A/N: Right, I think I've kept you in suspense long enough. Are Sara and the baby going to be okay? Shall we find out? Feel free to slap Evil hat, I think he deserves it :P
Gracious thanks as always to Calim for the beta and advice and to Debs for being my constant second shoulder to waffle at. Love yah Hun xx
Please keep your thoughts coming :)
On we go…
Chapter 166
Sara's lips twitched as her husband's words drifted through her sleep.
"Wake up, honey."
"Hmmm," she mumbled, her eyes slowly opening.
Grissom smiled, running his fingers through her hair again. "David is here to see you," he said softly. "He needs to ask you some questions and find out how you're feeling. Okay?"
Blinking wearily, Sara nodded and Grissom slid a hand behind her back to help her sit up.
"Hey, Sara," David greeted, sitting on the edge of the bed again.
Clearing her incredibly dry throat, Sara dropped her head back onto the pillow and looked at the doctor, eyes a little dazed and glassy, which David noticed.
"Hi," she whispered shakily.
He smiled at her, glancing down her body for a quick second which was currently covered with a bedsheet. "Now," he continued, "I've been informed that you've been having some problems and some pain in your stomach. Is that right?"
David did his best to allow Sara to take the lead. He appreciated she was probably feeling very vulnerable and afraid at that point in time.
Glancing at Grissom, Sara was on the receiving end of a loving and encouraging smile.
"It's okay," he guided. "He's only here to help."
Nodding, she looked back to David. "You could say that," she confirmed.
"Before I do an examination, can you tell me exactly what you're feeling now, what your pain was like before you went to sleep and when it first started?"
Inhaling deeply, Sara nodded again. "It started this morning," she began, tongue drawing over her bottom lip.
The captain and Laura looked shocked by that admission. "Why didn't you say something?" Laura questioned, her eyes flicking between her daughter and son-in-law.
Sara closed her eyes. "Because I didn't want to make a fuss. It passed very quickly the first time."
Not wanting a family argument to ensue because that was the last thing Sara really needed, David cut in. "And it seems to have passed again, correct?"
Her eyes popped open, eyes darting toward the doctor's. "It appears so," she replied nervously. "But will it come back?" Grissom clasped her hand as her last words came on a sob. "Is there something wrong with my baby?"
"Let's hope not," David answered as gently as he could. "But that's what I'm here to find out so…the pain first started this morning?"
"Yes," Sara confirmed.
"And how long did it last?"
She thought for a moment. "Not long. Barely a minute."
"Explain the pain to me," David requested, opening his bag and pulling out a stethoscope. "As accurately as you can."
"Sharp, tight, burning," Sara answered.
"Like really bad cramps?" Nodding, Sara lifted her free hand to her stomach and rested it there. "And was it the same pain the second time?"
"Yes. But much worse and it lasted a lot longer."
David stood and placed the stethoscope around his neck. "How long the second time?"
Pushing on her stomach, Sara glanced to Grissom, frowning. "I'm not sure."
"Probably about 30 minutes," Grissom answered for her, squeezing her hand again.
"And are you in any pain now?" David asked.
"Not really," she answered honestly.
David nodded down to her hand. "Did it help when you pressed on your stomach? Did it alleviate the pain any?"
"Maybe a little."
He smiled at her then looked toward Grissom. "I'd like to examine her stomach if you're allowing," he asked.
Grissom eyes immediately fell to Sara's. "I'm all right with that but it's really up to you," he said, brushing his thumb across her cheek.
She inhaled then let out a slow breath, trying not to think on other unfamiliar hands on her and, instead, focused on Grissom's hand on her face.
She looked at David and nodded. "Okay," she said quietly.
"Do you need some help?" Laura questioned.
"That would be good, thank you," David replied, turning to her.
"I'll…um…wait outside," the captain said pointing to the door. "Call if you need me."
Understanding why he'd stepped away, Laura approached David. "What do you need me to do?"
"I need Sara to lie down. Remove the bed sheet so her stomach is exposed. If you can sort that, I'm just going to wash my hands."
