A/N: Hi guys, are we ready for Fluff hat? Lol. He seems to be sticking around via popular request. I wonder how long it can last :-P

Gracious thanks for all your reviews and comments. Plllllllease, keep then coming. They brighten up my day. Thank you to Calim for another great beta, you always help each and every chapter become that little bit better :)

So, let's see how the Sidle household get ready for Christmas…

Chapter 126

The couple made it safely back to the house and, throughout the entire walk, Grissom just had the brightest smile on his face.

"It makes me feel so warm to see you smiling like this," Sara said to him as they reached the steps up to the main door.

He blew out a very contented breath. "That's because I'm with you," he replied so gently, Sara felt as if she could melt into the snow surrounding them.

Reaching to his right cheek, she leaned into him with one goal in mind. But, just as their lips were about to connect, a ruckus behind them made her jump and she spun around in fright to see a large fern tree heading right for them.

"What the…" Grissom mumbled only to have his brows rise at the sight of Gregory's head suddenly popping out from between the branches.

Sara burst out laughing. "I see you found a tree?" she shouted.

As they got closer the couple noticed half a dozen workers helping to carry it, the captain's voice shouting orders from behind them.

"Very funny!" Gregory hollered back. "I don't know why I'm always the one that gets stuck helping with these things," he grumbled as they reached the steps and began climbing.

"Ah, good evening" the captain said merrily to his daughter and Grissom once he saw them.

"Good evening," the couple said together.

"Are we well?" the captain asked.

The couple gave each other a smile.

"Yes," Sara said, slipping an arm through her fiancé's. "Very…"

Giving them a happy smile back, the captain rubbed his hands together. "Glad to hear it."

"The tree is for inside, I presume?" Sara asked, glancing over her shoulder, watching as it vanished through the door.

"Sure is," the captain responded. "Your mother insists we get the decorations up this evening. You know how she is with tradition and we're late getting things up because of everything that's happened. So tonight is the night."

Sara snickered. Her mother had always been a massive Christmas traditionalist and it was the same every year. Family in the living room with brandy and hot cocoa, chestnuts and potatoes roasting on the fire, the smell of cinnamon bread and cookies floating through the air. It was a magical time and Sara was so happy Grissom had recovered enough to be able to enjoy it with them. She found herself wondering then what his Christmases were usually like. She would make a point of asking him later.

"Are you going to help?" the captain asked.

"Of course," Sara said giddily but then remembered she wasn't on her own this year. She tilted her head to gaze at her man. "Is…that okay?" she asked, not really knowing his feelings on the subject.

Grissom gave her a smile although he didn't say anything but his gesture was enough. "I guess my bath can wait…"

Sara saw a little something in his eyes, sadness maybe. She had the feeling this was going to be a whole new experience for him. But hopefully, it would be a happy one.

"You'll have fun," she said as they turned to walk up the steps. "I promise."

As soon as they entered the house, the smell of cinnamon hit Sara's nostrils and she smiled. She loved that smell. It was so homey…comforting.

The captain quickly removed his hat and coat. "I'll meet you in the living room?" he asked, hurrying after the tree. "I need to make sure they get this up properly without destroying the house or your mother will kill me."

"Yes, Father," Sara called after him. She grinned as she faced Grissom but her smile faded at the look on his face. "What's wrong?" she questioned softly. "You don't look very happy all of a sudden."

He sighed and gave a shrug. "This is just all very different to what I'm used to. It makes me nervous."

A small smile returned to her lips and she raised her arms. "Hands…" she said, crooking a finger. He held out his hands and Sara removed his gloves, throwing them into the closet. "Tell me what you would normally do on Christmas…" she requested, reaching for his scarf and pulling it away.

"I don't know…" he mumbled, watching as she unbuttoned his coat. "Sit by the fire and read a book normally."

She frowned, looking up at him before putting his coat away. "You never have company or put up decorations?"

"Sara…" he sighed, rubbing a hand over his beard, "…I've lived alone since I was seventeen. I'm a working man, not normally up to socializing a lot. Yes, I have friends but, I don't like to impose upon anyone. I guess it's entirely different when you have a family to share the festivities with. I've just never had that…"

After removing her own gloves, she lifted her hand to hold it against his cheek. "Well, now you do," she said gently. "So, humor me and try and to enjoy yourself. It will feel good, I promise."

