A/N: Sorry to be so long with another chapter…here it is! Thanks for all the reviews!
A Lifetime Honor
After almost a month of recuperation, Horatio was feeling as if he was almost recovered from his injuries. Almost daily he found himself yearning to return to the lab, to be able to focus on work and where at least he would be closer to Calleigh. Right now, he was getting up with her and making them both breakfast, then she would usually come home at lunch or they would meet somewhere between home and work to give them some of the day together. The doctor had cleared him to drive for short jaunts around town and he was enjoying the independence that simple pleasure afforded him. Perhaps at his next appointment with the doctor in two weeks, he would be cleared to return to work. He had been following doctor's orders for the first time in his life because he had to get well for Calleigh and for their wedding ceremony in New Orleans, which was coming up fast.
Looking at his watch, Horatio thought he would walk to his favorite place on the beach…a place where he would sit and get lost in the waves continually crashing to shore, a place to contemplate. He often went there when things were in conflict in his mind or to just get out of the empty house. It was just a couple of palm trees that were brought down during a past hurricane, but together they made a bench type seat in the shade of other palms. Plus, it was located along the edge of state protected acreage that afforded privacy. He was bemoaning the fact that Calleigh called about an hour before and had to cancel their lunch date. She was involved in a court case and was called to testify to support the evidence at the last moment for the state attorney's office so she would not be home until her shift ended later in the day.
Having reached his spot, he sat and began to wonder if it was his time to hang it up – retirement, something he had never thought about before. Now his life was different, he has a wife he needs to think about plus, hopefully, two adorable children coming into their home. Considering how long this last injury was plaguing him, he felt perhaps he was getting too old for all of the risks. After more than 25 years in law enforcement, he was actually not shocked anymore when he witnessed first-hand the cruelty humans were capable of inflicting upon each other. He never would be blasé about what he witnessed, he had to be strong for the victims, but he was learning to keep this part of his life in a separate compartment in his mind where it no longer affected his personal life as it once did. This would not be the reason he would consider retiring though…but, Calleigh deserved to have a husband who was stable and had something to give her from inside of himself. However, the more he thought about it, he just couldn't wrap his mind around the thought of retiring yet, but perhaps he was indeed getting closer.
Then his mind wandered to the commendation ceremony Monday morning. He didn't need an honor given to him for just doing his job…he had the best reward of all…Calleigh safe. He couldn't see any way out of it though since Calleigh and the team were thrilled with the whole idea.
He was not aware how long he had been sitting there, but unexpectedly he heard a sweet familiar voice call out…"Hey Handsome…there you are, I looked all over the house and couldn't find you…then I thought about your favorite spot."
Horatio stood and wrapped his arms around Calleigh, shocked that she was there, "Hi Sweetheart…I must say this is a surprise! I thought you had that court case that would keep you tied up through lunch at the courthouse?"
Calleigh looked up into his blue eyes, smiling replied, "The guy folded…he confessed after his lawyers presented all the evidence to him so…I am free for the rest of the afternoon! Things are slow at the lab and Eric told me I should just take the rest of the day off and come home to be with you. He said to tell you 'hello' by the way. So here I am!"
"That's wonderful Sweetheart!" Horatio grinned and then kissed her passionately.
Finally breaking for air, Calleigh was curious as to why he walked down to his spot. "Is something bothering you Horatio?"
"Not really…I was just thinking about the commendation ceremony set for Monday and how I am dreading that, plus I just wanted to get out of the house for a bit." As he nuzzled and kissed down her neck he added, "I get lonely here without you Cal…I can't wait until I am back at the lab where at least I can see you throughout the day, even if it is for just a few minutes."
"Ohh…Handsome…you don't know how much I miss you being there…I can hardly go to your office because thoughts about you overwhelm me…wondering what you are doing, how you are feeling…it just makes it difficult to concentrate on my work…ummm…this…feels…sooo good!"
