Title: Baby Making 101
By: Fran Holland
Pairing: Gil/Nick
Rating: AO

Gil grimaced when he saw the number on the small screen of his cell phone. 

“Grissom.”

“Gil, it’s Patricia, how are you doing?”  Nick’s mother’s voice sounded extra maternal.

“I take it Nick called you.”

“Of course, he did, Gil, he’s my son and he’s upset.  Tell me what’s going on.”

Gil blew out an audible breath of frustration.  He was going to wring Nick’s neck for putting him in this position.

“I’m sure Nick has told you what’s going on.”

“He told me his side, but there are two sides to every story and I want to know yours.”  She said reasonably.

“I just didn’t like the way she looked.  She was blond.”  Gil said, as if that would explain everything.

“How does that matter?”

“If Nick and I are going to do this, I want her to at least bare some resemblance to Nicky.”

There was silence on the other end of the phone, and after a while, Gil held the phone away to look at the screen.  Had he dropped the call?

“Patricia?”

“I’m here, Honey.”  She said softly.  “This has been really hard from the beginning, hasn’t it?

Gil closed his eyes and thought back to the beginning of this phase of his and Nick’s relationship.

****

After several rocky starts, Gil and Nick formed a loving bond that had overcome all obstacles in their path.  Ten months of being lovers and friends had made them realize that they were really in love with each other and Gil took it to the next level by asking Nick to move in with him.  Within the next month, they had sold Nick’s small house and worked through several issues about cohabitation. 

Time took on a surreal quality, as Gil was happier than he had ever been.  They both still had outside interests, Gil with his bugs, conventions and lectures and Nick with his bird watching, sports and video games, but those outside interests helped to keep their lives on an even keel.

One year after moving in, Nick and Gil were lying in bed after a rather heavy bout of sex, when Nick rolled over and asked Gil if he had ever thought about children.  Gil had answered honestly and said no, he had not.  A short discussion followed in which Nick expressed his desire to have children one day.  Gil had promised to think about it.

Weeks had gone by and neither Nick, nor Gil had said anything else on the subject.  They had been busy weeks for both of them, Christmas was almost upon them and Nick had done all the shopping for his family and Gil had shopping he had done for Nick and Nick’s family.  They worked several double shifts, trying to clear the board before they left on their week vacation at the Stokes’ ranch for the Christmas holidays.

Christmas was chaotic at its best at the Stokes’.   Gil had met all the family at different times over the last two years, but was a bit overwhelmed to have all seven siblings, their spouses, their children and Nick’s parents together in one house.  The first day there, Gil had needed to go to their room and have some quiet time.  Nick found him there thirty minutes later and had laughingly told him that he understood.

Christmas Eve was one of the best Gil had ever had however.  Christmas carols were played on the piano by Nick’s oldest sister, Natalie, and the whole family sang along.  The evening meal was light and the adults drank spiked eggnog.  The siblings that lived close to the ranch, left for the night with promises to be back bright and early in the morning.  The rest of the family tucked children in and went on a moonlight ride.  Gil was awed by the Texas landscape at night.  Fireflies flitted around them as they rode across pastures and down by a lazy creek on the back of the property.

That night, Gil and Nick made love, it was slow and easy and without the normal heat.  Once they were spent, Gil looked at Nick in the dim light of the moon through the window and told him he was ready to have children.  They were up until the wee hours of the morning hashing out ideas. Should they adopt?  Both could imagine how difficult a gay couple would have with adoption.  They finally landed on the idea about finding a surrogate mother and using either Nick’s or Gil’s sperm.

Once Christmas was over and they were back to work, the arguments began about whose sperm would be used.  Gil wanted to use Nick’s and Nick wanted to use Gil’s.  Finally, it came down to a coin toss.  Nick’s family had teased them unmercifully about that.  Nick had lost the coin toss and so Gil was to be the donor, with the promise that if they ever wanted another child, Nick would be the donor for that one.

The two men went through an agency in Las Vegas that helped find surrogate mothers for infertile couples.  After a heavy screening, they passed all the tests and were introduced to a few women.  A number of them were not willing to go through the process for a gay couple, but so far, three had been interviewed by the Nick and Gil.  Gil had turned down all three.  Nick was confused and angry and Gil couldn’t seem to explain to the younger man what was wrong with these women.

****

“Have you told Nick about your feeling, Gil?”  Patricia’s voice brought him back to the present.

“Of course.”

“Gilbert Grissom.”  It was said in her strongest mother’s voice .

“Okay, I just told him they weren’t right for us.”  Gil said with a sigh.  He felt the control slipping through his fingers.

“You need to tell him why those women weren’t right.  I think it would make things easier on both of you.  He feels like you are getting cold feet about having a child.”

“No, no.  I do want this.  I just want our baby to be perfect.”  Gil’s words made Patricia’s heart ache.  Who would have thought that her youngest child, her youngest son could have met such a wonderful partner?  When she had first met Gil, it had been under horrific conditions.  Nick had been kidnapped and buried alive.  But Gil had not given up and he had given them their son back.  In turn, they gave their son to Gil.

“Talk to him, Gil.  Please.”  Patricia and Gil said their goodbyes and the connection was severed.

Gil closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the couch.  He opened them after a time and looked up at the clock.  Nicky should be back from the gym in a few minutes.  He got up and started dinner.

