A/N: Hello again :) Are we done biting our nails yet? Hehehehe. Are Sara and the baby going to be okay? Am I that bad? Let's see shall we?
Forever thanks to calim for the beta and support, writing has been tough for me lately but your help keeps me plodding on. Please let me know if you're ready for the next chapter, I think I have one more in back up :P
Chapter 170
Laura tried to remain calm as she glanced at Sara still slumped in the chair, unaware. Good. She didn't need her daughter to know what was going on. Turning her gaze back to Marcia as she moved the cloth over the baby's body, a slight smile tugged at her mouth. It was a boy.
"Come on, little one," Marcia whispered, a definite plea in her voice. "Come on, come on."
Continuing to lightly rub the infant, a quiet whimper was suddenly heard followed by a tiny foot twitching. Marcia began to smile when the little mouth opened and a quiet cry was heard.
"Oh thank God," Laura gasped, closing her eyes and holding a hand to her heart.
Sighing with relief, Marcia glanced over to Sara whose eyes had opened upon hearing the cry. "Do you mind cleaning him up?" she asked Laura. "I need to check on Sara and deliver the placenta."
"Yes, I can," Laura said giddily, taking the cloth from Marcia as she hurried back to Sara. It wasn't quite over just yet.
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Rubbing his forehead, Grissom looked at his watch again, tapping his foot upon the floor. It had been quiet for too long. He headed for the door again but the captain grabbed his arm.
"Something isn't right," he said angrily. "We should have heard something by now. I need to know what's happening."
Pulling his arm free he stepped forward, hand reaching for the doorknob but the door opened to reveal Laura. Grissom swallowed as he watched her wipe at her forehead with a towel. Breathing was difficult as he caught sight of her blank expression and his heart nearly stopped. But then she smiled and held out her hand.
"Would you like to say hello to your family?" she asked him softly, wriggling her fingers.
An immense relief rushed through him and he hastily took her hand, letting her lead him into the bedroom. Once inside, he glanced about the room seeing Rana on the floor cleaning up a bloody mess around the chair.
"Ignore that," Laura encouraged as she squeezed his hand. "It's not important. Look at the bed, Gil."
Swallowing hard, he did as he was told and pulled his gaze toward the bed. And there she was. Sara, his Sara, eyes closed, looking like an angel.
"Go to her," Laura whispered, letting him go.
Slowly, he approached, eyes fixed on Marcia as she carefully checked Sara's pulse then settled on the tiny wrapped bundle upon her chest. Unsure of what to do, he just stood there staring at his family, jumping when Laura touched his shoulder.
"Sorry, Gil," she apologized, retracting her hand.
He quickly nodded. "Is she all right?" he whispered.
Laura nodded and smiled again. "She's sore and exhausted but nothing a little rest and care won't cure."
A tiny whimper rose from the bundle and Grissom's heart swelled. Needing to touch her, he stepped closer, stopping when Sara's eyes slowly opened and centered on his.
Her eyes fluttered a few times before she gave him a slow smile. "Hello," she mumbled quietly.
Smiling back, he leaned close and kissed her on the forehead. "Hello," he returned tenderly.
Taking in a hearty deep breath, Sara looked down. "Are you going to say hello to your son?" she asked.
Tears welled in his eyes as they drifted back to the tiny child. "Son?" he whimpered.
Nodding slowly, her eyes fluttered again. "Take him," she encouraged.
His heart pounding, Grissom carefully reached for the baby, scooping up the tiny form.
"Make sure you support his head," Laura guided.
Grissom did just that, cradling his son in his arms then opening the blanket to get a look at him. His heart caught in his throat when he saw the crinkled face, rose tinted cheeks, tiny nose and mouth. He chuckled slightly when his little boy yawned and a tear slipped from his eye.
"He's beautiful," he whispered.
Sara smiled again, licking her dry lips and trying so very hard to keep herself awake. "Yes, he is," she agreed, her eyes closing again.
