Alrighty then, this is it. The very last chapter of T&T. Thank you to all of the readers and loyal reviewers who have stuck it out with me over the past seven months. Man how time flies.
I would like to thank my many supporters over this trek; Just Thinking, for her awesome beta skills; thegreatbluespoon, if it had not been for her, Jason would still be alive; Kakidoll, for her continued support and always being on my side when thespoon and I have a disagreement.
So without further a due, I give you the final chapter. Enjoy.
Teens & Tribulations
Chapter 34
Grissom held onto Sara, as she buried her face into his shoulder. She then began to smile against him and tilted her head up to kiss his neck. "I'm pregnant," she whispered.
"Really?" Grissom gasped as he looked down at his wife. She smiled her answer back, causing him to lean in and kiss her lips tenderly.
They just sat on the couch holding on to each other for the rest of the afternoon while Kassie sat on the floor in front of them and watched movies.
As Sara made dinner that evening something happened that she never expected. She was feeding Sydney some baby food as Grissom was doing the dishes.
"Let's go car shopping." He suddenly announced.
Sara froze. "Don't you have to work tonight?"
Grissom shrugged his shoulders. "Yeah, but with one phone call, that could change."
She was still stunned. "What about the girls?"
"Ah." He paused and looked around the room. "Be right back." He rushed out of the kitchen.
Sara gave her head a shake and looked back to Sydney. "Daddy's lost his mind." The baby gurgled. "Yes, I think we're throwing too much at him, and he's going cookoo."
Suddenly Grissom reappeared. "Ok, Lindsey is on her way over. I figure I can at least take off for a few hours into the night if it seems like we're going to be out late…"
Sara put her hand over his mouth silencing him. "Gil, stop it. You're rambling, I get it."
"Oh. Sorry." He smiled at her. "I guess I'm just getting those 'gonna be a dad again' jitters."
She continued to feed Sydney as Grissom finished up cleaning in the kitchen. When Lindsey arrived, she was greeted by a very enthusiastic Kassie. They went about amusing themselves as Sara put the baby down for the evening.
Grissom was waiting for her in the truck when she came out and climbed in. "So, do you have any idea about what you want for a grocery getter?"
Sara laughed. "Grocery getter!?" He smiled back. "Well, I do like your truck."
That drew a quick scoff from him. "Do you have any idea how much this big black machine put me back?"
"No, but I'm sure that what I'm looking for won't be that expensive."
Grissom just shot her a sarcastic look as he drove off. He was heading towards the strip, but taking the back way. Sara noticed this and knew she needed to intervene.
"Gil…" She put her hand on his arm. "This needs to stop."
He sighed and tuned away from where he was heading. "I just wish he was still here."
Sara took his hand in hers. "I do too."
They spent a few hours looking at several different Suburbans that were sitting on the car lot. So far, they had managed to avoid a salesman, but when a specific one caught Sara's eye, "Gil, look at this one." She drug him over to the SUV and opened the door. "Look at all of the room. I could haul all kinds of stuff, and not to mention groceries." She shot a look at him, Grissom just smiled back. "Don't say it. It's got a DVD player, oh, the girls would love that. And look, it gets better fuel mileage than your truck." She climbed inside while he continued his sarcastic stare at her.
Sara continued to sit behind the wheel while Grissom did all of the wheeling and dealing, but when the salesman nearly refused to bargain, she hopped out and grabbed Grissom's hand. "Come on Honey, I'm sure there's another dealership around here."
Grissom shrugged his shoulders and began to let himself be dragged away from the two-legged weasel. "Okay, okay. Let me go run this by my manager."
Sara turned around. "Sounds good, but I'm leaving in five minutes, because I'm going to buy a Suburban, whether it's here or somewhere else."
The salesman high tailed it back to the showroom while Grissom and Sara laughed at him. Sara climbed back into the Suburban and let herself become enveloped by the new car smell. "I've never had a new car before."