Nick had pushed himself at the gym.  He always did when things weighed on his mind.  This thing with Gil and the surrogates had at first, made him angry.  Now, he was depressed.  He knew this was a big step for them and because of Gil’s reluctance, Nick felt like their future was not as bright in reality as Nick had hoped. 

He let himself in the townhouse and by the delicious aroma, knew Gil was cooking.  Without facing his lover, Nick went upstairs and got into the shower.

Gil had heard the door open and close, so he knew Nick was at home.  When he did not come to greet him, Gil realized how bad things had gotten.  He had to rectify this before it got completely out of control.  He turned off the burners.  Dinner could wait.

Entering the bathroom, Gil stared at the shower curtain.  He could vaguely make out Nick’s form behind the white curtain. 

“Nicky?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.” 

“I love you too, Gil.”  Gil picked up on the exasperation in Nick’s voice.

“I’m sorry about….I’ve got to explain….”  Gil felt suddenly at a loss for words.

“It’s okay, Gil.  We don’t have to have a baby.  I’m….okay with it.”

“Damn it, Nick.   I want a child.   I just want it to be perfect.  I don’t want some blond bimbo to mother our child.  I want her to have dark hair and chocolate eyes and be from Texas and…and…”  Gil’s tirade stopped as quickly as it started.

It did not take long for Gil’s words to sink in and Nick ripped the shower curtain back and jumped out of the tub.  Dripping wet, he wrapped Gil in his arms and kissed him.  “I really do love you, Gil Grissom.”

Gil chuckled and pushed Nick away.  “You’ve gotten me all wet.”  He half-heartedly complained.

“I guess we’ll have to fix that.”  Nick began to unbutton Gil’s shirt, between small kisses.  Once the shirt was off, the kisses became more passionate and soon both men were on the bed, naked in each other arms.

Because of the tension regarding the surrogate mothers, they had not had sex in a couple of weeks.  Gil had ached with wanting it, but he had not pushed Nick.  Nick, too, had felt the need to be in his lover’s arms, but his stubborn streak had won out.

Nick rolled on top and placed his knees on each side of Gil’s hips.  He moved his body so that his cock was along side of Gil’s.  Gil closed his eyes at the feeling of Nick’s damp skin against his own.  Nick’s mouth was everywhere at once, on Gil’s lips, his neck and then he dipped his head and took one of Gil’s nipples into his mouth, using his teeth just enough to send shivers of pain and pleasure coursing through Gil’s body. 

“I want you so bad, Nicky.”  Gil’s voice was raspy with built up need.

Nick continued to nibble and kiss Gil, but with one hand, he reached over to the nightstand and pulled out the tube of lubricant.  Steadying himself on one arm, Nick raised up and using one hand and his teeth, he got the lubricant open.  The cap was spit out somewhere, he figured he could find it later.  He leaned back on his haunches and spread Gil’s legs, stopping to lick up and down Gil’s shaft a few times. 

With hands shaking with his own need, Nick squeezed the tube into his hand and gently massaged it into Gil’s tight entrance.  While Nick was using his fingers to relax the muscles, Gil had taken the tube from him and used his hands to wet his own cock.  Nick looked up into Gil’s eyes and moaned softly as Gil ran his slick hand up and down his cock.

“Now, Nick.”  Gil commanded.

Nick held the base of his cock with his hand and pushed the head of his cock into the tight hole.  Both men moaned at the contact.  With a series of short pushes, Nick was buried deep inside of Gil. 

Nick hung his head and breathed deeply, to allow Gil’s body to adjust and his own to calm down and not come after only a few seconds.  Gil showed him he was ready by pulling his knees up and rotating his hips.  Nick’s eyes locked with Gil’s and he began to move in and out.  Gradually, the thrusts became faster and faster until both men were panting.  Sweat ran down Nick’s nose and dripped onto Gil’s chest.  One minute Nick felt he could do this forever, but in the next, he knew he was going to come soon. 

“Do it, Babe.  Make yourself come.  I’m not going to last much longer.”  Nick’s voice came out in small gasps.

Gil concentrated on his hand moving up and down his shaft.  He felt the slickness of the lubricant and his own excitement.  Gil felt his balls tightening and he used his other hand to gently squeeze them. 

“Ahhh, oh yeah.   Gonna come, Nicky.”

“Come for me, Gil.” 

Gil’s body bucked beneath Nick and Nick watched as his lover arched his back and his semen shot in spurts to cover his belly and chest.  Nick felt the contractions of Gil’s body around his cock and cried out as he filled Gil with his own cum.

Still inside Gil, Nick moved so he could plant kisses on Gil’s lips and eyes and he tasted the saltiness of tears around Gil’s eyes. 

“Hey, did I hurt you?”  Nick’s own eyes were filled with concern.

“No, oh no.  You could never hurt me.  I’m just sorry I hurt you with my lack of communication skills.  I could have lost you.” 

“No, Gil.  You would have never lost me.  I love you.  Even if you had decided that having a child wasn’t a good idea, I would have understood.  Eventually.”  Nick added honestly.

Nick eased his spent cock out of Gil’s body and both men returned to the shower.  They lovingly washed each other’s bodies and held each other until the water cooled.  After drying off, Gil threw on a pair of boxers and headed downstairs to finish dinner.  Nick shaved and dressed for work.  He’d clean the kitchen after dinner, so Gil could get ready for work also.  Their life was getting back to its normal patterns.

