A/N: Wow it's been far too long since I updated. We were on vacation and we had a dog for a while, but had to give her to my parents because my husband was far to allergic to her. So it's been an interesting few weeks.

Thank you everyone for your wonderful reviews, I only hope you like this chapter as well as the last.

Chapter 14

Grissom clutched Owen's waist and pulled him into a hug. Sara's hand was clasped over her mouth in shock and unshed tears glistened threateningly in her eyes. Neither of them could believe that Owen had just spoke.

"Owen, why do you want me to stay?" Grissom gently asked the boy, at the same time leaning back to look into his eyes.

At first it seemed that Owen wasn't going to answer Grissom's question, but after a moment he did, "Like playing with you" He placed a pudgy fist on Grissom's cheek, and announced, "You should stay always."

Grissom looked up at Sara who was no longer able to control her tears.

"Can I stay?" he asked quietly, and all she could do was nod her head in acceptance. "Okay, buddy I'll stay." He ran a hand through the young boy's hair and mussed it. "Will you go play with your sister while I help your aunt make dinner?" The boy quickly nodded his head in agreement and ran toward the living room. All was right in his world again.

Sara choked back a sob and willingly fell into Grissom's arms. "I, just can't believe. I can't believe he finally said something. I thought I'd have to take him to a psychiatrist or something. Thank you Grissom, thank you so much." She beamed and held him tighter. Ignoring how good it felt to have his arms around her again.

Grissom was tentatively running his hands down Sara's back. It felt a lot like coming home to him. But would he be allowed to stay? Permanently? "Do you believe me now?"

She looked at him quizzically; Curiosity masking her tear stained face.

"When I said I was dedicated to you and these children. I still mean that. Do you believe me now?" Blue eyes searched brown hopefully.

"Yeah." She smiled softly, and brushed at the dampness on her cheeks. " I do." They pulled apart reluctantly after sharing a quick kiss then started on dinner.

Not long after, the pseudo family sat had down to a lovely dinner of a salad, spaghetti and garlic bread. The children ate hungrily if not a little messily and both adults sat amazed at how quickly a simple dinner could turn into what looked like one of their messier crime scenes.

Later that evening after the kids had been scrubbed senseless, and were tucked into bed Sara and Grissom settled in on the couch, drinking coffee and talking about the future.

A future that they had both decided, they wanted to spend together.

"Do you still want to find a house?" Grissom asked, a hand rubbing up and down Sara's leg.

"Yeah, I'd like to find something near Jeremy's school and has a room for each of them. I know that is a lot to ask and I'm sure I'll be paying far too much, but I want something that we can all be comfortable in. I want them to have a fresh start. Life with my brother, had been unstable at the best of times, I think." She eyed him speculatively. I want them to feel wanted, and secure."

"I completely understand where you are coming from Sara. I want that for them myself. I have one question though."

"What's that?" she asked concern suddenly slipping across her face.

"Do I get to live in this new fabulous house too?"

Her smile was uncertain. "Are you asking me if you can move in when we move?"

"No I'm asking to be a part of everything." He clasped one slender hand in his. " I mean from searching and deciding on the house to painting and well…everything."

"Oh," She stared at him darkly for a moment feigning uncertainty. Then a smile lit her face. "Well if you want to be a part of everything then I guess I'll have to say: yes…" She giggled and threw her arms around him.

Jeremy listening from his doorway, broke into a great big smile after he heard her answer drift down the hallway.