Summary: After dealing with what felt like the longest case of Sara's life, she goes home to her loving family, but tonight isn't just some ordinary night...
Genre: Romance, Family, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship
Rating: T
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Implied/Suggest adult behavior
Main Parings: GSR
Minor Parings: Malcolm/Courtney (Mention only)
Other Characters: Grissom kids (Mention only), Warrick, Malcolm
Chapter 26: Not an ordinary night
November 23, 2022
Working as a CSI for almost 25 years, between three different cities, Sara has dealt with her share of sickos in her life, some sicker than others, and the unfortunate circumstance of dealing with one of their own, which the team tried not to dwell on that through the years, but it was still on everybody's mind every once in awhile, especially when after Spencer's death, and how it happened, all of his past cases were reopened and some of the criminals he had put away were released because it turned out he was more twisted than anybody ever thought. He did some really shady stuff to get his cases completed, proving he wasn't the hotshot he claimed to be, which almost sent Brett into a major depression since he was the one that put him under his wing, taught him everything he knew. But like when things go bad for someone in this family, the others rallied around him and 'picked' him up, even making a list of all the other CSI's that he taught, who were some of the best in other states, including his own wife and Malcolm.
Which that event brought them to this night, after seven years, and countless hours, the team had finally recaptured all of Spencer's most sickest/dangerous criminals, others ended up getting recaptured within months after being released because they just couldn't help but go back to that life. But the one that eluded them all, and probably the sickest Sara has ever dealt with, which was saying a lot considering what she had to deal with in Vegas, for all those seven years, the big 'fish' was finally caught.
Once they got that big break on Sunday afternoon, it was all hands on deck, no matter what and for as long as it took, even Brett and Andrea chipped in a little, both needing to do this for their own peace of mind. But, it also meant for four days Sara had barely seen her family, spending most of her time at the lab or out in the field, and while she was happy for a job well done at the end, it ate at her for missing that time with them, even though she knew they understood she had a job to do.
She sighed and mentally shook her head as she opened the case file, because now that the job was done, next came the paperwork, but just as she was about to put the tip of her pen on the paper, she hears Warrick's voice in the doorway. "Hey, why don't you get out of here."
She looked up at him and gave him a slight smile. "Wish I can, but I want to get this done tonight, I want to close this once and for all."
Warrick walked into her office with a nod. "And I understand that, which is why I'll do it."
She shook her head. "Warrick..."
He cuts her off. "Go, go be with your family." Before Sara could respond, he continued with a little sparkle in his eye. "Besides, isn't tonight one of those milestone nights?"
Sara look confused for a second, then realizing what day it actually was, she gasped as she stood up before shaking her head with tears in her eyes. "I swear I didn't forget, I..."
Warrick cuts her off again while bringing her in his arms before her emotions overwhelmed her even more. "Woah there, girl, it's ok, it's ok. I'm sure he understands."
Sara sniffled while being comforted by one of her longest friends. "One of the most important moments in my life happened on this date, I could never forget it."
He nodded with a smile as he hand his hand up and down her back. "I know, we can all blame it on the case."
As they pulled back, she bit her lip and asked. "Are you sure you'll be ok?"
He nodded again with another smile. "I'll be fine."
After seeing the reassuring look, she nodded. "OK, I'll see you tomorrow."
He then smirked. "Something tells me that you are about to have a late night, so why not show up until after lunch tomorrow, I'll get the team started."
Sara shyly smiled at what he was implying before she lightly hits him on the shoulder, making them both chuckle, which was the first in days, before he brings his long time friend in his arms for another comforting hug.
Once they pulled back again, she gathered her items and started walking towards her office door, but before she walked out of the room, she turned around and gave Warrick, who was now sitting down at her desk, a smile. "Thank you for your help."
He knew she wasn't only talking about the paperwork, so he nodded with a bright smile. "Always, you know I have your back, no matter what."
Their first meeting between one another might not have started out in the best of ways, but since he's been here, they felt their friendship closer than ever before.
After one more nod with a smile, and a goodnight, Sara finally walked out of the room and headed down the hall, which when the lab rats saw her, they started clapping and cheering, and Sara just nodded with a smile.
