I Do Not Own CSI
"How do we always get roped into family gatherings at our house, Gil," Sara asked as she placed the last of the finger foods out across the picnic table.
Today they were hosting a baby shower for Greg, Torin and baby Michaela.
"I think Catherine usually has something to do with it; something about us having a bigger house and us not having to shuffle six kids around."
"No, we just host the party and shuffle six kids around our house."
"It's only for a few hours, the kids can all play outside on the playground, and Simon and Charlie can play on the blankets outside. Plus we can always put Catherine to work, too," Gil said, pouring the punch.
"Mama, mama pay wif me," Abigail said, running outside to Sara.
"And what would you like to play?"
"Dolls," was her simple answer, holding one doll up for Sara to play with.
"I'll leave you two out here and I'll finish up inside and see what our other kids are up to."
"You don't want to play dolls, Gil?"
"No, I think I'll pass on that today. I had that privilege a few days ago. Have fun, honey" Gil said as he heard the doorbell go off.
"Catherine, Lindsay, so nice of you to come after all the work has been done."
"Sorry Gil, Lindsay and I had a little mother daughter talk before we came here." she said watching as Lindsay made her way to where the kids were watching a movie and Charlie was stuffing his blanket into his mouth.
"Good conversation or bad?"
"I told her that I have been seeing one of her professors."
"Mark Jenkins"
"Yeah, just about six months now, and we're going pretty well. I like him a lot."
"And what are Lindsay's feelings on this?"
"Well, at first she was mad but now she's just content. She's neither mad nor happy. I think she's just irritated at the fact that we kept it from her. We didn't want to say too much until Lindsay was done with his class."
"You could have kept it quiet and still told her."
"This coming from the man who dated a subordinate for two years without any of your family knowing. You could have told us and we wouldn't have said anything to Ecklie."
"Touche," Gil replied as the doorbell went off again.
"Sara's out back playing dolls with Abigail, maybe you could keep her company," Gil suggested as he opened the door to everyone but Greg, Torin and the baby.
"Hey everyone, come on in," Gil said ushering and playing host.
"It's quiet in here, Gil, too quiet," Laura said, looking for the kids.
"Movie is keeping them entertained as well as toys and Lindsay. The quietness is nice, isn't it," Gil said, getting chuckles from everyone.
"Sara's out back?"
"Yeah, as well as Catherine, Laura" he said as the women all made their way out to the back porch.
"Well, come on in guys, there's beer in the fridge."
"Oh man, haven't had a beer in awhile, Nick stated.
"Why?" Warrick asked.
"Cuz this time around Sandy can't stand the smell of beer. Which sucks after a particularly bad case; we don't keep it in the house."
"Is she going to be alright around here," Jim asked cracking a beer himself.
"She should be. But if you talk to her, chew a mint or something first and keep the beer smell away from her."
"So glad I don't have to go through morning sickness and all that stuff anymore."
"No, you just have six kids to send to college, Gil," Jim snickered out just as the doorbell went off again.
"That's what scholarships are for," Gil yelled as he opened the door to lab rats, Hodges, Mandy, Wendy, Archie, Bobby and Henry.
"Boss man, we're here the party can start," Hodges said, getting eye rolls from everyone else.
"You do realize this is a baby shower, right?"
"Doesn't mean we can't make it fun."
"Hey, don't close that door," Doc said as he and David came up as well.
"Are we late?"
"Nah, right on time, come on in. We're trying to filter everyone outside so that's where I'm directing you," Gil pointed out as a couple coolers and presents were taken outside.
"Hey guys, why don't you go play outside on the playground," Gil suggested to his boys.
"Movie not done yet," Jack said, staring at the fish on the screen.
"It will be in about a minute, after that outside, ok."
"Watch again," Wyatt said.
"No, you need some fresh air today."
"Watch again," he repeated.
"And I said no, and if you don't want a time out you better go outside when the movie is done," Gil said sternly and giving his boys 'the look'.
"Fine," Wyatt huffed.
"Wow, Grissom I never thought I would see you give that look" Warrick laughed as he came through with drinks in his hands.
"With three three year olds you need a look."
"Well that's something I would know nothing about."
"You never know, someday you might just have one or two or six of your own."
"Maybe," Warrick said with a wistful smile.
"You and Ellie still doing well?"
"Yeah, but keep your voice down, no one knows about us except for Sara, Laura and you, we're waiting for the right time to tell Jim."
"You can add me to that list now, Rick," Nick said with a smile.
"You're dating Ellie? Man, is that why you have been so happy as of late?"
"Yeah, just about three months, but Nick, don't say anything."
