Okay, kid of a fluff chapter, but I needed to get it out of the way.
As Morgan stepped out of the car, the first thing she noticed was that she could hear the sound of the ocean. She realized how much she missed about being in California. She took Greg's hand as he led her away from the parking lot, and into the cemetery. They saw death so often at work, but it was nice to see it on a social visit.
Okay, maybe "nice" isn't the best word, "refreshing" or even just "different were probably better ways of describing it. She thought.
Greg stopped walking once they got to a shady little area with just two graves. Morgan saw pain and remorse on his face and squeezed his hand in reassurance. The two graves stated that Jeremy Hunter and Jeffrey Hunter were laid to rest here. She saw tears tracing their way down Greg's cheeks as he looked at the brothers' resting place.
"They'd have liked it here." He said softly. "I remember Jeremy teaching Jeff how to climb a tree just like these." He motioned to the trees that were blocking the blazing sun above them.
"Jeff fell and broke his arm." He gave a sad smile. "Jeremy was so worried, but Jeff just stayed calm the entire time."
"He was the one who never panicked no matter what was going on, right?" Morgan asked.
"Yeah," Greg said. "He made sure all of us stuck together." Greg put most of the flowers they had brought into the vase between the graves.
"So what was Jeremy like?" Morgan asked, wanting to know these people that had been such close friends with Greg.
"Jeremy kept us all on our toes. He was always worrying, and stressed school stuff. He was accepted into Harvard, early admissions." Greg told her quietly. "He was the conscience of the group." Morgan leaned down close to Jeremy's grave.
"I don't know if you can hear me, but you don't need to worry about this guy anymore." She motioned to Greg. "I'll take care of him, I promise." She stood up again and Greg smiled at her.
"I think he would've liked to hear that." He said.
"I like to think he did." Morgan took hold of his hand again. They walked on until they got to another grave. This one wasn't surrounded by trees; rather it was out in the open, where a tease of a breeze stirred a few of her golden blonde hairs. Greg placed the rest of the flowers in the vase by this grave as she read the name on the smooth marble. The name etched in stone read "Frank Dodson."
"What was Frankie like?" She asked gently.
"Frankie was the life of the party." He said. "He could get any girl he wanted but he wasn't cocky about it. He just loved to make jokes. He kept us laughing."
"Sounds a bit like you." She observed.
"I like to think that I tried to keep that aspect of him close. I make jokes like Frankie used to because I remember how much it helped me get through high school."
"You also worry about everything, and yet when you're under pressure, you're the epitome of cool." He looked at her as she said that like he was re-evaluating every life choice he had ever made.
"I think you learned from all of them and kept an aspect of all of them, so that you would never forget them." She told him.
"I hadn't even realized that I did that." He said. She laughed.
"When I lost my grandmother, it took me a few months to realize that I'd taken up signing a heart at the end of my signature, just like she used to do." She said. "It had become second nature, and I hadn't even noticed."
"I guess I never thought that I would subconsciously start acting like they used to." He shrugged.
"Well, now you know, and you can keep them close." She kissed his cheek.
"Come on." Greg said, shaking his head to clear his thoughts. "I want you to meet someone."
He led the way back to the car and drove for a few minutes into the heart of the small town that bordered the ocean. He stopped the car in front of an older looking house. The house itself was well kept and had an air of quiet grace. It was by no means a mansion, but it wasn't small either. The lush green grass was cut and the bushes were trimmed. Greg led the way up to the front door and knocked. In a few seconds, the door opened, and a woman stood in front of them. She was of average height, with light brown hair and chocolate brown eyes not unlike those belonging to the man standing next to her. She smiled warmly at Greg and hugged him tightly before turning her eyes on Morgan.
"And who is this, dear?" The woman asked with a heavy accent.
"Mom, this is Morgan." He introduced her. "Morgan, this is my mother." He smiled.
"I'm Greg's girlfriend." She clarified, seeing the question in her eyes. "It's so nice to meet you."
"You are beautiful." His mother told her. "My son is a lucky man."
"Trust me," She laughed. "I'm the lucky one." Greg couldn't help but beam at her as his mother welcomed her into the family.
A few hours later, on their way back to Vegas, Morgan held Greg's hand as he drove and she fiddled with the radio, eventually settling for an oldies station. Greg was still blushing from some of the stories his mother had shared.
"I like her." Morgan said, grinning as she thought of ways to blackmail him at work.
"Sure, sure, not like she just gave you ammo or anything." He said, clearly thinking along the same lines.
"No, she's really sweet. And you can tell she only wants the best for you." She sighed. "Now tell me, what number am I?" She asked, smiling.
"What do you mean?" He looked at her, confused.
"Come on, how many girls have you brought home?" She grinned.
"Um, including you? One." He shrugged.
"Really?" She asked. "I'm the only girl you've ever brought home?"
"Well, yeah. My mom really wants me to get married and have kids, and if I ever brought a girl home, she would go into full on wedding mode."
"She didn't today." Morgan pointed out.
"To be honest, I think she's given up, until now." He said quietly. "I haven't been in a relationship that's lasted for more than a week in two years." He shook his head sadly. "And she knows that, so, until now anyway, I think she gave up hope that I would ever settle down."
"So she's going to bombard me with wedding stuff next time I see her?" She asked.
"Yeah- wait! Next time?" He looked at her. "Does that mean—"
"That means, I'm not going anywhere." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. He grinned and she leaned her head back against the seat and fell asleep listening to Hootie and the Blowfish's Only Wanna Be With You.
A/N: First off, I love that song. Second, I needed a leading chapter to get them back in Vegas. Please review, and check out my other story, Trouble. I love Morganders/Grody. I have always supported them being together since the start of season 12. I LOVE ALL OF YOU DEAR READERS WHO HAVE STUCK WITH ME. Please, if you can, give me some advice, because if you give me a basic idea, I can try to turn it into a lovely chapter. A big thank you to Lil Badger 101 who has given me ideas on this story and for those very kind words that were sent to me. I LOVE YOU THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL BETTER ABOUT MYSELF. I have a few small self esteem issues please just don't yell at me.