Chapter 16

Play date

Sara had been lying on the couch, but when she heard the knock on the door she moved and got to her feet. Before she had taken so much as a step towards the door, a blur with blonde hair went zooming straight past her. By the time Sara had reached the door it had been pulled open to reveal Greg balancing the items he carried, with Lindsey Willows attached at his hip.

"Hey Lindsey, why don't we let Greggo come inside?" Sara said with a grin at the spiky haired man. Greg gave her a thankful smile which Sara returned.

"But I haven't seen Uncle Greg for ages!" Lindsey replied with a childish whine, letting go of Greg's legs and instead turning to look at Sara.

"You're way too old to act like that anyway Linds," Sara said with a grin at the pout Lindsey gave her.

Lindsey shrugged, "I've gotta stay young somehow," seeing Sara quirk her eyebrow Lindsey continued, "And yes Sara, I do know I'm almost a teenager. I just like to keep you all on your toes" she finished with a grin as she ran off into the house.

"You need a hand with anything?" Sara asked Greg who was still standing in the doorway.

"You can take the beer if you like and stick it in the fridge."

"Sure," Sara replied, taking the beer and heading to the kitchen, "come on in. I'll put this away and go get Catherine. Make yourself at home."

"Thanks." Greg said as he came inside.

* * *

Sara hurried to the kitchen, putting the beer in the fridge before heading upstairs in search of Catherine. She found her in her bedroom, sitting on the bed staring into space. Sara looked at her for a moment and then walked over. She sat beside Catherine and took one of the blonde's hands in hers.

"Hey, you ok?" She asked softly.

Blue eyes looked at Sara, and the faintest smile crossed Catherine's face. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"You just looked a little lost, that's all."

"I'm fine Sara, really. What brought you up here?" Catherine asked looking at the brunette.

"Greg's here. I said I'd come and find you. But if you're not up to it then…"

"I'm ok. Just give me a minute to change and I'll be right down." Catherine said smiling at the brunette, whose chocolate brown eyes were scanning her face.

"Sure. I'll meet you down there then." Sara said, she placed a soft kiss on Catherine's forehead and walked to the door.

"Sara?" Catherine said quietly. Sara turned at the doorway and looked back at the older woman still sitting on the bed. "Is Greg really ok with all of this…with us?"

Sara walked back to where Catherine was sitting and knelt in front of her. "He seems to be fine with it."

"And what if he blabs to everyone? You know what he's like…" Catherine trailed off.

"He's been threatened with physical harm if he does tell. And he knows I don't joke about that kind of thing." Sara said with a soft smile trying to reassure the blonde.

"I'm just not really ready, that's all Sara." A tear broke free and ran down Catherine's cheek. Sara reached up with her thumb and brushed it away. "I'm not ready for the looks and the talking behind my back when everyone knows."

Sara laid a kiss on the blonde's mouth. "I promise you that won't happen Catherine. I'm not going to force you to tell anyone before you're ready. But I assure you that Greg is fine with this."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am. And I'd never lie to you. I love you so much Catherine. So, if you aren't in the mood for this tonight, or you're still not sure about all this, then I can send Greg away if you want me to. You just say the word…"

"No Sara. No, it's fine." Catherine kissed Sara on the lips, "you are an angel for being willing to do that, but I'll be ok."

"If you're sure…"

"I'm sure. Now go down there before Greg thinks you've gotten lost." Catherine said with a smirk.

"Fine. But you tell me the second you've had enough." Sara said seriously.

"I promise. Now go, I need to get changed," Catherine grinned "and I know how distracting having you here would be."

Sara grinned at Catherine, "well I could help you" Sara said seductively.

"I love you Sara, but get out." Catherine said with a laugh.

Finally convinced that Catherine was ok, Sara stood, "fine, I know when I'm not wanted. I'll see you downstairs." She said with a grin and left the room.

* * *

As Sara descended the stairs Greg popped his head out of the kitchen doorway.

"Where's Catherine?" he asked.

"Oh, she just has to get changed. She'll be down in a minute." Sara said as she walked into the kitchen where Greg was fishing out a beer from the fridge.

"Ok, cool. You want one?" He asked, handing one to Sara.

"Sure, why not." She paused for a minute, taking the beer that Greg had offered.. "Hey Greg, can I ask you something?"

"Go for it."

"You're ok with Catherine and me being together aren't you? You don't have an issue with us dating?"

"No of course not. You're my best friend, and as long as you're happy…" he looked at Sara, "you are happy right?"

Sara nodded, "extremely."

"Then I've got no problems with it. Why, what made you ask?"

"Oh nothing really, I just wanted to make sure." She shrugged.

"Catherine?" Greg guessed.

