A/N: Hello once again my friends! Izzy's back and does she have a story for you! First I would like to thank you for all of your reviews! To the ones I didn't respond to, I love you all and thank you so much for the positive feedback. big hugs
Now this chapter takes place about a year after The Importance of Being a Caine. Belle and her father have already gotten through their issues concerning Marisol and everyone is on the same page. This has no current scene leading into it, but enjoy it for what it is!
Trying her wings out in a great big world
"Hey Dad," Izzy said, walking into the living room, fiddling with her hair, "Can you help me put a bobby pin in the back? I can't quite get it where I want."
"Sure sweetheart," Horatio said, standing and walking over to his daughter. He took the bobby pin from her hand and used it to anchor the graduation cap in place. "There, perfect," he said with a smile looking her over.
Today Izzy was graduating from Via Fuego High School. She was dressed in a white graduation gown, and the white cap was perched on her head, the black, white, and red tassel swinging gently with her every move. Her hair was hanging loosely down her back in gentle waves, and a grin on her face let him know she was proud of herself for making it this far.
"So are we ready to go?" she asked, after checking her hat one more time.
"If you are," he smiled, offering her his arm, which she took.
When they arrived at the events center where the ceremony was to take place, there were people everywhere. After finding a spot to park, they walked towards the doors.
"Do you think Mel is here yet?" Horatio asked.
Izzy laughed. "She's practically been living here for the past few days to make sure everything was ready. I'm sure she's here." Mel was the senior class president at Via Fuego, and had been up to her eyeballs in preparations for today's event. There was little doubt that things would turn out well today, Mel would see to it, that was for certain.
Horatio kissed Izzy on the cheek as they parted ways; Izzy headed to the backstage area and Horatio to his seat in the auditorium.
When he arrived, he was greeted by members of his CSI family; Eric and Natalia were there, Natalia's eyes already a little puffy from tears. Their three boys were there as well, and none looked pleased to be so. On the other side of the Delkos sat Alexx and Frank; both waved as Horatio took his seat. Horatio had only been seated for a moment when the Wolfes arrived, Calleigh immediately gathering him into a hug.
"Can you believe today's the day?" she asked, pulling back, "My two little nieces are graduating!"
"Crazy, isn't it?" Horatio said with a smile, turning to the other members of the Wolfe family. Josh gave Horatio a high five and Emily hugged his leg. Horatio quickly gathered baby Kelsi into his arms and tickled her, making her giggle her special "Uncle H giggle". Kelsi was only nine months old, but she clearly had a favorite uncle and she was always in her Uncle H's arms.
"I don't understand it," Ryan huffed, sitting down and putting his arm around his wife, "I can't get even a smile out of her and yet you have her giggling just by holding her. It's not fair."
"Oh hush Ryan," Calleigh laughed, smacking him in the stomach, "She loves you. She just thinks you're a dork."
"Oh that makes me feel better," Ryan said, rolling his eyes and pulling Emily onto his lap.
They chatted amongst themselves until the music started and the graduates began their march into the room. Horatio, who had handed Kelsi back to Ryan, watched for his daughter and waved when she finally made her appearance. She grinned when she saw her family, and winked in her father's general direction.
Soon the graduates took their seats and the program began. Melissa took center stage and welcomed everyone, introducing the valedictorian and other special people seated on the stand. A few people spoke and then the school's choir sang "For Good" from the Broadway Musical Wicked. As Horatio listened to the words, he realized that the song spoke about him and Izzy to an extent. She had completely changed his life, in every detail. He had always assumed he would spend his life devoted to his calling as a CSI, but then Izzy had come along and taught him so much about loving and living for the moment. He had been changed for the better because of her.
After the song was over, Melissa stood up to give her graduation address. Horatio had to smile as the water works turned on next to him. He handed Natalia a tissue before turning back to the podium.
