Chapter Forty Four:
An Angry Lamb
"I'm fired?" she yelled, making Brass cringe.
He'd considered coming after Grissom broke the news to her but then he worried she would physically hurt Grissom.
"Ecklie demanded that I tell him when you were going to return to work. I couldn't answer so he insisted that I terminate….you."
"You were trying to get Sofia to take my position. Weren't you?" she spat.
"She did," said Grissom softly.
Sara's eyes widened.
"Not like that! She filled the vacant position…only. Sara, where are you going?" he huffed as he followed her into the bedroom.
She opened the closets, cursing as she found her things thrown inside. Nothing was neatly packed away.
"I could have thrown them out," offered Grissom.
Brass cringed when he heard an "umf" followed by, "Sara, that hurt!"
"That's it! I need to leave!" she demanded.
Francis immediately came out of the kitchen. "She doesn't mean it. Does she? She wouldn't leave the baby."
"No, I wouldn't leave my son! I'll take him with me," she called out.
"Babies…stay with their father," declared Francis but then he hushed seeing sparks of fire fly from Sara's eyes as she leaned out of the doorway, daring either to get into the fight.
"I think we better let her cool off," warned Brass. "Sara has a temper and is not afraid to lose it."
Francis chuckled at the remark but then got serious. "How do you think she is going to react about her apartment?"
"Let's hope she doesn't find out," whispered Brass.
They both hushed when Sara marched into the room just as both men blocked her view of the bassinet.
"Move away!"
"What are doing?" asked Grissom nervously.
"I'm leaving…with Matthew," she gritted as she began packing the baby's things into the diaper bag.
"You're not going to leave," soothed Grissom, thinking that she really wasn't serious but as she began packing up the baby's things he realized she was serious.
"You can't take Matthew!" he bellowed as he grabbed the diaper bag, trying to unpack it while she continued to throw things in.
"Grissom, let go," she warned.
"What was I supposed to do?" he seethed. "Tell me Sara what was I supposed to say to Ecklie? Should I have tried the truth? 'Sara is with a fallen angel right now. Let me get back with her.' Stop and put yourself in my shoes," he griped.
She slowed, taking a deep breath while Matthew began to stir.
"He's probably hungry," said Grissom softly. "Why don't you go and feed our son?"
Her anger seemed to cool but then she said, "I think it would be best if I took Matthew to my apartment…for awhile."
Grissom swallowed hard.
She caught several exchanges of looks pass between the three men.
"I still have an apartment…don't I?"
Grissom stepped closer. "Sara…"
"Don't I?" she yelled.
"I thought…I thought you had taken care of it," he said.
She swallowed. "What happened…to my apartment….to my things?" she asked.
"Sara…"
"Tell me!"
"You were evicted."
"Evicted? What happened to my things?"
Grissom cleared his throat. "Sold…to pay the back rent."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Everything…gone?" she asked.
He opened his mouth but then closed it choosing his words carefully. "I found out about it…later."
"You were listed on my rental application. They would have called you trying to locate me!"
He took the baby into his arms. "It was after…I saw you…"
"So you figured since I was dead to you, you didn't care what happened…."
"No! It wasn't then! It was after…I saw you in the restaurant," but then cringed knowing that he was only making things worse.
"So while you were replacing me with Sofia, you just let my slime ball apartment manager rip off my things for a couple of months rent. My deposit covered at least a month's rent!"
She started to yell more but stopped, stepping away as if she needed some distance from him.
He expected her to go ballistic but she stood there in silence.
"No job…no home," she said as if in disbelief.
"Sara, this is your home. I'll talk with Ecklie. When you're ready to return…if you want to return…you have Matthew to consider now…" he just stopped, when she walked to the door.
"Sara! You can't leave," Grissom pleaded.
She halted. "You're right. Where would I go?" she managed to get out.
Matthew whimpered.
"I need some air," she sniffled as she opened and then closed the door rather loudly.
"Well, that went well," muttered Brass.
Grissom patted Matthew's bottom as he continued to fuss.
"He's hungry," stated Francis.
"We should give her a minute," warned Brass.
"I should go out and…"
"She needs some space," urged Brass. "Leave her alone."
