Remembering Forward
Chapter 7
This is not how Gil Grissom envisioned spending his Saturday afternoon. There was a baseball game on TV, New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves, and a cold sub sandwich in the 'fridge. After the game, he had planned on visiting his friend at the butterfly pavilion to inquire about new insect arrivals.
But that wasn't happening. Noooo. At the moment, he was being dragged around a mattress store by Sara; she insisted they get a brand new, king sized bed. So she had him lay on mattress after mattress to determine which one suited them best.
"Here's a nice one. Pillow Top Glory; has 336 coils," she said eyeing the piece.
He groaned inwardly, wondering when this shopping adventure would end. "The tag says it's perfect for young adults, guest rooms, and dorms."
"You're right; we can get something a little better."
They wandered the aisles some more. He didn't want to give up the full-size bed at the townhouse. It was comfortable and soft and had special memories attached.
"This is the one, Gil: The Spring Air Concord Pillow Top. It's made of silk and wool; it has 782 coils, and was 'made in cooperation with orthopedic surgeons for correct back support.'" She read the last part off the tag before sprawling out on the bed with a content sigh.
"Seems a bit pricey."
She sat up, and he saw the firm lines by her mouth. "You have been a pain in the ass all afternoon. There has been a problem with every mattress. 'This one's too soft. This one's too hard. This one dips in the middle. There's a spring digging in my side.' Honestly, do you want to sleep on the couch forever?"
"I just…I don't see why we need a bigger bed."
Life reached a new level of perfection. The emptiness that came with returning to a cold, sterile home was replaced with anticipation and warmth.
Grissom eagerly awaited Sara's arrival after work as he had been doing for the last month and a half. They had agreed to meet for breakfast, this time at his townhouse. He made his patented waffles along with a fruit salad, and fresh orange juice. He was pouring the gooey batter in the waffle iron when a body pressed against his back, and two arms wrapped around his waist. He hadn't even heard the door open.
"You know, you shouldn't leave your door unlocked. Strangers might come in," Sara said playfully.
"Somehow I don't think strangers will be coming in here," he answered.
She placed her chin on his shoulder while he sliced a banana. "Did you bring those journals?" he asked.
"Yeah. There are some real interesting cases in them. One about how some investigators identified a charred body dug up by a dog."
Before letting him go, she gave him a little squeeze. Sitting at the kitchen island she said, "You'll have to show me how to make those waffles sometime. They're great."
"Sometime," he vaguely replied.
--------------------
They began on opposite ends of the couch, but during the course of the morning she ended up leaning into his side. He smiled and put his arm up so she could snuggle closer. They continued to read as he absent-mindedly rubbed her back.
Grissom never pictured himself as one to enjoy cuddling, but Sara fit so perfectly in his arms. Her head lay against his chest, and he found himself more interested in the smell and texture of her hair, than the journal article.
Sometime later he realized he dozed off because the small book was no longer in his hand; it had dropped to the floor. He blinked his eyes a few times and yawned. He looked down to see Sara had fallen asleep too.
He tried to wake her by stroking her arm, but Sara's response was to tighten the arm around him. This time he stroked a little more vigorously and she opened her eyes.
"What time is it?" she asked.
He checked his watch. "It's 11:26."
"I should probably get going then." She lifted herself from him, and he immediately missed the warmth.
She rubbed her eyes with both hands as if trying to wake herself up. It didn't work though, because her lids slipped shut again.
"Honey, you're way too tired to drive home. Why don't you stay here?"
"Thanks for the offer, but I think I can make it."
"I don't want you falling asleep behind the wheel. Just stay here this afternoon."
She smiled sleepily at him. "I don't have any clothes here."
"I have some sweats you can borrow," he replied.
"You sure you don't mind."
"Not at all," he said warmly.
------------------------
While she changed clothes and brushed her teeth in the other bathroom, Grissom fought his nervousness. It had been a long time since he shared a bed with anyone. He worried that he might snore or accidentally hit her while shifting.
