Chapter Twenty Four:

Sara sat there quietly on her couch. She had not budged since the amnio results had been delivered. She toyed with the opening but threw the manila envelope onto the coffee table.

Grissom had already called for the hundredth time as well as Hank. She had turned off her phone and chose to sit for the next few minutes in complete solitude. It was not to last as she heard the slight tapping on the door.

This is it Sara…

You might as well open the damn thing and put everyone out of their misery…

Her hands caressed the bulge in her lap.

Everything is going to change…

There's no going back now…

Time to face the future…

She opened the door and found Grissom standing there.

"Can I come in?" he asked. She stepped aside, letting him enter. His eyes caught sight of the envelope.

"Have you uhm opened it?" he asked.

"Not yet," she breathed.

"Want me to do it?" he asked.

"No."

She sat back down on the couch, drawing up her legs as she continued to sit there quietly.

Grissom sat down on the edge of the coffee table.

"I'm worried about you," he said. "You've not returned my calls."

"I needed some time to be alone… with this," she said pointing to the test results. "This can change everything."

"It changes nothing," Grissom said taking her hand. "No matter what Sara, we are in this together."

Sara picked up the envelope, ripping into the contents and shuffled through the report.

Grissom watched her reaction as one tear slipped down her cheeks followed by another.

He swiped each one away.

"I have a daughter," she gulped.

Grissom smiled. "She'll be just like you."

"Gil…"

"She's mine, Sara. I don't care what any test tube has determined in that report. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere."

She began to sob as she clutched at the report. Grissom sat down on the couch and pulled her body against his.

"Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own," he whispered. "Now that we've gotten this behind us, can we get married now?"

She sniffled as he pulled out a ring from his pocket and placed it on her finger.

"I love you, Sara," he said as he kissed her. "Now once we get married, we need to start work on a name."

"I love you Gil," she cried into his shoulder.

Epilogue:

Grissom sat in the nursery as he rocked the baby. He smiled at the way her little fingers fit perfectly around his finger. His wedding band glistened against the light.

"Just like your mother," he whispered as he leaned down and kissed the baby's forehead.

"I've got her bag packed," said Sara. "Hank and Melissa will be here soon."

"Does she feel warm?" he asked.

Sara's hand quickly rested on the baby's forehead. "No fever," she said.

He glanced down at the bag. "She doesn't like expressed milk," he complained.

"It's the same," she countered.

"No, it's not," replied Grissom.

"Gil, this is hard enough as it is," sighed Sara.

"She's changing every day," lamented Grissom. "I don't like being away from her."

"Me either," she said. "But we have to do this."

Sara knelt down beside the rocker. "She's so beautiful."

"It was some birth," chuckled Grissom.

Sara smiled from the memory.

Sara leaned back in the car seat closing her eyes. Grissom glanced in her direction.

"You over did it," he said.

"I never knew Catherine could locate so many baby shops," whined Sara.

"You should have come home hours ago," he complained.

"We were having fun. It's the first time she and I have really ever done anything together. I guess parenthood sort of gave us a bond finally," she said with a yawn.

"The house will be ready in a week," he said. "Jim and I spent the day moving furniture. The guys helped."

"How's your knee?" she asked.

"I'll pay for it tomorrow. At least we only have a few more days in your apartment," he said.

"Be glad I still had the lease," she said.

"I didn't think the townhouse would sell so quickly," he admitted. "I'll just be glad when we're settled. You know we're cutting it pretty close."

"How's that?" she asked.

"Sara, your due date is just around the corner," he said as his hand came to rest on the huge mound that now occupied her lap.

"We have weeks," she breathed. "I would just like to get it over with. My back hurts from this weight."

"You should have gotten off your feet," he preached. "No doubt your ankles are swollen."

"I wouldn't know. I can't see them," she quipped and he grinned.

He helped her with the bags as they stepped into the apartment building. They stared at the elevator.

"I can't do the stairs tonight," she moaned.

"Neither can I," he admitted.

They stepped into the elevator and pressed the button. Sara sighed when it began to move.

"I so want to soak in the tub before bed," she said.

Grissom looked down at her feet.

"Your ankles are swollen," he reported.

Sara glanced down even though she knew it would be impossible to see past the large mound. "I probably won't be able to get my shoes off."

"I'll help," he said as he pulled her into an embrace.

