Disclaimer: I don't own CSI: Miami or any of the characters featured on the show. I'm only playing with them, and I promise to return them in one piece when I'm done. Kathryn, Marisol, and Isabel Delko are mine, as is this story. I think that covers it.
AN: Comments and constructive criticism are always appreciated, however flames are not. All flames will be used to roast marshmallows.
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"Kathryn, Marisol," Eric Delko called, trying to get the attention of his four year old twin daughters. Two year old Isabel was quietly playing on the living room floor a few feet away. He heard the pitter-patter of little feet as they raced, each trying to be the first to enter the living room.
"Si Papa," Marisol said as she entered the room, Kathryn only a step behind her. Marisol was already dressed in the khaki skirt and long sleeve tee shirt that Calleigh had picked out for her to wear.
"Kate, why are you not dressed?" Eric asked. A similar outfit had been picked out for her, however she was currently still in her Cars pajamas. 'So much for having them dressed when Calleigh gets home,' he thought to himself. Calleigh had gone into work at 6am; it was now 1pm and she was scheduled to arrive home any minute.
"Don't wanna wear the skirt," Kate sassed at him. "I wanna wear my jeans." Physically, Kate and Mari were identical; both girls his had dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. Their personalities, however, were as different as night and day. Kate, older by only two minutes, was the leader; she was a tomboy who preferred jeans and mud to dresses and glitter. Marisol, was the quieter twin. She preferred following to leading, and she loved dresses and all things girly.
"Mija, Mama picked that outfit especially for tonight. It's Noche Buena and we're going to Abuela and Abuelo's in a bit," Eric knew Calleigh wanted Kathryn to wear the outfit, but he knew his daughter's aversion to skirts.
"If I wear the skirt, I won't be able to play with Diego and Antonio," Kate whined. Sticking her lower lip out, she made a puppy dog face.
Eric sighed. 'I should've seen this argument coming,' he thought to himself. Diego and Antonio were his youngest nephews. They were 5 and 7, respectively, and Kate loved to play with them. The three of them spent many hours together playing soccer or looking for bugs. Marisol preferred having tea parties with Isabelle and three year old Graciana, the youngest of his nieces.
"I have an idea Kate. Why don't you wear the skirt to Abuela's....let me finish," he said, realizing that Kate was about to object to his idea. Pouting, she allowed Eric to continue. "Then you can change into jeans before you go play with your cousins. Kapish?" Eric knew that Kate would end up dirty, and it was just easier for her to play in old clothes.
Kathryn sat quietly for a minute. Eric could tell that she was considering his idea. "I guess," She sighed, clearly not happy about the situation. Eric was about to tell Kathryn to go get dressed on when there was a crash in the corner, followed almost instantly by Isabel crying. Rushing to the noise, Eric quickly picked up his crying daughter, trying to comfort her as well as figure out what happened.
"C'mere baby girl, tell daddy what hurts," he whispered in Isabel's ear while rubbing her back. The crying quieted and Isabelle pointed to her right cheek. Eric could see a faint red mark on his baby daughter's face.
"Fell daddy, ouch," she said, her voice was a soft, melodic soprano.
"Yeah daddy. she trip-ded over the toy," Marisol chimed in, pointing at a toy on the floor. "I saw it."
"You saw her trip and fall over the toy?" Eric responded.
"Uh huh, we was playing," Marisol told him.
"Well let Dr. Daddy look at it. All better?" Eric asked after kissing her cheek and wiping away the last of her tears.
"All betta," Isabel said, smiling at him.
"Guess who's home from work?" Calleigh said as she walked into the living room. Her gun and badge were already locked in the safe box that they kept in the garage. Calleigh had always been vigilant about gun safety, but she was even more carefully now that she and Eric had little ones in the house.
"Mama, mama, mama," three angelic little voices greeted her. Kate and Marisol ran across the room as Eric followed behind them. Still in Eric's arms, Isabelle reached for Calleigh, a clear indication that she wanted her mom. Taking her youngest daughter from her husband, she kissed him before kneeling down to hug her twins.
Marisol, you look pretty," Calleigh said, noticing that only Marisol was her only child not still wearing pajamas. "Kate, where is your outfit?" she asked.
"Still in my room 'cause I didn't wanna get dressed yet," Kate told her mom.
