(Author's Note: First of all I just want to thank CSI Miami for giving us two lovely characters- Calleigh Duquesne and Eric Delko. It has been a great ten years and I will be a proud fan forever. This story is dedicated to all Eric & Calleigh fans who I feel has been robbed of a sweet and happy ending for our couple. I wish this is just a terrible nightmare that we can wake up but alas, it is a reality that we have to accept pretty soon. As usual, I need your reviews to fuel my inspiration to continue this story. I hope you will all like it.- Syl)
An inviting aroma of "something good" cooking in the kitchen managed to reach Calleigh's bedroom. She just finished changing into her "home clothes" of a comfy shirt and yoga pants and was about to tie her hair into a pony when she heard the sound of the oven timer which was quickly followed by a soft knock on her bedroom door.
"Umm, Calleigh? I think the food is ready. You told me to tell you whenever I hear a bell."
Calleigh can't help but smile as she opened the door. "Oh, thanks buddy! I guess it's time for us to eat! Are you guys hungry already?"
"Well, Miss Ellen gave me and my sister a snack but yeah I am kinda hungry." Austin said as she followed Calleigh into the kitchen.
Calleigh attributes her culinary skills to her Southern upbringing. She sometimes wonders how she managed to prepare a hearty meal in such a short amount of time. Calleigh has always been a stickler for a healthy diet and she is not about to change it for the kids. The baked chicken, sweet potatoes and the steamed mixed vegetables officially became their first ever family dinner.
Patty North was still absorbed with watching a kiddie show in the living room.
"Hey sweetie! Come and join us here in the kitchen. I 'm guessing you are hungry too like your brother."
Patty was still holding on to her stuffed bunny as she made her way to the table.
"Um, Miss Calleigh, can I just have an ice cream?" Patty shyly asked Calleigh.
"Patty, I have baked chicken with potatoes for you. I tell you what- after you finish your dinner we will have some ice cream for dessert. Okay?"
"Okay." The kids took their places in the table and Calleigh each took their hands and prayed for grace before meals.
"Umm, Calleigh? Can I just add something?" Austin asked.
"Sure honey, go ahead."
Austin closed his eyes and bowed his head as he started to say his prayer aloud.
"I know you are there and I just want to thank you for listening to me. I have to admit that I had my doubts but I knew you will hear my prayers. Thank you for making Calleigh our new Mommy and for caring for us and keeping me and my sister together. Thank you. And amen. "
Calleigh can't help but get teary eyed upon hearing Austin's prayer and she tenderly squeezed his hand and smiled at her.
"So, um, Miss Calleigh? Can I call you Mommy now?" Patty asked softly.
Calleigh reached out to her and took her in her arms and gave her a hug.
"Of course sweetie. You can call me whatever you want."
Austin stood up and joined in the hug. "Thank you. I want to call you Mommy C. Is that okay?"
Calleigh laughed and said. "Oh Austin, I'd love that. Mommy C it is!"
As they were eating their dinner Calleigh took the opportunity to ask the kids about school and basic but important things like what their favorites are. She has so much to learn about these kids.
It's either the kids loved Calleigh's cooking or they were just plain hungry because in no time they were able to clean out their plates and Austin even asked for seconds.
"Well, I guess it's dessert time. So sweetie, which one do you want? Strawberry or chocolate?
"Umm, can I have 2 scoops of both please?"
"Of course! How about you Austin?"
"Yes! I 'd love some but I can only eat it a little. Too much of it hurts my throat." Austin said with a sigh.
"Aww, that's sad. I should keep that in mind. I don't want you getting sick." Calleigh said but she could not help feeling concerned about how much she does not know about these kids.
She keeps telling herself not to get too overwhelmed about this whole "motherhood" thing. God knows how many sleepless nights she spent thinking about how adopting the North kids will impact her life. Ever since the day Austin asked her if he and his sister can stay with her, Calleigh cannot get the kids out of her mind. She has been monitoring them for months and even managed to squeeze in a couple of visits on her full schedule. When she learned that the kids were able to find a suitable foster home with Brenda and Will, she was more than relieved. She thought that everything was going to be fine but then the tennis academy scandal happened. Calleigh knew then that she had to do something and the only way she can fully protect them is to be their permanent guardian.
She immediately filed her application for adoption, took the seminar, went through the medical examination and other requirements within a week. Nobody knew about it except Horatio. Well, it didn't take long for Eric to notice that something was going on with her. Eric…thinking of him offering to adopt the kids with her still touched Calleigh. God knows how she wanted to agree to his offer but these past two years has been just so rocky for them. No doubt their feelings for each other have never changed, she still loves him and she knows that he feels the same way too but they both knew that there are lot of things they need to work out. They have been making small steps towards that – they have been working together more often now, she started going out with the team after work and on two occasions they went out to watch a movie together. But what he did this afternoon, going out of his way to be her "character witness" made Calleigh think just how much she means to him. She knew that she is not quite on a stable ground with her relationship with him yet somehow she felt that the inevitable was coming- that they will be back together soon.
A small, sticky hand shaking her arm brought her back from her reverie.
"Umm, Mommy C? Can I have some more ice cream please? Patty asked.
"No Patty, you had enough." Austin said and to Calleigh." She will have a hard time sleeping if she had a lot of sweets."
"Oh, sweetie, I'll tell you what, on the weekend we will go to Ice Castle and we will have some more ice cream. Deal?"
Patty thought about it for a while and finally said. "Okay, deal!"
Austin and Patty helped her out to clean up so it didn't take long for them to settle on the couch and watch some shows on the Disney channel.
She heard her phone ring and smiled when she saw that it was Eric. She talked to her team and told them the good news about her adoption. They were all ecstatic for her and she was grateful on how they were telling her how they will be all supportive of her.
It was around nine when Calleigh felt that Patty had fallen asleep beside her. She could also see that Austin was struggling to keep awake.
"Hey, Austin, I think it's sleep time. I'll take Patty to her room first and I'll go to your room and tuck you in. Okay?"
"Okay." So she carried Patty and placed her in her bed and went to Austin's bedroom to say goodnight.
She went back to her bedroom to continue reading her book when she got a text message from Eric. Reading it brought a big smile to her face.
It read: Not sure if you are still awake but I was planning to drop by. It might be a little bit late.
Calleigh replied: No, it's fine. I really don't mind. Please come over. =)
After some minor fixing of her appearance, Calleigh went to make coffee and took out some ginger snaps. It did not take long when she heard the doorbell ring.