A New Addition

Pairing: Nick and Sara

Nick receives a special surprise that will stay with him and Sara for a while. Who or what is it?

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.

A Special Arrival

Nick got out of the shower wearing a towel around his waist and his hair was still wet. He saw Sara in bed still asleep and he didn't want to wake her yet. He dried himself, got dressed and put on some aftershave. He left the room to fix some breakfast.

Sara stirred and slowly woke up. She carefully turned around to see that Nick wasn't in bed. She panicked slighly and realized that he was in the kitchen whipping up some food. She struggled to get her eight and a half month pregnant body out of bed without assistance. A few moments later, she finally got off the bed. She waddled to the bathroom for a shower. It took her longer than usual with a very pregnant belly, but she managed. When she finish, she wrapped her hair in a hair towel, dried herself and got dressed. There was a familiar fragrance of chocolate and vanilla that hit her and her mouth started to water.

"Sara, breakfast is ready!" Nick shouted. "I have it on the table!"

Sara immediately left the room and followed the aroma to the dining room.

"Hey Sleeping Beauty finally woke up," Nick observed.

"Nicky, I look like hippo," Sara whined.

"Sara, you are beautiful," Nick insisted. "It doesn't matter if you are pregnant or not, you are always gorgeous."

"Yesterday, we were at that restaurant," Sara said nearly crying. "There was a little boy who looked at me and called me fatso."

"That kid didn't understand the difference between being fat and being pregnant," Nick said bluntly. "What really scared me was I thought his mother would beat the shit out of him. My nerves were calm when she gently pulled him aside and told him you were having a baby. Sara, you shouldn't let one kid's comment get you down. He didn't know any better."

"It still hurt slightly," Sara said as she slowly sat on the chair.

"I know, Sara, I know," Nick said with a reassuring tone. "Why don't you have some of the chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream? You'll feel better afterwards and Abigail will have another chance to enjoy the Stokes family breakfast specialty."

"Don't you have to go to work tonight?" Sara asked.

"Grissom gave me the night off so I can be with you!" Nick smiled.

"I am happy you're with me," Sara winked.

After the conversation filled breakfast was finished, Nick did the dishes. Sara wanted to help, but he politely banished her to the living room. She watched something on BBC America before changing to the Cartoon Network. Nick sat down next to Sara and put one arm around her waist and put his hand on her belly. He kissed her in the forehead and she kissed his neck. They were about to kiss each other passionately, when they heard the doorbell.

"Who could that be?" Sara asked.

"I'll find out," Nick said.

"I'll go," Sara said.

"Sara, just stay there," Nick said. "I'll get the door."

He walked over to the front door and opened it.

"Warrick, what are you doing here?" Nick asked. "I just hope you aren't going to make me come to the lab on my night off. I have plans with Sara tonight."

"I just came from McCarran Airport," Warrick said. "I had to do a pick up."

Nick looked at his friend as if he was a Martian.

"Why are you here after you made your pick up at McCarran?" Nick asked.

Then a familiar woman in her early 70s appeared. She looked slightly tired, but smiled.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Nick asked. "When did you get to Vegas? Why didn't you tell us you were coming?"

"Nick, you've bombarded your poor tired mother with so many questions," Cynthia said. "I've come here to be with my son and daughter-in-law. I am going to keep Sara company while you are at work. I want to be there when Abigail Melanie is born. After she is born, I am going help the two of you adjust to life as parents. I arrived at McCarran two hours ago and this young man was nice enough to give me a ride to your place. The reason I didn't tell you and Sara I was coming was that I wanted to surprise you."

"Now that makes sense," Nick said. "Wait, I thought you and dad went to Italy for your 50th anniversary. I thought you used up your vacation time with that trip."

"Nick, I am taking a leave of absence from work," Cynthia said. "I will be here for about two and half months. Where is Sara?"

"She's sitting in the living room," Nick said.

"Warrick, do you want to come inside?" Cynthia asked.

"No, thank you for inviting me," Warrick said. "I have to get ready for work tonight. Nick, I'll see you tomorrow night."

"Thank you for the ride," Cynthia said and shook Warrick's hand. "Warrick, I think I left my suitcase and bag in your car. I'll get them."

"No, I'll bring them here, Mrs. Stokes," Warrick said.

"Please call me Cynthia," she said.

"I'll be right back, Cynthia," Warrick said.

