CSI:MIAMI SEASON ELEVEN
Episode Fourteen
A/N: I'd like to thank everyone who's been reading this story. I wasn't getting many reviews, but when I looked at the traffic info on this story, I was amazed at how many people had read the story.
I haven't given the creator of these wonderful characters his due, so thank you, Anthony Zuiker...we are forever in your debt.
I also want to thank everyone for being so patient while I took a little hiatus. I got sidelined by the Olympics, and taking time to do research for my non fanfic work. I am finally giving in to my husband and family and putting in the work for writing I'll get paid for. I am scared to death, but after writing fanfic for nine years, I've had plenty of practice. LOL You wonderful readers have been my faithful guinea pigs, and I am so grateful for the critiques and guidance over the years.
As a second note, this chapter was again delayed, this time by an ill-timed hurricane. Isaac left me without power, so I didn't dare open the laptop, for fear of losing anything. Now that things are back to normal (hubby still has to cut up the downed trees...luckily none hit any homes) I can get back to business. I thank y'all for your patience!
Calleigh, the Louisiana bullet girl
The next morning the couple awoke to the sounds of giggles coming through the monitor. It was barely seven in the morning. "Well, we told them we had to get up early." Calleigh yawned and laid back on her pillow. "It sounds like they're playing a video game."
"It does. Why don't you rest for a bit, and I'll go down and make breakfast for them, and then we can go get our blood work done. Hopefully the uniform store will be open by then. How's that ankle today?"
"Not too bad, but I haven't put any weight on it yet."
"I'll go check on the kids and see what they want for breakfast, then I'll come up and put your boot on for you."
"Oh, I can't wait to put that fashionable thing on again."
"At least you can take it off it bed, Sweetheart."
"You should be the one happy about that. Your shins would be black and blue from me kicking you all night." She giggled and started to get up.
"No, you lie back down and relax. I'll feed the kids and get them dressed, and then you can get up."
"Horatio..." She frowned at him.
"Calleigh..." He moved back to the bed and moved her legs back under the covers before stroking her hair lovingly.
"I wish you were more wrong right now."
"I know you do. I know." He leaned down and kissed her forehead before disappearing downstairs. She smiled as she listened to the kids as they greeted their father, and heard him praise them for already being dressed to go. She teared a bit as she thought of the rough life they'd already had. They were so young, and had to learn how to take care of themselves. She listened to them giggling as they helped Horatio make pancakes, and her stomach growled. She loved those pancakes, but they had to fast for their blood work. He owed her one for making her smell them while she couldn't eat.
Once they were done eating, they moved to Austin's room and played a game while Horatio returned upstairs to help Calleigh dress. "Pancakes? Seriously, Horatio? My stomach is turning flip flops I want them so bad!" To make her point she stuck out her lower lip in a perfect pout.
"Nice try, Mrs. Caine. You can stop your pouting, I made extra for when we get back."
"I take back all the nasty thoughts I had about you, Mr. Caine."
"Save those nasty thoughts for later, love. The kids are ready and waiting for us. What do you feel like wearing?"
"I guess a sun dress. Putting that thing over pants will be too hot."
"Good idea." He pulled one of his favorite dresses out of the closet. "How about this one?"
"I don't think it's your color, Handsome." She giggled.
"You don't think so? You wear it, then. It'll look wonderful on you."
"I am not taking you to Louisiana ever again. My family has turned you into a regular smartass."
He chuckled as he pulled off the covers and moved her into a sitting position. He slowly began to move her nightgown over her head, letting his fingers roam her body.
"Mmm, Horatio, we do NOT have time for that."
"There's always time for that." He leaned down and kissed her softly. "Just not time for the rest of it this morning."
She sighed loudly as he helped her dress, and then applied her cast. "I hate this thing."
"Just remember whose idea it was to climb up into the top of the barn."
"How the hell was I supposed to know the damned ladder was going to break?"
He helped her to a standing position and kissed her softly. "You couldn't have known. I'm just glad it wasn't one of the little ones, they could have been seriously hurt, more than just a cracked ankle."
She smiled at him. "You're right, I would have hated it if it had been one of the kids. So, how do I look?"
He turned from the closet where he was pulling out his suit. "Beautiful, as always, Calleigh."
"You're wearing a suit? Why not go a little more casual?"
He pulled off his dress shirt, and pulled a polo shirt out of the closet. "How's this?"
"Much better." She carefully stepped over to him and slipped her arms around his neck, kissing him gently. "I love you. Ready to go?"
"I love you, too. Definitely ready." He carefully helped her down the stairs where they collected the children and headed out to the Hummer.
"Is it going to hurt when they take your blood?"
"No, Patty, not a bit."
"Are you sure? I can come in and hold your hand." Austin was back in 'protect Mommie' mode.
"Kids, we will be fine. Just a little needle and then they'll take two or three tubes of blood from us."
"I'll be sitting right next to her, Son. I'll hold her hand." He reached over and ruffled his son's hair. "Now hop in and buckle up." He looked over at Calleigh and laughed as she was strapping Patty into her booster chair. She winked back, knowing they shared the same thought. They were soon going to need a bigger vehicle, able to carry 4 children.
After the blood work they visited the uniform store and picked up several school uniforms for each child. Once they arrived home, Horatio escorted his wife back to bed, and then went downstairs and reheated the pancakes, and scooped up some of the fruit that Austin had chopped. The children followed him back upstairs where they all sat and talked while Calleigh ate. "Where's yours, Handsome?"
"I nibbled while I was fixing yours. I promised to let the kids swim, remember?"
"Yay!" came the quick response. "We thought you forgot, Daddy. What about Mom?"
"She's going to take a pain pill and rest a bit, and then she can come down for lunch outside by the pool. Why don't you two go put your suits on and I'll be right down?" He watched his kids run out of the room and then kissed Calleigh's forehead. "How's that sound?"
"Actually, pretty good. I couldn't take the pill earlier, and the ankle is starting to ache."
Horatio picked up her juice and handed it to her, and then reached for her pain pills. "Here you go. Now lay down and relax, we'll be downstairs if you need us. I'll take the silly baby monitor down to the pool."
"Now, ya see? I told you we'd need it."
"And now who's the smartass?"
She giggled. "I'm from Louisiana. It's in my DNA."
"We're ready, Daddy!" came the shouts from the other room.
"I guess it's lifeguard time."
"Horatio, you'd better get into the pool with them, I've seen Austin swim, but I don't know about Patty."
"She says she can."
"She thinks she can do anything that Austin can. Get in the pool with her."
He kissed her softly. "I had already planned on it, love.
She grabbed his shirt and pulled him down to her. "I love you. Have fun with the angels."
"I love you too. Get some rest now."
"I will, don't forget the silly baby monitor."
"I can't wait until the alarm system is installed, no more carrying these things around."
"Daddy!"
He kissed her one last time, sighing deeply. "I'll wear them out."
"Don't forget the sunscreen, it's in the downstairs bathroom."
"Yes, ma'am." He chuckled as he closed their bedroom door and headed downstairs to herd their children into the pool.
Calleigh closed her eyes and smiled as she heard her children's screams of delight as their father tossed and splashed them. She reached over and turned the monitor down so she could sleep.