A/N: I see a fight between Evil Hat and Fluff Hat. Evil hat is getting very restless :P Has he been banished from this story forever?

Time to finish off Christmas with a sqweee and get ready for a GSR wedding. That should be fun to write! Ha! Did you guess what the last Christmas gift was?

Thanks to Calim for the beta and to all you great readers that still continue to give me your thoughts. Please keep them coming! :P

Chapter 131

Sara's curiosity bloomed as they wrapped themselves in their coats, gloves and scarves before leaving the house.

"Do you realize how late it is?" she laughed as he took her hand with his left, holding a lantern aloft with his right.

"Yeah…my new watch told me," he replied with a grin.

She sniggered, leaning in to rest her head upon his shoulder. "I still worry about you walking in the dark. The last thing we need right now is for you to slip…"

He gave a smile. "I'll be careful," he assured, squeezing her hand a little tighter. "I don't really want to fall either and…we're not going all that far."

"Exactly where are we going?" she questioned.

"You'll see…"

Her smile grew realizing he wasn't about to give any information away and then a few flakes of snow began falling from the sky. "It's snowing again," she said, looking up to the whitened sky.

"Sure is," he sighed happily although their pace did increase. Grissom really didn't want to be out long just in case the snow began to fall heavily.

It wasn't long before they reached the stables and Sara gave a frown, releasing his hand and glancing at him. "Did you get me a horse?"

"No," he said flatly.

She blinked. "Oh…" Now she was confused.

He reached for the bolt on the door. "Did you want a horse?" he asked looking over his shoulder.

"Well…" she scratched her nose, "…I'd rather our lovebirds inside sorted that one out for us. When the time is right, of course."

Grissom gave a grin, opening the door and gesturing for her to enter. "I don't see there being much of a problem in that one if Dante has anything to do with it…"

As she entered the stable she laughed again, waiting as her fiancé bolted the door behind him to keep the warmth in. The second the door was closed Dante's familiar snort came from around the corner.

"Yep…" Sara began, "…he knows were here."

Taking her hand again, Grissom guided her towards the stalls. "He always does…"

When they reached Dante's stall Grissom gave a smile to his stallion. "Sorry to wake you, boy," he apologized, rubbing a hand in between the horse's ears. "I need to show Sara the surprise you've been guarding for her…"

"What?" she giggled. "He's guarding my present?"

Dante tapped his back foot and gave another snort.

"Yeah," Grissom replied cheerily, reaching for two apples from a barrel before unbolting the stall door. He offered a piece of fruit to his friend before slipping one through the divide for Pandora. Dante happily stepped aside and began munching on his treat.

Sara watched as Grissom reached up to a shelf high on the back wall and retrieved a box. Stepping from the stall, he placed the box down on the workbench and stood back, glancing at his bride to be.

"There you go," he said, nodding to the box. "All yours…"

Sara's eyes narrowed at him before her attention moved back to the box. She felt nervous and had absolutely no idea why.

"This is all very strange," she mumbled, stepping up to the bench. "So I don't get any clues at all?"

Folding his arms, he shook his head. "Open it and you will see…"

She managed a smile and reached for the lid on the box. She really was intrigued. Removing the top she stared down into what looked like a mound of straw. Frowning, she looked over her shoulder to see him grinning at her.

"It's in the middle," he guided. "The straw keeps it warm…"

"Huh…" she squeaked, his words baffling her even more.

"Just be careful…" he advised swiftly.

Biting down on her lip, she nodded. "I'll…do that," she mumbled.

Carefully, she reached into the box, parting the straw as prudently as she could until she revealed what looked like a branch. Shaking her head a touch, her fingers coiled around the wood and she slowly pulled it from the box.

"Oh…my…" she exclaimed uncovering what the box truly held. Her eyes found his and she wasn't sure what to say. "Where…on earth did you find this?"

He gave a light shrug. "On one of my walks with the horses. Dante was sniffing it out one morning."

Sara glanced back to the glorious silken cocoon clinging to the branch and Grissom stepped closer to her.

"It's rare to find them at this time of the year," he said. "And, usually they won't survive the elements so…I thought you might like to look after it. It just needs somewhere warm and dry with not a lot of light…"

She smiled brightly finding it hard to take her eyes from the coil of larvae. "It's…" Now she giggled, "…I don't know what to say…"

"You'll be amazed when it hatches…" he said with a sense of boyishness.

