A/N: Righto, time to get this party started. Lol. Eh, I know what I mean. Do I sniff Evil Hat or will it be fluffy all the way? Hmmmm…not so sure. But, I can feel Sara's nerves ooooozing from here :D

Thank you for your reviews and to Calim for the super duper beta and advice :)

On with the show…

Chapter 158

Three months later…

Walking the short way up toward the main house, Sara nodded and smiled at the workers who greeted her. She was in search of her husband complete with a picnic basket on her arm. But, first she had to find him. In the meantime, she took a moment to watch the now constant activity that surrounded her.

These last few months had brought a huge change to the ranch. The workforce had grown tenfold since the previous summer; the crops were rampant as spring kicked in and a new contract with the military to provide more horses kept everyone hopping. On top of all that their new home was being built and her father had begun his venture in town - building the hotel.

As she headed toward the stables, she thought back on these three months. Grissom had gone back to work shortly after New Year's. Awake by dawn, he was out exercising the horses then checking the crops before moving onto the building works. Occasionally he'd accompany the captain to check on the hotel work in town and, surprisingly, join him in business meetings. He attended dinner parties without fuss and any spare time he found was usually spent working on their new home.

And while he put in a full day's work and more, it hadn't interfered with their personal relationship. He always found time for her. Lord knows from where but he did. Where he got all his energy from, she didn't know. But he would take time off - a half day during the week and all of Sunday for church in the morning and the rest of the day to themselves.

She'd come to love Sunday's. Taking a ride together, sitting by the river, sneaking to the barn when they got back to make sweet love in the hay loft. She sighed suddenly, the thought of his strong hands upon her body sending chills ups her spine.

Everything was just so perfect.

As she neared the stables she spotted him inside the paddock brushing off Dante and laughed when noticing the mustang friskily tapping his back right hoof into the dirt at the attention.

"I think he's enjoying that," she called as she drew close.

Grissom looked up and smiled broadly upon seeing his wife approaching, laughing when Dante offered a very energetic neigh in confirmation of her observation. "I think you're right," he agreed, leaning over the rail to kiss her once she'd reached him. "And hello."

She smiled back at him. "Hello to you." She ran her free hand between Dante's ears and the horse gave a soft whine. "Are you free for a little lunch?" she asked, holding up the basket.

He nodded. "I certainly am," he replied. "And you couldn't have timed it better. I was just about to take Dante for a run. He's been a bit…how should I put it…tense."

Noticing Dante's eyes were looking past them, Sara turned to see Pandora drinking from a trough. "I'm not surprised, she answered, unlatching the gate and entering the paddock. "I think she is just starting to…you know and…he'll be…" Her brows rose as she looked at Grissom. "Keen."

"Well, he'll just have to wait a little while longer."

A screeching neigh pierced the air at Grissom's comment and as Dante suddenly reared, he wrapped an arm around Sara's waist and swooped her out of harm's way.

"Hey!" Grissom hollered, pointing a finger at his horse just as he kicked out. "No!" he commanded. "Get down, now!"

Settling, Dante stomped the ground then stared at his master, nostrils flaring.

"Are you all right?" he asked of Sara.

She nodded despite feeling a little edgy by the fierce stare in Dante's eyes. She knew he would never hurt her or Grissom but it was still rather intimidating. "I don't think he likes the idea of having to wait," she whispered.

"We've talked about this," Grissom said turning back to Dante. "And you know it's better to wait until after late May that way your foal will have enough time to grow strong during the warmer months…" he trailed off as Dante scraped his back foot through the dirt.

"I don't think he wants to hear that," she whispered back, holding on tightly to Grissom's arm.

But soon Pandora was moving in between them and Dante, tenderly licking her mate's nose. Her affection instantly soothed him and he snorted softly as she leaned against him then began licking his neck.

"Are we calm now?" Grissom questioned but Dante just glared at him.

"You know," Sara began, taking a hold of her husband's hand, "although it's safer to wait a few more months before we let them breed, we could make an exception." She paused when Dante snorted then looked at her. "I mean…we look after our horses and I believe we would be able to ensure the foal will get the exact care it needs no matter when it's born." She looked him in the eye. "So, what do you think?"

He pursed his mouth then looked at her. "What do you think?" he shot right back.

She smiled. "I think Dante has been patient long enough so, I'd say let them have their time if that's what they want."

In a flash Dante was snorting and nodding and as Sara grinned, Grissom rolled his eyes.

"All right," he said waving his arms aloft. "I concede. You can…" He waved his hand at them. "You know…enjoy yourselves."