After Warrick brought in Cynthia's luggage and went over to see Sara who finally got up to use the bathroom. The two talked very briefly before he left to go home. Sara slowly sat back down on the couch. Nick and Cynthia were standing before they sat next to Sara or on the sofa.

"November 8 is just around the corner," Sara said with her hand on her belly. "I can't wait to finally meet this little girl."

"I am looking forward to meeting our daughter, too," Nick said.

"Kids, just because Abigail Melanie is due to arrive on November 8," Cynthia said. "Doesn't mean that she'll be born on that exact day, she could arrive early or late."

"That's what Dr. Blake told us during our weekly visit," Sara said. "I just hope that she's not a late baby."

"Sara, don't think that way," Nick said. "I wouldn't be surprised if she wants to meet the world a week earlier."

Cynthia chuckled at the conversation between her son and daughter-in-law about her new granddaughter's pending arrival. She was daydreaming for a while until a hand nudged her.

"Mom, do you want to see Abigail's room," Nick asked. "Then I'll show you to your room."

Nick and Cynthia went to the room Abigail would occupy after she's born. Sara managed to get up from the couch and go with them. They stood in the room for a while in silence taking in the appearance.

"Nick, Sara, this room is so beautiful," Cynthia said. "Did you do this or hire a profession to paint it?"

"Actually, while Sara and I were in Dallas celebrating your anniversary," Nick said. "Our colleagues decided to decorate the room. Catherine gave us her daughter's baby furniture."

"The butterfly mobile was a baby shower present from Grissom," Sara said.

"She is going to be happy in here," Cynthia said. "I love the light purple with the flowers and butterflies."

"Thank you," Nick and Sara said.

Nick and Sara took Cynthia to the other bedroom. It was a simple looking room with a queen size bed with light blue floral print bed sheets and a pastel blue comforter. There was a mahogany dresser with a pair of matching night tables. On each table there was a lamp with blue shades on top. Nick left the room to bring his mom's luggage to her room. Cynthia sat on the bed and smiled at Sara.

"This bed is very comfortable," Cynthia smiled. "I think I am going like staying in this place."

"I am glad you like it," Sara said.

After Nick placed Cynthia's luggage on top of the bed, the three of them went back to the living room. Sara sat down on the couch again. Cynthia tiredly looked at her son. They looked at each other wanting to say something, but they didn't have a clue about what to say.

"Can I make reservations for three at our favorite Japanese restaurant?" Nick asked.

"Nick, I am a little tired from the trip?" Cynthia said. "I am sure we could go there for lunch tomorrow. How about you cook us something?"

"Just as long as it's not pasta with marinara sauce and chocolate chips," Nick chuckled as Sara gave him a dirty look.

"What the hell did you just say?" Cynthia asked.

"I said pasta with marinara sauce and chocolate chips," Nick said shaking his head. "It's Sara's latest pregnancy craving. In the past it was ice cream with olives and/or tomatoes. She has also put chocolate sauce on pizza."

"Nick, when I was pregnant with you," Cynthia said. "I was craving sardines with butter pecan ice cream."

He winced in disgust.

"Mom, spare me the details on what you craved when you were pregnant with my siblings," Nick said.

"Nick, it'll be over in less than a month," Cynthia tried to reason with him.

"I know," Nick said calmly.

"I am in the mood for baked ziti," Sara finally said.

"Only if you promise not to put chocolate chips on it," Nick smirked.

"I don't do that with baked ziti," Sara protested. "It's only plain pasta with marinara that I put the chocolate chip on."

"Kids, enough arguing," Cynthia said. "Nick start making dinner while Sara and I talk about pregnancy issues."

Nick started cooking the pasta and making the salad. Sara revealed to her mother-in-law her fears about childbirth while Cynthia tried to calm her down. A while later, the smell of baked ziti permeated the entire apartment. When dinner was ready, they were at the table eating, drinking mineral water, talking, joking and laughing. Sara was good in that she ate her entrée without anything to make Nick grimace in disgust. For dessert, they had a slice of cake Nick bought from the bakery Brass recommended they try and peppermint tea. Once they were finished, Nick and Cynthia cleared off the table and did the dishes. Sara went to bed, watched some TV and fell asleep. Sometime later, Nick joined her, put his arm around her very pregnant tummy and slowly let sleep claim him.

TBC