Summary: What if young Nate Culver couldn't raise Maria? What if Nick decided to step up to the plate? Who would help? Where might it lead?
Genre: family, friendship, humor, romance, Nick/Cat
Rating: G. Will change it later, if required
Disclaimer: CSI will never belong to us, except in our little fanfic hearts. Title borrrowed from "West Side Story." Thank you Mr. Bernstein and Mr. Sondheim
Moochiecat2009andPraire24
"Maria. I Just Met a Girl Named Maria."
Exiting the morgue, Nick starts thinking about how he's going to get the plan together. First thing that enters his mind… Find Cath, now!
Chapter 2
Nick walked past Catherine's office for the third time in as many minutes, wishing that Hodges would hurry up and finish talking the supervisor's ear off. His cell phone beeped and he checked the new text message that popped up on the screen. Greg needed to see him about their case. With a sigh, Nick cast a longing look at Cath's office and hurried down the hall to find Greg.
Catherine found him an hour later bent over the lighted table studying photographs of the latest crime scene. "Nick, is everything okay? You were wearing a path in front of my office earlier, but I couldn't get rid of Hodges." She tucked her strawberry blonde hair behind her ear and fixed her piercing blue eyes on Nick. "So, what's up?"
Nick stood with a groan and placed his hands against his lower back. He wasn't as young as he used to be. It seemed he felt more aches and pains than ever these days. "I wanted to talk with you in private," he told her.
"Let's get a cup of coffee and go talk in my office," she invited.
Nick agreed and soon the two of them were seated in the quiet of Catherine's office, the door closed securely behind them. Catherine settled in the chair behind her desk and cradled her mug of coffee in her hands, inhaling its comforting steam. It had been a long shift; she was exhausted and couldn't wait to get home to take a hot shower. Instead, she focused on her coworker and friend.
Nick shifted nervously in the chair in front of her. He sipped his coffee, wincing when he burned his tongue.
Catherine could tell he was stalling. "Just spit it out, Nicky. What's bothering you?"
"I'm thinking of adopting Nate Culver's baby, Maria. His dad won't let him raise her, and that little baby needs someone to love her. I already do."
Catherine nearly spewed out the swallow of coffee she'd just taken into her mouth. She swallowed it quickly, scalding her throat. "Adoption?" she sputtered.
Nick nodded.
Catherine studied Nick carefully; he was the most emotional of her CSIs and felt things more deeply than anyone else. "Nicky, have you really thought about this? Being a single parent is a huge responsibility. I know; I am one."
"Catherine, I know I can be a good dad to this little girl. She needs me, and I think I really need her, too. Come with me to meet her. I'm going to see her as soon as shift is over."
She couldn't resist the pleading look on Nick's face even though all she wanted to do was go home and fall into bed. It seemed that these days whenever she looked into his big brown eyes she was drowning. She shook her head to pull herself out of the chocolate depths. "Okay, I'll go with you to see her, but I still think you need to make sure you know what you're doing."
"Thanks, Cath," Nick grinned, his smile stretching from one side of his face to the other.
And so it was that two hours later Catherine found herself following Nick into the maternity section of the hospital. The nurse on duty saw him and smiled, walking over to greet them.
"Hi, Mr. Stokes. Your girl is doing great today." The pretty young woman's eyes drifted to Catherine and the older woman detected a hint of jealousy there.
"Miranda, this is Catherine Willows, a good friend of mine. She's here to meet Maria."
"Nice to meet you," Miranda said, a forced smile on her lips. "Would you like to hold Maria?" she asked Nick.
"Sure," he grinned.
Catherine knew Nick had no idea what his smile and deep brown eyes did to women. With a sigh, she followed him to Maria's bed and watched as Miranda placed the pink-bundled baby into his arms. Catherine's heart melted at the tender look on Nick's face as he snuggled the tiny baby close.
"Hey, angel," he crooned. "Uncle Nicky is here to see you. Auntie Cat is here, too. You're so beautiful; yes, you are." The baby blinked up at him owlishly.
Nick felt Catherine at his elbow, her warmth pressed against his arm. "She's beautiful, Nicky," she murmured softly. "I can see why you're captivated with her."
"Catherine, this little girl deserves the world handed to her on a silver platter. She shouldn't be sold to the highest bidder by Nate's father. I can do this, Catherine; I can adopt her and be her dad. Doc Robbins and his wife will help me; they're coming over Saturday at four to talk about it."
Catherine found herself reaching for the pink bundle. "Can I hold her?" Nick passed the baby into her arms, and Catherine found herself transported back in time to when Lindsey was a tiny baby. The weight felt good in her arms, and the smell of baby powder tickled her nostrils.
Before she knew what she was saying, the words tumbled out of her mouth. "I'll help you with her, Nicky, if you adopt her."
"Thanks, Cath," Nick told her, tears in his voice. "I was hoping you would; you're a great mom."
Catherine looked up from the child and gave him a reassuring smile.
Saturday rolled around quickly. Nick had already chosen the small bedroom next to his to be a nursery. He'd cleaned it out and even brought home a few samples of paint colors to show Catherine. He'd asked Maria's doctor for a referral to a pediatrician and had several promising interviews for nanny candidates scheduled in the coming week. He'd even called his lawyer to get the adoption process started. All that was left was to head to the grocery store and pick up the needed items for the barbecue.
That was soon accomplished and Nick threw himself into preparations for his company. Doc and Mrs. Robbins were attending along with Catherine, Greg, Sara, Jim, and Dr. Ray. He hoped everyone would agree to support him in the endeavor. He already loved little Maria with all his heart.
To Be Continued….Tag, you're it, Moochie!