Chapter 13
Sunday October 31st, 2010
1516 La Porte Court
Henderson, Nevada
7:13 a.m.
"What are you doing cooking?" Warrick asked as he slipped his arms around her waist.
"We do have everyone due to arrive any minute," Sara reminded him with a smile.
"So, hand over the spatula and go sit down at Frankenstein's Lab," Warrick ordered lightly before taking it out of her hands and sending her on her way to the counter, which was now serving as Dr. Frankenstein's slab since they decided to turn the house into a Haunted House for Bertie. Taking a seat she watched him cook the French Toast, breakfast having been for once, pre-planned.
Leaning forward, she let her head rest on her palm as she leaned against 'the slab'. /-/God, had it really been nearly five months since she was diagnosed? Yes, it truly had.../-/ Shifting she reached up to make sure her scarf was still tight, finding it was, she brought her hand back down and smirked when he flipped a piece of French Toast without a spatula. Oh well, she wasn't the only one who could do that anymore. What the hell. One of the things Greg had been eager to learn when he finally got the chance to ask after everyone returned home, how did she know to cook so well if she hadn't been raised in a bed and breakfast. Shocked the hell out of the poor ex-lab rat to find out she learned everything after she left Boston, thanks to cooking courses and Jill. He had left mumbling about needing cooking classes or kidnapping Jill. She wasn't exactly sure if anymore was said on the subject, she'd sort of crashed about that time.
Lovely side effect of her rounds of Chemo. She slept a hell of a lot more than ever before, had the worst time keeping anything in her system, not to mention her taste had changed. And in the classic form, her hair went on to hair heaven. And she finally decided enough was enough and ordered a wig the week before, but around the house she stuck with her nice, comfortable, dependable, scarves.
"Knock knock?" called Liz as she entered the house, Greg and Mia hot on her heels. "Anyone...home?" she asked as she got a good look at her surroundings.
"In the laboratory!" Sara called when she heard them.
"Hey," Liz greeted as she and Mia walked into the kitchen. "Out," she ordered with as she took the frying pan from Warrick and Mia started hunting in the fridge.
"This is getting interesting. First I get kicked out of cooking by him, now he's getting kicked out by you guys," Sara teased. "Well, the standing rule is that the women make breakfast and Warrick is most definitely not a woman," shrugged Liz.
"True," Sara agreed. "So how was work last night?" she continued as she slid off her chair. Liz had been acting night supervisor since she'd been off on medical leave.
"Not too bad. A DB and a trick roll, much to Greg's delight," Liz replied shaking her head remembering Greg's eagerness for the trick roll.
"He does love trick rolls," Sara smiled. "Why couldn't you have been a CSI when I was getting stuck with trick rolls my first year?" she called and Greg popped his head around the wall.
"Cause I was too busy being a teenager," he grinned before popping back out of the room as a towel flew at him.
"Why is Greg getting towels thrown at him already?" Jim asked as he came in with the meat Sophia had sent.
"He insinuated that I'm old or something," Sara explained.
"Ah, well Warrick and I will go whip Igor into shape. Perks of being Frankenstein and all," Jim gave her a wink before heading out into the living room. "Oh Igor!" he called.
"Him as Frankenstein? Hell yeah," Sara grinned. "Then again, Warrick and I are having a blast as the graveyard ghost, what with that story we made up and all," she smiled softly.
"Well, it will be interesting to see how the guys react when they see me," laughed Liz
"That it will," Sara grinned.
"Why didn't we ever think of doing a haunted house before now? It's been a complete blast planning this," Mia grinned. "And that boy of yours is quite the little Phantom isn't he?" she continued with a smile. "I heard him practicing when we were walking by the garage."
Before Sara had a chance to respond, everyone else showed up, and shooed her out of the kitchen. Rolling her eyes she instead made her way to the garage and to the section now decorated to look like the vaults of the Paris Opera House, based on the design from the 2004 version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera. Bertie was practicing away at the piano moved from the family room out into the garage for the event. Leaning against the door she smiled as she watched her son. He and Warrick were the same when it came to their music; they became completely engrossed in it. She'd even been able to talk them into doing a duet of the famous "Dueling Pianos" that was done for Cameron Macintosh in his show years before, Hey Mr. Producer, or at least that's the name she thought it was. When the music stopped she looked up to see Bertie looking at her, and was once again struck by how she could ever confuse his and Grissom's eyes with the blue eyes Thomas had. Thanks to DNA testing, done long distance of course, it had been proven that Bertie was indeed Grissom's son, which caused a sigh of relief for her peace of mind. She would have lied to protect her family, especially her only child, but it provided a bit of happiness in her soul to find out that he wasn't Thomas' child.
"Hey, Sararita," Bertie smiled as she focused on him once more.
"Heard you were playing. We're making breakfast if you want to come," she offered.
"Nah, have to get started on homework. Probably the only bad thing about being Jewish, we loose one day on the weekend that others take for granted. But I wouldn't give up the Sabbath for anything."
"I know what you mean, Kaddishel (Baby Son). After years of not having it as a part of my life, and having it back now...I wouldn't trade it for the world either. Especially now."
Bertie grinned as he closed the piano lid, "It's amazing, how much I love hearing you call me that, but go on, get back inside before Warrick thinks I stole you," he chuckled.
"Deal, Love," Sara smiled before heading back in. Stopping she took a step back and popped her head back into the room, "Want to take a break at lunch? Get pizza?"
"Deal," Bertie grinned.
