A/N: Hello. Long-time no see. Not sure how it's been about 4 years since I updated this story but it has. I'm sure for many of us a lot can chance in 4 years, sure has for me. But finally, I am back on the story and I will get it finished. It may take a while and I can't guarantee how often I will post (writing for me now is so different to what it used to be) but I do promise I won't leave this unfinished. I'm actually really enjoying it now I'm back at it. I forgot how much fun it is researching, hahaha. And, yes, I've already done a fair bit of that for the upcoming chapters. I am not sure if there are many readers left who started this story but if you are still with me, thank you. And, if you are new to the story, welcome. All and every reader appreciated. And, reviews very welcome, also.
Thank you to calim for still being my beta. I appreciate all your thoughts and suggestions as always.
So, I won't waffle. Let's pick up where we left off. On we go….
Chapter 30
Two weeks later.
Grissom's eyelids flickered and then slowly opened as he heard it, his eyes alighting on the bedside clock. 5am, right on the dot. As another cry came, he swiftly pushed back the covers and flicked on the lamp, glance finding his sleeping son in the space beside him.
He managed a smile before a yawn pushed its way through his lips, continuing as he got up and walked across the room. Peering into his daughters crib as her face scrunched up and she let out another cry, he reached in and took her into his arms.
"I don't think Daddy's getting a lie in for the next few years is he?" Grissom whispered as he ran a tender fingers down Hope's cheek.
Since bringing the twins home, they'd quickly settled into a routine which in some ways surprised Grissom. Considering the hospital was just random and met his children's needs whenever, he expected that to continue. But no. His daughter had become like a well-oiled clock. Same times, every day, she wanted her tummy filling. And… his eyes drifted down to Gabe as he suddenly started whimpering. Right on cue. Always the same. Hope would get Dad's attention and then Gabe would then join in when hearing his sister.
Yawning again, Grissom tried to shake off the tiredness. Barely two weeks in and he already wished he had twenty pairs of hands. Between the twins, Michael and Sara, he was exhausted. Well, he was exhausted before but even more so now. Hearing a soft wrap against the door, he turned to see Claire poke her head in.
"Need some help?" she asked with a smile.
He offered a weak smile. "They woke you up again, huh?"
She smiled back. "I've been wearing my extra special ears lately," she replied light-heartedly.
Letting out a quiet sigh, he rocked his daughter in hopes she might let up a little with the wailing. It still amazed him how they didn't wake Michael up.
"Thanks," he said, glad for the help.
Stepping into the bedroom, she held out her arms to take Hope. After passing her to the nanny, Grissom scooped Gabe from his crib, gently holding him against his shoulder, soft pats on the back to try and stop the crying.
"Ssshhh, little man," Grissom said. "Breakfast won't be long."
"If only the sweet-talking worked," Claire said as they headed from the room. "Because I don't think Hope is listening."
"Just like her mother," he said.
Claire chuckled as they entered the lounge. "You better not let her hear you saying that."
He smirked as Claire lay Hope down on the sofa. "I'll go sort the bottles if you want to keep the monsters entertained."
"Alas I forgot my clown suit," Grissom joked. "But I'll do my best."
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Babies fed, settled back in bed and a quick check on Michael, Grissom poured himself a glass of water in the kitchen, glugging it down in one go.
"Anything you need before I go back to bed?"
Hearing Claire, Grissom turned, running a hand through his hair. "No, I'm good thanks."
"Try and get back to sleep if you can, okay?"
Screwing up his face a bit, Grissom lightly shrugged. "I'll see. Not sure if it's even worth it now. Mike will be up soon."
"Maybe," Claire agreed. "But some sleep is better than none."
"Yeah," Grissom agreed because it was easier. The only time he seemed to get a reasonable amount of sleep was when he stayed at the hospital and at present that was only two nights a week by order of Mrs Grissom.
It was difficult because his entire family needed him. The kids at home and Sara at the hospital. It was hard that he couldn't be in two places at once and he hated leaving her for such long periods of time.
'Michael and the twins need some stability and they can't get that without at least one of their parents.' She'd told him.
No, it still wasn't that simple and he couldn't be with the kids all of the time but for now they just did the best they could with the help they had. And with him, Claire, Catherine and the others at the lab helping they tried to get through each day as it came.
"Good," Claire relied nodding. "I'll see you in a few hours. Call if you need me."