Looking over his shoulder, Grissom smiled broadly at Laura then at the captain whose eyes were fixed on his new grandson. He'd never seen such a proud look on his face before.
"We should get Sara back to your room," Laura suggested. "It's a little messy in here." She glanced to Marcia. "Is she okay to be moved?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Marcia agreed. "Just very carefully."
Kissing his son on the forehead, Grissom held him out to the captain who went wide-eyed and looked at his wife.
Laura laughed at him. "You've held a baby before, Thomas, remember?"
Clearing his throat, he reached out to take his grandson, a bright smile forming on his lips the second he had him in his arms.
"There you go," Laura giggled now leaving him to his moment and joining her son-in-law. "I'll get some help to move her," she told him.
Grissom shook his head. "Not needed," he said, stepping back close to the bed. "Sara?" he said quietly but she didn't answer.
Pulling back the covers, he slipped one arm under her legs and another behind her back, being as gentle as he could as he lifted her from the bed. Her head dropped to the crook of his neck and her eyes opened.
"Go back to sleep," he whispered.
She snorted. "Maybe," she managed to get out as she yawned. "We'll see."
Marcia came up to them, dropping a blanket around Sara and tucking it in as best she could. "She needs to stay warm," she told him.
Nodding, he then glanced at Laura as she set off towards the door and followed, the captain and Marcia right behind him.
Sara snuggled tightly into him as they left the room and headed down the corridor, an immense feeling to hold on and never let go suddenly crashing down upon her. Forcing her eyes to stay open, she looked up at him and he gave her nothing but an adoring smile.
Quickly arriving at their bedroom, Grissom carried Sara inside and gently placed her down on the turned down bed. Sitting beside her, he pulled away the blanket and covered her with the bed sheet.
"I'm so proud of you," he whispered, whisking his fingertips through her hair.
Smiling up at him, Sara blinked tiredly, noticing her father standing by the window holding her son.
"I think it's time," Laura began, stepping up to the captain and holding out her arms, "for this little one to go back to his Mama so both of them can rest."
Kissing his grandson on the forehead, the captain carefully handed him over and Laura smiled as she carried him over to the bed. He was so quiet. Most newborns screamed the house down but not this little one. Just the small cry after he was born and not a peep since. Hopefully, it was nothing to worry about. She would just have to ask Marcia her opinion once they were alone.
Sara opened her arms to take her son, kissing him on the cheek before resting him on her chest, running her fingers gently over his head. There was something so incredibly comforting about having him lying there.
"Is there anything I need to do?" Grissom asked Marcia as Sara's eyes closed.
"Just make sure she stays in bed and stays warm," she answered. "And she needs to drink plenty of water. I'll be back in a few hours to check on both Sara and the baby but if you have any concerns before that time make sure you come and get me."
Stepping up to him, Laura reached out and squeezed his arm. "You look tired too so try and get some rest."
He smiled at her. "I could say the same to you," he said softly.
She smirked. "I think we're all a little tired," she admitted. "Rest and I'll be back later."
"Yes, Ma'am."
Nodding, Laura turned back to her husband and took his arm, the couple leaving Grissom and Sara to some well needed time alone.
Lying next to his wife and son, Grissom propped himself up on his elbow, fist resting against his head. Raising his free hand, he lightly brushed the hair from Sara's forehead, knowing she was asleep when she didn't acknowledge the action. A very proud smile captured his lips as his eyes drifted down to his son, his mind still trying to grasp the fact that he was here. This small, tiny little being, a creation of the love he shared with his wife, his flesh and blood, was here and so very real.
His eyes grew heavy and he closed them, his smile remaining. Silently, he thanked God for the safe delivery of his son and for not taking Sara from him. He knew for a fact that he could never say thank you enough and that he would forever be in the Lord's debt.
