Chapter 24

The two women left Vegas later that afternoon. Sara had ordered a hotel room half way between Vegas and Frisco, where they could sleep for the night; they were back in Frisco the next afternoon. Sofia pulled into the parking lot but didn't stop the car, Sara looked at her.

"Are you going somewhere, honey?"

Sofia smiled, "um… I promised you one more gift, but I have to go pick it up first."

Sara returned the smile, "Babe, I told you that you didn't have to give me anything else."

Sofia kissed her, "I know hon, but I'm going to anyway."

Sara snickered, "Okay sweetie, I'll just go up and start unpacking then, see you when you get back, and drive carefully."

"Sure babe, see you in a while" Sofia smiled, giving her a playful wink.

Sara went inside, just as Sofia started to pull out of the lot Brian drove into the lot and blocked the way for Sofia, they both got out of their cars.

"Hey, marry Christmas, Sofia" Brian said with a broad grin.

"Hey Brian, and the same to you, have you been working?"

"Yeah" Brian said, his head nodding automatically, "so do you like your new cool car?"

"Well, cool it is, but it's just way too much, a smaller car would have been fine."

"Of course it would," Brian smiled, "but don't tell me that that day we worked on one just like yours in the lab garage, that you didn't wish to drive it, think most of us did."

Sofia smiled, "yes I did, and I think I know who gave Sara the idea to buy it."

Brian head tilted to the side laughing, "it took me and Leo about a week to persuade Sara into buying it; she was so scared that you would either kill her or get very mad at her for buying it." Brian looked around, "you haven't killed her right?"

Sofia shook her head, "of course I haven't."

"Did you get mad at her?" He asked rapidly.

Sofia sighed, "No I didn't, but I really don't like that she is spending so much money on me, it's just too much, it's not like I can do something like that for her!"

Brian gazed into Sofia's eyes, "in some ways I think I can understand how you feel and what it is you're trying to say, but if you make this about money, then you are either very stupid or you don't know Sara at all" he started to explain.

Sofia answered by crossing her arms defiantly over her chest, raising an eyebrow knowingly, but Brian just continued.

"If we had told Sara that you wanted a t-shirt to 10$ she would have bought it. She doesn't care about what it costs as long as it's something you want and it will make you happy, hell if you ask her she probably doesn't even know what the car cost" Brian said with a twinkle in his eye.

Cocking her head, Sofia frowned.

"Sofia… Sara loves you so much that there isn't a thing in the world that she won't do, to make you happy, if that means to cook you a meal or buy you a car that doesn't matter. All she wants is to see that beautiful smile on your face. So maybe you can't buy her a car, but don't you ever think that you can't do anything for her; you are doing it every day" he pointed out with a friendly smile.

Unable to speak, Sofia just swung her head from side to side slowly.

"You Sofia are the only one who has ever managed to get under the skin of Sara, to convince her that she is worth loving, that someone wants her and love her just the way she is with all that comes with that. Every day you remove another little piece of that wall she has built around herself, simply by loving her, and if you ask me, that's a hell of a lot more worth than any car you can buy."

Sofia's arms fell limply to her sides, as she stared at Brian incredulously.

Brian's head tilted to the side, "Sofia I neither can nor will tell you what to feel or think, but there are a few things I would hope that you will think about.

Sofia fixed him with a questioning look.

He held up a hand as she opened her mouth. "Let me finish. It gives her a great deal of pleasure to spend money on you… not in any expectation of something in return, but because it makes her happy to see you pleased. You can tell her not to buy you anything, and out of respect for you she probably will, but then just have in mind that every time she can see that there is something you want, you will hurt her, for not allowing her to give it to you" Sofia raised an eyebrow slowly, and he pursed his lips a moment before continuing.

"Look you know her family history. Sara has never in her life had anyone to be something for or to do things for until now, and I think that's one of the reasons why she loves to spoil you. But I guess that at the end of the day, it gets down to what you can learn to live with, but don't ever think, that Sara thinks you are the luckiest one of the two of you."

