Chapter 4
She was sitting on the couch, trying to concentrate on the book she was reading. But her mind kept wandering to him—Her father. She didn't understand why this consumed her the way it did. She had lived her entire life up until about eight months ago without a father, without even thinking she had a father out there. After all, she had grown up believing her father was dead. Why should it matter that she had one now?
The phone rang, jolting her back to reality. Maybe it's him, she thought, seeing that the number on caller ID was one she didn't recognize.
"Hello?" She answered.
"Hi, This is Gil Grissom. Is this Alexandria?" he said, not sure of what else to say.
Her heart stopped. She had so much she wanted to say. She had been planning this conversation for the last six months, ever since she formed her plan. She wanted to tell him about her life. She wanted to ask him about her mother. Did he ever suspect he had a daughter? But nothing came out.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" he questioned.
"Y-y-yes, I'm here. This is Alex," she finally got her mouth to work. "I'm so glad you called."
There was an awkward silence. Neither of them knew what to say. Words just didn't seem to be enough. Finally, Alex started, "I guess you found my clues."
"Yes, they were well placed," Grissom was still at a loss for words. "Do you do forensics with the FBI?"
"Ahhh," Alex smiled to herself. "You did find both of them. I'm in forensics of sorts, but not like you." Her excitement over came her and suddenly she realized this was now how she wanted to start her possible relationship with her father. "Listen, I don't really want to do this over the phone. Are you free for lunch or dinner sometime in the next couple days?"
Grissom was hesitant, but his curiosity got the best of him, "How about lunch tomorrow at the diner over on Decatur? Say around one?"
"Sounds great," she smiled again. She actually knew the diner quite well. She had been a couple of booths down from him more than once in the last three months at that exact cafe. She'd been following him around on her days off, trying to find the opportunity—and courage—to talk to him, but neither the opportunity nor courage presented itself. "See you then."
"Ok, see you then," Grissom hung up.
Alex got up and danced around her living room. She hadn't felt this type of happiness for a long time. Don't get your hopes up, she told herself. Lunch is a good step, but it doesn't mean he's going to want anything else to do with you. He's probably just curious.
Grissom placed the phone in the cradle. Catherine had excused herself and so Grissom was alone in his office. For the first time he smiled at the thought of having a daughter, then quickly furrowed his brow wondering what she might want from him. He doubted it was money. She was an agent with the FBI. Maybe it was acceptance? Love? A family? Would he be able to give her any of those?