Laura nodded. "Do you need to see her lower half entirely?"
"Just her stomach for now," David replied. "You can cover everything else."
"Okay." Laura pointed to the corner of the room. "There is water and soap over there."
"Thanks," he said with a nod, heading across the room.
Hearing the conversation, Grissom got up. "Let's lie you down," he said to Sara. She nodded and shuffled forwards as he moved the pillows so she could fall back onto them. "Nice and easy," he directed, easing her back.
Taking the bed sheet, Laura pulled it from Sara's body. "All right?" she asked, squeezing her daughter's knee. Sara gave a quick nod and Laura offered a smile. "I'm going to lift your nightgown, sweetheart, okay? But I need you to help me so I can get it high enough." Sara reached for Grissom's hand, pulling him back onto the bed before nodding again.
Sara helped as much as she could as Laura lifted her nightgown to pool it just under her breasts. Grissom kissed her reddening cheek then smiled at her as another sheet was laid across her thighs leaving only her stomach showing.
"It's going to be all right," he whispered, kissing her again and again, gentle pecks across her skin.
She looked at him. "I really hope so," she whimpered.
As he gave the most reassuring smile he could muster, David returned.
"Ready to begin?" he asked Sara.
"Yes," she answered with an evident hint of fear in her voice.
"Just relax," David implored, breathing on the end of the stethoscope to warm it up. "First I'm going to take a listen then have a little feel. Hopefully, after that, we'll know where we are."
Even though Laura tried to put on a brave face, inside she was terrified. She couldn't get the thought out of her mind that perhaps the baby had suffered difficulties and had died. It happened, quite often, and pains similar to what Sara had exhibited would ensue. She prayed silently, over and over that this wasn't the case. The loss of one baby was hard enough let alone two.
David knelt on the bed and slipped the earpieces into his ears before giving the chest piece another breath of hot air. "Hopefully, it won't be too cold," he said, gently placing the drum onto Sara's tummy.
She inhaled deeply, her vision tunneling in on David's expression as he began examining her. Shifting a little as he pressed just below her navel, he looked at her.
"Are you all right?" he asked.
"Yeah," she breathed. "Just nervous."
Nodding his understand he quickly got back to his task, listening, then moving to the next spot. Not long into his examination, he smiled. "There you are," he said.
Sara's heart pounded wildly and she swallowed. "She's okay?"
"I have a heartbeat," he told them. "Which is certainly a good sign."
"Oh, thank God," Laura whispered, Grissom hearing her and looking her way. Pulling up a chair, she sat by the bed, flashing him an encouraging but still weary smile.
Sara managed a smile, too.
Pulling the earpieces out, David glanced back to Sara. "I'm going to have a feel around now."
"Okay," Sara agreed.
Grissom felt Sara squeeze his hand tighter as David began exploring her stomach, carefully and gently pressing his fingers into her skin. After a few pushes into her flesh, Sara jumped a little and he immediately pulled back.
"Did I hurt you?" he asked concerned.
"No," she said, surprisingly happily as she pointed down to her stomach. "She…moved." Now she smiled brightly, looking to Grissom. "She moved."
He smiled back. "That's good," he said.
"Yes, it is," David confirmed regaining their attention. "When was the last time you felt movement?"
Thinking, Sara frowned. "In the night," she answered. "Before the pains came."
Nodding with a bout of enthusiasm, David moved off the bed, covering Sara's abdomen with the bed sheet. "All right, I'm all done and I think you can all relax. Properly."
Sara looked surprised by that. "You know what's wrong?"
Smiling at her, he placed his stethoscope back into the bag. "I suspect your little one has decided to take a very long nap and is causing you to have serious cramps probably from the position she's decided to rest in."
Sara's mouth dropped open. "Cramps? Just…cramps?"
"Ugh huh," he replied. "My wife had very similar symptoms so I know exactly how you feel. These cramps can be very painful and it scared us both to death."
"No kidding," Grissom mumbled.
"Are you sure that's all it is?" Laura asked, clarification a must.
