New Life
It had been three days since Jennifer's death. Now standing behind a table at the lab, Calleigh struggled to stay focused. She looked at the casings under the microscope, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Finally, she gave up, and went to hang up her coat. It was time for her to leave anyways. She saw Eric in the hallway, already ready to go. Horatio looked at the two of them, his blue eyes soft and sympathetic. "If you need anything, let me know," he said to them as they walked into the elevator. Calleigh looked down at her feet. "Thanks, H," Eric replied. As the doors to the elevator closed, Horatio nodded.
Three hours later, Calleigh stared at where Jennifer's body had just been buried next to her father. Eric had his arm around Calleigh's shoulder, staring at the grave as well. Emily was asleep in the stroller. "Come on, let's go see Adam," he said quietly. Jennifer's son had been named Adam, after her father. Calleigh looked up from the grave, staring into the distance. "Eric…" He waited for her to finish. When she didn't, he looked at her. "What is it Calleigh?" "Eric… why did this happen? She was a sweet, sweet girl." "Calleigh, sometimes, these things happen. You know that." "Yes, but why her?" "Why any of the victims we see in our job? Sometimes, bad things happen to good people," he said. Calleigh looked down. "Eric, I can't focus at work. She's on my mind all the time. And then, it's stirring up again what happened to me. I thought I was finally starting to move on, and suddenly it's here again, in my face. I can't even grieve for her right, because my mind is haunting me with this." Eric rubbed her arm. "You're grieving Calleigh, it's normal. Jen was like a daughter to us. You knew what she was going through and understood it. She looked up to you like the mother she never had. And I know it's hard. It's hard for me, too. But you're going to get through this. We are going to get through this. Together. I promise. I know you're hurting, but you're strong Cal. You're going to be ok. Now, come on. Let's go check on her son. Our son." Her hand in his, he guided her towards the car as he pushed the stroller with his other hand.
Once they arrived at the hospital, Eric looked at Calleigh. "Are you sure you want to go in by yourself?" Calleigh quietly nodded. "Take Em home, she looks exhausted. I'll be fine." Eric sighed. "Alright. Call if you need anything." "I will," Calleigh said, getting out of the car. She headed for the NICU.
Adam was still intubated and hooked up to the feeding tube, although the doctors were already talking about seeing if he could breathe on his own. Only weighing three pounds, they wanted to keep him at least until he weighed five or six, if everything else went well. Calleigh walked over to the isolette the baby was in. He was asleep, and she sat down next to the incubator. She sighed, and began to talk to the sleeping infant. "Adam… I don't know what to do. I want to do right by your mom. I can't have any more kids, and Eric always wanted a son, so I keep telling myself to be optimistic about this. But… it's hard. Your mom was a sweet girl. And Eric's right. I know exactly where she was coming from and how she felt. No, I wasn't sixteen. But being raped and having to carry that child… I know what that's like. The difference is… you survived, and she didn't. I survived, and my son didn't. I don't understand it, I really don't. I mean, I've been exposed to a lot of death. I know that it's a part of life. But… your mom was like my daughter. When she had no one else, I tried to do everything I could for her so that she'd somewhat feel normal again. But I know she had nightmares. She relived what happened to her. Just like I did. And it's hard, you know? Seeing someone you care about so much in that much pain and suffering like that. I don't know how Eric did it for me. He's been such a rock for me. When this all started, he was there for me. He's taken such good care for me. And I know he's hurting now too, but he's doing everything he can to look out for me. He's dealing with his own emotions, while also looking after Emily and making sure I'm ok. He's pretty amazing, Adam. You're going to love him just as much as we love you. You're our son now. You need to stay strong, and fight hard so we can bring you home. Your mom was a fighter, and I know you are too. So keep going. Because… I can't lose you too. I'm trying really hard to keep it together, and losing you would be too much. You're my tie to Jen, and I know she would have made an amazing mother to you. Since she can't, I'm going to make sure that you're well cared for. So keep fighting, and hang in there." She sighed, looking down a moment. Relief seemed to slowly move over her. She looked up as she heard a nurse approaching.
"How is he doing?" Calleigh asked. "Well. Like they've said, they're hoping he'll start breathing on his own in the next few days. He's having few issues with it now. He's on the feeding tube, but that will probably come out in the next few days as well. He's handling the food he's been given well. The times you've been here these last few days has been good for his human contact as well. I'd say he'll be home in two weeks, maybe a little longer. He's sure one tough little fighter." Calleigh nodded, when she felt her phone buzz. "Excuse me," she said, walking out of the room. She opened her phone, and saw a call from Eric. She dialed his number again.
"Eric, what's up?" "I got a call from H. Listen… if you don't want, you don't have to come. There was a double homicide on the beach a little while ago. Lots of casings. Horatio said you didn't have to come out." Calleigh sighed. "No… I'll be there." "You already said earlier you're having problems focusing with all that's going on. Maybe you should just stay there." Calleigh shook her head, despite knowing he couldn't see her. "No, work will be good for me. I'm on my way." Before he could protest anymore, she hung up. She walked back into the NICU, and saw Adam had his eyes open. She quickly washed her hands, then reached her arms through the incubator to place her hand next to his. His little hand came into contact with hers, and she couldn't help but smile. "I'll be back soon," she whispered. "Keep fighting." She then smiled at the nurse, before heading out to the parking lot. Eric was there shortly to pick her up, and they headed for the crime scene.
Wow... over a year without updating, then three posts in one night. Sorry, I'd kinda forgotten about this story... then I saw the file on my computer, and remembered I never finished the story. Figured better way late than never, right? Can't promise how far it will be between updates (hopefully not another year), but I'll try to get this story finished and at a good ending. For now, I'd like to apologize. Wonder if anyone still reads this story or follows it... Anyways, hope you enjoy these new chapters, and I hope to have more in the near (hopefully) future.