Tomorrow, Gil would call the agency again and give them more specific guidelines for their choice of surrogate mother.  They both knew that the playing field was already limited, and this would just make things harder and take longer.

****

Several hundred miles away, in Dallas, Nick’s mother sat at the kitchen table with Nick’s five sisters.  She had called them together after many sleepless nights worrying about her son and his partner.  She loved Gil just as much as she did her daughters’ husbands and her oldest son’s wife.  He was family. 

She told her girls about her conversation with Gil and the problems that the men were having. 

“I’m open to any suggestions you might have.” 

Natalie took a deep breath and said something that shocked every other person in the room. 

“I will donate my eggs to them for in-vitro fertilization.” 

Suddenly, they were all talking at once and before they were done, each and every one of Nick’s sisters had offered up her eggs.  Patricia looked around the table at her children and tears ran down her cheeks.

They agreed that each of them would go to a clinic in Dallas and let them harvest several eggs from each of them.  Neither the girls, nor Gil and Nick would know which egg would produce a child.  Patricia thought that it was the wisest way to handle the situation to save possible problems further down the line.

“We should call them.”  Jamie, the youngest daughter said. 

Patricia thought for a minute and shook her head.  “No, this is something that should be done in person, don’t you think?”

All the girls agreed and Patricia got down the calendar.   She dialed her son’s phone and when he picked up, she told him that he and Gil needed to come home for the Judge’s birthday.  That gave them three weeks to visit the clinic and do the research that needed to be done.

“Look, Mom wants us both there.  Dad’s turning seventy and she’s decided to do a big party.”  Nick told Gil later that evening.

Gil had told him earlier that he could not afford to take the time off and for Nick to go without him.

“Nick, I understand birthdays and holidays are a big thing with your family, but I can’t drop everything to fly to Dallas right now.”

“Don’t make me call Mom.”  Nick said, leaning back in his chair.  He just played his trump card and Gil knew it.

“That is just wrong on so many levels.”  Gil said petulantly and then sighed.  “Okay, I’ll see what I can work out.”

****

The plane ride was uneventful and soon they exited the plane into the dry Texas heat.  Patricia was meeting them at the baggage claim area, even though neither man had checked any luggage.  With their small carry-ons in hand, they set off across the airport.

“Boys.”  Patricia spotted them first and rushed over to meet them.  She hugged both and herded them towards the exit.  Once inside the car, Patricia turned in her seat to look at her passengers.  Gil sat in the front with her, while Nick sat in the back. 

“I’m so glad you both came.  This will mean a lot to your father.”

She patted Gil’s thigh and put the car in reverse.  Conversation flowed easily between the two men and Nick’s mother.  Soon, they were pulling into the large circular drive in front of the house.  Gil thought back on the first time he had seen the Stokes’ family home.  It struck him how privileged Nick had grown up and Gil felt unworthy.  Of course, that changed the moment Patricia and Jim Stokes had ushered them into the house.  For once in his life, Gil Grissom belonged to a family.  He wished his mother was still alive, she would have loved holidays with the Stokes family.

Nick wasted no time by putting their bags in his old room, and changing into shorts.  He came to the top of the stairs and yelled down at Gil, who was still discussing an exciting case with Patricia.

“Gil, come on up and get your shorts on.  I feel like a swim before dinner.”

Gil shared a look with Patricia that both understood and they both laughed.

After Gil had changed and they were downstairs again, Nick poked his head into the kitchen.  His mother and Maria, their housekeeper, were preparing dinner. 

Maria saw him first and hurried over to give him a hug.  She turned to Gil and hugged him, still holding onto his shoulders she asked, “Are you taking care of my bambino?”

“Yes, Maria.”  Gil said with a grin.

“When is Dad coming home?”  Nick asked as he grabbed a carrot stick out of the plate.

Patricia good-naturedly popped his hand and told him that Judge Stokes would be home around five o’clock.  She shooed the two men out of the kitchen and they headed outside to the pool.  Gil spent most of the time just sitting on the edge watching Nick to laps.  Nick would stop on occasion and stand between Gil’s legs for a shared kiss.

Dinner that night was quiet, the four of them ate baked chicken and salads.  Nick was the only one who wanted dessert and he scooped up a large amount of ice cream into a bowl.
They sat around in the den, relaxing and talking until the news went off and the two couples made their way to bed.

Gil was up early the next morning and had coffee on the patio with Judge Stokes.  The two men shared the newspaper and discussed current events.  Patricia joined them later and kissed her husband’s cheek.

“Happy Birthday, Handsome.”  The older man turned to face his wife and smiled.  He returned her kiss and she sat down next to him. 

“Did you sleep well, Gil?”  Patricia asked as she poured coffee from the insulated pot on the table.

“Very well, thank you.  And apparently so did Nick, since he didn’t even budge this morning when I got up.”

“When he was a teenager, he would sleep until noon some mornings.  Jim always wanted to go up and dump cold water on him, but I always said, ‘Let him sleep, he’s a growing boy.’  Patricia smiled warmly, “Well, you and Nick have the entire day to relax.  The festivities don’t start until around 4:00.”

“I think I’ll go wake him and make him take me riding.”  Gil rose and giving the couple a warm smile, headed through the French doors into the house.

