AN/ Here's the final chapter. I just wanted to thank everyone who has reviewed and PM'd me personally. This is my least favourite story as most of you know, but I am glad that people here seem to like it. I must warn you though that you'll probably need a very large bucket when you get to the end of this because it is hugely fluffy, and the last piece of this kind of fluff you're ever likely to get from me! Also, remember that this is a repost from 2003 before Brass and Greg had the relationship that they have with Sara now.

I'd also like to point out that I only write from experience and I have actually had 3 children of my own and I'm aware that things are probably done differently regarding hospital appointments etc. in the US than they are here in the UK. The birth and everything regarding pregnancy are based on my own personal experiences, and I know even now that precedures change yearly. My youngest is now 10, so I know much has changed since I was pregnant with him.

Thanks again to Trudy for putting up with me whining.

5

Grissom pulled his car into the car park and waited patiently for Sara's to follow before climbing out of the door. He hated keeping up this pretence that they weren't together, and so far no one had asked outright or enquired to Sara about who the father was, although he knew the idle gossip had mentioned his name. Sara smiled at him from inside her car as he turned to walk towards the doors, his heart feeling lighter that it had ever felt before. She waited until he was out of sight before she opened her door to climb out, knowing that she couldn't wait to share her news with Catherine.

Grissom made his way towards the break room; his heart seemed to be beating to its own personal rhythm and he seemed to be overly anxious with his news and desperate to tell it.

He spotted Warrick and Nick through the glass windows reading the paper, unaware of his presence. Coming in through the doorway he went to stand beside the table, "Hey guys," he smiled.

Both turned to see their boss positively beaming. "Well don't you look like the cat that caught the canary?" Warrick grinned.

"Yeah man," Nick laughed, "what's got you in such a good mood?"

Grissom's smile deepened and he moved over towards the door to shut it closed, before coming in to sit down "I need to ask you both a huge favour."

"Depends on what it is?" Warrick asked dubiously.

"Hmm," Nick nodded "last time you asked for a favour, I ended up with a rash over my hands."

"No, no," he laughed again "It's nothing to do with an experiment."

"Okay," Warrick nodded again, his tone of voice wary.

"I wanted to know if you guys were free this Saturday," he told them, "at 2pm."

"Uh yeah," Nick nodded "I am, why?"

"Great," Grissom beamed "Warrick?"

"Yeah I'll be free. What's the big secret?"

"Sara and I are getting married, and we wanted you both to be there."

"What?" Nick gasped, "Wow, of course I'll be there."

"Yeah me too," Warrick grinned "congratulations man."

"Thanks," Grissom smiled, "but not a word to anyone okay, we want this kept private."

"Sure thing boss," Nick nodded, his eyes looking over to Warrick who repeated the gesture, both of them reeling with this news. Nick stood up quickly "Is Sara here yet?"

"She wanted to find Catherine. I'd give them a few minutes," Grissom grinned widely.

"Yeah, good idea. I might walk into talks about flowers and babies," he laughed. "I'll wait for a few minutes."

"Warrick?" Grissom asked again, directing his eyes towards his friend.

"Yeah?"

"I kinda need a best man, would you mind?" Grissom watched for his reaction, a little worried he'd say no.

"Hey of course," Warrick grinned, reaching out a hand to slap him on the arm "I'd be honoured."

Nick smiled, trying to stop himself from hovering near the door. "Okay, they've had enough time," he told them as he headed out of the break room.

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Sara found Catherine in the locker room hanging her jacket on a hanger. "Cath," she smiled.

"Hey, what's wrong?" she asked worriedly when she saw Sara's flushed face, "is it the baby?"

"No, no," she grinned, "I need to ask you something."

Catherine pulled on her hands to sit her down next to her, "You can ask me anything, you know that."

"Will you be my maid of honour?" Sara asked her, her eyes brimming with tears.

Catherine gasped, and pulled her into her arms "Oh, honey you know I will," she pulled away to place her hands on Sara's face, "When? Are you happy?"

"Cath, I just can't believe it, he just asked me and we went out before work to book that little chapel down town."

"Oh Sara, this is so great. When is the wedding?"

"This Saturday at 2 o'clock. That's okay isn't it, for you and Lindsay?" Sara moved her hands up to hold them on Catherine's over her face "I want Lindsey there too."

