Morgan set the photograph down. The letter that was its companion was just a simple note of thanks from her mom. She glanced through the next few letters left in each pile. There was no signature on the piece of parchment, but she recognized it as the same from the first letter.

She opened the letter more and attached to the paper was a thin silver chain from which hung a delicate ring of golden leaves that wrapped around a simple cut of a fiery blue stone.

==++~~&~~++==

Remember last Christmas Eve
When we sat next to our first tree
Ornaments reflected light
Of a candle in the night
And I gave you a music box
Back then that seemed like so much
We watched it go round and round
As the melodies unwound
-The Music Box

"No, you can't open them yet." Gil teased his best friend of more than two decades and girlfriend of just over four years. Girlfriend was such a lousy term for what he saw her as. Yes, they were lovers and friends, but there was more to it, she was his completion. He guided Catherine, his hands firmly blocking her eyes from seeing where he was taking her.

Catherine smiled. She was still getting used to this side of Gil. He was proving to her that sometimes the shortest distance between two points was a leap of faith. Had anyone told her three years ago that Gilbert Grissom could be spontaneous and romantic at the same time, she would have laughed. Actually, if she was completely honest with herself, she did laugh when Sara mentioned his romantic side. Catherine's thoughts were brought back to the present as Gil gently positioned her. Her nose registered the aroma of vanilla, cinnamon, and allspice as he whispered in her ear, "Okay. Open them now."

Catherine opened her eyes and drew a breath. The entire room was aglow with the soft dancing lights of scented candles and the Christmas tree's twinkling white and blue lights. It was the ideal scene that played through her head so often made manifest in the living room that she shared with Gil. Evergreen branches covered nearly every surface in the immediate vicinity of the six foot tall artificial tree. Underneath the last boughs of the tree presents big and small littered the hardwood floor. The tree itself looked to be out of a fairytale with butterflies and fairy lights mingling with ribbons, handmade ornaments from Lindsey's childhood, and the assortment of prized decorations from their combined Christmas supplies. Gil had even wrapped the tree with a string of popcorn and cranberries. The only thing lacking was tinsel thanks to a certain tuxedo cat, named Evidence, they inherited the previous Christmas.

"Oh, Gil. When did you-"

"While you were sleeping, love."

Catherine looked at the man who constantly surprised her and smiled.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a passionate kiss. When they pulled away she whispered, "Thank you."

Gil reached behind Catherine to pick up a box wrapped in silver and gold paper and handed it to her. "Merry Christmas, Catherine."

Catherine's eyes danced with mirth as she unwrapped the gift. She already knew what it was, but each year it was also different. As the paper fell away, the hard wooden surface began to reveal itself. The dark cherry wood box was inlayed with an ebony lattice. At the center of the lid was a leaded glass rose stained red and green. Ever so gently Catherine lifted the lid of the box and listened as the music box melody unwound filling the silence.

Inside, laid upon a satin pillow of crimson and cream, candle light reflected off the cut stone that matched the sparkle in Catherine's eyes. She picked the ring up and looked at Gil. He nodded and a signed a simple question. Not wanting to break the spell Catherine replied in the same manner, slowly spelling out the one word answer and handed him the ring. He knelt down before Catherine and slipped the ring onto the third finger of her left hand. The music that enchanted their ears continued to play as Gil stood up and asked softly, "May I have this dance?"