Part 2

Sara knocked on the door to Greg Sander's home. This was all a little surreal, knowing that Greg Sanders not only was getting married, but also had his own house.

A woman answered the door.

"Hi, I'm Sara Sidle and this is Matthew. Greg uh told us…"

"Yeah, I know," she smiled. "Come on in. "I'm Claire."

Sara and Matthew followed them through the house, and Sara looked around carefully as they moved around. It was gorgeous, and not something that she would have originally associated with Greg, but there were still bits of his zany self around. Like the gnome that wolf-whistled at her as she walked onto the back deck.

"Sorry about that," Claire said, rolling her eyes. "I'm just hoping the battery will die soon."

Sara surveyed the backyard. Under a tree sat Gil with his daughters, Warrick, Greg and Nick. By the picnic table sat Catherine, a woman that she assumed was Nick's wife and Jackie the fingerprints tech.

"You know everyone, right?" Claire asked.

Sara nodded. "Yep."

Matthew tugged on his mother's hand. "Mom? Can I go over there and see what they're doing?" He pointed to where the boys and the two girls sat.

Sara nodded. "Sure."

Matthew disappeared and Sara's eyes followed him momentarily as he ran over to the group. She followed Claire and sat down at the picnic table.

"Nice to see you again, Sara," Jackie smiled.

"You too," Sara smiled back. She and Catherine exchanged curt nods at each other.

"I'm Debbie," the other woman said. "You'll forgive me if I don't move. I'm about to explode."

Sara smiled politely. "No problem."

"You're not that bad," Catherine teased her friend. "You've just hit seven months. Blame the baby!"

"No, I blame Nick," Debbie replied.

"I heard that!" Nick called out, from his place over by the tree.

"You were meant to," came Debbie's quick answer.

"I hope your husband isn't going to turn those guys into bug lovers," Claire said, wrinkling her nose.

Catherine looked fondly over to where Gil sat with Lizzy in his lap, Lindsey running around squealing as Greg chased her and Nick and Warrick laughing. She stood up. "I'll go check on them."

Sara watched quietly as Catherine made her way over to the boys. She sighed and turned back to the other women.

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Catherine sighed as she poured some more lemonade into the jug. Sara was sitting sullenly at the picnic table outside, and Debbie, Nick, Warrick and Jackie sat with her. Greg was working on the barbecue and last she had seen, Gil had been helping.

She smiled as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist and a pair of lips kiss her neck.

"I thought you were helping Greg barbecue?" she asked Gil, leaning back into his embrace.

"I thought I might help you instead," he told her, nibbling her ear. "Have I told you how proud I am of you?"

She turned around in his embrace and let her arms rest around his neck. "What did I do?"

"Apart from raising two wonderful children, having another one and making me the happiest man alive?" he asked, his hand brushing over her abdomen. "I know you're uncomfortable around Sara, and I'm proud of you for handling it so well."

She smiled. "This day is important to Greg and Claire, and to us. I'm not going to let her ruin it."

Gil bent down and their lips met in a soft kiss. Catherine took advantage of being alone in the kitchen with her husband and the kiss deepened as she pulled herself closer to him.

"I love you," she murmured, as they pulled apart for air.

"I love you," he replied, pulling her in for another kiss.

When they pulled apart again, Catherine rested her head against his, breathing deeply.

"We should go back outside. They'll want their lemonade."

"But I want my wife," Gil replied, kissing her again.

Catherine moaned slightly and he smiled as he kissed her.

"Excuse me," Matthew said, knocking on the door. "Mr Gil and Mrs Catherine, I was wondering if you could tell me where the bathroom is?"

"Sure," Gil said, pulling away reluctantly. "Follow me."

Catherine smiled, watching the two "boys" climb the stairs. She got the jug and went outside, placing it on the table.

"Have trouble remembering where the back door is?" Claire asked her, raising an eyebrow knowingly.

Catherine blushed slightly. "Yeah, that was it."

"Did Matthew find the bathroom?" Sara asked tersely.

"Gil's taking him," Catherine replied. "Hey Greg, how goes the cooking?"

"Hey, don't rush the master!" Greg called back.

Catherine rolled her eyes and leaned back in the chair, resting a hand on her stomach.

"Okay, I think we have lift off!" Greg replied, over at the barbecue.

"Finally," Claire groaned.

"We're back," Gil said, walking out with Matthew.

"Cool!" Matthew said, looking at what Greg was doing. "Hot dogs!"

"Matthew," Sara warned.

"Oh let him have a hot dog," Catherine told her. "It won't kill him. Right Gil?"

Gil leaned down and grinned at the boy. "They don't really have bugs in them. Only when you encourage the bugs."

"Gil!" Catherine said, knocking him lightly on the shoulder.

"What?" Gil asked and kissed her on the forehead.

Lindsey and Matthew grabbed a hot dog each and Catherine helped Lizzy get her lunch. Finally the adults were served.

"Move over hon," Catherine said, nudging Gil with her hip.

Gil smiled playfully and tugged her down into his lap.

"You two are so cute," Debbie said, tucking into her steak.

"Hey! We're cute too!" Nick protested.

"I know," Debbie agreed, squeezing his hand.

"Gil's not cute, he's just annoying," Catherine said, staring mock-angrily at her husband, who just smiled broadly at her.

"Mr Gil?" Matthew asked, running up to him. "Lindsey said I should ask you what type of bug we found over there?"

Gil smiled and walked over with the little boy to where Lindsey was keeping an eye on the bug.

"How old is Matthew?" Jackie asked.

"Five," Sara replied, keeping a keen eye trailed on her son.

"You needn't worry about him with Gil," Claire assured her. "He's great with the kids. Absolutely dotes on them."

"I can see that," Sara said, seeing Gil with Lindsey and Matthew.

Catherine felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She wished Sara would just get it over with and tell Gil that he was Matthew's father, so they could all deal with the consequences it would bring.

"Grissom! We have a toast to make!" Nick said, standing up.

Warrick nodded and stood up as well, as Grissom made his way back over to the table.

Catherine arched an eyebrow at him and the two stared each other off, fighting for room on the chair. Finally she stood up, and Gil smiled, sitting down and pulling her onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she leaned back, content to sit in his embrace.

"Well, we're lucky today because there are two great reasons for us to celebrate," Nick said. "First of all, Greg and Claire getting married." He held out his glass. "Claire, we all sympathize with you. Greg, you better look after her cause if you don't, we'll all be coming after you. To Greg and Claire."

The table echoed the sentiments and Nick sat back down.

"Okay my turn," Warrick said. "I know you guys said not to make a big deal out of it, but a baby is a big deal. Cath, Grissom, congratulations on the impending arrival." He held his glass up. "To Cath and Grissom."

Once again the table echoed the sentiments and Gil kissed his wife gently.

Sara watched enviously as the chatter resumed among the old friends. The affection between Catherine and Grissom was clear, and the excitement of Catherine having another baby was evident.

"So Sara, are you coming back to work at the lab?" Jackie asked.

"I don't know yet. I've got some things to finalise first."

Catherine's ears pricked up. Not here. Surely she wasn't going to tell Gil here. Not now. She couldn't want to ruin the special day for Greg and Claire.

Sara wasn't intending on it. She would tell Grissom when she was alone with him. They had a lot to discuss.

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Part 3