"I wouldn't miss this for anything," Catherine told her, feeling a build up of tears behind her eyes. "You'll need help arranging the dress and flowers, I'll come by after work and we'll make a start."

"Thank you," Sara breathed, "I was hoping you would." They both smiled before engulfing each other in a hug again.

The locker room door opened to reveal Warrick and Nick, both with huge grins of their faces. Nick came towards Sara to pull her up into a hug, rocking her from side to side "I'm so happy for you Sar, you deserve this."

"Thanks Nick," she told him as she kissed his cheek before pulling back to look into his eyes "Will you give me away?"

Nick's eyes suddenly took on a form of their own, the emotions inside them overflowing with love and pride "I would love to," he told her before pulling her to him again, burying himself in her embrace.

Sara felt the sharp jab of her daughter's foot kick into Nick's abdomen and he drew back to place his hand on her stomach

"Hey, hold on there little tiger," he spoke into her belly sniffing back the tears in his eyes.

Sara looked up at him with such adoration; she couldn't seem to keep the love from pouring out of her eyes. She was surrounded by her family, the people she loved the most and she couldn't have been happier.

Warrick came over to her, his face a huge grin as he enveloped her in his arms. "Hey, congratulations Sara."

"Thanks War," she smiled, the tears in her eyes coursing down her cheeks in uncontrollable waves of happiness.

Catherine smiled as she patted Nick's arm, both of them showing obvious signs of emotions. "Isn't it just supposed to be pregnant women who get weepy?" Nick asked with a sniff.

"Hey I cry, you all cry," Sara groused, her voice muffled into Warrick's chest.

"Ain't that the truth?" Nick told her as he moved to hold open the locker room door for them all to file out. Warrick held onto Sara for a while longer as they walked down the corridor behind Nick and Catherine who had gained some distance in front of them.

"Hey?" he smiled down at her, his arm flung over her shoulder, "you happy?"

She smiled up at him, tightening her arm around his back. "Oh yeah."

They had almost reached the break room when Conrad Ecklie passed them on his way out of the lab. His eyes lingered over both Warrick and Sara before he opened his mouth.

"Well, isn't this nice?" he drawled. "And we all had bet's on it being Grissom who got you knocked up."

"Hey, back off Ecklie," Warrick warned as he moved away from Sara to push her behind him protectively. "Keep your mouth shut."

"Only stating a fact," he grinned before backing away from them, his eyes peering over at Sara who had started to move forward.

"It is none of your damn business Ecklie," Warrick warned him again.

Grissom came out of nowhere storming towards Ecklie, his heart rate doubling in anger. "Get away from her."

"I'm going," Ecklie held up his hands in mock surrender. "Nice to see you all so close," he grinned as he walked away from them, leaving everyone seething in his wake.

"Hey, you okay?" Grissom asked Sara quietly as he moved her towards the break room away of prying eyes.

"I'm fine," she told him quietly. "Ecklie's a jerk, and he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about."

"As long as you're alright," he told her in a whisper, wanting desperately to hold her but knowing he couldn't, not until shift was over.

"I am," she told him with a small smile. "Aren't we supposed to be working tonight?"

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Saturday came around swiftly, bringing with it a wave of happiness never been felt before by the occupants inside Sara's apartment.

Catherine brushed Lindsey's hair before fixing a white and gold ribbon into her blonde strands.

"Turn around sweetie," she smiled, "let's have a look at you."

Lindsey turned quickly, swirling her dress outwards with a small giggle. "How do I look mommy?" she grinned.

"Perfect," Catherine gasped proudly. "Now we just need to know what's keeping Sara and then I can go and get ready."

A knock sounded on the door causing them both to jump. Catherine gave Lindsey a smile "Would you go and see if Sara needs any help for me?"

"Okay," she grinned, as she disappeared down towards Sara's room.

Catherine opened the door to reveal Nick in his dark gray suit, looking very dapper and handsome

" Wow," Catherine laughed as she pulled him inside, closing the door behind him "You certainly scrub up nicely."

"Well thanks," he grinned. "How's Sara doing?"

"Just about to find out," she told him. "Oh here," she went over to a small box and took out a white rose buttonhole for his suit jacket.

"Thanks," he grinned taking it from her hands and moved to put it on when he stopped and caught his breath at the vision that had just appeared in the doorway "Sara," he gasped.

