A/N: Here we are again. Sorry for the delay, RL as usual has taken it's toll on my private time. I just hope it was worth the wait. Thanks to calim for the bet as always.

Enjoy :)

Chapter 163

Sara stared down at the plate of roast beef and vegetables as it was placed before her. The meaty aroma hit her nostrils and her mouth unexpectedly watered. She wasn't entirely sure how her body would react to the prospect of eating meat for the first time in a long time and was relieved her taste buds seemed receptive. Looking to her husband, she watched Mary Jane place his plate in front of him then step back, hands looped behind her back.

"Anything else I can get for you, sir?" she asked.

Glancing over his meal, Grissom smiled then turned his attention to his wife. "Sara?"

"Nothing else right now," she answered with a smile. Mary Jane nodded and stepped away. "This looks and smells fabulous," Sara chirped, inhaling the foods mouthwatering aroma again.

"It certainly does," Grissom agreed, dropping his napkin onto his lap and taking a sniff of his own. "But I guess the proof will be in the eating," he said, watching as she picked up her cutlery.

Sensing his stare, she looked up from her plate. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she questioned.

He shrugged. "Just curious. After all, this will be the first time I've seen you eat meat by choice. I just hope I don't need to run for a bucket."

"Gil," she complained, her nose scrunching in disgust. "I'm trying not to think about that especially as we're just about to eat."

Smirking, he picked up his fork. "Sorry," he apologized.

"Hmmm…" she replied, her eyes narrowing as she looked back to her plate. "Well, here goes." Slicing off a piece of the beef she stabbed her fork into it and held it up, staring at it for a second, a little sauce dribbling off to land back on her plate. Taking a breath, she opened her mouth and in went the meat.

Grissom watched as she closed her eyes and chewed, giving her a few seconds before saying anything. "Good?" he finally asked and her eyes opened.

She nodded before swallowing. "Extremely," she said honestly. "Mmmmm…" she cooed, going in for another bite. "It's very good."

Smiling, Grissom began eating. "And think about all those years you've been missing out on such delights."

Snorting, she dabbed her mouth with her napkin. "And how often did you eat roast beef like this?"

Scooping a little potato onto his fork he paused. "Not often," he admitted and she grinned at him.

"Then stop teasing me," she requested.

"Okay," he agreed. "No more teasing. Let's just eat and enjoy. Deal?"

Giving a firm nod, she picked up her wine glass. "Deal."

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Empty plates cleared away and wine almost finished, the couple stared at each other.

"Are you sure you don't want dessert?" Grissom asked, picking up the wine bottle to pour what was left into his wife's glass.

Sara shook her head. "I'm sure," she confirmed. "My stomach is bulging and I really don't want to push my luck."

"Just think how much the baby enjoyed the roast beef," he chuckled and she smiled. "Shall we get more wine?" he asked, shaking the empty bottle.

Sipping from her glass, she looked around. The dining room was pretty full now and she was getting a little hot. "What time is it?"

Taking out his pocket watch he flipped it open. "Just coming up to 9."

"How about we take a walk and get a little fresh air?" she suggested. "Work off that cow sitting in my stomach."

He looked back to her, slipping his watch away. "Walking around town in the dark?" he questioned with a thickness of worry in his voice.

"Worrying again already?" she accused lightheartedly.

"Let's just say the thought of you in an uncontrollable, busy and dark environment makes me a little nervous so, yes, it worries me."

Inhaling deeply, her fingers fiddled with the stem of her wine glass. He did have a reasonable point even if she didn't want to admit it. Town in the evening wasn't always the safest of places to be but she really didn't feel like sitting in the stuffy dining room all night long and especially not when the smoking began.

"Excuse me, sir," Alfred said causing the two to look up. "Excuse the interruption, but I couldn't help overhearing your conversation as I passed."

Grissom's eyebrows rose. "Oh?"

"Yes, sir," Alfred confirmed. "If you wish to get some air without the hazards of the town center, we have a glorious garden in the back with a very nice gazebo which isn't currently being used. There are seats inside and I'd be happy to serve you drinks out there if you wish to use it."

