A New Addition
Pairing: Nick and Sara
Sara calls her parents to tell them the news. How will they react? Also, who is hosting a party for Nick, Sara and Tadpole?
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.
One More Phone Call and A Party
Sara woke up from a restful sleep. She looked at Nick's side of the bed and he wasn't there. Where is he, she thought. Then she felt the wave of nausea hitting her and she ran to the bathroom. Once she was done throwing up, she rinsed out her mouth, went back to bed and slept for a few more moments. She woke up to the smell of chocolate. Nick must have woken up before she did and is in the kitchen making breakfast.
"Sara, breakfast is ready!" Nick shouted from the kitchen. "Come on, you need to eat for Tadpole as well as yourself! The food is getting cold as we speak."
Sara went to the dining room and was surprised. There was a vase with fresh cut flowers in water. Next to the vase, there was two rattles, one in pink and the other one in blue. She almost cried at the sight of the centerpieces.
"Nick, why did you do this?" Sara asked.
"Can't an expectant father do something sweet for his pregnant wife?" Nick answered her question with another. "I just wanted to have my own celebration before we go to Catherine's for the big party."
"You are so cute!" Sara said as she approached Nick and they embraced. "I woke up to the smell of chocolate. Did you make the famous Stokes family chocolate chip pancakes?"
"Hey, Tadpole needs to be exposed to the breakfast specialty while she or he is growing in your womb," Nick smiled. "Besides, you need the comfort of the pancakes. Now, sit down and we'll eat."
Nick went back to the kitchen and came back with two plates. One had two regular sized chocolate chip pancakes garnished with shaved white chocolate and whipped cream. The other had the same thing, but there was a smaller extra pancake. He served Sara the one containing the extra pancake and gave himself the one without it.
"That small one is for Tadpole," Nick said. "I am going to bring some orange juice and some coffee."
At first, Sara couldn't understand the special treatment Nick had been giving her. She was expecting their child, but then again, Nick always gave her special treatment regardless of whether she's pregnant or not. Suddenly, she realized that he had done the same thing for his sisters and sister-in-law during their pregnancies when he was a teenager and his early to mid twenties. They all appreciated Nick's pampering. Sara had witnessed both her sister-in-law's pregnancies and that woman was a bitch to be around. Even something so innocent as a little pampering could set the wheels in motion. She had to rush her brother to the emergency room after getting pushed down a flight of stairs by that crazy woman because he wanted to give her a back massage. He suffered a broken arm and a concussion, but he stayed with Sara until it was safe to return to his wife.
"Sara, what are you thinking about?" Nick was asking between bites and sips.
"I was thinking about the pampering and the special treatment," she smiled.
"You deserve it anytime," Nick said innocently.
There was silence and they both cringed knowing that they had to tell her parents the news today. Sara was nervous about talking to them. Nick was more nervous for the potent fallout that could result. He made a solemn promise to hold her and to be there for her.
"Nicky, what's wrong?" Sara asked.
"I don't want you to be alone when you call your family," Nick said.
"Nick, I can handle them," Sara insisted. "They made me and raised me."
"This time, it's different," he said. "You are pregnant and I don't want those nutty people to cause you to lose our Tadpole."
"Nick that is the most absurd thing I have ever heard you say," Sara said. "I don't think my crazy family could do that to our sweet Tadpole."
"I know," he winked at her. "I am going to be with you when you make that call."
They finished their breakfast and Nick washed the dishes. Sara went to get the camera. She wanted to have a picture of the centerpiece before Nick took it away. She wanted to give her future kids the reminder of how sweet their father was to her. They wouldn't believe that their father first saw their mother while he was throwing dummies off a hotel rooftop.
"Nick, I am ready to call my family," Sara said as Nick looked on with deep concern.
"Put the phone on speaker mode," Nick said. "Just in case if they say anything offensively stupid. I will talk to them. Are you sure you can handle them?"
Sara gave him a look that made him get the message. She turned on the speaker phone and dialed the number. It took three rings on the other end for someone to answer it.
