Just Listen

Sara had no idea what to think. Grissom said they were making a side trip on the way to the Adventuredome and just smiled when they pulled up outside the MGM. He bypassed the front desk and went straight for the lounge. Sara’s eyes were still adjusting to the dim lighting when Grissom leaned over the back of a booth and tapped a woman on the shoulder. The woman stood and pulled Grissom into a hug. Then Sara recognized her: Elizabeth Grissom.

Grissom walked his mom back over to Sara. “Mom thought she’d spend some time with me and get to know you a little better.” His mom watched his lips as he spoke and then looked at Sara. “Well I know how busy the lab can get, so I thought it might be a while before Gil could get you away to come visit me. Besides anytime I’ve been to Vegas I’ve been passing through and haven’t had a chance to have any fun.”

Sara laughed, “Well we can’t have that now can we?”

The trio headed to the Adventuredome and Sara was surprised at Liz’s reaction. She was worse than her son dragging them both onto the roller coasters and thrill rides. After a few hours they decided to head out for dinner. Grissom and Sara had planned on a casual night, but now that his mom was with them he thought somewhere nice was called for. They dropped Liz off at the MGM and told her they would meet back in the lobby in two hours. Then Grissom dropped off Sara at her apartment and went home to change.

Ninety minutes later Sara opened the door and was met by a sight that took her breath away. Grissom had changed into a grey silk suit with a black shirt. He smiled when he saw her simple sleeveless black dress. It clung to her curves and had a simple scoop neck. She was stunning.

“Honey you look beautiful. Are you ready?”

“Thanks. I just have to grab my jewelry and I’ll be ready.” Sara ducked into her bedroom and picked up her necklace. Grissom waited for her and after a few minutes asked if she needed any help. She walked out still holding her necklace.

“I always have trouble with this clasp. I keep telling myself every time I wear it that I’m going to have the clasp replaced, but never do.”

He smiled. “Here let me help.” And he took the crystal pendant on a simple chain from her. Once she turned her back to him to let him put it on her, he had his opportunity. He pulled a flat box from his pocket and removed its contents.

Sara gasped as the necklace dropped in front of her eyes before he fastened the clasp. This was not her necklace she handed him. This was white gold the formed interlocking vines and leaves, and each leaf held a diamond. Nestled at the base of her throat, it was perfect on her. She spun around to face him and saw the smile in his eyes. “I saw it in Chicago and thought of you since you like vegetation.” She was speechless and reached for him, but he stopped her and placed a matching bracelet around her wrist. When he looked up, she was in tears.

“Griss this is too much.”

He kissed her hand and shook his head. “No I’d say it’s about right. I have a lot of making up to do for all the time I’ve wasted. Sara I love you. If I had paid attention to my heart instead of my head, I’d have been spoiling you years ago.”

“But Griss..”

“Are you ever going to call me Gil?”

Sara blushed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “This will take some getting used to.”

“What? Calling me Gil, or me spoiling you?”

“Both I guess.”

Grissom kissed her forehead and smiled. “Well get used to it. I plan on spoiling you any chance I get.”

“So where are we going anyway?” “I have no idea. All mom said was she was taking care of it and it was someplace she’s wanted to go and didn’t have the chance.”

Elizabeth Grissom had been thrilled when she saw Sara with her son earlier, but seeing them dressed for dinner let her see just how perfect they were together. They arrived at the Luxor for their reservations at Isis and she noticed her son’s slight hesitation as they walked. Once they arrived at Isis and were seated, Grissom was noticeably pale and began ordering double scotches. Now Liz was worried. “Gil, what’s wrong?” Grissom just shook his head and after a few minutes, his color began to return. “I’m alright. Just a bad memory when we walked in.”

Liz pondered that for a moment when the manager came over. “Dr. Grissom it’s nice to see you. I didn’t think we’d ever see you again after your last visit here.” Grissom smiled. “That wasn’t here, that was down by your ballroom. And it was hardly a typical visit.” The manager laughed, “No I guess it wasn’t. If there’s anything you need, you let us know. We didn’t exactly leave you with a good impression last time.” Liz watched the man walk away and then turned back to her son. “When were you here last?”

“A few months ago for work.”

The sad look in his eyes told her more than his words, and she paled as realization dawned on her. He reached out and gave her hand a squeeze. “I’m fine.” Elizabeth nodded and found a more pleasant subject.
“Sara your necklace is simply beautiful. Where on earth did you find it?”

Sara sat her water down and smiled. “You’ll have to ask your son.”

The conversation was dropped as their dinners arrived and spent the meal in comfortable silence. After dinner Sara excused herself to the ladies room while they waited for their drinks, and Elizabeth pounced. “So would you like to tell me why you put diamonds around that girl’s neck instead of on her hand?”

“It took you longer than I thought to say something.” “Gil don’t tell me you’re going to wait even longer. You’ve been in love with her for years.”

“Mom just relax. I have something in mind.”

