Chapter 18
Giving
"Sometimes when we are generous in small, barely detectable ways it can change some one's life forever."
-- Margaret Cho
-
For Catherine and Lindsey, this Christmas meant the world and they voiced as much to all of their guests when thanking them for coming. They completely concurred.
"It's been rough," Sara said quietly, snuggling into Nick.
"For all of us," Nick quickly agreed. As if on cue, Lindsey scampered wide-eyed to the Christmas tree and dug through the presents. The one she pulled from the pile was wrapped in gold and silver, tied in red. She handed the package to Sara.
"What is this?" she asked. Lindsey rolled her eyes.
"It's a present, sill!"
"For me?"
"Yup." Sara slid her fingers under the ribbon reverently, slipping it off and starting on the snowflake studded paper. Inside was a plain, unmarked box. Sara lifted the lid carefully, almost as if she was afraid of what she might find.
"Lindsey…" Sara breathed out.
"It was Mommy's idea," Lindsey answered reflexively as Sara pulled out a snow globe. Inside the glass ball was a small cottage, painted brown with a little white door.
"This is amazing!" she whispered meeting the eyes of the apprehensive blond. Lindsey's face lit up with the biggest smile Sara had seen in three months. The brunette handed Nick her gift and held out her arms. Lindsey bounded into them, driving Sara back into the couch. Tears were all around at the touching sight, especially Catherine, who's tears ran liberally down her cheeks. Catherine had very quickly become Sara's confidante because of the bond that had formed. Catherine knew Sara mainly blamed herself for Amanda's death and that she firmly believe Lindsey and Bekki though the same. At least, at the beginning. Bekki had swiftly and permanently dispensed with those fears when she asked Sara constantly for help with her science homework and for a bedtime story. Lindsey had squashed Sara's idea with that hug.
"Miss Willows?" Catherine rolled her eyes affectionately as she took the baby blue gift.
"I'll open this on one condition," she prompted. Bekki grinned.
"Sorry, Catherine." Catherine smiled back and opened the gift. Inside was a similarly unmarked box. The gift, however, was not a snow globe. Catherine's grin turned to a soft smile. She pulled out a tree ornament, square in shape but with a unique decoration. It was a picture of Grissom, Catherine and Lindsey. Catherine and Grissom were sitting on a park bench both turned towards each other, facing Lindsey who was standing, laughing, behind them.
"Who took it?" Catherine asked.
"Mom did," Bekki answered, referring to Sara. It was another change that had taken place since Amanda's passing. Even before custody was awarded, Bekki had asked if she could call Sara "mom" and Nick "dad".
Catherine and Sara locked gazes, an entire conversation passing between them.
"Thank you." Bekki then presented her gift to Lindsey. Right away, Lindsey smiled. The gift was a book of some sort, she said. Bekki smiled secretively and waved her friend to keep going. Lindsey ripped off the paper, no ceremony involved, pulling out a photo album. Lindsey glanced at Bekki, confusion shining, before flipping to the first page. Much to her surprise, the pages were already filled. Lindsey met Bekki's eyes.
"How did you do this?" she asked, flipping through the numerous pictures of her and Bekki. A scrapbook of their friendship.
"I asked your mom and my mom for some of the things," Bekki replied with a shrug.
"But a scrapbook? It much have taken you forever!" Lindsey exclaimed. Bekki shrugged again.
"I had lots of help." Lindsey and Bekki exchanged grins and thank you's before Lindsey handed Bekki her gift.
"You gave me a book too!" Lindsey nodded. Bekki ripped off the paper. The book inside was decorated with hearts, one work embossed in gold: Family.
Bekki opened it slowly, apprehensive to see what was inside. On the first page was a picture of baby Bekki with her vital stats: weight, length, date of birth and so on. On the next two pages were pictures of her parents. As Bekki flipped, pictures became ones of her life growing up. As she neared the end the photos become fresh pictures of her new family: Catherine, Grissom, Lindsey, Sara, Nick, Warrick, Greg and Brass.
"Great minds think alike," Bekki said. Lindsey shrugged.
-
Later that night, after Sara, Nick and Bekki had left and Lindsey had been put to bed, Catherine and Grissom sat out on her front porch.
"Lindsey had fun tonight," he said, breaking the comfortable silence. Catherine smiled in reply, something she'd been doing a lot more since the holiday season had begun.
"Sara and Bekki had a good time," she answered with emphasis. "Lindsey put a lot of thought into those gifts. Their reactions were priceless." Silence reigned again, though comfortable. Suddenly, Grissom pulled a small forest green wrapped package from his pocket and handed it to her.
"I was going to wait for tomorrow, but tonight is too perfect an opportunity to pass up." She unwrapped the box and gasped at its contents. The ring was stunning in its simplicity; two teardrop shaped sapphires framed a tastefully small diamond.
"Gil…"
"I love you very much, Catherine Willows, so much that I can't imagine a day without you; so much that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you do me the greatest honour and become my wife?" Catherine sat, surprised and stunned. Her voice wouldn't work as she attempted to give her answer. Instead, she nodded enthusiastically. Happiness glowed in her eyes as he carefully took the box from her and withdrew the ring. It fit perfectly. He pulled her to him and kissed her thoroughly. Her only response was complete and total surrender.
He continued his assault on her senses, moving from her lips to her cheeks, eyelids and forehead. He trailed kisses to her ear, where he'd found she was very sensitive, down her neck to her shoulder. She, meanwhile, had manoeuvred them to the door and inside the house. When he realized this, he turned and softly pinned her against the wall, giving her a way to escape if she wanted it. She opted against escape and instead moaned throatily as he trailed down her chest, undoing buttons as he went. He paused however, at her moan.
"Cath? Do you want this? Lindsey's upstairs." Catherine growled her response and pulled his mouth back to hers for a searing kiss.
"I want this. I want you."
Upcoming is 19a and 19b. 19a will be R and will be placed appropriately. I won't post it with this story so that people who cannot read that sort of stuff can still read this without having crossed the line of R. Instead of looking for the next chapter of Subtle Clues look for the same sort of title with an R rating. Thanks.
Coming soon!
The royal end!And of course, Blossoming is still up and coming. Soon I promise!
Kavi Leighanna