Chapter 8

Grams moved in the evening Warrick had to return to work. She informed Gemma that she was only there as temporary help and would leave the moment Gemma was tired of her being there. Gemma loved the woman, so she refused to tell her to go home. So it was, on Warrick's next night off, Grams came out to sit on the porch with him and Suzie while Gemma bathed Jessica.

"So, are you ever going to tell me about it?"

"About what?" Warrick turned his attention to his grandmother and immediately knew what and who she was talking about. "So, you know all about that?"

"Not all, just what the others know. You gonna tell me about it, Honey?" She made a fuss of adjusting the baby's blanket while he considered it.

"This man,…..he claims I'm his brother." Warrick sighed. He had lost the initial anger, now, he was just confused. "He's white."

"And you never considered that you might have white blood in you? Baby, you've got green eyes, and you're lighter than anyone else in this family."

"I thought there might be some white blood in me, but…..half?" Warrick frowned.

"Baby, does it matter to you? It's not like you're prejudiced, you have a white wife, a white daughter, a half white baby. Why does it matter what you are?"

"I've considered myself a black man for all these years. I can't fathom being a white man all of a sudden." Warrick admitted, he looked shocked as Grams burst out into laughter. "What?"

Cackling, Grams sputtered out her reply. "Honey, you ain't gonna suddenly change into a white man. No one will ever call you a white man!"

"Grams! That's not what I meant!" Warrick felt himself blushing, mentally admitting what it had sounded like. "I meant, I've thought like a black man, if this guy is right, and I'm half-white, how do I-"

"You think like Warrick. Not like a black man, not like a white man. You think, and feel like a good man, because that's what you are. You are a fine man, I'm proud of everything there is to you. You're not going to change just because you may have some genes you didn't know about." Grams reached over and pinched his cheek, an old habit she had done all of his life. There were times when he had hated the action, now, he found he didn't mind it so much.

"Do you think my mother had an affair with a married man? With an Englishman?" Warrick looked to his grandmother, hoping she would shed some light on all the questions that swirled in his head.

With a deep sigh, Grams nodded. "I knew the man was married. He went back to his wife. That's all I know."

"So, he could have been this white Englishman who went back to his wife in England, leaving Mom alone and pregnant?"

"Could be true." Grams shrugged, rising she took the baby from him. "Skeeters will be swarming this sweet-pea any moment. I'm taking her inside."

Warrick rose and followed her in. "So, you're saying that I should look into this? I should find out if this man is really my brother?"

"I'm just saying it could be true. It's up to you. If you're curious, find out the truth. That's what you do for a living. How hard would it be for you to find out if it's the truth?"

"Wouldn't take more than a blood test." Warrick shrugged, shutting the door behind him and leaning heavily against it as if the world was weighing him down.

"Are you curious?" She questioned, studying the boy she loved more than life itself. She didn't like the pain she saw in his beloved green eyes.

"Yeah."

"Then you decide if it's worth finding out." Grams told him hesitantly. "No one can decide this for you. No one can do this for you. It's all up to you."

Nick found his friend sitting in the locker room, holding his head in his hands as he leaned over, nearly in half. "Bro? What's the matter? Did you have a fight with Gemma?"

"Nah, we hardly ever fight." Warrick sat up to look at his friend. He looked tired, and worn out. "Besides, we can't have a fight yet, we couldn't have the make up sex."

Nick guffawed loudly at Warrick's quip. He now understood what Warrick meant. For the first time ever in his life, he was in a serious relationship. One that was worth fighting for. "You seriously don't fight? Luce and I fight constantly!"

"That's what you get for being with a redhead. I bet she wins every time too!" Warrick chuckled.

"Of course, she's a freaking Medium! She gets all the answers." Nick came and sat on the bench with him. "You seriously don't fight?"

"Ah, she still gets a little insecure every once in a while. Back when we met, the first night we were on the run? She was afraid of me. She thought I was going to rape her or something in the motel room. So….., I made a comment that she wasn't too my liking. That her chest was too small for her to be of interest. It was just to make her think I wasn't interested in her in that way-"

"She knows it's the other end that you go for, right?" Nick questioned, shocked at this new information.

"Well, most times I think she understands, but sometimes, she's insecure. She's pointed out that Lucy has a more voluptuous figure. Brings up that fact that I could have had a shot at her if I hadn't of 'settled for her'. It's just her insecurities. That guy, Tony, did a number on her self esteem. Had her convinced that no one would truly want her for her."

"Too bad he's already dead." Nick frowned.

"Yeah, I hear ya." Warrick agreed then changed the subject. "Seriously, it's not that big of a deal. I just make a little extra effort to show her that it's really her I want. No hardship on my part." Warrick gave Nick a grin that told it all.

"Is it from lack of….." Nick questioned

"Naw, it's all good." Warrick blushed. "Gemma keeps me happy in…other ways."

"Okay, let's not go there, bro." Nick didn't want to think about Gemma in that way. Sharing a few details with his pal was one thing, but he didn't want to start hearing details about the woman he considered his sister.

"I wouldn't tell ya." Warrick cackled. "But she could probably give Lucy a few pointers."

"Enough already, man!" Nick punched Warrick in the arm. "That's Grissom's daughter you're talking about." Although Nick had gotten Warrick to smile and laugh, the stress and fatigue still showed on Warrick's face. "So, what's eating you? Something with the girls? A case? Money problems? What?"

"I've been thinking. About that guy."

"Sean?" Nick understood now. "Now that the anger has dissipated, you're curious. Maybe a little guilty for being so rough on the guy?"

"Yeah." Warrick was often a man of few words. He had the peculiar ability to put so much information in one word that it could tell a story. This was one of those times. Nick nodded in understanding.

"So what are you going to do?"

"I guess I call the guy. Apologize and ask him if he minds if I do a blood test." Warrick sighed.

"He doesn't mind."

"Wha-?" Warrick's head whipped around so he could stare at Nick like he'd grown another head.

"Well, he didn't mind before. After Gil took you to the hospital to be with Gemma, I talked to the guy." Nick explained as he stood and opened his locker. Reaching into the back of his shelf, he pulled something out and offered it to Warrick. Warrick took it and examined the small canister. "He willingly gave me the blood after I warned him about how stubborn you are. I knew you'd need proof."

Warrick started at the canister that contained a swab of blood, swallowing roughly. With a soft chuckle he shook his head in disbelief. "You definitely know me. You could have just gotten a mouth swab."

"Blood lasts longer, I thought you might take your time getting curious. Greg can run the test for you. He's discrete about things like that. Mia's not too thrilled about sharing the lab with him, but Greg'll sweet talk her into accepting.

"We keep putting the rat back in the lab, huh?" Warrick chuckled, rising to his feet.

"Hey, you know you're here to work?" Gil was suddenly standing in the doorway, glaring at them. "You're late for assignments!"

"Yes, Dad!" Warrick called out playfully, he and Nick hurried after him. On the way, Warrick pocketed the canister already debating if he was ready to have the test run.