A/N: Hey guys. Sorry for the delay. Just had so much going on lately, motivation hat has gone for a holiday. I do hope this was worth the wait and I hope that "family" Grissom are feeling okay :) But, what next? :P

Thank you to Calim as always for the beta and advice. Please keep your thoughts coming :)

Chapter 171

"It's very quiet," Grissom said, looking around as they reached the bottom of the stairs and headed for the lounge.

"That's because it's almost 3am," the captain answered, "and after the announcement of the baby's arrival and Sara's good health, the household retired. Or at least most of it."

Glancing over his shoulder, Grissom spotted Rana scuttling across the hallway and heading back up stairs. "Does she ever sleep," he mumbled.

The captain turned to see who he was referring too and smiled, dropping an arm over Grissom's shoulders. "She does," he answered. "When she's happy, we're all happy."

Grissom looked at the captain. "She's like a guardian angel."

"That she is," he agreed urging Grissom into the lounge. "And we wouldn't be the same without her."

"I must get her a gift," Grissom said as he followed after the captain. "She's done so much for us. I'd like to give a little something back."

Pursing his lips, the captain poured two cognacs and held out a glass to Grissom. "She wouldn't expect you to do that."

"I know," Grissom answered, a quick sip from the glass causing a smooth burn upon his tongue. "But sometimes it's good to go with the unexpected. Especially if people are deserving."

After taking a healthy swig from his glass, the captain nodded. "Do as you see fit, my lad," he answered, slightly raising his glass in Grissom's favor. "You've earned the privilege."

"Finally, huh?" Grissom snorted.

Smirking, the captain leaned back against the bar. "You earned it a while ago and we've come a long way from where we were just over a year ago, haven't we?"

Indeed they had come a long way. Had it just been 15 months ago he'd arrived at the estate? So much had happened and he had the scars to prove it, both physically and mentally. And to top it off he was now a father. That was something he would've never predicted.

"We certainly have," he finally answered, taking another sip from his drink.

"So how does it feel being a father?" the captain asked.

Grissom shrugged his shoulders, sighing gently. "I don't really think it's sunk in yet. I feel…" He paused, brow pinching a little as a wave of emotions passed through him. "I feel proud but so very relieved that both the baby and Sara are okay." He looked the captain in the eye. "Fatherhood never crossed my mind until Sara and even now that the baby is here, I'm still not entirely sure what to do."

The captain urged him to the sofa and they sat. "You'll learn," the captain told him. "Being a good parent isn't something you can teach. It's a natural trait and with each little thing that comes along, you'll work out which route to take. In here," he said, tapping the side of his head then moving that hand to cover his heart, "and in here. And, if you love your son as much as you love Sara, then I don't think you've anything to worry about."

Grissom felt a true sense of pride wash over him at the captain's words of inspiration and ultimately felt himself very lucky that the man had truly forgiven him for that almost unforgivable indiscretion of bedding Sara before marriage. If people didn't know different, they truly could be father and son and that's what it felt like.

"I'm sure there is enough love to go around," he answered with a smile.

Laughing, the captain reached out and playfully slapped Grissom's shoulder. "I don't doubt it, my boy. I don't doubt it for a second."

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Nearly a half hour later, Grissom headed back upstairs feeling more relaxed, if not slightly tipsy, and opened the door to their bedroom. He was greeted with a beautiful sight - a smiling Sara with baby Thomas asleep on her chest. Eyes moving from them to Laura seated by the bed, he slowly walked into the room.

"Is everything all right?" he asked with just a slight hint of apprehension.

"Everything's fine," Sara answered, her fingers brushing over Thomas's head. Glancing to her mother, Sara cleared her throat.

"Ah, I will leave you to get some rest," Laura said, getting up from her chair and moving toward Grissom. "Do you think you can get some proper rest now?" she asked, squeezing his arm.

A boyish smile crossed his lips and a short nod followed. "I think I can," he answered.

"Good." She turned back to Sara. "Make sure you call if you need anything."

Sara nodded. "We will, Mother. Goodnight."

Nodding, Laura smiled then left the room, quietly closing the door behind her.

Sara's gaze moved toward her husband who'd unbuttoned his shirt and threw it toward the chair before sitting on the bed beside her.

