Gil was sat in his office looking over a parcel sent to him by his mother. "Two days and i'll be fifty" he thought.

As the day had gotten closer Gil had looked back on his life. Yes he had achieved alot in his career, but he had started to regret not taking a chance on love. He had, had short relationships and mild flirtations but nothing serious. There had been no-one he felt he could build a future with. But then that was a lie. The one person he could see himself with was Catherine Willows, but she had been married and over the last couple of years they had drifted apart. But things were getting better they had even started sharing breakfast again.

Just as Gil was mulling over his life the object of his thoughts came in to his office smiling like a cheshire cat. On seeing her he quickly placed the parcel in his desk drawer, he didn't want to remind anyone how old he was getting.

"Hey trouble, watcha up to?" Said Cath sitting down opposite Gil putting her feet up on his desk.

"You know me, catching up on some paperwork my favourite activity." Chuckled Gil.

"Well seems to me like you need some excitement in your life. Soooo Linds and I want you to come round for dinner Thursday night, no excuses."

"Cath I..."

"No excuses Gil, you wouldn't want to let Linds down now would you? So bring yourself to mine about six thirty we'll supply dinner and the movie. ok?"

"Okay." Gil agreed.

With that sorted Catherine walked out of Gil's office "Worked like a charm" she muttered as she headed for the parking lot.

Catherine knew that Gil turned fifty on Thursday but she didn't want to let on she knew. Above all else Gil was a very private person and wouldn't thank her for advertising the fact. So a family dinner with herself, Gil and Lindsey seemed ideal.

Family that sounded good. Catherine had always considered Gil as part of her and Lindsey's family. He'd always been there when they needed him and vice versa. He was the one constant in there lives no matter if they were having a rough patch. Catherine was not about to let that go, she was going to hold on tight and make his day special. Show him how much he actually meant to her.

Gil packed up his things for the day in a really good mood. Maybe his birthday wasn't going to be so bad after all. For once he had taken a few days off to relax enforced by Ecklie due to all the overtime he had done recently. He was actually looking forward to not coming in to work.

Gil was woken up thursday morning by somebody banging on his front door.

"Mr Grissom." Said the UPS delivery man as Gil opended the door. Gil accepted the package and went back into his townhouse, placing the package on his coffee table and went to get some coffee. Gil sat down on his couch about to open his parcel the phone rang.

"Grissom"

"Morning" came Catherines chirpy voice.

"Hey"

"So Linds and I are going to the zoo later. Want to join us?"

"Sounds good, what time do you want me to pick you up?"

"How about mid-day, we could go and get lunch then go to the zoo."

"Okay see you then." Gil smiled down the phone as hung up.

Gil couldn't believe his day had started so well. He opened the parcel which had a typed note attached.

Gil,
I saw you looking this up on your laptop.
It brought back a happy memory.
Happy Birthday Bugman
XxX

Gil opened the parcel and his breath was taken away. Somebody had bough him a first edition of his favourite childrens book Jack and the Beanstalk.

As Gil looked it over he realised that someone was Catherine. They had a conversation one night about their favourite bedtime stories. Gil had told Catherine about his dad reading him the story at bedtime and how he missed his dad reading to him after he had died. It was the best present that he could have been given.

At mid-day Gil knocked on Catherine's front to be meeted by the strawberry blonde.

Gil immediately pulled her into his arms.

"Thank you for my present, thank you very much." He said squeezing her tight.

"Happy birthday Gil, but you weren't supposed to guess it was from me that easily."

"Well as you're the only person i've told that story to it was kind of easy. I thought that you may have forgotten it was my birthday, I was trying to forget i'm getting old. But so far it's been the best birthday in a long time. That is down to you." Gil released Catherine from his arms and followed her into the kitchen.

"You're welcome Gil. It may even get better yet." Said Catherine with a wink which was reciprocated by a smirk from Gil.

"Uncle Gil!" Said Lindsey as she bounded in to the kitchen straight in to Gil's arms.

"Hi butterfly."

"Happy birthday. I made this for you in art class." Lindsey handed Gil a pot butterfly in yellow and blue which was on a stand which had a clip for a photo.