When she walked outside, she noticed Malcolm was sitting down on the bench that was in front of the building, and knowing she had released the team about 15 minutes ago, he's been sitting there for almost all that time, so she walked up to him and asked softly. "Hey, you ok?"
Like with the rest of the team taking this case hard in their own way, Malcolm took it a little harder than the others, outside of Warrick of course, considering what happened to him by Spencer's hand, which by the way, he still hadn't regained his memory from most of that day, something he learned to deal with.
He took a breath and looked at his boss with a nod. "Yeah, I just needed a few moments."
Sara nodded in understanding as she sat down next to him. "I understand, you mind if I take a few moments myself."
He shook his head with a smile. "Not at all."
After a few moments of silence, she looked at Malcolm again and smile. "I know I've said this earlier, but good job, and thank you for your help, I couldn't have done it without you."
Malcolm gave her a shy smile, which made Sara mentally smile because, like her husband, Malcolm gets a little shy when he gets complemented on his work, knowing he didn't do it for the praise, then he shook his head and replied. "You don't have to say th..."
But Sara cuts him off. "I want to, and I mean it. You're one of the smartest CSI's I ever worked with, and that's why I." She paused for a second before replying softly. "Why I'm thinking about recommending you to take over the swing shift supervisor position."
Malcolm gets wide-eyed. "Sara, I'm honored, I truly am, but I like where I am at." Before Sara could respond, Malcolm continued a little shyly. "Besides, Courtney and I talked about this, and we decided that she rather have me home during the evening/nights, if possible, when we have kids, so I'm there to tuck them into their beds at night."
Now it was Sara's turn to get wide-eyed as she asked. "Are you two..."
He shook his head with a chuckle. "No, not yet, but we have talked about our future and what we see in it."
Sara nodded in understanding before she smiled. "Ok."
Admittedly she didn't want to see him go, but thought it wasn't right to 'keep' him when she felt he was ready to be a boss, but now that he solidify his position for the time being, she'll take it.
She then stood up a moment before finishing her conversation with him. "Have a good evening/night, and tell your wife I said hi and thank her for understanding her husband's commitment to the lab, especially for the last four days."
Warmness filled his heart when she referred Courtney as his wife, still after 2 years of being married, plus the 4 years before that, he's never loved her more.
"I will, have a good evening/night too."
When he smirked that last part with a known look, Sara just chuckled and rolled her eyes before heading towards her vehicle so she could go home to her loving family.
Once she made it home, and inside the house, which was dim, she was about to speak, but saw a note on the stair post in Grissom's handwriting, so she placed her shoulder bag and jacket on the hanger before walking towards it and picking it up, asking if she would please go upstairs and change into the new dress or pant suit that was on the bed before coming outside, which she noticed the blinds were hiding what was out on the deck, so with a bright smile she headed upstairs, where she also saw a vase with 5 roses on her nightstand, making her smile a little wider.
When she was ready, choosing the blue, thin strapped, dress, she headed back downstairs, and when she reached the last step and turned, she could finally see outside, and what she saw, took her breath away, first her family was dressed up, and with Isabella wearing a dress, was a very big deal since she wasn't a fan, which Sara didn't blame her for a second on that one, plus, knowing how her husband feels about ties, it was also a big deal that he was wearing one tonight. Then not to mention the table was set up nicely with another vase with another 5 roses in it.
After she finally made it outside, she greeted her family like she hadn't seen them in weeks, which it definitely felt like it, then Grissom helped her to her seat and they all sat down before enjoying their home cooked meal while Sara got to hear all that she had missed from the kids, or some of it at least, she knew at times they could take hours describing their day, never leaving the slightest detail out, and knowing it won't always be like that, she'll take it for as long as possible.
When dinner was completed, and the dishes were dealt with, Sara and Grissom excused the kids so they could have a little free time before bed, while Sara and Grissom went back outside on the deck with a glass of wine, and after taking a sip, Grissom asked softly. "So, how are you doing?"
