Chapter 21

One week later, Saturday, 4th August and at 6:00 pm in the evening Tommy was ready as was Horatio who was dressed casual wearing a plain pale gray shirt, neck open, and navy slacks. They were quietly waiting for Aileen who was actually feeling nervous about this evening. Everyone invited knew Horatio really well, and she didn't. She had briefly met Calleigh, Eric, Frank and Walter, but none of the others. She took one last look at herself in the mirror and wandered into the lounge hoping Horatio would be pleased with the way she looked. She didn't want to let him down in front of his friends. She was wearing a knee length, sleeveless red beaded modern style flapper dress, with a zig-zag hem, and she was wearing extremely high heeled black sandals. She had chosen a red dress as she knew he liked to see her wearing red. She needn't have worried about what Horatio thought as it was evident by the look on his face, and she chuckled to herself and relaxed.

Horatio moved over to her, caught both her hands in his and walked her around in a circle saying, "Well, who is this gorgeous lady in red I am going out with tonight?"

Tommy giggled, "Don't be silly Horatio. You know who it is, that's my mom."

Laughing they left the apartment early enough to reach the Restaurant ahead of their guests and once in the car Horatio placed his right hand on Aileen's left thigh saying, "You look fantastic Sweetheart."

When they arrived, they were really pleased as the manager knowing it was a sizeable party had sectioned off one complete end of the garden for them, and with the scent of the flowers and the lights hanging from the trees, and candles on the table it was a perfect setting, and Aileen quickly placed the seating arrangement cards on the table just before their guests started arriving.

Calleigh, Eric & Natalia arrived first, followed by Ryan, Frank and Walter. On seeing Tommy, Walter gave him a high five and made Tommy laugh. Then James Burton arrived, closely followed by Yelina and Alexx. Horatio introduced them all to Aileen and Tommy as they arrived.

They were all offered an aperitif and then they sat down round the table in accordance with the seating arrangement. Alexx was delighted she was sitting next to Horatio she had asked him if she could and he had honored her request. Next to her family he was her favourite person; she thought a lot of him, he was very special to her and she knew he understood that.

As the evening progressed everyone was clearly enjoying this get together immensely; the food, wine and company were excellent and the chatter didn't stop all evening.

Horatio sat there thoroughly relaxed and contented with the way the whole evening was going. He was in fact being a bit lazy. He was talking to colleague friends across the table, but Aileen was being the perfect hostess and during the evening she moved around the table talking to all of them in turn and he could see she was charming them all. When she returned to her seat, he grabbed her right hand and putting it up to his mouth to kiss he whispered, "Nice work; my beautiful lady in red."

Aileen smiled and feeling happy that Horatio was pleased with her, leaned over and kissed his cheek. Shortly after Horatio noticed she was having a long chat with James, and he knew he had been right to suggest she sat next to him.

At one point in the evening, Alexx who had never been very close to Yelina caught her looking at Horatio wistfully, and feeling really irritated with Yelina she thought, "No good looking like that at what you could have had Yelina. You had your chance and you didn't treat him well, and he was always too damn good for you anyway."

Not like this lovely woman by his side tonight, she was a different matter. Alexx had really taken to Aileen. She had noticed the special looks Horatio kept giving Aileen, and it was abundantly clear that he was happier than she had ever seen him and this made her very happy to see him this way. She had always had a special love and regard for him, and she felt that he had been the victim of abuse himself at sometime in his life, not that he had ever said...but, sometimes he unknowingly said a word here and there that made her think this and he was extraordinarily good with abused kids.

Then she tapped Horatio on the hand to get his attention and looking at Aileen she whispered, "Excellent choice Horatio."

"You don't know how happy she makes me Alexx?"

"But, I do Horatio; it shows in your face." Then smoothing the back of her hand down the side of his face she whispered, "It's about time you had true love in your life Horatio. Be happy."

Horatio leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek as a thank you.

Tommy had gravitated to all of them one by one throughout the evening. All of them thinking what a polite little boy he was, but it was clear he was happiest with Walter and Alexx. Horatio had grinned at one point when he noticed how well he was getting on with Alexx. Her mother hen attitude was winning the day with Tommy. Funny how kids always knew when an adult really was interested in them. He was so contented and happy he failed to notice that Yelina did not look particularly happy.

Towards the end of the evening Horatio popped out to his car, and returned with a box in his hand and opened it in front of them saying, "I think this is an occasion to smoke these very fine cigars that Senor Lopez left for us back in April don't you?" Then taking a cigar for himself first, he handed the box around for the men to help themselves. He stopped in his tracks though when he reached James, suddenly remembering they were not supposed to accept gifts. But James just smiled and said. "It's alright Horatio. I know it was a one off," and helped himself to a cigar.

"I didn't know you smoked Horatio. I have never seen you smoking," said Aileen taken by surprise.

"I used to smoke Aileen, but managed to stop some years ago. However, on the odd occasion when I get my hands on a really good Cuban Havana cigar and have something to celebrate, like tonight, I will enjoy a cigar."

Puffing away at his cigar, James sat there looking and thinking about Horatio for a few minutes. He had always known that Horatio's team were extremely good but he was realising tonight, more than ever just why Horatio's team worked so well with him. It was quite clear tonight that they simply loved the guy. At that moment he was awe of the man. And Aileen his bride to be was simply charming. He had heard a little about her from Michael Hayes and knew she had worked for a solicitor, and he had had a really nice chat with her tonight. He was glad he had been invited.