As Claire walked away, Grissom rubbed his chin. He needed a shave. Considering his current routine it hadn't really been on his priority list. Blowing out a breath, he headed back to the bedroom, a familiar vibrating sound catching his ears when he entered. Quickly checking Michael was still sleeping, he grabbed his cell, smiling as he answered.
"Hey," he greeted.
"How's my timing today?" Sara asked.
Smile broadening, he moved across the room to double check on the twins. "Prefect as always," he answered. "And you should be sleeping not watching the clock."
Sara snorted. "Yeah, you tell me that every morning."
Offering a snort of his own he sat in a chair by the window. Sara's inner clock seemed as on point as her daughters. Every single morning that Grissom stayed at home, she would call at the same time and catch him right after the twins first feed. It was as if she knew. It boggled his mind.
"I miss you," she said quietly.
Feeling his chest tighten, Grissom felt the long gust of air that filled his lungs pass through his lips. "I miss you, too," he replied lovingly. "How are you feeling this morning?"
Sara yawned before continuing. "The usual. A little nervous about later."
"I know," he agreed. "But everything will be fine."
"I hope so," Sara sighed.
"Just remember this could well be the start of us being able to get you home."
"Now that idea I do like," she chirped. "How are the little ones?"
Standing, Grissom looked back over the twins, reaching in to cover Gabe who had kicked off his blanket. This was the most difficult part about being apart from his wife. How much she would miss her children. Yes, he would take them to visit, but due to the practicality and for their own health, it wasn't every day. He wished it was. He hated watching Sara saying goodbye when it was time to leave. It was always pretty emotional. But, for now, this was the way it had to be.
"Beautiful," he answered. "Just like you."
"Stop," Sara choked. "Or the nurses will be wondering why I'm a blubbering mass of jello again."
"Sorry," he apologised. "True though."
"You're not too bad yourself," she hit back. He chuckled, moving to the bed and sitting on the edge. "I'll let you go. No doubt you could use more sleep."
"I'm fine."
"Liar," she replied swiftly but playfully and he smirked. "I'll see you later okay? Don't forget your bathing suit." His eyebrows shot to the ceiling and he heard her snickering. "Bye, babe. Love you."
"Love you," he whispered just before Sara hung up.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Sighing, Sara dropped the phone onto the bed and tipped her head back, looking up at the ceiling. Damn she missed him. Every single second he wasn't there. Biting on her lip, she shook her head to try and dispel the sadness, plus, another importance had snuck up on her. She needed the bathroom.
Glancing at the pulley hanging from the ceiling, she sat up and reached for it, pulling the handle closer. Just three days prior the pulley system had been brought in. Sick and tired of having to ask someone to take a piss, she'd almost broke down one night when Grissom wasn't there. There was nothing she hated more than having to call for a nurse at 3am so she could empty her bladder.
But now with physio on her wrist going well and it was much stronger, she offered a strong plea for assistance to get some freedom back into her life. Even though slightly reluctant as the doctor felt it maybe a little too early, he allowed the system to be placed in her room giving her the ability to get herself in and out of bed on the condition she didn't force it. She must still ask if needed as pushing herself too far too soon could cause her to reinjure her wrist, setting her back once again. Agreeing, Sara did need help on the first night, but now, she just about manged to get up on her own. It still hurt, but she was getting stronger and the pain was becoming more bearable. Plus she wasn't stupid, the more active she got the easier it would be and she was so very tired of just lying there and expecting everything to fix itself.
She wanted her independence back. She wanted her husband. She wanted her family. She wanted to go home.
In a few hours, tests on her legs would hopefully be positive and if so, the plan was for Sara to start having aquatic rehabilitation. She was very nervous about that but excited as well and this kind of treatment would certainly give her something to do other than staring at the same four walls. But the main point of it was to, eventually, help with the mobility in her legs before the true test of trying to stand on solid ground. All round, any thought of any of that made her scared to death for fear of the outcome.
Sighing to herself, she lowered the bed with the button and leaned to her right to pull the wheelchair closer. She was so happy with the new wheelchair she'd been provided with which had both manual and electric capabilities. So if she felt strong enough, she could wheel herself around (which in moderation was encouraged to improve her strength) and if not, she could use the controls instead without fear of being stuck and needing to call for help.