Nodding, she headed back inside to find breakfast ready, "Bertie's gonna hit the books, so don't worry about him."
"How's he doing?" Mia asked as she sat down and started cutting her French Toast.
"Good, takes after his parents," Warrick grinned.
"Yes it's good to be the child of two geniuses; you're pretty much given to be a genius yourself," Jim grinned. "Lucky bastard. Oh, what I would have given to have those brains when I was in school."
"Were you that bad at school, Jim?" wondered Liz.
"Nah...just had to really work at it. I mean really."
"And the poor man ended up being surrounded by geniuses in his twilight years," Greg smirked.
"Hey, watch it, I'm not that old," Jim ordered as he pointed a knife at Greg.
"Yes, sir," Greg grinned before Hodges smacked him over the back of his head.
"And nobody ever said you were a genius Greg," commented Liz with a smirk as she rose from her seat and walked into the kitchen, returning moments later.
"Hey Liz, you feeling okay?" Greg asked when Liz sat back down
"Yeah why?" she asked in confusion
"You're having seconds," replied Greg pointing at her plate.
"You're point being?" she wondered.
"You never have seconds. Judging by the way you're eating this morning, if I didn't know better I'd think you were pregnant or something," replied Greg just as Liz was about to put a piece of pineapple in her mouth.
Liz's fork clattered to the table as her body went numb while she processed Greg's words. "Excuse me," she said barely above a whisper before putting her hand to her mouth as she rose from her chair and quickly left the room.
"Mia, please hit your fiancé for me," Sara began after staring at him for a moment. "And excuse me," she continued before rising and following after Liz, hearing Greg yelp after the resounding sound of at least five hands hitting something hard, his head no doubt.
"Beth?" Sara asked as she saw Liz leaving the upstairs bathroom, "You okay girl?"
"I'm fine," replied Liz swallowing before suddenly turning back around and heading back the way she came.
/-/Too go or not to go.../-/ Sara thought to herself. "Oh well, if I end up sick as a dog too, so be it. I'll just use my bathroom," knocking on the door she headed into the room, and pulled Liz's hair back as she lost her breakfast.
"Thanks," commented Liz quietly as she sat back and wiped her mouth.
"Your welcome. Be right back," Sara grinned at her before heading to her own bathroom.
When Sara disappeared, Liz slowly got to her feet, rinsed her mouth out and made her way back into the bedroom, collapsing on the bed.
A few minutes later, Sara came in and collapsed next to her. "Well, seems like we're in the same boat after all. But there are two entirely different reasons; at least there better be," Sara began glancing over at her.
"Well, unless Chemo has suddenly become contagious than you don't have to worry about giving it to me," sighed Liz not looking away from the wall
"No, that wasn't my exact thought. My exact thought was if you're taking Chemo and hadn't told me, I might kill you before the cancer has a chance," Sara smirked. "What Greg said, it hit a note didn't it?" she asked softly after a moment.
"You could say that," admitted Liz quietly.
"Nick?" she asked as she reached down and brushed her fingers across the back of Liz's hand.
Liz nodded before covering her face with her hands as she broke down in tears.
"Oh Honey," Sara sighed as she rolled over and grabbed a box of tissues before sitting up. "Come on, up we go," she continued softly.
Liz slowly pushed herself to a sitting position but kept her hands over her face. "Come here," Sara ordered softly as she pulled Liz towards her.
"Shh, it's okay girl. It's going to be okay," Sara whispered as she brushed her fingers through Liz's hair as she cried. "I'm here; I'm not going anywhere..."
"I've tried so hard to hide it," sniffled Liz.
"You've done one hell of a job. It would have made sense for me to miss it thanks to Chemo and treatments and all that fun. But no one else caught it either. You really did one hell of a job hiding it," Sara smiled slightly as she passed a tissue Liz's way. "About five months?"
"Almost. About four and a half by what my doctor said," admitted Liz as she took the tissue from Sara and wiped at her eyes.
"Ahh, the little one is moving now then," Sara smiled. "How are you dealing?" she continued after a moment.
"About as well as you could expect for someone facing being a single mother."
"I know that feeling well my girl," Sara nodded. "You know that you're not alone right? We'll all be here for you."
"I know," sniffed Liz. "That's why I want you and Warrick to be the godparents. If this child can't have its father, I at least want someone like Warrick to be there for it."
"You know he'd love to," Sara smiled. "And I would too."
"I know. You're not going to tell Nick, are you?" asked Liz worriedly.
"Not without your permission. If he asks me outright, I'll deal with that bridge when I come to it. But it's your job to tell him. If you choose to," Sara added softly. "But Liz, Honey, you may want to tell him someday. I'd never change what I did when Bertie was born; he was safer that way than with me. Even though I regret not raising my own son...but if I had been able to, if certain circumstances were different, I would have told Grissom. Just so he could have known he had a son and been a part of his child's life, so Bertie could have known his father...regardless of how Grissom's and my relationship might have been in the end..." trailing off Sara shrugged. "Not that I'm telling you what to do, just…I don't know, being very talkative in my extremely tired state," she offered with a smile.
"I want to tell him, Sara...I do...it's just..." Liz trailed off biting her lip as she tried to find the words to say what she was feeling. "It hurt so much when I had to push him away. I'd never felt anything like I felt for him but knowing he belonged to another I just couldn't let things go further. It's bad enough I let myself sleep with him. Granted I wasn't in the best frame of mind when it happened and I'm not using that as an excuse, it's just...when I found out he had a girlfriend it nearly destroyed me, then to find out I'm carrying his child...I don't know Sara. I want to tell him but I don't know if I can face him without it destroying me completely. I may not be able to have Nick but I will always have a part of him," she finished quietly as she put her hand on her stomach.
