It was picture perfect. Sara unbuckled Laredo from her car seat as Grissom came around to open the door to help Laredo. She nearly jumped into his awaiting arms and took her inside. Catherine pulled up and was soon followed by Nick, Warrick and Greg.
Nick, Warrick and Catherine walked to the house, while Sara popped the trunk and then took out a box full of videos and other assorted items. Just as she tried to close the trunk, the box was grabbed from her arms and the sudden action startled her. A grinning Greg winked at her and said, "I got it, Sara."
"Thanks Greg but next time let me know you're there. You nearly scared me to death." Sara smiled at him to show she wasn't mad. "Let's head inside." They walked back to the house and were greeted by an interesting scene as Greg placed the box on the floor.
Laredo was holding her tarantula, correctly, out toward Catherine who was trying to convince Laredo that she really didn't like spiders. Laredo, not understanding her, was trying to push it toward her again when Grissom stepped in and squatted next to her. "Cricket, some people just don't like them or other bugs either." He watched her face screw up in what could only be described as a cross between a Grissom and Sara look. She just didn't get it. "I know. Sometimes Daddy doesn't understand it either. Come with me so we can put him back in his terrarium." He grabbed her other hand and drew her back to her bedroom to put the spider away in its habitat.
Sara noticed that Nick and Warrick were laughing so hard that no sound was coming out and Catherine was trying to regain her composure. Catherine was not one that cared too much for spiders, especially when they were that size. She caught sight of Sara and the interested look on her face. "Don't go there Sara. She's your daughter but I swear she is a miniature female version of Grissom."
Grissom came back out with a yawning Laredo in tow behind him. Sara took a look at her watch and realized that Laredo would be ready to eat and then she could lay her down for a nap. "Cricket, let's get you something to eat." Laredo followed her into the kitchen.
Grissom sat down and rummaged through the box that Sara and Greg brought in and pulled out a tape he had seen before. "Nick, why don't you pop this one in and I'll get us some beers and then get things ready for grilling." He turned and headed for the kitchen where Sara could be found heating something in the microwave. "You know she could take her nap and then eat with the rest of us."
Sara knew he didn't like microwaves because usually it was used for junk food and that he was thinking that whatever was in the microwave probably wasn't healthy. "I'm warming up some of your stew that I found in the freezer. She needs to eat before I lay her down or she won't sleep. She sleeps better with something in her tummy."
Grissom smiled. "Well that's something for me to remember when I watch her alone. I wouldn't have known that." He spoke quietly and then wrapped his arms around her as they both stared at the microwave and the food spinning round and round and round.
"Aren't you supposed to be getting something on the grill?" Sara said as she turned around to face him and started to run her hand through his curls. He slowly leaned down and kissed her, letting his tongue skim over her lips. She opened for him and allowed the invasion.
"Uhmm." Catherine cleared her throat as she stood at the island in the kitchen. "I don't suppose you two need any help in the kitchen do you?" Sara pushed Grissom away and actually blushed. This was the first time any of the crew had seen the two of them in an intimate moment.
Grissom smiled then walked over to the fridge, grabbed four beers and handed them to Catherine. "Here, give these to the guys." He winked at her and watched her go back into the living room but his attention was drawn to Greg, watching Sara and Laredo. They were at the table and Sara was keeping an eye on Laredo as she ate. He could tell that his daughter had charmed Greg by the expression he saw on his face. Grissom stepped over to the table and leaned down to whisper in Sara's ear. "When you get done feeding her, why don't you ask Greg to rock her to sleep? I think he would appreciate the trust shown in him."
Sara leaned back to take a glance around Grissom at Greg and found him watching them. He turned quickly back at the television, pretending not to have been staring. "I think that would be a good idea. He seems to be quite enthralled by everything she does, doesn't he?" They smiled.
When Laredo finished eating, Sara cleaned off her face then did her mushy kiss on her neck and sent her into giggles again which made everyone in the living room turn to stare at them. She squatted down in front of her after putting Laredo on the floor and asked, "Cricket, Mommy has to help Daddy with getting dinner for everyone else. Would you mind if Uncle Greg rocked you to sleep for your nap?" Laredo stuck her thumb in her mouth and then eyed Greg, considering what her mommy asked. She nodded and then ran over to Greg. Greg hoisted her onto his lap and then cradled her back against his chest as they turned to watch the video.
Sara walked to the island in the kitchen and asked Grissom what he wanted her to do. He pointed at the vegetables and asked her to chop them up while he prepared the meat. After several minutes of chopping, Sara glanced out into the living room and saw that Laredo had indeed fallen asleep already. She cleaned off her hands then walked out to Greg and quietly gathered sleeping child into her arms. Before walking off, she mouthed a 'thank you' to Greg.
Catherine took the opportunity to walk into the kitchen to talk to Grissom. "So, what have you two got planned for tomorrow night?" She smirked at him, having something up her sleeve.
Grissom replied with disinterest. "Nothing actually, since the movers will be here, we'll have plenty to do and probably tired after. Why? What were you thinking?" He eyed her suspiciously as he saw the glint in her eyes.
"Well I was just thinking that, if you two wanted to maybe go out, ya know, for dinner, I could watch Laredo for you. I have tomorrow night off and had planned on helping Sara with the unpacking since I don't have Lindsay this weekend either." Catherine wanted so much for the two of them to make it work that she would do anything to get them on that first date.
Grissom smiled then reminded Catherine about Laredo. "Remember she likes spiders and bugs, Catherine. How are you going to keep her preoccupied without them?"
Catherine hadn't thought about that but considered for a moment that the little girl had to have other interests as well. "Well does she like books and videos?"
Grissom smiled. "Yes she does. I tell you what, you ask Sara and if she wants to have an evening out, without Laredo, then you can baby-sit." He would love to have the opportunity to take Sara out and if Catherine was all that willing, he would be glad to let her volunteer.
Sara walked in, saw the look on their faces and had to wonder what they were talking about. "What's going on with you two and those grins? What have you got up your sleeves?"
Catherine turned to her and outlined her plan for the next day. Sara continued with her vegetable chopping while Catherine talked. When Catherine finished laying out her plan, Sara stopped and without blinking she said, "Yes, I would love that. You can take her for the evening and we'll have a night out. But get used to it because you know you're going to be asked often to baby-sit."
Grissom kissed her on the cheek as he walked past to the patio, meat in hand for the grill. Sara and Catherine finished up the vegetables, but decided to add a green salad to the meal. They talked quietly amongst themselves when the guys came in and headed out to talk with Grissom while he watched over the grill.
Later that afternoon when they finished eating, Catherine and the boys headed off to get some sleep before going into work. Laredo woke up as they were leaving and came out as they drove off. Sara, needing to keep her preoccupied while Grissom tried to get some sleep, decided to go shopping for groceries. Maybe even get a new outfit for tomorrow night. She needed something nice to wear when she went out with Grissom. She smiled as she thought about how the next few months were going to be interesting for the three of them.