Disclaimer: I don't own the main characters
Summary: Seven months ago, their lives took a turn for the better, now it's seven months later and Grissom has a special Christmas present for Sara. What is it? And what will she say? Set around season 6. GSR. (One-shot for now)
AN: I wanted to do a Christmas story featuring our favorite couple, and this popped up, so this story came out of left field with no real planning, which isn't something I normally do, unless circumstances warrant it, but I hope you guys like it anyways. And if there is interest, I might add more to it.
Title: More joy than ever before
Genre: Romance, Hurt/Comfort
Rating: Low T
Spoilers: Subtle mention of Nesting Dolls, and Grave danger
Time-line: Set around season 6
Warnings: Implied Adult Behavior
Main Parings: GSR
Minor Parings: None
Other Characters: Team (Mention Only)
It was that time of the year again, Christmas time that is, a time for joy and being merry, and for the first time in years, or really if she was completely honest with herself, Sara would say in her life, she had a very good reason to feel so much joy, which for the most part she's felt that for the last seven months when her life took a turn, a turn she had been hoping for years, that finally came.
Sara, wearing her Christmas theme pajama set, poured a cup of coffee in the mug she was holding before walking out of the kitchen, stepping into the spacious living room and stopping in front of the decorated tree. She took a breath before taking a sip out of her cup while her mind wandered to the night that changed her life for the better.
Flashback
Seven months ago
After visiting Nick at the hospital, Sara headed to her apartment, which as shaken up and tired as she was, she was really surprised she made it home in one piece. Once she walked into her apartment, she took a shower and laid down in her bed to go to sleep, but like most times when a case really affects her, no matter how tired she was, she couldn't fall asleep, and just as she was about to give up trying, there was a knock on the door.
A little surprised to hear someone at her door, considering the time of night it was, but nonetheless, she gets up from her bed and heads to the main room before opening up the door without seeing who it was first, which gave her another surprise. "Grissom! What are you doing here?"
Grissom, who looked as tired and shaken up as Sara did, cleared his throat before speaking softly. "I uh...I couldn't go home. I didn't want to go home, honestly. I just drove and it led me here." A moment passed before he continued. "I could leave, if you don't..."
She cuts him off, not wanting him to drive in the state he was in, plus, seeing him now she didn't want to be alone, as she moved to the side to let him in. "Please, come in." He gave her a short nod as he stepped into her apartment before she closed the door, then she turned to him and asked. "You want anything to drink? I don't have much, but I..."
He cuts her off this time, shaking his head while speaking softly again. "No thank you."
She nodded while they headed for the couch, and after they sat down, it was silent for several minutes before she asked softly. "Griss, it's not that I'm happy that you came here, but why didn't you want to go home?"
Since hearing about her childhood months ago, things took a turn for them, the friendship between them was better than it has ever been before, and while they were talking/sharing more than they ever had, there was still something he hadn't shared with her, what was truly in his heart, which after the night they had, he knew now more than ever he had to be completely honest with her, so gaining whatever strength he had in him, he told her why he couldn't go home tonight.
"Because then I would have been alone, and Sara, I'm tired of being alone. I'm tired of not telling you something I should have told you years ago. Sara, I..."
With Sara's heart racing, she cuts him off. "Please, stop right there."
Grissom looked a little hurt/confused. "Sara?"
Ignoring the pang in her heart at seeing the look he was giving her, she spoke softly. "I think I know what you want to tell me, and if I am right in thinking it, then I can't hear you say it now, especially if you are going to take it back tomorrow. Things have been great between us the last few months, and I don't want to ruin it by saying things just because of the emotional night we had."
He shook his head before continuing. "I know my actions in the past have made you weary, and I am truly sorry about that, but I promise that this time is different. If tonight showed me anything it is that I could have lost you."
He said that last part with more emotion than she's ever heard from him, and she spoke with emotion. "I could have lost you too. In fact, there was a higher chance with you doing what you did."
Neither one of them wanted to think about him almost getting blown up, so they mentally shook their heads before once again Sara gets a surprise tonight, he moved his hand to touch hers, like he did that day after she told him about her childhood, before speaking softly/comforting. "But you didn't, I'm right here."