Catherine turned to look in the same direction and felt her emotions start to bubble to the surface "Oh Sara."

"Does this look okay?" she asked as she came forward holding onto Lindsey's hand. "Lindsey seems to think so, but she's biased."

"Well I'd say Lindsey's right," Catherine smiled happily down at her daughter whose eyes kept focused on Sara's face.

Nick's eyes ran over her in appreciation. The dress was exquisite, ivory spaghetti straps held up the bodice that had gold silken strands interwoven with the material. The ivory silk folds ran over her body, enhancing the swell of her belly to run down in a silken puddle at her ankles. She looked beautiful; her hair was piled loosely atop her head, held up by a comb full of white flowers, to leave some wispy strands to trail down the side of her face. Her cheeks had a rosy glow about them and her eyes shone brightly with excitement.

"Honey, you look amazing," he said on a gasp, his eyes tearing themselves away from her face to the little girl beside her, "and you look so pretty, sweetheart."

Lindsey giggled and let go of Sara's hand to throw her arms around Nick who had bent down to hug her.

"Hey Linds," Catherine called "how about you come and help me with my dress?"

"Okay mommy," she smiled, releasing Nick to follow her into the bedroom.

Nick found himself speechless when he was alone with Sara. Slowly coming to his sense he moved towards her, a huge smile forming on his face as his eyes shone with both love and pride.

Sara came towards him, reaching out to take the white rose from his hands and began fiddling with his jacket lapel to pin the rose in place. "There," she smiled "you're all ready now."

Sara," he said on a gasp, "you look so beautiful."

Her eyes met his then, adoration pouring from her heart, "Thank you Nick."

"You know Grissom is one hell of a lucky man," he smiled again before bending to kiss her cheek.

"I think I'm the lucky one," she told him, her voice cracked with emotion "I have so many people in my life who love me. I never thought I'd ever have a wedding day, or even be having a baby."

"Well you are," he told her "you deserve all of this...and you're right we all love you, don't ever forget that."

"I won't," she smiled.

"Hey, no making her cry Nicky," Catherine smiled from the doorway. "You know we'll never get her to stop."

"Cath," Sara gasped, "you look great."

Catherine looked down at herself and smiled. The dress was the same colour as Lindsey's, mottled gold lace that draped over the white silk beneath it.

"Yeah Cath," Nick nodded "All three of you lovely ladies are gonna knock em dead."

"I hope not," Sara laughed again as she moved to the box of flowers to hand Lindsey her small white posy. "There you go sweetie."

Lindsey took the flowers with a smile, swishing her dress proudly for Nick who was smiling at her. Sara handed Catherine her bouquet and then took out her own.

"Well this is it," she told them with a heavy sigh, as the butterflies in her stomach started to flutter about making her nervous.

"Yep," Catherine nodded, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder. "Are you ready?"

Sara's eyes met hers then, a happy smile filling her face "I am."

"Okay then," Nick grinned, holding out his hand to Lindsey " let's get you gorgeous girls to the wedding then shall we?"

He opened the door for them all to file out, then locked up Sara's apartment before placing her keys in his pocket as they walked down towards the car.

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Inside the chapel, Grissom waited, nervously fiddling with the hem of his jacket. Warrick watched him as he rocked back and forth on his heels "Gris would you calm down, she'll be here."

He raised his head to look over at Warrick and sighed, "Sorry."

"Look, go and sit down. I'll go and see if I can see them okay?"

"Yeah," he breathed "okay."

Warrick watched him with a smile; he'd never seen Grissom this nervous before. Shaking his head he began to walk away towards the entrance to watch for the car with Nick and the girls to arrive.

He didn't have to wait long before Nick pulled the car up in front of the chapel. Warrick's eyes caught sight of Catherine first who stepped out of the car.

"Wow Cath," he breathed appreciatively, "You look amazing."

She looked up at him and rewarded him with a huge smile "Wait till you see Sara," she told him.

Lindsey was next and she looked over at Warrick "You like my dress Warrick?" she asked giving him a twirl.

"You look gorgeous sweetheart," he told her with a smile, his eyes drifting behind her towards Sara who Nick was helping out of the car. Warrick's jaw dropped open when he saw her, she looked totally beautiful and he found himself holding his breath.

"Hi Warrick," she smiled as she came towards him placing a kiss on his cheek "How's Grissom, is he okay?"