Then Horatio asked who wanted coffees and they all did, so he ordered coffee for all.

While they were sipping their coffees Eric stood up and spoke, "Horatio and Aileen, I want to thank you on behalf of us all for inviting us to this wonderful party tonight in celebration of your forthcoming marriage. We wish you well, and hope you will both continue to be as happy together as you look tonight. We have really enjoyed ourselves and it has been a pleasure getting to know you a little more Aileen."

Aileen responded, "Likewise Eric, It has been a good opportunity for me to meet you all and get a little closer as well. I have heard so much about you all and before you ask it has all been good." Then laughing she added, "Horatio probably doesn't tell you, but I'll let you into a little secret, he thinks the world of all of you."

"Hey what you go and tell them that for," said Horatio laughing. "Now they will think I have gone soft in the head."

"Oh we knew that already" said Alexx chuckling.

Then Eric continued, "Horatio, none of us knew what to get you and Aileen for a wedding present so the team including Tom Loman and Mr Burton clubbed together and decided to give you a cheque, with the payee blank so that you can choose something you like for yourselves from one of the big stores in New York, if you get time to shop that is," said Eric laughing as he handed the cheque to Horatio. "If not, add your name to the payee and bank it to spend whenever you need something. Sorry it is nothing inventive Horatio, but your apartment is full of really nice stuff, and we don't know what Aileen's tastes are as yet."

Horatio stood up saying, "Thank you for your generous gift my friends. Neither, Aileen or I expected a gift. This party was just given with the intent to have you here to share in our happiness. But, we receive this gift with gratitude. Many thanks to all of you, you are very kind."

Then giving Aileen his hand and drawing her up and in close to him he placed his left arm around her shoulders and said, "I would like to thank you all for coming. It has been a wonderful evening, and one Aileen and I will always remember with fondness."

Then Calleigh, with a cheeky grin on her face spoke up, "Horatio, as this was a party to celebrate your wedding next week, and we would all have been there had the wedding been in Miami, don't you think you should give us the pleasure of seeing you kiss your intended bride now?"

Horatio, smiled at her shaking his head from side to side, then turning to Aileen, he whispered, "Let's give them a show shall we?" And promptly gave her a long lingering kiss, and everyone clapped except Yelina who looked downright miserable and which was noticed by Alexx who muttered, "Get over it Yelina."

The others were actually surprised Horatio had co-operated; they had never seen him like this before, and Calleigh and Natalia were both mouthing, "Wow" to each other across the table both thinking their boss was some kisser.

Ryan had been taking photographs throughout the evening and caught that shot perfectly and Horatio asked him if he could have copies of all the photographs when they were printed as reminder of the evening to go with their wedding photographs to be taken in New York.

Ryan had responded, "Sure Horatio; was going to give you prints anyway."

Then they called it a night. They all phoned for cabs, none of them had come in their own cars because of drinking; some of them shared a cab home. Horatio had driven as he had intended to only drink one glass of wine and had stuck to this. As they all departed Horatio and Aileen said goodnight to them individually and thanked them again for coming. Horatio hugged Yelina, and said "Have a good Vacation Yelina," and kissed her on the cheek. Yelina turned to Aileen, and gave her just a hint of a smile as she said, "Welcome to the family Aileen." Aileen nodded her head, and said, "Thank you," but couldn't help thinking that Yelina had not sounded that sincere and for a minute she felt uncomfortable, as she remembered that when she had been working her way around the table Yelina had hardly said a word to her. But she put this to the back of her mind, for now, everyone else had been so enthusiastic, and she was pleased for Horatio...his friends had helped make it a wonderful evening.

Horatio had offered to take Alexx home and he had to prise Tommy out of her arms as he had gone to sleep. On the drive to her place Alexx told Aileen and Horatio that any time they wanted to go out for a night together she would be more than happy to sit with Tommy for them. They both thanked her saying they appreciated her offer and would take her up on it if a need arose. When Horatio dropped Alexx off he watched her walk to her front door and was happy to see Henry open the door for her and gave him a wave and drove away knowing she was home safe.

Once they arrived home and after Aileen managed to get Tommy into bed with no cooperation from him as he was in a deep sleep, she joined Horatio in the lounge. She removed her sandals as her feet were really aching now and she snuggled up next to him on the sofa. He had made a chocolate nightcap and they sat there for a while talking quietly about how well the evening had gone and how much they had enjoyed themselves.

When they finished their drinks, Horatio knelt down in front of her and gently massaged her feet asking, "Does that feel better Sweetheart."

"That feels wonderful Horatio," Aileen said as she leaned back in the sofa and enjoyed his soothing hands on her feet and ankles, and she gave a big sigh when he ran his soothing hands over her sore calf muscles. A couple of minutes later Horatio pulled her to her feet and into his arms saying, "I was so very proud of you tonight. You absolutely charmed them all and you looked and still look amazing."

Then as he removed her dress he mumbled, "Please take this dress with you to New York, I have a reason." But as he spoke Aileen looked at him with her sultry eyes and he was lost, and he didn't know whether she heard him and at that point he didn't really care.

TBC