"It sounds perfectly logical to me," Sara nodded. "Honey, you're talking to a girl who's been in your shoes. When I found out I was pregnant, I was there thinking on one hand, it's my little personal demon's, on the other, it might be the only part of Grissom I'd ever have, especially since I had told him goodbye, knowing there was a chance I'd never see him again. And I would never let Thomas know about him, Thomas would have killed him. You're talking to the choir on this one; to borrow a quote Warrick is so fond of, so don't worry. I'll keep it from Nick as far as I can without having to actually lie to his face. Which you're in luck, I'm a master at avoiding the truth."
"Thank God for that," replied Liz with a small smile. "Now, to figure out how to tell everyone downstairs."
"Oh, that's easy enough, we just announce that you're pregnant. And if they push, we can fib and be like hello, she's been offering to be my surrogate forever and a day, darlin'," Sara grinned. "Besides, like they're going to care outside the fact that you're pregnant and we get to spoil you and your baby for the next twenty years."
"It'll be interesting to see how Lindsey and Bertie react to getting a new 'cousin' of sorts," mused Liz.
"Thrilled and thrilled. Lindsey loves kids, and Bertie adores family. He's already got two 'cousins' so," Sara shrugged as she turned and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "Come on, they had to have heard the toilets flushing so often. We can explain being up here so long by pointing out I lost breakfast, which I did. They don't need to know that you did," she offered as she rose.
"I guess you're right and I guess there's no time like the present to let everyone know that there is going to be a new addition to the family, as well as inform Warrick that he better get you better so you can take your shift back before I take maternity leave," remarked Liz as she pulled herself to her feet.
"No worries, we'll just actually give Greg a shot at it," Sara grinned before shuddering. "Perhaps we can beg Jim to take over for a while instead."
"I think Jim would be the better option," agreed Liz as they made their way from the room.
"He is a good CSI," Sara defended him slightly. "Not sure I'd trust Greg with the entire shift just yet though," she continued shaking her head.
"I'm not saying he's not good, Sara. Hell, he's proven it to me in spades since I've been covering for you but I can't see him as a supervisor just yet."
"Me neither. And I wasn't saying you weren't. Was more defending him against myself," Sara smiled.
"Now, if only we could get him to stop putting his foot in his mouth," mused Liz as they hit the bottom of the stairs.
"The day that happens, I'll say a prayer to Adonai and get Greg to wear Cleopatra's headdress," Sara grinned.
"I hear he looks quite fetching in a headdress," giggled Liz.
"Who'd look quite fetching in a headdress?" Jim asked as he looked up from the article he was reading and passed it to Greg.
"Our little Portia Richmond of Night Shift," Sara grinned.
"I'll never live that down, will I?" Greg asked with a groan. "Article here about the funeral of Carrie Michaels." he offered.
Liz hesitated a moment before taking the page from Greg. It wasn't the article that Liz was reading; she was looking at the picture that showed Nick and his family along with the Rangers at the gravesite. Although it wasn't Nick that had her attention. It was the woman hanging on his arm. She was about the same height as Nick with what looked like dark red shoulder length hair. She had both her hands in one of Nick's. There was a sadness about him that Liz hadn't seen before but she just attributed that to the loss of his sister since the woman on his arm looked quite supportive. Liz scanned the photo's caption to make sure that it was indeed who she suspected it to be. It was. The caption not only mentioned it was the funeral of Texas Ranger Carrie Michaels but listed the people present in the picture. There was a man on Nick's left that the paper stated was his elder brother Alexander but the woman on the right was listed as being Rebecca Wilson. "So that's her," sighed Liz quietly before putting the article down in front of her. "Excuse me. I'm not feeling too well again," she said as she rose and made her way back out of the room and up to her room.
Sara watched her go with a frown before grabbing the paper and reading it. /-/Idiot Nick, you are an idiot./-/ "At least they got some closure," Sara nodded as she passed the article on.
"Is Liz alright?" asked Mia in concern.
"I think last night's dinner didn't agree with her," Sara offered. "Well, that or being with me upstairs and all," she continued with a shrug.
"Probably the latter, even I get queasy in that situation," Warrick agreed before shooting a look her way, seeing the slight shake of her head, he let it drop for now.
"Okay, well I won't drag her back here for my announcement then," Jim smiled.
"Announcement?" everyone asked looking over at him.
"I'm retiring," Jim answered, smirking when half the table's occupants' mouths dropped open.
"You're what?" Sara asked staring at him. "No way, I was sure you'd work until you keeled over in office."
"Well I suppose that would make Al's job easier and all," Jim drew out before giving her a wink. "Sorry Sunshine, I realized, damn it all. I'm too old to be pulling these all-nighters we did a few months ago. And I want to enjoy Johnny while I can still think about it, not to mention have more time to pick on you."
"Oh joy," Sara rolled her eyes.
"When are you retiring? And who's taking your place?" Warrick asked.
"The new year and Tony."
"Who's taking over as A.D.?" Greg spoke up.
"We're thinking about Sophia."
"All the power to her," Sara smiled. "When I get back, I'm content to stay where I am. I hated politics before BPKC, I tolerate them now, and I'm not looking forward to ever becoming an A.D. for the sheer reason of them doubling."