Leaning in, he gently kissed her lips, a tender hand cupping her cheek. "Are you sure you're all right?" he asked softly.

Inhaling deeply, she looked down upon their son. "I'm quite sore," she admitted, cheeks reddening. "Marcia says there is a little…um…tearing, but it should heal pretty quickly as long as I have lots of rest."

Slipping a finger under her chin, he tipped her head back, bringing her eyes back to his. "Don't be embarrassed by that, honey. You just gave birth remember?"

"I know," she answered quietly. "Although I still can't believe he's here."

Her eyes fell back to Thomas who let out a tiny yawn before shifting a little to the right, his tiny hand dropping onto her partially exposed breast.

"Me either," Grissom agreed. "But he is and I'm so very proud of you and so damn relieved."

Looking back at him, she raised her hand to his cheek, their eyes locking onto each other.

"He should be sleeping for a while before he wants another feed so I suggest we try and get some sleep of our own."

Grissom nodded and then yawned. "That sounds like a plan," he agreed, kissing her one more time before swinging his legs over the edge of the bed to remove his boots then standing to remove his pants.

Sara laughed as he pulled back the covers and slid in beside her. "Won't you get a little chilly?" she giggled, his bare legs whisking against hers.

"With the love and warmth in this bed right now, I doubt it."

Feeling her chin tremble and tears forming in her eyes at his sentiment, Sara sniffed hard. "I'll end up crying in a minute if you're not careful."

"Don't do that," he whispered, flipping onto his side and leaning in for another kiss. "You'll start me off if you do," he muttered against her lips. "We wouldn't want to wake, Tag, now, would we?"

Smiling, Sara looked down at her still soundly sleeping son. "No," she agreed. "We wouldn't want that although Marcia did say I would be okay putting him down in the crib."

His right eye twitched. "But you won't be doing that. At least not tonight."

Her eyes flicked back to his. "You know me so well." He smirked, brushing his fingertips gently over his son's head. "I don't want to put him down just yet. You don't mind do you?"

Sitting back a bit, he propped himself up on his fist, finger rising to tenderly run over Sara's arm. "Well, I don't know. It's not every day I let my wife share a bed with another man."

She laughed heartily and then grimaced. "Ow…Gil…don't make me laugh. It hurts."

Snickering back, he reached for the bedsheet, pulling it up a little more over their bodies. "Are you warm enough? Need your pillows higher? Lower? Maybe some water?"

In a shot, Sara's hand covered his mouth. "Stop fussing. I'm fine." Lowering her hand, she pointed behind him. "Blow out your candle and let's get some sleep. I'll leave mine just in case he wakes up."

"Okay," he agreed, blowing out the candle before shuffling in as close to her as he could get, dropping a kiss to her cheek and then one to his son's head. "I love you both," he whispered.

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Stretching out his legs with a growl, Grissom opened his eyes, immediately noting it was morning but also that the bed beside him was empty. Then, a very gentle humming caught his ears. Sitting up, his eyes shifted to the window to see Sara very slowly rocking back and forth in the rocking chair, Thomas feeding at her bosom.

Quietly yawning, he got out of bed and approached them, the delicate tune falling from his wife's lips making him smile, the sight before him making his chest swell.

"Should you be out of bed?" he asked softly.

Sara's head rose, a gentle smile curling her lips as her eyes wandered over him in all his natural glory. "Shouldn't you put something on before you catch a chill?" His eyes narrowed and her smile grew. "I didn't want to wake you," she said quietly, holding out her hand.

Taking it, Grissom softly kissed the back. "I appreciate that," he breathed across her skin before bending forwards, looking into her eyes, "but," he continued, quickly kissing her lips, "you were told to stay in bed."

Her lips puckered. "I'm okay," she insisted.

Eyes narrowing he studied her face. "You won't be if you keep exerting yourself. You need to heal, honey."

She returned his kiss, appreciating his genuine concern. "I know and I will but I just needed to get up and move. I felt stiff."

"Hmm," he mumbled, straightening up as Sara glanced down to Thomas who'd finished feeding. "Next time, please ask me for help," he requested, moving a few steps to the left to grab his robe hanging on the back of a chair. Her eyes flicked back to him. "At least for the next few days," he finished, slipping the garment on and rejoining her.

