Jackson, Greta and Finn are my original characters, but I don't own CSI.
Since it's the15th anniversary of the episode Art Imitates Life, I decided to do a sequel of sorts to my stories I Don't Remember Her and A Long Overdue Conversation. And I'll probably write a sequel to this story! Anyway, I thought about how Jackson might still have questions about where he came from. So here's what I came up with. Hope you enjoy...and pretty please review!
Ever since Greg told Jackson about the offer to go to Chicago for grad school, the teenager couldn't help but think about possibly seeing his birth mom again. He wondered if Riley still thought about him after so long. He could barely remember what she looked like.
He couldn't help but think about his - he didn't even know what to call her. His mom, the woman who raised him, was Morgan. He still remembered when he first met Morgan years ago. The woman who gave him life may not have wanted the job, but Morgan accepted without hesitation. Morgan is my mom, he thought to himself.
When Greg told him about the offer to attend grad school in Chicago, Jackson was grateful to be staying in Vegas. But a part of him always wondered about his birth mom. What was she like? Was he like her in any way? Would she like or even remember him? He had a lot of questions that deserved answers.
Gathering up his courage, Jackson knocked on Greg's bedroom door. Greg looked up and smiled at his son. "Hey Jacks," he said.
"Hey," Jackson said, wishing he didn't sound nervous. "How was work?"
"Good," Greg said. "School okay?" Jackson nodded. Greg sensed something was bothering Jackson. "What's up?"
Jackson sighed, knowing he couldn't keep much from his father. "H-Have you thought any more about grad school?"
Greg narrowed his eyebrows. "No. I mean, a spot may open up at UNLV, but right now, we're good. Why?"
Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Jackson glanced at the ceiling. "I was just thinking... Remember when I said I don't remember my..." Jackson looked down, wondering what he should say. "The woman who..."
After a few moments of silence, Greg said, "Your birth mom?"
Jackson's eyes looked up and met his father's gaze. He nodded and looked down.
Greg sighed quietly. "It's okay, Jacks."
"Well," Jackson said quietly. "I've been thinking... Maybe I can call her?"
Greg sighed. He knew his son would want to know about Riley someday. He and Morgan wondered if Jackson would want to get back in touch with his birth mom. He knew Jackson might be curious about her.
When Greg didn't speak for a few moments, Jackson looked away. "You don't want me to?"
"No, it's not that," Greg said. As much as he wanted to ask Riley why she kept Jackson from him until he was three, he knew his questions weren't as important as Jackson's. "What do you want to do?"
"Well..." Jackson looked at his father. "I just want to... I don't know, maybe call her sometime. I just... Maybe she thinks about me?"
"I don't know, Jacks. You'd have to ask her."
"Ask who?" Morgan asked as she came in.
Jackson could feel his cheeks turning red. He wondered what his stepmother - no, his mom - would say.
Greg nodded, coaxing Jackson to continue. Jackson knew he had to be honest with Morgan. "I was thinking about calling my birth mom," he said quickly.
Morgan raised her eyebrows. She knew Maxine offered a chance for Greg to go to Chicago, and Greg told her about his and Jackson's talk. She knew Jackson would want to know about his birth mom. And, after repairing her own relationship with her father, she didn't blame him.
"Sweet pea," Morgan began.
"Are you mad?" Jackson quickly asked.
Morgan took Jackson's hand. "No, sweetie." When Jackson looked confused, Morgan said, "Really. Sweet pea, I know you have questions. It's okay. Look, when I came back to Vegas, I didn't get along with your Papa Conrad. And now we're closer than ever."
Jackson chuckled, not being able to remember a time he wasn't close to his grandpa. "So...you're not mad?"
Morgan took a deep breath. "I'm not going to lie, it hurts a little bit. But you're more important."
Jackson smiled softly. "I can't call her my mom because you're my mom," he said honestly.
Tears shimmered in Morgan's eyes. "And you're my son. And no matter what, I love you."
"I love you, too, mama." Jackson gave Morgan a hug. He knew Morgan was his mom in every way that matters, but he still wanted to know more about his birth mother.
Greg stood and walked over to his wife and son. "Jacks, are you sure you want to do this?"
