Chapter Nine

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I dashed into the lab and ran down the hall to Grissom's office. Greg was slacking behind, although there was a certain spring in his step, too. I managed to compose myself a little bit before I knocked. Grissom looked up and motioned for me to come in. I opened the door and sat down. The smile still hadn't been wiped off my face.

"Alison." He greeted. "What can I do for you?"

I grinned so much that my face was actually sore. I bobbed my head so as I was staring at my lap. "Grissom..." I put my hand on the desk. My hand with the ring, of course. Slowly, he took his glasses off. "Not a thing!"

"What's this?"

I frowned. "I-it's a ring. Greg's grandmother's ring, to be precise." Grissom made an 'o' with his mouth.

"Congratulations are in order, then?"

"Oh, yes." I laughed, sitting back in the chair and examining the ring. I sighed. "Grissom, I can't actually think on a time when I have smiled this much. Genuinely."

"Well, that's good." He glanced behind me and I noticed Sara standing outside tapping on the door and grinning. "Could you excuse me a moment?"

"Sure, I have to go and tell Catherine, anyway. Bye!" I hugged him and ran out the door. Sara greeted me, politely. "Hi. Hey, Sara, I'm engaged!"

Oh, now this got her. Her mouth almost fell to ground. "Really?"

"Yes! Isn't it great?!"

"It is!" She hugged me. "Congratulations. Where's the lucky boy?"

"Oh, he was off to call his Mom and Dad. Uh, I have to go. Good luck!" I patted her on the back and ran off to the break room.

Well, what a day!

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I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat down at the table next to Nick, Catherine and Warrick. Warrick, who was beside me, was the first to notice the ring.

"Allie Moore, is there something you're not telling me?" He put his own cup of coffee down and smirked. I, who was busy flaunting my ring by holding the cup in a certain way so as everyone could see it, nodded.

"I think you may be onto something, Rick."

Nick gasped. "No way! When did this happen?"

"Well, this morning, really. I kind of...over-heard him and Papa Olaf last night, and then, uh, I guess I may have let it slip and he proposed." My heart fluttered as I saw Greg, grinning, open the door to the break room. All four of us looked up at him. He scoffed.

"You told them?!"

"Yes! I couldn't wait all day for you!"

"Oh, you two kids..." Catherine grinned and tapped Nick's shoulder. "Must be nice to be that young and that much in love." She shook her head. Nick tutted.

"I know. Disgusting, isn't it?"

Warrick laughed. "Well, I wish you guys all the best, but I'm on a case. I'll see you at lunch." He bent over slightly and hugged me, before slapping Greg on the back. Greg shrugged and sat down next to me.

"Hey." He smiled, staring at me. Catherine and Nick both groaned.

"Hey, come on! Give us a break." Nick drank the last little bit of his coffee and stood up. "There are still single people in the room."

"Wasn't that your excuse the other night?"

"So? It's still valid." He patted me on the shoulder and headed to the door. "You coming, Cath?"

"Yep." Catherine sighed. "Another day of hard, evil labour. Congrats." She scoffed and wandered off with Nick.

Greg leant in and kissed me. "Hello. How are you feeling?"

"I'm feelin' great. Has, uh," I scratched the side of my face quickly. "Has being engaged changed you...in any way? Do you feel different?"

Greg smiled at me and then shrugged. "No. Do you?"

"Absolutely not. Are we supposed to?"

"Maybe." He grinned. "So, uh, my mom wants us over for dinner tonight."

"Excellent!" I giggled. "Of course, I'll have to tell my mom." I banged my head on the table, and it happened to be a lot more painful than I expected. Greg laughed and took my hand, gently squeezing it.

"You know, I actually had a thought."

I looked up, dying not to laugh. "Really? A real thought?!"

He glared at me. "No, I was actually thinking, how about winter?"

"Um...I like winter. I-it's cold. It's pretty...what about it?"

"For the wedding. I always liked the idea of a winter wedding, type thing..." He trailed off, slightly embarrassed.

"Oh, you...big girl!" I laughed. Greg folded his arms. I stopped. "Okay, sorry. Uh, winter weddings are the bomb. How about...the 22nd?"

Greg's face lit up. "Yeah! That's, uh," He glanced down at his watch, doing the math. I absolutely adored the way Greg always double-checked everything. And the way he got so thoroughly excited about these little tiny things. The eye-twinkle amazed me. "Saturday. Perfect. Have I told you lately that-"

"You love me?" He furrowed his brows, confused. I rolled my eyes. "Uh, continue on."

"No, I was actually going to say that Papa Olaf only attends weddings held on Saturdays. He thinks it's the only way couples will have good luck. Saturday and Tuesday."

I laughed. "Well, I'll take my chances with Saturday. Okay, I have to go and actually do some work." I kissed him and hesitated a moment. "Maybe you should take the ing, in case I lose it."

