Holidays at the Stokes Place

Pairing: Nick and Sara (Of course! I would have it any other way!)

In this chapter, let's allow Nick and Sara some privacy in Texas while we go back to Vegas. I wouldn't say they are making love, but for this chapter, let them be. Don't worry, my fellow Snickers fans, I will bring you back to the Stokes in the next chapter! We are paying a brief visit to Catherine and Lindsey's place. Grissom is with them and is about to give Catherine a special gift.

Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own Sara, Nick or any other mentioned character on CSI. If I did own Sara and Nick, they would have been hooked up and hitched already! (Writers of the show: take notice!) However, I do own Nick's family.

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Meanwhile in Vegas Christmas Day

Catherine woke up early. She went into Lindsey's room and saw that her daughter was still sleeping like a little angel. She smiled and went to the living room where Grissom had passed out in the couch. She went back to her room, sat on her bed and continued to read a novel she had started after Nick and Sara left for Dallas.

Without warning, she jumped. Lindsey woke up and went the bedroom and almost knocked her down.

"Good morning mommy," Lindsey said hugging her mom. "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas to you, too, sweetie," Catherine said. "You are going to wake up Gil. He is sleeping in the couch."

"I am sorry mommy," Lindsey said. "Did you get me any presents? Did Santa come and pay us a visit?"

"Whoa, slow down, girl!" Catherine said. "As soon as Gil wakes up, we are having breakfast. Afterwards, we will open our gifts. Just have some patience!"

"Can I call Nick and Sara to wish them a Merry Christmas?" she asked.

"I don't think the timing is right," Catherine replied. "They might be sleeping or spending time with their family. You know that Nick comes from a large family."

There was a loud groan coming from the living room. Catherine and Lindsey went there to investigate. Grissom was awake and looking like hell. He smiled at them, hugged and kissed both of them. Only the kiss he had given Catherine was passionate.

"Merry Christmas, Gil," Catherine said.

"Merry Christmas, 'Daddy'," Lindsey said.

"Merry Christmas, to the two of you," Grissom said. "I am now hungry and we still have presents to open."

Catherine made chocolate chip pancakes from scratch. It was a recipe that Nick shared with her when they had a breakfast party celebrating his engagement to Sara. The aroma hit Grissom hard and it was somewhat familiar.

"Does Nick know you stole his recipe for those pancakes?" he asked.

"He gave it to me when we were having a party for his and Sara's betrothal," she said. "I made it once and it was delicious."

"I just wanted to make sure that he gave it to you," he said. "And that you didn't steal from him!"

After Catherine made the pancakes, she kept them warm in an oven. She made steamed milk with peppermint syrup. She thought about making hot chocolate, but decided against it. She didn't want to cause a chocolate overload. Breakfast was served and they ate in silence. Grissom smiled as he slowly drank his peppermint steamed milk and savored each bite of his pancakes.

When breakfast was finished, the three of them gathered near the Christmas tree. They exchanged presents. Grissom got new book on insects from Lindsey and a pair of cuff links from Catherine. Lindsey received a new preteen novel from her mother and a pair of ladybug earrings from Grissom. Catherine only got a new purple and pink paisley print scarf from Lindsey, but was wondering if Grissom had gotten her anything.

"Gil, you didn't get me anything!" Catherine protested.

"I have your gift," Grissom said calming her down. "It is in my overnight bag. I am bringing it right now."

Catherine was in tears when Grissom returned with a tiny sky blue box. It looked like her patience had been rewarded.

"Catherine Willows, will you marry me?" he asked. "And do the honor of becoming my wife."

She took a few moments to compose herself.

"Yes, I will marry you," she said. "This one of the best presents I have even gotten."

Catherine and Grissom kissed after he put the solitaire diamond ring on her finger.

"Who wants to call Warrick, Greg, Brass and Dr. Robbins?" Grissom asked.

What about Nick and Sara?" Catherine said. "You forgot to mention them."

"It just so happens last night Lindsey told me she wanted to call Nick and Sara herself," Grissom said. "I'll call Brass and Dr. Robbins."

"I'll call Greg and Warrick," Catherine said. "I love you my adorable bugman!"

"I love you, too, Catherine," Grissom said and they embraced each other kissed again.

TBC

(A/N: Next chapter, I will write about the Nick and Sara Christmas Day with their family.)