"Same here." Warrick agreed.
"Figured as much, why we went with Phi." Jim smiled.
"But who's taking over Days?" Mia asked.
"Actually…" Jim began glancing over at the newspaper. "We asked Stokes."
"You okay?" Warrick whispered when Sara dropped her fork.
"Just tired." she answered so everyone could hear.
"That might be our cue to head out then, we all need sleep anyway for the shin-dig tonight," Greg grinned as he pushed his chair back.
"He's way too into this Igor thing," Hodges shook his head.
"So true," Sara smiled slightly as she rose. "Hey Jim, want to help me with the dishes since neither of us cooked?"
"Sure, Sunshine," he smiled before rising and following her into the kitchen as the others began gathering their things. "So, what's up?"
"You asked Nick yet?" she asked as she looked over at him while opening the dishwasher. "Yes, waiting for his answer. Why?"
"No reason."
"You're going to call him, aren't you?"
"What makes you think that?"
"The look in your eyes, says Nick is a dead man. Haven't seen it in a number of years, but I remember it very well," Jim smirked. "Whatever he did, don't tell me. I'd rather not have reason to kill him when I want to give him a job."
"No problem," Sara smiled. "Now, get your butt home before Katrina thinks we kidnapped you," she added as she closed the dishwasher.
"Yes ma'am," Jim grinned before leaning over to kiss her cheek, and then ran from the kitchen. "See you later, Sunshine."
"See you later, Frankie," she called after him as Warrick came into the room.
"Liz upstairs?"
"I believe so," Sara nodded as she grabbed a bottle of water.
"Everything okay?" he asked concerned. "Everyone gone?"
"Yeah."
"She's pregnant," Sara whispered.
"Hell."
"Exactly."
"And Jim..."
"Exactly."
"The article?"
"I'd lay down twenty that says the girl next to him is the GF."
"Really?" Warrick asked before going out to grab the article. "I think you'd win." he offered as he came back in. "Hell."
"Exactly." Sara smiled. "By the way, ready to be a godfather?"
"Huh?" he asked before glancing towards the room above the family room, "Oh, definitely." he smiled. "Ready to be a godmother?"
"Already am one babe," Sara grinned. "But I'm more than ready to be one again. Might kill the biological father, once I'm back up to full strength though."
"Want help?"
"Sure. We can get the team to cover it up for us," Sara grinned before sighing.
"How's she doing?"
"Emotional wreak of sorts, trying to figure out how to tell us, not wanting to tell him, it's one piece of him that she can keep even though it killed her to lose him. Been there, done that, and still can't offer much help. Life sucks."
"Yes it can," he agreed as he moved over and pulled her towards him. "But we'll deal with each day as they come, alright?"
"You want me to sleep, don't you?"
"And they say I'm the smart one in this relationship," Warrick teased.
Smacking his arm lightly she shook her head, "Smart one my foot. I'm the one who figured out what we could do with those dang compensation checks the government sent us."
"And a genius idea at that, but you still need sleep, especially if you want to spend lunch with your musical prodigy."
"Just how long have you been able to read my mind?" Sara asked looking at him seriously.
"About three years. But in this case, I was by the garage door about to let you know breakfast was ready."
"Ah, I see." Sara nodded.
"Yes, you do. Now up to bed. You can call and threaten the cowboy all you want later, and no doubt take the mother-to-be on a shopping spree sometime soon. But until then, you need your rest, baby."
"Yes, oh-great-and-annoying-one," Sara smirked before giving him a quick kiss. Turning she started up the stairs.
"And no reading in bed, young lady," he called with a grin
"Make me," she answered with a wink before heading upstairs.
Pausing to check on Liz, who was sound asleep and surrounded by tissues, Sara stopped to clean them up. Liz had cried herself to sleep, damn Stokes. Shaking her head, Sara made her way back to the Master bedroom only to find Warrick waiting. "Figured the best way to make sure you slept was to join you," he teased.
"Spoil Sport, and the new Forensic Monthly looked so interesting," she grinned as she changed before slipping into bed next to him. "Love you."
"Love you forever," he answered before turning off the light.
Sunday October 31st, 2010
1516 La Porte Court
Henderson, Nevada
5:08 p.m.
"I think that's everything then," Sara mused as she looked around once more. They had a pre-arranged course through the house, starting in the garage and thanks to large panels of black construction paper you'd go towards the upstairs, only to come back downstairs and go to the kitchen, then outside in the backyard, the 'tour' ending at the gate where candy was waiting.
"Yup, and all of us are in costume," Greg grinned.
"He's enjoying being Igor too much," Bobby mused as he looked up from the make-up chair where his wife was finishing his new ghostly appearance.
"Way too much," Nicole Jackson agreed as she adjusted her cape.
"You make one nice devil," Sheriff Jackson grinned at his wife. Giving him a wink she turned to check the lanterns the four guides were using to lead guests through the five sections of their haunted house.
