A/N: The last chapter to this story, ending on a happy day.
This is our 100th fanfiction story-one of the reasons we decided to write a story of character death.
Thanatos
Chapter 6
One month later:
The fine weather had brought everyone outside; Nick and Will were playing with the dogs, throwing balls for them to fetch. Catherine and Grissom were standing near the water's edge, watching as two little girls screamed with delight as they splashed feet in the edge of the lake's cool water.
Greg Sanders and Sara Grissom watched everyone from wooden chairs on the spacious deck of the house Jim Brass had owned for nearly thirty years. Around them was the accumulated litter of an enjoyable afternoon. Damp towels hung over the deck rails. A couple of empty chip bags were on the table, along with empty bottles and cups. Crumbs of cookies and remnants of cupcakes covered a pile of small plates. Toys for children and dogs were scattered from the deck to the water's edge.
Over the course of three days, the friends had arrived still carrying the sorrow of the death of their friend but with curiosity to see the house they had never known existed before Jim Brass had given it to Sara and Greg.
As soon as the rental agent had learned of Jim's death, she had made the house available so the new owners could 'inspect' the house. As she talked to Sara and Greg, she made no secret of hoping to keep the house in her property management company.
The rental agent kept talking, describing the house as a rental owner's dream, saying, "I've got families who have rented this house, same time every year, for fifteen or twenty years."
Sara was not sure what she'd expected after seeing photographs of the house but the actual space was more than one could visualize in photos; wood floors, a tall stone fireplace in an open area with comfortable chairs and sofas, a dining table that would seat ten or twelve, a smaller table for four near windows, a somewhat dated kitchen with cabinets built to last for decades. Around a corner from the kitchen was a large bedroom with soaring windows and a view of the lake. The bathroom, clean and functional, connected to a laundry room.
"This is a great house for families," the agent said. "Jim was always generous in keeping the place up—very pro-active in making sure the furnishings were in good shape." The woman laughed and said, "I could never talk him into a real update in the kitchen, but it does fit the house."
An open stairway along one wall went up to an interior balcony and two more bedrooms, one large enough for two bunk beds; the other with one bed, both with private bathrooms. Sara no longer considered the house a 'lake cottage' as described but a substantial house built of cedar and stone, arranged for warmth in the winter and cool breezes in the summer.
Finally, the agent left, leaving Sara and Greg to stare at each other for several moments before turning; Sara toward the house and windows reflecting sunlight. Greg looked at the view of the lake stretching for miles.
He said, "Well, we don't have to decide anything soon. She's got it rented for six months."
Sara looked at the papers spread in front of them. "There is a lot of incoming money from rentals."
"Well," Greg said, "You were there when the will was read. Jim left money to a dozen charities. He left Nick and Catherine nice chunks—and Warrick's son has enough to go to college anywhere he wants!" He leaned back, a smile spreading across his face. "That's the way I'll go out—everyone will be sad but will be smiling cause I spread my wealth around."
Sara began to laugh. "You've still got time for some woman to come along and spend your wealth—how's the next book coming?"
His eyebrows lifted as he said, "For your information—very well. Vegas is a treasure of stories—real and fiction."
A shout from the water caused both to look in that direction. Greg gathered papers as Sara stood, picked up two towels and headed toward her daughter and Catherine's granddaughter.
At the water's edge, her face showed a broad smile. When Grissom turned to her, she said, "It is a fine place, Gil—an income producing property." She mimicked the voice of the agent.
Hugging her, he laughed, saying, "Jim kept his private life private." Then, seriously, he said, "This place is a gold mine," he stopped and added, "You and Greg have some decisions to make."
"It is very different from home. And the rental agent is working very hard to continue to manage it." Sara laughed, adding, "She got new beds and new towels for us."
Catherine took the two towels, shielding her body from the splashes of cold water being made by the little girls. "Come get a towel—you are both freezing!"
The rest of the day was spent with friends laughing, kids buzzing around in a mix of play and amusement with each other, with the dogs, and the adults. A phone would ring occasionally, ignored or answered, depending on the caller. The presence of dogs and children led to funny jokes and exaggerated stories and much laughter.
The men had taken over preparation of evening meals, firing up a gas grill and a charcoal grill, bragging about their chef skills. Sara and Catherine retreated to an old metal lounger near the water and talked, watching the three children.
"They have so much freedom," Catherine commented.
Sara agreed, saying, "They are surrounded by love." None were old enough to worry about world events or their next meal or where they would sleep at night.
That night, any fleeting thought of an intimate night was quickly dismissed when Gemma declared she was not sleeping on the sofa bed because the morning light woke her too early.
Will was behind her, adding, "I'm not sleeping there if Gemma doesn't!" Beside him was their dog, Skip.
Grissom was already in bed, hoping to read a few chapters in a book, when the kids appeared at the bedroom door. Laughing, he said, "Get in here—there's plenty of room." He scooted to the middle of the bed; his children crawled in on either side. The dog curled on the floor.
When Sara came from the bathroom, she rolled her eyes and laughed. "I guess we all get to break in this new bed!" She crawled into bed, saying, "Dad and I are going to sleep in the middle."
Will protested, giggling as he said, "You and Dad will get all kissy-face if you sleep together!"
Crawling over her dad, Gemma wiggled between her mom and dad. "I'll sleep here. I want kisses too!"
A noisy commotion of giggles, hugs, and kisses occurred before children and parents settled into bed in sleeping positions agreeable to all. As had happened on several occasions, the kids wanted to hear a story that included their friend, Big Jim. Grissom and Sara had been honest and direct about the death and decided stories including Jim was one way to deal with grief.
Will's favorite story was of the date tattoo Jim had below his scar caused by a bullet. Gemma, on hearing about a cowboy poem and bull riders, had decided she would buy a bull one day. Both stories were told with levity and lightness with no mention of the crimes and murders around these events.
But tonight, they wanted to hear about this magical house; Sara invented most of the story and by the time she finished, Grissom complimented her on creativity.
"That is a wonderful story."
Softly, Sara laughed, saying "I hope I can remember it."
Small bodies snuggled against parents and sounds of sleep quickly followed. The murmur of voices and gentle laughter drifted from upstairs as Grissom kissed his wife.
He said, "A hundred times—you can tell it a hundred different ways and we will love it."
Sara was the last to sleep, thankful for her family—not just those in the bed with her but those long-time friends sleeping upstairs. Five people who had chosen to be friends, who had chosen to be family. Through the years, there had been sadness and tears, laughter and joy; they had been changed forever but only for the better.
Fin!
The End!
A/N: thank you to everyone who reads-and a special thank you to all of you who write messages and words of encouragement! It means so much to hear from you-and some of you have been sending us messages for so many years, we consider you as long-time friends!
As noted above, this is our 100th fanfic story-all GSR stories. We've love GSR since Sara Sidle arrived in Los Vegas long ago! (Seems like another lifetime!) And seriously doubt we will ever find a couple like Grissom and Sara again!
Please keep reading GSR stories. Send messages to authors! Encourage fanfic writing.
We're going to take a break-lots of things happening in real life-take care, be kind, and stay healthy! As always-long live GSR!