A/N...This is a sequel to my story Moving On...and commences the day after Aileen has arrived home from hospital with Hannah.

Shadows of the Past ( Part 1)

Chapter 1

Friday morning, June 7th 2013, and following breakfast, Alexx first checking that it would be okay with her husband Henry, offered to stay until Sunday morning. Horatio and Aileen gratefully accepted her offer, and in the circumstances, Aileen suggested the folding guest bed Alexx had been sleeping on in the dining room for the last three nights, should now be moved to the nursery. Hannah would not be sleeping in there for a while, and it would give Alexx more privacy.

While moving the bed, Horatio was thinking how good it had been to have Alexx around for the last three days, and welcomed her offer to stay longer, giving Aileen and Hannah a little more time to settle down with help on hand, although he had noticed Aileen was getting into her stride fast. She was such an organised person; a natural mother, and she had done this all before, but she had only just come home, and pretty quick as well, and he did not want her overdoing things. Getting into a routine with Hannah while Alexx was still around would make life easier for her. Alexx was a gem.

Meanwhile – Aileen was resting in the lounge and also having thoughts about Alexx. She was happy Alexx was staying another two days as both a friend, and as a helping hand. Alexx had been simply wonderful in caring for Tommy and Horatio while she had been in hospital. In her mind the extra two days she was staying would also give Horatio a chance to ease up a bit. The last few days had been hectic for him, and she knew he had not had much sleep when she was in hospital. He had not slept well last night either, and she wanted him to have a chance to relax.

Hannah had disturbed them twice during the night. Her crib which was on wheels was going to be moved into their bedroom at night until they decided the time was right to put her to bed in her cot in the nursery, which would not be for a few weeks yet. They were considering bringing her cot into their room though, so that she had a change from sleeping in her crib.

The first time she woke was for a feed, and as Horatio loved watching their daughter feeding, he had lain propped up on his left elbow watching her with such loving tenderness in his eyes. The second time Hannah was just restless, and before she had a chance to see to her, he had quickly risen from the bed to pick her up, but she soon went back to sleep cradled in his arms.

She would have got up to tend to her, but it was extremely early days, and he was understandably on edge the minute he heard her whimper. This was a completely new experience for him, and he was extremely sensitive to her needs. She smiled as the thought crossed her mind that their daughter already knew in whose arms she felt safe.

However, she would try to ensure Horatio, who was a natural light sleeper, would not have to get up too often for their daughter, and she hoped he would settle down and relax soon. It was important for him to have his sleep, he needed to be able to stay alert in his job, and she so wanted him to be safe from the dangers he might encounter during his working days. She understood he would never shirk meeting danger head on, and it scared her at times, but she tried never to show her fear to him; that was the last thing he needed.

He was going to be at home for the next two weeks, and she was really looking forward to him spending time with them. When he returned to work, their daily routines should all be working well, and they both appreciated the support he was getting from his colleagues in recognising his need to take some leave right now.

He was going to drive Tommy back and forth to school which would be a big help. Normally, the summer term would have been over at the end of the first week in June, but this year, for one reason or another, it had been extended to finishing on Wednesday, June, the twentieth.

Her thoughts were broken when Horatio wandered in through the open patio doors saying. "Come outside Sweetheart, it's a beautiful morning, and Alexx has just made us a cup of coffee. Tommy is out there as well."

Aileen pulled Hannah's crib up to the open doors so that she would get some fresh air, and looking at her daughter as she did so, she had a sudden surge of longing for her own mother to be alive to meet her granddaughter.

Horatio stepped back outside and she followed him with a sad look on her face, which Horatio noticed and instantly concerned asked, "What's the matter Aileen?"

"I was just thinking about my mother. She would have loved to see her granddaughter, as yours would have Horatio."

Horatio, leading her over to sit with him on a lounger said, "Look up at the sky - we introduced her to them last night right here on the patio. They know she is here and I bet they are both looking down on her right now, and loving what they see."

"Horatio you say the sweetest things."

Alexx looking on thought Horatio had handled that well. Aileen had looked close to tears, but she was smiling now. Some postnatal tears were to be expected, but Aileen had managed to keep them at bay.

The rest of the day passed quickly - Hannah being the centre of attention for most of the day for one reason or another.

They had just finished dinner in the evening, which Alexx had prepared for them, when Horatio's cell phone rang. Picking up the call - he smiled.

"Sharon."

"I know this is a bit of a cheek Horatio, but you know me," Sharon responded, laughing. "I so want to see your baby daughter, and I was wondering - well we are wondering if we book into a hotel arriving Monday week for a few days, could John and I drop in and see you all? Or, do you think it would be too early for Aileen to cope with?" Then rushing on without taking a breath, "I know Maeve is keen to see you all as well, but if this is okay with you she will fly down with Michael later on?"

Horatio chuckled. "Slow down Sharon. I am sure Aileen would be delighted to see you all as I would. She is doing very well; looking radiant, and so is our beautiful daughter, I might add."

"I am on maternity vacation for the next two weeks, as it happens, so it would be good timing as I can help out here and there. Let me just check with Aileen though, she is in the kitchen with Alexx at the moment; I'll phone you back in a few minutes."

Closing his phone and sitting down next to Aileen who had just that second returned to the lounge and sat down on the sofa, he asked. "How do you feel about having a visit from Sharon and John, Monday week? Sharon said they will book into a hotel for a few days, and it could work out well as I will be home...what do you think?"

"It's entirely up to how you feel, Sweetheart. I do not want you to feel you have to say yes, just because they are our friends."

"I would love to see them Horatio. Tell them they can visit. Anyway, it is a good week before they will be here."

