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Chapter 19 'Tis a Gift
Sara was woken on Thursday morning by the slow but consistent stirring of her senses. Sweet aromas of blueberry muffins and strawberry filled French toast wafted down the hall while tiny bursts of giggles reached her ears and gently roused her heart. Just as she was sitting up in bed and lazily running her fingers through her sleep-tousled curls, the door cracked open and baby brown curls popped in through the crevice as Hannah attempted to listen for movement.
"Bet you can't find me," Sara whispered, trying not to laugh as she buried herself back under the covers.
"Sara, where are you?" Hannah was playing along, pretending to look for Sara in the hamper and the closet before pouncing on the bed and pulling back the soft covers. As she did, Sara pulled the little girl into the mess of blankets and began to tickle her, resulting in a whole lot of giggling from both sides. When Grissom came in bearing a breakfast tray, he found the two ladies laughing from under a pile of blankets that had somehow reached the plushy carpeted floor.
"I can't bring breakfast in bed if you're not in bed," he said, his eyes twinkling as he set the food on a nearby dresser. Helping Sara to her feel, he swept both she and Hannah back into bed before pulling the covers over them.
"Hmm," Sara said with a playful smile, "a girl could get used to this. It smells delicious," she said as Grissom handed her the tray and sat down across from her on the bed.
"The turkey smells even better," Hannah said slyly.
"Turkey already? What time is it?"
"11," Hannah said proudly, after glancing at the clock.
"I didn't mean to sleep that long," Sara said in a panic ridden voice. "I need to get up," she said, pushing Grissom out of the way and making her way out from under the covers.
"Sara, everything is fine. We've got time."
"Easy for you to say," she said, her eyes fixed and her voice sarcastic. "No one ever blames the man if Thanksgiving dinner turns chaotic—"
"What about when the man is the one cooking?"
"That really doesn't matter," she said dismissively, rummaging through her closet until she came across a long, flowing black woolen skirt and a delicate burnt colored silk sweater. Grissom sat back against the headboard and observed the scene side-by-side with Hannah. They attempted not to laugh as Sara ran around the room, picking out pieces of jewelry and hunting through the closets for a specific pair of shoes.
"Aunt Catie and the boys aren't coming until tonight," Hannah told Gil, her voice hushed. "How come Sara's worried?"
"Because she's a girl," he answered back, his voice maintaining a similar whisper as he watched Sara panic. "Should we tell her they're coming early?" Hannah shook her head, her eyes following Sara as she reached for a strawberry from the breakfast plate. A few hours later, the chaotic atmosphere of the Grissom household had quadrupled and Sara had become more antsy with each new guest arrival.
Her friends were stunned to see her dressed up for the evening but also enjoying the sight of a happy Sara. Hannah trailed Sara as closely as possible, having decided early in the afternoon that she was going to be in one of her more reclusive moods. She was dressed in a black satin party dress, a burnt orange shawl trailing behind her as she followed Sara from room to room.
"That's the girl I wanted to see," Brass said with a friendly smile as Hannah appeared in the room closely behind her pseudo mother. She wrapped her arms around Sara's legs, clinging tightly as Brass attempted to pick her up.
"She's being shy today," Sara said, excusing Hannah's behavior.
"That's alright," Brass said, stepping back a bit as he began to understand the situation. "I'm just happy to see two such beautiful ladies. It almost makes me forget about the turkey."
"Speaking of turkey," Greg said excitedly, popping up behind Brass, "is it time to eat yet?"
"Greg," Lily admonished shyly, blushing at his forwardness.
"It's alright," Sara told her quietly. "Dinner is ready. And we expect such poor manners out of Greg."
"Alright, everyone in the dinning room," Catherine bellowed over the dull roar. Sara hadn't realized how noisy it was going to be that evening. With the football game in the background, Warrick and Nick cheering in front of it, Greg playing some mindless video game with Lindsay on the other side of the room, and everyone else holding various conversations, the house practically vibrated from the din. As they gathered around the table, Sara noticed for the first time that it was not exactly as she had first set it.
The china that Grissom had surprised her with a few days prior was glistening on the smooth navy table cloth while flowers floated in a candle lit centerpiece. The napkins and crystal goblets were exactly as Sara had placed them. On top of each plate, though, was a sight that brought tears to her eyes. Hannah's project, which had been kept such a secret from Sara, had been to create beautiful little place cards. In the center of each, in a neat but childish writing was a familiar name. Her own glittery card, instead of saying Sara, boasted a beautifully scrawled Mom. She wiped at the salty tears with trembling fingers before sweeping Hannah into her arms and hugging her closely.
"Thank you," she whispered lightly.
"The table looks beautiful," Catherine said helpfully, pulling out the chair in front of her own "Aunt Catie." The boys also took their seats, waiting uncomfortably for the Grissom family to join them. Although they loved Sara, they were not sure how to deal with her new life. Or the fact that she cried. In front of them.
