AN: Thanks for the continued support, here is the next chapter.

Chapter 4: Meeting Mrs. Grissom

Four days later

October 16, 1998

Once the last day of the seminar was done, Grissom thanked everyone for showing up then answered any last-minute questions before dismissing them.

When everyone left the room, except Sara that is, Grissom started packing his things away, and while his back was towards her, Sara, who was still sitting in her seat in the front row, sighed before speaking with a smile. "Thank god that's over with."

He turned around with a raised eyebrow. "Excuse me, did you not enjoy it?"

Despite seeing him look a little offended about her comment, Sara couldn't help but shake her head with a chuckle. "No, I would have to say I enjoyed it a little too much, more than I probably should have."

Clearly confused, Grissom shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I think I'm missing something here."

Even though she knew they were alone, she still looked around the room before her eyes met his again and she spoke softly. "You know how hard it was for me to concentrate with you standing up there when I'm the only one who knows what you look like without any..."

She stops herself and looks down shyly, clearly embarrassed on where her thoughts actually went while he was trying to teach. But she couldn't help it. She couldn't help that her man was so desirable.

Grissom chuckled with a nod as he turned back to what he was doing. "I see. I understand now."

When she spoke again, she was close behind him. "That's all you have to say? Are you saying you didn't have the same thoughts about me?"

He cleared his throat, trying to keep his composure before shaking his head and speaking softly. "I tried not to let my mind go there."

She smiled, while she was still facing his back. "And why not?"

He sighed as he turned around, then he smiled as he cupped her cheek before replying. "Because honestly, if I had let my thoughts go there, I don't think I would have gotten any teaching done and they probably would have had to call in reinforcements so the seminar can be completed, then I would have to explain why I couldn't finish it myself."

She smiled a little wider as she started to wrap her arms around him, even though they both knew being this close right here shouldn't be happening, but at the moment they didn't care. "It sounds like you would have gotten into a serious mess then."

He nodded as he moved them a little closer. "Yes, but a beautiful mess."

As their faces were coming closer, Sara whispered. "Griss, maybe we shouldn't be doing this here."

"You started..."

He was cut off when the doors opened while they sprung apart fast before looking towards the door, and the same janitor that interrupted them the first day gave them an apologetic smile.

Grissom nodded and cleared his throat. "We were just leaving."

They grabbed their things quickly before walking out of the room then building, and only when they made it to her vehicle, did they start laughing.

Once they were calmed down, Grissom spoke. "I don't know about you but that almost felt like being caught by the principle."

She nodded her head before replying. "I felt that too. And sorry about that, you're right, I did start it." As she turned to her vehicle to unlock it, she jokingly continued. "Clearly we can't be alone without supervision, so maybe it's a good thing we don't work together or else we wouldn't get anything done."

She didn't know why she said that, but the minute those words left her mouth there was a shift in the air between them before he spoke softly, fully believing his own words. "I don't know. I think if we knew what's at stake we can be completely professional."

Sara turned to look at him, both feeling so much in that moment, including excitement, before she asked. "You really think so?"

He nodded with a smile. "I do. In fact, I believe we can be quite the dynamic duo."

When she really thought of it, she could see it too, so she nodded her head with a smile in return. "You know what, I think you're right. I mean we are already that way on everything else, so why not in the professional field too."

With their eyes connected, he asked. "Yeah, why not?"

Both of their hearts started racing at that question, but before she could say anything, they were once again interrupted, this time by his cell phone.

He shook off his trance before grabbing his phone from his pocket and answering it. "Grissom."

"Yes sir, I'm still here...Ok, I'll be there in a few minutes...alright, bye." After he hung up, he cleared his throat before speaking to Sara. "That was the Dean, he wants to talk to me before I leave. So, I'll meet you at your apartment, then we can head to the airport."

They were going down to Santa Monica for a few days so Grissom could see his mom and Belle could visit with her grandma.

She nodded with a smile. "Ok, I'll see you there."

After he nodded, he turned and started to head in the direction of the Dean's office while Sara unlocked her vehicle door before getting in and sighing, not sure what to make with that conversation.

But knowing it was only going to drive her crazy, while trying to read between the lines, she just shook it off for the moment so she could head home and finish packing for their trip down to see his mother/Belle's grandmother.

Flashback

Three days later

December 25, 1992

Since Sara was on her winter break from school, and knowing that the next time she'll have time off won't be until March, which means she wasn't going to be able to hide her pregnancy as well, they agreed to go to his mother's house for Christmas so she could not only meet Sara but to tell her that she was going to become a grandmother.

Now this wasn't ideal for either of them, to spring this news on his mother like this, but they didn't have many choices and they wanted to tell her in person, so what else could they have done.

After arriving in Los Angeles and getting their bags from baggage claim, Sara needed to use the restroom, but not for peeing, it was for throwing up.

