A/N: Yay, back. Sorry for the wait. I keep trying to write and something usually prevents me from doing so. Anyhoo, I was in a fluffy mood so, hope you enjoy. I think we are due a little nice time, at least for a little while and I do love my fluff. Might not be much once Sara has surgery.
Gracious thanks to calim for the great beta as usual and please keep your thoughts coming :)
Chapter 15
Seeing the twins had done a remarkable job of cheering her up. She'd even browsed through the internet with Grissom looking for baby things. Not that they needed anything but he just wanted to keep the happy ball rolling for as long as possible. And what makes someone happier than a tiny pair of slippers?
Michael did his best to point out things he liked, too, his hour's stay just as amusing as it had always was. Sara even ate most of her dinner and that was a triumph in itself. It had become a very rare thing for her to even get through half of it. She'd lost weight, Grissom could visibly see it, even with the pregnancy and it made him worry all the more. Being inactive usually meant weight gain but not in this case, at least not yet.
Now, as night settled in, Grissom headed to the bathroom to change for bed. Turning on the light, he ran a hand over his chin, his gaze moving to the slice on his forehead. It was all but healed leaving behind red scarring. But, since he had enough experience in the injury department he knew it would disappear in time unlike scars of the heart. They rarely disappeared.
His gaze moved to the two bullet scars – one at his shoulder, the other his stomach – then shifted to his missing pinky. Sighing a bit, he then pressed a hand against his all but healed ribs. There was only a slight tightness leftover which made breathing so much easier.
They'd been through so much yet they'd overcome everything. He was determined this would be no different and would do whatever he had to do to make sure Sara fully recovered.
Putting on his robe, he dabbed on a little aftershave and left the bathroom.
"Can I get you anything, honey?" he asked, turning off the main light and flicking on the ones by the bed.
"A nice comfy bed I can share with my husband?" she shot back. "Hmm, you smell nice."
Eyes flicking to her, he did his best to keep a straight face. "Thanks. I could check the closet if you like," he teased, pointing a thumb over his shoulder. "We might get lucky." She snorted and he smiled as he moved right up to her, reaching to brush fingers through her hair. "Alas, I fear any form of bed sharing is out of the question until your legs are down."
Her lips pursed. "Shame. I miss being able to hold you. Being close to you."
"Yeah," he sighed. Me, too."
As he leaned close to kiss her, she smiled into him and then, as he sat on the edge of the bed, her hand dropped to his leg.
"I hope they'll let me see the twins again tomorrow. You have no idea how nice it was for me to hold them." His eyebrow soared and she shook her head. "Of course you do," she corrected herself. "Sorry. I…"
"I know what you meant," he cut in. "Just seeing the look on your face and that sparkle in your eyes, I know exactly how much it means to you being near them. And, with all of you doing so well now, I don't see it being a problem you visiting with them more often."
She smiled. "I hope so."
Smiling back, he gave her another kiss before looking over his shoulder as the nurse entered. "Blood pressure time," he said getting off the bed.
"For a change?" Sara snickered, holding out her arm as the nurse drew near. "I'll have no pressure left in my body by the time I leave here."
He winked at her, the happy feeling in the room really making him feel good. "I'll just set up my luxury bed while you get that done," he jested, "and then we can both get some rest."
Inhaling contentedly, Sara nodded and then yawned. "Now that's a suggestion I won't disagree with."
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Sara's eyes were tightly closed, her hand firmly squeezing her husband's as the plaster saw made its last slice along her cast.
"Doing really well," Steven praised. "How's your arm feeling?"
"Feels heavy," she said, gritting her teeth a bit. "Tingling up my arm and through my shoulder."
"Almost there, honey," Grissom said.
And, just as he said those words, the nurse stopped the saw and placed it down. "Just going to put the separator in to pull the cast apart," she said, taking said implement from her colleague who was holding Sara's arm still. "You may feel a pull but, please, don't jerk away."
Sucking in a breath, Sara nodded. "I'll try my best."
Placing the metal tool into the plaster, the nurse made quick work of pulling it apart, a slight squelch cutting through the air as the fibers split.