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Sara's eyes popped open when she heard a soft cry beside her. Looking over to see Grissom laying on his back, their son upon his chest, she found herself smiling. Yawning, she pushed herself up, wincing and groaning at the effort as she lay back against the pillows.
"He's hungry," she said, unbuttoning her nightgown before holding out her arms.
Handing over his son, Grissom watched in fascination as Sara parted her gown to reveal her soft plump breasts. Moving the boy towards them, she gently stroked the back of his head, guiding his lips towards her nipple.
"Come on, little one," she encouraged. His mouth edged towards his goal, slowly opening before latching on. She smiled, her gentle fingertips gliding over his neck. "Well, I think I got this part right," she snickered and after a few seconds, her eyes flicked to her husband who leaned close and softly kissed her lips. Her smile grew when he pulled back.
"How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?" he asked, hand rising to clasp her cheek. "Marcia said you needed to stay hydrated. Do you want some water?"
Sara shook her head. "I'm okay at the moment. Just tired...sore… It was rather…taxing. I didn't think it was possible for someone to scream as much as I did."
"I heard," he said shrewdly. "It was so very hard not to come bursting into the room. If your father hadn't been there, I would have come in a lot sooner than I actually did."
Reaching her hand to his cheek, she rubbed. "I know it must have been hard." She paused, doing a double take. "Wait. You came into the room?" He slowly nodded. "When?"
"Um," he began clearing his throat as memories of Sara's position in the chair and the bloody mess came flooding back and he was sure he blushed. "Near the end but, your mother quickly kicked me out."
"I don't remember seeing you."
He kissed her again. "You were a little occupied, my dear."
She snorted. "Maybe next time we can talk mother into allowing you into the room."
His eyebrows soared. "Next time?"
She shrugged. "Considering our love for our…private time, it will probably happen."
He blinked hard as she lowered her hand. She'd just given birth and was already thinking about next time? She was just tired, yes, that's what it was. Just a little delirious.
Sara's eyes fell back to her son and she giggled as his sucking got a little bit more vigorous. "He really is hungry," she laughed.
"I can't say I blame him," Grissom jested and her eyes shot back to him, narrowing playfully. He smirked and she smirked back.
"Well," she began, licking her lips, "I have a feeling he's not going to share. At least, not tonight."
"Defiant already, huh?"
She laughed. "You know we haven't even talked about a name."
"That's because we couldn't agree whether we were having a boy or a girl." A sly grin caught his lips now. "It appears I won that one."
Her eyes rolled. "Fine, you won, so enlighten me with some names."
Grissom shrugged. "What do you think?"
Sara's brow knitted in thought, her hand moving back to her son's head where she continued to stroke as he fed. "Well, um, my father has been quite influential in both our lives. I think he would be quite thrilled if we…you know."
His lips puckered, a hand rubbing over his chin. "I like that," he agreed.
"Yeah?"
He nodded. "Yeah," he said sweetly and she smiled.
"But, I also think there is one other man that has been quite influential too," she added.
"Albert?" he asked, a lump catching in his throat.
"Yes," she answered casting a glance at her son who'd stopped suckling. "Thomas Albert Grissom."
Smiling, Sara lifted little Thomas and tipped him forwards. Placing one hand under his chin, she gently patted him on the back with the other.
"That sounds perfect to me," he said with a nod.
"Tag," she said.
Frowning, he reached out to whisk his fingers down his son's back. "Tag?"
"That's what we can call him. Thomas, Albert, Grissom. Tag is short for that."
"Oh," he answered in realization. "That's different."
"I like different," she replied then laughed as the tiniest belch came from her son. "Good, boy," she whispered, stroking his head again and maneuvering him back into her arms. Ever so slowly his eyes opened and a bright smile caught Sara's lips. "Hello, Tag," she giggled.
Leaning close, Grissom watched as mother and son shared a moment, both looking deeply into each other's eyes. It was extremely heartwarming and he felt a warm tingle of love shudder down his spine.
