Title: Life Goes On

Author: innocent choir girl (ff-dot-net), shannyfish (From Out of the Lab/Miami Heat/LJ)

Summary: Third in the "American Family Series" (which consists so far of "Two Lives" and "Love's Burden"). While planning the wedding, Suzie returns and trouble ensues because of it…not only over Madison, but over the life that Horatio wants to give her and what he fully intends on following through with.

Category: Ship Ahoy! Calleigh/Horatio

Genres: Angst, Character Study, Drama, Established Relationship, Romance, Suspense

Characters: Horatio Caine, Calleigh Duquesne, Madison Keaton (Other), Emma Caine (Original), Eric Delko, Alexx Woods

Warnings: Adult Themes

Rating: PG-13

Chapter: 11 "Jingle Bell Bliss"

Author's Notes: I'm trying to get the three open stories for Miami finished quickly here because my laptop is going in for service. Though, I shall be working on the other stories that I have lined up for Miami the old fashioned one ; ) with a pen and notebook.

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The Christmas tree was up; they had gone with a real tree to see how Emma did with it, and to see who well it worked overall. Calleigh and Sheryl had re-arranged the living room area so that it would fit neatly in a corner and there would still be plenty of room under and around the tree for presents and sitting. Calleigh smiled as she adjusted some of the ornament balls on the tree. It was lit up with white lights and was adorned with white and red sparkling glittery balls and an angel on top. She really was enjoying Christmas, even though she felt a bit stressed with the wedding a mere week away…

"It's beautiful," Horatio told her wrapping his arms around her and kiss her cheek from behind.

Calleigh smiled, "Thanks…you didn't do such a bad job yourself with the lights outside…" She turned around in his arms, "Are you sure that tomorrow's gonna be alright?" She was nervous, and she was sure that he could tell. It was Christmas Eve and they'd decided to make it a friends party night…Sheryl was due anytime for breakfast and they'd be attending Madison's school play in the late afternoon. Christmas Day was the scary part; no one was coming to help her with making of the great feast that was always televised, though Alexx had told her to give her a call if she had problems. Her mother and brothers were flying in from Louisiana for the wedding and for Christmas dinner. Their flight was planned for about four p.m. so Calleigh wouldn't get any help from them either. Her father was also invited to dinner, her parents had agreed to be civilized for the meal, but Calleigh felt a bit odd having her whole family over when Horatio would have none. Yelina would be coming over later that night with the rest of the team from work.

"Don't worry," Horatio whispered and kissed her cheek again before moving them to her lips. He pulled back to breathe, resting his head against hers, "Everything will turn out beautifully…"

"I haven't even seen my mom for a while, Horatio," she explained nervously. "Or my brothers… My dad has been the only family I've really kept in touch with since I moved to Miami and started at the lab…"

He smiled, "I think she'll be distracted with her beautiful granddaughter…." He let his lips capture hers again, this time letting it deepen.

"I'm here!!!" Sheryl called from the kitchen.

"Of course," Calleigh whispered against Horatio's lips and let out a small sigh. Emma and Madison were both sleeping or at least quiet…and she and Horatio were just getting used to their quiet time… "We'll be right there!" Calleigh called back.

…………………………

Calleigh and Horatio sat through a rather basic nativity play with Emma and Sheryl. Every grade had one, which made it all the more fun, it meant every child got a chance to play an important part. Madison got to play the star, and although it didn't involve ropes and being pulled around up in the air, it was still beautiful. Instead, Madison's part involved her to sit up on top of a sandy mountain piece that was made for the set as a far off hill. The play wasn't too long; Calleigh took it to mean that they knew that people had other places to be even if school and their kids' activities were important.

Horatio stood up and took Emma's hand, being careful as they made their way through the row of seats to the aisle and went along slowly making sure Emma made it up and down the stairs along the way just fine. He watched as Sheryl and Calleigh went along ahead talking about Madison and the play.

"Mama!" Emma called seeing her mother walk up ahead of her, and without her.

Smiling, Horatio looked down at his daughter, "It's alright, Sweetie… Daddy's here…"

"Mama…" Emma said frowning and then looked up at her dad.

Even though they were moving along much slower than Calleigh and Sheryl, it was still precious time with his little girl. Emma was growing up so fast, and Horatio felt like in a flash she was going to be grown and off to college. The same thought was with Madison, too. She was ten, and in eight years she'd be picking out a college and probably going through a separation phase and need to leave the state of Florida. "Never grow up," Horatio whispered to Emma as he finally picked her up once they ended up coming up to a crowd of people. He held her close as he walked through looking for his fiancée. He felt Emma's head lay on his shoulder, and a smile lit his face.

……………………….

"I brought tamales," Eric told Calleigh as he set the container on the counter. "Well, Alexx sort of told me it was what she wanted me to bring." He smiled brightly, "So how are you doing? The wedding's coming up in just a week now!"

