Chapter 19b
Conclusions
"May your walls know joy; May every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibilities."
-- Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey
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True to form, though it was most likely, Lindsey woke up before Grissom and Catherine.
"Mommy!" she yelled from Catherine's doorway, jolting her mother from a rather enjoyable dream involving Grissom and his desk.
"Merry Christmas!" Lindsey called, running and jumping on the bed. Catherine groaned sleepily.
"Come on, Mommy! I want to open presents!"
"We'll be down in a minutes, Linds," Grissom answered, voice heavy with sleep. It made Catherine shiver pleasantly. Lindsey bounded out of the room and down the stairs. Catherine burrowed her head in Grissom's shoulder.
"Good morning," Grissom said.
"That it is," Catherine replied, leaning up to kiss him.
"Mommy!" Catherine groaned.
"Aren't you glad you put something more appropriate on," he whispered, his hand stroking the satin on her back. After they'd cleaned up the living room. Grissom, in a moment of foresight had suggested that they put on pyjamas so when Lindsey awoke in the morning, she wouldn't be greeted with her mom and Uncle Gil naked.
"Mm hm. It was a great idea Mr. Grissom." Lindsey yelled again and Catherine pulled away reluctantly.
"Coming Lindsey!" She unceremoniously yanked the covers off of Grissom's prone form, causing him to yelp in surprise before retrieving her robe from the floor. They meandered downstairs together, his hand on the small of her back.
"Finally!" Lindsey exclaimed, gift in hand, when the entered the living room, both with coffee. Catherine smiled affectionately and motioned for her daughter to start ripping. She and Grissom sat comfortably on the couch, completely content watching Lindsey open her gifts and cuddling on the couch. It wasn't until Lindsey presented Catherine with a gift that she caught sight of the ring.
"Mommy!" she cried, grabbing her hand. Even in front of her daughter Catherine couldn't help but grin happily. Lindsey admired the ring, turning Catherine's hand from side to side.
"It's about time! Every one's been waiting seventeen years for this!" she exclaimed settling herself between her mother and soon to be stepfather.
"You're okay with this?" Catherine asked. She knew for Lindsey no one could replace Eddie, even if he hit her mother, but she hoped her new stepfather would be pretty close.
"Mom, ever since you and Daddy separated, everyone in your lab has been waiting for this. Last check, I believe that Captain Brass was running a pool!" Catherine and Grissom exchanged murderous glances.
"We could pull it off and not leave evidence," she suggested playfully.
"How?"
"Uncle Gil! Mommy!" Lindsey admonished quickly. Catherine and Grissom began to laugh. Lindsey soon joined in.
"Merry Christmas, Mommy. Merry Christmas, Uncle Gil," Lindsey whispered, trying to catch her breath.
"Merry Christmas, Lindsey," Catherine whispered back, resting her head on her daughter's head.
And it truly was.
This year, family had come before work and Catherine had enjoyed watching Lindsey open her gifts with such a look of pure joy. This year, she wasn't on call, having to run out in the middle.
Most of all, this year, she was loved.
Just the epilogue left. Last chapter. Did you want me to do a sequel?
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Coming soon…Their co-workers reactions
Stay tuned for Blossoming and its finale!
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Kavi Leighanna