"Linds, this is great thankyou, I'll put it on my desk." Gil pulled in to another hug.

Catherine looked on and couldn't help but think how much they looked like father and daughter.

"Right are my two favourite girls ready to go?"

"Yes"

The ride to the zoo was silent all three of them happy to be in each others company. Instead of calling somewhere for lunch , they decided on hot dogs at the zoo.

First stop was the bear enclosure, then the monkeys. As they approached their final stop , the reptiles and arachnids Catherine was getting antsy.

"Do I have to come in there Gil, you know I'm not that good with spiders. I freak out when you get Freddy out of his pen."

"Mom don't be such a woss, they can't hurt you." Lindsey couldn't help but giggle at her mothers expression as she skipped in to the reptile den.

"Cath, honestly they won't hurt you. I promise, please it's my birthday." Gil took Catherines hand and tugged her towards him, where he then placed his arm around her shoulders.

Catherine leant her body into Gil and let him guide her in to the den. Once inside Catherine saw Gil's face light up at all the different species , like a kid in a sweet shop.

Gil took Catherine and Lindsey round explaining all the different types of species. Surprisingly Catherine really did enjoy herself, especially since Gil left his arm around her shoulders the whole time.

"So who's for chinese?" Asked Gil as they got in to his truck.

"Gil I was going to cook"

"Well if we get chinese, it saves you cooking and we can talk more." Gil gave Catherine a wink and gave her hand a little squeeze.

"Sounds good to me mom."

"You got a deal bugman."

"I'll get the plates mom, you can get the drinks." Lindsey bounded in to the kitchen to set up with the chinese in hand.

Catherine turned to Gil on hearing him chuckle.

"What you laughing at bugman?"

"Nothing i'm just happy, this has been a great day, thanks to you and Lindsey."

"You're welcome, now come on grubs up. Beer?"

"Sure."

They all sat down and enjoyed their meal, before Catherine sent Gil in the lounge with a couple of beers while she and Lindsey tidied up.

"Mom is it okay if I watch a dvd in my room before bed?"

"Thought you were going to watch one with Gil and I."

"I was but I don't need to be a witness to you giving Gil his birthday kiss. That's something I don't need to see before bed."

"LINDSEY!"

"Come on mom, you so want to, and it's fine by me I think he's great, he makes us both happy."

"thanks Lindsey." It amazed Catherine how perceptive her daughter could be. She was growing up fast.

"Night mom."

Catherine gave her daughter a big hug before sending her off to say night to Gil.

Gil sat back on Catherine's couch, slipped off his shoes and relaxed. He could get very used to this he thought. He felt at home.

Gil heard Catherine come in to the room behind him.

"Close your eyes Gil."

Gil did as he was asked.

"Open. Happy birthday Gil."

As Gil opened his eyes he was faced with an iced blue cup cake with one candle.

"Is this where I make a wish?" Gil then blew out the candle.

Gil took a bite out of the cake and held it towards Catherine so she could take a bite. As she did a small piece of icing stuck to the corner of her mouth. Gil reached the short distance between them with his right hand and with his thumb he wiped away the icing. Before he could pull his hand away Catherine took hold of his hand and licked away the icing. Feeling Catherine's tongue on him, he closed his eyes and let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. Gil opened his eyes and was about to speak.

"Cath..."

"shhh"

Catherine put a finger to his lips. She looked in to his eyes and saw love and lust.

She pulled his head towards her and they shared a searing kiss. Gil got more confident and pulled Catherine towards him and leant backwards on the couch so that they were lying down. Catherine could feel Gil's tongue against her lips and granted him entrance. Their tongues duelled for control. Hands began to roam. Gil's right hand entwined in Catherine's strawberry blonde tresses as his left hand moved down her back and squeezed her tush.

Catherine moved her right hand down Gil's chest fiddling with the buttons. then further down and rubbed his growing erection through his pants.

Catherine couldn't believe the feelings that Gil was provoking in her. She had never felt like this with anyone.

Due to the lack of oxygen both pulled out of the kiss.

"Wow, you've been holding out on me bugman."

"What can I say you bring out the best in me." Gil chuckled.

