Disclaimer: See chapter 20.
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27
After the trip to the doctor's office, where they found out Sara was in perfect health, they were back home, seated on the couch drinking coffee. "So, now that every receptionist, doctor and nurse in my OB/GYN office has your name and pager, cell, work and home phone numbers, do you feel better?"
With a chuckle, "Sorry about that. I'm new at this whole, dad thing."
"You don't have to apologize. I actually thought it was kinda cute."
"Good." He took another sip of his coffee, "There is one thing that's bothering me, though."
"You mean besides the fact that you don't think I'll follow all those new rules you made sure Dr. Johnson printed out for you?"
"Yes."
"What?"
"How do feel about getting married?"
"I thought we already did the whole proposal thing and I said yes."
"No, I mean, I'd like to be married before the baby is born. How do you feel about that?"
"Wow, you are way ahead of me!"
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No. I just…didn't realize that would be important to you."
"Well, it is. So?"
"So…if it's important to you, then it's important to me. As long as you're sure."
"Stop."
"Stop what?"
"Stop doubting that I'm ready for this. Sara, I love you and there is nothing about this that I'm not ready for. I've made a lot of mistakes when it comes to us and nightmares have haunted me for years. You told me yourself that I had to forgive myself before I could make this work, and you were right. Forgiving myself for all the hurt I've caused you is one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I know now that without you, I'm nothing and with you, I'm everything. I know these past few weeks have moved fast, for both of us, but I don't regret any of it. I've wasted years of my life that I could have been sharing with you, and I won't waste any more. What do I have to do to prove to you that I'm okay?"
In a whisper, "You don't have to prove anything, Grissom. I…I guess I'm just scared. I've never loved anyone besides you and it's taken us so long to get to this point. I just don't wan to do anything that might cause you to pull away."
"Sara, I'm not going anywhere. If you want, we'll leave right now and go get married."
He smiled when she started laughing, "No. I'd like to wait. Not long, but long enough to invite our friends and make a few plans."
"How about two weeks? Is that long enough?"
"Well, we have to figure out where to have the ceremony, which shouldn't be hard in Vegas and we'll have to buy rings and I need a dress. Do you have a tux?"
"Two, actually. You can choose. So two weeks is all right?"
"I'd like to ask a friend of mine to stand with me, is that all right?"
"Of course. I'd like Jim to stand with me."
"Okay. I'll need your help, though."
"How's that?"
"I'd like to ask Anna."
Tears filled his eyes, "You want my mother to stand with you?"
"Yes."
"Okay. Let's call her."
"How can we call her?"
"She has a TTY device, so we can call and an operator will type to her and then tell you what she types back."
"Okay." They agreed she wouldn't mention being pregnant and after dialing the number, he handed her the phone. When Anna answered the phone, "Anna, this is Sara."
"How are you, Dear?"
"I'm good, you?"
"Just fine."
"Um, I have something I'd like to ask you."
"Go ahead. You can ask me anything."
"Okay. Grissom and I have decided to have our wedding in a couple weeks and I'd like to know if you'll stand with me, like as my Matron of Honor."
"I knew my son chose a special lady the first second that I set my eyes on you. I'd be honored, Sara. But I have a favor to ask."
"Sure."
It took a few minutes for her response to come back, "Would it be okay with the two of you if I came out in a couple days? I know that you'll both be busy, but I have a couple things I'd like to give you before you get married. I've been waiting a long time to pass some very important things on to Gil and his bride."
"Anna, you coming out here to see us is not a favor. You can come any time you'd like."
"Thank you. That's very sweet of you. But my favor is that I'd like you to wait to buy anything for the wedding until I get there. That's why I'd like to come early, so that you'll have time to shop after I give you what I have."
"Okay. I think that's the least we can do. After we book your flight, we'll call you with the itinerary."
"Tell Gil I love him. And I'm very happy for both of you."