"Aunt Catie said it would be okay. And Dr. Mary too."
"It's better than okay," Sara whispered back, smoothing the child's curls as she set her down on the floor, kneeling in front of her so that their eyes could meet. "It's perfect. Thank you. I love you so much."
"I love you too," Hannah said, hugging Sara again. "Can we eat?" By that time, her voice had gotten loud enough that the whole table heard. Laughter filled the room as Sara helped Hannah into her chair and then sat in her own chair. Her momentary happiness was enough to distract her from the fact that she was a mess from the tears, but no one minded. Pretty soon the room was filled with compliments on delicious smells wafting from the center of the table. As Greg reached for the bowl of potatoes, Catherine smacked his hand.
"Hey!" He turned his eyes toward Sara, looking for sympathy.
"Were you raised in a barn? It's Thanksgiving. We have to say what we're thankful for." There was a collective groan but Catherine ignored them, her stubborn expression telling them that they weren't going to eat until they cooperated. "I'll go first. I am thankful for my beautiful daughter," she said, looking at Lindsay, who was playfully rolling her eyes. "And for my wonderful friends and coworkers." She looked at her daughter, who continued in her adolescent, almost squeaky voice.
"It's thankful for my mom. And my friends. And because Grissom made dinner and Sara just set the table."
"Lindsay!" Catherine yelled just as Nick grinned and nodded,
"I'll have to agree with that one."
"It's okay," Sara said with a wink at Lindsay, "I don't eat my cooking either."
"Since that's unanimous, it's my turn," Greg said, interrupting the potentially volatile mother-daughter moment between Catherine and Lindsay. "I'm thankful for my family. I'm equally thankful that Grissom didn't give me enough time off to go and visit them. I always have to sit at the kid's table there."
"I tried to make up a kid's table but Hannah and Lindsay didn't want to sit with you," Sara said matter-of-factly.
"That's harsh." Pretending to be hurt, Greg continued. "I'm also thankful for my coworkers, and I'm thankful that I don't have to stay in the lab all the time. And I'm thankful for Lily. Because she's really pretty. And I think she's the girl my mom always told me I'd find." At this, Lily turned bright pink. "I'd be really thankful," Greg said slowly, "If she'd agree to become my wife." As he was speaking, he had pushed his chair back and positioned himself next to Lily, on one knee.
"Oh my," she said softly, staring at the velvet ring box and then at Greg. "Oh my."
"I know it's sudden—"
"Yes."
"Yes?" Greg looked up, his eyes bright with disbelief. He knew he had been taking a chance, asking her so soon and in front of his extended family.
"Yes," she said again, her voice still soft.
"She said yes," Greg said, in disbelief, as he looked to Grissom for affirmation.
"I heard," Grissom answered, nodding and smiling slightly in approval.
"This calls for a toast," Nick said, popping open the bottle of champagne that had been sitting in front of him. Passing the glasses around the table, he waited until everyone had a glass and the two young ladies had a bit of apple juice. "To family." They all repeated the toast, raising their glasses before taking sips of the vintage drink. Catherine, always the observer, could not help but notice that none of the frothy liquid ever touched Sara's lips.
"Well, I'm thankful for my job, which I enjoy greatly. And my family in Texas, who I love dearly. And my family here in Vegas. You guys make me remember why I took this job. To help people, and to protect the people I love. And the people that are loved."
"That was beautiful," Sara said, fully aware that it was her turn.
"I'm thankful for my own beautiful daughter," she said, her words full of warm emotions. "And for Gil. I'm also thankful for all of you," she carefully glanced around the table, locking gazes with each of them, "my friends. Without you all, I would not have made it through this year." They all looked at Grissom expectantly, as it was his turn.
"Not what we give, but what we share, for the gift without the giver is bare."
"You're supposed to use your own words," Greg whined, recognizing the quote of James Lowell.
"Wise words are always appropriate," Grissom said calmly.
"He's saying he's thankful we're all here," Sara supplied helpfully.
"Well, so am I," Warrick said with a warm smile. His face turned serious, "but we're got to eat. The Miami game starts in twenty minutes. Sorry Sara."
"Yeah, Sara. It's nothing against you. But football—"
"Hey, I'm all for football," she said, her smile calm and friendly. "But if you guys get up from this table before dessert, I'll single handedly make sure you're never able to watch football again. Got it?" They both gulped, nodded their complete and utter understanding. Brass said a few words and dinner started. It was quiet for a few minutes as everyone began to eat but pretty soon the room filled with happy conversation and brotherly jokes as Nick and Warrick decided it was their responsibility to embarrass Greg since his biological brothers were not there to do it.
Sara thoroughly enjoyed herself, talking with her friends and with Hannah, who was busy explaining how she had made the place holders and how Grissom had very patiently taught her to write all of the names. As the evening continued on, she stopped enjoying herself just long enough to realize that this was the first Thanksgiving where she had truly been thankful for her life. And what a beautiful life it was turning out to be.