Caine Me

Chapter 1

"Horatio! Come here quickly!" Zoë called brightly and Horatio quickly rushed from the en-suite into the bedroom and over to Zoë who was leant over the bed with Ella and Isobel below her lying on the bed.

"Ella is smiling!" Zoë beamed up at him before she rubbed their noses alternatively with hers. She then pulled back and Ella looked over to Horatio while they both fidgeted happily.

"Are you smiling at Daddy?" Zoë grinned while Ella had a hold of a couple of her fingers on her left hand while Isobel had a hold of a couple of her fingers on her right. Zoë bit her lip and then looked back up at Horatio with a dreamy and very happy smile.

"Doesn't that smile just make your heart melt?" Zoë asked with a very wide grin and Horatio nodded with a wide smile himself as he knelt down and lightly kissed one of Ella's small hands. "Doesn't that make you feel so much better after that horrendous night?" She asked with a relieved exhale as she looked at him with a warm smile and he looked over to her.

"It really does." Horatio said as he smiled naturally as he placed his other hand on her back and looked back down to both girls as they waved their hands and legs around a little more. Both Horatio and Zoë then began to encourage Ella to smile again more.

"I love that they're so much more observant and being awake more now." Zoë said softly and Horatio nodded as he lightly leant over and placed a kiss on each of the babies foreheads.

"I read that babies should be starting to smile in their 5th week, Isobel should be soon to follow too." Zoë said softly as she smiled down at them with a wide smile and Ella smiled again up at them while Isobel still observed. Horatio moved a little closer to Zoë and then looked at her with a charming smile.

"They're just so perfect, like you." Horatio smiled softly before he kissed her when she looked back to him. She kissed him back with equal delicacy and then smiled at him.

"Just like you too, now go and have your shower, I'll have breakfast done." She said softly having felt a massive burst of energy from just seeing Ella smile.

"You don't have to do that sweetheart, I'll do the breakfast." Horatio said softly as he smiled warmly at her and placed one of his hands over Ella's head and lightly stroked her soft hair.

"It's not a problem handsome, I feel wide awake now, you just have a relaxing shower, take as long as you want." She said softly as she rose to her feet with him and he nodded, he knew he needed a shower to wake him up properly.

"Thank you." He smiled tiredly and then kissed her again with a smile. She watched him walk into the bathroom and then carefully picked up both of the girls with a wide, happy smile.

"Are you still smiling at Mummy? Are you?" Zoë beamed with a slightly higher-pitched voice as both Ella's and Isobel's arms flew everywhere as they looked up at her, both happy.

"You two are very lively this morning, I'm surprised after all that crying last night and keeping Mummy and Daddy awake." She said softly as she walked into the living room and placed them both on the sofa on their backs. She then placed them in their baby swings and then took them through to the kitchen, one by one and placed them both on the table at the back of the kitchen against the wall so she could easily see them, and so they were safe.

"What do you think Daddy want's for breakfast then?" Zoë asked with a smile as she walked past them to pick up a kitchen towel.

"I think we'll have muesli, fruit and yoghurt, it may help wake Daddy up a little more as it's healthy and Daddy needs his breakfast right now." She smiled at them as she began to cut up some strawberries and kiwi's while she continuously looked up at them.

"I hope you two aren't fussy eaters like I was, I hope you've got your Daddy's appetite." She smiled softly at them as they both calmed down while she continued on with the breakfast. Horatio came down and heard her gently singing to them as they slowly fell asleep while they lightly swung.

"I think they're nearly off." Horatio said softly as he walked up to Zoë and placed his arms around her waist as he stood behind her. They both looked back up to Isobel and Ella sleeping peacefully while Horatio placed his chin on her shoulder.

"Are you feeling a little more awake after your shower?" She asked softly as she put the fruit in both bowls of muesli with a fresh smile.

"Much, thank you beautiful, I don't know how you do it." Horatio said softly as he lightly kissed her neck with a contented hum.

