A New Addition
Pairing: Nick and Sara
The Stokes family celebrates Thanksgiving in Vegas with Nick and Sara's colleagues.
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.
Abigail's First Thanksgiving
"Abigail Melanie is so cute," Kathleen said looking at her newest niece. "Nick, she looks like both you and Sara."
"Do you really think so?" Nick asked with a boyish smile.
"Yes, I do," she nodded.
"Hey Princess Abby, this is your Aunt Kathleen," Nick softly cooed. "She is my oldest sister."
"Nick, mom introduced us while Sara was holding her," Kathleen chuckled. "She is one of the sweetest babies I have ever met besides when my children were at that age."
He smiled at his sister, asked her to watch Abigail until Sara returned from the ladies' room, politely excused himself and went to speak with Warrick.
"Nick, how did your mom manage to book a banquet hall for at the Bellagio for Thanksgiving?" Warrick inquired. "She flies her oldest grandchild from Boston, her husband and the rest of the Stokes clan from Texas."
"I don't know," Nick shrugged his shoulders. "I guess that she wanted the family to meet Abigail and come together as a family. Since we are spending Thanksgiving in Vegas, she wanted you guys to join us for the festivities."
"What is your oldest niece doing in Boston?" Warrick asked.
"Sierra graduated from the University of Texas at Austin back in May," Nick said. "She is working towards her masters' degree at Sara's Alma Mater and she recently enrolled in the Boston Police Academy."
"She is a Harvard girl now," Warrick observed. "Like Aunt, like niece!"
There was silence when Warrick observed Greg talking to one of Nick's older nieces.
"What do you see, Warrick?" Nick asked.
"It looks like Greggo is flirting with one of your nieces," Warrick said.
"He's so going down if he lays a hand on her," Nick hissed and walked towards his niece and Greg.
"I am a junior at Texas Tech," Zoë McMullen, Nick's niece said to Greg. "I am majoring in sociology and a French minor. How do you know my Uncle Nick and Aunt Sara?"
"I work with them at the Las Vegas Crime Lab," Greg smiled. "They are excellent CSIs and great mentors. Your Uncle Nick can be a wiseass at times, but he's a nice guy."
"Well, this wiseass is going to kick your scrawny ass if you touch my niece!" an overprotective Nick said making Greg jump.
"Uncle Nick, we were just talking," Zoë almost stammered. "He seems harmless!"
"I don't think you should flirt with this punk," Nick said.
"Nick, I wasn't messing with her," Greg defended himself. "I just told her hello and we introduced ourselves and had an interesting conversation."
"Greggo, just don't mess with her," Nick said. "I hope it's only conversation and no dates."
"Don't worry, Uncle Nicky," Zoë said. "I'll let Greg know if he's getting fresh with me."
Nick wanted to say something else, but he saw Sara approaching the spot where Kathleen was watching Abigail. He immediately walked over to meet with his sister and daughter. Sara was already there and picked up the infant from the carriage. Nick immediately joined her and took the carriage with him.
"Was she a very good baby?" Nick asked Kathleen.
"She didn't complain much," she replied. "Your little girl is a sweet baby."
"I think it's time for everyone to get seated," Nick told Sara. "We are sitting with Warrick, Mia, Tom and his family. I am not sure where our other colleagues are sitting. Just as long as Greggo doesn't sit with Kathleen's family, I don't mind the seating arrangement."
"Is there something that I should know about?" Sara asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Warrick brought to my attention Greg was flirting with Zoë," Nick sighed. "I was upset and tried to confront him about it. My niece told me that they were just talking and nothing more. I have a feeling that he wants more than conversation with her."
"Nick, they are both adults," Sara said. "Greg's 30 years old and Zoë's about 20. However, I do see your point and I hope she can resist his advances."
"I don't think I can handle that lab rat turned CSI as my nephew-in-law," Nick mumbled as they found their table.
"Poor Kathleen and Peter might have to deal with a spiky haired dude for a son-in-law," Sara shook her head as she put Abigail in a highchair. "I doubt that it will happen."
"Sara, why are we discussing Greggo?" Nick asked. "This is our daughter's first Thanksgiving. I know she is only a baby, but I want to be memorable for her family. When she is old enough to ask about her first Thanksgiving and have one of us tell her that we did nothing but whine about Greg Sanders."
"I get the point, Nicky," Sara capitulated.
As soon as everyone found their assigned tables and took their seats, the wait staff served mesclun salad with raspberry vinaigrette and garlic parmesan croutons.
"That baby is so adorable," the waitress assigned to Nick and Sara's table said looking at Abigail after she served the salad. "How old is she?"
"She's almost a month old now," Sara said.
"She is lucky to have beautiful parents," the waitress smiled.
"Thank you," Nick smirked before he took a bite of his salad.
The waitress left her charges alone to eat their salad and drink their beverages in peace.
