Hide 'n Seek
Chapter 8 or Dinner With the Grissoms-Part Two
A/N: I know I said I would have this up before the premiere, but something happened with the site's email system so I wasn't sure if the latest chapter got read. But it looks like things are back to normal. And without further adieu, here's the last chapter.
"I know you're not into all those traditions, Sara, but I'm going to toast y'all anyway." Nick raised his glass. "May your lives be filled with unending love and happiness. You both deserve it.
Grissom nodded at the younger man. "Thank you, Nick," he said sincerely.
"And Sara, you couldn't have made a better choice," Nick continued, "'cause now we have someone to help us when we need certain days off."
"Or raises," Catherine added.
"And promotions," Greg said.
With the toast finished, everyone dug into the meal. The dining room was filled with lively conversation and laughter. The group took advantage of enjoying each other as friends, and not just as colleagues. They talked about junior high school experiences as Lindsey had just entered eighth grade. Warrick nearly choked on some garlic bread when Judy asked him about having kids. At one point or another, people offered their own marital advice to Grissom and Sara:
"Remember hello, goodbye, good morning, and goodnight kisses."
"Gil, be glad those couches are comfortable. You never know when you might be sleeping on 'em."
"Even though you'll be married, it's still important to say 'I love you.'"
"Ignore the statement 'never go to bed angry;' it's such a load of crap."
After dinner, they piled into the living room so Grissom and Sara could open their gifts.
Nick said his present would be useful with what the lab had gotten them. All the technicians had signed a card and chipped in for a Barnes and Noble gift card; the amount was $200.
Brass had given them a beautiful clock for the mantle. Tickets to Cirque du Soleil's "O" and reservations at a Thai restaurant came from Al and Judy. The chief medical examiner's wife explained that married couples still needed date nights.
The next present came from Warrick and Tina, which happened to be some assorted scents of bubble bath and candles.
Sara's smile was filled with approval after she inhaled the sweet smell of the bottles. When she asked Grissom what he thought, he sniffed, and gave a small shrug. "It's nice," was all he offered
She stared at him before deciding he wasn't going to give a more detailed opinion. Sara thanked the other couple.
"You're welcome. I'm a big fan of the 'Pure Seduction,' but Warrick's favorite is 'Romantic Wish,' Tina said, referring to the label on the bottle Grissom held.
The tightening of Warrick's jaw was visible as he slowly covered his eyes with one of his hands. He tried to face the wall, but there was no way he could hide from Nick, Greg, and Brass' chuckles.
"I never pictured you as the bubble bath type," Brass mused.
"I can now. I bet he fills the tub with 'Romantic Wish,' lights the candles, and pops Celine Dion in the stereo," teased Greg. "I guess this a better alternative to watching a football game."
Nick's expression turned more serious. "I am little surprised at this." When Greg and Brass gave him puzzled looks, Nick clarified, "I thought you'd be a 'Strawberries and Champagne' man myself."
Warrick regarded his friends with some distain. "You've all had your fun. Now you can shut up."
The tone of his voice was enough to warn the three men to stop, but Brass wasn't finished. "You like taking bubble baths, Gil?"
"No."
Catherine purchased a set of green striped Egyptian cotton towels for the couple along with a plush bathroom mat. Grissom asked her why she had gotten them a second present, but Lindsey said it was from her.
The gift was a framed picture of Grissom and Sara with their arms around each other, standing in front of a display of plants. It was their first official snapshot as a couple from a visit to the butterfly pavilion. Lindsey explained that her mother got the photograph from them and then had it enlarged. The frame was a light colored wood and around it Lindsey had drawn on pictures of a butterfly, ladybug, music note, book, magnifying glass, and a microscope. She even managed to include a physics equation.
Finally, Grissom and Sara made it to the box from Greg. Inside was a silver wind chime that had a melodious sound as Sara brushed some of the bars against each other. Grissom then pulled a circular tin from the box; it contained…
"Nana Olaf's Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Cookies. I figured you guys could have some that were eggshell free."
The long cookies title prompted Warrick to ask, "Sara helped you with those at the bake sale, right?" Greg nodded, and a half grin tugged at Warrick's mouth. "I wondered why those cookies were crunchy when I tasted them."
"Don't forget, you owe me twenty-five bucks."
Greg rolled his eyes at Nick. "Yeah, Yeah. You'll get your money. I still think Brass bought those clothes just for tonight. He probably sleeps in a tie."
Brass clapped the young man's shoulder as he headed out the door. "Actually I sleep in the buff."
A shiver ran down Greg's spine, visibly shaking him. "I so didn't need that visual."
Everyone had filed slowly out, giving Grissom and Sara more thoughts on marriage and their promise to be at the wedding. Greg, Nick, Catherine, and Lindsey were the last to leave.
After Lindsey snagged a few leftover pieces of cheesecake, she told Grissom and Sara goodbye. Grissom surprised Lindsey (and the four adults) when he pulled her into a hug and thanked her for the picture.
Greg shook his head in pure astonishment. "What the hell did you do to him?" He whispered to Sara.
She just shrugged. "I didn't do a thing."
Warrick must enjoy floral scents if he likes 'Romantic Wish.' 'Pure Seduction' has a sweet fruit scent to it and 'Strawberries and Champagne' isn't as overpowering as I thought. But 'Vanilla Lace' is still my favorite.
Those were Grissom's thoughts as he inspected the bubble baths once the guests had left. He had told the truth when he stated that he didn't like bubble baths; he loved them. Truthfully, he found it to be the perfect way to relax after long shifts…with Sara of course. In fact, they made it a weekly tradition-a time where the two could open up to each other. But Sara at least knew never to let anyone know about his indulgence.
After he closed the bottle tops, Grissom went searching for his fiancée. He found her on their balcony staring at the stars.
"I was thinking about the wedding, and I thought we could-" but his words were lost as Sara framed his face with her hands and pressed her lips to his.
Caught by surprise, Grissom's arms remained by his side while she thoroughly kissed him. She didn't let go for the longest time, and he could feel his IQ dropping until he could only register her soft mouth and the scent of her skin. Country Apple was her newest body wash.
"Thank you," she said when she finally released him.
He blinked a few times to clear his vision. Either that or his glasses had fogged up. "F-for what?" He hoarsely asked.
"Letting the team come over. I know it was a little overwhelming, but tonight." She paused. "Tonight was a lot of fun."
"This is your home too," he gently told her. "You can have them over when you want to."
He must have done the right thing again because she kissed him. Grissom made a mental note to do more right things.
Once she was satisfied, Sara tugged him over to the porch swing. He lay down with his back against the armrest, and she snuggled against his chest with a contented sigh.
As they gently rocked back and forth, he noticed the flowers and plants Sara had placed in various pots on the railing and ground were still thriving. She had been adding more to the little garden during the summer.
"So you were saying something about the wedding," Sara murmured.
His hand made lazy strokes down her back. "I know you don't want a formal reception, but I thought we could invite the team to a nice dinner. Just something small. Or we could have them over here," he suggested.
She relaxed further into his arms. "I knew it; you really do like our crew."
He smiled. "Don't tell anyone."
The End
I thank each and everyone of you for reading and reviewing this story. You have no idea how pleased I am that so many people enjoyed this. I hope you guys liked the ending.
And now the show has proved my point of GSR and food being a great combination. Hooray for veggie burgers!
Finally, waffles and cookies for anyone who can tell me where you can find the scents, 'Pure Seduction,' 'Romantic Wish,' and 'Vanilla Lace.'
