I hold no rights to anything CSI except to look upon them lovingly every Thursday night.
I have to give thanks to Peggy who keeps my writing on the up and up. She's my proofreader, my editor, and my friend.
A/N OK, this is my slightly twisted idea of how to get myself on the show. Yes, sadly, I'm an actor as well as a writer but a dreamer most of all. I would play Gwen. Please, R&R!
Family, Like It or Not
Chapter 51
The day had arrived. It was a beautiful day in Las Vegas. September was usually a very pleasant month in the desert. The hour was approaching much too rapidly for one member of the LVPD.
"I really hate these things. Do I really have to go?" Jim sat idly on the edge of the bed watching Gwen get dressed.
"Well, you are the guest of honor." She looked at him in the reflection in the mirror. "Jimmy, I know you hate the pomp and circumstance, but imagine how the boys are going to feel watching their dad get a medal from the mayor?"
Jim stood up and came up behind her. "I guess I'll really look like a hero." He helped Gwen with her necklace.
Turning into his arms, she said, "Jim, you've always been their hero." Then she kissed him.
"I wouldn't worry, Mr. Mayor. My sister won't let Jim miss this event." Gil and Sara stood with the kids and chatted with the mayor.
Nodding, the mayor responded, "I've met Gwen, Gil, and I have no doubt you are correct." Noticing Gwen, Jim, and the boys approaching over Gil's shoulder, the mayor said, "Ah, and here's the man of the hour now." He extended his hand to Jim. "Captain."
Taking his hand, Jim said, "Mr. Mayor. I apologize for cutting it so close. I had a problem with my uniform. You've met my wife, Gwen."
"Mrs. Brass." The mayor nodded at Gwen. "And this must be Sam and Tom." The boys nodded at the man. The mayor extended his hand to both the boys who shook it in turn.
Smiling, Jim agreed. "Yes, Sir. These are our boys."
"Well, I suppose we should get started. I imagine there's a party waiting for you somewhere." The mayor winked at Gwen who had invited him ages ago.
Before leaving her, Jim whispered, "I thought you said you invited him?"
Gwen whispered back, "I did, Jim; he's kidding. Relax."
The mayor took the podium, and Jim stood just behind him off to his right. He was a genuine man. Not like the other politicians the gang was familiar with. If the mayor told you he'd do something, you could be certain he would to the best of his ability. He was an eloquent speaker and even managed to make Jim feel more at ease.
"So, for his 20 years of unblemished service to the people of Las Vegas, I present this Distinguished Service Medal to Captain James Brass on the occasion of his retirement." The mayor pinned the medal to Jim's chest and shook his hand. The mayor turned back to the podium and put his hands up to quiet the crowd. "In addition, I would like to formally announce that Captain Brass, retired, has accepted the appointment to head up the new Conflict Resolution Training Facility. Jim." The mayor joined in the applause from the crowd watching.
Jim slowly stepped behind the podium. "Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'll miss being a cop. It's just a part of who I am. But, after a long discussion with the mayor and, more importantly, my wife, I decided it would be best if I left the protection of the city in the hands of younger officers. With that said, I am honored to have been asked to lead the team who will be training some of those young officers. Thank you."
"That was a very nice ceremony followed by a really fun party." Sara entered the house and kicked off her shoes before plopping down onto the sofa.
"Yeah. I can't believe Jim actually took the podium and said six whole sentences." Gil smiled as he joined Sara on the sofa.
Sara leaned into him. "I thought Jim was quite eloquent. He didn't stand up there for twenty minutes talking about how great he was and how great he would be. He was humble and honest. I thought it was sweet."
"I know better than to argue with a beautiful woman. But, I'll bet you dinner for a week that Gwen wrote that speech." Gil started to stand when he found Sara straddling his lap. "May I help you, Mrs. Grissom?"
Sara leaned down and placed her lips next to his ear. "We have to pick up the kids."
"That's just mean, Sara. I'll go." Gil almost dropped Sara on her butt when he stood up quickly to leave and get the kids.
"Geez, Gil, they're just next door with Steve and Carolyn. It's not like I asked you to fly to the moon." She shook her head and headed upstairs feigning anger.
Shaking his head, he said to himself, "Good job, Gil, so much for romance." He left the house to retrieve his children.
After a few polite minutes of chit chat with the Matteos, Gil and the kids were back. "Honey!" Gil called as he came in the house.
"I'm in the kitchen," Sara called back.
"Mommy!" Isabella practically ran to her mother who was wrapped tightly in her ugliest terry cloth robe.
"Hey, Princess! What did you and Hogie do at the Matteo's?" Sara asked as she swept Isabella up into a hug.
Hogie answered for her. "Mr. Steve taught us to build stuff." Hogie was carrying a very basic but lovingly built birdhouse in one hand and a less than perfectly built bat house in the other.
"Show me!" Sara grinned excitedly as she put Isabella down.
Hogie handed the bat house to Isabella. "I made a bird house. I still have to paint it, but Mr. Steve figured we could do that here in the yard. Isabella madeā¦"
His sister cut him off. "I can tell Hogie! I made a house for the bats."
Laughing, Sara asked her, "What bats?"
"The bats that will live in it after Daddy puts it up." Isabella rolled her eyes at her mother.
"Oh. What color do you want to paint your bat house?" Sara asked her daughter.
"Mommy, you can't paint the bat house. The paint smell would keep them away." Isabella was more like her father every day.
"Then I guess you and Daddy can hang it up tomorrow." Sara stood up.
"Tomorrow?" Isabella almost whined but was careful not to.
Gil took over. "Isabella, it's too dark to find just the right place. Tomorrow will be better."
Isabella looked over her shoulder at her father. "'K, Daddy."
"Can I paint the birdhouse tomorrow, too, Dad?" Hogie asked.
"Sure, Pal. I'm sure we have some paint in the garage." Gil placed his hand on his sons shoulder.
Smiling at her little family, Sara announced, "Ok, monkeys, time for bed."
"'Night, Mom," Hogie said as he kissed Sara's cheek. "'Night, Dad."
"Good night, Hogie." Gil hugged his son and watched him race upstairs.
Kissing Sara on the cheek, Isabella whispered, "G'night, Mommy. I love you."
"Love you, too, Princess. Sleep tight," Sara mimicked.
"I love you, too, Daddy. Good night," Isabella said as she wrapped her little arms around Gil's neck.
"I love you, Isabella. Good night, sleep well." Gil returned her hug.
"I'll be up in a few minutes to tuck you in." Sara called after her. She turned back to what she'd been doing in the kitchen when Gil came up behind her. "Can you put food and water in Rex and Bruno's bowls and call them in?"
Gil attended to his task without a word. Thinking to himself, "Yep, so much for romance."
