AN: Thanks for the reviews. Here is the next chapter, enjoy.

Chapter 20: The Big day

Eight months later

It's been a year and three months since they've become a couple and 8 months since he proposed. Now the day that they've all been waiting for had finally arrived. They were thinking about a short engagement, but Calleigh really wanted to get married in the summer so Horatio said what the bride wanted that's what she got.

Since it was going to be on the beach, right outside of their place that they bought when they moved in together, Calleigh was in the room with the girls, Natalia, Alexx, Ashley and Sara, getting ready.

After they did the final touches, everybody left but Sara.

She smiled at her best friend and said. "Calleigh you look so beautiful, Horatio is going to love you even more."

Calleigh smiled at her best friend and replied. "Thank you, Sara." Then she looked at herself in the mirror.

She was wearing the traditional white dress, which was thin strapped, a little low-cut but not enough to make her uncomfortable, it went just below her knees and her hair was in long curls with a small touch of makeup.

After a few seconds of silence, Sara cleared her throat and said. "I'm very happy for you Calleigh, I hope you have a wonderful life with him and C.J."

Calleigh looked over at her friend. "I know I will."

"Any chances of more kids?"

Calleigh nodded. "We talked about it a few months ago and agreed we are open to the idea, but nothing has been decided and we want to talk to C.J. about it, just so he will know that nothing changes how we feel about him." Sara nodded in understanding, then Calleigh took a breath and continued to talk while looking back into the mirror. "Man is it alright to feel that this the right thing to do, but be nervous at the same time."

Sara chuckled as she replied. "Of course, do you remember my wedding?"

Sara and Grissom have been married 5 months now and she had been a nervous wreck that whole day.

Calleigh nodded with a chuckle of her own. "Yes, I do remember." She looked over at her friend again and asked. "But no regrets?"

Sara shook her head. "Not one. I trusted the love I had for Grissom and we're as solid as can be." Calleigh nodded as Sara continued. "Cal, I know that when you see your parents have a rough marriage you immediately think that's what's going to happen to you when you grow up and get married. But that doesn't mean it's going to happen because once you're married it's up to you and your partner to make it work, yeah sometimes you can work your tail off and it still ends, but there are other marriages that have survived the storm and come out stronger than ever. And I believe you and Horatio are one of those couples that's going to make a marriage work no matter what comes your way."

Calleigh took another breath, then smiled before saying. "Thanks again Sara, your words mean a lot to me. How did you know I was feeling like that?"

"Because I felt the same way." Calleigh was going to open her mouth, but Sara continued before she could. "I just hid it, but this isn't about me, this is your day."

Calleigh didn't know much about Sara's childhood, except that she was in foster care, which it really didn't matter what background she had, she was still one of her best friends.

"Ok, but any other day you can talk to me, you know that, right?"

"I know Cal."

"Alright."

After a few moment's pause Sara asked. "You ready?"

"Yeah, but can you get C.J.? I want to talk to him alone for a minute."

"You got it."

Calleigh nodded with a smile as Sara walked out of the bedroom.

When it was just her in the room, she looked in the mirror one more time before walking over to the bed, where her bouquet laid. She looked down and smiled at it as there was a knock on the door, then she turned around to the door and said. "Come in."

A few seconds later Calleigh sees a now 8-year-old C.J. walking in the doorway wearing a tux with his hair a little spiked, he looked so cute.

As she looked at him standing there she couldn't help but think he's grown up so fast, she smiles at him and said. "Can you come in here for a minute?"
He nodded as he walked in the room, then after he shuts the door he walks over to the bed.

When he sits on the end of it, she sits down next to him, puts her hand over his and said. "I just want to make sure that you're ok with me marrying Horatio and us starting a new life with him."

"I am, I really like him and I know he's a good person." Then he smiles bigger and said. "Now I can't wait for me to have his name too."

Calleigh smiled as she thought about that conversation and the event's that lead to that particular conversation.

Flashback

2 months ago

Horatio stopped the vehicle in the parking lot of the prison in New Orleans, then looked Calleigh and asked. "You sure you want to do this?"

Calleigh sighed, looked at him and asked. "You want to adopt C.J. right?"

After Kevin was convicted of his crimes, he was transferred to New Orleans because they felt that he was a threat to them if he stayed in Miami, and they were here to pay a visit to him to talk to him about something.

He smiled that soft smile and replied. "You know I do."

"Then I need to be sure that his rights are signed to us, so yes I'm sure."

He nodded and replied. "Ok, let's go."

She squeezed his hand, then before she released his hand she said. "Thank you for coming with me."

"There is nowhere else I would rather be."

After they leaned toward each other they kissed, then got out of the vehicle and headed for the entrance.

By the time they got to the Visiting area a guard was escorting Kevin to the table.

As he was hand cuffing a long, dark haired, bearded Kevin, he saw who his visitors was and said. "What do I owe to this visit?"

Calleigh didn't say anything until she grabbed the papers from her purse, unfolded them and sets them down in front of him. "I want you to sign away your rights to C.J."

"Why?"