She squeezed his hand like she did that night. "And I'm right here too, I always have been."
He nodded, moved slightly closer to her, causing both hearts to race even more than they already have been, and with his hand still in hers, he spoke again. "I know, and I'm finally starting to realize that."
Before he could continue, she chuckled slightly and wiped a tear off her cheek before speaking. "Took you long enough."
He couldn't help but smirk. "What can I say, I can be slow at times."
She smirked in return. "Griss, you are a genius, you have a Ph.D."
He took a breath before replying. "That doesn't mean I don't have my hang ups, and I can't promise I still won't have them, but I am willing to really work on them." He stopped for a moment, before finally telling her. "I want to be the man that you deserve, I want to be there for you like you've always wanted me to be." He looked down and finished shyly. "If you still want me, that..."
Sara cuts him off as she lifted his chin up before cupping his cheek with tears in her eyes. "There hasn't, and will never be a day when I don't want you. Even during our rougher times, my heart would never give you up. I'll never give you up, no matter what hang ups you go through. I just want you to be honest with me about them."
Seeing the truth in her eyes with the tears glistening, he moved his hand to cup her cheek. "I don't ever want to give you up either. I want to be with you, Sara."
With more emotion, she whispered. "I want to be with you too, Griss."
They looked deeply into each other's eyes as they leaned towards one another, then when their lips finally touched, and even though there wasn't much pressure at first, it still sent a shock through them, causing them to deepen it not long after, pouring everything they had felt, yet suppressed, since they had met all those years ago.
While time meant nothing to them at the moment, eventually they had to pull back, and when they did, they placed their foreheads together and both breathed out a 'wow', causing them to chuckle while they pulled back even further so they could look into each other's eyes again, and what they saw in each of them was nothing but pure happiness and relief that this was finally happening.
He cupped her cheek again and took another breath before speaking again. "Sara, I really am sorry, I never meant to hurt you all of this time, I..."
She cuts him off in a reassuring tone, taking his hand in hers. "I know that, and while it did hurt at the time, I now understand a little more why."
He ran his thumb over her hand. "And I'll do everything I can to make it up to you."
She smiled as she moved her hand so she could slip her fingers through his, which he didn't hesitate sealing their hands together. "Well, I say the first steps were taken tonight."
"And I know I got a lot more to take."
"Which we'll take them one day at a time."
He nodded before they leaned towards one another and kissed again, and this time it wasn't the lack of air that pulled them apart, she started to yawn, sleep ready to claim her, causing her to shyly look down.
He chuckled lightly, running his thumb up and down her cheek soothingly, before speaking in a comforting tone. "It's ok, after the day/night we had, I don't blame you."
A part of him knew he should pull away and get up to leave, but a bigger part of him didn't want to, and honestly Sara didn't want him to either, so she gave him an 'in'. "I just don't think I can fall asleep alone, tonight."
He knew what she was doing, and he couldn't help but accept the subtle invite, although it was making his heart race more than it had been.
"Me neither."
After a moment of just looking at one another, she finally stood up, their hands still clasped, so she helped him up before wordlessly leading her to her bedroom, her heart racing just as much as his, even though they knew nothing was going to happen tonight, but just the thought of them sleeping in the same bed still made them very nervous.
When they entered her room, she released his hand, both already missing the contact, before she headed towards her bed while he took his jacket off and placed it on her dresser, and after a moment of hesitation, he moved to the left side of the bed, took his shoes off before lying down on top of the covers, causing her to smile while she stood up from the bed, walked over and opened her closet to pull out a blanket before walking back towards the bed and handing it to him.
He took it shyly while she got back into bed and slipped under the covers.
Once he was covered, they turned their bodies towards one another so they were looking into each other's eyes, eventually feeling calm and tired enough to fall asleep, which for the first time in years it was a nightmare less sleep for Sara and a full night's rest without any interruptions, which occasionally was nightmares as well, for Grissom.
Next Morning
When Sara woke up and opened her eyes, she looked a little surprised to see him there, so Grissom spoke with a smile, his blue eyes lighting up, causing Sara's heart to race. "Did you think me being here was all a dream?"