Dante wildly shook his head, giving Pandora a lick on her nose and before Grissom could say anything else they both trotted through the gate Sara had left open and headed towards the stable.

"Um…" Grissom frowned, looking toward his wife and pointing in the direction the horses went. "That's not exactly what I meant. I didn't mean like right now."

Laughing, Sara tugged on his arm and they began walking in the opposite direction. "Well, you didn't really explain that to him though, did you?"

He shrugged. "I guess not."

She rested her head against his shoulder. "They've both been through a lot so let's just let them be happy, okay?"

He kissed the top of her head. "Okay," he agreed. "I guess we'll just see what happens."

Sara swallowed before pulling him to a stop and facing him. "So, where shall we go for lunch? The river, the garden?"

Leaning closer, he brushed his lips over hers. "How about a nice secluded spot in a very woody area where no one can see us?"

Blushing, she looked towards the garden. "A nice thought," she agreed. "But, I have to go into town with mother shortly so, I can't be too long." She hated lying to him. There were no plans to go into town at all but at that particular point in time, lovemaking was not on her agenda.

"Shame," he whispered, eyes working over her face.

Swallowing again, she cut him short by tugging on his hand, still trying to pluck up the courage to tell him what she had to. "Let's go into the garden," she said and he nodded.

Finding a nice spot in the shade, Sara pulled a blanket from the top of the basket and laid it across the grass.

"My lady," Grissom gestured, extending his hand. Smiling brightly, she took it then sat.

"I do love springtime," she began, unpacking their lunch and laying it upon the blanket as he sat across from her. "Lovely sunshine, the smell of freshly cut grass, birds singing merrily. So nice…" She trailed off when her eyes caught him staring at her.

"I certainly can't think of anything better to look at during this lovely season," he said.

Snorting, she handed him a plate. "Smooth talker."

Grinning, he took the plate and watched as she stacked it with meats, cheeses, pickles and bread, noticing she barely put anything onto her own plate. "Are you not hungry?" he asked.

She swallowed, looking away from him. "I had a big breakfast."

His eyes narrowed and, although he was out on the estate by the time his wife had risen that morning, he didn't believe her for something in her voice gave her away. "Did you?" Nipping on her bottom lip, she faced him but no words wanted to come out of her mouth. "Honey," Grissom continued, raising a hand and rubbing his thumb down her cheek, "are you all right?"

"What…do you mean?" she asked hesitantly, quietly.

He put his plate down. "I mean you haven't been yourself these past few days. You've been picking at your meals, unusually quiet and, in all honesty, you seem quite pale." Taking her hand, he offered a warm smile. "If something is wrong you can tell me."

Taking a deep breath, Sara willed the courage she needed to rise up but, just as she was about to respond, they were interrupted.

"Oh, there you are." They both turned as the captain approached. "Conrad said he'd seen you coming his way."

Sara sighed. "Here we are," she replied doing her best to sound normal, flashing her husband a very false smile. He frowned at her knowing it wasn't one of joy. "Is everything all right, Father?" she asked averting Grissom's eyes.

"Yes, fine," he replied. "And I apologize for interrupting but I just wanted to ask Gil if he'd like to accompany me hunting. I've just been informed of some rather plump pheasants roaming around the woods and I wanted to track them down before they disappear."

"Oh," Grissom mumbled, his frown deepening. "Actually, Sir, I do have a lot to do and we were just…"

"Nonsense," Sara interrupted earning herself a confused glance from her husband. "You should go," she encouraged. "After you've eaten of course. In fact," she rambled on, "why don't you join us, Father? And then you and Gil can go right afterwards."

The captain scratched his cheek. "I really don't want to intrude."

"You're not," Sara insisted. "Right, Gil?" She looked back at him as his brow rose, his jaw working from side to side.

"Of course not," he replied through gritted teeth and Sara could tell by the look in his eyes that he wasn't all that thrilled at her suggestion. However, she had lost her courage to speak to him. Her father's interruption had seen to that.

Running a hand along his beard, the captain nodded. "Okay then, as long as you don't mind. But we can't be too long if we're going to get those birds."

Sara loaded a plate up for him as he spoke and held it out. "The quicker you eat, the quicker you can go."

Smiling, the captain took the plate. "Very true, my dear, very true."

Grissom was still looking at his wife as she gave him his plate back. "Enjoy your lunch and we can finish our discussion later," she urged.

His eyes narrowed but he took the food. "I'll see to it."

CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI

Making a speedy excuse to her father and Grissom, Sara hurried into the house and disappeared into the kitchen, cursing herself for her cowardice. Instead of telling him the truth she'd left him with a muddled mind filled with worry. But, what was done was done and she had to tell him when he got back. He wouldn't let it go and she wouldn't lie to him.