"I'm not sure why I've got this burst of energy, I think I'm at that point in overtiredness where the delusion starts getting to you. I'm not sure Ella's first smile could create such energy." Zoë giggled softly as she turned her head to get a look at him.

"We'll have a relaxing day today I think, then perhaps go out for a walk this evening when the heat has calmed down a little?" Horatio asked softly as he lightly rubbed her stomach.

"That sounds lovely." Zoë said softly and Horatio nodded with a smile. He then let go of her as she placed the bowls in front of their seats as Horatio got them a glass of orange juice. He quickly then gave each Isobel and Ella a light kiss and sat with Zoë as they ate their breakfast.

"When are you going back to work?" Zoë asked softly before she had a spoonful of the bowl.

"The week after next, but only as long as you're happy and comfortable with it." Horatio said softly and Zoë nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine with that handsome, you might actually be able to get some rest." She smiled softly and he nodded with a light chuckle.

"I'll only be working 2 and a half days though." Horatio said softly and Zoë nodded.

"I think that's a good idea." Zoë said softly and then took another mouthful when Horatio did and looked over to the babies to make sure that they were okay. "Have you also noticed that their hair is turning brown? Or is that just me?" Zoë asked warmly causing him to look back to her.

"I've noticed that too, I think they've got your hair." Horatio replied with a smile.

"I have to say, I did hope at least one of them would have your hair…" she said with a smile.

"There's always the next time." Horatio grinned boyishly.

"That's very true… I hope we have a little baby boy with blue eyes and red-hair." She grinned at him. He secretly smiled as he looked back over to the babies, he did love the thought of a son too.

"I was also going to go and see Val or someone about cutting down on the breastfeeding and splitting it half and half, like breast feeding during the day and formula during the night or vice versa, my boobs are getting too tender and my nipples feel so sore. I think they just need a break to be honest. What do you think about giving them half and half?" Zoë asked softly as she put her bowl away and then put his away.

"If that's what you'd like to do then that's absolutely fine sweetheart." Horatio said softly and Zoë nodded as she closed the dishwasher.

"Are you sure? Because if you'd rather have them completely breastfed, then that's okay. I'd understand." Zoë said softly as she lightly bit her lip and walked over to stand right beside him with a sweet expression.

"No sweetheart, I know you can get a little stressed when breastfeeding them, I'd rather that you were more comfortable as it makes them more comfortable. Formula would be fine, I don't have a problem with that at all." Horatio said softly and she smiled sweetly and then ran one of her hands through his hair.

"I might go back to full on breastfeeding when my boobs recover. I don't know why they're hurting so much, maybe it's because there's two babies instead of one, or because my boobs are sensitive anyway." She said softly and Horatio nodded with a gentle smile as one of his arms snaked around her waist to pull her in closer. He then looked up at her as he placed his chin against her chest and looked into her eyes as he pulled her even closer so she was stood between his legs while he continued to sit on the stool.

"It's entirely your choice sweetheart, I'll support you in whatever you want to do. I think that it may be better if we give them half and half, it may give you a little more energy and I can do more that way because I can't actually breastfeed them now, if I can bottle feed then it'll give you more time. Or, you express and then we bottle feed them, that might work?" Horatio said softly and Zoë nodded with a slightly cheeky smile.

"Yeah, I'll give that a go, good idea Horatio. I could do with a little bit more energy to be honest. But today I seem fine." Zoë said softly and he nodded with a smile as his hands moved to her ass before she pulled away and looked up at the clock. "Could you settle them into their Moses basket in the living room please?" Zoë asked softly and Horatio nodded with a smile. "Thank you Kitten." She smiled softly as she walked out and up the stairs, only to come down with a load of washing full of baby clothes.

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"I can't believe they're 6 weeks old today." Zoë said softly as she laid with Horatio in bed.

"Neither can I sweetheart." Horatio said softly as he looked at her warmly and tiredly.

"Are you okay Kitten? Is there something bothering you?" Zoë asked softly as she rubbed his chest and moved a little closer to her.