She kissed him lightly but he deepened the kiss.

"Not nice," she said. "I want a nice warm bath…not a cold shower."

"Come on Mrs. Grissom. Let's get you to bed," he said as he took her hand and prepared to get off as the elevator neared their floor.

There was the sound of grinding metal and then a lurch. Sara was caught off balance and Grissom grabbed her quickly.

"Not tonight," she groaned.

Grissom tried the buttons but the elevator did not budge. He attempted the elevator phone but it was silent. He fumed.

"Did I say how much I dislike your apartment building," he muttered as he pulled out his phone.

Sara leaned against the wall as Grissom reported the problem. Her back ached and she wanted nothing more than to lie down in a nice soft bed. He put the phone up and glanced at her.

"You okay?" he asked.

"My back hurts," she said.

"Why don't we sit down," he said.

"Griss, I can't see the floor. I'm not sure if I get down, I'll be able to get back up," she whined.

He grinned. "The fire department is on its way. I'm sure they could hoist you…"

He moaned when her elbow made contact with his ribs.

"I was just kidding," he gasped.

"Not funny," she said as she tried to scoot her way down to the floor. He quickly grabbed hold of her hand and started to help her down. She stopped midway and groaned.

"What's wrong?" he asked nervously.

"I have a cramp," she said. "It's in my back. The baby shifted…she's going to weigh ten pounds I'm sure of it."

"If she does, it will be because of those fruit smoothies Greg keeps serving to you despite Peggy's warnings."

"Are you talking about my weight?" she challenged.

"No…dear," he added as he decided that now was not the time to remind her of the last lecture they had endured about Sara's bone structure and the pressure of childbirth.

He waited until the cramp subsided. He tried to help her back up but she grabbed his hand and groaned louder.

"Stop!" she said in between gasps.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"That hurts," she said.

"Let's get you off your feet," he said as he tried another approach but she slapped his hand away.

"Don't move me!" she said.

"Sara, if it's a cramp, you got to work it out," he reasoned. "You've overdone it. You need to get off your feet."

She slowly nodded as he stepped forward and began to help her sit once more. They made it halfway when she grabbed her midsection.

"Cramp?" he asked.

"Contraction!" she screamed.

"Contraction? No contractions Sara! Do you hear me! No contractions while we're stuck here in this elevator," he demanded.

"Tell that to this baby. She's…ohhh," Sara moaned.

Grissom forced her back to a standing position.

"I want to lie down," Sara said.

"Stay standing," he said.

"Griss, I need to…lie…down…now!" she screamed.

"She's not coming yet," he said. "The fire department will be here in just a few minutes."

Sara grabbed Grissom by the collar. "Get me down now!"

He looked at her pained face and suddenly he grabbed her into his arms.

They both panicked when her water broke.

"I'm scared, Gil," she whimpered.

He kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"Let's get you down," he said. With one swoop, he gathered Sara into his arms and gently placed her on the floor.

She sat there leaning against the wall.

"Better?" he asked.

She sat there holding her breath.

"Sara? Sara, stop holding your breath. You're going to pass out," he warned.

She exhaled. "No contraction."

Grissom exhaled. "See, you just need to get off…"

He was interrupted by her slow groan.

"Contraction?" he asked.

She nodded through the pain.

She released her grip on his wrist and the circulation slowly returned to his hand.

"I'm calling 911," he said as he pulled out his phone making the call while Sara grunted through another contraction.

"Hold on," he whispered.

"I'm trying but she's being pushy!" she said as she gritted her teeth.

Once the contraction ended, she sat there panting.

Grissom shuffled through the bags. "At least we have clothes…blanket…who picked out this outfit? It's hideous!"

Sara glared at him and he thought it was best to keep his comments to himself at the moment.

They heard a commotion on the other side of the door and Grissom smiled.

"See, they are already here," he said.

"Can you hear me?" yelled a voice.

"Yes!" shouted Grissom.

"It's going to be a few hours before we can get the elevator working," came the reply.

Sara grabbed Grissom's arm. "We don't have a few hours!"

"You have to hurry! My wife has gone into labor," yelled Grissom.

"Sorry, it's caught between floors," came the reply.

Sara's screams got everyone's attention.

Grissom held both of her hands as she gasped from the pain.

"Contractions are just three minutes apart," said Grissom.

"I think I'm going to be sick," moaned Sara.

