A/N: Hey guys :) How are we all doing? Thank you so much for all the support and your reviews so far on my little ficlet! Here is the next chapter. It's unbeta'd so I hope it's ok. SSC has just been very busy although she did give me her vote of confidence in regards to posting. Forgive any of my American medical terminology if it's incorrect, but being from the UK, I have tried my best. Hopefully it's not too bad.
So let's see if Mr Evil hat is being naughty shall we...hehehehe... Enjoy! And, please review, they mean so much!
Oh, and the next chap of The Calling will be up soon, it's getting a thrashing from SSC as I speak, lol.
Chapter 2
As Sara watched Tony play with Michael and Emily she sighed, cursing to herself that Grissom was missing out on this. How could he do that to her, again, work before them, Heather before her? Damn him.
They had been so happy since the events of Kate Stevens, fine; Grissom was working a lot bit still, they were happy. Now, that woman was back in their lives...
Briefly she smiled as she remembered earlier in her pregnancy and their first scan...
Week 11
"Gil, are you ready?" Sara called from the bedroom. "Baby, keep still, please," she appealed to her son sitting on the edge of the bed merrily swinging his legs. He was not aiding her task in tying his shoe laces.
Michael stopped swinging his legs and allowed his mother to tie his laces. Grissom poked his head around the door.
"Yeah, two minutes sweetheart," he began, "I just have to let Hank out. Claire won't be back until later so I don't think he will last."
Sara looked up quickly. "He better last, I don't want anything happening to the new carpet or I swear..."
Holding up his hands Grissom grinned. "Honey relax, you know Hank wouldn't do that."
"Yeah I know, sorry, I'm just feeling a little..."
"Nervous?" he finished for her.
Sara nodded. "I just want everything to go alright you know? After everything..."
Grissom entered the bedroom and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Everything will be fine, right, Mike?"
Looking at his father Michael eyed his mother's perfect handy work and nodded. "Fine!" he shouted.
Giving his son a wink Grissom softly kissed Sara's hair. "See?"
"Yeah," she sighed contently finishing off Michael's laces. "There you go young man, all done."
Leaping from the bed with a gratifying "Yay," Michael ran from the room.
"Hey!" Sara called after him, "don't go far, we are leaving in a minute!"
Pulling his wife up Grissom wrapped his arms around her, tugging her into a warm and adoring hug before slipping his arms around her waist. She grinned, smoothing her hands up and down his back and began chuckling when his lips began to caress her neck.
"Honey, we don't have time for this," she whispered, tilting her neck so his mouth passed across just the right spot. She moaned with appreciation.
Grissom pulled back, "Too bad."
"Most definitely," Sara agreed, "but maybe later."
Grissom grinned. "Oh?"
She smiled mischievously, "Let Hank out and I'll meet you at the car, okay?" With that she slipped from his grasp and went in search of Michael, leaving Grissom pondering on her statement.
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Sara shuffled in her seat outside the OB-Gyn office. Grissom to her left and Michael swinging his legs, to her right.
"You okay?" Grissom asked.
"Yeah," she began, tensing a little, "just not so keen on this full bladder."
Taking her hand, he squeezed it tenderly. "Shouldn't be too long now sweetheart."
She took a deep breath and crossed her legs, god she hoped so.
"Sara Grissom, room two, Sara Grissom, room two." A voice called over the intercom several minutes later and Sara sighed with relief.
She stood quickly. "Ready?"
Grissom nodded, "As I'll ever be." He turned to Michael, "Ready to see your little brother or sister, Mike?"
The boy nodded quickly, jumped from his chair and grabbed his father's hand. "Let's go."
Nodding, Sara headed off in search of room two, Grissom and Michael right behind. She found it quickly, knocked and entered. Immediately she was greeted by a tall, blond haired woman who held out her hand.
"Sara?" she asked as Grissom closed the door.
"Yes." Sara smiled shaking her hand.
"I'm Doctor Rachael Clarkson, please call me Rachael."
"This is my husband, Gil." Sara gestured behind her and Grissom held out his hand.
"Pleasure to meet you, Gil," Rachael said shaking his hand.
Grissom smiled. "Same here."
