Mother Dearest

Chapter 1

She laughs when I tell her I want a big wedding.

"With a huge bridal party," I grin, leaning against the headboard as she rests her head on my bare chest. "Nine or ten bridesmaids-"

"Grissom, I don't know nine or ten women."

"Then we'll make Lindsey bring some friends. Ushers in tails and top hats-"

"No. Sweetie, I may be able to tolerate that straw monstrosity you wear, but we are not having top hats at our wedding."

I shrug in concession. "Okay, but the four-tiered chocolate wedding cake is non-negotiable."

"Wedding cakes have white icing-"

"Non-negotiable, Sara," I repeated firmly, trailing my fingers down to tickle her stomach.

"Fine," she sighs, snuggling closer. "Chocolate is fine."

"Damn right it's fine. It's downright delicious."

She laughs hard then, squeezing her eyes shut tight. I find myself (for the thousandth time) wondering how on earth my life could change so profoundly for the better, in the span of a couple of years.

"Why the big wedding?" she asks, still giggling. "I would've thought you were a small-ceremony kind of guy."

My palm makes its way up and down her bare back slowly, and she shivers a little. "Once you reach fifty, you sort of give up on the idea of marriage."

"So it's a celebration?"

"Yes, it is," I nod solemnly. "Have to spread the word, Gil Grissom's scored himself a baaabe."

She groans loudly. "Don't make me regret saying yes, Grissom."

With a quick move, I flip her over, kissing her languidly. "Mm, love you."

"Love you too," she says. It took her a year before she could say it comfortably, and it still makes my skin tingle to hear it.

"Who are you going to invite?"

She tilts her head up in thought, inadvertently allowing me access to her long neck. "Well, the team, obviously. And Brass. Doc Robbins, and David, and Archie."

"What about family?"

Most of my skin is covering hers, so I can feel it when she stiffens. "No, I don't think so."

Pulling back to look at her, I raise my brows. "Not even your mom? Your brother?"

"Jack's up in Canada, he wouldn't be able to afford the trip."

"We could spring for his ticket."

"I was being delicate," she says flatly. "He wouldn't want to come."

"What about your mom, then?"

"She's pretty busy with my sister. We don't keep in touch much."

"I didn't realize you had a sister."

"Half-sister. Mom had her after I was out of college, so I barely know her."

"So let's invite them," I urge, smoothing back her hair. "Let's get to know them both."

Sara frowns at me. "I don't have a good relationship with my mother, Grissom. You know that."

"I just don't see why. From what you've told me, she killed your father in self-defense. I don't understand why you've basically cut her out of your life."

"Please just let it go." Her eyes are filling with tears, and I lean forward to kiss her forehead.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's okay."

We settle next to each other, my arms wrapped around her. She's trembling, and it's starting to worry me. "Sara, what's wrong?"

"Nothing," she sniffles, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Sara."

"I don't want you to leave me," she whispers, as a fresh round of tears begins.

"You really think if I met your mother I'd want to leave you? Sweetie, there's no chance. You're stuck with me for life."

But the tears continue too long for her to have believed me.

o-o-o-o-o

I wait until she's left for a crime scene, then dial up an old buddy of mine from the LA crime lab.

"Max, it's Gil Grissom. I'm looking for an address, hoped you could help."

"No problem," Max replies. "What's the name?"

"Not sure on the first name, but the last name's Sidle. S-I-D-L-E. Homicide in the early 80's, Bay Area."

I can hear the faint clicking of his keyboard as he enters in the information. "Yeah, got it. Laura Sidle?"

"Possibly. Does it list children's names?"

"Yeah. Jack, Sara - no H, and April."

"Good, that's her."

"Jack's got a record-"

"That's okay, I only need info on Laura. Does she still live in California?"

"Yup. Not far from here, actually. Culver City."

Interesting. "Thanks, Max. I owe you one."

"You owe me about twelve, Grissom," he laughs. "Lucky for you, I'll never collect."

After we hang up, I sit in thought. Culver City, that's right by Marina del Rey. I could make a weekend trip of it.

o-o-o-o-o

Sara stops by at the end of shift, wearing stained coveralls. She plops into the chair across from me and sighs heavily. "That's the second time this week I've gotten brake fluid up my nose. I can still taste it in the back of my throat."

Ah, my beautiful fiancée. There's none more lovely.

"So I was thinking," I say carefully. "My mom's been asking me to come out and visit her. I have a three-day weekend coming up, and when I called to ask, she said those dates work for her schedule too." The lie rolls easily off my tongue. "Want to come along?"

She grins in delight, making me feel even guiltier. "Absolutely! What's the weekend?"

"This Thursday through Saturday."

"I have court on Friday," she says, her face falling. "All day. And a hair appointment Saturday morning."

"I didn't realize," I lie. "Should I cancel the trip?"

"No, of course not. I'll see her another time."

"You sure?"

"Positive." She purses her lips at me in an air-kiss, then jumps up and heads out the door.

I watch her leave, trying to ignore the faint pang of dread in my stomach. This trip could erase Sara's last remnants of doubt.

That, or it could ruin everything.