"Oh Cal…!" Horatio said as he brought his head up and searched her eyes then tucked some of her hair back behind her ear and gave her a tender kiss before resting his forehead on hers.
"Don't dread the ceremony Monday Horatio…you deserve it. You have done so much for each member of the team over the years and you should be recognized!"
"Cal…you know how much I dislike attention for just doing my job. I did not do anything you wouldn't have done for me or anyone else on the team…that's what makes us family. I am no more special than any other team member!"
"Horatio Caine! You are special, Miami PD wouldn't have a top of the line CSI team if it weren't for you and you absolutely deserve this recognition whether you think you do or not!"
Horatio loosened his arms and reached for her hands and said, "What about…let's walk back to the house where I have some crab pasta and fruit salad made for lunch? Then I will give you a dessert that I hope you will enjoy…now hopefully THAT will be special!"
"Umm…sounds divine, especially the dessert!" Calleigh answered as she wrapped her arm around his waist and they began walking toward their house.
Later that afternoon Horatio and Calleigh lay spent in their bed after their long love-making session enjoying a soft breeze blowing in through the window bringing with it the sweet fragrance of the flowers on the patio, mixed with the salty air from the ocean.
"Nothing like a little 'afternoon delight'," Horatio softly whispered into Calleigh's ear.
Calleigh sighed, "Sure isn't… Handsome!"
Lying in each other's arms, Calleigh knew she needed to let Horatio know about the phone call she had received.
"Horatio…Mrs. Juniper from the Department of Children's Services called me this morning at the lab, before I left for the courthouse and she and a fellow board member want to come this evening to our house to meet with us about the adoption."
Horatio pushed himself up on his right elbow and looked startled at her news. "Sweetheart did she say anything about, you know…um, if they had made a decision?"
"No, she just asked if it would be convenient for us and I told her I thought it would be fine."
Horatio eased back down on the bed, unable to continue straining his chest any longer. They were both silent as they wondered what the evening would hold for them as well as Austin and Patty.
Horatio rolled over on his right side and Calleigh rolled to her left to meet him. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close as he whispered softly, "It will be alright…I know it will." But in his heart, he was so afraid that because of what had happened a few weeks ago, might have ruined their chances.
They both dozed off and later, Calleigh was awakened by a bird singing at their window. She raised her eyes to look at Horatio who was sleeping so peacefully beside her. She reached out and pushed a lock of red hair from his forehead and softly traced the outline of his eyes and down his cheek to his mouth with her finger. You would make a wonderful father my Love…I just want you to have the opportunity.
Calleigh watched as Horatio begin stirring and slowly opened his eyes and smiled as he realized Calleigh was looking at him.
"Hmm…my beautiful ray of sunshine. Are you alright Sweetheart?"
"I couldn't be better Handsome!"
"Guess we better get up and get ready for our visit this evening…would you care to join me in the shower Beautiful?" Horatio softly asked.
"That sounds very titillating Handsome!"
"Umm…I hope so."
Both Horatio and Calleigh were dressing after their shower and Calleigh stepped over to Horatio to help him tuck his shirt into his pants in the back. He still could not reach around without feeling some pain so she had been helping him dress during his recovery. The entire left side of his chest was still bruised from his injury, but it had improved some she thought.
"Thank you Sweetheart for buying me some new khakis and chambray shirt, after those thugs ruined the other set," Horatio said as Calleigh was helping him.
Calleigh's smile disappeared as he spoke and replied, "I know the clothes could have been cleaned and repaired, but I never wanted to see those clothes again…guess that's kinda weird, huh?"
"Not really Sweetheart," Horatio said as he wrapped his arms around her and sweetly kissed her lips.
They were sitting in the living room together waiting…waiting for what Horatio feared was going to be a rejection visit from the adoption board. He was feeling so down he could not even make conversation with Calleigh. He looked over at her and noticed she was not faring much better. Then the doorbell rang.