Her lips pursed and she looked back to him. "I have no doubt…"

Giving him another smile, she carefully placed the cocoon back into the box and stepped right up to him, so close her chest fit snuggly to his. Slowly, her hand rose to his cheek both mesmerized by the others eyes.

"You…amaze me every single day," she whispered.

His tongue poked out to draw across his bottom lip but before he could reply Sara dipped her head, her lips softly moving over his.

"Hmmm…." he sighed with pleasure as she pulled back but she didn't get very far as his arms were swift to coil around her and pull her tightly against his body.

Sara's eyes narrowed a touch noticing the fieriness of his eyes. She swallowed, his stare creating a burning in her belly that made her nervous.

His lips moved back to hers but they didn't touch. "Do you know what you do to me?" he whispered, his hand gliding up her back to slide through her hair, his stare never relenting nor the burning within it.

She swallowed again, her hands attempting to come between them to press against his chest. Not to push him away but to offer that little resistance she felt the moment required. "I can feel it," she whispered back very aware of the slight prodding in her thigh from his arousal.

"It still scares you…" he concluded.

"Yes…"

Bringing his hands around, he tenderly cupped her cheeks. "I would never hurt you…"

Her eyes grew a little drowsy, the burning becoming deeper by the second but despite his sincere words it also heightened her fears. "I know…"

Grissom's eyes moved in circles, looking deep within her, trying to read her thoughts. "Merry Christmas," he said softly.

Now she managed a smile. "Merry Christmas…" she replied, bringing her arms around his neck to pull him into a warm and loving hug.

Sighing into her, Grissom held her solidly, enjoying her warmth against his body a little more than was good for his own sanity.

"I love you…" she said quietly and he clung on just a little tighter…

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They arrived back at the house a little after 11pm deciding on the long walk back despite of the cold, snowy weather. It was just so nice to have some alone time together and even though they didn't say much while they walked, the way they held each other was enough.

Once inside they stripped off their winter protection and, as they headed down the hallway, they were greeted by Rana.

"Ahh, Miss…you're back I see…" she began.

Sara offered a smile. "Yes we are."

"Your mother and father told me to inform you they have retired for the evening, along with your cousins. They weren't sure when you'd be back, Miss…"

"Thank you, Rana," Sara replied and the worker gave a nod before backing away.

Looking to her fiancé, Sara gave a shrug. "I guess that means it's bedtime," she said. "Although…we should probably get some sleep. In a few days everyone will start arriving for the wedding then we won't get a moments peace, I can guarantee it…"

Grissom held out his arm and Sara took it. "Can't say I'm…" He hesitated as they started up the stairs.

"You're not what?" she questioned noticing his sudden uneasiness.

He blew out a breath. "Let's just say, lots of people, especially ones I don't know…make me nervous."

She sniggered, pulling on his arm. "Gil…my family make me nervous, period. And I know them."

Looking at her, he gave a smile.

"And…" she continued, "…people you know are coming, right?"

"Yeah…the few I do feel should be here…Well, I just hope they can make it with the weather…"

"We could just hide in a corner together," she joked as they reached her bedroom door. "Or sneak out once our vows are made…"

Raising a hand, he flicked the hair straight that lay on her forehead. "I think we might be in trouble if we did that," he replied closing the gap between them just like he had done in the stable. "Although it's very…tempting…"

Sara cleared her throat as their eyes clashed, that familiar vibe beginning between them again. "I have the feeling we're probably going to get into trouble at some point no matter what we do," she whispered.

There they stood for a good few minutes, saying nothing only staring until Sara finally kissed him softly on the lips.

"Goodnight, Gil…" she breathed, pulling back and swiping her hand down his chest.

He gave a single nod, stepping back to allow her space to open her door. "Goodnight…"

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The next two days passed by so swiftly Sara couldn't believe it. Christmas day was a very happy, relaxed affair with lots of food, wine, laughter and chatting by the fire.

And very few people.

Normally, the house was packed to the rafters with family, relatives coming by the droves to spend the holiday. But this year they would be arriving later, making the long journey for the wedding instead.

