Chapter 8
"Let's have a party." Sara laughed at the expression on Grissom's face. "I didn't suggest running naked down the street, just having a few people over."
"Why would we want to have a party?" Grissom asked.
Sara choked back her laughter and said, "We've been in the house for a month and we haven't had anyone over. I just thought it would be nice to have the guys over and Catherine, Brass, you know, people. Call it a housewarming."
"Isn't the house warm enough without having a bunch of people in it?" Grissom responded with a smile in his voice.
"We could also get them all together and make the big announcement. They have to find out sooner or later," Sara suggested. "I don't even wear my ring so that there are no questions and I really want to wear it outside of here."
Grissom sat there for a moment before saying, "You're right. Let's just do it all at once and get it over with."
Sara laughed out loud. "Grissom, you are the only man I know who can make a party sound like a death sentence."
The day of Sara and Grissom's housewarming arrived and found Grissom anxious. He was wandering through the house straightening things that had already been straightened and, in general, looking like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was. Finally, Sara had had enough.
"Gris, please stop pacing around the house. You are making me tired. Don't you have a journal to read or a paper to write or a bug to study? Anything to keep you busy?" Sara's voice was exasperated.
"No I don't. I don't have anything to do except try to drive you crazy. That seems like fitting pay back for making me go through this." Grissom's expression was so woebegone that Sara almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
"You know," Sara said as she sauntered over to wrap her arms around Grissom's neck, "we have a couple of hours before we have to get the food ready and get dressed. I can think of something to occupy you."
"Now that's a distraction a man could get involved in," Grissom said and pulled Sara against him. He bent his head and began nuzzling her neck, placing nibbling little kisses over the soft skin.
Sara tangled her fingers in his hair and let out a little moan of delight. "I'm glad you are so easily distracted." She tugged on his hair until he brought his lips up to hers. The kiss had just started to heat up when the door bell rang.
"Damn," Grissom said. "Please don't tell me they're this early."
"I can't imagine they would be. Why don't you see who it is?" Sara suggested while trying to hide her excitement.
Reluctantly, Grissom loosened his hold on Sara and went to open the door. Sara smiled when she heard him say, "Mom? What are you doing here?"
A minute later, a smiling Grissom escorted his mother into the living room. Facing his mother he said, while signing, "Mom, this is Sara. It would seem that you two already know each other."
Sara held out her hand which was ignored. Instead, Sara found herself enveloped in a warm embrace. Pulling back, Sara said, "It's nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Grissom. I'm so glad you could come. Did you have any trouble getting here?"
Mrs. Grissom signed while her son interpreted. "She says please call her Olivia, she is happy to meet you, she had a very uneventful trip and she is glad to be here."
Grissom then turned to his mother, "Would you like something to drink?" He laughed and said, "I'll show you where it is and put your bag in the guest room. Sara, would you start a pot of coffee? We'll be right back." Grissom picked up his mother's suitcase and placed his hand on her elbow to guide her from the room.
A minute later Grissom walked into the kitchen looking for Sara. "How did you do this without me finding out?"
"A woman can't tell all her secrets," Sara said with a smile. "Is it okay? Maybe I should have asked first." Her eyes searched his face looking for any hint of anger.
"Sara, I am very glad she's here. I can't believe she made the trip. She isn't as young as she used to be you know." Grissom smiled and reached out to stroke a finger down her cheek. "You never cease to amaze me." He cupped her cheek and bent his head to place a kiss on her lips. He lingered there drinking in the taste of her until the sound of a throat being cleared startled them both.
Grissom turned and grinned at his mother. "What? I'm a big boy now."
"Yes, I can see that," Olivia signed. "She's beautiful, your Sara. Are you going to marry her?"
Grissom shook his head. "You were never known for your restraint. Reminds me of someone else I know. Maybe that's why I love her." He smiled at the shock on his mother's face. "Yes you understood me."
