Summary: It is finally that time, Isabella's first date, but according to her father, it has to be a double date. Find out who is joining her on her milestone night, which brings something to light and changes things in the Grissom household a lot sooner than what could have been expected...

Genre: Romance, Family, Friendship
Rating: K+
Spoilers: None
Warnings: None
Main Parings: GSR
Minor Parings: Rick/Elizabeth, William/Bella (Mention only)
Other Characters: Jason, OC, Katie (Short Appearance)


Chapter 31: First date & A revelation

Mid March, 2028

While Jason was in his room, the Grissom family was sitting down at the kitchen table eating breakfast, but there had been a little pause with their eating because Isabella just asked her father a very important question, and was now pleading with her eyes, much like her mother did at times, to say yes, then he sighed, knowing it was time, before he nodded. "Ok, you can go." Isabella was just about to get excited, however her father continued, washing that excitement down a little. "But, it has to be a double date."

It honestly wouldn't have been that bad, if her date was on another Friday, because this week was spring break and her friends, including Andrew, were on trips with their families visiting other family members or other out of town activities, so she sighed. "Really? But all my other friends will be out of town."

Trying not show his smile/smirk, Grissom replied before taking a bite of his egg. "Then I guess you'll have to wait another week."

Sara held back her snicker, knowing what her husband was doing, then Isabella looked at her mom for some help. "Mom?"

But she wasn't going to get any help from her because Sara wouldn't go against his wishes on this, and if she was being completely honest with herself, she wasn't exactly sure she was even ready to see her daughter go on her first date either, so she shook her head and replied softly. "I'm sorry sweetie, but your father has spoken."

However, this little snag was not going to stop Isabella from going on her first date this Friday, so she asked. "Ok, so my double date can be with anyone?"

Grissom nodded. "As long as we know them, yes."

After taking the remaining bites of her cereal, she stood up with her bowl and placed it in the sink, then she smirked as she walked out of the room. "Challenge accepted."

When it was just Sara, Grissom and Katie in the kitchen, Sara smirked at her husband. "Trying to delay the inevitable, I see."

He sighed softly. "It's really happening, isn't it?"

Sara moved her hand forward and placed it on his arm for comfort. "I'm sorry, babe, but yeah, it's happening, our little girl is growing up."

He placed his hand on top of hers for her comfort as well, then after a short nod, Grissom looks across the table to see Katie, now 11, eating while looking over some extra credit math problems she'll be dealing with during the week, and he smiled. "Katie?"

Katie looked up so she could have eye contact with her father. "Yes, daddy?"

He smirked. "You're not going on a date for a very long time, ok?"

Katie really had no problem with that right now because with her being the youngest student in High School, the boys were too old for her anyways, and the boys that were her age that she knew through Emily, just didn't seem that appealing to her, so she nodded with a smile. "It's ok daddy, I'm not interested in anyone yet." After Grissom nodded with a happy look, Katie then asked. "Besides, what if I want to be like mommy and like a much older boy?"

Grissom then smirked again. "Then you're not dating twice as long."

Sara chuckled while Katie looked at her and asked. "Was it worth it mommy, waiting for daddy?"

Sara then looked at husband, and in turn her husband looked at her, and she replied with her heart filled with love and butterflies in her stomach as she answered her daughter's question honestly. "100%, I wouldn't change a thing."

As they were going through their moment, Katie nodded with a smile, happy with that before going back to eating and looking over her math problems.

A few moments later Jason walked into the kitchen and got himself a plate of breakfast and sat down at the table to eat with the family.


15 minutes later

Once breakfast was done, Sara left the house to go to work while Grissom was in his and Sara's new office, grading papers, Katie was upstairs, and Jason was doing the dishes when Isabella came into the room with a sigh as she sat down in a chair at the table.

Jason paused his task for a second and looked back to see a disappointed Isabella, and that made him feel concerned, so he asked. "What's wrong?"

She sighed again before explaining. "I get to go on my first date on Friday, but dad said it has to be a double, and it seems like everybody that I know is out of town and won't be back until late Saturday or early Sunday."

