"That Sounds Like A Good Idea, But I Will Admit That It Is Not The Most Exciting Case." Cindy Gave A

Cindy gave a small sigh, his reluctance to even hold her hand now made her heart ache and his words made her withdraw. She knew she wasn't the warmest person, not anymore, not with him. But it was Christmas and he was surprised she'd called? It broke her.

"What can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment."

William couldn't bring himself to explain - how he felt like a disappointment to his children. The distance had certainly grown, showing in how they had pulled away from each other. It had always been complicated, given how much time had spent away from them. He had loved them - did love them - but he knew he wasn't the man he had been before, a fact that embarrassed him more than anything.

When Cynthia took his hand, he didn't pull away from her, even if part of him wanted to. "Okay," he finally said. "It's just been a while since we've all been together. I don't want to make things difficult." He looked at her for a moment. "...I was surprised you even called."

Cynthia was used to nervous witnesses, for some of them what they'd seen was the worst thing they'd ever see in their life. It was only natural that they'd be hesitant when meeting her. She couldn't help but wonder if it was something more for this young man though.

His questions made her frown slightly. "Oh no, no please whatever the defense ask you, you must answer. To lie or omit anything only leaves us open to appeal or mistrial." Cynthia spoke sternly. "All I want you to do today is go trough your timeline of what you saw."

Max couldn't help his hand being a little shaky as she touched it, and a familiar sense of feeling dirty slipped right back into his mind. He may have been older, grown now, but moments like this always made him feel exactly the same. Guilty. Guilty of staying, even after all these years.

"Nice to meet you. Uh, yes, yes I have. I work as a paramedic, so that kind of comes with it depending on the district. And since I drive in most of them..." His smile is brief and falters when he looks at her again. Being in court already feels bad enough, having to meet someone that saw him in such a vulnerable state... "Is there anything you don't want me to say or mention, or something you especially want me to bring up?" He was too used to lawyers being bribed not to ask before she could tell him.

Raquel is such a sweet, precious angel, we are blessed. 💜

"I know they don't but my little ones have flown the nest so let me spoil your kids rotten whilst I can." Cynthia missed her children's childhoods and although she was closer to them than Will was it was still not the relationship she'd wished for when they were little. "I'd love a coffee,"

Emma shakes her head at her friend, who always did seem to spoil her children, even when they didn't deserve it. "Happy Holidays Cyn." She takes the gifts, placing them down before giving her friend a hug. "You know you don't have to do that. It's not like they need anything more." The redhead gives a small laugh. "Come in, I'll make us some coffee, or do you want tea?" It was nice to have some time off for the holidays.

NEVER HAVE I EVER 4.02 ...GOTTEN SWEET REVENGE

"Oh you shouldn't have to be nicer. I'm sure he can cope," Cynthia said with a small shrug, perhaps she was becoming more callous than usual but she was sure if the roles were reversed Cemre would have been expected to be fine.

"Not interrupted at all, just a cigarette break."

Cemre wanted to believe she dealt with it. She was sure Smith would give her a call in an hour with the same story and she would have to stand her ground. Thankfully there was only one more day before she was off for a little.

"I hope so. I don't think I could be much more nicer to him." She offers the woman a smile. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything." She had already made a fool of herself.

Cynthia had been quite happy nursing her drink and taking the party in but she couldn't deny she loved dancing and so when Darwyn walked over her smile brightened. "Darwyn Black well don't you scrub up nicely. I'd love to dance but I do believe I need a moment to finish my drink first. Are you enjoying the party?"

Who: @ofprosecution @ The Standard NYE

Darwyn made his way over Cynthia, spotting her standing alone. He comes up to her side. "Evening Ms. Vasquez, you look quite lovely. Care to dance?" He was certain Will wouldn't mind if he danced with his ex-wife.

"Criminal prosecution," Cynthia said with a small smile, as much as she enjoyed her job she was never sure how to talk about it. So many people found it odd or boring. "What about you?"

Law interested her. Especially when she was reading over some of the contracts that Mr. Morganthal had. She liked to double check things for him. "What exactly do you do?" Cemre knew there were different branches.

@emmaxkennedy

"I'm here and I come baring gifts!" Cynthia was known to spoil her friends and Emma's children had been included in that as soon as they were born. So Cynthia had turned up on the Kennedy's doorstep with her arms laden with far too many bags for the five people in the family. "Happy holidays!"

@mixedinterpretations || Gus & Cynthia || New Year's Eve

"I'm always fascinated by people's stories I wish I had some more interesting ones." Cynthia chuckled as she sipped at her drink. "How's your work been? Ugh no actually scratch that. You don't want to have to talk about work at a party."