Lie to Me Lives! And we can keep it going forever in fan fiction as long as we have writers willing to take these characters forward… This is a simple, fluffy chapter. You have been warned.
Gillian had taken the next few days to think about what her next step would be. She and Cal had really seen very little of each other during this last week. Gillian knew if a next step was going to be taken it would be up to her. Cal had shown her love and her initial reaction had been fear. If she knew Cal-and she did-he wouldn't take the chance that she may reject him. She was fairly certain he had no idea what the fear was about and he would automatically think she was afraid of a relationship with him.
Cal was no closer to knowing what Gillian was afraid of. He wanted to believe it wasn't him. He wanted to believe it was a fear of getting her heart broken again. How could he possibly promise her that wouldn't happen? He knew he had hurt her before with some of the stupid stunts he pulled. He knew he had hurt her by pushing her away when he feared she was getting too close. How was he to rectify this now? How could he show her that he would never intentionally hurt her? He needed to do something. He couldn't let the woman he loved, more truly than any other he had ever known, get away from him again.
The Christmas party was two days away. Gillian had been decorating the office with the help of Heidi. Cal was making himself scarce; continuing to let everyone believe how much he hated the festivities. Deep in his heart, Cal held memories of Christmas that were very dear to him. His mother had been obsessive about the Holidays before she had become so debilitated by depression. In truth, he loved the fuss over Christmas. He loved to watch Gillian in her element with the decorations and the party planning and the baking and the gifts. It gave him a warm feeling inside.
Gillian had been decorating the office when Emily showed up. Everyone else had gone home. Emily couldn't help but notice how distracted Gillian seemed. She was usually so happy about Christmas. Every year for as long as she could remember, Emily had come to the office to help Gillian decorate on the Wednesday before the big Christmas party. There had only been one other time when she had seen Gillian looking this somber. That was the Christmas after she had lost Sophie. Emily remembered how sad Gillian was and how she had gotten herself tangled in the lights after turning the music up loud. She thought Gillian would be angry with her but instead she came over and laughed at Emily as she turned her in circles untangling her. Once Gillian had freed Emily from the lights, they had shared hot cocoa and cookies and finished the tree. Emily had realized then how much she loved Gillian.
Emily watched Gillian for a few moments and then went to find the old CD player. She plugged it in and turned it up just as loud as she had it that Christmas years ago. Gillian jumped when the music blasted but relaxed and smiled as soon as she saw Emily.
"Hi Emily!" Gillian stood and wrapped Emily in a big hug. "I was wondering if you were going to come help me this year."
Emily squeezed Gillian tightly. "I wouldn't miss it! It's tradition!" They pulled apart. Emily surveyed the mess of decorations on the floor. "Wow. How did they get so messed up? I don't think I've ever seen them in such bad shape."
Gillian put her hands on her hips. "I know. I didn't put them away last year." She took a deep breath. "I won't make that mistake again!"
The two sat on the floor and began untangling lights and ornaments. Their conversation was easy and light. Emily wanted to ask what was troubling Gillian but she didn't want to be pushy. After a bit, Gillian became quiet. Emily took the opportunity to ask "Are you okay Gillian?"
Gillian looked up at her. "Yes, Emily. I'm fine." She looked back down at what she was doing. "Why do you ask?"
"You just seem a little distracted." Emily was still and kept her eyes on Gillian.
Gillian smiled and looked up at Emily. "You are your father's daughter."
"Yes, I am. And that was a nice deflection." It was Emily's turn to smile.
"Emily…" Gillian stopped and took a deep breath. "It's nothing. I just have a lot on my mind." She paused for a second. "This has been quite a hectic year for me."
"Yeah. I guess it has been." Emily reached over and grasped Gillian's wrist. "You know my dad and I are here for you, right?"
Gillian stared at the teenager's hand on her wrist. She looked up and smiled. "Yes. I do. And I appreciate it more than you know." Gillian looked back at the mess on the floor. "Now. Let's get back to work! This tree isn't going to decorate itself!"
Late in the evening, Cal and Torres returned to the office to hear Christmas music blaring and female voices laughing. Torres immediately made excuses to leave for the day. She had no desire to deal with a Holiday irritated Cal Lightman. After she grabbed her things and left, Cal wondered through the building toward the music and the laughter.