"You shouldn't have told her about her job. She had enough on her mind…with Darius gone," mourned Francis. "She's worried about him. He's been gone for several days."
"Putting a hockey franchise together is not an easy thing to do," snorted Brass.
"He's checking on…the dominion…the men…to make sure they aren't planning anything," stated Grissom.
"Did he tell you this?" asked Francis.
"No…but I know that he wants to protect Sara and the baby….and so he'll have to find out…if they are up to anything."
"He shouldn't be around them. Evil...evil has a way of pressing in on you. He's better off with us," stated Francis.
Grissom passed the men even though they offered to take the baby as he opened the front door, stepping outside.
At the moment, Grissom felt his best defense against Sara was the baby so he held him tight as he stepped out, fearing her temper.
She refused to look at him, knowing he was standing behind her.
"Sara, Matthew is hungry," Grissom said softly.
She turned, taking the baby from him and he took the opportunity to grab her hand. "I'll replace everything," he offered.
"It can't be replaced," she mourned. "My photos…journals…" her eyes widened. "Some stranger has my personal belongings."
"Sara…I'm sorry. By the time I went to the manager, he said the delinquent rent had been paid…from the sale of the contents."
"The contents were worth more than the back rent but I guess he didn't care as long as he got paid."
She eyed him. "How long did you wait?" She didn't wait for an answer, knowing it would only make her more angry if that were possible.
She started toward the door but then halted. "He even took my deposit!" she griped.
"I'm sorry," he repeated. "We can buy you some more clothes."
"I need to nurse him," she said quietly.
He let her pass, not liking how sullen she looked.
The men remained quiet until the bedroom door shut with a thud.
Grissom stepped inside and headed toward the bedroom but Brass blocked him.
"Gil, you have no experience in this area. I do. Give her some space or she might take your head off," warned Brass.
Grissom sighed.
"I didn't think…I mean I thought Sara would get her things," Grissom lamented. "I didn't think that when she left here with Darius she was leaving everything behind. I thought she didn't want the things left in the apartment. I didn't even go and check...I just..."
"Ignored it and hoped it would go away...like throwing her things into closets and under the sink, hoping you wouldn't have to deal with the loss? Gil, I can tell you, it doesn't work," grieved Francis. "You have to face loss."
"Well, I can talk with the manager and see if he remembers the person who bought the contents. Maybe we can get back her personal stuff at least," offered Brass.
"Thanks, Jim."
He patted Grissom on the back. "Now that I know she doesn't intend to physically assault you, I should go. Say, shift is going to be starting soon. Have you decided when you are coming back?"
"Tomorrow."
Darius leaned back in the bed, growling when there was a knock on the door.
He'd not slept much, not used to sleeping without Sara in his bed.
"Enter!" he bellowed.
He rose immediately when he saw the man slide past his guard.
The guard nervously glanced at Darius.
"You can leave," ordered Darius.
Darius watched as the man slipped into the chair by the fireplace, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
"Are introductions needed?" he asked.
"No."
"Darius, you've been a curiosity of mine for some time."
"Really? Did Silas take pointers from you?"
Lucifer laughed. "He was a good and faithful servant. You on the other hand are a disappointment."
"Sorry about that," replied Darius as he walked over to stand in front of the fireplace.
Lucifer drew in a drag off the cigarette and then blew smoke rings into the air.
"You like fire?" questioned Lucifer.
"It's warm…but I hear your fire is hotter."
Lucifer chuckled. "Much hotter. You don't seem afraid of me."
"I'm not."
"You should be."
Darius held up his palm. "Sorry but I'm already taken. I belong to Him…not you."
"A pity. You had such…potential. It's a pity that you had to go through all of that suffering for…nothing."
"I didn't. Sara saved me."
"Ah Sara. I'm glad you brought her up. How is Sara? I hear she delivered a fine looking boy…a son…for Grissom."
"Yes, she did," Darius replied, refusing to acknowledge the dig.
"A pity…you couldn't have her for yourself. I mean….look what all you did for her. You protected her from the men below…not an easy task….and then there was Silas. He wanted her….drooled over her. I understand you had to kill him…with my dagger."
"The spear may have belonged to you once but then it was later turned into a dagger by the priests…to kill the likes of you."
