A/N: Right, time for Sara to break the news to Grissom. How will he take it? I'm sniffing a little Evil and I see a hat leering at me in the corner. Will he sneak back in? :P

Thank you for your thoughts and as always to calim for the beta :)

On we go….

Chapter 159

Sara nervously entwined her fingers in front of her as the men approached, her eyes instantly clashing with her husband's.

"I thought you two we're going into town," he said as he stopped in front of her, dropping his rifle against is shoulder.

Giving her mother a look, Laura immediately gathered Sara may have told a few white lies earlier.

"We didn't quite make it," Laura said swiftly. "I got a little distracted with a problem in the kitchen."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Sara glanced back at Grissom. "So I just enjoyed a little more fresh air," she told him.

"Oh," he mumbled.

"So did you catch what you were looking for?" Laura asked and the captain looked behind him to the two workers, several pheasants over their shoulders.

"We did indeed," he said proudly. "Should make for a very pleasant supper."

"Good," she replied noticing how Grissom was looking at Sara, as if he were questioning her with his eyes. "Why don't I take that for you?" she said, reaching out and Grissom blinked as she took his rifle.

"Erm…" he mumbled. "Why?"

The captain glanced at his wife looking as equally confused. It wasn't often Laura held a weapon.

"Because Sara needs to talk to you." She waved her hand to the workers carrying the hunter's kills and held out the rifle. "Look after that for me," she requested.

The worker nodded, took the rifle and Grissom shook his head, glancing back to his wife. "I'm confused," he admitted. "What's going on?"

Before Sara could answer, Laura took her husband's arm and tugged. "Come, Thomas. You can tell me how good your hunt was."

The captain wasn't given a chance to argue for Laura literally dragged him away. Grissom watched with a frown before looking back to Sara.

Tentatively reaching out, she took his hand. "Walk with me?" she asked quietly

His frown grew but the look of confusion upon his face suddenly returned to his earlier look of worry. Hearing the shaking of her voice, he gave a single nod and they began slowly walking through the garden.

"Did you catch much?" Sara asked.

He stopped and so did she. "What's going on?"

Her chest heaved as she took a deep breath then she swallowed before looking out over the garden. She was so nervous and really wished she didn't have to be.

"Sara?" he said softly. "You're really worrying me."

Turning back to him, she managed a smile. "I'm sorry. That wasn't my intention. I'm just…not sure…how to say this…and I tried to earlier…but Father interrupted and I lost my confidence and…"

Dipping his head a little he looked deep into her eyes. "You trust me, yes?" She quickly nodded. "And we don't keep secrets from each other?"

Opening her mouth she paused and he frowned. "Almost," she admitted, biting down on her lip.

"Almost?"

"I…" She swallowed again. "I've…had a bit of a secret but just for a little while…and…I need to tell you…and…I'm sorry I've kept this from you but I just didn't know how to tell you and…"

Now he took a breath, feeling his heart pumping a little faster. Raising his hand, he placed a soft finger over her lips to silence her. "Honey…calm down and take a breath. You're rambling." As he lowered his hand, Sara did as he asked and took a deep breath. "Whatever it is, I love you. You know that and we can work through anything. Please just tell me because if you're keeping something from me then…"

Before he had chance to finish she took his hand and he watched as she placed it over her stomach, holding it there. His eyes worked in circles as his brain tried to work out what she was doing and they just stood there. His palm flat against her dress, her hand tightly covering his.

Slowly, he looked up and she was looking right at him. "We're having a baby, Gil," she admitted shakily. "You're going to be a father."

There, she'd said it. It was done.

His pupils dilated and his lips parted. "You're…a child?" he stuttered.

"Having a baby generally means that," she attempted to joke. Now she tried to smile but the blank expression on his face sent fear rather than happiness jolting through her body.

His lips trembled. "How did…"

Snorting, she gently rubbed his hand. "Oh, come now. We haven't exactly been careful have we? Even though you said we would be. We are intimate most days and sometimes more than once. And we haven't discussed it since New Year's so this was going to happen."

"Most days, huh?" he said with a faint smirk.

"Oh, yes," she confirmed, now managing a smile. He sighed heartily, glancing back to her stomach and she took both of his hands in hers, squeezing them tightly. "Please tellme you're not angry," she requested nervously. "This is hard for me too especially after we lost our first child but…I can't do this on my own, Gil."

Catching her eyes, he blinked, looking quite sheepish. "I'm not angry," he said quietly but honestly. "Deep down inside I always knew this was probably going to happen but…my fears remain so very true, Sara. It terrifies me."

"I know." Slipping one hand from his, she rested it against his cheek. "It scares me, too. But I promise you that we will take every possible measure to ensure my pregnancy runs smoothly. My parents will certainly take care of that and I have absolutely no intention of leaving you. We have a second chance at our own little miracle and I will not let anything or anyone take that away from us."