Calleigh smiled a bit, "Nervous…it doesn't feel like everything's gonna be done in time."

"You've got your dress, right?" Eric asked. Being Horatio's best man, he had access to the status of all groom stuff to be done.

"Yeah, we did that months ago… My dress, Alex's, Madison's, and Emma's…"

Eric helped Calleigh set things out on the counter, so it would be easier for people to serve themselves. Having it buffet style was going to be the easiest and less stressful way of going about things. "Flowers?" He had sisters, after all, and even though Marisol had never had a full blown wedding he still knew what things were needed.

Nodding, Calleigh giggled a bit, "Are you the weddin' planner now?" She looked over at Eric and could see he was just trying to make her feel better.

"The place has already been picked out; the priest guy has already been reserved along with the site. We have permission to have the wedding there. I picked up all the tuxes. Horatio has the ring…"

"Oh my God," Calleigh whispered. She had been busy with sending invitations, finding dresses for everyone in the correct sizes and colors, shoes that match, figure out how to do hair and makeup, flowers, and worry about the site and how things would go with that…and that was just the wedding stuff. There was also birthdays and holidays that were in between the planning and the wedding date. "I didn't get Horatio a ring…" She covered her mouth, shocked at her own confession. "I completely….I can't believe I didn't think of it…"

Eric frowned and tilted his head, "Did you ask him if he wanted one?"

"No."

"But you want to get him one?"

Calleigh nodded, not because she wanted it to be something for other women to see and know he was taken, but as a true symbol of their love. Horatio had been her hero; he'd taken her from the bedroom in Nevada and kept her body, heart, and soul safe ever since…including taking beautiful care of Emma. Before Horatio even knew Emma was his daughter, he cared for her. "I can't believe I forgot…"

"C'mere," Eric said and reached out taking her arm and gently pulling her him. He felt her face in his chest, and wrapped his arms around her. "You needa relax, Cal… You've still got time… And Horatio would love you even if you didn't get him a wedding ring…" His hand rubbed her back gently and soothingly, "I'll go with you day after Christmas through the sale madness if you like?"

"Thanks Eric," she whispered. It wasn't just for the offer, but the hug and the words of wisdom. He was right about Horatio, but it was something she wanted to do. It was nice, his offer, he was almost crossing the line from best man to maid of honor. Calleigh smiled at the thought. Eric was a good friend, though, and she figured he could also help her pick out the perfect ring.

"Hey, how are we doing in here?" Alexx asked approaching the two. "Calleigh? You doing alright, Honey?" she asked concerned. She knew that Eric was one of the people Calleigh turned to, but she also knew that they all needed to support each other…and that Calleigh at the moment really needed it to keep from stressing out too much.

Pulling back from Eric, Calleigh gave Alexx a smile, "Yeah…just…" she tried to think of the right words, but when she couldn't think of any, she shrugged a bit. She saw Yelina and Ray Jr. walk past the kitchen and sighed, sometimes she felt like Yelina was judging her. She knew that she had loved Horatio in the past, and probably still did, but Calleigh really wanted them all to be a unified family. "Yelina's here…so does that mean everyone's here now?" she asked.

"You don't worry about Yelina," Alexx told her, as if reading her friend's thoughts. They had discussed it a couple times, but she knew that Horatio's heart was with Calleigh and Horatio was loyal…just like Calleigh. The only problems in their marriage would be the occasional hospital visit that seemed like something that just happened when you were a cop and a CSI. "In fact, don't worry at all…"

Calleigh laughed lightly, "That's nearly impossible, Alexx."

"But not impossible."

Eric smiled brightly, "C'mon, Cal. You and Horatio have been practically married for a while now… He'd do anything for you and the girls…you know that."

"I know," Calleigh said with a smile. "But I have more things to worry about…my mom and brothers are comin' in tomorrow… They're comin' in not until the afternoon though, early evening…so…I'll be cookin' alone…"

"You call me if you get stuck and need help," Alexx told Calleigh. "I will come over here myself if my telephone instructions don't work."

"You will do no such thing," Calleigh told her with a smile. "Tomorrow's your day to spend with the kids and the family."

"Dad's comin' over, too…parents have promised to behave, so I guess I can just hope. Horatio keeps saying things are gonna be alright…I just don't know how he can be so calm," Calleigh said a bit frustrated.

"Because things will be alright," Eric told her as he put his hands on her shoulders, "Now c'mon. This is your party, too. Plus, I think it should be present time, it'll take your mind off of the wedding and tomorrow."

"Not until after the food," Calleigh told him.

Alexx smiled, "Hey, if it'll get your mind off of things, then I say now's a good time." She watched with a brighter smile as Eric pushed Calleigh out of the kitchen and guided her back to the living room area where the tree and everyone was.