"I can never be sure with pregnancy," David replied. "But from my personal experience and the knowledge I have, I would give this as my diagnosis."
A huge sigh left Sara's lips and she dropped her head back to the pillows. "Cramps," she mumbled, eyes closing for a second, head shaking.
Although all seemed to be okay, Grissom wasn't so quick to bat the issue away. "So, now what?" he asked. "Will it happen again? Effect the labor date or…"
David held up a hand and stopped him, free hand reaching into his bag. "Everyone take a breath and I will explain."
Grissom closed his mouth, eyes drifting to his wife as she pulled his hand to her lips and kissed his fingers.
"Now," David continued, pulling a medicine jar from his bag, "I can't say whether you will suffer with cramps again or not. My wife had them for about a week and then they stopped. This is Laudanum," he said, swishing the bottle. "It's an opium based painkiller that will help should they return. It's very effective. Just a few drops and those pains should clear within 20 minutes."
Reaching out, Grissom took the bottle from him. "Did your wife take this?" he asked, uncertainty running through his mind about such a strong drug especially given Sara was pregnant.
"Yes, she did," David confirmed. "And I wouldn't prescribe something I wasn't confident with. Just use as required and no more than half a teaspoon at a time."
"Anything else we should do?" Laura asked.
Shutting his bag, David picked it up. "Rest," he replied. "At least for the remainder of the day and take it very easy in general. Absolutely nothing strenuous. Drink plenty of fluids and, if you feel any sign of cramping, lie down and place a hot water bottle on your stomach. That can help to prevent the pain from worsening and the medication may not be required. And to be honest, it's good at any time, just for the slightest tightness or pain."
"I'm sure we can make sure that happens," Laura said, standing.
"I'll pop by tomorrow just to make sure everything is all right but, if you need me before that, you know where to find me," David finished.
Kissing Sara on the cheek, Grissom stood and held out his hand. "Thank you so much, David," he said sincerely.
"My pleasure," the younger man answered with a smile, shaking Grissom's hand. "And don't be afraid to call for me if you need me or any advice at all."
"I won't," Grissom answered firmly.
Walking around the bed, Laura took David's arm. "I'll show you out," she said kindly, nodding to Grissom, well aware he and Sara probably needed a moment alone.
"Thank you, David," Sara said softly.
He gave her a nod and a smile before leaving with Laura.
Huffing out a long breath, Grissom thumped his fists to his hips, chewing on his bottom lip as he turned to face his wife. But then his face crumpled as Sara suddenly burst out into tears. Feeling his gut cramp, he rushed to her, sitting down and wrapping his arms around her.
"I'm so sorry I ruined your birthday," she cried.
Closing his eyes, he ran his hands up her back, a tear of his own tricking from his eye. "You didn't," he said hoarsely, dropping his cheek against hers. "You're healthy and our baby is healthy and that's all I could ever want."
She sniffed hard, her hands gripping tightly around his shoulders. "I was so scared. I really thought…"
Pulling back, he cupped both her cheeks before she could finish that thought. "Don't," he begged. "You're okay and all we need to do now is make sure we follow David's advice so you stay that way."
About to reply, Sara was cut short when the door opened and her mother returned. Releasing her cheeks, Grissom brushed her tears away, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and handing it to her.
"Your father has gone to organize fresh water and a hot water bottle," she said.
After blowing her nose, Sara sighed. "Thank you, Mother," she replied quietly.
Patting the bed sheet, Laura smiled. "How about we get you comfortable and then you can get some sleep? I think you could use it."
Looking back to Grissom, Sara reached for his hand. "Stay with me?" she whispered.
"I'm not going anywhere," he said softly and she smiled.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Grissom lay on his side, his finger softly rubbing over the locket around Sara's neck as it lie atop her nightgown. He hadn't slept, he couldn't, too much going through his mind but he was happy just lying with her, making sure she was safe. She'd been asleep for almost five hours now but he knew she'd been exhausted. The more sleep she got, the better, no matter when it came.