"That sounds perfect," Sara said, regaining her husband's attention. "Doesn't it?" She frowned, hoping she was right.

He smiled. "We could take a walk around the garden, have another drink and relax for a while before retiring."

She returned his smile.

"Then I will show you the way and organize refreshments for you," Alfred replied.

Getting up from his seat, Grissom flashed their host another smile and held his hand out for Sara. "That sounds good to me."

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"This is beautiful," Sara commented as they walked arm in arm around the hotel's spacious garden alight with a lingering orange glow from the burning lanterns set around the edges.

"It certainly is," Grissom agreed looking around.

And indeed it was. The garden was flush with glory. A pebble pathway running around the perimeter of the perfectly trimmed grass. Cherry blossom, roses and tulips meandering throughout the area while a set of stone steps ran down to a fence bordering the garden, a group of tall apple trees there, growing to perfection

"So, does Mrs. Grissom require a run to work off her dinner?" Grissom chided.

Laughing, Sara dropped her head to his shoulder. "I think I can live without that, thank you."

He smiled, covering her hand with his as it clung to his arm but then his smile faltered a little. "You feel cold," he said. "Are you cold?"

They stopped upon reaching the gazebo and she faced him. "Just a little," she admitted. "The air is a little cooler than I was expecting."

"You should have said something," he complained, removing his jacket and dropping it over her shoulders. "I could have collected your coat from the room."

"I'm not that cold, Gil," she shot back. "And now you will get chilly."

His head shook. "I'm fine," he answered. "You're all I need to keep me warm."

Smirking then quickly kissing his lips, she took his hand and they climbed the few steps into the gazebo and sat on the bench towards the rear.

"This is a lovely spot," she said with a happy sigh. "And this is very well made," she continued, running her hand down the lattice framework.

"Indeed," he agreed. "It takes a fine craftsman to build something of such beauty and stability."

"Do you think you could build one?" she asked, facing him.

His right eyebrow inclined. "Do you…want one?" he asked hesitantly not entirely sure where she was going with her question.

"I think one of these would be a great addition to our garden when the house is finished. Don't you?" He looked around and nodded. "It would be perfect shelter for us in the summer when we are having a lazy day. Especially when the little one comes along."

"I'm not so sure how many lazy days there will be once the little one has arrived," he countered. She smirked as he continued. "But I'm sure I could organize the building of something similar if your heart so desires."

Now she smiled brightly. "Thank you," she said heartwarmingly and just as she was about to kiss him they were interrupted by Alfred and two men carrying a small table.

"Your refreshments, sir," he announced as the table was quickly placed down, two glasses and the bottle of wine he was carrying placed upon it. The couple flashed their server a smile and watched as the wine was poured. "Anything else at all, sir?" Alfred asked, setting the bottle down. "Do you need more light or a blanket perhaps as the air is quite chilly."

Grissom looked to Sara, especially at the mention of a blanket but she shook her head. "We're fine, thank you," he answered.

Alfred bowed. "Very good, sir. We are just inside if you change your mind." He clicked his fingers at his workers and within seconds the three men scurried back towards the restaurant.

"Well, they get full marks for customer service," Sara giggled as her husband handed her a glass of wine.

"Considering your father is one of the richest men in the county, if not the country, I'm not surprised," he returned, taking his own glass.

Her lips pursed. "And they are very aware that legacy will eventually fall to you."

Pausing as he was about to sip his drink, his right eye twitched. "I wasn't actually thinking that but…maybe. Who knows?"

Snorting, she nodded down to her glass. "I may very well end up a little tipsy at this rate." she said playfully. "This is our third bottle since we arrived."

"And I didn't bring your scarves," he chided. "Think of the fun we could have had."

Frowning, her eyes suddenly lit up and she shuddered with delight as memories of New Year's Eve popped into her mind. "Such a pity," she whispered before taking a sip of her wine, eyes peering at him over the glass.

Smirking, he took a drink before sighing happily, his ears pricking when the sound of music being played in the restaurant filtered their way. Putting his glass down, he stood and held out his hand. "Would you like to dance?"

Her brow shot up. "Here?" she laughed.