He took a deep breath, swallowing one more time. "Promise?"

Her smile brightened. "With all my power."

Without another word, he pulled her close, wrapping his arms tightly around her. "I love you so much," he whispered.

Closing her eyes, she melted into him, relief at his reaction washing through her. "I love you, too."

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The captain and Laura sat drinking coffee on the veranda. Every so often Laura would look towards the steps until her husband's suspicion grew a little too much.

"So are you going to tell me what's going on?" he asked placing his cup down.

Her eyes flicked to his. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," he said leaning forwards, "Sara talking with Gil and you being very nervous."

"I'm…not nervous," she denied.

His eyes narrowed. "You haven't stopped looking towards the garden since we sat down and I'm not a fool. I know something is…"

Before he could finish, hand in hand, Grissom and Sara headed up the steps and Laura breathed a sigh of relief at the happy looks on both of their faces.

"All is well?" she asked, rising quickly to her feet.

Grissom looked at his wife as she nodded then Sara's eyes sensed his upon her. "I gather she knows," he said.

Giving an apologetic smile, Sara nodded again.

"Knows what?" the captain insisted. "What is going on?"

"And your father doesn't," Grissom then laughed.

The captain stood and looked around. "Am I the only one here?" He waved a hand through the air. "Can anyone see me?"

Laura snickered, swiftly moving to him and taking hold of his arm. "Calm down, Thomas, and be patient. I'm sure they will tell you now."

With a grin, Sara tugged on Grissom's arm and they moved closer to her parents. "We have some news, Father," Sara began.

"I did gathered that," he retorted. "Although a little elaboration would be nice."

Sara looked up to her husband and he gave a simple nod. "The honors are yours," he told her.

Taking a breath she looked back to her father, suddenly feeling nervous again. "You're going to be a grandfather. Gil and I are expecting our first child." She swallowed as her father frowned and then it seemed as though he was thinking.

"Um…," he mumbled. "Grandfather? You're…"

Managing to find her smile again, Sara nodded. "We're having a baby, Father."

A huge smile spread across the captain's lips. "That's fantastic news!" he announced joyfully advancing toward Grissom, hand extended. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, sir," Grissom said, laughing slightly at his father-in-law's excitement.

Laura opened her arms and pulled Sara into a hug as the captain heartily slapped Grissom on the back. "I think he's pleased," Laura snickered, rubbing her hands up her daughter's arms.

"Of course I'm pleased," the captain responded, holding his arms wide open to the world. "Another addition to the Sidle legacy…"

"Grissom legacy," Sara mumbled, stepping from her mother's hug and innocently scratching her nose in an attempt to hide her grin.

"Bah," the captain said, waving a hand through the air. "Grissom. Sidle. All the same family now. It just means our blood will live on that little bit longer. Isn't that right?" he asked Grissom.

The rancher smiled. "If you say so, sir."

"I do," the captain insisted. "And come. We must celebrate. I have some very fine brandy and cigars I've been saving for just an occasion like this."

Grissom rubbed at his beard, his mind trying to comprehend what had just happened along with the fact that he still had duties to attend to. "I, ah, still have work to ..."

"No you don't," the captain interrupted. "Not today. After that kind of news, my lad, it's family time. I will have Conrad sort what you have left to do."

"Are you sure?" Grissom questioned.

Sara gave him a smile. Even after what he'd just found out he was still committed to his duties.

"Yes, Gil," Laura insisted. "We will have a lot to discuss and organize."

He cleared his throat. "So soon?"

Now he sounded baffled and Sara wasn't entirely sure whether the news had even sunk in or not. Either that or he wasn't ready to talk about it. Being as private as he normally was, something told her it might be the latter.

Laura snorted. "Yes. Let's go inside and we can talk about it properly over a drink. In all honesty, Gil, you look like you need one."

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The afternoon passed by in quite a haze for Grissom. He would have preferred some private time with his wife, to be able to talk properly about their impending child, about their joy, fears and plans but with Laura taking charge, he knew that wasn't going to happen. He did understand it was a very female dominated situation but still, an hour or so to gather his own thoughts would have been nice.

However, Laura tried her best to put his mind at ease. She'd attended several family births and was confident that the doctor's today knew much more about helping mothers give birth than years before. She, of course, admitted that there was always a risk but that she would do everything within her power to ensure Sara's pregnancy ran smoothly.

He did feel a little embarrassed when they attempted to work out Sara's due date. After all, there were so many conceiving dates they could choose from but Laura had deduced from Sara's onset of morning sickness that she was probably about six weeks along. So their baby should be due at some point in October.

The captain had already sent out a telegram to the best hospital in Washington, ordering the services of their finest midwife to be with them by early September. Grissom had questioned the date but both the captain and Laura would not hear any arguments. They wanted to cover all angles and once Laura explained the possibility of a premature birth, Grissom showed no more disagreement for that thought just heightened his fears.

