And we're onto the next. I'm going to be doing another double upload tonight, so keep an eye out for the next chapter.

I hope you enjoy this; I have changed a few things from canon, mainly Sara's relationship with Betty, but hopefully it won't disappoint.

As always, thank you to everyone who's reviewed, I know I haven't been able to answer all your questions, but I don't want to give anything away. But I can promise, no angst, just fluffy fun!

Please keep the reviews coming, I'm a needy writer and love hearing what you guys have to say!

Chapter 9

Eight weeks after Grissom had arrived in Costa Rica, he and Sara drove down Grissom's old neighbourhood. They had just gotten back from Vegas and Sara was relieved that this trip had not been half as bad as her last. After everything that had happened there, she wasn't sure she would ever be comfortable in Sin City again, but she had loved seeing the team again.

Catherine was excelling in her role as Head Supervisor and Nick had been promoted to Assistant Supervisor. Sara knew, if anyone could help Catherine the way she had helped Grissom, it would be Nick Stokes. He had learned from the best and was one of the best CSIs in the department.

Greg had teased her endlessly, complaining that he had somehow been replace by Jake. Sara assured him that no one could come close to how annoying he was, which resulted in a loud round of laughter across the table. Nick even ruffled the ex-DNA tech's hair, to which Greg responded with a shove. Trying, and failing, to look offended.

She had met Ray Langston and was immediately impressed. The newest CSI was around the same age as Grissom, a qualified MD and professor, yet made the change to CSI, starting at the bottom. She respected him for it and, though he admitted he was still learning, if Nick's word was anything to go by, the rookie was catching on pretty quick. Riley Adam's hadn't joined them, but no one seemed to miss her. Sara wasn't sure what to make of that little piece of information.

They had picked a few things up from the town house. Grissom had received a letter, but Sara didn't recognise the name on the return address. It had been sent to the lab, then redirected to their home. Grissom told her it was from a woman he had met on the plane to Costa Rica. He didn't tell her what the letter contained but smiled as he showed her a picture of an elderly woman, probably in her late 80's, tanned and wearing a large straw hat, standing beside a stunning waterfall.

Sara recognised the place, having visited before the research trip had truly begun.

The few days they were in Vegas, Sara made a point of seeing at least one member of her old team every day before they left. Not knowing when they would be back there, and not wanting to leave without saying goodbye this time. Not wanting any regrets.

Now, however, they were pulling up to a small bungalow. She could see the curtains twitching, meaning Betty was watching for their arrival. A brown shape jumped at the window and Sara laughed as she saw Hank barking at them.

They got out of the car, Grissom carrying the bags and Sara a plant they had found for Betty in Costa Rica in one hand, and a garment bag in the other. Before she even had time to ring the doorbell, Grissom's mother opened the door.

"Welcome home," Betty signed. Grissom had been teaching Sara ASL since they had first , officially, seeing each other, but Sara had to admit she was rusty.

Grissom put the bags down and bent to kiss his mother on the cheek, just as Hank came barrelling towards them. Sara laughed as the boxer tried to jump up at both of them at the same time.

"Down, Hank," she said. Shifting the plant in her arm so she could greet the faithful dog she had missed, almost as much as his owner. Sara smiled warmly at him before turning to Betty.

Not having her arms free, Sara spoke out loud, letting Grissom translate. "We got you a little something," Sara said, lifting the plant in her arm. "Gil wanted to bring you back a Giant Grasshopper, but I thought you'd prefer this." Betty threw he son and exasperated look, before signing her reply.

"You're right, I would much prefer that."

Sara smiled at the older woman. She had only met Betty Grissom a few times over the years, but each time the woman made her feel welcome, at home. Sara had to admit, with each meeting she was falling more and more in love with the elder Grissom.

Betty took the plant before pulling Sara into a one-armed hug, kissing her on the cheek as she did. She waved the couple through to the kitchen, where she set the plant at pride of place in the middle of the dining table. Sara hung the bag before following.

