Grissom was smiling as he walked towards his office; it had been almost three months since he had been tricked into telling Catherine how he had felt about her, three glorious months. He was also absolutely delighted to find that Lindsey, Catherine's daughter, really liked him and was happy that Uncle Gil was making her mom laugh a lot more.

He was just about to enter his office when the strawberry blond woman caught up with him.

"Hope you remembered it's your turn to do some home baking with Lindsey today?" she asked him, grinning wickedly.

Apparently it was a tradition that Catherine and Lindsey spent some time together once a week baking. Grissom had, at Lindsey's request, been invited to try out some of their efforts during the past month and had thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the tradition. Enjoyed it until, for some reason known only to her, Lindsey had said it was time Uncle Gil took part in the baking. Grissom had tried to back out saying that surely Lindsey wanted to spend this special time with her mom, but the child had been adamant, she wanted to bake with him and her mom could taste their efforts.

Panicking he had turned to Catherine for help. "I can't cook, never mind bake!" he had exclaimed desperately. How could he help Lindsey do home baking?

Catherine had simply grinned, "If you can do all the technical stuff at work you can read a few simple cooking instructions." She had replied laughing, "You can even buy ready mixed dough for things like doughnuts."

"I don't do doughnuts!" He exclaimed looking from mother to daughter.

Lindsey had looked shocked at her mother's comment of buying ready mixed items, "That's cheating, Uncle Gil has to do it right from the beginning the same as we do. That's what makes it fun." She had finished, smiling up at him.

He had finally given in and they had graciously allowed him three weeks grace to get his mind round the idea of baking something from scratch. The three weeks were over and the dreaded day had finally arrived.

"I've remembered," he told Catherine, "I've got most of the ingredients in the car." He added smiling weekly.

"No ready mixed dough." Catherine chided him sweetly.

"No." He answered, "I wouldn't do that to her, I wouldn't let her down like that."

Catherine became serious for a moment, "I know you wouldn't, that's one of the reasons I love you so much." She told him her eyes shinning. "Remember it's not the results that matter, it's the spending time together." She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and allowed him to get on with his work.

As soon as Lindsey arrived home from school she rushed into the kitchen. "Are you ready, Uncle Gil?" She asked excitedly.

"You bet!" He answered smiling. He had carried the items he required directly into the kitchen and had told Catherine to mind her own business and leave the wrapped packages alone. He and Lindsey were doing the baking, not her.

Lindsey grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her waist as an apron and Grissom followed suit. Catherine started into the kitchen to help out but was promptly ushered out by both her daughter and her lover.

"Oh no you don't," Gil stated forcefully," this is Lindsey's and my time together."

"You can taste it when it's done." Lindsey told her happily.

Catherine threw Grissom a pained look, but left the kitchen.

An hour later she could smell the delicious aroma of baking, and she relaxed a little, thinking the results might not be quite as bad as she had been expecting. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Lindsey dragged her mother, excitedly, into the kitchen. Catherine scanned the room quickly, expecting to see utensils scattered around. She was totally surprised to see her work surfaces cleared and clean and sitting in the middle of the main work area was a beautiful chocolate cake.

She stood completely stunned, and it was only when Lindsey asked her to try the piece of cake she held out towards her that she shook herself into motion. "This is delicious!" she exclaimed, "How?" she asked staring at Grissom.

"I said I don't do doughnuts, I didn't say I didn't do chocolate cake." And he gave her a grin.

That night Grissom texted his mother.

Thanks for the recipe and trial runs. Don't think I can look at another chocolate cake ever again. Lindsey had a great time and Catherine is still stunned.

Love Gil

P.S.

Same time, same place next week I'd like to make Catherine a meal what about ......