He sighed again. "Okay…"

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Hand in hand the couple strolled into the living room and both instantly caught the aroma of chestnuts.

"I can sense mother already has the feast on," she giggled.

"Chestnuts?" Grissom questioned.

"Yep. Lots of treats while we decorate…"

Smiling, Sara pulled him into the room seeing Laura picking through multiple boxes and handing out bits and pieces to her father and cousins who made orderly piles.

Laura smiled up at them. "Ah…there you two are. Come on over. We have lots to do."

As they approached the group Sara noticed that Grissom still looked quite uncomfortable so decided on a plan to attempt to help him relax.

"Evening, Mother," Sara retuned with a smile. "How about I start by getting everyone a brandy?"

Grissom's eyes narrowed in her direction and she averted his gaze. She knew he was suspicious but she also knew alcohol calmed him down.

"Wonderful idea," Laura pronounced happily as she got to her feet.

"How about…I help you?" Grissom insisted.

"No…no…she'll be fine…" Laura said, patting him on the arm then grabbing his hand. "I have a job for you. Come with me…"

His eyes shot to Sara's and her lips puckered as she gave him an innocent shrug. Rolling his eyes, he allowed Laura to take his cane, place it down and tug him away towards the tree.

Giving a light chuckle, Sara headed for the sidebar to prepare the drinks.

Once they reached the tree, Laura rummaged in a box and pulled out a candle along with a small tin holder. "I'd like you to put the candles onto the tree if you're okay with that," she said. "It's a job that takes a brain because you could end up burning the house down if you don't put them in the right place. Which is precisely why I always try and avoid Sara's cousins doing this part…"

"Hey, I heard that!" Nicolas griped from across the room, popping a candy cane into his mouth.

She snickered, glancing over her shoulder to her nephew. "Good," she shot back. "Remember two years ago when you tried to help your uncle put the candles on? Remember how long the tree lasted before it burnt to a cinder and almost set fire to the entire room?"

Nicolas chewed down on his sweet, the length of red ribbon he was holding dangling in front of him. "Umm…" he mumbled. "Wasn't my fault."

"No, it was the fact you kept sneaking your Uncle's brandy," she countered. "Shame on you at the age you were…"

The young man gave a grin, glancing over to his brother who gave a snort. "Okay," Nicolas sighed. "Fair point, you win."

Grissom couldn't help a smile now and took the candle and holder from his future mother-in-law. "I think I can manage the candles," he said.

"Good," Laura returned with her own smile.

"Here we go…" Sara announced as she approached with a tray of brandy.

Laura took two glasses, one for herself and her husband and just about skipped across the room to give it to him.

Sara laughed. "I can't believe how happy Christmas always makes her."

Grissom took a glass and then a huge glug from it. "Well, she must be very trusting to allow me the candle honor," Grissom joked.

"You don't plan on burning the house down, do you?"

His right brow inclined and she smirked.

"I'll just pass these out and I'll be back to help you," she scoffed before stepping away.

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Two hours later the entire room was a bloom of Christmas decoration. Berried evergreens, holy and ivy scaled up and around the fireplace, across the walls, around the door and picture frames. Numerous wreaths had been fixed to the windows and placed throughout the house where the servants had continued to decorate. The captain had suspended a piece of mistletoe from the center of the ceiling and Sara kept her eye on that. She very much intended on collecting a kiss or two…

The tree looked glorious. All covered with glowing candles, tinsel, ribbon, cookies, candy, homemade ornaments and a few paper chains. Grissom and Sara now sat on the sofa, making a few more chains for the tree while her parents relaxed by the fire. Nicolas and Gregory giggled to each other by the window, watching as one of the workers attempting decorate some of the outside slipped and fell flat on his backside.

"Would you like some more brandy?" Sara asked her fiancé as he concentrated on the next loop in his chain.

Looking up to her, his cheeks a little rosy from the effect of the alcohol, he gave her a smile. "No, I'm good," he replied. "If I have anymore, I'll probably fall asleep."

"But, you've had a good night?" she questioned.

He gave a satisfied sigh. "Actually, yes. It's been…different but…nice. Thank you."

She reached out and stroked his cheek. "I'm so glad."

"Hey you two…"

Sara's hand shot to her heart and she glared over her shoulder. "Gregory!" she growled. "Did you have to do that? You gave me a heart attack!"

