Sorry for the wait on this one, I had a blast while my Mom was here. Thanks for the many reviews, I hope this chapter is what you were looking for. A big thanks to Just Thinking for the shopping expertise and beta work, Kakidoll for her beta skills, and thegreatbluespoon, hmmm, what can I say about her?

Teens & Tribulations

Chapter 24

The next morning Sara made breakfast, as she couldn't sleep once again. Jason ate then headed off to Dirk's. Kassie ate then went to color in the other room. Grissom never showed. Neither had spoken to her more than needed lately. It seemed as if they were blaming her for Grissom's absence. Sara was exhausted, and after she had eaten, she felt as if she would just collapse.

She informed Kassie that she was going to take a shower. Sara stopped at a picture that was poised on top of their dresser. She slid a finger down the edge of the frame, as another set of tears threatened to fall. The picture was perfect; Grissom in his tux, Sara in her last minute wedding dress, Kassie was in a light blue dress, while Jason sported a navy suit as the sun set over the desert horizon. Their first family portrait.

It was then she felt that all too familiar feeling that she hadn't felt in some time. Sara turned swiftly and was in his embrace.

"Sara."

She cried into his shirt, soaking it through to the skin. "I'm sorry."

"Shhh honey. I'm sorry I even left you."

As he held onto her, Grissom felt her body began to slump down his form. He eased down with her as Sara knelt, crying to the floor. She hiccupped as she tried to form coherent words through her tears, Grissom just held her, using his powerful embrace to comfort her.

"Dada."

Grissom looked over Sara's shoulder; he opened one arm to wrap up Kassie as she joined them on the floor. She began to cry along with Sara. He held the two of them as if the world might slip away

The minutes passed as if they were hours, Kassie cried so hard, she actually fell asleep. Sara was dazed but still lucid.

"I'm sorry Gil."

Grissom stroked her chocolate hair. "It wasn't your fault." His voice was quiet and soothing. "You were right, about everything. I'm the one who's sorry."

Other than the few sniffles from Sara, and the occasional one from Grissom, the room was quiet. Grissom brought his hand to Sara's cheek and used his thumb to wipe away the stray tears.

"Come on, let's get cleaned up." He stood up while Sara held Kassie. With a grunt, he lifted the six year olds limp body. "She's getting heavy."

Sara climbed to her feet. "That's what happens when they grow up."

She followed Grissom up to Kassie's bedroom, and watched as he tenderly laid her on the bed. He turned and escorted Sara back to their bedroom.

"I know I haven't been the husband or father I should be, but after a moment of clarity, thinking it was all going to be taken away, I know now I need to make more of an effort." He moved closer to Sara, as her eyes welled up once again. "I love you Sara, and I'm sorry."

That last bit caused the floodgates to break once again as she began to cry.

"Gil..." was all that she managed to squeak out as he pulled her against him again.

Kassie remained sleeping while he helped Sara fix him something to eat. They worked quietly, sharing a soft touch or two as no words were said.

Jason walked in the front door as they were snacking. Grissom noticed something about his appearance that didn't sit well with him.

"Hey, what were you doing that you forgot to button up your jeans?"

Sara instantly looked up, thinking the worst.

Jason stopped at the sound of Grissom's voice. "You're back."

"Yes, and I'm never leaving again. Now, the jeans?"

Jason looked down. "Oh, uh well...I can't get them buttoned anymore. And they're getting short too."

"Why didn't you say anything?" Sara asked.

He looked at the floor.

Grissom shook his head. "Go upstairs, and try on all of the jeans you have. If they don't fit anymore, or are getting too tight, bring them down and we'll go get you some new ones."

"Thanks." Jason headed up the stairs.

"Man, he's getting big." Sara commented.

"Did you know that he's 5'7" and weighs 140 lbs?"

"He's not that heavy."

Grissom nodded, "And the way he's growing, he'll be taller than me by the time he's 16."

"Where do these kids get all of this height from?"

He just shook his head. "Do you feel like going shopping?"

"We need groceries." She looked at him and smiled. "When was the last time you went grocery shopping with the kids?"

His eyes got wide as he tried to remember, but it was so long ago he couldn't remember.

"Well, when he gets done, we're all going." Sara smiled a semi-wicked smile, and Grissom wasn't sure he liked what he heard.

The look on his face made her laugh, so she moved over to him, placing a kiss on his cheek. Grissom remained statuesque through her movements.

"You want to be more of a father and husband, first lesson, shopping."

Jason took less than fifteen minutes to rifle through his pants, and out of nine pairs of jeans none of them fit him anymore. Sara bagged them up and put them in the back of the truck along with the stroller.

Grissom went to wake Kassie. She was still afraid he would leave and clung to him as he took her to the truck. Jason was already in the back seat as Sara passed Sydney to him, and he secured her in the car seat. Grissom helped Kassie get buckled in before climbing in behind the wheel next to Sara.

She turned around and looked at the three bodies in the back seat. "Good thing this is a crew cab, one more and we'll need a van."

"I'm not selling this truck." He quickly responded before starting the engine.

First stop, the mall. Sara placed a sleeping Sydney into the stroller, while Grissom latched onto Kassie's hand. Jason walked along beside as they all entered the mall.

"So, what kind of jeans do you want?" Sara asked Jason.

He thought for a moment. "What kind does Nick wear?"

Grissom and Sara looked at each other slightly confused, as Jason elaborated.

"Lindsey say's he's got a nice butt, and that his jeans help the look." He turned his back to them and glanced over his shoulder. "I have a nice butt, right?"

Grissom gave a slight shake of his head while Sara laughed.

"Nick wears Cinch jeans." Sara answered.

