Chapter 44

Grissom was in the bathroom bathing and dressing Michael while Sara strode into the kitchen to begin preparing the feast. "Oh well," she sighed as she looked into the overstocked refrigerator. "This only happens once a year." She decided that she would begin her assault with the potato salad and managed to grab a tub of potatoes and some tomatoes, onions and lettuce for a tossed salad before an impatient knock sounded on the front door. "Figures," she mumbled and plopped the salad supplies on the kitchen table on her way to answer the front door.

"Hi Catherine." Sara pushed her hair back behind her ears as she stood back and invited her friend to enter.

"Hey, I bring gifts." Catherine held up her stack of presents.

"Geez Cath, he's only one little boy. There must be five presents there." Sara's protests were swallowed by her chuckles as she watched Catherine struggle to balance the impressive tower of packages.

Catherine shrugged her shoulders, "You know I like to spoil my favourite nephew."

Sara shook her head and took several boxes from the pile to help her out.

"Oh and...." Catherine stepped aside with a smile on her face as Sara placed the gifts on a table by the door, "...look who I found..."

Sara took a step back, her jaw dropping in disbelief as Claire appeared from behind Catherine. "Oh my god, Claire?"

Claire smiled. "Hi," she said with a little wave of her hand. "I brought gifts too."

"Forget the gifts," Sara began and pulled her into a hug.

Claire chuckled as Michaels box got a little squashed between them.

Eventually Sara pulled away, "how are you? We have barely spoken since the...erm, everything...you know."

Claire tried to smile. "I'm good."

Sara nodded. "Well come in both of you and we can talk while I get all this food ready."

"Need some help?" both Claire and Catherine asked at the same time, grinning at each other.

"Sure."

"Gil insists on doing a barbeque for the..." Sara made air quotes with her fingers while continuing in a sarcastic tone, "men," she chuckled, "so if one of you wouldn't mind basting the meat for me it's in the fridge on the bottom shelf."

"I can do that," Catherine replied heading towards the refrigerator.

"Want me to do the salad?" Claire asked.

Sara nodded. "Why not." Sara paused, giving Claire a frank appraisal. "So, how are you, really?"

Claire smiled. "I really am fine Sara, I can't deny it was an experience I would have rather not been a party too, but it happened, I can't change that. But it's over, I made a full recovery and I'm trying to forget about it. How about you guys? I know you all had a tough time with everything that happened; Jim came to see me a few times in the hospital while it was all going on. How is Gil doing?"

Sara sighed but she too smiled. "He's good, we all are, Gil is still a little tender but he is getting there and like you we are trying to put it all behind us now and only look to the future."

Nodding Claire began chopping tomatoes for the salad. "You know when everything has settled down a little," she looked up to Sara, "I would like to come back. I mean, that's if you need me or want me to come back, I wasn't sure."

Sara smiled. "Well, I know I would love you to come back and I'm sure the boys will feel the same, speaking of which," Sara heard the patter of feet on the floor, "I think we have incoming."

"Mommy, Mommy, Mike ready for party!" The excited shout of her son made her smile and Catherine and Claire soon followed suit. Grissom followed closely behind Michael.

"Hey sweetie look who's here." Sara gestured to Claire.

"Cware!" Michael squealed with glee and ran to her holding out his arms. She picked him up and he hugged her tightly.

Grissom looked at Sara a little shocked by their surprise guest and she smiled lovingly.

"I'm glad to see you're looking so well Claire," Grissom spoke as he walked into the kitchen.

"Thanks, you too."

Sara looped her arm through Grissom's. "Claire was just saying she would like to come back and look after Mike again, if we want her too."

"Oh?"

Sara nodded.

Grissom smiled. "Great."

Michael stretched his arms to the sky and yelled a gratifying, "yay!"

"Well Claire, "Sara laughed, "I think you have your answer."

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Michael's party was in full swing. Grissom managed his barbeque with pride as the sound of sizzle and the smell of comfort food floated around the garden. He flipped his steaks to perfection while making sure he kept one half of the grill meat free so he could cook his wife her favourite veggie burger.

Nick, Warrick and Greg played with Michael in the garden keeping him occupied with a multitude of new toys he'd received. He was currently amazed by the small trampoline Nick had bought him.

