Calleigh and Eric made their way into the funeral home, hand in hand. They were there long before everyone else, but late compared to his family. Adriana quickly grabbed Eric by the arm, pulling him away from Calleigh.
"We have some stuff to take care of," She stated toward Calleigh, not looking at her. Calleigh nodded her understanding as Adriana pulled Eric away. Daniela placed a soft hand on Calleigh's arm, giving her a sad smile. Calleigh stood in the large room; she glanced around noting that everything was almost ready for the services. Calleigh walked across the room, glancing at all of the flowers that people had sent. She stopped at a bouquet that was signed in Horatio's scratchy scrawl, from the team. She smiled slightly to herself, glad that she worked for someone with such a huge heart. Calleigh's thoughts were interrupted by Eva-Maria running in, dodging through the chairs. Calleigh smiled as the small girl ran straight to her, hiding behind her legs. Richard came jogging into the large room a few seconds later. He leaned over, gasping for breath.
"Hi, Calleigh," he puffed, when he got closer to her. "It's nice to see you again," he told her. Eva realized that the chasing was over, and went to color in the corner. "I hear you met the wrath of Ana last night," Richard added.
"Daniela told you then?" Calleigh asked, rhetorically.
"I wouldn't take it personally, she did it to me and Dani too," He explained.
"She didn't think you loved Daniela?" Calleigh asked sitting in one of the chairs close to her.
"Not quite, she was sure I loved Dani, instead she didn't think I could make enough money working for my father's company. Adriana told Daniela to dump me, because sometimes being in love isn't enough." He told her laughing, moving to sit a few chairs down. He glanced over to check on Eva, before continuing. "She however, was kind enough to not do it in front of me," Calleigh nodded her understanding, wishing Adriana had been nice enough to do the same for her and Eric. "Ya know Calleigh, I know you don't appreciate what she did, but you have to be able to see where she's coming from. I mean, sure, she overreacted, but that's just Adriana's style,"
"You don't think I love Eric?" Calleigh asked, offended.
"No I mean about the will," Richard elaborated.
"What about it?" Calleigh asked, surprised.
"Eric didn't tell you?" Richard asked.
"Tell me what?" She asked, getting frustrated.
"Listen, Calleigh if he didn't tell you it's not my place," Richard said, uncomfortable. "I'm sure he'll tell you when he's ready," He finished. Calleigh nodded her understanding. They sat in silence until everyone came back into the room.
For Eric, the day was a blur. It was filled with people saying nice things that he already knew about his mother. He attempted to be grateful for their comments and kind words, but all he wanted was to get out of the funeral home. He sighed, turning to Calleigh for a moment, hoping nobody would interrupt for a minute.
"You okay?" He asked her softly.
"Me? What about you?" She asked, reaching to rest her hands on his hips.
"I want out of here," he sighed.
Calleigh nodded her understanding, watching him intently. She glanced over his shoulder, "look who's here," She mumbled softly. Eric turned to where she had been looking just a moment before. Horatio, Ryan, and Natalia were slowly making their way through the funeral home toward him. Eric smiled softly, moving to meet them half way.
"Thank you for coming," Eric said, shaking Horatio's hand, then Ryan's. Natalia reached up and hugged him close. Calleigh, for the second time found herself glad that she worked with these people. Horatio, who was family by marriage, made his way to Marco, and stood speaking to him for a moment. When Marisol had died, Eric was forced to tell his family about her marriage to Horatio. She had made it very clear she wanted Horatio's last name on her headstone, despite their marriage only lasting eight hours.
Calleigh and Natalia made their way to the side of the funeral home, Calleigh as glad for the familiar faces, and someone to speak to. They sat chatting about anything but the funeral, watching as Eric and Ryan continued talking.
"So there is this rumor going around the lab about you and Eric," Natalia said, a suggestive upturn of her eyebrow.
"Natalia, I've just been helping him through the last few days, it's been hard for him," Calleigh said brushing Natalia off. Although Horatio knew she and Eric were seeing each other, Calleigh was unwilling to announce it to everyone. She and Eric had decided they aren't ready for IAB to investigate amongst other things. Although Calleigh's reasoning had convinced Natalia, Eva-Maria ruined it. The little girl came to Calleigh and boldly climbed into her lap, taking her long poly tail into her hands, playing with it. Natalia looked shocked, watching as Eric's niece made herself completely comfortable.