In all honesty, Sara liked it. It was nice to have a Christmas just with the close family. She'd never been a fan of socializing with those she barely knew, pretending to smile at their comments about when she was going to find a suitor or their insistent prying on what she did with her time.

Sara liked her privacy. It was as simple as that and this year was nice. She didn't have to pretend. And, for the first time, she actually did have a man by her side. The man she loved…the man she planned on spending the rest of her life with. For once there would be no questions into her inability to find a man although she dreaded the questions she knew would come about how she and Grissom became a couple. That would certainly be interesting…

She wasn't entirely sure how she was going to approach that one having no idea what people already knew or had heard. She guessed when the time and questioning came, she would think of something.

As for Grissom, everything happening around him was strange but he was just content with the company. It made a change from sitting alone and reading. He really enjoyed Boxing Day and watching the servants open their gifts. The captain really had gone all out this year, providing his workers with extra presents for their commitment and dedication to him and his family through the hardest times they had ever faced. It was nice an employer gave the staff the recognition they deserved although for most of the country, that didn't happen very often.

Now it was the morning of December 27th. The wedding was tomorrow and hordes of people would soon be arriving for the occasion.

Both Grissom and Sara were in their own rooms having a final dress rehearsal to ensure everything was perfect for their big day.

Grissom stood in front of the mirror and tugged on his collar only to have Rana, who was flattening his jacket with her palm bat his hand away.

"Do not fiddle, sir…" she complained. "You will make your cravat uneven."

Puffing out his cheeks, Grissom gave a nervous sigh watching Rana through the mirror as she did a full circle of him, ensuring everything he was wearing was perfectly positioned.

The door opened and in stepped Laura. "My…my…" she cooed, approaching the groom to be. "Don't we look fabulous?"

"Do we?" he returned not quite sounding as enthusiastic as she did.

Laura looked him over from top to bottom. He really did look amazing in the elegant wedding suit. The blue coat with velvet collar hung to his shoulders perfectly. The white vest underneath along with the dark blue cravat just sucked masculinity from the man and the white angola pants just topped the suit off perfectly.

"Yes we do," she said happily, running her hand over his shoulder to do another circle around him. "It was as if you were born to wear that…"

Grissom blushed, clearing his throat. "I gather I look all right then?"

Laura laughed. "You look perfect," she replied, stopping right in front of him. "I tell you…if I was 25 years younger…" His eyes widened and she laughed again, play slapping him on the chest. "I'm jesting with you Gil…"

His right brow shot upwards and his jaw nervously twitched. "May I change now?" he asked, knowing Laura was satisfied.

She gave him a nod. "Of course. Family and friends will be arriving soon anyway so you'd better get your socializing hat on. Lots of people for you to meet today, Gil…"

As Grissom reached for his collar button, he swallowed. "Oh, good…" he mumbled sarcastically. Laura smirked. "How's Sara doing?" he asked then.

"Fine," Laura replied. "She's nervous, of course, but the dress is…well…I think it looks better on her than it did on me…"

He gave a smile. "I wish I could take a peek," he responded, pulling off his cravat.

"Don't you dare," Laura warned holding up a finger. "You will curse the day if you do that."

Grissom held up his hands with a smirk. "I was joking…"

"Hmmmm…" Her eyes narrowed at him. "You just make sure you are."

Sniggering, he took off his jacket and handed it to Rana who hung it back in the closet.

"Well…" Laura took a long, contended breath, "…I'm going to check on my daughter and we'll meet you downstairs in about 20 minutes, okay?"

Grissom gave a nod, unbuttoning his vest. "Fine by me."

Giving him a smile, she left the room and headed back to Sara's, entering swiftly to find her daughter still admiring herself in the mirror.

"So, are we happy?" Laura asked, approaching Sara and laying her hands carefully upon her shoulders.

Sara looked at her mother through the mirror. "It's a little late now if I'm not, isn't it?" she giggled.

Laura shrugged her shoulders. "Until you walk down that aisle, anything is possible."

"Well, I'm happy," Sara returned with a bright smile and Laura smiled back.

"Good."

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Grissom, who stood waiting at the bottom of the staircase, heard Sara laugh and looked up to see her ascending the stairs, arm in arm with her mother. It was nice to hear her laugh so close to the big day. It just took off that nervous edge they were both feeling.

