Here we go, the third part in my "Daddy" series… Hope you enjoy it!

There will probably be more stories of Lorene... They might even be some that go off the series and H is alive... Then you can see him be her daddy...

Don't own any one except Lorene.

I hear my name called and I stand up and walk to the front of the class. I glance at my mother sitting in the back of the room to support me. Ray is sitting beside her and, I kind of think he's as nervous as I am… Which is silly. I then turn my attention to the big banner hanging in the back of my third grade class room that read's "Daddy's Day" in big colorful letters.

I take a deep "Hello. Most of you know me. I am Lorene Heather Caine and I go my Lori most of the time. I was born on the fifteen of September. I have gone to this school since kindergarten. I have lots of friends and I love people. But only, only one person, Danielle Delko," I glance back at my best friend and her father, "knows about my father. Well guess what, now here's you chance."

"His name is Horatio Caine and I haven't seen him since I was two," I look around the room as I continue. "There are certain times when something will jog my memory and I will remember something about him. I won't lie to you; most of the stuff I know comes from my mother, my brother, my cousin, and cousin's mother."

"I know he worked as a crime scene investigator, I know he was taken from me when I was two on Christmas Eve, most importantly, I know he loved me," I saw all the sorry looks, the main reason no one knows what happened. Mom says I get that from him, I don't like people feeling sorry for me or worrying about me. I would rather be helping someone and easing their worries.

I decide to just brush the looks off, "Mom said I was one of the joys of him life. She says he could have been the 'Proud Parent' poster boy. She also said he very dedicated to his work as a CSI and it was the perfect job for him. He was caring and loved to help people. He helped my mom and Ray after her husband died. He helped Susie and Madison when he found them."

I take an even deeper breathe, "That Christmas Eve we were all sitting around the front room. Mom says that I was happily holding onto his hands, jumping, and happily helping Ray beg for us to open one present. He agreed and Ray handed me a present and I sat and started ripping of the wrapping paper. We were all happy and laughed. Three shots pierced the quiet night air. That night was the last night I spent with my Daddy."

I look around and Momma, Ray, and Eric are crying, the rest of the class has tears in their eyes. I reach down and pull out a stack of about seven letters, "I have written him a letter on at least Christmas Eve since I was old enough to write, four for the four Christmas's and three for times that I just needed to talk to him. It helps."

I smile, getting ready to finish up, "I don't feet sorry for me though. He's here for me rather he's physically here or not. He's my inspiration and I take pride when my mom tells me I am so much like him. Mom and Ray are here for me and love me. I them have Maddie, my cousin, and her mother, Susie. Then there's the whole team at the lab. They are my extended family. So, I don't have my daddy here today, but that's okay."

I give the class one last smile, return to my seat and hug Momma, then Ray, and then Eric and Danni. They smile at me and tell me good job and how brave I was. I just smile and then, for the first time, notice the applause in the background.

There's my third installment… Hope you liked it.