"I bet that smells gross," Sara deadpanned, opening her eyes and snorting as her husband's eyebrows soared. "Unwashed skin is never a very nice thing especially when it's sweating."
The hospital staff had been doing their best to bathe Sara especially considering that the risk of infection in her legs was still pretty high. But that wouldn't do much about her arm.
"I'll give you a special bath later," he teased.
Oh, that made her smile. "I'll hold you to that," she whispered, her attention drawn back to her arm when she felt the cast being pulled away.
"Wow, that's…um…still quite swollen."
Nodding to the nurse, Steven swapped places and carefully took hold of Sara's arm and hand.
"It will be," he returned, taking a good look over the appendage. "Even after 6-8 weeks breaks can still produce swelling."
"So does this look good or bad?" she asked.
Grissom's eyes worked over her hand. She had a nice hump over her wrist and the skin was quite dry looking, evident bruising slightly up her arm and across the top of the hand.
"I've seen worse," Steven said positively. "Plus, your X-rays show the bone is healing nicely so I'd say we're looking pretty good."
"I'm happy with no bad news," Sara returned. Steven's eyes flicked to her and she narrowed her own. "There is bad news?"
His head tipped from side to side. "Not really bad news but, we need to try a little movement to see what your pain level is."
Sara thought for a moment. "That will determine if I'm re-casted?"
"Quite possibly."
"Okay," Sara breathed. "What do you want me to do?"
Edging closer, Steven carefully laid Sara's hand flat in his palm. "First, I want you to try and move your fingers, as many as you can. After that, I'll do light movement with your wrist."
Inhaling deeply, Sara looked at her hand and nodded. It sounded easy but she was sure it wasn't going to be that simple.
"Whenever you're ready," he urged.
Nervously clearing her throat, Sara concentrated on her fingers and then as she attempted to move and they all twitched in unison, she winced. Steven's eyes flicked to her face every few seconds as she tried a little harder.
"How does that feel?" he asked.
"Painful," she growled truthfully. "Serious cramp feeling running up my arm now and everything's really sore."
Nodding, Steven watched her fingers. "You're doing great," he commended. "And all your fingers are moving which is fantastic." Sara managed a quick smile in between another wince. "Okay, you can stop now," he said.
Relaxing, Sara blew out a breath and Grissom smiled at her. "Doing so well," he softly drawled, reaching for a tissue to dab away a few streaks of sweat from her cheeks.
"Thanks," she whispered.
"Right, Sara," Steven said, "I'm going to slowly rotate your wrist, okay? Feel free to yell at me."
"At least I can't kick you," she shot back.
Steven's eyebrows flew up his forehead. "No," he replied. "I wouldn't recommend any kicking."
"If only I could," Sara laughed.
Smiling, Steven took Sara's wrist. "Ready?" She nodded and he began carefully moving.
"Ughhhhhh," Sara grunted, squeezing her eyes shut.
"Sorry," Steven apologized.
"S..fine," Sara mumbled.
"Can you describe the pain to me?" he asked, moving her wrist just a little more.
Sara gritted her teeth. "Sharp and burning."
"Any pain up your arm?"
"A little," she admitted.
Nodding, Steven released her hand, placing it over her tummy. "Okay, all done. Let's give her a little pain relief," he said to the nurse.
"So what's the verdict?" Grissom asked.
"Positive," Steven answered swiftly. "But because of your pain level, Sara, we are going to have to put another cast on."
She let out a little sigh. "Not completely unexpected," she admitted.
"We'll reassess weekly," the doctor said. "But we need to be sure you're strong enough before we can leave the plaster off. The bone could snap like a twig if it's not ready."
"I get it," Sara said.
"Okay," he returned softly. "So, how about we give that arm and hand a little cleanup and get a new cast on and then, if you feel up to it, you can pop by to see the twins. With surgery tomorrow it may very well be a few days after that before we can be transporting you around."
Sara's throat grew dry at the prospect of surgery. One, for how vital it was to her ever walking again and two, it would keep her away from her children. So, she'd be making the most of any time she could get now that was for sure.