Once sure the men had left, she slipped out of the house and headed back toward the garden, sitting on the wall around the pond. Watching an American Copper butterfly land on a lily pad, made her smile. It was unusual to see such a specimen so early in the year and she was half tempted to tread into the water and catch it, but that would be silly. For now she'd just have to be content with her surroundings, if only for a little while.

About half an hour later and unseen to Sara, Laura approached from behind.

"Out here on your own?" she asked.

Sara startled, quickly shifting to face the intruder, holding a hand to her heart once her eyes settled upon her mother.

Laura sat next to her with a smile. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

Taking a breath, Sara smiled weakly then looked away. "It's fine," she answered quietly.

Reaching out, Laura gently took her daughter's hand. "Tell me what's troubling you?" she asked.

Slowly, Sara turned back to her mother. "I'm sorry?"

"I know you, Sara," Laura replied. "There's been something in your eyes for a few days now, if not a little longer. You've been acting differently as well." She paused. "No one else may see it, but I have."

Sara swallowed. "You always were good at reading me," she admitted.

"Are…you and Gil okay?" Laura asked, taking a stab at what the issue might be.

The left side of Sara's mouth curled into a smile. "He's amazing," Sara replied on a sigh. "I still wonder how I managed to snag such a wonderful, loving, considerate, kind human being. So, yes. We are absolutely fine."

"Do you want me to keep guessing or would you like to tell me what it is?"

Looking up to the blue sky for a second, Sara took a breath. "I'm…how do I say it…I'm in the family way," she muttered. Her head lowered and her eyes fell back to her mother who was now looking pretty stunned, mouth wide open as if she were catching flies.

Laura blinked hard and slow, clearing her throat. "You…um…are with child?" Sara nodded slowly. "Are you sure?" Laura gasped.

"Yes," Sara whispered. "I haven't," she said with a shrug, "you know…for a while and I have the same feelings that I had before. The sickness is starting. So, I just know."

Laura smiled, bright and true, suddenly lunging for her daughter to pull her into a tight hug. "That's fantastic!"

Sara laughed into her shoulder. At least someone was happy about it. "Mother, I can't breathe," she wheezed.

"Sorry," Laura apologized, pulling back. "Does Gil know?" Slowly, Sara shook her head.

"Why not? And why do you look so afraid?"

Exhaling heavily, Sara interlocked her fingers over her lap, looking down. "I've tried, earlier today in fact but, I…don't know how to tell him."

Laura frowned. "Why?"

"Because we…he…" Sara struggled to get her words out. "The thought of me being pregnant terrifies him." Her eyes returned to her mother's. "This wasn't supposed to happen."

"What do you mean? You didn't want children?" Laura said sounding shocked.

"Well…yes and no and…" Sara shook her head. "I don't know. It's just… Gil thinks the same thing might happen to me that…"

"Happened to his own mother," Laura finished for her, a slight tremble in her voice now.

Sara nodded. "Yes."

Laura gave a rather large sigh. "He shouldn't think like that, Sara, and he shouldn't let an event of the past cloud his judgment. Especially one as important as a decision about bringing a child into this world. Having children is a huge part of our lives, it's our culture. It's what we do as women. But, childbirth is not easy so I suppose I do understand where he's coming from."

Reaching up, Sara ran a hand through her hair. "I just don't know how to tell him. I really don't know how he's going to react to this but after today I know he's very suspicious that something is wrong or right or…" Her head shook. "I'm so confused."

"He loves you, Sara, but you need to tell him and the longer you leave it the harder it's going to get. And you can't leave it too long because he will find out especially if morning sickness has already begun."

"I know," Sara sighed then sat up straight and stared across the pond when she heard Grissom's and her father's voices.

"Perfect timing," Laura announced pulling Sara up. "Now you can tell him."

"Now?" Sara questioned nervously.

"Yes, now," Laura replied swiftly. "The sooner he knows, the sooner you can start to deal with it."

"Um….but I haven't prepared. I thought I had but… And I don't know if I want to tell him this while he's got a rifle in his hand."

Laura rolled her eyes. "Don't be silly. You tell him now or you will end up in such a state that he will probably drag it out of you because he is not stupid." Laura squeezed her hand. "Okay?"

Taking a very deep breath, she let it slowly go, watching the men approach. "Okay," she said with a nod.

*** - "Understand that you give the evidence which it is your duty to give-which you must give- and which you cannot escape from giving…"

A/N: Oooooooohhhhhhhh… Well, it had to happen really, didn't it? How will Grissom take the news? And will all be well?