"And who is this little man?" Rachael looked at Michael.
"This is Michael," Sara began, "our son."
Rachael smiled. "Well hello there, Michael." Michael looked at her and giggled.
"At least you are not new to giving birth, Sara, which is always an advantage."
"Well..." She began looking at her husband "...It wasn't as simple as it could have been."
Rachael nodded. "It's okay, I understand that, but we can have a chat about that after the scan, alright? If you are like most expectant mums having a scan, you are feeling pretty uncomfortable right now, am I right?"
Sara tried not to blush but nodded quickly.
"Okay, let's get you up on the bed and do the ultrasound so we can get you feeling a little more comfortable."
"Sounds good to me." Sara hurried to the bed along the far wall of the room and popped herself up onto it. Grissom sat by the bedside and pulled Michael onto his lap.
Rachael grabbed the machine and began preparing. "Okay, Sara, I'm sure you have been through one of these before but I am just going to explain why we do the ultrasounds. Just so the two of you have complete peace of mind about what is happening with your baby."
Sara looked at Grissom who took her hand and smiled lovingly. She looked back to Rachael. "I was due to have a scan about five months ago; I was three months pregnant but, I miss-carried. So we never actually got to see..." Sara felt her eyes fill with tears.
Taking Sara's free hand Rachael squeezed it tightly. "Things happen, Sara, it doesn't mean they will happen again. You will get the best care here and I will do my best to make sure you have a happy, healthy baby alright? But some things are out of my control and yours, just be positive."
"Yeah," Sara agreed knowing Rachael was right.
"Okay. We will check the baby's heartbeat, to make sure it's normal. I will measure the number of beats per minute to see what kind of rhythm we have. I will look at the baby's location to make sure it is growing inside your uterus and your pregnancy isn't ectopic. Although you would have probably shown earlier symptoms for this but I like to check anyway okay?"
Sara swallowed hard but nodded once more.
"Hey don't look so worried Sara; I'm sure all will be fine. You haven't had any problems up to now have you?"
"No."
Rachael picked up the gel. "Well that's good, so I will check the heartbeat and location and then I will measure your baby's size. I will do this along the skull, the thighbone and around the abdomen to make sure he or she is the size they should be for their age. Have you decided yet if you would like to know the baby's sex when the time comes?"
Grissom and Sara's eyes met and this time Grissom spoke. "We haven't quite decided yet."
"I'm sure when the time comes you will know which way to go."
Sara sighed, "I hope so."
Rachael smiled. "Okay, just a few more things to go over. I will check to see if there is more than one baby, although twins are quite uncommon we always like to have a look just in case, then I will see if the placenta is covering the cervix. This can cause painless but severe bleeding later in your pregnancy."
Sara's eyes widened.
"But," Rachael continued quickly, "don't panic, if you should have this condition it is very rare for it to still be there after twenty weeks and exceedingly rare for delivery. I'm just letting you know all the possibilities here Sara. So don't worry."
Sara clenched Grissom's hand tighter as Rachael continued.
"Finally I will look closely at your baby's basic anatomy, including the head, neck, chest, heart and spine to make sure they're developing properly. If there are any causes for concern we will do a level II scan to check for signs of a birth defect or Down Syndrome. And that's everything, any questions before we get started?"
Sara shook her head. And Rachael looked at Grissom.
"Gil, any questions?" She asked.
"Not at the moment but I'm sure there will be plenty later." He bounced Michael for a second.
Rachael nodded. "Okay then, let's get started. Sara can you lift your top up for me and pull your slacks down a little so I can get a good look at your tummy?"
Complying quickly Sara did as Rachael asked.
"Perfect." Rachael began, "Now the gel will feel cool on your skin but you won't feel any pain, okay?"
Sara nodded as Rachael applied the gel to her tummy.
"Oohhh," Sara moaned on a hitched breath, "You weren't kidding about that being cool were you?"
Rachael grinned and picked up the transducer. Positioning it over the gel she smoothed the probe back and forth over Sara's skin. Sara watched the monitor and her husband followed suit.
The doctor too watched the screen as she moved her implement over Sara's stomach and then after a few seconds an image appeared. "There we go," she said as the picture of the tiny little life hit the screen.