"I feel up to it," she said with a hint of gusto. "And, hopefully, I can stay a little longer this time?"
Steven smiled. "Maybe. But that will be up to the nurses at the NICU. Maybe two regular visits would be more practical for the twins than one long one."
"You'd go to the effort of moving me twice?"
Grissom smirked at the evident surprise in Sara's tone.
"Our main priority is our patient's wellbeing. So, as long as it doesn't affect your health, we'll do our best."
The prospect of seeing the twins more than once certainly perked up Sara's spirts and could well set the mood for the rest of the day.
Looking at Grissom, she gave him a sly smile. "Maybe we should ask Archie to make a remote control for my bed and then I can just drive myself down there whenever I want."
He laughed. "I'm not entirely sure he's that good, honey."
Her lips pursed. "Too, bad."
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Grissom sat in a chair with his daughter in his arms smiling lovingly as Sara talked to their son.
"You've got the cutest little face, you know that don't you?" she cooed, tapping Gabe on the nose.
Gabe, with his tiny mouth open, blinked at his mother before offering the smallest kick Sara was sure she'd ever seen.
"Are you getting all frisky for Mommy, huh?" she snickered, running her hand over his head.
Catching a nurse heading his way, Grissom looked up at her when she stopped in front of him.
"It's time for them to be weighed. Do you mind if I take her for a second?"
"Sure," he replied, getting up and carefully handing Hope over. "Can I watch?"
"Of course." She pointed to her right. "We're only stepping to the scales on the table."
Nodding, he flashed Sara a smile. She watched him follow the nurse to the scales and place Hope down on the digital equipment before pressing a few buttons.
"So, let's see where we're at today, shall we?" the nurse said and, a few seconds later, the screen revealed Hopes weight. "Oh, we are doing well," the nurse praised, grabbing a clipboard and pen. "4lbs 7."
Grissom blinked in surprise. "Wow. She's over doubled her original weight."
"She sure has," the nurse beamed, lifting the baby from the scale and handing her back to Grissom. "She does like to feed. Little guzzle guts she is."
He smiled, such a good feeling running through him. "Is feeding time soon? Maybe, um…," he said looking at Sara, "…we could feed them. I think Sara would like that. I know I would."
"There isn't really any set time at the moment. Preemies generally eat when they want to eat. But there is nothing to stop us trying after I've weighed Gabriel if you would like to."
"Yeah," he breathed. "That would be good."
She nodded and they headed back towards Sara.
"Care to make a swap, dear?" Grissom asked.
Sara snorted. "Sure."
The nurse leaned in to take Gabe and Grissom placed Hope onto Sara's arm. They'd set a pillow over her cast so the babies could lie there and she could use her left hand freely.
"She's getting fat," he joked.
Sara's eyebrows rose. "Not sure she's quite at that stage yet."
As the nurse stepped away to weigh Gabe, Grissom leaned closer to his wife. "She's more than double what she was when she was born."
A glorious smile hit Sara's lips. "That's so good to hear," she said, kissing her daughter on the forehead. "And you can eat all you want," she continued as Hope opened her eyes. "Yes you can."
"Do you want to feed her?"
Her head lifted, eyes finding her husband's again. "I'm allowed to do that?"
Grissom nodded. "The nurse said we can try but they might not but hungry." He shrugged then. "No harm in trying right?"
She smiled brightly. "I would love to try."
"I thought you might," he replied, smiling back.
Returning with Gabe, the nurse handed him over to Grissom who retook his seat.
"And how's he doing?" Grissom asked, ensuring the blanket around his son was nice and snug.
"3 1/2lbs."
Grissom's eyes worked in a circle. "Well," he began, looking at Sara, "it's better. Not a piggy like his sister just yet though."
"If he's anything like Mike, he will be," Sara snickered.
"He was born lighter and he's eating a little less so it will take him a little time to catch up," the nurse informed them.
Sara thought for a second. "Is there a specific reason he's not eating as much?"