Sara nodded, "she's just a little unsure, I think."

"She'll be fine." Greg grinned "there ain't nothing that can rattle Ms Willows."

Sara laughed, "Ain't that the truth." She replied with a wink.

"Seriously Sara, your girl's gonna be fine. And don't you worry; I'll do my best to make sure she feels accepted."

Sara walked over and hugged Greg "thanks Greg."

"I hope there's a reason my gorgeous girlfriend is hugging you Greg." Catherine said as she entered the room.

"She was just comforting me, and trying to give me hope that there is a woman somewhere who is as gorgeous as yourself who wants me." Greg said grinning.

"Very smooth Sanders." Catherine said with a grin.

"Thankyou." Greg said taking a bow. "Can I interest you in a beer?" he asked.

"I think I might make my girlfriend fetch me a glass of wine while I relax on the couch, as punishment for hugging you." Catherine replied looking to the brunette.

"It would be my pleasure to get that for you, Catherine." Sara replied with a bow, "Greg why don't you follow Catherine and I'll be there in a minute."

Catherine walked from the room with Greg in tow, towards the lounge where Lindsey was pouring over the movies that Greg had brought to watch. "I hope you picked one that was ok for Linds to watch." Catherine said as she settled on the couch.

"They all are." Greg said looking over at Catherine. "That was the one thing that Sara made sure of."

"Did she now?"

"Oh yeah," Greg nodded.

As Sara wandered into the room with Catherine's glass of wine, she caught the gleam of love in Catherine's eye. She had no idea why it was there, but she smiled back just the same. She handed the glass over, and then settled beside her blonde lover.

* * *

After the pizza had arrived and been eaten the group settled down to watch one of the movies that Lindsey had chosen from those Greg had brought over. Sara watched Lindsey get the movie ready.

"I'm gonna grab another beer," Sara said. "You want another Greg?" She noted the nod from Greg.

"Can you get me another glass of wine Sar?" Catherine asked from her place on the couch.

"Sure," Sara replied as she walked to the kitchen. "Linds, did you want me to get you a soda?" Sara asked as she came back into the room with two beers and Catherine's glass of wine.

"No thanks Sara." Lindsey walked over to where Sara had sat down next to Catherine, and looked at the brunette. "Can I share with you instead?"

Sara smiled at the young blonde "I would let you share, but its beer, so I don't think you should be drinking that."

"You wouldn't like it Linds," Catherine said looking at her daughter.

"Yeah I would mom. If you'd let me try it, I could prove it to you."

"Alright Lindsey, tell you what" Sara said looking at the girl who was watching her intently, "I'll let you try it, and if you like it you can share the rest with me."

"Sara," Catherine said in a warning tone, "do you really think that's appropriate?"

"Trust me" Sara replied with a wink at Catherine. "So you wanna give it a go Linds?" Lindsey nodded and eagerly took the bottle that Sara had offered her. She took a large gulp, and swallowed. A grimace crossed the girl's face, and Sara smiled at her.

"How do you like the taste Lindsey?" Catherine asked with a laugh at the look on her daughter's face.

Lindsey looked at Sara seriously "how can you drink that?"

"It's an acquired taste." Sara replied with a smile. "I think you'd prefer a mixer or something though."

"I just wanted to be an adult like you guys, that's all" Lindsey said, looking sadly at Sara.

"It's ok Lindsey. How about I make you a mixer especially?"

"Is that an adult thing to be drinking?" Lindsey asked perking up considerably.

"It certainly is, so you want one?"

"Yes please Sara."

At her daughter's acceptance of Sara's offer Catherine spoke up. "Sara if you're going to do this, then you are taking responsibility for it, ok?"

"What do you mean?" Sara asked, looking into Catherine's sea blue eyes.

"Well when she's hung over tomorrow, or throws up, you will be the one cleaning it up."

"Geez Cat, I'm not gonna give her that much. Just a tiny bit of vodka that I'll mix with her soda."

"Fine. But it's still your responsibility." Catherine said in response, in a tone that bore no argument.

Sara nodded and headed into the kitchen to make the drink she had promised. When she returned with the drink Lindsey thanked her, and joined Greg on the floor ready to start the movie.

* * *

As the movie came to a close and the credits began to roll Sara surveyed the three people who occupied the room. She had stayed seated on the couch, and Catherine had lay down and put her head Sara's lap. This had allowed Sara to stroke the gorgeously soft strawberry blonde hair throughout the movie. A slight snore coming from the floor averted her eyes from Catherine's soft hair. On the floor in front of the tv she found Greg fast asleep, with Lindsey using his stomach as a pillow. The pair looked totally beat. The movement of Catherine on her lap caused her to look back down at the blonde. Instead of looking at soft luxurious locks, Sara was now met with bright blue eyes.