Grissom felt his mouth pop open, he cleared his throat. "That's our baby?"
"It certainly is." Rachael smiled.
"So small..." Grissom whispered as he looked at the small blob on the screen.
Sara turned her head from the monitor to look at him and squeezed his hand. His eyes floated from the screen for a second to meet hers and he smiled broadly. Sara replicated his smile before they both returned their attention to the monitor.
"You see that Michael?" Grissom asked his son as he pointed to the monitor. "That's your little brother or sister."
Michael frowned as he looked at the screen. "Baby?" he asked.
"That's right," Grissom kissed the back of his sons head and he smiled.
They all watched the monitor in awe as Rachael began her examination.
"Okay little one," she began, "let's see how you're doing. The foetus is about 1.5 inches in size, which is good, we have some nice healthy looking limbs there guys, all fingers and all toes are..." Just as she moved to scan a different spot the baby shifted to reveal a little surprise.
"Oh..." Rachael mumbled.
"What?" Sara asked quickly, panic rolling through her eyes as Grissom felt her tense.
Rachael placed a hand on her shoulder. "Just stay still, Sara, nothing to worry about just...come on little one..." She pressed a little harder onto Sara's stomach in an attempt to make the baby move again, "...come on...there we go..." The baby shifted again and Grissom felt himself leaning forward to get a closer look at the monitor.
"Is that...um...?" Grissom couldn't quite finish his sentence.
Rachael smiled. "It most certainly is. Looks like we have two little miracles inside you there Sara."
Sara felt her pupils dilate as she stared in disbelief at Rachael. "What? Two? You mean two babies? Twins?"
Continuing to scan, Rachael placed a little more gel onto Sara's stomach. "Yep, definitely twins, there you see, the second little one was hiding behind the first but you can see them both now they have moved."
Sara's eyes floated back to the monitor and she watched with mouth ajar. Sure enough there were two babies.
"Oh my," she whispered and after several minutes of watching she looked to Grissom. "Twins?" she mouthed to him but all he could do was grin.
"Would you like to listen to the heartbeats?"
Both Grissom and Sara nodded so Rachel pulled over the Sonograph machine and turned it on.
"Let's see what we can find shall we?" She moved the probe around Sara's tummy until she found what she was looking for.
Grissom and Sara listened to the fast echo that seemed to thunder from the machine.
"Damn that's fast," Grissom stated. "Is that normal?"
"Very normal," Rachael replied moving a little to catch the second heartbeat, "and both sound very healthy."
Grissom couldn't quite believe his ears and the fact there were two babies, two! He sighed simultaneously with his wife as they continued to listen...
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The exam was over and a rather stunned Grissom and Sara, after Sara had relieved herself, sat at Rachael's desk.
"You guys okay?" the doctor asked while writing notes in Sara's file.
Looking at each other both Grissom and Sara smiled. "Yeah," Sara finally said breaking the ice, "Just a little, surprised that's all."
"Well, that's to be expected," Rachael said, "I have yet to come across anyone who hasn't been surprised when they find out they are having two babies and not one, but from what we have seen, you have two very healthy looking little beauties. Thus far, I see no problems."
Grissom shuffled forward in his seat and entwined his fingers. "Are problems more common with twins?"
"No not really. Some women do suffer higher levels of nausea or fatigue and sometimes pre term labour but as long as Sara looks after herself, maintains the correct diet and fluid intake, all should run smoothly. I know you said you have mis-carried in the past Sara..."
Sara nodded, "One of those things out of my control," she managed to say.
Rachael smiled sympathetically. "You can only do what you can, some things you just can't control."
"Is there anything I should do differently or avoid doing?" Sara asked.
Rachael reached into her desk and pulled out a folder. "Here, this will tell you what you need to know about diet, exercise and the does and dont's. I'm here most of the time so you can always get hold of me, if not, the office can reach me at home."
Sara took the folder as Rachael checked her diary. "I think we should schedule your next appointment for twenty weeks okay? If you have any problems before that make sure you call me alright?"
Taking the appointment card Sara nodded. "I will."
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The drive home was relatively quiet apart from Michael in the back having his usual chat to Ant. Both Grissom and Sara were still quite shocked at what they had just discovered. Finally Sara spoke.