"Horatio and I are getting married in two months and we want to start the process of getting him adopted in his name, and because you're the father you still have rights."

He smiled and asked. "Let me get this straight you want me to sign away my rights, so you can have it all? What do I get?"

Calleigh looks at Horatio and he nodded, then she looked back at him and said. "A reduced sentence, providing you get a tacking device on your ankle and you stay away from Miami and Las Vegas. We already have restraining orders made from Sara and Myself when you get out. So if you don't abide by this, then you'll be put back into prison so fast it will make your head spin."

Kevin thinks about this, then asked softly. "Will I ever get see him?"

Calleigh hadn't seen this softer side of him in years and answered his question truthfully. "Right now he doesn't want to and I'm not going to make him, but when he gets older and if he changes his mind, we'll see. That's all I can offer on his side."

Kevin picked up the papers, looked them over, looked up at her and said. "Ok, I'll do it."

Calleigh nodded and handed him a pen, which they watched him carefully just incase he wanted to use it as a weapon, but he just puts the pen on the paper and signed on the appropriate lines, then when he was done he sets the pen down and moves his hands away from it.

As Calleigh reached for the pen and paper, she said. "Thank you Kevin." She paused then asked. "I do have one more question for you." He looked at her and she continued. "When did you remember that night you had with Christy?"

He cleared his throat and said. "After I developed the first set a of pictures and really looked at C.J.'s face, I thought I recognized that smile and memories of that night started coming back to me. I swear I didn't know until then." He looked into her eyes as he said the last part softly. "Or else I would have done things a lot different. I'm sorry Calleigh for everything I did, including how I broke up with you. I was stupid and immature."

Calleigh just nodded and replied. "Yeah you were and unfortunately you can't undo them."

Then as Calleigh and Horatio started walking Kevin said. "Tell C.J. that his uncle said hi."

He figured that if he said 'dad' then he probably wouldn't appreciate it.

As the guard was hand cuffing him, Calleigh stopped, which made Horatio stop and look at her, she opened her purse and pulled out the most recent school picture of C.J., then she turned back around and said. "Guard Wait!"

The guard and Kevin stopped as Calleigh walked up to him and said. "Here." The guard was going to take it, but Calleigh said. "It's just a photo, what can he do with a photo?"

The guard paused then nodded his head in acceptance, Kevin looks at Calleigh and she nodded while still holding out the photo to him.

He took it, then when he looked at it he smiled and said. "He's gotten a little bigger." He looked at Calleigh and replied. "Thank you."

Calleigh just nodded, then turned and walked back to her fiancé as the guard continued to take Kevin away.

When they got back into the vehicle, he looked over at her and asked. "Do you think he'll follow the rules?"

She nodded, looked at him and replied. "You know, I have a feeling he will."

"Well he better that's all I have to say, because if he comes near you or C.J. again, he'll wish he didn't."

She gave him a smile. "Our own protector huh?"

He smiled, cups her cheek and replied. "Always, I know you can take care of yourself, but extra protection never hurt anybody."

"Especially when it comes from you."

They smiled before they lean toward each other and pecked on the lips, then after they pull back he starts the vehicle and starts driving while she looked out the window, thinking. Before they walked into the prison she thought when saw Kevin today anger would be coursing through her, but seeing the softer side of him made her feel a little softer, that's why she gave him a picture. Now she just hopes he could take this second chance and get his life in order.

Later that night

After picking C.J. up at a friend's house and having dinner with her dad, they were back in the hotel and sat C.J. down on the bed, wanting to talk to him, which he thought he did something bad, so he was looking down at his hands.

Calleigh smiled, puts her hands on top of his and said. "Buddy, you did nothing wrong, I promise." He looked up at her as she continued after clearing her throat. "There was a reason why we came here this weekend and it wasn't only to visit your mom or my parents. Horatio and I went to talk to your dad."
They saw the scared look on his face, so Calleigh hurried up and explained. "It's ok he's not coming to get you, you're safe with us."

He nodded, then asked. "Why did you have to talk to him?"

Horatio smiled and answered his question. "Basically so I can adopt you, so you can have my last name just like Calleigh will when we get married, are you ok with that?"

He thinks about it then asked with a small frown. "What about my mom's name?"

Calleigh smiled this time and replied. "You'll have both of their names."

C.J.'s face lit up and said. "Really, I can have both?"

Calleigh responded again. "Yes."

"Then I'm ok with it." He gets off the bed, walks to Horatio, and as he gives him a hug he said. "Thank you."

Horatio holds him to him and replied. "You're so welcome buddy."

A few minutes later Calleigh joins in the hug, all three happy their new start was coming together.

End of Flashback

The sound of C.J.'s voice brought her back to the present. "You ok Aunt Calleigh?"

Calleigh cleared her throat and replied. "I'm perfect." Then she smiled and continued. "I love you C.J. and I don't ever want you to forget that."

"I won't and I love you too."

After they hug, she kissed his cheek, then said. "Ready buddy?"

"Are you?"

Calleigh chuckled with a nod. "More than ever, well you get Aunt Sara now?"

"OK."

