Confessions

Sara was nervous as they approached the front walk of Victoria Grissom’s house. It was a ranch style house with brick covering most of it. It was a fair size house. Sara wondered if Grissom grew up here or if his mother acquired it later in life. She made a mental note to ask him later.

Sara had Jillian cuddled against her chest. She was out cold; having slept most of the way from Vegas only waking up once for her feeding. Sara was relieved because she was exhausted herself and was able to sleep as well.

They stepped onto the porch and Grissom rang the bell. She wondered how a deaf woman would hear a doorbell. Grissom turned to speak.

“It flashes to let her know someone is here.”

“Oh, I was wondering about that.” Sara shot him a smile.

An older lady greeted them at the door. Sara figured she was in her seventies. She was still attractive despite her age. She had soft curls to her white hair and blue eyes. They were Grissom blue just like his and the baby’s. The woman had a big smile on her face and ran to hug Grissom.

Grissom began to sign to her. “Mom, this is Sara.”

She responded back. “The Sara?”

“Yes mom, the Sara.” Sara smiled at the display before her.

She approached Sara and gave her a quick hug. “What brings you here, son?”

“Sara and the baby. I thought you might like to meet your granddaughter.”

Tears were welling up in the older woman’s eyes. “I have a granddaughter? You and Sara?”

“Yes, mom.”

She smiled through the tears. “Well for heaven’s sake, come in. That little one will catch her death out here.”

They walked into the house and made their way to the parlour. They were seated and Victoria looked at Sara and signed to Grissom.

“Sara, mom wants to hold the baby.”

Sara nodded and passed Jillian to her grandmother. The older woman was all smiles as she walked around the house with the baby.

“Griss, I feel so stupid, I can’t even understand your mom and she can’t understand me.”

“Sweetie, she can read your lips. She can talk, she just can’t hear. You will do ok. I’ll teach you ASL and Jilly too.”

“Gil, how old is this precious child?” Victoria asked.

Grissom approached his mother and told her five months.

“Are you planning on having more son, are you two married?”

“Actually mom that’s why we are here. We want you to come back with us. We are getting married.”

Victoria passed the baby to Grissom and ran to Sara and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Thank you.” She whispered.

Sara smiled. “You are welcome.”

“So when are you planning on getting married?”

“Soon.”

“What plans have you made?”

“None,” He looked to the floor. “We just decided yesterday.”

“Ok, so how big of a ceremony do you want?”

They both looked at her, “Small, ”

“So intimate, just friends and family?”

They nodded.

“Well Gil, on the family side you only have me, how many does Sara have?”

“She just has us, now. Just leave it at that mom.”

She nodded. “Who else did you want to invite?”

“Just a few people from work and that is it.”

“This should be easy. Did you want traditional or non-traditional?”

Sara looked to Grissom. “We’re not sure. What do you suggest?”

“Well, with a small child I would suggest non-traditional, maybe a small ceremony with a Justice of the Peace and then a small party afterward. Sara will still need a nice dress and you will need rings, but that's it nothing extreme.”

Grissom smiled at his mother. “I knew you would help.”

“Why wouldn’t I? My only son finally gets married and has children. I couldn’t be happier. I figured I would never see either.”

Grissom kissed his mother’s cheek. “Thanks, I’m going to put the baby down. Sara can you give me a hand with her baby bed?”

Sara got up and followed Grissom to the other end of the house. They set up the baby bed and put her down. Sara set up the baby monitors and they went to put their stuff in their room.

“Grissom, did you grow up here?” Sara asked as she put her suitcase on the bed.

“No. Mom bought this house about twenty years ago. The house I grew up in was much smaller and modest than this one. Mom says this house shows off her successes.”

Sara smiled. “Your mom is lovely.”

“She does like you, sweetie, very much.”

“What do I smell? Is that cinnamon?”

“Mom’s in the kitchen. I bet she’s baking.” Grissom went to investigate. Sara followed.

“Are you hungry?” Victoria asked

“Not really, but that sure smells good.”

“I'm making cinnamon buns. They’re Gil’s favorite.”

“You remembered.”

“Why wouldn’t I? I am your mother.”

Grissom smiled as she passed him a plate with a huge cinnamon bun on it. He took it and went to sit down. She passed one to Sara too.

“These are delicious.” Sara said as she shovelled in the tasty treat.

“I know. Now do you know why they are my favorite?”

Victoria joined them at the table. “So tell me, how many grandchildren can I expect?”

Grissom looked to Sara. “She wants to know how many kids we are going to have.”

“I was thinking at least one more. I don’t want Jilly to grow up alone.”

“At least one more.”

“Soon?”

“Yes mom, soon.”

She smiled. The baby cried. “Duty calls.” Sara said as she approached the baby’s room.