Brass sat with the girls and enjoyed the peace and quiet for once and Hank, Hank ran around crazily, zooming from person to person. He was in his element, he'd never got so much attention, and finally he came to plonk himself down by Brass and panted with pride.

"Hey boy," Brass reached out and scratched Hank behind the ears and he whined his appreciation. "Bet you're glad to be home aren't you?"

"Woof!"

"Thought so."

Sara laughed as Michael squealed and giggled every time his feet left his toy. "Well Gil," Sara called over, "maybe our bed is safe for a while now he's got that."

Looking over to the trampoline Grissom rolled his eyes, grinned and continued flipping.

"Oh yes," Catherine began, "he does like to bounce doesn't he?"

"Did he do that at yours?" Sara chuckled.

"Yeah, every morning, my mother loved his wake up calls."

Everyone smiled together as they watched the fun.

"Okay, food is ready!" Grissom called.

Michael's eyes lit up and he jumped straight off the trampoline much to everyone's shock.

Sara stood quickly and held her hand over her heart but sighed in relief as Michael landed on his feet and ran to his father.

"I wish he wouldn't do that," Sara grumbled.

"I have to say kiddo," Brass said standing, "I don't think I have ever come across a kid with so much energy and gutsiness, most kids his age would cry just looking down from that let alone jump off it."

"Yeah but he could hurt himself."

Brass smiled. "He'll be fine, let him live a little. There's a reason little boys are mostly made of rubber. Stop worrying so much. If he wants to jump off the roof, then maybe you'll need to step in, but let him enjoy the little things while he can. They won't last forever, you know."

Sara frowned a little.

"What?" Brass asked.

"Such enlightening words coming from Jim Brass?"

"Well make the most of that too," Brass sniggered, "I doubt that will last forever either."

Sara smirked, "come on, let's eat."

Everyone stood and quickly collected food, Sara approached last.

"Hey sweetheart," Grissom chuckled.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Our son," he replied.

Sara frowned, "oh? Why?"

"Did you see how much food he asked for?"

Sara turned around and took a quick glance at Michael's plate as he placed it onto the patio table. A burger, two sausages, a piece of steak which Grissom had cut up into tiny strips for him and a piece of chicken.

"Hell Gil, why did you give him all that?"

"Because he asked for it and it's his birthday."

Sara folded her arms. "He'll be sick."

Grissom grinned, "you forget how our son eats..."

"No I don't, he could probably eat me under the table, still I think it's too much. I don't want him throwing up everywhere, which is likely to happen once he starts running around again"

"Honey he will be fine, let him enjoy it and stop worrying will you?"

Sara sighed and realised how silly she was being, her mind just wasn't all that with it. "Okay, sorry."

Grissom smiled and handed her a plate. "Actually I'm not all that hungry."

"What do you mean?" Grissom pouted, he was proud of his cooking.

Sara hated it when he did that but truth be told, she didn't feel very hungry, but how could she resist that look? She took the plate. "Don't worry."

"Honey are you okay?"

Sara broke off a piece of the veggie burger and nibbled on it. "I'm fine."

Grissom frowned; he knew when she wasn't being totally honest. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, now you stop worrying and eat your food."

Grissom had noticed she'd been acting a little oddly, ever since breakfast but he shrugged it off and did as he was told, at least for now.

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8pm.

The party was over and everyone had left. Grissom helped Sara clean up the last of the mess in the kitchen before taking out the array of garbage bags.

Sara walked into the living room and stopped; she folded her arms and sighed as a sweet smile appeared on her face. Grissom returned and came to a halt when he saw her expression. He moved close and followed her gaze and his smile quickly replicated hers when he saw Michael, fast asleep on the sofa, birthday cake smeared all over his face, Ant wrapped in his arms and Hank sprawled across his legs, snoring the only way Hank could.

He slithered an arm around Sara's waist and they sighed together.

"Isn't that a picture?" Sara asked.

"Yeah," he sighed again, "a perfect picture."

"I think it's his bed time don't you? Once again he has managed to exhaust himself by partying too hard."

Grissom chuckled as he bent down and pulled his sleeping son into his arms. "Just wait until he's sixteen, then what are we going to do?"

Sara laughed. "Well he enjoyed his day, that's all that matters."

Smiling, Grissom softly supported the back of Michaels head as it flopped onto his shoulder. "I couldn't have said it better myself."

Sara headed towards the bedroom and Grissom followed. "Oh I'm sure you would have found a way," she called back to him and he grinned.