Both of them watched until the doors shut behind Gil and the Judge looked at his wife and grinned.  “When are you going to tell them your surprise?  I’m kind of surprised you haven’t let it slip before now.  You’ve been busting at the seams since you and the girls went to the clinic.”

She put her hand over his.  “I’ll tell them tonight after dinner.  The whole family will be here and they all want to share in this.  Jamie even wants to video tape the event.”  She chuckled, shaking her head.  “She gets that from your side of the family.”

****

Gil watched Nick sleeping from the door.  They always slept in Nick’s old room.  Of course, it had changed a lot in the year they had been coming here.  Their first visit, they had to sleep on twin beds amid shelves of Nick’s trophies, his collection of rocks and several old boxes of Matchbox cars and G.I. Joe dolls.  Since that visit, Patricia at stored all Nick’s ‘treasures’ in the attic and had gotten rid of the furniture.  Now the room held a queen sized brass bed and an antique dresser she refinished herself. 

Slowly, Gil eased himself down on the bed next to Nick and brushed a stray lock of hair away from his forehead.  He really needs a haircut, thought Gil. 

“Nick.  Nick, time to wake up, sleepyhead.”

Nick’s answer was a moan and he abruptly turned away from Gil and pulled a pillow over his head.

“I guess I’m going to have to go riding by myself.”  Gil said, standing and moving away from the bed.

“No.”  The word was muffled.

“Well, get your lazy ass out of bed then.”  Gil emphasized this by popping the butt in question.

“Ow.”  Nick cried out and jerked into a sitting position.  “You’ll pay for that later.” 

Gil just smiled and crossed his arms over his chest.  “I’ll give you ten minutes and then I’m leaving without you.”

Nick threw his legs over the edge of the bed and muttered.  “Bossy son of a ….”

His words were abruptly cut off by a pillow that Gil swung against the side of his head.

Nick chuckled and playfully pulled the pillow away from Gil.  “Alright, alright.  I deserved that .”

Gil watched as his lover pulled on his jeans from yesterday, swiped on some deodorant  and donned a clean t-shirt from his bag.  He loved it when Nick went commando, it usually had him thinking about sex all day long.

Together they loped down the stairs and into the kitchen.  Nick pulled two bottles of water out of the refrigerator and kissed his mother.

“Morning, Mom.” 

“Morning, Darling.  Have a good time.”  She called at their retreating backs.

****

By four o’clock, the entire Stokes’ clan were in the large backyard.  Nick manning the grille, while Gillian and Maria set out the huge amount of food.  The grandchildren were playing in the pool and the rest of the adults were sitting in various groups around the patio.

After dinner, a huge cake was brought out for the judge and presents were presented and opened.  Gillian made all the grandchildren return to the pool so the adults could talk privately.  Nick shared a look with one of his sisters to see if he could tell what was going on, but she just gave him a knowing smile that left him even more confused. 

As soon as all the children were out of earshot, Gillian stood up and placed a hand on the judge’s shoulder.

“Nick.  Gil.  I have an announcement for both of you.  Actually, it’s a gift.”

Nick and Gil looked at each other and then around at the sea of smiling faces.  “What’s going on, Mom?”  Nick asked, taking Gil’s hand in his.

“I know how much you both want a child and the process, up to now, has been disappointing and painful.  So, your sisters and I came up with a plan and we want you to know that there is a clinic in Dallas that is holding several eggs donated by each of your sisters.  So, your child will have both Grissom and Stokes’ genes.  All you have to do is find a surrogate to agree to in-vitro fertilization.”

The silence was deafening as the news sunk in.  Nick looked at Gil and saw tears running down his cheeks.  Nick gave him a huge grin and soon there was pandemonium as all the adults began crying, talking and laughing at once.  Hugs were shared and the conversation and laughter carried on until late in the evening.

****

Once the couple was back in Las Vegas, Nick made the call to the agency they were using.  He explained the situation and they agreed to call back with a list of suitable candidates.

Within a week, Nick received the list via email.  There were four names on the list and each woman had agreed to meet with the two men for interviews.  Nick and Gil scheduled the interviews for the next four consecutive days at the convenience of the women.

The first two were disappointing.  Neither man liked the women’s lifestyles.  Nick was once again discouraged but this time it wasn’t just Gil turning them down.  Nick knew that their choice would carry their baby and the woman had to be close to perfect.

Then on the third day, Debra Parker knocked on their door.  Gil looked at Nick and gave him a reassuring smile before he opened the door.  The woman standing at their front door was nicely dressed in a long, floral skirt and white, short sleeved sweater.  She looked to be in her early twenties, with short red hair and a smattering of freckles across her nose.

“Come in, please.”  Gil said, gesturing for her to enter.

She nodded, smiled shyly and walked past Gil into their living room.  Nick had stood and nervously held out his hand.

“Ms. Parker.  Nice to meet you.”

“Please, call me Debbie.”  She smiled up at Nick.

Gil offered her something to drink, pleasantries were exchanged and finally Nick got down to business.

“Why did you decide to be a surrogate?”

The young woman looked down at her hands and began to speak in a slow, soft voice.

“Honestly, I need the money.  But, it’s not just that.  You see, my parents couldn’t have children.  They struggled for years before they adopted me.  Mom tells me over and over about how their lives changed because of me.  My mother has always taught me to give back whenever I can.  She says not only is it the Christian thing to do, but the right thing to do.”  She looked up at both of the men. 

