AN: Thanks for the continued support, here is the next chapter.

Chapter 37: A dream finally coming true

Flashback

November 22, 2000

(The Day Before Thanksgiving)

With Sara's three month check up a day before Thanksgiving they decided to stay home this year, and because Stephanie was with Nick visiting his family, which was the first time seeing them since they had gotten back together, it would just be the family of three, or should they say technically four now, even though their little one wasn't present just yet.

Grissom was at the stove in the kitchen when Sara walked in the room, finishing a phone call. "Ok, thank you for letting me know, bye."

She removed her phone from the ear with a short sigh. "It looks my check-up has been moved from this morning to this afternoon."

Grissom nodded as he turned to her. "Ok, but what are we going to do about Billy?"

Even though Stephanie had been the main go-to sitter when it came to someone watching Billy through the years, they did have a back up when Stephanie couldn't, but today their back up could only watch him in the morning since she was boarding a plane to go home to her family for the holidays.

Sara thinks about it for a minute or two before she suggested. "Why doesn't he jut come with us?" Before Grissom could speak, she continued. "We agreed we wanted him to be involved as much as possible, so he didn't feel left out, and today is a very special one."

Grissom nodded with a smile. "Alright, we'll both meet you there."

Sara stared to smile with a nod of her own when their son walked into the room, so Sara's attention went to him as Grissom continued with the cooking. "Hey honey, how would you like it if you want to my doctors appointment today?"

Billy's eyes lit up as he asked. "Do we get another picture?"

Ever since the first sonogram picture, they started putting them in a baby book to show the progress of the pregnancy, and each one they had gotten they could tell Billy was very fascinated, seeing his sibling growing in them.

They both chuckle slightly before Sara walked up to her little man and kneeled with a bright smile. "And not only that, but if the doctor gets a good angle, we'll get to see if you're having a brother or sister."

Feeling a little more excited, Billy took a breath and commented. "Wow, really?" After Sara nodded, he now looked curious with a little bit of worry in his eyes as he raised an eyebrow, which sent Sara's heart fluttering seeing her son more like his father everyday. "How, and does it hurt?"

Sara gave her son a reassuring smile. "No baby, it doesn't hurt, the baby and I will be perfectly safe."

As he looked relieved, she stood up, took his hand and walked them towards the table as she explained what was going to happen, and after releasing his hand, so he could sit down in the chair, she walked to the chair across from him as he nodded. "Ok, I would like to go."

After arriving at the doctor's office at the scheduled time, there was little time waiting, and when it came to the point of 'seeing' the baby, Billy felt a little overwhelmed, but when he saw his parents calm, especially his father, whom he knew would protect his mother from anything harmful, he tried to calm down as much as possible, then the question was asked.

"Would you like to see if you're having a boy or girl?"

Sara and Grissom looked at one another with beaming smiles as he slipped his hand into hers before Sara turned to the doctor and replied with emotion. "We would like to know, if it's possible."

The brown haired, hazel, slim woman nodded, then a few moments later, she smiled. "Congratulations mommy, daddy and big brother, it's girl!"

Grissom, feeling extremely emotional, asked. "A girl?"

The doctor nodded again with another smile, knowing how special a bond can be between a father and daughter. "Yes Dr. Grissom, you're having a daughter."

His heart skipped a beat as he looked at his wife, who was also in an emotional state when seeing her husband, knowing that this time, even though once again he didn't voice his preference like the first, he wanted a girl.

There was no doubt he loved their son, she just knew at some point, he wanted a daughter, a daughter who looks like her, and she was happy that she could give him that deep down secret wish, even though she also knew he would love their second son if it had came to that.

He cupped her cheek and whispered. "Thank you."

Even though she didn't have much say, like him, on what they ended up getting, she wasn't ashamed on taking credit with a beaming smile, especially when she gets to see the way her man was looking at her. "You're welcome, babe."

The doctor chuckled slightly at the interaction between husband and wife before looking at Billy, who was still staring at the monitor, and asked him. "Would you like a picture?"

Billy nodded with a smile. "Yes, please."

While the doctor was taking care of that, Sara and Grissom turned their attention to Billy before Sara asked. "Baby, you ok?"

Billy nodded as he walked up to his mother with a smile. "Yeah, this is so cool."

The parents chuckled with a nod before Sara asked again. "And are you ok with the outcome?"

Not that they could have changed it, but they wanted to see how their son felt.

"Yeah, it's ok." Then he shyly asked. "But is it ok if a part of me wanted a little brother?"

Grissom placed his hand on his son's back with a smile. "Perfectly ok, buddy."

Feeling better at thinking that, he asked one more thing. "Will I ever get a little brother?"

Sara smiled with a smirk. "How about we finish this one before we start thinking about another baby, alright?"