"Why not?" he asked with a shrug. "We're all alone and even if someone should come out, I'm sure they wouldn't mind. We are consenting adults after all and just having a dance."

"Okay," she cooed, putting down her wine before taking his hand.

Pulling her close, his arms wrapped around her. "You are the light of my life, Sara Grissom," he said purely, holding her tightly. "You are my entire world."

Rubbing her nose against his, she felt a warmth blossom in her heart and smiled brightly. "And you…are mine…"

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Their naked bodies shimmered together in the glowing candlelight of the bedroom. Side by side both chests heaved together, up and down, breath for breath.

Licking a band of sweat from her upper lip, Sara sighed happily, stretching out her legs with serious gratification. "I think you should try and get out of work more often," she said.

Slipping a hand under his head and looking up at the ceiling, Grissom smiled. "I think I could be tempted if this is what I get every time."

Giggling, she turned onto her side, dropping a hand onto his chest and gently rubbing his dampened skin. "Well, I'd suggest we make the most of it while we can," she suggested.

Tilting his head, he looked into her eyes. "What do you mean?"

She shrugged, fingers moving over his chest. "I don't know," she mumbled.

His eyes narrowed in suspicion and he flipped onto his side to face her, taking her hand. "I'm sure there was a reason for your comment," he answered, kissing her fingers. "Tell me."

"I guess I'm just nervous," she continued. "My body will change…drastically. I'll get fat and I have no doubt my mood will change too. I just don't know how it might affect…well us," she said waving her hand through the air. "You know."

"Our personal relationship?"

Her lips trembled. "Something like that."

Smiling, he kissed her fingers again. "Nothing will ever change my love or attraction to and for you," he said sincerely. "We just need to take each day as it comes and, no matter what, I will be there for you. Intimately and in every way you need. Okay?"

Returning his smile, her hand ran up his arm. "We'll see."

"Do you doubt my words?" he asked with a frown.

Running her fingers over his arm and up his neck, she cupped his cheek. "No. But like you said, we'll have to take each day as it comes and just see how we go."

Reaching for her, he pulled her close, enjoying the warmth radiating for her. "That we will."

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4 months later

It was a gorgeous sunny day. Hot but not too much for a change and Sara was thankful for that. She normally loved summer but not this year. The heat tired her out so fast that sometimes she barely had the energy to leave the house and she still had over three months to go before the baby came.

It hadn't been a terrible six months of pregnancy and she knew she was very lucky to have so many people around her that loved and cared about her wellbeing. She was well aware that people not as well off as she would certainly not have such an easy time with motherhood. Wealth, no matter whether she could live without it or not, made a huge difference.

Morning sickness had lasted just shy of a month, something she was very grateful for (so her mother kept reminding her). It was only lately she'd been getting bad aches and pains, especially in her back.

Their new house had been completed several months before but stood empty. Both her mother and Grissom insisted they remain at the main house, at least, until the baby came. Neither wanted her alone should anything happen. And, for a change, Sara agreed.

Now, sitting on the veranda with a glass of lemonade in one hand and the other resting upon her bump, she sighed contently while glancing out over the garden. Suddenly, a white winged dove swooped from above and landed on the railing just to her right. She smiled as she looked over the beautiful creature, her lips puckering to offer the bird a whistle. The doves head kinked to the right giving a single flap from its wings before tweeting back. Well, Sara pretended the tweet was entirely for her benefit although she knew it probably wasn't. After a few moments, the dove gave another tweet before taking flight and disappearing into the sky. Sara watched as it vanished and didn't catch the appearance of her husband as he climbed the steps from the garden.

"Am I missing something good?" he asked, glancing up to see what she was looking at.

Her eyes shot to him and she smiled. "Just a chatty little bird," she replied as he reached her, bending down to kiss her lips.

"Hmmmm," she breathed, enjoying his attention and soft, loving lips.

He smiled into her then pulled back, looking around. "On your own?"

"Mother has gone for more lemonade," she answered. "I think she's trying to drown me."

Snickering, he picked up the jug and poured what was left of the juice into a glass. "You need to stay hydrated, especially in this heat."