Presents had been piled under the tree even though they hadn't discussed an exchange of gifts. She and Horatio had picked out gifts for everyone there, though Horatio had personally picked out Ray Jr.'s gift. They had grown so much closer as a family since she had returned to Miami, she found it amazing sometimes. Everyone seemed to care and look out for others so much more easily and without prompting. Calleigh smiled as she watched Eric leave her and go after her three year old daughter. Eric cherished her daughter, and Calleigh found it to be good to include the team in the girls' lives. They didn't care who their 'uncle' or 'aunt' looked like, and they certainly didn't seem to care if they were related to Horatio or herself.

"I've gotcha!!!" Eric told Emma as he held her up in the air and waved her around in the air as she giggled. He pulled her down and held her close; with his free hand he brushed the blonde curls away from her face. "How is my little cutie?"

"Ric!" Emma shouted happily and hugged his neck.

"That's right, Uncle Eric," he said as he navigated his way through the group towards the tree and picked up a brightly wrapped present with a shiny bow. "This one is for you."

"How about me, Uncle Eric?" Madison asked running over to Eric with Ray Jr. right behind her.

"You get one, too. Of course I wouldn't forget the beautiful princess," he told Madison. "I just figured Emma needed something more to do since she doesn't have someone around her age to hang out with."

Smiling, Horatio walked away from Yelina and approached his newly adopted daughter. Raymond had never known Madison and had certainly never taken care of her, and so it wasn't a stretch to think of Madison as his own daughter. After all, she carried a distinct feature that they both shared. Hers were just in beautiful curls. "Well, why don't we bring out the presents now? Or at least one?" Horatio suggested coming up behind Madison.

"Cool!" Madison shouted excitedly.

Calleigh giggled and sat next to the tree with Alexx, "But only one for now…then we should eat. Or else that food in there's gonna get cold." She reached down and started to hand out the first present she found for each person. Once everyone had a present and was sitting down, the adults waited individually for the children to unwrap their presents.

Eric sat with Emma on his lap and tore a tiny corner of the paper to start the toddler with the tearing. He watched as she peeked in the hole he had made and then giggled. "Go on, open it," he prompted tearing it just a bit so that she'd get the idea.

Emma reached out, grasping the piece of colored paper and started to pull. She giggled at the sound it made and then stopped when more of what was under the wrapping paper was uncovered. She poked at the box curiously, but then started to unwrap it again. Finally when most of the paper was off, she turned the box over in her hand. It was brightly colored, but the clear plastic covering the front let her see through the front. "Dora!" she screamed happily. "Ric! Open Dora!" she said thrusting the box into her uncle's hands.

"Alright! Alright!" he said laughing. "Give me a minute."

"Go ahead and open yours, Madison," Horatio prompted watching Eric battle the Dora box along with handling Emma's trying to grab the box.

…………………………..

Alexx and Eric had stayed late to help them clean, and Calleigh had really appreciated it. It made it a lot less stressful for her. Horatio had gotten the girls both to sleep while Calleigh started to pull out the bags they had hidden of candy and small toys for the stockings along with the toys that they hadn't gotten to wrapping yet. They had been wrapping presents late at night slowly making their way through the stack in their closet, but they hadn't gotten through them all.

It didn't take Horatio long to get Madison and Emma to sleep, they had both practically had fallen asleep when their heads had hit their pillows. He found Calleigh in the bedroom wrapping the last of the presents. He smiled, "It's going to be wonderful tomorrow," he told her as he approached the bed. "Would you like me to start taking the wrapped presents? Put them under the tree?"

"That would be perfect, Handsome," she told him with a smile. She loved wrapping, though sometimes she found herself getting too obsessed with trying to make it perfect, and had to remind herself that the girls wouldn't care in the morning.

Horatio carefully started to lie the presents under the tree. He wanted it to be perfect for his girls in the morning. It was going to be the first Christmas where they were all a family. He and Calleigh weren't going to be married for another six days, but they were still very much family. He saw that Calleigh had pulled out the bags for the stockings and so decided to fill them, so that later it would be one less thing for Calleigh to worry about. It took him a couple more trips back to the closet until under the tree was pretty well filled. The only presents that were needed to be placed under the tree now were the ones that Calleigh was finishing up. He walked back into the bedroom and found her finishing up the wrapping. He smiled, "Just about done?"

"Yeah, just give me a sec," she told him as she finished the bow on the present. "Alright, we're good." She stood up and found Horatio quickly helping her pick up and carry the remaining presents to the tree. Calleigh placed the ones she had around the tree carefully and smiled, "It's so festive with the presents underneath."

"I'm thinking there will be lots of pictures tomorrow," he said reaching down and taking her hands.

She laughed lightly, "Ya know…there's gonna be a lot of pictures happenin' in the next week…"

"And they're going to be beautiful ones," Horatio assured. He guided her to the couch, sitting down with her. His arm draped around her shoulders and then hugged her to him. They just sat there staring at the lit tree. It was like a picture taken out of a picture perfect holiday movie.

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TBC…