"What?" he shook himself mentally. "Yeah he's good. Dang Sara you look absolutely beautiful."

"Thank you," she smiled again, a small blush creeping up her face.

Catherine tugged on Warrick's arm, taking charge when no one had made an effort to move. "Lets get inside, I'm sure Gil is a nervous wreck by now."

"Oh yeah," he grinned, "I'll go inside."

Nick came to stand beside Sara, taking her hand reassuringly. He couldn't remember a time when he'd felt this amount of emotion all in one moment. "You're gonna be okay honey."

"I know," she whispered into his ear, clasping his hand tightly to remove it and place into the crook of his arm.

Inside Warrick came to stand beside Grissom, a huge grin on his face "Man you are gonna be blown away, Sara looks great."

Grissom's head turned towards the doors as the music started to play. He swallowed heavily when he saw first Catherine, and then Lindsey walk in. He felt his mouth grow dry when he saw the vision that followed behind them just a few seconds later. Grissom's heart almost stopped at the sight of her, she took his breath away.

His eyes followed her as she came to stand beside him, falling in love with her all over again in one precious moment. The music stopped and they turned towards the minister who stood in front of them with a smile on his face. His eyes looked from Sara to Grissom and then to their guests before he began.

"We're here today to join this man and woman in marriage," The registrar spoke before them, drawing Grissom's attention to him.

"Who brings this woman to be joined in marriage?" he asked with a smile.

"I do," Nick spoke, casting a smile her way adoringly.

Catherine stepped forward beside Sara to take her bouquet, and then stepped back to stand beside Lindsey again. Sara smiled at her nervously before turning to look up at Grissom and taking his hand in hers.

"We are here to witness the love of two people who have chosen to enter in a life of love and dedication, pledging themselves in mind, body and soul in holy matrimony."

He looked from Grissom to Sara, and then over to Warrick "Do you have the rings?"

Warrick stuck his hands inside his jacket pocket to pull out two ring boxes. He opened them and removed the rings to place on the bible in the registrars hands.

"Sara, do you take Gilbert to be your lawfully wedded husband. Will you love him and no other, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?"

Sara smiled up at him, her heart beating wildly "I will."

"Gilbert," the registrar turned to him then "Will you take Sara to be your lawfully wedded wife. Will you love her and no other, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?"

Grissom kept his eyes fixed on hers as he felt his heart quake, "I will."

"You have both declared your love and devotion, and I ask anyone who thinks there should be a reason why these two people can not be married speak now or forever hold his peace." Sara looked into Grissom's eyes and smiled, letting him see how much she wanted to be here with him.

He felt his heart melting; he couldn't believe that this was finally happening, that he was the man she chose to love.

The registrar lowered the rings laying on the bible for Grissom to take, which he did, delicately placing it onto Sara's finger. "I give you this ring as a sign of my love for you," he told her softly "I will never love anyone else like I love you."

Sara felt her eyes sting with tears as she reached over to take Grissom's ring and placed it on his finger. "I give you this ring as a sign of my love," she told him, "there has never been anyone else who could ever compare to you."

They both smiled at each other then, their surroundings melting away to leave only them.

"By the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife," the registrar smiled. "Congratulations."

Grissom felt like his heart was going to explode as his lips met hers, their first kiss as a married couple and it felt good.

They broke apart to be greeted by hugs and hand shakes from their friends as they left each other's arms. Catherine smiled happily, the tears in her eyes rolling down her face as she hugged Sara.

Warrick and Nick took it in turns to pat Grissom on the back while Sara bent down to hug Lindsey to her.

"If you'd like to follow me," the minister smiled to the new married couple, "you can sign the register."

Grissom smiled down at Sara again as he took her hand in his to place it in the crook of his arm as they began to follow the minister into the chapels tiny vestry.

They emerged a few minutes later to be showered with confetti. Catherine handed Sara her bouquet and stood back as they climbed into Grissom's car.

"We'll see you at the restaurant," Catherine called to them as Sara pulled her seat belt over her shoulders.

Warrick came over to put his arms around Catherine's shoulders as the new married couple drove off. "You think they'll mind that we invited Brass and Greg?"

"Are you kidding?" she smiled, "they'll hardly even notice anyone. I'll be surprised if they make it through the entire evening."

"Yeah I know what you mean," he grinned.