"I know, I know," she said as he took a sip. "I'm not arguing." The smirk that caught his lips faded just as fast when a look of shock suddenly hit Sara's face. "Ohhh…" she mumbled, looking down and pressing her hand into her stomach.

Eyes widening, he put the glass down. "What?" he asked with urgency, hovering over her. "What's wrong?"

Unexpectedly, she laughed and pushed herself to her feet, causing a deep look of confusion to cross his face and even more so when she reached for his hand. "Relax," she urged, placing his hand over her tummy. "Feel."

Blinking hard as she pressed her hand against his, he waited and then, suddenly, felt a jolt against his palm. With his mouth dropping open, his eyes rose to meet hers to find her smiling at him.

"Is that?" he questioned as another kick came and he looked back down to her stomach.

"It sure is," she confirmed on a giggle. "I think she's having a dance."

His eyes rolled a touch at Sara's persistence they were having a girl but then he smiled brightly and just as he did, Laura stepped out from the house, fresh jug of lemonade in her hand and paused in the doorway.

"Ummm…" she stuttered, seeing the sight before her.

Sara laughed. "Calm down, Mother. The baby is just having its first kick and Gil is feeling it."

"It's kicking?" Laura answered, rushing to the table to put the jug down.

"Ugh huh," Sara answered with a nod. "It feels…unusual but so gratifying at the same time."

Laura smiled, approaching her daughter. "A kicking baby is a healthy baby," she said. "And now that you've had this first instance, you should expect it all the way up to birth."

Dropping his hand, Grissom looked to his mother-in-law. "It feels so harsh. Is that right?"

Flashing him a grin, Laura took his arm. "It's just the baby moving around and nothing to be worried about. Sometimes it can be a calm jolt and other times…" Her head spun in a circle, "…phew…when Sara got into her groove, it was as if she was riding a horse."

"Mother," Sara complained, her cheeks blushing. "I don't think Gil really wants to hear about my pre-birth habits."

"How about your baby habits then?" Laura countered. "I could tell many a story of when…"

"No," Sara said firmly. "No baby stories."

Laura laughed, she couldn't help it. "I'm only teasing," she admitted, releasing Grissom's arm. "Come, sit back down." Grissom took his wife's hand, helping her sit before pulling up a chair beside her. "Have you finished for the day, Gil?" Laura asked, topping up his lemonade.

"Yes, Ma'am," he replied, taking the glass. "Although I may pop back to the stables later."

"Oh?" Sara queried. "Taking me for a ride?" His eyes narrowed, slowly drifting to hers and she snorted, holding up a hand. "I'm joking," she continued. "I know my riding days are done until after the baby comes."

"Hmmm," he mumbled seriously, taking a sip of lemonade. "Pandora seemed a little off today and Dante is acting very oddly but I didn't have much time for a chat so I'll try and drop in on them later after dinner and see if I can get some answers."

Sara's lips puckered in thought, her wedding band chinking on the side of her glass. "The patter of tiny hooves perhaps?" she suggested.

Grissom nodded. "That would be my suspicion."

Her lips formed a bright, excited smile. "Oooohh…two babies on the estate and considering the time we let them…you know…Pandora would be ready not long after my due date."

"Ahhhh…the joys of fatherhood," Laura chuckled, taking a seat. "You are a busy man aren't you, Gilbert?"

He looked at her, plain faced. "At least the horse won't answer back."

Sara wriggled her eyebrows at him. "Are you sure about that?" she laughed.

Now he rolled his eyes but then frowned remembering Dante's temperament. Hopefully, the foal would not be as stubborn as its father.

"Come," Laura began. "Drink up because dinner won't be long and then you can see if your suspicions are correct."

*** - "Found it hard to discover among the angels of that sphere one solitary wife, who, in her manners and appearance, owned to being a Mother. Indeed, except for the mere act of bringing a troublesome creature into this world - which does not go far towards the realisation of the name of mother- there was no such thing known to the fashion. Peasant women kept the unfashionable babies close, and brought them up, and charming grandmammas of sixty dressed and supped as at twenty."

A/N: Ooooh, baby time is a'coming. What will happen? Will Evil hat make a reappearance? Hehehhee. Thoughts please :)