Heartache Turns to Joy
"Horatio this house is beautiful…the whole area is like something out of the Caribbean…it's wonderfully isolated, and so private."
"I'm glad you like it Sweetheart. C'mon let me show you all of the house." He took her hand, bringing it up to his lips, he kissed it tenderly and then they began walking with their arms wrapped around each other looking over the rest of the house.
"Is the food furnished too since we can't exactly get in our car and go out?"
Horatio laughed and answered, "Not all of it…I supplemented with some of the things we like."
"THAT'S what you have been doing while I was at the lab working," she playfully slapped his chest.
Horatio laughed admitting, "I had Frank's help on his day off; he helped me deliver our food and luggage and I put the food in the freezer so all we have to do is warm it up; didn't want us to be cooking during our honeymoon…although I might catch us some fish one day and we can cook those," he added smiling as he raised his eyebrows.
"My big fisherman…Lieutenant Caine, catches everything from criminals to Snook!"
Horatio chuckled and added, "And maybe if I'm lucky a Mangrove Snapper or two for us to enjoy!"
As they watched the sun setting across the blue-green water, and exchanging sweet caresses and kisses, they talked about their future together, while relaxing in a wide cushioned chaise on the deck of their island house with a tray full of cheeses and fruit. Horatio got up long enough to step over to the ice bucket to pull out and open a chilled bottle of champagne, pouring two glasses full.
Easing himself back down onto their lounge chair, he handed Calleigh her glass and softly said, "I'd like to make a toast," he said smiling.
Calleigh smiled back sweetly and replied, "Oh my."
"Mrs. Caine…" he began as he looked lovingly into her sparkling green eyes, "I want you to know that today I married my best friend, and through the years, I hope I will still see the same sparkle in your eyes as I do now." Then they touched their glasses together and each took a sip, followed by a tender kiss.
"You're going to make me start crying saying sweet things like that, Handsome." Horatio kissed away a tear that escaped down her cheek. "I will love you all of my life Horatio, because I know you will still be the loving man you are today," she softly breathed as she pulled him down on top of her and wrapped her arms around him.
After the sun went down, the wildlife began giving them a symphony of sounds as a back-drop for sharing tender caresses and passionate kisses until Horatio rasped as he began trailing warm, moist kisses down her neck,
"Sweetheart…I want to make slow tender love to you all night…."
"Ummm…I love the sound of that…Handsome," she replied before his lips crashed down on hers.
Reluctantly leaving her warm embrace to stand up, he wobbled slightly and Calleigh noticed immediately.
"Are you ok?"
Horatio began laughing, "I am…just the champagne affecting me Sweetheart." Reaching out his hand to her, she took it and he gently pulled her up saying, "We need to move this inside…" as he wrapped her in his arms and gave her a searing kiss, while at the same time he was slowly walking them toward the bedroom.
Later that night as they lay in each other's arms totally exhausted from their heated lovemaking, Horatio pulled the sheet over them so Calleigh wouldn't get chilled from the lazily turning ceiling fan and the cool ocean breeze blowing in through the large open windows.
He turned and lightly caressed her cheek as he whispered, "I love you so much Calleigh…."
"Hmm…Handsome…you…are wonderful…love you," she murmured sleepily.
"Go to sleep Sweetheart…I've got you…." Then he drifted off into a sweet sleep holding her tight against him.
In the night, Calleigh began thrashing and loudly murmuring in her sleep, waking Horatio then abruptly she jerked up to a sitting position as she screamed out, "HORATIO!"
"Sweetheart…you're having a bad dream…," comforting her as he sat up wrapping her in his arms as she began sobbing against his chest.
"Shhh, I'm here Calleigh," he whispered as he rubbed her back gently.
"Oh, Horatio," she said between sobs. "I dreamed again…that you…you were killed…in the explosion…with Scarpella," she cried as she pressed herself into his chest even harder.
Horatio hung his head feeling so bad that the incident a few months ago was still affecting her and said, "I'm sorry Calleigh…I'm here…I'm right here and I'm alright."
He eased her back down in the bed, continuing to hold her tight until her crying stopped. Then he pulled back and kissed the tears off her cheeks and just held her close until he could hear her breathing slowing and smoothing out, telling him she was asleep again. He lay there wondering how long they were going to suffer the after effects of what had happened. At least the Coast Guard had found Scarpella's body after the explosion, confirming he was dead, but he knew that wasn't necessarily the end of it. He still intended to stop the arms trafficking to Rio when he was released for work at the end of their honeymoon and Calleigh knew that, but the next two weeks was their time; their time to relax and enjoy each other.
Calleigh slowly opened her eyes to see Horatio lying next to her, propped up on an elbow with his chin in his hand smiling as he whispered, "Good morning Sweetheart," and then leaned over and kissed her.
"Mmmm, morning Handsome…I sure look forward to waking up this way for the rest of my life," she softly murmured.
"I believe I can do that," Horatio answered as he kept kissing her cheek, moving down her long, supple neck enjoying her sweet moans. As he progressed down her chest, she stopped him saying,
"I need a shower Handsome."