"Baby, are you okay?" she asked concerned but Grissom didn't answer. "Gil?"
"Huh?" Grissom mumbled snapping out of his trance as Sara softly squeezed his knee. He looked at her for a moment, "Sorry, honey, what did you say?"
"I asked if you were okay."
With a content sigh Grissom smiled. "Yeah, I'm good, very, in fact."
"Really?"
"Really, just thinking."
"Oh? About what?" Sara was intrigued as to how content he sounded.
"I'm just trying to work out if we need to extend the nursery or not."
Sara chuckled, "Now that is planning ahead."
Grissom smiled and his eyes sparkled.
"So what do you think, Michael?" Sara asked her son who was still merrily chatting away in the back. He looked up.
"Baby?" he asked.
"Yeah but not one, we will have two babies. Two special additions to our family and you could have brothers, sisters or even both to play with."
"Play!" Michael shouted happily.
"I think he's happy about it." Grissom grinned.
"Oh play," Sara began, "Damn I forgot, Tony is bringing Emily around for a play date with Michael this afternoon isn't he?"
"I hadn't forgotten," Grissom said giving his wife a quick glance before returning his attention back to the road...
The vibrant, happy sound of Tony chasing Michael and Emily around the playground broke Sara from her thoughts and she sighed, just wishing Grissom was by her side...
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Sitting on the patio Grissom watched as Heather poured the tea.
"Thank you." He took the cup from her when she offered it.
With a weak smile she sat opposite and sipped her own tea.
"So," he placed his cup on the table, "what happened?"
Watching as Heather rolled her eyes, Grissom could feel her embarrassment.
"Stupid really," she began, "I have had Allison all week, Jerome was away on business. I've been recovering from flu and fell back to sleep on the couch shortly after breakfast. When I woke up Alison was gone."
"Gone? Just like that?"
Another weak smiled crossed Heather's lips. "Jerome got back from his trip early, when he came in I was asleep. He was in a hurry and didn't want to wake me, so he left a note and took Allison."
"So you..." He sipped on his tea again, "...didn't find the note?"
As Heather looked away from him, Grissom knew she felt foolish.
"An officer found it just after you arrived." She ran her finger slowly over the rim of her cup. "Somehow it had fallen under the sofa, a breeze from the front door perhaps or the window."
"Ah..."
"So, yes, I appear to have over reacted too soon and well, I wasted your time."
"I wouldn't say that." The CSI grinned. "The tea is fantastic."
"Thank you," Heather replied, now bearing her own grin.
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After a good half an hour of conversation Heather walked Grissom to his car.
"Please accept my apologies again, Grissom," she said as they headed down the driveway. "Although I admit, it was nice to see you, so I thank you for the company."
"Thank you for the tea," he replied with a hearty smile.
"You are welcome anytime," she informed him.
"Bye Heather," he beamed as he opened the Denali door and slipped inside.
"Goodbye, Grissom."
As Grissom watched Heather return to the house he pulled his cell from his pocket.
He tried Sara again but once more her phone clicked straight to answer phone. Sighing in defeat he flipped the phone shut, started the car and headed for the lab.
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After a fun filled day, well, at least for most, Sara and her group headed back to their cars. Although she was tired the children weren't quite so withdrawn and merrily skipped together through the parking lot.
Smiling as she watched them in front of her Sara soon found her grin disappear as her cell phone once again vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out with a sigh and looked at the screen. Again, it was her husband and once more she ignored him and slipped the phone back in her pocket with a shake of her head.
"How many times has he called you now?" Tony asked as they reached their vehicles.
Shrugging her shoulders Sara took her bag from him.
"You know," the lawman began as Sara looked at him, "he's probably worried. Maybe you should talk to him."
"If he was so concerned about his family, he would have put them before work," she just about snapped back.
Sighing Tony took his daughters hand. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to impose."
Now Sara felt guilty and closed her eyes for a moment. "No..." she began, "...I'm sorry, it's not your fault and you have been nothing but hospitable today. I didn't mean to snap at you."
"Its fine," Tony admitted as he watched Sara slip her bag into the back seat. "So, what are you doing for the rest of the day?"
