Author note: I think it is time to introduce a case into this story. It won't be a very detailed and long case, but a case that helps to illustrate the title of the story. Family in all kinds of shapes and forms This is not my best chapter, I needed this chapter to introduce a case into this story. The next chapter will definetly be better, so please bare with me.
A normal afternoon
Celesta was busy preparing her lesson for that afternoon, when her phone started to ring. "Celesta Mahoney." She said a bit uninterested and hurried.
"Hey Celesta."
"Horatio! Hi, why are you calling?" her lesson was forgotten as she listened to the man on the other side of the phone. "Could you do me a favour?"
"Well that would depend on the favour." Celesta smiled.
"Could you pick up Kyle from school? He slept late after last nights' game, so he missed the bus and he has just called that he has forgotten his wallet and key. I have to go to a meeting and I'm not able to pick him up." Horatio sounded hurried.
"Sure, I'll pick him up, but I can't take home immediately. I have two gym classes first."
"I don't think he'll mind. Thank you Celesta. I got to go, bye." Before Celesta could say anything Horatio had cut off the connection. Bemused she shook her head and returned to her work.
An hour later Celesta stood outside the gates of Kyle's high school. While she waited she thought about the friendship that was growing between her and Kyle. She was pleasantly surprised how easy the last few days had come and gone. Still she had to remind herself that she was not Kyle's mother and in this instant it was just a little bit harder. Her thoughts were interrupted by the increase of noise and the sudden flow of students pouring out of the school. Desperate not to miss Kyle Celesta swiftly moved her head from side to side, glancing at all the faces passing her. "Hey Celesta, Horatio called and said you would pick me up." Kyle suddenly materialized beside Celesta.
"Good afternoon Kyle. I'm glad your father called all ready. Now I don't have to explain. Come on we've got to hurry." Celesta quickly turned and walked to her car. Kyle followed her. As Celesta drove off she told Kyle she wouldn't have time to bring him home first, so he had to wait in the gym hall for Celesta to finish her lessons. "That's okay, I'll wait with the gang outside." Kyle replied, not really interested.
In silence Celesta drove, slightly hasty, to the Shackles. "I'm really sorry that I have to rush, Kyle, but the lesson will start in ten minutes." Celesta said while she was getting out of her car. "Will you be alright here? You can always come in." Kyle said he would be all right: "Don't worry, I'll be with the gang here." He quickly got out of the car. He saw Celesta run to the entrance, smiling he shook his head. Then he turned to introduce himself to the other 'gang' members. The time outside was very uneventful, except for the arrival of an elderly man, claiming he had an appointment with Celesta.
"I'll walk with you, sir." Kyle said as he preceded Christoff to the hall. After knocking on the door he walked in. Celesta came down to greet them: "Hey Kyle, good afternoon Christoff. I was expecting Patric."
"I wanted to see these children for myself, Celesta." Christoff said before kissing her cheek by way of greeting. Celesta nodded and said to Kyle: "Thank you for showing Christoff in, Kyle."
"I think I will stay here, for the rest of the lesson is that okay?"
"Sure Kyle." Then Celesta pointed Christoff and Kyle to a bench. The rest of the lessons nothing happened.
"Kyle, are you sure you want to come? I could drop you off at home." Celesta was closing the booth of her car.
"This is the third tie you asked Celesta. Yes I am sure. I will call Horatio to tell him we'll be home later." Kyle pulled his mobile out of his jeans. Celesta had been invited by Christoff to come and watch one of his lessons at the Sporting Institute. The Sporting Institute was a large sport centre, accommodation a multitude of inside and outside sports, including a state-of-the-art gym hall., where one of the professional gym troupes trained. Kyle had immediately told Celesta, he wanted to come with her, he had become interested in gymnastic after watching the lesson Celesta had given. Now he wanted to see how the professionals trained. Celesta had told him she could take him home, but Kyle had declined, three times by this time.
Celesta turned the engine on and drove behind Christoff. Kyle turned his mobile off: "Horatio is working on a crime scene, so he'll also be late."
"So us being later won't matter. How was your day, Kyle?" Celesta opened the conversation, that continued almost the rest of the journey. When they neared the Institute there was a sudden increase of traffic.
"What is going on? Christoff didn't say anything about road works." Celesta said surprised. Then they saw the first police car and Celesta had half a mind to turn around and get away. But a glance in her rear-view mirror told her that wasn't an option. With a sigh Celesta followed Christoff. He lead them to the Sporting Institute, which was inaccessible due to the bright yellow crime scene tape.