"Umm, so do I. Come with me." He took her hand and led her outside the bathroom to a large outdoor shower surrounded by 3 walls of wooden slats, and a stone floor partially edged with beautiful flowering shrubs, open to the blue sky above.
"Ohh, I've never seen such a luxurious shower," she commented as he turned and smiled.
Horatio reached and turned on the water, then took the liquid bath soap and began softly running his hands over her body, then maneuvered her under the running water to rinse the soap off. She did the same for him, and as the water ran over his body, he quickly pulled her into him and began smothering her with passionate kisses before reaching for a cushion which he placed between her back and the wall as he gently pushed her up against it and made love to her.
Having dressed, they leisurely made their way to the kitchen as Calleigh realized Horatio had already prepared scrambled eggs and French toast that was in a warmer.
"How early did you get up to have all of this ready?"
"With the sun; thought I'd get a head start on our day, knowing we'd be hungry after our morning shower," he answered tilting his head, giving her his famous boyish grin as he pulled her against his chest.
"There's fresh fruit in the refrigerator too, and of course a pot of coffee." he added.
"You're spoiling me Horatio Caine."
"I sure hope so, because that's my intention, Sweetheart."
After breakfast, they relaxed in an oversized hammock under swaying palms that afforded them a beautiful view of the ocean.
Calleigh finally said, "I don't know if I will be able to leave after our two weeks are over Handsome…you couldn't have chosen a better place for us."
"Glad you approve Sweetheart…I wanted us to have a small taste of paradise after all we've been through," then kissed her temple.
"Um, Handsome I'm sorry about waking you up last night. I thought I'd finally quit having that dream a while back, but something must have triggered it to return."
"No worries, but I want you to forget all about that Sweetheart and just relax…it's just going to take time for us to heal emotionally."
After napping in each other's arms for a while, Calleigh turned toward Horatio and whispered, "Are you awake?"
"Umm-Hmm," he replied without opening his eyes.
"Feel like exploring around our island?"
"Hmmm, maybe we'll find buried treasure," he answered chuckling.
Calleigh began tickling his side which caused him to jump; trying to fend her off got the hammock to swinging, causing them to be dumped out on the ground. Calleigh hit the ground first, laughing as Horatio landed hard beside her. She quickly sat up, knowing that wasn't the best thing to have happen since he wasn't back physically at a hundred percent yet.
He lay still on the ground and fear overcame her as she turned over toward him and began shouting, "Horatio, are you ok?"
When she got closer, he reached up and pulled her down on top of him, then rolled them over and began tickling her, laughing at her squirming underneath him trying to get away.
He stopped tickling and gave her a long and tender kiss, but afterward she responded grinning, "Oh, you are so gonna pay for scaring me Handsome!"
"Umm, I sure hope so," he replied before kissing her tenderly again.
As they walked down the beach, Calleigh looked over at Horatio and she could tell he was already more relaxed than she had seen him in a long time.
Their days were filled with love, leisurely walks, a little adventure in exploring the island and beautiful sunsets as time was bringing them closer to the end of their honeymoon. With only three more days, before they were to head back to Miami, Horatio had suggested they take a blanket to the beach for the evening and enjoy dining under the stars, since there was no light to interfere with the view. They packed a light dinner and a bottle of wine then walked down from the house to the perfect spot on the beach. That evening it seemed the sunset was more spectacular than any of the other's, as if it were attempting to enhance their special dinner on the beach.
After dinner they made tender love under the stars and afterward enjoyed cuddling in each other's arms naming stars they recognized in the dark, inky sky above them.
"This was the best dinner I've ever been invited to Handsome," she whispered as she etched the outline of his face with her finger and pushed some of his red hair back that was blowing in the gentle breeze. "Thank you."
"Anytime, Sweetheart…I'm glad you enjoyed it because I can assure you I did," he replied as he pulled her closer to his side.
Suddenly, sounds of crying and faint calls for help came out of the darkness not far from where they lay on the blanket. Horatio pushed up on one elbow and asked,
"Did you hear something?"
"I did. Sounded like a woman calling for help."
Horatio quickly felt vulnerable as the weapon he brought with them was back at the house. He got to his feet and said,
"Stay here," he whispered low before walking toward the sound, carrying a flashlight with him.
Calleigh sat on the blanket feeling unsettled as she wondered what was going on.
Then she heard Horatio call to her, "Calleigh, over here," as he pointed the light where she could see it.
With apprehension she walked toward the light. Then as Horatio came into view, she saw him kneeling down over a body in the sand. "Who is that Horatio?"
"I don't know Calleigh," he said as he shined the light down and Calleigh saw it was a young lady with bloody lacerations and bruises on her face lying unconscious in the sand.
"We need to get her to the house. Would you carry the flashlight and I'll carry her."
Horatio gently laid her down in the other bedroom of the house and Calleigh went to get a damp rag to clean the girl's face.
