Looking at each other, Jim and Greg were still, saying nothing to the other. In his mind, Greg was a father and he loved the idea. There was so much he wanted to teach his son; how to play ball, how to read, build with Lego, etc. But as the reality of the situation began to sink in, he and Jim driving to the lab in separate cars, his mind swam with dollar signs. He was in no way in any sort of financial position to support a child. Truth be told, he was just comfortable, himself. His bills were all paid, utilities and such, and had a little to play around with at the month's end. He did have savings and holdings but didn't want to dip into those as quite a few of his stocks were doing rather well.
By the time both he and Jim had returned to the lab Greg was having some doubts...not about paternity, which had already been established, but about his ability to be an effective parent. He was also wondering about how he would meet his son, how much time they'd share together and other custodial issues. Truth be told, he was glad that the boy was with Jim, as Jim had some experience and right now, could provide much better for him than he could. The knots built up in his stomach to the point where when he pulled into the lot and parked his car, no sooner had he opened the car door...he honked on the pavement. It was a loud honk and gained Jim's attention. Walking over to him, Jim knelt before Greg and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Sweating profusely, Greg hung his head and with his eyes closed he began to hyperventilate. A bit surprised, Jim rubbed his back in broad concentric circles.
"Its ok, man, we'll figure things out." Jim said reassuringly
The words didn't quite register in Greg's mind as he became light headed and passed out, slumping forward and going limp. Lifting him to stand upright, Jim gave a few slaps and Greg came out of it, looking around, confused. Trying to focus on Jim, Greg just sort of stared at him for a moment before finally speaking.
"God, Jim. What am I gonna do? I can't afford a kid." He said
"That's ok. He'll live with me for now. We'll work things out."
Holding him up, Jim leaned Greg against the car and made sure he was ok before they went in. For a few minutes they just stood there, Greg collecting himself and Jim staying strong for the both of them.
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Sitting in his office, Jim called the day care centre to check up on his grandson. Not surprisingly he was doing well...apparently the terrible twos had passed the boy by, as he was very well behaved. Silently, he thanked Ellie for whatever parenting she'd done to produce an even tempered child. Apparently Ellie did a good job in raising the boy. From the way the principal explained things, James was very focused and seemed to be mechanically inclined as well as expressing a genuine interest in reading, so Jim made a mental note to stop at the local bookstore and pick up some books that might be of interest to his grandson.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Keeping in mind that the boy liked trains and airplanes, Jim picked up a couple of books on each topic. As Jim paid for the books he wondered more about how he was going to raise the young boy. He'd messed up somewhat with Ellie and was determined to do a better job with James; as best he could.
On his way home Jim's cell went off and as he answered it Greg was on the other end. By the sound of things he'd settled down considerably and wanted to know if it would be alright if he were to come by and see James.
"Yeah. Just give me an hour or so to get home and prepare him." Jim said as he carefully negotiated traffic
Pulling into the drive, Jim could see that Sara was already home and by the looks of things she had just arrived. The boot of her car was still open and just as Jim climbed from his car Sara came out of the house and waved to him. Wasting no time, Jim informed Sara that Greg was coming over to see the boy. When she asked why, Jim filled her in.
"The paternity test says that he's the father and he's coming over for a visit and we're going to talk things out ..as they apply to James and such."
"Wow. How'd he take it?" she asked
"He threw up and then fainted." Jim said, chuckling
Sara smiled and as she closed her car up they both went inside to find James on the couch watching a show about Scarab Beetles. Turning to Jim and smiling, Sara suggested that James be introduced to Grissom. No sooner had the words left her lips, than the doorbell rang. Expecting Greg, Jim opened it readily but was surprised to see Grissom standing there with some file folders. Seeing the tellie, Gil walked inside and just as he was about to sit on the couch he noticed the young boy. A quizzical look on his face, he addressed James.
"Well, hello. Who might you be?" he asked
Looking up at Grissom, James answered quickly and returned his attention to the tellie.
"James."
Looking over at Jim, Grissom just gave a look. Jim knew the look and briefly explained.
"He's Ellie's son. She's away and I'm caring for him"
"Oh, so that's why you're switching shifts." Gil replied
"Yeah."
After a few minutes of back and forth, the doorbell went off again and Jim got up to answer it. Standing there was Greg, sweating and hyperventilating a bit.
"Are you sure you want to do this now?" Jim asked
After hesitating for a moment Greg assured Jim that he was ok. So, entering the house and seeing Grissom on the couch, Greg glimpsed the top of James's head and smiled. It was odd to see Grissom actually interacting socially with someone out of work, not to mention that someone being a small child. Greg stood there for a few minutes just watching the two of them; Grissom explaining the beetle and James hanging on Gil's every word...there was truly a connection between the two of them. Seeing this, Jim smiled and thought that both James and Gil could benefit from each other's company. Gil, to hone his social skills and James to be educated on a topic of mutual interest.
When the commercial break came, Gil turned round' to see Greg and quickly grinned before talking to James some more. Granted, the boy was only two, but he certainly seemed smart, as he asked questions to Grissom's explanations. Leaving the two of them to their bugs and Sara to what she was doing in the kitchen, Jim and Greg retreated to the den where they both had a seat and talked things out.
"He just showed up and when he saw the bugs on the tellie, he was glued. You know how he gets around bugs. He seems to be getting on with James well, too." Jim explained
"When can I see him?" was Greg's only question
"I figure, when the show is over. Gil will leave and you can meet James." Jim said, looking at his watch
As Jim and Greg talked about visitation and education and such, Gil and James watched the bug show until it ended and when it did Gil turned to the young boy and smiled.
"Wanna see something cool?" he asked James nodded the affirmative.
Gil took the boy's hand and led him outside to the side yard where the shrubberies and plants were. Briefly running to his truck and grabbing a magnifying glass, Gil returned and handed it to James, demonstrating how to use it. James marveled at what he saw. In the dirt there was a thriving world of all sorts of bugs. He smiled and giggled whenever he saw a new one, and turned to Grissom with a look that in itself, asked the name of said bug.
By the time Greg and Jim were done talking and had left the den, Gil and James were nowhere to be found. Calling to Sara, he asked after them and was told that they went outside. Standing on the front porch, Jim and Greg could hear Grissom and James talking and laughing. After a few minutes James got up and turned to Gil.
"Gotta pee." he said, running inside and passing Greg and Jim on the way
Stopping him briefly, Jim made the introductions.
"James, this is Greg."
Not bothering to stop, James just shouted over his shoulder.
"Hi, Greg."
A bit dejected, Greg just sort of stood there, silent as the grave, a bit envious at the connection between his son and his boss.