"Sorry…" he said with a grin and she slapped him on the arm. "Nicolas and I are going to walk up to the cabin and feed the fur ball. Do you want to come?"

"Oh…" Sara glanced to Grissom but she knew immediately he wouldn't be able to make the walk. Not in the dark and not after all he'd had to drink. "Urm, maybe tomorrow, okay?" she replied, looking back to her cousin. "It's not safe for Gil to walk in the dark."

Grissom nibbled down on his lip. "Sara, you can go if you want to."

She shook her head. "Tomorrow…"

"Okay," Gregory replied, stepping away. "But you need to start making an effort to see him, or he won't know who you are…"

Sara sighed as her cousins left the room.

"I don't want to prevent you from doing anything, Sara," Grissom griped, a little of his happiness fading.

She took his hand. "It's fine but Gregory's right. We must go and see Dickens tomorrow. He needs some attention."

Grissom thought for a moment. "Maybe I should move back to the cabin…"

Sara's eyes widened. "What?" she mumbled.

"You know, I'm all but healed now and…"

"Do you want to move back to the cabin?" said questioned sadly.

He saw the look on her face and that joy she'd been holding for most of the day suddenly fizzled from her eyes. "If Dickens needs someone then…and…I…don't want to be a burden. It's always been my place to…" Grissom silenced when she placed her hand over his mouth.

"Things are not the same anymore, Gil. You are part of this family now and…I've really liked having you here. I can greet you first thing in the morning…kiss you goodnight. I feel safer with you here…"

A tender smile passed his lips. "Do you want me to stay here?"

"Of course I do," she replied swiftly.

He puckered his lips, thinking. "Well, first we would need to ask your parents and second, we need a plan for the fur ball. He can't stay there on his own much longer."

Sara grabbed his hand, pulling him from the sofa.

"What are you doing?" he questioned.

"I'm asking."

He frowned but she simply snorted and pulled him towards her parents. The captain was rocking back and forth in his chair, staring into the fireplace with a smile, his fourth brandy now half finished. Sara couldn't remember the last time she'd seen him looking so peaceful.

"Mother?" Sara said.

Looking up from her Christmas gift knitting, Laura gazed at her daughter. "Yes, sweetheart?"

Now Grissom squirmed a touch. This wasn't normal for him.

"Is Gil all right to stay here? You know, in the house with uu, instead of moving back to the cabin?"

The captain's rocking ceased and he shuffled around to face the couple. Laura looked to her husband as he swilled his brandy around before taking a glug from the glass.

"We never intended Gil to move back to the cabin," she responded.

"Oh…" Sara mumbled, surprised. Grissom was surprised also and his right eyebrow hit the ceiling.

Smiling, Laura reached for her own brandy. "Not so long ago Thomas and I discussed it and we're very happy for you to remain at the house with us that's if you desire to. You are family and this is where family belongs. Especially at this time of year. Do you really want to spend the winter in that cabin? You could get sick and you have to be very careful about that."

Grissom had lived in a cabin most of his life and knew how to take care of himself but refrained from arguing the point.

"And…" Laura continued, hiccupping after taking a sip from her glass, "…you'll be married in less than three weeks. Surely you don't expect to stay there after that?"

Now Grissom frowned. He hadn't actually put all that much thought into their abode after the wedding. But his thoughts were cut short when the captain spoke.

"You don't have to worry about that now, you two," he began swiftly, as if wanting to change the topic. "But for the time being, this is your home, Gil, and…" His eyes flicked to his daughter, "…I'm well aware Sara enjoys you being here. So my home is your home."

"Thank you," Grissom replied softly and, in all fairness, a little touched.

"Welcome," the captain chuckled, raising his glass before downing what was left in it. "I'm going to get a refill. My dear?" he asked, reaching for Laura's glass.

She shrugged her shoulders. "Why not?"

He smiled, took the glass and headed off.

Sara leaned into Grissom, placing her head on his shoulder while her hand entwined with his. "Mother…um….there is a little something else…"

Laura's eyes flickered with curiosity and her daughter's tone. "What might that be?"

"We…" She gave Grissom a quick glance before continuing, "…kind of…have a kitten…"

"Kind of?" Laura laughed, her brow rising.

"Yeah…well…we do have a kitten."

"Okay…"

Sara struggled for the best approach.

"Just spit it out, Sara," Laura requested.

"Can he come stay at the house with us?" There, she'd said it. Simple as that.