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With Michael safely tucked up in bed and fast asleep Grissom and Sara both decided to call it a night too, it had been a long day for all.

Grissom laid a top of the bed sheets, reading glasses perched on the edge of his nose.

Sara stood in the doorway to the bathroom and watched him as he read her forensic journal.

"Hello stranger..." She grinned.

Looking up Grissom slowly placed the book down and removed his glasses. His mouth fell open slightly as his wife stood before him in a sleek black robe.

"I have a surprise for you."

Grissom's brow rose. "Oh?"

"Well, I have two surprises for you but the first one you are going to have to unwrap." Sara stepped into the bedroom and held out her arms.

Grissom tried not to grin and lifted himself from the bed. "I have to unwrap it huh?"

Sara nibbled her lip and nodded.

"And to what do I owe the pleasure of these surprises?"

Sara just innocently shrugged her shoulders.

A graceful smirk pursed Grissom's lips as he slowly circled around her, his stomach clenching in anticipation as to what or more so, may not, lay beneath the robe. Finally he came to stand before her and looked over her body before his finger tips graced the end of the belt to her robe.

Sara struggled to keep a straight face as he tugged on the belt and pushed the robe from her shoulders.

Grissom's eyes widened and his mouth caught flies as he stood back. Their eyes met and Sara could no longer hold in her grin.

"You like it?" She laughed from the very pit of her stomach.

Grissom burst out laughing too at the sight before him. His wife donned in nothing but a shirt. Not any shirt but the shirt which had caught his eye in Hawaii. The shirt she hated so much. The bright yellow and red shirt covered in tiny palm trees.

"How...? Why....?"

Sara placed her arms around his neck, "well I know you liked it and when I thought about it, maybe I was being a little mean not letting you get it. For some reason I just couldn't get the hideous thing out of my mind."

"Hideous?" He grinned, "and you still bought it for me?"

"Just because I love you and, I wanted to give you something to remember from the honeymoon, we didn't get much else."

Sara watched as Grissom's face saddened. "Hey," she quickly placed her hand to his cheek, "maybe I said that wrong, I didn't mean the time we had wasn't good but...."

"It's okay," Grissom interrupted, "I know what you meant; maybe we have to pick up where we left off at some point."

"Yeah?"

"Oh yes."

"I'll remember you said that," Sara grinned.

"But still, how did you get the shirt? You didn't get it while we were there."

Sara fiddled with the neckline of his t-shirt, "no, I didn't, I managed to get in touch with our friendly bell boy, you remember him?" Sara raised her brow, trying her upmost to keep a straight face.

Clearing his throat Grissom shifted a little, "yes, I remember him, but I'd rather not."

"Shame, poor man, he was so helpful too."

"Yeah well, he can be as helpful as he wants, just not to me."

Sara laughed. "So that's how I got it, I called the hotel and they sorted it out for me. Oh and they did say because of what happened our booking is on hold until we require it."

"Really?" Grissom sounded shocked.

Sara nodded, "really."

"Wonderful."

"Yeah," Sara thought for a moment before continuing, "um, your second gift is in the bedside drawer."

"Oh?"

"A ha."

Grissom gave her a suspicious look before heading over to the drawer; he opened it and saw a small box. He picked it from the drawer and removed the ribbon. His eyes caught Sara's before he opened it and for some reason she seemed nervous. He removed the lid and he stood, shocked, when he saw the contents. He swallowed hard before removing the small implement from the box, his eyes immediately spotting the two bold lines in the window.

With mouth agape his eyes once again fell upon hers. "We're pregnant?"

Sara smiled. "Yeah."

"How?" Grissom stuttered. "I mean, I know how but when?"

"Well..." Sara grinned as she shuffled towards him. "I think it was our little bathroom break at the cabin. Either that or our trip on the boat but I'm pretty sure it was the bathroom."

"What is it with bathrooms? Does it heighten your chances of conceiving or something?"

Sara laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck but then pulled back quickly as he winced.

"Shit, sorry, I forgot about your shoulder."

Grissom smirked, "its okay, I was joking."

Sara slapped him lightly on the chest before her fingers slipped inside his shirt, her hand coming to rest softly on his shoulder wound.

"You knew about this earlier didn't you?" He asked.

Sara felt guilt wash over her and bowed her head.

