Disclaimer: It's not mine, damn it, so stop asking
A/N: Hey everyone, glad to see you're still with me after my period of absence! I'm apologizing for not updating Sunday. The thing is, I work Monday through Friday, 6:30 am to 16:30 pm, serving as a nanny to three children. Then on Saturday and Sunday I play my viola for the opera "Carmen" which is being performed locally in my hometown. And not to sound like I'm throwing myself a pity party (I'm just venting, honestly, lol), but I also have to take care of my family's pets since my Papa and sisters are away for a few weeks- my sisters on vacation, my Papa on business We have two large dogs (1 lab, 1 labradoodle), three cats, one rabbit, four guinea pigs, one hamster, one gerbil, and four hermit crabs. So, I will do my best to update every week, but it's extremely tiring for me. However, I promise this will not go un-continued or un-finished. Now onto the chappie!
A Marriage of Convenience?
Chapter Twelve
"Good morning," Greg's soft kisses around her ear woke her pleasantly in the early evening.
"You know, I'm getting a major feeling of déjà vu here," she laughed softly, turning her head to kiss him.
"Hey, no complaints 'bout that," he laughed with her.
"We need to pack you know," Sara said a moment later, curled up against him. "We leave in just a few days."
"Do we have to?" Greg whined, tightening his arms around her. "I think I'd rather just lie in bed with you."
"As much fun as that would be, you know we can't. We have to pack, figure out where Duke and Belladonna will stay while we're gone, check on our flight arrangements to check when we need to be at the airport by, and arrange a ride to the airport."
"Ugh, work!"
"Yeah, it stinks, but look on the bright side."
"Which is?"
"You get to spend all that time with your beautiful, loving, wife," Sara grinned, leaning over and kissing him.
"I don't know," Greg pretended to look torn in indecision. "What's my second option?"
"There isn't one," she stuck her tongue out at him as she wiggled out of his arms with a yawn. "Now come on, work calls. Maybe we can ask Warrick if he'd mind keeping Duke and Belladonna, since I'd really rather not have them stay at a kennel. And we could probably ask him for a ride to the airport too, or talk to Nick about how he's getting there and work something out."
"Ugh," Greg grimaced sleepily. "You're talking about other men in our bedroom. That's cruel and unusual punishment so early in the morning."
"It's evening."
"Same difference."
"If you say so kjære," Sara grinned as she twirled around into the bathroom.
"I hate it when she's right," Greg muttered, grabbing a pillow and throwing it over his face as he heard the shower start.
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"Hey Warrick, we've got a favor to ask," Greg said without preamble as he and Sara walked into the break room.
"If I can do it, sure, just name it," Warrick nodded.
"While we're gone for Thanksgiving, is there any way our dog and cat could stay with you?" Sara asked. "We really don't like the idea of putting them in a kennel, even though it'd only be three days."
"And they get along really well, and neither of 'em is messy or hyper," Greg added.
"Yeah, no problem, as long as they'll be fine for a few hours while I go to my Grams for Thanksgiving dinner," Warrick agreed.
"That'll be fine, I'm sure they'll just doze," Sara gave him a quick hug. "Thanks. We'll bring them over early Wednesday morning."
"Okay, I'll see them then. And I suppose we'll talk later so you can tell me what I'll have to do for them exactly?"
"Yeah, and we'll write up what you need to do also in case you forget, though it's not hard at all."
"Okay," Warrick nodded. He spoke up again after a slight pause. "Hey, do you guys need a ride to the airport or anything? Cause I already told Nick I'd give him a lift, and it'd be no problem to do the same for you two. Nick has to be there by eight in the morning."
"Actually yeah, that'd be really great," Greg nodded. "We'll bring the animals over Tuesday night then, and see you bright and early at six thirty I guess?"
"Sounds like a plan."
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"Thanks again for all your help Warrick," Sara said as he came around to help unload their luggage from his trunk.
"Hey, what are friends for?" He smiled. "Have a great trip."
"Thanks," Sara gave him a hug and an impulsive kiss on the cheek. "Have a great Thanksgiving."
"You too girl," he returned the hug, slightly surprised at the uncharacteristic display of affection. "Keep the youngin' in line."
"Hey, I resemble that!" Greg laughed. "And thanks again for keeping the animals."
"Thanks man," Nick gave Warrick a brotherly hug before grabbing his suitcase and following Greg and Sara inside.