Grissom held her head.

The nausea passed and she leaned back against the wall.

"Let's get you in position," he whispered.

"I don't want to have this baby here…I don't like closed in places…need to…get out," she panted.

He cupped her face with his hands. "Sara, focus on my voice. We need to get ready."

She nodded slowly.

He kissed the palm of her hand.

"We can do this," he said with a smile trying to hide his own fear.

They could hear the firemen working diligently to get the elevator working as the paramedics waited to get inside. Grissom's cell phone sat on the floor as the paramedic shouted instructions to him.

The elevator lurched forward but then stopped.

With each contraction, Grissom encouraged her to continue. His stomach lurched when the head crowned.

"Sara, you've got to continue," he urged. She continued to push. The bluish coloring alarmed him. He gently inserted his fingers and tried to get a pulse.

"Sara, push!" he yelled.

His voice was frantic and it sent a chill on her back.

One final push brought the baby forth. She slid into Grissom's arms and he quickly began to assess the baby's condition.

The paramedics asked for an update as Sara pleaded with him to let her see the baby but he continued to arouse the baby.

"She's not breathing," yelled Grissom, knowing the knowledge would send Sara into a frenzy.

"Try to clear her airways," the paramedic advised.

Three gentle but strong pats were given to the baby's back but no sound followed. He glanced briefly at Sara as he began giving the baby CPR. One final pat and the baby wailed. Grissom wrapped the baby in the blanket as the baby continued to wail.

"Sara, remember when I said we wouldn't let her cry?" he choked. "This is an exception."

He gently placed the baby in her arms.

Sara opened the blanket and stared at small face that had turned red.

"Isn't that the most beautiful sound you ever heard?" he whispered.

Sara merely nodded as she continued to cry.

"She's going to be fine," said Grissom.

The elevator lurched again and this time it continued to ascend.

"Promise me something," said Sara.

"Anything," replied Grissom.

"If Hank is the paramedic on duty, shoot him," she said.

He chuckled. "It was Hank who taught me infant CPR."

He kissed her on the forehead.

"I love you Sara…and Katie."

Sara stood taking Katie from Grissom's arms.

"I'll get the door," said Grissom sadly.

"Gil?" called Sara.

He turned and looked at his family.

"Be nice."

Grissom opened the door and Hank stood there with Melissa. Hank seemed a bit nervous.

"Hello Hank, come in," said Grissom.

They stepped into the living room. Hank's eyes lit up the moment he saw Sara with the baby.

He stared at the sleeping baby.

"She looks so much like you, Sara," he whispered.

"Really? I think she looks like Grissom. Her eyes are definitely going to be blue."

Melissa walked over and Sara handed her the baby.

"She does look alot like Grissom. She has his hair," said Melissa.

"You think so?" asked Grissom coming to observe his daughter.

"I've left instructions on the fridge. If you need us, just give us a call," said Sara as she hesitated a moment before grabbing her purse.

She grabbed Grissom by the hand.

"Enjoy the wedding," called Hank. "We'll take good care of her…as if she were our own."

Sara smiled.

but she's not...

she's ours...

mine and Grissom's...

"It will be good practice for you."

"Alex gets to come home with us next week," beamed Melissa.

"I'm glad," smiled Sara.

"Thanks Sara…thank you both for helping us…get Alex," said Hank.

Hank extended his hand to Grissom and he took it.

"You've proven yourselves…to us. We would never leave Katie with you if we didn't trust you," said Grissom.

Hank chuckled. "Twenty bucks says you call every hour."

"Try every thirty minutes," called Grissom as he led Sara to the door.

They stood outside the door and waited to hear the slightest sound from their daughter but none came.

"Never been the best man in a wedding," said Grissom.

"Jim is your best friend. It seems fitting. Me, being the bride's maid…that was a bit much," smirked Sara.

"Sofia considers you a good friend," explained Grissom.

Sara stopped at the end of the sidewalk. "You really think she was warm?"

He grinned. "Let's go. Besides, I want to dance with you."

"Really?" she teased.

"I thought we could leave the reception a little early and…"

He didn't finish the sentence as Sara kissed him.

He groaned. "Wait…until after the wedding."

"Sorry…but you're too late."

The End.

Note from author:

Sorry but I couldn't resist...the tease....of course it's Grissom's...LOL

Take care!