"You been awake the whole time?" Sara asked softly, still not quite ready to wake the pair fast asleep on the floor.

"Yeah, although with you massaging and stroking my hair like that, I don't know how I managed it" Catherine said with a grin.

"Linds and Greggo are totally out of it" Sara said with a smile at the two on the floor. "I guess we should do something about that, huh?"

Catherine grinned at Sara, "I suppose we could put them to bed."

"Do you mind if Greg stays here, because I really can't be bothered to load him into the car and drive him home?"

"That's fine Sar, we'll just put him in the guest room." Catherine sat up, and smiled down at the scene on the floor. "They're so cute. It seems a shame to wake them."

"Yeah it does. I'll take Greg if you can manage Lindsey." Sara said as she stood up and stretched before kneeling down next to the sleeping form of Greg.

Catherine followed suit and knelt down next to Lindsey, gently nudging her shoulder "Lindsey sweetie, you need to wake up so you can go to bed." Lindsey groaned and tried to turn over. Catherine just nudged with a little more force. "C'mon Linds."

"What mom?" Linds mumbled; her voice still laced with sleep.

"We need to get you up to bed" Catherine said softly.

"Can Sara take me?" Lindsey asked, rubbing the bleariness from her eyes.

"No, she needs to get Greg to bed, because he's really tired too. So I'll take you up, ok?" Catherine smiled down at her daughter. It was times like this that she could pretend that she hadn't really grown up that much.

"Ok, but promise Sara will come say goodnight?"

Sara spoke up from where she was nudging Greg trying to get him to wake up. "I'll be in as soon as Greg's in bed." At Sara's words Lindsey stood up and started to trudge upstairs to bed.

Catherine stood to follow, but paused and asked "you ok to deal with him?" She nodded her head in Greg's direction.

"Yeah, he's just had too much again to drink, is all." Having received her answer Catherine followed her daughter up the stairs. Sara nudged more forcefully at Greg's shoulder before poking his stomach.

"Ow, what…what are you doing?" Greg slurred.

"I need you to get up so I can put you to bed properly." Sara replied.

"You're taking me to bed, Sara?" He raised an eyebrow, "are you going to take hic, advantage of me?" He hiccupped.

"Why is it that you can still flirt with me, even though you know I'm with another woman, and when you're so drunk?"

"I'm awesome." Greg broke out into giggles.

"Alrighty then Mr Awesome, let's get you up." She lifted him up, and helped him to stand straight. He leant into her as she dragged him up the stairs to the guest bedroom. Once she entered the room, she manoeuvred Greg over to the bed and threw back the covers sitting him on the edge. Sara then pulled his boots off.

"Sara, you are too good to me, you know?" Greg slurred out. "Too good." His eyelids were beginning to droop, and as Sara pushed him back onto the bed and pulled the covers Greg fell asleep. A loud snore echoed through the room.

Sara smiled down at the man lying fast asleep in the bed. She bent down and placed a soft kiss on his forehead, and whispered "you're too good to me too Greggo."

Sara turned at the sound of someone clearing their throat to see Catherine standing in the doorway. "You're so good with him. You treat him like your little brother who you protect all the time."

Sara smiled as she walked over to the blonde in the doorway, "he practically is my brother. What with movie nights, and knowing so much about each other," she shrugged "we're like family." She placed a soft kiss on Catherine's cheek. "Just like you and Lindsey are now like family to me. Is she still awake?"

Catherine smiled at the tenderness Sara was showing so freely. "No, she fell asleep the second her head hit the pillow. Are you coming to bed now?"

"In a minute, I'll just say goodnight to Lindsey first."

"Ok, just don't be too long." She replied as she went into the bedroom they now shared.

Walking into Lindsey's room Sara saw young blonde peacefully asleep. She came closer to the bed and, in the same way she did with Greg, placed a kiss on the girl's forehead. "Night Linds, I love you."

Lindsey stirred at the movement and smiled up at Sara, "I love you too, Sara. Goodnight." Was all she managed to say before she had fallen back asleep.

Sara backed out of the room quietly, and went back to the bed room she now shared with Catherine. Climbing under the covers she wished Catherine a good night's sleep, before letting sleep overcome her as well.

A/N - Ok, so I feel like I've been on hiatus forever and I hope there's still someone out there who actually wants to read this. My apologies for that, but I got crazy busy with my uni stuff and on top of that my muse ran away for quite a while. So hopefully this is a good update for you all, and I hope you enjoyed it. As always, please let me know what you think and send a review my way…even if it's just to tell me I suck at updating :)