Giving him an evil glare, Sofia smiled broadly, "Brian I really don't like being called stupid, have your mom never told you, that it's not very wise to insult a woman who carries a gun? Listen, I know what you are saying and I know you're right, but that doesn't mean that it won't take time to get use to."

Brian grinned, "I know but you actually brought the car down on yourself!"

"Right and how did I do that?" Sofia asked vaguely.

"If you had wished for something, Sara wouldn't have asked us what to buy you," he smirked.

"I don't think I like you" Sofia accused, with obvious amusement.

"Yes you do," he said with a grin. "So where are you going?"

"Out to fetch Sara's Christmas gift."

"What is she getting?"

"Come up tonight and see for yourself" she invited.

"Okay, see you later."

"Sure later, and now move that piece of crap, you call a car," Sofia said with a smug look.

"Oh Detective, you love your car," he said before moving his car.

Sofia went and came back, when she entered the condo she called out for Sara.

"Hon, where are you?"

"In the office" Sara replied.

"Can you please come into the living room and sit down, and close your eyes."

Sara did as asked, "babe, what are you up too?"

Sofia went over to Sara and placed her gift in her lovers lap, "merry Christmas, honey."

Sara opened her eyes and looked down on the cutest little boxer puppy, then she looked up at Sofia and back down at the puppy.

Her mouth pursed, and then she gave Sofia that blinding smile, "what's that?"

Sofia chuckled, "um… Honey, it's a dog!"

"Dah…" Sara paused a moment, admiring, "I can see that, but are we ready for a dog?"

Sofia bent down and kissed Sara, "yes we are!"

Slowly, carefully, Sara slid to her knees beside the couch with the puppy and started playing with him, Sofia sat down and watch them, after a while she went down on the floor and joint them.

"Do you like him, honey?"

Sara crawled over and pressed Sofia to the floor, "I love him how did you know I wanted a dog?"

Sofia laughed, "We can't walk by people with a dog without you have to talk to it."

The puppy came over and helped Sara attacking Sofia.

That's a good boy let's take her," Sara took the lips and the dog the hand, I love you Sof, thanks for the dog."

"Love you too, but maybe you should take him outside, he hasn't peed for a while, and perhaps you should come up with a name."

"Yes mom," Sara grinned before kissing her again.

They went outside but it didn't seem like the puppy had to do anything, after a while they went back inside, about a minute later the puppy looked straight into Sara eyes while he peed on the floor looking very proud of himself. Sofia couldn't help laughing. Sara went over and picked the dog up and looked into his eyes.

"Guess I know what to call you," she smiled, "Sofia, say hello to Mr. Cool!"

"Hon, you're kidding, right?"

"Nope, I goner call him Mr. Cool and I promise you, he is going to live up to that name."

"Okay honey, Mr. Cool it is," she chuckled.

Sara cleaned up and found a blanket to the puppy and soon after he was sleeping, Sara and Sofia laid down on the couch.

Sara leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her mouth, "this is the best Christmas I'd ever had."

"Sofia pulled Sara on top of her, "mmm… me too."

Sara's sigh was exaggerated, "so when are you going to yell at me?"

Sofia cupped Sara's face; "I'm not honey, why do you think that?"

Sara let her voice soften slightly, "because I know you're mad about the car, you just didn't want to say anything in Vegas."

"Hon, I wasn't mad just pretty shocked" Sofia said, smiling sweetly to show Sara she'd committed no foul.

Sara glanced back at her, her eyes wide and dark and loving, "and now?"

Sofia smiled, "now… um… Now I just love you and like the car."

Sara dipped her head, tilting it slightly and gave the blonde a quick kiss, "sure?"

"Um… I like the car."

Sara braced her hands by her shoulders, "babe?"

"Oh…" Sofia laughed a little, looking up at her, "and I love you."

Sara dipped her head again and this time, she took her time. Sofia's arms tensed under hers then relaxed, even as her mouth softened and gave in to hers. For a long, slow moment they kissed, sweet and wet on the couch. Eventually they parted again; just enough to look at each other "love you too" Sara said.