Sinking into a chair, Sara giggled as she looked at their gathered company. The fives sections of the house were pretty simple. They had a section dedicated to Egypt and mummies. Poor Hodges was the mummy. They'd actually wrapped the man up in individually cut strips of linen. It would be a miracle for him to get out of it all later…and Mia loved being Cleopatra. Well, so was Greg, but she was having more fun with it. Bertie of course was their Phantom; with Bobby's wife Carolyn dressed as a bride to represent his captive, a.k.a. Christine, in his lair. Not far from the three, who were helping Hodges with a few loose bandages, stood their group of the undead. Jacqui and Lai, Archie's girl, were the two female vampires, to Mark Franco's Dracula. He did look a bit scary, all pale and fangs. Elsewhere in the room were the members of Frankenstein's lab. David Phillips was the mad scientist, with Greg as his trusty hunchback. And his two monsters were Jim and Katrina as Frankenstein and his bride. Katrina had even temporarily dyed her hair for the evening, how she got it in that unique beehive was beyond Sara though...
Then of course they had the Grim Reaper who would be wandering around, a.k.a. Pete. And Archie was their wandering Wolfman. And then there was the graveyard that had once been their backyard before the addition of about thirty gravestones and a fog machine. Warrick was their gentleman ghost, looking for his lost love. Bobby the ghostly storyteller that would tell the guests about the tragic tale of the two ghosts that roamed the graveyard. The gentleman looking for his lost love, and his love, unable to reach him. And of course they'd cast her in the role. But hey, she did look sufficiently ethereal in the costume they'd decided on. Add to the fact she was standing in a boat on the pool for the duration...yup, she was definitely floating. They'd even managed to get some of the gravestones out there on the water with her. They'd tested it the night before with the fog machine and it was indeed eerie and realistic looking. The water was practically invisible under all the fog and such.
Then they had their four guides, Danielle Phillips was their own little witch, a beautiful witch mind you, but one just the same. Sophia was Tinker Bell, and Nicole was a devil diva...or so she'd claimed. Their fourth guide was actually quite late... "Anyone heard from Liz?" Sara asked looking up at the others.
"No, but she'll probably be here soon. She's still got fifteen minutes or so until we open," Warrick pointed out as he slipped his top hat on over the off-white wig he was wearing.
"Oh, turning the sound music on," Greg spoke up before the pre-arranged sound effects began, thanks to Archie's provision of course.
"Hey guys, sorry I'm late," commented Liz as she walked into the house.
"That's okay," Sara smiled.
"Interesting costume there, Liz." Greg teased. Liz was wearing a long coat with boots on that came just below her knees. Anything underneath the coat was invisible.
"Matrix?" Archie suggested with a wink.
"In your dreams A/V boy," smirked Liz as she undid and removed her coat revealing her full costume. The black boots she was wearing went along with the black boy-cut shorts with a gold belt around her hips and rhinestone studs around the legs she was wearing. Along with the shorts she had on a gold sport-bra type top that had a v-neck with black, gold and silver sequins around it, revealing at least a little cleavage. Over the top she had on a black jacket that didn't come down any further than her gold top. The jacket had a gold lining and a gold stripe around each wrist, the black sleeves extending half way down her hands. The front of her long blonde hair was tied into a small ponytail while the rest of her hair hung loose and was teased into big waves. "I just need to drop my coat off upstairs and pick up the last of my costume."
"Close your mouths boys." Sara smirked as Liz headed upstairs.
"God, no wonder the other team's quarterback fumbled like he did." Greg grinned before they heard her coming back downstairs and he, along with Archie, Bobby, and even Jim, let wolf whistles go when she appeared at the bottom of the steps.
"A bit slow on the uptake aren't they?" Sara grinned as she looked over at Liz who was now glaring at the four, her gold and black pom poms in her hands where they rested on her hips.
"You would think that being guys and all they would know what a professional cheerleader would look like," chided Liz shaking her head.
"Yes, but we've never seen one up close and personal," Jim pointed out. "You look fantastic, doll."
"Thank you, Jim," replied Liz with a smile. "God, I haven't worn this outfit in years. I'm surprised it still fits," she mused. "It's also probably a good thing that Catherine never saw me like this or else she would have made sure to keep Lindsey as far away from me as possible."
"Girl, Catherine might just be jealous that you are able to pull that outfit off," Nicole argued with a smile. "Hell, I'm jealous." she continued with a laugh.
"Makes two of us," Sophia grinned.
"Well, not everyone can be Tinker Bell there, Phi," Sara pointed out.
"No, good point," Sophia grinned.
"Stop drooling Greg or I'll make sure you have the worst of the cases tonight," threatened Liz.
"Yes ma'am." Greg grinned.
"Sure you weren't a dominatrix in another life?" Katrina asked with a smile.
"I've spent a great number of years fighting off football players. Comes with the territory," shrugged Liz.
"I can bet," David Phillips smiled.
"We should probably head out and meet the munchkins, fogs up and going in the backyard, so Sara, you should probably get on your boat and get out there..." Sophia pointed out as she got a good look through the window.
"So help me, I fall in, I'm killing Greg for suggesting this," Sara grumbled as she rose and shook out her white robes. "Although I could get use to the white wig," she giggled.
"So can I. You're kinda cute with white hair," Warrick smiled as he slipped up behind her.
"Okay, we so need a picture of these two ghost lovers," Greg grinned as he ran off for the camera.
"Interesting, well, you're in luck. My natural color came from my grandmother, and her hair was as white as the snow in her later years," Sara smiled.
"That reminds me, you gonna dye your hair again now?" Nicole asked curious. "And how do the treatments go?"
"No, too much hassle. I am so looking forward to not visiting my poor hairdresser every two weeks. Although we have quite the relationship, which reminds me, her son's birthday is next week..."
"Oh yeah, that's one heck of a relationship, you know when her children's birthdays are. I don't even know my stylist's last name," Sophia laughed as Greg returned, snapping pictures of their ghostly couple, before catching a few of Liz.
