A/N: Hi guys. Sorry for the delay and thank you for your patience. All I've had lately is work so my time for writing hasn't been there.

So, next chapter. Will Grissom come clean about the little one being sick? Let's see shall we? Thank you so much to calim for the great additions and help :)

Chapter 11

The doctor's chatted while Grissom gave Sara some ice chips. She'd started coughing right after asking for an alternative to the ankle fusion suggestion creating immediate concern amongst the hospital staff. Thankfully, it settled after a few minutes but left her incredibly thirsty.

"Better now?" Grissom asked, whisking his fingers through her hair as she sucked on the fourth ice chip. Swallowing the water down, Sara nodded. "You had me all worried there for a minute," he said softly.

She smiled at him. "Sorry."

Smiling back, he put the beaker down. "How about you rest for a while and we can continue this later?"

Now Sara shook her head. "I…want to know…now."

"Okay," he agreed softly, glancing back to the doctors. "I think she's ready to carry on."

"Are you sure, Sara?" Alex asked as he and Steven approached. "We can talk more tomorrow."

"I'm sure," she said drearily.

Alex nodded. "So, you would like to know an alternative other than ankle fusion?" Sara slowly nodded back. "We feel a worst case scenario is a total ankle replacement."

She blinked hard, her mouth opening but nothing came out.

"Like I said," he continued, "this is a worst case scenario. You wanted to know the options so you have them, but we're not going to be thinking anywhere close to those lines anytime soon."

Sara tipped her head to look at Grissom and he squeezed her hand.

"Let's be positive, okay? We don't need any options if the operation you had works." His head shook a little. "It will work."

The smile on both doctor's faces proved they admired Grissom's approach and strength. He too was contending with so much but was trying so hard to be strong for his entire family.

"How…do you…know?" Sara asked her husband quietly.

"Because no matter what we've been through I have faith and I know you're strong. You always have been."

All Sara could think about was being able to walk. How was she supposed to look after her family if she couldn't? But, her husband was right. Thinking the worst was not going to help. They had to wait and…hope. Over the years, hope had been a wonderful thing.

Inhaling as deeply as her lungs would allow, her head tipped back towards the doctors. "What…happens now?"

"You rest," Steven said. "We will assess you tomorrow and take things from there but no more excitement today if you please."

Sara snorted. "No…skydiving then?" she joked.

Steven smiled. "I'm afraid not," he replied, exchanging a smirk with his colleague. "The nurses will be in and out quite often so if you need anything just ask."

"I will," she breathed as the doctors left and she closed her eyes. A small smile curled her lips when she felt Grissom kiss her temple.

"Are you okay?" he asked, trying to hide the worry in his voice.

Sighing softly, she blindly reached out, finding his hand again. "Hmmm," she mumbled. "I just…needed to know. I don't…like secrets. And now…at least I know…what we're dealing…with."

As he bit down on his lip, Grissom's eyes worked in a circle before he glanced at the clock. The thought about waiting to tell Sara about their son until he knew if the medication had worked had crossed his mind earlier but now he knew that he had to tell her. If he kept this particular secret and something unthinkable did happen to their son, she may never forgive him.

"Sara?" he whispered nervously.

Her eyes slowly opened and she looked at him. Immediately, she noticed the apprehensive look on his face. "What's…wrong?"

Swallowing, he squeezed her hand. "I…have to tell you something," he said hesitantly.

She frowned. "What?"

Breathing in so deeply it hurt, Grissom leaned a little more towards her. "I need you to promise me that you'll stay nice and calm."

Now Sara swallowed, her frown deepening. If he was asking that of her it wasn't good news. "Tell…me…"

"Promise," he insisted.

"Okay," she breathed. "I…promise."

Nodding, he sucked on his bottom lip before beginning. His mouth opened and his head swayed a little as he sought the right words and best way to say what he had to.

"Our…erm…son…has a problem," he said as gently as he could.

"Michael?" His head slowly shook and Sara's eyes widened.

"Calm, Sara," he insisted immediately seeing the sudden change on her face and a rapid rise in her chest.

"What's happened?" she whimpered.

Taking a breath, he dropped his free hand over hers, encasing her whole hand. "He is suffering from patent ductus arteriosus."