Greg shrugged and held out his hand. "Mm-kay. But, so as you know, I'm very bad at remembering where I put things."

I glared. "Greg, I know. I live with you."

"Just checking. Oh! And I already have my best men picked out."

I arched my eyebrow. "Best men? I was only gonna have one bridesmaid. Maybe two, at most. At a push."

"Oh." His face fell a little. My heart lurched. His little sad face always got to me. I shrugged.

"Okay, two. At least two each."

"Great! But, uh, I was gonna have Warrick, Nick and Henry."

"Henry?" I gasped. I mean, I did want nice wedding pictures.

"Yeah. Who were you gonna have?"

"Michelle. Maybe Catherine, possibly Sara. Or Susie. Maybe even Frank or Dylan."

He wrinkled his nose "Frank, Dylan...and Susie?"

"Yep. I could have a boy-maid if I wanted. And what's wrong with Susie? She's your sister."

"Well, yeah, but...she's huge. She won't fit into the pictures."

I folded my arms. "So? What have you got against the larger woman?"

His eyes widened majorly. He held his hands up, Blue Hawaiian instantly forgotten. "No, no! Nothing! I was...uh, I just meant...she-she's lovely, a-and so are you-"

Oh, too easy, Greg! I knew my next move would make him squirm. "What?!" I gasped, dramatically. "Are you saying what I think you're saying, Gregory? I'm a 'large' woman?"

I could almost see his heart explode. "No! Allie, size ten isn't large, and I certainly didn't mean..." He rambled on very, very quickly for another minute and a half before I burst out laughing. He had sidled closer to me and put a hand on my waist. Difficult as I was seated.

"Greg!" I giggled. "I know, I was kidding!"

He frowned. "What?"

"I was joking with you." I touched his face. "Dude, it's okay."

A nervous smile came over his lips and then it vanished quickly. I pulled him towards me and kissed him frantically. He pulled away. "I. Am. So sorry!"

I furrowed my brows. "Oh, baby...you know me better than that! Surely. I hope, anyway." Then a thought crossed my mind. "But, just to be safe...what's my favourite colour?"

"Pink."

"Film?"

"Uh, it varies, but mostly Singin' in the Rain."

"Good boy." He winked. "How about...favourite CD?"

"The Killers, 'Hot Fuss'. The second one disappointed you somewhat and The Smiths' 'The Queen is Dead' is another one of your favourites." Greg added, obviously feeling smug with himself.

"Favourite band, male and female artists and song?"

He groaned. "Fall Out Boy, Otis Redding, Pat Benetar and..." Greg was wracking his brain at this point. Easy enough, really. "Probably...something cheesy..."

"Whoa! I do not like cheesy songs, but continue."

"Either 'Pain in my Heart', 'Respect', 'Try a Little Tenderness', 'Heartbreaker', 'A Little Less Sixteen Candles...', 'Maria' by Blondie or...uh, 'CrushCrushCrush' by Paramore."

Wow. I was thoroughly impressed. He did know me. "Favourite food?"

"Creme brulee and ice cream."

"Favourite TV show?"

"The Waltons."

Ha! He is amazing. "Favourite item of clothing?"

"Uh...either your pink bed-socks or your Vans."

"Correct. Favourite book?"

"Could be...'A Christmas Carol', by Charles Dickens or 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' by Roald Dahl. His parents were Norwegian." He beamed.

I glared at him. "Yes, and I know." I quickly looked at my watch. "Uh, one more..."

"Oh, hit me with your best shot, Al." He leant forward, smug little grin on his face. I rolled my eyes.

"Fine. Who...is my all-rounf favourite person ever?"

"Easy." He sat back. "Me."

I giggled. "Nope. Santa." With that, I kissed him, surprisingly enough - he put his hand on my back and drew me in closer...amazingly fabulous it was, too. I pulled away.

"Hey!" He hollered.

"What?" I stood up. "I have work to do. Bye!" I placed my hand on his chest and walked off, trailing my hand as I went. I knew he was busy grinning to himself as I left. And then I had a thought following a strange flutter.

Words could not describe how much I love that boy.

Not a word. Not that I hadn't tried to think of one.

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A/N: Hola!

Wow. Is it me or are my endings getting worse?! Anyways, more Grallie fluff...but there may be trouble ahead. Good trouble though, and her name is Ashley. But don't worry, our Greg does not like her. Repeat: He hates her!

Well, we got our Christmas tree up and it is fabulous! It is absolutely the best tree we've ever had. Amazing! I may even love it slightly more than this pink laptop. Or maybe not...probably they are on a par with each other.

Please R&R, and ooh, tell all your friends!!!

Have an excellent rest of the day,

JauntyChick

XOX