Like Father, Like Daughter or History Repeating
Pairing: Sara and Nick
The Stokes, some of their friends and the Addams celebrate Thanksgiving with lots of joy and plenty of things to be thankful for. What sweet surprise does Jackson have in store for Carolyn?
Disclaimer: I don't own Nick, Sara or any CSI character mentioned in the story, I only own my original characters. No, I didn't collaborate with Quentin Tarantino on this story.
A Very Happy Thanksgiving
Another Three Months Later
A Restaurant at the Bellagio – Las Vegas, Nevada
Mayor-elect Sara Sidle-Stokes was seated next her husband at a table at a restaurant in the Bellagio. The Stokes, Browns, Sanders, Sullivans, Addams and Willows families and a few friends were sitting at few tables. It was the first time Sara had a moment of peace since winning the election a few weeks earlier. The Vegas press was relentless in pursuing her for interviews. However, they left Carolyn and her siblings alone at Sara and Nick's request. The wait staff poured everyone over 21 and not pregnant each a glass of champagne.
"I would like to propose a toast," Nick stood up and said. "First, I am toasting my wife of 31 years Sara Elise Sidle-Stokes, the newly elected Mayor of Las Vegas. I am the first to admit that when she first announced her intentions to run, I thought she was crazy. She should enjoy her retirement. As the campaign went on, I realized that she is what Vegas needed. She wants to say a few words."
"During the campaign, our oldest daughter Carolyn was kidnapped and buried alive in the Washington, DC area," Sara said. "She was rescued and recovering nicely. However, my opponent in the mayoral race, Ms. Atwater, accused me of using Carolyn's ordeal to gain sympathy votes. I am happy to say that the people of Las Vegas saw through her cry wolf tactics and voted on the issues. I have to thank Cassie McBride-Sullivan for running an excellent campaign."
"When I found out that Sara was running for Mayor," Cassie said. "I immediately offered my services to the campaign. I met her and her husband Nick when they were investigating the murders of my parents and brother. The bastard who did it almost killed me. Nick was able to convince Sara that I was still alive when she wanted to give up on me. I forgave her and her pessimism. I was in foster care and that hit too close to home for Sara. I had kept in touch with them and they paid for my college education. I met each of their kids as soon as they were born and they called me Aunt Cassie. The Stokes have made my family a part of theirs. Carolyn's ordeal back in May hit home for all of us, especially Nick. I am happy to report that she made it out alive and we are glad she's here with us. During her time off, she volunteered in the office and occasionally accompanied Sara on campaign stops."
Carolyn had become a calmer young woman since the incident. After her release from the hospital, she was on medical leave for a few months. She was under the care of therapists in both Washington and Vegas. The first three months after the ordeal, she was on medication to calm her nerves and relieve anxiety and panic. The therapists started to wean her off the meds and recommended acupuncture, yoga, meditation and tai chi. She still had the meds, but she didn't need them unless it was an extreme emergency. She and Jackson even went on a week long meditation retreat. She had also dyed her dark brown hair blond and cut off a few inches of her waist length hair (it was still long enough for her to do various styles with). At first her parents and Jackson were pissed at her for going blond, but the understood her personal and private reasons for doing it. Her boss, the department doctor and psychologist had cleared her return to work last month. She was stuck in the lab until the next evaluation would clear her for fieldwork, but she made it perfectly clear that she didn't want any solos for sometime.
"I'd like make a toast to friends and family," an elderly Catherine Willows said.
"Friends and family!" everyone cheered.
As the soup, salad and main courses were served and eaten, there were various conversations going on. It wasn't until the main course was finished that Nick took an unused knife and gently tapped it against his water glass.
"Everyone, except for Carolyn and Jackson, come with me," Nick announced. "Let's give this couple a few moments alone."
"Dad, what's going on?" Carolyn asked.
"It's going to be okay, Vivi," he said.
After Jackson was sure that they were alone, he looked at Carolyn and smiled. She wanted to know what he was up to. He got out of his chair, took out a small box and got down on one knee. Carolyn had a few tears of anticipation streaming down her face.
"Carolyn, when I saw you in that coffin in the live feed," Jackson said. "I was frightened for you, but I knew you would get out it alive. I heard you say something about me finding a less attractive woman in the event that you didn't make out the crisis alive. It shattered my heart to hear you say something like that. We had been through a lot in the two years we had been dating. I want to take it to the next level. Carolyn Marisa Stokes, will you marry me?"
"Jackson Mitchell Addams, yes, I'll marry you!" Carolyn cried as he placed a diamond solitaire ring on her finger.
They got up and found some space between the tables. He picked her up and spun her around. They kissed passionately like they had never kissed before.
Meanwhile at another part in the restaurant, Nick and Sara were watching the proposal in seclusion.
"Nick, I thought you wanted to leave the two lovebirds alone," Sara said.
"I just wanted to see how he popped the question," Nick smirked.
"Did you coach the poor wretch?" she asked.
"I'll take the fifth on that," he winked at her.
Flashback – Nick and Sara's house – two days earlier- morning
Jackson was sitting in the living room after waking up earlier than he normally would. He was watching some news show on TV. Nick walked in and joined him. Looking at the younger man, he sensed there was something on his mind.
"Hey Jackson, are you okay?" Nick asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Jackson replied. "I was just thinking."
"What's on your mind?" Nick inquired.
"Mr. Stokes, I am thinking about asking Carolyn-" Jackson said.
"Please, call me Nick and no formalities," Nick smiled. "Do you want to ask Carolyn to marry you?"
Jackson just nodded in silence.
"You are good for her," Nick said. "I know how much the two of you love each other. Sara and I are the same way."
"Can you give me some ideas for a proposal?" the younger man asked. "I already bought the ring, but I have no clue how to ask her to marry me."
"Let me give you some advice," Nick counseled Jackson. "There is no set way to ask a woman to marry you. Some guys tend to cut to the chase and only ask the question. Most guys like to elaborate with how much they love the woman and then ask the question. Bending down on one knee is the most romantic way to propose. I did that when I pop the question to Sara. There are also some other ways to do it. A fraternity brother of mine placed the ring in his girlfriend's champagne glass. She took a sip, felt something hit her teeth and realized it was an engagement ring. They had been married for nearly 40 years. They have three grown daughters and four grandchildren with another on the way. Whatever you decide to do it, make it special and your own. I am pretty sure Carolyn will love it."
"Thank you, Mr. Stokes, I mean Nick," Jackson said.
"I am glad to be of some help," Nick beamed.
End of flashback
"Earth to Nick, come in Nick," Sara said as she waved her hand across his face.
"Oh I am sorry, Sara," Nick came out is trance. "I was thinking about something."
"It's time for everyone to have dessert with coffee or tea," she said.
After everyone was seated and settled, the desserts with each persons choice of coffee or tea were served. There were conversations, jokes and laughter filling the room. At some point, they congratulated the newly engaged couple and admired Carolyn's ring. When the dinner finally came a close, each family went their separate ways. The Addams went with the Stokes went together and were happy that their families would come together soon.
TBC