A New Addition
Pairing: Nick and Sara
Nick and Sara are at her doctor's office waiting for some news. Will numerous phone calls follow?
Disclaimer: I don't own Nick, Sara or any other CSI character. I do own Nick and Sara's families and any other non-CSI character.
Doctor's Appointment, News and Phone Calls to Families
Sara was sitting and reading a novel in the waiting room of her doctor's office. Nick went to replace the magazine he was reading and got another one. It was hard to tell who was more nervous.
"Sara, are you okay?" Nick asked.
"I am very nervous," Sara said. "What if the result is negative?"
"Hey, if it is negative," Nick said in a reassuring tone. "We can always try again until we get a positive result. We had just started trying the week after that party for Grissom and Catherine's engagement."
"Let's just keep our hopes on neutral," Sara said.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Nick couldn't continue reading the magazine he took from the rack. He snaked his arm around Sara's waist and she put her head on his shoulder. When will the nurse call Sara to come and speak with the doctor?
"Sara Stokes," a nurse called.
"It's going to be okay," Nick said as they got up and they had a quick embrace and kiss.
They followed the nurse into an office where Sara's doctor was waiting for them. A slightly older woman beckoned them to enter the room.
"Sara, Nick, how are you doing?" the doctor said shaking their hands.
"I am fine," Nick said.
"I'm doing okay despite the nausea and fatigue," Sara said. "Dr. Blake, do you have the results of the tests?"
"That's what I want to talk to you about," Dr. Blake said. "Sara, Nick you are going to be parents! Congratulations on your future addition!"
Sara smiled, but it was Nick who broke down and cried.
"Nick, I am the pregnant one," Sara said. "Why are you crying?"
"I am so happy about becoming a father," Nick said taking a tissue and wiping the tears from his eyes.
"We are now going the examining room," Dr. Blake said. "We will have an ultrasound to determine how far along you are and the due date. First, I want to examine you."
They went to an unoccupied examining room. Nick sat down on the chair that was provided. Sara had her first pregnancy weight taken. She was then lying on the examining table and her examination continued.
"Now, you are getting an ultrasound," Dr. Blake said. "I want you to take off your jeans and lift your blouse slightly. I am going to put some gel on your abdomen. You will feel a cold sensation."
"Thanks for the warning," Sara said wincing after the cold gel came in contact with her warm skin.
"Do you see that little spot that looks like a tadpole?" she asked.
"Is that our baby?" Nick asked looking at the monitor.
"Yes, it is," Dr. Blake said with a smile. "Nick, just keep in mind that it an embryo now."
"Dr. Blake, I am the youngest of seven kids," Nick said. "I have witnessed my sisters go through their pregnancies. I think I know the differences between an embryo and a fetus."
"Wow, that little thing is growing inside my womb!" Sara said. "Judging from what you see on the monitor, how far along do you think I am?"
"You are about a month along," Dr. Blake said. "You are due about November 8. Would you like me to print a few copies for your family, friends and colleagues?"
"Of course we want copies," Sara said. "We want to have one to hang on the refrigerator."
Nick and Sara specified the number of copies they wanted. Dr. Blake handed them an envelop containing all the requested copies. She cleaned the gel off Sara's stomach. Sara pulled back her blouse and put her jeans on. Dr. Blake told Sara to eat right, drink plenty of fluids, get as much rest as possible and to start taking a prenatal vitamin. She also told them that she will see them next month and gave them some literature about pregnancy.
"I didn't think it would happen soon," Nick confessed as they headed to reception to schedule the next appointment.
"Me neither," Sara replied. "We tried since mid-January and nothing happened."
"Sara, it happened and we are going to parents in November," Nick said.
"Let's make the appointment," Sara said. "We have people to call and some colleagues to tell, including a very concerned Catherine."
Nick nearly froze at the mention of 'a very concern Catherine'. She was there when Sara thought she was having a stomach bug. Catherine called Nick on his cell phone and told him to take his wife home. It didn't occur to anyone that Sara has morning sickness, not a bug.
"Nick, come on," Sara said. "I made the appointment for April 6 at 2:30."
"Oh, I am sorry," Nick said. "I was a little distracted."
When they got to Nick's Tahoe, they were sitting just absorbing what happened at the doctor's office. They were expecting their first child, his parents' 25th grandchild and her parents' third. They looked at each other and smiled.
"Do you want to call my family or yours first?" Nick asked breaking the moment and the silence.
"Yours, of course," Sara said. "I want to hear their reaction to the news. I am sure it will be of pleasant shock. My family's reaction will be slightly differently."