"I've thought a lot about what I would say today," Melissa began, her talent for public speaking shining through, "And as I did, I thought about Robert Frost's poem The Road Not Taken. In the poem he talks about coming upon a fork in the road and trying to decided what path to take. One path is worn and often traveled, the other one almost ignored. He chooses the lesser path and in the end he says that it made all the difference in his life. We too are on a path like the one he described. We have the road behind us that has been paved by our accomplishments and our disappointments. That road has helped us become who we are today. But I wish to remind you about the path yet ahead of us. We are the future. We are going to be the ones who can defend our nation, progress in every area, and build a better world. I have no doubt that the path less traveled by is the path that we are meant to take. We are no ordinary teenagers, and we will be extraordinary adults. So to the graduating class of Via Fuego High School I say, let us remember what we are capable of and let the future shine with our stories! Congratulations! We made it!"
The audience went wild. Eric whistled loudly and Natalia clapped and wiped away tears at the same time. Horatio too showed his pride in his niece as she sat back down. The principle took the stand and Pomp and Circumstance began to play as the graduates began their walk to the stage. Horatio felt a lump in his throat was he watched Izzy walk across that stage with confidence and grace. Melissa had been right, Izzy was no ordinary girl; she was his everything. When they announced her name, they included the fact that she was graduating with honors and a diploma of merit. Horatio stood and whistled as Izzy took her diploma with a grin. As she reached the edge of the stage where all the class officers were gathered to greet their fellow classmates, Melissa threw her arms around Belle and spun her around, both of them laughing.
After all the names were read, Melissa again took the stand and led the graduates in the moving of their tassels. "May I present to you, the graduating class of Via Fuego High School!" Mel yelled into the mic as the caps were launched into the air.
The celebration moved outside as the graduates went to greet their family members and other friends. Horatio was waiting with his hands in his pockets when Mel and Izzy finally emerged from the crowd.
"Daddy!" Izzy said, hurrying over to Horatio. He pulled her into a hug, spinning her around.
"I am so proud of you," he whispered in her ear.
A few feet away, Mel was getting her fair share of hugs from her mom (who was still a little weepy) and her dad. Her brothers stood to the side and watched.
"I guess you deserve a hug," Jordan said at last, walking over to his big sister and squeezing her, "That was a good speech by the way. Me and Bry were betting you'd choke halfway through."
"You two," Mel said rolling her eyes, shoving Jordan and Bryan.
"Well I think you did a really good job," Evan piped up. As the youngest Delko, he didn't have quite the mean streak that his older brothers did.
"Thanks little brother," Melissa said, giving him a genuine smile.
"Ooo you two, come here," Calleigh's voice came floating through the crowd as she made her way over to the cousins. She wrapped her arms around both Mel and Belle, laughing when their tassels got tangled together. "I am so proud of you guys!" she said stepping back.
"Thanks Aunt Calleigh," the girls said in unison.
After hugs from Ryan and the young Wolfes, Natalia walked over to Mel and put her hands on Mel's shoulders. "I have a surprise for you," she said, "Look over there."
"Aunt Anya?! Aunt Cristine?!" Mel yelled as she raced over to her two aunts. Her mother's sisters lived in California, so Mel didn't get to see them all that often, but they were her favorite aunts and them being here meant a lot to her.
While everyone was distracted by Mel, Izzy heard a soft voice over her shoulder. "Hey there honors girl."
Izzy flipped around to come face to face with her Aunt Yelina. "Aunt Yelina!" Izzy smiled, pulling her aunt in, "Wow, I thought you were in China on that private investigator's conference."
"I was but I decided seeing my niece graduate was more important," Yelina said with a smile. Yelina and Izzy weren't terribly close, but they were family, and to the Caines, family was everything.
"Do I get a hug too?" came a second deeper voice to her right.
"Ray!" Izzy said embracing her cousin, "I never would have expected to see you here!"
"Well I'm full of surprises!" he said with a wink. He had been Izzy's protector when she was a little girl, kind of like an older brother in a sense. They had drifted apart over the years, but they could always count on each other.
They talked for a short while, until Yelina had to leave to catch her flight. As they were leaving, two familiar faces came through the crowd. The man had once been tall, but was now stooped over and used a cane to get around. His brown hair had long since turned gray, but his eyes showed a youthful sparkle. The woman next to him was short and her once black hair was snow white. The lines on her face showed her age, but never diminished her beauty. Her beauty had lived on in a woman Horatio loved with his whole heart.
