Chapter Thirty Six:
He glanced at his watch and hated to wake her but knew they would need to return home soon. He gently nudged her as she struggled to wake.
"I'm sorry but we need to get home," he said. "Ride home with me. We can pick up your car at the lab tomorrow."
She nodded as she slowly stood on wobbly knees.
"You okay?" he questioned quickly.
"Just tired," she said between yawns.
She slept on the drive home and once again he found himself waking her. She leaned on him for support as they ascended the stairs. She slipped into Matthew's room to check on him before crawling into bed.
By the time he returned from walking Mrs. Donner out, she was back asleep. He made his own rounds as he checked on Matthew and grinned when he found Bruno stretched out on the guest bed. He left him. He sat down on the edge of the bed and listened while she slept.
He sighed when he did not hear any congestion from her lungs and she was cool to the touch. He dipped down into his pocket and pulled out the engagement ring and gently placed it back on her finger. He then kissed her palm and he held it to his cheek.
So much stronger than me…
So much stronger…
He bent down and kissed her gently on the lips before joining her. He called in sick for them not wanting to leave her after such a break through. He rolled over and stared at the clock and was surprised she was still asleep but then neither of them had been sleeping well since she had returned the ring. He smiled when he saw it back on her finger. He slipped out of the room and called Mrs. Donner canceling her visit with Matthew.
We just need a day as a family…
Just the three of us…
And Bruno…
He took Matthew downstairs as soon as he woke trying to give her more time to sleep as they ate breakfast and then played outside. When they returned inside, they went upstairs and found her still asleep. He told himself not to worry as Matthew took it upon himself to crawl into bed with her. He sat there and stared at her.
"Momma sleeping?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Momma sick?"
"No." he prayed.
"Momma still mad?" he asked.
"No, momma not mad," she said as she rolled over to face him. She carefully reached out for him and he scooted over until he was lying beside her.
"Momma sorry for yelling," she said softly.
"Momma love me?" he asked.
It made her cry. She pulled him into her arms and held him tightly. "Always, little bug. Always," she whispered.
"Momma sad?" he asked.
"Momma sad because momma scared Matthew yesterday. Momma will never do that again," she said.
He smiled.
She smiled.
Grissom tried to speak with the lump in his throat.
"Momma hungry? The boys have eaten," said Grissom.
She looked at Grissom and then felt the ring on her finger. She quickly hid her hand from Matthew.
"Yes, breakfast would be good," she said.
He picked up Matthew and then headed toward the door. "Take a shower. We'll have breakfast ready when you get out."
She nodded as she watched them leave. Once they were gone. She pulled her hand out from under the covers and stared at the ring. She swiped at her eyes and pulled herself out of bed. She stood there and stared at herself in the mirror.
He still wants to marry me after….
He knows everything…
And yet he still wants to…
She sat down on the edge of the tub and gulped down the tears that threatened. She had been afraid for nothing. He still loved her despite her past and now there was nothing left to hide. She stood slowly and showered letting the last of her tears wash away. She smiled as she watched them make pancakes. The kitchen was a mess but they stood there proud of their accomplishment.
She sat down and the plate was placed in front of her. She ate while they sat and watched.
"Good?" asked Matthew.
"Very good," she said as she forced herself to eat every bite.
His grin matched his father's and she stared at them.
So much alike….
Same dimple grin…
Same twinkling eyes….
"Momma ring!" exclaimed Matthew.
Grissom glanced at Sara.
"Yes, momma has her ring again," she said.
"Sara…I was going to talk with you about that…I hope it's okay that I…"
"I'm glad," she whispered. "So very glad."
He smiled.
She smiled.
The day was spent together. He watched her trying not to hover but she remained tired. He took Matthew outside and played for a few hours telling her to rest. She opted to clean instead. He frowned when they returned inside a few hours later and found the house spotless and the laundry folded.
"You were supposed to rest," he said.
"Just a few things needed to be done," she said.
"You look tired," he said now letting the worry slip into his voice.
"I am tired," she admitted. "I think it's the lack of sleep these past few weeks."
"Go take a nap," he said.
She did.
Once he had Matthew down for a nap, he came to sit with her. He felt her forehead and then listened again and then told himself once again she was just tired.
She slept for the rest of the evening skipping lunch and now he sat there on the edge of the bed and wondered if he should wake her. She woke on her own as brown eyes met blue.
She smiled at him.
"How do you feel…really?" he asked.
"Gil, I'm fine. I feel good. I just need to catch up on some sleep," she said.
He sighed. He pushed his fear aside and pulled her into his arms.
"Had me worried," he mumbled.
"Matthew asleep?" she asked.
"Yes."
She pulled him down closer until they were inches apart.
"Do we have time?" she whispered.
He grinned.
Clothes were tossed aside as they hurried. It had been rushed but the end result was the same. He pulled her close as they each tried to slow their breathing.
"Fireworks?" she questioned.
"Fireworks," he said kissing her on top of her head. "What do you see?"
"Explosion of bright colors…the first time…the second time is more of a feeling of warmth…I feel like I'm part of you."
"Second time?" he asked.
She grinned. "I usually have more than one orgasm."
"How many?" he asked.
"That depends," she said getting up to dress.
"How so?" he asked now intrigued.
"It depends on what you do," she said.
"How…"
"Sometimes, it's three or four…"
He was grinning now.
She stared at him.
"You're proud of yourself, aren't you?" she said with a grin.
"I may be old but…"
"You're not old," she said.
"I may be old but there are benefits to being…"
"You're not old," she interrupted again.
He smiled. "I feel young with you."
Her smile spread across her face.
"It's good to see you smile again," he whispered.
"Shower?" she offered.
They made love in the shower. When they finished, he began to wash her hair. She stopped him when she heard a noise.
"Did you hear that?" she asked.
He strained to listen.
"I don't hear…" There was a tap on the shower door.
They glanced at one another before she opened the shower door slightly to find Matthew standing there.
"Hi momma!" he said.
"Matthew, how did you…"
She glared at Grissom.
"He climbed out of his crib…he's learned to climb from that tree out back…Gilbert!"
"He's a boy, Sara. We climb," said Grissom.
"Momma mad?" asked Matthew.
"No…no…momma not mad at Matthew," she said as she glared at Grissom.
"Me too?" he asked.
They looked at one another.
He was stripped of his clothes and they each took turns washing him. He giggled as he was passed between them. They heard a whine and Grissom chuckled. Sara stared at Grissom.
"Bruno cannot come in….there is no room…Gil…"
The door was opened and Bruno stepped in as the water splashed on his back getting him wet. He shook himself letting water fly everywhere throughout the bathroom as the door stood open.
Matthew and Grissom laughed as Sara frowned.
"You boys are going to clean up this mess," she said stepping out giving Bruno access to get completely submerged in the shower.
"Just think of it Sara. We've come up with a way to wash the dog and the kid at the same time!" chuckled Grissom.
It made her laugh as she left the boys to play with the dog in the shower.
Note from author:
Mostly fluff from here on out so be nice and give a review for each chapter I can manage to post today and tomorrow. Take care! Penny