A very quiet knock came upon the door and he sat up to see Laura poke her head in. Careful not to wake his wife, he slipped out of bed and approached her as she stepped into the room, rubbing his eyes as he went.
"She's still sleeping?" Laura whispered.
"Yeah," Grissom whispered back. "She fell asleep not long after you left and hasn't moved since."
Reaching out, she took his hand and squeezed. "And how are you feeling? Honestly, Gil."
He let out a gentle sigh. "I'm okay. It's just…" Pausing, his cheeks expanded, free hand gliding through his hair. "I…don't know. I'm not very good at dealing with this whole pregnancy thing as I'm sure you know."
She smirked. "You're better than you give yourself credit for," she argued.
His right eyebrow inclined. "Oh?"
"Yes," she insisted. "You are there for her. When she needs someone to talk to; when she needs confidence building, her back rubbed or her feet soaked, you are there. Many men take fatherhood for granted and won't go anywhere near the domestic side of things."
"Did the captain?" he asked.
Snorting, she tugged on his hand, leading him to the corner of the room where they sat facing each other. "This conversation was about you," she said. "Not him."
"Should I take that as a no then?"
Smirking again, she retook his hand, clasping it between both of hers. "Thomas was just like you," she said softly. "In fact, it amazes me sometimes how much you are both alike. Yes, there are some small differences but your personalities and your ethics are almost identical. I know he isn't your blood father but, sometimes it feels like he is."
A lump formed in Grissom's throat at her words but he didn't interrupt because he suspected there was more to come.
"I was 36 years old when we found out Sara was coming into our lives."
Grissom swallowed nervously, this was very personal and he was unsure on how to respond. But, if she was confiding in him then she must be confident in doing so.
"Did you intend to wait so long?" he asked.
She shook her head. "We hadn't planned to not have a child. It's what women do. And we had a very active personal relationship but, no matter how hard we tried, nothing happened. I thought there was something wrong with me and we both gave up hope. Then one wintery December morning I just knew I was with child." She sighed, her gaze floating to Sara sleeping peacefully. "The Lord blessed us. It was so unexpected." She returned her attention to Grissom. "I was way past my prime and we'd finally accepted the fact we would never have a child."
His thumb rubbed over hers and he smiled. "How did it make you feel? When you knew."
"We were surprised but elated and Thomas…," she scoffed, "well, he was just like you. Worried about every little thing and obsessed with keeping me safe. So, you need to stop being so hard on yourself. You are doing absolutely everything you can for Sara and she knows that. You must also."
"I just feel so helpless sometimes," he whispered.
She squeezed his hand. "You will and that's because you can't control everything. Sometimes we just have to go with it and believe that God will guide us through."
A mumble coming from the bed broke up their conversation and Grissom looked over his shoulder to see the bed sheets moving.
"Go to her," Laura said, pulling him up then releasing his hand. "I'll bring up some food. We must make sure she eats, okay?"
"Okay," he agreed. "And thank you. You know, for confiding in me."
With a bright smile, she leaned forwards and kissed his cheek. "Thank you for listening." That said, she squeezed his arm and headed for the door.
Breathing in deeply, Grissom headed for the bed, his fingers clenching into balls as he waited for Sara to wake up. She moaned again, her head flopping in his direction. Leaning over her, he gently kissed her cheek and waited for her eyes to open.
*** - At first, there were times, though she was a perfectly happy young wife, when her work would slowly fall from her hands, and her eyes would be dimmed. For, there was something coming in the echoes, something light, afar off, and scarcely audible yet, that stirred her heart too much. Fluttering hopes and doubts- hopes, of a love as yet unknown to her: doubts, of her remaining upon earth, to enjoy that new delight-divided her breast. Among the echoes then, there would arise the sound of footsteps at her own early grave; and thoughts of the husband who would be left so desolate, and who would mourn for her so much, swelled to her eyes, and broke like waves.
*** - Extract taken from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
A/N: Hmmm, just cramps huh? Evil hat isn't happy with that one. Can fluff hat sneak back in? Hope so :)