As he rounded the corner, he saw Gillian and Emily laughing and singing and stringing lights on the Christmas tree. He stood in the shadows and watched them. It made his heart feel light to see the two of them together. He could see the love in their eyes. He watched them for several minutes before Gillian happened to glance over and see him standing there.
"Hey Cal!" She motioned him over with her arm. "Get over here and help us out! We could use it. These decorations were a mess. Another set of hands might mean we won't be here all night!"
Cal joined them. The three of them laughed and sang and decorated. Cal was amazed at how he felt; how being with the two people he loved most in the world could fill him with so much happiness. Around 10:30, Emily yawned. "I should really head home. Can you guys finish up without me?"
Gillian looked toward the clock. "Oh my goodness it's gotten late. You guys both go, I'll finish up."
Emily looked at Cal with wide eyes and shook her head. She then nodded toward Gillian. "No that's okay. I can get home fine. Dad can stay and help you."
Cal spoke up. "Yeah love, I'll stay. Let me just walk Em out to the car and make sure she gets off ok."
KNOW KNOW KNOW KNOW
Cal and Emily left the office and walked into the parking garage. "Dad. Gillian was sad earlier when I got here. She was saying that she had a hard year and that she had a lot on her mind. What's she doing for Christmas? You should invite her over. You know I'll be at moms until the day after Christmas. It would be a perfect time for you to tell her how you feel about her-"
Cal had tried several times to interrupt her and finally just cut her off "Em!" He stopped and looked at her. "Take a breath love."
"Dad. I'm just saying to ask. No one should be sad or alone over the Holidays. Gillian doesn't have anyone here now and I haven't heard that she is planning to go to see her family, have you?"
"No, I haven't. Look Em, you need to back off love. I know you mean well but Gill and I… we have some things to work out… and…"
"I understand Dad. Please just don't let her get away, okay?" Emily stared at him with her big brown eyes.
"I'm not planning to love." He hugged her. "Now, get on home. Text when you're safe and sound in the house okay?"
KNOW KNOW KNOW KNOW
Cal returned to Gillian to find that she had turned off the music. "No more fairy music love?"
Gillian smiled. "I think my ears have had enough for tonight."
Cal walked up and stood beside her. He took a moment to study her. He could see a slight sadness in her eyes. She looked up and caught him staring.
"Hey, stop that." She gave him a stern look.
"Sorry. Emily was right." Cal gave her a sad look.
Gillian gave him a sideways glance. "About what?"
"You look a little sad tonight." Cal put his hand on her shoulder.
"She said that?" Gillian looked at him with wide eyes. "I'm not sad Cal. I'm fine. Maybe a little tired…"
"Well now that's a lie. I mean about not being a little sad, it's obvious you're tired." He pulled her around to face him and studied her face.
Gillian allowed him to look at her. She softened her look and opened her face to him. "What are we doing Cal?" She let him see hope in her eyes.
Cal wasn't sure what he was seeing or where she was going. "What do you, I mean what are you… asking…"
Gillian looked at his face. She let the love she felt for him show. She couldn't hold it back anymore. This evening with him and Emily had felt so right. It felt like family, it felt like home. She didn't want to let the feeling go. "You know what I mean Cal. I don't think I can keep ignoring the sparks I see flying around the room." She leaned in toward him and took his hands in hers. 'It's now or never. This could go very wrong or it could go very right. Please let it go right…'
Cal could see everything on her face. He kept waiting for her to pull away, to make a joke and blow it off. But she didn't. She leaned in and touched her lips softly to his. Not a chaste kiss like they had shared several times before but a serious, lingering kiss. Her lips were so soft and he felt his lips opening up to her. The kiss got a little deeper. Cal put his hands on her waist and Gillian's arms made their way around his neck. A few moments later they slowly pulled apart. Gillian was looking down. Cal put his finger under her chin and tilted her face up to meet his gaze. His eyes were questioning.
Gillian smiled sweetly. "I'm not afraid Cal. Are you?"
"Not at all darling. Not for one second."
TBC
Not what I had in mind for this chapter… but I wanted to post something today. More action in the next chapter. There are still several things left unsolved…