All three shared a smile as they got into line. They were both flying on Delta, but of course Nick was headed to Texas, and Sara and Greg to California. Luckily for them, not too many people were there, so they got through the check-in process fairly quickly. Security was also another fairly quick process, though Greg was pulled aside for one of the random carry-on baggage checks and bodily pat-down. He tried to glare at Nick and Sara while he gathered his dignity, but ended up laughing with them.
"I bet she was hoping to get your phone number," Sara teased him about the mid-age, chubby, female security guard.
"Ha! I bet she only picks hot guys like me cause she's not getting any, and this is the only chance she has to get some action," Greg mutter, rubbing his backside which had sustained a pinch.
"Then why didn't she pick me?" Nick said with a grin.
"Well because you obviously don't have my animal magnetism," Greg replied haughtily, puffing his chest out.
"You wish," Sara punched him lightly in the stomach, causing him to 'deflate' with a whoosh.
"Hey guys, I'm down near gate 81," Nick pointed his thumb to the left hallway.
"Aw, we're down at 5," Greg looked at his ticket.
"Take care bro," Sara hugged him and kissed his cheek. "Have a good Thanksgiving."
"You too sis," he kissed her back as he returned the hug.
"See ya in a couple of days Nick," Greg shook his hand before they headed to their respective gates.
About two hours later, Greg and Sara were able to start boarding, and settled into their seats as comfortably as they could. Greg pulled out his CD player, and Sara pulled out the latest John Grisham novel to read. Not too long after, the plane took off, and before they knew it, they had arrived, grabbed their baggage, and hailed a taxi to the Sidle Inn.
"Now prepare yourself," Sara warned Greg, knocking on the door.
"For wha-" he started to say, but the door flying open cut him off.
"SARA!" a tiny, petite woman came bursting out onto the porch, enveloping Sara in a hug.
"Hello Aunt Linda," Sara managed to gasp out.
"Uh, hi," Greg waved his hand, effectively distracting the woman, and causing her to release Sara from the bone-breaking hug.
"Hi, you must be George!" Aunt Linda exclaimed.
"Greg, and yeah, that's me," he received a hug from her too, just as bone-crushing as Sara's was.
"That's what I said, Fred," she bubbled on, ushering them into the Inn. "Call me Aunt Linda, after all, we're family now!"
"Hey-hey, look who's here!" Bill stood up from his seat behind the welcome desk. "I'm Uncle Bill, nice to meet you Ted."
"It's Greg, and you too," Greg tried once again to correct his name, shaking the man's hand.
"Why so it is Ned," Bill waved his hand. "Now, you two just go on into the back porch since everyone's here. Linda and I will take care of your bags and everything. Dinner's at six, so don't be late!"
"We wouldn't dream of it Uncle Bill," Sara gave him a smile before taking Greg's hand and pulling him down the hall.
"Sorry, I tried to warn you," Sara apologized. "They really don't care too much about names or anything. Since we're never around, chances are that they'll never get it right."
"Okay, so from now on I should just answer to anything?" Greg laughed.
"Pretty much," she smiled, before leading him to the screened-in back porch where they found about a dozen people sitting.
"Sara!" A tall, thin man who looked a good deal like Sara stood up.
"Hey Chris," Sara smiled broadly, hugging him tightly and pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"Who's this?" Her brother asked, motioning to Greg.
"Everyone, this is my husband Greg Sanders," Sara introduced, smiling as her cousins and brother's face lit up in surprise. "Kjære, this is my brother Chris, and his wife Yvette. On the couch is my cousin Justin and his daughters Jane and Miranda. On the swing is my cousin Carly, her husband Tom, and their kids Renee, Matthew, and Jeremy. And over in the chairs are my cousin Megan, her husband Daniel, and their kids Brittany and Dylan."
"I'm surprised you remember," Carly said snidely. "Seeing as you haven't seen us for what…a few years now?"
"Mom, now that we've met Aunt Sara, can we please go down to the beach?" Renee interrupted, asking her mother.
"Yes, but no getting wet or so help me God you'll be grounded for a month," Carly warned as all the kids ran off.
"Well none of that matters now, does it Carly, since she's here now," Justin said pointedly.
"Humph. She could've made a point to do something other than send a cheap card every Christmas," Carly replied haughtily, tossing her head.
"Carly, don't start," her husband Tom gave her a pointed glare.
