A/N: Thanks to everyone who is continuing to stick with this story. This is a short chapter, almost a transition to the next chapter, which will most likely be the final chapter.

Chapter 10

I was positively humming with excitement. I was bouncing on the balls of my feet while Lindsay rolled her eyes. We were standing outside Sierra's school, waiting for school to let out.

Earlier I called Mac. I felt badly about leaving him, because he had been so good to me, so understanding over the years. I think he was disappointed to lose, who had become, his most efficient CSI. He understood though. I needed to do this. I think he always knew, or perhaps hoped, that I would come to this conclusion eventually.

I heard the shrill sound of the school bells ringing, and we walked closer to the entrance. I was scanning the crowd of animated little children, looking for my daughter.

"Danny, I know you're excited, but don't just blurt it out when you see her. We need to stick to the plan." What Lindsay didn't know was, that at this moment, I don't think I would be actually unable to form coherent sentences when I saw her.

"Yeah, yeah. Of course. The plan."

Then I saw her. She was standing on her toes, looking amongst the parents for Lindsay. She looked adorable. Flowered top, jeans, pigtails, and the smallest little pair of pink converse. She finally spotted us, and a huge smile lit her face.

"Mommy! Danny!" She ran and jumped into my arms. I was still amazed by how comfortable she was with me.

"I didn't know you were coming with Mommy to pick me up," she said as she was playing with my hair spiking it up and then flattening it with her tiny hands.

"We decided to surprise you." Lindsay added. She picked up Sierra's forgotten backpack and started walking towards the car. On the car ride back to their apartment, Sierra excitedly told me all about her day. How Tommy Plympton had milk go through his nose. That her friend Elise got a new baby brother, and that he was awake all night. After this she asked Lindsay if she could get a brother or sister, she assured her mother that she wouldn't mind. I almost choked on my own tongue. I couldn't think about that. That would be just too amazing to comprehend. I had to put that thought out of my mind. Lindsay was unphased, calm, and I wondered if she answered that question before.

When we got to their apartment, Sierra immediately led me to her toys to pick out something to play with. I settled myself precariously on the small wooden bench and thanked her as she poured imaginary tea into the tiny cup in front of me. From the kitchen Lindsay asked us to come to the real dining table for a snack. As Lindsay placed a plate of triangle cut peanut butter and jelly sandwiches she caught my eye, and gave me a small smile.

"Sierra, we have something important to tell you," she started. "You remember when you asked me who your father was?"

"Yeah." She looked at me a little uncomfortably, as if she didn't want to hurt my feelings. She was still holding the sandwich halfway to her mouth. "You said he was your friend in New York." She looked sad and a little uncertain, wondering why her mother would bring this up when she was having such a good time with me.

"Honey, Danny is your father." Her face still showed her confusion and part of my heart sunk.

"Do you understand Sierra?" She looked up at Lindsay a question still in her eyes. "Danny is your Daddy."

Sierra didn't say anything; instead she put down her sandwich slowly, climbed out of her chair and onto my lap. Our blue eyes mirroring the others; she grasped my face between her small hands. She asked quietly, "Is it true? Are you my Daddy?" Before this, my eyes had been shining with unshed tears. Now they slipped from their confinement and cascaded down my cheeks as I nodded. A huge smile spread on her face. "Good, now you can come to my school in two weeks. I can't wait to tell Elise." I laughed and looked over to Lindsay whose tears met her large smile.

We continued our tea party; the afternoon was filled with laughter, and spontaneous hugs. When I was getting ready to leave for the night, Sierra started to cry.

"I don't want you to leave," she cried, and it broke my heart.

"Before you know it, I'll be back." I told her and Lindsay that I needed to go back to the city to move out of my apartment. I was very anxious to move out here permanently. I didn't want to leave them even for a few days, but I just didn't see any other way.

"No. I don't want you to go. You're going to leave and not come back. You are going to go back to New York and forget all about me, and you won't be here to come to my school," she was really sobbing by now, her voice raspy from the tears and pleas. I gathered her in my arms, rocking her, whispering assurances. Finally her tears subsided and I realized she had fallen asleep. Lindsay gave me an encouraging supportive smile. After I placed Sierra in her bed, Lindsay walked me to the front door.

"She'll be okay." That didn't set my mind at ease. We were standing close together, talking in hushed tones. Lindsay reached her hand to my jaw line, gently caressing my face. The soft skin on her hand contrasted against my stubble, "Just make sure you get back here soon." I covered her hand with mine, and promised I would. I already couldn't wait to come home. I couldn't wait to come to this home, my home.