Catherine Grissom is walking through the lab. Jeans hugging her curves, a sweater cradeling her small bump, and her boots tapping against the ground.

She walks into the break room sitting at the table. She opens the bag of McDonalds as Jeff comes in," Hey Cath I didn't know you were on tonight"

"I figured I'd do some paperwork I'm getting behind"

"McDonalds?"

"Hell yeah"

"And I thought you didn't eat"

"Shut up Jeff"

"I'm sorry," she pops another fry in her mouth and leans back in the chair.

After a few seconds she loses her balance and starts falling back. Jeff runs overand stops the chair from falling completely. She looks up into his eyes but sees Gils blue ones and Gil's standing there," Oh god"

"Cath?"

"Huh?"

"Cath you okay," his image starts fading away and soon she's looking at Jeff," Cath are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," he pushes the chair back up," Don't lean back so far okay?"

"Yeah thanks," she slowly stands up and then the receptionist comes in,"

Catherine?"

"Yeah"

"A letter just arrived for you"

"Oh," she takes the letter," Thanks"

"No problem," Catherine looks at the letter and knows it's from Gil," Could you but the food in the fridge? I've gotta go start working on the paperwork"

"Sure," she walks out of the breakroom and to Gils' office. She unlocks the door and goes in. Sitting at the desk she opens the letter a few pages long:

Dear Cath and kids,

It's getting lonley over here I know I say time after time but everyday it sinks in. Somedays seem worse then the last one but when I had you I could make it through. Somedays I wanna quit when I know I can't and others I wanna fight harder so I can make it home sooner. I got the pictures the other day and I keep them with me all the time you guys look great. The other night when I was lying here just thinking about you guys for the first time in I don't know how long I started to cry. Waking up without you there Cath hurts but waking up without any one there hurts like hell and I don't even know if I'm going to see you again. Haven't seen alot for the past couple days so I've been thinking mostly about alot of things, me and a couple of the guys will play poker once in a while, if we were playing for money we'd be poor as a dog. Greg says hi to everyone along with Rex. I think we're moving again on thurs. I don't know where to so it might be a few days before you hear from me. Kalee, Annabell, I want you guys to know that I love you and I'll try to get home soon. Make sure mommy takes care of the baby I'll write in a few days. Love, Daddy XOXOXO

Cath,

I don't know if I can wake up one more morning alone without you there. I got the ultrasound pictures, you're amazing. I want to say so much but I don't know how to put it into words. I wanna wake up next to you, I wanna feel the baby move, I wanna see the kids smiles, I wanna be back in Vegas, I wanna make love to you, I wanna watch our baby be born, I wanna solve crimes every night, I just wanna be there, I don't wanna die. I know this probably isn't helping you any but need to say it. They say I could be home in a few months or I could be home in a year. I'll have to start sending you some drawings of the flowers, just as beautiful as you are. The days are hot so are the nights apparently, but all I feel is the cold. I guess even if you were here there wouldn't be any room, twin sizes I about fall off myself. You'll have to start sending me bump pictures you'll start really showing soon. I know that these are short letters but if I write anymore my heart won't be able to be put back together. I love you more than ANYTHING in the universe. I hope I'll be home soon. Gil (In case you forgot, your husband)

She wipes the tears from her eyes and picks up the picture that fell out at the begining. It's of a sunset where the mountains are mere shadows. She flips it over and reads the note: The blue reminded me of your eyes, the gold of your hair, but the black of the mountains broke my heart, it looked like the emptyness I would probably see if I looked into your eyes, and the burst just reminded me of you.

"Cath?"

"Yeah," she looks up to the doorway where Brass is standing," You wanna go out tonight?"

"No I think I'm gonna stay in unless you need me"

"Okay," he smiles slightly and leaves. She pins the picture onto the cork board with a bunch of pictures on it and smiles.

**********************************************************

Catherine lays a three week old Lindsey Gillian Catherine Grissom in her crib after feeding her," There you go honey"

"Mommy," she looks back at the door," Yeah Lee"

"Can you come tuck me in?"

