A/N: Back and it's surgery time. Now will it be the return of Evil Hat or is fluffy hat going to prevail? Been a while since I mentioned Mr. Evil :P. I think I've been quite good the last few chapters. Hehehe.

Many, many thanks for all your reviews. Please keep them and your thoughts coming, each and every one is appreciated. And, as always to calim for the beta and for all your work and support.

On we go….

Chapter 16

Ready for bed and Sara's final checks done for the day, Grissom finished putting away some fresh clothing Claire had brought for him earlier. Glancing at his wife, he noticed she seemed to be staring at nothing.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, closing the closet and walking to the bed.

Her eyes slowly drew to him and she held out her hand, smiling as he took it. "Just got a lot on my mind," she sighed.

"Does this have anything to do with what you were thinking about yesterday?"

Frowning, Sara eyes worked in a circle. "Yesterday?"

He nodded. "You know, when we saw the twins. You were thinking about something and said you'd tell me later. I guess we both forgot."

Pursing her lips, she rubbed her thumb over his. "That's because the mood was very nice."

"Yeah," he agreed.

"But, no, I wasn't thinking about what I was thinking about yesterday."

Grissom blinked. "That's quite a mouthful," he laughed.

She smirked. "Sure is."

"Okay," he said, sitting on the bed. "So what were you thinking about yesterday?" The happy look on her face faded and she looked away from him. "Sara?" he probed gently when she didn't seem to want to answer his question.

Looking back at him, he did nothing but smile at her. Her shoulders dropped before she sighed. "I was just thinking about how on earth I'm going to be able to look after my children."

Feeling a lump growing in his throat, Grissom squeezed her hand. "We'll work it out."

"Adapted to looking after three children, are you?" she challenged.

His mouth hung open for a second. "No. But there isn't just me and…"

"But I should be able to look after my own children," she whined, cutting him off. "I feel so helpless knowing that in the weeks to come, I'm not going to be able to do that."

Grissom couldn't think of a quick reply to make her feel any better, instead he leaned close and gave her a long kiss, happy that when he pulled back, she smiled.

"Nice thought," she whispered. "But I'm not sure that will help when it comes to diaper changing and feeding."

"I know," he said softly. "But let's cross that bridge when we come to it, okay? We have lots of help and like it or not, for now, we'll need to use it. And it won't be forever."

"Won't it?" Sara mumbled.

His eyes searched hers. He saw a definite uncertainty. He needed to do something about that.

Lifting his hand to her cheek, he dropped another quick kiss on her lips. "No, Sara, you need to believe because I do."

Inhaling deeply, she nodded. And, as scary as the future may be, she did have to believe for both herself and her family. She would get better. She just had to.

Smiling, he gave her hand another squeeze. "So, do you want to tell me what else you were thinking? Just now."

"Just thinking about tomorrow," she sighed. "Surgery is never a fun thing."

"You'll be okay," he soothed, his tone gentle and sincere.

"I sure hope so. I foresee grumpiness for the next few days though."

He smirked. "For a change?"

Pulling her hand free, she slapped him on the arm and his smirk grew bigger. But, just as Sara was about to tell him off for being mean, Christine stepped into the room catching their attention.

Sara frowned at the nurse. "I thought we were done for tonight?" she asked with uncertainty.

Christine smiled as Grissom got off the bed, himself looking a little hesitant.

"Nothing to worry about," the nurse said. "I've just come to tell you that your surgery time for tomorrow has been rescheduled."

Now Grissom frowned. "Why?"

"It's nothing bad," Christine reassured. "a swap with an emergency that needs to be attended to first thing in the morning. You'll just be a little delayed."

"Oh," Sara mumbled. "What time will I be going in?"

"You've been moved from 9am to 1pm."

Grissom looked at his wife. "That's okay," he said positively. "Now Mike can come see you in the morning and you can see the twins again."

Sara smiled at him for going right in with positives. "Yeah," she said happily. "I think I prefer that anyway."

