Chapter 14
Marisol paced the hall outside Joanna's lab. Since she had punched Jo Marisol had been stricken with guilt. She had to make it right. She perked up at the sound of laughing. Horatio's laugh. And there they were. Horatio's arm covertly wrapped around Joanna's waist. Joanna leaning into him as if telling a joke. And they both threw their heads back and laughed. Marisol smiled sadly. She had never seen Horatio so happy. Jo was right for him. Marisol knew that now. But there was still unfinished business. Joanna laughed again and then saw Marisol. Joanna's smile halted. "Marisol." Mari wrung her hands and met Jo's untrusting gaze. "Can we talk please?" Joanna untangled from Horatio and nodded. Horatio slid an uneasy glance at Jo but with a nod he left them to their business. Joanna watched as Marisol sat down. Realizing Marisol wouldn't speak Joanna decided to come out with it. "Ok you hate me. Why do you suddenly want to talk?" Marisol winced slightly. "I-I don't hate you I just wanted to apologize..." Jo stilled and looked at Mari. "Excuse me?" Marisol sighed and rubbed her neck. "For hitting you.. And all the petty things I pulled." Joanna cocked her head not believing what she just heard. Usually the other woman stayed mad! But here Marisol was apologizing to her. To her!
Joanna cleared her throat nervously. "Mari..." Marisol didn't have time to register that Joanna called her nickname. "You hate me. You should. I'm sorry!" Joanna growled. "I don't hate you Mari." Marisol stilled. She doesn't hate me? Joanna smiled and touched her hand softly. "I don't hate you. I understand why you did what you did.. Now your right hook is still healing but," Joanna chuckled softly. "I'm willing to forgive and forget." Marisol practically tackled Joanna in a hug. Joanna laughed caught off guard and hugged back awkwardly. She was never a good hugger. Unless of course it was Horatio. She had to blame her history for the fact she didn't feel comfortable with too much contact. But Marisol was of course a hugger. As much as it pained her to do so, to ease Marisol's guilt, Joanna returned the hug in full. Sensing this Marisol pulled back and laughed nervously. "Good..." Joanna nodded just as nervous. "We're good Marisol. We're good."
Horatio smiled from his perch at the corner of the hall. He had never truly left them, for fear of things going bad. But seeing the two women hug and then laugh nervously gave Horatio relief like no other. He had his woman with a ring on her finger. The other woman had made up with Jo. And they still had to tell the team the good news of their engagement. He would have to ask Calleigh and Natalia for help planning the wedding. And the men would help with everything else. Like the bachelor party that they had promised Horatio. He shook his head and Eric walked up smiling. "What's up H." Horatio clapped Eric on the back and smiled. "Looks like you get to throw me a bachelor party after all." Eric's eyes widened. "You and Joanna?" Horatio nodded and grinned. "Got the ring to prove it!" Despite it being so fast Eric hugged him. The kind of man hug you don't wanna see cause it's actually cute. "Congratulations H! I'm so happy for you two!" Horatio smiled and clapped Eric's shoulder. "Actually that reminds me of what I needed to ask you." Eric nodded enthusiastically. "Sure anything H." Horatio let a grin crack his face. "Will you be my best man?" Eric went stock still for a moment then grinned big, his dark brown eyes lighting up. "Horatio I'd be honored." Horatio nodded. Marisol and Joanna were made up. He had a best man. Now, he groaned. They had to plan the darn wedding. He smiled wickedly thinking of the wedding night. It would be worth it.
Eric smiled knowingly at Horatio and wolf whistled lowly. "Horatio you're whipped man." Horatio dipped his head and smirked. "Im not whipped. Whipped would mean I wouldn't want to be." Eric laughed and shook his head walking away. Joanna met Horatio out there. "You never left us alone did you?" Horatio smirked and shook his head. Jo smirked. "Be that as it may me and Mari are good and she knows now." He smiled and dropped a kiss on her head. "All that leaves is telling the team. Let's go." Joanna linked their fingers and walked with Horatio to the break room where everyone was currently congregated. They noticed instantly the linked hands and knew something was up. Eric grinned but kept his mouth shut. "Guys looks like H and Jo have an announcement." Joanna nodded and with a kiss from Horatio smiled at her team, now family. Every one of them. From Frank all the way to Alexx. Horatio smiled and almost burst as he said. "Joanna and I are getting married." The room erupted and the happy couple got swarmed with hugs. Nat and Calleigh both yelled. "We're gonna help plan!" Joanna laughed and nodded. Horatio caught her eye and nodded to Frank who was crossing for Horatio to Jo. Jo nodded and while Horatio corralled the men who were already shouting details of their plan for the bachelor party, Joanna pulled frank aside. "Frank can I ask ya somethin." Frank nodded and hugged her smiling. "Sure darlin'." Joanna smiled sadly. "Well my dad is gone...and with no next of kin I don't have anyone to walk me down the aisle." Her eyes filled with tears and Franks, although he wouldn't admit it, did as well. "What are ya sayin Jo?" He had to hear her say it. Joanna smiled. "Will you walk me down the aisle and give me away?" Frank choked up and held her close, just like he did in the hospital, when she needed someone the most. "Joanna darlin. Id be happy to." Joanna grinned and made her way over to Horatio and hugged and kissed her fiancé. Damn it feels good to say that. Joanna thought happily. "He say yes?" Horatio asked smiling. Joanna grinned. "Mhmm." She wrapped her arms around him and they both smiled as the team swarmed and celebrated. These next few months would be pretty long until their wedding day. Well worth the wait. Well worth it.