Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the regular series, and those who aren't featured in the series are fictional characters from my own creation.

Calleigh stayed in Horatio's arms long after the final song, their song, had ended. She never wanted to let him go again, and as the minutes passed she held him tighter to reassure herself of the fact. Once they had quit the stage and walked back over to where Ryan was standing, they were greeted with congratulations by the other concertgoers.

"Congratulations you two," Ryan said, hugging them individually.

"Thanks Ryan," Calleigh said through a steady stream of tears.

"Hon, are you okay?" Horatio asked, for Calleigh had not stopped crying since Horatio proposed.

"This is the happiest day of my life," Calleigh said as Horatio wiped a tear from her cheek.

"I know...of a day that will make you happier," Horatio said with a smile.

"Well, that hasn't come yet," Calleigh said.

----------

The news spread like wildfire, and by the time they went back to work, the whole crime lab knew and offered their congratulations. Horatio was in his office processing paperwork when a knock at the door broke his concentration. It was Rick.

"Horatio, I think you know why I'm here."

"Just so you know Rick, Calleigh has received no preferential treatment since we were together."

"I understand that. I just want to make sure that you understand our policy on interoffice relationships. As you are the superior I want to make clear to you that if this indeed becomes the case one day that Calleigh does indeed receive preferential treatment, then I must state to you now what the options of handling this are in reprimand. Now, we'll either have to relocate one of you to another sector, or one of you will have to resign."

"Understood since day one. Anything else?"

"Congratulations." Rick flashed a sinister grin at Horatio, who retained his frown. As he started to leave, Calleigh appeared in the doorway.

"Watch it," Rick said as he passed her. Calleigh shot him a dirty look then closed the door behind her.

"What was that all about?" she asked.

"He just wanted to make sure I knew...the policy on interoffice relationships."

Calleigh shook her head. "He never stops." She walked over and sat on the edge of his desk as Horatio turned his chair to face her. "So..."

"So..."

"I was wondering..."

Horatio leaned forward, put his elbows on his legs and held his head on his hands, smiling. "You were wondering..."

"If you would like to visit my hometown, meet my bridesmaids and a few others whom I want to attend. How about in two weeks for Thanksgiving?"

"That sounds like a great idea. I can't wait." He put a hand on her knee.

"Watch it," Calleigh said mockingly. They both chuckled.

Horatio looked into her eyes. "I love you," he whispered.

Calleigh cupped his face in her hand. "I love you so much." They kissed.

----------

"Is everything packed?" Calleigh asked, carrying a suitcase out to Horatio's car.

"Yes. I double-checked everything. We're good to go," said Horatio emerging with two suitcases.

"My strong man," Calleigh said in a sexy tone. Horatio grinned.

As Horatio drove to the airport, he started to feel a bit nervous.

"Horatio, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, just nervous, that's all."

"Don't be. My dad approves of you, and he is the hardest to win over. Trust me, everyone will love you."

Horatio felt reassured. "I trust you with my life."

Calleigh put a hand on his thigh. "I knew you would." She rubbed his thigh as he continued down the road.

----------

Horatio never expected Louisiana to be cold any time of the year, so when Calleigh advised him to bring warm clothing, the weird looks she received forced her to explain the difference between Louisiana's and Miami's climates.

As Horatio drove the rental car down the lonely country road, he took in the beautiful yet lonely surroundings.

"You came from humble settings," Horatio noted. Calleigh nodded.

"It's what's kept me down to earth."

The tiny town came into view finally, and Horatio noted an immediate change in Calleigh; her typical sunny smile had blossomed into full-blown ecstasy. Immediately she began explaining everything about the town she could remember, from the local hangouts to the school she attended to the different people she socialised with when she lived there. Horatio thought it cute.

The town came and went as Calleigh instructed Horatio to her parents' house. Butterflies emerged in Horatio's stomach. I hope the rest of her family approves, Horatio said to himself.

Calleigh squealed in delight as they arrived at the house. Calleigh flew out of the car and ran to the driver's side to pull Horatio out.

