Thanks for all the reviews;0) I love to hear what mu readers think. This chapter covers Christmas and although Thanksgiving is before as I am from NZ I don't knoe enough about the holiday to write about it and also on Christmas you get gifts!
This is a re-post after Toothchick pointed out in my first post that I said Lilly heard the filght being called when she's deaf ... opps my bad.
Their new schedule working wonders Sara clocked out of work and drove to the supermarket. A Tuesday morning Sara was re-stocking at the grocery store while Grissom put on the laundry at home. Although it may sound ridged to some both knew if their jobs around the house were completed there was more time for fun.
Walking down the bread isle Sara was choosing some chocolate croissants for their late breakfast when she heard a Christmas song over the store radio.
Placing the pastries in the cart she stopped when the announcer started talking, "that's right folks only 16 shopping days 'til Saint Nick comes down from the North Pole."
Hearing all she needed she then looked around her and saw the decorations. Now in a daze she looked at her watch and saw it was the second week of December and she had completely forgotten. Although she had bought gifts for her husband a few weeks ago suddenly the holiday had crept up on her. Breathing out she knew this year would be different but her heart felt otherwise. She had worked Christmas and New Years since she came to Vegas with Grissom driving to his mothers without fail each year. Suddenly terrified she wondered if this year would be any different. Buying everything else on her list she hurried home wondering what plans Grissom had made.
Happily whistling as a Christmas carol played in the background Grissom smiled as he folded another pair of his wife's panties amazed what could be achieved with a little but of satin and lace. Hearing her car pull into the garage he walked towards the door to help with the groceries.
"It's only 16 shopping days 'til Christmas," Sara breathed out as she passed him a bag.
"I know sweetheart, your gift is on order and I can pick it up on Christmas Eve," he smiled before giving her a kiss.
"No I meant you drive to see your mother every year and I always work," she said now wondering what he got her.
"And this year she flies in to Vegas on December 23 and flies out to Miami three days later to meet her sister for their annual New Years Caribbean cruise," he answered putting away the food before poring her some orange juice.
"Oh," Sara answered as Grissom heated their croissants. "It's just that this time of year has never been easy for me," she said now seated at the table. "My parents always fought because they had no money and in foster care I was lucky if I got a gift from the dollar store. Then when I got older I didn't have a family so I always worked because it was easier then knowing I had no one at home for me," she said now looking into his eyes as he leaned over.
He saw her sadness and knew this year he could make up for all the others. Pulling her onto his lap he rocked her gently as she cried before giving her a kiss. "This year will be different because you now have a family," he said smiling before feeding her some breakfast.
The following week passed quickly and Sara found herself with Grissom picking out their first Christmas tree. Never realizing it was so involved she stood back and followed her husband as he inspected every tree until he finally found the perfect specimen. Once they got home Sara felt her heart swell as they decorated the tree and living room with ornaments and tinsel.
With Christmas a slow time for the CSI's Warwick, Nick and Greg were assigned to working the 23rd, Christmas Eve and night while the rest of the team were covering the New Year and a few either side.
After exchanging secret Santa gifts at work in which Grissom got a remote controlled tarantula from Greg and Sara got a copy of the Karma Sutra from Catherine, which she was informed to open at home they all said goodbye and headed home.
Driving Grissom could sense her nervousness and patted her knee, "she won't bite," he said turning into their street.
"I know but it's just that I've never been in a relationship where I meet anyone's mother before," she said breathing out aware her mother-in-law would be arriving in three hours.
Pulling into their drive he pressed the button for the garage door and smiled again, "yes but she is simply so happy that I'm married I don't think she would care if you were a man," he said before being hit on the arm as Sara tried not to giggle.
Once inside Grissom made them a light breakfast before putting new sheets on the spare bed. After finishing his task he went downstairs and after re-arranging some of the gifts under the tree wondered where his wife was.
Going into their room he saw her looking in the mirror before taking off her blouse and pulling on a dress.
"Sweetheart she's not going to care what you wear," he said as she pulled off the dress and turned around.
"I want to make a good impression," she said noting his slacks and polo shirt.
"Where what you feel comfortable in," he whispered in her ear before kissing her neck.
"Like these," Sara purred as she pointed to her matching black lace bra and panties before Grissom helped her take them off and carried her to the bed.
Dressed in a blouse and black pants she held onto his hand as they awaited Lilly Grissom's arrival. Both aware they should have met her sooner the elder Grissom had been in Europe visiting friends when they married and had only been back in the country for a few weeks.
Walking through the doors Grissom saw her and they walked over, "great to see you mom," he signed before they hugged.
Glad to see her son she saw Sara and smiled before turning to Grissom as he would be their interpreter, "It is so wonderful to finally meet you," Lilly signed before enveloping her in a hug.
All her fears diminishing instantly she felt a warmth as she hugged back finally feeling what it was like to be part of a family.
With Sara driving, Grissom sat in the back with his mother translating for them as they went home. Once inside the couple showed Lilly their house and she admired their garden with its many trees glad the couple had somewhere private to relax and rewind.
