Gail ran into the lab. It was dark except for a few blinking lights on the machines. She ran over to Holly's office. The door was locked and it was equally dark. "Shit" she swore under her breath.

"No such luck?" Diaz asked, running up beside her.

"I guess everyone's gone home" Gail shrugged. "Damn it. I'm such an idiot" she berated herself.

"Well, let's go" Chris said, walking back towards the exit.

"What?" Gail said lifting her head to look at him.

"It's not like she dropped off the face of the earth. Let's go. Like you said, everyone's gone home" he smiled as he disappeared out the door.

Thankfully, Gail remembered that Holly had plans to go see Susan and so Chris happily drove her that way. Once they pulled into the driveway, Chris had barely put the cruiser in park before Gail was jumping out and running up the steps. She knocked on the door and rang the doorbell simultaneously. Then she stood there, anxiously shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

She stood up straight and adjusted her uniform when she saw the handle turn and the door slowly swing open.

"Good evening, Officer. How may I help you?" said a very serious Ally.

"Hey, Ally, I need to talk to Holly. Is she here?"

"She may or may not be here. May I ask what this pertains to?" Ally continued in her most formal voice.

"Come on, Ally, give me a break. I need to talk to Holly" Gail said beginning to become very annoyed.

"Excuse me, do not talk to your mother like that!" Ally scolded, standing taller and crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"My mother?" Gail asked looking at the mini-Holly standing in front of her. Gail suddenly heard stifled laughter coming from inside the house. She looked past Ally to see two shadows forming on the hallway wall. She could only assume it was Holly and Susan. Gail looked back down at Ally. "What on earth are you talking about?"

"Well, if I have your mother's kidney that makes me partly your mother" Ally said as a matter of fact.

"Ha! You are kidding right? Just because you have my mother's kidney, does not make you my mother" laughed Gail.

"Well, it makes me like 10% of your mother" Ally said.

"Make that like 2%" Gail corrected.

"Either way, what do you want Gail?" Ally asked.

"I need to see Holly. I need to talk to her" Gail explained.

"Well as her niece, and 10% your mother, I can't let you come in" Ally said in all seriousness. Another round of muffled laughter came wafting down the hall.

"Please, Ally, I need to explain things to her" Gail almost pleaded.

"Not until you call me mother" Ally said with a nod.

"I am not calling you mother!"

"Sure you are. I mean, you do want to make things better with my aunt, right? You want to help her to stop crying. You want to make her know that you still love her. You want to make sure she still loves you, especially after what you said" Ally said with a nod.

"Oooh, you don't play fair" Gail said, squinting at Ally. "Seriously, just let me in."

"Let me in…who?" Ally continued.

"Oh, come on Gail. Just humour the girl" Chris laughed as he walked up the steps.

"Hey, Chris!" Ally smiled. "How are you?"

"I'm good, short stuff. How's life treating you?"

"Oh couldn't be better. I just found out today that I have a daughter" Ally said with all seriousness.

"Well, congratulations! You must be ecstatic" Christ played along.

"Thank you, I was quite happy when I found out. I've always wanted a daughter. Mind you, she must be going through her teenage years, because she is being quite the pill right now." Ally said, looking over at Gail with a frown.

"Wait, what?" Gail said as she shook her head. "You are not my mother!"

Another round of muffled laughter came wafting down the hallway.

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry to hear that" Chris said looking over at Gail and then looking sympathetically at Ally.

"I know, I still love her though, I am her mother after all, and someone has to love her. Please come in, make yourself at home" Ally said, standing to one side to let Chris enter.

"How come he gets to go in?" a flustered Gail asked as she watched Chris disappear down the hall.

"Well, he didn't make my aunt cry, first off" Ally said, cocking her head to the side.

Gail let her head fall as her shoulders slumped forward. She didn't mean to make Holly cry. It was the last thing she would ever want. "I know. I was an idiot. I didn't mean to say no" Gail said dejectedly.

"Then what did you mean? Because I am pretty sure you said no" Ally said softly taking a step towards the defeated officer.

"I did say no, but not because I didn't want to move in. I said no because she asked me" Gail said looking up again at Ally.

"Just so you know, you are not really helping yourself here" Ally said.

"I know, I know. I just…" Gail said in a fluster as she turned and sat down on the step, and dropped her head into her hands again.

"You just what?" Ally asked, taking a step out onto the porch.

"I just had this grand plan to ask her to move in with me. I mean, not into my place, I mean, I guess I was going to ask to move into her place, I mean, I guess…I guess I wanted to ask if she wanted to live together. I had this whole thing planned out. It was going to be romantic as hell, but she asked me first and I said no only because she beat me too it and I wasn't going to be able to woo her off her feet."

"Hmm, I see" Ally said seriously. "So what are your intentions with my aunt anyways? I mean, I can't have her coming over here and crying anymore."

