Chapter Forty Three:
Silas Comes For The Lamb
Matthew yawned as his head turned toward Sara as if expecting her to take him.
Grissom grinned. "Already spoiled, are you?"
He whimpered.
"Momma needs her sleep," whispered Grissom.
There was a soft tap and Grissom opened the door.
Darius glanced over Grissom's shoulder, noticing Sara still slept.
"She's been sleeping a lot," he noted, trying to keep his worries to himself.
"Doc says it's to be expected," explained Grissom.
"I'd like to see my…could I see him?" asked Darius.
Grissom made no objection when Darius gently picked up the baby.
Sara stirred slightly.
"I'd like to rock with him for awhile," added Darius.
There was no demand in his voice but rather a worried plea.
Grissom could sense Darius was worried about Sara.
He'd been worried as well until Doc empahsized that sleep would help Sara heal faster.
"Take him," said Grissom quietly.
Darius disappeared into the next room.
"Thank you, Grissom. I know this must be hard for you," whispered Francis. "I'd like to talk with Sara once she has her strength back. There is no excuse for my actions toward her. I pray she will forgive me...then perhaps I can forgive myself."
Darius rocked the baby to sleep and then returned him to the bassinet.
He stood beside the bed briefly, his hand caressing Sara's forehead.
"No fever," stated Grissom.
"Good," Darius replied gruffly.
"Darius?"
He turned and looked at Grissom.
"I'm watching over her. Doc says she needs the sleep in order to heal."
Darius started to leave but halted. "Have you considered what you will do if you are not bound anymore?"
"We are."
"Sara doesn't think so," Darius replied.
"I will always be bound to Sara…I will always love her...even if she doesn't love me anymore."
Grissom was surprised when he responded. "She does. She did nothing but pine away for you. Let me warn you. You have your work cut out. She just may make a eunuch out of you for hurting her."
He left without another word.
Grissom stretched out on the bed as he watched her sleeping.
He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep but was startled awake when the baby began to whimper.
He stepped out of the bedroom with the baby and was bombarded by the other men.
"Your friends had to leave," stated Francis.
Darius reached for the baby but then halted "Messy diaper?"
"He's wet," replied Grissom.
"You can still have him…for awhile," griped Darius, stepping toward the bedroom door.
"She's still sleeping," announced Grissom.
Darius frowned but stayed.
Grissom finished changing the baby and then sat down in the rocker with him.
"He's very curious," smiled Francis.
"Sara says Matthew is very inquisitive," announced Grissom.
"Matthew? His name is going to be 'Matthew'?" questioned Darius.
"Yes. It means…"
"I know what it means," he said slowly. "It's not one of the names we discussed."
"I came up with it," stated Grissom. "Sara...Sara wants to name him Matthew Gracen...Grissom."
"It's a fine choice," Francis stated, wiping at his eyes. "Gracen would be very honored."
Darius glanced out the window.
"Is there something wrong?" asked Francis.
"No…which is strange."
All heads turned when there was a slight noise coming from the bedroom.
Darius was there at the door before Grissom could get out of the rocker with the baby.
Darius frowned. "Are you supposed to be up?"
"Where is…Matthew?" she asked anxiously.
"Grissom is rocking him."
Sara slowly made her way toward the door despite Darius' objections.
"Sara, get back in bed. I'll have Grissom bring the baby to you."
"I need to see him now," she said anxiously as she made her way into the living room.
She went to Grissom and attempted to take the baby but he ignored her outstretched arms..
"Give him to me," she ordered.
"Sit down and I'll give him to you," offered Grissom.
She reached for him again but Grissom refused to release him.
She seemed on edge about something as she stood there.
"Sara, sit down honey," Grissom soothed.
He moved away from the rocker, letting her take his seat and then handed her the baby.
She clutched at the sleeping baby.
Grissom knelt down. "Bad dream?"
She nodded as she shifted the baby in her arms.
Grissom cupped her cheek, "He started whimpering. I didn't want him to wake you so I brought him out here. I've been watching over him. He's fine."
There was a tap on the door and both men unconsciously moved in front of Sara while Frances checked the window.
