AN: Thank you for the reviews. Here is the next chapter.

Chapter 12: Replacing her?

Hours later, once the surgery was completed, the doctor announced that, while there were no complications during surgery, they won't know how successful it was for weeks, but everybody was very optimistic, especially his parents.

By the time he was officially discharged, which during his time in the room, Kelly, who is now the chief resident, visited the family for a bit, it was getting closer to dinner so they agreed on a pizza since no one felt like cooking anything, and after Grissom gave Rick the money, him, Elizabeth and Bella went to get the pizza while the Grissom family headed home.

When the Grissoms made it home and inside the house, Max, who had been walked by Andrew when he got out of school earlier that day, not only because his mother wanted him to do it but because he wanted to help his best friend Isabella out, was very excited to have William back home.
So excited even, that when William sat down in the recliner and had reclined the chair, Max, who was certainly not a lap dog, jumped up in his lap, making Sara almost freak out while William chuckled before signing to his mother that he was ok, then gave his dog some attention while Max licked him with his tail wagging as the family watched them with warmness filling their hearts and smiles on their faces.

While Max had always been protective of every member of the family, his connection with William, and vice versa, always amazed them. Sara and Grissom admittedly thought that once William became a certain age, Max would become more their dog than his, which they were prepared for that since they loved him too. But as it turned out, it wouldn't end up being the case, because unless it couldn't be helped, because of scheduling issues, he was there for every vet appointment, even taking him himself once he started driving, and more often times than not, he was the one that would feed him, walk him, play with him and give him the most attention, so in other words, Max became his dog even more as he got older.

Now they were worried on what will happen to their son when he loses his/their beloved dog, because they knew the reality, and the reality of it was that Max was getting older, so it was only a matter of time when they'll have to say goodbye. But instead of fixating on that thought, they just took it day by day and enjoyed every minute, making as many memories as they could with him, including this one.

After they ate, and William did mange a slice even though he didn't have much of an appetite, which was expected, Rick and Elizabeth thought it would be best to get to their homes since one, they hadn't seen their parents all day, and two it was a school night, so after they said goodnight to everybody in the Grissom house, they headed for the door, but was stopped when William got their attention, so they looked back before William started smiling wide as he spoke and signed. 'Congratulations, you finally told one another how you felt!"

Everybody chuckled before Rick nodded with a smile before he signed, knowing a few. 'Thank you, I couldn't be happier.'

William could see the joy in his best friends eyes, which he's noticed all evening, and nodded with a smile while Elizabeth signed the same thing. Then after another round of goodbyes/goodnights, the two teenagers left the house, and some time after that, the Grissom girls went upstairs to get ready for bed for school tomorrow, while William was excused for at least a week while he recuperated.

A few hours later Sara and Grissom, once they made sure William, who was still in the recliner, was ok, they headed upstairs, and after they had checked on their daughters, did their bedtime routine and changed in their sweatpants and t-shirts, they got into bed, grabbed the books they have been reading from their nightstands before cuddling next to one another as they read.

About an hour and half later, Sara sighed as she closed her book and moved away from her husband. "I'm going to get some water, you want anything?"

After he declined, and while she headed for the door, he smirked. "So, that's what you are calling it?"

She turned around to look at him with pursed lips and an eyebrow raised. "Calling what?"

He smirked again with his eyes sparkling. "You say you are going to get some 'water' but I think it's just an excuse to check on our son."

"Really?"

He nodded with another smirk. "Yep, and whatever you say won't convince me otherwise."

She opened her mouth to say something as he was giving her a challenging look, then she finally sighed and whispered 'whatever' before turning and walking out of the room, hearing her husband chuckling behind her, making her shake her head with a small smile, of course he would know exactly what she was doing, he was still the genius she married.
But at the moment she didn't care if he teased her about it, she wanted to check on her 'baby' to see if he needed her.

However, she lost her smile and the warm fuzzy feeling after she stopped about half-way down the stairs to see that while William was asleep in the chair, Bella was covering him up with a blanket they usually keep on the couch, then she had cupped his cheek and ran her thumb up and down it before kissing him on the forehead, and after a warm smile towards him, she headed back to the couch, laid down and covered up, indicating she was staying there for the night to watch over him.

The young woman had been so gentle, caring, loving even, and while watching during those tender moments, Sara had a feeling, a gut punching feeling that is, a feeling she wasn't even prepared to have this early in her son's life, which was that her 'baby' didn't need her anymore, there was someone else who replaced her.

As quietly as she could, she headed back up the stairs and back to the master bedroom, which as she walked into the room, Grissom was about to smirk, but her demeanor had stopped everything he was about to say before he said something else while looking at her in concern. "Honey? What's wrong?"

She closed the door and spoke softly. "I knew this day would eventually come, but I didn't think it would come so soon."

Grissom placed his book and glasses on his nightstand as he got up from the bed and walked up to her, still with concern in his eyes. "Honey, what are you talking about?"