"Well, nothing's too good for you." Grissom replied as he leaned to kiss her on the cheek.
After another hour at the dealership, Grissom pulled his truck into the garage. Just as he climbed out, a Bermuda blue metallic Suburban pulled up next to him. Sara jumped out and leapt into his arms. "I love it, I love it, I love it."
He held her up and began walking to her new SUV. "Want to break it in properly?" She pushed back to look at his face, and he wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"I don't think so," she leaned back to him, "But you can take me to bed."
Grissom let a low growl slip. "As much as I would love to, I need to get to the lab." He set her down. "I've arranged for a meeting with the sheriff in the morning, so I'll be late."
"Just remember what I said."
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "Thank you."
Sara watched him leave before heading inside. It was already after eleven and she assumed that the girls would all be sleeping. Wrong. Kassie was the first to notice her. "Momma."
Sara gasped. "What happened to you?"
"Lindsey is showing me how to put on makeup."
"She is…" All she could do was let her mouth fall open as Kassie headed back into the living room. Sara followed. "Isn't it getting late you two?"
Lindsey smiled. "Yeah, I guess so. Come on kiddo, let's get cleaned up."
Sara shook her head as they left; Kassie was indeed growing up fast. She picked up a few stray items before checking in on Sydney. It didn't take long before Lindsey and Kassie retuned make-up free.
"Lindsey, I can give you a ride home, or if you want you can just stay here."
"Thanks Sara, if it's not a problem I'll just stay here."
Sara smiled. "No problem at all. Now, off to bed." Lindsey and Kassie ran up the stairs. Sara watched with pride and put her hand over her stomach, then headed to bed herself.
The next morning brought the chaos of breakfast making. Sara, Lindsey, and Kassie were trying to make breakfast for themselves and the other two that would be joining them later.
"Kassie, would you set the table for five?"
"Okay Momma." She took the plates her mother had handed her and headed off to the dining room.
Lindsey was whipping a bowl full of eggs. "What time were they supposed to be here?"
Sara looked at the clock as she counted out slices of bread to be toasted. "Well, your mom called an hour ago and said that they would be here within the hour, so… they're late."
Just then, the front door opened. Grissom followed Catherine inside. They followed the smell of breakfast to the kitchen.
Lindsey looked up as they entered. Sara, unfortunately did not. Grissom noticed this and quickly brought a finger up to his lips. Lindsey and Catherine smiled and watched as he stealthily moved up behind Sara. She was still oblivious to his presents, until he pressed himself against her, his hand goosing her at the same time.
"Ahhh!!" Sara turned as her heart leapt from her chest. They were all laughing except her. "Gil Grissom, that's not funny." However, she soon found herself giggling with them.
Grissom and Catherine helped them finish preparing breakfast. Once they had all sat down and began eating, Grissom looked over at Catherine. She gave him a smile and nodded.
He cleared his throat. "I have an announcement."
Sara stopped him. "Gil, I thought…" she whispered.
"It's not that. You are all looking at the new LVPD Lab Director."
Catherine smiled, Kassie and Lindsey had dumbfounded looks, and Sara nearly dropped her fork. "Are you serious?"
"As a heart attack. My meeting was about possibly changing shifts, and he had informed me that the director had turned in his resignation the day before, and he made me an offer I couldn't refuse." Grissom took a casual bite of his eggs.
Sara was still in shock. "What kind of an offer?"
Grissom wiped his mouth before responding. "Starting next week, Cath will take over as nightshift supervisor. I get to keep my office, work days, I can still participate in field work, I get an assistant to do a majority of the paper work, and a big raise."
"Wait, how can you still do field work?"
"I'm the resident entomologist, and now the lab director, so if I want to do field work, I can."
Sara smiled. "What will happen to Conrad?"
"Oh, I got this." Catherine spoke up. "His already little ego shrunk to the size of a pea. He's pissed, and can't figure out how Gil surpassed him in the company ladder."
