A/N: Bold lettering is a flashback/memory

It was late when Gil arrived back at Sara's place, he wasn't even sure if she would still be up, but he had to try. He knocked once, waited, and knocked again. Finally, after three tries, a sleepy Sara opened the door.

"Do you have any idea what time it is Gil?"

"I'm really sorry, and I know your pain pills knock you out, but I had to see you...had to fix things."

As she let him into her apartment she continued on. "Fix what Gil? As far as I know nothing's broken."

As she sat on the couch, Grissom kneeled in front of her and took her hands into his. Mindful of the little girl sleeping in the room just down the hall, Gil began in a whisper.

"Sara, honey, seeing you with Gabby...it makes me wish she were mine. When you told me what happened to you I wanted to physically harm the guy who hurt you, but that's in the past now. You've dealt with it, and so must I." He couldn't look her in the face. He hoped that one day he would be able to tell her how he felt without being shy, but he continued on. "Everyday that I saw the both of you, my heart hurt. Questions kept running through my mind. 'Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't she trust me?' then I realized how selfish I was being, but I also knew the answer. I left you alone in San Fran. I left the one I loved, for a job. I can get a job anywhere, but you are a once in a lifetime opportunity and I know that now." He paused to breath before he continued. "What I'm about to do I should have done a long time ago Sara. I love you, more than I could ever show. I want for you and Gabby and I to be a family...for me to be her dad...I want to spend the rest of my life watching out for both of you. Worrying about boys and school work, I want it all, and I want it with you. Sara please would you marry me, after everything I've done?"

When he finally stopped talking he looked up into her eyes...only to see them shut, moments before her soft snoring hit his senses. He smiled softly and carried her to her bed. He knew her pain pills were strong, he should have known she'd fall asleep, but he knew he had to try, so he did. Maybe now it would be easier.

Sara woke up, only when an eight year old began jumping on her bed.

"Mommy, mommy. Uncle Grissom left you a note. You really need to wake up and see it. Right now mommy, wake up, hurry!"

"I'm up baby, I'm up. Just give me a minute to get dressed."

Gabby bounded from the room, and Sara hurriedly got dressed so she could find out what had her little girl in such a mood.

As soon as she stepped into the hallway, Sara knew something was different, it smelled different. As she rounded the corner, she came face to face with dozens of roses. Red, white, pink, yellow, there were, what looked to be, hundreds of roses. Gabby was standing somewhere in the middle, she looked like an angel, Sara started to cry. She thought last night was a dream, but now she was beginning to think otherwise as she stood in the hallway looking at all the roses.

Gabby crawled her way to the breakfast bar, grabbed the note, and handed it to her mom.

Sara was still in tears as she began to read.

My dearest Sara,

I don't know how much you heard last night, but I am sure that you have figured out the jist of it by now.

I would be honored if Gabby and you would join me at the place I first met her.

I know right now that place doesn't hold fond memories, but I would like to make some.

I will be there waiting for you, my dearest Sara.

I would wait a lifetime for you.

Truly yours, Gilbert Douglas Grissom.

As soon as Gabby noticed that her mother was finished reading the note, she started in.

"Is he gonna ask you to marry him? I want him to be my daddy, I really like him. Please can we go meet him? PLEASE MOM!"

"You read the note?"

"I was curious, just like you. I'm sorry for reading it, but could we please go get him?"

Gilbert Douglas Grissom sat at the table waiting for his Sara and his Gabby to arrive He hadn't been waiting very long. As he was getting ready to leave, he received a phone call from Gabby. As it turned out she had woken up early and her curiosity had gotten the best of her, for that he was grateful. If she hadn't have called him he would have been sitting in the restaurant for almost two hours, as it was he had already been there for half an hour.

He new instantly when his family had arrived, he looked up and saw Sara holding Gabby, as if to protect her from some unknown force. Before she had even reached the table, Gil was up and out of his chair kneeling before her, looking into her eyes.

"Sara Elizabeth Sidle would you marry me?" Gil held open the little velvet box. As Sara looked down at the ring a memory flashed.

It was a cold boston night, Sara and Gil were walking hand in hand down a busy boston street. Sara stopped suddenly causing Grissom's arm to jerk backwards. There was a ring a window, it had caught her eye.

"This is just like my mothers ring." it was her only explanation as a single tear fell down her cheek.

In that moment he knew it was THE ring. The next morning he went back to that store and bought it, only he never got the chance to give it to her.

"You remembered!" Big fat salty tears fell down her face. She felt silly standing there, everybody watching, but for some reason she didn't care.

Gabby looked at her mother and smiled, before shouting 'YES'. The whole crowd burst out laughing, including Sara and Gil, but then she herself nodded as he slipped the ring on her finger.

Gil looked up at Gabby and watched her face as he pulled out another box. "Gabby Ann Sidle, would you do me the honor of becoming my daughter?"

Gabby wiggled out of her mothers arms and jumped right into her future fathers arms. Gil took that as a yes and opened the box, only there was no ring in this one. Instead inside lay a necklace with a small rose pendant. Gabby cried, but wasn't quite sure why.

All the patrons burst into a round of applause as Gil led his new family to their table.

I don't know if I should end this here, or if I should continue on. Your wonderful reviews really make me want to keep writing, so please don't hesitate to tell me what you think.

A big shout out to those of you who have reviewed:

brainfear, Moonpattern, Wiccamage, Oh My gahhhd, Katie, S, EllowynTinuviel, Nerwen Aldarion, sassysarasidle, trainerker, Veronica10.