Billy nodded with a chuckle before the doctor interrupted the family moment as she handed the photo towards Billy. "Here you go, big brother."

Billy took the photo, looked down at it while taking a deep breath. "Wow, a little sister. Even though a part of me wished you were a little brother, I'll still be the best big brother I can be."

Sara and Grissom took each other's hand, feeling amazed while watching their son slowly fall in love with his younger sibling, making them feel more confident about bringing a new addition in to the family.

While the Grissom family was walking towards her vehicle after walking out of the clinic, Sara's phone rang, and she answered it how she would have if she was at the lab without seeing who was calling first. "Grissom."

"Guess what, Sara? I'M ENGAGED!"

Sara smiled, hearing Stephanie's voice. "Congratulations." After telling her 'boys' on what's going on, they cheered too before Sara cleared her throat and replied. "We have news too."

Stephanie gasped as she remembered that they were going to a special check-up today. "Oh my god, boy or girl?"

Sara took her husband's hand as she replied. "Girl!"

Stephanie did some cheering this time, Sara even heard Nick say his congrats in the background.

Once the excitement died down somewhat, they both agreed a shopping trip was coming up very soon, and after another round of congratulations from both parties, they hung up just as they reached Sara's vehicle.

Since she had to go back to work, she hugged her son while saying. "I'll see you later tonight, baby. Love you."

"Love you too, mommy."

After a kiss, Grissom brings his wife in his arms as he whispered. "Be safe."

"Always. Love you.'

"Love you too."

End of Flashback

March, 2001

(A day after Billy's 9th Birthday)

Austin, Texas

It was a nice day, and at the same park where something magical happened 14 years ago to the soon to be husband and wife.
They had two medium sized party tents set up, one for the bride and the other for the groom to get ready in while all the chairs they had step up was facing a big tree, the same tree Stephanie had sat under all the years ago, waiting for, well, who turned out to be the love of her life. And while Sara didn't gloat about it too often, there were moments when she would point out she saw it first.

Sara, who was sitting in the sixth seat (so the parents and Betty would have the seats before her) on the Bride's side, smiled as she ran her thumb up and down her pregnant stomach, which because she was now in her seventh month, she choose not to stand up next to the bride, but she still had the title of being maid of honor, and although she was sad about not standing up next to her, the date for the wedding had a special meaning to it, not only were they marrying at the same place they met but it was also the same day, so Sara understood why it was chosen.

A sharp kick had caused Sara to close her eyes and take a breath, also took her out of her thoughts before she heard Nick's concerned tone. "Sara, you ok?"

Sara opened her eyes with a nod and smile. "Yeah, just this little one is a little more active today."

Nick chuckled with a nod. "Well, it is an exciting day, so can you really blame her?"

Sara nodded again with the smile still on her face. "I guess not, and a long time coming if you ask me."

Nick shyly smiled. "And you never gave up that hope."

Sara then smirked. "Well, it looked like somebody had to keep the faith for you two, even when I had every reason to stop." Then she became a little more serious. "But seriously, I saw something in you guys, and I'm so happy that you two found each other again."

Trying not to let the emotion get too far in him, Nick cleared his throat before replying with love in his eyes. "Me too. While I love what I do, it did feel a little lonely at times, not being able to get that comfort/understanding from the one woman who understands." As Sara nodded another sharp kick hit, caused Nick to become concerned again. "Do you want me to go get Grissom?"

She immediately shook her head with another mile. "Please no, he's already in overprotective mode as it is. I need a little space from him right now, really I'm fine."

He was in a group with his mother and Nick's parents, so he was being the interpreter right now anyway, and she didn't want to take him away from that.

"Ok, but if there is anything I can do for you, let me know."

As Sara was about to nod again, a little girl's voice was heard. "Uncle Nick!"

Both Sara and Nick turned their heads to see a dark skinned, green eyed, 3 year old little girl running towards Nick the best she could, causing Nick to light up as he took a few steps forward and picked her up as quickly as he could before giving her a kiss on the cheek. "How is my sweetheart, I've missed you, Lilly-bear."

He then ticked her, causing her to giggle while she tried to push him away, but couldn't because Nick had a tight, but friendly hold on her, causing Sara to smile warmly at the scene, and honestly thought he would make a great dad, which that thought had been nothing new since she saw how he was at 15-19, with her younger siblings. He truly had it, and she wished that he had gotten that chance 12 years ago.

The next moment, while still holding the little girl in one arm, Nick smiled at the little girl's parents while he held out his other hand to the father first, an African-American, who was 6'0, had brown hair that was in a small afro, green eyes with an athletic build, whom the daughter resembled a lot of. "I'm so glad you could make it."