Aileen smiling added, "I just knew Sharon would want to see our daughter sooner than later."

"Shame they have to book into a hotel. As we no longer have a spare bedroom however, that makes sense. Although one of them could have the folding guest bed in the nursery as Hannah is in with us, and one could sleep on the sofa, but not really ideal."

"I do not want you over doing it anyway. It may be another week, but it will still be early days."

"Okay Horatio. You are probably right."

At that moment Kyle who had phoned earlier to say he would pop in for a while wandered in and having overheard the conversation said, "They could stay with me. I have a spare bedroom as you know, and it has a double bed now - the bed you gave me when you converted the spare bedroom into the nursery."

"Perfect time of arrival Kyle; Are you sure son?" asked Horatio.

"Absolutely, they made me feel so welcome while I was working with John earlier this year. Although I lived in your apartment in New York, they had me go round their place every evening for a meal. It would be great to repay their hospitality in some way."

"Sharon also mentioned that Maeve would like to come as well, but she would come with Michael after Sharon and John's visit...could you manage that one as well Kyle?"

"Yes Dad. No problem."

"Kyle, thank you so much," said Aileen, smiling up at him.

Going over to give her a peck on the cheek Kyle responded, "My pleasure, Aileen."

"Anyway, where's scamp. Has he gone to bed?"

Horatio smiled and answered, "Not yet Kyle, he's in his bedroom reading. I think he listens in hope the baby monitor will go off. He cannot keep his eyes off Hannah when she is awake. She is sleeping soundly at the moment; we put her in our room so we don't disturb her."

Tommy hearing Kyle's voice came rushing in to see his brother. He had a book he wanted to show him so they sat down on the lounge floor together, and Tommy started turning the pages over slowly and carefully to show Kyle all the pictures. It was a book about birds, with beautiful illustrations, which Horatio had given him just that day from his book collection in the study.

After a few seconds and looking up at his dad, Kyle said, "I thought Alexx was going to be here?"

"I'm here Kyle, just been clearing up the kitchen after dinner. I've made us all a coffee," said Alexx walking into the lounge, and setting the tray of drinks on the coffee table.

"Any special reason you wanted to see me Kyle?"

"No Alexx. I understood you were going to be here and it is always good to see you."

"That boy has his father's charm," Alexx said, smiling and looking at Aileen, which made Kyle blush.

Alexx bent down and gave him a kiss on the top of his head, and whispered, "You may have your mothers colouring Kyle, but you most definitely have your father's charm, and caring ways, which will see you get along in this world just fine."

Then Tommy piped up, "I want a kiss too Alexx."

Kissing the top of his head Alexx murmured, "Okay Tommy we mustn't forget you."

Horatio and Aileen were both smiling at all of them fondly...it was a happy scene.

Then Horatio mumbled, "I better phone Sharon now, she will think I've forgotten her."

While the others were sipping their coffees, Horatio opened his cell phone and hit Sharon's number.

"Sharon, I am sorry for delay in coming back to you. Aileen and I would love you to visit, but Kyle just popped in and has suggested you stay at his apartment for your visit instead of going to a hotel."

"Would that be good for you?"

"That would be wonderful Horatio. Please thank Kyle for his kind offer. We will let you know what time we will be arriving as soon as we book the flight, which we will do tomorrow all being well."

"Okay Sharon. Look forward to hearing from you."

"Horatio, give our love to everyone."

"Thank you Sharon, will do."

Horatio passed on the message, and went to drink his coffee. Seeing his grimace Alexx got up and made him a fresh one...she knew from old that Horatio hated cold coffee.

After giving Horatio his fresh coffee, Alexx asked, "How are you getting on at the Police Academy Kyle?"

"Alright I think Alexx. I am just over half way through the six months training now. I don't mean to be immodest, but the training in firearms and survival tactics are good areas for me. My army experience and fitness really gave me a head start. So I am doing well there, so the instructors tell me anyway." Then blushing Kyle looked at his dad."They keep setting me up as an example of how to do things the proper way."

Horatio smiled at his son...he was pleased with the way Kyle had settled at the Academy. "Keep up the good work son. I'm proud of you."

"We still have a lot of work to cover on ethics though. But we are getting there, slowly but surely."

"By the way Dad, we have all been allocated an officer to work with next week for experience, and guess who I have drawn?"

"Now let me see, would that be a certain Frank Tripp?"

"Yes." Kyle replied, smiling broadly.

"Well, you will be in good hands with Frank, and you have the advantage of knowing him, but that doesn't mean he will be lenient with you Kyle. And, I wouldn't expect him to be."

"I know Dad, I am happy it is Frank."

"Oh he is a big softie underneath that brash Texan exterior." Alexx muttered.

At 10:00 pm sharp, Hannah woke for her feed, and Aileen handed her to Kyle for a while, as he asked, "Can I hold her before I go please?" He sat in an armchair with her in the crook of his left arm, and played with her little fingers smiling at her the whole time. His baby sister was an absolute novelty to him. After a few minutes, she started crying and he immediately gave her back to Aileen saying, "Back to your mom for your feed little one."

Laughing he added, "That is something I can't help you with."

Aileen smiled as she took Hannah from him. "Well when I start her on bottle feeds you can help then Kyle. In fact so can your dad and Tommy come to that," she added, glancing at Horatio and Tommy who were listening.

Horatio grinned, and nodded his head. He was looking forward to the day when he could do just that.

Thirty minutes later Kyle left - and Tommy, having been allowed to stay up late while Kyle was there, went to bed, followed by Alexx, Aileen, and Horatio two hours later.

The night was much like the last one for Aileen and Horatio.

TBC