Just having that tiny bit of independence back made so much difference and mentally she felt a little better and not as depressed as she was a few weeks prior. At least in some respects. The fact that she didn't know whether she would walk again still ground her down but she was going to try her damndest to prove all the none believers wrong and she was pretty sure there was some of them somewhere.
Placing her hands behind her she shuffled around and carefully backed herself into the wheelchair, gripping the brace on her left leg as she pressed the controls to back the chair up a little bit as she shimmied onto it. That leg hurt the most when she tried to move so she'd worked out this was the most comfortable way to get out of bed. Once happy she wasn't about to end up on the floor, she placed her left leg into the foot plate before doing the right.
Blowing out her cheeks relieved she'd managed to get out of bed without help, Sara winced a bit as her left leg tingled. It always did when she moved but the doctors had assured her that was a good thing. No feeling would be something they would be very, very concerned about. Thank fuck for painkillers. Something she still needed on a pretty regular basis and no doubt would do so for some time to come but it was better than being in agony all the time.
Taking the wheels, she slowly rolled herself toward the bathroom, yawning as she went. Once done, no doubt she'd watch the clock until Grissom arrived and then onwards and upwards.
She hoped.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
8AM
Sitting at the breakfast bar, Grissom sipped on his coffee, Michael beside him in his highchair eating his breakfast.
"Do you need anything while I'm out later?" Claire asked, placing a plate of scrambled eggs and toast down in front of Grissom. When he didn't answer, Claire frowned. "Gil?"
Shaking his head, Grissom looked at her. "Huh? Erm, sorry," he apologised. "What did you say?"
"I know I make good coffee but, you don't have to stare at it like you want to marry it you know," she joked.
He smirked. "Sorry," he said again.
Sitting beside him she smiled and filled up Michael's cup with a little more juice. "Want to talk about it?"
"Just the usual," he sighed.
"It will get better," Claire said positively.
He nodded. "Yeah."
"See Mommy today?" Michael said, breaking up the conversation.
Picking up a napkin, Grissom leaned over and wiped Michael's chin causing his son to screw up his face and attempt to bat his father away.
"Hopefully tonight, okay?" Grissom answered, scrunching the napkin up and tossing it onto the table.
"Awww," Michael pouted. "Why not soon?"
"Because," Grissom began, picking up a fork. "Daddy needs you to help Claire and Aunt Catherine look after your brother and sister today for a little while and then you will be having a play date with Emily because hopefully, Mommy will be having some very important therapy which should help us to bring her home. And Daddy needs to make sure that all of his attention is with Mommy and the doctors for that."
Michael stared at his father. "Mommy home?" he asked hopefully. Grissom nodded and Michael clapped. "When?" he chirped giddily.
"It depends if the water therapy helps Mommy. So, until she's had a few tries in the pool we won't know. But as soon as I do, I will tell you. Okay?"
Michael placed a finger on his chin, the sign to tell everyone he was thinking. He always did it. "Pool?"
"Yes, Mike," Grissom confirmed, picking up a fork. "Mommy goes into a swimming pool with a therapist and they help her to move her legs and try and make them stronger."
"Why pool?" Michael quizzed.
Grissom's eyebrows rose. His son just had to ask every little detail about everything. He already felt sorry for the teachers when he got into the bigger schools.
"Because," he continued. "It's much safer and more soothing for Mommy's legs because she can't just stand up."
Nodding as if he understood Michael reached out to his Father's plate. "More toast?"
Chuckling, Grissom picked up a piece and handed it to his son. "You have an iron belly you know that?"
Smiling cheekily, Michael took the offering from his father.
"So, did you need anything while I'm out with Catherine?" Claire asked, taking a sip from her coffee. "We're going to take a walk with the twins once Tony has picked Michael up."
Thinking for a second, Grissom then shook his head. "I don't think so but if I think of anything, I'll let you know."
"Okay," Claire agreed.
"Tell Tony I said hi," Grissom added.
"I'll do that," Claire said. "Maybe have a chat with him at some point if you get chance. He's always asking after you and Sara. I'm sure he'd like to drop in on her for a visit whenever she feels up to it."
Letting out a light sigh, Grissom nodded. It had been a while since they had seen each other but he had been a big help with Michael recently especially when Grissom was at the hospital.
"I'll have a chat with Sara later."
Claire nodded. "Sounds good."
A/N: I hope you enjoyed. Thanks for reading ;)