As Calleigh gently wiped, she asked, "Horatio, where do you think she came from?"
"My guess would be from the Keys, but she looks as if she is originally from another country though, perhaps Latin."
"I need to call Frank. She needs medical assistance, there's possibly more injury than just to her face." Calleigh agreed looking concerned for the young girl.
Horatio waited for Frank to pick up. "Horatio…you calling for rescue from Calleigh?" He joked, laughing into the phone until he heard Horatio's serious tone.
"Francis, we need a Coast Guard medical helicopter…."
Suddenly alarmed, Frank asked, "What's wrong Horatio?"
Horatio began explaining the situation and Frank told him, that he and Natalia would come with the helicopter to get any evidence off the girl before she was taken to the hospital. Horatio thanked him and disconnected the call.
In less than 45 minutes, a helicopter landed on the lighted helipad down from the house. Horatio was standing nearby to greet the medics and his team as they emerged. He explained to the medics that the girl was still unconscious and if they could just give his team members a couple of minutes, they would be out of their way.
Natalia and Frank gathered the evidence and the medics began their work on the girl.
Natalia glanced around and smiled at Calleigh as they were standing apart from the men and commented, "Wow Cal! Horatio sure knows how to pick romantic places."
Calleigh smiled and giggled, "I'll have to agree Nat it has been wonderful. And to think, in a few days we'll have to leave. It will be so hard getting re-adjusted to the real world."
"I hear ya girl. I'd be tempted to sabotage the boat and throw my cell phone into the ocean."
"Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind…especially since I'd be marooned with the most romantic man!" Calleigh smiled radiantly at the brunette. Natalia thought these two were definitely good for each other…they both seemed so relaxed, even though they'd had this mystery girl to appear.
Natalia walked over to Horatio as the medics were taking the girl out on a gurney and assured him they would know who she was and hopefully more about why she was here. He thanked her and said they'd see them in a couple of days.
After the helicopter left, Horatio and Calleigh walked back down to the beach to gather the blanket and remains of their dinner, talking very little.
Finally Calleigh asked, "What are you thinking about Handsome?"
As he turned to look toward her he answered, "Oh, I'm just curious about our sudden visitor and how she got here." Calleigh thought, so am I Handsome. She knew he didn't want to elaborate because of her dreams, but she was thinking the same thing…a boat had to have been close by them tonight. Just who was on that boat made her feel a little unsettled, since they'd seen the severe injuries inflicted on that poor girl.
The next day, after finishing breakfast, Horatio announced, "I'm going to catch us some lunch Sweetheart, want to come with me?"
Laughing she answered, "Sure do Handsome. This I gotta see!" Horatio made a face at her and laughed,
"No confidence in your husband?"
Calleigh smiled, and teasingly answered, "When I see a fish on my plate, grilled, I'll concede to the fact you may be a fisherman."
Horatio had been standing out in the surf close to an hour before he began yelling back at Calleigh on the beach, "Hey, I've got one!"
Calleigh jumped to her feet and screamed in delight as she ran toward the water, "Hold on to him…I want fresh fish for lunch!"
Horatio held on to finally reel the large fish in to where he could grab it with the net, but as he bent over to pull the fish out of the water, a large wave hit him knocking him backward into the water.
Calleigh began laughing hysterically at the sight, but was delighted when a grinning Horatio stood up coughing and spitting out salt water, holding the large fish up showing her it was still in the net. Calleigh began cheering as he walked toward the beach with their lunch.
"Believe me now?" he asked then stopped and coughed up more salt water as she patted his back.
"Yeah, I have to admit…you do know how to fish!"
As they sat and fed each other the grilled fish at the table out on the covered deck, Calleigh commented, "this is the most wonderful fish I've ever eaten; my compliments to the fisherman and the chef!'
"Thank you Sweetheart…nothing like a fresh caught Mangrove Snapper."
"I may have to send you out fishing from time to time when we get home. I never knew you could catch'em and grill'em too!"
Horatio laughed and kissed her answering, "I'll teach you how…then we can go together."
For their last night together on the island, Calleigh fixed an elaborate dinner and brought out a bottle of champagne to toast their wonderful honeymoon, and the man who made it all possible. After Horatio poured two glasses, and handing Calleigh hers she began -
"We started these glorious two weeks with champagne and a toast so I thought it'd be appropriate to end it the same way. Horatio, you are the most romantic, passionate and caring man I have ever known…I am so proud to be your wife. I hope I will always be there for you in every way when you need me. Thank you for the best two weeks of my life and for our life together that I know will be just as wonderful."
"Calleigh, I couldn't imagine life without you by my side…I love you and everything you do for me." He reached and took her glass and set it down with his before embracing her and kissing her passionately. Breaking finally so they could both catch their breath he whispered,
"I hope I will always make you happy Calleigh, I want you to be happy and I know you will make my life wonderful."
After champagne and dinner, they approached their lovemaking slowly, knowing it was their last night on the island; each one desiring to make it last as long as possible.
TBC...