"Sure honey I'll be in in a second"

"Okay," she leaves and Catherine covers Lindsey and turns on the baby monitor. She leaves the room moving to Kalees room. She lifts her daughter into her bed and covers her up," Mommy when's daddy coming home?"

"I don't know honey. I really don't know"

"I miss him"

"I miss him too honey very much," she kissed her forehead and strokes her dark brown curls," Love you pumpkin"

"Love you too mommy," Catherine flicks off the light and shuts the door. She looks up and Annabell's standing in her doorway," Come on I'll tuck you in"

"Okay," they go into her bedroom and she climbs into her bed and she pulls the covers up and kisses her forehead," What do you want for breakfast in the morning?"

"Daddy's pancakes"

"Okay I'll do my best"

"Huggie," she opens her arms and Catherine hugs her close," Love you baby"

"Love you too mommy"

"Get some sleep," she smiles at her and leaves shutting the door behind her after turning the lights off. She walks downstairs and turns the kitchen lights on. Catherine opens the fridge puling a slice of pepperoni pizza out of the box. Munching on the pizza she grabs the paper and opens it up. After reading about 4 pages the doorbell rings," Fuck," she jumps up and runs to the door. The pizza is still in her hand she swings the door open. The pizza falls to the floor and tears flood her eyes," Oh my god," she launches herself into open arms and the tears come free," Oh Gil"

"I'm here baby. I'm here," still in full uniform Gil holds her close as she cries," I'm here," she pulls back and lays her hand on his cheek," You're home"

"I'm home"

"We have alot of catching up to do"

"Yeah but right now....," he slides his hand around her waist and leans next to her ear and whispers," Oh Gil"

"Come on," he picks up his bag and the pizza and walks in the door. He pitches the pizza in the trash and follows her upstairs setting his bag in the bedroom. They go into Kalees bedroom and Gil kneels down by her bed.

He whispers in her ear and her eyes snap open," DADDY," she launches herself into his open arms and he holds her close," Hey pumpkin"

"I missed you soo much daddy"

"I missed you lots too honey"

"I'm glad you're home"

"Me too honey"

"Love you"

"Love ya too," he lays her back in bed and covers her up," I'll be here in the morning okay"

"Okay," she goes back to sleep and they go into Anabells room and Gil whispers in her ear," Uhhhhh dad"

"I'm here"

"I missed you dad"

"I missed you too sweetheart"

"Let's play tomorrow"

"Okay we can play"

"Love you dad"

"Love you too babe," they leave and Catherine takes him into the nursery,"

Wow you did good"

"I had some of the guys help me," he looks down in the crib and tears come to his eyes. He lifts her out of the crib and wraps her in the blanket," Who's daddy's little girl?"

"I know she is," he sits in the rocking chair and starts rocking her back and forth," Come on she'll be up in three hours and you can watch me feed her"

"Okay," he lays her back down and follows Catherine to their bedroom. She pushes him to sit on the bed and she straddles his lap," I've missed you"

"So I can tell"

"And I love a man in uniform"

"I love a woman who takes it off"

"Maybe I can help?"

"Maybe," she pushes him back and he looks into her eyes," You are the most amazing woman ever"

"I think so too," she smiles and leans down. He captures her lips and pulls the shirt off her curves leaving her in just her panties. He runs his hands down her sides and cups her tush in his hands," I have definately missed this"

"Your daughter gave me that after five months of Taco Bell, chocolate ice cream, and french fries"

"I sooo owe her," she laughs and starts unbuttoning his jacket. She pulls it off throwing it across the room. Next to come off is his white undershirt. She moves down kissing his chest and grabs his leather encased feet and starts unlacing the shoes. Soon she tuggs both off and then pulls off his socks. She moves her body up and undoes his belt, then the button and zipper. She tuggs them off and pitches them behind her. She stands at the end of the bed just looking at him. He stands up and pulls her to him in a crushing kiss. He moves his kisses down her body until he is on his knees and level with her stomach. He presses a kiss to the clover tattoo around her navel. She squeezes his shoulders and he leans his head against her still deflating stomach. The tears come before he knows and he's sobbing against her," I am sooo sorry," her heart breaks a little more tears stinging her eyes. She pulls him in to her arms and lays them down on the bed she pulls the covers over them as he sobs," It's okay honey it's okay"

**********************************************************

"Gil what are you going to have?"