She looked into his eyes as she continued. "This must have been how your mother felt, that's why she was a little standoffish when we first met. I thought I understood how she felt, but I honestly really didn't, not until tonight."

Now he not only looked concerned, but confused on why she brought his mother up, so he shook his head. "Honey, I'm sorry, I'm not really following..."

She cuts him off. "I'm being replaced." Before he could reply, she walked towards the end of the bed and sat down, while continuing as she looked into her husband's eyes with sadness. "You should have seen her with him, she was so caring and tender. She was doing a job that is still suppose to be..."

She trials off, and he asked softly. "Yours?"

She nodded as she looked down at her hands, now feeling ashamed for even thinking that, so he walked up to her and sat down next to her before taking one of her hands and replying softly. "You'll never be replaced." When she turned her head to look at him, she was about to speak, but he continued with a smile. "Yeah, he's getting older, both of our dynamics with him are changing, and he may not need you in the same way he use to, but you'll never be replaced.
He loves and respects you so much, your opinion and thoughts still matter to him." He cupped her cheek and finished while running his thumb up and down her cheek. "You two have this special bond that will never be broken, no matter how old he gets. Besides, you are his mother after all, and what's more powerful than that connection?

As he continued to wipe her tears away, she does a little smirk. "Remind me to use this speech when it comes to our daughters."

In a teasing reply, his eyes was sparkling. "What do you mean? They'll be with us forever."

Sara chuckled while shaking her head. "Dream on, bugman." He nodded with a sigh, knowing she was right, before she continued. "One day there will be someone special out there who will see what amazing women they are." She sighed. "Just like with our son. She's really special to him, and vice versa."

"Yeah, and even though they are young, I don't think there is any one out there who could challenge him like she can."

She smirked. "At least outside of this family."

He chuckled. "Right you are." After a moment, he asked with comfort. "You ok?"

She nodded with another sigh. "I will be, I just felt like I got thrown through an unexpected loop there." She then smile. "Thank you for listening."

"Anytime, and no matter what it is."

They kissed softly before wrapping their arms around one another for a hug, and as they pulled back, he spoke after clearing his throat. "And as for my mother, I think despite being a little standoffish with you, there was a little relief there too."

Sara raised an eyebrow. "Relief?"

He nodded before he smirked. "Yeah, you know after all those years I never came 'home' with a woman, she was relieved that I finally brought home a woman that was willing to take me off her hands." Then he finished softly. "Better yet, a woman that I was willing to let myself be taken off her hands."

She chuckled at first then cupped his cheek with a seriousness in her tone. "And I'm glad I'm that woman."

He nodded with tears in his eyes, not only from her response but thinking about his mother, even though it's been 12 years since he lost her, he still missed her very much. "Me too, and you know she was too, she loved you so much, Sara."

Sara then had tears in her eyes, thinking of his mother. "I know, I loved her too, and I became the exception to the rule."

Grissom raised an eyebrow. "Which is?"

She smiled bright with pride. "I became good enough for her son."

He cleared his throat and finished. "And, I'm almost good enough for you."

Despite how many years they've been together and the countless times she says she forgave him, a part of him will always regret pushing her away like he did, so there was still a little feeling there that he wasn't good enough for her, and that he may never full get there.

Sara then frowned and shook her head. "Griss, don't think like that, you..."

He then cuts her off with a kiss, her words dying against his lips, and more often times than not, it turned into multiple kisses, even turning passionate for a few moments, then he slowed them down, moved to her cheek and whispered in her ear. "Sara?"

With her eyes closed, she whispered. "Yeah?"

"Will you read to me?"

She opened her eyes instantly as they pulled back, and she asked with a confused look on her face. "I got admit, I didn't see that request coming." He started to speak, but she did with a smile. "And I get what you're trying to do, but you don't have to."

Grissom shook his head. "No, I truly mean it, will you?"

Now seeing the emotion in his eyes, she looked at him in concern as she cupped his cheek again. "What's wrong?"

He took a breath before finishing. "While our son was going through surgery today, it got me thinking about when I went through the same thing, and the one thing, outside of wondering if I would ever work as a CSI again, I thought about while going through my own hearing issues, was that I would never get to hear your voice again, so can you?"

She nodded with a smile with tears in her eyes. "I would be happy to."

He smiled as they moved closer to one another and kissed softly on the lips again before she moved to his cheek, then ear and kissed it softly before whispering. "I love you."

With his eyes closed, he whispered. "And I love you."

They sat there for a few minutes before getting back into bed, and after handing her his book, they settled in with his head laying on her shoulder. Then she kissed his forehead and started reading while he closed his eyes, savoring each word she said, never taking her voice for granted.

Next Morning

After they had their breakfast, and while the girls were upstairs getting ready for school, which Rick was going to take them today, William looked between his mom and dad, which neither one was dressed in their work clothes, got their attentions before signing. 'Why aren't either of you dressed for work?' When all they gave him was shy look, he shook his head before singing again. 'Guys I don't need a babysitter, you two can go to work, I'll be fine.'

