Fall. The time of year Grace Van Pelt loved the most. Being from a farming community it was the time of year for celebrations. Winter was cold and dead. Spring kept everyone busy with planting. The Summer was hot and stormy. But the Fall was perfect. There were dances and football games. Potlucks and parties. And of course Halloween and Thanksgiving.

Grace loved Halloween while growing up. A day to dress up and have fun. There wasn't much opportunity to go Trick or Treating since neighbors could be ¼ mile away. At the school there was usually a bon fire and a costume dance.

She lost some of her enthusiasm for the holiday after joining law enforcement. Since becoming a cop she saw the underside of the holiday.

This year she and Wayne were planning on attending a Costume Dance and Potluck at church. Wayne was going as a cop. While packing up his apartment he found his first uniform, and it still fit pretty good. Grace was dressed as a Greek Goddess. She got the idea one Sunday afternoon while watching Troy. Grace thought one of the characters bore a striking resemblance to Wayne. Her idea was that he go as a Gladiator and she as a Greek Goddess. As soon as he saw the costume, it was a lost cause. No matter. They were there together having fun.

As soon as they walked in Wayne's eyes became big as saucers. He could not believe how much food was there. Although the Rigsby's never went hungry, he certainly was not used to having such a variety of food all in once place. Even holidays were simple family meals. Wayne did not know most of his extended family.

After eating the music started. The band was made up of members from the church and they played a variety of music. Something for everyone there. As time went by everyone seemed to drift into little groups. Wayne was standing in the back of the room talking to several of the husbands. Their wives were seated at one of the tables trying to get Grace to tell them everything about Wayne. Not that Grace minded. She spent all day 5 days a week being one of the guys and hiding her relationship. It felt good to be able to talk openly about how happy she was.

Marie McGowen was the first to bring up the subject. "Well, I don't need to ask if you're happy. You're glowing!"

Grace beamed "Yeah, I am. I am really happy." At that, with the ice broken it seemed like every woman in the room had a question for Grace.

Marie laughed at Grace's dazed expression. "Just you wait. This will be you after a few years of marriage and a couple of kids."

Grace blushed brightly and tried to respond but nothing came out. So Marie continued "I'm not saying you and Wayne, I'm just saying when you get married, to you know, who ever…."

Grace blushed brighter and Marie practically squealed "You ARE thinking along those lines. What about Wayne? Has he brought it up?"

Grace recounted the incident at the Zinfandel Grille, the hostess thinking they were married and Wayne not minding and admitting that he has been thinking about a future for them for a long time. There came a chorus of "Awwww." from the ladies at the table.

"But you're still not sure?" she heard asked by someone.

"It's only been a couple of months, and 6 weeks of that I was recuperating from being shot. I mean he says he loves me, even Jane says so and he's never wrong about those things, but I still can't figure out why. What makes him so sure that I'm THE one? I see how women look at him. He could have his pick. He even had a rich older woman interested in him, so why me?" Grace realized she had started rambling and looked around at the faces at the table. They all seemed slightly amused at her confused state.

Marie reached over and took her hand. "Grace, when did you suspect you had feelings for Wayne?"

"Almost from the first moment I met him." Grace had to admit "But come on look at him? What red-blooded single woman wouldn't?"

Marie chuckled "You know I've seen you and your colleagues on TV. That other agent, Cho isn't it?" Grace nodded "He's pretty hot too. Did you have feelings for him?" Grace shook her head. Marie was right Cho was just as good looking as Rigsby, just in a different way. "And this Jane character. You obviously have a lot of respect for him. And although a little older he's also pretty easy on the eyes. So, why Wayne?"

Grace shook her head and shrugged slightly. She was sure Marie had an answer for her. And Marie did not disappoint. "Chemistry. It's one of the greatest mysteries of life. Why is one person attracted to a certain person? No one knows. But this we do know. If the person you feel that spark for feels it too, go with it. And trust me Grace any more sparks between you two and we would calling out the fire department!"