"Good," Christine said. "This just means you may be a little hungry though. No food or drink after midnight apart for medication purposes. But, I can go and get you something now if you would like."

Sara glanced at the clock. Just past 9pm. "You know, I actually feel like cheese. Do you have any?"

Grissom's eyebrows soared. "Cheese will give you funny dreams."

She stared at him and, by the look she was giving him, oh boy, did she want cheese.

His eyes flicked back to the nurse. "Cheese would be good," he said quickly, hearing Sara snort.

Christine laughed. "I think we have some cheese and crackers. I'll be right back."

Nodding, Grissom slowly turned back to a grinning Sara. "The last time I saw that look in your eyes about cheese, you were halfway through your pregnancy and you lived off it."

Her lips pursed. "Never deny a woman cheese when she desires it."

"Certainly not."

Now Sara laughed, she couldn't help it, and Grissom followed suit. It was so good to laugh especially given their conversation just a few short minutes ago.

"You're really okay with the change tomorrow?" he asked.

Sara nodded. "Yeah. Like you said, it gives me a little time in the morning while I'm still myself and not a snappy bitch."

His lips twitched in amusement. "Pre-planning our mood, are we?"

"I'm not expecting to be a bundle of laughs when I come too, Gil. The pain is really going to start after tomorrow. You know that don't you?"

He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I know but we've overcome so much. We can't let this beat us."

She sighed. "Let's hope it doesn't."

Smiling weakly, he looked up as Christine returned.

"Here we go," she said, handing him a plate of cheese and crackers.

"Thanks," he said with appreciation.

Christine nodded with a smile and turned to leave. "No problem and I'll bid you goodnight. Call if you need anything."

Grissom held the plate up. "Looks nice," he teased, giving the cheese a sniff.

"Don't even think about it," Sara warned. His eyes sprung to hers and he smirked. Holding out her hand, Sara crooked a finger. "Give. Behave and I might let you have a bite."

"You mean of the cheese, right?" he asked slyly.

Playfully narrowing her eyes, she couldn't help laugh. "We'll see."

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It had been a pleasant morning. Sara had slept well considering her thoughts of upcoming surgery. The happy mood before lights out, no doubt, helping that.

They'd been to see the twins after breakfast and both loved being able to feed them again. Gabriel seemed more receptive than he had been the day before and actually took a bottle from Grissom. That made Sara truly smile and the hope that her son's eating habits were improving took a slight weight off her shoulders. He needed to get stronger and the more he ate the better.

Claire had arrived with Michael some half an hour before and now, as it drew towards surgery time, Sara listened as Grissom tried to explain to their son how the operation would help his mother.

"You see, Mike," Grissom said to his son who sat in his lap, "tendons and muscles help our feet move and, if they are broken, then we're a little bit stuck and can't get up."

Sara smirked at Claire who returned the gesture.

Thinking for a second, Michael looked down at his own foot. "Michael have tendons and muscles?" he asked.

"Yes, you do," Grissom returned. "We all do."

Michael looked at Sara. "Mommy's tendons and muscles are broken so she can't get up," he stated.

"That's right," Sara said softly. "But the operation I'll be having very soon will, hopefully, fix that."

"And then you can get out of bed?"

She nodded. "I really hope so. But I'll need some treatment first so it might take a little while before I can walk properly."

"Use my trike," he suggested. "Then you don't have to walk."

Sara's eyebrows soared. "But how would I peddle?"

"Hmmmm," Michael pondered, holding a finger to his lip.

Sara loved it when he did that. It was so cute.

"Plus," she continued, "I think I'm a little too big, sweetie. I'd never fit."

"I think Mommy will be using a wheelchair for a while, Mike," Grissom said, putting his thinking son out of his misery. Michael generally liked to try and work things out on his own but this one could take a while.

"I can push," Michael suggested.

Sara flashed her son a smile. "I might be a bit heavy but daddy can help you."

As Michael nodded his agreement, Steven stepped in to the room.

"I think it might be time," Grissom said, looking at Sara.

"And why don't you go out with your son for a while," she said with a small smile. "Sitting in the waiting room worrying isn't going to do you any good."