The other man smiled with a nod as he shook his ex-colleague/best friend's hand. "Like I would miss this moment in your life, especially after all, you were involved with the tied best day of my life."

Even though Sara was intrigued about that story, she just sat back and watched Nick greet this man's wife/mother of the little girl, after they pulled back, the short, blond haired, blue eyed woman spoke with a smile. "And thanks for inviting us."

Nick waved it off before clearing his throat and made the introductions, or at least tried to. "Now, I would like you two to meet..."

Nick gets cut of when the other woman smiled as she stuck out her hand towards Sara. "The Sara Sidle." When the other woman saw the confusion on her face that she knew her, the blond chuckled before explaining. "Nick described you well, I could tell he's very fond of you." When Sara gave Nick a raised eyebrow, Nick just gave her a friendly smiled before her attention went back to the blond as she raised her hand to shake it. "I'm Catherine Brown by the way."

Sara nodded with a smile before replying. "And I go by Sara Grissom now, but nice to meet you."

Catherine nodded as they released hands. "That's right, I've heard about him too, not only by Nick's stories but I heard he was the new up and coming forensic entomologist in the country."

Not that Sara was surprised about his skills since she had witnessed it from day one, but she was surprised that 'news' of her husband's work had traveled all the way to Vegas, especially when there wasn't any interviews made by him, or maybe she shouldn't have been that surprised after all.

She turned her head to give Nick a curious look, and he shook his head with a smile. "It wasn't me boasting about his career, although you know I gladly would. You know he works for other shifts and is starting to work with law enforcement in other counties close by, so all I can say is news can travel."

That was true, and with only a handful of expert forensic entomologists out there, it wasn't like he could be just another face in the crowd, other scientist/CSI's were bound to talk, and before anybody knows, it would spread like wildfire.

Catherine defended her friend/ex-college. "It's true, and I also would like to mention, he did tell us that you and Dr. Grissom are the best CSIs he's worked with." Then she turns her attention to Nick with a smirk. "Although, I don't know if we should be offended by that, considering we taught you everything you know."

Both Nick and Sara chuckled before Nick replied with a smile. "What can I say, I had a good team in Vegas, and I have a good team here."

Catherine just nodded with a smile while her husband took a step and held out his hand. "Warrick Brown."

Sara nodded with a smile as they shook hands. "Nice to meet you too, Warrick."

While he nodded as they release hands, Sara's phone rings, so she answers it after seeing who was calling. "Hi Stephanie...alright, I'll be there in a minute, ok."

After hanging up, Nick looked a little worried. "Is everything ok?"

Sara chuckled as she tried to stand up, which Warrick was quick to help her out, and she gave him an appreciative smile before looking at Nick, trying to calm down the now nervous groom. "Yes Nick, everything is ok. In fact, are you ready to marry the love of your life?"

Nick nodded with a smile. "Like you said, this was a long time coming, so I'm more than ready."

"Alright, let's get this started."

After Nick gave one more nod, Sara told Catherine and Warrick it was nice to meet them and all agreed to talk more later before Sara headed for the bride's tent.

Later that evening

While Sara wasn't going to stand next to the bride as the maid of honor would, she did walk down the aisle with Grissom right by her side, sitting down next to her, even though he was asked to be Nick's best man, so like Sara, he did his duty as best man, but choose to sit next to his wife during the ceremony, which Nick understood.

When the ceremony started after Stephanie, who was walked down the aisle by both her father and stepfather, was in place, there wasn't a dry eye from the wedding guests, especially from those who had witnessed this journey between the two of them from the beginning, it was truly a beautiful ceremony.

After the I do's, ring exchange, and kiss the bride moments, they cleaned up their area at the park before heading to the Stokes residence for the reception since Nick's parents had the biggest house/property than Stephanie's father to fit the guests/family members who were going to be there.

Once everybody got to the house, the bride and groom had their first dance as husband and wife, Stephanie had danced with her, now three dads (Father-in-law included), while Nick danced with his mother and Stephanie's two moms since Stephanie and Jennifer's relationship had changed for the better through the years, then they all took a seat in their assigned seating to enjoy their meal, which during this time, Sara couldn't help but ask why Warrick said that Nick was involved with the tied best day of his life.

Warrick was smiling brightly while Nick looked at Catherine to make sure it was ok to share, and she smirked with a beaming smile too. "I'm not embarrassed, so go right ahead."

Nick nodded before he picked up his champagne, and after taking a sip, he sets it back on the table before telling the story, which Warrick and Catherine helped.

"Ok, get this, it was my official first day at the lab, and after picking up my badge and gun from my supervisor, I headed for the break room to meet the team, but because I was a little early, there was no one there but Catherine, who was 9 months pregnant."

Catherine then smirked. "And ready to pop any minute, I might add."