When she walked out of the bathroom and was with Grissom again, he asked with sympathy. "Is it the baby or your nerves?"

She looked over at him with a small smile. "Honestly, probably a little of both."

He nodded before sighing. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For meeting my mom like this, this quickly."

"It's ok. It's not like we have many options."

"I know, I just wish that..."

He trailed off with another sigh and she asks while they stop at their rented vehicle. "You wish what, Griss?"

"That she had a little more time to get to know you before we tell her that you're pregnant, you know?"

She nodded with a humorless smile. "Oh believe me, I wish that too. I just hate to think what she'll really think of me after she finds out."

"Sara..."

She cuts him off. "Think about it, I kiss her son before I even knew his name, I slept with him after only one dinner, then I pop back into his life three months later to tell him he's going to be a father. I am a walking cliched Romantic/Comedy movie, the kind I roll my eyes at by the way." When all he was doing was standing there with a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eyes, she shook her head with a smile in return. "Why are you smiling at me like that, I'm trying to be serious here." She then sighed. "I just want her to like me, ok."

He sets their bags down and took her hand before replying softly, trying to reassure her. "And she will."

"How can you be so sure?"

He uses his other hand to cup her cheek before he continued. "Because my whole life, you know how many times she's told me she wants me to be happy? Well, do I look unhappy to you?"

She shook her head with another smile, seeing him practically glowing, while cupping his cheek. "No, I can't say that I see any unhappiness in your eyes. In fact, I do believe you are glowing."

"Yes, it's true none of this was planned and you've completely thrown my life into chaos, but I don't regret meeting you or any moment we've shared together."

Now feeling emotional, which she's just going to blame on her hormones, she shook her head and replied. "I don't either."

"Then good, least we are on the same page there."

She nodded in agreement before she stepped closer to him so they could share a hug for a few minutes.

After they pulled back, he opens the door for her, places the bags in the back before heading towards the drivers seat, hoping everything will work out.

When they finally arrived at his mother's house they barely get out of the vehicle when the front door opened and an older woman who stood around 5'5, slim with dark short curly hair and brown eyes walked out of the house with a beaming smile on her face as she saw her son get out of the car.

After they hugged one another, she signed with her eyes still bright. 'Hi Gilbert, it's nice to see you.'

He signed in return with a smile. 'Hi mom, it's nice to see you too.'

They hugged one more time, and as they were pulling apart, Sara was getting out of the vehicle, then both mother's and son's eyes were on hers before Grissom walked around to Sara and signed while talking to his mother so Sara could hear what was being said. "Mom, I would like you to meet Sara Sidle."

Betty Grissom was always a polite woman, so she gave the younger woman a small smile before signing while Grissom interpreted their 'conversation'. "Hi Sara, I'm Betty Grissom."

"Hi Mrs. Grissom, it's nice to meet you."

After Betty nodded, she 'asked' her son. 'How long are you here for?'

"Two days."

She nodded again before leading them inside the Grissom house.

Once they were inside, which was decorated with Christmas items, including a tree, Mrs. Grissom did the polite thing and asked if they wanted anything to drink, which they both asked for water, so she went to the kitchen to get it.

After she handed them their water bottles, Sara and Grissom settled down on the couch while Mrs. Grissom took the love seat so they were facing one another, and while Sara viewed herself as a strong woman. Heck, she had to grow up faster than a lot of kids had to and felt like she was on her own since she was 13 years old, or if she was honest with herself, even longer than that, but looking at Mrs. Grissom, who was giving her an intimidated/scrutinizing look, whether it was meant to be on purpose or not, almost made her want to squirm in her seat.

It was a few minutes before Mrs. Grissom started 'asking' Sara some questions. "What is it that you do?"

After hearing from Grissom what his mother had signed, Sara cleared her throat before replying, Grissom interpreting. "I'm a college student at Berkeley."

Mrs. Grissom's eyes shot up in surprise as she looked at her son, and Grissom signed, wanting to clarify something. "She's a graduate student, who already has a degree at Harvard."

Mrs. Grissom's surprised look turned to Sara. "Harvard? Impressive."

"Thank you."

"How old are you?"

Grissom frowned as he signed himself. 'Mom...'

But Sara cuts him off as she placed her hand on his arm. "Griss, it's ok."

Seeing that his mother had seen where she had placed her hand with that scrutinizing look, Sara slowly took it off while answering the older woman's question. "I'm 21."

She gave her son another look, who was also now feeling intimidated, something he hadn't felt since he was a teenager, before she looked at Sara again. "And where exactly did you meet my son?"

Of course of all the times her stomach started acting up, it had to be at this moment, but she did manage to answer her question. "The Bar." Before she turned to Grissom and whispered. "I need to use the restroom."

He looked at her with a nod, told her where the bathroom was before they both stood up and she headed towards the hall that would lead her to the bathroom, leaving mother and son alone in the living room.