"I'm good thank you." He said softly.

"Are you just tired?" She asked warmly and he sighed quietly and then nodded as he ran his fingers up her side and blinked slowly while his eyes grew heavier. "Horatio talk to me please, I can see that something other than tiredness is getting to you. You'll only make yourself worse if you bottle it up." She said softly as she nuzzled his shoulder and then looked into his eyes when she got his full attention again.

"I just can't help but feel a little left out now that you have 95% of your attention on Isobel and Ella, that sounds really selfish of me, I know. I know they need your attention, and I know that I give them more of my attention than I give you now. I feel like I'm pushing you away. I know we're both tired, but I'd like it if we could at least spend a little longer together, I love how we are now - just lying in bed, talking, we don't get too much of this anymore." Horatio said softly and Zoë nodded with a warm expression and he could see that she completely understood him, which shocked him a little. 'I thought she was going to agree with me about me being selfish, I know she's not shy to speak her mind.' Horatio thought to himself as he mildly began to frown, waiting for her explanation as to the understanding look she gave him.

"I understand handsome, that's not selfish at all. I know it's difficult going from the centre of my attention to having to share it with the girls. I think almost every father feels that at some point and it's nothing to be worried about or ashamed about, you should have brought it straight up with me, because I can do something about it now I know what the problem is. I know I give the girls my entire attention sometimes and I'm really sorry handsome, I am." She said softly as she moved closer and nuzzled his shoulder.

"You shouldn't be apologising for that beautiful, they need your attention more than I do, they need my attention too, they're dependent on that, I just want it because I'm used to it." Horatio said softly as he lightly pulled her top up to skim his fingertips over her soft skin.

"How about we go out for a lovely meal sometime next week then? We can have Joe or Alexx look after the girls for one evening? They'd love it and I think we need some time to ourselves as well. It'll do us good. Now that I know I can actually have sex, we might end up having sex again soon so that's something I'm sure will help. I'm not ready for it just yet, but hopefully I'll be ready in a week or so." Zoë said softly and Horatio nodded with a gentle smile.

"That would be nice, but are you sure you could leave them for a few hours? You don't even like to leave them in the room alone yet, even if they're sleeping." Horatio smiled cheekily.

"I'll be fine as long as Joe or Alexx have them, I know they'd be in good hands. Well, I think I'd be okay anyway. I'm not sure, we'll have to find out." Zoë said softly and Horatio nodded with a light chuckle. 'I don't think she realises that she will actually find it very difficult. I think I will too, but no-where near as difficult as she will.' Horatio thought to himself.

"Then I think that would be a wonderful idea. I agree, some time to ourselves is much needed." Horatio said softly and Zoë nodded with a smile after she kissed his shoulder delicately.

"Okay, I'll talk to them and see when they're free." Zoë said softly and Horatio nodded as he pulled her closer.

"Which one would you rather?" Horatio asked softly.

"Out of Joe or Alexx?" Zoë asked and he nodded and watched her think a little. "Both, I know that they're both brilliant with them, but neither has been left to handle both at the same time. I know I'm probably being too over the top… but I think I'd only be comfortable with knowing they both were there so they could handle anything." Zoë said softly and Horatio nodded with a light chuckle and smile before he kissed her nose and then listened to her giggle.

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The next week, Horatio returned back to work on the Tuesday and got back into the swing of it, even if he was exhausted, at that moment in time, work seemed like a place where he could actually get some peaceful rest in, but couldn't help but feel bad for leaving Zoë to deal with the twins herself. He phoned her almost every hour to make sure she was okay. He returned home that evening and Zoë had a coffee waiting for him as he walked through the door.

"Thank you beautiful, how was your day?" Horatio asked softly after she gave him a warm smile and handed him a coffee. He then leant in and placed a quick kiss on her lips and she returned it.

"It was okay thank you, it was really strange not having you around, but I'm good, the girls are good too. They're sleeping at the moment. How was your day?" Zoë asked warmly as they walked through into the living room where both babies were sleeping.

