A/N: Hey everyone. Well, this is it! The final chapter which I actually wanted to post six months ago! I'm not gonna let myself live down the fact that I had you guys wait five months for a new chappy. LOL But now I have more time to update my other stories though. My summer vacation starts in two days. I know, I sound so excited right? I'm trying to contain my excitement. Anywhoo, ENJOY!!!
"Mommy! Uncle Grissom! Wake up!" Lindsey said crawling between them and shaking them violently. "Come on! Wake up!"
"Honey give us five more minutes." Catherine said groggily.
"Oh come on! You guys have been sleeping forever!"
"Linds. Go in the livingroom and pretend you are a scientist." Grissom said turning to her only partially awake.
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"A scientist classifies and sorts things, so take all of the gifts form under the tree and put them in piles."
"Fine! But if you guys don't come out in five minutes, I'm opening everything without you!" Lindsey pouted as she jumped off the bed and stomped down the hallway.
"Pretend to be a scientist?" Catherine said turning over to face him.
"What? I'm still tired. hey, it keeps her busy. Besides, I wanted to spend more time with you." He said kissing her forehead.
"Oh really? You want to spend more time with me huh?" She asked slowly moving her face to his.
"Uh huh." He said leaning in to kiss her.
"Well, I think we should go out there and open our gifts." she said turning before he reached her, causing him to get a mouthful of her hair.
"You little..."
"What?" Catherine said raising an eyebrow as she stood up.
"Get over here you!" he said grabbing her waist and pulling her back down.
"Ewww!" Lindsey said as she ran up to the door. "You guys! Cut it out before you traumatize me!"
"Sorry honey." Catherine said looking guilty. She couldn't keep a straight face long enough. She turned to look at Grissom and cracked up.
"Uh grown ups!" Lindsey said rolling her eyes.
"Okay, let's go." grissom said getting up and going around to Catherine's side of the bed.
"Uh, Gil. What are you doing?" Catherine asked as he leaned over her.
"I'm going to carry you. Why, is that too cheezy?"
"No. It's just fine with me."
"Alright then, hold on." He said picking her up. Lindsey just rolled her eyes again and ran ahead of them.
When they reached the living room, there were countless amounts of presents. Obviously Lindsey hadn't sorted them. (I mean come on, would you?) Grissom just stopped in the doorway still holding Catherine.
"Uh, Gil. You can put me down now."
"I think not." He said looking up at the hanging mistletoe.
"Oh so that's why you got up early this morning. Such a romantic." She said sarcastically smiling at him.
"So? Are you going to kiss me, or do I have to beg?"
"Well, as amusing as that would be... oh alright." Catherine said leaning in to kiss him. Lindsey just let out a big groan as they broke apart.
"Mom, come on!"
"Okay. As soon as uncle Grissom puts me down, you can open the first one."
"No, Catherine, you have to open the first one. It's important."
"Oh, okay." she said taking the box from his hands and tearing the paper. "Oh Gil how? You said you bought the last one." Catherine said pulling out an identical angel to the one she had two weeks before.
"I made few calls. It turned out that they had one last model in their warehouse. So I had to get it for you."
"Thank you. She's beautiful. Would put her up on the tree for me? I never got a chance to hang the other one." She said smiling as he took the angel and gently placed it on the treetop. "Perfect. Thank you."
"You're welcome." He said kissing her again. As he handed Lindsey her first gift.
Lindsey had opened all 25 gifts in record time. Ten minutes of opening various outfits, CD's and toys. When Grissom and Catherine were finally able to open theirs, Grissom got a new gold watch from Catherine and a butterfly book from Lindsey. Catherine got a homemade picture frame from Lindsey and a CD from Grissom.
"Gary Allan? Who's that?"
"He is a country singer."
"Gil you know I never listen to country music."
"You're right I do know that. But this CD goes perfectly with this." He said taking a small box from under the tree. He turned to Lindsey and whispered into her ear. He handed her the CD and Catherine watched her put it in the stereo. He opened the tiny black box as Catherine's eyes filled with tears, and he bent down on one knee.