"Hello?" a woman's voice on the other end said.
"Mom, this is Sara," Sara said.
"Why are you calling?" Alexandra Sidle asked.
"I have some great news for you and dad," Sara said with enthusiasm. "I am going to have a baby in November. You are going to be a grandmother for the third time."
"Congratulations!" Alexandra said without enthusiasm. "So, who is the father?"
Nick felt like someone punched him really hard in the stomach. Her daughter is pregnant with his child and this is the response Alexandra gives to Sara. He wanted nothing more than to wring his mother-in-law's neck for that rude comment.
"My husband Nick Stokes is the father!" Sara cried. "Mom, how could even ask such a vulgar question? He was with me the whole time."
That damn bitch, Nick thought.
"Sara, I was joking about that question," Alexandra said. "I know Nick is the father."
At that point, Sara broke down and cried. Nick's heart shattered into smithereens seeing his wife, the mother of their unborn child, react to Alexandra's cruel joke. He held on to Sara and rubbed her back.
"Alexandra, I think you owe Sara an apology," Nick said sharply. "You also owe me one, too. I don't give a rat's ass if you meant it as a joke or not. You really hurt us. I don't care if you want to be a part of our child's life, but if you do, I highly suggest you learn some manners."
"Nick," Alexandra said in a pathetic tone.
"As far as I know this conversation is over," Nick said with deep venom in his voice. "Next time we talk, you better have an apology for us. Good-bye!"
Nick hung up the phone by turning off the speaker. He embraced a very upset Sara and making soothing noises. Inside he was livid over the conversation that just transpired. He wanted to talk to someone, like Warrick, Grissom or Catherine, about his heartless mother-in-law. However, that had to wait, comforting Sara was his priority.
"Sara, let's take a nap," Nick said. "It will make us feel better. You and Tadpole need some rest. I sure could use some after yelling at my mother-in-law. We still have time before going to Catherine's place for the party."
Sara could only nod and went with Nick to their bedroom. Nick set the alarm to wake them up in an hour and a half. Sara fell asleep once she was in bed and her head hit the pillow. Nick had some difficulty falling asleep. He was still enraged about the conversation. He quietly sobbed not wanting to wake up his wife. Feeling his internal anger released, he fell asleep.
The alarm went off and Nick pressed the snooze button. He saw Sara sleeping very peacefully and that another few minutes of sleep would do them both some good. Before he went back to sleep, he gently kissed her on the cheek.
The alarm went off again a few minutes later and Sara woke up and leaned over Nick to turn it off. He woke up a few seconds later and smiled at her. They stayed in bed for a few moments.
"How are you feeling?" Nick asked with concern.
"I am a little better," Sara said. "What about you?"
"I feel a lot calmer," Nick said with a small grin. "I am more worried about you and Tadpole."
"We are both fine," Sara said with a soft smile. "We have to get ready for the party and work."
They both got up from bed and showered. They dressed up in business casual clothing. Sara brushed her hair and pulled it into a ponytail. Nick went very light with the aftershave since Sara's sense of smell was very sensitive at this time. Sara put on very little makeup so she would look less exhausted.
"I am debating whether to talk to one of our colleagues about the conversation," Nick said.
"Why?" Sara asked.
"I just need to talk to someone outside the family about your mother's malicious joke," Nick said. "She really upset us big time."
"I think we should wait until after the party," Sara said. "We should go there and have a great time. It's Tadpole's celebration and we should be happy!"
"Damn, sometimes you are right," Nick said. "I think that party is what we really need. You know, being with the people who really care about us."
"What about your family?" Sara asked.
"My family cares a lot about us," Nick said. "I am talking about our friends and colleagues."
They both looked at the clock and saw they had to be at Catherine's in about an hour. Since there was lunch served, they didn't have to worry about eating before the party. They weren't really hungry since they both had some chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.