"I will have the.......steak, with the white wine mushroom sauce, and I would like the steak well done"

"Okay and you madame?"

"I would like the duck, with the roasted vegitables and potatoes, the red wine orange sauce, and an order of calamari"

"Okay," he takes the menus and walks away. Gil smiles at Catherine as she takes another sip of her champagne," So I guess you could call this a Happy 28th Birthday, welcome home, tonight I'm going to make love to you with out crying dinner?"

"Ye...hey"

"I'm just saying Gil it bothers me"

"And you don't think it bothers me?"

"I'm not saying that it's just we've been trying to have sex for two weeks Gil and everytime you end up in tears......I just don't need my heart broken any more," she looks up at him with tears in her eyes," Hang on a sec okay," he stands up and walks away. She fiddles with her fork as he's gone and hears a new song filter through the speakers. Smiling she looks up and Gil is standing there with his hand out," May I have this dance milady?"

"I'd love too," she places her hand in his and stands up. He leads her to the dance floor and wraps his arms around her waist as she rests hers on his shoulders. He starts swaying them to the music and she lays her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat," It's so simple yet it gives us life"

"What?"

"A heartbeat"

"Cath I never meant to hurt you"

"You didn't it......everything that has happened over the past few years and months has just been stressing me out"

"Over the past few years?"

"I wanted a baby so bad over the past almost 4 years and the miscarriage took alot out of me. Lindsey she was a blessing, but not the one that I wanted"

"Cath..."

"I wanted a boy, Gil. I didn't want a girl"

"You wanted a boy?"

"Yeah, I've given birth to three girls now.....I was supposed to have a son 2 years ago....I still want to have a son. I mean I love Linds with all my heart, I do, it's just.....I want a boy Gil, but it just doesn't make sense why"

"I don't know honey....but if you want to we can try to do it ourselves or IVF?"

"I don't know right now maybe IVF seems like a good choice for this"

"What ever you want honey"

"Thank you"

**********************************************************

"Hi," Gil walks into the room. Catherine is laying on the bed in a black bra and thong set running her foot up and down her leg," Hellloe," she smiles at him and he climbs on the bed and towers over her," You look very sexy at the moment"

"You don't look to bad at the moment either," she leans up and kisses him rolling them over," Don't plan on wearing this anywhere else," she tears the shirt buttons flying every where. She tosses it behind her attacking his pants next soon chucking them behind her also. He rolls them so he's above her.

He unsnaps her bra and tosses it across the room her thong soon following it. She arches into him and he hungrily kisses her. A moan escapes her lips and he moves south pressing kisses to her body," It's nirvana," she laughs and he dips his tounge in her navel eliciting a moan. She pulls him back up," I need you now," she kisses him possesively and he thrusts into her and she crys out in pain. He looks at her with worry," I'm fine it's just been a very long time," he starts moving slowly as she murmmurs in his ear. He changes the angle of his thrusts and she crys out a bit," Right there.....Harder," as he thrusts harder the tip of his swollen erection probes her cervix partially. Feeling him do this Catherine screams as her orgasam is unleashed. He moans into her neck and lets go. Warmth engulfs her inside and she arches up into him.

After cooling down they roll so they're on their sides and she looks into his eyes," You have never gone that deep before," he laughs and kisses her again, slowly.

When he pulls back she smiles and pulls off of him," I'm gonna hurt in the morning"

"It was worth it," he runs a hand through her hair as she lays her head on his chest and pulls the blankets back up over them," Let's sleep now and we can talk later"

"That sounds good," her breathing evens out and he presses a kiss to her forehead," Night baby," falling asleep himself, he pulls her close, his dreams of her starting.