"Greg you didn't!" cried Liz as she took off after him, determined to get the camera away from him.
"Well, we should probably take this chance to head out and haunt the graveyard. Coming Bobby?" Warrick asked as he took Sara's hand. "Ladies first," he continued with a smile before she moved into the backyard.
"HA!" cried Liz as she managed to get the camera away from Greg, keeping it out of his reach long enough to delete the pictures he'd taken of her. She fought him off the entire way into 'Frankenstein's lab'. "David, Jim, can you do me a favor and keep this away from Igor here?" Liz asked handing the camera over to Jim, Greg still fighting to get his hands back on it, only to accidentally elbow Liz in the midsection. "Damn it Greg." she hissed, one hand going protectively to her midsection the other grabbing onto the counter for support.
"You okay, Doll?" Jim asked concerned, giving Greg a glare.
"Watch the elbows, Sanders," Hodges added. "Sara will kill you if you hurt her."
"You okay, Liz?" David Phillips asked softly. Glancing over at his wife they exchanged a knowing glance.
"I'll be fine," came the slightly strained reply.
"Am I the only one confused here?" asked Greg.
"Of course she will. And of course you are," Sophia agreed. "Now all of you, off to your places. Us guides have to get our lanterns ready," she ordered. Jim grabbing Greg to pull him along.
"I think I need to sit down for a moment, Phi." commented Liz.
"No problem," she smiled before setting the lantern down by her. "Want to take a few in the family room before coming out? The three of us can cover the first groups, and you can sneak out through the back to join when you're ready..." she offered.
"Sounds good," agreed Liz quietly.
Nodding the three grabbed their lanterns and headed out towards the front of the house, turning off the last of the overhead lights behind themselves as the members of Frankenstein's laboratory came back into the kitchen, and she slipped through the layers of paper into the family room.
Liz spent the next twenty minutes sitting in the family room until the pain in her abdomen subsided. Granted Greg didn't hit her all that hard, she just wasn't prepared for it. /-/Better call my doctor in the morning,/-/ she thought to herself as she pushed herself up from the couch, picking up her pom poms as she made her way out to the front lawn to meet up with her first group of kids, which was made up of an assortment of age ranges from eight up to sixteen. Unfortunately for Liz, the sixteen year olds were two boys who took great delight in shouting out catcalls and whistling when they first saw her.
"And what are you supposed to be, Sweet Thing?" asked one of the sixteen year old boys.
"Way out of your league, Buddy," smirked Liz in reply. "I would think it was quite obvious that I'm a cheerleader," she continued holding up her pom poms in one hand.
"You don't look like any cheerleader I've seen recently,." commented the other teen.
"That's because I'm not your average cheerleader. I'm a Saintsation. One of the cheerleaders for the New Orleans Saints Football team," explained Liz before turning her attention back to the other kids in the group. "Now then, shall we begin our tour?" she asked, ignoring the two boys. When the other kids nodded, Liz led them from the end of the driveway and up to the garage that had been split in two thanks to the wonder of plywood.
When they entered the first section of the garage the only light they had was that of Liz's lantern and some flickering candles spread through the room, illuminating what appeared to be hieroglyphics on the walls. As they got further into the room, they noticed Cleopatra working over an open sarcophagus. As they drew closer that's when they noticed what Cleopatra was doing. She was wrapping the body of her 'husband' in bandages, preparing him for his trip to the afterlife. The minute everyone was standing next to the sarcophagus Hodges suddenly sat bolt upright, causing the group to scream and leap back. It didn't help when Hodges started moaning and turning towards the group as if he was going to come after them, which only caused them to make a dash for the door leading into the next room. Even the 'cool' sixteen-year-olds had reacted much like the little nine-year-old in the group.
As they left Egypt behind the group soon found themselves in the catacombs under the Paris Opera House of the late nineteenth century. This room was also dark and lit by Liz's lantern and candles throughout the room and also illuminating the narrow pathway they were to follow. As they made their way they saw the silhouette of a figure sitting at the piano playing a hauntingly familiar tune. Standing near the piano was what appeared to be a woman in a wedding dress, the veil pulled over her features. As the group neared the figure at the piano stopped playing and rose from the piano bench. As he approached the woman in the wedding dress he removed his mask showing his horribly scarred features as he called out for 'Christine'.
As the group quickly stepped out of the room, not wanting to get in between the Phantom and his bride, they made their way up upstairs, only to come across Count Dracula and two of his female vampires, eager for the fresh blood of children. The minute the vampires started towards them, Liz didn't have to do anything to hurry the group from the room as the two eldest teens were leading everyone downstairs where they were invited into the laboratory to meet with Dr. Frankenstein himself.
As they entered the kitchen it looked like the laboratory of a true mad scientist. There were bottles and jars of various mysterious substances, many of which were glowing odd colors. As they were being shown around the lab by Dr. Frankenstein, they were joined by his assistant Igor, who was quite happy to have so many fresh supplies come willingly into the lab. He was so overjoyed that he raced from the room, only to appear moments later with Dr. Frankenstein's monster and his bride, promising them he would make them a child from all the wonderful parts that had so willingly entered their domain. Liz quickly thanked the doctor for the tour and ushered the group out of the laboratory, not wanting to have any of them fail victim to one of the doctor's 'experiments'."