She smiled slightly in return. "Maybe, but I'm glad it wasn't. Good morning."
He cleared his throat and whispered. "Actually, good afternoon."
Sara's eyes grew wide as she turned her head to look at her alarm clock, seeing it was a little after 12 O'clock in the afternoon, before she settled back in place and shook her head. "Wow, I don't remember the last time I slept this late, of course when we have the night off."
"Me neither."
They just laid there as silence washed over them, looking at one another, enjoying the feeling of just being together in this moment, while also a part of them still couldn't believe they were even here like this.
Then not able to resist any longer, Grissom moved his hand to cup her cheek, which after seeing the reassurance in her eyes, his hand touched her skin, causing her to close her eyes at his gentle touch, and a moment later, while her eyes were still closed, she heard him whisper as he moved closer to her. "I've really want to kiss you right now."
She opened her eyes and smiled. "And I want to be kissed by you right now."
He smiled in return while he leaned down, then after a moment of hesitation, their lips touched, which just like last night, it sent a spark through them and they went with it, letting it flow freely through them as they kissed passionately, he even ended up above her, but when her hands started to go for his shirt and started lifting it up, he slowed them down and whispered. "Wait, Sara."
She removed her hands from him and whispered breathlessly. "What's wrong?"
He took a breath, trying to calm himself down before replying. "As much as I want to continue, I think we should wait." Before she thought he was retreating, he smiled with reassurance in his eyes. "I want to do this right, this is too important for me to rush. I would like to take you out on a few dates at least."
She slowly nodded with a smile while she cupped his cheek. "Ok, I can respect that, and I would really like that."
He smiled with a nod before leaning down towards her again to give her a few pecks, which she reciprocated, before he moved from her, but instead of moving away from her, he moved as close as he could and wrapped his arms around her, and she turned her body so her back was against his chest, then smiled as he kissed her temple before settling back down with his arms still around her, both feeling more relaxed and content than ever before, knowing this was their new start, and they were willing to do everything they could to make it work.
End of Flashback
As Sara's mind was coming back to the present, she feels his arms wrap around her waist, his lips against her temple before hearing his soft, comforting voice in her ear. "Good morning, honey, and Merry Christmas."
Sara smiles, feeling content as warmness filled her body better than the coffee ever could. "Yes, it is, and Merry Christmas to you too."
"You seemed to be lost in thought."
She sighed before replying. "I was just thinking about the night you changed my life."
He smirked. "And which night was that? Seeing as there has been many."
She chuckled as she turned her body so she was facing him, then raised an eyebrow. "Feeling a little confident there, are you?"
He took a breath before cupping her cheek, speaking from his heart. "It's how you make me feel, you have given me that confidence."
Felling her heart melt at his words and the look in his eyes, she spoke again. "Although, you are right, there has been many." His smirk grew a little more before she continued. "It was our first night together, and not the one your mind just went to, it was..."
He cuts her off softly. "The night we could have lost Nick."
Trying, but failing, her eyes filled up with tears. "Or you." He cupped her cheek and ran his thumb up and down to give her comfort as she continued. "I still almost can't believe it happened, that you came to me that night."
"I had to, Sara. I just couldn't hold back anymore on what I was feeling." Then he smirked. "And technically, I didn't get to say all that I wanted to that night, because somebody wanted me to wait." He then took a breath and finished in an understanding tone. "But I get it."
She then smiled as she placed her hand on top of his with love in her eyes. "And if you remember you didn't have to wait much longer because a week later you said those three special words."
"I love you."
She smiled brightly, hearing those words, something she'll never get tired of hearing from him.
"And while it hasn't been all rainbows and flowers as we try to figure us out as a couple, these have been the best seven months of my life."
Feeling emotional again, she whispered. "Mine too Griss."
They kissed for several minutes, then after they pulled back, he took her hand and walked them to the couch, and once she sat down, he pulled out a small, wrapped present from his pajama pants pocket and handed it out to her while he sat down, causing her to look at him in surprise.
He also believed there was a little worry in there too, so he smiled. "It's not what you think it is." He then gets a little shy. "Not that I don't want to ever..."