And Warrick said in a disapproving tone. "Who shouldn't have been at the lab in the first place."

Catherine looked at her husband. "Which I wouldn't had been, had you not forgotten your food."

"Which I said for years now, I could have gotten..."

He trialed off as Catherine gave him a look before she smirked again. "Besides, it was kind of a good thing I was around someone, anyways."

There was a pause, and Sara figured it out right away. "Oh my god, it didn't?"

Catherine nodded with a smile. "Yep, my water broke right then and there, freaked out that young cowboy."

Everybody started chuckling and Nick smiled. "Ok, maybe I was at first, but I think I more than made up for it."

Catherine smiled again. "You did, he called the ambulance, helped me to the couch, stayed with me until the ambulance came, and because Warrick was already out working a case about an hour away, Nick went to the hospital with me, calmed me down while I was freaking out and nearly took his hand off by squeezing it too hard, and he stayed with me until Warrick could be there."

Stephanie wrapped her arm around her husband's shoulders and kissed his cheek. "That's my husband for you."

Nick smiled shyly before waving it off. "Any one of you would have done the same thing if you were there."

Sara then gets in the conversation. "But the point is that it was you, and you helped someone you barley even know."

Once again Nick shrugged off the praise as he finished while looking at Catherine. "We were team members, and it shouldn't matter how short or long I was there, we should have each other's backs when it's needed the most."

Grissom then nodded with a smile. "Well said, Nick."

Warrick then picked up his champagne glass and lifted it up. "To having each other's back."

Stephanie picked up her drink as she added. "And to adding new family."

They all smiled with nods, thinking that was also well said while clinking their glasses together before drinking, hoping that this was the beginning of a new family coming together, not just the occasional friends getting together.

As the reception was coming to an end, Grissom gets up from his spot and holds out his hand towards his wife with a smile. "May I have this dance?"

She nodded with a smile as she slipped her hand in to his. "I will be happy too."

He helped her up and they headed for the middle of the yard, and as he held her close, or as close as he could with a 7th month pregnant stomach between them, they mostly just swayed back and forth, but they didn't care how it looked because they were sharing the moment together.

A moment later, he kissed her forehead before pulling back and she spoke with a smile. "You know what I heard?"

"What?"

"It seems your 'name' has traveled all the way to Vegas."

He looked surprised. "Really?"

Sara nodded with another smile with a proud sparkle in her eyes as she cupped his cheek. "Yep, it looks like my bugman is getting famous."

While the nickname 'bugboy' followed Grissom off and on as he was growing up, mostly from kids who were teasing him at school, that nickname, now 'bugman' is making a comeback, which started in the lab. But unlike when he heard it as a kid, he could tell it was now in admiration, and he felt that especially when Sara said it, of course when she wasn't teasing him, but he knew she didn't mean anything by it, knowing she was very proud of him and all that he has accomplished.

Grissom gets a shy look at the last thing she said. "Sara..."

She cuts him off with a chuckle. "It's true." Then with a more seriousness in her eyes with of course love and admiration. "I can see great things happening for you, outside of the lab."

Grissom started to shake his head. "I don't kn..."

Sara cuts him off, not liking when he puts himself down. "Griss..."

This time he cuts her off with a smile. "It's not about me lacking confidence, it's about truly liking what I am doing at the lab right now, and not traveling from city to city, so I have more time with you and our children, watching them grow and not missing a moment, at least the more important moments, that's what's important to me, you three are more important to me than being 'famous'." Feeling the love from his words and the look in his eyes, he moves his lips to her right ear and whispered. "Besides, after four years of us having to go through being distant for the majority of the time, I'm not looking forward to doing it ever again, so until you're willing and able to come with me and be my assistant, I'm not going anywhere without you, if I can help it."

Now feeling emotional, she held him tighter with a nod. "Ok, but just so we are clear here, the idea of you doing seminars isn't completely off the table?"

They pull back, and he shook his head. "No, just not right now and not without you."

She nodded again. "Alright, then it's something we can look into in the future." After he shook his head, he just smiled at her with an 'aww' look to him, and she asked while raising an eyebrow. "What?"

"I'm just thinking, not for the first time mind you, that you are truly amazing (she shyly smiled at that), that we are amazing together, and I don't mean to brag, but I would have to say we have to be one of the best supporters of each other than any body else out there."

Sara chuckled as she ran her thumb up and down his cheek again. "Well, I think we can brag just a little, because I completely agree. We've just always wanted what's best for the other, and the amazing thing is that our best is taking us down the same road, same journey, and I'm still all in, no matter where it continues to leads us."

He moved his forehead so it was touching hers as he whispered. "Me too. I love you."

She whispered as she ran her hand up and down his back now. "And I love you."

AN: Thanks for reading, and please review. Stay Safe!