"Sara, you don't know how that crazy family of yours will react," Nick said. "Give them a chance and you might be pleasantly surprised."
Sara just shrugged her shoulders.
"Let's go home," Nick said. "Dr. Blake told you to get some rest. We have plenty of time before shift starts."
About half an hour later, they were home. Sara was lying in bed relaxing while Nick was on the phone and pacing about. He went to the kitchen and looked for some food since it was close to lunchtime.
Meanwhile at Stokes Manor, Dallas, Texas
Cynthia Stokes was sitting in the kitchen table reading a law journal. She wasn't aware of the phone ringing until Thomas alerted her to the call. She closed the journal, got up and picked up the phone without looking at the caller ID screen. She knew it had to be one of their kids.
"Hello?" she said.
"Mom, this is Nick," the voice on the other end said.
"Nick, it is great to hear from you," Cynthia said. "What do I owe this pleasure?"
"I have some news to tell you," Nick said. "Are you sitting down?"
"No, do I have to be?" Cynthia asked.
"It's okay if you are still standing up," Nick said. "You are going to be grandparents once again. Sara is going to have a baby, she's due in November."
Cynthia screamed in delight. Nick thought he was going deaf. She dropped the receiver and ran to her husband.
"Thomas, we are going to be grandparents again," Cynthia shrieked. "That was Nicky on the phone, Sara's pregnant with their first child. She's due in November."
"Let me get on the other phone," Thomas said. "I want to congratulate our youngest child."
Cynthia put the receiver back on her ear. She heard Thomas clearing his throat.
"Nick, is it true?" Thomas asked. "Is Sara carrying my 25th grandchild?"
"Yes, we just went to her doctor and she is about a month along," Nick said.
"Can we speak with her?" Cynthia asked.
"Sara is taking a nap," Nick said. "She was feeling fatigued this morning."
"I understand completely," Cynthia said sympathetically. "I had been through it seven times. She can call me when she is awake."
"Did you call your brother and sisters to tell them the good news?" Thomas asked. "What about Sara's family?"
"No, you were the first I called," Nick said. "I will call Kathleen, Tom, Wendy, Sabrina, Heather and Marissa next. I will save my crazy in-laws for last. I don't know if I want to talk to them or Sara might."
"Nick, Sara's family has the right to know about their grandchild," Cynthia said. "I don't like Michael and Alexandra, but Sara is their daughter and they deserve to know."
"I guess you are right," Nick said. "Mom, dad, I have to get going and call the rest of the family. I'll see what Sara wants to do with hers as soon as she wakes up. I love you both."
"We love you, too and congratulations," Thomas and Cynthia said.
"Thanks," Nick said. "I will talk to you soon. Later!"
"Bye," his parents said and they hung up.
Nick went to the bedroom to check on Sara. She was still sleeping. He carefully bent down and gently kissed her on the cheek. She didn't stir. He proceeded to call all six of his siblings and tell them that in November, they will have a new niece or nephew. They were so happy and told him to congratulate Sara for them. He told them to tell their families the news. His sisters also told him that Sara could call them for pregnancy advice. After he spoke with Kathleen, the last sibling he called, he replaced the phone on its charger. He returned to the bedroom and sat on the foot of the bed. He heard some groaning coming from Sara. He turned to her and saw she was waking up.
"Hey, Sleepyhead, how did you sleep?" Nick asked gently.
"Okay, I guess," Sara said bewildered. "I am still a little tired."
"Sara, that's normal," Nick said in an attempt to reassure her. "Your hormones are out of whack in this trimester. Next one will be easier. Oh, I called my family and they are thrilled about the new addition to the Stokes clan. My sisters told me that you can contact them if you have any questions or need to talk."
"What about Catherine?" Sara asked.
"You can still talk to her," Nick grinned. "My point is that you have an excellent support system that will get you through this."
"I figured you would call in the 'troops'," Sara said with a soft chuckle. "Did you contact my family?"
"I left that one up to you," Nick said. "I wasn't sure if you wanted me to call them or you'd call them."
"I'll tell them tomorrow," Sara said with less enthusiasm.
"You have to tell them eventually," Nick said with concern. "What if they pop in to visit us and you are with a very pregnant belly? Red flags would be raised. I agree that you should call them tomorrow, but tomorrow for sure."
Sara nodded and got out of bed. She felt nauseous and ran to the bathroom. When she came out of the bathroom, Nick pulled her into an embrace.
"Are you hungry?" Nick whispered. "You need to eat something not only for yourself, but Tadpole too."