Her lips trembled. "He's…having heart…problems?"

Grissom nodded. "Yeah." As her eyes clouded with tears, he cupped her cheek. "He's getting around the clock care," he reassured. "And is currently being given medication in hopes it will it close the valve that is causing all the problems."

"And…if it doesn't?" she cried.

His heart started to thud, the fear in her eyes making his soul weep. "Then he's going to need surgery."

As her face crumpled, Grissom did his best to reach for her despite the pain it caused his ribs. Ever so carefully, he slipped his arm behind her head and lifted her slightly then pressed his cheek to hers.

"It'll be okay," he whispered, feeling her tears glide across his skin. "I wasn't going to tell you but…I just had to. Please be strong, honey. I need you to be strong."

Sara's hand raised to his arm and she clung tightly to it. "What…if…he… doesn't…make…it," she sobbed.

His eyes closed, his lips moving to kiss her cheek, tasting the saltiness of her tears. "He will," he said firmly. "He's getting the best care. I swear."

"He's…" Sara breathed deeply over and over and Grissom slowly pulled back as she paused, his eyes nervously searching hers as she looked at him. "I…want to…see them."

Swallowing hard, he tenderly brushed away her tears knowing that no matter how much she wanted to see her babies, that possibility was bordering on zero.

"I know you do," he said, his gut tightening at the desperation in her voice. "But I'm pretty sure the doctors won't let you move anywhere right now. I'm sorry."

Laying her head back onto the pillow, Grissom watched Sara close her eyes. Pulling a tissue from his pocket, he softly dabbed at her tear stained face.

"Ask," she said quietly. He frowned as her eyes reopened and she looked back at him. "Please."

"Okay," he agreed, his tone tender.

After kissing her on the forehead, Grissom got up and headed for the door, sighing to himself as he went. Tightly clenching his fingers as he glanced towards the nurse's station, he smiled weakly at Maggie as she spotted him and headed his way.

"Everything all right?" she asked.

"Not really," Grissom breathed.

Frowning, she glanced over his shoulder and into Sara's room. Not seeing any issues, she looked back at him.

"I told Sara about our son. She wants to see him."

"Oh," Maggie muttered.

"Yeah," Grissom agreed. "I said," he began, his head shaking, "that she can't move but…she's pretty upset."

"I can imagine," Maggie returned. "But you're right. She can't be moved right now."

"Is there any way?" he pleaded. "Any way at all?"

Maggie thought for a second. "Let me speak with the doctor. But I am by no means promising, okay?" Grissom quickly nodded. "Yes, she's stable but I don't know if he'll allow this."

"Anything you can do I'd appreciate it. She needs some hope right now. She needs something."

"Okay," she agreed. "I'll let you know as soon as I can."

"Thanks."

With a nod and a smile, Maggie stepped away and Grissom took a few long breaths before returning to his wife.

"So?" Sara asked the second he reached her.

"Maggie is going to ask the doctor," he replied. "But please…don't get too excited, okay?"

"Any hope…is better…than none."

He smiled at the tenderness in her voice. It wasn't desperate, it wasn't angry, just purely sincere. And, yes, hope was good. However, disappointment was not. Especially in this situation.

Sara coughed again and held her hand to her mouth.

"Thirsty again?" Grissom asked picking up the beaker to note the ice had all melted.

"Hmmm," Sara mumbled.

"I'll go get some fresh ice, okay?"

Smiling, she nodded. "Thanks."

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Just over half an hour later, Sara lay with her eyes closed, Grissom gently running his fingertips over her arm and, occasionally, swiping them through her hair. She was tired and fighting sleep so as not to provide a reason for the doctors to refuse her request. He hadn't expected it to take this long but remained patient.

As Sara yawned, he brushed his knuckles over her cheek. "Why don't you get some sleep," he suggested.

Her eyes slowly opened, ready to argue that request but Maggie entered the room.

"How are we doing?" she asked, looking over her patient before glancing at a machine by the bed.

"We're…waiting for…an answer," Sara replied.

Smiling, Maggie slipped her hands into her coat pockets. "It isn't an easy task to move you, Sara. You do know that, don't you?"

Sara glanced around the room. The slings holding her legs, the machines hooked up to her body. There were so many.