All took an afternoon nap and Sara smiled as she heard her husband snoring never more content.
"How do I look," Sara asked as Grissom secured his tie before moving to place his arms around her waist.
"More beautiful than words," he said kissing her neck glad she was wearing the necklace he bought her for their first official date.
The threesome dined and chatted like lifelong friends and Grissom could not help but beam at his mother's close connection with Sara only after meeting that morning.
Waking up Sara stretched out and yawned seeing the sun had already risen. Smelling something wonderful from the kitchen she looked at her beside table and was amazed seeing it was nearing 10am. Now feeling terrible she found her robe and walked downstairs to two sets of smiles.
"We didn't wake you sweetheart," he asked passing her a coffee as his mother dished her some breakfast.
"No," she shook her head before turning to Lilly, "I'm so sorry I overslept," before hearing Grissom as he interpreted his mother's signs.
"Don't be silly Gilbert was telling me how you have problems sleeping. We were just so happy you slept so long," she said smiling back.
Although Christmas Eve Las Vegas weather decided otherwise so after dressing and talking for a few hours together Grissom suggested they take a walk by Lake Mead.
"She is amazing Gilbert you should have married her years ago,"Lilly informed her son as Sara ordered them dinks in a café on their way home.
Chuckling Grissom singed back, "I know Mom but I'll make it up to her for the rest of my life."
Once at home Grissom and Lilly read the evening paper while Sara cooked them dinner only to happy to help after being informed that she was not to lift a finger tomorrow.
With dinner finished Grissom was busy scrubbing pots when he heard Sara's deep chuckle and walked into the other room. He saw his wife looking over a well worn photo album when he spotted himself at the age of three naked.
"That's unfair," he signed to his mother as she smiled at Sara.
"It's nothing I haven't seen before," Sara giggled as Lilly turned the page and she saw him with his father fishing.
"It has been so long and I still miss him everyday," she signed as she traced her late husbands outline. Unwilling to let sadness creep into their holiday she quickly turned the page and they saw Grissom with his first animal dissection.
After watching a Christmas movie Sara smiled aware they had a few more hours until midnight mass.
Moving towards the tree Lilly bought out three gifts before turning to her son. "It's a Grissom tradition to open a gift each on Christmas Eve," she informed Sara before passing a gift over to Sara and her son.
Opening her gift slowly she smiled as he un-wrapped a rare book on Entomology and Lilly opened a box that contained a porcelain figure. Now turning to her gift she took off the paper to find an antique jewellery box. Seeing them both watching her intently she opened it slowly and her breath caught in her throat when she saw the diamond necklace and earrings. Guessing they must be a family heirloom and by the size of the diamonds worth a small fortune. Now overwhelmed by the gift she saw they matched her engagement ring and she remembered Grissom telling her it was his grandmothers.
Allowing Grissom to secure the necklace around her neck she listened as Lilly signed.
"These were Gilbert's grandmothers. When I married her son I received the engagement ring you are wearing. Then on our first Christmas together she gave me these and now I'm giving them to you,"she said before Sara embraced her in a hug never feeling like a Grissom more.
Sitting between them Sara held both their hands throughout the midnight mass aware this was the best Christmas she had ever had. Once at home they said their goodnights and once in their bedroom she allowed him to undress her and they made love as the moonlight swept through the blinds.
Thinking Christmas Eve was good Sara woke up with a bounce in her step and after looking at the earrings again decided she never wanted to take them out. Once in the lounge she accepted some coffee from Lilly and was guided over to the couch before Grissom called out for her to close her eyes. Grinning in anticipation she opened her eyes to a squirming box on her lap and after permission from Grissom opened it to find the most adorable boxer puppy she had ever seen.
"He's so cute," she declared as they took turns stroking him as he wiggled over his new family. With all of their presents open Lilly continued dinner preparations while the couple got to know their puppy which Grissom had picked up from Doc Robbins that morning.
"What should we call him," Grissom asked as the puppy sat in Sara's lap falling asleep.
"I'm not sure," she said stroking his head.
"How about Hank," Grissom said before being playfully punched in the arm.
"That is not funny and his name is never to be spoken in this house again," she said before kissing his arm. "How about Bruno," she said as he looked up at her and barked.
"Smart Bruno," Grissom said before getting another bark and the puppy walked over to the tree.
Quickly running over he managed to grab Bruno and run outside before the puppy peed and realized dog training would be high on his schedule for the New Year.
"It was wonderful to meet you Lilly and next time we meet I will be able to sign to you myself," Sara said smiling before giving her mother in law a hug determined to learn sign language.
"I'm sure you'll be better then us in a few months," she signed back happy her son was so happy and had chosen such a wonderful wife.
Seeing her flight number Lilly accepted more hugs before walking towards the gate waving her two favourite people goodbye.
Waving until she was gone behind the gate Sara smiled as they walked towards the exit, "this was the best Christmas of my life," Sara said as they got into the car.
Starting the engine Grissom nodded in agreement determined the following year would be as well.