He laughed. "It may be able to kill lowly demons and half breeds but it has no effect on me."
"What do you want…unholy one…the fallen one…Lucifer?"
"Nothing," he replied. "As you pointed out, I can't take your soul...if you have one. There's still no proof that by mating with a human entitles you to a soul. We angels never were given one. He was cruel to us. If we screwed up, we were cut off, never able to redeem ourselves but humans, He gives them chance after chance. Is that fair?"
"Did you come to gripe? What do you want?"
"I just wanted to congratulate you on defeating Silas."
"Thanks…now you can leave."
"You can't expect me to leave you here in charge," stated Lucifer.
"I won them fair and square according to clan law. I defeated Silas so they answer to me."
"Why do you want them? None of them can be redeemed."
"Oh, I don't know. I thought I would create a hockey team…and let them bash their brains out…while making me loads of money."
Lucifer grinned. "I'm going to miss your sense of humor."
Lucifer stood, flicking the cigarette onto the floor but Darius extinguished the butt with his foot.
"Pity though…now that you can…take Sara…have Sara…you won't."
Darius tried not to react.
He'd felt a change within him in the last few days.
"All this time you spent here in this room, He prevented you from taking what belonged to you."
"Sara did not belong to me."
"According to ancient law, if a man died his brother took the widow as a wife. Gracen was your brother. You were entitled to Sara…not Grissom."
"Ancient law does not apply anymore. They are mates."
"Mates do not apply anymore! Besides, I hear they don't have the mark of mates anymore. I also hear that she prefers you…over him. He's not been a very good mate….looked…touched another woman."
Darius tensed.
"Sara has deep feelings for you….she…loves you…Darius. She's quite a prize. Gracen gave up everything…for her. You did too. It's a pity to let Grissom have her…and your child. The baby is yours by blood. Of course she's very fertile. She will probably give him another child. I imagine she will be ready to conceive again…soon."
Darius stood there motionless.
"Enjoy…the rest of your life…here alone," called out Lucifer as he left.
He unclenched his fist just as the door shut.
Darius stretched out on the bed and sighed.
A faint aroma wafted in the air.
He inhaled deeply, smiling when he realized it was Sara's scent.
His eyes grew wide, as his shaft hardened to the point that it was painful.
He scrambled off the bed.
"Holy…" he didn't finish.
Once the baby was fed, Sara rocked him and then placed him in the bassinet.
She was still angry that she had been fired but in retrospect, there wasn't much Grissom could have done to save her job.
She had left without even giving notice.
The apartment was another thing.
She couldn't believe everything she owned was gone.
She'd accumulated quite a few things over the years, trying to make up for having been released from foster care with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few outfits along with the journals she had kept.
She drifted to the window but there wasn't much of a view.
She pressed her head against the window pane, gulping down her emotions.
She'd felt on edge ever since Darius had not returned.
She was not used to being away from him.
You're not at the mansion...
You're safe…
She didn't feel safe.
She didn't even feel like she had a place to herself.
Grissom was constantly coming in and out, checking on her and the baby.
She was never truly alone when she was held in the room at the mansion since Darius was always there but he left her alone, letting her sit for hours without conversation.
It was those times her mind replayed every single conversation she'd had with Grissom.
Some were happy but most had been painful memories.
She knew Grissom was trying desperately to restore their relationship but she was still trying to deal with the old insecurities.
She wanted him that much was clear but the fact that their scars had miraculously disappeared made her question whether they were ever meant to be bound together.
Maybe we don't belong together…
Maybe he's being released from this mess I've caused…
At the moment she needed to feel safe.
The fact that she didn't have a job or a place of her own did not help matters.
She felt insecure.
She'd always been on her own and had managed quite well but now she had an infant to consider, an infant that demons and fallen angels might want to harm.
There was also Darius to consider.
She had been told to remain with Darius at all costs but he had just left her without a word.
Every hour that passed increased her anxiety.
Grissom only added to it when he felt something was wrong and urged her to talk with him.
The last thing he wanted to hear from her lips was that she only felt safe when she was with Darius.
During those grueling months, she had felt protected by Darius, giving her a sense of security.
She knew Grissom would risk his life to protect her and Matthew but it was not the same and she just couldn't explain it.
