I had this entire story typed up on my computer and ready to go, but then I ended up with major computer problems, and my backup files and regular files got corrupted. Therefore, I am working off of some of the research notes that I had written on paper and trying to reconstruct this story; hence the fact that updates are taking forever. Sorry about the delay, I'm trying to get the story back to some semblance of what it was.
It was close to noon when Grissom went back to check on Sara. She was still curled up on her left side with her hands near her forehead. Grissom walked around the bed and laid down facing Sara. "You have to leave for your appointment soon," Sara reminded him.
"In about an hour and a half," Grissom corrected, "how do you feel?"
"Exhausted."
Grissom reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind Sara's ear. "Why don't you try to sleep?"
"I wanted to be able to go with you to your appointment," Sara changed the subject.
"Sara, you're not up to it," Grissom reasoned.
"I know."
The two lay in silence for a few minutes before Sara spoke again. "I think I'm going to get my pajamas now," Sara explained.
"Stay there, I'll get them," Grissom ordered.
Grissom got up from the bed and walked to her dresser to retrieve Sara's soft flannel pajama pants and a loose t-shirt. When Grissom turned around, Sara was already removing her pants. He handed her the pajama bottoms, and she pulled them on. Sara slowly unbuttoned her shirt, and Grissom helped to slide it off of her shoulders. Sara unclasped her bra and removed it while Grissom eased the t-shirt over her head. She slid her hands into the sleeves, and Grissom smoothed the t-shirt down over her form. Sara shifted back onto her left side and moved herself over to the other side of the bed. "Can you lay with me for a little while before you have to leave?" Sara asked.
Grissom divested his own work clothes and laid down on the bed next to Sara. He pulled her to his chest and brought the covers over the two of them. "I read through the whole binder," Sara informed Grissom.
"We don't need to talk about this now, you should rest," Grissom instructed.
"I never knew our child had a one in four chance of developing it," Sara spoke.
Grissom ran his hand over Sara's stomach and caressed the mound that was developing there. He turned his head slightly so he would be able to easily hear everything that Sara said. "Heredity," Grissom provided a brief reply.
"I didn't know it could affect people at young ages either."
"It's not as common, but it still happens."
Sara turned over in Grissom's arms and looked into his eyes. "I just want to know what the doctor has to say," Sara explained, "I read all of the information, but I'll feel better hearing the doctor's perspective."
"Sara," Grissom started.
"I know," Sara replied, bringing her hand up to his right ear, "we'll talk about it later when you get home."
Sara leaned forward to lightly kiss his lips, and Grissom ran his hand across her back. Sara then turned in his arms again, allowing Grissom to pull her to his chest. Despite the incessant dull pounding that was still present in her head, she was able to get comfortable in Grissom's arms and eventually drifted off to sleep. Grissom waited until Sara fell asleep, then quietly got out of bed to shower and get ready to leave for his appointment.
"Dr. Grissom, I believe you are experiencing tissue regrowth," the doctor explained after completing a thorough examination and hearing tests, "since you've already had surgery, I will not recommend attempting another one. It could hasten your hearing loss, and there are several other problems that could be encountered."
"How long?" Grissom asked.
"How long what?"
"How long until I go deaf?"
"Dr. Grissom, we've been through this before. I cannot pinpoint your rate of deterioration at this time; there are too many factors involved. Right now you are experiencing moderate hearing loss from your right ear."
"Well, that's the one I had the surgery done on first."
"I am aware of that. You could run into the same problem with the other ear, but I can't predict that. Presently, you are experiencing very minimal hearing loss from your left ear. For now, we'll just have to monitor your hearing loss very closely."
The doctor allowed Grissom to process that information and waited to see if he had any questions. When Grissom did not speak, the doctor continued. "At this point, I highly recommend fitting you with a hearing aid to balance out the levels so you can hear more clearly. The way you are hearing right now, your left ear is being forced to work overtime to compensate for the hearing loss in your right ear. With the hearing aid you'll find that corrected."
"For now," Grissom said plainly.
The doctor chose to ignore his statement and continue with the discussion of hearing aids. "Do you have a preference as to the style of the hearing aid? At this point, any type will prove extremely beneficial for you. I have a catalogue that you can look through."