"Hey," Grissom slipped a finger under her chin to bring her eyes to meet his. "It's okay; I just don't know why you didn't tell me."

"Because today was Mike's day and I didn't want anything taking that away from him. If I had told you this morning everyone would know and then it would all have been about the baby and not about Mike. He deserved his birthday. Plus I just wanted it to be you and me, you're not angry with me are you?"

"No."

Sara sighed with relief. "So, how do you feel?"

"About you being pregnant?"

Nodding Sara removed her hand from his shoulder to fiddle with his shirt again.

The biggest smile graced Grissom's lips. "It's the best present I could ever ask for."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Sara grinned. "So what about the shirt?"

"Oh the shirt, well I love it too, but I love what's in it a hell of a lot more."

"Oh yeah? Well if you want what's inside I can take it off if you want me too."

Grissom's eyes grew misty at the prospect.

But Sara hesitated. "Do you think you can handle it? If it's too soon baby just tell me I won't mind, we can wait."

Grissom shook his head. "I can handle it as long as we don't go too wild, you will have to be gentle."

Sara grinned as she reached for his shirt, pulling it over his head, "oh I think I can manage that..."

Grissom's shirt fell to the floor and Sara ran her finger tips softly over his chest, slowly moving downwards to let them lightly brush over his healing flesh. Grissom watched as she tenderly caressed him, feeling his chest tighten and arousal grow as she worked her magic. Her hands were capable of taking him to places he never thought he would ever go.

She looked into his eyes, watching them grow darker with every pass of her fingers over his skin. With a sly grin she scratched her fingertips lightly back up his chest before reaching behind his neck to pull him towards her.

Both moaned softly as their mouths opened and their tongues tangled in an erotic dance. Grissom leisurely slid his hands under the shirt and up her back pulling her tightly against him. She grinned into him after feeling his arousal against her thigh, working her fingers through the greying locks curled at the back of his neck while feeling the sensation of her own arousal spreading from her belly to tingle through every other part of her body.

Several delicious moments later they slowly pulled apart and both pairs of eyes were equally glazed.

A slight smirk graced Grissom's lips as he reached up and slowly unbuttoned the loud Hawaiian shirt that she wore. He brushed it from her shoulders and it fell upon the floor to rest atop his already forgotten garment. Sara smiled knowingly as his eyes traced over her body before returning to meet hers.

"Let me make love to you?" She asked softly.

Grissom thought for a few moments and nodded.

Running her tongue seductively over her lips, Sara pulled on the string of his sweats and lowered them to his ankles, allowing him to step out of them. He did so quickly.

"Lie down," she commanded. Her voice held enough steel that he had no choice but obey but there was a softness there as well that conveyed her concern and caution with regard to his still-fragile condition.

Grissom shot her an affectionate grin as he gingerly shifted onto the bed and sat up to rest his back against the headboard. He watched as she approached and hesitated for moment, obviously considering her next move, finally she decided to straddle his upper thighs.

He moaned lightly as Sara carefully straddled him and he felt the soft skin and intense heat of her thighs brush against his own. Grissom smiled as she took his hands in hers, playing with his fingers for a moment before clenching them tightly between her own.

Her eyes travelled down his body to his boxers where his excitement was very evident.

"I have an idea," Sara said lightly.

Raising his right brow Grissom watched as she pursed her lips in the way only she could "What might that be?" he whispered hoarsely.

"How about we get you out of those," she nodded to his boxers, "and into me?"

With a grin Grissom shifted slightly feeling himself harden even further "If you insist."

Sara released his hands and moved off him for a second grabbing a hold of his boxers. "Oh I do," she smirked giving him a quick glance before tugging. "Lift," she instructed and Grissom raised his hips the little he could without causing himself too much discomfort and Sara quickly removed the cotton garment from his body.

"Much better," she smiled and just as she was about to return to her previous position Grissom cleared his throat.

"What?" she asked, hoping that he was not experiencing any pain.

"Isn't that a little unfair?"

Sara looked around, "isn't what unfair?"

"That you're still wearing your panties."

"Oh," Sara grinned, "you think so?"

"I do."

"Would you like me to remove them?"

"I would," He stated with a single, emphatic nod of his head. "I would like that very much."

Sara did as requested and quickly disposed of her thong, throwing it over her shoulder to land, well she didn't really care where.