After leaving the 'lab', Liz led the group out into the fog-covered graveyard where they met up with a ghost, who proceeded to tell them the tale of love that survived death. As the ghost told the story they saw another ghostly figure appear at the side of the graveyard, making his way through the fog looking for his lost love, who appeared floating in the air a short distance on the other side of them. Before the lovers could be reunited though the tranquility was shattered with the appearance of not only the Grim Reaper but also the Wolfman, who proceeded to chase the group from the backyard.
Once safely on the other side of the backyard fence, Liz handed candy out to everyone in the group and was pleased to notice that the youngest members were standing there giggling like mad while the two-sixteen-year old boys were trembling. After wishing them all a happy Halloween, Liz made her way back towards the front of the house to meet up with her next group.
Thursday November 25th, 2010
1516 La Porte Court
Henderson, Nevada
12:33 p.m.
As everyone got settled and the food was finished being passed around, Liz swallowed nervously, throwing a quick glance at Sara and Warrick, who both nodded slightly to indicate they were behind her on this, Liz cleared her throat. "I, uh...I have an announcement to make."
"Well, announce away," Greg grinned.
"This isn't the easiest thing for me and I'm sure you've all probably noticed the odd behaviour from me from time to time over the past month or so," commented Liz.
"Doll, spit it out. We don't bite," Jim encouraged.
"Much," Greg added with a wink before Mia smacked the back of his head.
"Geez, I'm going to have perpetual bumps that the poor coroner is going to have no explanation for when I die."
"Nope, Al will know exactly what they're from," Hodges grinned.
"Back to the topic," Sara stopped the conversation while pushing a lock of her new 'hair' behind her ear. "You were saying Beth?"
Liz sat there biting her lip for a moment before looking back at Sara. When all she saw was love and support in her friend's eyes, she swallowed once more before biting the bullet, "I'm pregnant."
"Congratulations," everyone answered immediately. "Who's the daddy?" Greg asked after a moment.
"None of your business last I checked there, Greg. Would you want us asking Mia a question like that?" Sara countered looking over at him.
"Well, I would hope it was a given who the father of Mia's baby would be," Greg shrugged.
Yes, but let's go with a hypothetical situation here. Say Mia was raped, God forbid, and I'm not saying Liz was," Sara began. "And she became pregnant, would you like it if people asked a question like that? Invaded your privacy?"
"Sara." interrupted Liz before Greg could answer. "It's alright Sara. I think they should probably know. It won't be hard to tell who the father is after the baby is born, especially as they watch it grow up."
"Well, you never know, after all Bertie looks more like me than his father," Sara countered with a smile.
"Well I did get Grissom's eyes and curls," Bertie spoke up with a smile.
"Not to mention some of his mannerisms," commented Liz.
"And my whole point went out the window," Sara giggled.
"Just so you all know, I haven't decided if I'm actually going to tell the father about this baby. He has a life that is not here and one that I'm not a part of, but all of us sitting here at this table are a family. It's into this family that this child is being born so, you have a right to know the truth. Although until I decide for certain if I'm telling the father, I would appreciate it if this information never left this room," instructed Liz.
"Of course," Katrina spoke up, the others agreeing.
"It's Nick's," Liz said finally, playing with her food and not making eye contact with anyone.
"Well, we're going to have another genius in the family then," Jim shrugged.
"Hang on a second, Liz," piped up Greg. "When you say Nick, you mean Nick Stokes right?"
"Yeah why?" asked Liz in confusion.
"You do rea..." Greg's words were cut off when Mia not only stomped on his foot but also stuffed a roll in his mouth.
"Just ignore him Liz, he's suffering from sleep deprivation and he doesn't know what he's talking about," Mia said before turning back to glare at Greg as Liz looked over at Sara and Warrick, a look of complete confusion on her face.
"I think he's lost his mind," Sara shrugged. "Then again, when did he ever have it?" she continued with a grin.
"Hey!" Greg cried around the roll he was still trying to dislodge. Sputtering he looked at his fiancé first. "Trying to kill me with death by bread?"
"No, you just looked hungry," Mia shrugged.
"Okay, I lied, they're both nuts," Sara giggled.
"I concur," Katrina laughed. "Congratulations Liz, really," she added with a smile. "When are you due?"
"March sixteenth," replied Liz. "I'm just over five months."
"Day before Ta'anit Esther," Bertie mused.
"Don't you love how he measures time by the Jewish calendar," Sara giggled. "Fast of Esther, leads into Purim," she continued.
"You have a lot of fasts, don't you," Greg mused. "I honestly can't imagine having so many times where I have to give up food. On top of giving up pork."
"And you see me complaining how?" Sara smiled.
"Point taken," Greg smiled.
"Anyway, before Greg's little off topic statement there. Do you know if it's a boy or girl yet?" Mia asked curious.
"It's a baby girl," replied Liz with a small smile. "I thought I'd want to wait to find out but I was always the worst when it came to opening presents Christmas morning. I could never wait long enough so I opted to find out," she continued with a small shrug
"Don't blame you. I was the same way with Zoë, and she was the same way with John," Katrina smiled.
"Same here with Bertie," Sara smiled.
"I think most mothers are that way," Warrick mused.
"I know I will be," Mia agreed with a shrug.
"Well," Sara began as she glanced over at Warrick, "Since we already have some good news, how about adding to it."
"You're pregnant too?" Greg asked with a silly grin, before Mia smacked the back of his head.
"Greg, love, if I was...I think I would seriously be contacting the rabbi and be proving the Christian religion wrong," Sara smirked.