"Gil, it's some of your men," stated Frances.
Grissom went to the door and opened it slightly.
"Hey, Catherine told us about Sara and the baby," began Nick. "We just wanted to come and see him."
Grissom opened the door and let Nick and Greg inside.
"Warrick is helping Catherine on a case," stated Nick as he walked toward the rocker.
They were not prepared for Darius to block their paths.
"I don't like these men," snarled Darius.
"They're friends," stated Grissom.
"No, they're not. They were cruel to Sara."
"When?" questioned Grissom.
"We ran into them at the mall. They treated her as if…I'm used to the looks but Sara…deserved better."
Darius felt a warm hand on his wrist. "It's okay, Darius."
He glanced down at Sara. "Are you sure?"
She struggled to get out of the rocker and Darius helped.
Grissom quickly went to her side. "Sara…"
She placed the baby in his arms. "Introduce them," she said quietly.
Grissom caught sight of her shaking hands as she folded them in front of her body.
Whatever the dream had been it had rattled her.
Nick and Greg stepped forward but Darius blocked their path in a protective stance in front of Sara.
Darius was surprised when Sara took his hand, letting the other slide around her waist for assistance.
Grissom stood there watching until the door closed.
"I didn't mean…we came to see Sara too," insisted Nick.
"Sara is not feeling well. It was a hard delivery," stated Grissom.
"Doc hasn't stopped talking about the delivery. For a man who once said he's more comfortable with the dead, he's on cloud nine talking about this little fella," chuckled Nick.
Nick held the baby's hand. "Hey, little man. You look…like your daddy. Curly hair…blue eyes."
"Really?" asked Grissom as he looked down at the baby.
He grinned when the baby yawned and then stuck his small fist into his mouth.
"He has an appetite like you, Greg…with the same kind of manners," said Grissom.
"He'll be smart like me also," chided Greg.
Grissom glanced at the bedroom door.
"I'm sorry if we upset Sara. When she's feeling better I'd like to talk with her."
"I'll tell her Nicky," stated Grissom.
They made the visit short sensing that Grissom wanted to return the baby to Sara.
The men left just as Darius came out, in a foul mood.
"Is she alright?" Grissom asked quickly, not liking how she had relied on Darius physically.
"See for yourself!" he growled as he slammed the other bedroom door. "What are you looking at old man?" Grissom heard him shout.
Grissom took the baby into the bedroom and placed him in the bassinet.
He was surprised to see her sitting in a chair near the window.
"Nick and Greg want to come and see you when you're feeling better."
Her eyes turned from the window when she heard the soft gurgling noise of her son.
"I'm sorry what happened in the mall. I didn't know you ran into Nick and the guys…until recently," he commented.
"On one of my many outings," she bit out.
"They didn't mean…"
"Yes, they did. They were defending you…condemned me. Even Doc didn't…Darius forced him to come…but then he came back…took pity on me."
"I'm sorry. It must have been hard for you…to give up everything…everyone," he said softly.
He knelt down beside the chair. "Sara…"
She stood quickly avoiding his hand that stretched out to grab hers.
She skirted around him, intending to take her spot on the bed but he pulled her into his arms.
"I'm sorry," he whispered again while he kissed her on the forehead.
His hand slipped into hers, squeezing their palms together.
"Whether you feel anything or not, I will always be bound to you…I love you, Sara."
He kissed her lightly on the lips but then became more persistent, forcing her to respond to him.
"I love you, Sara," he repeated.
"Don't," she choked.
She backed away but he followed until her body was pressed against the wall.
She took a deep breath as his body pressed into hers. "I've missed you…missed us."
She attempted to scoot away but his hands blocked her on both sides. "Forgive me," he whispered. "I never meant to hurt you."
"You did," she cried.
"I know," he soothed. "I didn't mean the words, Sara. I didn't mean them."
"Who's to say you didn't…I didn't see any visions…I didn't feel…what you felt."
"I'm sorry you didn't remember any of the visions in the ritual. We may not have seen or felt what the other went through but I think we both know…we've been to hell…but we're back and we're safe."
"No one is safe," she whispered.