"Abuela! Abuelo!" Izzy called running over to give her grandparents a hug.
"Oh Isabelle!" Sonya Delko smiled as she embraced her granddaughter, "Just look at you! You are your mother's daughter, that much is certain!"
"She is absolutely right," Ivan Delko said as Izzy's arms wrapped around him, "I couldn't be prouder to call you my granddaughter!"
Horatio watched this scene with a smile on his face. He used to wonder if Izzy would ever grow to know her mother's parents. After Horatio had married Marisol, the Delkos had disowned Marisol and refused to speak to her. They were furious that she would marry without the traditions of the family and they hated Horatio. They saw him as a hypocrite who wanted nothing more than to play with their little girl's heart before tossing her away when things got rough. It had broken Marisol's heart to have her parents behave like this; family was as important to the Delkos as it was to the Caines.
It had taken Isabelle to bridge the gap. As soon as the Delkos realized that their granddaughter might grow up without them around, they began to accept Horatio and that fact that he truly loved their daughter. There had been perfect acceptance the day Izzy was born.
That acceptance was shattered the night Marisol died. Her parents blamed Horatio for her death, as much as he blamed himself. They refused to have anything to do with their son-in-law and grandchild. Surprisingly it had been Mel that had melted their hearts this time. One day when she was about 7 she had gone over to their house and asked them why they didn't love Izzy the same way they loved her. Melissa's complete innocence had been enough to soften their hearts. It hadn't happened all at once, but gradually Horatio and Belle had been accepted and became family.
Ivan came over to Horatio and clapped him on the shoulder. "You've done a fine job raising my daughter's little girl," he said, "I couldn't have asked for anyone better."
That simple statement let Horatio know that he was completely forgiven. "Thank you sir," Horatio said smiling, "But I had a good start to build on. Marisol taught me everything I know."
"She was a bright one, my Marisol," Ivan said with pride, "And that little girl over there is proof thatshe won't be forgotten."
"Never," Horatio promised.
Soon most of the crowd had dispersed. Horatio had been waiting outside while Izzy returned her graduation gown. He was leaned up against the car when he saw her come out of the building, Mel by her side. The purple dress that Izzy was wearing made her eyes sparkle and she looked so grown up.
"Hey Dad," Izzy said when she reached him, "A bunch of people are headed over to a party on the beach. We're going to have a cook out and we've got permission to do some fireworks. I'm not sure what time I'll be home."
"That's fine," Horatio said, "If you need me, just call me. Be careful."
"That would take all the fun out of it," she smirked, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
He sighed as he watched her walk away. After today Izzy was an adult, with her own life, her own friends and her own agenda. She was walking away from her childhood, and although it hurt Horatio terribly, he knew that it was her time. She was ready for whatever the world had in store for her. With this thought, he put on his sunglasses and drove away, knowing that he had succeeded.
It was nearly 6:30 in the morning by the time Izzy made it back home. The party had been a lot of fun. Dancing and laughing had taken up the majority of the night, and watching the sun rise with her best friends put the cap on her last 18 years nicely. It had been hard to say goodbye to some of them, not knowing if she would ever seen them again, but she also knew that this was just a new beginning.
She was just about to flop onto her bed and fall into a deep sleep, when she noticed an envelope on her pillow. Confused, she picked it up and looked at it. It was addressed to her in a hand she didn't recognize. Curious, she broke the seal and took out a collection of papers. One quick glance at the signature at the bottom and she was wide awake. She sank to the bed and began to read the letter, drinking in every word.
My Angel Isabelle,
So you are finally graduated from High School. Congratulations! I wish I could have been there to see it all. You know Izzy, a part of me wishes that you never have to read this letter, but at the same time, I know that this is the only way you will ever hear from me.
First of all I want to tell you how much I love you! You are my whole world and there isn't a day that goes by that I don't thank my lucky stars for you and your father. I hope your dad has told you our story by now, but I wanted you to hear it from my point of view.
