Nick paced back in forth in the living room of his childhood home. He knew if he called the lab, then Ecklie would be on to him. He also knew that Brass had probably said something by now. By now, Ecklie was a walking Hurricane Katrina because Nick had foiled his plans. Nick was deep in thoughts. Catherine was sitting on the couch watching Nick pace back and forth. Mamma Stokes was making dinner. She had insisted on the family met Catherine because a.) she was having Nick's first child and b.) they were going to get married. Judge, Nick's father, was on his way home from work when he had heard the news. And Lindsey was looking around the house with the dog, General. All seemed peaceful in the house. But Catherine couldn't help but think about what was going on in Vegas. Grissom was maybe being pounded into the ground Ecklie. Which is never good because Ecklie can get pissed off fast. She understood why Nicky was freaking out. Ecklie or maybe someone else could burst down that door any minute and arrest him for kidnapping her and Lindsey. Which was not true because Catherine went when she had seen the look on Nick's face. The smell of pot roast can looming into the living room.
"Nicky sit down! You are going to make a whole in my floor!" Mamma Stokes said coming out of the kitchen with an apron on.
"Yes mamma. When is everyone coming over?" Nick asked sitting down putting his hand on Catherine's.
"They should be here any minute," Mamma said opening the door and standing outside. Lindsey came into the living room and fell down on to the couch in a huff.
"Ma, when is dinner?" Lindsey asked.
"Soon sweetie," Catherine said. They could here the cars pull up. Everyone was laughing. Catherine could hear children's voices. Good lord how many kids can one family have? Catherine thought.
"Nicky!" The 3 of them stood up turning around to see the Stokes family enter the large living room.
"How are you!" a women squealed, hugging Nick along with a bunch of other women. The men shook hands with Nicky. The kids were last to enter.
"UNCLE NICKYYYY!" They all yelled at the same time and hugged him. Kids of all sizes, toddlers to teenagers hugged and kissed Nick.
"Hey guys!" Nick said.
"I want y'all to meet my wife to be, Catherine," Nick said putting his arm around Cath and pulling her in for a hug.
"Awwwwww! My little Nicky has finally found a woman!" a black haired woman said, "I am Kimmy by the way."
"Nice to meet you Kimmy, and to everyone else," Cath said with a smile.
"And who is this?" a man asked.
"This is Lindsey, my stepdaughter," Nick said kissing the top of Lindsey's head. The family said their hellos and congratulated the new couple. Judge walked in and everyone stopped and looked over to the front door.
"Nick, good to see you again," Judge said hugging his youngest son.
"Nice to see you, too," Nick said.
"And you are?" Judge asked shaking hands with Catherine.
"I am Catherine, Nick's fiancé," Catherine said with a smile.
"And who is this fine young lady?" Judge asked looking at Lindsey.
Lindsey blushed and smiled, "I am Lindsey, you'r son's stepdaughter."
"Lets eat!" Mamma Stokes said walking into the living room to great her husband. The family ate and laughed. Sharing all kinds of stories. After a nice home cooked dinner, everyone sat on the couch, in chair and the kids sat on the floor, around the TV. After about 2 hours of watching a movie and eating popcorn, the family said their goodbyes.
"We will see y'all tomorrow!" Nick said hugging his last sister.
"G'night!" Kimmy said getting into the passenger's seat of the Ford truck as her husband got into the driver's side and their 3 kids in the back. The cars pulled away from the house.
"Night Mamma," Nick said kissing his mom on the forehead.
"Goodnight Mrs. Stokes," Cath said with a warm smile.
"Nonsense child, call me Mamma, everyone does!" Mamma said pulling Cath into a hug. Lindsey was passed out on the couch and Judge was passed out in what the family called "his" chair. Nick picked Lindsey up carefully not waking her and they walked upstairs to Lindsey's guest room Nick laid her down and Cath tucked her in. They both kissed her on the head and walked out hand in hand.
"Nick, you have a great family," Catherine said leaning into Nick.
"Thanks, and you are very beautiful," Nick said into her hair.
"I think tomorrow we should tell them I am pregnant," Catherine said. Nick opened their guest room door. Nick fell down onto the bed and let out a sigh, "What's the matter Nicky?"
"It's just with everything that has been going on it's really hard."
"Yeah I get were you are coming from. But all in time Nicky, all in time," Catherine said kissing Nick on the head.