**********************************************************

Present Day

**********************************************************

"Happy Birthday dear Catherine Happy Birthday to you," Catherine smiles and holds back her hair as she blows out all 42 candles. Everyone starts clapping and Gil kisses her," Happy Birthday baby"

"Yeah it is," she pulls his hands around her waist to rest on her 9 month bulge covering them," The worlds not so dark anymore"

"Happy Birthday mom," a 20 year old Kalee kisses Catherines cheek and smiles. Dark brown, highlighted curls were hanging around her shoulders and Gil's daring blue eyes looked back at her," I want you to meet someone real quick," she becons a man over about Gils height, brown hair pulled into a mini mohawk, unnerving blue eyes, sporting a orange tshirt, sandblasted suit coat and jeans, and a pair of all white Fubu shoes," This is Jacob. Jake these are my parents, my mom Catherine, and my dad Gil"

"It's nice to meet you," Catherine shakes his hand smiling then Gil,"

Congratulations on the impending arrival. Lee said you're expecting a boy?"

"Yeah although I personally just wish the kid would come out already"

"My mom felt the same way when she had my sister 6 years ago. Once you hit 7 or 8 months you are not responsible for your actions if the kid is mysteriously born early," Catherine laughs and smiles," Yeah same way I feel"

"Here a birthday slash baby gift I guess," he hands her a box. She pulls off the wrapping and opens the box. As Gil holds the box she pulls out a spring green, knit baby blanket that has an intricately stitched dragonfly spread across it," Oh my god this is absolutely gorgeous. It's absolutely amazing thank you"

"You're welcome"

"And you bought me Godiva and Ghirardelli.....you might actually beat Greg out on the best gifts"

"Hey I thought I gave you the best gifts"

"You do baby I'm saying like from the kids and stuff," she kisses his pouting lips and he smiles," You remember our 20th anniversary?"

"Wedding?"

"Mmhm"

"Vaguely"

"I bought you a Harry Winston Rare Fancy Intense Pink Oval diamond ring and a pair of Bvlgari Quadrato sunglasses"

"That's alot of money right there"

"She means the world to me," she leans up and whispers in his ear and then smiles seductively at him," You remember that?"

"I never forgot, I couldn't"

"Really?"

"Mmhm....Thank you for the blanket and chocolates they're wonderful"

"It's no problem really," Greg and a 23 year old Anabell come over his hand around her waist," Happy Birthday Catherine"

"Thanks Greg"

"Happy Birthday mom," Anabell hugs her dark blonde hair falling over her shoulders and Catherine's devestating blue eyes smiling at her," Thank you baby"

"Have you seen your sister?"

"Linds....last time I saw her she was outside with her boyfriend and Mia and Warrick," Catherine feels Gil tense up and she squeezes his hand," Don't over react like you did with Bell"

"Cath she's 13"

"I know I'll be back in a second. Talk about bugs to get your mind off of it"

"Cath...."

"Stay," Catherine walks onto the back porch and spots Lindsey laying on her boyfriend in one of the lawn chairs. He's got a book on his chest and he's reading out of it to her. She smiles and walks over to them," Hey do you guys want anything to eat?"

"Nah we're good mom," Lindsey smiles at her brushing some hair out of her face," Hey has Bell spilled anything about her and Greg to you?"

"No"

"Okay. I'm gonna go back inside why don't you come back in in about an hour?"

"Okay," Catherine goes inside and wraps her arms around Gils waist from behind him," They're doing fine"

"Okay," he turns around so he's facing her. Running a hand through her hair he pulls her in to a kiss letting her set the pace. She deepens it and toys with the curls on the back of his head. Pulling back Gil smiles at her," I love you you know that?"

"Yeah I do.....guess what I love you too"

"Please people," she laughs and smiles at Greg," You said you wanted to tell us something"

"I know you're going to hate me for this, but we've really thought about this and we've been going out for 7 years and......"