Horatio slowly pushed himself up from the sofa and took Calleigh's hand in his as they made their way to the door. He looked through the security hole in the door to see that it was in fact Mrs. Juniper and Mr. Watson from the Department of Children's Services. Taking as deep a breath as he could, Horatio opened the door.
"SURPRISE…Mommy…Daddy! Two young voices screamed and Austin and Patty ran through the door to Horatio and Calleigh.
Taken completely off-guard, Horatio's face reflected shock, then joy as he scooped Patty up into his arms wincing from pain that shot down his left side, but the delight of seeing the children overshadowed his moment of pain.
Austin ran to Calleigh, who had gotten down on one knee, and engulfed her in a heartfelt hug then stepping back he handed her a small bunch of flowers, placing one flower behind her ear. Calleigh was in shock just as Horatio, but gradually found her voice, "Hey you guys…are you coming to live with us?" Calleigh directed toward Mrs. Juniper more than Austin and saw her smiling and shaking her head "yes." Calleigh then looked at Austin and Patty and beamed.
Horatio eased Patty down on the floor and she hugged Calleigh as well. Austin moved over to Horatio and looked up at him and smiled as he greeted him with, "Hi Dad!" It took Horatio just a second to comprehend what Austin just called him, but he pulled the boy close to him and hugged him with tears beginning to seep out of his eyes down his cheeks.
"Welcome home, Son."
Horatio looked up at Mrs. Juniper and Mr. Watson smiling, just managing with a shaky voice, he said, "Thank you."
After Austin went to where Calleigh and his sister were, Mrs. Juniper told Horatio that the Board did have some reservations about recent events, but reconsidered partly due to the children. Since the children's first visit with them and after the incident where Horatio was shot they were all the children had talked about. She told him they saw the love the children had toward he and his wife and they saw the affection returned to the children and that was a very important factor. The other was because the board members recognized stability in the Caine's and that was another very important aspect of their decision.
As Horatio turned and watched the touching scene of the children with Calleigh and how much they were enjoying each other he simply said, "Thank you, we will take good care of these children."
The board members saw them too and the way the Lieutenant looked at the happy group, they were reassured they had made the right decision. Horatio offered for the board members to come in and sit down, but they said that after they brought the children's things in, they would leave and let them start to become a family.
Horatio helped them bring the suitcases into the house and bid the man and woman good-bye assuring him they would see them in a couple of days to finalize the papers. Calleigh and the children had moved to the sofa and he chuckled watching the children envelop her in a tight hug. He took out his cell phone and snapped a picture of the happy group, realizing he had the best picture ever to place on the screen of his phone allowing him to always remember this moment.
Joining the happy group on the couch, he sat by Patty who had her arm around Calleigh who then leaned over and kissed him. He smiled and said, "What was that for?"
Calleigh replied, "Because you are you and I love you!"
He reached and cupped her face in his hand and answered, "I love you…and you are going to make a wonderful mother!"
After a while Horatio asked, "Who would like to see their room?"
Patty was the first to squeal, "Me, Daddy…Me!" Horatio looked at Calleigh who was radiantly smiling and he gave both his girls his rare big smile.
"Mommy worked really hard getting both your rooms ready," Horatio exclaimed.
Horatio got up from the couch and Patty took his hand and off they went down the hall with Calleigh and Austin following behind. The children loved their rooms and Horatio and Calleigh gathered the children's suitcases and went to settle both children in their rooms.
Later that night after pizza and a movie on the couch, the children had gone to sleep before the movie ended, but Horatio and Calleigh continued sitting with them and enjoyed a quiet conversation until Horatio thought it was time for he and Calleigh to do the same. He knew he was exhausted from all the excitement and was sure Calleigh was as well.
Attempting to scoop Patty up into his arms, Calleigh suddenly whispered, "Horatio…you shouldn't pick up her weight, you don't want to set back your recovery and don't think I didn't notice earlier when you picked her up when they arrived!" Horatio gave his wife a sheepish look and smiled.
