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Chapter Five
CSI Lab…
"Sara, you sure you won't have breakfast with us? It'll be fun." Warrick coxed as they returned to the lab from PD.
"Thanks, I'd love to, but honestly, I can't. I've got so much to do at home, it's not even funny. The boxes are still stacked a mile high. I appreciate the offer though." Sara placed a hand on Warrick's arm to reinforce her sincerity. Warrick, Nick and Greg had been extremely kind and helpful since her arrival. "Maybe tomorrow, I can…"
Words disappeared from Sara's mouth as they rounded the corner. In the middle of the hallway was Catherine, Grissom, Sara's mother, her son and daughter.
"Mom?" Sara questioned eyes wide with alarm, her heart rate picking up, double time. Sara's first thought was that something was wrong and quickly closed the distance, her eyes examining the children for signs of obvious injury. "What's the matter? Are they hurt?"
"Mommy!" The twins squealed in delight, rushing into their mother's open arms.
"Oh, I've missed you babies!" Sara's reply was heavy with emotions of relief and joy as the three snuggled together in a group hug.
"Mooommmm." Gil whined. "Not a baby!"
"You'll always be my baby. Give Mommy kiss!"
"Mmoooommm!" Giggles erupted, as Sara tickled their tummies.
Catherine smiled at the familiar mother/child banter while Grissom stared on in utter fascination.
"You two feeling okay?" Sara questioned again, still looking for some hidden ailment.
"We're okay, Mommy." Gillian reassured her mother, then leaned to Sara's ear. "Daddy's here." The little girl's excitement barely contained.
"Yes, sweetheart. Yes, he is."
"Sara."
Sara looked up, acknowledging her Mother's nervous voice.
"We're early." Abby offered as explanation.
Indeed. Sara thought furiously as she stood to meet her mother's gaze. "We'll talk later."
Grissom wasn't sure what was going on between the two, but he caught the edge in Sara's voice. "Sara?"
Grissom's voice broke through the silent standoff between mother and daughter.
"Grissom." Sara sighed in resignation. She wondered of there was a greeting card for this particular situation?
As drawn as Catherine was to the events unfolding before her, she spotted movement further down the hall.
"Why don't we take this reunion to Grissom's office?" She suggested, catching Director Carvello's eye. She ushered the group into Grissom's office while tossing Warrick an 'I'll explain this later' look.
Inside, the children where easily distracted by the wonders of Grissom's office, leaving the adults standing in awkward silence.
"Grissom, I didn't want you to find out this way." Sara started. And she hadn't. Sara had intended to speak with Grissom first, to give them time to work past the hurt, shock and anger she knew was to come. She didn't want the children to be a part of that. And certainly not to witness it. Sara had always depicted Grissom as a positive figure in their life. She didn't want that image tainted because of bad timing on her part. Sara had always made it clear to them that she was solely responsible for Grissom not being a part of their lives.
"You waited long enough, Sara. It was either now or send the man an invitation to their high school graduation." Sara rolled her eyes. Abigail Sidle was not being helpful.
Catherine opened her mouth to comment, but one sharp glance from Grissom and she wisely chose to remain silent.
Sara wasn't sure what her mother was up to with this stunt but she didn't want the children or Grissom caught in the middle. "Mom, not now. Grissom, it's not what it looks like-"
"No? Are those not my children over there?" Grissom queried.
"Yeesss. Let me explain."
"Yes, but not now, not here."
"Okay, let's go to my place." The suggestion earned Sara a surprised look from Grissom. "Mom, have the children eaten?"
"Not yet. We drove straight here from the highway. I was hoping we could have breakfast together."
"Why don't I pick up Lindsey and join you and the twins? By the way, I'm Catherine." Catherine managed in one breath, figuring that Grissom and Sara could certainly use the alone time. "How old are they?"
"Seven years old." Sara answered with a smile.
"Excellent, my daughter is eight."