"Nick, Sara, how has parenthood been treating you?" Tom asked.
"We haven't been getting much sleep," Nick said. "Sara and I are also adjusting to life as parents, but we love our daughter anyway. She is worth it!"
"And with mom staying with you for awhile," Tom said. "It'll get easier."
"Yeah, she has been a lot of help," Sara smiled. "We have been getting great advice and Princess Abby knows her grandma a little bit."
Suddenly Warrick almost dropped his fork on his salad plate.
"What did I tell you and Nick about giving my goddaughter more nicknames?" Warrick asked.
"It was Nick's idea," Sara was on the defensive.
"Hey, it just happened," Nick smirked.
"Warrick, stop harassing my baby brother," Tom said. "I think what he is doing is kind of cute."
"Tom, you don't know what Nick and Sara called your niece while Sara was pregnant with her," Warrick said while giving Nick a glare.
"Do tell us!" Tom kindly demanded.
"When Sara found out she was pregnant," Warrick said.
"Warrick, I think I can tell the story," Sara interrupted. "After I learned I was pregnant, I had the first ultrasound done and the picture showed her as a tiny embryo. She looked like a tadpole, so Nick and I called her Tadpole. When she looked more like a tiny human baby than a tadpole, we called her Mini-Baby. Once we found out we were having a girl, we called her Little Princess until we settled with Abigail Melanie."
"Sara, there is nothing wrong with giving your unborn child nicknames," Tom chuckled. "Audrey and I gave our kids nicknames when she was pregnant with them."
Eliana, Trey and Louise Stokes just rolled their eyes in embarrassment. It was likely the first time that the three teenagers heard their father say something like that. They loved their newest cousin, but they didn't want to experience the embarrassment that Abigail and any future sibling that Nick and Sara will give her may experience years down the road.
The servers came to serve the next course which was a cup of butternut squash soup. It was garnished with a tiny dollop of sour cream and some herbs. Sara thought about giving Abigail a tiny spoonful of her soup, but realized that she wasn't ready to eat solid food. She would have to wait a year to give Abigail a taste of the soup. Anyway, Abigail was asleep.
"Sara, this is the best butternut squash soup I have ever eaten," Nick said. "Tom, don't look at me like that. I am sure mom made the best, but she hasn't made it in years. The last time was when I was a sophomore in college."
"No, you were still in high school when she last made it," Tom replied. "I believe you were in your senior year."
"It doesn't matter when she stopped making it," Nick said. "What matters is that she hasn't made it in years."
"Uncle Nick, stop arguing with my dad!" Eliana said. "There is a baby sitting with us and I don't want her to witness her father and his brother discussing the butternut squash soup her grandma made. This is Thanksgiving, for Pete's sake, just enjoy it in peace."
Nick and Tom just looked at each other and chuckled. Everyone at their table was already finished with their soup course and waited to have the soup cups and spoons taken away. They all sat in silence until Abigail's cries broke the silence. Sara gingerly lifted her from the highchair, got up from her seat and took Abigail with her to the ladies' room.
"Sara, where are you going?" Nick asked with a concern filled in his voice.
"I am going to take Abigail to the ladies' room," Sara said. "I am not sure if she's hungry or needs her diaper changed."
"You forgot the diaper bag," Nick smirked. "It also has the blanket that you use to give her privacy while you nurse her."
"Thank you, Nicky," Sara blushed and kissed him. "I'll be right back!"
"I'll tell the waitress to warm up your food if you aren't back soon," Nick said.
Sara returned to the table fifteen minutes later holding a content Abigail in her arms and the diaper bag on her shoulder. She gently put the infant back into her highchair, put the diaper bag on the chair and sat herself down.
"How is she doing?" Nick asked.
"She only needed to be changed," Sara said. "Did the main course arrive yet?"
"No, it hasn't yet," Nick smiled. "Abigail is pretty lucky she didn't interrupt the main course."
"She probably doesn't want her mom to starve and eat later than her daddy, the rest of the family and our friends," Sara giggled.
As if on cue, the servers brought out the main course. It was sliced turkey breast with Portobello mushroom gravy, cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, vegetable medley and a small ramekin of cranberry walnut chutney. Sara's main course was like the rest, but she had a vegetable and bean ragout instead of the turkey with gravy. Nick looked at Sara's plate with curiosity.
"Yes, Nick, even vegetarians can enjoy Thanksgiving," Sara gently reminded him before he could ask her about the special entrée.
"I know they can," Nick chuckled. "I was just admiring what the chef had made especially for you. It looks delicious. Can I try just a little bit?"
"Let me taste it first," Sara politely insisted. "Then I will give you a sample."
"Fine with me!" he said.
