A/N: Hi everyone. A new chapter finally. Been an emotional few weeks here in the UK but as always, we try to move on. Again, sorry for the delay between chapters. Time and mojo is just difficult to come by these days. I hope it was worth the wait.
As always, thank you to everyone who reviews, to calim for your amazing beta and Nat for your encouragement.
On we go…
Chapter 33
Sara winced as the final clip was fastened around the fresh boot on her left foot. Feeling Grissom squeeze her hand, she glanced at him for about the tenth time in the past ten minutes.
Yes, the pool had been very therapeutic, however, changing her leg braces and boot, was not.
"Almost there," Grissom soothed, his thumb gently stroking over his wife's.
Puffing out a breath as she watched Steven check over the braces, she nodded, licking away a droplet of sweat that formed above her lip.
"Do we have to do this every time I go in the pool?" she huffed.
Straightening up, Steven took a knee brace from Maggie who was assisting with the change.
"For now, yes," he said. "During these early stages your legs must be checked after any new activity."
"Are you expecting anything to change so soon?" she questioned. "It's not like I was moving my legs or anything."
Steven smiled as he crouched to slip on the brace.
"You never know," he answered. "You might not be moving your legs, but you are moving, or to be exact, floating. Even this is something your legs, in this condition, aren't used to." He looked up at her. "If we want to get to a point where we can think about getting you mobile, then every little check is essential to the speed in which we achieve that. If we don't check, then we could miss something. That something could lead to complications."
Holding up a hand, Sara stopped him with a sigh. "Okay. I get it."
Nodding, Steven stood. "Good."
Working her tongue into her cheek, Sara tipped her head in Grissom's direction for a second before looking back at the doctor.
"Anymore thought about me being able to go home?"
Grissom's eyebrows shot skywards, and he gave her the 'where did that come from?' look. Oh, no, he wasn't expecting that at all.
Steven folded his arms. "That might be something we can consider in a few weeks."
Sara's eyes widened. "Really?" she just about screeched, her eyes shooting back to her husband's. Grissom smiled at her, squeezing her hand again.
"But," Steven continued, holding up a finger and swiftly regaining Sara's attention. "It will depend how your therapy goes as well as other factors."
Swallowing and trying to control the sudden rapid pace her heart was now thumping at, Sara shuffled in her chair a bit.
"What… other factors?"
Steven smiled again. "How about we have this conversation after a few more of your sessions? Then we'll have a clearer picture of what time scale we're working with. It will inform us as to what you'll need in order to go home. Right now, things can change on an hourly basis, so I don't want you stressing over a timeframe that is fluid."
"I think that's a good idea," Grissom said earning his wife's attention. "I know how much you want to go home, and you know how much I want you home, but let's wait for facts rather than going off maybe's, okay?"
"Can't I at least get the basics of what these conditions might be so we could at least think about preparing ourselves should it happen?" she whined, unable to control the giddiness now running through her veins. Any mention of her going home was exciting so she wasn't about to let it drop that easily.
Letting out a soft sigh, Grissom's head turned to Steven. "She's very persistent," he teased.
Holding up a hand, Steven smiled. "Fine. But first I have to ask before we get into that, are your legs comfortable?"
Glancing down, Sara nodded. "About as comfortable as I can be after a change in robot coverings. I'm a little sore but for now I can deal with it."
Maggie snorted. "Do you need me for anything else, Doctor?"
Steven shook his head. "No, but please check Sara's blood pressure and pain levels after lunch just to make sure we're still doing okay. She might need some medication if the little soreness continues."
That said, Maggie smiled, nodded and left the room.
"Lunch sounds good," Grissom said looking at his watch. "I'm sure all that swimming worked up a nice appetite for you."
Slowly, Sara's head tipped his way and her eyes narrowed. "You're not going to change my mind, so stop trying to change the subject."
An amused pucker crossed Grissom's lips and he held up a hand. "I guess lunch can wait."
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Stepping from the bathroom, Grissom heard his phone ringing and rushed to grab it from the table by the window.
"Hi," he answered quietly, eyes quickly finding Sara, thankfully, still sound asleep in bed.
"Hey," Catherine replied. "I thought I'd check in. See how Sara got on and make sure we're still good to bring the kiddies later."
"She's sleeping at the moment," he said, heading out the door and stepping into the corridor so he didn't disturb her. "She had some pain medication after lunch and felt pretty tired."
"And you aren't napping because …?"
A smirk found his lips. "Well, I was. You just called and woke me up."
Catherine laughed. "You big fat liar."
He chuckled back. "Her session went very well," he said, avoiding Catherine's question. "So, yes, we're all good for later. I can fill you in when you get here. How are the kids?"
"Napping. Took a little while to get Michael to settle."
Grissom leaned against the wall. "Yeah, because he knows he's coming here."
"Yep," Catherine agreed. "He asks every hour whether it's time yet."
