The Look Of Love (part 22)
The month goes by quickly, Nick and Sophia are back from their honeymoon with stories and pictures of everything they had seen in Hawaii.
Catherine is in her fourth month now and Wendy is in her third. Sara has finished month two with no problems.
They have all gathered at the church for Tya and Archie's wedding. Tya had asked Nina to be her bridesmaid but she had told her she did not feel right doing it because of the way their father felt.
Sara had talked Nina into doing it anyway. Tya was not sure what her mother said to her father but he was civil to Nina throughout the ceremony and reception.
Tya's grandmother has paid for their honeymoon, they will be going to the Philippines.
The weekend after the wedding Greg finally has the time to go back to Candy's parents again. Candy and her mother are in the house and Greg and her father are sitting on the porch.
Greg suddenly becomes very nervous.
He clears his throat, "Mr. Hill," he begins, "I love your daughter. I want you to know that I have always treated her with the respect she deserves. I will try my hardest to see to it that she has everything her heart desires. Sir, I would like to ask you for your daughter's hand in marriage."
Mr. Hill sits for a while and is deep in thought. He looks at Greg. "Have you gotten my girl into trouble?" "No sir," Greg tells him.
He is thinking again, "You will take good care of her?" "Yes sir," Greg says.
He is thinking again, "Have you spoken to her about this?" "No sir, I wanted to ask you first."
"Then yes, you have my permission," he says shaking Greg's hand. Greg lets out a big sigh of relief.
"Candaice, come out here," Mr. Hill yells, "Winona, you too." The ladies come to the porch. Mr. Hill looks at Greg, "Candaice, this yong man needs to talk to you."
He takes his wife's hand, "We need to give them a little while."
Candy sits on one of the chairs. Greg does not know what to say, he had not planned on doing it right away.
"Don't mess this up Sanders," he tells himself.
"Your father and I have been talking," he starts as he goes down on one knee and takes her hand, "Candy, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Candy smiles, "Is that what you and father talked about?" Greg says it was. "Father approves?" she asks. Greg nods his head.
"I am so happy you spoke to him first. Yes, Greg I will." Greg slipped a ring on her finger and kisses her.
Her parents come back and Candy shows them the ring. "Welcome to the family, son," her father says.
Winona and Candy go to the house talking of wedding plans.
Monday is another work day. Gil is late getting to the office because he was called to Ecklie's office.
He walks into his office. "What did you do this time?" Nick asks smiling. "Nothing," Gil says.
Sara looks at him, she can tell by the look on his eyes that something is going on. He looks at her, his eyes tell her 'later'.
He hands out assignments.
Greg and Catherine have a home invasion to check out and he and Sara are going to check out a murder/suicide. Nick and Warrick get the dirty job. They have a body found under a tree, it has been there for a while.
"Man, I hate decomp," Warrick says. "Would you rather I gave it to your pregnant wife?" Gil asks. "Heavens no," Warrick says taking the paper from Gil's hand, "she will be puking for the next two weeks." Catherine giggles as she and Greg leave.
"So what is going on with Ecklie?" Sara asks as they head for the Denali. "You will never believe me if I tell you," he says. "Try me," she tells him.
"Conrad is taking a week off," he starts, "I get to play boss."
"There is more to it than that," Sara tells him. "Oh, there is," Gil adds. "You remember Brian?" he asks. Sara said she does.
"Well it seems that he and Conrad are going to have a commitment ceremony."
"I have heard of them," Sara said, "they are like a wedding."
"Yes," Gil said, "and he asked if we could be there."
"What did you say?" she asks.
"I told him I needed to ask you," he tells her.
Sara looks at him, "Yes, tell him we will be there."
Gil smiles at her, "I was hoping you would say that."
"We support all our other co-workers relationships, Conrad's relationship is no different," Sara tells him.
Stopping at the scene Gil leans over and kisses her, "You are a fantastic lady. I am lucky to have you."
Sara smiles and gently touches his cheek. "I am the lucky one."
Gil and Sara join a small group of Conrad and Brian's friends.
Gil looks around the room and sees some familiar faces, he realizes that, just like him and Sara, they all consider Ecklie's private life just that, private.
After the commitment ceremony there is a small reception.
Ecklie walks over to Gil, "I do not believe you have been properly introduced. Brian, this is Gilbert and Sara Grissom, Gil and Sara this is Brian Henry."
They shake hands and talk for a while.
On the way home Sara says, "That was not quite so awkward as I thought it would be."
"I agree, Brian seems like a nice fella," Gil adds. Sara smiles, "Everyone needs someone."
Mrs. Hill has told Greg that the wedding will be held in six months.
She explains that this much time is necessary to make all the arrangements and to gather Candy's family.
She asks for a list of his family, "I only have my mom and dad," Greg tells her, "but the people I work with are just like family."
She asks for a list of their names and addresses. "If they are like family to you then they should be included," she says with a shy smile.
It is decided they will have the wedding in Candy's hometown with the reception to be held at the family farm.
Warrick and Greg are talking, Greg tells him about Mrs. Hill's plans. Warrick tells him, "It seems to me that 'Mommie dearest' is running the show. It is easy to see who wears the pants in that family."
Greg smiles, "Only on certain things." Greg could tell by the way Mrs. Hill and the other children act that there is no doubt who runs that fanily.
"It is just the way things are done in her family," Greg explains, "anyway as long as Candy does not complain it is fine by me. One less headache for us."
Tya and Archie have returned , they have plenty of pictures and film of their trip.
Everyone gathers in the AV lab and watches it. "Makes you want to go there," Catherine says. Warrick looks at her, "Yeah, when I get rich."