Brian came up later and just like the women he felt in love with the puppy, he made Sara promise that he could look after him if they had to go anywhere.

Next day they went shopping, anything a dog could ever need Mr. Cool own when they went home. Sofia couldn't help smiling and think about what Brian had said the day before, he really was right; Sara didn't care about how much money she spent on the dog, as long as he was wagging his tail and looked happy.

"Guess I might as well get use to it!"

"What are you thinking about, babe?"

Sofia wrapped her arms around Sara, "that you are going to spoil the dog as much as you are spoiling me."

"Sweetie, I'm not spoiling him, I only got the things he needs."

Sofia really tried not to laugh, "sure baby, of course you did, a dog most definitely can't live without three dogs basket, or two bags filled with toys, or the 75$ collars that won't fit in about two months."

Sara gazed into Sofia's eyes, "too much?"

Sofia hugged her briefly, "no babe its fine, I know you had fun buying it, and it look likes Mr. Cool, knows his own worth."

Sara looked at the puppy and smiled, "yeah… he's a very smart dog."

Sara was still on vacation but Sofia went back to work. Sara spent a lot of time working with the puppy and he was a fast learner.

New Year's Day came up. Sofia had to go to work, but at least she only had to work until the afternoon. They were suppose to celebrate new year at Leos placed, but Sara refused to leave Mr. Cool home alone on that night, so the party had been moved to Sofia and Sara's condo.

Brian came up and helped with dinner. When Sofia came home Sara put her to bed since she had been up early. They were ten to dinner, and later on about twenty-five people were gathered in the condo, Sara wasn't even sure if she knew all of them. Sofia was sitting in the "party room" beside Jodie looking at Sara and Leo who was discussing something.

"Hello Detective, where are you?" Jodie asked, giving her a half-wink.

"Oh sorry Jodie just thinking, am I the only one who ever have notice how much Leo and Sara look alike, same dark hair and brown eyes and nose, and both tall and the way they both use their hands when they are talking" Sofia pointed out with a smile.

Jodie looked at them, "wow, you're actually right, but I can promise you that they are not related."

"I know," Sofia smiled, "but I don't think anyone would question it, if they said they were."

Jodie chuckled, "no, probably not."

It became midnight and everyone was toasting, kissing and hugging and wishing a happy new year. Mr. Cool sat on Sara's arm during the fireworks, and he fully lived up to his name and stayed cool under the whole thing.

The vacation ended and life went on. Mr. Cool wasn't a boxer for nothing he just loved driving, and of course it ended up with that he went to school with Sara every day, he waited in the car and she would walk him in her lunch break.

There was no doubt that he was Sara's dog, not that he didn't loved Sofia because he did, but where ever Sara went he went. The first time they parted for more than a couple of hours was then Sara was sent on a three day counselor course.

Mr. Cool took it very hard, on the second day Sofia took pity on him, even if she had sworn that he would never get into her car he did. On the drive to visit Sara they almost crashed, Sofia was laughing so much about the way Mr. Cool was behaving, he definitely knew he was looking good in the car and deserved nothing less.

April came along and so did Sofia's birthday, Sara kept it small, she gave the blonde a pair of earrings and Mr. Cool gave her a new pair of boots. They had a few friends over for dinner and that was that.

A thing had for a very long time been spinning around in Sara brain, and no matter how much she had tried she couldn't get it out, she had spent a lot of time thinking about what to do, and she had finally made her mind up. The only thing was, that she didn't knew if she just had come up with a very great idea, or if the whole thing would ended up with a crash and burn, but she was about to find out.

It was a late Saturday morning, Sofia had just returned from a run with Brian. She entered the flat but only to find it empty, there was no sight of Sara or Mr. Cool. Sofia went for a shower thinking that Sara had taken the dog out for a walk.

After her shower she got into the kitchen for some coffee, she sat down and waited for Sara to come back. She heard the front door open, but to her surprise it was Jodie and not Sara who entered the kitchen.