“I read your file and your letters to the agency.  You both seem like nice people.  I called your references and you have wonderful friends.  I hope you realize that.”

Nick and Gil smiled and nodded.  “We do.”  They had listed Catherine, Jim and Greg as their references.

“I want to go back to school and get my degree.  I had to leave school to help Mom after Daddy died a few years ago.  I was studying to be a doctor.  Medical school is expensive, so I talked to Mama and asked her opinion about this.  She told me to do the right thing.”

“May I ask, what you do for a living now?”  Gil asked.  He was gripping Nick’s hand so tightly that Nick was losing feeling in his fingertips.

“Right now, I work at Desert Palm as a admissions clerk.  The pay isn’t great, but it pays my rent.”

Gil nodded and looked at Nick.  Nick met his eyes and smiled.

“Ms. Parker, we would be happy if you would carry our child.”

“It’s Debbie.”  She said with a grin.  “Don’t ya’ll have to think about it, talk in private, or something?”

Nick shook his head.  “No.  You’re perfect.”

She shook her head and laughed.  It was a soft laugh and Nick liked it immediately.  “Far from perfect, I’m afraid.”

****

The next three weeks were very busy for Gil and Nick.  Debbie began keeping a record of her cycle and temperature and the arrangements had been made to get the eggs delivered to a clinic in Las Vegas.  She also had a complete physical and a psychological evaluation, paid for by the two men.  A contract had been signed and a check was already deposited in her account. 

Debbie had told the men that when the time was right, she would go to the clinic on her own and have the procedure.  Gil had also been giving a physical and he had gone to the clinic earlier to donate his sperm.  Both eggs and sperm were stored until needed. They all agreed that it would not be fair or helpful for Gil and Nick to be with her during her procedure.  She would have several fertilized eggs implanted and would be on bed rest for about 48 hours.  Gil and Nick had both agreed to bring meals to her during this time, but Debbie’s best friend told them that she would be taking care of her and not to worry.

A pregnancy test will be administered 10 days after the implantation.  If the test was negative, the procedure would be attempted every month as Debbie ovulated. 

Five weeks and one day after meeting Debbie Parker for the first time, Nick got a text message while he was at the gym. 

‘The rabbit died.’ Was all it said.  Nick whooped loudly, drawing a lot of attention from other men working out.  He grinned and called out.  “I’m going to be a daddy.”

After a lot of smacks on the back, good natured ribbing and heartfelt congratulations, Nick called Gil.

Gil was already home and had just gotten out of the shower.  Naked and dripping wet, he picked up his cell phone.  “So, do you prefer Daddy, Papa or the more formal Father?”

“I don’t care, Nicky.  Whatever you want is fine.”

“I want to be called Daddy and I think Papa suits you.”  Nick couldn’t keep the excitement out of his voice.

“Nick, couldn’t this discussion wait until you got home?”  Gil was trying to dry himself with one hand and it was difficult.

“Nope.”  Nick laughed.  “It’s a decision we need to make because in approximately nine months, our baby will be here.”

It took several seconds for it to sink in, but when Nick heard Gil’s shaky voice, he’d wished he would have waited and told him in person.

“Is she sure?  Oh God.  Is it really happening? God, Nicky.”  Gil had sat down heavily on the bed.  He could not describe the feelings he was having.  His heart was racing and he felt dizzy.

“I’ll be home in ten minutes.  Okay?  Gil, okay?” 

“Okay.”  The towel was forgotten on the bed beside him.  From where he was sitting, he could look at himself in the mirror above the dresser.  He suddenly felt old.  What was he doing, he thought.  He was fifty-four and about to become a father for the first time.  He saw a scared man looking back at him.

He was still sitting there, when Nick walked into the bedroom.  His eyes met Nick’s.  Nick gave him a tentative smile.  “Are you okay?”  Nick knelt on the floor between Gil’s knees.

Gil smiled.  “Better than okay.”  He reached up and touched Nick’s cheek with his fingertips.  “Much better than okay.”

Nick smiled back and pulled Gil’s head towards him.  The kiss was soft.  Nick leaned back and looked deeply into Gil’s blue eyes.  “I love you so much.”

“I love you more.”  Gil said softly.

“I’m glad you’re naked.”  Nick whispered.

“Why’s that?”

“Because I want you inside me.”  Nick stood so that his semi-erect cock was at eye level.

“Uhm, I’d like that.”  Gil murmured as he took Nick’s cock in his hand and brought his mouth down on it. 

Nick watched as Gil’s mouth worked magic on his cock.  He ran his fingers through Gil’s soft gray curls and groaned when Gil reached between his legs to rub his thumb across his tight entrance. 

“Please.”  Gil looked up at the single word and saw the love and desire he felt towards Nick returned in Nick’s dark eyes.

Gil released Nick’s cock and stood.  He wrapped his arms around Nick’s waist and they kissed deeply.  Gil’s own hard cock was held with Nick’s between their bodies.  When they came up for air, Gil pulled Nick down onto the bed with him. 

Though the room was cool, soon both men were damp with sweat.  Their lovemaking went from gentle to very heated.  Nick loved it when their sex got rough and Gil was obliging him with bites on his nipples and his lubricated fingers fucking Nick’s hole faster and faster.  Gil was enjoying Nick’s begging. 