"Huh?" Greg asked confused.
"Greg, if I'm pregnant, it's an act of God. I'm missing a few vital components now after all. So, if I am pregnant, besides the fact it's not Warrick's, which would only leave me bearing the messiah...which would turn the Christian religion up on its ear and prove that Jesus Christ wasn't the messiah."
"Oh."
"That would be quite the headline. 'Vegas CSI Gives Birth to Chosen One'," Jim mused before Katrina smacked his arm.
"Anyway," Sara began with a smile. "I'd given up on the idea of me being the one to bear the messiah years ago, not in my deck of cards," she continued shaking her head. "The real news is actually not so un-related from your theory," she continued with a frown before shaking her head slightly. "Geez this is a weird night. Good night, but weird."
"And you're rambling, baby," Warrick smiled.
"I blame having to watch a turkey roast in my oven all day," Sara grinned.
"Poor Sara," Archie laughed. "Has to cook meat in her kitchen. We know you've been cooking meat for a while now."
"That's different. It's for the Sabbath. And I can keep myself from thinkin' about where it came from," Sara answered before shuddering slightly.
"The men in your life must certainly know how much you love them," Lai giggled.
"Oh we do," Warrick smiled.
"Same here," Bertie grinned.
"Okay, once upon a time we were discussing some news of yours?" Jim pointed out.
"Oh, yeah," Sara laughed. "Okay then, as of Tuesday morning, it's official. The cancer is in remission," she continued with a grin.
"Congratulations," Liz said getting up from her seat and walking over to Sara, giving her a hug.
"Thank you," Sara smiled as others rose to give her a hug. "Okay, happy news out of the way, on to lunch," she laughed as Mia helped pry Greg off her. "Thank Adonai, I can breathe again."
"So when will you be returning back to work?" asked Liz retaking her seat.
"Part time next week, full time after the new year. Seeing as we all have those two weeks of vacation in a month," Sara smiled as she glanced over at Warrick.
"So, I only need to cover for you until the New Year then and then I get to go back to my nice Greg free shifts," mused Liz teasingly before breaking out in a fit of giggles.
"I know, and then I'm stuck disciplining him again," Sara groaned before giggling.
"You'd think they didn't like me or something," Greg mused.
"You would, wouldn't you," Hodges agreed.
"Honestly Greg, I'm not laughing at you," Liz told him as she continued to giggle. "The little one seems to have decided to join the party, is all. I can feel her moving and it's quite ticklish right now."
"Sure," Greg smiled. "Of course you aren't laughing at me, you're laughing with me. And it seems little Miss Fabrey is getting in on the action. Already training her to pick on her uncle Greg, aren't you two?" he teased.
"Of course, we need more women to pick on you, keeps your ego from getting too big so Mia can live with you," Sara smiled.
"Oh come on Greg. You know we love you," chided Liz with a smile
"I know," Greg smiled. "Okay, pass the turkey so we can determine just how bad a job Sara did at it."
"Hey, pick on me all you want. Don't pick on my cooking skills. These two can tell you I cook a mean piece of meat, even if it does personally make me ill," Sara pointed at him with her fork.
"Perhaps we should have him over for Sabbath. Get him addicted to your Bubbeh's Brisket and he'll never question your cooking skills again," Warrick suggested.
"There's a plan," Sara mused. "Okay, enough talk of food. Jim, everything set for next month?"
Jim smiled, "Completely. Amazing the strings you can pull when you have the Sheriff and his family attending a function you want to arrange for everyone to get two weeks off for."
"Yes, the whole reason we invited Pete to the wedding, so the lot of you could get off," Warrick laughed.
"Well, whatever reasoning you had, it worked wonders. We have temps coming in to help out while everyone is gone; temporary shift supervisors arranged, and all that good stuff. Pete even managed to convince the mayor all of us were going in part for a staff re-connection, which is for those of us in charge of everything. The rest of you are getting a nice deserved vacation after the events six months ago to ensure that you don't burn out."
"Pete is a genius," Sara grinned.
"That the man is," Jim agreed. "So, everything set otherwise. Cruise arranged, all our excursions booked, wedding plans finalized?"
"Jim, I've only been bored out of my mind, when not dealing with side effects of Chemo. And I've had four months since we found out we were getting those dang compensation checks from the government to put that boredom to use. You think I don't have every I dotted and every T crossed?" Sara pointed out.
"Not to mention she's been dealing with my hysterics for the past month," commented Liz.
"Well yes, those too," Sara agreed with a smile.
"And Halloween planning," Greg pointed out.
"Chanukah plans," Bertie spoke up. "Oh and Mom sent the dreidel," he continued with a smile.
"Oh, wicked cool," grinned Sara. "I've been dreaming about Bubbeh's dreidel every year during the holiday season."
"You weren't kidding when you said it stayed in the family, were you," Greg mused.
"Nope, and it's going to firmly remain there." Sara grinned.
"This is going to be interesting," laughed Liz. "My daughter is going to be born to a Catholic mother and have a Jewish Godmother."
"And her Godfather's heritage is Baptist," Warrick pointed out.
"Poor child is going to be so confused." Jim smiled.
"But that's what you're for Uncle Jim," giggled Liz. "To keep this child on the right path."
"Anyone else very afraid for my goddaughter?" Sara teased.
"They shouldn't be, they should be afraid of her. I spoil my munchkins rotten," Jim smiled. "But hey, it's Thanksgiving. I say we all go around and say what we're thankful for."