"Hello Detective" Jodie smiled as she entered the kitchen.

"Oh hi Jodie, Sara isn't back yet."

Jodie looked sideways at her, an eyebrow raised pointedly, "well, I'm not here for Sara I have come to pick you up."

"You… What?"

Jodie bit her lip to stop from laughing when Sofia sputtered on her coffee, looking at her in disbelief. "Well, it seems I'm your chaperone for the day."

"Jodie, what the hell are you talking about, and where is Sara?"

"Sorry sweetie, I'm not allowed to say anything, but we will be going whenever you're ready."

Letting out a sigh, she rested her head in her hands for a moment, then snapped back up quickly, "and if I refuse to go anywhere?"

"Then you not goner find out what's going on" Jodie answered, wondering if the situation could get any more awkward.

Sofia sighed; "okay, give me a sec and we can go, anything I need to bring?"

"Nope, everything is taken care of" Jodie replied, smiling broadly.

As they drove off Sofia looked at Jodie, "so, do you wanna tell me where we're going?"

"First we're going someplace to get you relaxed" Jodie said teasingly.

Sofia frown her brows, "jeeze… Jodie that helps a lot" she said with a smirk.

Soon after they pulled up in front of the Mark Twain Hotel, they got out of the car and went inside, Jodie went over to counter.

"Hello, I have a reservation for Sofia Curtis."

"Hello and welcome to Mark Twain, yes I have it right here, if you just wait over there, and I will have someone to come pick you up."

The women waited and it didn't take long before a woman approached them.

"Hello and welcome, I'm Laura, if you please will come with me."

They walked into the new built Spa.

"So, which one of you is Sofia?"

"I am" Sofia exclaimed emphatically, causing Jodie to smile.

"Well Sofia, we are too give you any treatment, you may want."

"I didn't even know I was coming here today, so I have no idea to what treatment you're having here" Sofia said, giving her an apologetic look.

"I could come up with a proposal, if you want me too?"

"Sure" Sofia insisted.

"I would start with the "wet" treatment in the Tropical Rain forest room, then a manicure and pedicure, and then maybe lunch before a facial treatment, and then finally a body massage, of course we could put in a wax and peels as well."

"I don't like pain, so everything except wax and peels" Sofia replied with a small smile.

"Okay, then let's get started" Laura said softly, giving Sofia a pointed look.

Sofia looked at Jodie, "are you coming?"

"No, this is for you, but I'll be waiting in the lounge, then we can eat lunch together."

Sofia nodded, "okay, see you later."

Jodie chuckled, "have fun."

It was late afternoon before Sofia was done; she met up with Jodie in the lobby.

"Hey, how are you doing?"

"Fine it was fun, but I'm a little tired, so do you mind driving me home?"

"Sorry sweetie can't do that," Jodie repeated slowly, frowning when Sofia raised a challenging eyebrow, "but I think I can help you out" she added, leading the blonde towards the elevator.

They got off the elevator and Jodie lead her to a door.

"This room is yours, if you need anything press button nine on the phone, its room service and they will bring you anything. You can take a nap if you want to; I won't come and get you before, well…" She looked at her watch "about three hours," and with that she turned around and walked away.

Sofia unlocked the door and went inside; all over the room vases was standing with all kinds of flowers in every one was a card with Sara's handwriting, love you. Sofia took a rose and dropped onto the bed, and it didn't take long before she felt asleep. Three hours later Jodie knocked on the door and walked in.

"Hi, slept well?"

"Hi, yeah… So, are you going to tell me what's going on?"

Jodie shrugged apologetically, "Sofia there is one thing you need to understand, just because Sara doesn't work as a CSI anymore doesn't mean that she not still have the skills to kill me and then make me disappear and on top of that get away with it, and that's exactly what she is going to do if I tell you anything, so sorry sweetie, but no, I'm not going to tell you anything."

Sofia looked over to see Jodie giving her a playful look, "you do know that I have worked both as a CSI and a Detective?"