Carefully tipping Thomas forwards and sliding a gentle hand under his chin, she patted his back. "Will that get you to stop fussing?"

"Maybe," he answered with a smirk.

She smirked back. "I'm glad you slept well," she said. "It will give you more energy to keep fussing."

Laughing, he rolled his neck and did indeed feel a little fresher. "Did you?" he asked. "I didn't hear you or the little one wake up."

Hearing her son belch, she checked for spillage and upon finding none held him out to his father who smiled as he took hold of him. "I slept okay," she said. "He only woke me about half an hour ago but he doesn't seem to have found his crying lungs yet. He just grunts."

Grissom's right eyebrow soared. "Grunts?"

Smiling brightly, Sara pushed herself up, a groan causing her smile to falter. "I think he gets it from his father."

Looking down at his son as he rocked him in his arms, Grissom ran a finger down his cheek. "A grunter, huh?" he snickered. "At least that's easier on the ears."

"For now," Sara said, taking his offered arm then headed across the room. "Mother mentioned his lack of crying to Marcia but she said it's nothing to worry about. He'll probably start wailing as soon as he has a little issue."

Now Grissom frowned, but then smiled as Thomas yawned. He was so adorable. "Issue?"

Sara tugged on his arm and they headed to the crib by Sara's side of the bed. "You know, he's hungry or wet, hot or tired. It's his way of communicating with us."

Grissom nodded in understanding. "I guess he's happy at the moment then."

"I think so," Sara agreed. "Which is why I'm a little nervous about putting him down."

They stopped at the crib and Grissom looked at her. "Is that what you want to do?"

"Honestly?" she asked, holding a hand to her stomach. "I could hold him forever but for one, I know that isn't practical and two, I could really use a bath, Gil. I feel pretty horrible. Plus, Marcia said the sooner we can get him to settle in the crib the quicker he'll take to it rather than being reliant on us constantly holding him."

"Can you get into a bath so soon?" Grissom questioned.

She snickered. "Yes, Gil. I've been told it's very therapeutic. Just a little painful getting in and out which I can deal with."

He nodded and even though he'd rather she be resting in bed, he understood how she was feeling. "All right. Shall we put him down?"

Inhaling deeply, Sara nodded. "Let's give it a go," she said with a hint of nerves.

Pulling back the blanket in the crib, Sara stepped aside and watched as her husband leaned over the finely crafted bed, carefully lowering their son down. Taking the blanket, he placed it over Thomas' lower body before joining his wife and slipping his arm around her waist.

Thomas' legs gave a tiny kick before he whimpered and Sara held her breath but his movement ended as quickly as it began and he settled within a few seconds.

Smiling, Grissom turned to his wife, wrapping his arms around her. "Now, how about we get to that bath? And then, you can get back into bed."

Sighing contentedly, Sara nodded. "That sounds good to me."

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Grissom loved the Grove's staff. Within half an hour of him requesting a bath for Sara it was delivered, filled and ready for her to get into. He remembered times back in Alexandria. Usually it would take him over an hour just to be able to boil enough water let alone drag the tub in from outside.

After helping Sara out of her nightgown, he took her hand, keeping a very firm grip. "Nice and easy," he urged as she slowly stepped into the tub then lowered herself down. "Okay?" he asked as she leaned back and closed her eyes.

Nodding, Sara stretched out her legs and sighed happily. "Stings a little but on the other hand, feels so nice."

Smiling, he grabbed the soap and knelt behind her, dipping his hand into the water to lather up the bar before gliding it over her shoulders.

"Ooh," Sara cooed, opening her eyes. "You are treating me."

He grinned. "I enjoy treating you."

Sighing again, she tipped her head back as his hands worked around her front and then giggled as he reached her breasts.

"So soft," he whispered.

Sara agreed with a nod. "And tender."

Leaning forwards he looked over her shoulder, his hand encasing her right breast. "And bigger."

Snorting, Sara looked down. "Yes," she agreed, looking at him. "The joys of motherhood."

"You'll get no complaints from me," he said slyly, wriggling his eyebrows.

"I'll bet," she snickered, groaning as he softly rubbed her breast. "But," she continued, suddenly feeling very hot and placing her hand over his, "no more teasing. I'm not quite up to that."