Gail looked up at Ally and then back down at her hands. "I love her. I love her so much that it actually hurts when I'm not with her. I sleep better when I can feel her beside me. I have a better day knowing that all the crap that happens doesn't matter because at the end of it all, I get to see her. I don't want to be anywhere without her" Gail sighed.

"Then marry me" came a voice from behind Gail causing her to swivel around quickly. Standing behind her wasn't Ally anymore, but Holly.

"Marry me" Holly repeated as she took a step closer.

Gail quickly jumped up and stood before Holly. "Are you sure? I am an idiot about 85% of the time. I am an emotional mess the other 15%."

"But do you love me?" Holly asked softly.

"100% of the time" Gail smiled, taking a step closer to Holly.

"Then marry me" Holly stated once more.

"With pleasure" Gail smiled before throwing her arms around Holly's neck and pulling her into a searing kiss. Holly quickly wrapped her arms around Gail's waist, lifting her up and twirling her around.

Breaking from the kiss, Holly put Gail back down and looked at her, tears forming in her eyes. "You will marry me?"

"I want nothing more" Gail said, pulling Holly into another kiss.

"Hang on, what's going on here?" Susan said, walking out onto the porch. "Is my little sister really getting married?"

"Yes!" both Gail and Holly replied in unison before bursting out into giggles.

Ally stood there, wiping faux tears from her eyes. "I never thought I would see the day when my little girl was getting married."

"Oh, now you've asked for it" Gail said, untangling herself from Holly before running off after Ally who squealed with laughter as she tried her best to clamor over the porch chairs and put some space between her and Gail.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it" Ally laughed as she pushed a chair between herself and Gail.

Gail leapt over the seat and grabbed Ally, pulling her into a bear hug as she tickled her mercilessly. "Say uncle, say uncle."

Susan, Chris and Holly couldn't help but laugh out loud as they watched the interaction before them. Holly couldn't help feel her heart swell with love as she watched Gail laugh, her arms wrapped around her niece.

"Okay, okay, I give up. I'm sorry!" Ally laughed, real tears now streaming down her face.

"Okay, good. Remember…don't mess with me" Gail said as she stood up, straightened her uniform before walking back over to Holly.

"Now was that really necessary?" Holly asked, her hands on her hips.

"What? She started it" Gail smiled as she slipped her arms through Holly's and brought her closer.

"I don't think it was necessary at all" Ally said walking up to her mother, who merely laughed as she threw an arm around Ally's shoulders.

Gail turned and smiled at Ally before turning back to Holly. "As much as I would love to stay, Chris and I do need to get back to the station."

"Oh, really?" Holly asked, she couldn't hide the disappointment she was feeling. "Okay. But will you come by after?"

"Without a doubt" Gail smiled as she gave Holly a quick peck on the lips before she literally skipped down the steps causing Holly to laugh out loud.

Susan came and stood beside her sister as they waved goodbye to the officers. "So, I guess Gail isn't worried about commitment after all" she said as she wrapped her arm around Holly's waist.

"I guess not" Holly smiled before turning and making her way back into the house.

That night, Gail went over to Holly's house after her shift. Holly saw the headlights of her car pull up into her driveway and got up off the couch to let the officer inside. Gail couldn't hide the smile that was on her face when she saw Holly dressed in plaid pajamas, standing at the door.

"Now this is something I could get use to" Gail said, dropping her duffle bag and wrapping her arms around Holly's waist.

"Oh, is that so?" Holly giggled.

"Without a doubt" Gail said as she captured Holly's lips with her own. Eventually pulling away, she rested her forehead against Holly's. "I'm really sorry about earlier today and the whole miscommunication thing."

"It's okay. I think everything ended up alright."

"Just alright?" Gail asked, taking a step back.

"Okay, it was pretty spectacular" Holly laughed, pulling Gail closer again. "You are serious though, I didn't just dream it. You are honestly willing to marry me?"

Gail reached up to brush some loose hair behind Holly's ear. She let her finger trail down Holly's jaw line as if memorizing each curve, each freckle. "I wouldn't want it any other way" she smiled.

Holly leaned in and gave Gail another kiss. "You know we will need to tell our family and friends. This isn't really something we can just keep to ourselves."

"What? You don't want to be my mystery wife?" Gail laughed.

"Not really. I want to be able to show you off. I want everyone in the room to know that you are with me. I just…" Holly was cut off when Gail's lips pressed against her own.

"Okay, I get it. You want me to be your trophy wife" Gail said with a wink.

"Oh, you are impossible" Holly laughed as she turned towards the stairs.

"Impossibly gorgeous. Impossibly amazing. What can I say? I am awesome" Gail called after her as Holly simply laughed and shook her head as she ventured upstairs. Gosh, Gail loved her just so damn much.

The next day, Holly and Gail had invited all of their family and friends to join them for dinner at The Penny. Unbeknownst to their family, they had rented out The Penny for a private event and together, they hoped to share the good news. Susan, Chris and Ally already knew, but they had all promised Holly to keep it to themselves until that night.

