I Do Not Own CSI

"So, are you ready for this," Laura asked Sara and Ellie. Today was the day, the Cupcake Shoppe opened for business.

"I think we have been ready for this for the last month, Mom," Sara said as she watched Laura fidget.

"Now I know where I get the fidgeting from, Mom. You're not nervous about this
are you?"

"Yes! Why aren't you?"

"Because Dad and Gil have told everyone from LVPD to CSI and everyone in between that today was the grand opening and that they had better show up," Ellie said, trying to ease Laura's nerves.

"Look, we have another hour before we open, Mom, why don't you go double check everything again and make sure that the few staff we have here are doing ok? Ellie and I are going to brew a pot of coffee and have a bit of a break. When we're done we'll help with all the last minute stuff and then the doors will be open," Sara suggested, trying to get Laura to breath and relax a bit.

"Are the kids coming today, Sara," Ellie asked as Sara handed her a cup of coffee.

"Yeah, Gil was off last night. He said he would be here by the time we opened with Lindsay in tow so I can focus on this place and not what my kids are getting into."

"All still up to trouble?"

"Yes, but that's part of life, Abigail isn't so bad but the boys, that's a completely other story. That whole saying of 'boys will be boys' is really starting to play out. He hit me, he stole my toy, someone won't move are all causes for fights and time outs."

"Well, if you ever want some company, you know where to find me."

"At Mom and Jim's, I know, are you starting to go stir crazy yet?"

"Yes, as much as I love them, I need out. I swear a couple nights ago I heard them having sex, not something I wanted implanted on my brain, you know."

"Been there already, I can sympathize. But I was thinking, I may have a solution for you."

"How so?"

"Well, Gil and I used to live in this really nice townhouse not far from here. It has two bedrooms, two baths, small kitchen and living room but more than enough room for a few people. Anyways, just before we got married we found the house we're in now. The thing was, we weren't sure if we wanted to sell the townhouse. We could afford the house without selling it, but we knew we wanted kids so we decided to try and make some profit on it, little by little. So for the past five years we have been renting it out to a married couple. They are now expecting their second child and have given us notice that they're going to be gone by the end of this month, two weeks from now. Anyway, it's
going to be empty, if you want to rent it out from us…"

"I don't think I could afford it."

"Ellie, the house is paid for. The money we made off of it went towards college funds for the kids, rent is negotiable."

"But I want to pay a fair rate. At this point to get a half decent apartment around Vegas that isn't in a horrible spot I would be paying a good chunk of money plus utilities and all that."

"Well, what if I said seven hundred a month and you pay your own utilities and anything else you want?"

"For a two bedroom townhouse, Sara? That is not a fair rate and you know it. That's a lot less then it should be."

"I know, but Gil and I were only charging eleven hundred a month for the other family that was living there. But seeing as you're my family I don't see why we couldn't discount your rent. Don't say no, Ellie. I know you need out of that house. Just say yes and we'll move what stuff you have in and we'll get you set up with other things. Just say yes, Ellie."

"Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Sara! You don't know how much this means to me. Trust me I won't forget this, anytime you need a baby sitter just call," Ellie said, jumping up and hugging Sara tight causing Sara to laugh.

"Hey, what's going on in here," Laura asked with a smile.

"Sara's letting me rent out the old place she and used to live in, I'm moving out," Ellie said happily, then realizing that that may have come out wrong.

"Not that I don't like living with you and Dad, but…"

"You need your own space, honey, I get it, I do, and I'm happy for you. But make sure Jim is in a good mood when you tell him. We don't want a repeat of what happened when he found out about Warrick and you dating."

"Yeah, I never did ask how everything went after you guys left."

"It was a little tense for a couple days, but after quite a few long talks with both me and Warrick, together and individually, Dad finally relaxed about us. I also explained to him about the rape, and that you and Laura were helping me through it, and that I don't need his anger. I have enough of it myself, all I need from him is his support and strength."

"And Jim was ok after that?"

"More than ok, Sara. You should have seen those two after their last conversation. They were two blubbering messes, it was a sweet sight," Laura said, looking up when she heard a knock at the front door.

"I believe your husband, Lindsay and kids are here, Sara. Good timing too, we don't open for another ten minutes," she said, making Sara look up and smile as Gil juggled Charlie, while the twins shared holding one of his hands and Lindsay had the other three on her hands.

"You're early," Sara said, opening the door and taking Charlie.

"Yeah, figured that we could get them set up with a bit of an early morning treat at a table before everyone else got here so you could focus on customers instead of us for awhile," Gil explained as all five of his kids ran up to the many displays of cupcakes and regular cakes.

"Treat, Daddy," Jack asked.

"Soon buddy, why don't you guys pick out one you want and then we can eat it. This looks good in here ladies, very swank," Gil said looking around, finally seeing the final product. No one was allowed in the bakery to help paint or set up. Laura, Sara and Ellie wanted it to be a total surprise for everyone. And indeed it looked nice. The walls were painted a beautiful shade of peachy yellow with tables and chairs all around the front. The cake displays were all in full view. The coolest thing of all was that the customers could see right through to the back, so they could see the bakers make the sugary
confections.