Laura looked a little confused by the question and thought for a moment. "You mean bring a cat in the house?" Sara gave a nod. "Erm…I'm not so sure that having a…"

"Please, Mother…" Sara begged. "He's still so small and needs love and attention. We've already neglected him. If Gil's going to be staying here we don't know what to do if he doesn't come here as well. I really don't want to give him up plus we can't let him out even if we wanted to because he'll simply not survive. Not yet…"

"Maybe we should try and work something else out…" Grissom whispered knowing they were asking a lot.

"Work something out about what?" the captain asked, obviously hearing Grissom's attempt to talk quietly. He handed the refilled glass of brandy to his wife and awaited an answer.

"Um…." Sara hesitated.

Laura snorted into her glass as she took a sip. "Sara is asking if she can bring her kitten here to live. He's currently at the cabin."

The captain's brow rose. "You have a kitten?"

"Yeah…" Sara said with a smile, looking at her fiancé. "Gil gave him to me to cheer me up when I wasn't doing well…"

"Awww…" Laura's face softened. "So sweet…"

Grissom blushed and cleared his throat as Laura gazed at him. "Your daughter seems to have that effect on me," he admitted.

The captain gave a merry chuckle. "I would never have predicted you would be so sensitive, Gil," he jibed, causing the rancher's cheeks to redden just a little more. "But, as it's almost Christmas and we should be kind to all, including animals, you can bring your kitten here."

Sara literally jumped from the floor. "Really?" she squealed, clapping her hands together.

"Yes, really," the captain laughed. "Just make sure you train him. I don't want…" He flapped his hand through the air, "…poop everywhere…"

Leaping forwards, Sara threw her arms around her father and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you!"

He snorted before sitting back in his chair. "You're welcome. Just make sure he stays away from the kitchen."

"I will," Sara replied with a bright smile, shifting back to stand by Grissom and taking his hand again. "We can go get him tomorrow, yes?" she asked him.

The rancher gave her a smile. "Yes we can and actually, I can get some of my things."

She snuggled close. "You can get all your things…"

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It was late, almost midnight in fact and everyone had retired to bed. All but Grissom and Sara who were enjoying the peace and quiet by the fireplace. Well, that was until Sara disappeared some five minutes before leaving Grissom on his own staring into the flames. He looked around wondering where'd she'd gone since no explanation had been given apart from saying she'd be right back.

Just as he was about to go find her, she stepped back into the room and sat by his side.

"Where did you go?" he asked sleepily, a yawn quickly following his question.

"Just to get something," she replied. "You're tired aren't you?"

"Hmmm…" He yawned again, his head lolling in her direction. "What did you need to get?"

She smiled, pulling out a small package. "This," she said holding it out to him.

He looked down at the small wrapped parcel, green cloth tied with a red ribbon. Straightening himself out, he frowned. "What's that?"

"It's for you," she answered.

"But it's not Christmas yet."

"I know. But, it's time you had this…"

His eyes narrowed as his hand reached out to take the gift. Untying the ribbon, he peeled away the cloth to reveal a very familiar box. He knew what it was before he even popped the top and did so with a bright smile.

"I believe it's now proper for you to accept this from me, Gil."

Grissom felt a lump form in his throat as he stared down at the signet ring that had belonged to her grandfather. He found himself at a loss for words although he didn't know why. This was the third time he'd been offered the ring.

Sara plucked out the ring and placed the box aside. Holding out her hand, she waited and, after a few seconds, he offered his right hand. She slipped the ring onto his fourth finger and smiled at him.

"Comfortable?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied softly looking up.

They gazed at each other for a moment until he leaned forward intent on a kiss. To his surprise, Sara raised her hand and covered his mouth. His brow creased and he questioned her with his eyes. Giving him a grin she pointed over her shoulder and up to the ceiling. He followed her direction until he spotted the mistletoe, giving his own grin as she removed her hand. Pulling him up, she led him towards the festive decoration, stopping directly underneath.

"I see about twelve berries," she began, tugging on his hand to pull him close. "How many do you think we can use up?"

His lips puckered as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Why don't we find out?"

*** - "...though I don't prefer any claim to being the soul of Romance (for I hope I know better), still I am a tenderer sort of fellow."

*** - Extract taken from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

A/N: Awwww, how sweet. Will it turn sour? *Snort* Thoughts please and have a great day :)