"Oh," Sara began taking Michaels hand and helping him into the car, "I hadn't really thought about it." She remembered the overnight night bag and considered her options. "Probably just go home..." she said. It was the easiest thing to say and probably wouldn't bring any objections from her friend, "...and..." Sara stopped; she wasn't quite sure how to finish that and in all honesty she didn't really want to go home either. She knew Grissom would more than likely be at the lab and being home alone would just infuriate her more.
"Well if you want you can come to ours, I was planning on doing a barbeque, you're more than welcome."
Being a vegetarian, the prospect of a meat filled dinner offer didn't fill Sara with glee but she was thankful for the company. "Sure," she responded, "Why not. I'm sure Mike will enjoy playing with Emily for a little longer so, thanks."
Nodding enthusiastically Tony gestured to his car. "You okay to follow me?"
"Absolutely," Sara replied before locking Michael into his safety chair.
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Continuing with his hefty pile of paperwork Grissom let out a disgruntled sigh of frustration. He looked at his watch, it was past six and still he hadn't spoken to Sara since their argument. He pulled out his cell and glared at it. Deciding to give ringing her one last shot, he hit call.
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Sara sat with Tony on the patio while Michael and Emily played in the garden, their laughter continuing to vibrate through the cooling air.
The sun was beginning to descend but she was content in just sitting and chatting after a nice meal and an exhausting day. But, her ease lapsed when her cell phone rang again. Her eyes flicked to her host and he smiled at her.
"Don't you think he's suffered enough? Maybe you should answer it," he urged.
"Fine," she grumbled, pulling the phone from her pocket. "Excuse me," she said softly, standing and walking to the far end of the patio.
With a heavy sigh she placed the phone to her ear. "Yes?"
"Sara..." He hesitated but relief was very evident in his tone. "...where are you? Why didn't you answer my calls?"
"Why do you think I didn't answer you?" she growled. "Or do you really need me to tell you?"
"Honey..."
"Don't you dare honey me," she barked as quietly as possible, trying to whisper her annoyance. "Do you have any idea how angry I am with you right now?"
Leaning back in his chair the grave shift supervisor took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes and sighed. "I was only doing my job, Sara. What else do you expect me to do?"
Shaking her head in disbelief she clenched the phone a little tighter. "You know what? I'm not talking about this now."
"How long are you going to be?" Grissom cut in quick.
"I don't know, Gil." She slapped her free hand onto her hip. "Michael is playing with Emily so as soon as he gets tired. I'll see you later...if I actually decide to come home..."
Not giving her husband the chance to respond she hung up. Faking a smile she turned back to Tony and slowly walked to her seat.
Sitting, she slipped her phone back into her pocket.
"You okay?" the lawman asked.
"Yeah," she responded quickly with more of a whisper than an answer.
"Sure?"
Sara nodded and picked up her glass of orange juice. Taking a light sip she exhaled her sigh into the top of the glass. "I'll give him a little longer then I guess we should head home. It's getting dark anyway."
Nodding in agreement Tony abruptly shifted forward when Sara winced and suddenly held her stomach.
"Hey, are you alright?" He reached out a concerned hand and placed it on her arm.
Faking a smile she bobbed her head. "Yes," she half sniggered, "I'm fine. These two..." She pointed to her belly, "...seem to be having some kind of disco. It will pass shortly." Her brow rose, "I hope." She smiled softly now and her host returned the smile and slowly removed his hand.
"Have they been very active?" he asked taking a sip from his beer.
Chuckling Sara patted her stomach. "Oh yes, they love giving their mother a good old kick."
Smiling broadly Tony gestured to her glass, "Another drink?"
"Oh no." She shook her head. "I'm fine. The little ones have definitely had enough vitamin c for one day." Placing her glass onto the table Sara pushed herself to her feet. "Well, shall we give the kids a little of our attention before we have to go?"
Shrugging his shoulders Tony stood. "Why not..."
A/N: Don't you just hate it when they fight? Can amends ever be made? Will there be the chance? Oh oh oh, and twins? Awwwwwwwwww. *Tidies evil hat on my head*. LOL! Review please :P