Chap. 4

Constance stood before Greg, her eyes brimming with tears as the officiate started to talk.

"Friends and family for Constance and Gregory we are gathered here on what is the most important days in these peoples life. Marriage is such a large step and cannot be taken lightly or without great support. There will be times where one or the other in this union will feel like giving up and that is where you all come in, to make sure they stay together through all life has to give them." Looking at Greg the officiate continued "Greg you may now read what you have written for Constance."

Greg swallowed back the lump in his throat "Constance, we have already been through a lot together, and I believe that God has been preparing us for this moment and for our future together. I promise to keep the good memories alive, and to let the bad ones die. I vow to let the sun go down on our anger, and to treat each morning as a new day to love you, the gift I have been given. I will not forsake you or these vows that we have made, but rather strive to show you my love for the rest of our lives. This is my promise to you."

Random sniffs could be heard as the officiate continued "Gregory please take Constance's hand and repeat after me, I Gregory Sanders"

"I, Gregory Sanders"

"Choose you Constance Taylor"

"Choose you" Greg took a breath as his voice cracked "Constance Taylor"

"As my everything"

"As my everything"

"I vow to see you through the bad times"

Greg saw Constance's eyes look over to the empty chair with the single rose. He squeezed her hand as he repeated the words. "I vow to see you through the bad times."

"And to cherish the good."

Greg smiled as he continued "And to cherish the good"

December 19th 2005,

Constance smoothed down a wrinkle in her dress before giving her reflection in the mirror a nod of approval. Greg would be there any minute to pick her up for the Christmas party and she was looking forward to seeing everybody. It had been a month since Julie had returned from maternity leave and Constance found herself missing everybody back at the lab. Well, almost everybody. She had found a permanent position as a secretary at a private school which paid significantly more than the temp agency had but she still thought back to the wonderful people she met at all the jobs she had done.

The buzzer from down stairs interrupted her train of thought. "Be right down" she said as she did up her shoe. She grabbed her bag and shall and hurried out the door.

Downstairs Greg watched people come off the elevator, people who weren't Constance. Finally he saw her step off. She looked stunning in her black satin dress. The spaghetti straps rested softly on her shoulders as his eyes traveled down past where the dress clung to her hips. The asymmetrical hem line showed just enough of her shapely legs which were covered by her infamous fishnets. She did a quick spin on her simple black strappy heels he could see the back seam on her fishnets. As he took all of this in he also noticed her face. Her eyes looked slightly sunken and her face was pale despite the makeup. Her shoulder blades appeared more prominent as she put on her shall. Greg shook his head slightly, shaking off any concern. Constance was still mourning her father, especially around this difficult season. And her new job kept her pretty busy during the day. He made a mental note to try and make a nice relaxing evening soon. They both needed it.

"Your chariot awaits m'lady" Greg said opening the door of the apartment building.

After they both got into the car Constance leaned in and kissed Greg softly on the cheek.

"You look great" she said "Good enough to eat."

Greg straightened his dark blue tie from under his black sports coat. "Thank you" he said blushing "I feel a little ridiculous dressed up like this."

"Well you'd look ridiculous at the party if you didn't"

Greg rolled his eyes "Logic" he sighed as he pulled off.

Constance's heart started to beat hard as she entered the reception hall. Christmas decorations were everywhere, showing a festive feeling she just couldn't find this year.

She scanned the crowd for familiar faces. A smile crossed her red lips as she spotted Catherine talking with Brass.

"Hey you two" Constance said as she approached the two.

"Hey back" Catherine said hugging Connie. Brass shook Greg's hand "You're looking awfully dapper"

"She made me" Greg said glaring at Connie.

Catherine looked Greg up and down "Well thank you Constance"

"You had your chance" Greg said straightening up.

"Right" Cathrine said smirking "Constance have you tried the buffet? It is delicious."

"You know what Catherine…I was starving at home so I heated up some leftovers. I might just grab a salad or something."

A concerned look washed across Cathrines face before showing Constance to the buffet table.

As Brass and Greg chatted Sara watched them from across the room.

As the evening wore and the drinks flowed the room got a little louder and people a little friendlier.

Cameras flashed as Constance convinced Grissom to get up and dance one song. Everybody was impressed at how well Grissom danced. Constance followed his lead and the two finished the song to applause.

Laughter erupted as Grissom made a comment about how he's always said people are unpredictable.

From behind him somebody messed up Greg's hair.

"There we go." Sara said as Greg turned around "There's the Greg we've all come to know and love."

"Thanks Sara." Greg said nervously "I've felt out of place with my hair all neat like that."

"It's no problem" Sara said stepping closer.