"We can rouse them enough to let them walk to their rooms and by the way, that was a very good idea you had in suggesting they put on their PJs before the movie…which tells me you are already thinking like a parent!" Calleigh told him smiling as she began walking a half asleep Patty and he with Austin toward the bedrooms.
After settling the children in their beds, Horatio and Calleigh retreated to their bedroom…with thoughts of being able to sleep late since tomorrow was Saturday. Horatio thought as he was drifting off to sleep, he had never felt more contented in his life.
Horatio was awakened in the morning by a soft voice calling to him. At first he thought Calleigh must be dreaming, but when he opened his eyes, attempting to focus, Patty was sitting beside him in the bed softly calling "daddy" right at his face.
"Umm…Sweetheart is something the matter?" he softly whispered, mindful Calleigh was still asleep.
"I'm hungry Daddy…its morning already." Horatio noticed the beginning of a sunrise peeking over the horizon across the water.
Horatio thought, well so much for sleeping late. Now it was confirmed, as he began clearing sleep out of his head, that their lives forever changed last night, but he chuckled to himself…I still love it.
Slowly easing out of bed, he took Patty's small hand and told her, "Let's go see what we can find to eat Angel."
Calleigh woke to find Horatio was not in bed. She got up and looked in the bathroom, but found it empty. She put on her robe and walked down the hall toward the kitchen next and stopped abruptly when she saw Horatio and Patty eating breakfast together at the table out on the patio and smiled. Horatio was cutting up some of her breakfast for her and the sight was so sweet she thought.
"Hey you early birds…Wow…Daddy made pancakes!" Calleigh exclaimed as she came through the door to the patio and walked over to hug Horatio who had stood up to greet her and then hugged Patty.
"Good morning Mommy…Daddy let me help him make pancakes!" Patty grinned at both her parents.
"I see he did!" Calleigh replied.
"She is a good cook and helper we got them ready a lot quicker!" Horatio beamed.
"Sweetheart…I made you and Austin some too…they are in the warmer along with some turkey sausages. I have your glass out here for juice, but you'll need to grab a plate and utensils."
"Be right back," Calleigh said as she made her way back in the house. Austin found them before they were through eating and Horatio went in the house and brought the boy's breakfast out to the table. Horatio and Calleigh lingered at the table over their coffee and watched the children playing on the beach, adoring the sight.
It was hard to determine who enjoyed the weekend more, the parents or the children. Saturday and Sunday were filled with family fun activities they found around town during the day and in the evenings, they all enjoyed walks down the beach.
Sunday night came too fast Horatio thought, for he dreaded going to the commemoration ceremony that was being held in his honor at MDPD the following morning. He had never liked recognition, preferring instead to stay behind the scenes to let someone else receive the credit.
That night as he and Calleigh lay in bed, after saying goodnight and tucking in the children, Calleigh could feel the tension radiating from Horatio. She knew tomorrow would be hard on him…not only being recognized, but it would also bring back the awful memories of that day for both of them.
Pushing up on an elbow where she could see his face she began, "Handsome…I know tomorrow is bothering you, but you are a hero…my hero."
Horatio chuckled, "Sweetheart…I hope I always will be. I appreciate your thoughts on tomorrow, but you know recognition makes me feel very uneasy…umm, but I know of something that would help me tonight," Horatio softly said smiling at her as he reached up and gently pulled her down for a hungry kiss.
Calleigh suddenly pulled back and said, "We need to lock our door Handsome…one of the kids could…"
"Already done Sweetheart and I will unlock it later, ok?"
"Um-Hmm, so you had this planned!"
"I hoped Sweetheart, I really hoped…" Horatio whispered as he placed hungry kisses down her neck then trailing down to her chest with his hands tenderly caressing her beautiful body and they made love on into the night.
The next morning, everyone having finished with breakfast and dressing, they were ready to go to the ceremony. The children could not wait as they were as excited as Calleigh was about it all. Horatio being the last one out armed the security alarm, exited and locked the door behind him.