After hearing she had a date, a wave of protectiveness washed over him, then he cleared his throat, wondering where that came from, and asked with a small smirk. "Should I be offended you didn't even think of asking me?"

Isabella then smirked. "It's called a double date for a reason."

He looked a little surprised at her response, and chuckled with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, really, you went there?"

She nodded, looking very pleased with herself, then he continued with a smirk as he walked towards the table. "I'll have you know, I've had my share of dates." Then he sighed and shook his head. "Just with everything that's happened, I haven't exactly had time for girls."

Between splitting his time on finishing his rehabbing, a part time student at the local community college and a part time employee at the mechanic shop, his plate was a little full at the moment, so dating was pretty much non-existent right now for him, which he'll admit was new to him since he wasn't use to be single this long.

Isabella nodded, then replied softly, now a little ashamed of her comment. "I'm sorry, I guess that was a little insensitive of me."

But Jason waved it off with a smile before replying. "But, you are right, it is called a double date for a reason, and I know how much you want to go on yours, so if I can get a date by Friday, you in?"

An unexpected feeling washed over Isabella at his mention of him getting a date, but then she shook it off a second later and smiled. "You would do that for me?"

"Of course."

She nodded as she scooted her chair back with a smile. "Ok, it's a date then." She then chuckled at how that sounded. "You know what I mean." Jason nodded with a smile before she finished. "I'm going to tell my dad."

"Aright."

After she left the room, Jason paused for a second to think about something before he smiled as he pulled out his phone from his pocket and dialed a familiar number before lifting it up to his ear, a second later, the person he called answered. "Hey, what's going on?"

"You still coming into town for the week?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I was wondering if you're not too busy come Friday, you'll go out with me? It's mostly for William's sister, Isabella, you see it's her first date, and her father wants her to do a double. But I would love to catch up with you too."

Only a short pause before she answered. "Ok, I'm in."

"Thank you, I'll see you Friday."

"No problem, you still staying with the Grissoms?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, just let me know the time and I'll be there."

"Ok, talk to you later, bye Madison."

"Bye, Jason."

After they hung up, he went back to his task with the dishes, happy about his plans, especially when he'll be with an old friend, well really an ex-girlfriend, his first ex-girlfriend to be exact.

It had been a very special relationship that lasted from the summer going into eighth grade towards the end of their tenth, just when both of their social status was changing in school, but he still held it dear to his heart, despite the many girls who came after her.


Five days later

The night had finally come, and not long after both Jason and Isabella were ready and was in the living room, there was a knock on the front door.

Jason smiled as he stood up from the couch. "I'll get it."

He opened the door a second later, and his smile got wider when he saw who it was. "Hey."

Madison Hill, who had an average height, slim build, long, strawberry blond hair, that was braided tonight, and green eyes, smiled before they embraced one another. "Hi."

After they pulled back from the hug, he stepped to the side to let her in the house, and when she did, Sara and Grissom smiled at the young lady before Sara spoke. "It's nice to see you again, Madison."

While Madison wasn't a regular visitor here, like some of her son's friends through his grade school/middle school days, they have met her few times.

Madison nodded with a smile. "You too, Mrs. & Dr. Grissom."

Grissom then asked with a smile. "So, how is Harvard treating you?"

She took a deep breath, making Jason, Sara and Grissom chuckle before the young woman spoke with a smile. "Tough, but I like the challenge."

Sara nodded in understanding. "So, did I."

After Madison nodded in return, she looked over at Isabella with a smile. "It's nice to see you too, Isabella."

Isabella nodded, while trying to be polite, even though a feeling she wasn't use to having came through her, but before she could analyze what it meant, there was another knock on the door, and when all eyes were on her, she smiled and said. "I guess that's for me."

When she got to the door, she opened it and smiled at the young boy in front of her, who had light brown hair, that was spiked, with blue eyes.

The young boy smiled shyly. "Hi, Isabella."

"Hi Ben, come in."

He nodded as he stepped inside of the house, and if he was intimidated when he saw her father for the first time, he didn't show it.

