Disclaimers: Not mine

Spoilers: A little of Lady Heather's Box.

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THE PERFECT FAMILY

(Chapter 13)

"Hi Mom! I haven't seen you all day!" Lindsey ran into the living room and into Catherine's awaiting arms, forgetting all rules held by pre-adolescents.

"That's because you've been too busy having fun to see your own mom." Catherine chuckled, holding her daughter close.

"Aw Mom! I see you everyday! I don't get to see Nina or the horses everyday." Lindsey pulled away just enough to show Catherine the look of seriousness on her face.

"I was just kidding, sweetie. I want you to spend time with Nina."

"What about Grandma?"

"What *about* Grandma?"

"Do you want me to spend time with her?"

"Of course I do! She's your family."

"You ran out of the room when I met her, remember? Mom, if you don't want me to spend time with her, I won't."

"Baby, I definitely want you to spend time with her. She's your grandmother. You should get to know her."

"Ok." Lindsey nodded, though not entirely convinced. "Do you want me to stay here a while with you?"

"No, you go have fun. I heard Uncle Grissom's been teaching you girls about horses."

"Yeah! And Nina and I are gonna make him actually ride one today. Can you believe he's only been talking about horses? We've never actually seen him ride one."

Catherine shook her head with a laugh as the little girl disappeared out the door.

"She's your family too, you know?"

"God! Do you always sneak up on people like that?"

Katie settled on the couch across from Catherine's armchair. "Yes, yes I do. I also eavesdrop and give unwanted advice."

"Hmm...don't I know it."

"So was your whole 'I'll try to work things out with Mom' thing for real or just an act?"

"It wasn't an act."

"Then why are you telling Linds that Mom's her family like she isn't yours?"

"That wasn't what I meant! You really need to stop listening in on my conversations and pretending to know what I mean."

"Point taken. So when exactly do you begin trying to work things out with Mom, cuz the last time I checked, sitting a room apart doesn't really help."

"It won't happen in a day, Katie."

"Right, but it won't happen at all if you don't get started."

"God! Now I know why I left!" At Katie's look of disdain, Catherine rolled her eyes. "It was a joke."

"You were never really that funny."

"Ouch."

"The truth hurts, sis."

"You're preaching to the choir, buttmunch."

"Wow, it's been a while since I've heard that one." Katie smiled. "I've kinda missed it."

"Yeah? Well I'll make sure to call you that from now on."

"Alright, all jokes aside, when are you going to tell Gil how you feel?"

"When did you get on a first-names basis with him anyway?"

"Ah...avoidance of the question. Usually means you have something to hide."

"You know, this increasing interest in him is really becoming a problem. Maybe I should tell Paul about this. You know, Paul Owen, your husband?"

"You're jealous."

"I'm not jealous."

"You are so jealous."

"And we're right back in high school."

"Cat, it's time to tell the guy how you feel."

"You're oversimplifying things."

"Or maybe you're just overcomplicating things."

"Is that even a word?"

"Right now, he's out in the stables, trying his darndest to entertain two 9-year olds. No man will do that unless he's the father or he's trying to get into the pants of the mother."

"You don't know what you're saying."

"I know exactly what I'm saying. I'm saying the things neither of you will say. You know, you were right when you said we were right back in high school. Cuz two mature adults wouldn't dance around the truth like you two do. It's ridiculous how much the two of you are in denial."

"Why do you want this to happen so badly?"

"Hey, don't get me wrong. I don't just want you to get together with some random guy. If I wanted that, I would've approved of your marriage to Eddie."

"Don't talk badly of the dead, Katie."

"I'm not. Look, my point is, Gil Grissom isn't just some random guy and he's definitely not just trying to get into your pants. I watched him yesterday with Lindsey, and I can see he loves that little girl. You know why? Cuz he loves her mother just as much. And I'm sure you don't need me telling you how hard it is to find a man like that."

"I'm grateful for Grissom."

"Does he know that?"

"Yeah...of course...I think."

"Well maybe it's time to make sure he knows."

*To be continued*