Smiling, Grissom glanced up and down the corridor. "He's always excited when he knows he's seeing his mother."
"Yeah."
There was a pause for a second as Grissom considered whether to tell Catherine about the possibility of Sara going home or not then decided against it. No doubt, Sara would bring the subject up later.
"Okay," Catherine said. "I'll let you get some rest and see you in a few hours. Did you need anything?"
"No, thanks," Grissom replied. "See you later."
"Bye, Gil."
Hanging up, Grissom walked back into the room, his eyes alighting on Sara as he stepped closer to the bed. A smile found his lips as his eyes wandered her face. She got more and more beautiful every time he looked at her and no one would ever know just looking at that face that she'd been through such horror.
The conversation with Steven had been interesting and although Sara being able to go home was a happy thought, it made him nervous as well. There were several questions and considerations to be looked at before anything would be done.
Would a medical professional be required at their home 24/7? If not, someone else would always need to be. At least, for the immediate future, while she was further along with her recovery, more mobile and able to take care of herself. So, that would need to be organised.
Would any adaptations be needed to the house so she could move around, especially with the wheelchair and could they be done easily?
Transport to and from the hospital to ensure she attended appointments.
Regular medication and administration.
Emergencies, which Steven refrained from going into until required.
Although he'd been trying to prepare, it was still hard for him to deal with the unknown. It always had been. But this was so much different. This was his family.
"Enjoying the view?"
Snapping from his thoughts, he refocused on his wife just as her eyes opened and he smirked. "And how long have you been awake?" he accused.
After yawning and grabbing the overhead pulley, Sara shuffled upright and pursed her lips. "I heard the phone ringing," she admitted.
"Sneaky as ever," he said light-heartedly, leaning down to place a soft kiss upon her lips.
Smiling, she rubbed his arm. "Feel like helping this sneaky but still slightly sleepy person to make a call of nature?"
Grabbing the sheet, he pulled it away and lifted Sara into his arms. "Anytime."
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A few minutes later, Sara clung to her husband as he carried her from the bathroom.
"Bed or chair?" he asked.
"Oh, the responses I could give you to that one if I wasn't in such a fragile condition," she teased. His eyebrow lifted and she snorted, dropping her forehead against his. "Chair, please."
Giving her a loving smile, he carried her to the wheelchair before gently placing her down.
"Can you grab me some water?" she asked.
Smiling, he moved to pour some. "So, how are you feeling now that you've had a nap?" he asked, handing the water to her. "Legs still hurting?"
After drinking, she sighed happily, head tipping from side to side. "I feel okay at the moment. The pain has certainly died down."
"Good."
Handing him the empty glass, she took the wheels and spun herself around a bit. "Yeah," she said a little unconvincingly.
Putting the glass down Grissom turned back to her with a twitch in his eye. Oh, she knew that look and smiled. He never missed anything did he?
"Want to tell me what's worrying you?" he probed. Sara's smile broadened and he frowned. "I'm… confused," he admitted.
"You love it when I confuse you," she teased. His jaw worked and she let out a soft chuckle, reaching for his hand. "Feel like a walk in the garden? I could use a little air and then I can help you with that confusion."
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6PM
In the bathroom, Sara hummed to herself as she brushed her hair. Nothing could beat the feeling of seeing her children and she actually felt good.
What a change.
But the walk she'd taken with her husband had done them both a world of good. She wasn't stupid and she knew him. She knew him better than anyone. And she knew he was worried about the prospect of her going home so they had to talk about it. Now was not the time to be bottling up feelings or hiding things from each other. And, after what he'd said earlier about them getting through it no matter what, he had to hear his own words, too.
So, they talked. And for Gil Grissom to admit he was afraid was quite a feat. But he did and she understood. And she was glad he did. What they were going through was exhausting enough. It showed on their faces every second of the day. Talking it through and working it out is what they must do from now on no matter what it was, or it would just grind them down even more. They couldn't afford to let that happen.
And, she was afraid, too. For him and for her. Three children and a disabled wife was a lot to ask anyone to handle but they weren't alone and whichever way they looked at it, she would be leaving the hospital a long time before she was walking. That was just common sense. But after a loving hug, surrounded by the chirping mid-day birds and the rays of the afternoon soon shinning down upon them they'd made a commitment. Take each day as it came, talk to each other and when that time came for Sara to go home, they would have a solid plan that worked best for them both and their family.
"Are you okay?"
Hearing Grissom holler, she blinked. Putting the brush down, she turned herself around just as he poked his head in the door and she flashed him a smile.
"Yeah," she said softly. "I'm good."
"I thought you'd fallen down the toilet or something."
Laughing, she wheeled herself close and surprised him when she grabbed his shirt and pulled him down into a blistering kiss.