“I need your cock….please, please.  God, fuck me.  Gil, please.  I want your cum up my ass.  Please.”

Gil pulled his fingers out and Nick almost cried in frustration.  Gil gripped Nick’s legs and pushed them up and out and without preamble, pushed his cock deep inside Nick’s hot chute.

“Fuck….Yes… God, yes.”  Nick screamed out as Gil pounded into him.  Gil’s heavy balls slapped against Nick’s ass as he drove his cock deep inside his lover. 

“Is this what you wanted?  You wanted my hard dick inside that tight ass of yours?  You want it hard…want it to hurt?”

“Yes, hard….faster….need to come…need to….”  Nick screamed out Gil’s name as he ejaculated.  His hot cum spurted out onto his chest, his cock pulsing with each thrust of Gil’s cock.

Gil felt Nick’s body contract around his shaft and with one final, deep thrust, he filled his lover with what felt like gallons of cum. 

Still trembling with the aftershocks, Gil slowly eased his cock out of Nick and collapsed beside Nick.  Their heavy, uneven breathing was the only sound in the room for a number of minutes.

“I need to call Mom.”  Nick finally said.

“We just had mind blowing sex and you suddenly want to call your mother.  That’s just wrong, Nicky.”  Gil muttered.

Nick chuckled.  “I just want to tell her about the baby.”

“I think we should shower first, don’t you?”  Gil said, trailing a finger in the cooling semen on Nick’s chest.

“I guess that would be a good idea.”

****

The pregnancy progressed and both men had become very protective of Debbie.  When her car was in the shop, Nick picked her up and drove her to work, with Gil dropping her at home later in the afternoon.  Nick and Debbie had become close and shared the same sense of humor, so emails and text messages came and went several times a day.

Nick and Gil had painted their extra bedroom and the lab had thrown them a huge shower.  With the Stokes’ family’s gifts and donations, the nursery was complete.  They had argued briefly about what color to use, since they had chosen not to learn the sex of their unborn child.  Debbie knew from her ultrasound, but had kept it a secret. 

May turned into June and Las Vegas was having a heat wave.  Debbie only left her apartment to go to work because she was so miserable.  Crime in Vegas was rampant because of the soaring temperatures and the crime lab stayed business.

Nick was glad to have the overtime because it kept him from agonizing over every little change in Debbie’s body.  Gil and Debbie had both snapped at him several times about his constant questioning.

“Are you feeling okay?” 

“For the thousandth time today, Nick, I’m fine.”  Debbie snarled from the couch where she lay with her feet up.

Gil was fixing supper and Nick was at the computer checking his email when the phone rang.

Gil was closer to the wall phone, so he picked it up without checking the caller ID. 

“Grissom.”

“Gil, it’s Debbie.  I think it’s time.”

“Are you sure?”  Gil asked.  His hand gripped the receiver so tightly that his knuckles were white.

“Well, I’m not a hundred percent, but my water did break.  I’ve called the hospital and Melissa is on her way to get me.  I’ll just see ya’ll at the hospital.  Oh, and Gil, please don’t let Nick drive.  Your baby needs both daddies.” 

“I won’t.”  Gil chuckled.  “We’ll see you there. Tell Melissa to be careful.”

By the time Gil hung up, Nick was almost dancing around him.

“Is it time?  Is it time?”

“Nicky, baby, you need to calm down.”  Gil placed his hands on Nick’s shoulders. “Go call your parents and I’ll get the baby’s bag.”

Within five minutes, the two men were in the Denali heading towards Desert Palm Hospital.  Nick still on the phone with his parents, so Gil called Catherine to let them know that they wouldn’t be at work that night.

Nick clicked his phone shut and grinned at Gil.  “Mom is going to call the family and Dad is arranging their flight.  God, I can’t believe this is really happening.  Okay, if it’s a girl, her name is Jill after Mom and if it’s a boy, his name will be Jim.  After Dad.  Right?  I hope it’s a boy, no, wait….a girl.  I want a girl.  I wonder how long Debbie’s labor will be?  Do you think she remembered the duck?”  Nick had given Debbie a small, stuffed duck to use as her focal point.  The three of them had attended childbirth classes together for the last six weeks.

Gil kept his eyes facing forward, watching traffic, but shook his head in wonderment as his lover continued to talk about anything and everything, never giving Gil a chance to even answer his many questions.

After parking, Gil reached behind to retrieve the small diaper bag that had been a gift from Greg.  It was bright blue with little rainbows on it.  Everyone had laughed at the shower when the men had opened it.  It was now filled with a teddy bear, several empty bottles with the special nipples that Nick insisted they use, as well as other items that Nick felt sure they would need.  The only thing missing was an outfit for the baby to wear home. 

When they decided not to learn the baby’s sex, they told everyone not to buy any clothing other than t-shirts, onesies, and sleepers.  The honor of buying the baby’s first real outfit belonged to Nick’s mother.

Since they had toured the hospital during their childbirth classes, Gil and Nick knew right where the labor and delivery ward was.  At the nurses’ station, Gil asked which room Debbie was in and were pointed to a labor suite at the end of the hall.  Gripping Gil’s hand tightly, Nick pushed the door open.