"So," Betty signed. "How was the trip? Tell me all about it." They did. The three of them sat around the table as, mainly Grissom, told Betty all about it. Betty was a good audience, just as sharp and intelligent as her son. She asked question after question, laughing at some of the antics of the younger students and teasing Grissom when Sara told her of some of the things, he, himself, had gotten up to.

With her hands now free, Sara was able to join in the conversation, albite haltingly. But neither Grissom or Betty seemed to mind, they only corrected her, or helped her when she needed it.

The conversation centred on their trip for a good hour and a half before Betty turn to Sara.

"It's good to see you again, Sara," Betty signed. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," Sara replied, and Grissom smiled fondly at the two of them.

"How are you?" Betty asked. Her face serious, and Sara knew she wasn't asking in the general way. She looked up at Grissom and smiled.

"I'm good," Sara signed back. "I'm really good." And it was true. Betty patted her hand before continuing.

"I've been telling Gil for months he was a fool for letting you go like that. At least he finally got his act together."

Grissom gave a long-suffering sigh and rolled his eyes dramatically, Sara giggled at him.

"So, what's next for the two of you?"

"Well," Sara signed. "We've been invited to a…" she hesitated a little on the sign before Grissom showed her. "Expedition to the Artic."

"Wow, that's great," Betty said. "Although, I hope that this time you'll be a little better with calling your mother," Betty said to Grissom, wagging a finger at him.

"I call you, mom," Grissom said, defensively. "I called or emailed you at least once a week while we were in Costa Rica."

"And how many of those times were because Sara reminded you too?" Betty asked, throwing Sara a wink for good measure. Grissom didn't answer, he just pouted his lips, trying not to smile. "Well, at least one of you thinks of me." Betty closed her eyes and held her hand to her heart in mock dejection.

Sara and Grissom laughed. Hank, who had been sitting between the two of them the entire time, nudged Grissom with his nose at the noise. Grissom reached down and affectionately rubbed his ear.

"When is the trip?" Betty asked.

"Not for a few weeks," Sara replied. "But before then…" she hesitated, looking to Grissom. Allowing him to deliver this last piece of news.

Betty looked between them, expectantly. Grissom squeezed Sara hand before signing to his mother: "Sara and I are getting married."

Betty stared at them, open mouthed for a second before she squealed and jumped out of her chair. Sara laughed as Betty pulled her and Grissom into a tight hug. Kissing them both as she did. She sat back down then, signing so quickly Sara couldn't keep up. She turned to Grissom with a raised brow, and he translated.

"She's happy," he said with a grin, still signing for his mother's benefit. "And she can't believe I'm finally deciding to 'settle down'." Sara laughed and Betty beamed at her.

"I never thought I'd see the day," the older woman signed. "I'm so happy, for both of you."

"Thank you, Betty," Sara replied. Betty leaned over and patted her cheek.

"So, when's the big day?"

"No big day, mom," Grissom said. "We just want it to be the three of us."

"What about your mother?" Betty asked Sara. Sara's smile fell. There was no way her mother would be able to come to her wedding, even if they did want a big ceremony. Laura Sidle was in no state, and Sara even wondered if her mother would know it was her daughter getting married, and not some stranger.

"She won't be able to make it," Grissom said, covering for Sara's lack of response. Wisely, Betty let the matter drop. Sara forced herself to continue with the conversation, pushing thoughts of her biological family to one side. There was still a little hurt there, but Grissom was her family now. She didn't want, or need, anything more.

"So, when?" Betty asked.

"Well," Sara said, plastering a smile on her face. "If you're free, we were thinking tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? But that's not nearly enough time."

"It's enough time for what we want," Grissom said.

"What about the licence?" Betty asked.

"We've already got it," Sara said, and Betty looked between them, something between exasperation and amusement on her face.

"You two have got an answer for everything, don't you?" Betty asked, shaking her head with affection. Sara chuckled as Grissom gave his mother a cheeky grin. "What about the dress?" Betty asked.

"I'm sure whatever you have will be…" Grissom started, but Betty waved him down.

"I mean Sara's dress." She shook her head at her son when he gave her a blank look. Sara suppressed her smile. She knew Grissom would not have thought about that.