"It was okay thank you, I have to say, it's a little more relaxing being back at work. But I'm extremely happy to be back with my 3 girls now." He smiled warmly at her and then looked down to the babies. He leant down and delicately touched them after he put his coffee down. 'Sleeping so peacefully, why can't they sleep this peacefully at night?' Horatio thought to himself before he looked back to Zoë while he stood up straight again.

"We're extremely happy to have you back too." Zoë smiled as both of them moved closer to each other for a loving embrace. Zoë exhaled contentedly when she placed her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. 'She's exhausted, isn't she?' Horatio thought to himself while he began to very gently rub her back. 'That's so much better to have my arms around my gorgeous husband. I didn't think I'd miss him as much as I did. If I missed Horatio that much and he was at work, how am I going to leave the babies tonight? I'm sure the idea of a romantic meal with him will help me to leave the girls though. He's so amazing to hug. Oh goddamn it, look at the time and I've not even started to get ready yet.' Zoë thought to herself while she felt his gentle breathing.

"Right, do you mind keeping an eye on the babies while I have a shower please? If you want a shower now then you're very welcome to go first. Or I can use the main bathroom and take them in with me, not in the shower of course, just into the bathroom. I don't expect you to come home from work and look after them while I relax." Zoë said softly as she pulled back slightly and looked up at him while she placed her hands on his waist.

"Go and have your shower sweetheart, we're good here. Looking after them is a treat, I've been looking forward to seeing my 3 girls all day at work." Horatio said softly and Zoë nodded with a smile.

"Thank you." She beamed and then kissed him again before she quickly went upstairs. Horatio picked up Isobel as she was squirming in her sleep while Ella slept peacefully. She calmed when Horatio held her close to him. He knew that he only really picked her up because he was dying for a cuddle with at least one of them himself. He smiled warmly down at Isobel and then lightly kissed her forehead and got comfortable with her and placed her on his chest while he leant back a little more.

"There we go sweetheart." Horatio said warmly as he lightly rubbed her back. He smiled when he got that aroma of baby smell that he really loved. He put his head back and relaxed, slowly falling asleep himself as he cradled Isobel closely. He woke when Zoë came down and placed a kiss on his cheek 30 minutes later.

"My 3 sleepyheads." She smiled as she gently ran her fingers over Isobel's head and then through Horatio's hair as he looked up at her with a tired expression. "Go and have your shower handsome." Zoë said softly as he moved her hand from her hair to his face where she lightly ran her thumb over his cheek with a warm smile.

"Are you not getting changed yet?" Horatio asked when he noticed that she just had her underwear on with a dressing gown on over the top but nothing else.

"No, they'll want feeding in about 10 minutes, so I don't want to chance getting sicked on when winding them." Zoë said softly and Horatio nodded as a small smile began to develop.

"I see, that's a good idea." Horatio smiled softly and Zoë nodded as she gently took Isobel from Horatio.

"Was she not sleeping too well?" Zoë asked softly and Horatio shook his head as he stood and placed a kiss on Isobel's forehead. "Go on handsome, Alexx will be here in about 25 minutes." Zoë said softly and Horatio nodded and then quickly walked out. Zoë took Isobel out into the kitchen and boiled the kettle. She poured the hot water into the bowl and then got two bottles from the fridge from expressing earlier that day and placed them in the hot water. She then walked back through to the living room and sat down as she put the bowl on the coffee table and pulled two bibs over to her as well as a muslin. She looked down and saw that Isobel was now awake.

"Hello sweetheart, are you ready to be fed?" She asked softly as Isobel brought her hands up to her face and mouth, letting Zoë know that she was hungry. She then looked over to Ella as she began to wake. She quickly scooped Ella up and placed their bibs on them as she laid them on the sofa.

"Infacol first." She asked softly and then gave them a few drops of the medicine and then gently picked them up as Isobel began to cry.