Melissa, Debbie’s best friend and other coach, was holding Debbie’s hand and upon seeing them, Debbie burst into tears.

Panicking, Nick stopped so fast that Gil almost fell backwards.  “What’s wrong?  Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine.”  Melissa said calmly.  It had taken her time to warm up to the two men, but she thought of them as friends now.  She knew they had her friend’s best interest at heart and after nine months of having them around, she knew they would be great fathers.  “She’s just emotional.”

Gil pulled Nick forward and they both stood at the end of the bed beaming down at the young woman who had gotten under their skin and into their hearts.

“When is the doctor coming?  What’s happening?  Why isn’t a nurse in here?  God, I can’t believe it’s happening.  Shouldn’t a nurse be in here?”  When Nick paused for breath, three voices shouted at once.  “Calm down, Nick.”

Nick grinned sheepishly.  “Sorry, I guess I’m a little excited.”

Gil leaned over and kissed him.  “It’s okay, Baby, you have a right to be.” 

Gil smiled down at Debbie.  “Do you need anything?”

Before she could answer, she grimaced and moaned.  Only then did Nick and Gil notice the machines hooked up to their surrogate.  At their look, Melissa pointed out the baby monitor where they could hear their child’s heartbeat, the IV with fluids for Debbie and a monitor that showed the strength of each contraction.

Several hours passed and the three of them took turns holding Debbie’s hand and feeding her ice chips.  Nurses came and went, all giving encouraging words to Debbie and the trio surrounding her.  The doctor had come in once to check Debbie’s cervix and he said she was progressing nicely.

Irritable with pain and exhaustion, Debbie made a nasty comment about what he could do with his ‘progressing nicely’.  When Nick laughed, she turned on him. 

“You just shut up, Nick Stokes.  I wish men could get pregnant, then you wouldn’t be all smiles and dimples.”

Nick backed up a step and looked hurt.  Melissa touched his arm.  “It’s okay, it’s perfectly normal to lash out at the people you love when you’re in labor.  I remember telling Ricky that I hated him and wanted him go to hell in a handbasket.  I think I told the doctor and my mother the same thing.”

Exactly ten hours from Debbie’s phone call to Gil, the doctor told them that it wouldn’t be long. 

“She’s at eight centimeters.”  He looked at the three pair of expectant eyes.  “You may want to go and put your gowns on.”

They decided to take turns so Debbie would not be left alone.  Melissa went first, followed by Gil.  Before he left, Nick bent down and kissed Debbie’s cheek.  “Thank you for this.”  He whispered in her ear.

She looked up at him and smiled.  “You’re welcome.  I love you guys.”

“I love you.”  Nick squeezed her hand once more and left the room to don the protective gown. 

In the hallway stood his mother, father and all his sisters, as well as his older brother.  Nick grinned and was enveloped in several pair of arms as everyone tried to hug him at once.

After lots of excited questions, finally Gillian Stokes clapped her hands for silence.  “How is she?”

“She’s doing great, Mom.  She’s so wonderful.  You’ll love her.”  Gillian hugged her youngest child once more.

“I know I will son, now go and help bring my grandchild into the world.”

Nick went to the nurses’ station and with their assistance, put on the gown and mask and made his way back to the room.  Pushing open the door, he was met by Gil and Melissa. 

“We’re moving to the delivery room.  It won’t be long now.”  Gil said.  All Nick could see were Gil’s eyes, but he saw excitement and love in them. 

“You’re going to be a father, Gil Grissom.”  Nick told him softly.

“So are you, Nicky.  So are you.”  Gil gazed lovingly at his partner until finally Melissa’s voice caused them both to laugh.

“Mush.  God, ya’ll are worse than woman.  Now move, so they can get Debbie out of here.”

The delivery room was bustling with several members of the medical staff, all dressed like Gil, Nick and Melissa.  Debbie was moved to another bed and was now panting heavily.  Nick held her stuffed duck where she could focus on it. 

Gil and Melissa stood on one side, coaching her to breath and holding her hands when she was told to push.  Nick’s eyes went from Debbie’s to Gil’s and then swept the room, taking in the Plexiglas bassinet and all the medical paraphernalia in the room.  He quickly counted six people besides the doctor.  He figured one of them must be the pediatrician that he and Gil had picked out, but really couldn’t tell which one because of the masks.

“Push, Debbie.  This is it.  Push hard.”  The doctor’s voice brought Nick out of his speculation.

Nick looked down at the doctor and his eyes widened in awe as he saw his child’s head enter the world. 

“It’s a boy.”   The doctor said loudly.  And the room was filled with the lusty cries of a newborn.

Nick looked at Gil and saw tears streaming down his face.  He saw tears on Melissa’s and Debbie’s faces too.

“Mr. Stokes, will you cut the cord.” 

Not trusting his voice, Nick nodded and took the scissors from the nurse by his side.  Once the cord was cut, the doctor placed the small infant in Nick’s arms.

“Take him over to be weighed and examined, but don’t worry, he’s got all his fingers and toes.”

Nick had grown up with all of his nieces and nephews.  He had diapered lots of babies, but holding onto this child, his child, his son, was a feeling he could not begin to describe. 

The nurse gently took the baby from his arms and set him on the scale.  “Seven pounds, four ounces.”

Gil and Nick held hands as they watched the nursing staff and pediatrician measure their child and do a thorough exam.  The pediatrician turned to the couple and they could tell he was smiling under his mask.