"What dress?" He asked, looking to Sara for support, realising he was missing something. Sara decided not to help. This was too much fun.

"What dress?" Betty signed in frustration, throwing Sara a sympathetic look. "Her wedding dress, of course." Grissom's mouth fell into a 'o' and Sara couldn't hold her giggle in any longer. Grissom looked over to her, his mouth opening and closing. Sara could see the wheels turning in his head, trying to find the right words to repair his blunder. She finally took pity on him.

"Actually," she signed, looking to Betty. "I was wondering if I could get your advice on something?"

"Of course," Betty replied. Sara smiled, she raised her hand, indicating she'd be back, before heading to the hall to retrieve the garment bag. Grissom wasn't the only one who had something to pick up in Vegas.

When she returned, Grissom and Betty looked up expectantly. Grissom frowned a little at the bag, Sara hadn't told him what was in it, wanting to speak to Betty first. Sara was not a traditionalist. She didn't believe in luck – good or bad – and she had never thought she would ever get married. However, now that she was, there was still a little girl within her that wanted to look pretty on her wedding day. Even if it was only at the courthouse.

There was also that part of her that needed a mother, wanted a mother. Someone who could help her with this one piece of tradition she wanted to uphold.

"Um," she hesitated, not sure what to say. This was all new to her. Thankfully, Betty seemed to know. She stood and signed for Sara to follow her. Grissom was still watching her with confusion, but Sara wasn't sure how to explain why this was so important to her.

"We'll be back in bit," she said and followed Betty up the stairs. Betty led Sara to the guest bedroom. It was a large, spacious room. A king-sized bed sat in the middle of the wall opposite the door. The furniture was a dark mahogany, and the walls were a pale cream colour. The contrast worked well, and Sara had to admire Betty's eye for décor. Various painting hung on the wall. Sara had no idea if they were masterpieces or simple designs, but she did recognise one for being Betty's own handiwork.

Betty closed the door and Sara lay the bag on the bed. She turned to find Betty waiting.

"I brought this," Sara signed. "I…" she hesitated. "I was wondering if, maybe, you could tell me what you thought."

"Show me," Betty replied, and Sara unzipped the bag. She pulled out a simple, white gown. Not unlike something she would wear to court, though a little more, not flashy, but maybe fancy.

It had a square neck, with beading around the collar. A floral design, in white thread, ran from the right shoulder, across the torso and down the left thigh. It was knee length with a laced hem and three-quarter sleeves hemmed with the same.

Sara had brought this dress after Grissom had proposed to her the first time. She hadn't been looking, hadn't even thought that she wanted one, when she and Ronnie Lake, the rookie that had joined the swing shift the same time as Sara, had been called out to a bridal shop. A straightforward robbery, they had caught the guy straight away as he ran away with the cash, right into a patrol car.

Sara and Ronnie were processing the counter when this dress caught her eye. The sales lady asked her about it, but Sara brushed her off when Ronnie perked up, curious. Sara had gone back later and tried the dress on. The woman who ran the shop advised Sara not to take the first dress she tried on, but Sara knew, the moment she had put it on, this was the dress she wanted.

It was a little expensive, more than she would spend on clothes in a year, but Sara allowed herself this one indulgence. She had hidden it in the wardrobe in the spare bedroom, not wanting Grissom to see it. They hadn't set a date, or even talked about one, and she didn't want to seem overeager.

Betty looked the dress over and signed, "it's lovely." Sara let out a breath, she didn't have the best eye for fashion, so seeing Betty say that meant a lot. "Try it on," Betty said, and she moved to take the dress from her.

Sara hesitated, but Betty just waved her on with a smile. Sara grinned, sheepishly, and started on the buttons of her shirt. She lay her clothes out on the bed and turned back to Betty, who was holding the dress up for her.

Betty helped Sara into the garment and turned her around to do up the buttons at the back. When done, she took a step back. Sara faced her, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. She looked down at Betty, tucking her lip under her teeth in uncertainty. Betty motioned her to circle. When Sara met her eyes again, Betty smiled.

"You look beautiful, Sara."