Grissom laughed and Sara followed suit relaxing more and more. "Well, if that's what you want, then I'm happy for you." She raised her glass of milk. "To the new lab director."
Everyone followed suit and gently clanged their glasses of milk and orange juice. Kassie was more than thrilled to be included "What's a lab director?" Kassie asked as they continued their salute.
"Well, Sweetie, that means that Daddy is now the boss." Sara answered her.
"Technically I'm not…"
"Shut up Gil." Catherine butted in. "You're the boss of the lab and that's what everyone wanted."
He looked at her confused. "It is?"
She smiled and took a bite of her breakfast. "Well, except Ecklie." They all finished their breakfast in small talk.
Grissom easily fell into his new role at the lab. There wasn't too much of a difference from being night shift supervisor. He had the weekends off, was home every night by six, unless something demanded his attention. Sara was happier, and Kassie was just glad to be spending more time with her dad.
Then the day came when Kassie had to return to school. Grissom had already taken the day off because Sara's morning sickness had really picked up. She was just functioning enough to attend to her own needs, let alone take Kassie to school. He was more than willing to help out.
"Kassie, come on. It's time to go to school." Grissom knocked on her door and when there was no answer, he slowly opened the door and entered. "Kassie, what's wrong?"
She was sitting on the edge of her bed; her backpack was sitting in the middle of the floor. Kassie looked up at him, the evidence of shed tears were crystal clear.
Grissom kneeled in front of her, despite his knees objection. "Sweetie, what's the matter?"
She sniffled. "I miss Jason." More tears began to fall and Grissom was quick to envelope her in his arms.
He rubbed her back. "Mom and I miss him too, but you know what? Think about what Jason would say in this situation."
She sat back. "He would want me to go to school."
"That's right. He would want you to get an education and grow up to be a beautiful young woman. Just remember, he's always with you, here." Grissom pointed to her heart. "Never let him go."
She nodded sadly.
He grabbed her back pack. "Come on, just remember, the first three days of the first grade, you'll be home by noon, then you will get full class days, and I'll come have lunch with you."
Kassie smiled and stood taking his hand as he led her out of the room.
The school was clamoring with children of all ages. Sara had told Grissom about making a stop at the principal's office before taking Kassie to her classroom. Kassie climbed out of the truck, backpack in hand. Grissom walked around to take her hand.
"Come on. I'm sure all of your friends will be excited to see you."
Kassie never looked at him, only let him guide her into the school and through the halls. After meeting with the principal and counselor, Grissom escorted her to her new classroom. Her teacher was already prepared to deal with the extra stress of having a student whom had just lost a sibling, so when Kassie protested Grissom's departure, her teacher was ready.
"Daddy, don't go." She held onto his hand as if it was her only lifeline.
Grissom was about to kneel when her teacher approached. "Kassie, hi, I'm Miss Moore. I'll be your first grade teacher." The brunette kneeled and extended her hand.
Kassie remained fastened to Grissom and buried her head in his leg.
Miss Moore continued. "I'm sure all of your friends from kindergarten are in there, wouldn't you like to see them? I know they are all excited to see you again."
Kassie turned and faced her teacher. Brown eyes interlocked with brown eyes, and slowly Kassie released her grip on Grissom and took the teachers hand. Miss Moore gave Grissom a smile and he thanked her.
"I'll be back around noon to pick you up, alright?"
Kassie nodded and let herself be led into the room filled with children. Grissom remained outside the door for a few extra minutes watching Kassie through the small window. He had to give himself peace of mind before heading back to his ill wife.
Her first few days of school flew by, and on her first full day of school, her dad had showed up to have lunch with her, just like he had promised.
"Daddy!" Kassie ran to Grissom, and he scooped her up.
"Where are you sitting?"
She pointed to a far table and he carried her over. He set Kassie down, and she climbed onto the bench like structure, and Grissom followed suit.
