"Maria. I Just Met a Girl Named Maria…"
Chapter 9
"Okay, everyone!" Doc Robbins' voice boomed out. "Mrs. Robbins and I have planned a celebration at our place. We hope you all can come." Cheers rang out and the CSI family followed Doc Robbins and his wife out of the courtroom."
"Nick," Catherine murmured, her hand wrapping around his forearm.
Nick turned to look at her and found her nodding her head toward someone across the room. Young Nate Culver stood there, looking a bit nervous as he inched forward toward Nick Stokes and his baby daughter…"
"Mr. Stokes…?" Nate's voice was uncertain and quavered shakily. Taking a steadying breath, Nate tried again. "Mr. Stokes, may I hold her for a moment? Just to say 'Goodbye?" "Of course you can Nate. You can hold her now, and whenever you come over to visit with her. After all, it's because of your courageous decision that this little miracle has graced my life, and all our lives. I am forever grateful and I hope you choose to remain a part of Maria's life. This baby can never have too many people that love her."
A look of utter astonishment flashed across the young man's face. "You really mean that? I can stay in touch? Watch her grow up?" "I wouldn't have it any other way," Nick stated, smiling widely and handing Maria over to Nate. The utter joy on the younger man's features proved to Nick he was making the right decision. Nate buried his face into Maria's gorgeous curls and breathed deeply of her baby scent. Nick continued, "Someday, you're going to be ready for all this Nate… the diapers, the sleepless nights, the responsibilities. And when you are, I hope you will include Maria in that part of your life, too." "I will, Mr. Stokes. I surely will." Handing Maria back, Nick and Catherine saw that Nate had tears forming in his eyes. Catherine stepped up and hugged him gently. "Meantime, come and join the party at Doc's place. You have the right to join in the fun and celebration, too."
The four of them walked out into the harsh, brilliant Nevada sun. They gave Nate Doc's address and he broke off to head to his car.
Nick, carrying Maria, and Catherine turned left and walked toward where they'd parked Nick's SUV. Catherine opened the back door and inducted Nick into the mystery of how a car seat works. Once Maria was properly secured, Nick seated himself next to her. At Catherine's raised eyebrows he grinned sheepishly. "I just think she'll be more comfortable if she has someone with her." Laughing, Catherine thinks to herself. "It's already begun. She's wrapping him around her little fingers and she doesn't even know it yet!"
The celebration at Doc and Judy Robbins' home was a "love-fest/baby fest," as well as a barbeque feast. Friends and family vied to hold and/or entertain a certain little lady who was the guest of honor. Eventually, Maria succumbed to fussiness and exhaustion. There is only so much excitement a baby can take before the inevitable "melt down," and Maria melted. Spectacularly. Nick's second lesson of the day came via screaming and flailing of said infant. Catherine and Sara tag-teamed to sooth and comfort the wailing wisp of humanity while Nick prepared baby food as fast as he could. Thus came the third lesson. Feeding a baby isn't that easy a task. Diaper change: Lesson 4. Changing the outfit on squirming, twisting baby who seems to have developed six arms and legs: Lesson 5.
Learning these various lessons in full view of everybody passing by was a bit mortifying in Nick's opinion, but Catherine and Sara assured him he was doing very well for a brand new Daddy. "Daddy. I'm a Daddy. I'm a DADDY," Nick thought to himself. He didn't know which emotion was stronger: absolute, unconditional love or absolute, unconditional terror.
The celebration broke up around 1pm, as everyone headed home to grab some sleep before the next shift. Gil and Sara said their goodbyes and strolled towards Sara's Prius. "So…," she drawled. "What would you think about adding one of those to our lives?" Gil stood stock still, his eyes widening with shock. "Are you…?" "No, Gil, I'm not pregnant," Sara laughed. "I'm just saying…" Turning to face her husband, Sara was met with a long, slow, sensual, head to toe and back up look of intense desire on the part of a certain entomologist. Sara shivered (Gil's ability to engage in "Eye Sex" really got to her). A right wicked grin spread across Gil Grissom's handsome face and he said, succinctly, "Home. Now. We can work on the Grissom model of the little beauty Nick's going to be besotted by for the rest of his life." Sara managed a "UhhhmmHmmmmm."
Around 2pm Nick and Catherine were standing over Maria's crib, watching as the adorable little cherub drifted off to sleep. They stood for a few extra moments and then quietly left the room.
In the kitchen Nick offered to make coffee. Cat asked if he minded making tea instead, as the coffee would make it harder to get to sleep after she got home. Nick offered her several choices and Catherine chose "Sleepy Time." Nick tried to suppress a snort of laughter. Cat lightly punched Nick in the arm. Nick grabbed her hand and the next thing he knew, they were engaged in a kiss that signaled the beginning of the passion that roiled, unseen but keenly felt, between the two CSIs.
Looking down into Catherine's sea-blue eyes, Nick swallows hard and says, quietly, intensely, "What about not going home this time, Cat? I'm asking you to stay…"
To Be Continued…