"Yes, I am starving," Sara smiled. "Who are you calling Tadpole?"
"Our baby," Nick beamed putting his hand on Sara's stomach. "We don't know if we're having a girl or a boy. I think Tadpole is a cute nickname for the baby now. It looked like one in the ultrasound photo."
"Are we going to call it Fetus when it becomes one?" Sara asked.
"Yeah, we will until we found out the sex of the baby," Nick laughed.
They went to the kitchen where Nick started to warm up some soup for the two of them. He figured it was the only thing now that she can eat after throwing up and he was in the mood to have some for himself. The soup was hearty and nourishing. They ate in silence, but smiled at each other. When they were finished, Sara wanted to do the dishes. Nick insisted that she go to the living room and relax while he did the dishes.
"Do you want to watch 'A Baby Story' on TLC?" Nick asked when he finished his task.
"I am watching it right now," Sara smiled. "Care to join me?"
Nick flashed her a grin and sat next to her. He saw that she could handle seeing the mother go through agony to give birth or endure a c-section. Of course, both he and Sara dealt with worse things than that everyday. Typically, they ignore the show, but now it peaks their curiosity.
About two hours later, Nick looked at the clock. They had to get ready for their shift soon. They looked forward to telling their colleagues about the baby. Ever since Brass told them about Lindsey's prediction of a baby in before the year was over, Nick and Sara looked forward to Catherine's reaction.
The first thing Nick and Sara did when they arrived at the crime lab was go to the locker room. They needed to put a few things away before getting their assignments. Warrick was at the locker room changing from a suit to his regular street clothes.
"Nick, Sara, why are you both smiling like idiots?" Warrick asked. "Did either of you spike Ecklie's coffee with Cognac?"
"The part about spiking Ecklie's coffee is wishful thinking," Nick chuckled. "Rat poisoning is a better choice, but we would never do that. We have something to share with you."
"I'm pregnant," Sara said.
"Damn, I owe Lindsey twenty bucks," Warrick said. "You better have a boy! That girl is going bleed me dry."
"What, no congratulations on our good news," Nick said looking hurt. "Now you are placing bets over whether we are going to have a daughter or a son."
"I am sorry," Warrick said. "I am truly happy for the two of you. It was the New Year's Eve party at Catherine's and Lindsey was blabbing about the baby girl you might have."
"Warrick, do you want to see a picture of Tadpole?" Sara asked grabbing the envelop from her locker and taking out a small sheet of paper.
"Tadpole?" Warrick asked.
"We have given the baby that nickname because it reminds us of a tadpole," Nick happily explained. "We are going to call it Fetus when it becomes one."
Grissom entered the locker room with a blank look on his face.
"Are you three going to stay here or meet the rest of us for your assignments?" Grissom asked making the three young CSIs jump.
They nodded and left the locker room following Grissom to the break room. Greg and Catherine were waiting for them to arrive. Sara and Nick were looking at each other wondering when to tell Grissom, Catherine and Greg their good news. They would have to tell Brass if they are meeting him.
"We are handling a 419 at Caesar's Palace," Grissom said. "Brass is already there and waiting for us."
Sara immediately ran to the ladies' room and Catherine followed her. Catherine heard Sara throwing up and became concerned right away. Sara jumped when she saw Catherine.
"Sara, if you aren't feeling well," Catherine said. "You should go home. I am sure Nick will understand."
"Catherine, it isn't a stomach bug," Sara said. "It's morning sickness, more like anytime sickness."
"What? You're pregnant?" Catherine asked in shock.
"Yes, and I am about a month along," Sara smirked. "Nick has copies of the first ultrasound photo."
"Congratulations!" Catherine said. "I shall tell Lindsey when I go home."
The two women left the bathroom only to be met with the four men. Greg quickly approached and embraced Sara nearly knocking her down.
"Greggo, that is the mother of my child!" Nick yelled. "Be careful!"
"Sara's tough," Greg said.
Grissom and Greg congratulated Sara. Grissom hugged her and told her that Lindsey will be grounded for a week or two for her New Year's Eve prediction. Sara told him not to so hard on Lindsey and she was flattered by it. Nick stopped Sara to steal a brief moment and he pulled her in a gentle embrace.
"I love you Sara," Nick said. "And I love you, Tadpole."
"Nicky, we love you, too," Sara said and they kissed.
"We will have celebrations later," Grissom said. "Now a 419 awaits us! Nick, bring that spare copy of Tadpole's photo for Brass. I am sure he will want it."
TBC