"Ice cream!" Michael shouted. "And swings."

Grissom was torn. Seeing, Sara reached for his hand.

"Go," she insisted. "Take him to lunch and play. It will do you both good. The hospital has your number if they need you."

"I want a burger," Michael said then. "Fries, too."

"You don't want much, do you?" Grissom challenged, bouncing Michael on his lap, making him giggle.

Sara glanced at Steven as the doctor stepped closer.

"We're ready to take you down," he said.

She nodded. "Gil's going to take Michael to lunch. Can you call him if you need him?"

Grissom's eyes shot to the doctor who smiled at him.

"That's not a problem," Steven replied before Grissom could argue. "But I'm confident I won't need to."

"Go to Claire," Grissom whispered in his son's ear before placing him onto the floor.

Doing as he was told, Michael scurried across the room and took hold of Claire's hand as she stood.

Grissom rose from his chair and moved in close to Sara. "I can walk with you," he said. She shook her head. "You don't need to." Reaching out, she took his hand. "Everything will be fine. Now, go and enjoy a break with Michael and stop worrying."

His lips pursed. "If only I could."

Smiling, she crooked a finger at him and, as he leaned close, she kissed his lips. "Try," she said.

With a gentle sigh, he smiled and nodded. "Okay."

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Reluctantly, Grissom followed Claire and Michael as they exited the hospital, checking his watch. They should be back in an hour or two, enough time to feed Michael and spend some proper fatherly time away from the hospital with him.

Burgers and fries eaten, the trio headed to the park. Amazed how Michael could run around after eating so much, he struggled to keep up much to Claire's amusement. He sighed with relief when his son headed toward the swings. Pushing was far easier then chasing after a hyperactive 3-year old who'd just had a coke.

"Have you put any more thought into coming home?" Claire asked Grissom as she took over pushing Michael's swing.

Pulling his phone from his pocket to check if he'd missed any messages or calls, Grissom shook his head. "Not really."

"You know with the twins doing really well," she began, "you should probably think about it."

He looked at her, a frown creasing his forehead at the hint of concern he could hear in her voice.

"He's really starting to miss you," she admitted. "I'm not asking for it to be today but it's something to consider even if it's just a little bit here and there."

Grissom sighed. He had thought about how all this was effecting his son but it was so difficult to be in two places at once.

"Have you been having problems?" he asked.

"Higher!" Michael shouted, having too much fun to be paying any attention to the conversation.

Smiling, Claire obliged. "A little," she admitted.

Folding his arms, Grissom could feel his gut tightening.

"It's nothing drastic," she continued, flashing him a look. "Not yet anyway. He's just refusing to sleep on his own the last few nights so I've been having him in with me. He said he doesn't think you're ever coming home so he doesn't want to be left alone."

Biting down hard on his lip, Grissom felt a chill run through him. "I had no idea. He always seems okay when he comes to the hospital. Well, apart from saying he misses us but I thought that was just a natural thing."

"It is," Claire said with a snicker. "He will always miss you guys but it's unusual for him to be away from the both of you for this long, especially after everything all of you have been through."

Grissom sighed again. "Okay, I'll…um…talk to Sara about it as soon as she's well enough. Maybe I should keep him with me tonight."

"Do you think Sara would want that?"

"I want it. It's lonely waiting for her to wake up," he said with a shrug. "Besides, she'll probably be out of it so won't be able to tell me off."

She smirked. "Well, that's up to you."

"Why don't we ask him?" Grissom suggested. "See what he wants."

Nodding, she slowed the swing. "I suggest ice cream and then a chat."

Snorting, Grissom moved around to the front of the swing. "Want to go get ice cream, Mike?"

"Yes, please," Michael said swiftly. "With sprinkles."

Holding out his arms, Grissom chuckled as he helped Michael from the swing. "I'm sure we can manage that."

They headed across the street to Baskin-Robbins where Claire and Michael got their ice cream cones with sprinkles then sat outside at one of small benches in front of the shop.