"Hey you two," Nick called out to them as he opened the back door for Lindsey, "you coming?"

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Grissom helped Sara out of the car once they arrived at the hotel restaurant where the staff was waiting to greet them.

"Catherine did a great job with the arrangements," Sara whispered as she smiled up at him, "it was her idea that we stay here for the weekend."

"I know," he told her, leaning his head to kiss her lightly, "you look stunning."

"Thank you," she smiled up into his eyes, "you don't look so bad yourself."

He was just about to kiss her again when they heard a camera flash. They both looked up to see Greg smiling brightly, with Brass stood by his side.

"Congratulations," Greg told them leaning over to kiss Sara's cheek, "you look amazing."

Sara smiled happily, this day was turning out to be full of surprises. Nick's car came into the car park to pull up besides Grissom's. All the four occupants climbed out to make their way over towards Sara and Grissom.

"Wow Catherine," Greg smiled "you look great."

"Thanks Greg," She smiled as she came towards Sara to give her a quick hug. "Hope you didn't mind we invited Greg and Brass."

"Of course not," she smiled "they're friends too."

Catherine squeezed her hand before moving over to draw Grissom into a warm hug.

"You're going to be so happy," she whispered into his ear.

"I know," he whispered back as he released her to draw Sara close to him again.

"Okay everyone hold still while we take the photo's," Brass grinned as he began snapping away catching posed shots and one's when he caught them off guard.

Eventually they all made their way inside to celebrate, all of them drawing closer to the bond they shared, sealing them together as not only friends but the family they all were.

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Sara opened her eyes groggily, reaching over to run her hand over her husbands chest rousing is from slumber "We have to get up soon," she whispered into his ear, smiling as he grumbled into her hair, pulling her closer to his body.

She laid her head on his chest, positioning her body to accommodate her rapidly growing stomach. This would be their first shift as a married couple and she couldn't help the excitement building in her chest at the thought on Ecklies face.

"Baby, come on," she smiled into his chest, "wake up."

She felt him chuckling into her hair as he moved away to look down and smile at her "What's the rush?"

He felt her hands glide up his chest to curl her fingers in his hair. She smiled seductively as she met his lips with hers, kissing him to wakefulness. "No rush,"

Grissom pulled away from her, his eyes searching her face "We can actually walk into work together tonight, do you know how much I have wanted to be able to do that?"

"Oh yeah," she laughed, "I can't wait to see the look on Ecklie's face, he's such an ass."

"Well at least we'll put the gossips to rest tonight," he smiled, his hand coming up to trace her face. "I love you."

She smiled again as she brought her lips to his, bringing him to her in a wave of passion that only she was capable of doing, as they lost themselves in each other.

Later that night, Grissom pulled up into the car park, his eyes instantly going to Sara's face

"How you feeling?"

"I'm great," she smiled brightly as she reached out to squeeze his hand.

"No, I mean how are you feeling about this being your last week?"

"Oh that," she sighed. "Well I am getting a lot more tired lately and you know what the doctor told me last time."

"Yeah, she told you that you should have given up work 4 weeks ago," he scorned, "but you're so stubborn."

Sara looked at him with a smile "Oh look at us, we've only been married 2 days and already you're being bossy."

"Sweetheart," he sighed, "it's just..."

"Hey, it was a joke," she grinned, as she squeezed his hand again "and actually I am looking forward to having a rest. She seems to be more active just lately."

Grissom's eyes travelled down to her belly and found his hand reaching over to cover it gently as their daughter kicked beneath his fingers. " I can't believe in only 12 weeks she'll be here."

"I know," she sighed, laying her hand atop of his, "and then we'll have no sleep and I'll be cranky." She couldn't help the chuckle that came from her chest as she saw the look in his eyes.

"Come on," she smiled. "We don't want to piss anyone off because you're being all mushy again."

"For your information Sara I do not mush," he protested jokingly.

"No," she grinned as she opened her door to climb out, meeting him around the other side before clamping her hand into his, "of course you don't."

They broke away from each other as they made their way into the lab, passing some of the day shift along the way. Sara made sure she stayed close to Grissom, just to make a point so she could say something to one of them later, but to her annoyance no one did. It seemed everyone had chosen not to notice them tonight.

"Hey Sara," Catherine called out behind her. Sara stopped and smiled as she turned to look behind her. Grissom squeezed her arm, bringing her eyes to his again "I'm gonna go and see what we've got tonight okay?"