"Come on slow poke," she said playfully. Horatio chuckled.

"Calleigh, I'm too old to move this fast."

"Nonsense! I've seen you run, young man. That's no excuse."

All of a sudden, Calleigh's father emerged from the house, running towards his little girl.

"Oh Calleigh, everyone's so excited you've come to visit," Mr. Duquesne said with a mile-wide grin. "Horatio, great to see you again."

"As always, Duke," Horatio said extending his hand, which Mr. Duquesne gladly shook.

"Come on in, you two. It's awful cold out here."

"Here we go," Horatio said to Calleigh as she took his arm in hers.

"You'll be fine."

When Calleigh entered the house, a seemingly endless slew of people rushed up to her, hugging and kissing her, and regarding Horatio with what he was sure was a curious eye.

One of Calleigh's brothers quickly introduced himself to Horatio. "Horatio! I've heard so much from my dad 'bout you. The name's Brandon."

"An' my name's Kyle. Pleased'a meet ya."

"The pleasure's all mine."

An older woman approached Horatio. "I'm glad to finally meet you, Horatio. I'm Calleigh's mother Linda."

"Hi Linda. It's a pleasure," Horatio said, shaking her hand. Mrs. Duquesne cast a watchful glance over him.

----------

After dinner with the family, Calleigh took Horatio into town where she had agreed to meet with her already-chosen bridesmaids. They chose the rendezvous point at a dance hall on the outskirts of town. When Calleigh arrived, the bridesmaids happily screamed in unison, running toward her, commenting on how great she looked and how happy they were for her. Horatio kept his distance at first so that Calleigh could get reacquainted with her friends, but when Calleigh motioned for him to approach, all eyes were on him, making him nervous. The bridesmaids received him welcomingly, noting his fine sense of style and refined manner. One of them even whispered to Calleigh that, 'for an old guy', as she put it, he was certainly handsome. The sound of a man's voice, however, broke the merriment and sent the group into silence. A gruff and buff man about Calleigh's age appeared in the doorway.

"Calleigh Duquesne, is that you?"

"Oh my lord, Riley?"

Riley walked over to Calleigh and hugged her tightly, making Horatio nervous. "You don't know how happy I am to see ya, Cal. I've missed you so much." Riley barely noticed Horatio standing there among the now-angry bridesmaids.

Horatio leaned over to one of the bridesmaids. "Um...who is...Riley?"

"Riley Tanner...Calleigh's boyfriend from high school," the woman said in a sour tone. "They started datin' freshman year but she caught 'im cheatin' on 'er at the after graduation party at Dan Sanders' house. She broke up with 'im but he tried to get 'er back but she didn't take 'im back. He was constantly at 'er house that summer, tryin' to apologise and stuff. She would have nunna that."

How dare someone hurt Calleigh like that, Horatio said to himself, fists clenched and fuming. Calleigh noticed Horatio was getting uncomfortable so she went over and brought him over to where Riley was standing. Compared to Riley, Horatio was short, which didn't help his current disposition.

"Who this?" Riley asked. "This your uncle or somethin', Cal?"

"Um, actually, this is my fiance. Horatio Caine, meet Riley Tanner."

The two men just stared at each other. Riley approached Horatio and stood ever close to him, his chin at Horatio's eye level.

"Cal, who is this shrimpy old guy? Is he rich or somethin'? That why you're marryin' him?"

Horatio was beyond furious at that point. Calleigh glared at Riley.

"Well, Riley, he just happened to save my life. And I was the one who fell in love with him."

Riley snickered. "Love...that what you callin' it? Alright, well we'll just see what happens."

"Riley, why don't you quit assuming that you know what Calleigh is feeling?" Horatio said after a long silence. "I suggest that you drop that assumption."

"Or what?" Riley said with a sinister grin on his broad face. "You gonna clock me or somethin'?"

"I might have to resort to that."

"I'll try not to push your buttons, sir." Riley said as he walked out of the dance hall.