Sara sighed. "Glad it's finally over." Then she looked down, shaking her head, and looking at the wine glass in her hand. "But I wish it never happened." She sniffled. "All those other people who should be alive right now." She looked at her husband again with tears in her eyes. "I tried, Griss, I..."
He cuts her off softly while cupping her cheek. "I know honey, I know you and your team did the best you guys could, and I wish their deaths never happened either, but the important thing is you got your guy at the end. He can't hurt anybody else ever again."
She nodded. "It's a small comfort, but least it's something, and they all can have closure now."
As Grissom nodded, he brings her in his arms for comfort before they took a couple of moments of silence for the latest victims.
When they pulled back and looked into each other's eyes again, Grissom's 'told' hers that he's there for her if she wanted to continue to talk about it, and while Sara appreciated it, she didn't want to do that tonight, so she just gave him a slight nod with a smile as her eyes told him 'thanks, but not tonight', so he just nodded in understanding.
Her eyes moved to the table a second later and asked. "So, I couldn't help but notice that there were five roses in the bedroom and five roses out here, aren't you forgetting some?"
They have eye contact again before he raised an eyebrow. "Did I really, though?" He then smirked. "Did you check every room?"
She chuckled as she raised her class. "Touché, Dr. Grissom."
He smiled brightly before clinking his glass with hers, and before they took a sip, he cleared his throat and spoke softly. "Happy 15th Anniversary, honey."
She cupped his cheek with her free hand and whispered in return. "Happy 15th Anniversary, babe."
After taking their sip, they kissed softly and placed their foreheads together with their eyes closed, savoring this moment, thankful they made it to this milestone in their marriage.
After they finished their glass of wine, Sara spent some much needed quality time with the kids before tucking them in bed a few hours later, and when she reached the master bedroom, she gasped a little at the candlelit vision in front of her with the soft sound of music, then Grissom came out of the bathroom still in his clothes from earlier, but the tie was now gone and a few buttons of his dress shirt was undone, making her heart race at the sight, because as good as he looked in a suit and tie, she couldn't deny that look almost looked better.
He smiled next, which did nothing to calm her racing heart, and held out his hand. "I believe I have one more surprise for you."
She walked into the room, shutting the door behind her before walking up to him and taking his hand, then he turned around and lead her into the bathroom, where a few more candles was lit, a bubble bath was made, and she found the last five roses in a vase on the bathroom counter.
She chuckled as she walked towards the flowers after releasing his hand. "Now these weren't in here earlier."
He smiled as he walked up behind her. "I guess they moved on you, didn't they?"
Looking at him through the mirror, all she did was smile, then a few moments later a new look, a passionate one passed through them, and she nodded her head before he moved his fingers to the back of the zipper of her dress and pulled it down as far as it could go before running his hand up her back, causing her body to tingle in the best possible way as her heart raced more while he moved closer to her and kissed her left shoulder as he moved the straps down her arms before doing the same on the other side. He was going for her neck next, but she turned around and started kissing him passionately as her fingers were going to the buttons of his shift.
She only got one undone before he pulled them back breathlessly and she asked in confusion when she could. "What's wrong?"
He shook his head with a smile. "Nothing, the bath is for you though."
She gave him a little pout as she pulled at his shirt so he could be closer to her again before wrapping her arms around his neck. "What if I want to share?"
With her giving him that look, he was very tempted, but right now he wanted her to have this to herself, so he cleared his throat and said. "Please, honey. I know you need this."
She then whispered. "I need you too."
He nodded as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I know, and we'll get there, but right now, this is for you."
She couldn't have asked for a better husband, and with him giving her one of the most loving looks she's ever seen, which was saying a lot, she nodded, then she smirked. "Ok, you win this round, but don't let that go to your head."
He chuckled while shaking his head slightly. "I wouldn't dream of it, dear."
She gave him a bright smile before he helped her out of the rest of her clothes before helping her in their Jacuzzi bathtub, and once she was settled, she tilted her head back and closed her eyes with a satisfied sigh, needing this more than she let on.
When Sara, who was now only in her robe, had walked out of the bathroom, the music had changed to their wedding song, and they smiled at one another as he held out his hand. "Perfect timing, care to dance, Mrs. Grissom."