His hands rubbed her arms, "I won't be separated from you again."
She glanced at the sleeping baby.
"No one will take him from us," he urged.
He pressed into her, blocking her from moving away from him.
"Mates for life," he whispered.
Her hand pressed on his chest as her eyes silently pleaded for him to release her.
He stepped away but then boldly took her hand into his, pulling her into his arms.
"Dance with me, Sara."
She tried to shove him away but he refused to let go of her.
"Grissom, let go of me."
"Stay here in my arms...dance with me," he said softly.
"There's no music," she huffed.
""Ah but there is. When you're in my arms, my heart sings...can't you hear it Sara?"
She swallowed, lost for words as he pulled her tight, gently swaying with her.
"See...your heart is singing along with mine," he said softly.
"How did Sofia feel in your arms?" she challenged.
"Like a bad substitute...a fake gawdy piece of jewelry trying to replace a flawless diamond."
His lips dipped down and took hers. "Tell me you don't feel it. Tell me you don't want...me."
She couldn't but at the moment there were too many unresolved things to think about their future.
The baby whimpered and she used him as an excuse to lift him into her arms.
Grissom gathered both of them into his arms.
Softly he hummed a lullaby as they both supported the small infant.
Darius opened the door abruptly. "Grissom!"
Darius motioned for him to come to the living room, "Sara, stay close to the baby."
She clutched the baby tight.
Grissom stepped out, glancing briefly at them before shutting the door.
"Silas is outside," Darius warned.
"Silas?"
"Worse than me…much worse," breathed Darius as he glanced back at the bedroom door.
"What does he want?" asked Grissom.
"He wants Sara…and the baby," gritted Darius. "Stay here. I need to talk with Sara. Don't open that front door for any reason!"
Grissom glanced briefly at Frances.
Darius pulled out the jeweled dagger.
"I'm going to give it to Sara…for protection," stated Darius.
Darius rushed into the bedroom.
He knew she was frightened.
"You have another acting job, he said trying to make light of the situation. "You think you can pull off another job?"
"Tell...tell me what to do," she replied nervously.
Darius smiled. "Nothing as bad as before. This time...you get to act frightened...of Silas and me. I want you to listen carefully to what I am going to do."
Darius glanced back before shutting the bedroom door.
"All of you are expendable so keep quiet...remember whose side you're on," griped Darius.
Darius cursed when he saw Silas approaching.
Within minutes there was a knock on the door.
"Don't let him in," warned Frances.
Darius opened the door and smiled, "Hello, Father."
Silas snarled but then smiled when he saw Frances. "Homecoming?" he asked.
"The best yet," announced Darius.
"May I come in?" asked Silas.
Frances gasped as Darius announced, "You're always welcome in my home."
Silas stepped inside. "Did she give you a child?"
"Yes, she gave birth to him…early," announced Darius.
Silas eyed Francis. "Then the ritual works…for us?"
"Yes. We can take others…sire more," stated Darius.
Francis stepped closer, preparing to jump Silas.
Suddenly the door burst open and several of Darius' men grabbed Francis and Brass.
Grissom blocked the bedroom door.
"Did she…fall for it?" chuckled Silas.
"Yes. She thought she was visited by Gracen. She did what I told her to do," stated Darius.
"Remember…we share," grinned Silas. "I get her next."
"Of course," replied Darius.
"What do we do with him?" asked Silas as he regarded Grissom.
"We keep him…as insurance so she will breed willingly," explained Darius. "She's good stock. We should be able to get another child from her."
"I understand you took her quite often…your men told me about the screams that came from your room."
"She's a screamer. You'll find out when you bed her," grinned Darius.
The others caught the lie but did not react.
"Move!" ordered Silas to Grissom.
Grissom found himself surrounded by several men as he struggled, yelling out to warn Sara.
Silas opened the door and stepped inside with Darius, the door shutting with a thud.
"Darius…what is he doing in here?" asked Sara as she clutched the baby to her breast.
"He's come to admire the baby," smiled Darius.
Silas started toward Sara but she stepped back.
Sara could hear the others as they struggled to get free.
"Darius…keep him away," begged Sara.