She took a bite of her ragout and smiled at Nick indicating that it was delicious. She gave him a small amount of the entrée. He immediately ate it before he continued to eat his turkey. He winked at her and softly moaned in delight. They ate their dinner with conversations with the family and friends at their table. It wasn't until Catherine approached their table.
"Hey guys, are you having fun?" Catherine asked Nick, Sara, Warrick and Mia.
"It's a great Thanksgiving," Nick smirked. "This has been my mom's idea. She booked the Bellagio for the occasion. She bought Sierra a ticket to fly from Boston to Vegas and the rest of the family from Dallas. My siblings and their families are staying in various hotels at the Strip. My dad is staying with my mom at our guestroom."
"Is your mom still staying with you and Sara to help you adjust to parenthood?" Catherine asked.
"She has taken a leave of absence from her job until after the new year," Nick replied. "She's been a tremendous help and the adjustment to parenthood is easier than Sara and I thought."
"Hey Catherine, can you get Nick and Sara to stop giving their baby nicknames?" Warrick asked with a chuckle.
"Aw, the poor little Munchkin will have an identity crisis when she's older," Catherine said looking at Abigail.
"Now, you are doing the nickname thing!" Warrick rolled his eyes.
"Warrick, stop it," Mia gave him a light swat in the arm causing him to wince. "I think it's cute and Abigail Melanie is one adorable baby."
Catherine gently lifted Abigail from her highchair and cradled her in her arms.
"Hey Munchkin, how do you like your first Thanksgiving?" Catherine asked with a voice reserved for talking to babies and furry pets while Abigail was gurgling and smiling.
Nick and Sara laughed at the interaction between their daughter and their colleague.
"It looks like she still has it!" Nick whispered into Sara's ear.
"Maybe she and Grissom will have a child or two together," Sara whispered back.
They both were laughing so hard and it got the attention of everyone else at their table.
"Uncle Nicky, Aunt Sara, what is so funny?" Trey asked.
"We'll tell you later," Nick said after he gave himself a moment to compose himself.
After spending a few moments holding Abigail, Catherine put her back into the highchair. She returned to her seat to allow the people at Sara and Nick's table to finish their main course.
"Damn, the two of you are such horrible influences on our colleagues!" Warrick hissed at Nick and Sara. "If Grissom starts giving Abigail nicknames, I will have you both committed."
"Let it go, Warrick," Audrey said. "Leave your goddaughter's parents alone with this issue. As my kids would say 'it's getting stale'."
Warrick rolled his eyes again and continued to eat his turkey. On a few occasions, he shot Nick a glare and Nick shot him back a look saying 'would you just relax, dude'. The two men have been best friends since Nick moved to Vegas, they are practically brothers. True, they do and say things that get on each others nerves, but they wouldn't have it any other way. However, Warrick is Abigail Stokes' godfather and the nicknames her parents gave her have annoyed him. He would have to learn to deal with it or cave in and come up with a nickname for her.
The dirty plates and silverware was cleared off the tables. The servers came around the tables to take everyone coffee and tea order. There was even a special coffee drink that Cynthia requested that the staff add to the repertoire that contained a dash of pumpkin spice for the occasion. The servers disappeared to the kitchen to assemble the hot drinks and the dessert.
"I hope we are getting pumpkin pie," Nick said with childish enthusiasm.
"Nick, I have never seen you act like this since you were seven," Tom chuckled. "In case you've already forgotten, this is Thanksgiving. We either have pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie as the main dessert option. In past Thanksgivings we also had chocolate cake, fruit tart, cookies, petit fours and biscotti. I remember the Thanksgiving after you became a CSI, you brought a tiramisu to Stokes Manor."
"Hey, you have to admit that it was a conversation starter for the relatives who preferred tradition over flexibility," Nick smirked. "I remember overhearing a conversation between Aunt Barbara and Aunt Elizabeth about who was the punk kid that brought the tiramisu."
"Aunt Elizabeth was upset at you for bringing it," Tom said. "However, Aunt Barbara just wanted to thank you for giving the dessert spread a much needed new dimension."
Before the conversation could get any further or involve anyone else at the table, their waitress arrived with the dessert. Just as Nick was anticipating, it was pumpkin pie. It was topped with homemade whipped cream, a little bit of pumpkin spice and a sprig of mint. As soon as everyone at the table was served their slice of the traditional pie, they started eating it. There were smiles all around indicating that it was excellent, not like mom's, grandma's or aunt's, but it came really close. The waitress came by to serve their drinks. The banquet hall was filled with conversations, laughter and the occasional cries from Abigail Stokes or Brianna Grimaldi.
An hour later, it was time for everyone to go their separate ways. They hugged and kissed each other or shook hands and wishes for a happy Thanksgiving. Nick and Sara's colleagues were going to their homes. Nick's siblings and their families were going to their hotel rooms. Thomas and Cynthia went home with Nick, Sara and Abigail.
TBC