"Yeah, and still you don't scare me half as much as Sara does" Jodie said innocently, smiling when Sofia turned to give her an amused look.

"Fair enough Jodie, so what happens now?"

Jodie grinned as she walked towards the door, "now I'm going to bring you down to the hairdresser."

"Okay, lead the way," Sofia smirked as she hopped out of bed.

After a while they came back to the room.

"Well Detective, I think it's about time you get dressed."

Sofia arched a brow, "Er, it's not like I brought anything."

Jodie smiled, "I'm sure you goner find anything you need in the bathroom."

A black skirt and a matching top was hanging on the wall, along all the seams was put a lace in a blue violet color, which made Sofia's eyes look even bluer.

Sofia couldn't help but feel that the dress looked familiar. She got dressed and went back to Jodie. Her mouth simply felt open when she saw the Detective.

Sofia looked at her and then down at herself, and back to Jodie, "what? Is something wrong?"

Noticing Sofia's odd expression, Jodie gave her a reassuring look. "Whoa… Sara might hate me now, but Detective, you look very beautiful."

Sofia looked down feeling very shy, "well, thank you Jodie."

"Guess, you just need one more thing," Jodie said, handing Sofia a box.

Sofia opened it, inside was a necklace with a small diamond in and matching earrings, she put it on and looked at Jodie.

"Detective, I will be most honored to escort you downstairs if you are ready to go" she said softly, moving to stand beside her.

Sofia took a deep breath, "well Jodie let's go."

Everyone turned and looked after the very beautiful blonde, as they walked through the lobby. Jodie stopped in front of a door and gazed at Sofia.

"Guess my job is done; just stay here until the door opens" Jodie told smiling at her.

"I think I can manage that on my own" Sofia answered immediately, causing Jodie to laugh.

"Okay then, see you later, Sofia."

The door opened and Sofia went inside and came to a full stop and just looked around. She was so sure she had seen this room before, and yet she hadn't been there, it wasn't until she read the date and year on the banner on the wall she finally understood why everything seemed so familiar.

Sara came up beside her dressed in a black suit with a button down shirt in the same color as the lace on Sofia's dress; she turned Sofia so they were face to face and locked eyes with her.

"You look so beautiful; will you be my prom date tonight?"

Sofia could hardly believe what she was seeing, "how did you know Sara?" She asked with a confused expression.

"Your mother told me!" Sara admitted. "Sofia I don't want you to miss anything in your life, and I don't like the sad look you get in your eyes then you think back on this day. If I could I would, but I can't turn back time, but that doesn't mean that we can't go to your first prom, we're just a little late" she said, her smile not completely diluting the seriousness in her voice.

Sofia leaned in and kissed Sara, "I love you so much honey, and yes, I will go with you."

"I love you too" Sara replied, smiling that Sofia was willing to attend. "Better open the door to the rest for the company," she nodded to the men standing by the doors.

The doors opened and people started walking in. Brian came in with Jodie, Leo came with Helen, but what brought the biggest smile on Sofia's face was then she saw Greg walking in holding Andreas hand, a lot of other people came in some they knew and others they didn't. Andrea and Greg came over, and both hugged Sofia.

"Glad to see that you decided to show up this time," Andrea said teasingly.

Sofia raised an eyebrow playfully before scanning the room quickly, "well, it wasn't like I knew where I was going" she exclaimed with a grin.

"Whoa… Sofia you look very beautiful," said Greg.

"Thank you Greg, you're quite something yourself tonight" she stated softly, nodding when he looked at her surprise.

"Thanks, well I did get help from Andrea" Greg said with a chuckle.

"Wow Greg, I think you forgot to tell me that the two of you are dating," Sara said, turning her attention to Sofia and giving her a wink.

Both blushed," well, it's still very new" Andrea said, giving Greg a loving look as she patted his arm.

Sofia smiled. "Good for you, I think you two makes a cute couple" Sara said happily, turning to Sofia. "Sweetie, I think it's time to sit down; they have started to put the dinner on the tables."