"Don't worry, I'm suddenly not feeling well, so I think I'll just go to our room now," she stood up and swept out of the room with one final condescending look at Sara.
"I think I'll go talk to her," Tom announced, standing up. With an apologetic smile, he left the room.
"We are glad to see you Sara," Megan said softly. Six month old Dylan gurgled happily and loudly from his spot on her lap, as if in agreement.
"And married, no less," Justin added as they took the now vacant swing. "I don't recall an invitation."
"That's because we didn't send one," Sara explained. "We had a very small, private ceremony. Just the two of us. Not long after we got engaged, we just decided that we didn't want to wait."
"Well congratulations," Yvette gave them a smile.
"Thanks."
"So what do you do Greg?" Chris asked, curious about the man his sister had married.
"I work at the LVPD crime lab with Sara," he answered proudly. "I'm also a CSI."
And with that question, the remaining tension that had been in the air evaporated. The men regrouped themselves, while the women did the same. Conversation flowed easily amongst the men, primarily around work and for the women, the children. Sara listened with mild interest as Megan vented about breastfeeding, the long nights, and teething horrors. Yvette was six months pregnant however, and avidly taking in everything that Megan rattled on about.
"How about your plans Sara?"
"I'm sorry, I missed what you just said," Sara smiled.
"I asked if you had plans with Greg about having a large family?" Yvette asked again.
"We both want to have several children, though I'm not sure how large exactly," Sara shrugged slightly. "We haven't talked too much about it."
"That's cool. Though from looking at Greg, it must be fun trying," Megan gave Sara a sly grin. "He's a cutie."
"Thanks, I think so too, but then again I did marry him."
"MOMMY!" A little girl's voice carried up to the adults. "Jeremy's trying to put a FISH in my HAIR!"
"Oh I better go help Brittany," Megan said exasperatedly. "Do me a favor and hold Dylan?"
Megan transferred the baby swiftly into Sara's lap and arms, and left the screen porch already scolding the children who were running around. Sara turned helplessly to look at Yvette, but at that moment Aunt Linda pulled her into the kitchen to help with something. Sara sat for a moment, not quite sure what to do. The last time she had been around a child this young was when one of her foster families was taking care of an eight month old AIDS baby for a few weeks. And because of his delicate condition, she hadn't been allowed to hold him, not that she had really cared. She was much more intrigued by the hamster her foster sister had in her room.
"Just move him so he can lean against you," Daniel called out with a smile. "Swing a bit too, and he should drift off to sleep before you know it."
Sara shot him a look of thanks as she gently lifted baby Dylan and adjusted him so his back was leaning against her chest, his chubby legs extended across her lap. One of her arms helped support him, her hand resting alongside of his legs, keeping him from falling. As she used a foot to swing herself slightly, it wasn't long before Dylan's head fell to rest against her chest. Her other hand, almost of it's own volition, rose to softly smooth his curly hair. Tired from the flight, short as it was, Sara fell asleep also, her head falling back to rest on the cushioned edge.
"You've got babies on the brain," Justin commented to Greg.
"Huh?" Greg shook his head, turning away from looking at Sara to look at Justin.
"He's right, you've definitely got babies on your mind," Chris laughed.
"Yeah, a little. We both want children, but in all the time I've known Sara, I've never had the opportunity to see her interact with a child, much less a baby."
"Well here," Daniel pulled out a digital camera and snapped a couple of pictures of Sara. "I can print these off for you later so you can have the memory."
"Thanks, I'd really appreciate that."
"And be sure to take some into work," Chris' eyes lit up. "I'm sure you know as well as I that she puts on a tough, independent woman act. It'll be a nice change for her co-workers to see her as something else other than that."
"Definitely," Greg agreed, his eyes still on his wife. "I mean, we've all seen very slight glimpses, but it was always just a flash, and then it was gone. Even in all the time I've known her, and now that we're married, she still likes to put on that front at times. I'm breaking her walls down though, and helping her shine through."
"Good, it was about time someone did," Chris grinned and clapped him on the back. "You passed."
"Passed what?"
"My un-official inspection to see if you're good enough for my sister," he laughed softly, so as not to wake Sara. "I think you'll be good for her."
"No better than she'll be for me," he smiled.
"HEY DADDY! COME LOOK AT WHAT I FOUND!" Justin's daughter Miranda yelled.
"Duty calls," Justin stood up, and Daniel stood with him.