"But," Maggie continued regaining Sara's attention, "Doctor Sharp has authorized that you can be moved over to the NICU for a very quick visit. But it will be a quick visit. Okay?"

A sudden blast of nervousness washed through her and Sara swallowed hard. "I can…see my babies?" she asked breathlessly, her chest unexpectedly feeling tight.

"There are conditions," Maggie stated.

"Ok...ay," Sara said with uncertainty now wondering what those conditions might be. But then again if she was being given the chance to see her children then she'd just about agree to anything.

"We will sit you up a little bit," Maggie began, "but you mustn't move any more than we move you. Your bed will be taken down to the NICU and placed outside the twin's room. You can't go inside for numerous reasons, okay?" She waited until Sara nodded. "But, you will be able to see your babies through the glass."

"How… long can… I stay?" Sara asked.

"You won't be able to stay too long. Sitting in a corridor is not ideal for your condition." She smiled and touched Sara's arm. "I know this isn't exactly what you wanted but, right now, it's the best we can do."

Grissom smiled when Sara looked at him. No, it wasn't ideal but she'd be able to see her newborns for the first time and that was better than nothing.

"Thank you, Maggie," he said sincerely, glancing back at the nurse. "When can we go?"

"Right now," she replied. "If that's what you want."

"Yes," Sara said, a gentle sigh breezing through her lips. "Go now."

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As Sara's bed was pushed down the corridor, Grissom followed behind to not get in the way of the nurses accompanying them. He wasn't sure how this would go. He hoped for happiness upon finally seeing their babies but couldn't help but worry that the opposite might occur.

Entering the NICU, Grissom watched as they positioned the bed next to the window then stepped back, remaining close in case they were needed. He smiled at them then moved to the head of the bed to peer inside noting both incubators were now close enough to see. Jane looked up from her notes and flashed him a smile which seemed to bolster him some. Nodding back, he picked up Sara's hand.

"Here they are," he whispered as she tipped her head to look through the window. "Our son is on the left and our daughter is on the right.

Sara's heart caught in her throat as she stared through the glass, her attention falling upon her son first. Raising her hand, she pressed it against the window. She just wanted to hold him, tell him how much she loved him.

"He's…so small," she breathed.

"Yeah," Grissom agreed. "He is. But he'll get bigger and stronger."

Her eyes flicked to the other incubator to see her daughter, a smile passing over her lips when the baby yawned. "So beautiful."

Grissom kissed her cheek. "She looks just like you."

She looked at him and he smiled.

"We…need names," she said.

"We can decide later," he suggested.

Grissom watched her smile then turn her attention back to her babies. Her face radiated joy and he couldn't help but relax a little bit.

"Hi," came a soft new voice directly behind him.

Grissom sucked in a quick breath and turned seeing Jane standing there holding up her hand.

"I'm sorry," she said. "I thought you saw me."

"That's okay," he answered with a shy nod of the head. "This …."

"Must be Sara," she finished for him.

"I think…so," Sara answered.

Jane smirked. "Nice to finally meet you. I'm Jane Cole and I'm looking after your babies."

Sara cleared her throat, her eyes flicking back into the room. "How…are they?"

"Progressing," Jane answered. "Your daughter grows stronger by the hour and your son is taking well to the medication."

Sara's eyes shot back to the doctor. "It's working?"

Grissom could feel his heart thudding. He hadn't expected news about the medication so soon but anything positive was a bonus.

"So far the effects are encouraging," Jane said positively. "The rhythm of his heartbeat is starting to balance out which, hopefully, means that the valve is closing. And his breathing has improved slightly."

Now a genuine smile crossed Sara's lips as she looked over at Grissom. He returned the sentiment and gave her hand a squeeze.

"You have two fighters in there, Sara, so stay positive," Jane encouraged.

Sighing softly, Sara glanced through the glass again. "Trying," she whispered. The doctor's words had set the horrible tingle in her stomach at ease.

Nodding, Jane pointed behind her. "I better get back. I'll update you both in the morning."

"Thanks," Grissom said with appreciation glancing to his right as Maggie approached.

"Two more minutes," she said, "and then we need to get Sara back to her room."