Once the meet/greeting was done, and after Sara took her pictures of her daughter and her date, the couples walked out of the house, and after the door clicked shut, Grissom took a breath and said with a smile. "I'll admit that didn't go too bad, he seemed like a nice boy."

Sara nodded in agreement, but then smirked. "But, that's not going to stop you from eyeing that front door until she comes home."

He smirked in return. "And you'll be right there with me."

She chuckled with a nod, not able to deny that.


When they arrived at the restaurant, they got two tables so Isabella and Ben could have their own while Jason and Madison got one close by, then as they were getting ready to order their drinks, a surprise couple was walking towards their table.

Jason smiled at Rick and Elizabeth as they got closer. "Hey guys, what are you doing here? I thought you were enjoying your time in Washington?"

Elizabeth was with her family visiting her Aunt Robin and her family, which Rick was with her.

They nodded with a smiles before Elizabeth spoke. "We were, but we decided to come home early because we didn't want to miss out this milestone."

Knowing what she meant, Jason nodded. "Then please, sit."

Rick then asked as he looked at Madison. "You sure? We don't want to intrude."

Madison shook her head with a smile. "You're not, we are here as just friends, so sit, and it's nice to see you two."

They repeated the sentiment as they sat down across from them, then once they were settled, Rick spoke softly. "But as great as this is, I must admit it does feel weird being here for her milestone without William, this should be his moment, as her big brother, too."

They all nodded in agreement before Madison asked, knowing about the trip. "So, where are they now?"

Rick answered. "Last I heard in Italy."

Elizabeth then spoke with a smile and chuckle. "They went back to Paris for the second time for his birthday, I don't think they can stay away from that city."

They all chuckled before Jason posed the question. "But, they are coming back, right?"

Rick took that answer immediately, still believing his words. "Of course, there is nothing that will keep him away from here for long, no matter how much they fall in love with Paris."

They each reached for their glasses and made a toast before taking a sip, then after they swallowed and ordered their meal, they caught up on what's been going on in each other's lives, mostly finding out what's been going on with Madison.


After their dinner was done, Rick and Elizabeth left them, then not long after, Jason took the group to get ice cream, and as they were enjoying their dessert, Madison said a soft 'wow'.

Jason looked at her and asked. "What, the ice cream? I mean I admit it's pretty good, but..."

She cuts him off with a chuckle. "No. If I didn't know any better I would say that girl has a crush on you."

Jason looked shocked. "What? Who?" She raised an eyebrow as she gave him a look that said, who do you think?, before moving her eyes towards Isabella, who was in a conversation with Ben, but Madison felt some very strong vibes coming from the younger girl for awhile now, especially when her eyes looked over towards her and Jason every so often through the evening.

Jason saw who she was talking about, and then shook his head with a chuckle. "Oh come on Madison, Isabella? No way."

Madison looked at Jason and gave him a serious look. "Trust me, I've been there before, I know when I see 'the' look, it might not be something she's aware of doing, but it's there, big time."

He started to shake his head, then something else caught his attention on what she said, so he asked with a smile. "You have, huh? So, was it me?"

Madison shyly smiled, never able to resist his charming side. "Maybe." He chuckled, then with a sigh, he just looked at her, causing her to look at him with another shy look as she asked softly. "What? Do I got something on my face?"

He shook his head. "No." Then sincerely he finished. "I just really miss you."

She smirked in return as she looked at her almost empty ice cream bowl. "Yeah, I bet, Junior and most of Senior year were both busy years for you in terms of dating."

He placed his hand on her arm, causing both of their hearts to race as he whispered. "I mean it, and it's the truth, you were the one that mattered the most. I mean we were each other's first for everything." When they had eye contact, he cupped her cheek and placed his thumb on her lips before removing his hand from her face and smirked. "Well, I guess there was one first that was taken from me."

She chuckled while shaking her head. "And it's your own fault, you were the one that dared William to kiss me, remember?"

He nodded with a chuckle. "Yeah." Then he sighed. "But, I was so in denial with my feelings for you, I didn't know what to do."

