Title : No Other Place in the World
Summary : Holding a precious new born baby. This is a sequel to `How In The World ….?'.
Note : Thank you for the lovely reviews. This is for those who wished for a sequel.
There was simply no other place in the world that Gil Grissom wanted to be right now. Being here and holding his new born son in his arms, Grissom couldn't even remember that there were other places in the world to be.
`I have a son,' was the repeated mantra in his head. It was interposed with other statements on how perfect the tiny baby was and how fortunate he was to be able to experience this.
The little baby moved, his face scrounged up and his eyes wrinkled. Grissom held his breath, just watching. The baby decided not to cry after all and went peacefully back to sleep.
Grissom smiled in awe. His face had not held any other expression for quite some hours now. That radiant smile had certainly been fixed firmly in place since the time when this beautiful baby boy had been safely delivered and placed on his mother's chest.
The awe had been present for about more than a year. Sometimes, it was still mixed with some surprise and a little bit of disbelief. There was always a hint of awe in his eyes when he though about the fact that he now had a family. His very own family, he still had trouble believing that it was true.
Grissom had never thought that it would mean so much to him to have a family. He had never been pegged as a `family man', never planned to be one. His work was much too important, too all- consuming. His work was what his life was about, there was no place for a family.
He knew what it was to love, true. He couldn't help that. That had been beyond his control. It had been one night when his blue eyes had looked into another pair of eyes, a different shade of blue. That was all it took. There had been no way to back out, no room to maneuver.
He had fallen in love then. But that had been a heart- wrenching love. The feeling had made him soar higher than any cloud but reality had not been so kind. Reality had seen to it that his heart be made to prove that it could survive all kinds of challenges.
Over the years, it had been proven that his heart could survive. It could survive being battered, broken and bruised over and over again. It had survived and yet it had still clung to that love. Then there was another person to love, but there was enough place in his heart for both of them. Sometimes, it had been a terribly heavy burden.
After that, there was a time when he had been happy just being there for them. Simply a very good friend, always dependable and reliable. The woman who held his heart was free but he could not let the love that had been weighed down for so long, be free.
So he did nothing. He did not try to express his love, was simply content to be nearby. He nearly lost her again. To other people, who were more willing to try, more willing to express their love for her, when she desperately needed love.
It took too much time, for him to decide that love was what he craved, what his lonely heart yearned for. A love to have and to hold. A home to come home to. A child to adore. And most importantly, a woman to be by his side. To warm his heart with her love and to return his love in greater measure. Bliss.
Grissom had nearly lost his chance. They had grown apart, somehow. He was never sure how. One day he had realized that he had wanted a chance to have a child with her. He had been holding someone else's new born baby.
It had not been easy. There had been many things to work out. Problems to solve. Obstacles to get through. He had wasted so much time. Had become too complacent and comfortable at hiding his true feelings, unable to get them out when he needed to.
Miracle of miracles, he had gotten through somehow. Somehow, Catherine had seen it fit to give him a chance. A chance to become a permanent part of her family. A chance to love her like he'd always wanted to. A chance at living life to the full.
He had learned his lessons very well. He had grabbed the opportunity thankfully and with open arms, he was not sorry at all. Quite the contrary, he had been happier than he had ever been in his entire life, this past year.
Gil Grissom had been coming home to a loving wife and daughter for a year and he always came back as soon as possible. Gone were his habits of working at unearthly hours, he was now rarely to be found at the office when he was not on duty. He had never been this way, he had been a workaholic ever since he had started working.
Now, as he held the baby boy in his arms and gently stroked the tiny cheek, he had even more reasons to rush home and less to spend time at work.
"I love you," he told his infant son.
He meant it so much that it hurt. He was lost, wrapped up in the tiny miracle that was his son. He did not notice the time pass by, so entranced, that he missed the opening of the door.
"Hey, Grissom. Someone wants to see her mommy and her new baby brother," said a deep voice.
"He's preoccupied," came an amused voice from the bed.
Catherine had a slight smirk on her face. She had woken up some time ago, but had simply lain there and watched her husband cradle her son.
"Mommy!" was a delighted squeal, from Lindsay who had come in behind Warrick.
She quickly moved to hug her mother.
Grissom finally looked up at the newcomers. He did not say a word at first. He was still wrapped up in the tiny being that was his son.
"Cute little fella huh?" said Nick, walking over to look at his boss's new son.
Sara came in slowly. She held a bouquet of flowers.
"Hello," she said, softly. She looked and felt a bit awkward in this hospital room.
Greg came in next, he dragged in a bunch of bright balloons and his arms were filled with a large package.
"So where's the new arrival?" said Greg's voice, he was hidden behind the huge package that he carried.
Those in room laughed. Not too loudly, in case they got chased out. Warrick took pity on Greg and helped him put down the large gift that they all had shared.
They all greeted Catherine and made their way over to where Grissom was seated by the window, to look at the tiny little baby. Grissom was surprisingly comfortable with the attention. There was no mistaking the pride and joy in his voice as he introduced his son to his team.
Lindsay had not left her mother's side yet and clamored to see her baby brother. So Grissom brought him over and handed him over to his wife, with some reluctance. He wasn't really ready to let the baby go just yet.
"So Gil, how does it feel?" said Captain Jim Brass, from the doorway. He had just arrived.
Grissom simply smiled at him. There were no words to say.
Life was perfect. He had the love of the woman that he loved. He had a daughter, he had a new son.
"I'd say he's still in the clouds somewhere, I don't think he's come down to earth quite yet, Jim," laughed Catherine.
Everyone grinned.
"So this is the newest Grissom around, eh? Cute, but pity he'll never be as handsome as me," said Greg cheekily.
Warrick gave a groan and rolled his eyes. Lindsay started hitting Greg in retaliation for the comment and the rest tried to stifle their laughter.
"I think I can live with that, Greg, I think Gil can too. Right, honey?" said Catherine, with a grin.
Grissom turned to her. It seemed that he had missed most of what had just transpired. He leaned over and gave her a long sweet kiss.
"Thank you and I love you so much," he said sincerely, looking into her eyes adoringly.
Sara felt tears prick her eyes and clamped them shut, wishing that she was the one he would kiss.
The men were touched but a bit embarrassed by such an intimate display of affection. Nick, Warrick and Greg were all musing that they never thought that their boss had it in him. Brass was smiling and remembering when his own daughter had been born.
"Mommy, what's his name?" asked Lindsay.
"We're not sure yet, sweetie. We'll tell you as soon as we decide. Okay?" answered her mother.
The group began to chatter, with the new born baby at the center of all the attention.
Grissom thought back to another time, he had seen this group around a baby. He was so grateful that he had come to his senses. He continued smiling as he watched them interact, knowing that there was no other place in the whole wide world, that he would rather be.
The End