When Gail walked in, hand in hand with Holly, she couldn't help but beam at the family she had there. She wasn't the nicest person to get along with, but for some reason, these people still stuck around and she loved every one of them, even though she would deny it all if anyone asked. Steve and Traci were at a table with Jack and Marcie. All four of them were laughing over childhood stories of Gail as they cooed over baby Henry. Both sets of parents were sitting in a booth, catching up on old times and planning things for the future. Dov, and Chloe were laughing it up with Rachel and Lisa. Oliver as enjoying drinks with Chris and Susan as they shared with him the details on how they met. Ally and Kevin were being entertained by Nick and Frankie with a few other officers over at the darts board.

"Hey, guys, you finally made it" Steve called from across the room.

"Well, you know our princess here, always has to look her best" Holly teased Gail as she pulled her in and placed a kiss on her cheek.

"So why are we all here anyways?" Chris called out from the back. Gail quickly turned and glared at him. He knew why they were there, he was just being a pain.

"Um…okay. Well I wanted to wait until we had a few more drinks, but um…" she turned to Holly and then back to the group. "We're getting married" she said with a smile.

It took the group mere seconds to digest the information before bursting out into cheers and rushing to congratulate the two. Each woman was pulled into hugs with congratulations all around. Eventually, everyone moved back and gave them some breathing room. Gail quickly reached out and wrapped her arm around Holly's waist.

"So tell us the details. Who asked who? Where's the rock? When's the big day?" Chloe asked as she sat down on a nearby stool.

"Um…well…" Gail began, looking up at Holly. "Holly asked me. No ring yet and we haven't picked an official day yet, but I was thinking maybe a spring wedding" she smiled at Holly. "Does that sound about right?"

"Most of it sounds right" Holly said unwrapping her arm from Gail's shoulders.

"Wait, what did I get wrong? I thought you always liked the spring."

"No, I love the spring, but…" Holly said as she reached into her jacket pocket and knelt down on one knee. "Gail, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?" Holly asked as she opened a small velvet box to reveal a sparkling diamond ring.

Gail covered her mouth with a gasp. She looked down at the ring and then over to Holly.

"So what do you say? Will you marry me?" Holly asked again when she got no response from Gail.

"Yes! Yes of course" Gail said, shaking her head.

Holly smiled as she stood up and took the ring out of the box. She reached out and held Gail's trembling hand. She slid the ring onto her finger as she felt tears slide down her own cheeks. Gail looked at the ring on her hand before throwing her arms around Holly's neck pulling her into a deep kiss.

Hoots and hollers from the group drew them apart. The two ladies blushed as they rested their foreheads against each other.

"But how?" Gail asked looking down at the ring and then back up at Holly.

"Actually, um…this ring belongs to your great grandmother" Holly said with a shrug.

Gail looked down at the ring then over to her parents who were simply nodding their heads yes. "Now I really don't understand" Gail said looking back at Holly.

"Well, I couldn't really ask you to marry me without getting your parents' blessing. So I went over this morning and spoke with them and well, your mother gave me this ring to give to you. It use to belong to Great Grandma Peck and as the story goes, it was passed down from generation to generation when a suitor came to ask for a daughter's hand in marriage. And well, now it belongs to you."

Gail looked over to her mother and then down to the ring. All of this was just too much. She gently rubbed her finger over the ring. "I…I just…"

"Is it okay? I mean I could get you a different ring" Holly said, suddenly panicking that Gail didn't like the ring.

"No, I love it" Gail said, looking back up at Holly. "I just can't believe you did this" she said with a smile as a tear slid slowly down her cheek.

"How could I not?" Holly laughed.

That evening was full of food, laughter and fun. Groups of people took turns to come over and congratulate Holly and Gail again. All night long, Gail couldn't stop looking at the ring then over at Holly. It had been a whirlwind couple of months since Holly returned. It never crossed her mind that she would be sitting there engaged to Holly.

Holly turned to catch Gail staring at her once more. She couldn't help but beam from ear to ear. She took a nearby fork and tapped on her glass to get everyone's attention. Standing up, she held her glass out. "I just want to thank everyone for coming out and celebrating this special time with us" Holly began as she looked down at Gail. "I came back here to Toronto in hopes of getting to rekindle my relationship with Gail. When I first arrived, I was pretty sure she would never talk to me again. Never in a million years did I ever think that a few months later she would make me the happiest and luckiest woman in the world by agreeing to be my wife. Please everyone, raise your glass with me. Here's to new starts" Holly said raising her glass with cheers from everyone else.

Gail stood up from her seat and wrapped her arms around Holly's neck. She leaned in and whispered into Holly's ear. "To our new start" she said softly before placing a kiss on her fiancée's lips.

AN- Well my dear readers, I think this brings us to the end of this story. It has been a journey. Thank you for taking it with me. Please let me know if you would like to see it continued, or perhaps something different. Thank you for reading and your comments. It has been fun.