The Big Moment

Horatio found himself more nervous than he had first believed he would be on the Saturday night that he planned to ask for girlfriend to marry him. There was a slight change in plans. The two stayed home and had a quiet dinner for two; Kyle was spending the night with his godparents, Eric Delko and Calleigh Duquesne-Delko.

Just as Horatio had thought, his love fell asleep for a "cat nap" on the sofa shortly after dinner. He carefully sled the diamond ring on her finger as she slept.

She didn't wake.

Perfect, Horatio thought, quietly leaving the room.

When Aimee's hand went over her face minutes later, she felt an object on her hand and opened her eyes.

Her eyes widened, seeing what it was and shrieked in excitement.

Horatio heard her and smiled.

Aimee called out to him and he entered the room.

As Calleigh had predicted, the words weren't fully out of his mouth before Aimee threw herself at him, kissing him.

So much for him getting down on one knee.

Horatio smiled. "I take it you will-" Aimee cut him off with another kiss.

"Yes, I'll marry you!" She said. "I can't believe you thought you even had to ask!"


Eric and Calleigh had tied the knot four months before when they went on a week long trip to the Virgin Islands. No one was really surprised but their friends were a bit disappointed they didn't get to witness their friends' union. Six months prior to that there were new members elected to the Internal Affairs Board. Much to dismay of Ric k Stetler, the "no fraternization" rule was put to a second vote and thrown out with only two members voting for it. Provisions were put in place for couples in the process of separation, divorce or custody battles and if a specific couple proved they could not work together. A clause was put in place that divorced couples couldn't work together. Though they were happy and relieved that could now work together and be open about their relationship, Calleigh and Eric would have got married anyway. One's personal happiness was much more important than the job. As much as their careers meant to them, their relationship meant more. But they were indeed glad one of them didn't have to change shifts. Professionalism was never a problem for them. Work was work, home was home. If they had a "tiff" before going to the lab, which had happened before no one ever knew.

When the couple agreed to take their godson for the night they knew that boss and friend was going to propose to his girlfriend. Still, mum was the word when it came to saying anything to Kyle. They didn't have that right, only Horatio and Aimee did. Kyle didn't care what his mom and dad were up to that night, why he was at his godparents' home. He was just having a ball. They had eaten soft tacos and fries for dinner and had watched Eric's personal favorite Disney classic The Jungle Book. Kyle fell asleep curled up Eric's lap just as the credits rolled.

Eric kissed the side of his godson's head.

"He's a hell of a kid, huh?" Calleigh said, tucking the boy into bed in the spare room.

"That's for sure," Eric said. "H and Aimee are very lucky."

Though he didn't have any separation anxiety or home sickness most of the evening, Kyle woke up at 1 a.m. and cried for his parents. His godparents were expecting this, however. Kyle was only five. He was calm and asleep again minutes after they placed him in between them in their bed.

Neither Horatio or Aimee could keep the grin of their faces the next morning when they arrived to pick up Kyle.

"Hey guys," Calleigh said. "You guys have a nice night?"

From the smiles on their faces, not to mention the ring now on Aimee's finger, both Eric and his wife knew Horatio had gone ahead with his marriage proposal and that Aimee had accepted. But the couple didn't say anything, even when Kyle noticed the "shiny" new ring on Aimee's finger they held off on their congratulations.

The two told Kyle their news shortly after they arrived home. He was thrilled. Horatio chuckled when his son said that "daddy gots to wear a tie on that day." And that there was going to be a cake and a party afterwards. Kyle also inquired whether he was going to get a brother or sister when his mom and dad got married. He said wanted to have a sister.

"We'll see, sweetheart," Aimee told him.

She and Horatio did hope to expand their family, once Aimee had adopted Kyle. They hoped they would be blessed with three more children. Maybe more. They also talked about possibly adopting as well.

"Did he shock you?" Grant, one of Aimee gay male co-workers asked, looking at her ring when she got back to work that following Monday morning.

"He did but it was the best surprise I've got in a long time."

They hoped to be married first but having another baby was something the two thought about more now but the two privately joked knowing them, Aimee would probably be pregnant before they managed to get to the alter.

Aww, Rick Stetler thought mockingly. Horatio Caine is engaged.

He had heard the buzz about the lab and snorted. Wondering how long it was going to be before "H" as his team called him, announced that his fiancee were knocked up. Maybe it would be better for him to wait till that time to teach Horatio a lesson through his woman. If she were pregnant he'd sweat more. And be caused more pain. With the way Horatio looked at Aimee the man would probably break down and beg, give Rick whatever he wanted just to get Aimee back unharmed.

"Gots" isn't a typo.

R & R!