When I was diagnosed with cancer I felt all my dream slipping away. Everything I'd ever wanted seemed so far out of reach. That was until I met Horatio. He changed my world and that is the greatest gift I have ever been given. Once I found him, he taught me how to hope and dream again. I found myself believing that I could accomplish anything. And then when he asked me to marry him, I felt like I was invincible. I have never once regretted taking those vows. He brought me a freedom and a joy that I didn't think was possible.
Horatio and I decided to stop my cancer treatments in the hopes that we would be able to have children. The doctors warned us that it wasn't a wise decision, but it was far more important to me to become a mother. When I found out that I was pregnant with you, I could hardly believe it. My dreams were now a reality.
Those dreams were not as perfect as they would seem. No one else knows what I am about to tell you. It is up to you to decide what to do with this information. When I was about four months along, the doctor informed me that my cancer was coming back. He said I had two options: 1- I could abort the baby and begin treatments right away and have a reasonable chance of survival, or 2- I could continue the pregnancy, hoping that the baby didn't abort naturally, and that after the baby was born I could start treatments again. The doctor warned me that if I chose option 2 there was a good chance that no treatment would work on me and that I would most certainly die. I thought it over, but there was really no question in my mind. I wanted you more than anything and nothing was going to stand in my way. I don't tell you this to make you feel guilty about your existence, I tell you this to help you understand how much you mean to me. I never want to you be sad about my decision, because I have never regretted it. Just having you with me for whatever time we have together it payment enough. The doctors said that you were a miracle; none of them expected the pregnancy to go to term, but here you are. The first time I held you in my arms was like a dream come true. I loved you more deeply than I ever thought possible and you made me the happiest woman in the world.
About a month after you were born I went back to the doctor for a check up. He gave me news that I had been prepared for: the cancer was back and more aggressive than ever before. He told me that treatment would only delay the inevitable, the cancer was going to kill me. Now it is only a matter of time. The doctors say I could have anywhere from six weeks to 5 years to live, it's hard to tell for sure. The point is, I know I'm not going to be there for you your whole life. I'm never going to see you go on your first date, graduate, go to college. I'm not going to be there when you get married. I have come to accept that. I may not like it, but that's the way things are.
I'm not dwelling on that fact, however. I'm focusing on each moment that I spend with you because each moment is precious. Even if I die tomorrow, I'll be grateful for the short time we've had together. Even when I'm gone, I'll never be far away. Nothing can keep me from seeing you grow up and I will be there ever step of the way, I promise you that. When ever you are lonely, just remember I'm right by your side, always.
Now some words of advice because I can't deliver them any other way. First of all, remember who you are. You are a Caine, and a Delko; both are something to be extremely proud of. Your father is the bravest man I know and he should be your example in life. No one should make you feel like you are less than who you are. You can accomplish anything.
You are coming to that time in your life where you'll want to fall in love and find a man to spend the rest of your life with. Don't be afraid to take your time and keep looking. You may feel like you need to be worthy of him, but make sure he is also worthy of you. Don't settle for anything less that what you want. Sometimes love is worth the wait, just look at your father and me. Don't jump into anything because you feel like you have too, be your own person. Most of all, love yourself and everything else will fall into place.
My time is short and I must close now, but I want you to remember to dream big and never let anything get in the way of you achieving those dreams. You have the makings of greatness in you; show the world what you are capable of. I believe in you, I always have. I love you so much Izzy, never doubt that. Know that I wish I could be there with you, but also know that you are never without me. I'll always be there watching over you.
I love you Isabelle.
Mom
Izzy let the emotions flood her heart. She smiled through the tears as she imagined angel arms wrapped around her in a fierce embrace. This was without a doubt the best present she'd ever received. Sitting in the silence for a long while, she let the words and emotions roll over her. She cried and she laughed, but most of all she felt loved.
"I love you Mom," she said to the silence surrounding her, knowing that she was being heard.
A/N: (passes out tissues)(sniff) I love that scene. Even though Marisol is dead, she will always live on in the hearts of those who love her. sigh Okay, I'm under control again. Please review! Bonus points to anyone who can spot the CSI Miami quote in this story! ;)
Next chapter: Gavin's Girl. That's right folks! You finally get to meet Gavin! (does a little happy dance)