"This is Samantha, but we just call her Sam, and this is Roger." Kassie introduced the other two kids sitting with her.
"Hello Sam…Roger." Grissom politely shook their hands.
"This is my dad, he plays with bugs." Grissom took the 'cool' and 'ew' he received from the children as compliments.
"Well, I don't just play with bugs…"
"Yeah, he catches bad guys too." Kassie was more than willing to show off her father.
"You're a cop." Roger piped up.
"I'm a criminalist for the Las Vegas Crime Lab."
"A crima-what?" Sam asked, not able to pronounce criminalist.
Grissom had to think. First graders can't use big words. "I catch the bad guys."
Before he knew it he had a crowd of first graders around him as he was telling them about different insects in the area. After lunch, Kassie had several other kids wanting to be her friend. Grissom smiled, if anything, he hoped he'd helped.
One evening Grissom was driving Sara in her Suburban, they were headed home from the doctor's office. Fifteen weeks into this pregnancy and she was constantly ill, and with the high risk she carried, her OB was insistent on seeing her every week.
"How are you feeling now?" he asked looking over at her with concern.
"Groggy. Like I've just been put through a juicer."
Grissom raised his eyebrow at her remark.
Sara shook her head. "Sorry,I don't know where that came from." She turned to look back out the windshield. "Gil, look out!"
Grissom turned his head just in time to see a dog sprint out into the car's path. He slammed on the brakes, but it was too late. The thump had already happened. Grissom threw the SUV into park and jumped out to check on the dog he had just hit. Sara was suddenly right behind him. He kneeled to the whimpering animal.
"Gil, she's still alive. We have to take her to the vet." She stood and opened the rear hatch on the SUV.
Grissom gently picked up the dog. "Shhh, its okay girl. We'll get you help." With a grunt, he picked up the dog. "Man, she's heavy." He placed the dog on the towel Sara had spread out, and just as fast as it had all happened, they were off.
They found an emergency vet clinic; Sara held open the door for Grissom as he carried the dog inside. A nurse quickly approached them.
"We hit this dog; I think she's a stray." Sara explained.
"Bring her this way." The nurse motioned for them to follow.
Grissom laid the dog down on the stainless table. "I'll fetch Doctor McCarrol." The nurse said as she left.
Sara was gently stroking the dogs head as she whined. "Shhh, it's gonna be alright. What breed do you think she is Gil?"
Grissom looked over the dog that lay out before him. The solid white hair coat; thick and fairly long, soft, large gentle black eyes and a black nose were highlighted against the white hair. "I'm not sure."
Just then the attending vet entered. "Hi, I'm Doctor McCarrol."
"Gil Grissom." He shook the extended hand.
"Sara."
"And who is this?" Doctor McCarrol asked.
"We don't know. We hit her over on Ninetieth Street. She doesn't have a collar; I'm guessing she's a stray." Sara informed him.
The vet shook his head. "Poor thing. You have no idea how many people will hit a dog and leave it to die on the side of the road."
"What will happen to her?" Grissom asked.
"Well, we'll put her to sleep."
"What!?" Sara intervened. "Can't you help her?"
"Yes, the problem is that without someone to pay for it, there's nothing I can do except put her out of her misery."
The dog turned her head, looked at Sara and began to whine again. "Gil, do something."
Grissom stood frozen in place.
"I'm sure she's somebody's dog, a Great Pyrenees is not a cheap dog."
"Gil." Sara's voiced lowered and was more demanding that he act.
Finally he reacted. "We'll pay to have her treated. And, I guess if there's no word of an owner by the time she's healed, I guess we'll take her home with us."
Sara stood and wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you."
"Very well. We'll get her examined more thoroughly and let you know of what procedures will be needed." Doctor McCarrol took their information and ordered up a series of tests.