Jackson pulled away from Morgan and looked at his dad. "I-I don't know. I mean, I want to ask her a lot about why..." Greg sighed as Jackson looked away. He wished he could have been there for Jackson from the moment he was born, but he was forever grateful Riley brought Jackson home to him.
Now that he thought about it, Jackson wondered if he was doing the right thing. As much as he wanted to know everything, part of him didn't know if he should.
After a few moments, Jackson said, "I know things are good...but I guess I just want to know."
Sighing deeply, Greg got his cell phone from his pocket. He opened the list of contacts and Adams was the first name. Showing the contact to Jackson, Greg said, "Her name is Riley."
A small smile grew on Jackson's face. He looked at the name on his father's phone and suddenly his birth mom felt more...real. "Riley...Adams?"
"Yeah," Greg said. "You were Jackson Adams until I gave you my name when you were three. You remember that?"
"Kinda," Jackson said. He couldn't stop staring at the phone.
Greg and Morgan watched as Jackson stared at the phone. "What do you think?" Morgan asked.
"I don't know," Jackson said. "She's in Chicago?"
"Yeah," Greg said.
"She worked with you, right?" Jackson asked as he looked at his father.
"Yeah. She was a good CSI. Not as much as your mom." Greg said as he smiled at Morgan. She smiled thoughtfully.
"But she liked you?" Jackson asked his dad.
"I think she did," Greg said with a soft smile. "She came on board not long after your Uncle Warrick died."
"Oh," Jackson said sadly as he resumed his staring contest with the phone.
Gently putting a hand on Jackson's shoulder, Greg said, "She got along with me and your Uncle Nicky."
"So she liked everyone?" Jackson asked. Greg wondered how to tell him about Riley's exit interview and how harsh she was on Catherine. After a moment, he said, "I think she was hurt when your Uncle Gil left and Aunt Catherine was the boss. I guess she didn't realize that we're a family."
Looking back up at his father, Jackson asked, "Is that why she left?"
Greg wished he had a simple answer. "I guess you have to ask her."
Jackson wanted answers, but knew he had a family that loved him no matter what.
Greta walked in and saw everyone standing silently. "Mama, why is everyone standing around?"
Jackson smiled at his sister. "It's okay. I'm just...thinking."
"Yeah," Morgan said.
Greta pouted. "Baba, you okay?"
When Jackson didn't answer, Greg said, "It's okay. Your brother is just thinking of calling an old friend." That brought a soft smile to Jackson.
"Oh," Greta said. "Don't you want to talk to your friend, Baba?"
Jackson smiled at his innocent sister. "I kinda do," he said honestly.
Greg thought for a moment. "Jacks, do you have your phone?" Jackson nodded and gave Greg his phone. Greg entered Riley's contract information into Jackson's phone. "When you're ready..." He gave the phone back to him.
Knowing his father and family supported him, Jackson smiled. "Thanks."
Not knowing who they were talking about, Greta said, "Baba, your friend will be happy."
Jackson smiled softly. "I hope so, Greta."
The little girl smiled at her brother and parents. "Now can we have dinner?"
Greg, Morgan and Jackson laughed softly. "Sure," Morgan said. "Did you finish your homework?" She asked as Greta skipped out of the room.
Greg and Jackson smiled as they watched them head to the kitchen. Jackson realized he had a great family. He might want to know more about his birth mom, but he knew he had a real mom with Morgan.
"You going to be okay?" Greg asked.
Jackson thought for a moment. "Do you think it's okay if I wait to call her? Like maybe a few weeks or something?"
"Sure," Greg said with a soft smile. He knew his son wanted answers, and hoped Riley could answer at least some of them.
"Daddy! Baba!" Greta called from the kitchen. "Time for dinner!"
"You ready?" Greg asked.
Glancing at his phone, Jackson thought about what he might say to her. After a few moments, he said, "She won't mind if I don't call her now, right? I mean..."
Greg understood. "You can take all the time you need."
Jackson smiled and stuffed his phone in his pocket. He still wanted answers from his birth mother, but he loved his family more than anything. "Thanks dad."
The End