"I know sweetheart, milk is on its way." She said softly as she lifted them just as Ella began to cry too. She held them on her lap with her left arm as they sat up against her and then picked up both bottles and put them between her knees.

"I know, Mummy's getting there." She said as she checked the milks temperature. She then sat back and got them comfortable as they laid back on a pillow facing her as she found that it was much easier to feed them that way. She gently put the bottles in their mouths and they both immediately quietened down as they drank the milk peacefully. Zoë sat back with a smile and then heard the front door open which caused her to glance back, but she knew it was Alexx already.

"Zoë? Horatio?" She heard Alexx call warmly.

"In here Alexx." Zoë called softly and Alexx quickly walked through to the living room. Zoë saw a wide smile appear on Alexx's face as she walked in and saw the babies.

"Hey baby girl, how are you doing?" Alexx asked softly as she quickly walked around the sofa and sat down with a smile.

"Good thank you, how about yourself? I hope it's not too much hassle to watch them tonight?" Zoë asked softly as Alexx gently stroked Ella's head.

"Of course not, I'd love to have them tonight." Alexx smiled and Zoë smiled back.

"Joe will be round when it's time for their next feed, it can be quite a handful trying to feed them both at once, it takes some getting used to." Zoë said softly and Alexx nodded.

"We might be back before their next feed anyway, by the time we leave it'll be 2 hours I reckon." Zoë smiled softly and Alexx looked back to Zoë after watching both girls drink the milk.

"You both take all the time you want and enjoy yourselves, you both need it." Alexx smiled and Zoë nodded in agreement.

"We might see a movie later after dinner if that's okay with you? But if you've got to be back earlyish then we're happy to skip the movie." She said softly while she looked back to both babies and smiled warmly as they looked up at Zoë.

"I'd be more than happy to stay with them until after your movie. You guys need it; I understand just how much it means and how important it is to spend time with your husband when you have babies." Alexx said softly.

"Thank you Alexx." Zoë said softly and Alexx smiled.

"Is Horatio upstairs?" Alexx asked softly as she glanced back to the living room entrance before looking back to Zoë.

"Yes, he's just having a shower, I've already had mine… as you can see that I'm casually sitting here in my underwear and dressing gown." Zoë smiled warmly.

"You don't want baby sick on your clothes, so that's fine by me baby." Alexx smiled and Zoë smiled back.

"Could you please wind Ella?" Zoë asked softly and Alexx nodded with a smile as she took Ella's bottle from Zoë's hand and placed it on the coffee table and then picked up Ella.

"There's a muslin beside you." Zoë said softly and Alexx nodded with a smile and then picked it up.

"Have you mastered the art of winding them both yet?" Alexx asked warmly.

"Yeah, well, I can kind of do them both over my shoulders at the same time, but it is difficult, but I can do it when I'm alone and I'm comfortable with it, I just much prefer to wind them one at a time though." Zoë said softly and Alexx nodded. Zoe then winded Isobel and soothed her until Horatio came down when they swapped. Horatio and Alexx then quickly changed and cleaned them. Zoë went to change and do her hair quickly and then came back down in a below the knee black dress and clutch bag with her hair let down and naturally wavy.

"Ready?" She asked and both Horatio and Alexx looked over to her. Horatio stared at her open mouthed as his heart felt like it could burst. His eyes skated around her body and face while he was stunned into silence at her beauty.

"Wow, you are hot for such early post-pregnancy." Alexx smiled softly and Zoë smiled when she looked at their responses. 'They're good responses then.' Zoë thought to herself as she looked at Horatio a little more and studied his response and knew that he liked what she was wearing.

"Exercise, Alexx and healthy eating. Even though my tummy is still quite fat, my bigger boobs takes your attention away from it and the black makes me look skinnier. Not to mention how tight the dress is itself which is holding me in a little more. I'm still fat, I just look thinner now." Zoë smiled softly.

"Wow girl, where were you when I needed tips like that after my boys? I went for months with a fat belly and I couldn't shift it. After a while I just gave up and eventually it went." Alexx said warmly as Horatio got up and put Isobel down to sleep in the Moses basket.