"Hello you," Sara greeted her fiancé happily when she reached him.

"Hi," he said back. "I gather your final fitting went well?"

She moved from her mother's arm to his and Laura gave a grin.

"It certainly did," she replied. "And mother tells me so did yours."

Grissom's brow rose as they set off towards the lounge for morning coffee.

"I can't wait to see your suit," she continued, rubbing her hand up his arm. "If you impressed mother so much then it must look good. I don't think she's ever been so complimentary…"

He wasn't sure where to look when he felt his cheeks burning again but he avoided Laura's glance because he just knew she was smirking at him. Not knowing exactly what they'd been discussing about him made him feel a little uncomfortable. He wasn't used to being a victim of ladies banter and he'd certainly never been full of himself when it came to his looks.

Sara laughed noticing the redness in his cheeks and the uneasy look on his face. "You need to learn to relax, Gil," she snickered.

"Easy for you to say," he whispered. "I'm the one being eyeballed by your mother."

"I heard that," Laura chortled, entering the lounge.

The couple followed and Grissom almost tripped when Dickens sprang out of nowhere and skidded between the rancher's legs to glide across the floor.

"Whoa…" Sara tugged on his arm just at the right time for him to catch his balance. Grissom glared at the kitten as he scampered towards the captain who sat reading by the fireplace.

"Damn cat…" he grumbled straightening himself out.

Sara pouted, looking at him. "Hey…he's just playing…"

Grissom sighed. "Sorry," he apologized, taking her hand and moving into the room. "I'm just suddenly feeling a little tense."

They both watched as Dickens purred, circling around the captain's feet before rubbing himself up against his leg.

Lowering his book, the captain glanced at the kitten with a raised brow and a look of curiosity. Slipping onto his butt, Dickens looked up to him and purred again.

"I think he likes you," Sara said with a smile as they approached the sofa. Laura looked to her husband and gave her own smile as she poured coffee.

Keeping a straight face the captain scooped up the kitten in one hand and held him before his eyes. Dickens tried to squirm free but he didn't get very far.

"Of course he does," the captain replied. "He knows it's my house…"

Dickens stilled in the captain's hand, looking him right in the eye. 'Mew…'

Now the captain smiled, dropping the kitten onto his chest to give him a pet and the little fluff ball lapped up every second of the attention.

"Father does have a soft spot," Sara sniggered, sitting on the sofa and taking a cup of coffee from her mother as Grissom joined her.

The captain's smile grew as he placed Dickens back on the floor and he scampered towards the Christmas tree. "Yeah, well…" he began, "…sometimes…"

"You better watch the kitten in here though," Laura said, moving to her husband to hand him a cup. "We don't want him knocking one of the candles over. Right now, the last thing we need is a fire…"

Grissom's eyes widened and he was quick to his feet. "Good point," he replied, swiftly retrieving the kitten and taking him back to the sofa. He dropped him onto Sara's lap and gave her a smile. "I'd rather not have a fire…"

She rolled her eyes, placing her cup down onto the coffee table. "I still think he's a little small to be climbing up tress just yet." She tickled the kitten under the chin and he rolled over onto his back, sticking his paws up into the air.

"You'd be surprised," Grissom replied. "The second cats can climb, they will."

A knock came and Rana stepped in. "Captain, sir…" she began, "…the first of your guests have arrived. Your brother and family…"

The captain smiled, quickly getting to his feet. "Excellent," he replied. "We'll be right out."

Sara looked to her fiancé and he swallowed hard. "So are you ready to meet the family?"

He blew out a nervous breath. "Not really but…this is about as ready as I'm going to be…"

Standing, she held out her hand to him. "I'm nervous too but we'll be okay, I promise. We can do this…together…"

*** - "Her uncertainty lasted but a moment; she hurried back, and tapped at his door, and softly called to him. The noise ceased at the sound of her voice, and he presently came out to her, and they walked up and down together for a long time."

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

A/N: Oooooooh, I can hear the bells already. Well, kinda. I doubt there will be bells, lol. Will all go smoothly? Nerves are certianly a brewin'. Will Grissom get on wiht the family and will there be rumors and talk to spoil the occasion? Ooooh, so much fuuuuuuuuun! :P