“Well I hope so. You two are perfect for each other and I’d hate to see you let her get away.”

They took their drinks to the lounge to wait for Sara and talk. She spotted them immediately and made her way toward them, when she was stopped. He was tall, blonde, handsome, and apparently drunk. “Excuse me, but a woman as beautiful as you should not be here alone.”

“I’m not alone.”

“Well you are right now. How about a dance?” She started to move around him. “I don’t think so.”

Grissom looked up just as the young man grabbed Sara’s arm. His anger boiled at the sight of someone touching Sara: his Sara. He was across the room in seconds as Sara struggled against the man’s grasp.

“Let me go.” “Hey it’s just a little dance. What’s the harm?”

Grissom grabbed the young man’s arm and caught his attention. “The lady said let her go.”

The shock of someone interfering distracted the man long enough he loosened his grip on Sara’s arm, allowing her to pull away. Grissom glared at the man when he saw the hand print on her arm, already showing signs it would bruise. “When the lady says no, she means it. Now I suggest you take a walk.”

The man pulled back defiant. “Right. And who’s gonna make me? You?”

“No but I can.” Sara glanced behind the man to see Jim Brass standing there with Doc Robbins and a young woman as Brass pulled his badge out of his pocket and hung it on his belt. “Now why don’t you do like my friend here suggested and walk out of here?” When confronted with the LVPD, the man lost his bravado and headed for the door.

The manager had been notified as the scene began and he arrived offering apologies and making sure Sara was all right. Grissom didn’t hear a word the man said as he made his own inspection of the mark on her arm. No one would touch Sara again, and he intended to make sure of it. He pulled her to him with a kiss that no one could mistake for anything but possession. Brass chuckled at the manager’s shocked expression “I thought she was his daughter.” The woman standing with Doc Robbins laughed as she wrapped her arms around him. “Yeah we get that a lot too.”

When Grissom and Sara finally broke the kiss, the group made their way to the table where Elizabeth was sitting. “Gil is everything alright? Sara did that man hurt you?” Sara smiled and snuggled closer to Grissom, who had not taken his arm from around her. “I’m fine. Although for a minute I thought I might have had to go to work.” Brass chuckled, “You and me both cookie.” Robbins smiled, “Yeah I could see me writing that one up. Cause of death: entomologist gone postal.”

Brass and Elizabeth hit it off right away, and the group talked for hours. The soft strains of the piano carried over them and Grissom pulled Sara a little closer. The box in his suit jacket was suddenly heavy and he needed to lighten the load.

Elizabeth got distracted from her conversation as she watched her son lead Sara to the dance floor. Brass touched her arm and she smiled at him. “Sorry. They’re just so perfect together.” Brass agreed, “Yes they are. I’m just glad Gil finally got his head together and made a move. If he lets her go now, he’s beyond help.”

Sara had never felt so safe as she did in his arms. The day had been absolutely perfect and she had plans to make it better. “So tell me. Why wouldn’t you make love to me this morning?” Grissom smiled. “I told you, it will be special.” She looked into his eyes and smiled. “I love you, and I know you love me. That’s all that matters.” His fingers traced patterns on her back as they danced, and he knew it was time. “Sara I do love you. I wish I could take all the pain from your past away, but I can’t. But I can make the future better for you. You’ve waited so long to completely give yourself to a man you love, it’s only right that the night be special for you. Call me old fashioned, but I can’t think of a better night for you to lose your virginity, then on your wedding night.”

Mrs. Robbins smiled and pointed to the dance floor. “I don’t think you have to worry about Grissom needing help. Look.” Five pair of eyes turned to the dance floor in time to see Sara burst into tears and an open black box in Grissom’s hand. Elizabeth Grissom was in tears herself as Sara wrapped her arms around her son and she saw the smile on his face.

Sara was floating. Her head was spinning. This couldn’t be real. The man of her dreams did not just ask her to marry him. That was not a ring in his hand. But his arms around her told her she was wrong. This was happening. He kissed her and her knees were weak. If his arms weren’t around her, she would surly have fallen. She leaned on Grissom as she made her way back to their table on unsteady feet.

Mrs. Robbins was already pouring her water when she sat down. “Drink this and take some deep breaths. You’ll be fine.” Brass caught sight of Sara’s hand when she reached up to wipe her eyes and was stunned. “Damn Gil when you do something you don’t mess around.”

The ring was spectacular: a near colorless two carat heart shaped diamond sat upon a white gold band filled with channel set round diamonds. It was feminine without being dainty, just like Sara. Mrs. Robbins looked at Sara’s ring and then nudged Elizabeth. “Oh you taught him well.” Champagne was ordered and talk naturally shifted to the wedding.

“So Gil. When’s the big day?” Grissom just shrugged. “Whenever she wants.”

Sara smiled and looked at Grissom as everyone waited for her to say something. “Really? Whenever I want? Hmmm let me see. How does right now sound to you?”