As Grace looked around the table all the other women were nodding their agreement. One of the women pointed behind Grace and said "It looks like another female is trying to work her wiles on your boyfriend."

Everyone at the table burst out laughing as Grace spun around to where the woman was pointing. Sure enough Wayne was out on the dance floor with Shannon McGowen in his arms. And she was clapping her hands delightedly as he spun and dipped her in time to the fast tune that was playing. Grace turned back around slightly embarrassed to have been caught acting jealous.

Marie stood up and gestured for Grace to follow "Come on let's go get your man back."

As they made their way to where Wayne was goofing around with Shannon, the music slowed to a romantic ballad. And they could not help but giggle as Shannon threw her arms around Wayne's neck and lay her head on his shoulder.

They approached Wayne and Marie reached up and claimed her daughter as Grace slipped into his arms all in a seemingly choreographed move.

Grace slipped her arms around his neck as his went to her waist. "Enjoying yourself?" she asked.

"Yeah. It was fun."

"But you're ready to go home, right?"

"Yeah sure, right after this song." It wasn't until he started singing softly in her ear that she realized the song that was playing, 'Endless Love'.

Grace could feel all eyes on them, but found that she no longer cared if everyone in the room knew how she felt about the man holding her so sweetly. And if Wayne was concerned he showed no sign of it. Marie and the other ladies were right. Even she could feel the sparks flying as they moved together. It was a good thing Wayne was an arson expert. He would know what to do when they spontaneously combusted.

As the song was ending Grace pulled back just enough to look Wayne in the eye. "I love you." She whispered for his ears only.

Wayne grinned wickedly as he leaned forward to rest his forehead on Grace's "I know." He answered but before Grace could react he dipped her as the last few notes drifted through the room.

As he brought her back up Grace could not help but laugh as she playfully slapped at his arm.

"Oh now you've done it ma'am" Wayne said still smiling. "I'm afraid I'm going to have to take you into custody for striking a law enforcement officer."

"But you can't arrest me. I'm a goddess and I have immunity."

Wayne groaned "Oh that you are Goddess Grace, that you are."

Both were still laughing as they made their way over to the table to say good night.

Grace felt lighter than she had in months. She loved Wayne and he loved her. She needed to stop analyzing too much. This was right and she knew it.

Three weeks later Grace was preparing for Thanksgiving. This was the first time she would not be spending it with her family. It made her sad to think about that, but she was where she wanted to be with Wayne. He still did not talk much about his family and never mentioned them in regards to the holiday. He was excited about having an old fashioned Thanksgiving dinner. He had convinced Grace to get recipes from her family members and cook them for him. He would help of course.

So the Wednesday night before they were in the kitchen with recipes spread out around them trying to do a lot of the prep work so it would not be so daunting the next day. Grace had spent her whole life helping prepare the dinner, but she could not believe how excited she was to be doing this on her own. It felt right. She and Wayne making holiday memories of their own. And he was obviously enjoying himself. He had a huge grin on his face as he worked around the kitchen following her directions.

Just as they were cleaning up for the night, making ready to get an early start in the morning there was a knock at the door. Grace looked at the clock "Who could that be at this hour?"

Wayne who was elbow deep in dish water answered. "Well I guess we'll know when you open the door."

Grace turned and looked at him just as she was opening the door. As she turned back and opened the front door, she gasped loudly. There at her open door were her parents.

Grace squealed as she hugged her parents one at a time and then pulled them into a group hug. She had not seen them since last Thanksgiving and was not sure when she was going to be able to get back home again.

Grace suddenly remembered she was not alone. She turned back to the kitchen to find Wayne leaning against the counter top with the biggest grin on his face. "You knew about this?"

Mrs. Van Pelt answered from behind her "Not only knew about it, he made all of the arrangements."

Before Grace even realized she was moving she was throwing herself at Wayne. Luckily he caught her.

"I love you. I love you." She whispered into his neck. From behind her she heard her father say "Um Grace honey when you're done we really would like to meet your fine young man."