"I think I'll go give Carly a hand in corralling the kids. Dinner should be starting soon."
"Sure," Chris nodded.
"Hey, I've got a confession to make," Greg started slowly, glancing to make sure Daniel and Justin were out of ear-shot, and that Sara was still asleep.
"If you've murdered someone, I don't want to hear it," Chris laughed, but quickly sobered. "Sorry, sure, go ahead."
"When I proposed to Sara, it was for the same reasons she agreed to marry me," Greg began. "I had trapped myself and told my mom I was going to be married by the end of the day she called. When she asked who the woman was, Sara's was the first name that popped into my head. Sara didn't feel as trapped in needing to find a spouse, but she agreed to marry me to solve both our dilemma's. We weren't in love; I'm not even going to pretend that we were. I will admit I liked her, as a friend, and as a woman. Over the course of the past two weeks though, we've had a storybook romance."
"Okay," Chris didn't look terribly surprised. "And you're telling me this why? I had already figured that you guys had a marriage of convenience. Sara would've mentioned something earlier if you had actually been dating, or getting serious."
"Well, I've fallen in love with her, and I know she feels the same. Someday I'd like to have a renewal of vows, and give her the wedding she deserves, and I'd like to ask your blessing on that," Greg answered, wringing his hands nervously.
"You have it," Chris said simply. "I respect you for telling me, though I did already. Just be sure to let me know when it's going to be so I can go."
"Sure, I think we can do that," Greg sighed, relieved, and held out his hand to shake Chris'.
"DINNER!" Aunt Linda's shrill voice reverberated through the house.
Greg moved to help the now-awake Sara stand, taking the baby from her and making gibberish noises at the also now-awake boy. She stretched her arms before walking over to her brother and pulling him out of his seat for another hug. He returned the hug, slightly confused.
"What was that for?"
"I just missed you is all," Sara gave a slight shrug and a smile as she pulled back. The truth was that she had heard her brother and Greg talking earlier, and felt her heart swell near to bursting with pride and love for the both of them.
"Oooookay," he replied slowly, but gave a small grin. Greg also smiled upon seeing Sara's characteristic smile on her brother's face. Chris turned and headed inside.
"Thank you for what you did," Sara moved to stand by Greg, her arm loosely around his waist.
"Hm?" He replied, still enthralled with the baby.
"For asking my brother his blessing to re-marry me," she laughed slightly, than changed the subject before he could respond. "Where'd you learn to be so good with kids?"
"Ever since I was twelve I've been baby-sitting for the kids in my neighborhood," he shrugged. "I guess I've always just had a fair hand with the little munchkins."
"Well I think you'll make an excellent dad someday," she told him as they moved inside and walked down the hallway to the dining room where they could hear everyone gathering.
"You will too," Greg leaned in and kissed her. "Make an excellent mom I mean."
"I hope so."
"You will, I can tell. You did great with Dylan here. And you can get lots of practice while we're here until we have our own kids," Greg looked over at her and grinned mischievously. "Speaking of having kids, I want to have a whole passel of 'em."
"You do, huh?" Sara returned his gaze.
"Yep, and I think we should practice everyday if we need to, until we get it right!" Greg laughed as her fist hit his arm lightly, so as not to disturb the baby.
"You're incorrigible," Sara pursed her lips in mock annoyance, but quickly switched to a smile as they entered the dining room.
The next day went by, and was generally enjoyable for them. Thanksgiving dinner was a noisy affair, between the children's squabbles and Aunt Linda's boisterous conversation with everyone, yelling down to those at the opposite end of the table. Greg settled in fine amongst everyone, but especially the kids. He had a blast entertaining them with silly stories, or made-up games. And every time Sara saw him interacting with them, she felt a little surge of hope that she might be pregnant. Of course they had only had sex once…er, twice. She had inducted Greg into the mile high club. But she knew the likelihood of her getting pregnant from one of those two times was small. However, she also knew once was all it would take. And besides, if she wasn't, like Greg said, they could practice everyday till they got it right.
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A/N: Okay, that's it. A little shorter than some, but I wanted to get something up since two weeks have passed since I last posted. Once again, I so incredibly sorry for that, and so incredibly thankful that you're sticking with me. I hope you enjoyed it. I liked creating a crazy family for Sara, lol. And it was fun to have them both interact with kids. Anyways, review if you like, it's always appreciated.