Calleigh sat in the passenger seat, with the children buckled up in the back seat which told him he was driving. Well, at least that might take his mind off of things.
The drive was relatively quiet except for a question or two from the children. Arriving in the employee parking garage, Calleigh reached over and placed her hand on Horatio's shoulder after they parked and offered him some encouragement.
"It will be over soon Handsome…then we can go celebrate as a family!"
Horatio turned his head toward her and gave her his warm smile. "Thanks Cal…it will help me to know you and the children are there."
Horatio eased out of the car without causing himself too much pain and he took Calleigh's hand in one of his hands and Patty's in the other. Austin walked close to Calleigh on her other side as they made their way inside the building. Exiting the elevator on the floor of the lab, they were greeted by most of the team.
"Hey…" they all exclaimed at once, "who do we have here?"
Calleigh flashed a huge grin at her fellow teammates and said, "I would like for all of you to meet Austin and Patty Caine!"
Natalia was the first to speak up and said, "Oh I am so happy you guys got the kids…I have been really hoping it would work out positive for you!"
Eric was grinning from ear to ear and shook Horatio's hand, "Congratulations H, I know they mean a lot to you and Calleigh!"
"Thanks Eric, they mean everything to us," Horatio responded slightly smiling.
All of the team were taken with the children and were beaming at being called uncles and aunts by Calleigh and Horatio.
"Guess you guys need to head to the conference room upstairs, I think the Mayor is already here and I saw the Chief around just a few minutes ago," Eric said smiling at Horatio's uneasiness. "C'mon H, it isn't going to be that bad!" Eric added.
Horatio looked at his Brother-in-law with a stern look that bespoke the opposite and Eric just shook his head and slapped Horatio gingerly on the back. Eric then began asking Horatio how he was feeling as they all walked inside the elevator together for the ride to the next floor.
Before the ceremony, Horatio walked over to the media people present and asked that his family not be included in any footage or pictures for security purposes and they all pledged they would heed his request.
The presentation to Horatio took only minutes, which included a brief message from the Mayor, which caused Horatio to wonder how the man managed to say all those nice things about him since they had a mutual dislike for each other; then the Chief spoke his praises of all of Horatio's accomplishments and this latest show of his ever present courage. Horatio thought, hell it wasn't courage on his part, it was simply pure selfish preservation of a treasure he had found in the beautiful woman who he had asked to be his wife.
Then the Chief asked for a few words from Horatio. As he strode to the podium, a loud cheer went up from the audience which caused his face to blush deeply. Taking his time to gather his thoughts, Horatio paused and raised his head and looked right into Calleigh's soft green eyes that had let a tear escape down her cheek and he smiled; then he looked at the faces of their two adorable children smiling and clapping, with Austin putting two fingers in his mouth, enabling him to make loud whistles.
As the cheering died down, Horatio cleared his throat and began – "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for your warm welcome. Umm, I appreciate the kind remarks from the Mayor and Chief of Police, they mean a great deal to me. Next, but even more important to me is the fact that my beautiful and loving wife is able to be standing here before me with our wonderful children and I hope I will always be able to measure up to the adoration I see in their faces. Ahh, umm, excuse me, sometimes I take too deep a breath and my ribs let me know it."
Calleigh watched in concern as Horatio placed his hand inside his coat to hold his side.
Recovering quickly Horatio continued, "The Chief spoke of my courage, but the truth is, any one of these CSI's in this room would have done the same for any member of this team so, I am humbled that the department honored me today with this commendation.
I have been honored recently in two ways that will last my lifetime, first Calleigh Duquesne honored me by becoming my wife," he looked at her and smiled so tenderly that there was no way Calleigh could contain her tears. "Then in the last few days, two adorable children chose her and me to be their parents," at that point Horatio had to quickly wipe a stray tear that had escaped down his cheek. "I feel confident I speak for both of us when I tell you that we couldn't have been chosen by any better children than Austin and Patty. There is just one problem, they will grow up too fast as far as we are concerned, but I know we will enjoy every minute with them," Horatio said smiling as he looked at both of them and Calleigh had an arm around each one and laughter broke out around the room.