They went over to their table and sat down, both Leo and Brian had a hard time taking their eyes away from Sofia, she indeed looked beautiful. A string quartet was playing under the whole dinner. Sofia looked at Andrea.

"So, Andrea, any ideas how Sara seems to know how the room looked, back then?" Sofia chuckled as she smiled appreciatively.

"I'm not sure, but of course the fact that I sent her some pictures could have something to do with it" Andrea pointed out with a grin.

"You do know that this puts me in a very bad light" Sofia whispered, leaning in close enough that her breath tickled Sara's chin.

Sara frowned," how's that?"

"Sweetie, I'm a detective, and yet I had no idea of that you were up too."

Sara kissed her, "maybe it's because I did all the work in school so you wouldn't find out" she retorted half-jokingly.

"Remind me again why I want a smart girlfriend?"

Sara flashed her a toothy grin, "didn't know you were seeing someone else."

"Oh, I'm not honey; the one I got is more than a handful!" Sofia said, her eyes twinkling with hidden laughter.

"And yet you love her, what does that say about you?" Sara replied, giving her a wink.

"That I'm just as smart as she is" Sofia said happily.

Dinner went on and it seemed like everyone was having a good time, afterwards people started mingle and do whatever people do at a prom, well except smuggle alcohol into their drinks since it already was there.

A new band took over and started playing, and again Sofia got this feeling that it was something she had heard before, but she didn't recognized any of the band member. It wasn't until later in the evening when one from the band started talking, Sofia found out what Sara had done.

"Good evening everyone, nice to be back at a prom. The next song we're going to play is probably the oldest one we still are singing, this one goes out to Sofia Curtis since it use to be one of her favorite." - Mad about you -

Sara took Sofia's hand, "dance with me?"

Sofia looked at Sara in disbelieve, "Sara this isn't?" She said, trying to keep her voice from cracking.

"Dance with me, babe?" Sara asked nodding her head as the music started.

They walked to the dance floor and started dancing, Sofia pulled Sara close and whispered.

"You never do anything half way do you?"

"Baby, when it comes to you, no way, so are you having fun?"

"It's great honey, and do you know what the best part is?"

"No" Sara said, with an impish smile.

Sofia snickered; "I don't have to come up with some excuse if you get me home to late."

"Oh baby, I have no plans of bringing you home tonight, I have any intentions of getting you to sleep with me!" Sara warned, but it became more of a whimper as Sofia started nibbling her earlobe.

Sofia gasped a little and pressed herself closer to Sara, "I think you might be able to persuade me to do that."

"Oh I hope so, because so beautiful you look tonight, you most certainly are driving me crazy!"

Sofia exhaled slowly, resting her head on the brunette's shoulder, gladly soaking in the warmth from her body. "You look quite beautiful yourself, honey."

Sara just kissed her for a long time; they danced on for a while before sitting down. Andrea came over and sat down beside Sofia.

"Hi, having fun?"

"Yeah, it's nice of you and Greg to come out here and be a part of it" Sofia admitted, turning to give her a smile.

"Loved too who can say they went to the same prom twice?" Andrea asked with a happy grin.

"I guess not many" she said with a pleased smile.

Andrea looked up at the band and then back at Sofia, "you know what? I actually think you did me an enormous favor, by not coming that night."

Sofia frowned, "why?"

"Already back then you could persuade anyone to do anything, so you properly could have talked the band member into going out with me" Andrea said matter-of-factly.

Sofia's grin was reluctant, but there, "yeah, and?"

"Sofia, take a look at him and then tell me, would you want to end up with that?" Andrea commented as they gazed back on the stage.

Sofia considered that a moment, and gave in to her grin, "Um… well… no."

"No… well, me neither, I'm quite happy with Greg" Andrea replied with satisfaction.

"You're happy with me, well thank you, I like you too" Greg threw Andrea a cheeky grin. "Whoa, if this is the way your school organized a dance, I definitely went to the wrong school."

"It was except for the alcohol" the women confirmed.

Tbc…