"Everyone knows that black is slimming, on most people, not all." Zoë said softly as she walked over to the Moses basket and leant down to place a delicate kiss on Isobel's forehead. She then stood and looked over to Alexx with a gentle smile.

"Have a wonderful evening, both of you." Alexx said warmly as Zoë walked over to her and placed a warm kiss on Ella's head and then kissed Alexx's cheek with a natural smile.

"Thank you so much, call if you need anything or if there's anything you're unsure about. Both of our phones are on me, Joe's number is on the fridge if you need to call him to come round earlier. Help yourself to food and drink, there's the TV, iPad, laptops if you get a little bored as well. Hopefully you'll find yourself getting bored as I don't want these two to be little madams for you. They can have their moments. But please call if you need anything, remember to check their temperature, please don't leave them alone for more than 5 minutes, don't forget their infacol, don't–" Zoë said softly but Alexx cut her off as she knew Zoë was worrying.

"Okay honey, stop worrying, I've got this. Have a wonderful evening and go to that movie, I'll see you later." Alexx said softly and Zoë nodded and then took hold of Horatio's hand with a smile as she looked up at him. He looked down at her lips as they glistened in the light due to her lip-gloss and felt something really warm grow inside as he smiled back at her. They then walked out together after Horatio also thanked Alexx and kissed both babies. Zoë quickly came back in and kissed them both again. "Zoë, really don't worry baby, I've got this. They're going to be fine. I promise you, I've done all of this before." Alexx assured her while Zoë lightly stroked Isobel's cheek while she began to fall asleep. Horatio also walked back in and raised his eyebrows as he leant against the wall. 'I knew she wouldn't be able to leave them straight away.' Horatio thought to himself with a small smile. Zoë looked back to Alexx and then nodded and stood back up. She looked back over to Horatio and then walked over to him and took hold of his hand to walk out again, this time they managed it to the hall.

"You look beautiful, Zoë." Horatio said sincerely when they got into the hall by the front door. Alexx smiled when she heard his compliment and how much he meant it.

"Thank you, the girls will be okay, won't they?" Zoë asked softly as they walked out while Horatio gave her an encouraging expression.

"They'll be fine, let's just have a wonderful evening to ourselves. They girls will be absolutely fine." Horatio said softly as he closed the front door after them and she nodded. They got into the Porsche and then drove off.

"So, where are we going?" Zoë asked with a smile as they drove along the road.

"You'll see when we get there." Horatio smiled softly and she grinned. They arrived at the yacht dock and Zoë instantly knew what he had in mind.

"We're not going to a restaurant, the restaurant is coming to us, I've booked us the use of the yacht until 9.30PM, but we'll head off to the movie around 8.45PM." Horatio smiled softly with his charming smile.

"Sounds wonderful, thank you Horatio, this is going to be an amazing night. I can feel it." She beamed and Horatio smiled as they got out of the car and walked over to the yacht hand in hand.

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They got home at 10.45PM, both very happy and relaxed.

"Hey" Zoë smiled when she saw both Alexx and Joe on the sofa watching a documentary with both girls in each of their arms. Alexx and Joe looked back to them with smiles of their own.

"Hey, how was your evening darling?" Joe asked softly as she bent down and kissed his cheek, then kissed Ella, she did the same to Alexx and Isobel while Horatio gave them both a nod and smile. Alexx could see that he was very relaxed and contented, Joe hadn't picked up on that because he didn't know Horatio quite so well, but knew Horatio was happy too. 'it looks like they had a wonderful evening. I'm so happy for them.' Alexx thought to herself.

"It was wonderful thank you, we didn't go to a restaurant in the end, Horatio had book a yacht for us to have a gorgeous meal off shore, then we went to see a movie." Zoë grinned as she moved back over to Horatio and put her arm around his lower back and smiled up at him as he looked down to her with his charming smile becoming more evident.