"Okay," she smiled, her eyes lingering on him as he walked away.

"Hey," Catherine smiled at her when she came to stand beside her, " how's it feel to be Mrs. Grissom?"

"You know you're the first person to call me that," Sara smiled. "It's a little weird actually."

Catherine smiled and linked her hand through Sara's arm as they waked towards the break room "You know the guys are planning on throwing you a party. I told them I'd ask you first just to be sure you're up to it."

"That's so sweet of them, but you guys have given me so much already. You don't need to throw me parties just because this is my last week."

"Hey this place is going to be lost without you, they just want to give you a good send off," she smiled, "and of course they love you."

"I know," Sara smiled again, "well can we maybe have it at our place? At least if I doze off no one will have to carry me anywhere."

"Of course," Catherine grinned as she leaned in close to her friend's ear, "and you know as well as I do that Gil would carry you for miles if he had to."

"I know," she smiled happily "but don't let him know I know that."

They walked into the break room to find the guys already there waiting for them. " Hey you two," Nick grinned, as he moved over on the couch for Sara to sit down.

"How's my favourite mom to be?"

"Fat," she grumbled with a smile "I can't even see my feet anymore."

He chuckled softly as he leaned forward to look down. "Sweetie your feet look fine to me."

"You are so funny," she mocked, swiping him with her hand.

"Sara, you look great," Warrick told her with a smile.

"Thanks War." She grinned as they sat back waiting to see what cases they had tonight.

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Friday came soon enough, and Sara had to admit she was a little sad at leaving the lab for the last time. She knew she'd be back after the baby, but this just seemed strange.

She'd bumped into Ecklie a couple of days ago and he'd practically drooled all over her, asking personal questions about the baby and the father.

"That's none of your damn business," she'd told him angrily.

"Maybe not, but come on everyone's curious."

She'd been about to answer with another angry retort when Grissom had appeared from nowhere, placing himself in between her and Ecklie.

"What do you want with my CSI?" he'd asked angrily.

"Oh so she's yours now is she?" he'd drooled, unprepared for the angry shove that Grissom pushed his way.

"Yes she's my CSI, but she also happens to be my wife. Do you have a problem with that Conrad?"

Sara smiled as she remembered his face, totally shocked and speechless. He'd just turned and skulked away.

She smiled again at the memory, jumping slightly when she felt a hand lightly touch her shoulder "Hey, are you okay?"

Smiling, she turned her face towards her husbands, giving him a huge beaming grin, "I am now."

"Come on, lets get home before Catherine and the guys come over, it's going be a long night."

"Yep," she sighed happily as she let him lead her towards the car.

10 WEEKS LATER

Grissom woke up suddenly in a cold sweat. He moved his arms towards the other side of the bed only to find it empty. Instantly awake, he grabbed his robe and got out of bed to go in search of Sara.

She looked up from the table as he came into the room. "Hey," she smiled brightly.

He walked around the table to plant a kiss into her hair, "What are you doing up?"

"I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd come out here so I didn't wake you," she smiled up at him adoringly. "I know I disturb you when I can't get comfortable."

"It doesn't matter," he told her softly, "it won't be for much longer now." His hand came down to her now swollen stomach. She had grown considerably in these last few weeks, her belly seeming to be bigger than she was.

"Is she restless?" he asked as he moved behind her to nuzzle the hair at the base of her neck, without breaking contact with her stomach.

"Mmm," she sighed contentedly "not too much, but everything is so uncomfortable."

She turned in his arms, letting out a frustrated sigh, "I can't even get my arms around you anymore."

"Oh honey," he smiled, bending down to kiss her head, "that doesn't mean I can't hold you."

"I'm fat," she moaned miserably.

"You're beautiful," he countered.

"I'm.." she thought of another word but came to a sudden halt as she felt a pop followed by a trickle coming from beneath her.

"Oh," she gasped.

"What?" Grissom looked at her worriedly, "honey, what is it?"

She looked up at him then, a worried smile forming on her face. "I think my water just broke."

"What?" he gasped, starting to panic. "Okay I'll get dressed, and then call the hospital," he moved with lightning speed towards the bedroom hitting his foot against the door along the way, cursing quietly as he scrambled for his clothing.