"He has your eyes you know," Sara told him. "Blue, bright and sparkling like the stars."
He smiled at the sentiment then yawned. "I'm not so sure they are so sparkly right now," he returned.
Glancing at him, she reached for his hand. "You haven't slept have you?" His head shook. "You should get some sleep," she insisted.
"I've tried."
"Well try harder," she persisted.
"What about you?"
Opening her mouth to answer, Sara was cut off when they heard a knock just before the door opened to reveal Laura's smiling face.
"Are we all right to come in?" she asked.
"Yes, Mother," Sara called back and just as she did, baby Thomas hiccupped and she giggled.
Laura, the captain and Marcia entered the room, all keenly approaching the bed, all eyes on the baby.
"Is he behaving?" Laura asked.
"Gil always behaves," Sara answered, laughing when her husband gave her a 'oh no you just didn't say that' look.
"Very funny," he quirked.
Marcia moved closer to Sara, her eyes moving over both mother and baby. "How are you feeling?" she asked.
Breathing contentedly, Sara nodded. "As well as can be expected," Sara replied.
"Any headaches or dizziness?"
"No," Sara said truthfully. "Just tired."
"And how about the little one?" Marcia continued.
"He's amazing," Sara whispered. "And he just had his first feed."
Laura smiled. "There will be plenty more where that came from."
"And," Sara continued, glancing to her husband for a second, "we have chosen a name."
"Are you going to share?" Laura asked.
Eyes moving back to her husband, Sara smiled. "Would you like to do the honors?"
He smiled, looking at Sara's parents. "Thomas Albert," he said.
The captain's jaw dropped and he blinked hard, hand rising to cover his heart. "You…called him Thomas?" he asked astounded.
Sara smiled brightly at her father. "Yes," she confirmed.
"After me?"
Laura snorted, taking her husband's arm. "No, Thomas. They know lots of other people with that name." His eyes narrowed at her and she laughed again.
"I…don't know what to say," he whispered, looking at Grissom and then back to Sara.
Out of nowhere, the baby sneezed and all eyes fell upon him, light laughter filling the room.
"Well," Sara giggled, "I think that's Tag's way of telling us you don't have to say anything."
Laura frowned. "Tag?"
"His initials," Grissom told her. "Sara seems to like the shortened version."
"Oh," Laura replied, a little confusion still evident on her face. "That's…unusual."
"I prefer the longer version," the captain cut in, his chest puffing outwards, his face beaming with pride. "And I'm extremely honored, thank you."
"We wouldn't be where we are today without you, Father," Sara said sincerely. "So we both wanted to do this."
The captain blushed then cleared his throat. "Well…you're my children and father's look after their children."
Everyone smiled at the captain's sentiment before Marcia spoke again.
"I need to give you a proper check over, Sara, okay? And then give baby Thomas a check too."
Sara nodded. She was incredibly sore and wanted, no, needed to know that everything was still in working order.
"Thomas, why don't you take Gil downstairs for a brandy?" Her eyes fell on Grissom. "By the looks of him he hasn't slept, so a little tipple may help him relax."
Grissom smirked. Laura knew him all too well.
"Sure," the captain agreed. "I can give him some tips on fatherhood."
Now Grissom laughed, looking back to Sara. "Will you be okay?"
"I'll be fine," she answered. "I'm sure this won't take long."
"Give us about half an hour?" Marcia asked.
Nodding, Grissom kissed Sara on the cheek. "You know where I am if you need me."
Smiling, she squeezed his hand. "I'll be fine."
*** - "The corner has been mentioned as a wonderful corner for echoes; it had begun to echo so resoundingly to the tread of coming feet, that it seemed as though the very mention of that weary pacing to and fro had set it going."
A/N: Are we squeeing yet? Tehehehehe. I have to say fluffy hat enjoyed that. Kicked Evil Hat's ass! Will it continue? Or, would you like a little more drama? Hmmmm...