They lay together on the couch happy to share small kisses and caresses.

"Gil"

"Mmm" murmed Gil as he stroked Caterine's back.

"I really want to be with you. I want you, me and Lindsey to build a future together. I want everything with you. God I sound like a right desperado!"

With that Gil just burst out laughing he couldn't help it.

"What's so funny?" asked Catherine playfully punching Gil in the shoulder.

Gil cupped Catherine's face in his hands.

"Sweetheart, you are not a desperado. I want to be with you too, more than I can say. You bring happiness to my life, you make me feel and you understand me. I love you Catherine."

"I love you too."

Gil drew Catherine's head back down towards him and took her lips in a gentle kiss. Soon their tongues were searching each others mouths. Gil put both his hands under Catherine's shirt caressing the small of her back, while she began to unbutton his shirt and place kisses at the exposed flesh.

"Cath... wait...what about Lindsey?"

"It's okay, she knows how I feel about you and has given me the green light. She loves you too Gil. Come on." Catherine took hold of Gil's hand and led him to her bedroom.

"Cath are you sure? I don't want to rush you."

"Gil I've waited the best part of twenty years for this, I don't want to waste anymore time."

They slowly undressed each other until they were stood in front of each other naked. Gil guided Catherine back towards the bed until she was lay on the bed.

Gil started to kiss her right foot taking his time and slowly moving up her leg massaging it at the same time.

"God that feels so good baby" Catherine was squirming in ecstasy.

"Cath you taste great"

Gil continued his journey reaching her stomach where he dipped his tongue in her button hole whilst massaging both her breasts with his hands.

Catherine placed both her hands in his hair keeping him close she couldn't get enough of him. He moved his mouth to her breasts taking his time licking sucking and nipping. He took her nipples in his mouth and gave them a slight tug with his teeth which drove her crazy.

"Oh.. god Gil. I want you so much."

"Me too baby, me too."

Catherine pulled Gil's head up and took his mouth in a frantic kiss.

Catherine flipped them so she was on top. She began kissing his neck moving down slowly to his chest as she grasped his very large erection in her right hand and began to pump him slowly.

"Oh.....Cath...mmm.....so good."

Catherine continued to head south until she came face to face with his erection.

She looked up to see Gil watching her intensely. They locked eyes as Catherine took him into her mouth. She moved her mouth up and down over his engorged manhood taking him to the brink.

All Gil could do was fist the sheets, he was losing all coherent thought.

"Cath I want to be inside you."

Gil pulled her up towards him and took her mouth in another frantic kiss.

Gil flipped them again and was about to slide inside her but then realised.

"Cath...what about protection, do you have any condoms?"

Catherine cupped his cheek

"It's okay baby i'm on the pill. and I trust you."

Gil could see the sincerity in her eyes and kissed her. Locking eyes with her Gil slowly slid inside Cath not losing eye contact.

The emotions each other saw in their eyes could have tipped them both over the edge. Both managed to control themselves and Gil began to slowly move.

"Oh god Gil, you feel so good, take me baby."

Gil continued to move harder as Catherine raked her nails up and down his back stopping at his tush where she gripped his cheeks.

Gil lifted Catherines left leg higher round his hip for deeper penertration. He began to pump faster and harder nearing completion.

"Yes Gil.... I'm so close baby.... don't stop."

"Me too Cath, let it go. I've got you sweetheart."

"Look at me Cath."

They locked eyes again and the look in Gil's eye's sent Catherine over the edge.

"Oh Gil."

Hearing his name oh Catherines lips as she came sent Gil crashing over the edge.

They both lay catching their breath. Catherine gently stroked Gil's back until he came down from his high.

Who would have known the bugman would be such an amazing lover.

Gil lifted his head and gently took Catherine's lips in a kiss. He gently flipped them so that Catherine lay atop him.

"I love you Gil."

"I love you too Catherine with all my heart. Im definitely not going to forget this birthday in a hurry."

"Gil what did you wish for earlier?"

"Now, now grasshopper you know I can't tell you that."

Catherine chuckled "Night night, and happy birthday bugman."

They lay wrapped up in each others arms and began dreaming of their future together.