As he was still standing, his mother looked up at him, still surprised to see her son with such a young woman. 'I got to say I was not expecting a college student for your first time bringing a girl over to meet me.'

He signed with a sigh as he sat down. 'A graduate student.'

She slowly nodded her head. 'Right, a graduate student, who is 21 years old and you two met at a bar. And I'm assuming you haven't known her for very long?' After he shook his head 'no', she continued. 'So why bring her over now? Why am I meeting her so soon after you two met, what is so special about this wo...' She paused as she saw her son's eyes shift down, causing her to gasp, then when their eyes met again, she continued. 'She's pregnant, isn't she?'

Once again feeling like he was a teenager, his heart started racing as he started to sign again. 'Mom...'

But she interrupted him, not looking so happy. 'Gilbert, what were you thinking!?' She then shook her head with a humorless chuckle. 'Of course, you weren't thinking, were you? You weren't exactly using your head.'

Now feeling upset, he signed in return, his hand movements were hard. 'It wasn't like that, she isn't some weekend fling that I met at a bar one night.'

She looked at her son with wide eyes again. 'You're really serious about her.'

No hesitation, which felt very odd for him, but it was the truth. 'I am.'

She could see it in her son's eyes that he was, but she was still unsure about the young woman. 'And how do you know she's really serious about you?' Before Grissom could answer, his mother continued. 'She's 21 years old, do you really think she's ready to be a mother and a true, faithful, loving partner to you?' He didn't know what to say to that, because the truth was, he didn't know, especially the second part of her question, so he looked down.

A moment later, he feels that his mother had sat down next to him before she places her hand on his arm to get his attention then signing with concern in her eyes. 'I'm not saying this to be mean or to make you upset. I just don't want my son, whom I love very much, to get his heart broken.'

He nodded in understanding before signing, feeling up with emotion. 'You're right, she is young. I don't really know much about her, and I can't say with certainty that this will all work out, which honestly who can say that with any relationship, no matter how long they've known each other.' He took a breath before he continued. 'But what I do know is that I have never felt this way towards any other woman before in my life and this is a risk I feel I have to take.' She was about to sign again, but he finished before she could. 'Tell me this mom, if you knew ahead of time that we would lose my father/your husband so soon in our lives, would you have still taken the chance of being with him?'

There was no hesitation in her response and she did it with tears in her eyes. 'In a heartbeat. I wouldn't trade away the memories I had made with your father for anything. I wouldn't trade you for anything, even knowing it would be just us in the end.'

He smiled when she placed a hand on his cheek, then he placed his hand on top of hers, making sure she could read his lips. "That's how I feel. We know this isn't going to be easy, especially with our current situation, and there is still so much we have to learn about one another. But no matter how things end up, I have to do this, I have to see what happens because I can't always wonder 'what if'. Plus, I'm not abandoning her or my child, ever."

She shook her head with tears in her eyes as she slipped her hand out from under his so she could sign. 'And I would never ask you to, or ever thought that you would, you are an honorable, loving man, just like your father, and I just hope she doesn't ever lose sight of that or take it for granted. I love you, my son.'

'Love you too, mom.'

She leaned over and kissed his cheek before standing up and signing that she had to start dinner before leaving the living room.

A moment later he feels a presence, so he looks over and sees Sara standing near the end of the hallway, and he asks. "Is everything ok?"

She nodded while walking towards the couch to sit down, and once she was, she asked. "Should I ask you that? I saw some very intense hand movements."

Of course she didn't know what they were signing about, but she already had a pretty good idea on what it was.

He took a breath before replying. "She knows. I'm sorry, I know we had planned on telling her together, but..."

She cuts him off with a smirk. "She figured it out."

"You're not surprised or upset?"

She chuckled while shaking her head. "Surprised? Uh no, I think I could have seen that one coming myself. I mean think about it, you bring home a 21-year-old woman, whom you barely know, even I could have seen the sign. And maybe it was a good thing that it was just you two 'talking' about it right now."

He nodded with a sigh as he leaned back against the couch cushion. "Yeah, maybe."

She turned to look at him and asked. "So, how did she take it?" She then smirked. "Do I need to fear for my life?"

"Of course not. And I guess it could have been worse, she just doesn't want..."

He trailed off and she squeezed his hand while asking softly. "She doesn't want what?"

He shook his head again with another smile. "She just wants everything to work out." She was about to speak, but he continued as he moved closer to her. "Just know that no matter what happens, I'm not abandoning you or our child. I need you to really know that."

She nodded with tears in her eyes as she cups his cheek with her other hand. "I do know that. You're an honorable, loving man."

They lean towards one another for a sweet kiss then hug.

AN: Thanks for reading, and please review. The next chapter will start with more of this flashback, I had to break it into two parts or else this chapter would have been super long. I hope everyone had a Good/Safe weekend. Enjoy your week and until next time, GSR4ever!