Sara and Grissom left hand in hand. She thanked him many times on the way home. "She'll need a name." Sara said just as they pulled onto their street.
"No names, until we know that we will be her new owners. I don't want you getting attached to a dog we might not get. And don't say anything to Kassie; she's still on her wanting a dog rants."
She smiled at him just as his phone rang.
"Grissom." He sat and listened to the person on the other end. "Alright, that's fine. Thanks doc."
"So, she's fixable?"
He looked at her. "You talk as if she's an appliance." Sara shrugged her shoulders. "Yes, she's fixable. And the owners tracked her down." Sara's face fell. Even she was excited about getting a dog. "Once they found out what it was going to cost to fix her, they refused treatment and instructed Dr. McCarrol to euthanize her."
Then Sara's face turned. "Oh, hell no, Gil. You call him back and tell him…"
"That's why he called. He asked if we were still willing to save her. I said that was fine. Now you can think of a name."
Sara squealed as if she had won the lottery and gave him a hug that threatened to squeeze the life out of him.
Grissom hugged her back. "I see someone's feeling better."
She pushed away and looked back at him. "Yeah, until your kid starts bugging me again."
He shrugged his shoulders and escorted her inside.
Two weeks later the call came in that the dog was ready to go home. Grissom made the solo trip to the vet clinic. He approached the desk and gave his name.
"Grissom, yup, here it is. Okay, that will be $1,245 even."
"What!?" He about fell over. "It's a dog."
"Yes, I know, but isn't it amazing at how fast they become a member of the family?" The girl behind the desk said.
Grissom just sighed and handed over a credit card. He watched as she swiped it then handed him a receipt to sign. The dollar amount was printed in bold letters to make sure he knew just how much money he was spending. Just as he handed back the receipt, the door opened and a nurse emerged with the large white dog.
"The hair will grow back; we had to shave her for surgery. She has a few pins in her hip and is not to be going up and down stairs for a few more weeks. The limping will subside with time, but she should make a full recovery. These are her pain meds, and Doctor McCarrol wants to see her in a week to make sure she's progressing well." The nurse handed Grissom the leash. "She's such a sweetheart. I hope you get along with her alright."
"Thanks, she's for my six year old daughter." Grissom responded.
The nurse's face lit up. "Oh, Great Pyrenees' are great dogs for children; they are also great guard dogs."
That little bit of information made Grissom feel much better about his decision. He thanked the nurses and took the new dog out and headed home. Once he was within a few minutes of the house, he called Sara to inform her of his approach.
As he expected Sara was holding Sydney with Kassie standing anxiously on the front porch. He pulled into the drive way and Kassie was at his legs in no time.
"Doggie, doggie, where is she!"
He couldn't help but laugh. "Come on."
Sara was already standing at the back of the SUV. Grissom opened the hatch and Kassie let out a screech that would have woke the dead. He lifted the dog out and placed her on the ground.
Kassie instantly had her arms around the white beast. "She's beautiful." She petted the thick white hair. "Why is there no hair down there?"
Sara looked at Grissom and he looked back wide eyed. Telling her that he was the one that ran over the dog wasn't going to happen. So they fibbed.
"She had a hip problem and had to have surgery. Her owners couldn't afford it, so Daddy paid her medical bills." Sara explained. It wasn't totally lying.
Kassie hugged the dog again. "Who wouldn't want you?" She stood and took the leash. "What's her name?"
"You'll have to pick one out for her." Grissom said as he closed the hatch.
The little girl thought for a moment. "June. Her name is June."
This puzzled Grissom and Sara. "Why June?" Sara asked.
Kassie looked up to her parents. "Because that's when Jason and I came to live here. Come on June, let's go inside."
Sara could only look at Grissom, trying to stop the tears from falling as they formed. Being pregnant, it was hopeless. He moved to her and pulled her into his arms trying not to crush Sydney between them.
They went into the house and found Kassie sitting on the living room floor watching a movie; June was lying right beside her.