"Are you sure you don't want anything?" she asked Grissom. "You barely touched your lunch earlier."

He shook his head. "I'm just not all that hungry at the moment," he admitted. "Hopefully, I can stomach something later."

Nodding, Claire placed several napkins on Michael's lap and smiled at his obvious enjoyment over the sweet treat.

"Does it taste good?" Grissom asked his son.

He nodded. "Take some back for Mommy," he suggested.

Grissom smiled. "Maybe tomorrow. I don't think she'll be eating much today."

Lowering his cone, Michael sighed. "Don't like Mommy sick."

Grissom grasped his son's free hand gently. "I know you don't. I don't either but she should start to feel better by tomorrow. Just know that no matter how sick she might be, we both love you very much."

"I love you, too," he answered with a small smile.

Grissom couldn't help but lean over and kiss the top of Michael's head. "That's good to know," he said. "You know Mommy will need lots of love after she wakes up so how would you feel about staying with me at the hospital tonight? Then you can give her a big hug tomorrow when she's feeling better?"

Michael's eyes lit up. "I can?"

"Yeah," Grissom said softly. "If you want to."

"Yes, yes," Michael said excitedly, nodding furiously. "Stay with Mommy and Daddy."

"Okay," Grissom agreed happily. "Now eat your ice cream before it dribbles all over you."

Thrilled at the smile his son flashed him, Grissom glanced at Claire. Her smile was as big as Michael's.

"I'll take him home and give him a bath then bring him to the hospital later," she said. "Give you a little time with Sara after she comes out of surgery."

"Sounds good," Grissom agreed.

"I bring a book," Michael mumbled as a little ice cream dribbled down his chin. "Daddy read at bedtime."

Grabbing one of the tissues, Grissom wiped his son's chin. "Yes, I can," he agreed. "You can bring one of your animal books and you can show Daddy how clever you are."

"Yes," Michael approved. "I know them all now."

"Do you?" Grissom asked innocently, playing along. "And which one is your favorite?"

"Hmmmm," Michael mumbled. "I think about it and tell later."

Claire grinned. "He can be picky."

"You're telling me," Grissom snickered, leaning in to give Michael's ice cream a lick.

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Three hours after they'd left the hospital, Grissom was back and heading straight to the waiting room only to find that Sara was already in recovery. Without any other information except she hadn't awakened, he took a seat on a bench in the corridor and nervously waited for the doctor, trying to focus on what Claire had said about Michael.

Fiddling with his fingers, he was upset with himself that he hadn't noticed his son was unhappy. He guessed he'd learned a thing or two from them about hiding his emotions, well, some of the time. At least he knew now and would have to consider spending more time with him. But it all hinged on how well Sara and the twins were doing.

"Hi, Gil."

Lost in his own little world, he didn't see the doctor arrive and slowly looked up.

"Oh," he mumbled as he got to his feet. "Hi. Didn't hear you."

"Considering the look of deep thought on your face, I'm not surprised," Steven returned.

Sighing, Grissom rubbed the back of his neck feeling a little stiff. "Yeah. Lot's on my mind."

Steven nodded. "Very understandable," he agreed.

"Yeah, so," Grissom continued, "how's Sara?"

"She just woke up." Grissom felt his nerves spike as Steven continued. "She's quite groggy but that's to be expected."

Grissom swallowed. "How did it go?"

"Pretty well," Steven said positively. "No issues hence why the operation didn't take as long as it could have."

Now Grissom smiled. "That's so good to hear. So, what happens now?"

"Sara will need to rest for the remainder of the day but usually after a surgery like this she won't have much choice about that one. She'll be very tired. And then tomorrow, Alex will come by and update you both on the specifics and next steps."

"Okay," Grissom agreed.

"Hopefully, she'll be taken back to her room within the hour so why don't you head on down there," Steven suggested.

Pulling his cell from his pocket to text Claire the news, Grissom nodded. "Sure. And thanks."

A/N: Hmmm, I should turn Mike into a demon child, lmao. Dare me? :P