just like Gil Grissom—that is Dad's other name.
Six months: I am learning a lot of new things which means I am forgetting some of the stuff I knew when I was born. I'm in my own bed now. Once I rolled over a few times and started spreading my arms and legs on the bed like Dad sleeps, my mom said it was time for me to sleep in my own bed. And she meant it. I tried crying; I tried being cute; I tried pouting—nothing worked. So I sleep in my bed without complaining too much. Tonight, Mom and Dad were having a serious discussion above my crib—talking about "another one". I am not sure what that means, but I am hearing sounds from their bed that makes me think they are not sleeping. I think they are loving each other. They did that a lot while I was growing inside Mom and tonight, I think Dad is loving Mom in a big way. Mom smelled very nice when she tucked me in bed; Dad gave me Glow-worm to keep in bed with me. They were smiling in a different way and kissing each other right over my bed! Hey! I wanted to yell—don't forget about me! I want in on the fun—I can remember a few times they were loving each other before I was born. I would turn somersaults and sometimes, I would let all the rocking to and fro put me to sleep. Either way, I enjoyed this thing called love so I'm going to make noise and get their attention. I'm sure they want me to join them!
Nine months: I am crawling and pulling up, riding my scoot-around bumblebee, saying lots of words which make sense to me but I get puzzled looks from my friends when I'm telling them about a bug or one of my books. One day I pointed to a bug and said the word. It made my dad so happy that I called everything a bug for a few days. My best friend is Hank who understands everything I say and lets me play all over him. He makes a little huffing sound and puts his head down when I giggle. My dad is also my best friend because he takes me for stroller rides and he thinks it is just fine when I crawl in the dirt and grass. We play a lot of games and I get so tickled when he hides behind my blanket. It causes my mommy to laugh and laugh and then she kisses both of us.
Lately, Mommy hasn't felt so good. For one thing, I am drinking from a bottle now—and I still miss getting good milk from her. She doesn't smell milky any longer but she still holds me very tight when she gives me a bottle. She talks to me all the time, saying how long she waited for me to arrive, how sweet I am, and lots of stories about going to places called Costa Rica and Paris and how we will go there one day. She is the most beautiful woman in the world—even when she had to sit me on the floor so she could throw up—morning sickness, that's what she called it.
Nana and Baba visit often—Baba is Jim Brass. My dad calls him Jim but Nick and Greg call him Brass, so I want to be like my best buddies. That's how he came to be Baba—I could not make my tongue work to say Brass. All of my friends think I am very advanced because I can say so many words. Little do they know how much I really understand! Today when Nana was here, Mom and Dad said there was another one coming. At first I thought it was another friend, but now I know another baby is coming—Mommy says I will always be her first baby! Mommy also says this one is a sister for me because I never made her sick. Dad suggested a girl's name and Nana and Mommy gave him a nasty look. "Elizabeth" my mom said. My nana started to cry.
Sixteen months: My sister has arrived. Her name is Elizabeth Laura Grissom. I have peeked into the little bed when my dad held me up and she looks pretty for a new baby—she has dark hair and everyone says she looks like Mom. She looked at me when I said "baby" and I am pretty certain she understands I am the boss in this house. Mom has the milky smell again—it does not smell quite as good as I remember it but baby Beth seems to like it. Nana, Catherine—I call her Cay right now—and Mommy spend a lot of time rocking and talking about my sister; myself, I'm off to play. Dad and Baba, Nick and Greg are working on a fort in the back yard. I like this new house we live in too. Lots of room for Hank and me, even baby Beth, to play and run and make noise.
I stand at the door and look at Mom and then at Dad who is outside. My mom and dad smile all the time. They are really happy about everything—especially me and my sister. Oh, before I forget, I'm Byron Gilbert Grissom—named after my dad and an old poet who wrote a lot of rhymes and sonnets that my dad reads to my mom. He says Lord Byron wrote his favorite poem about Mommy and I know she believes it when he reads: She walks in beauty, like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies…
The End
A/N: This is our 49th CSI fanfic story. Thank you to all readers-regular and occasional ones-to you we owe a great, sincere thanks. We will let you decide if we write a 50th story-and it may be weeks before we complete it-so review, let us know what you think about the way we ended this one! Hope it made you smile, even laugh! It was actually written first! Reviews are the only way we know if you enjoy reading our work.