Now, as late afternoon hit, Grissom headed for the stable, ushered out of the lounge while his wife and mother-in-law discussed birthing techniques. Not something for his ears apparently. While half of him wanted to stay and know everything, half of him was happy for the time alone. He trusted Laura so maybe now he could gather his thoughts.

Entering the stable, he nodded to a worker mucking out the first stall, and headed toward Dante's. It was empty. Glancing around, he heard a snort coming from the last stall and poked his head inside to find him not alone.

"Sharing the same abode now are we?" he asked, smiling as Pandora licked his arm. "Feel like a bath, girl?" he asked rubbing her neck. "I'd planned on giving you one earlier but I didn't get the chance." Bobbing her head, he stepped out of the stall only to stop when Dante whined at him. "Fine. You can have one, too." Nodding at them, he headed back towards the door. "Come on then."

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After several workers helped him fill numerous buckets of water, Grissom bathed the horses. First Pandora, giving her a healthy brush once she was refreshed, and then Dante who seemed to enjoy it more than his filly did.

"Better?" he asked, pouring the last of the water over Dante's back. The horse gave a happy neigh and Grissom gave his back a healthy pat. "So, did you have a busy afternoon?" The horse's head bobbed and Grissom snickered, watching out of the corner of his eye as Pandora trotted to the water trough for a drink. "Well," he continued, rubbing Dante between the ears, "just take it easy, okay? Fatherhood is a big thing…as I'm about to find out."

Dante took a few steps back as if in surprise and Grissom's brow rose. The horse shook his head, then stomped his front foot.

"I'm not joking," Grissom sighed. "I found out earlier."

After a soft neigh, Dante moved forward again, shoving his nose into Grissom's chest and the rancher laughed. "Is that your way of saying congratulations?" Pulling back, Dante now gave a loud neigh. "I'll take that as a yes." The horse nodded.

"There you are."

Grissom heard Sara's voice and spun around but, before he could say anything, Dante brushed passed him to stop in front of her. He licked her on the cheek, causing her to giggle before trotting away to join Pandora.

"I gather he knows then," she snickered, stepping towards her husband.

"That he does," Grissom confirmed. "And I think he's happy for us if not a little surprised."

"Oh, yes?" she snorted. "Surprised is he?"

He smiled. "He knows me so well and I don't think he ever expected…you know…"

"I know," she replied softly, reaching for his hand. "But are you all right?"

Breathing deeply, he nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay." Pulling her close, he wrapped his arms around her. "Are you all right?"

She nodded. "Yes," she answered positively. "Nervous but good and I feel a lot better now that mother has pretty much explained everything."

"Anything else I need to know that I don't?" he asked.

Fiddling with his neckerchief, she smiled. "Not really. The birth is very much a lady thing."

He frowned, realizing something. "I won't be allowed to be there, will I?"

She sighed, shaking her head. "Not in the room unless you can convince mother otherwise."

"I suppose I could try. I would rather be there for you."

"We'll see, but we don't have to think about that now," she said giving him a quick kiss. "A long way to go yet."

Dropping his forehead against hers, he looked deep into her eyes. "You have to look after yourself, okay? I know you mentioned sickness but you need to try and eat as regularly as you can and avoid anyone who is sick. And, I don't want you…"

Silencing him with a hand over his mouth, she smiled lovingly. "I know, Gil. Please, try and relax. You being stressed makes me stressed and that's also something I need to avoid." Mumbling under her hand, he nodded. "Good." Dropping her hand, she kissed him again before hugging him tightly. "It will be okay. I swear."

His hands worked up her back, eyes closing for a few seconds as he enjoyed their embrace. "I hope so."

She sighed into him before suddenly laughing and he curiously pulled back. She pointed over his shoulder and he turned to see Dante circling Pandora.

"Hey!" he called. "Haven't you had enough of that today?"

Dante gave a loud whine before Pandora trotted away and headed back into the stable, the mustang not very far behind her.

"Obviously not," Sara snickered. Rolling his eyes, Grissom turned back to her. "He must get his energy from his master."

"Funny," he retorted.

"Come on," she began, taking his hand. "It's almost dinner time and as you said, I need to eat so that means you do, too."

"Fine," he replied. "But I just need to make sure our love birds are secure first."

Sara laughed heartily, dropping her head to his shoulder as he tugged on her hand and they headed towards the stable.

*** - "As the day declined into the afternoon, and the air, which had been at intervals clear enough to be seen, became again charged with mist and vapour. His thoughts seemed to cloud too. When it was dark, and he sat before the coffee-room fire, awaiting his dinner as he had awaited his breakfast, his mind was busily digging, digging, digging, in the live red coals."

*** - From A Tale of Two cities by Charles Dickens (adapted)

A/N: I think Grissom took that a little too easily, don't you? Will all run smoothly? We will see :)