"We're engaged!"

"What!!!"

"He proposed yesterday morning," she shows them the ring. A simple platinum band with a 3 stone setting containing princess cut diamonds,"

You're serious?"

"Yeah. We want a summer wedding at Grandpas house on the beach in Miami"

"Next summer?"

"Yeah"

"Are you pregnant?"

"No.....At least I don't think I am"

"Belle"

"As far as I know I'm not pregnant.....so are you happy for us?"

"Yeah," Catherine hugs her then Gil," So whens the date?

"Well either July 16th, the day we first met, or August 23rd, the day of our first date, or July 26th..."

"Why the 26th?"

"It's the day of the first time we made love," she smiles at Greg and he kisses her," Please tell me that was the July 26th after your 18th birthday"

"It was after my 18th birthday," she looks at them over her shoulder," Trust me daddy he wouldn't have even if I wanted to"

"I know princess," he kisses her forehead and she smiles. Catherine sits down on the chair and presses a hand to her forehead and a hand to her stomach," Cath what's wrong baby?"

"Just a rush. I shouldn't be on my feet anyway," she smiles weakly at him," You wanna go upstairs?"

"No I'll be fine...really"

"Mom you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine really I promise, it's just a little blood rush," she stands up a bit wobbly," Listen I'm gonna go talk to the guys and if it gets worse I'll tell you," she smiles and kisses him," I promise," she walks over to where the rest of the CSI's are standing with a few lab rats that Catherine was friends with," Hey Cath. Happy Birthday"

"Thanks guys," she kisses Bobby's cheek and smiles," How's the baby?"

"He's doing good shouldn't be that much longer," she runs a hand across her stomach and Gil comes up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist kissing her neck," Hey"

"Hey Griss"

"How have you guys been?"

"Not burning down the lab or your office," they laugh and Catherine squeezes Gils hand before her eyes roll back in her head and her legs give out. He catches her before she hits the floor. He lowers her down gently and all 3 of the girls come running over," Mom!!"

"What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know get me the phone Linds," she runs and gets the phone bringing it back to Gil. He dials 911 and asks for an ambulance. Soon medics show up and load Catherine into the ambulance without Gil. As they drive off Gil looks at the girls," Get in the truck now," the three of them get into the truck and Gil grabs his keys leaving everyone in the house wondering what was wrong with Catherine and the baby.

**********************************************************

Gil runs up to the nurses station in the ER," Where's Catherine Grissom?"

"Go up to the 3rd floor and into Maternity and ask they don't have her listed in a room or OR"

"Thank you," the 4 of them ride up to the Maternity ward and run to the nurses station," Where's Catherine Grissom?"

"Relation?"

"Husband and these are our daughters where is she?"

"Sir...."

"Dr. Grissom," a doctor walks over to them and closes a clip board," I delivered your son. Dr. Cassano"

"How's Catherine and the baby?"

"She's fine and the baby's fine. We did have to do an emergency c- section because the cord was wrapped around his neck and it caused him to go into distress"

"But he's going to be fine?"

"Yes he'll be fine. Your wife is feeding him now. She's in room 362 down the hall"

"Thank you," he walks back to the room while the girls walk down to the nursery," Hey how you feeling?"

"Better way better," she looks up at him and smiles," He looks just like you"

"Yeah??"

"Really," he sits down on the side of the bed and looks at the baby boy in Catherines arms sucking hungrily. Dark curls cover his head and dark blue eyes look back at him," I should have listened to you and called Hannah"

"It doesn't matter now both of you are okay," he kisses her forehead and then the baby's," Nathan Gilbert Grissom"

"Okay," she smiles at him and draws his lips to hers in a deep kiss," Love you"

"Love you too," Nathan stops eating and Catherine fixes her gown as he looks up at her and Gil," Hey buddy," Gil takes him and Catherine smiles with tears in her eyes," How's daddy's little boy?"

"He's okay," he grabs Gil's pinky finger and gurgles," Love you buddy"

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FINISHED