"To close out my remarks, I extend a warm thank you to a dear friend, Detective Frank Tripp, who has stood by me through the years here in the department and in my personal life. Without his help and the help of his officers, our solve rate would be greatly hindered in the crime lab, thank you officers for your support of this team. Now I am looking forward to returning to work soon and rejoining my team. Thank you very much." Frank hung his head as he felt his face flush, he knew Horatio had gotten seriously hurt because of their inability of securing that crime scene. He sure did not feel deserving of any "thank you."
The Chief warmly shook his hand after he was through and even the Mayor walked up to him and shook his hand with kind words of thanks. Horatio looked down as he felt a tug on his hand to see Patty standing beside him smiling up at him and he took her hand. Then Calleigh wrapped an arm around his waist and asked if he was ok, which he told her he was.
Austin walked up beaming and hugged him and said, "Thank you Dad for saving our Mommy!" He knew he would never forget Austin's words as long as he lived. Horatio almost lost his composure as he held Austin and a few tears ran down his cheeks; Calleigh softly patted Horatio's back while her own tears flowed after she heard the boy's words.
The members of the team stood nearby and observed their boss with his family and couldn't help but be touched…even Ryan. Eric felt more deeply than the others that this was the best thing that could have happened to Horatio and he was glad it all worked out like it did. He loved Calleigh, but knew Horatio was better for her and the children. He had faced up to what he was…a party man and he guessed he always would be. Natalia could sense what was going on with him and just placed her hand on his shoulder and smiled when he turned to look at who was beside him.
Afterward the team took the children into the lab and showed them what they all did and entertained them for a while to give Horatio and Calleigh some time alone in Horatio's office.
Upon entering his office, he noticed there was very little paperwork on his desk. Unknown to him, Eric had spent most of the day Saturday pouring over it and sending it through the proper channels to get it off his desk so he wouldn't sit down today and do it himself.
Calleigh led him over to the couch and made him sit down and rest for a bit. She was still concerned that something was amiss about his healing.
"Cal I am fine…really. My ribs just do that from time to time." Horatio said as he continued to follow her instructions and sat down on the couch with her.
"Well, I know you are tired…I can see it in your eyes so we need to sit for a bit before gathering the children and going somewhere for lunch."
Horatio chuckled and commented, "Maybe one of them will want to be a CSI!"
"Good grief…I hope not, two in this family is enough!"
"Handsome…those were the sweetest words you could have said in your speech."
Horatio turned and looked into her eyes and softly said, "I meant every word Sweetheart…I do feel honored that you love me and want to be with me. And now those two precious children want to be with us…I just couldn't ask for anymore in my life."
Searching her eyes Horatio asked, "Sweetheart…something's bothering you. Do you want to talk about it?"
"Well it's not really bothering me…I just have been waiting for the right time to tell you this…ah, Horatio?"
He looked questioningly at her and responded, "Yes?"
"Um…how would you feel about having three children?"
Horatio looked shocked and began stammering, "Cal…uh…are you…uh telling me…"
Calleigh began smiling and shaking her head yes.
Horatio suddenly grabbed her and as he did let out a groan with the quick movement, but lightly laughed and said, "Oh Calleigh…Sweetheart…I love you…." Holding her back to look in her eyes he saw tears streaming down her face and he said, "Cal please don't cry…I love the fact we will have three children!"
Calleigh sagged back into his arms and said, "When the doctor told me, I was so afraid what your response would be, especially after we were given Austin and Patty."
"Oh Sweetheart it is wonderful…you are wonderful!" And he placed light kisses on her forehead and in her hair as he held her tight.
"Have you told the children yet?"
"No…I thought we should tell them together…you are the first person I've told," Calleigh tenderly replied.
They held each other on the couch for a while, shedding happier tears and talked about their new family and their wedding coming up in Louisiana.
TBC…..