11

The next couple of weeks went by so fast they just seemed like a blur. Grissom's wrist healed and his bruises and cuts all went away. He and Sara spent every waking, and sleeping, moment together. They had rotated between his place and hers. More little 'rules' had been made along the way to help with the compromising. So far, it was as if they were the perfect couple. Everyone at the Friday morning breakfasts knew about their relationship, and no one seemed to care. Of course, when they got back to work all that could change.

Almost all of Grissom's Christmas presents had arrived. For two gifts, though, she'd received notices in the mail saying that due to high demand, they couldn't be shipped until after Christmas. After checking the box saying she would still like to get them anyway, she mailed the letter back. She resigned that one day she would have to actually go shopping to pick up a couple more things to have for Christmas morning. It was only two weeks away and if she had things rush shipped the cost would kill her at this time of year.

Today was not unlike any of the rest of their days. They were seated at the table in her dining area. He was reading the paper with the news on the television and she was skimming a catalog.

From behind the paper she heard, "Sara?"

"Yeah?"

"How do you feel about a Christmas tree?"

"You know, I usually don't get one because it's just me."

"I feel the same way. Uh, but now it's not just me or just you; it's us."

Sara smiled, "Does that mean you'd like a tree?"

"Well, I was thinking."

"Big shock there."

He lowered the paper then to give her 'the look'. "I was thinking that maybe we could invite the gang over for a little Christmas party. Last year we drew names the week before Christmas then exchanged gifts the day before Christmas Eve. I thought that, since we wouldn't be there, everyone could come to us."

"Okay. You'd better call Cath."

After deciding on decorating his townhouse since it was a little more spacious, he went to call Catherine. When he came back, "Real or fake?"

"Uh, I hadn't really thought about it. I like the idea of a real one for the smell, but I've heard they're a pain to take care of."

"I'm sure that we can take care of one little tree between the two of us."

But little was far from the truth by the time they'd gotten home. The tree, once they put it in the stand they'd gotten from the tree lot, was almost as tall as her. "Grissom? What are we going to do with this tree?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean everyone's coming over here to see a decorated tree. Do you have any decorations?"

"Actually, I have a couple I made when I was little. But they're definitely not enough for this tree. So, let's go shopping."

"Grissom, I hate the mall."

"I know. But I'll be there. Besides, I haven't gotten to take you shopping yet."

"You actually want to take me shopping?"

"Yeah! You know, Julia Roberts didn't just stay for the sex. It was also the shopping. Women like to be pampered. It's natural."

With a smile, "So, you're comparing me with a hooker now?"

"Don't start with me! Come on, let's go shopping."

She crossed her arms and with a roll of her eyes, "Fine."

They spent the first couple hours at Galleria buying Christmas decorations. They didn't go with a traditional matching of colors or a bunch of electronic ornaments. Instead, they went with pretty glass, colored, clear and frosted. Sara picked out a pretty angel for the top of the tree and Grissom chose beaded garland instead of the poofy kind. When they headed for the car with their purchases, Sara thought she was off the hook. But when Grissom steered her back to the mall, explaining they were only lightening their load, her shoulders sank.

"Why is this so important to you?"

"Because I like to spoil you. Besides, I've looked through your closet. I think I have seen you in everything you own. Not that that's surprising since you only own a quarter amount of clothing any other woman owns. Not that I want you to be like every other woman. I like that you wear very little makeup and that you only wear perfume when we got out to dinner. I like that as soon as we get home, you change into something comfortable. I like that when you get ready, you only take a couple minutes longer than me, rather than another hour."

"So, if you like all that stuff, why are we doing this?"

"First of all, because you only own one black evening dress, which you've already worn on our date to the Eiffel Tower. I'd like to take you out like that more often. So you need more eveningwear. Second, you've owned the same pair of sneakers since we met I think. And I believe you only own one pair of dress shoes, one pair of sandals and all the rest of your footwear are made up of boots. Third, because I want to."

"Okay. I understand this is something you want to do, but it's something I don't want to do. So, since we're good at compromising, and since this seems so important to you, I'm going to do this. BUT, we're going to set a time limit."

"Fair. Four hours? Two hours now, break for lunch then two more hours."

"Two hours all before lunch."

"Two hours before and one hour after."

Smiling, she gave in to him. "You'd better let me win the next one."

"Deal."

They spent the next two hours moving in and out of shoes stores and dress shops. She had to admit that it was a little more fun shopping when she had someone waiting outside the dressing room for her. By lunch she'd gotten four new pairs of shoes, two dresses, about half a dozen tops and a pair of slacks.

"So, what can I possibly need that I haven't already gotten today?"

"You'll see."

After lunch in the food court, Grissom ushered her to the jewelry store.

"Grissom, I don't usually wear jewelry."

"Yes, I know. But I think you should."

A clerk attacked them as soon as they entered, "Can I help you?"

"Yes. We'd like to look at some simple jewelry, please. One set in yellow gold, the other in white gold."

"Yes, sir."

For the next twenty minutes, they browsed through necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Sara chose a white gold chain with a single diamond pendant, matching stud earrings and a white gold rope bracelet. Grissom chose her yellow gold set, which she liked very much. The necklace had a butterfly pendant with a tiny diamond in each wing. The earrings were a smaller version of the pendant and hung on hooks and the bracelet was made of continuous butterflies around her wrist.

"Miss, would you like to look at the rings that would match those?"

"Uh, no thank you. The only rings I want to wear are an engagement ring and a wedding band."

Grissom interjected, "Why don't you at least look? You might change your mind."

"You know, you're supposed to let me win the next one, but I won't waste it on this. So, fine, I will look at them."

The clerk sized her finger; she tried on both rings, but chose not to get either. "Thank you for at least looking."

"You're welcome."

"Would you like to look at engagement rings while you're here? We have a lovely selection."

Sara stuttered, "Uh…no…uh…thank you anyway. We're done here."

Grissom smiled and chuckled then paid for their purchases. On his way out, Sara spotted him looking at the watches. She decided that she would tough the mall out one more time to come back and buy him a new watch for Christmas.

Finally, they left the mall and headed home for a night of tree decorating.