Despite Grissom's many attempts to explain his outburst, his words had done irreparable damage to her heart.
She would have preferred a physical beating than to hear the words "you're dead to me."
Since Darius had left, she felt on edge, not able to let the baby out of her sight.
She'd slept very little, listening and hoping she would hear him return.
She couldn't explain it but she felt the strong urge that something was not right with him.
She worried that his men might have overtaken him and he might be lying somewhere injured or worse, dead.
"Time to get control of your life, Sara," she said aloud as she grabbed her purse, emptying the contents onto the bed.
She picked up her wallet and sighed, finding twenty-three dollars in cash. She grabbed the phone and called the manager.
Within minutes the conversation had turned ugly.
It seemed the manager had not bothered to keep any of the personal effects and therefore the stranger, who had purchased the contents, had possession of her bank statements, credit card information as well as her blank checks.
Her next call was to the bank.
Sara had no idea what the balance should be but grew upset when she discovered that the manager had frozen her account until the debt was paid in full.
"He sold the contents of my apartment. He said the debt was paid so why can't I get access…"
Sara fumed as she listened to the instructions from the bank.
She would have to wait until the manager released the account.
Grissom stepped into the room as she slammed down the phone.
"My bank account has been seized by that slimy apartment manager."
"I'll get it worked out. Sara, we have money. Just tell me what you need and…"
"I have money! I had things!"
She took a deep breath trying to calm down. "He let them have everything in my apartment…everything, Grissom! This person has access to my bank accounts and credit cards!"
"Well, at least the person can't get any money from the bank since the account has been seized."
"The jerk gets his money but doesn't bother releasing his slimy hands off my…"
She stopped when the door opened and Darius stood there.
"Miss me?" he asked.
A myriad of emotion crossed Sara's face but she chose to go with her anger needing to vent.
"Where have you been?" she ranted, but relieved to see that he was fine.
"I missed you too," he griped as he picked up the baby, making sure he didn't wake him.
He smiled as the baby yawned but continued to sleep.
Darius glanced down at the mess on the bed. "Spilled your purse?"
"No…I'm trying to get my life back."
Darius stood there holding the baby while Sara went off on a tirade about her job as well as her apartment.
"You don't need to work. You have Matthew," he stated.
Grissom actually felt the same way but was glad Darius voiced it so she could chop off his head instead.
"I need a job…to support us."
"No," both men said.
"I can support you," they both blurted.
"I'll do that, thank you…but no thank you."
"Sara, Jim is going to talk with the manager. He'll try to find out who bought the contents and then we'll try to get it back," urged Grissom.
She knew that if anyone could track down her stuff, Brass could.
"How…are you?" she asked to Darius.
"Alive…as you can see but then you probably did not even miss me."
She started to punch him but didn't, choosing instead to hold him briefly.
Grissom bristled but said nothing.
"Everything okay?" she questioned.
"They're good," he lied.
She knew it was a lie, feeling the tension in his body.
Something was bothering him but he wasn't about to talk about it with Grissom in the room.
It would have to wait.
Darius sat down with the baby. "He's changed….in just two days, he seems…older."
"He's gaining weight."
"Are you back just for a visit?' asked Grissom.
Sara glared at Grissom.
"I'm back to make an offer to Sara."
"An offer?" asked Sara.
"I have something I want to show you," Darius stated.
"Okay."
"It will mean…going somewhere," he clarified.
Grissom bristled.
"Let's go," she said without thought.
Grissom stepped forward.
"Grissom won't mind watching Matthew," stated Darius.
"I'm just as curious as Sara. What do you have to show Sara?"
Darius refused to answer.
Grissom pressed, "You think it's safe…it's only been a few days since Silas and his men…"
"They're my men now," barked Darius.
Sara was surprised at his tone. "Maybe…Grissom is right. Maybe…"
"Come with us then," stated Darius coolly. "Bring the old man…I don't care."
The car was rather packed as Sara and Grissom sat in the back with the baby carrier between them.
Francis sat upfront while Darius drove.
"You didn't call…we were worried," stated Francis.
"I don't answer…to you," gritted Darius.
"No, you don't. You answer to God," stated Francis. "Don't ever forget that."