She smirked again. "Until I kissed you, then you knew exactly what to do."

He chuckled with a nod. "I guess I did."

They chuckled, remembering the good parts of their past, then she spoke with sadness once they calmed down. "I'm so sorry."

Looking concerned, he asked. "For what?"

She sniffled a little as she answered. "I wasn't here for you when you needed someone the most, I should have been there for you."

He placed his hand on top of hers and replied softly. "It's ok, you were kicking butt in Harvard, like I knew you always would, and that's exactly where you needed to be, where you need to be."

She took a breath and turned her hand over so her palm was touching his and she said as she slipped her fingers through his. "Well, you know, I'm coming home during the summer vacation, you think we can get together and catch up?"

He smiled. "Are you sure you don't have some Ivy league boyfriend you have to spend time with?"

She shook her head. "Nope, I'm single and all free."

He smiled a little wider with a nod. "Then I would be happy to catch up with you."

Their moment was interrupted a second later when Isabella walked up to them and cleared her throat before asking in a somewhat hard tone. "Can we leave now?"

Jason, a little shocked at the tone, but nodded, and as she turned around to walk towards the vehicle with Ben, Jason looked at Madison, and she gave him a 'see I told you' look, but he just shook his head, still not convinced that the younger girl liked him in that way.


Next Morning

Jason walked into the kitchen to get breakfast, and Isabella, who was in there alone, already eating some cereal, spoke in a somewhat hard tone as he walked past her. "You weren't here last night."

After dropping off Isabella here, he left the house again with Madison, and didn't arrive home till this morning, even though all they did was talk.

He gave the younger girl a smile as he said. "Well, good morning to you too."

She then pulled her chair back and finished while standing up. "And don't think I don't know what 'catch-up' means, I hope you had a good night." Then she turned and walked out of the room, leaving a shocked Jason standing there, before thoughts of what Madison said last night came to him, and he did a sharp gasp with wide-eyes, there was no denying it now, that young girl did have a crush on him.

He then sighed as he sat down on the bar stool that was at the kitchen island, knowing that he couldn't stay here any longer since that was the case. He didn't want to be the cause of this household to become tense and awkward, which throughout the day, with Isabella ignoring him every chance she got, only drove that idea further, so when it reached dinner time, and while they were eating, Jason cleared his throat and asked. "Mrs. & Dr. Grissom, can I say something?"

Both Sara and Grissom looked at the young man with a smile before Sara spoke. "Of course, what is it, Jason?"

He cleared his throat again before speaking again. "I was at my lowest point in my life, and you brought me into this home, welcomed me into your family...again, and that means more to me than words can say." He smiled as he continued. "I always knew you were great parents, I just didn't know you were superheroes as well."

They both shyly smiled as Grissom said. "Jason..."

But Jason cuts the older man off. "But as great as it has been these last six months, I think it's time I leave."

They looked a little shocked since they didn't get that feeling from him before this moment, and while they wanted to respect his decision, Sara had to be sure.

He nodded. "I am, I think it's for the best."

Both Sara and Grissom nodded, then Grissom cleared his throat and told him. "Ok, but know you are welcome here, anytime."

Sara then said with a smirk. "And I expect to see you here for some family dinners."

Jason nodded with a smile again. "I'll see what I can do about that."

As Sara and Grissom were coming to terms on his decision, Katie asked softly. "You want to leave us?"

Her parents were about to speak, but Jason did softly to the youngest Grissom. "It's not that I want to leave you guys, but I feel it's time I get out on my own now, and hey, it's not like I'm leaving the state or the country, I can still visit you from time to time, if you really want me to."

Katie seemed to be happy about that as she asked. "And take us to get ice cream?"

They all chuckled before Jason nodded with a smile. "Yeah, when it's ok with your parents, I can take you to get ice cream."

Katie nodded with a smile. "Cool."

After another round of chuckling, Sara looked over at her oldest daughter, who had been quiet the whole time. "Sweetie, is there anything you want to say to Jason?"

