Chapter 5

Catherine sat in front of Lawrence March, junior partner of the law firm of OLSON, OLSON, MYERS and ASSOCIATES. He had just read the Last Will and Testament of Tina May Rhea Brown, Catherine was still in shock.

"Questions?" he asked.

"Only a million and a half," Catherine said, "To start with, I didn't know she had passed away."

"Mrs. Brown's car was struck by a drunk driver," the lawyer said, "She died instantly."

"But why me? Why would she chose me?" Catherine asked.

Mr. March handed Catherine a letter, "This explains it all."

Catherine opened the letter and read:

Miss Willows, I know my decision will come as a shock to you but there is no one that I would trust more with my son then you. Warrick talked of you all the time, he told me you were the only one he would trust with his son so, in a way, I am carrying out his wishes also. Mr. March will give you all the necessary information along with paperwork that will allow you access to the trust fund that was set up for Elijah. The only thing I ask is that, when he is old enough, you tell him just how much his father and I loved him. Take care of him. Tina

Catherine looked at Mr. March, "All you have to do is sign the paperwork. Young Mr. Brown is temporarily at North Vegas Home For Children. All his belongs are there with him also."

Catherine picked up a pen and, with a trembling hand, signed on the dotted line.

"I'll call Mrs. Thomas and tell her you are on your way," March said.

A short time latter Catherine stood looking into the same green eyes that belonged to the man she had been secretly in love with for many years. There was no doubt that the boy belonged to Warrick, he looked just like his father.

"I'm Catherine," she said.

"Elijah Warrick Brown," the boy said.

"I tried to explain to him about his mother and that he would be living with you," Mrs. Thomas said, "I'm not sure how much of it he can comprehend."

"We'll be fine, won't we Eli," Catherine said.

The small boy nodded his head, took Catherine's hand and waved good bye to Mrs. Thomas.

"You will never guess why I had to see the lawyer," Catherine told Nick on the phone.

Nick sat speechless as he stared at the phone.

"Nick? Nick, you ok?" Greg asked.

"Yeah," Nick said, "Cat wants us to get hold of Grissom and Sara and everyone meet at Over Easy, she has something to tell us and you ain't gonna believe it."

Within the hour the gang gathered at "their" table, Catherine had not arrived yet.

Sara and Gil had decided to wait until after they told his mother about the baby but he just could not contain his joy.

"Sara is expecting," Gil said, simply bursting with pride.

Everyone stopped talking and stared at Gil, mouths and eyes wide open.

Sara smiled, "I thought we were not going to say anything until after we talked to Betty."

"Well, they are all here so I just thought - well I wanted our extended family to share in our happiness," Gil said.

The news finally sunk in, everyone hugged Sara and shook Gil's hand, "Congratulations."

"For what?" Catherine asked, coming in on the last of the conversation.

"Sara's pregnant," Greg said.

"Congratulations," Catherine said, "I have some news too."

"I told them about the letter, just like you asked, but nothing more," Nick said.

Catherine stepped to one side to reveal the little boy standing behind her.

Once more mouths fell open but this time eyes filled with tears. Everyone knew who the child was, they just were not sure why he was with Catherine.

"Let's sit," Catherine said, "And I'll explain everything."

Over lunch Catherine told them everything - about Tina's death and about her leaving guardianship of Eli to her.

"I never in a million years thought that Tina would entrust me with Eli," Catherine said, "As a matter of fact I thought that she hated me."

Gil chuckled, "I spoke to her once. She said she was jealous of the feelings that Warrick still had for you and of the fact that you still held a place in his heart."

Nick nodded in agreement, "When I brought over the money we had collected I spoke with Tina briefly. She told me that Warrick sometimes called you name in his sleep."

Catherine sat speechless, "I never knew."

After a few minutes of silence Catherine asked, "Does Betty know about the baby?"

Sara laughed, "She was going to be the first to know but blabber mouth couldn't keep it to himself."

Gil lift her hand and kissed it, "I can't help it if you made me the happiest man alive."

Sara said, "Gil called his mother before we left to meet all of you, we are going out to dinner tonight, we'll tell her then."

Later that evening Gil and Sara arrived at Betty's favorite restaurant, she was already seated and waiting for them.

"You are going to tell her," Sara said to Gil.

Gil just smiled. After placing their orders Gil signed to his mother, "Sara has something to tell you."

Sara gave Gil a nasty look then smiled.

"What is it? Are you both leaving?" Betty questioned.

"No, we are not going anywhere," Sara signed, "Gil and I just found out that you are going to be a grandmother."

Betty jumped from her chair and wrapped Sara in a tight hug, then she did the same to Gil and kissed him.

"I take it this is alright with you?" Gil asked with a smile on his face.

"I am so excited and so very happy," Betty signed after taking her seat, "Tell me more."

Sara proceeded to give Betty all the details then she added, "Next month the doctor will do a sonogram so we will know what it will be."

"A girl," Betty signed, "I would love a granddaughter."

Gil laughed, "Me too. But Sara wants a boy."

"Next time," Betty signed.

That made both Gil and Sara laugh.

Back in his office Jim Brass was going over some paperwork when there was a tap on his door, "Dad."

Jim looked up, "Ellie."

Jim had not seen his daughter in well over two years, she had been arrested on prostitution charges and when he found out Jim had gone to help her but she refused to see him.

"You have a few minutes?" she asked.

"Of course," Jim said, pointing to a chair.

"Do you know why I wouldn't see you?" she asked.

Jim shook his head NO.

"I was ashamed," Ellie said, "I guess it was the straw that broke the camels back. I mean everything just came to a head - all the drugs, the men, my life style - everything."

By now tears were falling freely from her eyes. "I signed myself into a clinic," Ellie said, "I have been drug free for over a year now and I even went back to school. I'm working with kids to help them get on the right path. I figure maybe I can help one of them from messing up their life."

Jim sprang from his chair and wrapped his daughter in his arms, "I'm so proud of you."

Ellie wiped her tears, "I'm on my way to Los Angeles, I found a job there, but before I went I wanted to stop by and tell you thank you for all you have done and tried to do, for all your support and to tell you that I love you and always have."

Jim kissed her forehead, "I love you too."

Eight months later Sara delivered a healthy baby girl, a year after Gil and Sara gave Betty her second grandchild - a boy.

Lindsey, who had been attending WLVU, moved back home after her boyfriend kicked her out because she became pregnant. Catherine decided it best to step down and stay at home so she could better take care of Eli and to be there for Lindsey.

Nick was given the supervisors job, he and Sophia were married shortly after.

With Catherine's mom's help, Greg's book on old time Vegas was sold to a publisher so he spent part time on book tours and part time at the lab.

Hodges decided her could no longer live without Wendy. He resigned and moved to be with her, they too were married and now have a son.

Gil and Sara hosted a retirement party for Jim, he had decided to move closer to Ellie and work in the same program she was working in.

"It has been an interesting last couple of years," Gil said. Then he lift his glass in a toast, "Here's to all my friends and to their endeavors, best to all."

Catherine smiled as she held her granddaughter, "Here's to surprises."

Sara smiled, "There have been plenty of surprises all around."

THE END