Can you go get dressed now please?" Calleigh asked. "Then I will help you both brush your hair."
Kathryn headed out of the living room and Calleigh quickly heard the thunder of her feet as she ran up the stairs. Though already dressed, Marisol followed her sister to the bedroom that they shared.
"She wasn't crazy about the skirt was she?" Calleigh asked Eric.
"No, though I did tell her she could change into jeans to play with Diego and Antonio," Eric replied.
"That's fine. I would've taken jeans for her anyway. I just want a few nice pictures of all the kids." Calleigh then headed toward the stairs with Isabel. "I'm going to start getting her ready. I'm guessing you need to get ready too."
"Yeah, unless you want me going like this," Eric replied with a grin as he followed her upstairs.
Calleigh glanced at her husband, "Probably a good idea. You've got a little bit of lunch on your shirt still."
Looking at his shirt, Eric saw the spot Calleigh was talking about. "Rather than eating, Isabel decided to spend most of lunch playing with her food."
"Doesn't surprise me, she's two after all. Check on the girls when you walk past their room?" Calleigh asked as she looked through Isabel's clothes to find the outfit she wanted.
Glancing into his daughters' room, Eric was pleasantly surprised that Kathryn had indeed gotten herself dressed. Both girls were now playing with some of their toys. Eric went into his and Calleigh's bedroom to get himself ready before returning to help Calleigh with their kids.
Fifteen minutes later, Eric had showered and changed into a pair of khaki's and a white cotton button up shirt. He left his room and found that Calleigh and all three girls were in Isabel's room.
"Don't we look pretty daddy?" Marisol asked as they spun around for him. All three girls were dressed and Calleigh had also brushed their hair.
"You girls are beautiful," Eric replied. "Are we ready to go to Abuela and Abuelo's?"
"Not quite, Mommy still isn't ready to go," Calleigh replied. She tickled Marisol's tummy as she said this.
"Then go get ready silly," Kathryn told her.
"Ready silly," Isabel chimed in, mimicking her sister.
"You guys be nice to Daddy while I get ready," Calleigh told all three girls before she left the room. Walking down the hall to the bedroom she and Eric shared, she could hear all four of them laughing.
When she returned to Isabel's room a half hour later, they were still laughing and playing. Calleigh stood in the doorway, watching as Eric gave Isabel a horsie ride. Kathryn and Marisol walked on either side of him, making sure that their baby sister couldn't fall. Watching Eric with their daughters made Calleigh think back to her first pregnancy.
Like most first time moms, Calleigh had had her doubts and fears about becoming a parent during her pregnancy with the twins. Her own parents hadn't been the greatest, and Calleigh's biggest fear was that she would be just like them. When she told Eric about this fear, he reassured her that she wouldn't be the same way with their children. 'You are not your mom and dad,' She remembered him saying. 'The way they raised you might not have been the best, but it made you who you are today. And I know you won't let yourself repeat their mistakes.'
"Well I guess I'm going to Abuela and Abuelo's all by myself. Everyone else is busy playing with daddy," Calleigh said, trying to get her daughters' attention as she entered the room.
"Me go 'buela's?" Isabel asked as Calleigh picked her up. Once Calleigh had Isabel off his back, Eric stood up again. After assuring Isabel that they were are going to go see Abuela, Calleigh set her on the floor
Meanwhile Kathryn and Marisol jumped in a circle chanting, "Abuela, Abuela, Abuela."
"Well then silly monkeys, let's go," Calleigh told them. She, Eric, and Isabel left the room, with Marisol and Kathryn right behind them. Downstairs, the older girls put their shoes on while Calleigh helped Isabel with hers.
"Grab their jackets please," Calleigh prompted Eric. "They don't need to wear them now, but they might need them later.
Eric added three little jackets to the pile of food that they were taking with them to his mom's. He also grabbed Isabel's diaper bag so he wouldn't forget it. Eric followed Calleigh and the girls out of the house, locking the door behind him. Calleigh double and triple-checked to make sure that nothing was forgotten. Once she was positive that they had everything, Eric pulled the van out of the driveway and into the road. He turned the radio on, the Cuban music filling the van as he drove.
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Up next: Eric, Calleigh and their daughters get to Abuela and Abuelo's house and Noche Buena celebrations begin.