"Oh my god." Catherine said as tears ran down her cheeks.
"Catherine will you marry me?" Grissom said receiving silence and trying not to shake. "uh, you don't have to answer now, given everything that has happened I would understand if you don't want to. I uh, just..." He let out a heavy sigh. "Could you please just dance with me?" He asked extending his hand to her. "Okay." Catherine whispered, hardly able to breathe.
Grissom nodded to Lindsey. Everything else was quiet. All Catherine could hear was the stereo humming as it scanned the disc, and buttons clicking as Lindsey scanned for the song. Lindsey sat on the floor in front of the stereo, watching as the music started to play.
No rush though I need your touch
I won't rush your heart
Until you feel on solid ground
Until your strength is found, girl
I'll fill those canyons in your soul
Like a river leads you home
And I'll walk a step behind
In the shadows so you shine
Just ask it will be done
And I will prove my love
Until you're sure that I'm "the one"
Catherine felt so safe in his arms. She had to admit she was scared of making another mistake, but she knew Grissom would never hurt her. She leaned her head against his chest, and danced as everything around them seemed to disappear.
Somebody else was here before He treated you unkind
Your broken wings need time to heal
Before a heart can fly, girl
I'll fill those canyons in your soul
Like a river leads you home
And I'll walk a step behind
In the shadows so you shine
Just ask it will be done
And I will prove my love
Until you're sure that I'm "the one"
Grissom felt Catherine place her head on his chest. He hoped he would be able to breathe for that moment. He was so nervous. She was so beautiful, but so much has gone wrong for her. And she didn't deserve any of it. He wanted to love her that way she deserved to be loved. He wanted to protect her. And now was his chance...if she said yes.
Trust in me and you'll find a heart so true
All I want to do is give the best of me to you
And stand beside you
Just ask it will be done
And I will prove my love
Until you're sure that I'm "the one"
The song ended and the music stopped, but they kept dancing. Catherine lifted her head from his chest and leaned up to his ear.
"Yes." she whispered slowly pulling away to look into his deep blue eyes. She smiled as he took her left hand and slipped the ring on her finger. "It's beautiful." She said leaning in to kiss him. He wrapped him arms around her waist. He picked her up and spun around once.
"Does this mean you're getting married?" Lindsey asked innocently walking to them.
"Yes. Yes it does." Grissom answered not able to stop smiling as he picked her up.
"But what about Daddy? Isn't he going to get mad? I don't want him to hit mommy again."
"Lindsey I promise you that you will never have to worry about that again. I'm going to keep you safe now. It is my job now to protect you and your mom, and that's what I'm going to do."
"Good. I'm glad we don't have to be scared anymore."
"Linds. I promise nothing bad will ever happen to you or your mom ever again. I love you more than anything."
"I love you too. I'm glad you're keeping us safe. Now mommy won't cry anymore." Lindsey said hugging him. grissom looked over to Catherine and saw tears in her eyes. "Thank you for keeping us safe." Lindsey said kissing his cheek before hopping out of his arms. "Merry Christmas mommy." Lindsey said hugging Catherine.
"Merry Christmas baby." Catherine said as Lindsey carried her new toys into her room. "She is such an amazing little girl. Of all the things I've done wrong, I don't know what I did so right do deserve her. But I'm glad I did it."
"Me too. She's very special, you both are two very special people to me."
"Well, it takes one pretty special person to be able to recognize two special people." Catherine said smiling an dholding his hand.
"Merry Christmas Catherine."
"Merry Christmas Gil." catherine said kissing him. They broke apart and couldn't help but smile when they heard Lindsey singing and playing with her new toys. That was when Catherine knew they would be alright. they would be safe from now on. Catherine just smiled. She was happy, she was safe, and finally she was free.
-END-
A/N: Well, that's it! Please tell me what you thought. I'll update my others with in the next few weeks or so. Oh yeah, and...HAPPY SUMMER VACATION!!!!!!!!!!! Whoo hoo!!!!!!!!!!! Well, at least I held my excitement that long! LOL please review.
-Sweet Jorja