Greg could smell the alcohol on her breath

"Sara? How much have you had to drink?" Greg asked concerned.

"Don't worry. I won't be driving. Besides" She said brushing the air with her hands as though to brush away all of Greg's concerns "It's Christmas, a time for celebrating."

"That it is." Greg said taking Sara's glass from her and taking a sip, mostly so she couldn't.

From across the room Constance resisted the urge to interrupt Greg's conversation.

"Speaking of celebrating." Sara continued "I know you have had a thing for me for a while and I just thought I'd let you know…"

"Sara" Greg interrupted "I'm with Constance now."

"You need someone who is going to stimulate your mind as well." Sara said stepping even closer. Finaly leaning in she whispered "Just letting you know."

From across the room Constance had her teeth locked in anger.

"Now go." Tina Brown said letting go of Connie's arm as they watched Sara saunter away from a dazed Greg.

Constance walked past everyone and into the ladies room where she had seen Sara slip.

"Is it the booze or the fact that what you could once have you now can't?" Constance said as soon as she saw Sara at the sink.

"What?" Sara asked.

"If you had any respect for Greg you wouldn't have flirted with him so openly just then."

"I was just talking to him." Sara slurred

"Greg wanted you for five years and you never had the time of day for him but as soon as he moved on you are available."

"So what? Are you going to tell me to stay away from him? Cause you can't, we work together."

"I don't have to tell you to stay away from him. I trust him, I love him and I trust that he loves me. Like I said if you had any respect for him you wouldn't have done that but it's awfully hard to respect others when you don't even respect yourself." Constance said before spinning on her heels and walking out.

Constance spent most of the rest of the night next to Greg and keeping a close eye on Sara.

As they were about to leave Catherine took Constance aside.

"What did you say to Sara?" the older woman asked

"We talked about common interests." Constance said leaving no room for further conversation.

"What ever you said…it worked. Sara hasn't looked at either of you since you emerged from the bathroom."

"She can look all she wants." Constance said taking her shall from Greg "Merry Christmas Catherine." She finished smiling.

"Merry Christmas Constance."

In the car Greg asked the same question Catherine had and got the same response.

"Common interests huh?" he said looking slyly out of the corner of his eye.

"Drop it Gregory" Constance said in her 'mommy' voice.

From the corner of her eye she could see Greg smile. He knew that she had stood up to Sara but she had also taken it private. He was so impressed with her backbone & class right now it was everything he could do to keep from kissing her right then.

As they got closer to her apartment building Constance noticed that Greg was getting nervous. She weighed her options and decided not to ask him although she did place her hand on his bouncing knee. Mostly because it was distracting her as she drive.

Greg ran his hand through his hair nervously as Constance turned the key to her door. Her eyes got wide and filled with tears as she looked around the room.

When she had left her apartment showed no signs of the upcoming holiday. But now there was a 7 foot tree lit and decorated. A fake mantle with a pretend fire had been erected on an empty wall and was decorated with lit garland and two stockings.

Constance stepped in the room with shaking legs. Greg smiled as he saw the tears stream down Connie's face. Normally this would be cause for concern but the broad smile on her face showed him he had nothing to fear.

Constance laughed as she came around the sofa and saw that there was even a train set up around the tree. Her tears became more evident when she realized it was her fathers train set from her childhood Christmases. In fact the ornaments were from her dad too.

Her entertainment unit was decorated with lit garland and her fathers nativity scene was set up. Constance turned to Greg, he could see her try to speak a few times before managing to ask "How?"

"I called your aunt and explained how you were lacking in Christmas spirit this year and asked her if she would mind sending the Christmas decorations from your fathers place. She had no problem…in fact they were at my house within the week. Then I asked your landlord to break in for me. I love the fact that you have a female landlord…she's a sap."

Constance laughed as she traced her name on the stocking hanging above her 'fireplace'.

"I bought the fireplace cause I knew you had one growing up and I had the stockings made up." Greg continued.

Constance fingered Greg's stocking lovingly. She couldn't believe the thought and effort he had put into all of this.

"I paid Lindsey and a few of her friends to set it all up while we were at the party. I must admit they did a great job." He finished looking around impressed

"Oh my god Greg…this is all too much." Connie said through her tears.

"I know you have been so down about not having your father with you this Christmas but life goes on. Life with new people." He replied softly touching his own stocking for effect.

"Now my gift to you is going to pale so badly in comparison." Constance laughed.

"You are the only gift I want. You are the only gift I need." Greg said taking Constance in a hug. He brought his lips down softly onto hers. He could taste her tears as he kissed her harder.

After making love under the tree they fell asleep they fell asleep in each others arms. Constance could almost feel the heat of the fire as she drifted off…finally feeling the Christmas spirit.