"I would like it to be discreet. I did some research on a model that fits directly into the ear canal," Grissom explained, shifting to take a folded piece of paper out of his pants' pocket.
Grissom unfolded the paper and presented it to the doctor. "It is supposed to be top of the line," Grissom recalled, "it is digital, and it is supposed to be able to reduce feedback."
"Yes, it is, and it allows patients to hear very clearly. It is a completely in the canal or CIC type, and everything can be adjusted by a remote that fits into the patient's pocket. This is in the catalogue; however, I haven't had any patients fitted for this specific type. The price range usually discourages people."
"It was the best in the ear model I could find."
"I do have to warn you that as your hearing worsens, the CIC device will eventually be useless. It can only be used for up to moderately severe hearing loss. You may want to reconsider your investment, for these devices can get quite pricey."
"At this time, this is the type of device I would like. If my hearing gets worse, I will consider changing devices."
The doctor didn't like the way that Grissom worded his statement, but realized that he would deal with things in his own time. "I need to make a mold of your ear canal to send to the manufacturer. It will then take about three weeks before the hearing aid comes in to the office. At that time, the hearing aid can be adjusted to ensure maximum comfort and functionality. When we're finished, you can schedule an appointment with my receptionist."
This is really happening. Slower than I had expected, but it's happening. Grissom sat patiently, contemplating his future, while the doctor got foam and silicone ready to make a mold of his ear canal.
When Grissom returned home, he found Sara still in bed. He sat down on the edge of the bed and ran his hand up and down Sara's back. She opened her eyes and smiled. "How did it go?" she asked, yawning.
"How long have you been sleeping?" Grissom averted the question.
"I wasn't sleeping, I was napping. I've been up a few times," Sara corrected, "now, how did the appointment go?"
"Alright."
Sara turned over and pulled on Grissom's hand. "Get in here," she instructed.
Grissom swung his legs up onto the bed and moved closer to Sara so he could put his arms around her. "I go back in four weeks," Grissom explained.
"What did the doctor say?" Sara asked, resting her hand on his lower back.
"That there is some tissue regrowth, and a hearing aid will be beneficial."
"Please tell me you considered the doctor's suggestion," Sara stated, unsure as to how her husband may have reacted.
"Yes honey," Grissom kissed the top of her head, "at my next appointment, I'm going to get the hearing aid. It fits directly into the ear canal, and I will be able to adjust the levels from a remote in my pocket."
Sara thought about his statement and leaned her head against his chest. "You don't want to tell anyone, do you?"
"It's not anyone else's business."
"Gil, it might affect your job," Sara reasoned, looking up and immediately regretting her words when he flinched and stiffened.
Sara pulled Grissom back to her and buried her head in Grissom's neck. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that work will be a problem," Sara apologized, hoping that Grissom wouldn't start burrowing.
Grissom sighed and brought his hand up to stroke her hair. "You're right Sara, but I need to do this on my own."
As Sara tried to pull away, Grissom kept her against his chest. "That didn't come out right, honey," Grissom tried to correct himself, "for the time being, everything is fine. I don't want pity, and I certainly don't want people asking me a bunch of questions."
Sara leaned back slightly so she could look into Grissom's eyes. "Everything is not fine," she spoke, "this is a big thing. Sometimes you don't realize how things affect others. The guys are going to think you're purposely keeping something from them, which, to tell you the truth, is the case."
"Sara, I don't want to say anything. In a few weeks, everything will be taken care of, and things will be back to normal."
The side of Sara's mouth twitched, and she diverted her eyes from Grissom. "Things are never normal."
Grissom pressed a light kiss to Sara's forehead and traveled downward to press a delicate kiss to her lips. "Can I make you some dinner?" he asked, knowing how long his appointment had taken and realizing that Sara must be hungry.
Sara let Grissom stray from their conversation, deciding that they could talk again another time. "Sure, this little one is hungry," Sara smiled, reaching between them to rub her hand over her expanding midsection.
"Well, I'll see what I can do about that," Grissom replied, resting his hand over hers.
After staying in each others' arms for a few more minutes, the two got up to start making dinner.