"He doesn't take orders from the likes of you. You are nothing but breeding stock…a bitch," snarled Silas. "Come here!"
Darius slipped his hand underneath the bed covers and produced the dagger.
Sara pressed her back to the wall as she tried to shield the baby.
"The next one will be mine! He'll be…sired by royalty…not by…the likes of…them…by Darius…the bastard son, I had to take in as my own," he whispered to Sara.
His tongue slid down her cheek and she cringed feeling bile rise..
"Silas!" demanded Darius.
Silas turned and felt the blade enter his chest.
He stood there in astonishment as Darius pulled out the blade and stabbed once more.
"Forgive me Father for I have sinned. I lied. This is not my home….and you're not my father," whispered Darius.
"You…little…" Silas slipped to his knees.
He clutched at his chest as he tried to crawl toward the door. "I'll make you watch as my men have your bitch. You're weak!"
Darius pressed his foot onto the man's chest preventing him from reaching the door.
"I loved you…despite your cruelty to me."
"Love?" he spat. "Fallen angels do not love," he snarled. "We hate!"
"Yes, I know…I never hated you. I'm not one of you," stated Darius as he watched the life ebb out of Silas.
Darius checked the body and then stepped over it, coming to Sara and the baby.
"Everyone is okay, but I need for you to stay in here," he said calmly.
She nodded but then she clutched Darius to her.
"Darius, are you alright? He was your father," whispered Sara.
He caressed her cheek, letting his lips touch hers. "It's going to be okay."
Darius grabbed the lifeless body, slinging it over his shoulder.
He opened the door, throwing the body onto the floor.
Fear gripped the men at the sight of the dead body.
Silas had been feared by all, his evil too harsh to imagine.
They gawked at the body, noting the two small holes.
"How did he...die?" one of them asked.
"I'm in charge now," Darius demanded. "Release them or I will kill all of you!"
The men did as they were told.
Grissom rushed to the bedroom.
Francis and Brass stood near Darius.
"Get out of here now and take him with you."
As soon as the room was empty Francis came to Darius.
"Darius…I'm proud ...of you."
"Sara knew I wouldn't let anything happen to her…or the baby. The rest of you were expendable…as long as I didn't…"
"Let me finish," griped Brass. "Harm or kill us."
"Right," muttered Darius.
Darius glanced into the bedroom.
Grissom held Sara firmly in his arms.
"Will they try again?" asked Francis.
"In a few hundred years…after they figure out how I managed to kill Silas…with just two strokes of a blade," commented Darius.
"What makes you so sure they won't try again?" asked Brass.
"A fallen angel will do anything to stay alive…procreating in order to get an heir was not a well liked idea. Since it got Silas killed, the others won't risk it….not when they can spend the rest of their time wreaking havoc on mankind."
"And what will you do?" challenged Francis. "Now, that you are in charge."
"I think I'll create a hockey team…it's a good blood sport…legal…but profitable."
Francis groaned as Brass chuckled.
"What about…the child?" asked Francis.
Darius glanced into the room. "He's….ours….but theirs."
"Gracen would be very proud of you."
"Yeah yeah….I can't stand all of this mushy stuff."
Francis reached over to pat him on the back but Darius stepped away.
"I'm sorry, son. I was only going to…"
"I don't like to be touched," warned Darius.
Frances nodded in understanding. It would take time.
Darius glanced back once more and then strolled out of the door.
Sara immediately felt his absence.
"Where's Darius?" she asked.
"He left," answered Brass.
"Left?"
"He said there was no longer any danger," explained Francis.
"He said he wouldn't leave," she whispered.
"It's okay," assured Grissom.
"No, it's not. I was supposed to stay with Darius….and he's gone," she worried.
Note from author:
Moving on...I am dealing with snow, school being out which means I have kids along with a hubbby who is a bigger kid...and that darn gremlin that keeps messing with my chapters. I try to open them and it won't let me but then when it does, it doesn't want to cooperate...ugh. I am finishing up proofreading the last few chapters...may go over 45 but I don't think anyone is going to mind...LOL The last part made the chapters way too long!
Take care!