Sara stood still, stunned by what was happening to her. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all she thought to herself, instantly regretting it as a wave of pain tore through her abdomen bringing her to her knees. She tried to control her breathing, holding the panic inside to a minimum as the wave of pain washed over her to slowly subside.

"Gil," she moaned, "we need to go to the hospital."

"I know," he called as he came running out of the door pulling on a sock almost tripping over as he saw her bent on the floor.

"Sara?" he gasped, making his way towards her to sink beside her on his knees "honey?"

"I think I need to..." she gasped again as another wave of pain shook her body, making it hard for her to catch her breath. She found herself leaning forward on all fours trying to ease the pain away.

"I'll call the hospital," he told her quickly as he grabbed his phone and dialled.

The wave of pain began to subside again, leaving her breathless. She took the break to stand on her feet, wobbling slightly at the ferocity of the contractions.

She could hear Grissom's muffled voice from the bedroom as he tried to keep the panic from his voice, and she knew he was just as scared as she was.

"Okay," he told her as he carried her bag. "They're expecting us."

"Okay," she nodded breathlessly as another pain took over her body. Bending slightly forward, she dug her fingers into his arm and rested her head against his shoulder until the contraction had passed.

"Oh god, that was only 3 minutes," he told her worriedly as he tried to hold her upright before another contraction gripped her. Sara gasped for breath before she felt she was ready to start walking again.

"We'd better get there Gil," she breathed, "Seems she takes after you for her time keeping."

He helped her out of the doorway as he chuckled softly. "Don't you mean your time keeping; you're the one who's always early?"

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Grissom had practically driven like a mad man to the hospital as Sara had another powerful contraction in the car along the way.

"They're too fast," she groaned when another wave of pain slowly subsided. "Gil...I...argghh—" taking a breath Sara tried holding her hands over her stomach, hoping that the heat would ease the pain but nothing was helping. Clamping her jaw shut she squeezed her eyes closed and tried to breathe through her nose but the pain was getting stronger with each passing contraction leaving her almost no time to recover.

As he pulled into the hospital, a nurse ran forward with a wheelchair, insisting she sat in it to rush her into delivery. She had protested at first, until her legs seemed to want to stop working, so she relented.

Half an hour later Sara was lying on a bed in the delivery suite. She shifted her legs uncomfortably, modesty long forgotten as the pain began to slowly get worse and worse as time went on.

Grissom stroked her hair as he sat by her side. His eyes kept drifting to the screen that monitered her contractions and he found himself leaning forward wrapping his hands around one of hers when he saw another peak on the screen.

"Oh god," she breathed, "here comes another one." She scrunched up her face in pain, trying to even out her breath, but it was becoming difficult to even breathe.

Grissom held his breath when his knuckles turned white. Sara was squuzing his hand so hard that he lost the feeling in his fingers, but he didn't care. He just needed to stop the pain for her. He needed to do something, anything that would ease it.

"Hello Sara," the midwife smiled cheerily when she walked into the room, "how are you doing?"

"She's in pain," Grissom snapped, "can't you give her anything?"

"I'm afraid your wife is already in the latter part of the second labour stage," she told him sympathetically.

She came over to rub Sara's leg as she watched the monitor, noting that another contraction was peaking.

"Tell me when the contraction has eased Sara and we'll have a look to see how far you've dilated okay?" the midwife asked as she pulled on a latex glove.

"k," Sara nodded through clenched teeth, letting out a slow breath as the contraction started to die away.

"You'd better do it now," she mumbled tiredly "they're coming so fast."

"That's good Sara, the strong ones work the best," she smiled as she came to examine her quickly before another contraction overtook her body again. "8cm Sara, only 2 more to go and then you'll be ready to push. Seems this little one is ready to come and see the world."

"Yeah just like her father," she chuckled, only to have it die away as another strong wave of pain caught her.

She panted heavily as the pain ripped through her insides, so strong it took her breath away making it hard for her to breathe.

"Wanna push," she managed to groan as the overwhelming urge took her over.

"Not yet," her midwife soothed. "Let's just have a look."

She didn't get to finish as another contraction came in the wake of the first, taking over Sara's body like something possessed. She squeezed Grissom's hand hard and groaned painfully, her voice breaking on a sob.

"I want to go home."

"Sweetheart it's okay," he felt his voice breaking when he saw the pain in her eyes. He'd never felt so helpless in his whole life.