She took his hand. "Don't mind if I do, Dr. Grissom."
They held one another close as they danced while thinking of some of their favorite moments since they've been together, then as the song was ending, Sara pulled back from his embrace and started to go for the buttons on his shirt, this time he wasn't stopping her, and after sliding it from his shoulders, she spoke softly. "Now, I want to do something for you." Before he could speak, she continued. "Please, go lie down in the bed on you stomach." He gave her an eyebrow raise, and she smiled. "Trust me."
After he did what she had asked, he felt her weight on him before her hands started to massage his shoulders and back, making him close his eyes from the feel of her hands, almost getting too lost in it that he felt him falling asleep, but when she was done, she moved her body forward so she could whisper in his ear. "I hope I didn't put you to sleep." She then smirked. "At least in that way."
He chuckled as he opened his eyes. "No, dear."
She then kissed his ear, and spoke again with a more passionate tone. "Good, because I'm not done with you."
"Oh, and what exactly do you need from me?"
Feeling more emotional this time, she whispered. "Everything."
He frowned at her tone as she moved up enough so he could turn his body so they were now looking at one another, and he cupped her cheek and ran his thumb up and down it, making her smile shyly. "Sorry."
He shook his head with a smile. "No need to apologize, and you have me, all of me, for as long as you want or need."
She moved down again as she whispered. "I was kind of shooting for the rest of my life, if you don't mind."
"Not at all."
Their lips touched a second later, a passion ignited between them, and eventually he rolled them over so he was above her, and after the latest passionate kiss, they pulled back, and she pouted a little, he still had his pants on. "You're still overdressed."
He smiled, but with a passionate look in his eyes, making her body react more than it already had been. "And we'll get to that, but first." He stopped for a second to lean down and kiss her lips softly before going to her cheek, then when he got to her neck, he moved one hand over the ties to her robe and started to undo it while whispering against her skin. "Like I said before, right now it is about you."
Sometime later, the sheets was up to their waist as Sara was now wearing one of Grissom's UCLA t-shirts, they were close to one another, laying on their sides as she was using her thumb to trace the lines on his face, and he smiled. "What are you doing?"
She smiled. "Looking at the lines on your face."
He chuckled as she continued her task like it was the most interesting thing she's ever done in her life while he watched her in awe, falling in love with her all over again, then she frowned, so he asked. "What's wrong?"
She ran her thumb over a particular line on his face, knowing she hasn't seen that one before, so she replied. "This is a new one, you were worried."
He sighed as he took her hand from his face and slipped his fingers through it. "You know I'm always worried when you are out in the field, but this latest case scared me a little more than usual, not only for your well-being physically but mentally too, I know how you can get when a case becomes too personal."
She nodded in understanding before moving closer to him and cupping his cheek with her free hand. "I'm ok, yes it was a rough one, but every time I felt like I was 'losing' it, I thought of you and the kids, you guys played a huge part of me getting through it, especially you." Grissom was going to open his mouth, but she continued with a smile. "You got very good reviews from our kids the last four days. And Katie wanted me to tell you that even though your braids isn't as good as 'mommy's' she still liked it." After they chuckled, she continued with love in her eyes. "So, thank you for being the best, loving and supporting husband and father that anybody could have asked for, you are honestly the glue that holds this family together."
Feeling emotional, he removes his hand from hers and moves her even closer as he whispered. "And you four are my everything, I'm nothing without you guys, so thank you for being my wife and mother of my children, these last 15 years, for the most part, have been a magical ride."
She smiled. "And I have a feeling we are only getting started."
With his eyes filled with love, he whispered. "No one else I rather share it with."
With love in her eyes, she whispered. "Me neither, Griss."
After they yawned, she snuggled in arms and closed her eyes, and he kissed her on the forehead before saying one more thing as he closed his eyes. "I love you, Sara. Sweet dreams."
"Love you too, Griss. Sleep tight."
They did one more sigh of content as they slowly drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the life they've shared so far, and what they hope for in the future.
AN: Thanks for reading, and please review.
