Valentine's Day was approaching and Gil was struggling what to do for Catherine and also for Lindsey. The two women in his life were having similar struggles. Finally they went on a 'girl's day out' to help each other decide. Catherine was surprised that Lindsey was so intent on doing something for Gil. After all, she still didn't want to talk about his new role in her life. But she was insistent and Catherine was happy to oblige.

There was a little town square close to their neighborhood that was filled with interesting shops. Lindsey kept trying to direct her mother toward the lingerie shop that displayed delicate, lacy undergarments in the window. "Lindsey," Catherine exclaimed. "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with these impulses you are having."

"Oh Mom," the teenager rolled her eyes.

"But it is so…suggestive. I really don't think its appropriate…"

"Really Mom, you are sleeping with him. What's not appropriate?"

Catherine rolled her eyes and snickered. "And he was trying so hard to protect your innocence."

"More like us protecting his," Lindsey chuckled.

"Yeah, well please don't let on that you know; although it might be fun to watch his embarrassment."

"I know Mom. I'll keep the secret." They continued their shopping until both of the Willows girls had made a selection.

Gil knew exactly what he wanted for his girls. He had given it a lot of thought and made a shopping trip of his own to arrange the gifts. Because he had solved a robbery case for them several years back, the owner of the shop made his gifts a special priority and promised to have them by Valentines. He managed to schedule himself and Catherine off on Valentine's night, although he had to promise Ecklie that he would be on call. As he left Ecklie's office, he predicted to himself that his cell phone would be broken that night.

Grissom's phone rang very early on Valentine's morning. He was at his desk, finishing a report on a crime scene from earlier in the shift. He picked up the phone, "Grissom," he spoke into the receiver.

"Gil?"

Grissom became very still. "Lindsey?"

"Yeah. Um…are you planning to come for breakfast?"

"Well…yeah. I'm just finishing a report and then I was heading over. Is …..is that okay?"

"Yeah," she brightened. "Um…will you get here before I have to go to school?"

"Do you need a ride? I can be there in about a half hour," he offered.

"No, I mean…well, if you want to give me a ride that would be okay. But…I was hoping to see you before school."

Trying to keep the excitement out of his voice, he responded. "Sure. I'll finish up here and be there soon." He hung up and sat staring at the phone for a minute. Unsure of what to think, he attempted to contain his excitement. She wanted to see him. He hoped it meant that things were changing between them.

Catherine appeared in his doorway a few minutes later. "Coming for breakfast this morning?"

"I'm sorry. I already have an invitation for breakfast." He was smiling mischievously.

Catherine tilted her head, surprised. "You do?"

"Yes. From another woman, no less," he smirked.

"Wait….you are having Valentine's breakfast with another woman?"

"Yeah," he smiled.

"No."

"No?" His eyebrow shot up as surprise overtook his face.

"You heard me. This is Valentine's Day and you are mine."

"But…"

"You heard me…I'm serious Gil. You are coming home for breakfast with me."

Gil sat thoughtfully for a moment. "I suppose that would be okay with my date."

"Oh, it's a date now…"Then she began to realize that there was something he wasn't telling her. "Gil, who's the date with?"

His eyes danced as he revealed her name, "Lindsey."

Catherine smiled. "Then you'd better not be late."

Catherine purposefully let Gil leave a few minutes before she did, which gave him a few minutes alone with Lindsey. When she arrived at her home, she found the two of them in the kitchen. Lindsey was being tightly held in his tearful embrace. A glance at the counter revealed that he had opened his Valentine's gift from her.

Father and daughter disentangled when they heard Catherine enter the room. Lindsey was bubbly and happy, excited about the day. "I made eggs and sausage for you guys," she said.

Catherine noticed that Gil was holding a piece of paper in his hand, revering it as if it were a great treasure. "So Gil, you like your present from Lindsey?"

He smiled. "I love it," he said as he retrieved the giant pink, red, and white caterpillar from the counter. "Lindsey said it reminded her of when she was little and I would read The Hungry Caterpillar to her. I called her that sometimes too."

"You calling my daughter a bug?" Catherine asked, amused.

"An emerging butterfly, who will soon stretch her wings and fly away, sharing her beauty with the world."

"Well….not too soon," said the butterfly's mother.

They chatted as they ate and then Lindsey finished getting ready as Gil and Catherine cleaned the kitchen. After a few minutes Lindsey appeared in the doorway. "Dad, I think I would like you to take me to school."

Catherine looked from one to the other with joy. Somewhere in all the caterpillar talk, Lindsey had accepted him as her father. She hugged her daughter as she left for school and then whispered to Gil,"come straight back. I want to give you my Valentine's Day gift." His eyes lit up at her remark and he nodded, smiling knowingly as he walked out of the door.

When he came back, he walked into an empty room. Sitting on the counter was a small gift bag with hearts all over it. Slowly he opened it and pulled out the contents. There was a note attached.

This coordinates with the rest of your gift which you will find on my bed. Come wearing this and nothing else. Baggy pants and boxers just won't do…. BTW, it's not a science experiment or a specimen for study. It is an article of clothing.

Gil studied the little bit of fabric anyway. His eyebrow shot up as he contemplated fitting himself into it. The shimmering blue thong seemed much too small but he finally reasoned that he wouldn't have to wear it too long anyway and gave in. As he entered the bedroom, he saw that his scrap of material did, indeed, coordinate with her outfit. She was wearing a similar piece of fabric with a second piece thinly covering her torso. He smiled as a thought ran through his head. But not for long….

A couple of hours later they laid curled together, the cool air robbing them of the last bits of the heat of their passion. Catherine reached and pulled a blanket over them and they nestled into the newly formed cocoon. As much as she enjoyed sex with him, this was her favorite time with Gil. He always held her, his body providing warmth; his hands caressing her gently, lovingly, cherishing her. Most men that she had slept with had rolled over and gone to sleep after they had gotten what they wanted; the ones that didn't smoke a cigarette first, at least. But not Gil; the loving continued long after the passion was spent.

Suddenly she remembered the piece of paper that he had held when she first came home. She asked him about it which prompted him to hold her even closer. "There was a note attached to the caterpillar."

"A note? What did it say?"

"Happy Valentine's Day, Dad. With love, your daughter."

"She said that?" Catherine asked happily.

"She called me Dad, Cath. I'm her Dad!"

They snuggled awhile longer before slipping into sleep. Gil had told her that her present didn't come until that evening. He was taking his two girls to dinner. He warned her that it would be a late night for the two of them, so she should rest now. He listened to her steady breathing as she drifted off and then succumbed to a peaceful slumber of his own.

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Part 2 of Valentine's Day wilcome soo, I meant to have it all for Valentine's Day but got distracted by my own Valentine;-) Hope you are enjoying!