"It's not okay," she sobbed into him. "I want to go home. I don't want to do this anymore."

"It won't be long now," he told her gently, holding her close to him as much as he could.

"You said that ages ago," she told him angrily, only to sob his name as another powerful wave overtook her body.

The midwife bent to examine her again, trying to be as gentle as she could.

"Okay Sara that last contraction was your last cm, so on the next contraction I want you to take a deep breath and push down for me."

"Did you hear that Sara?" Grissom said softly, rubbing her shoulder. He stood up to let one of the assisting midwives come over to check the contraction monitor only to have Sara's panic stricken eyes darting to his face.

"Gil?"

"It's okay, I'm here," he told her, moving quickly back to her side. He saw her breathing coming erratically again as he held onto her tightly as she pushed hard with the contraction, groaning through her teeth as she pushed.

"Okay, that's good Sara," the midvife told her, giving her all the encouragement she could.

One contraction followed another until half an hour later a baby's cries erupted into the room to mingle with relieved sobs and triumphant cries from the nursing staff as well as the parents.

Sara fell backwards onto the pillows exhausted as the midwife laid their baby onto her chest.

"Hello you," she sobbed to the little baby who had settled against her. Sara looked up and saw Grissom, tears pouring down his face as he gazed down at her and their baby in awe.

His lips found hers in the gentlest kiss she had ever experienced, holding her there, enchanted.

"Thank you," he whispered into her hair as he moved down to their daughter to place a soft kiss on her head.

"Does daddy want to cut the cord?" The doctor asked, her own eyes glowing with emotion.

Grissom moved over to the Doctor to follow her instructions, as she guided his hands to the right position. He had never felt so elated before in his life as he came over to sit beside the most precious people in his life.

The midwife that was standing beside Sara lifted the baby away from her mother to rub all the blood away from her hair and face, before weighing her, and then wrapped her in a blanket before handing her back.

Sara gazed down at this new life in her arms; mesmerized by the love she felt bursting from her heart. She gazed up at her husband again, feeling that same love flowing from his eyes as he leaned down to lift his baby daughter into his arms.

Grissom was speechless; he didn't know what to say anymore. He fell in love with this little bundle the instant he knew she existed and even more so now that she was here. His eyes left her face to gaze down to her mothers who was looking tired but extremely happy. She was gazing up at him with tears in her eyes as she watched him.

"She's beautiful," he whispered as he came to sit down on the chair beside her, leaning over to kiss her lips, "so are you."

00000000

A few hours later Sara was settled into her room, changed and refreshed, feeling exhausted but too happy to sleep. Their baby was now dressed in a pink romper suit, asleep in her father's arms.

The door opened slowly to reveal Nick, Warrick and Catherine who couldn't wait to see the new arrival. Nick came to Sara instantly, kissing her on her cheek with pride. Catherine was beside Grissom in a heartbeat, taking the offered bundle to hold her in her arms feeling tears pooling in her eyes.

"Oh she's beautiful," she gasped over at Sara then to Grissom.

Warrick came to stand beside her, gazing down into the baby's face, immediately bending to plant a gentle kiss on her head.

"Hello baby," he smiled.

Grissom and Sara sat back against the bed, his arms holding her as they watched their baby being passed around their friends until she ended up in Nick's arms. He gazed down at her proudly, and then turned his face to her parents, "She's perfect. What are you going to call her?"

Sara smiled up at him then held on to Grissom's hand. "Megan Catherine," she told him, instantly hearing a gasp from the woman standing beside Nick.

"Oh that's so..."

Catherine stopped to wipe a tear from her eyes as she came to hug first Grissom and then Sara. "I'm so proud of you, Sara."

"So am I," Grissom smiled down at her.

They looked up to see baby Megan being passed back to Warrick who looked like he'd just lost his heart. He gazed down at her to plant a gentle kiss on her soft cheek unwilling to relinquish his hold on her until Catherine held out her arms. Reluctantly he kissed Megan's head before handing her over to Catherine who rocked her gently as soon as she held her.

It had been one heck of a ride, Sara mused as she gazed around the room, but she wouldn't have changed a single second. She was here now with her family, the people who loved her, and as she leaned into her husband's side she realized that life had never been so good. It was perfect…………

END (YAY!)

Thanks for making it to the end, I hope I didn't make anyone throw up onto their keyboard!