As Isabella sat there, still trying to process what was going on with her, and how she really felt about Jason, she spoke the truth. "I'm uh...I'm going to miss you."

Jason gave her a friendly smile as he replied with sincerity. "And I'm going to miss you too."

She just nodded before going back to eating, he took a breath before he goes back to eating while saying his silent goodbyes now.


The Next day

The Grissom household woke up that morning to find out that Jason had officially moved out, whether it was late last night or early in the morning, they weren't sure, but he did leave a goodbye note and some money for them for all that they had done for him.

Now, it was the middle of the afternoon and Isabella wanted to work on her drawing, but she couldn't find her art book anywhere, so she sighed as she walked into the kitchen to see her parents at the kitchen table looking over their bills, and she asked. "Mom, dad, have either of you seen my art book?"

They both shook their head while Sara spoke. "Sorry sweetie, did you check every room?"

"Yeah, I..." She trialed off when she realized there was one room she didn't check, even though she didn't know why it would have been in there in the first place, but she turned around and walked out before heading to the ex-office/extra bedroom anyway, opened the door before walking in, seeing it on the middle of the made-up bed, so she smiled as she walked up to it and picked it up, then she was about half-way towards the door as she was opening her book up before she saw Jason's handwriting on the inside of the cover, making her stop her feet and read what it said on the spot.

"Hi Isabella, I don't know what to say exactly, but I know I have to say something, I can't just walk away while making you think you did something wrong, when you didn't, I promise you. First off, the obvious, you are a very beautiful, bright young lady, and if I was your age, and lucky enough to be spotted by you, I would be one love sick puppy right now. Secondly, you have this amazing light inside of you that makes other people feel joy, even when they are at their lowest, and I don't ever want to see that dim for a second, the world would be a very sad place without it. Thirdly, don't ever give up what your most passionate about...I know I'm one to talk because I didn't listen to you about the whole art class, but know I won't ever give up drawing, even if there is only one person who will ever see it (Isabella chuckled while wiping her tears away before she finished) And finally, I want to thank you for being there for me, it really did mean a lot, and one day if you ever need the favor, no matter how small or big it is for, I'm there for you, always.

Sincerely your friend,

Jason

She wiped the remaining tears off her cheeks before she looked at the first page of her art book and saw a butterfly drawing made by him, it was her favorite kind with the same design on its wings and color, making her smile as she walked out of the room.

Sara, who had stepped into the living room, saw her daughter looking at her art book with a smile, so she asked. "Sweetie, you ok?"

She looked up from the drawing and nodded at her mother with a bright look in her eyes, the first bright look Sara had seen since Friday evening before her first date. "Yeah, mom, I'm ok."

"Ok, lunch in 30 minutes."

With anther smile and nod, Isabella headed upstairs while Sara turned around and headed back into the kitchen, shaking her head with a smile, so Grissom asked with curiosity. "What, did she find her art book?"

"Yeah, and she was smiling, and I mean one of her bright ones."

Grissom raised an eyebrow. "Really? You think that's a good sign?"

Sara nodded. "Yes, or at least I hope so." She then sighed as he stood up from his seat and walked up to her as she continued. "Because I got admit after Jason's announcement last night and with him being gone this morning, her quietness/sadness really worried me."

Grissom nodded before replying. "Me too, I think him leaving hit us all a little harder than we expected it would." He took a breath as he wrapped his arms around her waist and finished softly. "I mean he is no substitute for our son, no one would or could ever be, but..."

Sara cuts him off with an understanding look. "It was nice having him here, he was good to the girls."

"Yeah he was." When she started to have tears in her eyes, he cupped her cheek with a loving smile. "Hey, like he said, he isn't leaving the state or country, I'm sure we haven't seen the last of him."

Softly, she replied. "I hope not."

Grissom just brings her in his arms to give her a hug, feeling the same as his wife.

They didn't know what was in the future between them and Jason, but one thing was for sure, they were going to try harder to keep him in their lives this time around, because as far as they were concerned, he became like a second son to them.


AN: More to come. Thanks for reading, and please review.