"Because he's smaller and weaker. The stronger he gets, the more he'll eat and vice versa."
Looking back down at Hope, Sara placed her finger against hers then smiled as her tiny hand wrapped around it. "I get it. Bit of a catch 22 though."
The nurse nodded. "It is but he's doing well so we're all positive about his growth and development. It will just take time." Looking back up, Sara nodded. "I'll get some bottles and then you can both give feeding a shot."
"Okay," Sara agreed.
"Hey, don't go to sleep," Grissom said to Gabe as he rocked him.
"I think if you rock him, babe, he's more likely to go to sleep."
His eyes flicked to her, narrowing slightly. "I'm all up for suggestions, dear."
She smirked. "Just softly blow on his face. Like this." Dipping her head, she let out a very soft blow and Hope blinked, shuffling a little before smiling. "Did you like that?" Sara cooed.
Frowning a bit, Grissom did as she suggested and Gabe shook his head, his eyes opening and glancing back at his father.
"Um, he's frowning," Grissom said with a hint of uncertainty.
Sara laughed. "Naughty Daddy trying to keep sleepy baby awake. Bad man." Grissom scowled at her and she laughed again. "But it worked, didn't it?"
"Yeah, but I think he hates me now."
"Nah," she argued, gently rubbing Hope's head. "He might be wondering what the hell you're doing though."
As Grissom rolled his eyes, the nurse returned with two bottles.
"So, are we ready to give this a try?" she asked.
"Yep," Sara said, holding her hand out.
Smiling, the nurse passed her one of the bottles before handing the second one to Grissom.
"I'll leave you to it," the nurse said. "Just give me a shout if you need anything."
Nodding, Sara gave the bottle a shake before edging it towards Hope's mouth, Grissom watching as she did so.
"Come on, little one," she urged, running the nipple across her daughter's lips and, within a few seconds, Hope's mouth opened and she began sucking. "There we go," Sara whispered happily, her lips pursing. Looking at her husband, she nodded. "Your turn."
"Why do I have the feeling he isn't going to be that easy?" he griped, raising the bottle.
"Are you calling your daughter easy?"
After throwing her a narrow-eyed stare, he lowered the bottle towards his son's mouth but Gabe showed no interest in the offering.
"Come on," Grissom urged. "Nice milk."
Gabe blinked, his head tipping in the opposite direction as Grissom passed the nipple over his lips.
"No luck?" Sara asked, adjusting Hope a little in her hold as she sucked on the bottle with vigor.
"No," he sighed, trying again but Gabe just moved away again. "Don't think he's hungry."
"Want to swap?"
His eyes flicked to Sara. "Do you think that will make any difference?"
She shrugged. "It might."
"Okay," he agreed, getting up and looking towards the nurse.
Spotting him, she headed back his way. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, but can you just take him for a second and then hand him to Sara when I take Hope? We're just going to swap because the little man is being uncooperative."
"Sure," she said, taking Gabe and the bottle from him.
Smiling his thanks, Grissom leaned in and took his daughter and then the bottle as Sara handed it to him.
"She's almost halfway down the bottle already," she snickered.
"Maybe we'll have to get you another one," Grissom suggested to his little girl.
She smacked her lips and seemed to be following the bottle as he settled her in position. He laughed then placed the nipple on her mouth before stepping back so the nurse could give Gabe to Sara.
Manoeuvring her arm just a little bit so Gabe would be positioned correctly, Sara smiled as he was placed down.
"Now shall we try again?" she asked as she took the bottle from the nurse. Gabe immediately smiled upon hearing her voice. "I'll take that as a positive sign," she chuckled, going in with the nipple and squeezing a little milk onto his lip.
Low and behold, he opened his mouth and took to the bottle right away.
Eyebrows rising, Grissom looked at Sara in disbelief and she just grinned at him.
"Just needs Mommy's touch," she teased. "Don't you?"
"I'll remember to act up the next time it's my dinner time," Grissom joked.
Sara looked at him and smirked before happily sighing and enjoying the moment. And at that particular point in time, the moment was good.
A/N: Awwww, little twinies! :P