Grissom looked at her and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Hey, he does have a nice butt." She reached over and grabbed his ass. "But not as nice as yours."

All he could do was roll his eyes at her.

"Gross. I don't want to see my parents groping each other in public."

Sara pointed to her left, "That way."

She helped Jason pick out and try on several pairs of jeans, while Grissom kept his eye on Kassie and Sydney. Kassie was trying to help Jason pick out pants, but the first time he snapped at her, she went sobbing to Grissom.

"Ok, so we have five pairs of Cinches and what else?"

"He needs jeans for good, maybe a pair of slacks?" Grissom suggested.

Jason got a disgusted look on his face.

Sara laughed, "He's right. Lets pick out a pair of dark blue and black jeans, and a pair of Khakis."

After an hour of playing dress up, Jason had run out of patience. "Don't I have enough pants now?" The agitation in his voice was evident.

"Ok, we're done. Here Gil, go pay for these and we'll meet you over there." She pointed just outside the store.

Grissom took the jeans and did as he was told. Only when the cashier gave him his grand total did he protest.

"That'll be $302.98."

"WHAT?!"

The cashier nodded and smiled.

"It's seven pairs of jeans and a pair of slacks."

"Correct sir, the jeans are thirty-five a piece, the slacks are forty, and then there's tax."

Grissom gave the man an unapproving grunt as he handed over a credit card. He quickly signed his name, gathered the bags, and walked out to join Sara.

As they walked back to the truck Jason walked with Kassie, holding her hand. They were several steps in front of Grissom and Sara.

"Do you know how much we just spent in there?" He kept his voice quiet so Jason wouldn't overhear.

Sara turned to look at him. "About three hundred dollars."

He was taken aback. "How..."

"Gil, clothes are expensive, and with growing kids, they'll need new clothes every year as they get bigger."

He just shook his head and could only thank God that Jason was nearly grown, but Kassie was still young, and he saw some of the prices on the baby clothes and saw dollar signs flying away.

"Gil...Gil...GIL!"

"Huh?"

"Unlock the truck please."

"Oh, yeah. Sorry, I was thinking."

Jason laughed. "Yeah, that blank stare gives it away."

Grissom just shook his head and escorted them to their next destination, the grocery store.

Before they walked in Sara had a warning for him. "Just remember one thing."

"What's that?"

"Just say 'No'."

"Okay." Grissom replied very confused.

He pushed the cart and entertained Sydney at the same time. She would giggle at him as he stuck his tongue out at her. This was a breeze, he thought. Jason was just walked along behind them not saying much as Kassie helped place things into the cart that Sara had handed her.

"Are you ready?" Sara asked him.

"Ready for what?" Just as he asked, they turned into the cereal isle.

He watched as Kassie left her post and headed down the isle, followed by Jason. Within seconds both returned begging at Sara like homeless children.

"Can I get this, please...?"

"No, I need more protein in my diet for baseball, can I get this?"

"I want this."

Their words blended together, and Grissom couldn't decipher a word they said. Somehow Sara did and she quickly told them several 'no's in a row. He watched as they returned the items only to pick up several more and the process repeated.

He could only shake his head as they asked him the same questions they bombarded Sara with. After a second time being turned down, Kassie sat down in the middle of the isle and refused to get up, clutching a box of Cookie Crisp.

"We're going to get the same cereal we usually do." Sara told her sternly, and began walking away.

"Hey, what about me?" Jason asked holding a box of Wheaties.

Sara thought briefly before nodding her approval.

Kassie screamed and threw the box in their direction. Grissom was wide eyed with shock at how a box of cereal could turn her into the child from hell.

Sara walked past the box of cereal Kassie had thrown. "Would you get her please?"

Grissom passed the cart to Sara as he kicked the box aside, picked up a now crying Kassie, and followed Sara. She continued to fuss as he carried her down the next isle. It continued until they checked out.

Again, Grissom handed over a credit card to Sara, and watched as the total was brought up for all to see.

"My God."

Sara turned. "What?"

"A hundred and fifty dollars for food?"

"Gil, there's five of us now." She signed the electronic screen and handed back Grissom his card. "And just think, you want another one."

He couldn't answer; only follow her out the door.

After stopping briefly to pick up some burgers, and a salad for Sara; they ate against Grissom's approval in the truck. Once home, Grissom backed the truck into the garage and began unloading bodies before groceries. Jason took his clothes up to his room, Grissom carried Kassie to hers, and Sara went to put down Sydney before they unloaded the rest.

Grissom was sitting, exhausted, on the couch as Sara plopped down beside him, letting out a sigh as she curled into him.

He kissed her hair. "How often do you go grocery shopping?"

"About once a week."

"You're kidding, right?"

"Nope. But usually Jason stays home and watches Kassie, so it's just me and Sydney. I thought you needed the full experience."

"Ha, traumatized is a much better description."

She picked her head up to look at him. "Ready to make another?"

Instantly his eyebrow went up. "I'm more than willing to try, but heaven forbid that for some reason, latex gets in the way."

She smiled as he leaned in to capture her lips. Sara slipped her tongue out to quickly deepen the kiss. Grissom moaned into her mouth and leaned forward, pushing her back until his body covered hers. He continued to kiss her as his hands moved down her body.

Sara moaned into his mouth as the heat between them rose. Grissom took that as a sign to keep going.

"Ahhgg, get a room." Jason said as he passed them heading into the kitchen.

Grissom looked up to watch the teen calmly walk away.

Sara let out a disappointing sigh knowing that at that moment, mood killer was an understatement.

Now it's time to review and let me know if it was worth posting. I've been fighting with these next upcoming chapters so let me know if they suck. I'll add the next one in a few days or so. Depends on how many times we go riding in the canyon. :)

TDCSI