"Natalia, this is Eva-Maria, Eva, this is Natalia a friend of Tio Eric's," Calleigh made introductions. Eva smiled shyly at Natalia who smiled back at her. Once Eva had gone back to playing with Calleigh's hair, Natalia gave Calleigh a look, calling her liar. Calleigh laughed a little, tightening her grip on Eva-Maria.
The CSI team left after a while, however Calleigh remained seated with a now sleeping Eva-Maria in her arms. Eric came over to her after a while. He softly scooped up Eva, giving Calleigh's arms a break. Eva curled up against his chest, wrapping her small arms around him. "Walk with me?" he asked quietly. Calleigh nodded, getting up and following him out. They had spent the entire day at the funeral home, not leaving in between visitation times; they would need to be back in a few minutes for the beginning of the service. They stepped out into the warm Miami air, Eva still clinging to Eric.
"Thank you for being here Calleigh," Eric said, moving to sit on a bench outside the funeral home. He adjusted Eva-Maria so that she was lying in his arms, her eyes opened a little, peering up at him. Noting she was still in Eric's arms she closed them again. Calleigh sat beside him watching as the sun began to set over the ocean, it was getting late.
"You don't need to thank me," She said, leaning over and sliding her arm under his. Eric smiled down at her, glad she was there.
"It means a lot to me that you're here, this is rough, but having you beside me, makes it…tolerable," He told her, leaning over to place a kiss on her lips.
"Ewww," Eva mumbled from Eric's arms. Both Calleigh and Eric laughed at her.
The service was very nice, the priest who spoke had known Eric since he was born, and was just as much a friend as he was a Father to him. Daniela and Adriana spoke together; they shared fond stories of their mother, and even managed to pick on Eric a little. They both cried when the talked about the loss of Marisol and how it affected the family. Eric said a few words after his sisters. Calleigh focused on his posture, she watched his chest rise and fall as he took deep breaths, trying to keep his composure in front of the group of people, she watched his hands as they gripped the podium tightly, his knuckles turning white. She watched as he dug the toe of his shoe into the carpet, rocking it back and forth. Calleigh could tell he was uncomfortable, he was supposed to bare is soul to these people when he could hardly bare it to her. He made a nice speech, noting earth shattering, but respectful, loving, and short.
Afterward Calleigh helped Daniela haul of the flowers out to their vehicles. The divided them up amongst the three siblings. "We'll give my dad one of them, but they'll just die anyway. Mama took care of stuff like that." Daniela explained. She sat the flowers down on the pavement behind Eric's car. Calleigh copied her actions, watching as a tear streamed down Daniela's cheek, Calleigh awkwardly pulled Daniela into a hug. Calleigh held her just like she had Eric, while she cried. It was the click of Adriana's heels that separated them.
"Dani, you okay?" Adriana asked, glancing at Calleigh.
"I'm fine, just thinking about mama," Daniela answered drying her face, Calleigh took the opportunity to duck away from them, she went to find Eric, he was leaning over his mothers casket, whispering to her in Spanish. Calleigh waited in the back of the now empty room. When he was finished he turned to her and took a deep breath. She quickly crossed the room, and wrapped him in her embrace.
"I love you Eric," Calleigh whispered, her heart breaking for his. Tomorrow they had the funeral to face, and then they could move forward. Just like they came, the left hand and hand, however as the approached Eric's car, Calleigh softly reached and took the keys from his hand. He didn't fight her, gave her a small smile instead. Eric met his father in the parking lot, the two embraced for a long time, before Eric turned to kiss both of his sisters, and Eva goodbye.
"My place or yours" Calleigh asked softly, pulling the car out onto traffic.
"If it's all the same to you, I'd rather yours. I'm not ready to be at my place yet," He told her honestly. Calleigh nodded, understanding his desire to be away from the pictures that decorated his home. Eric turned his head, and rested it on the cold glass, he let his eyes drift shut, listening to the hum of his car rather than thinking about the day's events.
"Calleigh," Eric, called, stopping her from heading toward her house. She turned to face him, waiting for him to continue. "I know I've said it before but thank you. I couldn't do this without you. I know I'm not myself, and I'm grateful you're willing to deal with me," He said a small smile on his lips. "I just wanted you to know that I love you." He finished.
"As I've said before Eric, we make a good team," She said after thinking for a moment. "and I love you too. Come on, I'll make us some dinner," She said wrapping her arm around his waist, walking them toward her house.