"We think so, too. So, you five are my first customers. What kind of cupcake do you want," Ellie asked from behind the counter to the kids who were all pointing at a
different cupcake. Jack and Wyatt both wanted the cupcake with cookie monster frosted
on top, one vanilla, one chocolate. Abigail was pointing at the flower topped one, a red velvet cake.

"Sara, what ones should the girls eat," Ellie asked.

"Well, seeing as it's a special day make it a chocolate one for each of them."

"Ok, Lindsay what are you having?"

"I think I'll take the strawberry shortcake one."

"And I'll take the chocolate caramel one with a cup of coffee, please," Gil asked politely, pulling out his wallet.

"You don't have to pay Gil, you partially own this place," Ellie said.

"Nonsense, I want to be your first customer for the day. Keep the change, Ellie," he said, handing her a twenty and taking his kids and their cupcakes for breakfast over to the largest table to eat. Sara came over with a high chair and Charlie.

"Ok everyone, you ready for this? We already have a bit of a crowd outside," Laura said as the clock struck eight and she opened the door.

"How much did you publicise this place around the lab, Gil?"

"It wasn't just me, the gang all helped spread the word. You can expect them all here today as well."

"Well, look at this place," Catherine said taking a look around.

"No doubt, this place was quite the dive awhile ago," Warrick said smiling as he saw Ellie behind the counter, giving her a slight peck before asking,

"What do you recommend?" he whispered

"So, I finally get to see the final product," Jim said entering, giving Laura a kiss on the cheek. Taking a good look around, he saw a wall with articles and clippings pasted to it.

"Ohh, cake," Greg said coming in, sans Torin and the baby.

"Couldn't agree more, you know, having a place like this across the street may cause us to gain a few pounds," Nick said as he and Sandy came in, Simon walking in between them, holding their hands.

"I'll just have to work ya harder, Nick" Sandy said in her best low bedroom voice.

"Well, then this place is a blessing in disguise."

"Mind if I join you, Griss," Warrick asked, grabbing a chair and joining the table, his Oreo cupcake in his hand.

"Nahh, you can watch as my kids stuff their faces with cake for breakfast."

"Ahh, everyone needs to have cake for breakfast once and awhile." Was his retort as he bit into his very moist cupcake.

"Man where do these women come up with these combinations for cupcakes? I have a
Strawberry, Vanilla and Chocolate swirl," Catherine moaned, taking another bite and smiling as she joined the table beside her daughter who was letting Charlie have a little lick of icing behind Gil's back.

"You trying to get them all hopped up on sugar, Griss," Nick asked.

"It will make nap time easier. They'll wear themselves out by one and be down for a few hours. I think I'll take a nap with them."

"Getting harder to keep up with them, Gil," Catherine asked.

"No, but seeing as I have been up since six thirty and I have to work tonight…," Gil left off.

"Fair enough. Hey Jim, what has you occupied over there," Greg asked, looking over and still seeing Jim reading articles on the wall.

"Just reading, you guys might want to take a look at this after," he replied, getting all of their attention, making everyone but the kids, Lindsay and Sandy walk over to the large wall framed with articles.

"Wall of heroes and survivors," Catherine said, looking at the articles and getting a small smile as her name showed up on the wall in an old case that she had solved that was highly publicized.

"My beating, and your and Sara's kidnappings are all on there," Greg said, looking at the articles.

"And you have a few on there as well, Jim. You're shooting and some of the old cases you have solved," Gil said, looking the articles over.

"You do to, Gil. You and your bugs," Jim retorted as Laura, Sara and Ellie all came up beside their men.

"Whose idea was this," Jim asked.

"Mine, actually," Sara said,

"Although I didn't want to be up there but someone over there" She pointed at Laura

"Said it was only fair. And seeing as we're right across from CSI, I thought it would be appropriate. Then if anyone comes in here not knowing how much you guys do they might have a better appreciation for all of you after reading these articles." There were articles that included CSI's and police officers as well.

"Well, although I'm a little embarrassed about being up there, I think it's nice that other people will finally start recognizing what we do around here," Warrick said as the door chimed again, signalling more customers.

"We should get back," Laura said, giving Jim a quick peck.

"I'll come say goodbye before you go with the kids. Hopefully they won't be bouncing off the walls for you."

"I'll just get the camera out. I'm sure something funny is bound to happen," Gil replied as he kissed Sara, smiling.

"I want to talk to you real quick before you go, ok" Ellie said, getting an eyebrow raise from Warrick.

"Good stuff, promise."

"If you say so," Warrick smiled as he followed the others back, not knowing the surprise he had coming when Ellie tells him she's moving out of her dad's house.

One day i'm going to open my own bakery!

hope you enjoyed, there is another plot twist coming up so stay tuned and don't forget to leave those reviews!

Katie

p.s. did anyone else see the promo for season 9, OMG it's going to be a tearjerker, have your kleenex ready, i know i will. The great part about it was that be get another bedroom scene with Gil and Sara. Can't wait, only a little over a month to go !