Once they were in the Tahoe, they were on their way to Catherine's place. Instead of listening to the radio, Nick played one of Sara's favorite CDs. They were both singing along to the songs. It was something that listening to a CD filled with cool songs that made Nick and Sara temporarily forget about the phone call they had with Sara's mother. In fact, they wanted to really forget about what transpired.
Meanwhile at Catherine Willow's house
About half an hour later, Lindsey was looking out the window. Warrick was behind her and doing the same thing. Brass, Grissom and Catherine were sitting in the living room waiting for the two guests of honor to arrive. Greg was in the kitchen keeping an eye on the food that was warming on the stove or in the oven. He wondered if that was CSI Level 1 hazing on part of the CSI Level threes.
"Nick and Sara are coming!" Lindsey shouted when she saw them coming.
"Catherine, do you have that book for them?" Brass asked.
"Whoa, it's in that pink and blue gift bag with the matching curled ribbons," Catherine said. "We will give it to them before dessert. Have patience, everyone!"
Lindsey ran to open the door to let the Stokes in. She gave Nick a hearty embrace while Sara got a gentler one. As Nick and Sara entered the house, they were both greeted and congratulated by their colleagues. Greg went flying from the kitchen to spread his joy for the expectant couple. Warrick took over for Greg in the kitchen. Sara saw a cream colored banner with alternating pink and blue letters saying 'Congratulations Nick, Sara and Tadpole!'. She almost broke down at the sight of the sign. Nick just admired the special touch Catherine or Lindsey made for the party.
"What do you think of the banner?" Grissom asked Sara.
"It's really cute," Sara replied. "That was a very special touch adding Tadpole to the sign!"
"We aren't only celebration you and Nick," Grissom said. "Tadpole is part of the family now. I know that she or he is an embryo-"
"Grissom, you are always the scientist," Sara said while he chuckled. "I am sure Tadpole will appreciate this."
"Grissom, Sara, it's time to eat," Nick said. "Warrick, Catherine and Lindsey just set the table. There's enough for everyone and Tadpole."
As soon as everyone was seated, lunch was served. There was a baby green salad with balsamic vinaigrette as a starter. The main course was baked ziti with fresh mozzarella and wild mushrooms. It was accompanied with glazed carrot with shredded basil. There were conversations, jokes and laughter between bites of food and sips of juice or water. There was no alcohol because Sara's pregnant and shift was about to begin in a few hours. When the salad and entrées were finished, Greg, Warrick, Lindsey, Nick and Sara helped Catherine bring the dishes, glasses and utensils to the sink. Catherine sent Lindsey with some small dessert plates and forks. Warrick, Greg, Nick and Sara brought to the table cups and small spoons. A moment later, Catherine came and placed a quarter sheet cake on the center of the table. It was chocolate with vanilla butter cream filling and topping. The cake was decorated and it said 'Congratulations Nick and Sara' in pink and blue. Before the cake and hot beverage would be served, Catherine went to get something.
"Catherine, you shouldn't have gotten this book for us," Sara said looking at the book called 'What to Expect When You're Expecting'.
"We all chipped in for the book," Catherine smiled. "I am sure it will help you through this pregnancy."
"Don't forget that I have five sisters and a sister-in-law," Nick said. "They are there for you when you need them."
"You also have me," Catherine said. "Still, read that book."
Sara rummaged through the bag and found a small envelop and took it out. She opened it took out what appeared to be gift certificates from a salon or day spa.
"That is for a series of prenatal massage," Lindsey said. "I know that Nick will pamper you, but this is to give him a break once a month."
"Guys, you shouldn't have," Sara said nearly breaking down. "We thank you for the gifts and the party."
"You're welcome," the group said.
Catherine served everyone and herself a piece of the cake. Grissom poured coffee or water for tea. The group ate their cake and drank their beverage. There were more conversations, but it was mostly jokes and other musings. When it came time for everyone, except Catherine, Lindsey and Grissom, to leave they helped clear out the table. Nick and Sara were the last guests to leave. They both had a great time and Nick temporarily forgot his sadistic mother-in-law. However, that subject of conversation will eventually come up.
TBC