23
After ordering some champagne, fruits, chocolates and dips Sara and Grissom curled up in bed, surrounded by the food. "You know, I had a little time to think after you left earlier. And, I think, maybe, I have a solution to our problem."
"Well, you're one step further than me, so, you start."
"Okay. I guess we should start with this. How do feel about us getting married?"
"If I didn't want to get married, I wouldn't have accepted the ring. It's not a question of whether or not I want to get married, Grissom. We, obviously both want the same thing. We just need to decide how to get there."
"Okay. I guess that's where my idea comes into play."
"So, what is it?"
"Well, as we both know, we cannot get married while we work together."
"Actually, we just can't work on the same shift."
"Okay. But if one of us were to change shifts, we'd probably never see each other right? I mean, one of us would be working while the other was home or sleeping. Doubles would kill us. Our marriage would fall apart before it even had a chance to grow."
"That's probably a pretty fair assumption."
"Do you agree, then, that the only solution is, if we want to get married, one of us will no longer be able to work at the lab?"
"If we get married, yes. I can't see any other options."
"Okay." He took a deep breath. "Before I say this, I just want you to know that there are not many things…no…there is not anything else that I would give my job up for other than you."
"Grissom, I'm not asking you to give up your job. You've been there longer. I'll just transfer to another lab."
"Sara. No other lab anywhere near here is at the caliber we are. Besides, you have your whole future ahead of you. I won't watch you throw that away for me. I'd never forgive myself."
"Maybe, I'd be doing it for me."
"Okay, so we've established that you're willing to give up your position at the lab. Now, my idea involves myself."
"Of course."
"As you probably know, I have worked for the county for almost thirty years now."
"Yeah."
"Well, my thirty years is up May 17th, 2009."
"Um, Grissom. This is only January 7th, 2007."
"Yes, I realize that. But, I can retire May 17th of this year and my benefits will only be reduced by eight percent. Now, I know that's a lot to some people, but I've done pretty well for myself. I made a lot of good investments and I think we'll be fine without that eight percent. Besides, you are worth way more than eight percent of my retirement."
"Nine?"
"At least 100; maybe two."
"Grissom, are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes. I thought about it before, but then I guess I just pushed it to the back of my brain. I tend not to think of reality when you're around. So? What do you think?"
"I think I'm stunned. Maybe you should just take some time, Grissom. I mean, this is a big deal. I know, you're doing all right now, with this vacation from work, but what are you going to do? I'll have to work. I won't be home to spend all this time with you. I'm only 35. I only have six years service with the county. Even if I retire after thirty years, that still puts me at 59. That's 24 years, Grissom. What are you gonna do for 24 years while I work?"
"Well, I could start doing more seminars again. And UNLV has been asking me to consult with them on a new curriculum for the science department. I've always wanted to open an entomology museum; maybe I could do that. I'll be fine, Sara. If you stop maxing out on overtime, you'd only be gone for your regular shift every day. Besides, no one said you have to work until your 59. You just have to decide what you want to do."
"What do you mean, decide what I want to do?"
After a deep breath, he continued, "I mean, that you only have to work as long as you want. Of course, that is pending upon us being married."
"Why?"
"Because, Sara, I can take care of you. I told you before that I've made some good investments, which I have. I'm not trying to brag, but I'm a fairly wealthy guy. Now, I'm not saying that the two of us could just sit back and relax for the rest of our lives, but with my retirement, some seminars, maybe a part-time job for you and a few more wise investments, we'd do all right. I'm not saying that I want you to quit your job. If I wanted that, I wouldn't be volunteering to retire. All I'm saying is that, us being married can free you to do what you want to do with your life."
"I never realized you were so well off. How well are we talking here? Nevermind. I shouldn't have asked that. Umm…you know, I have some money saved, too. I had a college fund and then I got a scholarship, so, the money is still just sitting there. I've added to it, but, to be honest, I have no idea what the balance is right now."
"Are we really sitting around talking about money, right now?"
"You started it."
"Mmm. Well, let's get back to the topic we started on, shall we?"
"There's nothing left to talk about. I've heard your suggestion and I just think you need time to think about it."
"I have, Sara. I'm scheduled to go back to work the 22nd. That leaves sixteen and a half weeks until I can retire in May. I'll talk to Ecklie when I get back and let him know I'll only be working another 7 weeks then I'll turn in my last ten weeks of vacation. That will get me past my May 17th date. After that, we can get married. I was thinking July 7th. It's a Saturday and the date is cute; 7/7/07."
"Wow. You really have thought about this."
"Yeah."
"You're absolutely sure?"
"Yes. I'm positive."
"So, we're getting married on 7/7/07, huh?"
He gathered her in his arms, "I love you so much."
"I love you, too. Let's never fight again, okay?"
"Okay."