Chapter 36 - Call Me Dad
Grissom stood up and went inside the house. "Where'd he go?" Jim asked, watching him disappear. "He'll be right back. He went to get something." Catherine wiped her face on her napkin, and cocked her head at Grissom who was carrying out several boxes. Her curiosity alerted everyone else, who turned to look at the overloaded Grissom.
Two of the top boxes almost toppled the whole stack, but Grissom caught them in time. "Let me help you," said Nick, who jumped up in an instant. "Thanks Nick," Grissom said, setting the boxes on the table, "But I've got it now." Nick sat back down, and waited to see what was going on. Grissom took the first box, looked at the top, and handed it to Greg. "Don't open it yet." Greg looked confused. "Okay," he shrugged. Grissom finished handing out the boxes until everyone but him and Sara had one.
"Okay," Sara sat back, "You can open them. Almost in unison the boxes were opened, and everyone pulled out a baby blue shirt. Warrick raised an eyebrow at the word on the shirt. "Uncle?" He held up the shirt to him. A moment later he realized what it meant, and he let out a jolly laugh. "No way!" Sara smiled at him, and he scrambled up to give her a hug. Catherine received a sly grin from Grissom. "Aunt Catherine? I could get used to that."
After Warrick sat back down, they all questioned the backside of the shirt. "What are these for?" Greg asked pointing. "Put them on," Sara said, "And line up." They all did as they were told, and stood in a line on the porch. "Now what?" Nick asked. "Here." Grissom handed Nick a mirror. He took it, and held it behind him to see the back of his shirt. "J," he said, and angled the mirror down the line. "James?" Nick blurted.
Sara saw Brass' jaw drop, and then he smiled. "Is that the baby's name? James?" Sara nodded, and walked over to him to give him a hug. Brass nearly cried at the thought. "Thank you so much Sara, it means so much to me." Sara shrugged, "It's what we wanted." She reached out and grabbed Grissom by the hand. He blushed and smiled. "Yea.. She's right; you're like a father to us." Brass laughed. "What?" Grissom asked. "Please don't call me dad," he said, and slapped Grissom on the back.
The guys were true softies, and they let it show with all their congratulations and embraces. "Are you sure you don't wanna name him Greg?" Sara shoved Greg away, "Yes I'm sure, there can only be one you." Catherine was standing off to the side, arms crossed, looking at the house. "What's wrong Catherine?" Catherine cocked her head. "I can't let a kid grow up in this place, we're gonna have to paint."