Sara was surprised by Darius' tone. He felt her watching him and he knew that she suspected something was amiss.
Darius gripped the steering wheel as he looked in the rearview mirror.
Grissom and Sara talked softly to Matthew.
"I think he likes riding in a car," stated Grissom.
Sara smiled but continued to look out of the window.
She was still miffed at the loss of her things, more importantly she had wanted to get out of the house so she could talk freely with Darius.
Grissom's demeanor told her he wasn't about to let her go unless he went with her.
The car slowed as they entered a residential area.
Sara looked puzzled as she glanced at Darius but then her eyes widened when they drove up to a house with a white picket fence.
"I've been here," she exclaimed.
"Impossible," stated Darius as he stopped the car and got out.
Grissom unbuckled the baby carrier and took the baby.
Sara exited the car and stood in front of the gate.
"Go inside," smiled Darius.
Sara looked confused.
Darius handed her the key. "It's yours."
Her eyes widened.
"I bought it…for you because you saw it in a dream."
"The house with the white picket fence," she murmured.
"Go inside," he repeated.
She stepped through the gate and he hurried ahead, unlocking the door.
Francis and Grissom glanced at one another as they followed.
The door opened wide and Darius motioned for Sara to step inside.
It was just as she had seen in her dream.
"The downstairs consists of a living room, kitchen, dining room, full bath, two bed rooms study, laundry room and walk in storage closet. There's also an enclosed sun room in the back leading out to a huge back yard with a privacy fence surrounding it. Upstairs contains three more bedrooms, a full bath and a nursery beside the master bedroom."
Sara took several minutes walking through the downstairs.
"It's beautiful," she admitted.
"It's yours."
Sara swallowed.
"It was my fault that you lost your job…and your apartment. It's the least I can do."
"But…"
"The deed is on the kitchen counter."
"Deed? The house is paid for?" asked Sara.
"It's in your name."
Darius walked over to the fireplace and turned on the gas logs.
Sara quickly checked over the deed. "You bought this…on Christmas day."
"You wouldn't buy anything for yourself so… I did."
"Darius…this is too much," she protested.
I agree thought Grissom as he set the carrier down, taking Matthew into his arms because he was getting fussy.
"I owe you."
"For what?" she asked.
"You saved me," he said quietly not liking that they had an audience.
She hugged him and he let his arms encircle her, liking the feel of her body next to his.
"Darius, I don't think…"
"There is plenty of room," he emphasized, hoping she would accept the gift.
He had been so upset by what happened to her on Christmas Eve. He wanted to send his demons after the priest as well as Grissom but didn't, somehow wanting to honor his agreement with Sara.
He had wanted more than anything to give her something that she had wanted but the only thing she had ever mentioned was the white cottage style home with a white picket fence that was in one of her dreams.
He'd gone on line and found the house, paying a ridiculous amount in order to close the deal in one day but paying cash helped expedite matters.
He'd intended to give it to her that day but then her health had taken a turn and she seemed too fragile to bring to the house.
"There's more than enough room," she sighed. "But there's…just…"
Grissom eased forward with the baby.
"If you insist on…everyone…then you'll need a house this size. You can still have your own space…your own privacy," he said glancing briefly at Grissom and Francis.
There was enough room and then some.
Darius grabbed her hand and pulled her upstairs.
She glanced back at Grissom who followed with the baby.
She didn't know how Grissom felt about it, not sure if they should be discussing it while Darius was present.
Darius stopped in front of the nursery door.
"I took the liberty of having…it furnished," he said as he opened the door.
Sara gasped as she looked around.
"I hired an interior decorator….notice no chains, ropes or…"
Sara flew into the arms of Darius. "Thank you," she whispered.
The baby's needs were immediately resolved as she looked about the room.
Great planning had gone into the nursery.
The closet was full of clothing relieving Sara of the pressure to ask Grissom for money in order to shop for some things.
She didn't care about herself at the moment although she needed more than what she had left at Grissom's.
Darius grinned as he looked at Grissom, noticing how the man's face was expressionless.
"I leave the rest of the house to you to decorate the way you like," he offered. "Money is no object."
"Yes, it is. Darius, I don't think I can…accept…this."
