A/N: Hope you enjoy this chapter. I feel like my writing haven't been up to standard or whatnot. But I'm trying :)
-A week later-
Looking over the whole New York City at the top of the Empire State Building with the man she loves was the most amazing feeling ever. Leaning against his body, head on his shoulder, Calleigh took a deep breath. She has longed for this moment; just basking in the glory of having Horatio returning to her and just having her complete family with her. Standing at the top of the building, Calleigh got a whiff of his scent as the wind blows gently. Musky yet manly. As they watch the sunset and the lights slowly replacing the sun, she could feel his strong yet gentle hand on her waist, fingers gently caressing her flat stomach over her dress. His fingers were very gentle with her. Calleigh placed her hand on top of his and pulled herself closer into him. It was during that moment that she wanted to forget about everything and everyone.
Horatio felt her warm, soft hand on his and he felt a jolt of electricity run through his body. As she pulled herself closer to him, he kissed the top of her head, inhaling her sweet strawberry scent. His other hand held onto the stroller in front of them and as they were enjoying the view of the whole city slowly being lit up, his thoughts went back to the package in his pocket. Calleigh had, on his birthday, asked if he wanted to relive the happiest moments in his life, including a wedding and even having the opportunity to watch the birth of a child. His own child. He had thought about it and thinking about how he desired to have that moment when he flipped through the family album, he knew he wanted it to happen. He wanted to relive the happy moments. He wanted a happy memory. A memory that he and Calleigh could share together.
When he realized what he wanted, he decided that he needed to take action. He wanted it. He wanted what he saw in the album. His happy life. He wanted to remember every second of it. Almost losing the woman in his embrace made him realize that he did actually love her and it took him so long to realize that. He didn't want to lose the opportunity to be happy with her or to make her happy. He didn't want to lose the opportunity to enjoy the growth of another baby inside her. He wanted to enjoy every second of it. He wanted to pamper her and he wanted to be there with her when she fought for the baby. He wanted to be there to cut the cord. He wanted to remember every second of it and would never forget it like he had with Horatius and Alayna.
He slipped his hand away from her and loosened his embrace. He made sure the stroller was not blocking the way and that it was in his sight. After he assured himself that his children were secured within his line of sight, he gently turned Calleigh to face him and looked deep in her emerald eyes. Even in a dimly-lit place, her eyes were still shining. Under the moonlight and under the shining stars, with the whole city below them, he wanted to profess his love to her. He wanted to show the world that the woman with him was his world and just as he promised her before, he would prize her above all others.
"Calleigh Duquesne, above this whole city, I want you to know that I've realized that you and I are meant for each other. I want you to know, just like this city, my life would be dark and empty without the lights and the light that I need is you. I want the world to know my love for you and I want the world to be the witness to our love. I may not remember how or why I fell in love with you in the past but now I know. I know the reason why I fell in love with you and I have once again fallen in love with you." As he stared into her eyes, he slowly got down onto one knee and held the box open in front of him. "Will you let me fall in love with you over and over again for the rest of my life?"
Upon hearing his little speech, Calleigh teared up and let a tear fall. She was touched and amazed at how the man in front of her never failed to surprise her. Everyone around them were staring at them and waiting for her to give her reply. She stared at the man in front of her in awe. With hand over her mouth, trying to contain her squeal, she nodded yes. Horatio beamed. The crowd cheered for them as he stood and pulled her into his embrace.
"I love you Calleigh." He whispered.
"I love you too Horatio." He let her go and took the ring, slipping it on her finger. Time stood still as they shared a passionate and searing kiss, both enjoying the sweet and romantic moment together under the moonlight and above the city. She was elated beyond words. Horatio had made her night. He had made their last night in New York the most beautiful one despite the horrible incident. Soon, they would return to their hometown where all the game started. They would be back to hunt whoever that was behind all the drama and the agony they had to suffer.
Calleigh stood in the morgue, waiting for Alexx to turn away from the body she was operating on. She had never been this excited and happy since she lost her baby. Horatio returning to her and confessing his love to her was more than anything. Just that simple gesture could make her happy and forget the world. She would never be able to forget about the baby she lost but with Horatio walking every step with her, she would slowly move on. In fact, she has promised herself that she would give him everything. She would give him the opportunity to relive every moment of his life.