“Ten on the APGAR scale.  Looks like you’ve got a healthy, baby boy.  Congratulations.”  Nick and Gil shook the doctor’s hand and the nurse held up the now bundled up baby,  Nick nodded towards Gil.  “It’s Papa’s turn.”

Gingerly, Gil took the infant and stared down into the eyes that were the same color as his lover’s.  The dark, thick hair was standing up on end and he chuckled.  “He looks like you do in the morning.”

Nick laughed.  Then he remembered Debbie.  He turned and went to her.  She smiled up at him.

“You love him already, don’t you?”  She asked, still holding hands with Melissa.
“I do.  I cannot ever thank you enough for this gift.”  Nick leaned down and kissed her.

****

Nick woke up a week later to the sound of soft whimpering.  He looked at the clock.  It was his turn, so he rolled of the bed and headed down the hall to the nursery.

He rounded the corner and stopped.  Gil was holding their son while trying to get the cap off the bottle of milk.  James Richard Stokes-Grissom, Jimmy to his fathers, was getting fussy. 

“Let me help.”  Nick took the bottle from a grateful Gil and uncapped it before handing it back.

“I was my turn.  Why aren’t you in bed?”  Nick asked, stroking a finger over his son’s cheek.

Gil continued to watch his son greedily suck on the bottle.  “I just needed to see him, to make sure he’s real.”

“I do the same thing.”  Nick whispered.  They watched Jimmy eat in silence.  After a ounce, Gil pulled the bottle from his mouth with a small pop.  Jimmy squeezed his face into a grimace and let out a wail.   Gil laughed and put the child on his shoulder and began to pat his back.

“He sounds like you too.”  Gil said, meeting his lover’s eyes with a grin.

“Thanks a lot.”  Nick returned the grin.  Then he got serious.  “Gil, I was thinking that we should ask Debbie to be Jimmy’s godmother.  I know we’ve talked about it being Catherine, because we couldn’t pick just one of my sisters and I know that you and Catherine go way back and I love her too, but…”

“Nick, that’s a fine idea.”

“Really, you mean it?”

“I do.  Why don’t you call her?”  Glancing at his watch, he continued.  “It’s 12:15, she should be on her lunch hour.”

****

The ceremony was a simple one.  The large Catholic church was decked out in white roses and blue ribbons, thanks to Nick’s mother.  The entire Stokes’ clan was in attendance, as well as the majority of the employees of the Las Vegas Crime Lab.  Jim Brass had been picked to be the godfather of their child, so he and Debbie were up at the altar with Gil and Nick.  The priest held a fretful Jimmy as he read the christening rite aloud.  When he poured the holy water onto Jimmy’s head, the baby let out a wail of anger and everyone laughed.

When the priest held up Jimmy to the crowd and said, “I present your newest member of the God’s church, James Richard Stokes-Grissom.”

The party afterwards was held at Gil and Nick’s house.  Judge Stokes manned the grill and the grandchildren were playing a game of tag with Hank, who had been feeling neglected since the new baby came home, even though the large dog doted on Jimmy and whimpered loudly every time Jimmy made a noise.

Gil saw that his son was in his grandmother’s arms, surrounded by all of Nick’s sisters as well as Debbie and Catherine.

Greg and Warrick were talking with Nick’s brothers-in-law about sports as usual.  Gil’s eyebrows drew together, ‘where was Nick?’ 

The kitchen was empty and the downstairs bathroom’s door was open, so Gil headed upstairs.

Nick wasn’t in Jimmy’s room, nor their extra bedroom that also served as an office.  Their bedroom door was closed.  Gil opened the door and looked in.  Nick stood at the window looking down into the backyard.

“Hey, Babe.  I thought you’d come looking for me sooner or later.”  Nick said, without turning around.

“Are you okay?”  Gil went to his partner, concern in his voice.

Nick turned with a soft smile.  “Better than okay.  I just needed a moment alone.”

“Do you want me to leave?”  Gil took a hesitant step back.

“No.  I was just thinking about this last year and how happy I’ve been with you and now Jimmy.  I don’t think I could want anything else…well maybe some time alone with you.  It seems like someone is always here unless we are asleep.  Can you remember the last time we had sex?”

Gil tilted his head to one side and gave the question some thought.  “Sex, hummmm, what is that?” 

When Nick laughed, Gil said, “I believe it was the Saturday Debbie had her last ultrasound.  So, that would make it five weeks.”

At Nick’s exaggerated groan, Gil stepped up to wrap his arms around his younger lover.  “Tell you what, why don’t we get Debbie to spend the night.  She’s been dying to babysit, and you and I will get a hotel room.  One of the really nice ones with a Jacuzzi in it or maybe even and infinity tub.  We’ll light some candles, and I’ll slowly take your clothes off….”  Gil ran his tongue up Nick’s neck, causing him to shiver.  “Then I’ll get on my knees and take you in my mouth…”

“Okay. Okay.  Stop.”  Nick said laughing.  “How am I going to go down to the party with a hard on?”

Gil kissed him softly.  “Come on, let’s go downstairs and join the party before they send out a search party.  I’ll call and get us a room and you tell Debbie she is hired for the night.  Oh, and tell her that we might not be home until sometime around mid-day tomorrow.”