He gets off the bed and runs to the bedroom door as she watched him with another smile.

After he leaves, she takes a breath, trying to calm her last-minute nerves, but she could also feel the excitement creeping up.

After the couple had said their emotional vows and had their first dance, they all sat down at the long table and ate their meals while some of their guests were saying some wonderful speeches, then when they were done some of them stood up and stretched their leg's while talking, and others were dancing.

Among the dancers were Sara and Grissom, and as he held her close he asked. "How are you doing?"

She smiled and replied. "I'm fine and yes I've been able to keep food down."

He nodded with a smile, then asked. "And when are you planning on telling Calleigh? I figured you would want to tell your best friend right away that you're pregnant."

Sara was almost 2 months pregnant and when they found out they were very excited about becoming parents, of course they were a little frightened since it will be a first for both of them, but they fell in love with idea of a baby the moment she found out.

"I really did, but I wanted to wait a big longer, plus today is her day and I'm not going to steal her thunder."

He kisses her forehead and said. "You are wonderful, you know that."

"Why thank you Mr. Grissom, you know I love you right?"

He pulls back to look into those beautiful brown eyes and replied. "I love you too, Mrs. Grissom."

Then they peck each other on the lips before they hug.

Over at the table Calleigh was watching the interaction with a smile.

Horatio, who had been talking to Alexx, looked over at her and saw her smile, so he looked at her line of sight and saw Sara and Grissom in an embrace.

Calleigh looks over at her husband, which she lit up thinking of Horatio as her husband, then said. "They look so happy."

"They do and I don't know if anything is wrong, but Sara didn't drink any champagne or wine with her meal."

Calleigh looked shocked. "Really?" Horatio nodded, then Calleigh smiled again. "Wonder why she didn't tell me she was pregnant?"

"I don't know sweetheart, maybe she wanted to wait."

"Maybe...Well than I'll wait till she tells me and I'll act surprised."

Horatio nodded with a smile, then he leaned toward her and kissed her on the cheek.

As he pulled back he was about to ask for another dance but C.J. walked up to them and asked. "Aunt Calleigh, can I have this dance?"

Calleigh smiled at the little boy and replied. "I would be honored to."

C.J. smiled as he looked Horatio, and Horatio nodded as he said. "Go ahead buddy, just make sure you bring her back before dark."

C.J. chuckled with a nod as Calleigh gets up from her seat, then she kissed Horatio's cheek and said. "Love you."

"Love you too."

She then turns from her husband, took C.J.'s hand and they started dancing, while Horatio watched with a smile.

His attention gets diverted when Alexx speaks. "You did it Horatio." He looked at Alexx just as she continued. "You found your eternal happiness."

"That I did Alexx, that I did."

Alexx smiled, very happy for the red-head.

When that dance ended and the guests did a few others, including anther one from the bride and groom, they declared it was time for them to leave for the honeymoon.

After saying goodbye to most of the guests, Sara, Grissom, and C.J. walked Horatio and Calleigh to the vehicle, and when they got their stuff in the trunk Calleigh and Horatio walked back up to them.

She hugs Grissom first with a smile as he said. "Congratulations Calleigh."

"Thank you."

She hugs Sara next, and while in the hug Sara congratulates her too.

When she pulled back she smiled a bit bigger than she did to Grissom and replied. "Thank you Sara." Sara was a little confused on why she got a bigger smile, but just nodded back.

After moving away from Sara, Calleigh kneeled down to C.J.'s level and speaks. "I'll see you in five days, so be good for Aunt Sara and Uncle Grissom."

Sara and Grissom had decided to take time off of work, which was something they don't normally do, and watch C.J. while Horatio and Calleigh were on their honeymoon in Hawaii.

C.J. nodded and replied. "I will, Promise."

"Alright, give me a hug and a kiss."

After he did they said their love's yous before she stands up and moves out the way so Horatio could say bye.

As she was watching the beautiful scene, she fell in love with them even more, they were very beautiful together and could watch them all day.

When Horatio stood back up, he looked at his wife and asked. "You ready, Sweetheart?"

"I am."

Once they said goodbye one more time, Horatio helped her into the passenger seat before walking to the driver's side. He waives bye as he gets in the vehicle, then after he shuts the door he starts it, puts it in gear and starts driving.

When they hit their first light, they look over at each other and he asked. "Did I say how beautiful you look today?"

She smiled that smile that he loved as she replied. "You have, but I don't mind hearing it again."

He leans over the middle console, pecks her on the lips and said. "Well you do, I love you and I am so happy."

She pecks him on the lips again and replied. "I love you too, and I am about the happiest woman in the world, so thank you."

"You're welcome." Right as the light turned green he asked again. "You ready for the rest of our lives, Mrs. Caine?"

"With you by my side all I have to say is bring it on, Mr. Caine."

He chuckles as he starts going, then said. "Yes Ma'am."

She chuckled back for a few seconds, then when she calmed down she looked out the window and smiled.

Her day couldn't have been more perfect, now she just wonders what happens next.

AN: Hope you enjoyed it. Sad to say next chapter is the last one. Please review.