Darius's smile faded. "Why not?"
"It's too much. I…"
"What Sara is trying to say, we appreciate…this but we insist on buying the house…from you."
"You can't buy it!" Darius barked but then calmed immediately. "It belongs to Sara. I bought it for her. She deserves a house of her own…a place of her own."
"Darius…I…" Darius interrupted Sara. "Sara, please. Grissom's house is too small…unless you're not planning on all of us…staying together."
"I think it would be best if I took Matthew to my apartment."
Sara was silent for several minutes which made Grissom nervous.
"I was thinking of a place…for Matthew and…"
Grissom didn't give her a chance to finish too afraid that her plans just might exclude him.
"It's very generous of you, Darius since she did lose her job…and apartment," stated Grissom. "I think Sara needs…some space of her own. This house is big enough…to give her that while the rest of us…remain with her."
She wasn't convinced they could live under one roof and the men knew it.
Sara stepped into the master bedroom, looking out the window that had a view of the fenced in backyard with the huge magnolia tree.
It was everything she ever wanted in a house but then she never thought she would be sharing it with three men and a baby.
She remembered the old eighty's movie and grinned at the memory.
If she did try to move into another apartment there would be the constant visits from them.
Francis had been very attentive to the baby's needs, helping out with every turn.
He'd been sincere with his apology to her, grieving for the way he treated her.
There was the matter of Darius and Grissom.
Grissom eased into the role of fatherhood quite nicely, and seemed to have a special bond with Matthew.
When the baby was fussy, he seemed to prefer Grissom more than anyone.
While Darius had been gone the past several days, she knew he wanted to make up for it.
Already there was the silent tug of war developing between Darius and Grissom over Matthew.
If they were under one roof, they could establish a routine, a "visitation" schedule of sorts.
The house was also big enough to afford her some time to slip off to be alone to sort through her feelings.
It wasn't that she didn't love Grissom. She was just afraid to be hurt again.
Her trust of him had been fractured and she knew he would probably have the same trust issues since she had lived with Darius for months.
She returned taking Matthew into her arms. "It's a lot to furnish."
Francis appeared behind them. "Sara, I stored my family's furniture…you are welcome to any of it. In fact, I think it would make Gracen happy if you made use of it."
"There's the furniture from the townhouse," added Grissom.
It surprised her that Grissom was so willing to move.
He'd lived alone for most of his life.
He valued his privacy as much as she did.
Matthew gurgled as Sara stepped into the nursery, sitting down in the rocking chair.
"It's settled then," announced Darius as he squatted in front of the rocker taking Matthew's hand. "So….is it a go?"
"A go?" Sara questioned.
"We move here…immediately," replied Darius.
"Now? You mean…now?"
"Yes. Sara, this house is more secure. It's close to the police department…fallen angels do not fear humans but they also need to move about under the radar…it would slow them down…make it more difficult for an attack."
"You don't think…" Darius hushed her immediately by shaking his head.
He had not wanted to frighten her but merely point out the positive side of moving into the house.
"I have…everything…under control," he said.
An slight chill made her shiver, not liking the shift in his eyes but she knew he had no intentions of opening up to her unless they were alone.
"I'm scheduled to return to work but I can request another week," offered Grissom.
"Go back to work. We can handle the move," smiled Darius.
Grissom had an uneasy feeling as he waited for Sara to answer.
"Let's do it," she said with a grin.
"Great! I think we need to start with your bedroom. I think a dark color…maybe black with mirrors on the ceiling," he teased.
"You can be in charge of moving the furniture," she announced.
"I have a house full of demons that can move…" he stopped when her smile faded.
He quickly took her hand. "I was teasing. I'll make sure none of them come near this place. Besides, they are learning how to ice skate."
Sara snorted. "You're really not going to form a hockey team…are you?"
"The She Devils," he announced. "I figure with all of the name teasing they will rip off the limbs of their opponents."
"No violence," Sara ordered.
"No violence…just hockey playing," he teased as he took Matthew into his arms.
Grissom stepped into the master bedroom.
While Francis joined Darius, she slipped into the other room to join him.
"Griss…"
"This is a good decision," he said as he admired the view. "It will be safer…if we remain together."
"Yes," she admitted.