He nodded at her then turned to Sara. She was still smiling and for that he was very thankful.

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Such a day it had been.

Sara had seen her babies and their son was responding to his medication. Optimism rushed through him prompting a resurrection of hope. Yes, he was still worried but Jane's upbeat attitude made that particular worry fade slightly. It allowed him time to focus on the other big issue looming over them - Sara's legs and whether her surgery had worked.

But he also knew he had to take care of himself, so returned to his room as soon as she'd fallen asleep to eat and change. His doctor had met him there, done a quick onceover and discussed a possible discharge date. Thanking the man, he'd hurried back to Sara's room just as early evening was drawing in and sat in his usual seat. About a half hour later, she stirred, her hand whisking over her tummy as her head tipped his way.

"Hello, sleepy," he greeted as her eyes opened.

She blinked a few times and then smiled. "Hi," she whispered.

Before Grissom could say anything else a knock sounded. Glancing towards the door, he saw Greg standing there holding Michael's hand.

"You have a visitor," he said, looking back at Sara before waving them over. "Come on in," he called.

Greg cautiously stepped into the room but Michael wasn't so laid back. Pulling away from his babysitter, he scampered towards his father.

"Daddy!" he squealed excitedly, grabbing onto his father's legs.

Sara snorted at the familiar sound.

"Hey you," Grissom greeted, running a hand through Michael's hair.

Michael glanced at the bed. "Mommy?"

"Come on," Grissom urged, holding out his hands and Greg helped Michael up onto his lap.

Seeing his mother was awake and looking right at him, Michael smiled brightly. "Mommy!"

"Hey, baby," Sara said, returning her son's smile.

"Now Mommy's only just woken up, okay?" Grissom interrupted as Sara yawned. "So give her a few minutes."

Michael nodded. "Mommy feeling better?" he asked his father.

Grissom smiled at him, giving him a little bounce. "A little bit," he said softly.

Greg nervously looked at Sara before glancing at Grissom, taking a bag off his shoulder and placing it on the floor.

"How's it going?" he asked.

"We're okay," Grissom replied.

Swallowing, Greg looked at Sara who gave him a slight smile. It was obvious they weren't okay. He wanted to say something helpful but didn't have any idea what that might be.

"Have you got…babysitting honors?" Sara asked him.

"Yeah," he said in his usual shy-like way. "Catherine's running shift tonight and I'm off so…"

She blinked sleepily at him. "Thank you."

He shrugged. "You don't have to thank me."

Sara looked at her son. "Are you being a good boy for Greg?"

Michael nodded. "Yes, Mommy. He has smelly feet though." He grabbed his nose. "Smelly."

Greg's eyes widened as Grissom's right eyebrow soared.

"Smelly feet, huh?" Grissom queried. "Do you need cream?"

Rolling his eyes, Greg folded his arms. "You said you wouldn't tell," he said to Michael. "I guess I didn't give you enough ice cream."

Michael giggled and patted the bed. "Sit on bed?" he asked of his father.

Smirking, Grissom helped Michael onto the edge of the bed. "Careful," he warned. "Mommy still can't be squashed, okay?"

As soon as Michael was on the bed, Sara reached for his hand, relishing the happy look on his face. He looked so pleased to see her and that made her heart sing.

"I brought a present," he said.

Sara's eyebrows rose. "Present?" He nodded. "For me?"

"Yes." Michael looked at Greg. "Get please," he requested.

Smiling, Greg knelt by the bag and unzipped it, pulling out a wrapped parcel. Michael reached for it as he held it out, but Grissom pulled him back.

"What…are you doing?" Sara asked him as Michael turned a confused look on his father.

"Just making sure this isn't something too heavy," he explained. "If he drops it on you…"

"It's not heavy," Greg said. "And nothing dangerous. I told him he couldn't bring in the ant farm."

Rolling his eyes, Grissom sat back. "Fine. Carry on."

Michael clapped before taking the package in both hands and held it out to his mother.

"Might be a little difficult…for me to hold and open that baby," Sara said softly. "Why don't you…let daddy open it and then…he can give it to me."

"K," Michael agreed, handing the parcel to his father.

With a hint of curiosity, Grissom began unwrapping.

A/N: Let's hope it's not a bomb! LMAO :P