Disclaimer: See chapter 20.

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29

When they crawled into bed that night, both thankful for a night off together, she snuggled up to his side. With her head rested on his chest, he told her about the rings his mother had given to him earlier, "We don't have to use them if you don't want to. I'll understand if you want to pick out our own rings."

"No, I think it's great that you have these things. You don't know how good it is for me to see the relationship you have with your mother. It gives me this new hope that family really can be a good thing."

"Family is good, Sara. I know that this whole thing scares you and I think I know how afraid you are of becoming a mother. But I also know that you have nothing to be afraid of. I'm going to spend the rest of my life showing just how good being a family can be and what a great mother you're going to become."

"I love you, Grissom."

"I love you, too, Hun." He squeezed her a little tighter and reached over to switch his bedside lamp off. "Sara?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do you always call me Grissom instead of Gil?"

He felt her smile against his chest, "Two reasons actually. The very first lecture of yours that I attended, you introduced yourself as Dr. Gil Grissom to the class. Throughout the whole class, everyone called you Dr. Grissom. So, when I went up to you after the lecture ended I said, 'Excuse me, Dr. Grissom, I'm Sara Sidle and I have a few questions I'd like to ask.' Then you said, 'Nice to meet you Miss Sidle and please, just Grissom.' So I've always assumed that what you wanted me to call you."

"You really do record everything I say, don't you?" Without waiting for an answer, "What's the second reason?"

"Do you remember that plant you sent me after I asked for a leave of absence?"

"Of course."

"Well, the card read, 'From, Grissom.' I know it's silly, but for me it's like a term of endearment. I know other people use it, too, but…" He felt her shrug her shoulders, "So can I ask a question, now?"

"You don't have to ask my permission to ask a question."

"I know how strongly you felt about being married before the baby is born and how adamant you are about me following all the new rules from my doctor, so I just wondered if you had equally strong feelings about after the baby is born."

"I'm not sure I understand what you're asking."

She turned slightly, laying her chin on her hands that she folded across his chest, "I mean, you're already asking me every morning if I took my vitamin and you even carry one in your kit just in case I say no. And you switched the coffee in the cupboard to decaf and you stocked our fridge and the one in you office with fresh vegetables and bottled water so that I'll eat five small meals a day and drink plenty of fluids."

"I'm just trying to make sure you're healthy."

"I know. I didn't say it was bad. I like this protective side of you. It makes me feel special."

"You are special."

"Thanks. Soooooo, back to my question. What I'm trying to find out is, if you're already talking about switching me to office work in a few months, then you must have strong feelings about my working after the baby is born."

"I was only talking about switching you to office work after field work became too exhausting for you. You can work as long as you want as long as you and our baby are both healthy."

"You don't have to defend yourself. I know you're only looking out for us."

"Good. So how about telling me how you feel about working after the baby is born instead of just asking me?"

"Okay. I think that either one of us should stop working completely, or we need to go on opposite shifts. I don't believe in letting a stranger raise our child and neither one of us have any family that could help us."

"I agree."

"You do?"

"Yes. I don't think we should work opposite shifts because we'd never see each other, but I do agree that one of us should stay home. And I have no problem if we decide that that person should be me."

"You don't?"

"No. I think we should do what's right for us. I'm not some macho guy who can't handle his wife being the breadwinner. But we have a while to think about that. You must be tired, now. Let's get some sleep."

"I love you, Grissom."

"I love you, too, Hun."