Both Sara and Grissom looked at one another, having one of their famous 'eye' talks before looking at their son again and Sara signed. 'We'll compromise, how about one of us goes to work and the other stays?'

Not in the mood to argue about it, he nodded with a sigh. 'Ok, fine. I'll be in the living room.'

After they nodded, he gets up and leaves the room, Max following close behind, then when they were alone, Grissom smiled. "You can stay, spend time with your son."

Sara gives her husband a appreciative look. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

They went back to their morning coffee, and a few moments later, Bella came into the room and cleared her throat. "Excuse me, Mrs. & Dr. Grissom, can I speak to you two for a moment?"

Grissom spoke with a smile as he stood up from his chair. "First off all, you know you're more than welcome to call us by our first names, you don't have to be so formal." She nodded shyly before Grissom spoke again after clearing his throat, knowing his wife needed to speak to her too, which he kind of suspected both of their talks were about the same thing, William. "And secondly, why don't you talk to Sara, I have to get ready for work."

After Bella nodded again, Grissom turned to his wife while she lifted her head up so they could share a soft kiss, and after kissing her on the forehead, he walked out of the kitchen.

When both women were alone, they looked at one another and Sara cleared her throat before speaking. "Is something wrong?"

Bella took a breath before walking over to the table, and after sitting down across from her, she asked softly. "I don't know, you tell me."

Despite how her conversation ended up with her husband last night regarding Bella and her son, she tried to hide how she felt, but there was still a little tense moments, and Bella must have felt them, so Sara sighed and started to speak. "Bella, I..."

But then Bella spoke again, feeling very nervous right now. "I'm sorry, but can I speak first?" After Sara nodded, Bella continued, trying not to sound shaky. "I know you know that my relationship with your son is more than friendship now, and that this situation isn't 'normal', with me living her too, but I promise you that whatever ground rules that you have for us, they will be met to the letter. I don't want to do anything that will jeopardize the trust that you have in us, that you have in me." Sara smiled, and was about to speak, but Bella continued, with a little more confidence this time. "And I get it, with what happened in my life, you may not see me as the perfect one for your son, but I..."

Sara cuts her off. "Is that what you think that I think?"

Bella shrugged and asked with a small smile. "Isn't that what all mother's think when it comes to the girls their sons are dating?"

Sara does a little chuckle before replying. "I suppose to." Then she cleared her throat before speaking softly. "But that's not how I think about you." Bella looked a little surprised as Sara continued. "One of the many things that you want for your child, if not the most important thing, is for them to be happy, truly happy. And you know when the first time I saw that in my son?" Bella shook her head as Sara answered while smiling at the young woman in front of her. "The same evening he asked for his sister's name to be 'Isabella', the first evening we've ever heard your name." Bella smiled shyly as Sara finished. "And ever since then, when you or your name was ever brought up, deep down I always knew, despite him being so young and him claiming all girls had 'cooties', he wasn't looking at another girl again, he was already done."

Bella chuckled a little before she sighed and replied softly. "Then I left."

Sara nodded. "And the light in his eyes wasn't the same, despite him trying, until..."

Bella finished. "I came back." Sara nodded at the non-question before Bella asked. "Is that why you..."

Sara cuts her off again, reassuring the young woman. "You have to know that saying yes for you to be here wasn't only for the benefit of my son. Grissom and I were genuinely happy that you wanted to come back here because we wanted to see you." She then got emotional. "We wanted to see if this amazing, bright, little girl turned into exactly what we thought she would turn into, or more like turning into."

With a challenging look, Bella asked with confidence, proud of who she was becoming. "And?"

Sara chuckled with a nod, liking this girl even more. "Exactly how we had hoped, and then some. My son was right about you all along." Sara then finished. "And I honestly couldn't pick a better girl for my son."

Bella smiled with a nod. "Thank you for saying that." After Sara nodded, Bella asked. "If you really feel that then, then why do I get a sense something else is going on here?"

Sara paused for a second before replying. "Even knowing the inevitable is about to happen, doesn't make..."

She was cut off when they heard Katie from the living room. "Rick's outside, we have to go!"

Bella gave her a smile as she stood up. "I guess that's my cue to leave."

"I'll see you later."

Bella nodded in return before walking towards the kitchen door, but then she stopped and turned back around and spoke with emotion. "I would never or could ever replace you in your son's heart." Sara looked a little shocked that she knew what she was thinking as the young woman continued. "And I didn't come here to come between you two, I just wanted to be a part of his life again, I don't have to be in all of it. I'll back off a little if you want me to."

Sara's response was immediate, knowing what that would do to her son, as she stood up. "No, I want you treat my son the way he deserves, don't hide how you feel."

Bella smiled with a nod with a few more tears. "You're an amazing mother, and I knew that the first time I met him when all he talked about was you being his superhero. And I happen to agree with him, because you've been mine for a long time as well."

Then with that, Bella walked out of the room, both wiping tears off their cheeks, knowing this talk changed everything, in a very good way.

AN: More to come, thanks for reading and please review.