"Sorry," he apologized before kissing her lips and she faced forward, leaned back and enjoyed his delicate attention.

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Dried off and in a clean nightgown, Sara watched Grissom dress from her chair by the crib.

"You should probably get back into bed you know," he advised, wrapping a neckerchief around his neck. "Because your mother won't be impressed if she finds you up."

Glancing at the clock, Sara's lips pursed in thought and she was a little surprised her mother hadn't been in yet considering it was almost 9am. Just as she had that thought a knock came at the door and she smirked looking back to her husband.

"Too late," she snickered.

Rolling his eyes, Grissom headed to the door, opening it to allow Laura entry.

"Good morning," she announced, reaching to his neckerchief to straighten it before entering the room.

He smiled. "Good morning," he returned.

"Enjoy your bath, young lady?" she asked, approaching Sara.

Of course her mother knew everything, Sara thought to herself. "Yes, Mother," she answered. "It was very soothing and well needed."

"And you're still out of bed because…" Laura trailed off, spinning her hands through the air but then looked around, her eyes settling upon the crib. "You put him down?"

Sara nodded as Laura stepped close. "Yes and he's been very co-operative thus far although he's only been in there for just over an hour."

Smiling brightly at her sleeping grandson, Laura tenderly stroked his head and sighed happily. But then her face turned serious as she looked back to Sara, eyebrows rising.

"Fine," Sara grumbled, slowly pushing herself up. "I was just waiting in case he got up for another feed," she said, moving to the bed.

"I'm sure he'll tell you when he's hungry," Laura replied, swiftly following and helping Sara into bed. "Did we manage to get some sleep?" she then asked, glancing at Grissom as he joined them.

"We did," he confirmed, straightening the cuffs on his shirt.

"Good." Taking the bedsheet, Laura pulled it to Sara's waist before dropping a hand to her shoulder. "And how are you feeling? I'm very surprised to see you walking around so soon."

"Just a few paces around the room, Mother," Sara sighed. "It's not like I'm walking to the next state and I'm feeling okay. Much better after my bath." Laura's eyes narrowed and Sara glared at her. "Honestly," she insisted.

Laura looked at Grissom who just shrugged, doing his best to hide his smirk. He loved it when his wife actually managed to take control over her mother. It didn't happen very often. Then a small whimper from the crib caught his attention and he held up a finger.

"Excuse me," he said.

Grinning, he headed towards the crib, glancing down at his son who was kicking out his legs. His eyes widened when, all of a sudden, Thomas' mouth opened and out came a very loud and long wail.

"I think quiet time may be over," Laura said.

Sara shook her head. "Which is why I was waiting," she sighed, beginning to unbutton her nightgown, watching as Grissom quickly scoop up their son.

Rubbing a thumb over his son's chin, Grissom smiled. "What's all that noise for, huh?" he asked, rocking Thomas in his arms as he approached the bed. "He has quite a set of lungs," he chuckled, oddly enjoying the sound.

"Oh, you won't be saying that in a few weeks," Laura laughed, stepping aside as Grissom passed him to Sara.

Quickly taking him, Sara laid him on her chest, exposing her breast and quickly guiding him towards it, smiling instantly when he latched on and the crying stopped.

"I'll let you feed him in peace," Laura said. "I'll have some breakfast sent in and then Marcia will need to give you a checkup, okay?"

Stroking Thomas' neck, Sara looked up and nodded.

Grissom smiled at Laura as she left then sat on the edge of the bed.

Looking at him, Sara smiled back. "We're going to learn something new when he's finished feeding," she told him.

"Oh?" he asked, eyebrows rising. "And what might that be?"

Her smile grew. "How to change a smelly bottom."

His mouth dropped open and he frowned, glancing down at his son. "Oh…"

Sara laughed and he snickered before dipping his head and kissing her.

*** - That time passed, and her little Thomas lay on her bosom. Then, among the advancing echoes, there was the tread of his tiny feet and the sound of his prattling words. Let greater echoes resound as they would, the young mother at the cradle side could always hear those coming. They came, and the shady house was sunny with a child's laugh, and the divine friend of children, to whom in her trouble she had confided hers, seemed to take her child in his arms, as he took the child of old, and made it a sacred joy to her.

*** - Extract taken from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (Adapted)

A/N: Are we awwing yet? :P