"That sounds lovely, I'm glad you both had a good evening, you're both looking a lot more relaxed now." Alexx smiled and Zoë nodded and then walked back over to Alexx and sat next to her.

"We are. Thank you both so much, I hope they've been angels for you?" Zoë asked softly as she stroked Isobel's head and then checked her temperature out of habit.

"They have, they had a bit of a cry earlier, but nothing we couldn't handle. They took a bit of time to go to sleep, but they're fine. They were probably looking for you both and wanting your special touch, but they were fine." Alexx said softly and Zoë nodded with a smile as Horatio sat on the armrest of the chair that was rarely used.

"Thank you both so much." Zoë smiled as Alexx handed Isobel to Zoë as she could see that Zoë was itching to have her.

"My pleasure." They both said softly.

"How much would you both like? $80?" Zoë asked softly after she nuzzled Isobel a little and kissed her more.

"Woah, no baby girl, I'm happy to babysit whenever, I love spending time with them, I don't want money." Alexx said softly as she shook her head.

"Are you sure?" Horatio asked and Alexx nodded, then looked to Joe as he got his wallet out.

"No, none for me either thank you, I'm exactly the same as Alexx, I love being about these two, I'd happy babysit for free anytime, it's really my pleasure." Joe said softly and he could see that Horatio wasn't sure. "I'm positive, Horatio, keep your money." Joe said assured Horatio and Horatio nodded with a small smile as he put his wallet away.

"If there's anything we can ever do, then please tell us." Horatio said softly.

"Let me baby sit again soon?" Alexx asked and both Horatio and Zoë chuckled softly as they looked at her.

"I think we'll take you up on that." Zoë smiled sweetly.

"Anyway, I better be off, thank you for allowing me to babysit, they were fed at 10 on the dot." Alexx said softly. She promptly left after saying bye, as did Joe as he needed sleep as he had an early morning, and he could also see that both Zoë and Horatio were tired despite their happiness. Zoë and Horatio took both girls up to bed once they'd left.

"Can we put the crib in here tomorrow and put the Moses baskets in the nursery? I think that's why they're having trouble getting to sleep and being difficult; they want to be closer to each other. They seem to sleep much better when they're with each other. They can share a crib until they get too big. It'll give us better nights too that way. " Zoë said softly and Horatio nodded with a gentle smile as they settled each baby into their Moses baskets.

"Why don't we put them in the nursery now?" Horatio asked softly as he looked up to Zoë and stopped tucking Ella in.

"They're far too young for that… I can't have my babies in a separate room just yet." Zoë said softly as she looked round to him a little shocked while she finished settling Isobel.

"Sorry sweetheart, of course not, I'll bring the crib through tomorrow morning, I'm working tomorrow afternoon, is that okay?" He asked softly and she nodded as she changed for bed as he changed too. 'I've not upset her have I?' Horatio asked himself and then climbed into bed with her, but to his surprised she snuggled up with him immediately.

"Thank you so much for tonight, Horatio; I had such a wonderful evening. I can't believe I didn't miss and panic about the girls as much as I thought I would. Probably because I had such fine company... I hope you enjoyed yourself as much as I did." She said softly as she smiled at him and wrapped her arm over her stomach.

"I certainly did, thank you for a wonderful evening too, beautiful." Horatio smiled softly as he nuzzled her nose with his and felt the smile on her face after he closed his eyes when he gave her a kiss, relieved to know that he hadn't annoyed her.

"I love you handsome, goodnight." She said softly as she wrapped her leg around his and then steadily exhaled, contentedly.

"I love you too, beautiful, goodnight." Horatio replied and then gave her a loving kiss before they both quickly fell asleep.

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Horatio woke Thursday morning and instantly had the feeling that it was going to be one long day. He could feel it in his stomach and could feel that he woke up even more tired than he had felt when he went to sleep. He steadily exhaled and closed his eyes again as he rubbed them and felt Zoë steadily exhale against his shoulder when he moved.