"Good idea, Honey." Grissom kissed Sara's cheek. "Good idea."
Three weeks went by. Kassie was enjoying school and her new dog. June slept upstairs with her; she had become her new protector. Sydney was beginning to crawl around. Surprising to Grissom, June followed the baby everywhere she scrawled to. He just couldn't believe that the dog was so in tuned with the girls.
He entered the house and it seemed at first no one was at home. Sara was supposed to get her first prenatal scan today, and he wasn't going to miss it for the world. "Helloooo." He called out. The barking started upstairs and quickly was at his feet. "Whoa June, calm down there girl. He patted the dog and she quickly retreated back to her room.
Grissom went into his bedroom, the bed was empty. "Sara?"
She emerged from the bathroom, her face red from crying.
"Honey, what's wrong?" He pulled her into his chest.
Sara let a few more sobs and tears escape. "You know how we talked about not wanting to know the baby's sex?"
"Mmm." He used his hands to rub her back, trying to sooth her.
"I want to know if she can tell us."
Grissom released a small breath. "Whatever you want."
Once she had calmed, they loaded up Sydney and headed out. Grissom left Sara to her thoughts as he took Sydney into Catherine's house.
"Where's Sara?" Catherine asked as she took Sydney into her arms.
"She's waiting in the truck. I don't know what to think, she's…she's…" He couldn't find the words.
"Emotional?"
Grissom didn't answer vocally; a slight scoff was enough for him. "We'll be back after a while."
"Take your time." She called out as he exited.
Another fifteen minutes and they were sitting in the waiting room of Sara's obstetrician. Her hand was constantly squeezing his, she was already pregnant, and Grissom couldn't figure out why she was so nervous.
"Sara?" A nurse called out from an open door.
Grissom stood and gave Sara a slight tug to bring her back to reality. "Honey?" She looked up and stood with him to follow the nurse.
They were led to the exam room. Sara climbed onto the table and sat facing Grissom. "Hold me."
He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, trying to calm her nervousness. She melted in his embrace; he always knew how to hold her just right, making her feel completely at ease.
"Hello, Sara." The fiery red haired Doctor Gloria, as she liked to be called, entered. "Ready?"
Sara nodded slightly and held onto Grissom's hand as she laid back. Gloria pulled up her shirt revealing her belly. She flipped the machine on and while it was warming up proceeded to place the gel on Sara's stomach.
As all of this was happening, Sara kept her eyes on Grissom, and he kept his eyes locked with her. Suddenly the small room filled with a whooshing noise. They broke eye contact and looked to Gloria; she turned the monitor so they could see their baby. Sara's eyes filled with tears once again as she looked at the figure that was growing within her.
"Heartbeat is strong, and everything looks good." She paused and let them watch for a little while longer. "So, do you want to know the baby's sex?"
Sara looked back to Grissom. "Whatever you want, honey."
She paused for a moment before turning back to Gloria, and nodding.
Gloria smiled and turned the screen so she could see it. It only took her a few moments before she had an answer. "Alright." She returned the screen so they could see. "You're carrying a baby boy."
Grissom's head fell to Sara's arm as his tears formed easily. Sara extended her free arm to touch the screen. "A boy?" Her question was in disbelief.
"Yes, a boy, and a healthy one at that."
He felt Sara squeeze his hand harder and Grissom looked back up to the screen. A few tears escaped as he looked at the image. "A son. My son."
Well, it's been real, and it's been fun; it's been real fun, but it must end. I'm hoping in some way I ended it the way many were hoping. I've had so much fun writing this and I hoped you have all enjoyed it. You don't have to say it; thespoon is already pestering me about a sequel. Maybe with some encouragement in the form of reviews; wink, wink, nudge, nudge, it just might happen. Take care ya'll, and I'm already in the process of working on another story, so stay tuned for that one.
Thanks everyone.
TDCSI