Wow, it has been forever since I updated this last. I had an unfortunate falling-out with the characters of CSI. The miniature killer story-line got really old for me and I quit watching. I practically gave up on all of my CSI stories. But then people wrote to me and asked me to continue. So, without further ado, and with a promise never to quit, I bring you chapter 17 and thank you for sticking with me.

The Antics of Lindsey Willows

Chapter 17

Lindsey Willows paced the floor of her living room. Sara, Nick, and Lexi were watching a reality TV program, but the youngest girl's attention could not be held by it. She had been sure Sara's plan was going to backfire, that Warrick and Catherine would burst into the house and be completely furious, and that she, Lindsey, would be grounded until the end of the century. As it wasn't even 2010, she'd have a very long wait.

When the front door stayed locked as the hours wore on, the fear had been replaced by strong curiosity. She couldn't wait to know the outcome of breakfast. If everything went well, she could be shopping for a bridesmaid dress before she graduated from high school. If things went badly, her mother might be so devastated as to give up her profession and move them to some tiny town in Idaho. Lindsey didn't think she could bear the shame if something like that happened.

The other three laughed at something on the screen, and Lindsey turned to watch. The hilarious moment had passed, so the girl went right back to pacing.

Outside, two people sat in a black SUV in the driveway.

Catherine brushed the bangs from her eyes. "How long do you think we can sit out here before they notice?"

Warrick scratched his chin. "Ordinarily I'd say we only have a few minutes, but the shades are closed, so we might have ten."

"In any case, I just wanted to tell you that this was really nice. I've had fun eating with you before, but this was different." She shifted in her seat.

"I agree. You're a class act, Catherine Willows. I don't know what it is about you that makes you so darn attractive."

She blushed and fixed her eyes on the steering wheel in front of her. "Oh, I don't know about that."

He chuckled. "I do. I'm sure I've told you plenty of times, but in case you've forgotten, I'll tell you again. You're the kindest, strongest person I know. I think that if I'd been the one to go through everything you have, I would have broken. You've raised one heck of a girl, with more brains than are good for a fourteen-year-old. Plus, you're smart, and a good person to hang out with."

Catherine looked up. "Now, really. I've told you I want to be in a relationship. There's no need to butter me up anymore."

He grinned and held her stare. "You know what? You're just going to have to get used to the butter. There's much more where this came from."

She was about to reply when there was a knock at Warrick's window. Both looked out, with shocked expressions on their faces. Four smiling people were staring back at them.

Warrick pressed a button inside of the car and his window whirred downward. "Can we help you?" he asked.

"We were just wondering how long the two of you were going to sit out here. The neighbors are beginning to get suspicious," said Nick.

"That's how we found out you were home," added Lindsey and she pointed across the street where an older woman was peeking through the slats of her blinds.

"What do you say we all go in and have some lemonade?" Sara said. "Lexi made it."

Warrick rolled the window back up and then both he and Catherine climbed out. The six people went up the walk into the Willows house with Warrick at the rear, resting his hand on the small of Catherine's back.

"How was the play?" The redhead asked as soon as the front door was shut.

"Oh, yeah…" Lindsey trailed off.

"About that," Lexi started.

"Look at them," Nick said and pointed at the females.

"Okay, so there never was a play," Sara confessed.

"Gee," Warrick said, "we never could've imagined that. You tricked us yet again. How fooled we were!"

"You really had us going, guys," Catherine continued sarcastically.

"You all are a bunch of meddlers if I ever saw them," said Warrick.

"Maybe," Lindsey replied, "but we had the best of intentions."

Lexi, who had disappeared into the kitchen, came out holding six glasses. "Who's up for some lemonade?"

An hour later the mini-party had cleared out, and only Catherine and Lindsey were left in the house. Catherine was seated on the couch and waited for her daughter to finish wiping off the counter before patting the cushion next to her. The blonde sat quickly.

"Alright, kid, the joke's up. How long have you been plotting this?" Catherine asked.

"You want the whole truth?" When her mom nodded, the girl continued. "Okay, well, it's really been in my head for a long time. I've been around you and Warrick for too long not to pick up on something. I never actually planned on acting on it until I met Lexi. We got Nick and Sara together and then I began to think, why not you? And then I got help from practically everybody, and here we are."

"Here we are."

Lindsey wrinkled her nose. "You're not mad at me, are you?"

Catherine draped an arm around her daughter. "Of course not. You're quite a kid, Lindsey Willows, and I'm proud to call you mine."

"Okay, if you're not mad, then something good must've happened at breakfast. You want to spill?"

Catherine laughed. "I'm not sure I really have a choice." She grinned at the girl so like herself, and divulged everything about that morning.

That evening, Catherine went to work with a smile on her face. She was certain Greg had been told about the earlier hours, but even the thought of his constant teasing couldn't get her down. She found all of her coworkers in the locker room and felt all of their eyes watch her as she took off her jacket.

Sara spoke to Catherine and Warrick first. "Hey, look, you two, if we made you uncomfortable or anything, we're sorry. The kids asked us to help, and we couldn't very well say no. I don't know if you've met our kids, but they are pretty convincing."

Nick added his two cents. "But you have to admit that you two did look pretty happy in that car before we interrupted."

"That's very true," Warrick agreed.

"We really should be thanking you. Lindsey was getting desperate. Who knows what she might've done if she didn't get her way soon? Thanks for keeping her out of trouble," Catherine said.

"It was our pleasure," said Nick.

"So," Sara said once all the men had filed out, "what exactly happened at that breakfast table?"

Thanks so much for reading. More will definitely come. Please let me know what you thought!