Sara had stood silently, watching the exchange. She stepped forward and said, "Grissom, why don't you take your mother on the grand tour while the coffee finishes? I'll bring a tray out when it's ready."
"Okay," Grissom said. "Mom, would you like to see the house?"
At her nod, he swept his arm out to indicate which direction she should go. The whole tour took less than ten minutes. When Sara heard Grissom's voice in the living room she poured coffee into the three cups on the tray and carried it out to them. The three of them sat sipping their coffee and talking (with Grissom interpreting) for over an hour. Sara noticed the time and said, "I am going to take a shower and get dressed. I have to get the food started in about forty-five minutes and I need to be dressed first"
She stood and collected the cups and tray, carrying everything back into the kitchen. She loaded the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and straightened the kitchen. Satisfied that everything was as it should be she went to take a shower. When she emerged from the bedroom a little less than an hour later Grissom was still sitting on the couch talking with his mother. He looked up as Sara entered the room.
"Wow," Grissom said standing and walking forward to meet her. "You look fantastic." His simple statement brought a blush to her cheeks. Sara was wearing a red dress. It was sleeveless and had a dipping neck line that exposed just enough cleavage to make him sweat. It hugged her curves, without being clingy, and stopped just above her knee. Her medium heeled red sandals made her calves look incredible. Her hair, pulled up in a messy knot, looked soft and touchable. Her earrings were silver and dangled from her earlobes, drawing attention to the column of her throat. Her makeup was subtle but noticeable. She kept her left hand fisted by her side, not wanting to give away the surprise too soon. "You're much to pretty to cook."
"Thank you kind sir but there's no cooking involved. I have to set out trays and pop things in the oven. I can do that without making a mess." Sara held Grissom's gaze and gave him a slow smile. "Why don't you go ahead and get ready? I laid your clothes on the bed."
"Do you need some help? I can be ready in a few minutes," Grissom said.
"I'll be fine. You just go ahead and shower. When you get done you can open the wine and set up the bar." Turning to face Olivia, Sara said, "Do you want to freshen up before everyone arrives?" At the woman's nod Sara asked Grissom to make sure she had everything she would need.
Sara was in the kitchen setting up the food. She had mini quiches in the oven and had put out trays of fruit, vegetables and cheeses. She had been busy in the living room also, lighting candles and fluffing pillows. There was music playing softly in the background. She turned when she heard footsteps on the terra cotta floor of the kitchen.
Grissom's mother stood there with a smile so like her son's that it made Sara's heart roll over in her chest. She had changed into a striking dress of a shade of blue that matched her eyes perfectly. Her curly grey hair had been fluffed around her face and she had a hint of makeup highlighting her lips and cheeks. She was a beautiful woman. "You look great, Olivia," Sara said. Suddenly, Sara thought of something she wanted to do. "Can you watch these for me? They need five more minutes." When Olivia nodded Sara hurried to the bedroom in search of Grissom.
When she returned to the kitchen there was a secretive smile playing around her lips. The two women were soon joined by Grissom. His mother stood up and went over to adjust his collar. She stretched up to kiss his cheek and signed, "You are a very handsome man."
Grissom blushed and said, "Thank you. I have good genes."
Sara turned and caught her breath at the sight of him. His flat front khaki's were a good fit and his yellow button down really looked good on him. It made his eyes seem very blue and his tan appear deeper. He had the sleeves rolled up to expose his muscular forearms. "Goodness, bugman, you are seriously hot." Grissom ducked his head in embarrassment, eliciting a laugh from Sara. "Thanks," he said. "I'll just get the wine open and the other things out." He went about the task with a single mindedness that had Sara worried.
She walked up beside him and said quietly, "Are you okay?"
He turned his head and said, "Just a little nervous. Not used to hanging my personal life out in front of people."
"No man is an island, Gris," Sara said. "They are our friends. We need to share this with them. Okay?"
Grissom nodded as the door bell rang signaling the arrival of their first guests.