His mouth was always a delight, she could never get enough and would happily stay like this but sadly that wouldn't do her husband's back much good, so reluctantly pulled back. Giggling at the look of bliss upon his face with his eyes closed and mouth puckering like a goldfish, she rubbed his arm.
"I was just thinking, but I'm done now," she said.
His eyes popped open and he cleared his throat looking a little flushed.
"What about?" he asked, his voice a little squeaky.
She threw him the most loving smile. "Just how lucky I am to have you."
He smiled back. "I think that works both ways, my dear."
Now they just stared at each other until the sound of a giddy child shouting 'Mommy' broke up the moment.
"I think company has arrived," Grissom chirped.
"Oh, yes," Sara agreed.
Smiling brightly she wheeled herself from the bathroom just as Michael ran in, swiftly followed by Catherine and Claire pushing the double stroller.
"Mommy!" Michael called again upon seeing Sara, his little legs running as fast as they could until he reached her.
"Hello, you," Sara welcomed happily. "Give Mommy a kiss."
Michael did just that as Sara leaned to the side.
"I swear I won't need to exercise for a month trying to keep up with this one," Catherine panted, leaning against the bed.
Claire laughed as Grissom approached to help take the twins. "I thought you would be used to it by now," she teased Catherine, lifting up Gabe and handing him to his father.
Michael jumped up and down, holding onto an arm on the wheelchair. "Better, Mommy? Home yet?"
Laughing as Grissom approached with Gabe in his arms and handed him to her, Sara tapped her son on the nose.
"Not better yet, Mike, but the doctors told Mommy today that she might be able to come home soon."
Michael froze, his attention shooting to his father as if he didn't believe his ears and Catherine blinked, looking as equally shocked. Straightening herself up, her eyes floated between Grissom and Sara.
"Is that true?" Catherine asked, sounding as if she didn't believe it.
Smiling down at a sleeping Gabe, running a gentle hand over her son's head, Sara nodded. "Yeah, she sighed happily, head lifting to look back at her friend. "Possibly in a few weeks."
"Wow," Catherine said and then jumped as Michael suddenly, and without any warning started jumping up and down again.
"Yay! Yay! Yay!" he cheered. "Mommy home!"
Sara well and truly laughed, her eyes finding Grissom as he took Hope from Claire.
"Mike try and keep it down a little," he requested of his son. "The nurses will be telling us off if we aren't careful."
As Michael calmed, Sara took his hand. "He's just excited, aren't you baby?"
Nodding frantically, Michal smiled at Sara, brighter than she may have ever seen him smile.
"It's wonderful news," Claire said, taking a blanket from the stroller and making it accessible on a chair in case it was needed. "Let me know if you need me to do anything okay?"
Grissom tipped his head her way. "We can chat about it later," he said, eyes flickering to Catherine who was just stood there with her mouth open.
"I hope you include me in on that conversation."
Rocking Hope in one arm, he managed to hold up a hand to his friend. "Don't worry, we will. For now, how about we let Sara feed the little ones and then we can fill you in afterwards."
"Sounds good me," Claire replied, grabbed a bag from the stroller and held it up for Sara to see. "Clean bottles. Ready for their next fill."
Sara nodded. "Thanks."
"Mike," Claire continued, holding out her hand, "shall we go and get you a treat from the café while Mommy feeds Hope and Gabriel?"
"Ooooh …" Michael cooed, quickly taking Claire's hand. "Get Mommy and Daddy treat, too?"
"I think they'd like that," Claire agreed.
Catherine pushed off the bed. "I'll come with you," she said. "Just in case he wants to come back with a puppy."
Sara laughed again as they left the room, looking down at Gabe as he stirred in her hold.
"Hello, sweetie," she said softly.
Gabe's eyes widened a little at sound of his mother's voice and he kicked out just before a happy squeal left his lips. Sara felt her heart melting as he gave her the cutest little smile she had ever seen.
"Are you happy to see me?" she tapped him on the nose. "Are you? Yes, you are."
Grissom sat beside her, leaning close and allowing Sara to kiss her daughter on the forehead.
"And hello to you, too," Sara told her daughter earning herself a smile from Hope that just about replicated her brother's.
"I think they are both very happy to see you," Grissom said. "But I'll give it just a few more seconds before …"
Sara frowned at him. "Before what?"
Low and behold shortly afterwards, Hope's face crumpled, and she began to sob.
Grissom's head tipped Sara's way and he wriggled his eyebrows. "Told ya. Baby girl knows when she sees you that she's in for a five-star dinner."
"Very funny," Sara chuckled. "Wanna swap?"
"I think we better given Gabe isn't as impatient as his sister otherwise she'll end up screaming the house down."
"Hospital," Sara said as she placed Gabe into his free arm and took Hope.
His eyes narrowed at her and she smirked enjoying the wonderful feeling of happiness that she knew she had to make the most of while it lasted.
A/N: I am getting way too fluffy.