"Much better," Grissom whispered.

With a chuckle Sara hopped back onto the bed and knelt by his side. Leaning forward she went to kiss his lips but pulled back just before their lips connected.

"Hey," Grissom pouted as she grinned, "don't tease."

"No?"

Grissom shook his head.

Showing mercy Sara leaned forward again but this time gave him what he so obviously craved and she grinned through the kiss when he moaned gratefully into her mouth.

Her lips untangled from his to drift down his chin, softly, slowly descending to his throat where she suckled the sensitive skin below his Adam's apple, a spot that always drove him insane. Grissom felt his toes curl and his whole body quiver as she skimmed down his body, her tongue and lips seemingly dragging over every inch of his skin.

When she reached the point just above his jagged abdominal scar, she glanced up and grinned. His eyes were tightly closed and his fingers gripped the bed sheets with intensity. She smiled to herself knowing she must be doing something right, she hadn't even got to the good part yet.

"S...Sarrrraa....." He hissed as she continued on her downward path, bypassing his wound to where his erection lay just below.

She looked up just as his eyes opened and licked her lips.

Grissom groaned through a heavy breath as Sara flicked her tongue over his tip.

"Honey...." He almost sobbed. "I need you..."

Sitting back on her heals she ran her hands over his thighs. "Oh, no tasting today?"

Grissom shook his head quickly., "Need. You. Now."

"Hmmm," Sara whispered with a delicate smile, "but you have to promise me something alright?"

With heavy lids Grissom nodded.

"If at any time you get uncomfortable you have to tell me."

Grissom nodded again. "I will."

"Okay," Sara said as she shuffled back onto his thighs, taking his hardness into her hands causing him to moan softly once more.

Raising herself up and licking her lips she hovered, letting him brush against her opening before she slowly sank down upon him.

Both moaned together as he filled her and even though the moment was blissful Sara felt the sting of tears catch in her eyes as she came to settle with him buried deep inside her.

"Honey...?" Grissom asked sensing her anguish.

Sniffing but smiling Sara once again reached for his hands and entwined her fingers with his.

"I'm okay," she whispered, "I just came so close to losing you again and it all just flooded me for a second."

Grissom managed to push himself up, shocking his wife slightly as he wrapped his arms around her.

"What are you doing?" Sara gasped feeling him shift inside her. "You'll hurt yourself."

Softly running his fingers up her back Grissom smiled. "I'll be fine, I just want to feel you, hold you, be close to you."

Sara cupped his face in her hands, "I love you so much."

Kissing her softly before pulling back to look deep in her eyes Grissom smiled. "I love you too."

Now their lips clashed with heat and passion as they clung to one another, each one rocking into the other, at almost snail pace they moved together, nothing but mutual, tender, moans and groans filling the room, turning an eventful day into an endless night of nothing but their love for each other.....

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The metallic clank of the cell doors opening caused Bobby Stevens to open his eyes and curse under his breath, he rolled over to face whoever it was that was disturbing his peace. He blinked hard several times as if his eyes were deceiving him as he stared down from the confines of his top bunk. The doors closed.

"Have fun guys," the guard chuckled as he walked away.

Bobby flipped his legs over the side of the bed and jumped from the bunk, staring his home invader in the face. After a quick frown he pulled the man into a tight embrace, "I never thought you would end up in here," he mumbled as the man held onto him hard and strong.

The two men pulled back from each other and for several minutes took one another in.

"So bro? How do we bust out of this place?" Joshua Stevens eventually asked with smug grin on his face.

Bobby smirked, "anyway we can................"

The end!

Authors note: Well that's it guys, Affliction is finished. I hope you enjoyed my story. I would like to say thank you to all those who have read my story and to those who have given me their comments and feedback. I would like to say a special thank you to everyone who has beta'd for me through this story, cropper, smacky30, LIT, your words of wisdom and advice have helped me so much and I thank you for your constant support. I would like to thank mingsmommy and cincoflex for also giving me support through my writing and for encouraging me to get better. And the thanks wouldn't be complete without me saying a huge THANK YOU to Luisa (simi) for always being there for me no matter what.

Part three of the series will be out I hope sometime early next year so watch this space, in the meantime myself and simi are working on "The Calling," so please read it if you can, I would love your thoughts, and we hope this is going to be something extra special. Chapter one is already up!

Thanks for reading and have a nice day!