"Hey honey. Come on in. I'm done with this guy." Calleigh stepped in and Alexx noticed the glow in her. She knew Calleigh was happy. "You look happy."
"I am. Horatio proposed." Calleigh held up her hand and showed Alexx the ring on her finger. It was a simple diamond ring. Even though it was not as fancy as his previous gifts, she was happy with it. As long as it was from him, she doesn't mind anything at all. Alexx was happy for her. Finally, her good friend was happy. Finally, after the loss of her baby, Calleigh was happy. She had seen the pain and misery Calleigh had gone through during the hardest moment of her life and she couldn't do anything to lessen her pain.
"Do I get to be your bridesmaid?" Alexx was just teasing her but she was surprised when Calleigh nodded. They would be having a wedding.
Horatio and Calleigh have discussed about it and they both decided that they would have a wedding ceremony because she wanted him to feel the jitters and the excitement of getting married. Besides, Horatio wanted to feel how it was like to get married. He wanted to know how happy he would be during that day. He wanted what he saw in the pictures.
"Come on Rick. You bailed me out to get revenge on Horatio didn't you. So let's do it."
"I did that because we had a deal that we're just going to bring him down. That's all." Rick was pacing up and down, across the room.
"Like you meant that." Lisa replied sarcastically.
"I really did. And that was why I went to all the troubles getting everything out of their access. I went to New York to get all the files on your damn organization! I even cleared his details or whatever that links him to you. I went to all the troubles to dig up his past. About his dad. I even dug up about Raymond Caine. You think I went to all the troubles for nothing?" Rick almost screamed.
It was true. He was the one who erased everything on John Kelly and even Hermanos Españoles. Apparently it was easy for him to get to the New York police especially when Horatio had bad blood with the IAB there. He had bad relations with the IAB as well and Rick used that as an advantage. With connections, Rick managed to get all the details on John Kelly and what he did. He was surprised that even then, Horatio had good arrest records. Nonetheless, he was amazed when he found out about the death of Horatio's father. The charges were dropped as it was claimed as self-defense. Rick wanted to dig deeper but no one else was able to give him any details of it. They only had the words of his brother who was now dead.
"Come on Rick. It's easy. You don't have to do much. Just haunt them a little and just set up something for me. That I'll tell you later when I've planned everything in detail. I just need you be there and help me with it." Lisa approached him with a seducing body language. As she neared him, she gently traced her finger down his chest and leaned into him. "Do it or I will report you to them. You know what you did was obstruction of justice don't you?"
"Damn you. I shouldn't have bailed you out."
"But you did. Because deep down you know you can't do this on your own and you needed someone to help you bring him down. But honestly Rick…you're pretty stupid. You know I want him to myself don't you? And besides, what can I tell you about him? I don't know much. I dated him once and that was it. I know nothing about his personal life." Lisa smirked.
As much as Rick hated to admit it, Lisa could actually help him bring Horatio down. He was finally going to get that position that Horatio 'snatched' from him. He longed for the moment when he would finally be called Lieutenant Stetler. While Calleigh was in New York, Rick flew over and sent that letter to her hotel room. It was also him who hit her on the head as she ran to the door to check for any suspicious behavior after she had called for the cops.
"Fine. Do what you want. I just want him out of the picture so that I can take over him. Just make sure he's not dead. I don't want that burden on me."
"Come on baby. You can do it." Horatio encouraged his son to walk. Horatius was finally taking his first steps. After a month, he was finally cooperating. Usually he would just lift himself up when his father held his hand but this time, he took his first step. Alayna on the other hand, was already grabbing onto the furniture and holding it for support as she pulled herself to walk. Slowly, Horatio let go of his son's hand and let him stand on his own in the beginning and let him go on his own. He was shaky and unstable, reaching for his father who only watched. He fell the first time but Horatio never gave up on him. He lifted his son up and let him go once again. He had to do it a few times until he finally took a step forward. He didn't want his son to be a quitter. At last, Horatius finally took his first steps and Calleigh had it recorded.