"I won't, but I want details, man. You had a girlfriend and never said anything to me, your best friend," Nick said as he and Warrick made their way out back.
"I don't think Warrick realized I was listening as well," Lindsay said with a smile.
"Just don't say too much. Hey, are you ok about your mom and Mark?"
"You know Professor Jenkins?"
"We go back a long way. I actually introduced them when we came and gave that lecture."
"I am happy for Mom, she deserves some happiness. I'm just more mad that they hid it form me. If they would have just been straight out with it I might not be as mad."
"I know but your mom was just thinking about the consequences of their relationship. If word got out that she was dating your teacher and you knew about it your grades could come under scrutiny and your own reputation at school could be tarnished. That was always part of the reason Sara and I kept our relationship to ourselves."
"I never thought about that, about my marks and stuff."
"Well, now would be the time to reconsider things." Gil turned to his children,
"Ok you two, outside, movie's done. Gracie, Isabelle, time to go outside to play. Why don't you bring your dolls with you."
"Dis one," Isabelle asked, holding up her rag doll.
"Sure, now, go play outside with your brothers and sister," Gil pointed as the two girls scampered away. Hearing the doorbell once more Gil turned to Lindsay.
"I got the boys, you get the door, and we'll meet you outside."
"Thanks, Linds."
"Greg, Torin, how are you two doing," Gil said with a smile as he saw two exhausted looking people with a baby at the front door.
"We're good, ready to let the baby be passed around so we can sit for awhile," Greg answered as he set the baby carrier down to hang up Torins' purse.
"Come on, everyone's outside. Come relax for a bit.
Hey everyone our guests of honour are here," Gil announced from the door to the backyard.
"Oh, let me hold her," Catherine said, taking the carrier from Greg and un-strapping Michaela.
"My babies getting too big for you now, Catherine," Sara said smirking.
"Or my baby," Sandy added.
"No, but they're no longer this small either," She said, sitting down with the sleeping infant.
"You two look exhausted," Laura said, handing them each an ice cold drink.
"With a two week old baby in the house demanding things, we don't get a lot of sleep," Torin said.
"How many time is she up during the night," Sara asked.
"Three, sometimes four. Sara, I don't know how you and Griss did two and three babies at a time, I'm exhausted with one and I don't have to feed her," Greg said.
"Why do you think I had bloodshot eyes for the first four months, Greg? Between work and babies we didn't have a lot of time for sleep." Gil said
"It get's better you two, I promise," Sara said, taking a peek over her shoulder to watch the triplets on the small playground. Seeing Jack hit Wyatt Sara sighed.
"Your turn," she said to Gil, pointing a thumb over her shoulder making everyone look over to see two boys fighting.
"I'll be happy when the hitting stage is over," Gil mumbled walking out towards the playground, his audience watching at how Gil disciplined the boys.
"Hey, no hitting" Gil said grabbing Jack and Wyatt and pulling them apart before one could hit another one.
"What do we say about hitting?"
"It's wrong to hit," Jack said with tears in his eyes.
"Then why were you hitting?"
"Because he took my toy," Wyatt said, pointing at his brother.
"Did you ask for his toy?"
"He wandent paying wif it," Jack said defensively getting angry and taking a jab at Wyatt who in turn, jabbed back.
"Ok time out's, let's go," Gil said, taking them by their arms and leading the now crying three year olds inside.
"Three minutes, stay there until I say you can come out," Gil said looking at his watch and then closing the door as he stepped back outside again.
"What was it this time," Sara asked.
"Jack took Wyatt's toy that he wasn't playing with, Wyatt wanted it back and Jack wouldn't give it to him."
"Ahh, how I do not miss my sons being that age," Doc said with a smile.
"It gets better, Sara," Greg asked.
"Eventually, in between the fights you also get smiles, laughs and cuddles. Be thankful you only have one for now," Sara replied as Michaela was placed in her arms.
"Well hello. Oh hey, those aren't for you. Only two men get the use of those. I think she's hungry" Sara said as Michaela's face scrunched up, passing the baby over to Torin she said,
"If you're not comfortable out here, feel free to use the office around the corner inside, it's private and quiet."
"Thanks, we're still getting the feel of the whole breast feeding thing so I think I'm going to go inside."
Slowly conversation turned to something else, old cases, when Sara was still a CSI, and kids.
"Ok Rick, start talking about you dating Ellie behind our back," Nick said quietly.
"YOU'RE DATING ELLIE," Greg said louder than he intended. This got everyone's attention, and making Ellie drop her drink. Warrick Brown getting a look that could kill from an overly protective Jim Brass.