He grew quiet as he kept his back to her. "I'll…share Matthew…but I won't share you."
Before she could respond, Grissom whirled around and took her into his arms.
The kiss was quite powerful, making her go weak in the knees.
He released her suddenly and she stepped back needing a moment to catch her breath.
The next several days were chaotic as Grissom returned to work while Sara focused on the move.
She spent one day sorting through furniture, mentally positioning it within the house.
The furniture in the storage buildings took the longest to sort through.
Within three days, they had hired movers to begin the long process.
Sara insisted on keeping Matthew with her at all times while the movers began the ascent upstairs.
She lost track of the number of men hired to move the contents from the townhouse as well as the furniture she had chosen from the storage buildings belonging to Francis.
With every turn there was a human body with a box needing directions.
She kept Matthew in a baby carrier, not liking so many strangers around them but Darius and Francis remained close, helping her to ease through the tension of being around people again.
Her phone rang and she grabbed it, trying to juggle the baby as well as the small device.
"How is it going?" asked Grissom.
"We just started to unload the trucks," she said.
"I'm sorry I have to work a double," he said.
"Part of the job," she said as she placed the baby in the carrier.
"I'm sending someone over to take my place," offered Grissom.
"There's plenty of help. There are men…everywhere," she said as she quickly moved out of the kitchen as men appeared carrying boxes.
"That goes in there," she directed. "I've got to go, Grissom."
She clicked not giving him time to say anything further.
A few hours later, the kitchen and dining room were completed along with most of the downstairs.
She turned when she heard a familiar voice call out as she rushed out of the kitchen.
"Greg?"
"Grissom said you might need some help," he stated.
"Thank you…but there are so many men now they're running into one another."
"You look good," he offered.
"Thanks," she said awkwardly as she set the baby carrier down on the table.
Greg admired the baby.
"It's easier keeping him in this while I navigate the men to the correct room."
"I brought some stuff," he stated.
"Oh, Greg. I think we have enough," she stated.
"I think you'll want this stuff," he stated as he insisted that she follow him outside.
Greg opened the back of the moving van.
Sara was shocked when she saw the truck filled with the furniture from her apartment.
"Jim found it! Did he get…everything?" she asked excitedly.
"Give credit where credit is due," Greg huffed.
"You found it?" she asked.
"I'm the person who bought it from your landlord."
"You? You bought my things?" she asked softly.
"I overheard Grissom's conversation with the landlord. I went by there when your landlord was making plans to auction off the items so I made him an offer to buy all of it. He took it as long as I cleaned out the apartment that day. By the way, I cleaned the apartment so he should have returned your deposit."
"You…purchased everything?"
"I decided I would put it in storage and wait to see if…you ever came back…to us," he said. "You did…so here it is."
"Greg, thank you," she swallowed as she clung to him. "I'll pay you back."
"Yeah, well, I have to admit I read your diaries and was upset that you didn't write me in a favorable light."
"What do you mean? I often spoke about you…said how much I valued your friendship," she gulped.
"Not a single word about my physique, or how you pined away for me or how you daydreamed about…me. Instead, it was page after page of..."
"I can't believe you read my diaries!"
He grinned. "Not really but I had you going there for awhile. Ready to unload? I need to get this truck back in a few hours."
"I'll get the movers to do it," she said as they walked back.
"So…where is the reformed demon?" asked Greg.
"Right here," announced Darius as he took the carrier from Sara's hand.
"Greg bought the furniture from the landlord…he's been keeping it for me."
Darius scowled at Greg.
"He was also one of the men who treated you like…"
"Darius," said Sara softly.
"I guess if I can be redeemed…then so can…he," he stated as he let the young man enter the house.
By the time Grissom arrived at the house, the movers were gone. There were several boxes lying around but the furniture was in place.
He smiled noticing how Sara had blended all of the furniture to make a cozy feeling. He also noticed some of her personal things.
"You look tired," announced Francis.
"I am," he admitted.
Grissom looked around. "Where is Sara?"
"She's upstairs feeding Matthew," stated Francis.
Grissom's eyes drifted toward the stairs.
He had no idea where he would be sleeping.
He hoped Sara would allow him to sleep with her but he wasn't sure.