Alayna didn't need much help. She was very independent and she was starting to climb onto the table. As much as Horatio wanted to stop her from climbing, he didn't want to restrict his daughter. She was free to explore unless it became too dangerous for her. Horatius started holding on to anything that he could grab to support him and instead of walking to the front, he was walking sideways like a crab. Horatio and Calleigh let him be. They wanted him to learn to be independent. Seated on the table, Alayna watched her brother and spoke gibberish to which her brother responded. It was their little language that none of their parents understood. It was their own language that could make them giggle and scream. It was then when Horatius started to lift himself up to climb onto the table like his sister but he couldn't. He hasn't learnt the skills of climbing. He tried as he might but he still couldn't get up. Alayna reached out to her brother and pulled his hair as if she wanted to pull him up to the table but it was not successful.
"Come here princess. Let's get down. Your brother still cannot climb up." Horatio spoke to his daughter as he carried her down from the table. Just as Horatio placed her down, she got back up on her feet then slowly reached out to her father. He reached out for her and guided her to him. Horatio made her stand on his lap, letting her play with his hair. She always loved playing with his hair. Being jealous of his sister, Horatius crawled to his father. He grew tired of walking. As he reached towards his father, he pulled himself up and stood on Horatio's lap just like his sister. Instead of fighting with his sister or play with his father's hair, he snuggled into the crook of Horatio's neck.
"Ouch!" Horatio jerked his head to the side. "Horatius are you really that angry at me." He turned to Horatius and he was giving that cheeky look on his face after biting his father's neck. This boy would one day be the death of him. Horatio just couldn't imagine what trouble this boy would be once he could walk on his own. He would be all over the house, climbing and making a mess out of everything. Horatius snuggled into his father again. Being wary of what his son would do, Horatio warned his son not to bite him again. Horatio waited a few seconds to ensure that his son would not bite again but after having confirmed that he would not bite, he was surprised with yet another bite.
"Do that again and I'll pass you to mummy." He knew that his son understood what he said. Horatius was much more attached to his father instead of his mother but he knew to whom he should go to if he needed his milk or when Horatio wasn't there with him. Alayna was the kind of child who didn't really mind her father or mother but she would usually go to her mother. Once Horatio said that he would pass him to his mother, Horatius continued snuggling into the crook of his father's neck but didn't bite him anymore. He was afraid of his mother especially after the incident where Calleigh flicked his hand.
Calleigh came in with two milk bottles for them and when Horatius saw his mother carrying his bottle, he reached out for it. Instead of passing him the bottle first, Calleigh placed the bottle down on the table and reached out to carry him. He resisted in the beginning but eventually loosens his grip on his father.
"Aww look. You gave daddy a love bite. You must love him so much." Calleigh remarked as she lifted her son off Horatio and saw the mark on his neck.
Rick stood by the window, staring out into the blank space. He wondered what it would be like to hold a position as a lieutenant. He had dreamt of being called Lieutenant for so long and right now, he was going to achieve that dream of his. As he stared into his future, he felt arms snaking around his waist and body leaning onto him. He was too deep now. There was no more turning back. Horatio was going down now. He and Lisa were going to make it happen. It was just a matter of time.
"You ready for more?" She purred into his ear.
"Lisa, I don't know if this is right. You and me…dammit it would be a mess!" Rick took her hands off him.
"After all this? After you've already used me?" She berated. "You're just using me to get to Horatio aren't you?"
"Look, I'm not using you…I'm just…" Rick couldn't find a proper word. She was right. He was using her to get to Horatio but now he was deep in trouble. How the hell did he just slept with her. He couldn't believe himself. He got involved with her. He didn't want to admit it but she was irresistable. And in that moment, as much as he hated it, he wanted her. He wanted more of her. Roughly, he pushed her against the wall and used his body to keep her from escaping.
'Use her while you can. While it lasts. After you've got what you wanted, this will all be over.' He convinced himself that this was okay. That this would all be over when Horatio goes down.
"God why are you making this tough on me. You know so well that I can't resist you." Rick groaned in between his rough and hard kisses on her neck. He lifted her off the ground and held her against the wall, as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He was taking her there and then.
To be continued...
Hope you guys have enjoyed this chapter. If you have, drop me a review. If you haven't, feel free to hit me up with a critic or anything you want b/c I hope to entertain you with my stories and you might just be able to help me do that :)