Daddy?
Horatio fumed as he drove to Rick's condo. He was absolutely fed up with him questioning his CSIs and trying to get them arrested. Rick's fling with Yelena didn't help matters either.
He got out of the Hummer and went to Rick's front door. Horatio knocked loudly and waited a moment until the door was opened to reveal a tired looking Rick in flannel pajama pants and an old t shirt. Before he could say anything Horatio put a gun in his face and shut the door behind him.
"Horatio don't do this please," Rick begged as he was forced into the living room.
"I am tired of your shit," Horatio growled.
"I'm sorry I was just doing my job," Rick pleaded.
"You know what Rick? Sorry isn't good enough. You just keep pushing and pushing and pushing; now I'm going to end it."
"Horatio-"
"Daddy?" came a small voice from the top of the stairs. Horatio looked up to see three small children. Two were boys, blonde and brunette. The third was a girl, also brunette.
"Daddy's fine guys go back to bed," Rick said as even as he could.
"Who is the bad man daddy?" the blonde boy asked.
"He's not bad Nik, everything is fine," Rick said. Horatio took his gun away from Rick and looked up at the three kids.
"Are they yours?" Horatio asked, guilt washing over him.
"Yes they are mine," Rick said and they pattered down the stairs. The kids wrapped their arms around his legs. "This is Nikolai," Rick said and introduced the blonde boy, "Quinn," the brunette boy, "and Jericha," the brunette girl. He messed Quinn's hair. "My three babies. Nik is the oldest." Rick said affectionately.
"You are raising them by yourself?" Horatio asked.
"Yes, their mom went to heaven a few years ago," Rick said not wanting to upset the children. Jericha put her arms out and wanted to be held. Rick picked her up and she put her head on his shoulder. "Tired baby?" he asked and she nodded. "Are we done here Horatio?" Rick asked.
"Yeah Rick, I'm sorry to have bothered you," Horatio said and went for the door.
"Its fine Horatio," Rick said and watched the other man go to the Hummer. He shut and locked the door. Rick tucked his kids in a few minutes later and reflected on how they could have been orphans right now. Rick stayed with Jericha until her eyes closed and her slow breathing told him she was asleep.
"Daddy loves you princess," he whispered and kissed her on the forehead before going to bed and thanking God for what he had.
TBC?
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