She cuts him off with a reassurance. "It's ok." She then took a breath before becoming honest with him. "And honestly, I'm kind of glad because I'm not ready, I..."
Grissom cuts her off this time with another smile. "You don't have to explain, I get it, and I don't think either of is ready for that step, no matter how deeply we feel about one another."
She squeezed his hand with tears in her eyes. "And you know that I do feel deeply for you."
"I do, and while I know we aren't ready for that particular step, there is a step I am ready for, so please open your gift."
She sets her coffee mug down on the coffee table, took her hand from his before taking the wrapped gift from the palm of his other hand, then she unwrapped the present and opened the box to see a key inside before looking at him with some more tears in her eyes. "A key? You want us to live together?"
He smiled again as he cupped her cheek again. "If you want to, or you can use it to come and go as you please, no pressure, you can take your time deciding."
Knowing how much he values his privacy/space, she was really touched he gave her a key to his home. "Thank you, Griss. This really means a lot to me."
He nodded, and after they share a warm kiss, Sara got up from the couch and grabbed a present from under the tree and handed it to him, which was a book full of Shakespeare poems, one of his favorite poets, and he was very appreciative of it.
Later that evening
They spent most of the morning hanging around his townhouse before they headed over, in separate vehicles of course, to Catherine's house for a Christmas party with the team for a few hours, leaving at separate times, and when Sara arrived back at the townhouse, happily using her new key, which gave them both joy, Grissom had made them dinner.
After dinner, he put on some soft music while they sat on the couch, and while cuddled in his arms, Sara gave him her answer. "Yes."
He smiled against her temple, taking her hand in his. "Yes what?"
She moved slightly so she could look into his eyes. "My answer to that question you wanted me to think over is yes."
He looked a little surprised. "Are you sure?"
She raised an eyebrow while asking. "Have you changed your mind?"
He shook his head with a smile, cupping her cheek. "Not for a second, I just want you to be sure, I know how much you like your space."
She smirked. "And you don't?"
He chuckled. "Touché." She pursed her lips, another smirk forming before he gets serious. "But I've been thinking lately that I am ready to share it with you, and maybe in time, if we feel like we do need more space, we can always find a new place together."
She nodded with a smile. "I can agree to that, but for now, I would like to live here with you, and although this step is a little scary for me, I'm ready to take it with you."
Grissom's eyes were sparkling just before they shared a kiss, which got deeper and passionate as the seconds and minutes passed by, leading them to his, or should they now say, to their bed.
Afterwards, Sara, who was wearing one of his old t-shirts, had her head laying on his bare chest, her hand resting over his heart while he ran his hand up down her arm and kissed the top of her head as they enjoyed the moment together in silence, then he whispered. "Thank you, Sara."
"For what?"
"For many things, really, but mostly for giving me so much joy for Christmas this year, especially when I hadn't had one in a long time."
While he had spent a few Christmases with his mom through the years, and there was joy there, he will have to admit it was a lot different since his father died.
Knowing why he felt that way, and feeling the same as him, she whispered with emotion. "You're welcome, and I want to thank you too, I don't think I ever felt this much joy on Christmas before."
Kissing her head, he whispered. "Then it sounds like I have a lot of Christmases to make up for, because no child shouldn't have a little joy in their lives, especially during Christmas."
She ran her thumb up and down his skin as she spoke softly again. "The same could be said for you."
"Then we both have a lot more years to make up for."
She smiled, knowing what he was implying, before she replied after kissing his skin. "I'm up for the challenge."
Smiling, he ran his hand up and down her arm again. "Me too. I love you, and once again, Merry Christmas, Sara."
As they closed their eyes, she whispered in return. "I love you, and Merry Christmas to you too, Griss."
They fell asleep not long after with smiles still on their faces, looking forward to the many more Christmases, and the many moments in-between, they were planning to share together.
AN: Thanks for reading, please review, and Merry Christmas.
Like I said up top, I could add more if you guys want it, it just might take time. Anyways, until then, while you wait for my next update on my other stories, I hope you all take care of yourselves, take time to enjoy those around you, and always remember, GSR4ever!