He guessed he would wander around until he found the bedroom with his furniture in it.
He made it to the nursery just as Sara placed the baby in the crib.
She turned and smiled. "He had a big day," she announced.
"The house looks nice," he said softly.
She could feel his exhaustion as he leaned over to kiss the baby.
"You look tired. You should sleep."
"I don't…know where…I'm supposed to," he admitted softly, hoping she would offer to join him and more importantly, offer to share the master bedroom with her.
"Hey, Sara what movie do you want to watch?" asked Darius as he appeared in the doorway. "Oh, you're….here."
Grissom's jaw clenched slightly.
"Grissom just got home. He needs to sleep."
"Oh, well, don't let us keep him," stated Darius as he headed toward the master bedroom.
Accusing eyes turned to Sara.
"I took the master bedroom," she said.
"Where is he sleeping?" bit out Grissom.
Sara bristled. "In his room…across the hall."
Thank goodness he's not sleeping with her…
"I'm sorry," said Grissom softly. "It's been a long shift."
"Your room…is at the end of the hall," she said quickly.
Grissom looked shocked. "He gets the bedroom next to yours and the baby?"
"We were going to put you downstairs…."
"Great!" he muttered.
"I just thought that the baby might wake you during the day when you're trying to sleep and it is farthest from everything….but then I thought that you would want to be on the same floor as…the baby so we put you there," she said pointing to a door.
"Not next to you or the baby," he griped.
Grissom glanced into the master bedroom and caught sight of Darius lying in the middle of the bed.
"It's about to start, Sara," called out Darius.
Grissom did not say a word but went to his room, closing the door.
Sara hesitated a moment but then went to the master bedroom.
"What?" asked Darius.
"I don't feel…much like a movie now," she lamented.
"Oh come on Sara. I've always wanted to see this," he said as he patted the spot next to him.
Her eyes drifted back to Grissom's door.
"Close the door. I have the baby monitor on," he said holding it up.
Sara felt a little off as she started to close the bedroom door, deciding to crack it instead.
She took her place settling beside him like she'd done for months.
"You never said how it went…at the mansion," she said.
"No, I didn't," he admitted as he stretched out, looking at the ceiling.
She did the same as her eyes followed his that were staring at the ceiling. "What?" she asked.
"You didn't go with the mirror idea," he teased.
"You're avoiding the question," she said.
"They're not going to do anything," he said as he rolled to his side to face her.
His hand tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"You haven't spoken much to Francis."
"Why would I? He's a pain."
"He's….your father. You should get to know him."
"I know him. He and the sect have been trying to kill me for years."
"That was before he knew…about you…and that you've changed."
"It doesn't matter. He feels nothing for me…just as I do him."
"That's not true! You haven't given him a chance. He was worried when you didn't return…or call. I tried a few times to call you."
"I turned off my phone. I needed to think…like a demon…not…like some eunuch."
I'm not a eunuch anymore, Sara...
I could make love to you...
"Do you plan to go back and forth…like this?" she asked.
"I'm not sure."
"Don't go back," she pleaded.
"Sara, if I don't, someone else will take my place. They may decide to…not be nice."
"You think they would try to come here and…"
"I won't ever let that happen," he said softly as his hand caressed her cheek.
He clicked on the movie.
She snorted.
"What? You don't like my movie choice? You can pick next time."
She scooted down into the bed. "Lassie, Come Home," she smirked.
"I like dogs," he said softly.
"You're secret is safe with me," she said.
Within minutes she was asleep.
Darius grabbed the blanket on the chair beside the bed and threw over them as he pulled her into his arms.
An hour later, Darius heard the opening of a door followed by footsteps.
Through the cracked door, Grissom could see them but he proceeded into the baby's room shutting the door behind him.
Sara rose immediately.
"Go back to sleep," whispered Darius.
"I thought I heard something," she said as she listened intently.
"Matthew is still sleeping," he said softly. "It was nothing. Movie is almost over."
He clicked off the television and slipped down beside Sara pulling her into their old sleeping position and closed his eyes, praying he could sleep without the demons closing in.
Note from author:
And you thought the angst was over...LOL You should know me better than that...and to think it would be so easy for Darius to just kill Silas and it would be over...LOL
Take care!