He came out his bathroom in a t-shirt and boxers. Typically, he slept in just boxers, but he didn't feel comfortable with being shirtless in front of her yet. He sat on the bed, waiting. Wondering what was taking her so long, he started down the hallway, but she popped out of the bathroom.
The shirt was three sizes too big, and the sweat pants were extremely baggy, but she didn't seem to mind.
"I, uh…wanted to say…goodnight," she stammered.
He pursed his lips in confusion when she turned to go back to the second bedroom. "Where are you going?"
She opened and closed her mouth several times before words came out. "I-I thought…you would want me…to sleep in here."
"No," he gently said.
Offering his hand to her, Grissom led them to his bedroom. He let go of her to shut the curtains. When he turned around, he saw her looking slightly apprehensively at the bed.
His gaze must have broken her from her thoughts because she looked up somewhat startled.
"Sorry," she began. "Which side do you…"
"Oh, uh…this side," he said, gesturing to the pillow closest to him. He pulled the blanket and sheets back, and she crawled in the opposite side.
He lay on his back staring at the ceiling. Should he just go to sleep? Should he offer to hold her? Should he go ahead and put his arms around her? He turned his head, and she was already snoozing.
------------------------------
Grissom awoke later feeling relaxed, well rested, and warm. He turned his head to look at the clock; the display read 8:48 pm.
He stared at the clock in disbelief. 8:48? He hadn't slept for nine consecutive hours in a long time. Usually he got about five, maybe six hours sleep. He was thinking the clock might be broken when he felt a puff of air on his neck. An unfamiliar weight lay on his collar bone. He looked at his other shoulder and just…stared.
During the afternoon Sara had curled up around him. Her face was about an inch from his. Her left arm was draped over his abdomen, and his legs were entangled with hers.
He watched in astonishment because he'd never seen her sleeping. Sure, he found her napping in the break room a few times, but this moment was different. It was as if he'd been given permission to look at her.
None of the stress lines were present on her face that he saw at the lab. The breathing against his neck was slow and deep from her slightly open mouth. When his fingertips lightly touched her temple, she shifted, rubbing her cheek against his t-shirt.
He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, regretting he didn't do this sooner, but thankful he hadn't missed the opportunity. The kiss must have awakened her because he found himself staring in sleepy brown orbs.
"Hi," she whispered.
"Hi," he whispered back.
That afternoon had set a precedent for all the days they slept together. Almost always he woke up holding or being held by Sara.
So why get a bigger bed if they were going to end up in a tangle of limbs? Just seemed like a lot of unused, wasted space.
Some days she would be plastered against his back, nuzzling his neck. Other times he spooned behind her with their fingers entwined, and their hands held at her chest. Or his personal favorite; the two of them on their sides, facing each other, with her head tucked under his chin. Not a sliver of space between them. And he knew they would wake up like that for the rest of their lives.
His fiancée kept glaring at him. He smiled softly, and after a moment she shook her head with an amused grin.
He knew she got it.
---------------------------
"Hey Wes! We need your help out front!"
"What's up?"
"Grab a flat bed. There's a couple that just bought the Spring Air Concord Pillow Top."
------------------------------
The End
My most special thanks to my two betas, Ellipses Bandit and CSINut214; you guys are awesome and I appreciate all your time and help.
And of course thank you to all the readers! Especially stvinny, Lapsus Stili, ayesha84, IrishOphelia, PhDelicious, jtbwriter, Vaguera 7, JesSickUh, paganmelly, Geekluvin' Skater, Miss Jazz, Jane, Golden Grasshopper, anonymous01, Emily, smokeinmirror, Domo Arigato, Peggiegg, Mollygirl, gsrfan, someday GSR, vsky, Silver Dragon 54, gnesd, InThe27thKingdom, ligaras, and Greggo's Gal. If there's anyone I forgot I apologize. You guys made my first fan fic writing experience pleasurable, and I thank you for taking the time to review.