"That's very kind of you, Catherine. I suppose we will be on our way then." Abby accepted the offer, also sensing Sara and Grissom's need for privacy. "Oh, will need directions to your home, Sara."
While the women hashed out the fine details, Grissom had gravitated to the children. Sara watched silently as Grissom patiently explained and answered their questions about his bugs. A large lump formed in her throat. He was a natural. What had she been thinking keeping them from their father? What had she done?
"Alright, guys. You two go with your Nana and Mrs. Catherine for breakfast. I'll be at home waiting for you when you are finished." Sara directed, trying to keep her emotions in check.
"Will Daddy be there too?" Gil asked shyly from behind his sister.
Sara stole a quick glance at Grissom to gauge his reaction. She didn't want to put him on the spot or make him uncomfortable. His smile and nod of the head in affirmation brought a smile to her face as well. "Yes. Your father will be there also. Now, scoot."
Sara's Apartment…
Grissom's outstanding ability to mentally compartmentalize his feelings came in handy today. To say that he was shocked by 'discovering' that he fathered two children would have been an understatement.
Deep down, Grissom had felt as if Sara was holding something back from him. He thought that it was guilt for leaving him long ago. Never in a million years would he have guessed this. Children? Twins?
His mind ventured back to his brief encounter with Gillian and Gil. Grissom had walked over and introduced himself as Gil Grissom. Gillian smacked her lips and reminded him that they already knew who he was, while Gil offered Grissom his hand for a firm shake.
Introductions complete, the conversation flowed as if they had known him all of their lives. Gillian talked animatedly while Gil quietly sized Grissom up, commenting occasionally. They were amazing.
Grissom sighed sadly as he thought of all that he must have missed from birth until the present. There was nothing he could do about that now. However, he would make sure that he would always be in their lives. Which was why he supposed he was here now, in Sara's home for the first time.
She said she wanted to talk, to explain, so here he was. Grissom sat mutely on the bar stool staring into a cup of coffee that had appeared in his hands.
"Grissom, I don't know what to say."
"I don't see how that's possible. You seemed to have left a few things out since your return." Into my life. He finished in his head.
"Grissom, I didn't know that I was pregnant when I left. Maybe if I had known-."
"No maybes, Sara. You didn't tell me."
"No, I did not. The circumstances-."
"What circumstances? I asked you to marry me. I accepted a position at the University to be with you. Would it have been a far stretch to expect a family?" His voice cracked with emotion.
Sara bowed her head.
"Sara." Grissom started. He was doing a poor job of wading through the pain and he needed to hear what she had to say. "I'm sorry. Please continue."
"When I left Boston. I went home for a while -the remainder of the semester. I took courses at the community college during my pregnancy. After the twins were born, I did external studies through Harvard and went back to graduate."
"Sounds like it was pretty tough. How did you manage?"
"Mom and Dad helped a lot."
"You changed your major."
"Modified it actually. It all worked out in the end. I was able to get a job right away."
"I'm proud of you. Not many people can balance newborns and finish school on time. I wish that I would have been there to help you."
"I'm sorry, Grissom. I never meant to hurt you."
Grissom winced at her words. She did not mean to hurt him but it was exactly what she had been doing since the day she walked out and then back into his life. Anger and frustration colored his face as he thought of their lovemaking the day before. They lay together in his bed, speaking words of forgiveness and love and she never bothered to mention that they shared children. How could he ever trust her?
Silence hung in the air while both sorted through their feelings. More guilt washed over Sara as she wondered how she could repair the damage done.
"Grissom..."
"Not now, Sara. I'm not ready to discuss us just yet. Our focus must be on the children. Tell me about Gil and Gillian. Tell me everything, starting with when you found out you were pregnant."
Sara weighed his words. He was right, there was too much to sort through now. Their personal business would have to wait. "Would you like to see pictures?" She asked excited to share the experience.
"I would love to."
